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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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10. |
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF 2010
ANNUAL MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR RELEASES FROM |
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Meeting
Date: |
May 17, 2010 |
Budgeted: |
N/A |
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From: |
Darby Fuerst, |
Program/ |
Aquatic Resources and |
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General Manager |
Line Item No.: |
Hydrologic Monitoring |
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Prepared
By: |
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Cost Estimate:
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N/A |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on May 7, 2010 and recommended approval. |
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CEQA Compliance: Consistent
with SWRCB WR Order Nos. 95-10, 98-04, 2002-0002, 2009-0060
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ESA Compliance: Consistent with the September 2001 and
February 2009 Conservation Agreements between the National Marine Fisheries
Service and California American Water to minimize take of listed steelhead in
the Carmel River.
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SUMMARY: Representatives from the Monterey Peninsula
Water Management District (MPWMD), California American Water (CAW), the California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), and National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) met on May 5, 2010 to negotiate the terms and conditions for the 2010
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for releases and diversions from San Clemente
Reservoir to the
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board approve the 2010 MOA and direct the General Manager to sign the agreement.
BACKGROUND: To determine
minimum flow releases to the Carmel River below San Clemente Dam during the
low-flow period (i.e., generally May through December), the District annually
enters into an agreement with CAW and CDFG.
In general, the MOA specifies the minimum release that must be
maintained from San Clemente Reservoir to the
In addition to the requirements discussed above, CAW’s ability to divert surface flow at San Clemente Dam is also constrained by implementation of the San Clemente Dam Drawdown Project (SCDDP), which is mandated by the California Department of Water Resources’ Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). A primary requirement of the SCDDP is the lowering of the water surface elevation in the reservoir to reduce the risk of flooding during a seismic failure of the dam. Under the 2010 drawdown plan, CAW is required to begin the initial drawdown on or as soon as possible after May 31, 2010, subject to river flow conditions. In 2009, the drawdown began on June 1, with the reservoir water level drawn down by approximately 0.5 feet each day.
Based on current reservoir storage and projected “above normal” inflow conditions for the remainder of Calendar Year 2010, it was agreed by all parties at the May 5, 2010 meeting that CAW would meet or exceed the following minimum flow releases from San Clemente Reservoir to the Carmel River (as measured at the Sleepy Hollow Weir) of 48.0 cfs in June, 25.0 cfs in July, 12.0 cfs in August, 12.0 cfs in September and October, and 12.0 cfs from November through December 2010. The projected monthly inflows, spills, releases, diversions and storage values for the June - December 2010 period are shown on Exhibit A of Exhibit 10-A. The parties will continue to monitor runoff throughout the year and will meet to reconsider whether or not any further modifications are needed, if actual inflow and storage significantly differ from the expectations. Exhibit A of Exhibit 10-A also includes actual values for the January - April 2010 period, which are shown in bold type.[1]
To maximize the instream flow
benefits from the proposed releases, the 2010 MOA also includes a condition
that limits the amount of water pumped from CAW's production wells in the Upper
Carmel Valley (i.e., above the Narrows) to levels required for maintenance of
the wells (Exhibit 10-B). This limitation and schedule includes the
former Water West wells that are now owned and operated by CAW. Similarly, the MOA includes a provision that
CAW will make all reasonable efforts to operate its
Lastly, to ensure maximum benefit
to the
In the event that CAW has not exceeded their annual production limit
from both the Coastal Subareas of the Seaside Groundwater Basin and the Carmel
River sources, CAW shall make every reasonable effort to withdraw water from
the Seaside Basin before pumping water out of the Carmel River in order to
preserve flows and instream habitat for listed species, consistent with the
Quarterly Budget amounts.
The
proposed MOA may be modified by mutual consent of all the parties and will be
monitored weekly by representatives of the three parties. It should be noted that the releases and
operations specified in the MOA are intended to be consistent with the releases
and diversions that will be proposed on June 3, 2010 for the Quarterly Water
Supply Strategy and Budget for CAW for the July-September 2010 period. If approved, the 2010 MOA becomes effective
June 1, 2010, and extends through December 31, 2010.
IMPACT ON STAFF AND FISCAL RESOURCES: Due to the “above normal” inflows that may occur during the remainder of the year, staff expects that the lower river will begin drying-up in late June or early July and prompt steelhead rescue efforts. In this regard, District staff will begin the startup and operation of the District’s Sleepy Hollow Steelhead Rearing Facility (Facility) in late May or early June.
10-A 2010 Memorandum of
Agreement between
10-B Maintenance
and Water Quality Pumping Schedule, 2010
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