1. The 180/400-Ft Aquifer Subbasin remains in overdraft. Groundwater levels in the 180-foot and 400-foot aquifers rebounded following the wet year in 2023. Deep-aquifer levels remain well below sea level, however, and more than 15% of representative deep-aquifer wells fell below their minimum thresholds in every year evaluated, triggering undesirable results. Seawater intrusion also triggered undesirable results each year evaluated and advanced beyond its 2017 extent in both the 180-foot and 400-foot aquifers, although recent advances were limited compared with historical progression. Twenty-year groundwater-level trends were mixed: increases were slightly more common in the 180-foot aquifer, while declines were more prevalent in the 400-foot and deep aquifers. Modeled water budgets also supported staff’s overdraft finding.
2. Staff proposed changing—not approving—a seawater-intrusion goal. Staff recommended moving the measurable objective from Highway 1 to the 2017 intrusion extent, which is already the minimum threshold. The modeled Brackish Groundwater Restoration Project did not push intrusion back to Highway 1 by 2040. A committee member also urged consideration of moving the minimum threshold farther inland. Staff said that separate change would need analysis of effects on beneficial uses and users and potential mitigation; it could be discussed during the 90-day review period this fall. No seawater-intrusion criterion was changed at this meeting.
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