Oak Leaves Newsletter
June 2018
Check out the latest addition of the Oak Leaves Newsletter and stay up-to-date on all news and events for the Oak Shores community including important announcements and activities including events and more!
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June 2018
Lake Nacimiento Weather and Water Update:
Lake Naci is at approximate 36% capacity with an elevation of 745.8 feet and a total of 9.74 inches of rainfall so far this season. Both Main Marina and West Ramp are open for launching.
News from NRWMAC
June 2018
The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) is releasing water from Lake Nacimiento at an unprecedented rate. To understand just how much water is being sent down the river, follow this link to the stream gauge monitor maintained by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) at the base of the dam at Lake Nacimiento Reservoir: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv/?site_no=11149400&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060 The data presented on the USGS website is generally more reliable than that which MCWRA publishes:http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=22189.)
On April 26, 2018, the Nacimiento Regional Water Management Advisory Committee (NRWMAC) served MCWRA with a petition, signed by 6,000 plus citizens, demanding the release be curtailed. MCWRA appears to be disregarding the will of the people who signed the petition inasmuch as it continues the water release unabated. By doing so, MCWRA is perpetuating the myth that Monterey County, and more specifically, the farmers in the Salinas Valley, “own” the water in the reservoir. First, this is not true: under the California Constitution, the water in any reservoir in this state, belongs to the people of this state.[1] Second, MCWRA’s operating license from the California State Water Resources Agency enumerates the various uses for the water it manages, which are “ . . . for irrigation, domestic, municipal, industrial, and recreational uses.” The operating license does not distinguish any one of these uses as carrying any more or any less weight than any other use. Yet it is now, and always has been, the recreational component that suffers due to MCWRA’s mismanagement. Although NRWMAC has been fighting to maintain the lake level at 748 feet above mean sea level (MSL), MCWRA is determined to lower it to 730 feet MSL, at which level lake activity is adversely impacted. As a consequence, NRWMAC believes it is necessary to retain a water rights attorney to examine any and all legal options to pursue against MCWRA, including an immediate cessation of the massive and unreasonable water releases.immediate cessation of the massive and unreasonable water releases. NRWMAC is currently engaged in researching and interviewing qualified attorneys and is setting up a GoFundMe page to help finance attorney fees. It will shortly announce when and how donations can be made.
With the water levels dropping it is more important than ever to bring Park Rangers back to the lake in numbers sufficient to maintain center-line buoys and mark shallow water hazards (in addition to apprehending intoxicated boaters, issuing tickets for invasive mussel violations, preventing crime, and handling emergencies). If you haven’t done so already, please sign the other petition at: http://nrwmac.org/save-the-dragon/park-ranger-staffing-at-lake-nacimiento-petition/. This petition will be served on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in approximately mid-June, 2018.
NRWMAC continues to support the Lake Nacimiento Mussel Prevention program in conjunction with SLO County. NRWMAC and SLO County team-teach the Level I Mussel Screener and Re-Certification Programs, as well as the Resident Vessel Program.
At the April MCWRA/Reservoir Operations Committee meeting in Salinas, attended by Steve Blois, a NRWMAC Director, the following information was discussed: The spillway “underdrains” at Lake San Antonio are blocked, which will cause uplift and tear the structure apart if they are ever used again. (Note that plugged drains were the main cause of the Oroville spillway failure.) Additionally, the spillway’s concrete is leaching, causing deterioration. MCWRA will have to cut into the spillway to determine how to unclog these drains, if it can. The estimates to proceed on this are in the several-million-dollar range – money which Monterey County does not have. MCWRA alleges that the County of San Luis Obispo will be responsible for up to 40% of this cost.
MCWRA’s consultant has completed spillway reports for both dams as required by the California Department of Water Resources/Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). Neither report has been accepted yet. The Lake San Antonio spillway has entire concrete slabs that will need to be replaced.
MCWRA has already performed $200,000 worth of work on the Lake Nacimiento spillway, and is mostly done, although it has still not received inspection approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Approval by this federal agency is required because of the hydroelectric plant. The hydroelectric plant itself had to be repaired in April due to cavitation, and was out of service for four weeks because of a failed switch. Ironically, this switch had to be obtained on E-Bay, as it is no longer available from the supplier. There is a chance MCWRA will have to do even more work on the Nacimiento Reservoir dam, as there “might” be issues with the slab thickness, which doesn’t meet current design standards and lacks the required amount of reinforcing steel.
Monterey County is responsible for road maintenance (including paving, signs, guard rails, etc.) for one mile on either side of the centerline of the dam. Monterey County does not have any money for this, either, and has suggested, quite seriously, that it is considering charging a toll to fund this work.
MCWRA is getting a “Quagga dog” to sniff out invasive mussels on watercraft intending to launch on Lake Nacimiento. It also took down the invasive mussel warning sign on the 101 Freeway in order to use the rental money to acquire more warning signs at the lake.
At the meeting, Director Blois indicated that MCWRA’s release schedules had been wrong for the previous 3 months. His point was disregarded. Moreover, MCWRA intends to continue conservation releases thru mid-September of 2018.
Tunnel Report: MCWRA is looking at alternative designs for the Lake San Antonio spillway, and is re-visiting all of their preliminary modeling work. Its consultant is re-doing the baseline study to see if it matches with MCWRA’s previous consultant’s work. A baseline needs to be established before MCWRA can model the effects of various tunnel configurations. When completed, the modeling work and back-up data will be made available for public review. MCWRA has preliminary soils data from the geotechnical testing it has done, which is not as good as what was hoped for, but MCWRA believes it will present no problems. MCWRA continues to work to try to resolve the white bass issue, and is considering 5 mm screens for the tunnel invert. Finally, the Lake San Antonio dam raise will require a much beefier spillway, and may require a complete replacement.
Lake recreation: Monterey County is battling low lake level perceptions with advertising; the resort is busier this year than last, but this is not expected to continue. Whether it actually believes it or not, MCWRA states that all launch ramps remain in the water down to 730 feet MSL, “so recreation shouldn’t be affected all that much.” NRWMAC Director Blois vigorously refuted this assertion, and reminded MCWRA that NRWMAC has been arguing for years that ramps are in the mud at 730 feet MSL, and that the recreation level of the lake must remain at 748 feet MSL.
SLO: A new developer adjacent to Oak Shores (Tr. 2182) is presenting an environmental impact report (EIR) on 5/18/18, with a public hearing to be held sometime in September. The developer will be required to upgrade the existing Oak Shores’ sewer system and move the spray field approximately 1½ miles to the north.
HELP NRWMAC SAVE THE DRAGON
“Save The Dragon” is not simply a turn of phrase; it’s a fervent plea for help. Lake Nacimiento is not going to save itself from MCWRA’s mismanagement. Without a court’s intervention, MCWRA is not going to realize the error of its profligate ways and turn off the drain spigot all by itself. NRWMAC has a real opportunity to correct this dire situation before the lake declines to a level that adversely affects recreation and desirability, but it’s going to take litigation funding support from all lake property owners and users. Please look for NRWMAC’s announcement of the GoFundMe campaign, as mentioned above, and then donate. And please circulate this newsletter to everyone you know.
California Constitution, Article 10, section 2:
It is hereby declared that because of the conditions prevailing in this State the general welfare requires that the water resources of the State be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, and that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that the conservation of such waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and for the public welfare. The right to water or to the use or flow of water in or from any natural stream or water course in this State is and shall be limited to such water as shall be reasonably required for the beneficial use to be served, and such right does not and shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use or unreasonable method of diversion of water.
We are still in desperate need of volunteers to join the recreation committee so it is not always the same few volunteers working every event. We love meeting new people and new ideas and everyone loves to have fun! Please call Janice Gillenwater at 805-472-9404.
Oak Shores Community Gate Hours
Sunday-Thursday 7:00 am-8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 7:00 am-9:00 pm
~ Subject to change at a moment’s notice.
All mussel inspections will be done at the gate. Kayaks need mussel inspection and permit.
Lake Nacimiento State of the Market Report
The market is getting hot! This is the time to sell if you have been thinking of selling.
Properties SOLD in Lake Nacimiento in 2018
1. 2466 Captains Walk, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $315,000 on 02/14/18
2. 2347 Lakeview Drive, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $451,700 on 04/06/18
3. 2857 Spike Court, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $420,000 on 04/10/18
4. 2600 Captains Walk, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $525,000 on 04/19/2018
5. 8118 Cove Lane, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $239,500 on 04/27/18
6. 2362 Rough Road, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $365,000 on 04/27/18
7. 2667 Tree Trap Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1382 Acres, Sold For $10,000 on 05/04/18
8. 2370 Rough Road, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $339,000 on 05/16/18
9. 8765 Deer Trail Court, Bradley – Single Family, Sold For $385,000 on 05/18/18
10. 3123 Beach Circle, Bradley – Vacant Land, Sold For $147,250 on 06/12/18
Properties Currently UNDER CONTRACT in Lake Nacimiento
1. 2451 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1469 Acres, Currently Listed For $22,000
2. 2276 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1221 Acres, Currently Listed For $29,000
3. 2650 Tree Trap Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $295,000
4. 2508 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $299,000
5. 2426 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $299,900
6. 8824 Deer Trail Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $339,000
7. 8064 Pine Branch Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $529,000
Properties Currently Just REDUCED in Lake Nacimiento
1. 2709 Turkey Cove Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1206 Acres, Currently Listed For $85,000
2. 2677 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1963 Acres, Currently Listed For $37,500
3. 2349 Lakeview Drive, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1584 Acres, Currently Listed For $16,500
4. 2603 S. Captains Walk Avenue, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1414 Acres, Currently Listed For $16,000
Properties Currently ACTIVE in Oak Shores
1. 2603 S. Captains Walk Avenue, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1414 Acres, Currently Listed For $16,000
2. 2349 Lakeview Drive, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1584 Acres, Currently Listed For $16,500
3. 2465 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1722 Acres, Currently Listed For $17,500
4. 2451 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1469 Acres, Currently Listed For $22,000
5. 2579 Oak Shores Drive, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1148 Acres, Currently Listed For $24,000
6. 2251 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1594 Acres, Currently Listed For $25,000
7. 2276 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1221 Acres, Currently Listed For $29,000
8. 2440 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1356 Acres, Currently Listed For $30,000
9. 2677 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1963 Acres, Currently Listed For $37,500
10. 2658 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .2663 Acres, Currently Listed For $39,900
11. 2463 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1241 Acres, Currently Listed For $45,000
12. 2263 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .17 Acres, Currently Listed For $45,000
13. 8509 Fan Court, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1148 Acres, Currently Listed For $47,000
14. 2505 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1593 Acres, Currently Listed For $49,000
15. 2631 Crows Nest Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .11 Acres, Currently Listed For $49,000
16. 2472 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1286 Acres, Currently Listed For $50,000
17. 2517 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1240 Acres, Currently Listed For $64,500
18. 2450 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1303 Acres, Currently Listed For $69,000
19. 2468 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1339 Acres, Currently Listed For $69,950
20. 2709 Turkey Cove Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1206 Acres, Currently Listed For $85,000
21. 2280 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1333 Acres, Currently Listed For $90,000
22. 2645 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, Currently Listed For $99,000
23. 2879 Saddle Way, Bradley – Vacant Land, 12,123 SqFt, Currently Listed For $99,900
24. 8417 Capstan Circle, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1509 Acres, Currently Listed For $105,000
25. 2298 Ridge Rider Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1616 Acres, Currently Listed For $125,000
26. 8745 Bluff Court, Bradley – Vacant Land, .2043 Acres, Currently Listed For $139,000
27. 8066 Pine Branch Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .1474 Acres, Currently Listed For $165,000
28. 2629 Captains Walk, Bradley – Vacant Land, .186 Acres, Currently Listed For $179,000
29. 0 Interlake Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, 48 Acres, Currently Listed For $195,000
30. 8137 Smith Point Road, Bradley – Vacant Land, .2181 Acres, Currently Listed For $199,000
31. 8800 Deer Trail, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $200,000
32. 2650 Tree Trap Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $295,000
33. 2182 Ridge Rider Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $297,500
34. 2508 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $299,000
35. 2426 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $299,900
36. 2430 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $319,500
37. 2656 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $325,000
38. 8824 Deer Trail Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $339,000
39. 6075 Nacimiento Shores Road #20, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $339,900
40. 2448 Stern Deck Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $359,000
41. 2361 Rough Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $399,000
42. 8802 Deer Trail Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $429,000
43. 2501 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $439,900
44. 2506 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $439,900
45. 8802 Circle Oak Drive, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $449,000
46. 8061 Pine Branch Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $460,000
47. 8813 Deer Trail Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $495,000
48. 2662 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $499,000
49. 2602 Captains, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $519,000
50. 8270 Anchor Way, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $525,000
51. 2522 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $529,000
52. 8064 Pine Branch Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $529,000
53. 2537 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $545,000
54. 2275 Lariat Loop, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $549,000
55. 6075 Nacimiento Shores Road #18, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $575,000
56. 2320 Lakeview Drive, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $589,000
57. 8418 Capstan Circle, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $650,000
58. 8209 Bass Point Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $669,000
59. 2646 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $694,000
60. 2607 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $699,000
61. 8132 Smith Point, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $699,000
62. 8763 Pronghorn Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $710,000
63. 2690 Pine Ridge Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $719,500
64. 8761 Pronghorn Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $720,000
65. 8765 Pronghorn Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $725,000
66. 8840 Cantinas Point, Bradley – Vacant Land, 2.59 Acres, Currently Listed For $725,000
67. 2719 Lookout Loop, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $824,000
68. 8736 Bluff Court, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $849,000
69. 8816 Circle Oak Drive, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $859,000
70. 2575 Shoreline Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $899,000
71. 8059 Pine Branch Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $1,080,000
72. 5790 Nacimiento Shores Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $1,485,000
73. 8143 Smith Point Road, Bradley – Single Family, Currently Listed For $1,675,000
74. 0 Oak Shores Drive, Bradley – Vacant Land, 363.57 Acres, Currently Listed for $6,900,000