Title
Consider recommending the Agency's Board of Supervisors adopt a position regarding a request from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to the State Water Resources Control Board to consider modifying the 2009 Cease-and-Desist Order (Staff: Ara Azhderian)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency’s Board of Directors:
Recommend the Agency’s Board of Supervisors adopt a position regarding a request from the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to the State Water Resources Control Board to consider modifying the 2009 Cease-and-Desist Order.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On October 20, 2025, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s (District) Board of Directors unanimously approved submission of an application to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) to modify the 2009 Cease-and-Desist Order WR 2016-0016 (CDO). The CDO, and more specifically “Condition 2”, limits the setting of new water meters and restricts increases in water use at existing connections within the service area of the California American Water Company (CalAm) on the Monterey Peninsula to protect the Carmel River from historical over-pumping.
In its application, the District points to the fact that pumping from the Carmel River over the past 4 years has been within the legal limit and that the supply of water for the Peninsula is greater than demand, resulting in increased storage in the Seaside groundwater basin. The District also notes a recent decision by the California Public Utilities Commission that indicates existing supplies will continue in surplus for the foreseeable future.
On October 24, 2025, the District submitted its application and shortly thereafter began reaching out for support of its efforts, including to the County of Monterey. In its support solicitation, the District presents two sample letters, one that is supportive of the application but silent on the proposed CalAm desalinizati...
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