Kayak Tours Concession Operation
Summary
SCH Number
2006078133
Public Agency
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Document Title
Kayak Tours Concession Operation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/12/2006
Document Description
Provide guided Kayak Tours of Carmel River State Beach and parts of Point Lobos State Reserve by State contracted Concessionaire. Tours will be offered seven days a week, Saturday and Sunday being the most common days. Maximum capacity is six clients per tour. Only one tour operates per day. Start times are flexible to adapt to weather patterns, but always run during daylight hours. Tours operate on days with a swell of less than eight feet and winds of less than 15 knots. Weather beyond these limits will cause cancellation. All tours use closed-deck, double sea-kayaks. Clients are provided with 30-45 minutes of on-land kayaking instruction prior to tour departure. They are required to wear life vests at all times. On-water paddling time lasts approximately two to three hours. A six hour tour is offered to Stillwater Cove and back, though uncommon. Safety equipment which is carried at all times includes: VHF radio, cell phone, signal flares, whistle, First Aid kit, tow ropes, and kayak-specific rescue equipment. Tours follow a set route: launching from Monastery Beach, paddling occurs along the outer perimeter of the kelp canopy, heading towards Whalers' Cove. Tours may enter, but never land within Whalers' Cove. Proceeding towards the 'Point', tours may enter the outer edge of Bluefish Cove, if no animals will be disturbed by this activity. Bluefish Cove will not be entered while animals are resting or nesting there. Tours then proceed along the northern coast of the Reserve until the Sea Lion Rocks are within view, or until conditions get uncomfortable. Tours do not proceed south as there are complicated currents and many colonies of animals that are easily disturbed beyond this point. Tours then head towards Carmel River State Beach by the Carmel River lagoon. From here, tours make their way back to Monastery Beach along the edge of the kelp canopy. This is a round-trip of about four miles, and is suitable for average paddlers under normal, summer season conditions.
Contact Information
Name
Jill Poudrette
Agency Name
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Carmel, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Counties
Monterey
Other Location Info
Carmel River State Beach and Point Lobos State Reserve, off Highway 1 in Carmel
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
Project consists of the operation or minor alteration of existing facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of an existing use and is consistent with the Department of Parks and Recreation's list of exempt activities in accordance with CCR § 15300.4.
Disclaimer: The document was originally posted before CEQAnet had the capability to host attachments for the public. To obtain the original attachments for this document, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613.