To: Board of Supervisors
From: Water Agency Supervisor McGourty
Meeting Date: August 31, 2021
|
Department Contact: |
Supervisor McGourty |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
|
Department Contact: |
Amber Fisette |
Phone: |
463-4363 |
|
Item Type: Consent Agenda |
|
Time Allocated for Item: N/A |
Agenda Title:
title
Authorization of Allocation of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000) to the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to Conduct Groundwater Elevation Monitoring in Fall 2021 to Analyze the Impacts of the Current Drought Emergency on Groundwater Elevation in the Ukiah Valley Basin (Ukiah Area)
(Sponsors: Water Agency and Supervisor McGourty)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Authorize the allocation of four thousand dollars ($4,000) to the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency to conduct groundwater elevation monitoring in Fall 2021 to analyze the impacts of the current drought emergency on groundwater elevation in the Ukiah Valley Basin (Ukiah Area)
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
By Resolution Number (No.) 17-056 (April 18, 2017), the Board approved Board of Supervisors (BOS) Agreement No. 17-015, a Joint Powers Agreement Forming the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency and committing the County of Mendocino to act as the Agency's Treasurer and Controller. On July 10, 2018, the Board approved BOS Agreement No. 18-104 with Larry Walker and Associates for the development of the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan, funded by a Proposition 1 Groundwater Sustainability Planning Grant from the California Department of Water Resources. On June 23, 2020, the Board approved the First Amendment to BOS Agreement 18-104 with Larry Walker and Associates for the development of the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Additional Amount of $1,037,140. By Resolution No. 21-051 (April 20, 2021), the Board declared a local emergency and imminent threat of disaster due to drought conditions. By Resolution No. 21-079 (June 8, 2021), the Board renewed its declaration and extended the existence of the local emergency.
Summary of Request:
Pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s (UVBGSA) Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is currently in development and, once approved, will establish a groundwater monitoring network in the Ukiah Valley Basin. Currently, there is minimal data being collected on the impacts of the 2021 Drought on groundwater conditions. The California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) Program tracks seasonal and long-term groundwater elevation trends in groundwater basins statewide. There are currently 45 CASGEM wells monitored within the Ukiah Valley Basin by Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD) through a contract with Mendocino County Water Agency, each of which is only sampled twice a year. With funding from UVBGSA Member Agencies, MCRCD can obtain landowner permission and conduct monthly groundwater monitoring on a subset of 15 CASGEM wells during Fall 2021. This additional monthly monitoring is critical in evaluating the short and long-term effects of the 2021 Drought on groundwater conditions within the Basin. The proposed budget for additional monitoring between the months of August and December is approximately $16,000. On August 13, 2021, the UVBGSA Board approved immediate additional groundwater monitoring during Fall 2021 with a cost of up to $16,000, subject to funding from additional contributions from Member Agencies. This is $4,000 for each member agency if divided evenly. UVBGSA respectfully requests each Member Agency contribute $4,000 immediately to perform additional groundwater monitoring to study the effects of the current drought emergency on the groundwater levels in the Ukiah Valley Basin. As there are not sufficient funds available in Budget Unit (BU) 0326 (Water Agency) to cover this cost, the Water Agency requests and recommends the County’s contribution be funded through an additional allocation from General Fund to the Water Agency of $4,000. If approved, a First Quarter budget adjustment of $4,000 will be processed through BU 0326.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Do not approve allocation of funds and provide alternative direction.
How Does This Item Support the General Plan? Supports water supply sustainability and development and compliance with state law.
Supervisorial District: Districts 1, 2, & 5
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: <https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/affiliated-agencies/ukiah-valley-basin-gsa>
Fiscal Details:
|
source of funding: General Fund |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
|
current f/y cost: $4,000 |
if no, please describe: Previous contributions from prior fiscal years were funded through Budget Unit 0326 - Water Agency. It is recommended to utilize Budget Unit 0326 for this contribution and make a budgetary adjustments with available funds. |
|
annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: No |
|
budget clarification: Requesting additional allocation of funds from General Fund |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
|
CEO Liaison: Judy Morris, Deputy CEO |
|
|
|
CEO Review: Choose an item. |
|
|
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
|
Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Approved |
|
Date: August 31, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|