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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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5. |
Consider
Entering into Agreements with California American Water and Denise Duffy
& Associates for the Los Padres Dam Gravel Augmentation Project |
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Meeting
Date: |
April 16, 2018 |
Budgeted: |
No |
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From: |
Dave
Stoldt, General Manager |
Program/ |
Protect Environmental Quality |
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Line Item
No.: |
Program – Aquatic Resources
Fisheries |
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Prepared
By: |
Larry Hampson |
Cost
Estimate: |
$ 45,000 (Reimburseable) |
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General Counsel Approval: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on April 9, 2018 and recommended approval. |
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CEQA Compliance:
This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California
Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15378. |
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SUMMARY:
California American Water (Cal-Am) has entered
into a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) that among other things, provides for interim gravel replenishment below
Los Padres Dam (LPD) to maintain spawning gravels in the Carmel River downstream
of Los Padres Dam (the Project) pending a determination about the future of the
dam.
MPWMD carried out a project in 2014 at LPD to place 1,500 tons of spawning gravel in the channel downstream of the LPD spillway. High flows have since transported the material downstream. Cal-Am has requested that the District supervise a similar effort to place an additional 1,500 tons in the channel. Attached as Exhibit 5-A is a proposed reimbursement agreement between Cal-Am and the District for the Project. MPWMD would be the Lead Agency for California Environmental Quality Act compliance; acquire permits for the project; and supervise placement of the gravel. Cal-Am would be responsible for contracting for the purchase, delivery, and placement of the gravel.
Attached as Exhibit 5-B is a letter proposal from Denise Duffy & Associates for providing services to assist with acquiring the necessary permits for the Project.
As part of its ongoing commitment to fisheries habitat improvement in the Carmel River over the past 25 years, the District has placed more than 4,500 tons of spawning gravels between Los Padres Dam and the Sleepy Hollow Reach to improve steelhead spawning habitat over approximately seven miles of river. This cooperative Project between Cal-Am and the District will bring the total amount of spawning gravel placed in the river up to 6,700 tons.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends authorizing the General Manager to: 1) enter into a reimbursement agreement with California American Water for MPWMD expenses associated with obtaining permits for placement of gravel at Los Padres Dam; 2) enter into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates for a not-to-exceed amount of $45,000 for assistance with permit acquisition.
IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funds to retain the services of Duffy Denise & Associates would be added to the FY 2018-19 Fisheries Program Budget under account 24-04-785852 “Spawning Habitat.” Staff time will also be needed to oversee the project.
EXHIBITS
U:\staff\Boardpacket\2018\20180416\ConsentClndr\05\Item-5.docx