ITEM:  CONSENT CALENDAR

 

2.

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO REMOVE INSTREAM CONCRETE SLAB AND PARTICIPATE IN NOAA RESTORATION CENTER AND CALIFORNIA CONSERVATION CORPS GRANT PROGRAM

 

Meeting Date:

August 18, 2008

Budgeted:  Yes

 

From:

Darby Fuerst

Program/

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:  2.1.4

 

Prepared By:                  

Thomas Christensen

Cost Estimate:  $2,035

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee considered this item on August 12, 2008 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY: A large concrete slab/abutment (14 feet long, 6.5 feet wide, and 1.3 feet thick associated with an old bridge that was removed) located just below Esquiline Road Bridge (Robles del Rio) has been identified by District staff as a problem. This remnant abutment impacts a historical spawning area by preventing streambed access for steelhead, and essentially covers up its associated gravel bar. In addition, the concrete may be contributing to the formation of a mid-stream island that consistently needs vegetation management. This concrete abutment also presents a safety hazard for recreational boaters that often encounter this obstruction during high flow, some of which contains sharp protruding metal. The Board will consider authorizing staff to partner with the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Restoration Center by providing rental equipment costs to help remove the large concrete slab/abutment, while the CCC and NOAA Restoration Center cover the labor costs (Exhibit 2-A).    

 

This project is conducted in accordance with the District’s “Guidelines for Vegetation Management and Removal of Deleterious Materials for the Carmel River Riparian Corridor,” which is incorporated as part of the District’s Regional General Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Carmel River activities.  

 

RECOMMENDATION:  District staff recommends that the Board authorize the General Manager to enter into the partnership with the California Conservation Corps and NOAA Restoration Center to help with equipment rental at a cost not to exceed $2,035. 

 

BACKGROUND:      The NOAA Restoration Center has a grant program that partners with the CCC on specific projects that can demonstrate environmental benefits. The District contacted the NOAA Restoration Center and the CCC and asked if they would be interested in helping District staff remove a concrete slab/abutment below Esquiline Road Bridge (Robles del Rio). An agreement is being finalized between NOAA Restoration Center and the CCC that would include funding of the CCC labor at a cost of $10,260 for the concrete slab removal. The remaining cost for rental of the equipment to remove the slab/abutment is $2,035 and would be the District’s contribution responsibility.

 

 

 

MPWMD Matching Contributions

 

Equipment

Quantity

Cost

Total per Day

Total for Week

Compressor Trailer

1

$95

$95

$475

Hoses

6

$10

$60

$300

Jack hammer

2

$60

$120

$600

Points

6

$10

$60

$60

Cutoff Saw

1

$60

$60

$300

Saw Blade

1

$300

$300

$300

Equipment Subtotal

 

 

 

$2,035

 

 

 

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES:  The total not-to-exceed amount for the project equipment rental would be $2,035.  In addition, the District will be providing in-kind services associated with the grant at an approximate cost of $4,500. Therefore, the total impact on staff and resources including in-kind services and equipment rental is $6,535. Funds for this work are included in the Fiscal Year 2008-09 Budged under Project Expenditures, Item 2-1-4: “Address vegetation hazards; remove trash from channel” - $12,000 total, Account No. 4-03-7870.40.  The person responsible for administration of the grant is Brenda Herrmann of the CCC and Thomas Christensen, the District’s Riparian Project Coordinator, will supervise the work. The District has been advised that there is a small chance that the CCC will alter the project start date, if there is a fire emergency on a large scale similar to the lightning fires that started in California in June.

 

EXHIBIT

2-A  CCC & NOAA Restoration Center Partnership Project Proposal Application Form

 

 

 

 

 

 

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