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ACTION PLANSCRWC chairs the Carmel River Task Force, which to periodically identifies the most important actions to help restore the Carmel River and its watershed. The most recent Action Plan update (September, 2021) is shown below.
This update is based on input from members of the Carmel River Task Force and is updated three times each year following CRTF meetings.
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The Action Plan is based on scientific studies, mission statement objectives and input from our prospective partners and the Public. Recognizing that many of the problems are related we also introduced a Cross Cutting Category (CC) that consists of 14 items. We have identified eight Action categories in order of sequence to the Watershed. These are Flows, Groundwater, Habitat, Sedimentation, Steelhead, Education, Public Safety, and Water Quantity.
In March, 1999, the Carmel River was listed as one of North America’s 10 most endangered rivers of 1999 by the group American Rivers. The nomination was based upon threats to the river that include over-pumping, non-point source pollution, continued development in the floodplain, the proposed development of a new dam on the river, and the need for greater public awareness of issues affecting the river. The Carmel River is part of the South Central Steelhead Trout (SH), “Oncorhynchus mykiss” Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) and has historically supported a run of now federally listed steelhead.
In 2001 CRWC filed an application with California State Water Control Board (CSWRCB) for a grant to conduct a Watershed Assessment and to develop an Action Plan for the Carmel River Watershed. In August 2002 the grant in the form of a contract between CSWRCB & CRWC for $198,200 was signed. The purpose of this Assessment was to provide a Carmel River Watershed Management Plan in which specific water quality goals are defined through the planning process and implementation of management measures to achieve those goals was to be the outcome of the Plan.
In this original Action we had not attempted to establish priorities across or within each of the categories. We have the conviction that conservation efforts should be managed on a watershed basis if that geographic unit has the people and organizations capable of adopting adaptive management techniques. CRWC has agency support from the Monterey County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) and the Planning and Conservation League Foundation for forming a Carmel River Task Force to review the Action Plan and set priorities. This Task Force includes representatives from many of the local, state, and federal agencies with authority over or responsibility for the Carmel River watershed, as well as some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an interest in our watershed. Among its agenda topics will be the question of allocating resources and grant monies to the best use in the watershed.
In addition, CRWC in collaboration with the Planning and Conservation League Foundation (PCLF), published a Supplemental Action Plan specifically addressing the plans for the removal of the San Clemente Dam. The original Assessment and Action Plan identified the San Clemente Dam as a major impediment to fish passage for the South Central Coast Steelhead and a major blockage to transport of sediment and the cobble that the steelhead depend on for healthy spawning grounds.
In March, 1999, the Carmel River was listed as one of North America’s 10 most endangered rivers of 1999 by the group American Rivers. The nomination was based upon threats to the river that include over-pumping, non-point source pollution, continued development in the floodplain, the proposed development of a new dam on the river, and the need for greater public awareness of issues affecting the river. The Carmel River is part of the South Central Steelhead Trout (SH), “Oncorhynchus mykiss” Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) and has historically supported a run of now federally listed steelhead.
In 2001 CRWC filed an application with California State Water Control Board (CSWRCB) for a grant to conduct a Watershed Assessment and to develop an Action Plan for the Carmel River Watershed. In August 2002 the grant in the form of a contract between CSWRCB & CRWC for $198,200 was signed. The purpose of this Assessment was to provide a Carmel River Watershed Management Plan in which specific water quality goals are defined through the planning process and implementation of management measures to achieve those goals was to be the outcome of the Plan.
In this original Action we had not attempted to establish priorities across or within each of the categories. We have the conviction that conservation efforts should be managed on a watershed basis if that geographic unit has the people and organizations capable of adopting adaptive management techniques. CRWC has agency support from the Monterey County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) and the Planning and Conservation League Foundation for forming a Carmel River Task Force to review the Action Plan and set priorities. This Task Force includes representatives from many of the local, state, and federal agencies with authority over or responsibility for the Carmel River watershed, as well as some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with an interest in our watershed. Among its agenda topics will be the question of allocating resources and grant monies to the best use in the watershed.
In addition, CRWC in collaboration with the Planning and Conservation League Foundation (PCLF), published a Supplemental Action Plan specifically addressing the plans for the removal of the San Clemente Dam. The original Assessment and Action Plan identified the San Clemente Dam as a major impediment to fish passage for the South Central Coast Steelhead and a major blockage to transport of sediment and the cobble that the steelhead depend on for healthy spawning grounds.