SCH Number 2011021038

Project Info

Title

Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enchancement Project

Description

The Monterey County Resource Management Agency (County) proposes to implement the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Enhancement Project (Project). The proposed project consists of two interdependent project components: the Floodplain Restoration and the Causeway. The Floodplain Restoration Component consists of (1) remove approx. 1,470 linear feet of non-structural earthen levees on the south side of the Carmel River channel; (2) grading on approx. 100 acres to restore the site's ecological function as a floodplain by creating the hydrogeomorphic characteristics necessary to support floodplain restoration activities; (3) grading to elevate approx. 23 acres of existing farmland above the 100-year floodplain elevation to create an agricultural preserve; and (4) implementation of a Restoration Management Plan (RMP). The Causeway Component consists of replacing a portion of the SR 1 roadway embankment with a 360 foot long causeway section to accommodate flood flows that enter into the south overbank area as a function of the removal of portions of the levees as described above and to restore hydrologic connectivity between the Project site and the Carmel Lagoon. The project would result in the reconnection and restoration of approx. 100 acres of historic floodplain.

5 documents in project