Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised) requesting the Board of Supervisors and Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors hold a special joint meeting with other agencies, including but not limited to the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency and Marina Coast Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency, to provide a comprehensive overview of regional projects under consideration.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised), and:
1) Direct that staff proceed with completion of referral based on description in this report; or,
2) Direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board; or,
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background:
On September 28, 2021, the Board added Supervisor Adam’s Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised) to the Monterey County Board of Supervisor’s referral matrix. The purpose of the referral is to hold a special joint meeting of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) Board of Supervisors and Board of Directors along with the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin and Marina Coast Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. The goal of the workshop is to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability and initiate comprehensive discussions on regional water supply issues and solutions. This report is a preliminary analysis of that referral.
As stated in the referral, new information regarding water management and sustainability has come to light through the recently developed Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) that are being circulated for public review. Since last year, Subbasin Planning Committees, appointed by the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability (SVBGSA) Board, have been providing input during the GSP development. The SVBGSA recently released five GSP drafts for public comment: Eastside, Forebay, Langley, Upper Valley, and Monterey
The Monterey Subbasin is co-managed by the SVBGSA and Marina Coast Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MCWD). MCWD manages the Marina/Ord Management Area and SVBGSA manages the Corral de Tierra Management Area.
These Subbasin GSPs, identified as medium priority by the California Department of Water Resource (DWR), are required to be submitted to DWR.
The 180/400-Foot Aquifer Subbasin GSP has been approved by DWR. The 180/400-Foot Subbasin is a critically over drafted basin according to DWR.
Proposed Project Description: Because of the logistics of a joint meeting with so many legislative bodies, it is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors hold a special meeting with invitations extended to the members of stakeholder agencies to participate. The meeting will focus on the municipal water supply needs of North Monterey County, including the 180/400-foot, Monterey, and Eastside subbasins, and areas of North County outside those subbasins. Other special meetings may be called to consider the issues affecting other subbasins or other areas of Monterey County. MCWRA will coordinate with the SVBGSA to develop an agenda, meeting format, presentation materials and proposed date.
Estimated Project Cost: Unknown currently. Coordination and planning for a joint meeting will take significant unbudgeted MCWRA staff time, as well as staff time from other Agencies.
Staffing Level Estimate: The staffing level required to plan, prepare, and conduct the meeting is currently unknown but is probably significant.
Departmental Challenges:
Finding a meeting date convenient for the potential invitees.
Determining a suitable meeting structure allowing for COVID protocols and Brown Act requirements.
Identifying meaningful meeting outcomes.
Coordinating presentations to ensure a productive meeting in a reasonable timeframe.
Proposed Response Date: MCWRA General Manager will report back to the Board of Supervisors early in 2022.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This meeting will support the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance critical water infrastructure systems that serve Monterey County residents and industries.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
_X_Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Elizabeth Krafft, Deputy General Manager, MCWRA, x4860
Approved by: __________________________________________
Brent Buche, General Manager, MCWRA, x4860
Attachments:
Board Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised)