The Advisory Committee heard a proposed well-field and injection alternative to address seawater intrusion, with groundwater impacts, water rights, costs and project water volumes needing further study. A countywide water-planning forum was also outlined. Neither proposal was approved; the committee approved its October 28 minutes and 2027 meeting schedule.
The steering committee reviewed the Salinas Valley Basin GSA’s previously selected Preferred Portfolio; project funding and project-specific cost allocation remain undecided. Marina Coast proposed revising the Monterey Subbasin’s estimated 2015 seawater intrusion boundary, subject to DWR review. Modeling showed possible intrusion toward district wells under a high-pumping scenario. Members approved the July minutes and 2027 quarterly meeting schedule.
The Monterey Subbasin Committee reviewed draft groundwater plan amendments ahead of January 2027 hearings. Staff outlined Salinas Valley Basin GSA-wide costs through 2042, not yet combined with Marina Coast’s estimates; project cost allocation remains unresolved. Members discussed Corral de Tierra demand management, domestic-well mitigation and recharge; staff could not say whether local measures would suffice. The committee expressed consensus to cancel its December 30 meeting without a vote.
The Forebay and Upper Valley committees questioned a roughly $1.4 billion agency-wide groundwater-plan cost figure and sought clearer sub-basin labels. Members questioned the Upper Valley long-term overdraft description and supported arranging another meeting, though no date was set. Comments received by November 18 will be compiled for the December 10 board review; a revised draft is planned for early January.
Staff is focused on GSP amendments and periodic evaluations due in January 2027. Members discussed how to review project ideas; Harmon suggested revisiting the process in January, but no procedure was approved. Board development, including SGMA education, was raised as a future topic. The committee approved a remote-meeting option, subject to Board authorization renewed at least every six months, the committee’s 2027 quarterly schedule and February meeting minutes.
