FISCAL IMPACT:
The FC District’s costs will be minimal and will be charged to the ongoing Creek and Channel Safety Program. The agreement stipulates that when specific activity will be substantial, the FP District will provide a work order number to pay the FC District staff costs. The actual costs to the FP District are unknown at this time.
BACKGROUND:
The FC District manages 4600+/- acres of property, including creek right of way, parcels and easements that include more than 70 miles of channels and 30 detention basins. These creeks and channels can be treacherous to escape from for those that may fall into or find themselves in a channel during storm flows. Two drownings last February have highlighted the need for improved channel safety and rescue planning.
On April 11, 2010, a woman was dramatically rescued from the Walnut Creek channel by emergency personnel, including FP District personnel. This incident prompted the FP District to pursue a permit from the FC District to allow them to better plan and train for swiftwater rescue in the Walnut Creek Channel. It was later determined that a license agreement from the FC District was more appropriate and the preparation of the agreement began. After determining the language of the agreement, the FP District asked to expand the area covered under the agreement to include practically all FC District properties associated with channels and creeks on which swiftwater rescue could be needed. This required the preparation of an expanded exhibit.
The subject License Agreement establishes the FP District and the FC District responsibilities for cooperation in enhancing the swiftwater rescue planning and training. The agreement stipulates that the FP District will have access to all FC District properties for “Inspection,” which includes reviewing access points and site visits for planning purposes, including assessing vehicle access constraints, identifying best locations for staging rescues, and determining potential facility modifications, such as installing anchors. The agreement also covers “Training,” which includes practice of swiftwater rescue techniques, including physically entering the channels during high flows and modifying the facility to enhance rescue operations.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The FP District will not have a legal basis for entering the FC District properties for the purposes of swiftwater rescue planning and training.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not applicable.