ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
2.	Consider Expenditure for CULTURAL RESOURCES STUDIES FOR the RANCHO SAN CARLOS ROAD STREAMBANK STABILIZATION PROJECT
Meeting Date:		November 6, 2017	Budgeted:	Yes
From:		David J. Stoldt	Program/	Erosion Protection
		General Manager	Line Item No.:	2-2-1-A
			Account No.	24-03-789541
Prepared By:		Larry Hampson	Cost Estimate:	$25,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on November 6, 2017 and recommended ____________________.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines section 15262 for feasibility and planning studies.

SUMMARY: Staff proposes to contract with LSA Associates, Inc. for Cultural Resources studies in the Carmel River near the Rancho San Carlos Road Bridge in association with applying to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to carry out streambank restoration. Work would be consistent with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and include historical research, a field visit, outreach to interested Native American tribes, documentation, and development of an ESA Action Plan, if required, as described in Exhibit 2-A - Proposal.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the expenditure of funds for Cultural Resources studies at the Rancho San Carlos Road Streambank Stabilization Project in the Carmel River. If this item is adopted with the Consent Calendar, the General Manager would be authorized to enter into an agreement for services with LSA Associates, Inc. for a not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $25,000.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: Funds for additional work for this project are identified in the FY 2017-18 Budget, Program Line Item 2-2-1-A, Work at lower San Carlos restoration project.

DISCUSSION: The reach of the river downstream of Rancho San Carlos Road has been subject to instability and minor erosion for several years. High flows in February 2017 eroded the south bank and removed several large cottonwoods from a 400-foot long portion of the river in one of the last remaining mature riparian forest areas along the river. Future high flows could destabilize the area downstream, which would threaten homes on the north side of the river and Hacienda Carmel, a retirement community with about 300 units.

Balance Hydrologics, Inc. completed a draft design for the project that included removal of a portion of the unstable upper streambank and fill along the lower portion of the streambank that would be fortified with a crib wall. After carrying out a site visit with one of the property owners, the Santa Lucia Conservancy (Conservancy), MPWMD received a copy of a letter to the Conservancy expressing concern about the impact of the project on Santa Barbara sedge located on the streambank and terrace area proposed for construction (see Exhibit 2-B – Letter to Santa Lucia Conservancy).

The letter to the Conservancy from Linda Yamane, a tribal stakeholder, characterized the proposed streambank restoration project area as a place with natural resources that are important for use in traditional crafts. A Cultural Resources study in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act would be carried out to determine if the project area qualifies as a historically significant site and what actions should be taken to preserve the resource.

EXHIBITS

2-A Proposal

2-B Letter dated 27 August 2017 to Christy Fischer from Linda Yamane

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