Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board approve the Master Stewardship Agreement (MSA) and authorize the Chair to sign the MSA, pending minor changes as approved by County Counsel, memorializing the collaborative agreement between El Dorado County and the USDA Forest Service, El Dorado National Forest, providing for a variety of future landscape restoration projects within the region.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The goal of the MSA is to collaboratively work together using a variety of funding, support groups, tools and methods to protect, enhance, and restore the Eldorado National Forest ecosystems in El Dorado County. The MSA with the Forest Service will allow the County to continue a long-term relationship and cooperative effort with the Forest Service for landscape restoration activities, fuel reduction projects, hazard tree removal, biomass utilization and related purposes.
The MSA will provide an opportunity for the parties to seek funding to expand partnership opportunities and to garner new and additional support from partners, including but not limited to the timber industry, Federal and non-Federal entities, tribal entities, and other interested entities. Mission accomplishment for both parties will be furthered by the restoration of natural resources across the landscape. Various individual projects pursuant to the MSA, developed jointly between the parties, will be brought back to the Board for approval in the form of a Supplemental Project Agreement (SPA) prior to implementation. For each project, the County and the Forest Service will collaboratively work together to identify and fund projects of mutual interest.
This action does not constitute a "Project" under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve the Master Agreement.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the approval of the Master Stewardship Agreement.
For any future projects that the two parties agree on, a corresponding Supplemental Project Agreement including fiscal responsibilities will be brought back to the Board for approval with applicable funding impacts. The MSA states that the County will be responsible for securing or providing the nonfederal share of project, where applicable. The County will also be responsible for providing a "project liaison" who can serve as the main contact for work conducted on projects under the agreement.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Draft Agreement is attached. Upon approval of Counsel, execution of final MSA and copy to Chief Administrative Office.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance, Infrastructure. This agreement is also consistent with the County's Vision to provide "Safe, healthy and vibrant communities, respecting our natural resources and historical heritage."
CONTACT
Don Ashton, Chief Administrative Officer
Shawne Corley, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer