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C.13

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	TWIC
Date:	March 31, 2009

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

ACCEPT REPORT & APPROVE THE CCC FC&WC DISTRICT'S LONG-RANGE PLANNING PROCESS FOR REPLACING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/31/2009

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

See attached.

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor
Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Mitch Avalon 313-2203
cc:	Mitch Avalon, Public Works Catherine Kutsuris, DCD Greg Connaughton, Public Works Roberta Goulart, CDD John Kopchik, CDD Abby Fateman, Watershed Forum

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 31, 2009
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

A. ACCEPT the attached report from the Flood Control and Water Conservation District entitled "The 50 Year Plan: From Channels to Creeks".

B. APPROVE the Flood Control and Water Conservation District's long-range planning process for replacing aging infrastructure with natural systems as outlined in the attached report.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No impact to the General Fund. This is a report on an approach for long-range planning of infrastructure replacement. Costs would be incurred once projects are identified and developed as a project cost.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

There would be no Board approval for the Flood Control District's approach to replacing aging infrastructure with natural systems.

BACKGROUND:

On April 9, 1999, Contra Costa County held its first Watershed Symposium. At that Symposium the Flood Control District outlined a vision to convert aging concrete and riprap lined channels into natural systems that safely convey the same flood waters. This conversion would be done through long-range planning for creek enhancement. Over the years this vision has been reviewed and refined. Attached is a paper prepared by Mitch Avalon in preparation for a conference. This was an opportunity for the Flood Control District to articulate the vision that has been reviewed and refined over the last 10 years.

This concept is being implemented in several watersheds throughout the County. For example, in the Pinole Creek Watershed the City of Pinole is ready to advertise a $3 million grant funded project to restore the lower portion of the flood control channel. This was done after the community developed a Vision Plan for the watershed and a Greenway Master Plan for the Flood Control District portion of the creek. In addition, the community of Rodeo just completed a Vision Plan for their watershed and we are working on restoring a portion of Marsh Creek with the City of Oakley, to mention a couple of other examples.

Staff is recommending the Board accept the attached report and approve the Flood Control District's approach to replacing infrastructure with natural systems through long-range creek enhancement planning.

CLERK'S ADDENDUM

Supervisor Piepho introduced the item, noting that the Board's Transportation Water Infrastructure Committee has two recommended changes to the language of the Board Order on the 50 year plan: (1) Direct the Chief Engineer of the Flood Control and Water Conservation District, to work with the Department of Conservation & Development in planning and implementation of the 50 year plan in unincorporated communities; and (2) related to the Flood Control, Direct the Chief Engineer of Flood Control & Water Conservation District to report to Transportation Water Infrastructure Committee on the implementation & Development of the 50 year plan as part of the Flood Control District's Capital Improvement Program review process. Additionally, Supervisor Piepho recomended making reference to the the impact to the 1% Ad Valorem Tax Rate in staff report Footnote 1, related to the Proposition 13 Act of 1978.

By unanimous vote the Board approved the item with these changes.