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:
Ø Review GSAct;
Ø Present GSA options and possible configurations;
Ø Review BOD and BOS Actions related to GSA formation;
Ø Seek input from meeting participants; and,
Ø Develop next steps, including individual meetings with governmental entities and interest groups, if desired.
Given the relatively short time line to establish a GSA and develop a basin sustainability plan, Agency staff is working to complete this process in a timely manner. The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and the Pajaro Water Management Agency are named specifically in the legislation as the GSA for their respective basins.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Monterey County Counsel's office as well as the Monterey County Resource Management Agency has been involved in the discussions regarding the GSA and how it relates to Monterey County.
The Agency Board of Supervisors, on October 28, 2014, recommended a public process be initiated to provide opportunity for input from a various array of stakeholders and groups.
FINANCING:
The extent to which the GSA will affect the Agency is unknown at this time. It is believed that the State would provide funding for the development of basin sustainability plans, and there would be fees and other revenues that would come from the enactment of the GSA. Therefore the financing of or from any activities related to the GSA are unknown at this time.
Prepared by:
Robert Johnson, Assistant General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Approved by:
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
MCWRA Executed Board Order