DISCUSSION
THE CAL FIRE GRANT. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has a grant opportunity under the 2017/2018 California Climate Investments Urban and Community Forestry Program (“The Program”). CAL FIRE anticipates awarding at least $17,500,000 in the Fiscal Year 2017/2018. The Program focuses on use of trees and associated vegetation to provide multiple benefits and to mimic the functions of natural forests, in neighborhoods. Co-benefits of the projects include increased water supply, clean air and water, reduced energy use, flood and storm water management, recreation, urban revitalization, and improved public health.
Working with our grant writer and Public Works staff, it was determined that the “Urban Forest Management Activities” category in the CAL FIRE grant was a best fit. This category will provide the City of Garden Grove with an Urban Forestry Management Plan over a 40-year span and planting of a limited number (under CAL FIRE standards) of new trees. An expert consultant will be hired to develop the Urban Forest Management Plan and will carry out a GIS assessment to determine the current canopy coverage, percentage, density, and height. This information will guide the City to reach an 18-20% canopy coverage goal.
The Garden Grove Concept Proposal includes the planting of 363 trees along the four segments of the PE ROW Trail. Trees were chosen to be drought tolerant with low water usage and with low maintenance requirements. Public Works staff from the Parks & Facilities and the Street, Trees & Environmental Services sections worked on the tree planting plan. A City will hire a contractor to buy the trees and planting supplies, prepare the site and conduct mobilization, install the irrigation system and oversee the tree planting. Volunteers will be recruited to help with the staking and mulching.
The CAL FIRE grant is a two-part application with a Concept Proposal submitted first, for review and approval, and then a Project Application. Garden Grove submitted the Concept Proposal on February 26, 2018. The City received a letter dated April 9, 2018 that our concept proposal had been selected to submit a Project Application. The Project Application is due May 30, 2018 and requires as part of the application, a City Council Resolution for the funding. The wording of the Resolution is prescribed by CAL FIRE. The Garden Grove grant request is for $573,355.00 with a matching amount of $216,052.00 for a total project cost of $789,407.00. The matching amount is largely staff time divided among Public Works, Planning and Community Services staff. A part of the matching amount is volunteer time.