Notice of Public Meeting San Diego River Conservancy – July 13, 2023

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, 

July 13, 2023

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Meeting Location

 County of San Diego Administration Center

1600 Pacific Highway, Room 302

 San Diego, California 92101

Tele-Conference Locations

Teleconference Line

877-411-9748, Code 3906093

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 May 11, 2023, 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.   Viejas Fire Department Proposal for Wildland Protection Equipment – Wildfire and Forest Resilience (ACTION) 

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians resides in a remote area of San Diego’s east county, which contains wetlands, riparian, meadow, upland, wildland urban interface and oak woodland habitats. The Viejas Fire Department is requesting funding for one vehicle, portable radios, tools, and equipment for wildfire responders and treatment of hazardous fuels in the San Diego River and Sweetwater River watersheds. Conservancy staff recommends funding in the amount of $358,772 from the Budget Act of 2021.

Presentation:

Bob Pfohl, Fire Chief, Viejas Fire Protection District

Ray Teran, Resources Management Director, Viejas Tribal Government

Recommendation:       Approve Resolution 23-08

8.   San Diego River Conservancy’s Invasive Removal Program (ACTION) 

The Conservancy’s invasive removal program was established in 2009 and the Conservancy and its partners implement the program to remove and control hundreds of acres in the watershed.

The proposed Project plans to renew the Conservancy’s Streambed Alteration Agreement permit for its Invasive Non-Native Plant Removal Program (program) for the San Diego River watershed, re-vegetate 15 acres and control invasive perennial non-natives in the lower and middle watershed. Conservancy staff recommends funding in the amount of $81,266 from the Budget Act of 2021.

Presentation:

Doug Gibson, Executive Director, Nature Collective

Jason Giessow, DENDRA Inc.

Recommendation:       Approve Resolution 23-09

9. Alpine Fire Protection District’s Proposal for Fire Truck and Fuel Reduction Activities – Wildfire and Forest Resilience (ACTION)

Alpine Fire Protection District’s proposed project requests funding to procure a Type 6 Fire Engine and conduct hazardous fuels removal on 16 acres in Alpine Creek, a tributary to El Capitan Reservoir which separates the upper San Diego River. Alpine Fire Protection District is in the Wildland-Urban Interface area in San Diego’s east county, and abuts the Cleveland National Forest.  CalFIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones maps identified the community of Alpine as a High to Very High risk in the WUI.  Conservancy staff recommends $800,000 for the project, and if approved funding would be provided by Budget Act of 2021.

Presentation:

Brian Boggeln, Fire Chief, Alpine Fire Protection District

Jason McBroom, Fire Marshal, Alpine Fire Protection District

Recommendation:       Approve Resolution 23-10

10. Ranger Update on the San Diego River Valley in the City of San Diego (INFORMATION) 

The City of San Diego’s Park Rangers assist the public in use of open space park facilities, develop and conduct interpretive programs, patrol open space parks to enforce park rules and regulations, and to perform related work.

Presentation:

Tiffany Swiderski, Senior Ranger, City of San Diego

11. 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:

Wildfire Project List

Proposed 2024 Conservancy Board Meeting Schedule:

January 11

March 14

May 9

July 11

September 12

November 14

12. Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is anticipated to be held in person on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

13. 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 Wendell.Taper@sdrc.ca.gov