Title
Environmental Management Department recommending Chairman be authorized to sign 2009/2010 Fiscal Year Funding Agreement No. 008-A-09/10-BOS with The River Store, Inc. in the amount of $22,000 for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 for the provision of the river shuttle service on the South Fork of the American River. (River Program)
FUNDING: River Trust fund and in the 2009/2010 River Program budget.
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$22,000 |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$22,000 |
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New Funding |
$ |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$22,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0.00 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: Funding is available in the River Trust fund and in the Proposed Fiscal Year 2009/2010 River Program budget.
Background: Element 3.1 of the County's River Management Plan states that, "The County will encourage the private sector to implement a river shuttle service. The County will assist in the implementation of this shuttle service or, if the private sector is unable to do so, the County may investigate operating this service".
Reason for Recommendation: On February 25, 2009, the River Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) voted to support an application by The River Store, Inc. to the Air Quality Management District for AB 2766 funding to continue the implementation of the shuttle service along the South Fork of the American River with the caveat that the River Shuttle establishes nonprofit status. In addition, the RMAC voted in support the using up to $22,000 in river trust fund revenue as matching funds to the grant if awarded. Should the AQMD funds not be forthcoming then this match would most likely be insufficient to operate the shuttle service and therefore not needed.
The shuttle service will eliminate the need for boaters to drive more than one vehicle to run a river trip on the South Fork American River which will reduce vehicle traffic by river users on County Roads and on State Highways that service the County. This will also reduce vehicle emissions and help mitigate the impacts from boaters. The shuttle will help reduce parking congestion at areas that are used by other recreationists and boaters. For Commercial rafting companies and permitted nonprofit organizations the shuttle will allow them to not need to drive multiple vehicles to run a shuttle or drive a full size bus for small raft trip.
The community aspects of the shuttle include opportunities for charters not provided by El Dorado Transit or for special events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony or Memorial Day ceremony. The shuttle will also include stops not serviced by the El Dorado County Transit when "dead heading" from a put in or take out. This will then provide a link to El Dorado County Transit from those unserviced areas for County residents.
Action to be taken following Board approval: The Board Clerk will transmit one fully executed original to Environmental Management for administration.
Contact: Gerri Silva, MS, REHS, Environmental Management Director
Concurrences: River Management Advisory Committee, County Counsel, Risk Management