Monterey County secures funding for drainage study in the Bolsa Knolls community

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV): Help may be on the way for the people who live in the Bolsa Knolls community, just North of Salinas.

Tuesday night, the Monterey County Supervisors approved to secure funds for a drainage study to analyze and address floodplain issues near Little Bear Creek. Raul Quintero said he now has hope after finding out Monterey County secured $200,000 from the County's general fund for the flooding issues.

"I've been here for 20 years, and we've been forgotten, what can I tell you? When they want to and can, they need help us out," said Quintero.

County officials said the creek runs across multiple properties in the community. It is managed by various entities, including homeowners and agriculture land owners. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church said in order to start cleaning out Little Bear Creek, they would need to obtain permits on the federal and state level because there are endangered species living in the creek.

"There's fines and potential jail time for those who go there and do that, according to the federal government," said Supervisor Church. "It's a $50,000 fine and a year in jail for each violation, so we have to make sure we have the permits."

Supervisor Church said obtaining the permits will take time.

"Have a yearly maintenance program where we can do this," said Supervisor Church, "I'm not looking at a one time clean up, because year's later it'll be the same situation."

And for Quintero, he said he just wants the help soon. ​

"Help now, they need to be aware what's going now." said Quintero.