Membership materials are now available to join the Central Coast Groundwater Cooperative (CCGC). A groundwater monitoring plan developed by CCGC was recently accepted by the Regional Board for grower/landowners in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties.
If a landowner/grower selected the cooperative approach on their eNOI, they still need to submit a membership application to CCGC. Those who selected the individual well monitoring option can now switch to the cooperative program based on a recent action by the Regional Water Board.
Why Join the Cooperative?
Easy to Comply
Joining the CCGC is easy, effective and efficient. Instead of sampling each of your domestic wells and primary irrigation well, taking these to the lab, having them tested, and filing related paperwork, the cooperative will handle any and all sampling required.
Data Security
- Individual Monitoring = exact location of data point shared, with ranch/operation identifier included.
- Cooperative Monitoring = location of data point maintained on a regulatory-only site for the duration of this order, if not longer. If location is requested in an appropriate Public Records Act Request or shown for any merited reason in a public presentation, well location coordinates will be blurred by one (1) mile squared and data point will be identified as CCGC well, not a specific ranch/operation.
Setting the Stage with Sound Science
This program will create an accurate characterization of the aquifers with science-based, consistent, aggregated reporting. This program's findings will provide agriculture with a basis of understanding and scientific background for the next order/WDR development with the Regional Board. Additionally, the data points collected in this program will be chosen based upon their accuracy and ability to effectively characterize the aquifer. Good data = smart policy.
Understand the Root Cause
In certain circumstances, we may come across a "hot spot", an area where there is an exceedance of nitrates. As prioritized by the Board, certain samples will be tested for additional constituents (i.e. caffeine, pharmaceuticals) and/or isotope testing to understand age and source of nitrates, which could include legacy/historical production, septic systems, municipal systems, etc.
Please review the following materials and submit the attached application no later than August 28, 2013. Links to documents you will need:
Please contact Abby Taylor-Silva at 831-422-8844 with any questions.
