Title
a. Adopt the Plans and Special Provisions for the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Environmental Enhancement (CRFREE) Phase 1 floodplain restoration Project, REF 140048; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks to advertise the “Notice to Bidders” in the Monterey County Weekly.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt the Plans and Special Provisions for the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Environmental Enhancement (CRFREE) Phase 1 floodplain restoration Project, REF 140048; and
b. Authorize the Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks to advertise the “Notice to Bidders” in the Monterey County Weekly.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Staff seeks adoption of the Plans and Specifications and authorization to advertise for bids for the Phase 1 initial floodplain restoration of the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement Project (CRFREE) project. The bid opening is set for Friday, July 8, at 2:00 p.m., in the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, County Administration Building, Monterey County Government Center, 168 West Alisal Street 1st Floor, Salinas, California 93901. The recommended action also authorizes staff to proceed with the advertisement and bid selection for the CRFREE Project.
On June 15, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved the CRFREE Project, and Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Plan (MMRP). The County of Monterey (County) and Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) are co-sponsors of the CRFREE Project, a comprehensive effort to improve flood control and restore native riparian habitat, floodplain habitat, and hydrologic function to a portion of the lower floodplain along the Carmel River. Key aspects of the CRFREE Project are to: 1) Create notches in the levees along the south bank of the lower Carmel River; 2) Restore the south lower Carmel River floodplain; and 3) Build a causeway along Highway 1, restoring connectivity between the lower Carmel River Floodplain and the south arm of the Carmel Lagoon.
The Phase 1 initial floodplain restoration work will involve grading, planting, and irrigation of the east side of State Route 1 (SR 1) on property owned by BSLT and Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District (MPRPD). The project consists of grading of 93 acres, construction of Managed Flood Conveyance Channels (MFCAs), irrigation, seeding, and planting. The approximately 340,000 cubic yards of graded material will be utilized onsite to lift an agricultural preserve out of the 100-year floodplain. (Attachment A)
A “Notice to Bidders” will be duly advertised in a newspaper of general circulation per Public Contract Code Section 20150.8. The project plans and specifications are provided for reference as Attachment B. After evaluating bids received, the Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks (PWFP) will return to the Board of Supervisors for approval to award the construction contract. Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2022, with completion anticipated in April 2023.
Environmental review is complete for the CRFREE Project. The Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified by the Board of Supervisors in a public hearing on January 20, 2020, and the Project was approved June 15, 2021. Federal environmental review was completed April 23, 2021, when Caltrans, as lead federal agency for the causeway portion of the Project, issued Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), agreeing with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, lead federal agency for the floodplain restoration portion of the project, which also issued a FONSI on October 30, 2020.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
BSLT is co-sponsor for the CRFREE Project. BSLT, State Parks and MPRPD are property owners within the CRFREE Project area. Through a cooperative agreement with Caltrans, the County of Monterey is acting as the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act for the Project. PWFP will manage the construction contracts, while the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department continues to have overall lead responsibility for the CRFREE project, including environmental review, permits, and design, as well as grant funding administration.
FINANCING:
The total estimated cost of the CRFREE Project, including design, permitting, construction, and restoration efforts, is approximately $45.1 million. The project will be entirely grant funded. The Phase 1 initial floodplain restoration effort will cost approximately $5 million. The County has been awarded $17.2 million in unexpended grant funds. BSLT holds nearly $1 million in grant funds available for the project and additional $2 million in private donations to fund the long-term management and maintenance of the project on their owned property. An additional $25.3 million is pending award from CalOES/FEMA and Caltrans. The County and BSLT are working to raise additional funds to meet the full Project cost. Attachment C further outlines CRFREE grant funding. CRFREE is budgeted in Capital Project Fund 404, Appropriation Unit PFP057, Unit 8564. County staff time up to $89,225 will be funded by the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Coastal Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Grant Program (Coastal Flood Program) and Flood Corridor Program (FCP) grants and the CalOES/FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant and is not included in the Project cost of $45.1 million. All other staff time on this project is budgeted for in the FY 2021-22 HCD General Fund 001, Appropriation Unit HCD001, Unit 8542.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
If approved, this action supports the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives for Administration and Infrastructure. The Project will provide sustainable physical infrastructure and associated flood risk reduction and habitat benefits to promote the safety of area residents and visitors.
___ Economic Development
X Administration
___ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
Prepared by: Shandy Carroll, Management Analyst III, (831) 784 5643
Prepared by: Jonathan Pascua, Senior Civil Engineer, (831) 755-8963
Reviewed by: Melanie Beretti, AICP, Principal Planner
Reviewed by: Tom Bonigut, PE, Assistant Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities and Parks
Approved by: Erik V. Lundquist, AICP, HCD Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Location Map
Attachment B - Book 1 Special Provisions
Attachment C - Book 2 Bid Form
Attachment D - Grant funds overview