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ITEM: |
ACTION
ITEMS |
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16. |
CONSIDER request from the |
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Meeting
Date: |
March 26, 2009
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Budgeted: |
No |
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From: |
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Program: |
N/A |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
N/A |
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Prepared
By: |
Darby
Fuerst |
Cost
Estimate: |
N/A |
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General Counsel Approval:
N/A |
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Committee
Recommendation: N/A |
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CEQA Compliance: N/A |
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SUMMARY: On
February 20, 2009, California American Water (CAW) announced its decision to
withdraw from cooperative efforts with the California Coastal Conservancy and
National Marine Fisheries Service to remove San Clemente Dam from the Carmel
River and instead pursue a strengthening project to bring the dam into
compliance with current safety standards (Exhibit 16-A).
In its letter dated February 26, 2009, the Coastal Conservancy expressed
disappointment with CAW’s decision and indicated that the Coastal Conservancy
remained convinced that a cooperative implementation of the dam removal project
would be the fastest and most cost-effective way to solve the public safety
issue at San Clemente Dam (Exhibit 16-B). The Coastal Conservancy letter also indicated
that the dam removal project would lessen CAW’s long-term responsibilities in
the area and would provide significant environmental benefits that would be
precluded by the strengthening project.
On March 18, 2009, the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy provided a
copy of its letter to Governor Schwarzenegger expressing support for the Carmel
River Reroute and San Clemente Dam Removal Project to the District (Exhibit
16-C).
In its letter, the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy requested that the
state not approve the proposed strengthening project and that the Governor
encourage CAW to resume joint efforts with the Coastal Conservancy to develop a
dam removal project. In its transmittal
to the District, the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy requested that the
District consider joining in support for the Carmel River Reroute and San
Clemente Dam Removal Project.
The Carmel River Watershed Conservancy’s request is consistent with previous actions by the District Board. On March 17, 2008, the Board approved a letter of support for the Carmel River Reroute and Sam Clemente Dam Removal Project (Exhibit 16-D). In addition, District staff has participated on various technical review teams that have worked on sediment transport, channel stability, and steelhead protection issues related to the proposed dam removal project.
RECOMMENDATION: The Board should consider the request by the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy to support the Watershed Conservancy’s request that the state not approve the San Clemente Dam Strengthening Project and instead encourage CAW to resume joint efforts with the California Coastal Conservancy and National Marine Fisheries Service to develop a river reroute and dam removal project. If the Board approves the request to join the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy in support of the dam removal project, the Board should (1) direct staff to prepare a letter of support that will be transmitted to the Governor and other state officials and (2) direct staff to contact representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Carmel River Watershed Conservancy to offer the District’s assistance in facilitating a meeting to discuss current constraints and opportunities regarding the proposed San Clemente Dam Removal Project.
EXHIBITS
16-A Press release from California American Water regarding San Clemente Dam, dated February 20, 2009.
16-B Letter from California Coastal Conservancy to California American Water regarding San Clemente Dam, dated February 26, 2009.
16-C Letter from Carmel River Watershed Conservancy to Governor Schwarzenegger regarding San Clemente Dam, dated March 17, 2009.
16-D Letter from Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to California Coastal Conservancy regarding San Clemente Dam, dated March 27, 2008.
U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2009\20090326\ActionItems\16\item16.doc