Notice of Public Meeting San Diego River Conservancy – September 9, 2021
A public meeting of the Governing Board of
The San Diego River Conservancy will be held
Thursday, September 9, 2021
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
In Person Meeting Participation Prohibited
In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 issued December 14, 2020, and to maximize social distancing and public safety, the San Diego River Conservancy will conduct this meeting by video and audio only. Board members, staff, and the public may participate remotely.
Zoom Meeting ID: 874 3243 9375
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87432439375
Audio only
(669) 900-6833, passcode 87432439375
For Questions Contact:
Wendell Taper at wendell.taper@sdrc.ca.gov or (619) 390-0568
Meeting Agenda
The Board may take agenda items out of order to accommodate speakers and to maintain a quorum, unless noted as time specific.
1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes (ACTION)
Consider approval of minutes for the July 8, 2021 meeting.
3. Public Comment (INFORMATIONAL)
Any person may address the Governing Board at this time regarding any matter within the Board’s authority. Presentations will be limited to three minutes for individuals and five minutes for representatives of organizations. Submission of information in writing is encouraged. The Board is prohibited by law from taking any action on matters that are discussed that are not on the agenda; no adverse conclusions should be drawn by the Board’s not responding to such matters or public comments.
4. Chairperson’s and Governing Board Members’ Report (INFORMATIONAL/ ACTION)
5. Deputy Attorney General Report (INFORMATIONAL/ ACTION)
6. Health and Safety Report (INFORMATIONAL)
7. Notice of Surplus Land from Department of Transportation (Caltrans) (ACTION)
Notification of surplus property in the Mission Valley community for APN DD 21524-01-03. San Diego River Conservancy Board will consider waiving the surplus property right and its first right of refusal to acquire public lands suitable for park and open space within the Conservancy’s jurisdiction when those land become available. (Public Resources Code Section 32646)
Presentation:
Brian Finkbeiner, Chief for the Excess Land Branch, Caltrans District 11
8. The Coast, Canyons, and Trails Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (San Diego Association of Governments /Caltrans) (INFORMATIONAL)
Presentation on Multimodal Corridor Plan including recommended transportation improvements in the Coast, Canyons, and Trails Corridor that is centered around the SR-52 corridor and the freeway segment of SR- 67, from La Jolla to Santee, El Cajon, and the County of San Diego.
Presentation:
Karen Jewel, Central Corridors Project Director, Caltrans District 11
9. Carbon Assessment for the San Diego, Sweetwater, Otay and Tijuana Rivers Watersheds (INFORMATIONAL)
Presentation on the assessment of the carbon storage and sequestration potential for the natural and working lands of the San Diego River, Sweetwater River, Otay River, and Tijuana River watersheds in San Diego County, California. Funding provided by a Proposition 68 directed grant for technical assistance.
Presentation:
Mike Howard, Principal/Biologist, Dudek
10. City of El Cajon Vegetation Management Program (ACTION)
The City of El Cajon seeks grant funds to develop a Vegetation and Wildfire Management Plan, train personnel on fuel reduction and mitigation, for fire line construction, and to clear and reduce fuels on 40 acres in the areas of Fletcher Hills Open Space and Hillside Park. If approved, project funding will be provided by Wildfire Early Action Plan through Senate Bill 85 in support of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
Presentation:
Jeffrey Manchester, Deputy Director/City Engineer City of El Cajon
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 21-10
11. Fire Fuel Reduction in County Department of Parks and Recreation (ACTION)
The County of San Diego Parks Department (County Parks) seeks grant funding to purchase equipment used for vegetation management and fuel reduction to implement fuel reduction and brush management activities on approximately 98 acres in Lakeside. If approved, project funding will be provided by Wildfire Early Action Plan through Senate Bill 85 in support of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
Presentation:
Dave Knopp, Chief of North Operations, County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 21-11
12. State Parks Native American Conservation Corps (INFORMATIONAL)
The Colorado Desert District at California State Parks is looking to partner with local tribes from the Kumeyaay, Cahuilla, Cupeño and Luiseño (Payómkawichum) Nations to create a pilot program for a Native American Conservation Corps. State Parks has drafted the proposal and initial budget and is seeking input from each nation to ensure that the pilot program, which will begin this fall, meets the needs of the participating tribes.
Presentation:
Lisa Gonzales-Kramer, Project Manager, California State Parks
13. Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy Fire Management Project (ACTION)
The Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy seeks grant funding to coordinate with Kumeyaay bands located within the watersheds of the San Diego, Sweetwater, Otay and Tijuana Rivers to purchase fire vehicles, and equipment used for vegetation management and fuel reduction. Project funding will be provided by Wildfire Early Action Plan through Senate Bill 85 in support of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
Presentation:
Lisa Haws, Executive Director, Kumeyaay Diegueño Land Conservancy
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 21-12
14. Alvarado Creek Bed Fire Fuel Reduction (ACTION)
San Diego State University and Soil and Ecology Restoration seek grant funding to reduce fuel loads on approximately 9 acres of public land to reduce the risk and intensity of fire in this area surrounded by commercial, residential properties and student housing located between Highway 8 and SDSU campus. Project funding provided will be by Wildfire Early Action Plan through Senate Bill 85 in support of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
Presentation:
Julie Lambert, Program Director Soil Ecology and Restoration Group, SDSU
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 21-13
15. State Park Cuyamaca Reforestation Project (ACTION)
Conservancy staff recommends $500,000 to continue supporting State Parks’ reforestation efforts. Activities include seed cone surveys and collections, site preparation, planting, and monitoring in support of the Forest Health and Recovery Program at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (CRSP) through a directed grant. As a resource protection agency, State Parks priority is to restore CRSP’s mixed conifer forest sky island habitat. A healthy headwater is integral to the success of a healthy riparian ecosystem, influencing the water quality and supply, providing native habitat and water infiltration.
Presentation:
Lisa Gonzales-Kramer, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Reforestation Project Manager, Colorado Desert District
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 21-14
16. Executive Officer’s Report (INFORMATIONAL/ ACTION)
The following topics may be included in the Executive Officer’s Report. The Board may take action regarding any of them:
- Proposition 68 Update
17. Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held November 12, 2021, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
18. Adjournment
Accessibility
If you require a disability related modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please call Wendell Taper at 619-390-0568 or Julia Richards at 619-507-5085