Title
Authorize the Chair of the Board of Directors to sign a letter supporting the Water Resources Agency’s request for $17 million for a fish screen at the Interlake Tunnel.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors authorize the Chair of the Board of Directors to sign a letter supporting the Water Resources Agency request for $17 million for a fish screen at the Interlake Tunnel.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is requiring that the Interlake Tunnel design include fish screens to comply with current law, prohibiting the transfer of White Bass from Nacimiento Reservoir to the San Antonio Reservoir and to the San Antonio River and its tributaries. Senator Monning and Assemblymember Rivas have requested $17 million from the General Fund be apportioned to the Department of Fish and Wildlife as a local assistance grant to pay for the fish screens.
This letter will be sent to The Honorable Bob Wieckowski, Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee and to The Honorable Richard Bloom, Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 in support of this request.
The Water Resources Agency is working on a Proposition 218 election for the agricultural growers to fund the Interlake Tunnel Project, which includes raising the dam and constructing the tunnel. However, $17 million in financial assistance is needed from the state to fund the required fish screens.
Prepared and approved by: _________________________________________________
Shauna Lorance, Interim General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Draft Budget Request for the Interlake Tunnel In Monterey County
2. Board Order