SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT

December 3, 2015 SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPT.

The San Mateo County Parks system has been in place for over 90 years and includes:

• 20 Parks • Approximately 17,000 Acres • Approximately 190 Miles of Trails • 147 Family Campsites • 3 Visitor Centers • Serves over 1,700,000 visitors/yr.

2 SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPT.

Our 20 parks are located throughout the County and represent a wide variety of natural settings including:

• Coast side marine reserve • Bayside recreational area • Coastal mountain woodland areas • Urban sites

3 Coyote Point Recreation Area Memorial/Pescadero Park Complex

Devils Slide Coastal Trail

4 PARKS DEPARTMENT VISION

• Provide a unique system of natural parks and programs, a broad spectrum of recreational facilities and opportunities that accommodate people of all abilities, varying needs and unique interests.

• Enhance the stewardship of natural resources by developing science based resource management programs to protect, revitalize and restore ecosystems indigenous to our park lands.

• Provide interpretive and educational programs that instill knowledge, appreciation and stewardship for our rich and diverse, natural, historical and cultural resources.

• Create living partnerships with park users and the community to realize our vision and ensure that all County residents and decision- makers participate in and support the presentation and enhancement of San Mateo County park lands.

5 SUSTAINABILITY & STEWARDSHIP

Sustainability for San Mateo County Parks is ensuring the wise use of resources to minimize waste, natural resources are managed for healthy ecosystems for the plants and animals that live there, as well as clean air and water quality, and the Department operates accessible park system for all.

Through stewardship, San Mateo County Parks preserves our County’s natural and cultural treasures, and provides safe, accessible parks, recreation and learning opportunities to enhance the community’s quality of life.

6 WHY SUSTAINABILITY?

• Promoting sustainability as a value will save the County Parks Department money through increased efficiency, less waste, and improved stewardship of its natural resources.

• San Mateo County Parks will become a model regional park department demonstrating the value of sustainability.

• Medium or long-term returns from improving our brand and how we communicate it.

• Working with our suppliers and customers.

• Retaining and attracting talent because we are an organization that values sustainability.

7 OUR GREEN TEAM

Team Member Department Role

Marlene Finley Parks Director Scott Lombardi Parks Superintendent Ramona Arechiga Parks Natural Resource Manager Ed Castillo Parks Management Analyst Sam Herzberg Parks Senior Planner Cecily Harris Parks Grants Manager Carla Schoof Parks Community Program Specialist Brenda Bennett Parks Executive Secretary Matt DelCarlo Parks Ranger IV – District I (N County) Stephen Kraemer Parks Ranger IV – District II (S County) Priscilla Alvarez Parks Ranger IV – District III (S. Coast) Kevin Scott Parks Ranger IV – District IV (Mid-Coast) Ty Kang Parks Ranger IV – District V (Maintenance) Ed Hallett Parks Harbor Master (Coyote Point Marina)

Laurel Finnegan Parks New

David Vasquez Parks New

8 OUR BIG GOALS

• Complete energy audits of the 6 of the highest use County Parks and implement the recommendations.

• Complete water audits of the 6 of the highest use County Parks and implement the recommendations.

• Work with a collaborative stewardship approach across the to ensure resilient forests, healthy water and habitat.

• Achieve Green Business certification for County Parks.

9 PORTFOLIO OF INITIATIVES SAN MATEO COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT

Energy Water Waste Transportation

Procurement Stewardship General/Admin

10 ENERGY INITIATIVES 1 OF 2

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Transfer paying paper bills by switching to Transfer Utility Bills to Electronic Utility Manager to be able to pay on line. Bills get paid faster, involve less staff time, Office 0-6 months Payment and reports can be produced that summarize unity usage.

Verified all meters are charging at time of Change energy pricing to reflect smart use except for 3 located at Memorial and 1 Office/Parks 0-6 months meters time of use rates located at Huddart, which have now been changed.

Consider changing from propane to County DPW evaluating where opportunities Parks - ? 6-18 months natural gas in County Park facilities are.

Replace Metal Halide, Mercury vapor, In process. Cost savings for long term and Sodium type bulbs with LED fixtures fixtures. More to be done at Coyote Point Parks - 1 18-24 months at Coyote Point Park. Promenade East.

11 ENERGY INITIATIVES 2 OF 2

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Energy Audits conducted by Energy Audits to occur in January 2016 to evaluate Watch for Coyote Point, Memorial, San energy efficiency, windows, HVAC, insulation, lighting, solar panels and solar Parks - 6 0-6 months Pedro Valley, Edgewood, Huddart and hot water heaters will be evaluated in the Wunderlich. context of PG&E rebates and incentives.

Implement recommendations of Energy TBD based on audits in January 2016. Will Parks - 6 6-24 months Watch Audits request funding for FY 2016-17

Replace current flood light fixtures being In process Parks - All 0-12 months used in all parks with LED.

Make improvements/upgrades to park Ongoing installation of energy efficient windows, insulation, lighting, heater, and Parks - All 24-60 months residences. plumbing fixtures.

12 ENERGY AUDITS BY ENERGY WATCH

• Energy Audits conducted by Energy Watch for Coyote Point, Memorial, San Pedro Valley, Edgewood, Huddart and Wunderlich County Parks. • Audits to occur in January 2016 to evaluate energy efficiency, windows, HVAC, insulation, lighting, solar panels and solar hot water heaters will be evaluated in the context of PG&E rebates and incentives. • Will inform budget requests for FY2016-17

13 WATER INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Modify Memorial Park Water Treatment Work with Resource Conservation District to Plant to allow taking water during wet address all season storage of water taken Parks - 1 12-24 months season instead of dry season. during winter.

Replace Memorial Park Waste Water New waste water treatment plant will be further away from , and be Parks - 1 0-24 months Treatment Plant and demolish existing. able to control remotely with less manpower.

Coyote Point used to be on recycled water, Secure recycled water for Coyote Point and needs a connection again to City of San Mateo given 80% irrigation. West Bay Parks - 2 36-60 months Recreation Area and Flood Park. Sanitary District will run recycled water to Bay Road within 5 years.

Work with BAWUA on Large Landscape Discuss with Ranger IVs if all areas with Audits to assess effectiveness of irrigation dead lawns should be restored or portions Parks - 4 12-24 months at Coyote Point, Flood, San Pedro Valley, replanted with drought tolerant native and Junipero Serra. landscaping on drip irrigation.

Work with BAWUA and State of CA to lose the lawn where desired at Coyote Point, Discuss with Ranger IVs where there may be opportunities to improve the irrigation Parks - 5 12-24 months Flood, San Pedro Valley, and Junipero systems in County Parks. Serra.

14 WATER INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Replace old plumbing with new water conservation measures (i.e. low flow Ongoing effort All Parks 0-24 months fixtures, waterless urinals, etc.).

Minimize irrigation during 4 year drought. Ongoing effort All Parks 0-12 months

Facilitate volunteer cleanups at Coyote 0-60 months Point, Mirada Surf, and Flood and Huddart Ongoing effort Parks - 4 Parks to prevent storm water pollution.

Budget for Water Audits for FY 2016-17 for Calculate developed area of each park and Coyote Point, Memorial, San Pedro Valley, assess total acres, convert to sq. ft. x .25 a Parks - 6 6-12 months Edgewood, Huddart and Wunderlich sq. ft. for total for each park.

Implement water audit recommendations for To be determined, but will include leaking Coyote Point, Memorial, San Pedro Valley, Parks - 6 6-60 months. pipes. Edgewood, Huddart and Wunderlich.

15 MEMORIAL PARK WATER TREATMENT PLANT

• Modify Memorial County Park Water Treatment Plant to allow taking water during wet season instead of dry season • Work with Resource Conservation District to address all season storage (1.5 million gallons) of water taken during winter • Camping at Memorial park will not be compromised by future droughts. • Pescadaro creek will have water for healthy fish and water quality

16 WASTE INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Provide easier recycling opportunities for accumulated scrap metal, concrete, and In process Parks - All 6-12 months used tires.

Promote more recycle, reuse and re- purpose opportunities between our In process Parks - All 6-12 months individual District's

Install 72 new or replacement Where not existing to prevent animals, Bearsaver garbage cans in Parks where Parks - All 6-12 months blowing, and easier for staff to remove. they do not exist.

Trees and brush cleared for fire hazard Reduced hauling costs. Mulch suppresses reduction are chipped for mulch which Parks- All 0-60 months weeds. minimizes hauling of waste to the landfill.

Mill fallen redwoods from Pescadero Park Reuse of fallen trees saves money, and complex for bench boards, and information produces beautiful benches and information Parks -All 0-60 months kiosks kiosks

17 BEARSAVER TRASH/RECYCLING CONTAINER • Install 72 new or replacement Bearsaver garbage cans in Parks where they do not exist. • Where not existing to prevent animals, blowing, and easier for staff to remove. • Promote recycling in all parks.

18 TRANSPORTATION INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Currently working on following regional trail projects: Green Valley Trail, Pedro Point Headlands, openings S. of Crystal Springs Develop opportunities for regional multi- Trail S of Dam, CST S of Dam Gap, Midcoast modal trails Countywide to lessen reliance on Parallel Trail, Surfers Beach, Pedro Point Office 0-60 months automobile. Headlands, Bay Trail to Ravenswood OSP, Dumbarton Trail, San Bruno Mtn Master Plan, Quarry/Wicklow/Mirada Master Plan, National designation of Portola Trail Develop a program for the use of bicycles in Initiate in District I, and consider addition to other Districts. More Ranger presence. the field for Ranger staff use/park & trail Parks – 2 6-24 months Ranger health. Only possible in specific patrols. parks/areas.

Encourage safe routes to Parks and install Initiate discussion with SamTrans and Parks – All 0-60 months bike racks where needed. adjacent jurisdictions to County Parks.

Continued replacement of heavy equipment In process. Recent examples include JD210 Skiploader, Kabotas, 2 new Peterbelt garbage to meet new regulations/requirements (air Parks - All 0-60 months trucks and Shuttle bus (up to 20 people). quality, etc.). Chippers, tractors, etc. Partner with other agencies to evaluate shared parking and trailhead and transit Facilitate non-vehicular access, shared resources by collaborating with park and open Parks -7 0-60 months opportunities in Midcoast. space partner agencies

County Parks has received 5 State and Received recognition provides encouragement regional awards for repurposing a section of to complete section of the Coastal Parks-1 0-60 months Highway 1 into the Devils Slide CA Coastal Trail to the south at Green Valley Trail and to Trail. the north at Pedro Point Headlands

19 TRANSPORTATION REPLACEMENT FOR CLEAN AIR BENEFITS

• Continued replacement of heavy equipment to meet new regulations/requirements (Air quality, etc.). Chippers, tractors, etc. • In process. Recent examples include JD210 Skiploader, 2 new Peterbelt Garbage trucks and Kabotas.

20 PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Field offices will be consistent with main County Parks will become a Green Certified administration office. Purchasing policies will become consistent. Change purchasing of Office/Parks 0-12 months Business office supplies through Green Office Depot to green/recycled materials. Tied to when Office of Sustainability develops Develop County Park Environmental a Environmental Purchasing Policy, and list of Office 6-12 months Purchasing Policy. vendors, but also something that can be initiated sooner than later by Parks.

Promote use of remanufactured ink cartridges Parks can purchase remanufactured from Office 0-6 months for copiers. Office Depot instead of new.

Parks staff are licensed sprayers w/ Co. Ag. Ensure Integrated Pest Management Policies Commissioner and contractors must Parks - All 0-6 months are followed. demonstrate how they comply with IPM Ordinance.

Transition from recycled tire mats in Being done playground at a time. Reduces Parks - All 024 months playground to Fibar. toxic and replaces with reusable material.

Operate our own sign shop, which improved Uniformity of signs in all parks at lowered cost. standardization of sign design, repurposed Also can make signs for other County 0-60 months Parks-All signs, and lower cost to produce than using Departments. contractor.

21 COUNTY PARKS BECOMES GREEN CERTIFIED BUSINESS

• County Parks will become a Green Certified Business • Field offices will be consistent with main administration office. Purchasing policies will become consistent. Change purchasing of office supplies through Green Office Depot to green/recycled materials. • Potential cost savings.

22 STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Manage grasslands at Edgewood and San Bruno Mountain for resilience from impacts Manage scrub on SBM, and continue mowing at Edgewood. As part of SBM of accelerated brush succession, nitrogen Parks - 2 0-6 months Master Plan update review opportunities for deposition, lack of grazing, and controlled grazing and burning. burns. (1) Discuss with Ranger IVs where there may be opportunities to remove or reduce lawns within parks; possibly at Coyote Point, Flood, San Pedro Valley, and Junipero Serra Evaluation of landscape areas for more parks. (3) Work with BAWUA and State of CA to identify funding for vegetation Parks - 4 12-24 months drought resistant vegetation choices. transitions (3) Work with rangers to improve the irrigation systems in County Parks (4) Explore the opportunity to capture storm water run off for alternative irrigation water sources Forests in County Parks will be assessed Work with partners in a collaborative and managed for forest health, fire hazard stewardship approach across the Santa Cruz Mountains to ensure resilient forests, Parks - 5 24-60 months reduction, wildlife habitat and hazardous and healthy water and habitat. Establish trees. research, monitoring and metrics. Existing and standardize consistent Developed BMPS for Regional Trail Design application of BMPs throughout Parks. and Management, Vegetation Management Working with Public Works to update the Office/Parks 0-36 months Guidelines, and Watershed Protection Watershed Protection Standards for Standards. Programmatic Permits for Creek and Wetland projects. Improved Coyote Point Promenade West Completed Parks-1 0 (windsurf area) to adapt to sea level rise.

23 STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

Sea level adaptation project that will 0-24 months Coyote Point Promenade East relocate parking and recreate a crenulate Parks- 1 shaped beach. Completed removal of middle fork of San Remove salmonid fish migration barriers Pedro Creek in San Pedro Valley in 2002,Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in 2003 , Parks - 1 0-6 months in Memorial County Park and West Union Creek in Huddart in 2005. Update Water Rights concerning drafting Work with Resource Conservation District water from Pescadero Creek for and Water Rights Experts to address Memorial County Park Water Treatment year-round storage of water concerns and Parks - 1 6-24 months Plant to allow taking water during wet constraints and update/revise water rights season for storage and use during dry to reflect changes in water withdrawal season schedule 1) Reduce TMDL issues in County Park watersheds (e.g. sediment, bacteria, heavy metals, etc. (2) Develop BMPs and facilitate appropriate inspection schedules to prevent facility failures. (3) Seek funding opportunities to address legacy Impaired Watershed Improvement forest practices in the Pescadero 24-60 months Parks - 6 Program Complex. (4) Continue to support efforts to reduce bacteria impairments in the watershed. (5) Work to proactively manage the San Vicente Creek watershed for bacteria to avoid the need for TDML development.

24 STEWARDSHIP HIGHLIGHT

• Forests in County Parks will be assessed and managed for forest health, fire hazard reduction, wildlife habitat and hazardous trees. • Work with partners in a collaborative stewardship approach across the Santa Cruz Mountains to ensure resilient forests, and healthy water and habitat. Establish research, monitoring and metrics. • Inventory/assess our forests.

• . 25 GENERAL/ADMIN INITIATIVES

Initiatives Savings Other Benefits/Costs/Notes Location Timeframe

$74,000 available. Must be completed by end of FY Digitize County Park maps to link to County 2015-16. Saves huge amount of staff time by having Facility Condition Information System information universally available within County Office 0-12 months (FCIS) departments. And provide overall greater visibility for facility use and layout. Strategic Plan developed in 2013. Consistent with Develop messaging opportunity that County Goal 17: Provide accurate interpretive, directional, Parks is green and sustainable for County informational, and safety information and signage to Office 0-6 months Park employees and public enhance the visitor experience and give accurate and educational information to the public.

Form Green Team to implement Management Team and Ranger IVs to implement. Office/Parks 0-24 months Sustainability Plan recommendations

Develop Green Report Card/Performance Currently report recyclables past performance Office/Parks 0-12 months Measures measure by District.

Only duplex on main office and color printer Currently do in main office. Need to verify in field Office/Parks 0-6 months for office. offices. Utilize website and social media for On going. Office 0-6 months communication with public about projects.

Park maps and information are available on Ongoing Office 0-6 months County Park website.

26 GENERAL/ADMIN HIGHLIGHT

• Develop New Performance Measures to measure success of Sustainability Plan Initiatives. • Currently only Sustainability related performance measure is related to quantity of recyclable materials. • Progress can be shared decision makers and the public.

27 METRICS AND EVALUATION

• Evaluation strategy o Develop role and action plan for Green Team to implement plan. o Complete energy, water, and landscape audits and implement recommendations and measure savings. o Recommend new performance measures for County Manager/Board of Supervisors/Public • Evaluation plan o We will put to use water saver and Utility Manager to identify areas where improvement needed to assist in altering behavior and achieve goals. o Observe how use of alternate vehicles (bicycles, Kabotas) contribute to decrease in fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear to consider expansion.

28 METRICS AND EVALUATION

• Analysis of results vs. projection o Management staff and District Ranger IVs and III will evaluate how well the plan achieves its goals. • Reporting o Distribution: Use website, social media and Annual Reports to distribute information internally and externally about County Park successes at implementation. • Timing/frequency.

29 FINANCIAL PLAN

• Define financial needs as a result of energy, water, and landscape audits and request funding to implement recommendations.

• Define other financial needs and seek sources of funding.

• Define opportunities for Measure A funding of County Parks needs.

• If there are savings, identify a percentage that will be set aside for future sustainability initiatives

30 KEYS TO SUCCESS • Implementing these recommendations are consistent with goals and objectives of County Park Strategic Plan. • Roadmap for implementation of initiatives rolled out over time. • Complete energy, water and landscape audits. • Green Team set up to help implement initiatives. • Replace or upgrade existing aging to adapt to climate change (i.e. Memorial Water and Waste Water Plants, Coyote Point Eastern Promenade). • Expected rewards will be through less waste of energy and water and greater efficiency of resources via updated infrastructure. • Becoming Green Certified Business. • Encourage collaboration within department and with other County departments. • Save money • Messaging to community o County Parks is on a journey to operate sustainably

31 QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION