To make key policy decisions and inform the development of the initial Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan), the MGA board selected members of the public from various interest groups to serve as the GSP Advisory Committee. In 2017 – 2019, the Committee met approximately monthly to develop local policy goals for sustainable groundwater management. Together with input from community members, qualified experts, and groundwater scientists the MGA developed its Plan based on these local policy goals. The science- based Plan meets all state requirements to achieve and maintain groundwater sustainability, including protection of sensitive species that rely on groundwater.
The Committee was comprised of community volunteers and MGA board members representing identified water interests within the Basin. Each member was chosen for their experience and the diversity of their perspective.
The GSP Advisory Committee members were:
- Kate Anderton, Environmental Representative
- John Bargetto, Agricultural Representative
- Rich Casale, Small Water System Management
- Keith Gudger, At-Large Representative
- Jonathan Lear, At-Large Representative
- Dana Katofsky McCarthy, Water Utility Rate Payer
- Charlie Rous, At-Large Representative
- Thomas Wyner for Cabrillo College, Institutional Representative
- Marco Romanini, Central Water District
- David Baskin, City of Santa Cruz
- Allyson Violante, County of Santa Cruz
- Bruce Jaffe, Soquel Creek Water District
- Jon Kennedy, Private Well Representative
GSP Advisory Committee meeting agendas, summaries, presentations and recordings can be found here.