WORKSHOP SESSION - DIVISION OF WATER RIGHTS
January 6, 1999
ITEM: 11
SUBJECT: PROGRESS REPORT BY THE MONTEREY COUNTY WATER RESOURCES AGENCY (MCWRA) ON LOCAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL SEAWATER INTRUSION AND NITRATE CONTAMINATION IN THE SALINAS VALLEY
DISCUSSION: The groundwater in the Salinas Valley is degraded by seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) considered implementing an adjudication to address these problems under its authority contained in Sections 2100, et seq, 275 and 100 of the Water Code and Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution. However, the SWRCB elected to postpone any adjudicatory action to provide the MCWRA an opportunity to develop and implement a local solution.
MCWRA has recently released a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Project Plan for the Salinas Valley Water Project. The plan identified a phased approach to addressing the seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination problems in the Salinas Valley.
In a letter dated May 27, 1998, Walt Pettit, SWRCB Executive Director, requested MCWRA to provide a progress report at the SWRCB's January 1999 Public Workshop. In that letter, MCWRA was reminded that an appropriate plan for addressing seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination needs to include specific goals, a time frame for achieving those goals, and an appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan. MCWRA was also requested to identify a funding mechanism and its contingency plans in the event that the anticipated funding mechanism failed.
POLICY ISSUE: Is MCWRA making adequate progress to control seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination?
FISCAL IMPACT: Review and oversight of this activity is not budgeted under the SWRCB's water right activities. Should the local effort to control seawater intrusion and nitrate contamination be deemed insufficient, additional SWRCB staff resources will be needed to support Board staff in initiating an adjudicatory proceeding.
REGIONAL BOARD IMPACT: Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, staff are participating in water quality planning activity. This agenda item will not affect its activities.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: None, this is an informational item.