Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of Transportation to apply for Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program grant funding for landscape enhancements of the US 50/Missouri Flat Road Interchange Phase 1C Project Riparian Restoration Project.
Resolution 158-2010
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
There is no impact to the General Fund or change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
Background:
The California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 471 which provides $10 million annually for grant funds to local, state and federal agencies and nonprofit entities for projects to enhance and mitigate environmental impacts of modified or new public transportation facilities.
The California Natural Resources Agency administers the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) for State grant funding and released a Call for Projects for the 2010-11 EEMP grant cycle with an application due date of October 1, 2010. Recommended projects will be submitted to the California Transportation Commission for award and Caltrans will administer the Grant Agreement. Eligible projects cannot be mitigation measures required under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and matching funds are not required.
Reason for Recommendation:
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is preparing and wishes to submit an application for EEMP grant funding for landscaping enhancements for the US 50/Missouri Flat Road Interchange Improvements Phase 1C (Riparian Restoration) Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Number 71346. The landscaping enhancements are not part of the riparian restoration mitigation required under the CEQA document, and is, therefore, eligible for EEMP grant funding.
The requested grant funding will fully cover the costs of the proposed enhancements and environmental impact mitigation of the Project for the first five years. After the fifth year, the Project will be maintained by the DOT Maintenance Division from the Road Fund budget.
One of the requirements of the grant application is the inclusion of an authorizing resolution to apply for the EEMP grant funding. The resolution must be project specific, therefore, Resolution No. 273-2008, approved by the Board of Supervisors on October 7, 2008, authorizing the Director of Transportation to submit and execute grant applications will not satisfy this requirement. The DOT is requesting that the Board adopt the attached Resolution authorizing the Director of DOT to apply for EEMP grant funds specifically for the US 50/Missouri Flat Road Interchange Phase 1C Project.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
1) The Board Clerk will have the Chair sign two copies of the Resolution and will forward one original to the Department of Transportation for inclusion in the grant application.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: County Counsel