Title
a. Receive a status report on process for response to Board of Supervisors referral 2014.01 regarding Commencement/Completion of Salinas Valley Zone 2C Groundwater Basin Study; and
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a status report on process for response to Board of Supervisors referral 2014.01 regarding Commencement/Completion of Salinas Valley Zone 2C Groundwater Basin Study; and
b. Provide direction to staff as appropriate.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to update the Board on the status of efforts to respond to referral 2014.01.
DISCUSSION:
Chair Calcagno submitted referral 2014.01 on February 14, 2014. The purpose of the referral is to commence the Salinas Valley Zone ZC groundwater basin study required by County General Plan Policy PS-3.1 and to perform a near term assessment of the groundwater basins health and status, no later than by August 1, 2014.
Agreed to as part of the settlement of litigation with the Salinas Valley Water Coalition et al, General Plan Policy PS-3.1 requires the County to undertake a study of the Zone ZC groundwater basin to provide a sustainable supply of water for land uses projected in the General Plan to exist in 2030. The study has not yet been commenced; the purpose of the referral is to achieve commencement and completion of a near term study which will be an integral component of the large study required from Policy PS-3.1.
Staff from the County Administrative Office, County Counsel, Water Resource Agency and RMA/Planning has met to develop a recommended approach to respond to the referral. The following is staff's suggested approach:
1. As a result of General Plan Policy PS-3.1 and the settlement of litigation between Salinas Valley Water Coalition, et al and the County of Monterey, the study is an obligation of the County. The County will therefore fund the study, and it will be managed by RMA with the assistance of WRA.
2. The study was originally estimated to cost approximately $100,000 per year (total of $500,000). WRA has been in contact with a consultant to get an updated estimate and discuss a potential scope of work. We will report on the results of those discussions as soon as they have been completed.
3. The County will need to compensate WRA for its services, and negotiations are on-going with WRA regarding the scope of its services and the cost. A written agreement between the County and WRA will be necessary, and an agreement will be drafted to be considered by the WRA Board of Directors and then the Board of Supervisors acting for both the County and WRA.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The report has been prepared by the CAO-Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division (CAO-IGLA) in coordination with County Counsel, WRA and RMA/Planning.
FINANCING:
Sufficient funds exist within the authorized FY 2013-14 budget for General Plan implementation to begin work this fiscal year. Appropriate funds will need to be budgeted to complete the study required by the referral in FY 2014-15.
Prepared by:
_________________________________ _________________________________
Nicholas E. Chiulos Leslie J. Girard
Assistant County Administrative Officer Chief Assistant County Counsel
Ext. 5145 Ext. 5365
Cc: Benny Young, Resource Management Agency
Carl Holm, Resource Management Agency
Mike Novo, Resource Management Agency/Planning
Dave Chardavoyne, Water Resource Agency
Robert Johnson, Water Resource Agency
Mari Beraz, CAO-Budget & Analysis Division