Long Beach, CA
File #: 08-0542    Version: 1 Name: PRM - Colorado lagoon Grant application
Type: Contract Status: CCIS
File created: 5/23/2008 In control: City Council
On agenda: 6/10/2008 Final action: 6/10/2008
Title: Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents required for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, for the Colorado Lagoon Wetlands Restoration Project. (District 3)
Sponsors: Parks, Recreation and Marine
Indexes: Grant
Attachments: 1. 061008-R-27sr.pdf
TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents required for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, for the Colorado Lagoon Wetlands Restoration Project.  (District 3)
 
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) has identified a grant opportunity through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NCWC) Grant Program, to help fund the current shortfall in the budget of the Colorado Lagoon Wetlands Restoration project. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (Section 304, Title III, Public Law 101-646, 16 U.S.C. 3954) established the NCWC grant program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal states through competitive matching grants. The City is partnering with the California Coastal Conservancy, who will take the lead in this application.
 
The Colorado Lagoon is a 28.3-acre tidal lagoon in the middle of a residential neighborhood, hosting sensitive estuarine habitat, providing public recreation, and retaining and conveying storm flows. Water and sediment contamination has occurred at the Lagoon due to it being surrounded by residential neighborhoods, a golf course, and its location in a highly urbanized watershed. Although a popular swim area, the State Water Quality Control Board identified the Lagoon as an impaired water body, closing it for much of the summer of 2006. The costs for the planned restoration come to approximately $12,650,000.
 
Funding partners include the State Water Resources Control Board ($3,823,868), the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy ($150,000), the California State Coastal Conservancy ($500,000), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ($900,000), and the Port of Long Beach ($235,000). Total project funding secured to date is $5,608,868. The funding shortfall is currently approximately $7,000,000. Non-funding partners include the Friends of Colorado Lagoon, a local neighborhood group that has played an important role in the restoration process. If awarded, the NCWC grant will provide up to $1,000,000 needed to assist in closing the funding shortfall of the Colorado Lagoon Wetlands Restoration project. Any and all City matching requirements will be offset by funding from the other granting agencies. The project will be phased, allowing for each phase to be fully funded as the City moves forward with the complete project.
 
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on May 19, 2008, and Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 21,2008.
 
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 10, 2008, in order to allow submission of the grant application by the June 27, 2008, deadline.
 
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project cost is approximately $12,650,000. The City has received approximately $5,600,000 to date, leaving approximately $7,000,000 still to be funded.  If awarded, the $1,000,000 would reduce the amount of funding still needed. All required matching funds will be offset by funding from other granting agencies.
 
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
 
Phil T. Hester
Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine
 
NAME
APPROVED:
TITLE
 
 
                                                  
 
PATRICK H. WEST
 
CITY MANAGER