Title
Receive a status update on the Carmel Lagoon Ecosystem Protective Barrier, Scenic Road Protection Structure, and Interim Sandbar Management Plan Project (REF120051).
Report
It is recommended that the Capital Improvement Committee receive a status update on the Carmel Lagoon Ecosystem Protective Barrier, Scenic Road Protection Structure, and Interim Sandbar Management Plan Project (REF120051).
SUMMARY
Since 2011, the Capital Improvement Committee has received periodic reports on the Carmel Lagoon Ecosystem Protective Barrier (EPB), Scenic Road Protection Structure (SRPS), and Interim Sandbar Management Plan (ISMP) Project (REF 120051, hereafter referred to as "Carmel Lagoon Project"). The last update was in January 2022. Public Works, Facilities & Parks (PWFP) and Housing and Community Development (HCD) staff continue to work together to manage the Carmel River Beach sandbar between the Carmel Lagoon and the ocean to minimize flood risk to lagoon-adjacent properties while protecting the lagoon habitat. This report is an update on the longer-term project status, including the 2024 recirculation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR).
DISCUSSION
Updated sections of the Carmel Lagoon Project Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) were recirculated for public comment in February 2024, with the comment period closing March 20, 2024. The recirculated sections of the RDEIR included the technical studies on beach morphology, sediment transport, and the natural location of the sandbar breach. Additionally, the Alternatives section (Chapter 5.0) included a 30% design for the SRPS alternative at the mid-slope, an alternative for a 'garden wall' or temporary replacement for sandbags on lagoon adjacent property lines, and a hydrology study of flooding caused by the lagoon or stormwater runoff blocked behind the sandbag wall. All new sections of the RDEIR have been previously reviewed with the community, agencies, stakeholders, and the technical advisory c...
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