ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
8.	CONSIDER DIRECTING STAFF TO NEGOTIATE A DRAFT AGREEMENT WITH MARINA COAST WATER DISTRICT FOR AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY COOPERATION
Meeting Date:			July 21, 2025	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: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: The Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) has requested that MPWMD consider making its Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) facilities available to inject MCWD water to the Seaside Groundwater Basin when not in use for MPWMD’s own ASR program.

· Under its permits MPWMD can only inject Carmel River water from December through May, meaning that there is available capacity in the June to November period. There may also be surplus capacity in winter months during dry years when Carmel River permit conditions cannot be met.

· MPWMD retains its statutory right to store water in the basin for the benefit of the District. The Court found that this right is preserved and does not conflict with the Physical Solution under the adjudication. The power of the Watermaster to enjoin unauthorized storage is limited to storage by Producers, and does not extend to storage by the District. However, the District has traditionally worked cooperatively with the Watermaster as to the nature and scope of its storage activities, and has participated in two storage and recovery agreements.

· MCWD has committed to serve water to developments in the former Fort Ord within the MPWMD jurisdiction, including Monterey (65 AFY), Del Rey Oaks (242.5 AFY), and Seaside (1,012 AFY). While these allocations are ostensibly sourced from the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin, the place of use is generally within MPWMD boundaries. Until those developments are built out, MCWD could store water to build up reserves.

MPWMD may choose to do this solely as a mutual form of cooperation, although there are potential benefits to the groundwater basin, as well as to jurisdictions served by MCWD that are also constituents of MPWMD. There is a potential cost-sharing benefit to MPWMD should an additional injection well be desired. There may also be the potential for future exchanges or sales of water, and potential drought protection.

If MPWMD chooses to move forward, an agreement would be developed that would include terms and conditions as outlined in Exhibit 8-A.

RECOMMENDATION: Board should direct staff to negotiate a draft agreement with Marina Coast Water District for Aquifer Storage and Recovery cooperation.

EXHIBIT

8-A General Terms and Conditions of a Cooperation Agreement

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