WATER SUPPLY PLANNING COMMITTEE

ITEM:		DISCUSSION ITEM
7.	UPDATE ON CARMEL RIVER BASIN (CARMEL VALLEY ALLUVIAL AQUIFER) SGMA PROCESS
Meeting Date:			April 5, 2016	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt	Program/
			General Manager	Line Item No.: N/A
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation:
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: On February 29^th, the General Manager sent an inquiry jointly to California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) staff, describing an inherent conflict in how DWR and SWRCB view the Carmel River Alluvial Aquifer and how it will be affected by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  We had mentioned it briefly to DWR staff on a few occasions, but at this time summarized the issue in a single page, attached as Exhibit 7-A.

The Water Management District’s conclusion is that what DWR refers to as the Carmel Valley Groundwater Basin in Bulletin 118 has been determined to be surface water by the SWRCB.   This led to several questions:

· Should the Carmel River aquifer be exempt from SGMA?

· What is the best way to exempt it – by letter from DWR or by removal from Bulletin 118?

· If by removal from Bulletin 118, should it be done through the DWR Basin Boundary Modification Request System by formal request by March 31^st, or some other method?

· Would a meeting between DWR, SWRCB, and the District (the GSA) be necessary to discuss this matter? 

On March 16, 2016 DWR staff stated “I don't think Monterey would have to take any action.  Although I doubt we will deal with this through a basin adjustment, DWR would have the ability to make any adjustments without having Monterey submit since this is a special technical issue.” We also learned that there was one other basin in the State with a similar issue, and 4-5 others with similar problems for a portion of the basin.

We also informed DWR that their Bulletin 118 boundary for the Carmel River Basin were outdated and inconsistent with current knowledge. DWR indicated that it is currently updating the Department defined modifications to basin boundaries (Administrative Adjustments) and will include the District’s changes as part of that set. On March 29^th, the District forwarded GIS shapefiles and SWRCB Order 95-10 describing the geologic setting as surface water flowing in a known and definite channel underground.

We have been told to expect a letter or notification from DWR that the Carmel River Basin is exempt from SGMA and will not require a Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

EXHIBIT

7-A Summary of The Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer issues with SGMA

U:\staff\Board_Committees\WSP\2016\20160405\07\Item-7.docx

U:\dstoldt\Board Subcommittee Items and Exhibits\2016\WSP 4-5\Item 7.docx