Looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026

Elkhorn Slough, Photo Credit: Kathy McKenzie

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026, some key issues have been resolved, but many significant challenges remain.

It is impossible to reflect on 2025 without addressing the Moss Landing Battery fire. Cleanup efforts continue and will do so for some time, while both Vistra and PG&E remain shut down by their own choice. Last summer, Monterey County began developing an ordinance to address battery energy storage facilities. However, I believed the process was moving too slowly. I therefore sought a one-year moratorium that would have paused new projects while the ordinance was developed. Although the moratorium itself did not receive sufficient support from the Board of Supervisors, the one-year timeline to complete the ordinance did. I expect the ordinance will be finalized by the end of this year.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have long been prohibited in the Coastal Zone. Monterey County spent more than a decade negotiating with the Coastal Commission to allow them. With the State’s renewed emphasis on housing production, the Coastal Commission has finally agreed. ADUs are now permitted throughout the County.

Water remains one of our most serious long-term challenges. About ten years ago, California passed legislation requiring groundwater sustainability by 2040 in areas experiencing severe groundwater decline. The Salinas Valley is one of those areas. That deadline also brings increased scrutiny from state water regulators. As part of that effort, the State required all wells in the Salinas Valley basin to be registered and monitored at a cost of more than $300 per year even for individual well owners and small water systems. I successfully opposed that fee from being imposed. This year, the focus is on making that exemption permanent.

Two additional major water issues loom this year. The first is demand management — another term for water rationing. The second is a proposed $1 billion brackish groundwater desalination project intended to slow or halt seawater intrusion toward Salinas. Beyond the initial $1 billion price tag, which would make it the most expensive infrastructure project in Monterey County’s history, the project could cost an estimated $100 million per year to operate and maintain. I have serious reservations about this proposal.

On a more positive note, the impact of Measure AA on our roads will soon be visible. Although funds are distributed countywide, numerous projects are planned here in the northern part of the County.

While not funded by Measure AA, a major paving project was completed on Elkhorn Road, portions of which had not been paved since the 1960s. After nearly three years of effort, I was also able to secure turn lanes at several dangerous intersections on Hall Road, including Willow, Pini, and Johnson Roads. I am hopeful that improvements to the intersection at Carpenteria and San Juan Roads will follow soon.

An ordinance limiting the number of roosters will be returning to the Board soon. I initiated this over a year ago because the county currently allows up to 499 roosters on a property, which is far too many. There is no reason to have that many roosters unless they are used for cockfighting, which is illegal. There will be sensible carveouts, such 4-H projects or specialty birds used in shows.

Later in the year, a new transfer station will be established at the Crazy Horse Landfill. This should be less expensive and more convenient for Salinas and North County residents than the current options.

Several important issues remain unresolved but are moving forward, albeit slowly. These include the persistent flooding problems in Bolsa Knolls, which continue to face significant state and federal regulatory barriers that limit what the County can do. Another ongoing issue is the noise ordinance. While I was able to lower the threshold from 85 to 70 decibels during my first year, further improvements have stalled due to a lack of majority Board support. Even so, an updated ordinance is slowly moving. I am hopeful it will get Board support. 

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. You can reach us at 831-755-5022 or district2@countyofmonterey.gov. 

Sincerely,

Glenn Church

District 2 Supervisor