Title
Hold a regional water forum to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability, and to initiate a comprehensive discussion on regional water supplies and solutions in northern Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
Hold a regional water forum to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability, and to initiate a comprehensive discussion on regional water supplies and solutions in northern Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On September 28, 2021, the Board added Supervisor Mary Adam’s Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised) to the Monterey County Board of Supervisor’s referral matrix. As stated in the referral, new information regarding water management and sustainability has come to light through the recently developed Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP). The 180/400 Foot Aquifer Subbasin GSP was approved by DWR in June of 2021 and is currently being updated by the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. The 180/400-Foot Subbasin is a critically over drafted basin according to DWR. The SVBGSA recently submitted five additional GSPs to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) for approval: Eastside, Forebay, Langley, Upper Valley, and Monterey.
The referral has resulted in this regional water forum, which is intended to provide a more in- depth analysis of how the regional water picture, across subbasins, is now influenced by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s required outcomes. The goal is to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability and initiate comprehensive discussions on regional water supply issues and solutions. The staffs of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA), Monterey One Water (M1W), and the Marina Coast Water District/Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MCWD) have collaborated on information to be presented at this forum, which will focus on the 180/400 Foot Aquifer, Monterey, Langley and Eastside Subbasins. The Monterey Peninsula, areas of northern Monterey County outside of those subbasins, and the southern Monterey County subbasins are not being addressed at this time, but additional considerations for these areas could be included in future discussions, if desired.
With input from the referring Supervisor, this forum is planned to occur over three sessions this year. This first session will provide an overview of the water infrastructure assets in the northern Monterey County subbasins (180/400 Foot Aquifer, Monterey, Langley and Eastside Subbasins), with a historical look at our existing water infrastructure assets and opportunities to modernize them. This session will also address of the interrelatedness of the subbasins, the need for a coordinated approach, and recognizing the interdependence of our water resources for social and economic well-being.
The second session, to be held this summer, will provide an overview of the regional scale management actions to address overdraft conditions and potential integrated projects that may be pursued. A third session will be planned in the fall to further address questions and discussion from the first two sessions and next steps.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This meeting will support the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance critical water infrastructure systems that serve Monterey County residents and industries.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
_X_Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Elizabeth Krafft, Deputy General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _________________________________________
Brent Buche, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Board Referral No. 2021.18
2. Regional Water Forum Presentation