HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.11.21 Board PacketUKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 NOTICE OF MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (“Agency”) Board of Directors (“Board”) will hold its regular Board Meeting at: 1:30 P.M. - Thursday, March 11, 2021 Zoom Link: https://mendocinocounty.zoom.us/j/87050541336 Meeting ID: 870 5054 1336 Phone: +1 669 900 9128 Due to COVID-19 the UVBGSA Board meetings will be conducted virtually and not available for in person public participation (pursuant to State Executive Order N 29 20). The public may participate digitally in meetings by sending comments to uvbgsa@mendocinocounty.org or by clicking the link above to join the Zoom meeting, in lieu of personal attendance. All email comment must be received by 8:00 A.M. the morning of the meeting in order to be published online prior to the meeting. AMENDED AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. CONSENT ITEMS The Consent Calendar is considered routine and non-controversial and will be acted upon by the Board at one time without discussion. Any Board member may request that any item be removed from the Consent Calendar for individual consideration. a. Approval of Minutes from the February 11th, 2021 Meeting b. Approval of UVBGSA FAQ Sheet for Publication on UVBGSA Website 4. ACTION ITEMS a. Discussion and Possible Appointment Of Tribal Stakeholder Director (Continued from the February 11, 2021 meeting) The Board shall review the Tribal Stakeholder nomination by the six (6) Tribes within the Ukiah Valley to confirm their appointment.
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 b. Presentation and Discussion Regarding Introduction to Groundwater Sustainability Funding for the Ukiah Valley Basin GSA The Board will receive a presentation from SCI Consulting regarding potential funding mechanisms to pay for GSP implementation. c. Presentation and Discussion Regarding the Watershed Coordinator Position by the California Land Stewardship Institute The Board will receive a presentation on the newly awarded grant for a Watershed Coordinator position to the California Land Stewardship Institute. The coordinator will work with the GSA on groundwater recharge locations as well as conducting outreach work to disadvantaged communities. d. Presentation and Discussion Regarding Updates to GSP Technical Process The Board will receive a presentation from Larry Walkers and Associates on updates to the Project and Management Actions, the Groundwater Elevation SMC, the monitoring network and the updated Water Budget from the model. 5. DIRECTOR REPORTS 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA The Board will receive public comments on items not appearing on the agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Agency. The Board will not enter into a detailed discussion or take any action on any items presented during public comments. Such items may only be referred to staff for administrative action or scheduled on a subsequent agenda for discussion. Persons wishing to speak on specific agenda items should do so at the time specified for those items. The presiding Chair shall limit public comments to three minutes. 7. ADJOURNMENT The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency complies with ADA requirements and upon request, will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities by making meeting material available in appropriate alternative formats (pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.2). Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should contact the Mendocino County Department of Transportation by calling (707) 463-4363 at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please reference the Mendocino County website to obtain additional information for the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency: http://www.mendocinocounty.org/uvbgsa
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 1 Item No.: 3.a Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Discussion and Possible Approval of Minutes from the February 11th, 2021 Meeting Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: Approval of Minutes from February 11th, 2021 Meeting Recommended Action: Approve the February 11th, 2021 Minutes Background: The Agency convened on February 11th, 2021 Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact. Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 ACTION MINUTES – February 11, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL (1:42 P.M.) Present: Director Glen McGourty, Director Alfred White, and Director James Green. Absent: Director Douglas Crane. Mendocino County Staff Present: Howard Dashiell, Director of Transportation; Amber Fisette, Deputy Director of Transportation; Andrew Bake, CivicSpark Fellow; Nicole French, Department Analyst II. Public Attendees: Jim Sullivan, Amir Mani, Brandi Brown, Elizabeth Salomone, Devon Jones, Lana Cohen, Laura Foglia, Sean White, Michael Webster, and Deborah Edelman. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by: Director McGourty. 3. ACTION ITEMS a. Discussion and Possible Appointment Of Agricultural Stakeholder Director and Alternate Director Seat Presenter/s: Devon Jones. Public Comment: None. Board Action: Upon motion by Director McGourty, seconded by Director White, and carried (3/0/1, with Director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that Zachary Robinson is appointed as Agricultural Director and Levi Paulin is appointed as Alternate Agricultural Director of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. DIRECTOR ROBINSON PRESENT AT 1:50 P.M. b. Discussion and Possible Appointment Of Tribal Stakeholder Director Presenter/s: Amber Fisette and Andrew Bake. Public Comment: Brandi Brown. Board Action: Upon motion by Director McGourty, seconded by Director Green, and carried (3/1/1, with Director Robinson abstaining and director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that this item is hereby continued to a future meeting of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 c. Discussion and Possible Appointment of Officers Including Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and any Other Officers as Determined Necessary by the Board of Directors Presenter/s: Nicole French, Director McGourty, Amber Fisette, and Andrew Bake. Public Comment: Brandi Brown. Board Action: Upon motion by Director Green, seconded by Director White, and carried (4/0/1, with Director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that Director McGourty is appointed as Chair of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. CHAIR MCGOURTY PRESIDING AT 1:53 P.M. Board Action: Upon motion by Director White, seconded by Director Green, and carried (4/0/1, with Director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that Director Crane is appointed as Vice Chair of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Board Action: Upon motion by Director McGourty, seconded by Director Robinson, and carried (4/0/1, with Director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that Director Green is appointed as Secretary of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency. d. Discussion and Possible Approval of Minutes from the November 12, 2020, Regular Meeting Presenter/s: Director McGourty. Public Comment: None. Board Action: Upon motion by Director White, seconded by Director Green, and carried (4/0/1, with Director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that the minutes from the November 12, 2020, Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency are hereby approved. e. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Land Access Agreements for Building the Monitoring Network in the Ukiah Valley Basin Presenter/s: Andrew Bake. Public Comment: Elizabeth Salomone, Laura Foglia, Devon Jones, and Amir Mani. Board Action: Upon motion by Director White, seconded by Director Green, and carried (3/1/1, with Director Robinson abstaining and director Crane absent); IT IS ORDERED that the land access agreements for building the monitoring network in the Ukiah Valley Basin are hereby approved, and authorize the Chair to sign same.
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 f. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve the Updated Ukiah Valley Basin Goundwater Sustainability Agency Communication and Engagement Plan Presenter/s: Andrew Bake. Public Comment: None. Board Action: Upon motion by Director Robinson, seconded by Director White, and carried (4/0/1); IT IS ORDERED that the the updated Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency communication and engagement plan is hereby approved. DIRECTOR ROBINSON ABSENT AT 2:12 P.M. DIRECTOR ROBINSON PRESENT AT 2:17 P.M. g. Presentation, Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Development of Components of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Presenter/s: Amir Mani and Laura Foglia. Public Comment: Jim Sullivan and Devon Jones. Board Action: No action taken. 4. STAFF UPDATES Presenter/s: Amber Fisette. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Presenter/s: None. Public Comment: None. 6. DIRECTOR REPORTS Presenter/s: None. Public Comment: None. 7. ADJOURNMENT (3:14 P.M.) ________________________________ , Chair Attest: Secretary ________________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 1 Item No.: 3.b Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Discussion and Possible Approval of UVBGSA FAQ Sheet for Publication on UVBGSA Website Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: The FAQ Sheet will be posted on the UVBGSA website and will serve to simplify the SGMA and UVBGSA processes and to answer frequent questions by members of the public. Recommended Action: Approve the FAQ Sheet. Background: At the February 23rd, 2021 Public Meeting, Chair McGourty instructed Staff to prepare an FAQ sheet for the UVBGSA website for members of the public. Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact. Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Frequently Asked Questions 1) What is the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)? a. The 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires the formation of groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) in high- and medium-priority groundwater basins and sub-basins (basins) by June 30, 2017, in order to meet California Water Code requirements. 2) What is ‘sustainable’ Groundwater Management? a. SGMA defines sustainable management as managing and using groundwater in a way that can be sustained over a long period of time. Specifically, SGMA defines sustainable yield as the amount of groundwater that can be withdrawn annually without chronically lowering groundwater levels, causing seawater intrusion, degrading water quality, causing land subsidence or depleting interconnected surface water (for example, creeks, streams and rivers) in a manner that causes significant and unreasonable impacts. Local definitions of sustainable management will be defined in the GSPs created in each basin. 3) Who will implement SGMA in the Ukiah Valley Basin? a. SGMA will be implemented by the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA). It was created in 2017 with a Joint Powers Agreement which brought together the County of Mendocino, City of Ukiah, Russian River Flood Control and the Upper Russian River Water Agency as members of the GSA. There are also two stakeholder members, one Agricultural Member nominated by the Farm Bureau and one Tribal Member nominated by the six tribes who exercise jurisdiction over Indian lands in the Ukiah Valley Basin. For more information on the current representatives to the GSA please visit: mendocinocounty.org/uvbgsa 4) What are the roles and responsibilities of the UVBGGSA? a. The GSA is provided with powers and authorities by SGMA to ensure that the Ukiah Valley Basin, which stretches from Redwood Valley in the north to just past the southern end of Ukiah, attains groundwater sustainability by 2042, 20 years after the adoption of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan by DWR. 5) What is the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)? a. The GSP is the state-mandated plan to sustainably manage groundwater. The Ukiah Valley Basin GSP will contain an assessment of the basin under past, present and future conditions and will lay out the necessary
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 monitoring and management plan and other requirements to achieve sustainability. b. The GSP is currently being written by Larry Walker and Associates who specialize in water management with assistance from the UVBGSA Technical Advisory Committee and oversight from the UVBGSA Board of Directors. c. Once the GSP is complete, the UVBGSA will release it in July for public comment before it is reviewed and submitted to DWR. d. Other avenues for engagement are the UVBGSA Board and TAC meetings which happen monthly and are open for public comment on items that fall under the jurisdiction of the UVBGSA. Please feel visit mendocinocounty.org/uvbgsa to see the Board and TAC meeting schedule or email uvbgsa@mendocinocounty.org for more information. 6) What are the current goals of the GSP? a. The current goals of the Ukiah Valley GSP are to fill data gaps by developing monitoring networks for groundwater elevation and water quality to better understand how water flows through the basin. The GSP will also discuss the Project and Management Actions that can be undertaken by the UVBGSA to build groundwater sustainability as well as future scenarios which may put the basin at risk of long term decline. b. The GSP currently contains no proposal to limit groundwater pumping or to meter wells. 7) When will the GSP take effect? a. SGMA took effect on January 1, 2015. A GSP must be adopted by 2020 for critically over-drafted basins, and 2022 for other medium and high priority basins. The Ukiah Valley Basin was designated a medium priority basin by DWR in their 2019 Basin Prioritization report. b. The UVBGSA will adopt and submit the GSP for approval to DWR in January of 2022 and will submit annual progress reports and review the plan every 5 years. 8) Is there a cost for the Groundwater Sustainability Plan? a. The initial startup costs for the UBVGSA were covered by membership dues from the founding agencies as well as funding from Prop 1 and Prop 68 grants. The GSA is evaluating how to fund itself in the long term. Funding strategies will be discussed further in the GSP. 9) Does SGMA affect my water rights? a. Section 10720.5 of the SGMA specifies that the act and any groundwater management plans developed as a result of the act do not affect surface or groundwater rights.
UKIAH VALLEY BASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah California 95482 (707)463-4363 fax (707)463-5474 10) Will the UVBGSA meter my well? a. The UVBGSA currently has no plans to meter or limit well production. GSA’s have the power and authority to do this under SGMA and other GSA’s have taken this step. However, the UVBGSA does not believe the groundwater table in the Ukiah Valley Basin is currently at sufficient risk nor do we think that metering wells would be productive in the current iteration of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 2 Item No.: 4.a Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Discussion and Possible Appointment of Tribal Stakeholder Director Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: Article 7 of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) provides that one stakeholder director shall be a representative of tribal stakeholders and interest with the Basin. One Tribal Stakeholder Director shall be appointed by the six tribes exercising jurisdiction over Indian lands within the Ukiah Valley Basin identified as Redwood Valley Rancheria, Coyote Valley Reservation, Pinoleville Pomo Nation, Potter Valley Rancheria, Guidiville Rancheria and the Hopland Reservation. Section 7.3.2 (b) of the JPA provides that the Board of Directors confirm the nomination for the Tribal Stakeholder Director submitted by the six Tribes within the Ukiah Valley. The Member Directors shall confirm the nominee at a regular meeting and shall appoint the Tribal Stakeholder Director upon simple majority vote of all Member Directors. Recommended Action: 1. Review the nominees submitted by the six Tribes within the Ukiah Valley and confirm appointment of the Tribal Stakeholder Director and Alternate Director to the Board. Background: In 2019, the six Tribes of the Ukiah Valley Basin nominated Brandi Brown, Redwood Valley Tribal Treasurer as Tribal Stakeholder Director and Sonny Elliott Jr., Hopland Reservation as Alternate Stakeholder Director for a two year term representing Tribal interests on the UVBGSA Board and TAC.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 2 of 2 Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact. Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 1 Item No.: 4.b Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Presentation and Discussion Regarding Introduction to Groundwater Sustainability Funding for the Ukiah Valley Basin GSA Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: The Board will receive a presentation from SCI Consulting regarding potential funding mechanisms to pay for GSP implementation. Recommended Action: Discuss and approve funding strategy. Background: The UVBGSA will need to develop alternate funding sources once contributions from member agencies and grant funding from Proposition 1 and 68 is exhausted. Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact. Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Introduction to Groundwater Sustainability Funding for the Ukiah Valley Basin GSA: John Bliss, P.E. Presented By John W. Bliss, P.E., SCI Consulting Group March 10 and 11, 2021 Paying for the GSP Implementation
SCI Consulting Group 25 person Engineering Firm based in Solano County Specializes in funding for local public agencies GSP Implementation Funding Sierra Valley GSA Siskiyou County GSAs Sonoma County GSAs Ukiah Valley Basin
Project Goals Satisfy funding discussion for GSP as required by SGMA Create a locally-viable and right-sized Funding Strategy 1.Evaluate and quantify costs 2.Evaluate funding options oRevenue Potential oPolitical Viability /Community Acceptance oCosts of Implementation oLegal Rigor oAdministration
Annual Implementation Costs – O&M Operations and MaintenanceLow RangeHigh RangeGeneral GSA Operations$10,000$25,000Grant Writing$0$15,000Monitoring - Water Level$25,000$50,000Monitoring - Water Quality$25,000$50,000Mediation Fund??Total$60,000$140,000Annual Budget
Annual Implementation Costs – Capital Capital ProjectsLow RangeHigh RangeVarious????Total$0$0Annual Budget
Annual Implementation Costs - Total SummaryLow RangeHigh RangeOperations and Maintenance$60,000$140,000Capital Projects$0$0Total$60,000$140,000Annual Budget
Funding Mechanisms Best Options Existing Revenue Sources Grants and Loans Regulatory Fees If additional revenue is needed: Property Related Fees – non-Balloted (allocated to well owners) Special Taxes – Balloted (allocated to all property owners within the basin)
Property Related Fee Model Basin WellsNumberAgricultural117Industrial11Municipal70Domestic1,058Other (Monitoring, injection,etc.)1,606Total2,862$300.00$35,100$500.00$58,500$300.00$3,300$500.00$5,500$300.00$21,000$500.00$35,000$0.00$0$25.00$26,450$0.00$0$10.00$16,060$59,400$141,510Low RangeHigh Range
Special Tax Model UseParcelsResidential UnitsAcresSingle Family6,7466,7467,659Multi: 2 - 4 units233466120Mobile Home500500879Commercial/Industrial922NA1,929Vacant651NA1,379Parking & Storage85NA168Multi: 5+ units2511,255208Agricultural796NA16,864Timber & Pasture115NA3,252Mobile Home Park47NA174Totals10,3468,96732,632$4.00$26,984$10.00$67,460$4.00$1,864$10.00$4,660$4.00$2,000$10.00$5,000$4.00$3,688$10.00$9,220$4.00$2,604$10.00$6,510$4.00$340$10.00$850$4.00$5,020$10.00$2,510$1.00$16,864$2.00$33,729$1.00$3,252$2.00$6,504$4.00$188$10.00$470$62,804$136,912High RangeLow Range
Next Steps Quantify costs Refine Funding Strategy Engage Community Implement Funding Strategy
Questions and Discussion
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 2 Item No.: 4.c Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Presentation and Discussion Regarding the Watershed Coordinator Position by the California Land Stewardship Institute Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: The Board will receive a presentation on the newly awarded grant for a Watershed Coordinator position to the California Land Stewardship Institute. The coordinator will work with the GSA on groundwater recharge locations as well as conducting outreach work to disadvantaged communities. Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff on how to engage the Watershed Coordinator. Background: The California Land Stewardship Institute applied for and received grant funding from California Department of Conservation for a Watershed Coordinator Positon. The Watershed Coordinator will work with the GSA and community partners to identify locations for groundwater recharge, stream revegetation, and fire/fuel reduction; conduct focused outreach to disadvantaged communities and tribes; work with landowners to ensure collaborative project implementation; prepare a component of a watershed plan that includes identified priority projects to address water quality and water conservation; monitor well and streamflow gages; and enroll agricultural landowners in the Fish Friendly Farming/Ranching program and work with landowners on implementing BMPs. Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact.
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 2 of 2 Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Laurel MarcusExecutive DirectorCa. Land Stewardship Institute550 Gateway Dr. #106Napa, CA. 94558707 253 1226Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin -Upper Russian River WatershedWatershed Coordinator Grant
In 2020 the Ca. Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI) applied for a grant from the Ca. Dept. of Conservation under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Watershed Coordinator ProgramOut of 26 grant applications requesting $7.5 million the $1.5 million in available funding was approved for 5 grants including for the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin-Upper Russian River Watershed proposal submitted by CLSIWe received support letters for the application from the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, County of Mendocino Board of Supervisors, City of Ukiah, Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission, Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District, Larry Walker and Associates (LWA), Mendocino County Farm Bureau and 18 farms in the basin.The grant is for $272,680 over a three year period with a match of $94,063 provided by CLSI and LWA
1. Project Goal: Improve community understanding of and implementation of the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)•Coordinate 2 local workshops/virtual meetings in collaboration with the SGMA agencies•Complete outreach to Disadvantaged Communities through bilingual radio and local TV announcements, local newspapers, to tribes through the tribal GSA representative and to agricultural rural and city residentsMay-Dec 2021, grant funded with CLSI match2. Project Goal: Fill data gaps identified in SGMA studies•Install two new streamflow gages •Maintain on a bi-monthly basis 12 stream flow and well gages, 2 new stream flow gages and 2 new well gages by downloading data, reading the outside staff gage, recording control conditions and points of zero flow, measuring the well level with a well tape, replacing batteries, completing discharge measurements during safely wadable flows, completing channel surveys after major storms and repairing gage/outside staff gage after major storms. Note extent of overbank flooding in the vicinity of each gage based on high water marks.•Manage downloaded data by transferring to Excel and reviewing for quality control. Correct with the outside staff gage measurements (main QA/QC for stream flow gages) or well tape measurement relative to land surface (main QA/QC for well level gage). Create rating curves for low flows at streamflow gages using discharge measurements. May 2021-May 2024, grant funded with LWA match
3. Project Goal: Improve groundwater levels, fish and wildlife habitat and fire reduction in the watershed.•Work with the GSA, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultant and use GIS data to define the types and potential locations of groundwater recharge projects in the watershed•Define potential locations of tributary revegetation projects to increase riparian shading and reduce stream temperatures while also providing streambank erosion reduction along the highly incised channels in the watershed. Creeks ranked as high for steelhead trout will be a major focus.•Define potential locations of fire/fuel load reduction projects that can reduce water and air quality impacts. Areas near rural residential housing and irrigated lands will be a major focus.•Contact public and private landowners to determine interest in sponsoring potential projects•Complete site visits to map features of each site. Each preliminary project will be mapped and described.•Review projects with the GSA, Mendocino County, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultant and determine list of preferred projects for watershed plan.•Develop a draft watershed plan section that describes the projects and includes preliminary designs and budgets for up to 15 separate projects•Finalize this section of the watershed plan following review by the GSA, Mendocino County, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultant•Complete section of watershed management plan with detailed descriptions, and maps for up to 15 projects addressing groundwater recharge, creek revegetation and fire/fuel reductionJune 2021-March 2023, grant funded with CLSI match
4. Project Goal: Improve water quality and water conservation on agricultural lands in the watershed•Work with the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, Mendocino Cattlemen’s Association and Mendocino Woolgrowers Association to complete outreach to private rangeland and agricultural landowners •Coordinate with landowners to complete Farm Water Quality Plans including an assessment and mapping of numerous features of each farm/ranch including roads, creeks, chemical use areas, grazing areas, fences, livestock water sources, field drainage, erosion sites water sources and habitat areas and other features and identifying needed BMPs.•Coordinate with private landowners to identify and create maps and descriptions of large high priority projects in need of future grant funds•Coordinate with private agricultural landowner to install up to 20 soil moisture metering systems through matching funds available to CLSI. These systems can reduce irrigation water use by 20%•Work with the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, Mendocino Cattlemen’s Association and Mendocino Woolgrowers Association to draft a section of the watershed plan and determine list of preferred projects for plan section. •Finalize this section of the watershed plan following review by the GSA, Mendocino County, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultantJune 2021-March 2023, grant funded with CLSI match
5. Project Goal: Improve water quality and water conservation on urban lands in the watershed•Work with the GSA, the City of Ukiah, local homeowners’ associations, local DAC leaders, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultant using GIS data to define the types and potential locations of urban water quality projects in the watershed. •Coordinate a series of workshops for urban and rural residential residents on indoor and outdoor water conservation, reducing the runoff of pesticides and fertilizers and reducing septic system problems. •Define urban areas where stormwater projects such as bioswales, vegetated filters, raingardens, porous pavement and other practices and rural residential projects such as vegetated filters around animal holding areas, native plant revegetation and septic system improvements.•Finalize this section of the watershed plan following review by the GSA, Mendocino County, the Technical Advisory Committee to GSA and the GSA consultant•Compile the 3 reviewed final sections of the watershed plan into one complete document with detailed descriptions, and maps for up to 15 projects addressing groundwater recharge, creek revegetation and fire/fuel reduction, with detailed descriptions, maps and high priority projects on agricultural and ranch lands and with detailed descriptions and maps for up to 5 projects/programs on urban or rural residential land.June 2021-March 2023, grant funded with CLSI match
Barry Hill, Hydrologist, will serve as the watershed coordinator with assistance from Laurel Marcus and GIS specialist Brandyn Balch.Mr. Hill has worked as a hydrologist and geologist in California and Hawaii. His work has focused on effects of land uses on streamflow, sediment transport, water quality, groundwater and channel morphology. •March 2019-present Hydrologist and Project Manager CLSI•April 2017 to March 2019: Park Ranger Supervisor, County of Solano Parks and Recreation Division, Fairfield, California •September 2014 to April 2017: Natural Resource Program Supervisor, County of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department, Los Gatos •April 2007 to September 2014: Regional Hydrologist, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, Vallejo, California •February 1997 to April 2007: Supervisory Hydrologist (Data Section Chief), U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii •February 1994 to February 1997: Supervisory Geologist (Geologic Services Branch Chief), National Park Service, Redwood National and State Parks, Arcata, California •November 1989 to February 1994: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii University of California, Santa Cruz, B.A., Biology Humboldt State University, M.S., Watershed Management
Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Agenda Summary Page 1 of 1 Item No.: 4.d Date: 3/11/21 To: Board of Directors Subject: Presentation and Discussion Regarding Updates to GSP Technical Process Consent Agenda Regular Agenda Noticed Public Hearing Summary: The Board will receive a presentation from Larry Walkers and Associates on updates to the Project and Management Actions, the Groundwater Elevation SMC, the monitoring network and the updated Water Budget from the model. Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff regarding the development of the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Background: Larry Walker and Associates are the lead consultants on the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Larry Walker has presented review components for feedback and approval to the Board consistently on updates to the GSP since their contract started in September 13, 2018. Fiscal Summary: No fiscal impact. Action: ___________________________________________________ Motion:_____________________ 2nd:__________________________
Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan Development UpdateMarch 11, 2021Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency
DraftUpdate on Projects and Management Actions
DraftOverview◼Project and Management Actions (PMAs) implemented over 2022-2042 to achieve basin sustainability ◼The PMAs are needed to address two over-arching goals:⚫Achieve the goals of the interconnected surface water sustainability indicator⚫Prevent future degradation of currently stable water table conditions to protect wells from outages, groundwater-dependent ecosystems (those not associated with instream flow), and to avoid additional stresses to interconnected surface water◼Categories: ⚫Supply augmentation ⚫Demand management ⚫Recharge and Conjunctive use 3
DraftKey Drivers in the Design of PMAs◼Legal Obligations for the GSA⚫Prevent undesirable results with regards to depletion of interconnected surface water and lowering of groundwater -per SGMA requirement to protect wells, groundwater-dependent ecosystems, interconnected surface water⚫Spread cost of solutions across users, if not funded externally⚫Adopt a plan that State will accept◼Priorities⚫Minimize impacts to basin economy (predominantly farming)⚫Minimize cost / maximize external funding⚫Emphasize carrot (voluntary/incentives) over stick (mandatory)4
DraftEarly Years (2022-2027)◼Demand Management & Conservation⚫Explore options for conservation municipal and agricultural use. ⚫Reduce evaporative losses: Define scope, cost and benefits. Explore cost-effectiveness, funding options and feasibility.⚫Improve irrigation efficiency: Explore funding options, secure funding, start implementation⚫Incentive-based pumping reduction in summer: Program development (incentives, volunteers, easements, mandates etc.) and explore funding options.◼Supply Augmentation⚫Evaluation and scoping for reservoir(s)/ponds and source waters, exploration of funding opportunities⚫Assess and explore PVP and FIRO impacts on the system◼Recharge and Conjunctive Use⚫Completion of pilot study and design of Riverside Park Recharge⚫Scout possible locations for recharge projects including stormwater recharge⚫Examine realignment of municipal water use during summer and winter◼Identification and scoping of additional PMAs (throughout)5
DraftLater Years (2027-2042)◼Demand Management & Conservation⚫Program Implementation based on funding sources and defined incentives◼Supply Augmentation⚫Program Implementation based on funding source⚫Adaptive realignment and planning according to changes to PVP and caused by FIRO◼Recharge and Conjunctive Use⚫Implementation of Riverside Park Recharge project⚫Design and implementation of new recharge projects⚫Implementation of an optimized realignment of municipal uses◼Identification and scoping of additional PMAs (throughout)6
DraftFinal Thoughts◼PMAs will evolve and be managed adaptively. Many options.⚫Increase recharge (stormwater and managed aquifer)⚫Increase conservation (mandatory, voluntary, or incentive-based; also, for cannabis growers)⚫Increase storage (off-stream and along the tributaries)⚫PMAs to seasonally offset stream depletion (July-September)◼Recognize the importance of partnerships and multi-benefit projects◼Interested in maintaining dialogue regarding PMA options in years to come.7
DraftFinal Thoughts (Implementation Grants)8◼DWR released award recommendations for Round 1 of Prop68 implementation Grants:⚫This was only for Critical Basins⚫15 applications requested over $70mil; 6 were awarded for $26 mil⚫Awards went specifically to recharge projects with at least 4 of the 6 winners GSAs managing DAC basins.⚫DWR emphasizes recharge projects and disadvantaged communities if its implementation solicitation and awards.
DraftQUESTIONS?
DraftSupplemental Slides10
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DraftFinal Thoughts (Regs Requirements for PMAs in GSP)⚫List of PMAS with a description of MOs to benefit◼Circumstances/criteria to implement/terminate PMAs◼Public notification process for implementation of PMAs⚫For overdraft conditions describe PMAs including quantification of demand reduction or other methods, for the mitigation of overdraft.⚫Summary of the permitting and regulatory process required ⚫The status of PMA, including a time-table for expected initiation and completion, and the accrual of expected benefits.⚫Explanation of the benefits and how those benefits will be evaluated.⚫Explanation of how the PMA will be accomplished.⚫Description of legal authority required for PMA and the basis for that authority within GSA.⚫Estimated cost for each PMA and plans to meet those costs.12§354.44. Projects and Management Actions
DraftSuite of Projects and Management Actions◼Water Supply Augmentation⚫Potter Valley Project⚫Recycled Water Project⚫Source Water Protection⚫Forecast Informed Reservoir Operation⚫Off-stream Storage Construction⚫Tributary Reservoirs⚫Raising Coyote Valley Dam⚫UV-RV Water Supply Reliability Intertie and Well Development Project◼Aquifer Recharge & Conjunctive Use⚫Stormwater Recharge13⚫Groundwater Recharge⚫In-Lieu Recharge⚫Realign Municipal Source Water in Summer (pumpage) and Winter (SW diversion)◼Demand Management⚫Evaporation Loss Reduction⚫Urban Water Conservation⚫Agricultural Water Conservation◼Improve irrigation efficiency◼Incentive-based pumping reduction in summer.⚫Water Main Replacement
DraftWater Supply PMAsPMABenefitsStatus/ActivityPotter Valley Project-Water Supply-Environmental-FERC license application on 4/14/2022. Recycled Water-Water Supply-Water Quality-Phases I to III completed.-Evaluate potential for Phase IV and other recycled water projects.Forecast Informed Decision-making (for Reservoir Operations)-Water Supply-Environmental-OngoingOff-stream Storage-Water Supply-Conduct feasibility studies; determine target storage.-Develop project.UV-RV Water Supply Reliability Intertie and Well Development Project-Water Supply-CompletedTributary Reservoirs-Water Supply-Conduct feasibility studies; determine target storage-Develop project.Raising Coyote Valley Dam-Water Supply-Unlikely to be implemented14
DraftRecharge and Conjunctive Use PMAsPMABenefitsStatus/ActivityGroundwater Recharge-Water Supply-Flood Management-Riverside Park Recharge Basin pilot study-Secure agreements with landowners.Source Water Protection-Water Supply-Environmental-Purchase surface water tributaries’ headwaters. -Limit urbanization of recharge areas.UV-RV Water Supply Reliability Intertie and Well Development Project-Water Supply-CompletedStormwater Recharge-Water Supply-Flood Management-Conduct feasibility studies and develop project.-Secure agreements with landowners.15
DraftDemand Management PMAs16PMABenefitsStatus/ActivityEvaporation Loss Reduction-Water Supply-Environmental-Water Quality-Use of WaterSavr for Lake Mendocino and agricultural ponds (may not be cost effective)-Use shade ball cover for agricultural/storage pondsAgricultural Water Conservation-Water Supply-Environmental-Improve irrigation efficiency in farming operations-Voluntary, incentive-based program to reduce pumping during critical periods-Reuse Ukiah municipal treated water for agricultural frost control and irrigation -Improve agricultural water supply reliability-Reduce conflicts over competing water usesUrban Water Conservation-Water Supply-Environmental-Minimize nonessential water uses in the City of Ukiah.-Specify and charge the true cost of water.-Provide public education and increased awareness.-Avoid landscaping that would require extensive irrigation.-Track water use of large industrial customers and alert the customer to substantial changes in water use.-Identify sources of water loss quickly so repairs can be made, and losses minimized.Water Main Replacement-Water Supply-Replace aged water mains throughout the City of Ukiah by 2024-Replace aged meters throughout the City of Ukiah by 2023
DraftDemand Management PMAs17 PROJECTS & MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Date 2/24/2021 Project Title Western Hills Sourcewater Protection PROJECT PROPONENT Agency Name City of Ukiah Key Contact Sean White Email swhite@cityofukiah.com Phone 707.467.5712 PROJECT LOCATION Map PROJECT DESCRIPTION Description of Project Elements Acquisition of headwater properties in the western hills of the Ukiah Valley Actions Purchase undeveloped land in headwater properties in the western hills of the Ukiah Valley. Project Goals Preservation of headwater properties in the western hills of the Ukiah Valley will help ensure that natural runoff and groundwater recharge patterns will continue in perpetuity. Project Benefits Current hydrology of the western hills are a major driver for the recharging the Ukiah Valley’s aquifer. Preserving these properties will ensure no change in these important resources. Project Impacts Project Costs/Financing $3,500,000.00 PROJECT STATUS Concept ☒ Planned ☐ In-Design ☐ Under Construction ☐ Completed ☐ Project Schedule PROJECTS & MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Date 2/24/2021 Project Title Riverside Park Recharge Basin PROJECT PROPONENT Agency Name City of Ukiah Key Contact Sean White Email swhite@cityofukiah.com Phone 707.467.5712 PROJECT LOCATION Map PROJECT DESCRIPTION Description of Project Elements Construction of a recharge basin at Riverside Park would facilitate aquifer recharge and create seasonal wetlands. Actions Design and construction of a recharge basin at Riverside Park could potentially provide 1,000 afy of aquifer recharge. Project Goals Basin construction and operation. Project Benefits Construction of a recharge basin at Riverside Park would improve groundwater supply and reliability while also creating riparian and wetland habitat in a natural park setting. Project Impacts Project Costs/Financing $1,750,000.00 PROJECT STATUS Concept ☒ Planned ☐ In-Design ☐ Under Construction ☐ Completed ☐ Project Schedule