MONTEREY COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO BE USING LESS WATER UNDER A NEW AGREEMENT APPROVED THIS WEEK. THE PROPOSED PLAN WOULD GIVE UP ABOUT 20-PERCENT OF AVAILABLE WATER FROM THE SALINAS RIVER WATER USE-PERMIT AND WOULD ALSO COMMIT TO A TIMELINE FOR USING THE WATER AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STATE WATER BOARD REPRESENTATIVES. THE REVISED PERMIT WOULD ALLOW UP TO 135-THOUSAND ACRE-FEET OF WATER PER-YEAR TO BE DIVERTED IN FIGHTING SEAWATER INTRUSION. THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT IS REQUIRED TO BEGIN BY JULY 2014 WITH CONSTRUCTION ENDING AND RIVER WATER DIVERSION BEGINNING BY MID-2026. NEXT STEPS WILL BE DETERMINED DURING THE AGENCY’S FOLLOW UP MEETING ON JULY 18TH.