On 01.11.2016 the Board of Supervisors agreed to accept a EUR9 million state grant for the EUR70.43 million Interlake Tunnel project pending final terms. The supervisors adopted a resolution of intent to accept the grant funding made available through state legislation, with final grant terms expected to be completed by mid-November and final county approval by December. At the same time, county staff made it clear accepting the funds does not commit the county to approving the tunnel project. This funding will be used for further investigation (of the project benefits). The Interlake Tunnel is a proposed beneficial project under the auspices of MCWRA (Monterey County Water Resources Agency) to provide flood control and enhance the quantity of water supply for Monterey County. The Interlake Tunnel is planned to consist of a 3.3km gravity flow tunnel with an intake structure in Nacimiento Reservoir and an exit structure in San Antonio. Both Lakes Nacimiento and San Antonio are managed by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency. Lake Nacimiento can reach capacity three times faster than Lake San Antonio. The Interlake Tunnel Project will allow excess water from Lake Nacimiento to be transported and stored in Lake San Antonio, instead of losing that water to flooding.
The Interlake Tunnel has been divided into three phases: project feasibility, including preliminary engineering and water rights requirements analysis; pre-construction tasks, including environmental review, permit applications, geotechnical and final design, right-of-way acquisition and financing arrangements; and construction.
The MCWRA, with approval of the Board of Supervisors of the MCWRA, proceeded to contract with a Program Manager to begin project feasibility and pre-construction tasks. However, the MCWRA will not proceed beyond the preliminary engineering and water rights requirements analysis until environmental review is completed and authorization to proceed is received from the Board of Supervisors of the MCWRA.
For further information on the project click here and visit http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us/interlake_tunnel/interlake_tunnel.php. 44/16.
