Quarterly Update on EIR for LongTerm Water Supply Project

1
Quarterly Update on EIR for Long-Term Water
Supply Project

• October 29, 2002 at 530 PM
• MPWMD Conference Room
• Staff Contact Henrietta Stern

2
Tonights Agenda

• Introductions/Background
• Action/Board direction since July 31, 2002
• Carmel River Flow Threshold Report
• Progress on engineering analysis
• Meetings of interest
• Next steps/additional information

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Mission Statement
The mission of the Monterey Peninsula Water
Management District is to manage, augment, and
protect water resources for the benefit of the
community and the environment.
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MPWMD Service Area
Monterey Bay
Water Management District Boundary
Sand City
Pacific Grove
Seaside
Del Rey Oaks
Pebble Beach
Monterey
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Highlands
Carmel Valley Village
Carmel River
San Clemente Dam
Los Padres Dam
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Background on EIR/EIS

• Jones Stokes Associates retained in March 2002
  to prepare EIR/EIS in compliance with CEQA/NEPA
• Multi-purpose document will evaluate range of
  alternatives for use in decision-making by MPWMD
  and other agencies
• Evaluate three production targets (15,285, 17,641
  and 18,941 AF/yr).

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Alternatives to be Studied

• Carmel River Dam (Cal-Am proposal),
• Local desalination,
• Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR),
• Reclaimed wastewater,
• Storm water reuse,
• Off-stream storage,
• Additional water rights,
• Plan B (level of detail to be determined).

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Time Line Graphic

• Provides overview of CEQA/NEPA and other relevant
  processes such as SWRCB water rights and CPUC
  approvals
• Phase 1, identify alternatives-- in progress
  delayed due to lack of access to technical data
  supporting CPUCs Plan B Final Report
• Phase 2, complete Draft EIR-- on hold until
  Cal-Am plans and lead agency issues are clarified.

8
Board Direction in Aug-Sept 02

• Complete Phase 1 engineering studies of
  alternatives identify project combinations and
  sizes to meet production targets
• Hold off on Phase 2 EIR preparation until Cal-Am
  plans are clear and lead agency issues with CPUC
  are confirmed
• Prepare Carmel River Flow Threshold Report within
  90 days.

9
Carmel River Flow Threshold Report

• Review existing information about river flow and
  habitat needs for Carmel River steelhead,
  red-legged frogs, riparian habitat and insect
  food sources
• Identify conflicts and unknowns
• Assess diversions that could be taken from the
  river without harming ecosystem

10
Threshold Report, continued

• Use in EIR to set standards of significance to
  evaluate impact of water rights applications and
  water supply alternatives (significant or not?)
• Use in future watershed management to support
  self-sustaining ecosystem with minimal human
  intervention.

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MPWMD Action in Aug-Oct 02

• Held two Board meetings on policy issues raised
  by comments on proposed EIR/EIS
• Received and reviewed Plan B Final Report
  developed costs to fully evaluate
• Updated District CVSIM computer model
• Obtained Cal-Am hydraulic model
• Developed initial alternative combinations and
  sizes based on NMFS recommended flows and water
  production targets

12
MPWMD Action, continued

• Consolidated data and began assessment for Carmel
  River Flow Threshold Report
• Met with SWRCB, CPUC and FORA regarding EIR/EIS
  and water rights issues
• Received responses from Cal-Am and U.S. Army
  regarding EIR/EIS process
• Continued participation in San Clemente Dam
  environmental review

13
MPWMD Action, continued

• Continued ASR testing in Seaside Basin, focusing
  on recovery of injected water
• Completed Phase III Hydrogeologic Update of
  Laguna Seca Subarea
• Began Seaside Basin Groundwater Management Plan
  consultant search
• Helped MCWD with reclamation project EIR
• Responded to comments on District water rights
  applications.

14
Engineering Analysis

• Progress slowed due to CPUC restrictions on data
  supporting Plan B Final Report
• Developed initial project combinations and sizes
  larger local desal project than currently
  envisioned is needed to meet higher production
  targets
• Finalizing constraints analysis to identify
  largest feasible project sizes

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Engineering Analysis, continued

• Refining yield estimates based on constraints
  analysis
• Alternative pipeline alignments and well
  sites/spacing for large ASR project
• Updated reclaimed water yields based on recent
  information for Pebble Beach and PCA/MCWD
  projects
• Use Cal-Am hydraulic model and system map to
  determine best facility locations.

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Meetings of Interest

• SWRCB (Sept 02) Discussed comments on EIR and
  District water rights applications. SWRCB
  provided guidance on environmental analysis and
  no project definition.
• CPUC (Sept 02) Discussed data access and lead
  agency role. No decision on lead agency until
  Cal-Am clarifies its proposed project data
  request under CPUC review.

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Meetings of Interest, continued

• FORA (Oct 02)-- review role of FORA and other
  entities in approval of infrastructure associated
  with project alternatives on former Fort Ord.
  Discussed regional water supply concepts.
• Trying to set meeting with City of Seaside about
  ASR injection well locations.

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Next Steps through Dec. 02

• Await Cal-Am determination on proposed water
  project (dam vs. Plan B)
• Discuss lead agency issues with CPUC
• Complete Flow Threshold Report
• Complete engineering evaluations present update
  at November 14 workshop
• Continue water rights process respond to
  protests and comments.

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Keeping Informed

• Quarterly update meetings
• Board workshops (next November 14 at 7 PM at
  District conference room)
• Monthly report in MPWMD Board packet
• Expanded quarterly report in Board packet
• Website, General Manager Weekly Summary
• Website, Water Project EIR 2002-2003
• www.mpwmd.dst.ca.us

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ANY QUESTIONS?

• Representatives from MPWMD staff and Jones
  Stokes Associates (environmental consultant) are
  here to answer your questions.
• Thank you for your interest!

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• U/hs/ppt/eirupdate102902hsv2.ppt
• FINAL 10/28/02 at 700 pm