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Eastern Sierra Council of Governments outlines grants, wildfire and recreation projects; Mono County reauthorizes SCOG participation
Summary
SCOG executive director Elaine Cabala presented regional projects and grant awards—highlighting a $3.8 million CDFW grant and Prop 68 funds—asking Mono County to reauthorize SCOG's participation in California Jobs First funding; the board approved a resolution reauthorizing participation and extending authorities through September 2026.
Elaine Cabala, executive director of the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments (SCOG), briefed the Mono County Board on SCOG's first five years of work, recent grant awards and a strategic direction developed at a board retreat. Cabala summarized project successes and funding, including a $3,800,000 California Department of Fish and Wildlife grant for landscape-scale wildfire resiliency work around Mammoth Lakes and an environmental review that cleared fuel-reduction work for roughly 58,000 acres. She also cited a $250,000 National Fish and Wildlife Federation grant for the "Buttermilk Infrastructure and Recreation Planning Initiative" and a $370,000 Sierra Nevada Conservancy (Prop 68) award for a Towns-to-Trails feasibility analysis.
"The primary deliverable for this funding was to complete the NEPA and receive a notice of decision that would allow for implementation of fuel treatments for the 58,000 acres around the town of Mammoth Lakes," Cabala said. She described how the grants enabled regional planning, workforce development (Cerro Coso wildfire and sustainable recreation curricula) and local partnerships.
Cabala requested that the Board reauthorize SCOG's participation in the Community Economic Resilience Fund pilot program and California Jobs First activities and noted resolutions had already been adopted by Inyo County, the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the City of Bishop. The agenda item specifically sought authority for SCOG to receive California Jobs First funds and continue administrative coordination of the regional economic strategy (SEDS) through September 2026. After board discussion about scope, tribal engagement and project accountability, a member moved to adopt the resolution and the board approved the reauthorization by a unanimous vote.
Board members asked clarifying questions about tribal inclusion, equitable distribution of resources across rural jurisdictions, and SCOG's staffing and funding model (member agency contributions remain $25,000 annually and grants are required to support sustained capacity). Cabala said SCOG planned to pursue an Eastern Sierra Economic Development District (EDD) designation for additional recurring revenue but would return for authorization if that step were taken.
The board recorded a motion and vote to reauthorize SCOG's participation: the resolution passed, enabling SCOG to accept state catalyst funds and continue administrative tasks under California Jobs First through September 2026.
