Release of the Revised Draft EIR for the Carmel River Lagoon and Scenic Road

The long-awaited Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (RDEIR) for the Carmel River Lagoon and Scenic Road was released this past spring, receiving mixed reviews. Much of the text from the 2016 DEIR was incorporated, rendering the conclusions and recommendations unclear and confusing. The County's "preferred project" remains uncertain, despite the evaluation of dozens of alternative solutions. The County appears to favor installing a protective structure along the Scenic Road bluffs to prevent further erosion beneath this scenic and heavily used roadway. However, further clarification is needed regarding the placement, length, and height of the wall. The solutions for the periodic flooding from the Lagoon are even more puzzling, as none of the proposed alternatives seem realistic or attainable. Fortunately, a team led by Supervisor-Elect Kate Daniels, comprising legislative staff members, is already collaborating with the various governmental agencies involved. Their goal is to refine the conclusions sufficiently to present them to the County Board of Supervisors this fall. We wish them success in this challenging endeavor!