Perceptions of Power and Influence within the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Jon Detka, Justin Luong, Nazanin Rezaei Environmental Studies In Practice (ENVS 201B) - Spring 2018
Overview � Sustainable Groundwater Governance � Our Research � Major Findings � Key Take-Away
Groundwater Governance � VvThe process by which groundwVater resources a re managed through the application of responsibility, participation, information availability, transparency, custom, and rule of law. � Coordinating administrative actions and decision-making between and among different jurisdictional levels (local, regional, state) (Saunier and Meganck 2007)
Research Focus 1. Identify multiple perspectives regarding the importance of SVBGSA in groundwater governance. 2. Explore the context of power and influence in groundwater management. 3. Examine the role different stakeholders have in influencing groundwater governance for “disadvantaged communities”.
History � Continued overdrafting of groundwater aquifers � Long history of groundwater extraction Salinas Valley ○ 80% Ag , 20% Urban � The challenge ○ Sustain high agricultural production levels ○ Increase access to clean water for DACs
GSA 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act ( SGMA) GSP
Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) � Communities designated by census-tract data with median household of $50K � Concern over true spatial representation of marginalized groups � Certain DACs have not had clean water in 30+ years in the Salinas Valley Basin
Groundwater Governance Structure
Method � 1 hour In-person / phone � 17 interview questions � 5 critical factors � Efficacy & Fairness in GSA Kiparsky et al. 2016
City of Salinas - Local Stakeholders SVBGSA - General Manager Gary Peterson Janet Brennan SVBGSA - Env Board Seat Bruce Delgado CCCRWQCB / Marina GSA Adam Secondo SVBGSA - Ag Board Seat Brenda Granillo SVBGSA - Utility Board Seat Horacio Amezquita SVBGSA - Advisory Committee Member
Amount of Influence Support for Sustainable Groundwater Practices
Amount of Influence SVBGSA EJCW SJHC Support for Sustainable Groundwater Practices
Data Analysis 1. Identify patterns - aggregated response map 2. Review audio - Influence and support 3. Relate influence to critical governance factors
Common Themes Representation & Participation Agriculture is not monolithic Agricultural, Influence, and the Salinas Valley GSA Disadvantaged communities adequately represented Scale Water Quantity is the highest priority Funding Successful GSA needs tax/fee levying ability Human Capacity Gary has been instrumental in facilitating cooperation in the SVBGSA
Agriculture is not monolithic � Farmers support sustainable groundwater practices ● � Issues regarding surface water quality � Little discussion about groundwater quality / quantity � Emphasis on rights to water in reservoirs � North County vs South County � North County grows more veggies while South County grows more wine grapes ○ What’s more important and what should water be directed to?
Agricultural, Influence, and the Salinas Valley GSA � Agriculture is the driving economic force in the Salinas Valley � 4 AG Board Seats, Public Board Member perceived to always vote with AG, many other seats supported the super-majority � Heavily focused on sustainable water quantity � Do not think that nitrates from fertilizers affect groundwater issues � Ag always has to pay for legacy environmental issues � Difficulty in holding individuals responsible � Nitrate changes aren’t visible for 50 years
Water Quantity not Quality A focus on water quality is a focus on sustainability � Supply and rate of extraction in groundwater reservoir is contended � Taking out the Arundo from the river should basically balance the basin � Water quality and quantity are tied � Water quality “ Do no harm ” policy � “The future of water is reclaimed water”
DACs have adequate representation Represented via Disadvantaged Interests of Other Communities are Board Members Represented GSA is not responsible for DACs
DACs have adequate representation Represented via Disadvantaged Interests of Other Communities are Board Members Represented GSA is not California Regulated responsible for Agricultural Board Public Utility DACs Seats Commision Board Seat DAC Board Seat is Representative
Do DACs have adequate representation? Represented via Disadvantaged Interests of Other Communities are Board Members Represented GSA is not California Regulated responsible for Agricultural Board Public Utility DACs Seats Commision Board Seat DAC Board Seat is Adequate Spatial Balancing Profit Representative Representation? and Labor
Influence of Agriculture and DACs
Influence of Agriculture and DACs
DACs have adequate representation � Human Right to Water has not been brought up (AB 685, 2013) � The board is aware of it and does not need to be reminded � Ultimately if there is a water shortage people will get water first
Key Points � Are Disadvantaged Communities adequately represented due to the perceived low influence? � Potential Avoidance of Responsibility
Conclusions � GSAs ideally positioned to provide equitable representation and promote sustainable groundwater initiatives. � Find consensus on role of GSA in water quality. � Sustaining GSA programs will require funding.
Acknowledgements SVBGSA - Gary Peterson Horacio Amezquita - San Jerardo Housing Cooperative Janet Brennan - Monterey Co. Landwatch Bruce Delgado - CCCRWQCB / Marina Mayor Adam Secondo - Secondo Family Farms Brenda Granillo - Cal Water EJCW - Environmental Justice Coalition for Water Eric Tyn - Castroville Everyone else that provides support to water infrastructure and governance! Our Course Instructors ENVS 201B Cohort And…. WATER
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