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ITEM: |
CONSENT
CALENDAR |
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2.A |
CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR WORK RELATED TO SECURING
APPROVAL FOR AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY WATER PROJECT 1 EXPANSION |
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Meeting
Date: |
November 19, 2012 |
Budgeted: |
Yes |
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From: |
David J.
Stoldt, |
Program/ |
Water Supply Projects |
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General
Manager |
Line Item No.: |
1-7-1 |
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Prepared
By: |
Joe Oliver |
Cost Estimate: |
$50,000 |
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General Counsel Review: N/A |
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Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on November 13, 2012 and recommended approval. |
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CEQA Compliance: N/A |
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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).
None
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