Title
Consider receiving a status report on the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for areas of Monterey County that are not covered by another Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Receive a status report on the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for areas of Monterey County that are not covered by another Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On September 16, 2014, Governor Brown signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Act (GSAct). This act will provide local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) the tools and powers needed to develop, implement and monitor groundwater in a sustainable way. The GSAct defines sustainability as a 50-year horizon, and through the use of Groundwater Sustainability Plans, the GSA has the ability to manage and regulate the use of groundwater within the groundwater basin it is responsible for.
An informational presentation on the GSAct was provided to the County Board of Supervisors, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) Board of Supervisors, and the Agency Board of Directors on October 21, 2014, by County Counsel. The report was comprehensive in nature as to the GSAct itself, and it allowed valuable feedback from both the public and the Supervisors and Directors.
Agency staff was directed to develop a public process to involve stakeholders and organizations in the implementation of a GSA. What follows is a proposed timeline of events for that process:
* Complete and issue an invitation for a kick-off meeting with governmental entities and interest groups;
* Set meeting in January 2015 (tentative date is January 22, 2015, location to be determined)
* Meeting agenda to include:
> Review GSAct;
> Present GSA options and possible configurations;
> Review BOD and BOS Actions related to GSA formation;
> Seek input fro...
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