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Agriculture Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Service Agreement 061-S1710 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, 2016 through June 30, 2017, with total compensation not to exceed $63,000, 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.
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DEPARTMENT 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). Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services (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.
DISCUSSION / 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. USDA had worked with the department to offset the charges over the last three years and this will be the first year for a full payment for the contract. The Department works very closely with the USDA to maintain a biologically-sound Integrated Wildlife Damage Management (IWDM) program to assist property owners, businesses, private citizens, and governmental agencies in resolving wildlife damage problems and conduct control activities in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
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 2. Farmers and ranchers with livestock, crop and/or property loss. Typically, these calls involve both domestic and wild animal attacks on agricultural land.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives to the USDA Wildlife Specialist would likely draw upon residents utilizing private professional pest control operators for small animal issues and possibly individuals who may not be licensed.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, Risk Management and Procurement and Contracts have approved the Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office concurs with staff's recommendations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Sufficient appropriations were included in the fiscal year 2016-2017 budget to complete this contract for $63,000; therefore a Budget Transfer is not required to complete the recommended actions.
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.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety, Good Governance
CONTACT
Charlene Carveth X5522