Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Ratify the County Administrative Officer’s January 7, 2026 Proclamation of a Local Emergency for sandbar management activities that are required at the Salinas River Lagoon Mouth (4/5th vote required); and
b. Find the work statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) for emergency projects.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Adopt a resolution to:
a. Ratify the County Administrative Officer’s January 7, 2026 Proclamation of a Local Emergency for sandbar management activities that are required at the Salinas River Lagoon Mouth (4/5th vote required); and
b. Find the work statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) for emergency projects.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to California Government Code section 8630(a) and Monterey County Code section 2.68.060 the County Administrative Officer may proclaim the existence of a local emergency when Monterey County is affected by or likely to be affected by a public calamity. The Government Code requires that an emergency proclamation be ratified by the Board of Supervisors within 7 days of its issuance, and be reviewed at least once every 60 days until the emergency is terminated.
Beginning December 23, 2025, heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and high surf hazards threatened residents, property, critical infrastructure, and transportation systems in the Monterey County. Sandbar management activities were required at the Salinas River Lagoon mouth by Monterey County Water Resources Agency staff to avoid localized flooding. These conditions could have led to possible loss of life and property in areas near and adjacent to the Salinas Lagoon. Forecasted conditions may have resulted in the following:
• Inundation of residences, including Twin Bridges Cabin Association, Monterey Dunes Colony and Lagoon residences;
• Loss of safe ingress and egress, including emergency service access;
• Inundation of agricultural fields; and
• Erosion and excessive transport of sediment.
Given high river flows, Monterey County Water Resources Agency staff performed sandbar management activities at the Salinas River Lagoon mouth on January 4, 2026. The aforesaid conditions of extreme peril necessitated the proclamation of a local emergency on January 7, 2026, which was signed into effect by the County Administrator’s Office that same day. Ratification and approval of this Proclamation of Local Emergency will provide Board confirmation of, and agreement with, the Proclamation made by the County Administrative Officer. This emergency proclamation shall expire sixty days after issuance unless confirmed and extended by the governing body of the County of Monterey.
This work is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c) for emergency projects.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The mitigation efforts of the foregoing conditions affecting public infrastructure in Monterey County include Monterey County Water Resources Agency.
FINANCING:
Payment for the mitigation efforts of the foregoing conditions will come from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Declaring an emergency and allowing staff to effectively and immediately respond to the emergency event to protect public health and safety, promotes the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan Goals of furthering Safe and Resilient Communities.
____ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
____ Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared and approved by: Shaunna Murray, Deputy General Manager x4865
Attachments:
A - Emergency Proclamation dated January 7, 2026
B - Draft Resolution