Title
Recommendation to Endorse a Grant Application to the U.S. Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grant Program for the Alameda Urban Forest Project.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of the Environment). (Public Works 31041520, Recreation and Parks 10051400)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On October 4, 2022, the City Council authorized an agreement with Dudek Consultants for $269,830.29 to develop an Urban Forest Plan that updates and expands upon the 2010 Street Tree Master Plan to equitably increase citywide tree canopy (File: 2022-2371). The Urban Forest Plan will address the management of trees in Alameda, including street trees and park trees, trees in easement areas, and trees near power lines, and will make recommendations to enhance the urban forest on private property and on other public non-City of Alameda land. Increasing tree canopy cover will require planting additional trees on both City of Alameda (City) and non-City property.
One billion dollars in funding is available nationally through the Inflation Reduction Act, Urban and Community Forestry grant program to increase equitable access to urban tree canopy and associated human health, environmental and economic benefits in disadvantaged communities; broaden community engagement in local urban forest planning; and improve community and urban forest resilience to climate change, pests and storm events through best management and maintenance practices.
The City is requesting funding through this grant program to plant 500 trees per year for the next five years to increase tree canopy with a focus on those areas with lower than the citywide average tree canopy. The City also proposes to pa...
Click here for full text