Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Agreement 4378 for Sale of Mitigation Credits with Westervelt Ecological Services, LLC, as owner of the Cosumnes Floodplain Mitigation Bank, for the sale of 2.31 Floodplain Mosaic Wetland (Riparian) credits to the County of El Dorado for a total purchase price of $300,300, as necessary mitigation for the construction of the Silver Springs Parkway to Bass Lake Road (South Segment) Project, CIP 76108/36105039.
FUNDING: Developer Advanced Traffic Impact Mitigation Zones 1-7 Fees, Traffic Impact Mitigation Zones 1-7 Fees, Developer Funds and Road Funds/Discretionary Funds.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Silver Springs Parkway to Bass Lake Road (South Segment) Project (Project) will complete the construction of Silver Springs Parkway in the northwestern area of Cameron Park from Green Valley Road to Bass Lake Road as shown on Exhibit TC-1 in the El Dorado County General Plan. In 1986, an alignment study was conducted to determine the future alignment, design, and improvements necessary to upgrade Bass Lake Road. The County prepared the 1992 Bass Lake Road Realignment Environmental Impact Report (EIR) which was certified by the Board of Supervisors on April 6, 1993. On August 2, 2016 (Item 28), the Board adopted the Subsequent EIR which includes updated and additional analysis to ensure compliance with current requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. Currently the Project is nearing completion of its Right-of-Way Phase and Design Phase. The Department of Transportation (Transportation) has secured resource agency permits necessary for the Project construction.
In accordance with California Fish and Game Code Section 1602, Transportation has notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) that the Project may affect existing fish or wildlife resources under the jurisdiction of the DFW. After reviewing the Project, DFW has determined that the Project will impact 2.31 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, and that the impacts may be mitigated by purchasing 2.31 credits from a DFW-approved conservation bank. Transportation has identified the Cosumnes Floodplain Mitigation Bank, owned by Westervelt Ecological Services, LLC (Westervelt) as a DFW-approved mitigation bank. DFW has confirmed that the purchase of 2.31 Floodplain Mosaic Wetland (Riparian) credits from Westervelt will satisfy the compensatory mitigation required for loss of riparian habitat. The cost per credit is $130,000, so the total cost for the Project's riparian habitat credits is $130,000 per credit x 2.31 credits = $300,300.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not to approve the Agreement as written. Transportation will make any changes requested by the Board, work with Westervelt and return at a later date.
2) The Board could choose not to purchase the mitigation credits and cancel the Project. Canceling the Project may include the consequence of refunding the developer for funds expended to date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background Section above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The Project is included in the 2018 CIP and approved by the Board June 26, 2018 (Item 61). The cost of the proposed mitigation credits is incorporated into the total costs for this Project. Funding is included in the FY 2019-20 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) originals of the Agreement.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully-executed original of the Agreement to Chief Administrative Office, Contracts & Procurement Unit, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation