Title
Consider recommending that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors enter into a multi-year cooperative agreement with the US Geological Survey and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to support the continued development of the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Basin Management Advisory Committee:
Recommend that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors enter into a multi-year cooperative agreement with the US Geological Survey and the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to support the continued development of the Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model
SUMMARY:
In July 2014, the County of Monterey initiated a comprehensive water resources assessment of Zone 2C of the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin Investigation). The first phase of that investigation concluded in 2015 with the delivery of the State of the Basin report from Brown & Caldwell. The second phase of the Basin Investigation required the development of a suite of regional and integrated groundwater-surface water models for use in evaluating water budgets, groundwater elevations, and seawater intrusion under both historical and future conditions. The development of those models are being conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS) under joint agreements with the County of Monterey (County) and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA). The Basin Investigation will include the publication by the USGS of a historical Salinas Valley Integrated Hydrologic Model (SVIHM), along with a provisional version of an operation model to evaluate future conditions, the Salinas Valley Operational Model (SVOM).
DISCUSSION:
The objective of this agreement is to update over the term of this agreement, the Salinas Valley Regional Models; provide a technical document describing the SVOM, along with a public model archive; provide technical support to Salinas Valley Cooperative (MCWRA and SVBGSA) and stakeholders in the transfer, training, and use of the Salinas Valley Model Suite, and; communicate model results, project milestones, and model developments to cooperators and stakeholders. The study will develop a greater understanding of regional water resources, support evaluation of reservoir operations, and the development of resource management strategies for the Salinas Valley. These tools and documentation will support science-based decision making and aide in sustainable development of water resources.
The timeline for the work described in the agreement will distribute tasks over a three (3) year period. Attachment A is a draft “red-line” version of the proposed agreement. At this time the total budget for the project is approximately $516,002 with potential USGS cooperative match of approximately $103,200. The remaining cost to the Salinas Valley Cooperative members is approximately $412,802 over the three year term of the agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The MCWRA is partnering with the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency in this project and the two agencies are identified in the draft agreement as the “Salinas Valley Cooperative”.
FINANCING:
Funding of approximately $65,000 for this project is identified in the MCWRA’s 2021-22 FY budget in Fund 116. An additional $50,000 in the 2021-22 FY budget, identified as “SVIHM Consultant” has been allocated in Fund 111. Current estimated annual costs to the MCWRA are approximately $69,000 per year for the next three fiscal years. Based on the Salinas Valley Cooperative’s agreed upon tasks, which will be detailed in the final agreement, it may be necessary to augment funding for this project.
Prepared by: Howard Franklin, Senior Hydrologist, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: Brent Buche, General Manager
Attachment:
DRAFT - Salinas Valley Cooperative Model and Decision Tool Development to Support
Resource Evaluation, Decision Making, and Sustainable Water Management in Monterey
County, California (red-line version)