Title
Authorization to Apply for, Accept, Disburse Funds and Enter into Agreements for 2018 North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program and Arizona Department of Water Resources’ Arizona Water Protection Fund (Ordinance S-44937)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for and, if awarded, accept and enter into agreements for the 2018 North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants Program in an amount up to $100,000 and the Arizona Water Protection Fund in an amount up to $150,000. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and for the City Controller to disburse, any grant monies awarded.
Report
Summary
Staff is seeking City Council authorization to submit applications for the 2018 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Small Grants Program and the Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF).
The NAWCA Small Grants Program, which is funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, can provide funding of up to $100,000 and requires a dollar-for-dollar match from a non-federal source. Staff's intent is to utilize the grant funds to enhance, restore and maintain the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area. The NAWCA Small Grants Program application deadline is Oct. 18, 2018. Staff is exploring potential partnerships for this grant application, which could include Audubon Arizona, the City of Phoenix Stormwater Management Program, Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Central Arizona Conservation Alliance and/or the Sierra Club. This grant can provide short and long-term tangible benefits by improving the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area’s viability.
For the non-federal match portion of the NAWCA Small Grants Program, staff is seeking authorization to apply for a grant from the AWPF, which is funded by the Arizona Department of Water Resources and can provide funding of up to $150,000. Staff's intent is to utilize AWPF funds to provide the $100,000 match for the NAWCA application. If the City's AWPF application is unsuccessful, staff will withdraw the NAWCA grant application. Notably, should the City be unsuccessful in obtaining funding from NAWCA, the AWPF funds can still be implemented. Applications for AWPF grants, which do not require a match, are due Sept. 7, 2018.
If successful, staff's intent is to use the aforementioned grant funds at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area to mitigate erosion along embankments; remove invasive species within reservoirs and water channels; enhance waterfowl and marsh bird habitat; provide bilingual educational messaging near stormwater outfalls; remove fire hazards; and restore basic infrastructure at habitat entry nodes.
Financial Impact
The aggregate amount of the grant applications is up to $250,000, which includes up to $100,000 for the 2018 NAWCA Small Grants Program and up to $150,000 for the AWPF.
Location
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, 641 W. Lower Buckeye Road
Council District: 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Parks and Recreation Department.