Title
Adopt Resolution to:
a. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between Monterey County, the US Army Corp of Engineers and the National Marine Fisheries Service for "Flood Prevention and Habitat Protection at the Carmel Lagoon"; and
b. Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
StaffReport
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution approving an MOU with USACE and NMFS for flood prevention and habitat protection at the Carmel Lagoon (Exhibit B).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
For decades, MCWRA, State Parks, RMA-Public Works actively managed the Carmel River/Lagoon to protect homes and infrastructure from flooding impacts. Activity to manage the lagoon requires permits from US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), California Fish and Wildlife (CF&W), California Coastal Commission (CCC), and Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). Until October 2011, actions to manage the sandbar barrier were done as a declared emergency without permits.
Beginning 2011, County RMA assumed a lead role to obtain necessary permits and work with agencies on a long-term solution to mechanically managing the sandbar barrier at the Carmel River/Lagoon. Staff has developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USACE and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that identifies two long-term solutions (Ecosystem Protective Barrier and Scenic Road Protection) as alternatives to performing sandbar management. In consultation with these agencies, conceptual plans and draft technical studies are near completion that would help address flood prevention and habitat protection at the Carmel Lagoon. Within a few weeks, staff intends to present alternatives to the BOS in order to establish a preferred option that will be used for (non-emergency) permit applications and environmental assessment. For further background, please see Exhibit A.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:...
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