STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

BOARD MEETING SESSION--DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY

JULY 20, 2000

ITEM 6

SUBJECT:

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO REVISE THE STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN OF $1,527,500 TO THE SACRAMENTOVALLEY OPEN SPACE CONSERVANCY FOR THE CLEAN WATER AND WETLANDS PROTECTION PROJECT--SACRAMENTO PRAIRIE VERNAL POOL ACQUISITION TO ALLOW LOAN FUNDS TO BE USED TO PURCHASE OTHER PROPERTIES WITHIN THE PROJECT PRESERVE (LOAN NO.C-06-6055-110)

DISCUSSION:

On September 16, 1999, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approved Resolution Number 99-088, which authorized a $1,527,500 State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan to the SacramentoValley Open Space Conservancy (SVOSC) for the Clean Water and Wetlands Protection Project--Sacramento Prairie Vernal Pool Acquisition (Project). The Project was to purchase two parcels, the WPT Group property and the Sylvaproperty, which were to become part of a 2,000-3,000 acre preserve to protect high density and high quality vernal pools and other wetlands in south Sacramento County.

Since the SWRCB approval of the SRF loan, the SVOSC was able to obtain grant and other funding sources to purchase the parcels. The SVOSC purchased the Sylva property outright with grants from the Packard Foundation and Sacramento County. The AKTDevelopment Company purchased the WPT Group property as part of a mitigation land purchase and then granted a perpetual conservation easement to the SVOSC.

On the attached map (Attachment 1 – not electronically available), all parcels within the preserve boundary remain to be protected with the exception of the WPT Group, Sylva, Conservation Resources (aprivate mitigation bank within the preserve), and the County of Sacramento parcels. The County of Sacramento also owns the development rights to the Klotz property; however, this is not the same level of protection as ownership or a conservation easement, and the SVOSC is seeking to protect that property in perpetuity as well. The SVOSC has not yet negotiated a price for these remaining parcels.

The SVOSC is now seeking funding to purchase the other parcels and complete the preserve. The SWRCB approval of the SRF loan was based on purchasing the Sylva and WPT Group properties and cannot be used for other parcels. For this reason, SVOSC is requesting SWRCB approval giving the SVOSC the flexibility to use the SRF funds for any parcel within the preserve (Attachment 2 – not electronically available). The objectives, method of repayment, and all other conditions of SWRCB Resolution No. 99-088 (Attachment 3) will remain the same.

The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., as a project to protect natural resources and the environment and as a project to transfer ownership of interest in land to preserve open space (California Code of Regulations, Title14, sections 15307, 15308, and 15325).

POLICY ISSUE:

Should the SWRCB revise the SRF loan of $1,527,500 to the SVOSC for the Project to allow loan funds to be used to purchase other properties within the Project preserve?

FISCAL IMPACT:

None.

RWQCB IMPACT:

Yes, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

That the SWRCB revises the SRF loan of $1,527,500 to the SVOSC for the Project to allow loan funds to be used to purchase other properties within the Project preserve.

Note:Attachments 1 and 2 are not electronically available. For copies, contact:

Paul Roggensack

Division of Water Quality

SWRCB

P.O. Box 944213

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 657-0673 or FAX (916) 657-2127

June 26, 2000 DRAFT

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 2000-

APPROVAL TO REVISE THE STATE REVOLVING FUND

LOAN OF $1,527,500 TO THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY OPEN

SPACE CONSERVANCY FOR THE CLEAN WATER AND

WETLANDS PROTECTION PROJECT--SACRAMENTO PRAIRIE

VERNAL POOL ACQUISITION TO ALLOW LOAN FUNDS BE

USED TO PURCHASE OTHER PROPERTIES WITHIN THE

PROJECT PRESERVE (LOAN NO. C-06-6055-110)

WHEREAS:

1.The Sacramento Valley Open Space Conservancy (SVOSC) requested approval to use the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $1,527,500 for The Clean Water and Wetlands Protection Project--Sacramento Prairie Vernal Pool Acquisition (Project) approved by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in
Resolution No. 99-088 on September 16, 1999 for the purchase of other properties within the preserve boundary.

2.The Project will protect valuable vernal pools and habitat in the upper NorthernLagunaCreek Watershed.

3.The Project will preserve beneficial uses in the upper Northern Laguna Creek Watershed.

4.The Project will complement the CosumnesRiver Preserve in which the SWRCB is a partner and has provided SRF funding.

5.The Project is part of the Sacramento County Habitat Conservation Program to help mitigate development impacts within the Urban Services Boundary.

6.The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., as a project to protect natural resources and the environment and as a project to transfer ownership of interest in land to preserve open space (California Code of Regulations, Title14, sections 15307, 15308, and 15325).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB revises the SRF loan of $1,527,500 to the SVOSC for the Project to allow loan funds to be used to purchase other properties within the Project preserve. All other conditions of SWRCB Resolution No. 99-088 will remain in effect.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on July 20, 2000.

______

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 99 - 088

APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN
OF $1,527,500 TO THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY OPEN SPACE CONSERVANCY FOR
THE CLEAN WATER AND WETLANDS PROTECTION PROJECT—SACRAMENTO PRAIRIE VERNAL POOL ACQUISITION (LOAN NO. C-06-6055-110)

WHEREAS:

1.The Sacramento Valley Open Space Conservancy (SVOSC) requested a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $1,527,500 for The Clean Water and Wetlands Protection Project-Sacramento Prairie Vernal Pool Acquisition (Project).

2.The Project will protect valuable vernal pools and habitat in the upper Northern Laguna Creek Watershed.

3.The Project will protect water resources in the upper Northern Laguna Creek Watershed.

4.The Project will complement the Cosumnes River Preserve, which the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is a partner and has provided SRF funding.

5.The Project is in accordance with the Framework Agreement for the Interagency Vernal Pool Stewardship Initiative.

6.The Project is part of the South Sacramento Habitat Conservation Program to help mitigate development impacts.

7.The Project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000 et seq., as a project to protect natural resources and the environment (California Code Regulations, title 14, §§15307 and 15308).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB approves an SRF loan of $1,527,500 to the SVOSC for the Clean Water and Wetlands Protection Project-Sacramento Prairie Vernal Pool Acquisition provided the SVOSC agrees to accept conditions to the loan award that will insure repayment.Such conditions may include provisions for an appropriate security interest and that the SVOSC incur no additional indebtedness without State Board approval.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on September 16, 1999.

/s/

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board