Title
Adopt Resolution to ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency signed by the County Administrative Officer on January 24, 2019 for conditions present in the Salinas River Lagoon (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors ratify the Proclamation of Local Emergency signed by the County Administrative Officer on January 24, 2019 for conditions present in the Salinas River Lagoon (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to County Code 2.68.060, Section 8630 of the California Government Code, and the Monterey County Emergency Operations Plan, the County Administrative Officer declared a local emergency on January 24, 2019 for the area of the Salinas River Lagoon. This declaration was necessary to facilitate actions taken in response to heavy rains and potential flooding in and adjacent to the Salinas River Lagoon.
DISCUSSION:
To prevent flooding of roadways and agricultural fields, which is known to cause contamination of said fields, County personnel determined that it was necessary to breach the sandbar at the mouth of the Salinas River, thus allowing accumulating water to flow freely to the ocean. Water levels in the Salinas River Lagoon had risen to levels that threatened to flood the area surrounding the Lagoon. Flooding would possibly inundate water delivery systems, sewer collection systems, and other utility systems in the area. This creates conditions of peril for the safety and wellbeing of property owners around the Lagoon and other nearby areas. Immediate action was necessary to lower the sandbar and eliminate the flooding potential.
The County Administrative Officer's Proclamation of Local Emergency allows actions by the Water Resources Agency to manage the sandbar at the River's mouth, thus preventing any damage. In accordance with State law and County Code, this proclamation must be ratified by the Board of Supervisors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This action was jointly coordinated b...
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