Carmel Area State Parks Planning History
Agency/Stakeholder Meeting #1 (February 15-16, 2012)
On February 15 and 16, 2012 the planning team hosted two early coordination meetings at the Monterey District office, one for stakeholder groups and the other for agencies. At the meetings, planning team members gave a brief overview of the properties included in the General Plan, the planning process, and timeline. Following the presentation, agency members and stakeholder groups were asked to provide input on a series of questions to inform the early phases of the planning process.
Stakeholder Questionnaire
Agency Questionnaire
Stakeholder Meeting Summary
Agency Meeting Summary
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (April 4, 2012)
The General Plan is subject to environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared concurrently with the General Plan. A Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR was filed with the State Clearinghouse on April 4, 2012. See also the accompanying Notice of Completion (NOC). Public Workshop #1 also served as a CEQA scoping meeting.
Newsletter #1 (April 2012)
Carmel Area State Parks General Plan/EIR Newsletter #1 was published in April 2012.
Public Workshop #1 (April 18, 2012)
The first public workshop in support of the planning process was held on April 18, 2012 at the Rancho Cañada Golf Club in Carmel. Materials presented at the workshop can be accessed below:
Public Workshop #1 Presentation
Facilities Station:
CASPs Facilities - Art-Board 1
CASPs Facilities - Art-Board 2
Recreation Opportunities Station:
CASPs Recreation - Art-Board 1
CASPs Recreation - Art-Board 2
Resources Station:
CASPs Resources - Art Board 1
CASPs Resources - Art Board 2
Process Station:
CASPs General Plan and EIR Process
CASPs Watersheds
Comment Card
Public Workshop #1 Comments Received
Agency/Stakeholder Meeting #2 (January 14, 2015)
On January 14, 2015 a combined agency/stakeholder alternatives visioning workshop was held at the Monterey District office. The planning team gave a brief presentation reviewing the key topics heard during the first agency and stakeholder meeting, noting the important key issues, opportunities, and constraints to consider in the development of alternative ideas. Following the presentation workshop participants rotated through four breakout areas sharing ideas for possible alternative features that could be considered in the general plan alternatives. The major topics included: resource management; visitor experience and management; circulation, parking, and access; and operations and maintenance.
Workshop Summary
Workshop Participants
Newsletter #2 (June 2015)
Carmel Area State Parks General Plan/EIR Newsletter #2 was published in June 2015.
Public Workshop #2 (July 22, 2015)
A public workshop to present alternative concepts was held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at the Rancho Cañada Golf Club in Carmel. This workshop introduced the general plan alternatives under consideration and the potential resource conservation approaches, visitor uses, and facilities that could be included in the parks. The public comments, suggestions, and additional ideas related to features of the alternatives helped the planning team craft the preferred alternative.
Workshop Agenda
Presentation - Background and Alternatives
Comment Sheet
Image Boards:
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Alt. 1
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve - Alt. 2
Carmel River State Beach - Alt. 1
Carmel River State Beach - Alt. 2
Point Lobos Ranch Property - Alt. 1
Point Lobos Ranch Property - Alt. 2
Hatton Canyon Property - Alt. 1
Hatton Canyon Property - Alt. 2
Summary of Public Workshop #2 - Proposed Alternatives
Newsletter #3 (May 2016)
Carmel Area State Parks General Plan/EIR Newsletter #3 was published in May 2016.
Agency/Stakeholder Meeting #3 (June 1, 2016)
On June 1, 2016 a combined agency/stakeholder meeting on the Preferred Alternative was held at the Monterey District office. The planning team reviewed the agency/stakeholder and public comments on the draft alternative concepts and explained the realigned approach to the preffered concept in response to the comments heard. Following an overview of the preferred alternative, the planning schedule and next steps in the general plan effort were presented. Input was encouraged and each participant was provided time to share their comments.
Meeting Summary
Meeting Participants
Agency/Stakeholder Comments Received
Public Open House for Preferred Alternative (June 1, 2016)
An open house to provide information about the preferred alternative proposed for the General Plan was held on June 1, 2016 at the Rancho Canada Golf Club. The open house included a short presentation followed by a question and answer period and an opportunity to learn about the preferred alternative at park unit breakout stations. Written comments were submitted at the open house, via regular mail, and via email at plan.general@parks.ca.gov. The comment deadline ended June 25, 2016.
Open House Agenda
Sign-in Sheets
Public Open House for Preferred Alternative Presentation
Management Zones - PLSNR
Management Zones - Coastal
Management Zones - Inland
Draft Traffic and Parking Study
Comment Sheet
Public Comments Received
Summary of Public Open House for Preferred Alternative
State Park and Recreation Commission Tour/Workshop (March 24, 2017)
The California State Park and Recreation Commission held a Carmel area parks tour and public workshop on Friday, March 24, 2017. The tour, from 9 am to noon, visited state and regional parks to look at their proximity, use, and ways to maximize their usefulness to the public. The workshop, from 1 pm to 4 pm, continued the conversation on planning issues for Carmel area state parks, regional perspectives, creative solutions, and partnerships. The workshop was held at the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center, 4860 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93923.
Public Notice
Agenda
Flyer
Draft Preferred Alternative Map - Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Draft Preferred Alternative Map - New State Park-Coastal Area
Draft Preferred Alternative Map - New State Park-Inland Area
Draft Preferred Alternative Map - Hatton Canyon
Newsletter #4 (July 2018)
Carmel Area State Parks General Plan/EIR Newsletter #4 was published in July 2018.
Preliminary General Plan and Draft EIR (July 2018)
The Carmel Area State Parks Preliminary General Plan (GP) and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was released for public review and comment with a comment period of July 30 - October 1, 2018. The GP/DEIR was available online and at the following locations during regular business hours:
- California State Parks, Monterey District Office, 2211 Garden Rd., Monterey
- Harrison Memorial Library, Main Branch, Ocean Ave. and Lincoln St., Carmel
- Harrison Memorial Library, Park Branch, Mission St. and Sixth Ave., Carmel
- Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., Monterey
- Monterey County Free Library, Carmel Valley Branch, 65 West Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley
- John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave., Salinas
Comments on the GP/DEIR were submitted via email and via postal mail to California State Parks, Strategic Planning and Recreation Services Division.
Public Information Open House (September 10, 2018)
A public information open house was held 6:00pm - 9:00pm on September 10, 2018 at the former Rancho Canada Golf Club in the Wedgewood Wedding and Banquet Center, 4860 Carmel Valley Road. The planning team was available to answer questions and discuss the park plan and environmental analysis. Written comments on the GP/DEIR were also welcomed at the open house.
Notice of Availability
State Park and Recreation Commission Meeting (May 21, 2021)
The California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the Carmel Area State Parks General Plan (GP) and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on May 21, 2021. The following materials were presented to the Commission for their review.
Preliminary General Plan (GP) and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) (July 2018) (48.6MB)
Preliminary General Plan (GP) Revision and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) (November 2020) (173MB)
Primer for Document Review
Carmel Area State Parks Virtual Tour (April 2021) and Transcript
Carmel Area State Parks General Plan
On May 21, 2021, the California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the Carmel Area State Parks General Plan (GP) and Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The General Plan covers three state park units: Carmel River State Beach (SB), Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (SNR), and Ishxenta State Park (SP).
The General Plan has been split into four sections for easier download:
Part 1: Executive Summary / Table of Contents / Chapter 1 Introduction (11.6 MB)
Part 2: Chapter 2 Existing Conditions (15.2 MB)
Part 3: Chapter 3 Issues and Analysis / Chapter 4 Park Plan (18.2 MB)
Part 4: Chapter 5 Environmental Analysis / Chapter 6 References / Chapter 7 Report Contributors (3.4 MB)