Park district pushes fast-track fuels-reduction plan for Laguna Grande; JPA directs staff to file CEQA exemption

Jake Smith, planning and conservation program manager for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, outlined a proposal to use a one-time Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) to accelerate vegetation management at Laguna Grande, telling the JPA that the plan “essentially proposes to treat 12.8 acres of vegetation management” to reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat conditions.

The draft under­story-thinning project focuses on removing dead, diseased and highly flammable understory material, prioritizing invasive species and nonnative plants, and opening vertical and horizontal separation between understory and canopy. Smith said the program “allows us to basically to go through and advance this very, very rapidly without having to go through a very lengthy permitting process” while following a set of agency‑vetted best-management practices.

The park district asked the board to direct member-agency staff to collaborate on implementation and to authorize filing a notice of exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act on behalf of the JPA, mirroring the filing the park district intends to submit. The board moved and indicated support by voice vote; the chair called the tally “Aye.”

Why it matters: the EPP is a temporary, exceptional pathway created under a governor-declared emergency to streamline certain permits and CEQA review for fuels-reduction work. If the JPA and the park district meet procedural prerequisites — including tribal consultation and pre-project surveys — initiating the project by the statutory deadline would provide two years of streamlined coverage for phased implementation.

Funding and workforce: Smith said the park district has set aside $65,000 in its FY 26/27 budget toward the effort and has applied for a California Conservation Corps (CCC) crew to provide labor. He estimated that an outsourced crew for the scale of work described could cost “a 100 to $150,000” for a month of 12–15 personnel if outside funding is needed. The park district plans to stage the work in chapters over the two‑year window and to use a mix of CCC crews, contracted crews and city staff where possible.

Timing and safeguards: Smith noted remaining administrative steps the park district must complete, including tribal notification and scheduling pre-project biological surveys. If those steps are satisfied, the park district expects to initiate field work as soon as crews are available and targeted the Oct. 15 initiation deadline for EPP eligibility. He said sensitive habitats will be treated more conservatively and that the EPP does not exempt projects from applicable local or federal statutes and regulations.

Related grant and local coordination work: Monterey staff updated the board on two state grant efforts — a concept submittal for an Urban Greening grant (about $375,000) and a Coastal Conservancy request (~$225,000) focused on invasive-species removal — that could fund invasive-species work and community-garden opportunities on portions of Laguna Grande. Ty Snorton, Monterey’s park operations manager, said Monterey would contribute $20,000 in matching funds to the Coastal Conservancy application. Nicole Banks, Monterey’s parks director, said the community-garden relocation is still in early, site‑evaluation stages and that Sustainable Monterey is involved in planning and would welcome JPA engagement.

Public concerns and next steps: residents and public commenters urged clearer lines of responsibility for concrete walkway repairs and expressed frustration that visible walkways near hotels on Seaside’s side remain unrepaired. Several speakers pressed the JPA and member agencies to coordinate grant-seeking and to clarify land‑ownership and maintenance responsibilities before committing funds. In response to those comments and the new EPP opportunity, the board agreed to defer final FY 26/27 prioritization of Phase 1 trail‑maintenance tasks to its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 12 so staff can present a coordinated plan and timeline.

What the board decided: the JPA directed member-agency staff to collaborate on the Park District’s EPP proposal and supported staff filing a notice of exemption under CEQA consistent with the Park District’s filing; the board recorded a voice approval. Staff said they will pursue tribal consultation, pre-project surveys and conservation‑crew arrangements and will report back with a more detailed implementation timeline at the October meeting.

The JPA meeting ended with the board adjourning at 07:55.