To: Board of Supervisors
From: Air Quality Management District
Meeting Date: April 23, 2019
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Department Contact: |
Barbara Moed |
Phone: |
463-4354 |
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Department Contact: |
Donna Roberts |
Phone: |
463-4354 |
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Item Type: Consent Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the Air Quality Management District to Participate in the State Enhanced Smoke Management Program and Authorizing the Air Pollution Control Officer, as Agent, to Sign an Agreement with State Air Resources Board (ARB), When Issued, to Accept Program Funds for Implementation of the District’s Smoke Management Program as well as for Support of the District’s Activities Associated with Prescribed Burning and Smoke Management, Pending a Board Resolution Approving the Final Agreements
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution authorizing the Air Quality Management District to participate in the State Enhanced Smoke Management Program and authorizing the Air Pollution Control Officer, as agent, to sign an Agreement with State Air Resources Board (ARB), when issued, to accept Program funds from ARB for implementation of the District’s Smoke Management Program as well as for support of the District’s activities associated with prescribed burning and smoke management pending a Board Resolution approving the final Agreements; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
None
Summary of Request:
In 2018, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, several bills to improve forest resiliency and to reduce the risk of wildfires in California.
Senate Bill (SB) 901 provides $200 million in funding per year for five years to Cal Fire to address issues concerning wildfire prevention, response and recovery, mutual aid, fuel reduction and forestry policies, wildfire mitigation plans by electric utilities, cost recovery by electric corporations for wildfire-related damages and $1 billion for healthy forests and fire prevention.
SB 1260 requires Cal Fire and the state Air Resources Board (ARB), in coordination with local air districts, to develop and fund a program, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to enhance air quality and smoke monitoring, and to provide a public awareness campaign regarding prescribed burns in addition to funding for local district participation and implementation costs and may include the purchase of new, year-round rapidly deployable air quality monitors.
SB 856 provides, among other things, $2 million to ARB for local air districts to support the implementation of SB 901 and SB 1260 related to air monitoring of prescribed fires and public outreach.
ARB is proposing that approximately $1 million be made available through direct grants to local air districts to implement their smoke management programs, to enhance air quality and smoke monitoring, and to provide public awareness regarding prescribed burns. The remaining $1 million will be made available to local air districts to cover district costs associated with training, travel, and deployment of air monitors in support of the use of prescribed fire by land managers.
Air districts must enter into contracts with ARB to participate in the state Enhanced Smoke Management Program and access funding. The proposed funding for the District for this fiscal year is approximately $84,000. Agreements for participation in the state program are expected to be finalized by the end of April, 2019.
In order for ARB to encumber the funds this fiscal year, ARB is requiring districts to enter into an agreement as soon as the agreements are finalized at the state level. ARB has agreed to allow districts to sign agreements pending a Board Resolution approving the final agreements. Due to the limited time frame, District staff are requesting a Board Resolution authorizing the Air Pollution Control Officer, as agent, to sign an agreement with ARB to accept funds for implementation of the District’s Smoke Management Program as well as for support of the District’s activities associated with prescribed burning and smoke management pending Board resolution approving the final Agreements.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Not approve the District’s participation in the State Enhanced Smoke Management Program and direct District staff to locate alternative sources for funding or alternative programs.
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At:
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: State Air Resources Board |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
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current f/y cost: Approx. $84,000 Revenue |
if no, please describe: New Grant Program |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification: N/A |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes
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CEO Liaison: Steve Dunnicliff, Deputy CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Lindsey Dunham, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Adopted |
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Date: April 24, 2019 |
Executed Item Number: Resolution Number: 19-169 |
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