ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
8.	CONSIDER ADDITIONAL FLOOD RELATED REPAIRS AND PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ACTION ITEM (JANUARY 23, 2023) THAT UTILIZES THE FLOOD AND DROUGHT RESERVE WITH NO CHANGE IN THE COST ESTIMATE CAP
Meeting Date:			February 13, 2023	Budgeted:	Yes-flood and drought reserve
From:			David J. Stoldt, General Manager	Program/	Protect Environmental Quality
				Line Item No.:	Page 23 analysis of reserves
Prepared By:			Larry Hampson and Thomas Christensen	Cost Estimate:	$250,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: Exempt under §15269 Emergency Projects.

SUMMARY: On January 9, 2023, the Carmel River experienced significant flooding that damaged the Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) and the Carmel River Resistance Board Weir (Steelhead Counting Station). Staff asked the District Board for authorization to carry out work utilizing the flood and drought reserve for a cost up to $250,000. On January 23, 2023, the District Board approved repairs to the SHSRF and Steelhead Counting Station. However, upon further inspection of the Carmel River, District staff have observed some large debris piles and downed trees in the active channel that will need to be cut and broken apart. The scale of the debris piles and the number of downed trees exceeds the typical vegetation management work that the District can carry out with its current staff. This work will require the assistance of the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and possibly some contractors with equipment. In addition, some funds may be used to fix irrigations systems, install check valves, and make other related flood repairs. Staff proposes to contract for emergency repair work for these damages at the original approved cost of $250,000.

The FY 2022-23 budget adopted on June 20, 2022, included a flood and drought reserve of $328,944. Staff proposed to fund these repairs from this reserve fund. Staff will seek reimbursement for the cost of damages from the California Office Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to enter into contracts for the additional items (check valve, vegetation management, irrigation repair, or any other flood related damages to District programs) for emergency repair work and seek reimbursement for the cost of damages from the California Office Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

DISCUSSION: The Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (SHSRF) was impacted by high flows on the Carmel River. The high stages on the river forced river water up through the floor drain and into the RAS building (to be evaluated and fixed). This flooded four pumps that help circulate water at SHSRF. These pumps need to be removed and evaluated by a professional to look for damage and have the necessary repairs. In addition, the road to SHSRF was also damaged by extreme rain events and needed work to allow access to the facility for damage assessment and to release the remaining steelhead.

The Resistance Board Weir / Steelhead Counting Station was also damaged during the high flow events. The Steelhead Counting Station went in on December 21, 2022, when the Carmel River was relatively calm. This station allows the counting of adult steelhead as they enter the Carmel River and is part of the Rescue and Rearing Management Plan Permit. It takes at least four people two days to install and two days to remove the station when the river is under 100 cubic feet per second. As the river increased in flow from consecutive storms it was impossible to remove the station as it was under water and the current was too swift. The station is designed to pass higher flows and survived winter flows in 2021 and 2022 but the 8,000+ cubic feet per second flow damaged the weir and broke apart the aluminum box trap. A portion of the weir is still underwater and is still being evaluated.

The District carries out a Vegetation Management Program in the active channel of the Carmel River to prevent debris dams, erosion, and the hazards associated with large trees floating down the river. It is important to note, that the District is not a flood control agency, and any flood control benefit from this work is incidental. This work is usually carried out in the late fall before winter rains by District staff and sometimes with the assistance of the CCC. This year’s high flows have deposited large debris piles in the active channel and toppled many trees. The CCC crews would help with chainsaw work and the manual labor to reduce the hazard associated with debris piles and downed trees.

The District also had several irrigations systems damaged by the flood that supply water to the restoration plantings along the Carmel River. These systems will be repaired.

Repair Estimate for Various Items

SHSRF road repair and debris removal = $45,000

Repair or replace Two 1350 (gpm) motors = $75,000

Repair or replace two high pressure motors for drum screen = $10,000

Install check valve for floor drain and other building repairs = $10,000

Weir repair and replacement of box trap = $70,000

Vegetation Management and debris clearing = $20,000

Irrigation system repair = $5,000

Contingency for all other flood related repairs $15,000

Estimated Total for All Work $250,000

CEQA: The California Environmental Quality Act Section 15269 exempts emergency projects.

“(a) Projects to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code. This includes projects that will remove, destroy, or significantly alter an historical resource when that resource represents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm or of damage to adjacent property or when the project has received a determination by the State Office of Historic Preservation pursuant to Section 5028(b) of Public Resources Code.

”

On December 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation of a State of Emergency. In addition, Governor Gavin Newsom issued executive order N-1-23 because of severe storms.

IMPACTS ON STAFF AND RESOURCES: Funds for this work are budgeted under the flood and drought reserve. The FY 2022-23 budget adopted on June 20, 2022, included $328,944 for this kind of work.

The work would be performed under the direction of staff.

EXHIBIT

None

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