Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board approve a one year extension for the implementation of the refinement of the Institutional User Group Designation as identified in the 2018 River Management Plan (Page 13), adopted February 13, 2018, which would extend the implementation requirements for institutional groups until February 13, 2022.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On February 13, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 018-2018 adopting the revised 2018 River Management Plan (RMP) for the South Fork of the American River. One of the management actions within the 2018 RMP was the refinement of the Institutional User Group Designation. The plan states on page 13 & 14, "A goal in the updated RMP is to create parity with the other managing agencies which require most of the current Institutional User Groups to possess Commercial River Use Permits. Accordingly, Institutional User Groups registration, which have been managed by the RMP in prior years, will only be available to accredited educational organizations conducting on-River courses. The Institutional User Group management elements of the RMP will be phased out in the third year after adoption of this plan. All non-accredited organizations that currently posses Institutional Group status are encouraged by the County to obtain Commercial River User Permits, if they wish to continue to use the RMP area of the South Fork of the American River for their activities." Three years after the adoption would be February 13, 2021.
Over the past two years, Parks Staff has worked with the institutional groups (which will be identified as non profit groups) in order to inform of the new requirements associated with obtaining Commercial River Use Permits and has requested that institutional groups inform County Staff of the difficulties they face attempting to meet these requirements prior to the three year implementation date. There have been multiple concerns brought forth to staff regarding the new requirements. Staff would like more time to address these concerns and find the best solution for all parties.
However, due to the recent changes related to COVID-19, the 2020 river season will be drastically different. The majority of the commercial outfitters and institutional groups have cancelled trips through June and are unsure when typical operations on the river will resume. Staff believes that this year is crucial in determining the finalized requirements for the institutional groups. Since the institutional groups are not operating, nor will they be resuming operations until further notice, institutional groups will be unable to give the feedback needed to finalize the process. Due to this, staff is requesting that the Board approve an extension for one year, to extend the implementation of these requirements until February 13, 2022. This extension will also provide additional time for staff to work with the non profit groups on the implementation.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve this item and implementation will happen with the current timeline.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
18-0182 - 02/13/18
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Environmental Management, Assessor, Treasurer Tax Collector
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
At this time the Institutional Users do no pay permit fees and it was anticipated that with the revisions to the program permit fees would be included. The estimated impact to delaying the collection of permit fees is approximately $10,000 for the 2021 river rafting season.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure, Economic Development
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders, Parks Ma