ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

2.A

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR WORK RELATED TO SECURING APPROVAL FOR AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY  WATER PROJECT 1 EXPANSION

 

Meeting Date:

November 19, 2012

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

David J. Stoldt,

Program/

Water Supply Projects

 

General Manager

Line Item No.:    

1-7-1

 

Prepared By:

Joe Oliver

Cost Estimate:

$50,000

 

General Counsel Review:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on November 13, 2012 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:  The Phase 1 (Water Project 1) Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) facility at the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD or District) Santa Margarita site in Seaside transitioned from a testing program to a permanent project beginning in Water Year (WY) 2008.  With the successful implementation of this project, the MPWMD has since been pursuing project expansion opportunities that could more fully utilize available Carmel River system water rights.  This led to the Phase 2 (Water Project 2) facility presently under construction by California American Water (Cal-Am) with assistance from MPWMD.  There are currently additional Carmel River water rights that were originally secured by MPWMD under State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Permit 20808 that could be utilized for further ASR project expansion. MPWMD has been evaluating ASR expansion options and is prepared to move forward to the next step of project planning by conducting work needed to secure additional land areas for ASR exploration.  Earlier in 2012, MPWMD staff submitted a grant application through the California Department of Water Resources Local Groundwater Assistance (LGA) grant program for funds to undertake a groundwater exploration and monitor well project that could support ASR expansion in the basin.  Regardless of whether the LGA grant application will be approved, a prospective site or sites must be identified that would be suitable to support additional ASR facilities.  The proposed work would enable completion of preliminary planning, engineering and survey documents that are needed to facilitate discussions with the various land-use and regulatory agencies that would be involved with approvals needed for ASR expansion.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  District staff recommends that the Board authorize expenditures up to $50,000 for development of preliminary planning, engineering and survey documents needed to support ASR project expansion efforts in the Seaside Basin.  This item has been discussed at several recent meetings of the District board’s Water Supply Planning Committee.  District staff will continue with preparation of a Work Plan for ASR expansion that will be reviewed with the Water Supply Planning Committee if this item is approved along with the Consent Calendar.

 

BACKGROUND:  Since 1996, the MPWMD has been developing the ASR Program in the Seaside Basin.  Pilot-scale ASR testing occurred from 1998 through 2002 at a site in Mission Memorial Park in Seaside, and full-scale ASR testing was conducted beginning in 2002 at a nearby site on former Fort Ord property (i.e., the Santa Margarita site).  This site was subsequently expanded and became the first permanent phase (Water Project 1) facility in 2008.  Also beginning in 2008, MPWMD initiated preliminary negotiations and exploration for an additional ASR site at the Seaside Middle School site.  This site is presently under development as the second permanent phase (Water Project 2) by Cal-Am with project development assistance from MPWMD.

 

IMPACT ON STAFF/RESOURCES:  Planning, design, construction and operation of the Seaside Basin ASR project facilities are ongoing significant staff commitments, as reflected in the District’s Strategic Plan and annual budgets.  Funds for the proposed work are in the MPWMD FY 2012-13 budget under Line Item 1-7-1 (ASR Expansion Study).

 

EXHIBIT

None

 

 

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