There’s a new sign hanging at 583 San Ysidro Road, home of the Montecito Groundwater Basin GSA — and there is a new face at the GSA.
Nick Kunstek is the newly appointed groundwater specialist for the Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Montecito GSA).
Kunstek earned a bachelor’s degree in geophysical engineering from Montana Technological University. Working as a geoscientist for more than a decade, he has experience in exploration geology, reservoir characterization, operational procedures, data management, and technical workflows.
The Montecito GSA is moving forward with preparation of the state’s required Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Established in 2018, the Montecito GSA has about five years to create a long-term plan to guarantee resiliency of the Montecito Groundwater Basin and a sustainable supply of groundwater.
Chapters are currently being drafted for preliminary review from public technical and stakeholder advisory committees, staff and directors.
The Montecito Groundwater Basin supplies water for numerous public and private wells. Groundwater is heavily relied on for local residential, commercial and agricultural use. Available data shows area groundwater levels reached record lows during the region’s recent drought, which was the worst and longest in history.
The Groundwater Sustainability Plan will determine ways to avoid undesirable results, such as seawater intrusion or depletion of groundwater supplies, that may occur without proper care and stewardship of the basin.
To fund this work, Montecito GSA proactively applied for available state funding and was awarded more than $2 million in grants this spring. These dollars will go a long way towards implementing projects, amassing much-needed local data, and producing a plan.
To fund supplemental costs and the local match required by the grant, the Montecito GSA groundwater sustainability are appearing on property tax bills starting this fall.
The Montecito GSA groundwater sustainability fee applies only to parcels overlying the Montecito Groundwater Basin, is based on acreage, and is proportional to the size of the parcel. Partial acres are charged accordingly. If only a portion of a parcel overlies the groundwater basin, only that portion is used to calculate the fee.
Public involvement is vital to the Montecito GSA. To learn more about the Montecito GSA and the importance of groundwater in the community, or to find resources such as the basin boundary map, detailed fee schedules, and information on how to get involved, visit www.montecitogsa.com.
For more about the Montecito Groundwater Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, visit www.montecitogsa.com; email info@montecitogsa.com, or call 805-324-4207.