ITEM:		INFORMATIONAL ITEMS/STAFF REPORTS
25.	QUARTERLY IRRIGATION PROGRAM AND RIPARIAN PROJECTS REPORT
Meeting Date:			April 18, 2005	Budgeted	N/A
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Thomas Christensen	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

IRRIGATION OF RIPARIAN VEGETATION: The supplemental watering of riparian restoration plantings has been on hold during this quarterly period (January through March 2005) at the nine Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) riparian habitat restoration sites because of sufficient soil moisture.

Water Use in Acre-Feet (AF)

January - March 2005 0.00 AF

Year-to-date 0.00 AF

MONITORING OF RIPARIAN VEGETATION: During the winter season, the District suspends the riparian vegetation monitoring program. The monitoring of soil moisture and pre-dawn leaf water potential (a measure of vegetation moisture stress) will resume in May of 2005. Typically during the months of May through October, staff takes weekly measurements of leaf water potential on target willow and cottonwood trees to provide an indication of plant water stress and corresponding soil moisture levels at four locations (Cañada, San Carlos, Valley Hills, and Schulte). Combined with monthly readings from the District’s array of monitoring wells and pumping records for large-capacity Carmel Valley wells in the Cal-Am system, the District’s monitoring provides insight into the status of soil moisture through the riparian corridor.

OTHER TASKS PERFORMED SINCE THE JANUARY 2005 QUARTERLY REPORT:

1. French Broom (Genista) Eradication in District Restoration Projects: District staff (Bekker and Lyons) have been removing an invasive weed (French broom, or genista) from the Schulte Restoration Project and the All Saints Restoration Project sites. French broom competes with native plants and can become problematic if left unchecked.  

2. Monterey County Health Department Meeting: On January 25, 2005, District staff (Oliver and Christensen) met with Monterey County Health Department representatives to learn about the County’s Well Destruction Program for abandoned wells. This program is designed to protect the public against injury and possible water quality contamination from abandoned wells. The District provided information to the County on abandoned wells within the District boundary. 

3. Riparian Planting Update: During the period between January and March 2005, District staff (Lyons and Bekker) planted a total of 30 riparian trees in open areas at the DeDampierre and Red Rock Restoration Projects located along the Carmel River. Riparian plantings provide valuable habitat for threatened species and protect property from eroding river flows.

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