HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-06 Powerpoint - Water Right Presentation, RecommendationsRECOMMENDATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF UKIAH’S WATER RESOURCE ENTITLEMENTS
Prepared
By
Emily MacDonald and Robert Wagner
July 6, 2011
Coyote Dam created Lake Mendocino in 1959 on the East Fork of the Russian River.
Issue before Council:
Management of water resource entitlements:
How to maximize beneficial use under the City’s water right entitlements
Pre-1914
Post 1914
Groundwater
Contract
2
PRESENTATION PURPOSE
Provide background information on the City’s water rights
Identify actions required to perfect beneficial use.
Provide recommendations regarding future water resource management decisions.
3
SOURCES OF WATER, CLAIMS OF RIGHT
SURFACE WATER
Permit from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
Pre-1914 appropriation.
SUBTERRANEAN STREAM
Water underground in “known and definite channels.” Subject to surface water laws of appropriation.
GROUNDWATER
Water not bounded within a subterranean stream. Water rights generally unregulated by the SWRCB.
4
City of Ukiah Water Resource Entitlements
Contract Water 800 af
Appropriative Rights:
Permit 12952 (20 cfs diversion rate) 14,480 af
Pre 1914 Right (2.8 cfs diversion rate) 2,027 af
Total: 21,012 af
Groundwater: Wells 4, 7 and 8
5
Status of City of Ukiah Water Rights
Pre 1914 Right:
SWRCB D-1030 recognizes 2.8 cfs (2,072 afa)
Permit 12952 (Application 15704)
Maximum use: 4,224 af as of 1999
Permit expired 12/31/2000
Valid until revoked
Petitions pending: correct place of use, additional POD, and Time Extension
6
7
Place of Use
For Permit
12952
Proposed:
PETITION APPROVAL PROCESS
1. Submit Petition to SWRCB
2. Public notice of project, protests received/resolved
-Protests: injury to prior right or public trust
3. Environmental review – EIR currently in progress
4. For Petition approval SWRCB must consider:
a. Water is Available for Appropriation
b. Protection of Prior Rights
c. Protection of Public Trust/Public Interest
8
BREAK AND QUESTIONS
9
Russian River near Vichy Springs Road, prior to 1959 and construction of the Coyote dam.
Possible Actions to Perfect Beneficial Use
Expand the Place of Use
Encompass larger area to provide water to Districts without a firm water supply, or others
Pursue Transfer/Sharing of Surplus Water Rights
Flood Control District or other water districts
Request license on existing beneficial use
Correction to POU and POD still required
10
Consideration of Existing Conditions
Appropriative Rights:
Permit expired. Beneficial use perfected less than max authorized under permit
Pre 1914 right expandable, but challenging
Groundwater
Will come under increased regulation in near future due to changing regulatory climate.
Historically slow water use growth
11
12
Ukiah’s Water Use: Historical Increase
13
Population Projections*
*Projection generated by CA Dept. of Finance. Figure taken from 2010 UWMP
Depicts annual growth rate of about 1%
City’s Projected Water Use Based on Historical Beneficial Use Increases
15
Break and Questions
16
RECOMMENDATIONS
Maintain City’s control over growth and existing water resource development
Perfect full beneficial use authorized under the Permit by:
Creating transfer and exchange agreements to share water right and resource within the Ukiah Valley.
17
Objectives
Flexibility for City manager and City Council
Keep resource local, under local control
Develop revenue stream for City water department through sale/lease of entitlement.
Maintain sustainable longterm regional supply – overcome inefficient distribution of entitlement
18
Implement Recommendation to Increase Beneficial Use
Proceed with Petitions – resolve protests
Explore transfer arrangements with water purveyors/Flood Control District to increase opportunity for additional beneficial use
Account for water use under Pre-1914/post-1914 appropriative rights to maximize beneficial use
19
Implementation: Progress to Date
Met with Flood Control District General Manager
Discussed basis for cooperation
Regional approach to water management
Securing firm water supply for Districts in Ukiah Valley
Identified topics for future discussion and exploration
Determine feasibility of Regional approach - facilities constraints
20
Next Steps: Exploring Transfer Opportunities
Continue discussion with Flood Control District
Develop Program for transfer of water
Identify available facilities and constraints
Are all facilities existing, or is construction necessary
Identify policy vehicle for transfer mechanism
Identify end users/beneficiaries
Identify length of transfer agreement
Short term vs. long term
21
22
23