To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Senate Bill 1 Grant Execution
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution to approve and authorize the Conservation and Development Director, or designee, to apply for and accept a grant of up to a maximum of $1,499,285 from the California Ocean Protection Council, Senate Bill 1 Grant Program, for the preparation of the Contra Costa County Resilient Shoreline Plan that would create focused adaptation strategies and implementation actions for the communities along Contra Costa County’s shoreline.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Senate Bill 1 Grant Program funds awarded to Contra Costa County will be distributed among the lead applicant (County) and any partners, which will include community-based organizations, local shoreline governments, and technical subconsultants. A process for grant administration will be forthcoming for Board consideration. This partnership will improve capacity and develop priorities to address sea level rise within our respective jurisdictions. Measure X funds for climate equity and resilience as well as water policy planning funds through the County’s Water Agency support the work of the Department of Conservation and Development staff who will be administering the grant. The Senate Bill 1 Grant Program does not require a County match.
BACKGROUND:
The Senate Bill 1 Grant Program operates through the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and provides funding to local and regional governments to develop sea level rise adaptation plans and implementation projects under the direction of Senate Bill 1. Track 1 of the Senate Bill 1 Grant Program supports projects in the pre-planning, data collection, and planning phases. The Board of Supervisors authorized the County’s application to the Senate Bill 1 Grant Program at its May 14, 2024, meeting. At OPC's June 4, 2024, meeting, OPC approved the authorization to disburse up to $1,499,285 to Contra Costa County for the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan as part of the first tranche of SB 1 Grant Program awards. OPC has indicated Board of Supervisors approval of the attached resolution is a requirement of the grant execution process that will enable the County to receive the funding awarded by OPC. Once the grant is executed, staff anticipate starting work funded by the SB 1 Grant Program in the fall of 2024.
DCD has initiated the Resilient Shoreline Coalition, consisting of a growing list of collaborators and partners that have supported the County's pursuit of grant funding for the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan. Outreach to shoreline cities, special districts, and community-based organizations to gauge interest in being a partner on this grant will continue until all shoreline cities and other shoreline stakeholders are briefed.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Should the Board not approve the resolution, the County would not be able to receive funding awarded through the Ocean Protection Council’s Senate Bill 1 Grant Program to develop a resilient shoreline plan.
See attached resolution.