Title
Agriculture Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Service Agreement No. 14-73-06-6574-RA/ 071-M1510 with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services and County of El Dorado, for the term July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 for the maintenance of an Integrated Wildlife Damage Management program to protect residents, property, livestock, crops, and natural resources from damage caused by predators and other nuisance wildlife.
FUNDING: General Fund and Unclaimed Gas Tax.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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43,004.46 |
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Budget - Current FY14/15
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43,004.46 |
Budget - Future FY
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New Funding
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Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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Change To Net County Cost
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43,004.46 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
Funding has been included in the Department's FY 14/15 recommended budget.
Background
The Wildlife Services program is a cooperative venture between El Dorado/Alpine County and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the past, the USDA was providing one full time employee at no county cost as a 50/50 match for the county's one full time Wildlife Services employee. El Dorado and Siskiyou Counties were the last two counties in the state that held this agreement with USDA. Through budget reductions at the Federal level, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services (USDA APHIS-WS) program has renegotiated contracts with all counties throughout the state for wildlife services. The USDA is unable to continue to provide these services at no charge to the County.
There are two types of protection offered under this program with the main goal to control only the animals that are causing damage or injury, and providing technical assistance in wildlife damage prevention:
1. Urban animal damage. These calls involve home owners who have skunks, raccoons, or other wildlife that have taken up residence in the vicinity of their home, and are causing property damage or are
2. Farmers and ranchers with livestock, crop and/or property loss. Typically, these calls involve both domestic and wild animal attacks on agricultural land.
Reason for Recommendation
The Agriculture Department recommends approval of this Cooperative Service Agreement to ensure the continued assistance in resolving wildlife damage problems and protect public health and safety in El Dorado County. This Agreement also allows for cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Services (formerly Department of Fish and Game). APHIS will bill quarterly for actual cost incurred, not to exceed the annually approved amount specified in the Work and Financial plan. This Cooperative Service Agreement includes a provision for any party to terminate the Cooperative Service Agreement, without cause, upon sixty (60) days written notice.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
1. Chair to sign three (3) original Cooperative Service Agreements.
2. Board Clerk's Office to return three (3) original Cooperative Service Agreements to the Department of Agriculture.
3. Agriculture Department to distribute as appropriate.
Contact
Myrna Tow X6647
Concurrences
County Counsel and Risk Management