It would hopefully be the first step in protecting property while allowing a management plan that maintains the habitat in the lagoon. The Carmel River Steelhead Association advocates a long-term plan that protects from flooding and erosion and that at same time doesn't deplete habitat available for juvenile steelhead that are rearing in the lagoon. |
That's going to be the big stumbling block. The Coastal Commission has expressed resistance to any armoring. But when you compare it to other armoring that's been approved... we want to do armoring to protect private property so we can manage a habitat better to protect two (threatened) species, steelhead trout and red-legged frogs. |
There's more and more data highlighting the importance of the lagoon in the rearing phase. |