To: Board of Supervisors
From: Carre Brown
Meeting Date: September 20, 2016
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Department Contact: |
Carre Brown |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Sarah Dukett |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 min. |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Mendocino County Funding Contribution to the US Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater-Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed (Sponsor: Supervisor Brown)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Approve a Mendocino County funding contribution to the US Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater-Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
No previous action.
Summary of Request:
USGS, Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and California State Water Resources Control Board have dedicated funding to complete a Hydrologic Characterization and a Coupled Watershed and Groundwater-Flow Model of the Russian River Watershed (RRW). The lead cooperating agency, SCWA is requesting a funding contribution of $200,000 for the Upper Russian River Portion within Mendocino County. That area of the Upper Russian consists of Potter Valley, Ukiah Valley and Sanel Valley.
The primary objectives of this project are to: 1) refine the understanding of the RRW hydrologic system based on an analysis of new and available field data; and 2) develop a coupled watershed/groundwater-flow model for the RRW that will facilitate improved management of the region’s water resources. This study will assist stakeholders in better understand the potential impacts of increasing groundwater demand on water levels and in developing strategies for efficient surface-water/groundwater management. The USGS will address significant issues of stream-aquifer interaction and develop new, transferable tools for analyzing multi-basin water management.
Specifically for the Ukiah Valley, the USGS study will provide our region with the tools needed to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) requires extensive analysis of water budgets and surface water-groundwater interactions. As, assessment of inter-connected surface water is the key component facing our basin in the GSP development, the study can provided our region with much need information for long-term sustainability of our water resources.
The cost of the regional study will be spread out over four years. The proposed breakdown per entity is below.
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FFY16 |
FFY17 |
FFY18 |
FFY19 |
Total |
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USGS |
$57,500 |
$76,300 |
$72,800 |
$48,100 |
$254,700 |
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SCWA |
$160,250 |
$164,800 |
$98,100 |
$66,350 |
$489,500 |
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Mendocino |
$50,000 |
$75,000 |
$50,000 |
$25,000 |
$200,000 |
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State |
$210,250 |
$239,800 |
$148,100 |
$91,350 |
$689,500 |
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TOTAL |
$478,000 |
$555,900 |
$369,000 |
$230,800 |
$1,633,700 |
The Water Agency recommends funding $100,000 of the requested Mendocino portion and to work with other Ukiah Valley Water Districts and the City of Ukiah, who will benefit from the project and be a part of the SGMA required Groundwater Sustainability Agency, to contribute the remaining funds. The summary of the project is attached for your review.
The methodology used to determine the proposed contributions listed above is described in the attached email from Sonoma County Water Agency officials.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Contribute a different amount or provide alterative direction.
Supplemental Information Available Online at: N/A
Fiscal Impact:
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Source of Funding: Water Agency Funds/Non-GF |
Budgeted in Current F/Y: No |
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Current F/Y Cost: $25,000 |
Annual Recurring Cost: Varies (avg. $25,000/yr) |
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Supervisorial District: District 1,2,5 |
Vote Requirement: Majority |
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Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Alan D. Flora, Assistant CEO |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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Comments: