Facilitation of a Framework Facilitation of a Framework for - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ESPA Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan

Facilitation of a Framework Facilitation of a Framework for Presentation to the for Presentation to the 2007 Idaho Legislature 2007 Idaho Legislature

Public Meeting Presentation by CDR Associates Public Meeting Presentation by CDR Associates Jonathan Bartsch and Diane Tate Jonathan Bartsch and Diane Tate

October 11, 18 and 19, 2006 October 11, 18 and 19, 2006

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Goals of Presentation Goals of Presentation

• Provide an overview of the ESPA

Provide an overview of the ESPA

• Introduce ESPA Framework Process

Introduce ESPA Framework Process

• Discuss roles

Discuss roles – – facilitation team, Board, facilitation team, Board, stakeholders stakeholders

• Receive input from the public

Receive input from the public

• Identify next steps

Identify next steps

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Three Public Meetings Three Public Meetings

• Wednesday, October 11

Wednesday, October 11th

th

– – Pocatello, Highland High School Pocatello, Highland High School

• Wednesday, October 18

Wednesday, October 18th

th

– – Twin Falls, KMVT Community Room Twin Falls, KMVT Community Room

• Thursday, October 19

Thursday, October 19th

th

– – Idaho Falls, Civic Auditorium Idaho Falls, Civic Auditorium

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Agenda Agenda

• Why this Process?

Why this Process?

• Overview of the ESPA

Overview of the ESPA

• Overview of the Framework process

Overview of the Framework process

– – Discussion of Roles Discussion of Roles – – Opportunities for Engagement Opportunities for Engagement

• Themes heard during interviews

Themes heard during interviews

• Emerging elements of a Framework

Emerging elements of a Framework

• Questions and Discussion

Questions and Discussion

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Why this Process? Why this Process?

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 136

Senate Concurrent Resolution 136

– – “ “These (disputing) parties are negotiating a These (disputing) parties are negotiating a framework for settlement that makes it critical that framework for settlement that makes it critical that the State of Idaho Water Resource Board establish the State of Idaho Water Resource Board establish public policy with regard to the future management public policy with regard to the future management

• f the aquifer system
• f the aquifer system”

”

• First phase

First phase – – develop a Framework and develop a Framework and present to 2007 Legislature present to 2007 Legislature

• Second phase

Second phase – – Comprehensive Aquifer Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan Management Plan

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Overview of the ESPA Overview of the ESPA

• Located within the Upper Snake River

Located within the Upper Snake River Basin Basin

– – The Upper Snake River Basin encompasses all The Upper Snake River Basin encompasses all

• r part of 20 counties, and approximately 35%
• r part of 20 counties, and approximately 35%
• f Idaho’s land area (29,000 square miles)
• f Idaho’s land area (29,000 square miles)
• The Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer

The Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (ESPA) underlies approximately 10,000 (ESPA) underlies approximately 10,000 square miles, or 13% of the State of square miles, or 13% of the State of Idaho Idaho

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Upper Snake River Basin

Land Ownership

D

Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Boundary Bureau of Land Ma nag eme fl!

• U.S. ForestSeNice

State of Idaho Prrvate

• Bureau of Reclamation
• De pa rtment of Energy
• Tribal Land;
• Idaho Dept. of Parks and Recreation
• National Park SeNice
• National Wildlife Refuge

Aquifer Characteristics Aquifer Characteristics

• Layered basalt, thousands of feet thick in

Layered basalt, thousands of feet thick in some places some places

• General direction of ground water flow:

General direction of ground water flow: northeast to southwest northeast to southwest

• Hydraulically connected to the river

Hydraulically connected to the river

• Two major aquifer discharge areas:

Two major aquifer discharge areas:

– – American Falls (about 2 MAF/yr) American Falls (about 2 MAF/yr) – – Thousand Springs (about 4 MAF/yr) Thousand Springs (about 4 MAF/yr)

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ESPA discharge to Snake River at Thousand Springs ESPA discharge to Snake River at American Falls

4---.ltFF•------

What Recharges the Aquifer? What Recharges the Aquifer?

• Direct precipitation

Direct precipitation

• Underflow from tributary basins

Underflow from tributary basins

• Seepage from streams overlying the

Seepage from streams overlying the aquifer aquifer

• Leakage from canals

Leakage from canals

• Deep percolation of excess irrigation

Deep percolation of excess irrigation water water

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Who Uses the Aquifer? Who Uses the Aquifer?

• Municipal and domestic water wells

Municipal and domestic water wells

• Agriculture

Agriculture – – irrigation with groundwater irrigation with groundwater

• Agriculture

Agriculture – – irrigation with surface water irrigation with surface water that is fed by spring discharge into river that is fed by spring discharge into river

• Springs

Springs – – aquaculture and other uses aquaculture and other uses

• Commercial/Industrial wells

Commercial/Industrial wells

• Tourism

Tourism – – “Thousand Springs” and other “Thousand Springs” and other attractions attractions

• Wildlife/environmental benefits

Wildlife/environmental benefits

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Why Manage the Aquifer? Why Manage the Aquifer?

• Is there a problem? Does the aquifer

Is there a problem? Does the aquifer need management? need management?

• Water availability varies, but demand

Water availability varies, but demand stays relatively constant stays relatively constant

• Growth (population, industry) may put

Growth (population, industry) may put additional pressure on water supplies additional pressure on water supplies

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Why Manage the Aquifer? Why Manage the Aquifer?

• Groundwater levels declining

Groundwater levels declining

• Shortage in available water for some

Shortage in available water for some users users

– – Example: Decline in spring flows in the Example: Decline in spring flows in the Thousand Springs reach Thousand Springs reach

• Need for establishment of public policy

Need for establishment of public policy for management of the aquifer to help for management of the aquifer to help resolve ongoing disputes resolve ongoing disputes

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ANNUAL SPRING DISCHARGE TO SNAKE RIVER BETWEEN MILNER AND KING HILL

1 2 3 4 5 1902 1907 1912 1917 1922 1927 1932 1937 1942 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 MILLION ACFT

1902-2005

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Overview of the Framework Overview of the Framework Process Process

• Project Launch in August

Project Launch in August

• Initial interviews with stakeholders in

Initial interviews with stakeholders in September September

• Public meetings in October

Public meetings in October

• October/November: Facilitation team drafts

October/November: Facilitation team drafts Framework with stakeholder input Framework with stakeholder input

• Public meetings in December to get reactions

Public meetings in December to get reactions and comments and comments

• Presentation to Legislature in January

Presentation to Legislature in January

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Roles Roles

• Idaho Water Resource Board

Idaho Water Resource Board

• Facilitation Team

Facilitation Team

• Department of Water Resources

Department of Water Resources

• STAKEHOLDERS

STAKEHOLDERS

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Link to Decision Making Link to Decision Making

• Framework decisions

Framework decisions

– – Identify goals and alternatives Identify goals and alternatives – – Determine level of management Determine level of management – – minimal, minimal, modest, and aggressive alternatives modest, and aggressive alternatives – – Funding strategies and fee structure Funding strategies and fee structure – – Interim implementation measures Interim implementation measures

• Decision makers

Decision makers – – the Board the Board

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Outreach to Stakeholders Outreach to Stakeholders

• Contacted over 90 individuals and groups

Contacted over 90 individuals and groups

– – Water users: spring, surface, groundwater Water users: spring, surface, groundwater – – Groundwater districts, canal companies, Groundwater districts, canal companies, irrigation districts irrigation districts – – State and federal agencies State and federal agencies – – Local government/municipalities Local government/municipalities – – Water Water-

• dependent industry & local business

dependent industry & local business – – Environment and wildlife Environment and wildlife – – Tribes Tribes – – More that we missed? More that we missed?

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Opportunities for Engagement Opportunities for Engagement

• Public Meetings

Public Meetings

• Comment forms

Comment forms

• Direct contact with Facilitation team by

Direct contact with Facilitation team by email, phone, individual or small group email, phone, individual or small group meetings meetings

• Website:

Website: www.espaplan.idaho.gov www.espaplan.idaho.gov

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Themes from Interviews Themes from Interviews

• General areas of agreement

General areas of agreement

– – Widely held but not unanimous opinions Widely held but not unanimous opinions

• Divergent views

Divergent views

– – Issues with a range of opinions and Issues with a range of opinions and

• utstanding questions
• utstanding questions
• Emerging Framework elements

Emerging Framework elements

– – A first glance at possible issues to be A first glance at possible issues to be addressed in the Framework addressed in the Framework

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General Areas of Agreement General Areas of Agreement

• The times have changed

The times have changed

– – Farm practices and farm economics Farm practices and farm economics – – Aquifer levels and discharges Aquifer levels and discharges

• The aquifer needs management

The aquifer needs management

– – What does management entail? What is the What does management entail? What is the goal of management? goal of management?

• Ensuring implementation of the

Ensuring implementation of the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan is critical Plan is critical

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General Areas of Agreement General Areas of Agreement

• The Model

The Model – – significance tied to the way significance tied to the way it is used it is used

• Recharge is important and supported, but

Recharge is important and supported, but won’t solve the problem won’t solve the problem

– – Political, physical, technical, legal and Political, physical, technical, legal and financial hurdles exist financial hurdles exist

• CREP is a good start but it won’t solve

CREP is a good start but it won’t solve the problem either the problem either

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General Areas of Agreement General Areas of Agreement

• Strained relationships

Strained relationships

• Some issues cannot be resolved through

Some issues cannot be resolved through a management plan a management plan

– – What are the options to address localized, What are the options to address localized, individual impacts? individual impacts?

• Desire to keep water users as whole as

Desire to keep water users as whole as possible possible

– – A “healthy” aquifer benefits everyone in the A “healthy” aquifer benefits everyone in the long term long term

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General Areas of Agreement General Areas of Agreement

• Funding should come from everyone,

Funding should come from everyone, including the State including the State

– – Must be put to good use, with results that Must be put to good use, with results that can be measured (and agreed ways to can be measured (and agreed ways to measure them) measure them) – – Must be fair Must be fair – – different levels for different levels for senior/junior, surface/ground/spring? senior/junior, surface/ground/spring? – – Water will eventually be an issue of concern Water will eventually be an issue of concern for the entire state, not just ESPA for the entire state, not just ESPA

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Divergent Views Divergent Views

• The reality and role of the aquifer

The reality and role of the aquifer

• The “health” of the aquifer

The “health” of the aquifer

– – Definition of a “healthy” aquifer, and how to Definition of a “healthy” aquifer, and how to measure aquifer health or decline measure aquifer health or decline

• Role of environmental and aesthetic

Role of environmental and aesthetic issues in Framework issues in Framework

– – Not a major issue for some stakeholders, but Not a major issue for some stakeholders, but

• thers concerned these issues are not being
• thers concerned these issues are not being

adequately addressed adequately addressed

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Divergent Views Divergent Views

• Prior appropriation

Prior appropriation

– – Absolute mandate for curtailment in times of Absolute mandate for curtailment in times of shortage? Implemented within the context of shortage? Implemented within the context of economic development for the state? economic development for the state?

• Curtailment

Curtailment

– – Voluntary and/or involuntary, permanent Voluntary and/or involuntary, permanent and/or temporary and/or temporary

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Divergent Views Divergent Views

• Water: an economic good?

Water: an economic good?

– – Should the free market be used to find the Should the free market be used to find the “most valuable” use of water? How does the “most valuable” use of water? How does the prior appropriation system interact with prior appropriation system interact with market valuation? market valuation?

• What is fair?

What is fair?

– – Perceptions of equity and equal impact Perceptions of equity and equal impact

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements

• Goals and objectives for aquifer

Goals and objectives for aquifer management management

• Management alternatives

Management alternatives

• Funding strategies

Funding strategies

• Interim measures

Interim measures

– – What can we start doing now? What can we start doing now?

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements – – Goals and Objectives Goals and Objectives

• Goal: Sustainability

Goal: Sustainability

– – Water Budget: Balance supply and demand? Water Budget: Balance supply and demand? – – Economic sustainability for the region? Economic sustainability for the region? – – Keep aquifer level from declining further? Keep aquifer level from declining further? – – Keep spring discharges from declining Keep spring discharges from declining further? further? – – Funding for long term programs? Buying Funding for long term programs? Buying water rights? water rights?

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements – – Goals and Objectives Goals and Objectives

• Goal: Some degree of predictability and

Goal: Some degree of predictability and equivalent treatment equivalent treatment

– – New residential and industrial development New residential and industrial development interdependent with existing agricultural and interdependent with existing agricultural and

• ther uses
• ther uses

– – Ensure new development water sources Ensure new development water sources make sense given surrounding uses make sense given surrounding uses – – Domestic wells: Monitoring? Ensure Domestic wells: Monitoring? Ensure continuity/protection of water supply? continuity/protection of water supply?

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements – – Management Alternatives Management Alternatives

• Reduction in groundwater pumping

Reduction in groundwater pumping

– – Examples: CREP, buyouts (high lift water, Examples: CREP, buyouts (high lift water, etc.), conversion from groundwater to etc.), conversion from groundwater to surface water surface water

• Demand reduction (e.g. Thousand

Demand reduction (e.g. Thousand Springs) Springs)

• Recharge

Recharge

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements – – Funding Strategies Funding Strategies

• Funding: Something from everyone

Funding: Something from everyone

– – Statewide sales tax? Political hurdles? Statewide sales tax? Political hurdles? – – State surplus funds? State surplus funds? – – Per acre/share levy for water users in the Per acre/share levy for water users in the Eastern Snake Plain? Eastern Snake Plain? – – Appropriate State percentage and local Appropriate State percentage and local percentage? percentage?

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Emerging Framework Elements Emerging Framework Elements – – Interim Measures Interim Measures

• 2007 Water Year Recharge

2007 Water Year Recharge

– – Recharge important and supported, but Recharge important and supported, but won’t solve the problem won’t solve the problem – – Interest in exploring opportunities for Interest in exploring opportunities for recharge within the coming water year recharge within the coming water year

• Monitoring and data collection

Monitoring and data collection

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Next Steps Next Steps

• Develop and refine goals and objectives

Develop and refine goals and objectives based on public input based on public input

• Outline draft management alternatives

Outline draft management alternatives

• Detail funding principles and level of

Detail funding principles and level of funding required for management funding required for management alternatives alternatives

• Identify and refine interim measures

Identify and refine interim measures

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Questions for Discussion Questions for Discussion

• What issues/concerns do you have related

What issues/concerns do you have related to the process of developing a to the process of developing a Framework? Framework?

• What are your thoughts on possible goals

What are your thoughts on possible goals for aquifer management? for aquifer management?

• What comments do you have on the

What comments do you have on the management alternatives? management alternatives?

• How should the ESPA management

How should the ESPA management alternatives be funded? Principles? alternatives be funded? Principles?

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