HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1999-032WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 99 -253
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assi ned to:
originator: Jeff Monsen
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R
9 JUL U n 1999
,p,u /► J
r HATC M COON
COUNCIL
111
Finance Comm. & Council
Division Head:
Dept Head: Jets Monsen
-7
Prosecutor
PurchasingBudget:
ExecuAive:
e�
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SUBJECT.
(Discussion and possible action) Joint venture between Whatcom County and Nooksack Enhancement
Association to finance and supervise a Washington Conservation Corps crew.
ATTACHMENTS.
Letter of Proposal from Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Washington Conservation Corps project application
Proposed scope of work to complete
°plated County Contract #:
Should Clerk schedule a hearing: NO" YES /_/ Requested Date:
:, iJMMARYSTATEMENT.
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is proposing a
joint venture with Whatcom County to have a Washington
Conservation Corps crew (through Department of Ecology)
assigned to this area for salmon habitat and stream restoration
projects.
Greater detail relating to the project scope and financial
alternatives will be provided at the time of the Council
Committee meeting.
Ordinance & Resolution Distribution Request
To keep down our copying costs, indicate only those who ixust
receive a copy after Council action. List names to the right.
ADS Facilities Management
ADS Finance
ADS Human Resources
ADSInjoServices
Assessor
Auditor
CooperativeE;aension
District Court
Executive
Health
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve joint application and County financial assistance.
Hearing Examiner
Jail
Juvenile
Parks
Planning
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN.
1999 - 253 7113199: Approved 7 -0 Res. #99 -032
R
Prosecutor
Public Works
Jeff Monsen
Sheriff
Superior Court
Treasurer
Other
Ordinance or Resolution Number
(this item):
PUGEND, Btt -&o
SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: Public Works
INTRODUCTION DATE: 7/13/99
RESOLUTION NO. 99 -032
REQUESTING A WASHINGTON CONSERVATION CORPS TEAM BE ASSIGNED TO
WHATCOM COUNTY TO WORK ON LOCAL SALMON RECOVERY PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the Washington Conservation Corps, through the Department of Ecology, is
available to provide a labor force to help restore salmon to healthy population levels; and,
WHEREAS, applications are currently being accepted to have a Conservation Corps team
placed to assist in local salmon recovery efforts; and,
WHEREAS, local financial support of $50,000 is necessary in order to have a
Conservation Corps placed locally, which would provide up to $200,000 of local response effort;
and,
WHEREAS, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is proposing to be a joint
sponsor of an application, and to provide at no cost to the County work crew training and basic
supervision.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that the
County Administration is hereby authorized to make appropriate application for a Conservation
Corps crew and, if accepted, expend up to $50,000 from previously budgeted County salmon
recovery funds in order to execute an appropriate agreement with the State of Washington.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County administration is hereby directed to work
cooperatively with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and generally follow the
work program outlined in Exhibit "A" attached hereto, excluding any environmental mitigation
efforts required of a private entity.
APPROVED this 13 day of JULY '1999.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
A ST: WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
rown- Davis, County Clerk Marlene Dawson, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
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June 28, 1999
N OOKSACK
S ALMON
ENHANCEMENT Phone: 360 /715 -0283
ASSOCIATION Fax: 360/715 -0282
P.O. Box 2535 - Bellingham,WA - 98227 -2535 e-mail: nsea @nas.com
Whatcom County Council
Whatcom County Courthouse
311 Grand Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225
RE: Washington Conservation Corps Proposal
Dear Members of the Whatcom County Council:
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is seeking $50,000 of matching funds from
Whatcom County to co- sponsor a Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew from Washington Department
of Ecology. Starting in October, 1999,' NSEA would train and manage a crew leader and five crew members,
ages 18 to 24, to accomplish salmon habitat and stream restoration projects within Whatcom County.
Since 1990, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association has been dedicated to restoring self - sustaining
salmon runs in Whatcom County through habitat restoration, community education, volunteer participation,
and salmon stock production. Our field staff, year -round crew of six displaced resource workers and hundreds
of volunteers are currently working on replanting vegetation, stabilizing eroding stream banks, identifying and
removing barriers to salmon passage, and fencing livestock out of stream. NSEA also operates several
successful salmon production and acclimation programs, including net pens and remote site incubation.
Maintenance and monitoring of all of our projects are also critical components of NSEA's salmon recovery
efforts.
We hope to expand and improve the effectiveness of our cooperative .efforts in Whatcom County by adding a
second paid work crew to accomplish what is outlined in the enclosed proposal, including: riparian native plant
establishment, project monitoring, community education, and salmon habitat and fish population assessment.
NSEA highly values the opportunity to work cooperatively with Whatcom County as we strive to restore
salmon populations here. Please review the attached proposal and do not hesitate to contact us if you have
further questions.
Sincerely yours,
W
Wendy Scherr r
Executive Director
Enclosures
Ste_
Proposal to Whatcom County
For Cooperative
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association/Whatcom County
Washington Conservation Corps Crew
Introduction
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is seeking matching funds from
Whatcom County to co- sponsor a Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew from the
Washington Department of Ecology. Starting in October, 1999, a crew leader and five crew
members, ages 18 to 24 years would be managed and trained in stream restoration work by
NSEA staff and the displaced resource worker crew. The primary objective of the WCC crew
would-be to support NSEA's lowland habitat restoration efforts while providing valuable job
experience and training to the crew members. NSEA has sponsored WCC crews in the past and
found them to be a desirable and cost effective complement to NSEA's restoration activities.
(See attached letters of support.)
Scope of Work
The Washington Department of Ecology is partnering with the National Americorps Service
program to provide Washington Conservation Corps crews to work on salmon restoration
projects in the State of Washington. The NSEA / Whatcom County- sponsored crew will focus
on completing the following projects during the eleven month period of service. The attached
"Proposed Task Schedule for WCC Crew" with location details is an estimate of the tasks. This
schedule will vary depending on optimal planting season weather and coordination with the
displaced resource worker crew schedule.
1. In- stream improvements and Bank Stabilization
Provide protective cover for fish, improve fish passage, and enhance stream channel
complexity by appropriate placement of large woody debris, boulder clusters, rock weirs, etc.
2. Livestock Exclusion
Install fencing to limit livestock access to Whatcom County streams to improve bank stability,
reduce fecal coliform contaminants, sedimentation, and protect native plant riparian corridors.
3. Riparian Native Plant Establishment
Plant and maintain native vegetation to establish effective riparian corridors along Whatcom
County .streams. Healthy riparian buffers provide shade to cool stream temperatures, root
networks to improve bank stability, organic stream nutrients in form of leaf litter and reintro-
duction of macroinvertebrates, and a long -term source of woody debris for stream complexity.
4. Project monitoring
Monitor the success of the restoration projects to determine the effectiveness of restoration
techniques. Monitoring includes macroinvertebrate sampling, water quality monitoring, stream
structure monitoring, vegetation monitoring, and photo documentation.
5. Community Education
The WCC crew will have opportunities to work with NSEA's stream restoration crew,
volunteers, property owners, interns, County work release crews, and school groups on habitat
restoration and monitoring projects. These "hands on" training opportunities provide effective
avenues to discuss the local salmon recovery efforts and the need for good stewardship of the
County's water courses.
6. Habitat & Population Assessments
The WCC crew will be trained by NSEA's dislocated resource worker crew to assist in the
South Fork habitat assessment in the summer of 2000. Habitat assessment data is used to
prioritize and located restoration projects in the Nooksack Basin. Population assessments
include minnow traps, smolt traps, and spawning surveys. Population assessments help NSEA
monitor salmonid population increases or decreases in the focused streams. This data also
allows NSEA to better prioritize restoration projects.
Match Requirements
The WCC program provides a crew of six, transportation, and basic tools to work on salmon
recovery projects for eleven months, which is valued .at approximately $200,000. Local
sponsors must provide for volunteer involvement, materials, supplies and technical assiatance
for the projects as well as a $50,000 local cash match.
NSEA will provide, the form of in -kind match, program coordinator, project design, training
and supervision of crew, landowner contacts, required volunteer involvement, project materials
and supplies, and office space.
The WCC crew will be actively involved in Whatcom County salmon recovery and water
quality improvement work. This work has long term benefits to our local citizens and we feel
it is appropriate that Whatcom County considers providing the $50,000 local cash match.
Reporting
NSEA's Board of Directors will provide oversight and the staff will coordinate the local
Washington Conservation Corps crew. NSEA will track crew actions by project location and
activity, and account for volunteer involvement, material, supply, technical assistance
contributions. Activities will be summarized in quarterly reports to Whatcom County
Department of Public Works and the WCC coordinator of the Department of Ecology. A final
report will summarize the eleven month program.
The local $50,000 cash match from Whatcom County will be prorated over the eleven month
term of the program. Whatcom County would be invoiced monthly for the prorated percentage
of the match, or approximately $4,500 per month.
Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Members
are available to- help organizations accomplish
salmon recovery projects!
With funding from the Corporation for National Service (AmeriCorps) the
Department of Ecology is pleased to announce the
WCC "Salmon Recovery Initiative"
The goal of the WCC "Salmon Recovery Initiative" (SRI) is to provide a labor force to help
organizations complete critical projects that belp "restore salmon, steelbead, and trout populations
to healthy harvestable levels."
A total of 150 Members are available to be placed with public and non -profit entities to support on-
the- ground salmon recovery efforts. These Members (18 to 25 years of age) will work directly for
your organization for a full year beginning in October, 1999 through September, 2000.
Applications are due July 30,1999. SuccessfW applicants will by notified by August 30.1999-
The projected start date is October 1,1999.
Eligible Activities
Highest urloidty will be given to requests for members working on activities that make direcs,
physical improvements to the environment i:e., field projects that directly benefit fisheries.
Examples include, but are not limited to, riparian improvements, bank stabilization, fish structures,
stream channeling, wetland creation and maintenance, fish barrier removal, and animal exclusion
fencing.
Other eligible activities include:
Recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers to assist in field project implementation.
Providing environmental education to local schools, landowners, and the general public that
raises awareness of salmon issues and restoration efforts.
A*sisting senior staff with planning field projects and obtaining necessary permits and materials
to implement projects.
Monitoring streams, habitat, other environmental indicators, and restoration projects including
the use of Geographic Information Systems.
The WCC is offering your organization the following options:
1. • Individual placements to be supervised and equipped by your organization.
2. A complete WCC Team which includes 5 Corpsmembers, I Supervisor (a full time state
employee), transportation (generally a 4x4, crew cab pickup) and a basic complement of
tools.
The WCC will provide:
• Funding to cover the salaries and benefits of individual corpsmembeis (except for the
required match as described below).
• Payroll service.
• Member's basic health insurance package and workers compensation_
• Assistance in recruiting meambeta.
• Formal training.
Partner organizations must provide:
• One year's worth of eligible projects including materials and technical support.
• Matching funds (non - federal) in the amount of $5,000 per individual member or $50,000 for
a team placement.
• For individual corpsmember(s), your organization must provide supervision, transportation,
and all necessary logistical support for the Member(s) including tools and equipment_
• A component of the project that generates and involves community volunteers (specifically
including senior volunteers) in the salmon recovery effort.
• Quarterly reporting as required by grants from the Corporation for Nationil Service.
Application:
Successful applications will clearly identify &!or demonstrate:
• The projected outcomes of the project, and specifically identify the percentage of work that will
make direct, physical improvements to the environment.
• The organization's ability to meet the matching requirement_
The organization's ability to manage the placement or teats.
(You may attach existing materials [brochures, etc-) about your organization)
• Your organization's ability to manage the iinplementation of the project.,
In the case of individual Members, your organization's ability to provide supervision;
transportation, and all necessary logistical support for the Members including tools and.
equipment.
• The project's connection to other local salmon recovery and watershed planning efforts such as
the Salmon Recovery Act (HB2496) and the Watershed Planning Act (HB2514).
• The ability to meet the required volunteer and senior volunteer component
We are asking each project site to generate a minimum of 200 volunteers that serve a total of
1000 hours. It must include a minimum of 10 senior volunteers_
• The number of Members being requested.
(1 -5 individual Member(s) or a supervised team of 5 Members + a supervisor)
Be sue your application includes a single point contact with name and phone number as weH
as your organization's contact information (official name, address, etc.)
To submit applications, or for additional information contact:
rAstirstor
DfIIRiYEN
E C 0 L 0
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Robeft Spatb
T l T E Department of Ecology
1 O f Washington Conservation Corps
P.O. Box 47600 .
G Y Olympia, WA 98504 -7600
(3W 407 -6936
E mail: rspa461 Oecy.gov.wa
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STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
P.O. Box 47600 • Olympia, WasWWon 98504 -7600
(360) 407 -6000 • 7DD Only (Hearing Impaired) (360) 4074006
hmo 25, 1999
Rhea Sanders
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
P.O. Box 2535
Bellingham, WA 99227 -2535
Dear Ms, Sanders:
I would like to express our support for the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association's
effort to improve salmon habitat in the state. The Washington Conservation Corps has
partnered with NSEA in the past to support a WCC crew doing various activities to
improve habitat in the county. We look forward to working with you again-in the future
with partial funding provided by our new Salmon Initiative slated for Octobcr of 1999.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Mott
Field Operations Coordinator
Washington Conservation Corps
cc: Steve Seymour
J: \WCC\NSEA.docL ;•3
�vm'�►. United States Forest Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie Darrington R. D.
Department of Service National Forest 1405 Emmens Street
Agriculture Darrington, WA 98241
(206) 436 -1155
Reply to: 2320
Date: December 8, 1995
Clare Fogelsong
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA)
P.O. Box 4437
Bellingham, WA 98227
Dear Clare,
I would like to thank the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and their crew for the trail
work done on the Darrington Ranger District. I would especially like to compliment John Zitkovitch
on the leadership and wealth of knowledge he brought to the project. During the week they worked
on the district the crew completed an impressive amount of puncheon walkway on the Heather Lake
Loop Trail.
The Dariington Ranger District considers the work of organizations such as the NSEA an important
part of the district trail program. Trail maintenance or reconstruction projects which would not be
completed or even started due to a lack of funding are carried out through the efforts of groups like
yours. The reconstruction of the Heather Lake Trail and the Heather Lake Loop Trail construction
could only have been completed with the help of organizations like the NSEA and other volunteer
groups. It . should be noted that much of the work has corrected drainage problems which were
causing soil erosion and the construction of the Heather Lake Loop Trail will disperse hikers away
from the fragile lakeshore area where vegetation is being trampled and soils compacted.
I hope .the continuing construction of the puncheon walkway on the Heather Lake Loop Trail is a
project the NSEA will be able to work into the crew's schedule. We look forward to working with
you in the future. Again, thank you for all the hard work and your interest in the Darrington
Ranger District Trail program.
Sincerely,
K. Terry Skorheim
District Ranger
aCaring for the Land and Serving People