To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: April 22, 2025
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Department Contact: |
Xuyen Mallela |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Kelly Hansen |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Ratification and Approval of Submission of Grant Award for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program Grant Funding Opportunity from the Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA) United States Forest Service (USFS) in the Amount of $6,382,432; and Authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to Execute Grant Agreement and Submit All Documents If Awarded
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Ratify and approve submission of the grant award for the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program grant funding opportunity from the Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA) United States Forest Service (USFS) in the amount of $6,382,434; and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the grant Agreement and submit all documents if awarded.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On December 5, 2023, the Board ratified and approved the submission of a $9,999,866.51 grant application to the USDA Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program.
Summary of Request:
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program is intended to help at-risk local communities plan for and reduce the risk of wildfire. The CWDG prioritizes at-risk communities in areas identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, and/or have been impacted by a severe disaster that affects the risk of wildfire.
The County of Mendocino's Prevention, Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation Division and the Grants Unit submitted an application on March 13, 2025, for the Northern Mendocino County Wildfire Resilience and Evacuation Safety Project to the CWDG Program. This project consists of three main components: (1) the removal of hazardous trees and fuel reduction along key evacuation routes in the low-income region of northern Mendocino County; (2) comprehensive public education and community outreach to inform north county residents about evacuation preparedness; and (3) the development of detailed, localized evacuation plans for unincorporated communities in the area. The project proposed is in alignment with Mendocino County’s 2016 CWPP as well as its 2020 MJHMP which emphasize hazardous fuels reduction and the need for state/federal resources in these areas.
The timeline established for this grant did not allow sufficient time for the application to undergo review and approval by the Board of Supervisors prior to submission. Given the urgent deadlines, particularly due to the comprehensive requirements associated with the federal application process, staff prioritized the development of a competitive proposal within the constrained timeframe. This approach was critical to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria and to meet the grant submission deadline. If awarded, the Chief Executive Officer or a designated representative will sign and execute the agreement and any related documents pertaining to the grant.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve and provide direction to staff and return item to staff for alternative handling.
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County
Supervisorial District: District 3 , District 4
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program | US Forest Service <https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants/cwdg>
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: USDA CWDG grant revenue if awarded. |
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current f/y cost: Total grant revenue $6,382,432 if awarded. |
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budget clarification: Total grant revenue of $6,382,432 if awarded over a five-year performance period. USDA Forest Service CWDG grant is not part of the current year’s budget. |
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annual recurring cost: If awarded, the USDA CWDG grant would provide a total of $6,382,432 over 5 years. |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No CWDG grant is not included in FY24-25 budgeting |
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revenue agreement: Yes |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Executive Office
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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