WATER SUPPLY PLANNING COMMITTEE
ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
3.	UPDATE ON GROUNDWATER REPLENISHMENT PROJECT
Meeting Date:			August 15, 2012	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David J. Stoldt,	Program/	N/A
			General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:			David J. Stoldt	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: At its April 20, 2012 meeting, the District’s Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the District, MRWPCA, and Cal-Am setting forth terms for cooperation on the project. This report is an update on the project.

DISCUSSION:

A. The timeline has been hampered by MRWPCA’s ongoing discussions with the County and growers over water rights.

B. The timeline has been further hampered by MPWMD’s uncertainty with respect to its new annual water supply charge.

C. MRWPCA is in the process of hiring a CEQA attorney and expects to issue an RFP for CEQA consultants by the end of August. The issue of separate v. combined EIR needs to be resolved.

D. A proposed budget and spending plan will be developed by MRWPCA in mid-August.

E. MRWPCA has a $225,000 grant that requires a local match. They would need internal approval to access reserves for spending match.

F. A schedule is attached as EXHIBIT 3-A.

G. MRWPCA, MPWMD, and Cal-Am have met to discuss criteria by which the GWR project would be evaluated in 4th quarter 2014 or later to determine if it remains a viable project component of the overall Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project pursuant to Cal-Am’s Application 12-04-019. Criteria will likely address the following areas: Status of EIR, water rights, public support, estimate for capital plus O&M costs, time estimate for project start-up, and permit status

H. Our staff need to receive training on the State Revolving Fund process and be prepared to assist MRWPCA on an application immediately following certification of an EIR.

EXHIBITS

3-A Project timeline and schedule

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