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Independent review recommends shared governance, clearer outreach for Castroville seawater project
Summary
An independent assessment commissioned by California's Department of Water Resources found coordination gaps among agencies that manage the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) and recommended a shared governance overlay, staff succession planning and broader public outreach.
An independent reviewer recommended that local water agencies governing the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project (CSIP) create a shared decision space and improve public outreach after interviews with directors and staff from the three primary agencies.
David Cepos, who led the Department of Water Resources facilitation support assessment, told the Board of Supervisors that interviews with agency leadership and directors revealed differing views about responsibilities, customers and priorities that have contributed to operational and financial friction.
“The agencies are sovereign and appropriately different, but the CSIP is a shared responsibility,” Cepos said. “That argues for an intentional, shared governance structure that preserves each agency’s authority while creating a clearinghouse for joint decisions.”
Cepos recommended three broad steps: (1) a governance overlay that allows the partners to make shared decisions without sacrificing sovereignty; (2) a staff succession and relationship plan so institutional knowledge and working relationships survive personnel turnover; and (3) a unified outreach approach so the public can better understand who the customers are and how CSIP relates to groundwater sustainability objectives. Cepos said the report was based on 30 interviews with managers and board members and was intended to be a practical assessment, not an audit.
The consultants and GSA members previously briefed the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency and the Water Resources Agency board. Supervisors said the recommendations could serve as a template for future multi‑agency projects and urged staff to promote more regional collaboration.
Why it matters: CSIP serves dual goals — delivering recycled water and helping to control seawater intrusion, a key sustainable‑groundwater issue in the Salinas Valley. Coordination among the GSA, Monterey1 Water and the Water Resources Agency affects operations, budgeting and long‑term groundwater sustainability plans.
What’s next: County and partner staff will consider Cepos’ recommendations and return with options for governance adjustments and outreach strategies to foster long‑term coordination.
