ITEM :		CONSENT CALENDAR
4.	CONSIDER EXTENSION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR STREAMFLOW GAGING IN WATER YEAR 2009
Meeting Date:			August 18, 2008	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Darby W. Fuerst,	Program/	2-5-1 A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Greg James	Cost Estimate:	$12,950
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on August 12, 2008 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 Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) relies on the flow data from both of these stations to support a variety of programs and studies. It should be noted that in past years under the USGS cooperative program, the District funded 50 percent of the total cost for operating the Carmel station, and the USGS funded the remaining 50 percent of the cost. However, beginning in Water Year (WY) 2008, the USGS reduced their Federal Matching Funds (FMF) from 50 percent to 40 percent FMF, causing the District to fund 60 percent of the total cost. The USGS adjusted the matching ratio because the FMF they receive from Congress had not increased significantly since 1982, and were no longer sufficient to maintain the 50:50 ratio. It should be noted that the District does not fund the Robles station. This station is funded by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency under the USGS cooperative program.

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) 2009 for an amount not-to-exceed $12,950. The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on August 12, 2008 and recommended this agreement be approval by a vote of 3 to 0.

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 began in 1962. The USGS streamflow data provides a valuable cross check for the District’s streamflow data when verifying the daily, annual, and peak flows that occur on the Carmel River. In addition, as a cooperator with the USGS, the District has an enhanced ability to request and obtain various streamflow information including annual reports, current flow conditions, and historical flood flow information. Lastly, District staff will continue to assess the possibility of utilizing its own staff resources to maintain the Carmel streamgage in future water years, as the annual cost share amount continues to increase (i.e., 26% increase in WY 2008 and a 4.85 percent increase in WY 2009).

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The District's share for continuation of streamflow monitoring at the Carmel River near Carmel station for WY 2009 (October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009) is $12,950, as indicated on Exhibit 4-A, which represents a 4.85 percent increase over the WY 2008 cost.

EXHIBIT

4-A USGS Program Letter and Joint Funding Agreement for Water Year 2009

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