ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
2.	CONSIDER ENTERING INTO A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT WITH U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR MODELING WATER SUPPLY SCENARIOS IN THE CARMEL RIVER BASIN
Meeting Date:			March 18, 2019	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	1-1-2C and D
			General Manager	Line Item No:	35-03-786015
Prepared By:			Thomas Christensen	Cost Estimate:	$75,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on March 11, 2019 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: This action does not constitute a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378.

SUMMARY: District staff, consultants, and the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) have developed an integrated groundwater-surface water (GSFLOW) model for the Carmel River Basin. This model currently represents historic flows of the Carmel River. However, changes are required to provide results that account for different alternatives regarding Los Padres Reservoir alternatives and changes in California American Water (Cal-Am) pumping rates. Some of these changes include simulating how the removal or expansion of Los Padres Reservoir impacts the lower Carmel River. In addition, simulations also need to reflect changes to Cal-Am’s pumping rate under the Cease and Desist Order. Staff considers the USGS to be best equipped to perform this assistance as the USGS developed the software that runs the model and has been working with us for several years to help build and calibrate the Carmel River Basin Hydrologic Model (CRBHM). Exhibit 2-A describes the proposed scope of work, which is estimated to cost up to $75,000.

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the expenditures not-to-exceed $75,000 in budgeted funds for technical assistance in making changes to the CRBHM to reflect the different scenarios. If this item is adopted with the Consent Calendar, the General Manager would be authorized to enter into an agreement for services with the USGS for a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000.

DISCUSSION: At their August 19, 2013 meeting, the Board of Directors approved expending up to about $116,000 to develop a computer simulation model of the Carmel River Basin that would replace the Carmel Valley Simulation Model (CVSIM), which had been used for water supply planning purposes and is obsolete. The new model will be used to simulate instream flow needs for steelhead and to model different water supply options.

The CRBHM will be used in several planning efforts currently underway including:

· Los Padres Dam Long-Term Plan – model output will be used in evaluation management options for the dam

· Upstream Passage Study at Los Padres Dam – model output will be used in characterizing expected flows over the Los Padres Dam spillway

· Water Availability Analysis – the model would be the basis of determining water availability for a Change Petition to the State Water Resources Control Board involving the District’s water rights Permit 20808B

· Sustainable Groundwater Management Act – Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer (CVAA): the model can be used to evaluate proposed management actions for the CVAA

· Salinas River and Carmel River Basins Study – the model would be used in evaluating the effects of climate change on river flow

· Drought Contingency Plan – future droughts can be simulated using the model

EXHIBIT

2-A Technical Assistance Agreement

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