Title
Consider receiving a status report on the Interlake Tunnel and Spillway Modification Projects (“Project”).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Receive a status report on the Interlake Tunnel and Spillway Modification Projects (“Project”).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Subsequent to the status report given to the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors at their September 13, 2016 Joint Board Meeting, the following has taken place:
1. The Agency was informed on September 20, 2016 that Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 831 granting $10 million to the Agency for the Project. California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) will administer the grant.
2. The DWR Chief of Financial Assistance Branch and another DWR Staff member met with Agency Staff and the Project Program Manager on October 6, 2016 to review the Project description, costs, benefits and schedule, and to discuss the terms and conditions of a draft funding agreement. Because of the importance of the Project, Assembly Member Alejo, Supervisor Salinas and the CAO office were also in attendance.
3. The LiDAR consultant contract was approved by the Agency Board of Directors on September 19, 2016 and the Agency Board of Supervisors on October 4, 2016. The LiDAR is topographic data being collected to support the environmental clearance of the Interlake Tunnel Project. The areas to be surveyed for collection of LiDAR data include: the alignment of the tunnel conveyance, the rim of San Antonio Reservoir, and the San Antonio River between the San Antonio Dam and the confluence with the Salinas River.
4. Environmental work continues with a draft EIR projected to be released in May 2017. Wells along projected tunnel alignment continue to be catalogued with input from property owners.
Approval of SB 831 now allows the Agency to complete negotiations with the selected engineering firm for design engineering required prior to a Proposition 218 vote. An engineering contract is scheduled to be presented to both Boards for approval before the end of 2016.
Under an MOU with the County, the Agency is providing project technical support and management for the “Salinas River Groundwater Basin Investigation”. This project, which began in July 2014, is a five-year comprehensive water resources assessment of Zone 2C of the Salinas River Groundwater Basin. As part of this project, the Agency is working will the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) to develop a Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM). Model construction is continuing into October, with initial calibration scheduled to be completed by November. Model analysis and integration of a reservoir operations module is expected to begin in December. Once completed, a 2014 Baseline SVIHM will be configured from the calibrated 1967-2014 Historical SVIHM. This baseline model is expected to be available in January 2017 for use in the Agency’s Interlake Tunnel project. The model will assist in quantifying the benefits of the project, evaluating various operational and construction alternatives, along with the potential impact of future climate variability.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County Administrative Office - IGLA and County Counsel have been involved with the continued progress of the Project.
Due to the late submission of this report, the CAO Budget and Analysis division did not have adequate time to review for potential fiscal, organizational, policy or other implications to the County of Monterey.
FINANCING:
The total cost for the Project is estimated to be $78.2 million, with $10 in grant funds provided through SB 831. A Proposition 218 ballot measure will be required to fill the gap between state-received monies and the total cost of the Project, including reimbursement of $3 million to the County of Monterey provided by its funding agreements with the Agency.
Prepared &
Approved by:
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860