Title
Consider receiving an update on Phase 1 of the Habitat Conversation Plan process and receive the "Salinas River Long-Term Management Plan" report dated February 2019.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Receive an update on Phase 1 of the Habitat Conversation Plan process and receive the "Salinas River Long-Term Management Plan" report dated February 2019.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On February 18, 2016, Senator Anthony Canella introduced Senate Bill 1264 appropriating $1,000,000 from the California State General Fund to the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) for use in the Salinas River. This funding is being used to support the development and implementation of long-term management policies. The California Coastal Conservancy (CCC) was identified as the granting agency and a grant agreement was signed between the Agency and CCC in June 2017.
In March 2018, the Agency Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors approved a contract with ICF, Jones and Stokes (ICF) with three phases of long-term management policies: (1) Develop a long-term Salinas River Management Plan (LTMP) (Phase 1); (2) develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Monterey County Water Resources Agency operations (Phase 2); and (3) and conduct the necessary California Environmental Quality Act/National Environmental Policy Act analyses (Phase 3).
The development of the LTMP included stakeholder assessments, establishment of a planning group and working groups for specific topics, and public involvement. The LTMP Executive Summary is attached to this report. The entire final LTMP as well as information about the process and meeting notes can be found at: www.salinasrivermanagementprogram.org.
This plan completes Phase 1 of the total project and is the foundation for developing the HCP. Agency staff and ICF are currently beginning work on Phase 2 and has limited funding for the remainder of the...
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