EXHIBIT 1-A

DRAFT MINUTES

Water Supply Planning Committee of the

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District

August 8, 2011

 

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 11:05 am in the District’s conference room.

 

Committee members present:      Bob Brower, Chair

                                                     Regina Doyle

                                                     David Pendergrass

 

Staff members present:                Darby Fuerst, General Manager

                                                     Larry Hampson, Senior Water Resources Engineer

                                                     Joe Oliver, Water Resources Manager

                                                     Henrietta Stern, Project Manager              

                                                     Arlene Tavani, Executive Assistant

 

District Counsel present:             David Laredo

 

Comments from the Public

Todd Norgaard, Carmel Valley Association Water Committee, raised three issues: (1) how will water developed under Water Projects 1 through 4 and stored against future droughts, be preserved from being plundered for other uses in the future; (2) should the Carmel Valley Watershed be fully adjudicated; and (3) develop plan for replacement of transmission pipelines in the California American Water distribution system. 

 

Action Items

1.         Receive Minutes of June 21, 2011 Committee Meeting

            On a motion by Doyle and second of Pendergrass, the minutes were adopted unanimously on a vote of 3 – 0.  Directors Brower, Doyle and Pendergrass voted in favor of the motion.

 

Discussion Items

2.         Review Agenda and Materials for August 25, 2011 Special Workshop on Water Supply Alternatives

            The committee reviewed three charts presented by Fuerst (on file at the District office and can be viewed on the MPWMD website) and requested that the chart titled Cal-Am Allowable Production from Carmel River and Seaside Groundwater Basin Sources:  Water Years 1009-2021 be presented at the August 25, 2011 workshop.

 

            During the public comment period on this item, Roger Dolan suggested that California American Water (Cal-Am) could reduce withdrawals from the Seaside and Carmel River Basins when demand is low.  Fuerst explained that the State Water Resources Control Board mandates that Cal-Am maximize production from the Seaside Basin to alleviate pumping on the Carmel River.

 

3.         Discuss Feasibility of Moving Additional Water from Carmel Valley to Water Projects 1 and 2

            Hampson explained that there is an immediate need to enlarge the Segunda pipeline that begins at the Segunda Crest tank in Carmel Valley and runs to Highway 68.  This would allow the Cal-Am system to pump water to three aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells.  This would not provide sufficient infrastructure to deliver water to a fourth ASR well.   Brower stated that if Cal-Am cannot improve the transmission system for the fourth well, the District should negotiate with owners of the Tehama property to install a transmission line across their property.   This would facilitate diversion of up to 5,000 acre-feet during the wet season months from the Carmel River.  However, this is not a drought-proof water source.  In years of insufficient runoff, water from the Carmel River basin would not be available for ASR.

 

            The following persons addressed the committee during the public comment period on this item.   (1) Carol Reeb, Hopkins Marine Station, stated there is plenty of water but insufficient storage or transport facilities.  The community has an opportunity to manage human laws that can be adjusted to allow for the laws of nature.  (2) Roger Dolan asked if a 42-inch pipeline could facilitate flow for storage of 8,000 acre-feet of water per year.  He stated that it will take a long time to bring any water project on-line, so development of alternatives to the Regional Project will not result in an overabundance of water for the area.  (3) Todd Norgaard urged the District to focus on public outreach regarding ASR to describe how it has evolved and been implemented in other communities, and why it is important now.   (4) John Molton, Carmel Valley Association, asked if facilitation of increased ASR will be necessary, should the Regional Water Project be constructed.  (5) Brent Constantz, DeepWater Desal, stated that recycled wastewater is ecologically preferable to ASR, because treatment of Carmel River water kills 100 percent of the organisms in that river water.

 

4.         Progress Report on Water Projects 1 (Underground Storage) and 2 (Expanded Storage)

            Oliver reported that at the Water Project 1 site, wells 1 and 2 are completed, a temporary connection to the PG&E electricity source is in place, and equipment is being installed in the electrical/facilities building that will enable operation of the project when the injection season begins.  At the Water Project 2 site (Seaside Middle School), the first well has been constructed; a permanent pump and motor will be installed.  A temporary, aboveground pipeline extends from this site to the Water Project 1 site.  The District is in the process of obtaining permits and easements needed to install a permanent underground pipeline.

 

5.         Update on Potential for Water Project 3 (Local Desal) within District Boundaries

a.         Consider Adoption of Recommendation to the Board Regarding Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding development of DeepWater Desal Project in Moss Landing

            Brent Constantz of DeepWater Desal presented a report to the committee.  Documents he submitted for review are on file at the District office and can be viewed on the MPWMD website.   The committee took no action.

 

            The following comments were directed to the committee during the public comment period on this item.  (1) Carol Reeb stated that the desalination project permitting process could change in 2012, and that more data is needed to document the effects of desalination on the environment.  (2) Unidentified Female – asked how the DeepWater Desal project would address entrapment and entrainment issues?  (3) Brent Constantz responded that data on this issue is being developed by consultants.  (4) Unidentified Male – commended the committee on working to develop water projects, and expressed the need to communicate with the State Water Resources Control Board that the community is serious about increasing the water supply.

 

b.         Progress Report on Investigations into Cooperative Development of a Seawater Desalination Project at the Abandoned City of Monterey Wastewater Treatment Plant

            No committee discussion.  Item continued to next committee meeting.

 

6.         Update on Development of Recycled Wastewater Alternatives

            No committee discussion.  Item continued to next committee meeting.

 

Informational Items

7.         Cal-Am Presentation on Carmel River Operations Post Desal (Regional Water Project)

            No committee discussion.  Item continued to next committee meeting.

 

Other Items

No discussion.

 

Set Date for Next Committee Meeting

No date set.

 

Adjournment                        

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:15 pm.

 

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