TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Budget increase for Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Infrastructure
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ISSUE:
Increasing the annual budget for grants awarded under the Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program from $50,000 to $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2021.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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SUMMARY:
Damage from the 2020 wildfires has created a need for additional protection of the North Santiam River including the need to reduce risks associated with erosion, bank instability, and transport of hazardous material in stormwater runoff. Using anticipated savings in Utility Non-Divisional materials and services, Public Works has increased the budget for the Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program from $50,000 to $150,000 for Fiscal Year 2021. The additional funding will be used for grants to the North Santiam Watershed Council and to the Oregon Department of Environmental Protection to address the impacts caused by the 2020 wildfires.
Of the added $100,000 to the program, $50,000 will be made available to the North Santiam Watershed Council. The North Santiam Watershed Council will work with landowners and other stakeholders to implement on-the-ground projects. Grant funds will be used for project management, site assessments, contracted services, and supplies and materials. Additional information is provided in the funding request received from the council. (See Attachment 1.)
The remaining $50,000 will be available to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The agency has prepared a scope of work that is focused on onsite waste stabilization and erosion control. A high priority will be assigned to sites that pose an immediate threat to drinking water quality and public health from toxic ash and household hazardous waste items, both of which are at risk of being carried in stormwater runoff. (See Attachment 2.)
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. The Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program was established by Council by Ordinance No. 59-2001 on August 27, 2001.
2. The Council-adopted Fiscal Year 2021 budget provides $50,000 for the grant program. Most of the $50,000 had been obligated prior to the wildfires.
3. Anticipated savings in the Utility Fund Non-Divisional cost center are expected to exceed $100,000. Funds have been reallocated through an administrative transfer and assigned to the Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program.
4. The Utility Fund includes water, wastewater, and stormwater. The Utility Fund’s FY 2021 expenditure budget is $126 million.
BACKGROUND:
For nearly 20 years, the Watershed Protection and Preservation Grant Program has provided small grants to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individuals for projects that protect and enhance the health of Salem’s watersheds, for projects that provide education material related to Salem’s watersheds, and for projects that have a direct impact on the City's drinking water supply.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Post Fire Erosion Control & Restoration Fund Request. Submitted by North Santiam Watershed Council via email October 15, 2020
2. North Santiam Watershed Recovery Stabilization of Priority Sites - Hazardous Substance Threat of Impact to Surface Water: Submitted by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, dated October 13, 2020