Title
a. Approve submittal of a subapplication under the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), to request funding for the Scenic Road Protection Structure Project;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or his/her designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds; and
c. Direct PWFP to return to the Board for approval prior to acceptance of grant award.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve submittal of a subapplication under the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), to request funding for the Scenic Road Protection Structure Project;
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or his/her designee, to act as the agent for the County in processing all documentation to secure these funds; and
c. Direct PWFP to return to the Board for approval prior to acceptance of grant award.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The bluff along Scenic Road north of the Carmel River State Beach has experienced significant erosion during coastal storm events, resulting in repetitive and costly repairs to Scenic Road, underground public utilities including sewer and communications within Scenic Road, Carmel River State Beach assets (parking lot, bathrooms, and interpretive area) and nearby infrastructure. The Carmel Lagoon Scenic Road Protection Structure Project (SRPS), a flood mitigation project at Carmel River State Beach, is intended to prevent erosion and infrastructure damage and protect access to residences during and after storm wave events or northern river breaches, characterized by waves up to 22 feet (NAVD88) high and river flows up to 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The SRPS is a low-profile wall structure that stretches from the Carmel River State Beach to
approximately Valley View Ave. and is intended to bolster these infrastructure assets to endure severe coastal storm and flooding events by preventing erosion that undermines the road and threatens State and County assets.
The SRPS is one component of the Carmel Lagoon Ecosystem Protective Barrier (EPB), Scenic Road Protection Structure (SRPS), and Interim Sandbar Management Plan (ISMP) Project Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on September 10, 2024 at which time the Board provided the directive to seek funding for the design, permitting, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the SRPS at the Mid Slope Wall (alternative 5.3.2.5 of the FEIR). The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development (HCD) initiated consultant services to develop the 30% design plans necessary to complete the FEIR for the SRPS.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is a competitive grant program administered by California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) HMGP Unit that provides funding for communities to implement mitigation activities that reduce risk to life, property, and infrastructure from natural hazards. In California, natural hazards include wildfire, earthquake, drought, extreme heat, flooding, and other natural hazards as defined in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan. HCD and Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) staff developed and submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the HMGP on May 16, 2025 and an invitation to apply for project funding was received on June 19, 2025. HCD and PWFP intend to submit a phased project application to the HMGP to request approximately $6.4 million to complete Phase 1 (planning, deisgn, and permitting) and Phase 2 (construction) of the SRPS. The total project costs are estimated to be $8,517,000 and a 25% match ($2,129,250) is required. A signed Funding Commitment Letter (Attachment A) for the 25% match and Maintenance Commitment Letter (Attachment B) are required at the time of application. Grant applications are due on September 15, 2025 and Cal OES anticpates HMGP award notification in 2027 or 2028. Eligible costs include construction and design/planning costs for phased projects.
If the proposed grant application is selected to receive funding, staff will return to the Board for approval to accept the grant award and approve the Project. Programming a flood protection project protects public (County and State) and private infrastructure assets, enhances public safety and supports construction jobs. Approval of this item will authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks or designee to act as the agent for the County to process all documentation required to secure these funds.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
HCD and PWFP staff collaborated to develop the HMGP application. HCD and PWFP staff collaborated with the CalOES technical assistance team during application development. The Office of County Counsel reviewed the HMGP NOI and will review the HMGP sub-application.
FINANCING:
Staff cost to submit the HMGP application will be funded out of the Road Fund. The estimated cost is $5,000 and the adopted FY 2025-26 Road Fund 002 budget includes sufficient funds to finance this work. The total Project cost is approximately $8,517,000 and a signed Funding Commitment Letter (Attachment A) is required to confirm availability of the 25% match ($2,129,250). If HMGP funds are awarded and approved by the Board, expenditures for the SRPS could begin in FY 2027-28 or FY 2028-29 and continue up to four years. PWFP will seek support of matching funds ($2,129,250) through a combination of outside funding sources including, but not limited to: private contributions or County Service Area (CSA) funds or Road Fund; and Budget Committee and Capital Improvement Committee support for the remainder of the required matching funds in advance of a request for Board approval to appropriate Road Fund to add the SRPS to the FY 2027-28 Annual Work Program for Road Fund and Capital Improvement Program 5-Year Plan (CIP).
Additionally, a signed Maintenance Commitment Letter (Attachment B) stating that PWFP will bear the SRPS maintenance costs (estimated $7,000 annually) throughout the useful life of the Project (approximately 50 years) is required at the time of application. The annual Road Fund allocation contains sufficient funding for these maintenance costs. Scenic Road has been reduced from two lanes to one lane due to damage from large waves and a northward flowing Carmel River breach. Protecting Scenic Road will reduce repair costs associated with natural conditions that undermine and damage the road.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The SRPS is sustainable, physical infrastructure that protects County and State infrastructure assets and improves the quality of life for County residents and visitors. The recommended action supports the following Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives:
Administration
Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Shandy Carroll, Management Analyst III for HCD (831) 784-5643
Janie Bettencourt, Management Analyst II
Reviewed by: Enrique Saavedra, PE, Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
The following attachment is on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - HMGP Funding Commitment Letter
Attachment B - HMGP Maintenance Commitment Letter
Attachment C - Location Map