Title
Hold a regional water forum to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability, and to initiate a comprehensive discussion on regional water supplies and solutions in northern Monterey County.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors:
Hold a regional water forum to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability, and to initiate a comprehensive discussion on regional water supplies and solutions in northern Monterey County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On September 28, 2021, the Board added Supervisor Mary Adam's Referral No. 2021.18 (Revised) to the Monterey County Board of Supervisor's referral matrix that resulted in this regional water forum to provide a more in- depth analysis of how the regional water picture, across subbasins, is now influenced by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act's required outcomes. The goal of the forum is to provide an overview of current efforts regarding water management and sustainability, and to initiate comprehensive discussions on regional water supply issues and solutions. An understanding of the larger regional water picture is important to forge a consensus approach for water agencies and County leaders.
The first Regional Water Forum, held in March, provided a clear picture of how the regional water picture is now influenced by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act's required outcomes, particularly in over drafted subbasins. The staffs of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA), Monterey One Water (M1W), and the Marina Coast Water District/Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MCWD) collaborated on a presentation that focused on the 180/400 Foot Aquifer, Monterey, Langley and Eastside Subbasins.
The second forum will continue to focus on a broad understanding of what is needed for the future of water security in M...
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