Title
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors approve, subject to Agency County Counsel approval, a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/A) between the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA); to provide technical and professional support to SVBGSA and its consultants in the development of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Recommend that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors approve, subject to Agency County Counsel approval, a Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement (MOU/A) between the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA); to provide technical and professional support SVBGSA and its consultants in the development of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The SVBGSA is tasked with developing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for basins designated as high- or medium-priority and subject to conditions of “critical overdraft” by January 31, 2020. Both the Paso Robles Area and 180/400-Foot subbasins of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin meet these criteria. The SVBGSA will contract with consultants to perform the tasks necessary to achieve this mandate.
Under this MOU/A the Agency will provide significant technical and professional support to the SVBGSA and its consultants. Much of the data collected, processed and analyzed by the Agency is essential to the completion of the GSP. Additionally, financial support from the SVBGSA would allow the Agency to prioritize data processing and analysis efforts for those programs of greatest immediate need to the SVBGSA and its consultants.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The concept of developing an MOU/A with the SVBGSA was discussed by the Agency’s Finance Committee at its February 2, 2018 meeting.
The Agency’s Basin Management Advisory Committee (BMAC), on February 7, 2018, provided guidance and direction to staff to develop an MOU/A for technical and professional support to the SVBGSA to recover costs associated with that support.
At its February 20, 2018 meeting the Agency’s Board of Directors authorized the Agency to negotiate MOU’s to provide technical and professional support to the SVBGSA and its consultants.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact in receiving this report. After the MOU/A is signed the Agency and GSA will address the FY 2018-19 total amount of reimbursement needed from the GSA to fully cover the technical and professional support from the agency.
Prepared by: Howard Franklin, Senior Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Cathy Paladini, Deputy General Manager, (831) 755-4861
Approved by _______________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager, (831)755-4860
Attachments:
1. Draft Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement
2. Board Order