ITEM: CONSENT CALENDAR

6. CONSIDER EXTENSION OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER YEAR 2004

Meeting Date: July 21, 2003 Budgeted: Yes

Program/Line Item No.: 2-6-1 D

Staff Contact: Greg James Cost Estimate: $8,550

General Counsel Approval: N/A

Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on July 15, 2003 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates two streamflow gaging stations on the Carmel River:

(1) Carmel River at Robles del Rio (No. 11143200) and

(2) Carmel River near Carmel (No. 11143250).

The upper or "Robles" gage is immediately downstream of Esquiline Bridge (River Mile 14.4) and the lower or "Carmel" gage is immediately downstream of Via Mallorca Bridge (River Mile 3.6). The District relies on the flow data from both of these stations to support a variety of programs and studies. Under the USGS cooperative program, the District funds 50 percent of the total cost for operating the Carmel station and the USGS funds the remaining 50 percent of the cost. The District does not fund the Robles del Rio station.

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Acting General Manager to execute the agreement with the USGS providing cooperative investigation of the water resources within the District for Water Year 2004 for an amount not-to-exceed $8,550. The Administrative Committee reviewed this item and recommended approval by a vote of 3 to 0, at its July 15, 2003 meeting.

BACKGROUND: The District has funded a cooperative water resources program with the USGS to monitor Carmel River streamflow, since the late 1980s’. Other than the District, the USGS is the only other independent agency that monitors continuous Carmel River streamflow. The Carmel station provides a long-term streamflow record that begins in 1962, and without the District’s partial funding, there is no guarantee that the USGS would continue full funding of the station maintenance. The USGS streamflow data provides a good cross check for the District’s streamflow data when verifying the daily, annual and peak flows that occur on the Carmel River. As a cooperator with the USGS, the District has an improved ability to request and obtain various streamflow information including (but not limited to) annual reports, current flow conditions, and historical flood flow information.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The District's share for continuation of streamflow monitoring for Water Year 2004 (October 1, 2003 - September 30, 2004) is $8,550, as indicated on Exhibit 6-A. This amount is included in the Fiscal Year 2003-2004 District budget (Summary of Project Expenditures, Program 2-6-1D).

U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2003\2003boardpacket\20030721\ConsentCalendar\6\item6.doc