Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 25-000519
MEETING DATE:	08/12/25
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors and Orange County Flood Control District
board of supervisors district(s):	5
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	OC Public Works (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Amanda Carr (714) 955-0601
	Beatrice Musacchia (714) 955-0612

Subject: Accept Donation from the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort

ceo CONCUR

County Counsel Review

Clerk of the Board

Concur

N/A

Consent Calendar

3 Votes Board Majority

Budgeted: Yes

Current Year Cost: N/A

Annual Cost: N/A

Staffing Impact:

# of Positions:

Sole Source: N/A

Current Fiscal Year Revenue: $45,877

Funding Source: See Financial Impact Section	County Audit in last 3 years: No
Levine Act Review Completed: N/A

Prior Board Action: 11/29/2022 #8

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):

Authorize the Director of OC Public Works or designee to accept a monetary donation in the amount of $45,877 from the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort to support the Falconry Program at Salt Creek Channel and Salt Creek Beach Park.

SUMMARY:

Acceptance of the monetary gift from the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort will support efforts to deter and minimize the pest bird populations at Salt Creek Channel and Salt Creek Beach and will help improve water quality.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Salt Creek Channel (Channel) is an Orange County Flood Control District (District) facility that conveys flows from the Salt Creek Watershed to Salt Creek Beach (Beach). The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort (Donor) is located within the watershed adjacent to the Beach.

A persistent population of pest birds at the Beach has been identified as a potential source of bacteria contributing to impaired water quality in both the Channel and Beach waters. An ongoing falconry program implemented by the County of Orange (County) has demonstrated that bird abatement using raptors, such as falcons and hawks, handled by licensed falconers is an effective and environmentally sustainable deterrent. The presence of these birds of prey significantly reduced pest bird activity and contributed to improved water quality outcomes. The County has been partnering with the City of Dana Point on the falconry program since 2017.

On November 29, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the acceptance of a $40,100 donation from the Donor to support this falconry program. The Donor has expressed interest in supporting the continued implementation of this program and has offered a monetary donation in the amount of $45,877.

Pursuant to Government Code Section 25355 and Board Resolution No. 93-1235, OC Public Works is required to report and obtain the Board’s approval for any donation exceeding $10,000. Acceptance of this donation will allow the County and District to continue efforts to reduce pest bird activity at the Beach through falconry-based methods.

Compliance with CEQA: This action is not a project within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and is therefore not subject to CEQA, since it does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The approval of this agenda item does not commit the County to a definite course of action in regard to a project since the approval entails acceptance of a monetary donation in support of the ongoing program that maintains, protects and/or enhances natural resources and the environment and would be exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307 and 15308. This proposed activity is therefore not subject to CEQA. Any future action connected to this approval that constitutes a project will be reviewed for compliance with CEQA.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

Revenue for this donation will be absorbed into Budget Control 034, OC Watersheds, FY 2025-26 Budget.

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

ATTACHMENT(S):

Attachment A - California Government Code Section 25355
Attachment B - Resolution No. 93-1235