Title
a. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposition 68 Lake San Antonio South Shore Marina Project; and
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as outlined in the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) document, in the event Proposition Grant 68 funds are awarded. (REMOVED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Proposition 68 Lake San Antonio South Shore Marina Project; and
b. Adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as outlined in the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) document, in the event Proposition Grant 68 funds are awarded
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On September 14, 2021, the Board of Supervisors authorized Monterey County Public Works, Facilities and Parks (PWFP) staff to submit applications for California Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68) Rural Recreation and Tourism Program grant funding. Three applications were submitted for the following projects: Lake San Antonio North Shore Amphitheater, Lake San Antonio South Shore Marina Project, and San Lorenzo Park Improvements.
Per the Proposition 68 Grant guidelines, a CEQA analysis is required per project with a final document being filed within three months of the application date. A third-party environmental consultant, LSA Associates, Inc., was utilized to perform this task. The consultant found that the Amphitheater and San Lorenzo Park improvements were “Categorically Exempt,” however, the Lake San Antonio South Shore Marina (Project) required an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Mitigated Negative Declaration is included as Attachment A.
The Project site is located within the Lake San Antonio South Shore Recreation Area and would replace the existing but defunct marina and fuel system, currently moored in the lake. The Project would require the demolition and off-haul of the former marina, the removal and/or relocation of existing fuel infrastructure at the Lynch Site, and the installation of a new marina and fuel infrastructure at Harris Creek. The proposed 50-slip marina would enable campers to moor their boats overnight and would provide an on-water fueling source for boaters.
An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) have been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess potential environmental impacts of the Project. A Notice of Intent to Adopt an IS/MND was filed with the State Clearinghouse on January 14, 2022. The document was circulated for a 30-day public review period from January 14, 2022 to February 14, 2022. No comment letters were received during the 30-day review period.
As identified in the MND, the Project has the potential to impact several special-status species for which suitable habitat is present in the project's Biological Study Areas (BSAs). The Project would directly impact approximately 0.28 acres of delineated aquatic resources. As part of the Project, the County would remove the former concrete marina walkway at the Lynch Site, which is also located within the current high water lake shoreline of Lake San Antonio.
No paleontological resources or unique geologic features were observed within the Project site during the surveys conducted on November 21, 2021, and construction activities for the proposed Project are not expected to extend deep enough to affect native soils or to impact scientifically important paleontological resources that may be present. Should funding be awarded, the Mitigation Measures outlined in Attachment A will be followed in accordance with the CEQA analysis.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The County of Monterey is the Lead Agency for the CEQA clearance of the Project. PWFP, through the third party environment consultant, prepared and circulated an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration through the California State Clearinghouse. As the Project property is owned by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (WRA), PWFP staff initiated communication in the planning process to gain support prior to completing the Proposition 68 application. Should the Project be awarded, all plans and specifications will be reviewed and approved by WRA. The Office of County Counsel reviewed the IS/MND as to form.
FINANCING:
The funding for the CEQA analysis and the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration was funded from the Facilities Capital Improvement Program Administration, Capital Project Fund 402 in Fiscal Year 2021-22. The total estimated Project cost, including engineering, environmental, and construction is $3,000,000. A cash match is not required for the RRT grant program if a project has been identified as serving a disadvantaged community. The Lake San Antonio projects, meet the median income requirement, so that no funding match would be required. The procedural guide for Proposition 68 competitive programs states that “development to fulfill any mitigation requirement imposed by law” are ineligible expenses that cannot be covered by grant funds. As such, if funding is awarded, the additional mitigation expenses, must be funded by the County.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The recommended action supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives of Economic Development, Administration and Infrastructure by creating a needed revenue generator and public amenity, completing State mandated legal requirements and replacing aging and inoperable infrastructure.
X - Economic Development
X Administration
Health & Human Services
X- Infrastructure
Public Safety
Prepared by: Nathan Merkle, Parks Administrative Operations Manager, South County
Reviewed by: Bryan Flores, Chief of Parks
Approved by: Randell Ishii, MS, PE, TE, PTOE, Director of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks
Attachment:
Attachment A - Lake San Antonio South Shore Marina Project Draft IS/MND
(Attachment is on file with the Clerk of the Board)