The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) has examined 5 alternatives with the basic project purpose of providing a municipal water supply to the Monterey Peninsula that would provide adequate drought protection for existing residents and meet the long term water supply needs of planned growth. The overall project purpose is to provide adequate instream flow to protect the public trust resources of the Carmel River. The 5 alternatives studied are; a 24,000 AF New Los Padres Reservoir, either alone or combined with a 3 MGD desalination plant; a 15,000 AF Canyada Reservoir and 3 MGD Desalination Plant; a 7 MGD desalination Plant; and the No Project alternative.

The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District in California has examined 10 alternatives with the goal of providing a municipal water supply to the Monterey Peninsula that would provide adequate drought protection for existing residents and meet the long-term water supply needs of planned growth. This EIR/EIS examines the environmental consequences of the 10 project alternatives, including four reservoir sizes at two dam sites on the main stem of the Carmel River, three dam sites on tributaries to the Carmel River, one off-stream reservoir, desalination, and the No project alternative. Partial contents include vegetation, wildlife, environmental impact of reservoir and desalination plants, climate and air quality, Noise pollution, History and archaeology, Public health and safety, Land use, planning and recreation, Socioeconomics and population, employment and housing estimates, traffic, air quality, solid waste, waste water and Fiscal Impacts.