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Perceptions of Power and Influence within the Salinas Valley Basin - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Perceptions of Power and Influence within the Salinas Valley Basin - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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
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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)
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- 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”.
Research Focus
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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
History
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Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) GSA GSP 2014
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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
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Groundwater Governance Structure
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Method
1 hour In-person / phone 17 interview questions 5 critical factors Efficacy & Fairness in GSA
Kiparsky et al. 2016
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City of Salinas - Local Stakeholders
Gary Peterson SVBGSA - General Manager 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
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Amount of Influence Support for Sustainable Groundwater Practices
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SJHC Amount of Influence Support for Sustainable Groundwater Practices EJCW SVBGSA
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- 1. Identify patterns - aggregated response map
- 2. Review audio - Influence and support
- 3. Relate influence to critical governance factors
Data Analysis
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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
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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?
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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
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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”
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DACs have adequate representation
Disadvantaged Communities are Represented GSA is not responsible for DACs Represented via Interests of Other Board Members
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DACs have adequate representation
Disadvantaged Communities are Represented GSA is not responsible for DACs Represented via Interests of Other Board Members DAC Board Seat is Representative California Regulated Public Utility Commision Board Seat Agricultural Board Seats
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Do DACs have adequate representation?
Disadvantaged Communities are Represented GSA is not responsible for DACs Represented via Interests of Other Board Members DAC Board Seat is Representative California Regulated Public Utility Commision Board Seat Agricultural Board Seats Adequate Spatial Representation? Balancing Profit and Labor
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Influence of Agriculture and DACs
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Influence of Agriculture and DACs
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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
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Key Points
Are Disadvantaged Communities adequately represented due to the perceived low influence? Potential Avoidance of Responsibility
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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.
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