California American Water Application Request for Authorization Temporary Slant Test Well Project, Marina, CA., to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, June 2013

ABSTRACT:  On June 25, 2013, on behalf of California American Water (CalAm), RBF Consulting (RBF) submitted the application Request for Authorization Temporary Slant Test Well Project, Marina, CA. to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The application, including Attachment A – MPWSP Temporary Slant Test Well Project Description (June 25, 2013), Attachment B – ONMS Permit Application Form, Attachment C – Draft Technical Memorandum – Biological Resources Assessment MPWSP Exploratory Borings Program Package 1 – CEMEX Active Mining Area, prepared by Zander Associates, June 2013 (final report to be provided under separate cover) and Attachment D – Cultural Report (to be provided under separate cover), is embedded. Importantly, “The temporary test well Project will provide field data concerning geologic, hydrogeologic, and water quality characteristics of the Sand Dunes Aquifer, Salinas Valley Aquitard, and 180-foot Aquifer. Furthermore, the information obtained from this temporary test well Project will be utilized in the design and permitting of a separate potential future desalination project – the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project (MPWSP). The MPWSP is being processed separately by the California Public Utilities Commission. The temporary slant test well is functionally independent from and could not be used for the MPWSP without substantial additional infrastructure and associated CEQA, NEPA and regulatory permitting compliance.” Additionally, according to Tom Luster, Staff Environmental Scientist – Energy, Ocean Resources, and Federal Consistency Division, California Coastal Commission, “the application remains incomplete and we’ll be requesting that Cal-Am provide additional information about the proposed project.” Moreover, the application must be complete and the City of Marina must approve a coastal development permit for the proposed project prior to the Coastal Commission scheduling a hearing.

RELATED NEWS ARTICLE:

Potential test well delay for the Monterey Peninsulawater supply project

December consideration is 'worst case scenario'

By JIM JOHNSON Herald Staff Writer, 07/15/2013

Excerpt Highlight:

Cal Am has already been forced to revise its test well application to avoid construction impacts to the protected species, and just finished submitting amended applications to the city of Marina, the Coastal Commission and other regulatory agencies earlier this month.

MBNMS Test Well Application June 24 2013 

June 25, 2013

NOAA Office of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Subject: Request for Authorization Temporary Slant Test Well Project, Marina, CA