Input Survey: Pajaro Valley Voluntary Land & Water Program

Input Survey: Pajaro Valley Voluntary Land & Water Program

Help us understand what land use opportunities would benefit farmers and the community!
Ver y responder esta encuesta en español / View and respond to this survey in Spanish

The purpose of this survey is to help guide the vision and priorities for the Pajaro Valley Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (PV MLRP). This voluntary, opportunity-based State grant program supports landowners facing challenges, such as flooding or declining farm profitability, and who want to explore alternative land uses. The program will help address long-term groundwater sustainability while generating benefits for local communities and the environment—all while supporting, not disrupting, the Pajaro Valley's agricultural way of life.

We’re asking for input from farmers, community members, and organizations in the Pajaro Valley on what types of projects and outcomes are most attractive for our valley. Responses to this survey will help directly inform the development of a plan for the PV MLRP, which is being drafted between the fall of 2025 and winter of 2026. This plan will help inform how future funding (from sources such as grants from Proposition 4 or other grant programs) could be used to support the Pajaro Valley's long-term water sustainability goals. Once the draft plan is complete, the PV MLRP team will share it publicly and hold workshops to invite additional input and feedback from a broad range of viewpoints.

Again, your response to this survey is essential and valued. The PV MLRP team sincerely appreciates your willingness to offer your time and perspective.

More Information

The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) and its partners received $8.89 million in funding from the California Department of Conservation (DOC) to develop and implement a Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) in the Pajaro Valley. This survey has been developed in collaboration with PV MLRP partners including PV Water, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, and UC Santa Cruz. If you would like to learn more about MLRP, the PV MLRP Plan development process, and currently funded projects, please visit https://www.pvwater.org/pajaro-valley-mlrp.

Survey Time: 7-10 minutes
Contact: For questions or phone completion, contact mendiola@pvwater.org
SECTION I: Desirable Project Types
Community recreation areas - Convert land for parks, trails, and community gathering spacesNatural flood areas - Restore areas along rivers, creeks and streams to reduce flooding and create habitatNative habitat for plants and wildlife - Convert land to support local speciesFarming that uses less water – Alternative crops or methods requiring less irrigationInfrastructure to put more water in the ground - Basins or other features that capture rain and runoff and let it soak into underground storageSolar projects - Solar energy generation that provides community or on-farm benefitsPollinator habitat - Land dedicated to supporting bees, butterflies, and other pollinatorsCommunity gardens, community food growing areas, or opportunities for beginning farmersOther
Other: [explain here]
The PV MLRP has five pre-determined projects that are currently being implemented. (See Section IV of the survey for more information.) If more funding became available for additional multibenefit land use projects in the Pajaro Valley, please indicate your level of importance for each multibenefit project type listed below by ranking them in order of priority, starting with 1 as the highest priority. *
Other: [describe your project type]
SECTION II: Input on Regional Priorities
Frequently flooded areasAreas with poor soil qualityLand that's challenging to farm profitablyLand near rivers and creeksLand adjacent to or near neighborhoods/schoolsSteep and highly erodible landLand suitable for solar energyOther
Other: [explain here]
Land/lease valuesWater supply reliabilityFlooding problemsSeawater intrusion (saltwater getting into wells)Water qualityDrought impactsOther
Other: [explain here]
SECTION III: About You
Name

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Where do you live? (ZIP Code)*
GrowerAgricultural workerResidentWorkerBusiness ownerLandownerCommunity organization memberOther
Other: [explain here]
YesNo
Yes, household/community wellYes, agricultural operationsBothNoN/AOther
Other: [explain here]
YesNo
If yes, please provide your email (optional)
example@example.com
Is there anything else you'd like to share about ag land reuse considerations or efforts in the Pajaro Valley?
SECTION IV: Interest in PV MLRP Inclusive Planning Process

The PV MLRP is an inclusive planning process, meaning that there are several ways for landowners, community members, and interested parties to participate in the development of the Program Plan and projects.
YesNoMaybeOther
Other: [explain here]
In-person planning or input meetingsOnline planning or input meetingsWritten comments on plan components such as regional priorities and project ideasBeing part of an ongoing PV MLRP coalitionProject development and implementation supportOther
Other: [explain here]
WeekdaysWeekendsDaytime meetingsEvening meetingsOther
Other: [explain here]
EmailCommunity meetingsWebsiteSocial mediaThrough agricultural organizationsThrough community organizationsOther
Other: [explain here]
SECTION V: (Optional) Give Your Perspective on Current PV MLRP Projects

Five multibenefit land use projects have already been awarded MLRP funds in the Pajaro Valley. Please indicate your level of understanding and/or support for each project type:

Rows	I have questions/concerns	I do not have questions/concerns
Beach Ranch Wetland Restoration Project Lead partner: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Project action: Converting 50 acres to seasonal wetlands for wildlife habitat, reductions in water use and water quality improvements.
College Lake Project Lead partner: Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Project action: Repurposing 136 acres of agricultural land for water supply storage and delivery, supporting habitats, protecting water quality through reduced groundwater demand.
Conservation Easements Lead partner: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Project action: Restoring 28 acres of marginal agricultural lands that are frequently flooded and suffering from saltwater intrusion to wildlife habitat to reduce water use and improve habitat quality.
Managed Stormwater Recharge/Recharge Net Metering Program Lead partner: Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County) Project action: Restoring hydrology and habitat on agricultural lands to achieve aquifer recharge and increased habitat diversity.
Pajaro River Restoration Project Sponsored by: Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) Project action: Increasing flood capacity and river function over approximately 30 acres along Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek.

Comments, questions or concerns on current projects (optional):
Thank you for your participation!

Contact: mendiola@pvwater.org | (831) 722-9292 | Website
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Should be Empty:

Input Survey: Pajaro Valley Voluntary Land & Water Program

SECTION I: Desirable Project Types

SECTION II: Input on Regional Priorities

SECTION III: About You

SECTION IV: Interest in PV MLRP Inclusive Planning Process

SECTION V: (Optional) Give Your Perspective on Current PV MLRP Projects