CITY COUNCIL: Resolution Supporting Proposed Regional Water Project for Monterey County

Meeting Date: July 13, 2010
Prepared by: Rich Guillen

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution supporting the proposed Regional Water Project for Monterey County.

Description: The Regional Water Project for Monterey County is a water supply combination of desalination and underground storage (of winter river flows). This project will satisfy the demands mandated by the State to reduce the Monterey Peninsula’s reliance on the Carmel River for its water supply. It will also serve future needs for customers of the Marina Coast Water District.

An agreement has been reached by CalAm, Monterey County Water Resources
Agency and the Marina Coast Water District to implement the Regional Water
Project at a reduced price over alternate projects. This collaborative project will be the most environmentally friendly of the many options that were considered. The Project is now being reviewed by the California Public Utility Commission.

The Monterey Peninsula Mayors are currently meeting with the three above
mentioned water agencies regarding governance of the Regional Water Project.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution.

Important Considerations: Several regional water project alternatives have been considered that were either too expensive or did not have public support. The currently proposed Regional Water Project is a collaborative alternative that is cost effective and has less adverse environmental impact. The Regional Water Project will meet the objective of reducing CalAm’s historic diversions from the Carmel River by 70 percent.

Decision Record: No prior action has been taken by the Council on this Project.

Reviewed:

Rich Guillen, City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2010-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED REGIONAL WATER PROJECT FOR MONTEREY COUNTY

WHEREAS, California-American Water (Cal Am) is required by the State Water Resources Control Board to reduce its historic diversions from the Carmel River by nearly 70 percent; and

WHEREAS, the Monterey Peninsula water supply is further threatened by a cease and desist order (CDO) from the State Water Resources Control Board; and

WHEREAS, the Regional Water Project (RWP) will contribute to eliminating pumping from the Carmel River aquifer, thereby meeting the requirements of the CDO and ultimately avoiding the unreasonable and economically devastating implications of the CDO; and

WHEREAS, the RWP of Monterey County will meet this objective while providing residents with a drought-proof water source; and

WHEREAS, the RWP is a combination of desalination and underground storage of winter river flows; and

WHEREAS, the RWP will satisfy state demands to reduce the Monterey Peninsula’s reliance on the Carmel River for its water supply and serve the future needs of the Marina Coast Water District customers; and

WHEREAS, the RWP is a collaborative water supply project that is economical and environmentally friendly as compared to the many options previously considered; and

WHEREAS, the RWP has been reviewed in detail as part of the Final Environmental Impact Report which was certified by the California Public Utility Commission.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES:

1. Find that a solution to the water supply capacity of the Monterey Peninsula is needed immediately.

2. Support the Regional Water Project as an important step in solving the long-standing water supply deficiency on the Monterey Peninsula.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA this 13th day of July 2010, by the following roll call vote:

AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:

SIGNED:

_______________________
SUE McCLOUD, MAYOR

ATTEST:

_______________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk