TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Dana Morrison, Supervising Planner - Conservation
SUBJECT: Status of the Watershed Information and Conservation Council
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive a presentation on the status of the Watershed Information and Conservation Council, direct Staff to re-envision the role of the WICC and return with recommendations for discussion and direction. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
In 1990, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board listed the Napa River as impaired by sedimentation due to erosion and risks to salmon and steelhead habitat. In the early 2000s, it conducted studies to better understand sediment sources and other factors affecting these fish populations. In 2002, the Napa County Board of Supervisors (Board) passed Resolution No. 02-103, creating the Watershed Information and Conservation Council (WICC) to serve as an advisory committee to the Board. The WICC was created as a forum for Napa County stakeholders to address watershed concerns by analyzing data, guiding management and restoration, coordinating planning and land acquisition, and supporting outreach, education, monitoring, and data management.
Recently, low attendance among the 17 representatives (formerly 23 when the Drought and Water Shortage Task Force were also part of the body, however their bylaws were revised under Resolution 24-2116 removing from the WICC) has made it difficult to achieve a quorum, leading to canceled meetings or sessions limited to information sharing. The WICC meets quarterly and is comprised of the following representatives.
• two members of the BOS (2), and one alternate (1)
• one member of the Napa County Planning Commission (1)
• two members each from the City of Napa, City of American Canyon, City of St Helena, City of Calistoga, Town of Yountville (10)
• one member of the Napa County Land Trust (1)
• one member of the Napa County Resource Conservation District (1)
• one member of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (1)
• six members of the public at large (6)
The WICC was originally formed as an advisory council with a primary focus on watershed and fisheries health. Since its inception in 2002, there has been a more broad and comprehensive approach to watershed management, warranting consideration of forest and fuel management practices, groundwater, climate change leading to more intense precipitation events interspersed with longer dry periods and severe droughts, habitat connectivity, and an ongoing need to protect municipal watersheds and overall watershed resiliency. With the multitude of factors influencing watershed management efforts, there’s both an opportunity and need to re-envision the role of the WICC and explore how it can continue to provide a strong and meaningful advisory role to the Board.
Recommendation:
Direct Staff to re-envision the role of the WICC and return with recommendations for discussion and direction, with WICC meetings temporarily paused in the interim.
Procedural Requirements:
1. Staff report
2. Public comments
3. Discussion
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
General Fund |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
A review of the overall Council’s scope and structure can better focus staff and other County resources to improve the experience for the public. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
General Fund impact depends on decision made. WICC is currently funded from the General Fund. If combined with another committee, commission or council, or reformed then the current impact on the General Fund would remain the same. If the WICC is disbanded, then it will reduce time billed against the General Fund. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
WICC will continue in its current formation. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.