Title
a. Review the findings and recommendations of the 2025-2026 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) report titled "Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County"; and,
b. Consider the draft response to the above-referenced 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury report; and,
c. Authorize the Board's response to be filed with the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
a. Review the findings and recommendations of the 2025-2026 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) report titled “Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County”; and,
b. Consider the draft response to the above-referenced 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury report; and,
c. Authorize the Board’s response to be filed with the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The 2025-2026 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) report titled “Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County” was issued on May 11, 2026. The Grand Jury requests responses from the Board to Findings F2, and Recommendations R2, which pertains to the Agency preparing and publicly presenting a feasibility and financing plan to build infrastructure outside of the existing Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project boundary.
Pursuant to California Penal Code, section 933, the Board is required to provide a response to the Presiding Judge within 90 days.
The recommended response is included as Exhibit A for the Board’s consideration. Upon adoption by the Board, the response will be forwarded to the County Administrative Office.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The draft response was prepared by the Water Resources Agency (WRA) in collaboration with the County Administrative Office. The matter will be presented to the County Board of Supervisors on June 23, 2026. WRA staff will be available on June 23rd to answer questions, if needed. Members of the 2025-2026 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury were invited to attend the Board of Supervisors hearing on this matter.
FINANCING:
There are no fiscal impacts to the General Fund associated with this report.
Prepared and Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Draft Board Response to 2025-2026 CGJ Report re: Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County
Exhibit B - 2025-2026 CGJ Report, dated May 11, 2026