In order to obtain federal and state aid assistance in connection with state and federally funded road projects, and for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to approve the projects for advertising, it is necessary that the County certify to Caltrans that the rights of way necessary for the proper execution of the projects will be or have been acquired. Caltrans will accept right of way certifications signed by the Public Works Director if the Board of Supervisors has adopted a Resolution authorizing him or her to sign the certifications.  
  
A copy of the Right of Way Certification form currently required by Caltrans is attached to the Resolution, which accompanies this Board Order. The Caltrans form provides for detailed information about the right of way and the project. It also requires the County to certify that the right of way has been duly acquired and to defend and indemnify Caltrans if the right of way is not clear as certified.  
  
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution to authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute right of way certifications in connection with County road projects funded by the state or federal government. The authorization given by the attached Resolution is valid for a two-year period, at which time the Public Works Department will have to seek further authorization.

Bidding and construction of federally funded public works projects with short funding deadlines will be subject to delay and potential loss of funds.