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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-11 TAC MinutesUKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 1 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Draft Meeting Summary December 11, 2024 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Chair Salomone called the meeting to order 9:32. TAC Members Present: Elizabeth Salomone (RRFC), Laurel Marcus (CLSI), Ken Todd (URRWA), Amber Fisette (County of Mendocino), Adam Gaska (Agricultural Representative) Sean White, City of Ukiah; and Joe Scriven, Mendocino County RCD member, Chris Watts (RRFC) TAC Members Absent: None Others Present: Harry Starkey and Sarah Faraola from West Yost; Audra Bardsley, Camille L. and Laura Foglia of Larry Walker & Associates (LWA); Laurel Marcus (CLSI), Marlyana Bourbonnais Duley (County of Mendocino), Monico Nieto (EPA), Madeline Cline (Board of Supervisors) 2. Approval of Agenda Chair Salomone reviewed the day’s agenda and covered the meeting protocol. Member Gaska moved to approve the agenda with no revisions, Member Todd seconded. None opposed. 3. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda No public comment. 4. Representative Monitoring Network During the meeting, Audra (LWA) provided an update on groundwater level (GWL) monitoring. The board approved funding for five representative monitoring points (RMPs) with identified sustainable management criteria (SMCs). Water level sensors and telemetry instruments were installed at three wells (UV-1, UV-32, UV-27 replacement) to improve basin characterization and reduce the need for in-person monitoring. The status of other wells was discussed: UV-36 is integrated into Ukiah’s SCADA network, while the Redwood Valley DWR site is pending. Sarah Faraola emphasized that communication with landowners should be handled by DWR, and Adam volunteered to contact the Redwood Valley landowner. Audra outlined the next steps, including identifying a non-RMP well to add to the network. GSA Administrator Starkey inquired about the long-term vision for the monitoring network, and Laura Foglia explained the need to analyze data from the seven monitored wells over 4-5 years to develop sustainable management criteria. Sean White suggested using publicly owned sites to avoid future landowner issues, though Amber Fisette noted that initial outreach to schools for monitoring did not receive feedback. Laura mentioned that LWA is developing an automated QA/QC process for state data. Audra also updated on the network's status, noting that some wells were no longer responding to UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 2 telemetry systems, prompting LWA to install new telemetry and integrate it into their sensor network. DWR will take over four sites and coordinate with LWA. 5. Russian River Telemetry Project Audra (LWA) provided an update on a project that falls outside the scope of the work being conducted for the GSA. LWA was approached to offer input on this project, and they reviewed the draft recommendation document, providing comments. They clarified that the GSA is only interested in groundwater levels, not pumping data, and emphasized the importance of accurately representing the monitoring network. Laurel Marcus then outlined the potential objectives of the telemetry project, which include regulating water rights. She also highlighted a lack of understanding from the project team regarding the level of effort required for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). 6. Interconnected Surface Water Study Audra (LWA) provided an update on the newly awarded CDFW grant. The ISW-GDE study will identify areas within the basin to address data gaps and understand the timing and interconnectivity between surface water and groundwater. The full requested amount of the grant was received from CDFW. The scope of work includes tracking spatial and temporal trends and preparing for the 2027 Periodic Evaluation. Chair Salomone led a discussion on forming an ad hoc committee within the TAC to develop recommendations for the RFP criteria. GSA Administrator Starkey noted that West Yost has not started developing the RFP and will begin after the CDFW grant agreement is approved at the January 11, 2025, Board meeting via resolution. Sean White suggested forming an ad hoc committee to review the RFP and advise West Yost’s GSA staff. Sean, Adam, and Amber will form the ad hoc committee and provide comments on the draft RFP developed by West Yost. 7. TAC Business Chair Salomone states that the TAC will return to a more formal setting, similar to pre-COVID times, to create a more effective 'working group' meeting environment. There will be a discussion on the necessary frequency of meetings to advise LWA, GSA Staff, or the Board, with potential dates including mid to late February, late spring, and autumn. Additionally, the meeting will cover the potential transition of GSA administration from West Yost to the City of Ukiah, with the intent to streamline roles and responsibilities for future operations. The City has provided a draft contract to the County, and the only anticipated impact is on the scheduling of meetings. 8. Consent Items Meeting minutes from the March meeting will be approved at the next TAC meeting. 9. Information Items Chair Salomone provided an update on the SGMA 10-year anniversary and DWR FacilitaƟon Services, which will include updates to the UVBGSA JPA and Bylaws. GSA Administrator Starkey commented on the JPA update, noƟng the disbanding of URRWA, with Sean White clarifying that this will occur in late spring. Amber menƟoned that several items need to be transiƟoned from the County of Mendocino to the City of Ukiah. Audra provided background on the DWR updates on the PMA Module Spreadsheet, highlighƟng UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Drive  Ukiah  California 95482  (707)463-4363  fax (707)463-5474 3 areas where all projects and management acƟons that have been completed need updaƟng. She noted that there are other aspects of projects where LWA does not have the most updated informaƟon. LWA worked with the TAC Chair to collaborate with TAC members to update and/or reach out to a point of contact to update the status of projects. There was also a discussion on assigning various PMA topics. 10. Future TAC Meeting Topics The next TAC meeting will be in August and include the FY 2025 TAC meeting schedule, status of GSA fee along with next steps, and FY 2025 GSA implementation. 11. Adjournment Chair Salomone adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m.