Meeting Cancellation – September 14th, 2023

The public meeting of the Governing Board of the San Diego River Conservancy, scheduled for September 14th has been cancelled.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023.

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

 

             Natural Resources Agency

715 P Street

20th Floor Mojave Room (20-104)

Sacramento, CA 95814

         Manzanita Reservation

         6 Old Mine Road

         Boulevard, CA 91905

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

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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

 

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY – March 7, 2023

March 7, 2023

MEMORANDUM FOR: POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $12.5 million in funding for the Conservancy’s Directed Grant Program (grant program).  The Conservancy is seeking proposals for wildfire and forest resilience projects.  Work performed under the grant agreement is subject to the availability of funds through the State’s normal budget process.

Funding for the grant program was provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22.  These local assistance funds will enable the Conservancy to take urgent action on projects that support wildfire suppression, improve forest health, build resilience in communities, and help protect residents and property from catastrophic wildfires.

Projects must meet at least one of the goals of California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, including but not limited to:

  • Fuels Reduction or Forest Thinning Projects
  • Vegetation and Forest Management
  • Prescribed/Cultural Fire
  • Create/Maintain Fuel Breaks
  • Restoration and enhancement

Guidelines, the concept proposal, and additional information are available on the San Diego River Conservancy’s website. Link: San Diego River Conservancy’s Directed Grant program . Any potential applicants must consult with the Conservancy. Concept Proposals will be accepted on a continuous basis. Full Application is by invitation only.  Link: Concept Proposal

If interested, please contact the Program Manager by email: Dustin Harrison, Environmental Scientist at dustin.harrison@sdrc.ca.gov

Download the Announcement in PDF

Download the Announcement in Word

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY – November 18, 2022

November 18, 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR: POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $8 million in funding for the Conservancy’s Directed Grant Program (grant program).

Funding for this grant program was provided through the Budget Act of 2022-23 for local assistance projects. This funding furthers the purposes of the Conservancy’s mission, enabling legislation Public Resources Code, Division 22.9, Sections 32630 et al. (“the San Diego River Conservancy Act”), the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Update 2018-2023, and other state-approved priorities and plans.

Eligible applicants must be a public agency, special district, joint powers authority, public college, public university, a nonprofit organization that qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, or a Native American Tribe that is either federally recognized or California Native American Tribe on the Native American Heritage Commission contact list and is located within traditional Kumeyaay territory and culturally affiliated with the County of San Diego.

Work performed under the grant agreement is subject to the availability of funds through the State’s normal budget process. Focus areas include land acquisition and conservation, resource protection, native habitat creation or restoration, public access, climate, wildfire and forest resilience.

Guidelines, the concept proposal, and additional information are available on the San Diego River Conservancy’s website. Link: San Diego River Conservancy’s Directed Grant program. Any potential applicants must consult with the Conservancy and Concept Proposals are accepted on a continuous basis. Full Application is by invitation only.  Link: Concept Proposal

If interested, please email the Program Manager: Dustin Harrison at dustin.harrison@sdrc.ca.gov

Download the Announcement in PDF

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY – November 7, 2022

November 7, 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR: POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

 SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $4 million in funding for the Conservancy’s Direct Grant Program (grant program).

Funding for this grant program was provided through the Budget Act of 2022-23 for local assistance projects.  This funding furthers the purposes of the Conservancy’s mission, enabling legislation Public Resources Code, Division 22.9, Sections 32630 et al. (“the San Diego River Conservancy Act”), the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Update 2018-2023, and other state-approved priorities and plans.

Eligible applicants must be a public agency, special district, joint powers authority, public college, public university, a nonprofit organization that qualifies under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, or a Native American Tribe that is either federally recognized or California Native American Tribe on the Native American Heritage Commission contact list and is located within traditional Kumeyaay territory and culturally affiliated with the County of San Diego.

Work performed under the grant agreement is subject to the availability of funds through the State’s normal budget process. Focus areas include land acquisition and conservation, resource protection, native habitat creation or restoration, public access, climate, wildfire and forest resilience.

Guidelines, the concept proposal, and additional information are available on the San Diego River Conservancy’s website. Link: https://sdrc.ca.gov/san-diego-river-conservancys-directed-grant-program/ . Any potential applicants must consult with the Conservancy and Concept Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis Link: https://sdrc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/concept-proposal-BA-21-22-Directed-Grant-Program-final-for-website.docx . Full Application is by invitation only.

If interested, please email the Program Manager: Dustin Harrison at dustin.harrison@sdrc.ca.gov

[Download Notice in PDFl]

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY – JANUARY 18, 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR: POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is pleased to announce additional funding of approximately $6.5 million for the Conservancy’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Grant Program (“Grant Program”). The funding was approved through the Budget Act of 2021-22 for local assistance projects.  These monies will be used to fully fund projects with existing grant agreements previously awarded through the Grant Program.  … read more

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY – January 7, 2022

January 7, 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR: POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $6 million in funding for the Conservancy’s Direct Grant Program (grant program).

Funding for this grant program was provided through the Budget Act of 2021-22 for local assistance projects.  This funding furthers the purposes of the Conservancy’s mission, enabling legislation Public Resources Code, Division 22.9, Sections 32630 et al. (“the San Diego River Conservancy Act”), the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Update 2018-2023, and other state approved priorities and plans. … read more

May 7, 2021 – NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) – WILDFIRE EARLY ACTION PLAN

MEMORANDUM FOR: GRANT APPLICANTS

SUBJECT: NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA)

FROM: SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

RE: WILDFIRE EARLY ACTION PLAN

[Download the announcement in PDF]

On April 13, 2021, the Governor signed SB 85 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review), which amends the 2020-21 Budget Act to provide additional funding for various wildfire and forest resilience activities. This wildfire package enables the state to take urgent action on projects that support wildfire suppression, improve forest health and build resilience in communities to help protect residents and property from catastrophic wildfires in diverse landscapes across the state. … read more