ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

 

2.

AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO CONTRACT FOR FOR FISHERIES AIDE POSITION(S)

 

Meeting Date:

March 13, 2007

Budgeted:  Yes

 

 

 

From:

David A. Berger,

Program/ 

Aquatic Resources

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:

Fisheries 2-3-2 B & C

 

Prepared By:

  Cynthia Schmidlin,  

Cost Estimate: 

Up to $6,700

 

Kevan Urquhart

 

 

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 13, 2007 and recommended ________________.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  Unless significant additional rainfall is received, low stream flow conditions will likely necessitate intensive rescues of steelhead juveniles, smolts and adults beginning as early as April 1, 2007.  The District’s current staff will not be able to handle the increased workload associated with conducting rescues in the lower Carmel River without assistance.  Authorization is requested to hire one or two limited-term Fisheries Aides (Exhibit 2-A), depending upon availability, to work up to a total of 480 hours during the remainder of this fiscal year.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  Authorize the expenditure of funds to hire one or two limited-term Fisheries Aides for a total of up to 480 hours between April 1, 2007 and June 30, 2007.  These workers would be paid at an hourly wage of $12.25.  The Administrative Committee considered this item at its March 13, 2007 meeting and recommended _______________.

 

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  Hiring the required limited-term personnel would cost up to $6,700. The FY 2006-2007 Budget, line item 2-3-2 C, contains $7,400 for fish rescue work, however, $5,889 of those funds have been spent, leaving $1,511 available.  Additionally, it has been determined that $10,569 of the $34,100 allotted for Water Resources Assistants, in line item 2-3-2 B of the current budget, will not be used by the end of this fiscal year.  The duties of Water Resources Assistants include work on fish rescues when needed.  Therefore, it would be appropriate to use a portion of these available funds to cover the remaining $5,189 needed to hire fisheries aide personnel this spring.

 

BACKGROUND:  During the past ten years, District staff has initiated rescues when streamflow receded below ten cubic feet per second at Highway One.  Historically, this has occurred between April 1 and September 3.  This year, staff anticipates that rescues of juvenile steelhead could begin as early as April.  The District may be rescuing and transporting three groups of steelhead, including smolts, kelts (spawned-out adults) and juveniles. The smolts and kelts will be transported downstream to the lagoon or ocean, while juveniles will be transported upstream to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility or permanent habitats above the Narrows.  Given the increase in fish numbers and the likelihood of dry weather, additional help will be needed to successfully complete rescues under current conditions.

 

EXHIBITS

2-A      Fisheries Aide Job Description

 

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