5/11/2023
1 Board of Directors Meeting
May 11, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
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5/11/2023
2 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
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3 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Non-agenda items only; three-minute limit per person
CONSENT AND POLICY CALENDAR (5.A – 5.J)
5.A Summary Minutes from the February 9, 2023, Board of Directors Meeting Requested Action:
1. Approve the Summary Minutes from the February 9, 2023, Board of Directors meeting.
5.B Summary Minutes from the May 19, 2022, Riverside Communities Partnership Project Meeting Requested Action:
1. Approve the Summary Minutes from the May 19, 2022, Riverside Communities Partnership Project meeting.
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4 CONSENT AND POLICY CALENDAR (5.A – 5.J)
5.C Status Report on the Attendance Roster
Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
5.D Status of Mitigation Fee Transfers from Member Agencies Through March 31, 2023 Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
5.E Financial Report Through March 31, 2023
Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
CONSENT AND POLICY CALENDAR (5.A – 5.J)
5.F Contracts and Grants Status Updates
Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
5.G Status Report Concerning Reserve Management Committee for Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve and the and Lake Mathews Reserve Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
5.H Status Report Concerning Reserve Management Coordinating Committee Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
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5 CONSENT AND POLICY CALENDAR (5.A – 5.J)
5.I Approval of Agreement between the RCHCA and the Metropolitan Water District for Lake Mathews Reserve Management
Requested Actions:
1. Approve the Professional Services Agreement between the RCHCA and the Metropolitan Water District for Lake Mathews Management.
2. Authorize the General Manager to execute and administer the terms of the Agreement.
3. Authorize the Executive Director to execute any future amendments to the Agreements, if necessary, so long as such amendments do not result in an overall monetary increase, and as long as such amendments are approved as to form by counsel.
CONSENT AND POLICY CALENDAR (5.A – 5.J)
5.J Approval of Mitigation Strategy Between RCHCA and the Department of Water Resources for the Perris Dam Emergency Release Project
Requested Actions:
1. Approve the Mitigation Strategy between RCHCA and the Department of Water Resources regarding the Perris Dam Emergency Release Facility Project.
2. Authorize the General Manager to execute and sign the Certificate of Inclusion. 9 10
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6 DWR Mitigation Strategy for Perris Dam ERF Project
5.J Approval of the
Riana Fisher
RCHCA
• The California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) is proposing to implement
the Perris Dam Emergency Release Facility
Project (Project) to modify the existing
release structure and construct a water
conveyance facility that would reliably
control a reservoir release and convey
emergency flows from Lake Perris in the
event of an emergency drawdown. • A portion of the Project falls within the SKR HCP Core Reserve lands. The SKR HCP
mitigates impacts from development on the
Stephens’ kangaroo rat. • Consistent with the SKR HCP (Section 5.C.1.s on pages 146-147), as a public project, the
proposed Project is permitted in a core
reserve provided the sponsoring agency
mitigates on a 1:1 basis for all SKR occupied
habitat disturbed as a result of the project.
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7 • DWR is seeking approval of this Mitigation
Strategy and authorization for the General
Manager to execute and sign the
Certificate of Inclusion (COI) after USFWS
and CDFW have approved the Terms and
Acreage of the Mitigation Land in the
event that one is needed. • The COI is the vehicle for issuing take authorization for all segments of the project
and for tracking the issuance of the take
authorization. This authorization will prevent
unnecessary future delays to the Project.
DWR Mitigation Strategy for Perris Dam ERF Project
5.J Approval of the
Requested Actions:
1. Approve the Mitigation Strategy between the RCHCA and DWR regarding the Perris Dam Emergency Release Facility Project.
2. Authorize the General Manager to execute and sign the Certificate of Inclusion. 13 14
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8 FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 AGENCY BUDGET
6.A APPROVAL OF THE
Riana Fisher
RCHCA
FY 2023/2024
BUDGET OVERVIEW
• RCHCA is proposing a conservative budget to reduce
expenditures. Mitigation Fee Revenue has been down for
the past three quarters while interest revenues are higher than expected, approximately 20% of the agency’s
Revenue. • Option Year 2 and Year 3 funding was not received from the BLM to assist with implementation of SKR Mgmt &
Monitoring Plan. Thus, Staff have reduced expected
contract expenditures with Conservation Biology Institute to 75k from 143k for Option Year 3. • Staff anticipate contracting with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance for SKR genetics research. • $1.67 million in revenues is projected against $1.67 million in expenditures, with an overall 1% decrease in
expenditures.
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9 FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 AGENCY BUDGET
6.A APPROVAL OF THE
Requested Action:
1. Adopt Resolution Number 2023-01; A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency adopting the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Agency Budget.
ON STEPHENS’ KANGAROO RAT RECOVERY EFFORTS
6.B STATUS UPDATE
Brian Shomo
RCHCA
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10 SKR
Recovery
Efforts
• Last fall, RCHCA began collecting range wide SKR data from 76 random sample cells throughout the historic range of the species. • In 2023, another 76 sample cells will be surveyed consisting of 50 repeated sample sites from last year and 26 new sample cells. The mixture of old and new sampling expedites the statistical analysis necessary for determining SKR recovery status by continuing to expand the occupancy map while simultaneously providing data on population dynamics. • In addition, we have proposed to contract with the San Diego Zoo’s Wildlife Alliance to develop a genetic protocol using hair samples. • By including genetic analysis within our sampling framework we will begin to understand how the remaining SKR populations are distributed across the landscape with the understanding that fragmented habitats may reduce dispersal and genetic connectivity between populations. • Small populations with decreased gene flow may experience lower survival and reproductive success due to inbreeding and genetic drift, leading to an increased risk of local extinction. • Robust genetic analysis can prove to be the “canary in the coal mine” for SKR populations moving forward with the potential to provide huge amounts of data with minimal cost and effort.
SKR
Recovery
Efforts
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11 ON STEPHENS’ KANGAROO RAT RECOVERY EFFORTS
6.B STATUS UPDATE
Requested Action:
1. Receive and File.
6.C SKR RESERVE MANAGEMENT
AND MONITIORING EFFORTS ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Harry Sandoval
RCHCA
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12 Management Activities
• Winter and spring rains brought a spectacular display of native wildflowers • Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve received 15.3 inches of rain between May 2022 and May 2023
• Average rainfall at Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve is 14.4 inches/year Management Activities
• Along with native wildflowers, rain led to the widespread germination of non-native species. • SKR depend on small forbs for seed and prefer habitat with a mix of 50% vegetation and 50% bare soil • Sheep have grazed approximately 2000 acres of grassland habitat within the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve
• Staff continue to mow and treat grasses and other non-native plant species. • Over two hundred acres of non-native vegetation treatment have been carried out since December 2022
• RCHCA has carried out 115% more non-native species control in 2022 - 2023 than was averaged over the previous 5 years
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13 Management Activities
• Rain filled temporary pools that have not been filled in many years • 11 Pools were identified within the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve • 10 of 11 pools contained western spadefoot toads
• Spadefoot toad is covered by the Lake Mathews HCP and the WRCMSHCP, endangered species act listing is currently being considered
• Toads rely on temporary pools for reproduction
• California gnatcatcher surveys are currently being conducted within the Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve
BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS
Management Activities
• Local Eagle Scout and his troop (523 – Corona) helped to restore artificial burrows for burrowing owls. • The Lake Mathews/Estelle Mountain Reserve is one of five core reserves for burrowing owls in Western Riverside County
• Artificial burrows encourage burrowing owls to take up residence in within reserve lands VOLUNTEER EVENTS – BOY SCOUT TROOP 523
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14 Management Activities
• To celebrate Earth Day, a volunteer clean up event was held at the Lake Mathews Reserve • Volunteers from the local community, California Conservation Corps, Waste Management Inc. and RCHCA staff family members cleaned helped with the cleanup effort • Over 80 cubic yards of material were removed from reserve lands VOLUNTEER EVENTS – LAKE MATHEWS CLEAN UP
6.C SKR RESERVE MANAGEMENT
AND MONITIORING EFFORTS ACTIVITIES UPDATE
Requested Action:
1. Receive and File.
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15 PROGRAM ACTIVITIES UPDATE
6.D EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Riana Fisher
RCHCA
Grand Prize: Jayden Pedro Runner Up: Genesis Lozano
Creativity: Richard Thai
Originality: Scarlett Monarrez
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16 Educational Outreach
•
•Grand Prize: Aaliyah Sowley Runner Up: Jeremy Hyde
Creativity: Adalynn Houchin Originality: Sophia Skidmore
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES UPDATE
6.D EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
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17 6.E STATUS UPDATE ON THE
DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS LANDS
Brian Shomo
RCHCA
Surplus
Land
Disposition
• RCHCA and EIP finalized the sale of the Lakeview-Nuevo surplus parcels and closed escrow on April 21, 2023.
• The sale of the surplus parcels generated $1,861,202 net gross of revenue. • RCHCA staff would like to thank Ecosystem Investment Partners for a smooth transaction and look forward to seeing the conservation/restoration efforts that will help mitigate our region’s impacts to sensitive resources. 33 34
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18 6.E STATUS UPDATE ON THE
Requested Action:
1. Receive and File.
DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS LANDS
6.F REPORT ON REMOTE PUBLIC
MEETING REQUIREMENTS
Dr. Kurt Wilson
WRCOG
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5/11/2023
19 AB 2449 changes the requirements for remote public meetings. Remote meetings are allowed under either of the following circumstances:
1. One of more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) have a "just cause" for not attending the meeting, which could include illness, physical or mental disability need, or travelling while on official public business;
2. One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) have an emergency circumstance, which is generally defined as a physical or family medical emergency.
There are limits on the number of times a member of the body may utilize the provisions above. Should a Board member wish to utilize the provisions above, they must contact RCHCA's General Counsel.
AB 2449 also restates the previous virtual meeting requirements that were in place prior to the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, which are as follows:
1. All votes must be by roll-call;
2. Members of the public must be able to access the meeting and provide public comment;
3. Teleconference locations must be identified in advance on the agenda;
4. Agenda copies must be posted at all teleconference locations; and
5. Teleconference locations must be open to the public.
AB 2449 PUBLIC MEETINGS
6.F REPORT ON REMOTE PUBLIC
Requested Action:
1. Receive and File.
MEETING REQUIREMENTS
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20 NON-PROFIT STATUS AND ACTIVITIES
6.G UPDATE ON RCPP
Riana Fisher
RCHCA
• The mission of the RCPP is to bring together resources to support the conservation, education, and collaboration efforts of RCHCA. • In October 2021, the RCPP obtained tax exempt status through state and federal filings. • For Fiscal Year (FY) 2023/2024, RCPP activities with AmeriCorps teams continue to be on hold until RCHCA finds suitable housing for the teams. • Once housing is secured, RCHCA will resume hosting the AmeriCorps teams for various projects through the RCPP and partners. • There is no expected revenue or expenses anticipated for FY 2023/2024 while staff conducts this research.
Riverside Communities Partnership Project (RCPP)
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21 NON-PROFIT STATUS AND ACTIVITIES
6.G UPDATE ON RCPP
Requested Action:
1. Receive and file.
7. REPORT FROM THE
Dr. Kurt Wilson
WRCOG
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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22 8. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
9. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
10. NEXT MEETING
Thursday, August 10, 2023
11:30 a.m.
Location yet to be determined
RCPP: Thursday, May 9, 2024, 11:30 a.m. during the RCHCA Board Meeting
11. ADJOURNMENT
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