1. CONSIDER ADOPTION OF JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 2001 WATER SUPPLY STRATEGY AND BUDGET

 

Meeting Date: December 11, 2000 Staff Contact: Dave Dettman  General Counsel Approval: N/A Committee Recommendation: N/A  CEQA Compliance: Notice of Exemption, CEQA, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1) ESA Compliance: Consistent with 4(d) Rules enforced by NMFS beginning December 8, 2000

Budgeted: N/A Program/Line Item No.: N/A Cost Estimate: N/A

Exhibit A shows the anticipated production by Cal-Am for each production source. Exhibit A also shows actual production values for the water year to date. Please note that the anticipated production values for the January through March 2001 period have been set to meet the goals established by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in Orders No. WR 95-10 and 98-04. Accordingly, the anticipated annual Cal-Am production values in Exhibit A total 15,285 AF, including 4,000 AF from the Seaside Basin and 11,285 AF from the Carmel River Basin. The production values include production from the Water West (WDS), which was integrated into the Cal-Am system in 1993.
 

RECOMMENDATION: The Board should receive public input, close the Public Hearing, and discuss the proposed water supply budget. Staff recommends adoption of the proposed budget. The budget is described in greater detail in Exhibit B, Quarterly Water Supply Strategy Report: January - March 2001.
 

BACKGROUND: The Quarterly Water Supply Strategy and Budget pertains to production within the Cal-Am Water Distribution System for the three-month period of January, February, and March 2001. This strategy was developed cooperatively with staff from the District, Cal-Am, and the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). With the anticipated spillage of San Clemente and Los Padres Dams in December 2000, it was agreed that Cal-Am's diversion from San Clemente Reservoir through the Carmel Valley Filter Plant would be limited to 1.0 cubic feet per second (cfs) in December 2000 and January 2001. For January is was also agreed that Cal-Am would maintain production through the Filter Plant by operating Russell Wells Nos. 2 and 4. It was also agreed that Cal-Am would maintain a minimum release of 10 cfs in the channel below San Clemente Dam. During February 2001, the proposed budget allows Cal-Am to divert up to 1.0 cfs through the Filter Plant and to operate Scarlett No. 8, and Laureles Wells Nos. 5 and 6. During March 2001, the proposed budget allows Cal-Am to divert up to 12 cfs, via direct diversion from San Clemente Dam to the Carmel Valley Filter Plant, consistent with the anticipated completion of Cal-Am's Clearwell Project. The operation of Cal-Am Wells in the upper Carmel Valley and direct diversion of 12 cfs during March 2000, is based on the assumption that inflows equal median levels of 173 cfs in February and 187 cfs in March. If actual inflows are more or less than projected for February and March, the group will reconvene and adjust the diversion and release rates accordingly. These adjustments will take into account flows needed for steelhead migration, spawning and egg incubation and Cal-Am's goal of diverting a maximum of 16 cfs at San Clemente Dam for treatment at the Carmel Valley Filter Plant.
 

Rule 101, Section B of the District Rules and Regulations requires that a Public Hearing be held at the time of determination of the District water supply management strategy. Notice of this Public Hearing has been published in The Herald. Adoption of the quarterly water supply strategy and budget is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements as per Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1). A Notice of Exemption will be filed with the Monterey County Clerk's office, pending Board Action on this item.