ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
2.	CONSIDER EXTENSION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR STREAMFLOW GAGING IN WATER YEAR 2012
Meeting Date:			October 17, 2011	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Dave Stoldt,	Program/	2-5-1 A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Greg James	Cost Estimate:	$13,550
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on October 10, 2011 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. The annual cost of $13,550 for continued operation and maintenance of the Carmel River near Carmel gaging station represents the District’s 60 percent cost share, with the USGS contributing the remaining 40 percent in Federal Matching Funds. The Robles del Rio station is funded by support from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.

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) 2012 for an amount not-to-exceed $13,550. The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on October 10, 2011 and recommended this agreement be approved by a vote of 2 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 improved ability to request and obtain various streamflow information including annual reports, current flow conditions, and historical flood flow information.

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The District's share for continuation of streamflow monitoring at the Carmel River near Carmel station for WY 2012 (October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012) is $13,550, as indicated on Exhibit 2-A, which represents a 0.7 percent increase over the WY 2011 cost.

EXHIBITS

2-A USGS Program Letter and Joint Funding Agreement for Water Year 2012

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