WHY DO WE NEED TO MANAGE GROUNDWATER NOW? P E T A L U M A V A L L - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

sonomacountygroundwater.org

P E T A L U M A V A L L E Y

G R O U N D W A T E R S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y A G E N C Y Jay Jasperse, Plan Manager

WHY DO WE NEED TO MANAGE GROUNDWATER NOW?

sonomacountygroundwater.org

Groundwater and the Drought

• California one of last western states to

manage groundwater

• During the drought, some Central Valley

communities ran out of water

• Land subsidence (sinking) from too much

groundwater pumping

• Sonoma County wants

to avoid these problems!

Photo from Associated Press

sonomacountygroundwater.org

What’s going on in Petaluma Valley?

• Not the Central Valley, but not

perfect either

• Limited data available, but USGS

study nearing completion

• Rural property owners rely on

groundwater as their primary water source

• Groundwater is a vital supplemental

and emergency source of water for the City of Petaluma

sonomacountygroundwater.org

What’s going on in Petaluma Valley?

• Some historical groundwater

quality issues due to high nitrate levels and saltwater intrusion

• Limited available data suggests

mostly stable groundwater levels, but some areas exhibit long-term declines

• The basin is required by the

state to manage these issues

sonomacountygroundwater.org

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)

Step one Form Groundwater Sustainability Agency June 30, 2017 Step two Develop Groundwater Sustainability Plan January 31, 2022 Step three Achieve Sustainability 20 years after adoption of plan*

sonomacountygroundwater.org

No GSA means State Intervention

• If local agencies do not meet SGMA’s requirements, the State

will step in.

• The Petaluma Valley GSA was created so that we can manage
• ur groundwater locally.
• If the state intervenes, it will be more expensive and less tailored

to local needs. Eventually, local money will be spent on developing a Petaluma Valley groundwater sustainability plan.

sonomacountygroundwater.org

No GSA means State Intervention

State-Based Intervention Fees (these fees are in addition to the costs of preparing the GSP!)

Base Filing Fee

(per well)

300

$

Late Fee

(per month)

+

25

%

*special studies extra

Volumetric Rate

(per acre-foot)

+

Unmanaged

25

$

InterimPlan

55

$

Probation

40

$

* *

FEES beginning in Water Year 2018

sonomacountygroundwater.org

Why does the GSA need new funding?

• The first year of the GSA

was funded by its member agencies

• These agencies will fund
• ne more year
• Expect GSA to have its own

funding source after two years of operations

Member Agency Total Initial FY 2017-18 Commitment County of Sonoma $143,333 Sonoma County Water Agency $143,333 Sonoma Resource Conservation District $20,000 City of Petaluma $143,333 North Bay Water District $20,000 TOTAL $470,000

sonomacountygroundwater.org

Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Requirements

• Describe the basin conditions, using a hydrologic conceptual model
• Describe the basin-specific monitoring network
• Establish numerical thresholds and measurable objectives to avoid

undesirable results:

• Identify projects and actions needed to achieve or maintain

sustainable conditions within 20 years

• Robust stakeholder outreach is required

…AND, must be completed by January 31, 2022

sonomacountygroundwater.org

sonomacountygroundwater.org

GSP development: How to Get Involved

• Go to sonomacountygroundwater.org

for information on the plan and to sign up for Monthly Email Updates

• Come to Board and Advisory

Committee meetings