The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency is accepting applications for well-owner representative alternates.
The agency, formed in 2017 to comply with California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, is a joint powers authority of the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, Scotts Valley Water District and the County of Santa Cruz, to oversee the groundwater management activities in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. The basin provides drinking water to both the Scotts Valley Water District and San Lorenzo Valley Water District, multiple small water systems and about 800 private wells.
To be eligible, candidates must own, manage or be served by a private or shared domestic well, a small water system well or an irrigation well used for commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational or agricultural purposes. This well must be located within the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin.
The agency is seeking candidates who can effectively represent the interests of community members who rely on water from private domestic wells or small water systems. Candidates should be open to learning about, and working with, people whose interests might differ from their own, the agency said in a news release, and are willing to make educated compromises that are respectful of competing viewpoints.
During the three-year term, the alternate director will serve as backup to the two well-owner directors on the board. If a well-owner director is unable to attend a board meeting, the alternate can participate as the voting director. If the permanent well-owner director position becomes available, the alternate director may be able to step in and take on the role.
The alternate director may not participate in board meeting discussions if the two well owner directors are present and participating. The alternate director must communicate regularly with the two well owner directors.
Applicants must also be able to participate for at least five to 10 hours per quarter, and the position is unpaid.
Applications are due by Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. and can be found here.
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