PowerPoints: Carmel River-History, Restoration and Protection and Water Supply Problems and Possible Solutions in the Monterey Peninsula Area

ABSTRACT: At the Carmel Residents Association May Meeting yesterday, Larry Hampson, Water Resources Engineer, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD), and Darby Fuerst, Interim General Manager, MPWMD, presented PowerPoint Presentations entitled Carmel River - History, Restoration, and Protection and Water Supply Problems and Possible Solutions in the Monterey Peninsula Area, respectively. The Mission of the MPWMD, an Area Map and information about Larry Hampson and Darby Fuerst are presented. HIGHLIGHTS of the PowerPoint Presentations are presented. THE MISSION OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT IS TO MANAGE,AUGMENT AND PROTECT WATER RESOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT. DRAFT AREA MAP The Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Bay, and South Monterey Bay Region CRA May General Meeting: Larry Hampson and Darby Fuerst Water problems and solutions, plus history and ecology of the river Larry Hampson, Water Resources Engineer B.S. Engineering Science, graduate-level courses in river mechanics from Colorado State University M.B.A. University of Colorado Licensed Civil Engineer in Colorado and California Water Resources Engineer for the past 17 years Hampson has focused on the sustainable use of the river by balancing restoration and protection of stream-side habitat with the needs of riverfront property owners and the Monterey Peninsula. Darby Fuerst, Interim General Manager B.S. Geological Sciences M.S. Hydrology and Water Resources Administration Certified Professional Hydrologist with the American Institute of Hydrology 23 years as a Hydrologist, Water Resources Manager and currently as Interim General Manager for the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Highlights of Carmel River - History, Restoration, and Protection, A Presentation to the Carmel Residents Association, October 23, 2008 by Larry Hampson, Water Resources Engineer • Topics include, History, Ecology, Restoration and Protection • Threatened Species Protected in 1996 and 1997 Steelhead and California Red-legged Frog • Court Battles, Citizen Efforts, Better Management Halt Degradation of River 1974 - suit over groundwater extraction in mid-Valley 1976-77 - Carmel River Watch (CREW) established 1983 - 84% yes vote for river restoration program 1984 – MPWMD orders pumping to be shifted downstream 1987 – four complaints filed against Cal- Am with SWRCB 1990 – EIR on water allocation results in expanded Mitigation Program for river 1995 – SWRCB issues WR Order 95-10 1996-97 – listing of steelhead and California red-legged frogs spurs tighter federal controls of activities along the river 2000-2005 Cal-Am surface diversions further curtailed 2008 – Coastal Conservancy sponsors Sand Clemente Dam removal and river re-route 2007-08-09 (?) - SWRCB revisits Order 95- 10 • What Are the Threats to Resources of the Carmel River? Los Padres Reservoir may continue to impound sediment from the upper watershed Loss of surface storage may result in less flow downstream in the summer Lack of sediment may destabilize streambanks Armoring of streambanks is likely to continue after large floods Diversions in lower river continue to affect vegetation and aquatic habitat Global warming may cause larger swings in temperature and rainfall • Moving Forward Significant bond act funding may be available to continue restoration and mitigation efforts Private and non-profit groups such as the Big Sur Land Trust and the Planning and Conservation League are interested in restoring and maintaining the watershed San Clemente Dam to be removed by State Coastal Conservancy New water supplies for the Monterey Peninsula are projected to be completed within eight years - these projects will allow a reduction in diversions from Carmel Valley • River Reroute and Dam Removal Maximize the Public Benefits • Mitigation Program Direct Measures Seaside basin injection/recovery Fish rescue, rearing, habitat improvement Irrigation of Carmel River riparian corridor Vegetation management/modification and augmentation Streambank and channel restoration Highlights of Water Supply Problems and Possible Solutions in the Monterey Peninsula Area, A Presentation to the Carmel Residents Association, October 23, 2008 by Darby Fuerst, Interim General Manager • Distribution of California American Water Production by User Type Approximately 55% Residential • Physical Limitations on Water Supply Extreme annual and seasonal variability of streamflow in the Carmel River Inadequate surface water and groundwater storage capacity in Carmel River Basin Infrequent, but certain drought events, i.e., consecutive dry or critically-dry inflow years Threat of seawater intrusion in Carmel River and Seaside Groundwater Basins • Legal Limitations on Water Supply State Water Resources Control Board Order No. WR 95-10 against California American Water (CAW) Order 95-10 requires CAW to reduce its diversions from the Carmel River by approximately 75% • Water Supply Requirements MPWMD has estimated that 12,500 acre-feet per year (AFY) of replacement supplies are required to meet existing water demands and comply with Order 95-10 and the Seaside Decision. In addition, MPWMD has estimated, based on input from the jurisdictions within the District, that an additional 4,500 AFY of supplies are required to meet future water demands within the District • Water Supply Solutions CAW’s proposed Coastal Water Project Water for Monterey County Coalition’s1proposed Regional Water Project Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency’s proposed Groundwater Replenishment Project MPWMD/CAW’s Phase 1 Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project, in operation. MPWMD’s proposed Phase 2 ASR Project MPWMD’s proposed Seawater Desalination Project (“95-10 Project”) in the former Fort Ord area.