Item #04
Date: March 15, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jim Schaad, City Manager
Subject: Purchase of 26 Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) Mitigation Credits Recommendation:
Pass a Motion to 1) approve an agreement to purchase of 26 VELB mitigation credits for an amount $117,000 from Stillwater Plains Mitigation Bank, Inc. and 2) authorize the Finance Director to make a supplemental appropriation of $117,000 to account number 51-510-5405 (Capital Projects).
Rationale for Recommendation:
The purchase of 26 mitigation credits is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of a sewer pond decommissioning mitigation plan to contribute to preservation of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (VELB) as a species.
Background:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires that mitigate the effects of their projects on the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus Californicus Dimorphus) (VELB), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) The beetle’s life cycle is dependent on the valley elderberry plant as part of its habitat. Such Elderberry shrubs are located in the City’s wastewater ponds, which are required to be decommissioned. As part of the mitigation plan, the City is required to purchase of 26 mitigation credits from a service-approved off-site compensatory mitigation entity. Stillwater Plains Mitigation Bank, Inc. is a service-approved Mitigation bank.
Discussion & Analysis:
Stillwater Plains Mitigation Bank, Inc has provided an agreement for the purchase of the required VELB mitigation credits, which has been deemed to satisfy the requirements of the US Fish and Wildlife Service formal consultation letter 08ESMF00-2021-F-1145-1, dated April 23, 2021.
Fiscal Analysis:
The cost of mitigation will be an eligible cost for the DWR funded wastewater pond decommissioning project and reimbursed to the City. Staff is recommending authorizing the Finance Director to make a supplemental appropriation of $117,000 to 51-510-5405 (Capital Projects).
Attachments:
1) Agreement for Sale of Mitigation Credits
2) Formal Consultation Letter 08ESMF00-2021-F-1145-1