To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Contract with The Watershed Project for Development of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to execute a contract with The Watershed Project in an amount not to exceed $344,500 to provide community engagement services for the development of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan, for the period November 18, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan, including The Watershed Project’s assistance with community engagement during the Plan development process, is funded through a $1,499,285 grant from the Ocean Protection Council.
BACKGROUND:
On May 14, 2024, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2024-167, authorizing the Director of Conservation and Development, or designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept a grant from the California Ocean Protection Council’s (OPC) Senate Bill 1 Grant Program for the preparation of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan (Plan). The contract with the State took effect on May 6, 2025.
Staff conducted a competitive solicitation for a community engagement consultant to assist with the development of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan. The Watershed Project is the organization selected for this role. Staff is seeking approval and authorization from the Board of Supervisors for the Director of the Department of Conservation and Development to execute this contract.
The main activities that will be funded through this grant include:
• Strategic update of existing vulnerability assessments of the Contra Costa County shoreline into a single vulnerability assessment that aligns with OPC’s Phase 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Criteria and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission’s (BCDC) Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP) Guidance. The Watershed Project will assist with public communication on the outcomes of the vulnerability assessment.
• A participatory community engagement process focused on a series of workshops in communities along the county’s shoreline to establish a community vision for the shoreline and provide input on various aspects of the draft Plan. The Watershed Project will lead the participatory community engagement process, including developing workshop curriculum and materials; organizing, promoting, and facilitating workshop series; providing services to increase participation at community engagement activities; and processing and distributing up to $119,500 in stipends to workshop participants.
• Development of the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan, including development of adaptation strategy alternatives, adaptation pathways, a governance and implementation framework, and the Plan itself. The Plan will align with BCDC’s RSAP Guidance. The Watershed Project will work with the County’s community engagement consultant to ensure community feedback informs Plan development.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to authorize approval of this contract would lead to the County being unable to meet its obligations under the terms of the grant agreement.