ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
2.	CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2012-02 IN SUPPORT OF FILING APPLICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME FISHERIES RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM
Meeting Date:			March 12, 2012	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			Dave Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Larry Hampson and	Cost Estimate:	N/A
			Beverly Chaney
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 12, 2012 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) is soliciting proposals for projects that restore, enhance, or protect anadromous salmonid habitat in the coastal watersheds of California or projects that lead to restoration, enhancement, or protection of anadromous salmonid habitat. The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD or District) has worked with CDFG staff to identify two projects in the Carmel River that may be eligible to receive grant funds from this program. These projects are: 1) Sleepy Hollow Ford Removal and Bridge Replacement Project; and 2) Spawning Gravel Enhancement Project. Applications for grant funds are due to CDFG on or before March 30, 2012. Authorization from the District Board is required to apply to the program and enter into grant contracts with CDFG (see Exhibit 2-A, Resolution 2012-02).

RECOMMENDATION: If this item is approved as part of the Consent Calendar, the Board will adopt Resolution 2012-02 in support of applying for grant funding from the CDFG Fisheries Restoration Grant Program and will authorize the General Manager to enter into two contracts with the CDFG to receive grant funds.

BACKGROUND: In 2009, CDFG entered into a Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and California American Water (CAW or Cal-Am) for the purpose of dispersing funds, paid by CAW, through the FRGP. CAW conveyed $3.5 million to CDFG in July 2009 and an annual installment of an additional $1.1 million is due each July 1 between 2010 and 2016.

For 2012, both MPWMD proposed projects are included in the FRGP focus. The Sleepy Hollow Ford project will be funded from Settlement Agreement funds. However, applications for statewide funds will be judged on a competitive basis.

District staff proposes to apply to the FRGP for two implementation projects including: 1) Sleepy Hollow Ford Removal and Bridge Replacement Project (approximate cost of $700,000 to $1 million); and 2) Spawning Gravel Enhancement Project at Los Padres Dam (approximate cost of $217,000). No local funding match is required for these projects; however the value of staff time contributed by MPWMD to project management and contractor oversight can be identified for credit as a local funding match. The FRGP also allows a grantee to be reimbursed for administrative overhead up to 15% of the amount requested. Administrative overhead includes but is not limited to utilities, offices space rental, phone and copying, which is directly related to completion of the proposed project. CDFG intends to award grant contracts for all funded projects in mid-2013. Each of the proposed projects is described in more detail below.

Sleepy Hollow Ford Removal and Bridge Replacement Project. This proposal includes removal of the 140-foot long Sleepy Hollow Ford, which is on property owned by California American Water, and would include removal of seven culverts across the main stem of the Carmel River at River Mile 17.5 (RM, measured from the ocean). The concrete slab ford with dimensions 80 ft. long by 10-ft. wide and three feet high would be removed and replaced with a 150-foot clear span bridge across the river. The remainder of the ford, which is compacted gravel, would be removed. A low flow channel providing enhanced fish passage would be created to allow the natural flow of sediment and debris through the reach. Up to 20 cubic yards of spawning gravel would be injected at the site to improve spawning habitat. Disturbed streambank areas would be replanted with native riparian species. A clear-span bridge would be installed over the river to provide year-round access to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility.

In 2011, CDFG awarded a $114,300 grant to MPWMD in 2011 for project design. Work completed as of the end of February 2012 includes a geotechnical investigation, hydraulic and scour analysis, bridge type selection, and preliminary drawings for grading and the installation of abutments. Final design documents and a bid package are expected to be completed in Fall 2012.

If the project is awarded funds, MPWMD would serve as the project sponsor and grant administrator. MPWMD would be responsible for preparing and soliciting bids for the project. However, unless staff resources are available at the time, MPWMD would retain professional assistance for all other tasks associated with the project, including permit acquisition, tasks associated with compliance with permit conditions, construction management, construction, and project monitoring. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2013.

Removal of the ford and construction of a bridge would: 1) improve steelhead passage at low flows; 2) improve spawning habitat in the vicinity of the ford; 3) allow year-round access to the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility; and 4) create a permanent river crossing that would allow Cal-Am to abandon and remove the Old Carmel River Dam, which is a fish passage barrier located approximately one mile upstream of the Sleepy Hollow Ford, after San Clemente Dam is removed.

Spawning Gravel Enhancement Project. The District would purchase up to 1,500 tons of spawning gravel from a commercial quarry, stockpile it near Los Padres Dam, and place the material just downstream of the dam’s spillway in an area where high river flows will move the gravel downstream. The initial stockpile would be used to operate the program for up to 24 months. Additional gravel replenishment sites may be added to the Project as landowner access permission is developed, and may include smaller amounts of gravel being placed on the downstream side of private bridges or wet crossings, as was done during the previous program conducted from 1993-2003. The total estimated cost of the project is about $217,000.

IMPACT ON FISCAL AND STAFF RESOURCES: No funds are proposed to be used by MPWMD as a local match in grant applications. However, several District staff would be involved in the development of grant applications and managing grant contracts if the District is successful in obtaining grants. Costs for their time will be documented and proposed for credit as either a local funding match or the District may be eligible for reimbursement of up to 15% of the requested amount of grant funding for administrative overhead.

EXHIBITS

2-A MPWMD Board Resolution 2012-02

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