RESOLUTION NO. (N.C.S)
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF SALINAS AND South Bay Conservation Resources, LLC for the purchase of 9.7 Sparling Ranch Conservation Credits in the amount of $582,000 for the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, Phase 2B WHEREAS, during the environmental phase of the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, the United States Army Corps of Engineers consulted with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for a Biological Opinion of the Project; and WHEREAS, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that the area of land impacted by the Project is considered a permanent loss of habitat for the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service issued a revised Biological Opinion that contains environmental measures to alleviate effects to California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders; and WHEREAS, the revised Biological Opinion stated that the City will compensate for the permanent loss of upland California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander habitat by purchasing credits from Sparling Ranch Conservation Bank; and WHEREAS, Sparling Ranch Conservation Bank is a US Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved conservation bank in good standing for its credits for sale as compensation for the loss of habitat for the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 22955, on May 7, 2024 City Council approved the purchase of 11.06 credits from Sparkling Ranch Conservation Bank for Phases 1 and 2a for a total of $608,300.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Salinas City Council approves the Agreement between the City of Salinas and South Bay Conservation Resources, LLC for the Sale of Conservation Credits in the amount of $582,000 to compensate for the loss of habitat for the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander impacted by the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project Phase 2b; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of the City of Salinas, and as its act and deed, to execute the attached Purchase Agreement; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized to execute modifications to the Agreement and to take any additional action that may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 16th day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED:
Dennis Donohue, Mayor
ATTEST:
Patricia M. Soratos, City Clerk