ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
9.	CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CHAIR/VICE CHAIR REQUEST TO DIRECT STAFF TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT TO THE BOARD ON THE FEASIBILITY OF CLOUD SEEDING THE CARMEL RIVER WATERSHED
Meeting Date:			September 17, 2007	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			Same	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The purpose of this item is to consider a request of the District’s Chair/Vice Chair Committee to initiate staff research and report preparation regarding the feasibility and potential cost of stimulating rainfall production this winter by “cloud seeding” in the Carmel River watershed. During the August 20, 2007 Board meeting Chairman Dave Pendergrass raised the idea of considering District investigation of this technique for its potential to mitigate against the adverse impact on Carmel River alluvial aquifer storage, should a potential repeat of this year’s abnormally low rainfall occur in the 2007-8 winter season. At the August 31 Chair/Vice Chair Committee meeting, Chairman Pendergrass proposed, and Vice Chair Edwards supported, placing this item on the consent calendar to authorize staff to investigate and submit a feasibility report on conducting cloud seeding this coming winter. If such a study were to be authorized, it is important that the Board take note of the fact that its completion in time for next winter will require it being considered a priority in the context of existing objectives contained in the Board’s current Strategic Plan.

RECOMMENDATION: The Board should consider approval of the Chair/Vice Chair Committee’s recommendation that staff analyze and complete a report regarding the feasibility and potential cost of cloud seeding next winter within the District.

BACKGROUND: According to the California Water Plan Update prepared in 2005 by the State Department of Water Resources (DWR), precipitation enhancement or “cloud seeding” has been regularly practiced in California since the early 1950s. DWR reports that most cloud seeding operations have occurred in the central and southern Sierra Nevada, with some projects occurring in the Coast Ranges. The DWR report notes that the number of cloud seeding operations peaked at up to 20 during the most recent drought of the early 1990s, and had leveled off to about 12 or 13 in the most recent years prior to the 2005 Plan update. The Plan notes that policy statements adopted by the American Meteorological Society and World Meteorological Organization support wintertime cloud seeding. The Plan update also notes that cloud seeding opportunities are generally fewer in dry years, and that its works best in combination with surface or groundwater storage opportunities to increase average available water supplies. It is staff understands that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency has conducted cloud seeding operations in previous years, but its current plans to do so are unknown, and should be checked if this study is initiated.

IMPACT TO DISTRICT STAFF/RESOURCES: There is no anticipated, direct financial impact of approving this proposed study. However, its most likely assignment to the Water Resources Division could adversely impact that division staff’s ability to complete its assigned Strategic Plan objectives within the timeframe currently targeted, as well as affecting on-going projects and routine tasks. The cost of a cloud seeding operation is unknown.

EXHIBITS

None

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