CARMEL RIVER TASK FORCE
ABOUT the task force
CRWC convenes and leads the Carmel River Task Force, a coalition of state, local, and national organizations dedicated to addressing projects and issues affecting the Carmel River.
For 25 years, this group—comprising government agencies, nonprofits, and educational institutions—has worked together to identify priority projects, allocate shared resources such as settlement funds, and collaborate on critical river health initiatives. This strong foundation of partnership and coordination has driven numerous transformative projects, helping to restore the river and its natural ecosystems.
CURRENT STAKEHOLDERS
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (meeting host)
NOAA Fisheries
California State Fish and Wildlife
California State Coastal Commission
Cal American Water
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Trout Unlimited
Carmel Area Wastewater District
Carmel River Steelhead Association
Carmel Valley Association
Monterey County Resource Management and Water Resource agencies
Santa Lucia Conservancy
Resource Conservation District of Monterey County
Fire Safe Council of Monterey County
Denise Duffy Associates
Big Sur Land Trust
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
California State Parks
Monterey Waterkeepers
USDA Natural Resource Conservation
Trust for Public Land
Cal State University Monterey Bay
Ventana Big Sur
Naval Postgraduate School
Carmel Chamber of Commerce
Hastings Natural History Preserve
Priorities
The CRTF voted in 2024 to establish shared research data on the Steelhead populations. This shared science data will be found here soon.
The CRWC with the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District produced this Carmel River Watershed Assessment and Action plan in 2016. This comprehensive report brings together earlier CRTF action plans and priorities with research commissioned for the San Clemente dam removal. Much of the watershed information here is still of use.
NOTES & AGENDAS
The CRTF meets once a quarter to discuss current issues and to share project updates. A few recent topics have included:
Reporting on the state of the steelhead population with input from NOAA fisheries, Cal Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and the Carmel River Steelhead Assn. Out of this meeting came some changes to the fish rescue releases and requests for shared scientific data as well as greater biologist monitoring on the tributaries. All of these are in process.
A report and discussion from the California Water Boards and from the Alexander Valley volunteer water-sharing program during drought.
A facilitated discussion on well use throughout the watershed.
Contact us if you’d like to learn more, sponsor, or participate in/suggest a discussion topic to the discussions at the CRTF.