Loading...
CC SR 20190903 02 - PVPLC Grant Request for Fuel Load Reduction RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/03/2019 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA DESCRIPTION: Consideration and possible action to approve a proposal from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy for a grant of up to $200,000 for fuel load reduction in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Receive and file a presentation from the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy; (2) Approve a grant of up to $200,000 for fuel load reduction in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve; (3) Authorize an additional appropriation of $200,000 for the requested grant; (4) Alternately discuss and take other action related to this item. FISCAL IMPACT: $200,000 Amount Budgeted: $0 Additional Appropriation: $200,000 Account Number(s): 101-400-3230-5201 (General Fund - Fuel Modification/Repair & Maintenance Services) ORIGINATED BY: James O'Neill, Engineering Assistant REVIEWED BY: Elias Sassoon, Director of Public Works APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Proposal from Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (Page A-1) BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) first requested “a one -time reimbursable grant” for fuel load reduction in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve in a letter that was presented to the City Council on June 18, 2019. PVPLC has revised its proposal to include the specific areas where work will be performed, as well as a detailed budget for the work (Attachment A), and is requesting approval of the attached grant request for $200,000. The grant is expected to fund fuel load reduction, including removal of invasive plants such as acacia, on 38 acres of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve , and is expected to be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. 1 Staff recommends the City Council approve PVPLC’s request. Staff will also be returning at our next City Council meeting with a more comprehensive citywide fuel modification plan that reviews not only acacia, but other invasive and flammable brush and trees. ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following action is available for the City Council consideration: 1. Take other action as deemed appropriate by the City Council 2 Proposal to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Additional Fire Fuel Load Reduction in 2019 Submitted by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Updated: August 8, 2019 The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (Conservancy) is intimately aware of the fire concerns within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and has discussed measures to reduce fire risk with City staff. Conservancy staff members are currently working with City staff to implement fuel modification work as required by County Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures as part of landowner responsibilities for fuel modification near adjacent homes. Additionally, the Conservancy clears over 90 acres of weeds in restoration sites within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and clears 30+ miles of trails annually. This weeding approach is very specialized and must be accomplished while complying with the NCCP/HCP implementation guidelines and respecting the natural resources on the preserve. We understand that the city desires to prioritize efforts to reduce fuel load in Preserve areas, and the Conservancy understands that vegetation exists beyond current fuel mod zones that pose fire threat. Therefore, the Conservancy is offering technical expertise to aid the City and augment city staff in the effort to reduce fuel load vegetation by targeting the removal of invasive plants such as Acacia which in turn improves habitat for local wildlife, including the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren, a state species of concern. This proposal outlines the potential areas for this extra 2019 work. The areas identified in Portuguese Bend Reserve include Portuguese Canyon and areas off Vanderlip and Narcissa Roads, as well as grazing in San Ramon Reserve. In total, 38 acres are proposed for fuel load reduction in the Preserve. This work can be completed in 4-6 weeks by simultaneously contracting with two companies for Acacia removal and goat grazers in order to complete this work in a timely manner during fire season. For these additional efforts, the Conservancy requests a one-time grant from the city up to $200,000 for the proposed work outlined herein. The Conservancy understands the city’s timing considerations and would be prepared to begin the work as soon as funding is made available. The Conservancy has identified the priority removal of tall Acacia shrubs due to their combustible nature (Acacia shrub contain an estimated 90% dry plant matter and volatile resins) and their prevalence throughout the Preserve and border areas. The locations for the proposed Acacia removal were chosen due to prior fires occurring in those areas, proximity to power lines and risk to the community as well as the ecological benefits of invasive plant removal. Fire agencies agree that Acacia is a highly flammable plant and that it should be removed wherever possible. It was included as a high-hazard plant in the L.A. County Fire Department’s recently published “Ready! Set! Go!” pamphlet. A-1 The Conservancy, as Habitat Managers for the Preserve, has qualified experts on staff with the experience required to oversee the work to be performed and will assure the correct and safe removal of the invasive plants using the best techniques at the most efficient cost. Please note that all vendor work would provide invoices and copies of the invoices would be sent to the city for reimbursement to the Conservancy (as in other grants). The results of this work will be reflected in the annual report provided to the city at year-end to show results from the work performed. Where possible and with simpler tasks, volunteers and/or goats will be deployed to augment the work volume and control costs. In ongoing maintenance activities, the Conservancy will create internship and volunteer opportunities for invasive plant management to keep the Acacia from re-invading the areas and to assist in monitoring activities. In this way, additional valuable learning opportunities will be made available to local youth. As projects are completed and conditions are assessed, restoration in these locations may be appropriate and funding may be pursued, since this proposal does not include replanting in the Acacia removal sites. A-2 Portuguese Canyon Upper (33.751298, -118.360738) The Portuguese Canyon Upper site is located within the Palos Verdes Nature Reserve and abuts Ishibashi Trail and Burma Road. It is near the communities of Rolling Hills and Portuguese Bend. A fire occurred at this location in 2009 burning approximately 230 acres. Much of the vegetation was burned, including the non-native Acacia, which has since begun to grow back from stump sprouting and seed germination. It is recommended that crews enter the area on foot and remove shrubs with chainsaws and that Ishibashi trail be used to bring in smaller equipment as needed. Acacia should be chipped and biomass should be taken off site, if possible. The stumps will need to be treated to prohibit any regrowth and the site will need to be monitored for seed germination and removal. The Acacia in this canyon covers an approximate area of 14 acres. An assessment of Acacia is being done at the site to determine the actual area and amount. This site is known habitat of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren, a state species of concern and it is adjacent to the habitat of the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly. A-3 Portuguese Canyon Upper Site looking east from Burma Road Portuguese Canyon Upper Site looking southeast from Burma Road A-4 Portuguese Bend Canyon Upper Site looking north Portuguese Bend Canyon Upper Site looking northeast A-5 Portuguese Canyon Lower (33.748505, -118.366484) The Portuguese Canyon Lower site is located within the Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve and is adjacent to Water Tank Trail and Vanderlip Trail. It is near the community of Portuguese Bend. The site can be accessed by the two adjacent trails. It is recommended that crews enter the area on foot and remove shrubs with chainsaws and that Water Tank Trail and Vanderlip Trail be used to bring in tree chipping equipment as needed. Trees should be chipped and biomass should be taken off site. The stumps will need to be treated to prohibit any regrowth and the site will need to be monitored for seed germination and removal. The Acacia in this area covers an approximate area of 6 acres. An assessment of Acacia is being done at the site to determine the number of Acacia to be removed and treated. This site is known habitat of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren, a state species of concern. A-6 Portuguese Bend Lower Site Looking North Vanderlip/Narcissa Area (33.750452, -118.369108) Portuguese Bend Lower Site Looking Northwest A-7 Recently, The Portuguese Bend Community Association sent local stakeholders, including the Conservancy, a letter regarding fire hazards abutting their community (see attachment). The Conservancy recognizes the large Acacia stands in the area as fuel load and detrimental to habitat and seeks to include this area as part of the proposal. The location is approximately 2.5 acres of Acacia mixed in with native shrubs and trees in the southwest corner of the Portuguese Bend Reserve. The site can be accessed through Vanderlip Drive and through the annually mowed fuel modification zones. It is recommended that crews enter the area on foot and remove shrubs with chainsaws. Appropriate staging areas will be flagged and a chipping crew can be brought in on the final work days to complete the project. This will minimize the disturbance that is typically caused by large equipment. Acacia should be chipped and biomass should be taken off site. The stumps will need to be treated to prohibit any regrowth and the site will need to be monitored for seed germination and removal. An assessment of Acacia is underway at the site to determine the number of Acacia to be removed and treated. This area is known habitat of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher. San Ramon Reserve goat grazing In response to community concern about the vast expanse of dry mustard growth at San Ramon Reserve, the Conservancy will oversee goat grazing throughout 15 acres. This area is targeted based on the proximity to homes on Vista del Mar and Seaclaire Drive, and proximity to PV A-8 Drive South and PV Drive East – both potential ignition sources for fire – and the grazing benefit to endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly habitat and cactus wren habitat. Goat grazing will take place on the flat slope area west of Palos Verdes Drive East over the course of two weeks. The Switchback Trail will require temporary closure during this time, and will also require some minor trail maintenance to restore the trail bed for recreational benefits. A-9 Budget The budget reflects a typical detailed tree and shrub removal project within the preserve with minimal disturbance to native habitat and to the surrounding vegetation. Careful non-native tree removals proposed in this project, increase the habitat value for the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and cactus wren, a state species of concern, as well as other native species while providing public benefit. These costs reflect competitive bids acquired from three different arborist companies, the estimated time it would take the contractors to complete the project using hand tools and machinery to either chip tree material or haul plant material offsite, stump treat the cut Acacia to prevent regrowth, and oversight by Conservancy biologists to assure that best management practices are implemented (ie. minimization and avoidance measures such as nesting bird surveys as required by the NCCP/HCP). These costs are based on best estimates provided by contractors for day rates to remove the 23 acres of Acacia targeted for removal since the exact number of labor hours required to achieve the project are speculated. If the projects are completed under budget, the Acacia removal areas will be expanded to appropriately targeted areas which generate the most impact, with approval from the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. If any cost savings are possible, an expanded area will create a bigger impact to the fuel load on the peninsula and concurrently increase habitat on the preserve. Fuel Load Reduction Budget Site Acres Work Days* Budget Volunteer Hours*** Portuguese Canyon Upper 14 36 $ 108,000 248 Portuguese Canyon Lower 6 17 $ 51,000 106 Vanderlip/Narcissa Area 3 7 $ 21,000 44 San Ramon Goats** 15 15 $ 20,000 - Total 38 75 $ 200,000 398 *Day rate for Acacia removal includes work crews and rental costs for equipment, as well as PVPLC staff time to monitor biological resources and birds and manage the contractors. It is estimated 1/3 of an acre of Acacia can be removed each day. These services total $3000 per day. Multiple arborists/tree trimmers and goat grazing will be contracted simultaneously to address Acacia removal in multiple project areas for fast project implementation with the goal to finish within a month. ** Goat grazing at San Ramon includes an “off-season” rate for the herd to graze 15 acres, PVPLC staff time to monitor and flag biological resources, and to restore the Switchback Trail after grazing. This rate is generously discounted by Fire Grazes based on the flat slope of the land, that the mustard is in a dry, senesced phase and that the Conservancy is managing the project. *** Volunteer Hours are in-kind provided by PVPLC to monitor and remove Acacia regrowth. Volunteer time for this project is valued at $11,920 (based on Independent Sector value of volunteer hour). Other Project Considerations A-10 This project is based on competitive bids and is a worthwhile investment into the long-term benefit of the communities adjacent to the open space and wildlife within. While more costly per acre to implement new, labor-intensive work than annual fuel modification weed whacking efforts, removing Acacia is a positive, visible impact to the landscape and a one-time project cost to the City in these target areas. This is unlike areas of mustard which, while needed to reduce fire threat, require annual treatment and ongoing maintenance costs. To help ensure this investment is successful, the Conservancy is offering to provide pro-bono staff and volunteer monitoring of areas to prevent regrowth. This project strategy is supported by the Fire Department, which has identified Acacia removal as a priority effort to reduce fire fuel load in the Preserve. This project is also responding to the Portuguese Bend Community Association’s request to respond to nuisance Acacia near homes on the Preserve border. Community Partnerships As part of the Conservancy’s collaborative approach, we partner with various organizations to complete projects and provide various benefits to the community. If the timing and logistics are appropriate, we would work with some of our partner organizations to add to the costs savings. We work with the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens which accept fresh Acacia greenery for the enhancement of their animal’s physical and mental health. We will save many of the straight long branches from the Acacia tree for delineation of trails and to provide ground snags for lizards and insects. We also have a partnership with the local schools that offer woodworking classes for instructional teaching. Lastly, if the material does not contain seeds, we will use the chipped woods as a mulch to keep weeds down into the future. The Conservancy will also engage the local colleges with applicable internships which allow students to gain a better understanding of the natural world, resource management and gain experience to prepare to enter the workforce. In 2019 to date, the Conservancy has received over 1000 hours of intern assistance with projects, and counting. By engaging these students who span from across the globe, we are creating a lasting experience and leaving a lasting impression of the great natural habitat that exists on the peninsula. Potential for Restoration and Supplemental Work As these three projects are completed, the cleared land can provide opportunity for habitat restoration and enhancement. A species that is potentially applicable to many of the local habitat types of Palos Verdes, is our local cactus. While no plant is fireproof, there are certain characteristics which make some plants more resistive to fire, such as cactus. Where applicable, cactus can be planted and maintained until establishment, if supplemental funding is available. Mature cactus holds a mutual relationship with the cactus wren, a state species of concern, since the cacti needles protect young nestlings from predators, providing the best habitat. A-11 To make a larger impact, the Conservancy typically plants mature cactus that is appropriate for immediate nesting, giving us more value per dollar spent. The approximate cost for planting and maintaining a 1 acre cactus restoration project over a 5 year span is $30,000. Although the target species for these projects is Acacia, due to the large footprint that it holds and its explosive nature in fire situations, removal of other species holds value as well. Mustard and non-native grasses also pose a fuel load risk. In addition to the removal of Acacia, the Conservancy will continue to remove mustard and Acacia in appropriate locations with the help of volunteers, goats and/or mechanical equipment. The Conservancy continues to pursue funding for these types of projects that have multi-benefits with a priority for human safety while minimizing the impacts to biological resources, where appropriate. A-12