HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAC Minutes 6.13.19Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
9:30 A.M. – Thursday, June 13, 2019
Mendocino County Administration Center,
501 Low Gap Road, Room 1010, Conference Room A, Ukiah CA 95482
Supporting Documents:
Agenda
Draft 4.16.19 Meeting Summary
Status of Update on Ukiah Basin Hydrogeological Conceptual Model
TSS Application Information
UVBGSA TAC Presentation Agenda Items 3, 4, 5, 6
Meeting Summary
CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL
Present: Sean White, Beth Salomone, Levi Paulin, Mike Webster, Laurel Marcus and Marcus Trotta
Absent: Sonny Elliot, Jr., Ken Todd and Glenn McGourty
Approval of Meeting Summary from the April 16, 2019, Meeting
Presenter/s: Sarah Dukett, Mendocino County Water Agency
Committee Action: Motion by Mike Webster, seconded by Sean White. Motion carries to approve meeting summary from April 16, 2019.
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Hydrogeological Conceptual Model (HCM) Under Development for the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Chapter
Presenter/s: Chris Petersen, GEI Consultants, Laura Foglia, Larry Walker and Associates and Amir Mani, Larry Walker and Associates
Introduction: GEI Consultants presented to the TAC and reviewed the LACO HCM vs. SGMA requirements, ongoing work to develop a complete HCM, potential data gaps in final HCM, the schedule
to complete the HCM and data management system. Larry Walker and Associates provided an overview of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) structure, GSP chapters for
the hydrogeological conceptual model, groundwater conditions, water budget and the integrated hydrological model.
Discussion:
HCM Update
Was well log pump test data reviewed in the HCM development? Yes.
Recommend looking at outlier wells
Recommendation to further clarify the two different types of aquafers in the valley.
How do you determine the accuracy of the data? GEI utilized a screening methodology.
USGS may have some longer-term pump test data that can be shared for this project.
Request further information from consultants on what reaches of the Russian river are gaining and losing water.
Data Management System Update
The access database has been created for the data management system.
Are the GEO Tracker contaminated sites data included? Yes, they are being captured, but can also be screened out.
How difficult is it to add more categories? It is easy to add new categories; a new table would be created and added to the database.
Model Update
LWA is requesting feedback from the TAC to help them better represent the stream flow in the model.
LWA worked with Glenn McGourty on updating Ukiah Valley land use maps.
LWA also reviewed and incorporated information for the Agricultural Commissioners crop reports.
LWA meet with Nash Gonzalez from the County regarding Ukiah Valley land use, Mendocino County General Plan and Ukiah Valley Area Plan.
The timeline for the USGS Russian River Model is 2021. The team is coordinating with USGS, so we have the same foundational information and it will be easier down the line to share water
budget and stream flow network information.
LWA is working with Glenn McGourty and Sean White to update the pond information maps for the modeling effort.
LWA is working with Laurel Marcus on incorporating frost protection program information. Laurel Marcus also suggested coordinating with the State Water Board for frost protection data.
Committee Action: Comments to staff regarding further development of the HCM and GSFlow model.
Update Regarding Data Acquisition and Confidentiality Requirements
Presenter/s: Laura Foglia, Larry Walker and Associates and Amir Mani, Larry Walker and Associates
Introduction: LWA provided an update on data acquisition and privacy concerns.
Discussion:
DWR requirements for sharing data publicly is not completely clear based solely on the regulations.
If the data site is not a well, it will only become public data if it is explicitly included as a Map entry or written in model input files.
If it is a well, its respective data will be public if it is written explicitly within a model input file. Otherwise, it shall be maintained in the GSA’s DMS.
If obtained data is used to define the Basin Setting, which includes all the analytical sections of the GSP, it should be kept within the GSA’s DMS.
For pumping data:
LWA will produce information using modeling tools and already available data;
Interacts with the TAC and stakeholders to “ground truth” the produced projections. This interaction will not require data submittal;
Find the means to obtain necessary data to resolve data gaps and inaccuracies agreed upon by the TAC and stakeholders.
Opportunities for sharing the data that were recently collected and will not be needed for future projections.
LWA is working with the CLSI on requesting landowner data (streamflow and wells) under the premise that the data location would be protected, used only to understand the water system,
cross check the model, and would not be used in the data network.
Committee Action: Comments to staff regarding data privacy use of public wells and potential data sources.
Update and Discussion Regarding Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s Technical Support Services Application
Presenter/s: Sarah Dukett, Mendocino County Water Agency
Discussion: The Technical Support Services (TSS) application and maps were provided to the TAC for review. The goal of establishing a monitoring network through the TSS process is to
better understanding surface water and groundwater conditions. Department of Water Resources approved the application. The Mendocino County Water Agency is working with the local government
entities that own the property in the preferred cross sections to establish land
access agreements this summer in hopes the wells can be drilled in October. The Mendocino County Water Agency will provide a status update at the next TAC meeting.
Committee Action: None.
Update and Discussion Regarding Proposition 68 Solicitation for Groundwater Sustainability Plan Development and Projects
Presenter/s: Laura Foglia, Larry Walker and Associates and Sarah Dukett, Mendocino County Water Agency
Discussion: Proposition 68 is the third round of grant funding for GSP development. Each basin is eligible to receive up to $2 million total for the project. Based on the current GSP
grant the project could receive an additional $1.3 million in funding. The current solicitation package is out for a 45-day public comment period which ends on June 17. LWA and the
Mendocino County Water Agency will be working on a grant application. The application cannot be duplicative of previously funded work. Initial areas to apply for additional funding
are education and outreach, development of a new GSFLOW model, instrumentation for more data collection and possible studies that would support the model and GSP development. The grant
is anticipated to be released at the end of the summer for a 5-week period with awards being granted in winder of 2019/2020. LWA and the Mendocino County Water Agency will provided
the TAC with a grant application update at the next meeting. Members of the TAC requested additional research be done regarding data necessities to ensure we are not spending resources
on a long-term monitoring network that is not needed.
Committee Action: Feedback to staff regarding monitoring network component of grant application.
Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule
Presenter/s: Sarah Dukett, Mendocino County Water Agency
Presentation: The Next TAC meeting is scheduled to occur in October. The meeting will include presentations on the preliminary results for the Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model and Water
Budget. The meeting details, agenda and materials will be distributed in late September.
Committee Action: None.
Action Items and Closing Comments
Presenter/s: None
Committee Action: None.
Public Comments on Items Not on the Agenda
This time is reserved for the public to address the Committee about matter not on the agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Advisory Committee. Persons wishing to speak on specific
agenda items should do so at the time specified for those items.
Public Comment: None.
Adjournment
The Meeting was adjourned at 11:27 am.
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Glen McGourty, Chair
Attest: Sarah Dukett
UVBGSA Plan Manager
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