ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
8.	Authorize the General Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding among Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, County of Monterey, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and Big Sur Land Trust for the Purpose of Coordinating Planning Activities for the Proposed Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Project
Meeting Date:			May 17, 2010	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			Darby Fuerst,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No:
Prepared By:			Larry Hampson	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on May 7, 2010 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) has proposed a comprehensive floodplain restoration project on a portion of the property immediately east of Highway 1 and along the south side of the Carmel River, which was formerly owned by the Odello family. BSLT has coordinated the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among several local entities that will support a collaborative approach for completing the project. A copy of the draft MOU, which includes a location map and also shows changes recommended by MPWMD staff (in strike-out and underline), is attached as (Exhibit 8-A).

The MOU establishes a four-agency planning group that includes BSLT, Monterey County, California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and MPWMD. The primary purposes of the MOU are to: 1) divide the project into two phases (raising Highway 1 in Phase 1 and levee removal and floodplain restoration in Phase 2); and 2) divide the responsibility for completing the project between Monterey County and BSLT. Monterey County would be the lead agency for environmental review, permit acquisition and construction activities while BSLT would take the lead in seeking grant funds. State Parks is a party to the MOU because the project would connect the floodplain upstream of Highway 1 with the south arm of the lagoon on State Parks land. MPWMD would provide technical expertise for the development and review of restoration plans and would also help facilitate grant applications to federal and state agencies.

RECOMMENDATION: District staff recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to negotiate non-substantive changes to the Memorandum of Understanding, if necessary, and to execute the MOU among the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, Monterey County, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Big Sur Land Trust. This item will be approved if adopted along with the Consent Calendar.

EXHIBITS

8-A Carmel River Flood Plain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project Memorandum of Understanding

U:\staff\word\boardpacket\2010\20100517\ConsentCal\08\item8.doc