Central Coast

Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin Boundary Modification

Soquel-Aptos Groundwater Management Committee | March 17th, 2016

This memorandum presents proposed boundary modifications to Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Bulletin 118 groundwater basins within the mid-Santa Cruz Count

This memorandum presents proposed boundary modifications to Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Bulletin 118 groundwater basins within the mid-Santa Cruz County area. These proposed modifications are submitted on behalf of the Soquel-Aptos Groundwater Management Committee (SAGMC), and consist primarily of consolidating four Bulletin 118 basins that make up the shared groundwater resource to be managed by the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) called the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency that SAGMC member agencies have agreed to form. These modifications will promote sustainable groundwater management by the proposed GSA by consolidating the management area into a single, continuous basin called the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin. The supporting information provided in following sections are presented per the requirements listed in Article 5 of The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 1.5, Subchapter 1, which is referenced throughout.

Santa Cruz Mid‐County Basin Groundwater Management Biennial Review and Report Water Years 2015‐2016

Santa Cruz Mid‐County Groundwater Agency | July 18th, 2017

Long‐term overdraft of the basin has led to ongoing risk of seawater intrusion. As a result of long‐term recovery and an acceleration of recovery over the las

Long‐term overdraft of the basin has led to ongoing risk of seawater intrusion. As a result of long‐term recovery and an acceleration of recovery over the last two years, average groundwater levels in Water Year 2016 met the established protective elevations at the most monitoring wells since the wells were installed. Average groundwater levels in Water Year 2016 met established protective elevations at 8 of 13 of the wells. Since five wells have average groundwater levels below established protective elevations, full basin recovery has not been achieved and the basin is still considered in long‐term overdraft. (Figure ES‐ 1). Recovery of the basin and overdraft will be eliminated when coastal groundwater levels rise to protective elevations at all coastal wells. The MGA will also need to reevaluate the established protective elevations for the GSP.

Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency | November 17th, 2021

The plan provides the basis for ongoing management of the Basin by SMGWA to both achieve sustainability in the 20-year planning horizon and maintain sustainability over t

The plan provides the basis for ongoing management of the Basin by SMGWA to both achieve sustainability in the 20-year planning horizon and maintain sustainability over the 50-year implementation horizon specified by SGMA. GSP approved by DWR 4/27/23

Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin – Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency | January 6th, 2022

This GSP describes the EMA physical setting; presents historical, present, and future water budgets; develops quantifiable management objectives that account for the inte

This GSP describes the EMA physical setting; presents historical, present, and future water budgets; develops quantifiable management objectives that account for the interests of the EMA’s beneficial groundwater uses and users; and identifies a group of projects and management actions that will allow the EMA to maintain or achieve sustainability within 20 years of plan adoption. This document also includes the list of references and technical studies, documentation of the stakeholder engagement process used in the development of this plan, and several supporting appendices. The EMA GSA has taken many steps, starting with stakeholder engagement, to complete the GSP in accordance with the requirements of SGMA and related SGMA regulations.

SB-72 The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

State of California | September 8th, 2025

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, a

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as “The California Water Plan.” Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan. This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include, among others, tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, urban uses, agricultural uses, tribal uses, and the environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the department’s conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Scaling protection and restoration of natural infrastructure to reduce flood impacts and enhance resilience

Shore & Beach (American Shore and Beach Preservation Association) | October 1st, 2019

Restoring natural infrastructure offers much promise as a means to reduce both flood hazard and exposure to complement and supplement other flood damage reduction

Restoring natural infrastructure offers much promise as a means to reduce both flood hazard and exposure to complement and supplement other flood damage reduction strategies. Interest increased in flood risk reduction methods using natural and nature- based features, in part, because of increased recognition that such could provide both flood risk reduction and other benefits, such as water quality uplift, community recreational space, and fish and wildlife habitat. Recent flood disasters and the rising costs of disaster response and recovery have triggered policy shifts toward economi- cally efficient investments that enhance greater community resilience. While natural infrastructure is becoming more widely recognized as a tactic for building community and ecological resilience to erosion and flooding, it remains underutilized. Actions to aid consideration of natural infrastructure and scale up its use are presented.

Sea Level Rise Impacts on Wastewater Treatment Systems Along the U.S. Coasts

American Geophysical Union (AGU) | April 13th, 2018

Wastewater treatment plants are susceptible to flooding resulting from sea level rise. Previous estimates of wastewater exposure have only considered the impacts of mar

Wastewater treatment plants are susceptible to flooding resulting from sea level rise. Previous estimates of wastewater exposure have only considered the impacts of marine flooding at the local or regional scale. In this analysis, we quantify the exposure to marine flooding across the coastal United States and then consider the relative impacts of marine and groundwater flooding at the regional scale in the San Francisco Bay Area. We also estimate the number of people who may lose access to wastewater services if no actions are taken to prevent flooding at wastewater treatment plants. We find that the number of people impacted by sea level rise due to loss of wastewater services could be five times as high as previous predictions of the number of people who experience direct flooding of their homes or property. We also find that groundwater flooding poses a significant threat to wastewater plants in the San Francisco Bay region.

Sea Level Rise in California

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | February 29th, 2024

Sea Level Variations of the United States 1854–2006

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | December 19th, 2009

The United States National Water Level Network (NWLON) was established in the 19th Century to ensure the Nation’s nautical charts, shoreline maps, and elevations relat

The United States National Water Level Network (NWLON) was established in the 19th Century to ensure the Nation’s nautical charts, shoreline maps, and elevations relative to homes, levees, and other coastal infrastructure were accurately referenced to sea level. In support of this mission, NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and its predecessors have determined sea level for the United States since the mid 19th Century. While climate change was not a concern during the mid-1800s, the accurate determination of sea level was critical for navigation and marine boundary determination. To meet these important requirements, technology, procedures, and processes were developed to the highest scientific and engineering standards. At the turn of the 20th Century it was realized that there was a need to account for a rise in sea level and the first National Tidal Datum Epoch was established. Today this Epoch is updated every 20 to 25 years. The Supreme Court recognized these standards and procedures in the landmark 1936 case of Borax, Ltd v. City of Los Angeles when legally defining sea level. Due to those initial efforts and the continued dedication of those charged with the responsibility for monitoring sea level for the United States, we can accurately determine relative (local) mean sea level along the Nation’s coastline today. These observations also play an important role in monitoring change in global sea level. As we monitor change in sea level into the 21st Century, the statement made by Alexander Dallas Bache, the Second Superintendent of the Coast Survey, is as relevant today as when it was stated more than 150 years ago, “It seems a very simple task to make correct tidal observations; but, in all my experience, I have found no observations which require such constant care and attention” (1854). Michael Szabados, Director, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services

Sea-Level Rise for the Coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington: Past, Present, and Future

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) | December 13th, 2012