RPVCCA_CC_SR_2011_09_20_05_Fish_Game_Vicente_Bluffs_ReserveCrrvOF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS,AICP,COMMU~~LOPMENT DIRECTOR
SEPTEMBER 20,2011 ~v
SUBJECT:DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME'S OFFICE OF SPILL
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE GRANT APPLICATION FOR
HABITAT RESTORATION AT THE VICENTE BLUFFS RESERVE
REVIEWED:CAROLYN LEHR,CITY MANAGER 09--
Project Manager:Ar~Michael Mihranian,AICP,Deputy Development Directo~
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No.2011-_authorizing the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
to submit an application for grant funds from the Department of Fish and Game's Office of
Spill Prevention and Response for habitat restoration at the Vicente Bluffs Reserve of the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and Response
(OSPR)administers a grant program enacted by the Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill
Prevention and Response Act for penalty monies collected in association with oil spilts.
These penalty monies are deposited in an Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF)and
are to be used to support environmental enhancement projects located within or adjacent
to the marine waters of the state.An enhancement project is a project that acquires
habitat for preservation,or improves the habitat quality and ecosystem function above
baseline conditions,and that meets all of the following requirements:
1.Is located within or immediately adjacent to California marine waters,as defined in
subdivision (i)of Section 8670.3;
2.Has a measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe;and,
3.Is designed to acquire,restore,or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function,or
both,to benefit fish and wildlife.
Non-profit organizations and local agencies,including cities and counties,are eligible to
receive this grant fund.Grant requests generally do not exceed $250,000 and the
disbursement of the grant is contingent on the availability of funds during each grant cycle ..
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FISH AND GAME'S OSPR GRANT -VICENTE BLUFFS RESERVE
SEPTEMBER 20,2011
According to the criteria in the application packet,there is no matching fund requirement.
The application filing deadline for this year's grant cycle is October 1,2011.
Pursuant to the grant criteria,City and PVPLC Staff believe that increasing the ecological
value of the Vicente Bluff Reserve of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve by restoring
coastal bluff habitat on approximately 3 acres of the Reserve is a strong contender for this
competitive grant.The PVPLC,as managers of City-owned Preserve,will oversee the
restoration work on behalf of the City.The City Council is being asked to adopt a
resolution that formally authorizes PVPLC to file the grant application to the State by the
October 1,2011 deadline.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to the current Operating Agreement between the City Council and PVPLC for the
management of the Preserve,the PVPLC is the responsible entity for overseeing the
preservation and restoration of natural resources,such as native habitat.As the
responsible agency for restoration projects within the Preserve,the PVPLC identifies
restoration projects based on priority and the availability of funding sources,such as
grants.In light of the availability of the Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and
Response grant,the PVPLC has identified a restoration project that meets the grant criteria
along the bluff portion of the Vicente Bluffs Reserve of the Palos Verdes Natu re Preserve.
The Vicente Bluff Reserve encompasses the coastal bluff area at Ocean Front Estates,
Lower Point Vicente,and the Fishing Access (adjacent to Terranea).
The restoration project proposes to increase the ecological value of the Vicente Bluff
Reserve by restoring coastal bluff habitat on approximately 3 acres of the Reserve.The
project would involve the removal of acacia trees,tocalote,and other non-native species
that have been introduced along the bluff portion of the Preserve (011 the ocean side of the
fence).The project would also involve the replanting of this area with coastal scrub
vegetation.If the grant is awarded,the project would result in the following ecological
improvements:
•Enhancement of coastal scrub habitat
•Removal of non-native species that promulgate the coastal bluffs
•Providing habitat for the EI Segundo blue butterfly
•Supporting the recovery of the EI Segundo blue butterfly
•Increasing the connectivity for remnant populations of EI Segundo blue butterfly
•Providing habitat for a greater diversity of wildlife
•Reducing erosion and sediment movement into ocean
It is the City's and the PVPLC's belief that the scope of work and ecological enhancements
described above is within the intent of the grant in that the project will restore and enhance
native habitat and wildlife resources within or adjacent to the marine waters.
According to the grant criteria,because the work is proposed to occur within the City-
owned Preserve,the City of Rancho Palos Verdes must authorize the application of this
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FISH AND GAME'S OSPR GRANT -VICENTE BLUFFS RESERVE
SEPTEMBER 20,2011
grant by the PVPLC.If awarded,the grant money will be issued to the PVPLC.In order to
cover costs incurred by City Staff for its management of the grant and the restoration
project,pursuant to an established City Council policy,the City will receive a total of 1%
percent of the awarded grant.
The restoration project described above is projected to cost $60,000 which is within the
expenditure cap ($250,000)established for this grant.As previously reported,there is no
matching fund requirement.The City will receive 1%for administration costs totaHng
$600.00.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Environmental Assessment
The EEF grant submittal requires the preparation of environmental documents pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).As such,in accordance to CEQA,Staff
has determined that the scope of work encompasses restoring approximately 3 acres of
coastal bluff habitat that would not result in new or the intensification of environmental
impacts in that no swathes of existing habitat will be adversely impacted.Therefore,the
restoration project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Class 1,Existing Facilities,and
Class 4,Minor Alterations to Land.If authorized to file the grant by the City Council,Staff
will file a Notice of Exemption soon after the September 20 th meeting.
ALTERNATIVES
1.Direct City and PVPLC Staff not to file the State EEF grant application for this
year's grant cycle;or,
2.Direct City and PVPLC Staff to apply for another project(s)as suggested by the
Council for next year's grant cycle (there is insufficient time to prepare a grant
application for another project for this year's grant cycle).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time.Costs incurred by City Staff for administering the
restoration project will be recovered by a 1%administration fee of the total grant amount
($600).
ATTACHMENTS
•Draft 2011-Resolution
•PVPLC Letter
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RESOLUTION NO.2011-_
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES AUTHORIZING THE
FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM
THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME'S
OFFICE OF SPILL PREVENTION AND RESPONSE FOR
HABITAT RESTORATION AT THE VICENTE BLUFFS
RESERVE OF THE PALOS VERDES NATURE
PRESERVE.
WHEREAS,the State of California's Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill
Prevention and Response Act (Act)requires that all penalties collected for violations of
this Act (except penalties collected pursuant to Government Code Section 8670.64)be
deposited in the Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF).These penalties are
associated with oil spills and are to be used only to support environmental enhancement
projects approved by the Environmental Enhancement Committee (Committee);and,
WHEREAS,the projects funded by the Committee must be located within or
adjacent to marine waters of the State of California;and
WHEREAS,the Act gives the Committee authority to develop and implement
grant programs to eligible non-profit organizations,including local cities and counties,for
projects that enhance the marine ecology.An enhancement project is a project that
acquires habitat for preservation,or improves habitat quality and ecosystem function
above baseline conditions;and,
WHEREAS,Pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act ("CEQA"),Public Resources Code Sections 21000 e1.seq.,the State CEQA
Guidelines,California Code of Regulations,Title 14,Sections 15000 e1.seq.,the City's
Local CEQA Guidelines,and Government Code Section 65952.5(e)(Hazardous Waste
and Substances Statement),the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has
determined that the habitat restoration project at the Vicente Bluff Reserve will not result
in new or the intensification of environmental impacts in that no swathes of existing
habitat will be adversely impacted.Therefore,the restoration project is Categorically
Exempt pursuant to Class 1,Existing Facilities,and Class 4,Minor Alterations to Land;
and,
WHEREAS,the Applicant will enter into a Contract with the Department of Fish
and Game to complete the Project;and,
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES:
1.Authorizes the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC),on
behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,the filing of a grant Application
for the Department of Fish and Game's Office of Spill Prevention and
Response;and,
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2.Delegates the authority to the Community Development Director to conduct
all negotiations,execute and submit all documents,including,but not
limited to Applications,agreements,amendments,payment requests and
so on,which may be necessary for the completion of the Project;and,
3.Agrees to comply with all applicable federal,state and local laws,
ordinances,rules,regulations and guidelines.
PASSED,APPROVED,AND ADOPTED the 20th day of September,2011.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
State of California
County of Los Angeles
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
)
)ss
)
I,Carla Morreale,City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes,.hereby certify that the
above Resolution No.2011-XX was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said
City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on September 20,2011.
City Clerk
Resolution No.2011-
Page 2 of 2
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PRESERVING LAND AND RESTORING HABITAT FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF ALL
September 14,2011
Ara Michael Mihranian
Deputy Director of Community Development
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes,CA 90275
Dear Ara Mihranian:
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is requesting to file a joint application with the City of
Rancho Palos Verdes for the Environmental Enhancement Fund Grant through the Department of
Fish and Game Office of Spill Prevention and Response.We would like to request the City Council's
authorization to file the grant application,which is due October 1,2011.
The funds being requested are for the restoration of 3 acres of coastal scrub habitat at Vicente
Bluffs.The project would include removal on introduced invasive species (acacia trees,tocalote,
grasses),along the bluff,and replanting with coastal scrub vegetation,including EI Segundo blue
butterfly host plants.,
PVPLC is requesting $60,000,and the City of RPV would receive 1%for administration costs,totaling
$600.There is no required match for this grant.For additional information,please contact Danielte
LeFer,Conservation Director.
Thank you,
\\
'Andrea Vona
Executive Director
916 SILVEP,SPUR ROAD it 207.ROLLING HIl.l.S ESTATES.CA 90274-3826 T 310.541.7613 WWW.PVPLCORG
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