ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	CONSIDER EXTENSION OF UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER YEAR 2006
Meeting Date:			July 18, 2005	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	2-5-1 A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Greg James	Cost Estimate:	$9,350
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on July 7, 2005 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 General Manager to execute the agreement with the USGS providing cooperative investigation of the water resources within the District for Water Year (WY) 2006 for an amount not-to-exceed $9,350. The Administrative Committee reviewed this item at its July 7, 2005 meeting and recommended approval.

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 provide 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 WY 2006 (October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006) is $9,350, as indicated on Exhibit 4-A, which represents a 6.25% increase over the WY 2005 cost. At the time of Fiscal Year 2005-2006 District budget formulation, a 5% increase over last year’s cost was anticipated amounting to $9,200 (Summary of Project Expenditures, Program 2-5-1A). The $150 shortfall will be accounted for utilizing District contingency funds.

EXHIBITS

4-A June 21, 2005 e-mail from Lawrence Freeman regarding the USGS 2006 Program Cost Increase

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