Title
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement for Sale of Conservation Credits with the Big Gun Conservation Bank, between Westervelt Ecological Services and the County of El Dorado as necessary mitigation for the construction of the Green Valley Road at Weber Creek - Bridge Replacement Project, CIP No. 77114.
FUNDING: Highway Bridge Program and Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds (Federal Funds).
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$251,940.00 |
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Budget - Current FY
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$251,940.00 |
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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$251,940.00 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The cost of mitigation credits is included in the budget of the Green Valley Road at Weber Creek - Bridge Replacement Project (Project) costs for Environmental Monitoring in the adopted 2014 Capital Improvement Program. The Project costs are eligible for 88.53% Highway Bridge Program funding and requires an 11.47% non-federal match.
Background
The Project is included in the Transportation Division's (Transportation) Capital Improvement Program. The Board adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Project on November 15, 2011 in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act.
In January 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) notified the County of the potential of the Project to impact the California red-legged frog (CRLF) and proceeded with formal consultation to further evaluate the impacts of the Project and the appropriate means to offset the loss of CRLF habitat. In January 2012, after collaboration with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the County, the Service issued a Biological Opinion which includes a conservation measure to mitigate an estimated 1.482 acres of removed CRLF habitat at a ratio of 2:1. The resulting 2.964 acres would be mitigated through the purchase of CRLF credits at a Service-approved conservation bank.
In January 2012, following issuance of the Biological Opinion, Caltrans issued a Categorical Exclusion pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, and adopted the requirement to mitigate 2.964 acres for the Project with conservation credits.
Reason for Recommendation
It has been determined the Project will impact CRLF habitat and must be mitigated in the form of purchasing CRLF credits from a Service-approved conservation bank. Transportation has confirmed the availability of credits with the Big Gun Conservation Bank in Placer County. The County will enter into an Agreement with Westervelt Ecological Services as the bank sponsor for $251,940 to purchase the required credits.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
1) The Clerk will obtain the Chair's signature on two originals of the Agreement.
2) The Clerk will forward the two signed originals to Transportation.
Contact
Bard R. Lower, Transportation Division Director
Community Development Agency
Concurrences
County Counsel