EXHIBIT 21-E

 

FINAL MINUTES

Legislative Advocacy Committee Meeting of the

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

October 19, 2009

 

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 1:05 PM in the District conference room.

 

Committee members present:    Dave Potter, Chair

                                                Bob Brower

                                                Judi Lehman

 

Staff present:                            Darby Fuerst, General Manager

                                                Stephanie Pintar, Water Demand Manager

                                                Larry Hampson, Water Resources Engineer

                                                Arlene Tavani, Executive Assistant

                                   

District Counsel present:           David C. Laredo

 

Others present:             John Arriaga

 

Comments from Public

No comments were presented to the committee.

 

Oral Reports

1.         Report from District Lobbyist Regarding 2009 Legislative Session Issues

            A status report was provided by John Arriaga.  He noted that Governor Schwarzenegger has called a special legislative session regarding water bills SB68, focused on the Sacramento Delta region  and AB8783, proposing a water bond. Funding in the water bond has been reduced to $9 billion through 2015.  Director Potter stated that the MPWMD’s accomplishments are not recognized by lawmakers or other agencies.  He asked how the District could be promoted throughout the state for its proactive position on water conservation.

 

2.         Report from District Counsel on Status of State Water Resources Control Board Proceedings Regarding Draft Cease and Desist Order WR 2009-00XX-DWR

Action Items

District Counsel Laredo provided a status report.  Mr. Fuerst advised the committee that if the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) were adopted, water reductions in excess of 15 percent would be required.  Under that scenario, the District’s Water Conservation and Standby Rationing Plan and California American Water (Cal-Am) regulations require that the community must adhere to Stage 5 water rationing regulations.  That would affect customers in Cal-Am’s main and Laguna Seca systems.  Individual well owners would not be affected, neither would property owners who have a riparian right, or if their water source is in fractured rock formations.  Customers in the Seaside Municipal system would not be subject to rationing.  The District and Cal-Am might decide to modify their rules so that water rationing would not be required. The District has authority to delay implementation of rationing for 90 days, during that time the Board could adopt new rules.  However, Cal-Am’s conservation/rationing regulations were approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and can only be modified by the PUC, which would be a lengthy process.           

 

Discussion Items

3.         Progress on Discussions with California American Water and Other Agencies Regarding San Clemente Dam Removal/Reroute Project

            Mr. Fuerst reported that a meeting will be conducted on November 12, 2009 between Cal-Am, State Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, and the Division of Safety of Dams to review a Memorandum of Understanding re completion of a risk management analysis, long term sediment monitoring and management, and a geotechnical analysis of San Clemente Creek.  Cal-Am has agreed to contribute funds to complete a risk assessment for the project.  The PUC disallowed Cal-Am’s request to fund this project through a rate increase during the 2008 General Rate Case proceedings.

 

4.         Progress on Discussions with California Department of Water Resources Regarding District’s Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP)

            The committee members agreed that staff should prepare a letter for Senator Abel Maldonado’s signature, requesting that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) acknowledge that the IRWMP for the Monterey Region was adopted and submitted in accordance with State standards and should be considered for grant funding.  Mr. Arriaga will assure the letter is submitted to Senator Maldonado, and will also request that Assemblyman William Monning submit a letter of support to DWR.    

 

5.         Review Status of Coordination with Local Jurisdictions and the State Regarding Implementation of Regulations for Installation of Greywater Systems

            Ms. Pintar reported that she is a member of the Monterey County Business Council Water Reuse Group.  The Monterey area members are focused on rainwater catchment systems and reuse.  The Santa Cruz area members are working on greywater systems.  The Monterey County Health Department allows use of greywater for outdoor irrigation only, and would like to see pilot projects developed and monitored for safety and functionality.  The Uniform Plumbing Code does not allow for indoor use of greywater.  The District could enact new construction standards that would require dual plumbing systems, thereby establishing greywater as a source for outdoor irrigation.

 

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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