ITEM:

ACTION ITEM

 

10.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) MONITORING PLAN FOR THE DEEP AQUIFERS

 

Meeting Date:

December 15, 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: N/A

CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY:  The Deep Aquifers Study (“Study”) was prepared by Montgomery and Associates in April 2024 for the SVBGSA and collaborative funding partners[1] to address crucial questions regarding the geology and hydrogeology of the Salinas Valley’s Deep Aquifers and provide a scientific basis for sustainable management.

 

As defined in the Study, the Deep Aquifers are present within portions of the 180/400-Ft. Aquifer Subbasin, the Monterey Subbasin, the Seaside Subbasin and the Forebay Subbasin, all located within the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin.

 

The Study provided recommendations for the monitoring of the Deep Aquifers, and, in cooperation with the various agencies, MCWRA has developed a Monitoring Plan for the Deep Aquifers (“Monitoring Plan”) to cover the entire Deep Aquifers extent across multiple groundwater management jurisdictions. The Monitoring Plan considers and includes monitoring activities that are already being conducted and data that is collected by the various agencies, including the District, and will be evaluated annually to consider future actions.

 

Monitoring, data collection, reporting, and sharing of information among the parties are essential activities that support sound and sustainable groundwater management decisions.  Each party to this MOU relies upon the monitoring activities of the other parties to help inform groundwater management decisions.

 

RECOMMENDATION: The General Manager recommends the Board authorize its General Manager to sign the MOU as provided in Exhibit 10-A.

 

EXHIBITS

10-A    Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Monitoring Plan for the Deep Aquifers



[1] The Deep Aquifers Study collaborative funding partners were SVBGSA, MCWRA. MCWDGSA, County of Monterey, Alisal Water Company, California Water Service, Castroville Community Services District, City of Salinas, and Irrigated Agriculture.

 

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