Notice of Public Meeting San Diego River Conservancy – March 10, 2022
Notice of Public Meeting
San Diego River Conservancy
A public meeting of the Governing Board of
The San Diego River Conservancy
will be held Thursday
March 10, 2022
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
In Person Meeting Participation Prohibited
In accordance with the prior Governor’s Executive Orders, Assembly Bill 361, and most recently Governor’s Executive Order N-1-22, to allow public meetings to continue to be held by teleconference 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: 844 3975 6361
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84439756361
Audio only
(669) 900-6833, passcode 84439756361#
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 November 11, 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)
5. Deputy Attorney General Report (INFORMATIONAL/ACTION)
6. Health and Safety Report (INFORMATIONAL)
7. Directed Grant Program Draft Guidelines for Governing Board Approval (ACTION)
The Conservancy’s Direct Grant Program supports projects that advance a number of goals including public access, recreation, conservation, resource protection, climate resiliency, wildfire prevention, and native habitat enhancement and restoration to increase an ecosystem’s biodiversity. The Conservancy staff prepared draft guidelines and posted for 30-day public review, held a public workshop, and brings this matter to the Conservancy’s Governing Board for consideration of approval of the grant program guidelines.
Presentation:
Dustin Harrison, Environmental Scientist
8. Recommendation to Fully Fund All Applications to the Conservancy’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Grant Program (INFORMATIONAL)
It was the original intent of the Conservancy to fully fund Wildfire and Forest Resilience grant applications, but the program was oversubscribed by approximately $7,000,000. Allocations in the Budget Act of 2021-22 provided additional funding under the Conservancy Wildfire and Forest Resilience Grant Program. Conservancy staff recommends fully funding all grant applications for projects already approved under this Program.
Presentation:
Julia Richards, Executive Officer
8A. Proposals to Fully Fund 4 Applications to the Conservancy’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience for Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, San Diego Canyonlands, Barona Band of Mission Indians, and San Diego State University Research Foundation (ACTION)
The Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (Resource Conservation District) original application proposed to expand existing programs for defensible space, chipping and educational outreach to mitigate risk of wildfire to assist private landowners through fuel reduction activities in the County of San Diego. The original application requested $3,508,862.00 and the Conservancy’s Governing Board approved funding $3,500,000.00 to assist private landowners through fuel reduction activities in the County of San Diego. Conservancy staff recommends additional funding of $8,862.00 to fully fund the original application.
San Diego Canyonlands’ original application proposed to reduce fuel loads in the following canyons: Ruffin/Sandrock, Rueda, Shepard, and Navajo, which are tributaries to the San Diego River, in the City of San Diego. The original application requested $1,070,563.00 and the Conservancy’s Governing Board approved funding in the amount of $1,000,000.00. Conservancy staff recommends additional funding of $70,563.00 to fully fund the original application.
The Barona Band of Mission Indians’ (Barona) original application proposed to purchase a new fire engine to replace a 17- year-old Brush Rig for Barona’s Fire Department. The original application requested $350,000.00 and the Conservancy’s Governing Board approved funding in the amount of $200,000.00. Conservancy staff recommends additional funding of $150,000 to fully fund the original application.
San Diego State University Research Foundation’s original application proposed to reduce fuel loads on public land and reduce the risk and intensity of fire in this area between Highway 8 and SDSU campus. Original application requested $656,815.00 and the Conservancy’s Governing Board approved funding in the amount of $500,000.00. Conservancy staff recommended additional funding of $156,815.00 to fully fund original application.
If approved, staff recommendations for funding would be provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22.
Presentation:
Julia Richards, Executive Officer
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 22-01
Available for Questions:
Ann Baldridge, Executive Director, Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego
Clayton Tschudy, Executive Director, San Diego Canyonlands
Sheilla Alvarez, Director of Governmental Affairs, Barona Band of Mission Indians
Julie Lambert, Program Director, Soil Ecology and Restoration Group, San Diego State University
8B. City of El Cajon Vegetation Management Program (ACTION)
The City of El Cajon’s original application requested funding in the amount of $3,125,000 and was awarded $500,000. Conservancy staff recommends fully funding proposed project in the additional amount of $2,625,000 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 approximately 85 acres in the City of El Cajon’s parks and open space areas. If approved, additional funding would be provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22.
Presentation:
Mario Sanchez, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Senan Kachi, Associate Engineer, City of El Cajon
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 22-02
8C. Fire Fuel Reduction in County Department of Parks and Recreation (ACTION)
The County of San Diego Parks Department’s (County Parks) original application requested funding in the amount of $3,450,000 and was awarded $500,000. Conservancy staff recommends fully funding proposed project in the additional amount of $2,950,000 for vegetation management and fuel reduction to implement brush management activities on approximately 25,000 acres in County Parks and Preserves. If approved, additional funding would be provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22.
Presentation:
Dave Knopp, Chief of North Operations, San Diego County Parks
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 22-03
8D. Cleveland National Forest Wildfire Resilience and Forest Health Project (ACTION)
The Cleveland National Forest’s original application requested funding in the amount of $3,715,632.00 and was awarded $2,999,956.00. Conservancy staff recommends fully funding proposed project in the additional amount of $715,676.00 for wildfire resilience and forest management. Project locations include in the following watersheds: San Diego River, Sweetwater River and Tijuana River (U.S. only). If approved, additional funding would be provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22.
Presentation:
Scott Tangenberg, Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National Forest
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 22-04
8E. City of Santee’s San Diego River Bottom Fire Fuels Reduction Project (ACTION)
The City of Santee’s original application requested funding for $500,000 and was awarded funding for $500,000, under the Conservancy’s Resolution 21-06 to reduce fuel loads along the San Diego River. The City of Santee completed the original project scope under budget and requested an amendment to use the remaining funds to expand locations for fire fuel reduction and procurement of a Light Brush Rig for the Santee Fire Department. Conservancy staff recommends approval of the amendment.
Presentation:
Justin Matsushita, Deputy Fire Chief, City of Santee Fire Department
Recommendation: Approve Resolution 22-05
9. Helix Water District Notice of Surplus Property (ACTION)
The Conservancy received notice of surplus property for APN 391-061-28 which includes approximately 230 acres in El Monte Valley in the community of Lakeside, County of San Diego. San Diego River Conservancy Board will consider waiving the surplus property and its first right of refusal for this property located adjacent to the San Diego River corridor.
Presentation:
Debbie Lundy, Senior ROW Agent/Environmental Analyst, Helix Water District
10. 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:
- Conservancy’s 2022 Work Plan
11. Next Meeting
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
12. 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