Important note: The following recommendation was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 1, 2015:
DISTRICT 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley)
FY 2015-17 Measure A Request San Mateo County Resource Conservation District $500,000 one-time loan in FY 2015-16
This is a request for a one time no-interest loan of up to $500,000 to the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) to be paid back upon receipt of state reimbursement for expenses related to projects described below. State reimbursement is anticipated by July 2016. The RCD applied for and was awarded a $3,872,000 grant for drought relief projects for San Mateo Coast (Pescadero-Butano and San Gregorio watersheds) through the State Water Resources Board’s Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
This funding will allow the RCD to complete several projects including a Memorial Park Winter Diversion and Improved Water Supply Infrastructure project, a coordinate approach to drought response and water supply reliability in the San Gregorio watershed, and agricultural water conservation, water security, and drought resiliency program.
The Memorial Park Winter Diversion and Improved Water Supply Infrastructure project will increase the water storage capacity of Memorial Park, vastly improving drought resilient, water supply reliability, and ecological compatibility. Approximately $125,000 of the loan monies will allow the RCD and the San Mateo County Parks Department to initiate planning for this project, thus increasing the likelihood that this project can be completed during one of the next two construction seasons (i.e., Fall 2016 or 2017).
The Repetto Nursery Streamflow Improvement project is one of the projects planned to improve irrigation water security on agricultural lands in Lower-Pescadero Creek during the late summer when irrigation demands are highest and streamflow in Pescadero Creek, the source of the water, is the lowest. This pond retrofit project is the first of the Water Supply infrastructure projects and, upon receipt of final permits, can be constructed this construction season (before October 31st).
Approximately $375,000 of the loan monies will support the RCD to complete this project during conservation project construction season (September through October) by providing the District with monies to be utilized while awaiting State funds and by enabling the RCD to attract a broad interest in construction bids, given that contractors will not have to wait the standard 6-9 months for state reimbursement.
Important note: This is a copy of the official report -- item 10 on the Board's agenda.