Title
Authorize the Monterey County Water Resources Agency General Manager to execute a quitclaim deed and any other associated documents to remove a flow ditch easement on a portion of property to the Big Sur Land Trust for the Carr Lake Restoration Project in the City of Salinas.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the Monterey County Water Resources Agency General Manager to execute a quitclaim deed and any other associated documents to remove a flow ditch easement on a portion of property to the Big Sur Land Trust for the Carr Lake Restoration Project in the City of Salinas.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Big Sur Land Trust (“BSLT”) is owner and representative of the 73-acre properties, in Carr Lake, and are requesting the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (“MCWRA”) to quitclaim the portion of flow ditch easement lying on Assessor Parcel Numbers 261-191-001-000, 003-212-007-000 and 261-191-007-000, as shown colored in hatched on Exhibit “B”.
The BSLT has requested the quitclaim of the 30-foot wide flow easement to construct the Carr Lake Restoration Project (“Project”) which includes the proposal to build and maintain a multi-benefit park and open space and restore riparian and wetland habitat.
The request for the quitclaim of the flow ditch easement can be granted since the easements are no longer being utilized by MCWRA and its retention is no longer necessary. MCWRA has no objection to the easement being quitclaimed.
The 30-foot wide flow ditch easement being quitclaimed was dedicated by and described in the deed to Reclamation District Number 1665, dated October 1, 1917, and recorded in the Official Records recorded on March 2, 1918, in Volume 156 of Deeds at Page 211, in the office of the County Recorder of Monterey County.
The MCWRA staff recommends the quitclaim for the existing maintenance easement, thus relieving the MCWRA of responsibility to maintain a portion of the ditch to be removed because of the BSLT restoration design. The flow ditch will be physically removed and the said easement in this portion of canal is no longer necessary allowing BSLT to construct an appropriate project to restore historic habitat in Carr Lake.
The MCWRA and BSLT have been communicating on the Project and the easement since June 25, 2021, and the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was received and reviewed by MCWRA which was found acceptable. BSLT provided the quitclaim deed and an informational presentation for the Project at the MCWRA Board of Directors June 2025 meeting.
The MCWRA staff has determined that the quitclaim deed and removal of a portion of easement for the Project has a negligible effect on existing facilities and results in no expansion of use to lands, which qualifies as Class 1 categorical exemption respectively pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (c) - existing facilities for the purpose of public safety - no expansion of use; and there are no exemptions pursuant to CEQA Guidelines CCR Section 15300.2.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
BSLT and County Counsel’s Office.
FINANCING:
FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget of Zone 9 Reclamation Ditch (Fund 122) has sufficient appropriations to fund the preparation and execution of the quitclaim deed.
Prepared by: Jennifer Bodensteiner, Associate Water Resources Hydrologist (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _____________________________________________
Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Quitclaim deed
2. Public Draft, City of Salinas Carr Lake BSLT IS/MND comments dated June 25, 2021