Title
Consider receiving an update on direction given October 16, 2017 by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors; and November 14, 2017 by the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency with respect to recommendations presented in the report “Recommendations to Address the Expansion of Seawater Intrusion in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin”.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
a. Receive an update on direction given October 16, 2017 by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors with respect to recommendations presented in the report “Recommendations to Address the Expansion of Seawater Intrusion in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin”; and
b. Receive an update on direction given November 14, 2017 by the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency with respect to recommendations presented in the report “Recommendations to Address the Expansion of Seawater Intrusion in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin”.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
At a Special Joint Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Monterey County, Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and the Water Resources Agency Board of Directors (Joint Boards) on July 11, 2017 staff presented the 2015 coastal Salinas Valley seawater intrusion contours; and 2015 groundwater elevation contours. The updated extent of seawater intrusion depicted in the seawater intrusion maps along with a discussion of pathways of seawater intrusion demonstrated by the current data prompted a request from the Joint Boards that staff provide recommendations for actions to consider that, if implemented, would slow or halt further expansion of seawater intrusion.
Staff developed a report, “Recommendations to Address the Expansion of Seawater Intrusion in the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin”; which provides a discussion of the current knowledge and related background information surrounding seawater intrusion pathways and potential impacts thereof on the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin. The report also serves as a body of evidence to catalogue the findings used to support the following six recommendations made to slow or halt seawater intrusion and related impacts. In no order of priority:
1. An immediate moratorium on groundwater extractions from new wells in the Pressure 400 Foot Aquifer within an identified Area of Impact (with exemptions).
2. Enhancement and expansion of the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) Service Area.
3. Following expansion of the CSIP Service Area, termination of all pumping from existing wells within the identified Area of Impact (with exemptions).
4. Initiate and diligently proceed with destruction of selected wells in Agency Zone 2B.
5. An immediate moratorium on groundwater extractions from new wells within the entirety of the Deep Aquifers until such a time as an investigation determines its long-term viability.
6. Initiate and diligently proceed with an investigation to determine the long-term viability of the Deep Aquifers.
BOARD DIRECTION:
At its October 16, 2017 meeting the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors provided the following direction:
1. Develop an online forum to provide access for public comment on the recommendations;
2. Provide scoping and cost of a Deep Aquifers investigation;
3. Make the report and Board of Directors presentation available on line; and
4. Begin outreach to the public on the report’s recommendations.
In response to this direction staff have accomplished the following:
1. An online forum is being developed to provide access for public comment on the report’s recommendations;
2. No progress has been made to develop scoping and costs of a Deep Aquifers investigation;
3. The report and Board of Directors presentation have been made available on the Agency’s website; and,
4. Public outreach on the report’s recommendations has begun.
At its November 14, 2017 meeting the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency directed staff to provide legal briefings on actions to:
1. Develop an urgency ordinance based on the recommendation ot implement an immediate moratorium on groundwater extractions from new wells in the Pressure 400 Foot Aquifer within an identified Area of Impact: and.
2. Develop an urgency ordinance based on the recommendation to implement an immediate moratorium groundwater extractions from new wells within the entirety of the Deep Aquifers until such a time as an investigation determines its long-term viability.
In response to this direction staff have begun working with RMA-Planning, the Environmental Health Bureau, County Counsel and the CAO’s office to coordinate implementation of the above direction.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Agency staff will be working with RMA-Planning, the Environmental Health Bureau, County Counsel and the CAO’s office to coordinate implementation of the above direction.
FINANCING:
The Agency’s Adopted Budget for FY 2017-18 has no identified funding to implement these recommendations.
Prepared by: Howard Franklin, Senior Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _________________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
Board Order