[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6360445,"mediaKeyId","2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23","parentId",2174859,"title","Rural well study finds expected patterns of salinity and nitrates; one TCP detection identified","audioSeconds",86,"startMs",3860000,"endMs",3946000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23&start=3860&end=3946","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23/thumbnail_3860000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360445/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Rural-well-study-finds-expected-patterns-of-salinity-and-nitrates-one-TCP-detection-identified","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360445-812f1eaa74baacc2f76e04f413cdfc9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657219&Signature=oBegv8Hx2nE9aMSqLXGvSUjVG5KtrDCrfObeVK39hPKWmIZ1wB3GE3~bowjWGM70Iw9lXSakYgLOSeCp85O4QIW03dvYo3c9sHGaCTO-IqJ73bI0ZQJrimsW6yc80GKadTqN0usN4E~KtugZTVD1H7gitwf7KSn3sL8toTUrtC09cEpYl4Ek1v4iMozERquZSKDT1tyJXa~L633ZClOrrsvkzA~m5yeJfsPFF62uiSi77Ww5uSIfnrzASvregg4QM1pis4bJEBSG0Aua2EEPEt3-vRx9nNisLGAha-14pXxifTi8tI4r-FsNCWgr3u37Qeqd5Ky-ne7YozmhTvDVzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Greenfield CA","date","2025-01-28T21:37:49Z","article","A water‑quality investigation covering the Forebay and nearby parts of the Salinas Valley identified spatial variations in nitrate and mineral concentrations consistent with historical patterns and reported one detection of 1,2,3‑trichloropropane (TCP) likely associated with an abandoned landfill.

The report, prepared by consulting staff, inventories rural drinking‑water wells and available laboratory results and recommends monitoring and response options. \"Generally speaking, water quality is what we would expect,\" said Curtis Weeks summarizing the investigation for the committee, and the available data show elevated nitrates in several areas and higher mineral content toward the east and upper valley.

The report noted a localized ring of higher nitrate concentrations around the city of Greenfield and identified a single TCP hit that staff said was likely related to an abandoned landfill. The study recommends continued monitoring and described point‑of‑use treatment as a likely affordable interim option for some locations.

Staff said the report has been viewed by the advisory committee, is slated for conditional approval by the Basin board and will then be circulated to the 4 Bay implementation committee for final review and comment. The investigation is an initial, basin‑wide ‘first cut’ meant to identify areas where more focused sampling or management action is warranted.

Committee members and staff also discussed monitoring capacity: staff reported monitoring‑well deployments under grant programs (four wells installed under the 184100 grant and ten installed in an earlier grant round), with technical specifications being prepared for a further ten monitoring wells. Staff said the monitoring program will continue to be expanded and transducer deployment is pending for some newly drilled wells.

No regulatory action was taken at the meeting; the report will be finalized through the Basin GSA board process and returned to implementation committees for comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 27, 2025 - Forebay Committee Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","An initial groundwater‑quality investigation covering the Forebay and adjacent areas found nitrate concentrations higher in several locations, mineral patterns consistent with historical expectations, and a single TCP detection likely tied to an abandoned landfill; report to be finalized and provided to committees for review.","taxTitle","Greenfield City, Monterey County, California","taxId",71906,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360450,"Subbasin committee reviews 2024 conditions, proposes work plan and approves trial of joint meetings",3975,2354000,6329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23&start=2354&end=6329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23/thumbnail_2354000.jpg","/articles/6360450/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Subbasin-committee-reviews-2024-conditions-proposes-work-plan-and-approves-trial-of-joint-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360450-fa2e9aad3134d4cec910dd69dab21920/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657219&Signature=U6nF4EmItPSBNB5BJrZ-HKK2dzxQ3Xw1YghA3YC6tBcXzmhJqn9w0b8Dy3xHdUKBxPqF4FvfGs2B-khqbtBf564-gOYeGLnfFM9deSrVZ5PQMq8OrC0RQZucd7iTuMhllna7dtsl4BtHIAdfLfo-iHYkycq-JBHQbGoZM1rDOIXTIHQfcurhxKFZEZMuXSmjNTloDP3Qwn4mhIiOF3KF1CdIk3S0Qx5VIx-BF8DxrlG1b31GAp4LSg0xR~hRgrXR7fhhbnolnOviKLKSnC2R3qQw6nzDLtZzIsLX0DI41giU4dDbEG9rCkhqZI50tMWpCyDj~I9ZY7gR4Xz7bGhqoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed the annual report narrative on water‑year 2024 conditions, ongoing implementation work and staff recommendations for next fiscal‑year priorities, and they voted to try a combined meeting format with the Upper Valley subbasin.

Why it matters: the annual report and the accompanying work plan shape the GSA’s priorities for monitoring, data collection and project planning, including well registration and modeling that will support future management decisions.

Staff summarized WY2024 hydrology and operations and asked the committee for input on items to include in the annual report. Staff noted above‑average precipitation at several gauges and higher reservoir releases relative to long‑term average, in part because of planned releases to enable spillway maintenance. They also told the committee that the governor’s drought emergency declarations and the State Water Resources Control Board’s Water Conservation Emergency Regulations had been lifted in 2024, which affected well permitting and urban conservation requirements.

Staff outlined current and planned work streams: continued SMC TAC work; a completed deep aquifer study with follow‑up management‑option development by the agency working group; development of well‑registration and extraction reporting (GEMS) outreach in coordination with the Water Resources Agency; multi‑benefit stream channel evaluation in partnership with FlowWest and UC‑Davis to better estimate recharge potential from mainstem flows; invasive species removal and stream maintenance carried out by the Resource Conservation District; and scoping for reservoir‑operation modeling tied to forthcoming DWR guidance on interconnected surface water.

Committee members and public commenters contributed technical and policy perspectives. Committee Member Moss and others asked staff to pilot a combined meeting format for 4 Bay and Upper Valley to reduce repeated presentations to members who serve on both committees; the committee voted to try a joint or hybrid meeting trial and staff will report back after the April meetings. Public commenters urged stronger clarity on demand management and on whether reductions in pumping in one part of the valley will affect seawater intrusion in the critically overdrafted 184100 subbasin.

Motions and votes at the meeting

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve the minutes of the October 2024 regular meeting: motion moved by Committee Member Bremer; second by Committee Member Mauss; chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried. (Transcript records a voice vote; counts not specified.)
- Motion to try a joint meeting format for 4 Bay and Upper Valley subbasins: motion moved by Alan Panziera; second by Committee Member Mauss; chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried. (Transcript records a voice vote; counts not specified.)

Next steps and staff recommendation

Staff recommended that committee members endorse continuing the listed work streams for the coming year, including: well‑registration outreach and GEMS expansion, completing the water‑quality investigation, continuing SMC TAC work, advancing the multi‑benefit stream channel analyses and coordinating demand‑management scoping in subbasins that are initiating that conversation. Staff said reservoir‑operations modeling will be scoped this summer once DWR issues guidance on interconnected surface water.

The committee did not adopt additional formal policy at the meeting beyond the two procedural votes recorded above.","The 4 Bay implementation subcommittee reviewed water‑year 2024 conditions, implementation progress and a proposed work plan that emphasizes data expansion, monitoring and multi‑benefit stream channel work; the committee voted to try combined meetings with the Upper Valley subbasin and approved the October 2024 minutes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6360455,"Technical advisory committee lays out short- and long‑term action levels for groundwater declines",294,109000,403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23&start=109&end=403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174859-84cb1c44f5bf6db3fab5dbcbf7bbce23/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6360455/Greenfield-City/Monterey-County/California/Technical-advisory-committee-lays-out-short-and-longterm-action-levels-for-groundwater-declines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360455-93bfe50ed1cd6dd0be0d58b609a8b607/orig.mp4?Expires=1776657219&Signature=K38w70Owiwh7Jwjl8L101U~NqaaZjlVSdOdAathcUBul1L00B~7ZUdHdcLgHhN8WDGaAN6RH2VZS6yuN6mfyZrZt4BsO8U8Hbx86y0HwUkxArV4zSVZyVMFD-aRmj2I34WPoxA5s33N4BRQpbNiZry4NIwmq7ouP5893~DRaMWkF~ik0ChpwWz3vFY0fZgGODaS8meeXSQCfWgUmyzs1SaCqsVCcLK5mwr5CSYCQqkYQ2rUzvbEpvCVSr2Z5tH6hUVz1kP9a20UaeQ~1PHIzKb6ZniuO2bDkdtTdZ7XNmvh7gEmdrYh9GTsXm0r24wwqS0R-JSzn0DPgCP8Fw-UI9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas Valley Basin’s Sustainable Management Criteria Technical Advisory Committee presented the detailed procedures it will use to identify when groundwater conditions require management action, including distinct short‑term and long‑term “action levels.”

The procedures matter because they set the data points and thresholds the committee will use to recommend demand‑management steps or projects to the 4 Bay and Upper Valley subbasin committees. \"Our role is to translate the thresholds, the criteria expressed in the groundwater sustainability plans into detailed procedures and criteria for evaluating actual datasets that arrive by way of the annual reports,\" said Gus Yates, chair of the SMC Technical Advisory Committee.

Why it matters: the committee’s criteria determine when staff and elected boards must consider management responses rather than wait until wells or infrastructure are at immediate risk. The committee intends to test the procedures using water‑year 2024 groundwater elevations and return with results in April.

The committee described two kinds of water‑level problems. The first is a short‑term decline tied to unusually low reservoir releases — the committee said those conditions can appear across multiple consecutive years and produce rapid drops in water levels that create operational problems for well owners. The second is a long‑term decline from a persistent groundwater‑budget imbalance that shows up as multi‑decadal trends.

For short‑term concerns, the SMC TAC will look for either an active DTAC (Drought Technical Advisory Committee) tied to low combined reservoir storage or a groundwater trigger: \"If over 30% of the representative monitoring site wells ... have water levels lower than 75% of the range from minimum threshold to the measurable objective,\" the TAC will move to a second stage of analysis, Yates said. If the trigger is met, the TAC will expand the analysis to include non‑RMS (representative monitoring site) wells to check the spatial extent and consider management options that could be implemented the following year.

For potential long‑term declines the TAC recommended selecting a historical period representative of average hydrology (the TAC discussed 30 years as a typical period), applying a nonparametric Mann‑Kendall test to detect trends, and visually checking hydrographs for drought recovery. The TAC proposed that if 35% or more of RMS wells show declining trends or poor recovery after drought, they will expand the analysis and search for potential causes such as changes in pumping, land use, reservoir operations or neighboring basin trends.

Committee members and public commenters pressed for clarity on what counts as a trigger and what management responses might look like. Committee Member Braemers asked whether there was political appetite for demand management; Yates replied that changing the groundwater balance requires either reducing extractions or adding water and that the committee will recommend a suite of options from demand management to infrastructure projects depending on cause and scale. Committee member Curtis Weeks noted that some demand reduction happens automatically when water levels fall below pump intakes, and suggested the TAC consider longer well records in the 4 Bay when evaluating long‑term trends.

Public commenters expressed concern about consistency across subbasins. Chris Bunn of the Alliance said the forebay analysis appeared more deliberative than approaches used in other subbasins and urged consistent methods valleywide; Tom Vercic said that different subbasins are at different stages, and that the more intensive TAC approach is appropriate for basins approaching or in overdraft.

The TAC also flagged next steps: build action‑level procedures for storage and subsidence, develop criteria for water quality and interconnected surface water after receiving further Department of Water Resources guidance, and apply the methods to the WY2024 annual report data in April.

No formal motions or votes were taken on the TAC recommendations during this meeting; the TAC’s procedures were presented for committee feedback and future testing.","A technical advisory committee appointed by the Salinas Valley Basin GSA described the procedures it will use to flag short‑term and long‑term groundwater‑level problems and to recommend management actions; the committee will test the approach against water‑year 2024 data and return to subbasin committees in April.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rural well study finds expected patterns of salinity and nitrates; one TCP detection identified

Subbasin committee reviews 2024 conditions, proposes work plan and approves trial of joint meetings

Technical advisory committee lays out short- and long‑term action levels for groundwater declines