Title
Consider receiving an update on the development of a Groundwater Monitoring Regulatory Program and Fee and receiving an update on the Groundwater Extraction Management System expansion draft ordinance and providing direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Receive an update on the development of a Groundwater Monitoring Regulatory Program and Fee and receiving an update on the Groundwater Extraction Management System expansion draft ordinance and providing direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Agency and Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVB) have been collaborating on the expansion of the Agency’s 30-year-old GEMS program to meet the SVB’s current regulatory requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. An initial draft of the proposed new ordinance was presented to the Agency’s Personnel & Administration Committee on May 5th and has been the subject of numerous stakeholder meetings since. In response to questions and comments received, the Agency has revised the draft ordinance for initial review by the Board of Directors. The Agency is also working to establish a Groundwater Monitoring Regulatory Program (GMRP) Manual and Fee to more fully describe the breadth of the Agency’s groundwater monitoring work, beyond the GEMS expansion that has been the primary focus of attention, and associated costs. The Agency has also initiated the GMRP regulatory fee nexus study. The draft ordinance will be again considered by the Directors at their August 19th meeting.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
FINANCING:
This effort is being financed by Fund 116 or grant funding provided by the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, as appropriate.
Prepared by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _________________________________________________
Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. WRA Groundwater Monitoring Regulatory Program Update Presentation
2. Draft Well Registration Reporting Ordinance_7.9.24
3. Draft Groundwater Monitoring Regulatory Program Manual