City of Beaumont
May 2025
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File: Figure 7-3_Discharge_GWLs_StudyArea-C_v2.grf
110
90 70
50 30
10 -10
0.8 CDFM (inches)
Precipitation (inches)
Cumulative Departure From the Mean Precipitation (CDFM) Annual Precipitation
Average Annual Precipitation for Water Years 1895-2023
(19.3 inches)
Surface Water Flow
Henry N Wochholz Daily Discharge (cfs)
YVWD-A (cfs)
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Daily Discharge (Daily - cfs)
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge (Annual - mgd)
Average Growing Season NDVI
(Mann -Kendall Trend Result for 1984-2023; 1984-2003; 2004-2023) FA09 (increasing; decreasing; increasing)
FA10 (increasing; increasing; no trend)
—•— San Timoteo 2 (no trend; no trend; increasing)
YVWD-A
0.7 "/ FA 10
Henry N Wochholz'
0.6 RWRF DP 001
0.5 0.4
0.3 0.2
0.1 San Timoteo 2
Segment
Focus Areas
Surface Water
Monitoring Location
Henry N Wochholz
RWRF DP 001
0 0.25 0.5
1 Miles
FA09
A
Precipitation, Surface Water Flow,
and WWTP Discharge versus NDVI
San Timoteo 2 Segment for 1983-2023
City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 7-3
Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat
Characterization and Sustainability Report
BEAUMONT
• Since 2004, the NDVI of the upstream Focus Area (FA09) had a statistically increasing trend, while the downstream Focus Area (FA10) had "no trend." The trends occurred while the discharge from Beaumont WWTP was increasing.
• Increases in NDVI at both Focus Areas (FA09 and FA10) since 1984 are generally lower when compared to Cooper's Creek 1 Segment and comparable when compared to San Timoteo 1 Segment. Both had an NDVI of less than 0.6 in 1984 and increased to about 0.70 and 0.62, respectively, by 2023. Because of the higher initial value of NDVI and lower response to Beaumont WWTP discharges, there may be other factors supporting riparian habitat at these Focus Areas, such as increased surface flow resulting from urban development.
However, absent historical records of surface water flow prior to 2005, it is difficult to make any conclusion about the relative impact each factor could have had on surface flow and thus riparian health at FA09 and FA10.
• The Beaumont WWTP annual discharge decreased by approximately 500 of over the 2020 to 2023 period. There was no concurrent decrease in NDVI at the Focus Areas over this period.
Though it may take more time for an impact to the riparian health to manifest, the data initially suggest that the recent decreases in discharge did not negatively impact riparian habitat health in the Study Area.
The observed responses of the riparian habitat health in San Timoteo 2 Segment indicate there is a positive relationship between riparian habitat health and increased surface water flows, and more specifically to Beaumont WWTP discharges that appear to be the main contributor of flow in the Study Area. However, the response in this Segment is noticeably less than that of Cooper's Creek 1, indicating less of an influence from Beaumont WWTP discharges.
7.1.4 Summary
Based on the data and observations across all Segments in the Study Area, Beaumont WWTP discharges are the primary source of surface water flow in the Study Area. Given that surface water flow has a direct and important relationship to the extent and health of riparian habitat in the Study Area, reductions in discharge have the potential to negatively impact the extent and health of riparian habitat in the Study Area.
7.2 Groundwater Levels
Groundwater is likely a source of water to riparian vegetation in the Study Area whose root depths extend to the depth of the water table. Groundwater levels are primarily impacted by pumping and recharge.
There are an estimated 10 pumping wells within or immediately adjacent to the Study Area. Contributing sources to groundwater recharge in the Study Area are infiltration of surface water flow in Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks, deep percolation of precipitation and applied water, and groundwater underflow from outside the Study Area. When groundwater levels are high, groundwater can rise and become surface water flow. It is likely that within the Study Area there are both reaches with rising groundwater and reaches with infiltrating surface water.
A reduction in Beaumont WWTP discharges to Cooper's Creek, which would reduce surface flow, could result in reduced recharge and subsequent lowering of groundwater levels in the vicinity of streambed reaches with infiltrating surface water. Declining groundwater levels have potential to impact the extent and quality of riparian vegetation that relies on groundwater.
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To evaluate the historical relationship of groundwater levels and riparian habitat extent and health, groundwater levels and Beaumont WWTP discharges were compared to historical NDVI. Figures 7-4 through 7-6 are time series charts that compare the following datasets for each NDVI analysis Segment for the period of 1984 to 2023 (where available):
• Groundwater elevations for wells in the Study Area in close proximity to the riparian habitat along the creeks (described in Section 6.3.1). At most wells, the data record starts in 2005, but a few wells have data back to the 1990s.
• Annual (afy) and daily (cfs) Beaumont WWTP discharge at DP001 to Cooper's Creek (described in Section 6.1). Annual records are available since 1989 and daily records since 2006.
• Average Growing Season NDVI (described in Section 5.3) for the Focus Areas within each Segment.
The analysis of the data is described below for each Segment.
7.2.1 Cooper's Creek 1 Segment
Based on the interpretations previously described in Sections 2, 5, 6, 7.1 and integrated together on Figure 7-4, the relationship of groundwater levels and Beaumont WWTP discharges appears as follows:
• As described in Section 6.3.1 and shown in Figure 7-4, groundwater levels have generally been stable since the early 2000s along Cooper's Creek 1 Segment. • Even as Beaumont WWTP discharge (and presumable surface flow) increased after 2004, groundwater levels remained stable, indicating that the groundwater system could not accept additional streambed recharge. This suggests that the groundwater basin is at capacity or "full" within this Segment of the Study Area. A full groundwater condition could result in rising groundwater conditions within the creek channel within or downstream of this Segment.
• Given the stable groundwater levels over the last 20 plus years, it is unlikely that groundwater levels have a direct impact on the increasing trend observed in the Average Growing Season NDVI of all Focus Areas in the Segment.
7.2.2 San Timoteo 1 Segment
Based on the physical setting and data interpretations previously described in Sections 2, 5, 6, 7.1 and integrated together in Figure 7-5, the relationship of groundwater levels and Beaumont WWTP discharges appears as follows in the San Timoteo 1:
• As described in Section 6.3.1 and shown in Figure 7-5, groundwater levels have generally been stable since the early 2000s along San Timoteo 1 Segment. However, it should be noted that wells in this Segment are screened in the deeper aquifer and not representative of trends in shallow groundwater. Shallow groundwater levels in this Segment are a data gap that is discussed in a subsequent section.
• Even as Beaumont WWTP discharge (and presumable surface flow) increased after 2004, groundwater levels remained stable, indicating that the groundwater system could not accept additional streambed recharge. This suggests that the groundwater basin is at capacity or "full" within this Segment of the Study Area. A full groundwater condition could
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result in rising groundwater conditions within the creek channel within or downstream of this Segment.
• Given the stable groundwater levels over the last 20 plus years, it is unlikely that groundwater levels have a direct impact on the increasing trend and no trend observed in the Average Growing Season NDVI of the two Focus Areas in the Segment.
7.2.3 San Timoteo 2 Segment
Figure 7-6 has the added dataset of the Henry N. Wochholz RWRF discharge that occurs at the downstream end of the Segment. Based on the physical setting and data interpretations previously described in Sections 2, 5, 6, 7.1 and integrated together in Figure 7-6, the relationship of groundwater levels and Beaumont WWTP discharges appears as follows in the San Timoteo 2 Segment:
• As described in Section 6.3.1 and shown in Figure 7-6, groundwater levels have generally been stable since the early 2000s along San Timoteo 2 Segment. • Even as Beaumont WWTP discharge (and presumable surface flow) increased after 2004, groundwater levels remained stable, indicating that the groundwater system could not accept additional streambed recharge. This suggests that the groundwater basin is at capacity or "full" within this Segment of the Study Area. A full groundwater condition could result in rising groundwater conditions within the creek channel within or downstream of this Segment.
• Discharges at Henry N. Wochholz RWRF DP001, located in the vicinity of YVWD GWMW-4, has increased over the period of record. Even with the increased discharge and potential for increased recharge to groundwater beneath the discharge point, groundwater levels have remained relatively stable over the period of record.
• Given the stable groundwater levels over the last 20 plus years, it is unlikely that groundwater levels have a direct impact on the increasing trend and no trend observed in the Average Growing Season NDVI of the two Focus Areas in the Segment.
7.2.4 Summary
Based on the data and observations across all Segments in the Study Area, Beaumont WWTP discharges assist in recharging the groundwater in the Study Area through surface water flow and streambed infiltration. However, the groundwater aquifers appear to be near or at capacity and therefore exhibit stable groundwater elevations over time. Although groundwater might not have a direct impact on riparian habitat health, reductions in Beaumont WWTP discharges might indirectly decrease a source of groundwater recharge through the reduction of surface water flow within the Study Area and therefore has the potential to negatively impact the extent and health of the riparian habitat.
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5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
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0.8 0.7
0.6 0.5
0.4 0.3
0.2 0.1
1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 w
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Date: 20241216
File: Figure 7-4_Discharge_GWLs_StudyArea-A.grf
2,500
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Groundwater Elevation (ft NAVD88)
Groundwater Elevations at Wells (Perforated Interval Depth) NA_1004370 (60-160 ft-bgs)
OBMW-1 (142.8-162.8 ft-bgs)
OBMW-2 (97.6-117.6 ft-bgs)
OBMW-3 (117.3-137.3 ft-bgs)
Ranch Well (n/a)
335645117024201 (n/a)
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge
Annual (afy)
Daily (mgd)
Average Growing Season NDVI
(Mann -Kendall Trend Result for 1984-2023; 1984-2003;
2004-2023)
0 FA01 (increasing; increasing; increasing)
FA02 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
FA03 (increasing; increasing; increasing)
FA04 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
FA05 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
FA06 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
Cooper's Creek 1 (increasing; increasing; increasing)
Cooper's Creek 1
Segment
Focus Areas
Groundwater
Monitoring Well
Beaumont WWTP DP
001
Pr's Creek FA03 FAO 1
Ranch Well
Beaumont WWTP DP 001 FA0.2#
NA_1004370
0 0.25 0.5
t
1 Miles
A
Groundwater Levels and WWTP Discharge versus NDVI
Cooper's Creek 1 Segment for 1983-2023
City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 7-4
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
0.8 0.7
0.6 0.5
O
z
0.4 0.3
0.2 0.1
w
1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023
WEST I YOST
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Date: 20241216
File: Figure 7-5_Discharge_GWLs_StudyArea-B.grf
2,300
2,250
2,200
2,150
2,100
2,050
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Groundwater Elevation (ft NAVD88)
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Groundwater Elevations at Wells (Perforated Interval Depth) #427, Agri -Empire (n/a)
#428, Agri -Empire #2 (n/a)
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge
Annual (afy)
Daily (mgd)
Average Growing Season NDVI
(Mann -Kendall Trend Result for 1984-2023; 1984-2003;
2004-2023)
- FA07 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
- FA08 (increasing; increasing; no trend)
—0— San Timoteo 1 (increasing; no trend; increasing)
FA08
#427, Agri -Empire
San Timoteo 1
- Segment
Focus Areas
Groundwater
Monitoring Well
0 0.25 0.5
#428, Agri -Empire #2
FA07
1 Miles
Groundwater Levels and WWTP Discharge versus NDVI
San Timoteo 1 Segment for 1983-2023
City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 7-5
5,000
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
0.8 0.7
0.6 0.5
z
0.4 0.3
0.2 0.1
W/
2023
1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023
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Date: 20241216
File: Figure 7-6_Discharge_GWLs_StudyArea-C.grf
1,950
1,900
1,850
1,800
1,750
1,700
1,650
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Groundwater Elevation (ft NAVD88)
0 tin
E
Groundwater Elevations at Wells (ft NAVD88)
YVWD GWMW-4 (65-80 ft-bgs)
BH-19 (50-150 ft-bgs)
Fisherman's Retreat 2 (70-615 ft-bgs)
One (110-590 ft-bgs)
NA_1003048
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge
Annual (afy)
Daily (mgd)
Henry N Wochholz RWRF DP -001 Discharge
Daily (mgd)
Average Growing Season NDVI
(Mann -Kendall Trend Result for 1984-2023; 1984-2003;
2004-2023)
FA09 (increasing; decreasing; increasing)
FA10 (increasing; increasing; no trend)
--•— San Timoteo 2 (no trend; no trend; increasing)
YVWD GWMW-4
FA10
0.6 �f BH-19
Henry N Wochholz -
0.5 RWRF DP 001 NA_1003048
ONE
0.4 0.3
0.2 0.1
San Timoteo 2
Segment
Groundwater
Monitoring Well
Henry N
Wochholz RWRF
DP 001
Fishermen's Retreat 2
0 0.25 0.5
I
1 Miles
FA09
Groundwater Levels and WWTP Discharge versus NDVI
San Timoteo 2 Segment for 1983-2023
City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 7-6
Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat
Characterization and Sustainability Report BEAUMONT
7.3 Hydrological Impacts to Biological Resources
The biological resources of the riparian habitat are dependent upon the habitat's health. The AMMP is primarily concerned with a change to the habitat and its biological resources that could result from the reduction of Beaumont WWTP discharges. This section describes the relationship of surface water and groundwater to the biological resources of the Study Area.
As described in Section 4, the dominant native riparian species present within the Riparian Zone are phreatophyte species of willows (multiple species), Fremont cottonwood, and mulefat. This riparian vegetation creates a habitat suitable for a variety of important bird species, including least Bell's vireo, willow flycatcher, and yellow warbler.
7.3.1 Surface Water
The duration and timing of surface water flows have a direct impact on the biological resources within the Riparian Zone. Studies on the surface water and groundwater thresholds required to support riparian stands of Fremont cottonwood / Gooding's willow habitat in the Southwestern U.S. have found that surface flow permanence is perhaps the most important hydrologic factor required to maintain this riparian habitat association. According to Lite and Stromberg (2005) stream reaches that sustain surface water flows for more than 76 percent of the year are required for maintaining tall, dense stands of Fremont cottonwood / Gooding's willow riparian habitat in the Southwest. Some of the benefits of surface water flows to riparian plant communities include providing water directly to young trees with shallower root systems, sustaining ground water levels, and increasing humidity within the riparian zone, which can buffer high evaporation and improve photosynthetic rates in arid regions. The timing of surface water flows is also important for seed dispersal and seedling establishment in that seeds transported downstream during winter flood events and deposited on suitable substrates can then potentially germinate and establish during the early part of the growing season.
The importance of surface water flows to riparian habitat in the Study Area is evident in the data presented in Sections 7.1 which demonstrates the direct relationship between concurrent increases in discharge, surface water flows, and riparian habitat extent and health. Thus, a reduction in Beaumont WWTP discharges will reduce the surface flows of the Study area and could potentially impact the current extent of the riparian habitat.
7.3.2 Groundwater
Depth to groundwater and groundwater level fluctuations also impact the biological resources within the Riparian Zone, but are of lesser importance than surface water flow. The dominant phreatophyte species in the Study Area require a shallow depth to groundwater, with little fluctuation in groundwater levels.
The fine roots that are primarily responsible for water uptake in cottonwood and willow species occur in the capillary fringe immediately above the groundwater saturation zone (i.e. the water table). A receding water table can cause the roots of phreatophytic species to be stranded above the saturated zone and result in reduced productivity or death (Mahoney and Rood, 1992). The maximum recorded groundwater depth required for adult Fremont cottonwood survival in the Southwestern U.S. is about 5.1 meters bgs (or about 16.7 ft bgs), while the maximum recorded groundwater depth required for adult Gooding's willow survival is about 3.2 meters bgs (or about 10.5 ft bgs) (Stromberg, Tiller, and Richter, 1996). Other willow species (e.g., red willow) have similar rooting depths and depth to groundwater requirements.
Saplings have shallower rooting depths and thus have shallower depth to groundwater requirements to become established. The maximum recorded groundwater depth required for sapling Fremont cottonwood survival is approximately 3 meters bgs (or about 10 ft bgs), while the maximum recorded
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groundwater depth required for sapling Gooding's willow survival is approximately 2 meters bgs (or about
6.6 ft bgs) (Stromberg et al.,1996). Lite and Stromberg (2005) found that the maximum depth to groundwater required to maintain tall, dense stands of Fremont cottonwood / Gooding's willow forest and woodland associations in the Southwest is typically less than an average of 2.6 meters bgs (or about
8.5 ft bgs).
Both juvenile and adult trees are susceptible to stress resulting from rapid changes in groundwater levels.
Tall, dense stands of Fremont cottonwood / Gooding's willow riparian habitat typically require annual groundwater level fluctuations of less than 0.5 meters (about 1.6 feet) from January to June (Lite and Stromberg, 2005). Adult cottonwood trees can be killed by abrupt and prolonged groundwater level increases of just 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) and saplings of both cottonwood and willow species can die from seasonal water table declines of the same amount (Shafroth et al., 2000; Lite and Stromberg, 2005).
Seedling cottonwoods can die when groundwater depths decline by more than 1 to 4 centimeters per day (about a third of an inch to 1.5 inches) and may not survive on sites with a depth to groundwater that is greater than 1 to 1.3 meters bgs (about 3.2 to 4.3 ft) by the end of the first growing season (Lite and Stromberg, 2005). However, it should be noted that some minimal fluctuations in depth to groundwater are beneficial to sapling survivorship. Fremont cottonwood and Gooding's willow saplings have been observed to have higher survivorship in areas that had greater depth to groundwater when subjected to regular and minor fluctuations than saplings in areas with shallower, more stable water tables (Shafroth et al., 2000).
This illustrates the importance of the historically stable groundwater level conditions observed in the Study Area. However, there are no wells in close enough proximity to the riparian vegetation along the Creek to demonstrate how the historical range in groundwater levels compares to the requirements suggested by the literature for similar habitats in the Southwest. As discussed in Section 6.3.3, the shallowest depth to water at wells in the Study Area was about 23 feet bgs, which is about three times deeper than the average depth needed to maintain tall, dense stands of Fremont cottonwood / Gooding's willow forest and woodland associations in the Southwest.
7.4 Other Climate Factors
Other climatic factors that could impact riparian habitat health include changes to temperature and precipitation patterns in the Region. Climate change is expected to impact the frequency and intensity of precipitation events, the duration of dry (drought) periods, and increase air temperatures. Changes to air temperature can affect evapotranspiration rates, humidity, and vegetation stress levels.
Although not analyzed for this Report, based on the analysis of NDVI presented in Section 5, there are no areas with decreasing NDVI, and so these are not factors impacting the riparian habitat at this time.
Data on air temperature, humidity, and evaporation data are available from local and regional climate data sources and should be analyzed in the future to determine if these climatic factors can be correlated to any future changes in NDVI.
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7.5 Wildfires
Wildfires can occur periodically and affect the extent and quality of riparian habitat. Data on the location of historical wildfires were collected from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection database.13 Data on historical fires are available back to 2016. There is one wildfire that occurred historically and impacted the Study Area riparian habitat in 2017 and 2018. The Palmer Fire started on September 2, 2017 and was contained by January 9, 2018. It burned a total of approximately 3,800 acres within and adjacent to the Study Area and impacted the riparian vegetation in the Study Area. The wildfire was the likely cause of the decrease in the Average Growing Season NDVI (shown on Figures 5-5b, 5-6b, and 5-7b) for all Segments and Focus Areas. The largest decreases in NDVI occurred in Focus Areas FA09 and FA10 within San Timoteo Segment 2. Riparian habitat in the Study Area began to recover by 2019 as shown by an increase in the NDVI between 2018 and 2019.
7.6 Invasive Species and Pests
Invasive species and pests can displace native species and reduce biodiversity within the Riparian Zone and surrounding habitats. Riparian habitats can be particularly susceptible to invasive species during times of drought or other stresses to water availability. A decrease in surface water flow permanence, increases in depth to groundwater, and dramatic fluctuations in groundwater levels all tend to cause declines in native riparian tree species cover and increase the ability for more drought -tolerant invasive species like salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) to establish and spread (Lite and Stromberg, 2005). Over time, the riparian habitat structure, functions, and hydrologic processes can be adversely affected by invasive species, which may or may not be discernable in NDVI data. Riparian habitats with a prevalence of invasive species are typically also more susceptible to wildfires. A total of 16 invasive species were identified along the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area during the August 2024 field survey, as noted in Table 4-4. Only one invasive species was identified for the San Timoteo Creek portion of the Study Area. The most prevalent invasive species in the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area are: tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). Arundo was identified in the San Timoteo Creek portion of the Study Area. Overall, the current baseline cover of invasive species within the sampled areas of the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area is 11 percent in Sample Area 1, 1 percent in Sample Area 2, and 14.4 percent in Sample Area 3, respectively (refer to Tables 4-1b, 4-2b, and 4-3b). 13 https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2017
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Tree of heaven is most prevalent within Sample Area 1 of the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area (Table 4-1a). This species has a CAL-IPC rating of moderate14 due to its ability to quickly become established and spread through an area, forming dense stands, and displacing native plant species. This species produces large quantities of seed and can spread vegetatively with root suckers. Tree of heaven also has allelopathic properties that suppress the growth of surrounding vegetation (CAL-IPC, 2024). This species is more tolerant of dry conditions than native riparian species and can occur in both uplands and riparian zones. An additional concern with tree of heaven invasion is that this species is the preferred host of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), which is invasive insect pest (CAL-IPC, 2024).
Tree tobacco was observed in small numbers within all Sample Areas of the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area (Tables 4-1a, 4-2a, and 4-3a). This species also has a CAL-IPC rating of moderate and can form dense stands that displace native species and can negatively affect stream hydrology. Tree tobacco is also drought -tolerant and can occur in many habitats and landscapes.
Himalayan blackberry was observed in Sample Area 3 (Table 4-3a), as well as immediately downstream of the Beaumont WWTP DP001 outfall. This species has a CAL-IPC rating of high due to its ability to rapidly displace native plant species and produce dense canopies that prevent the growth of other understory plants (CAL-IPC, 2024). Himalayan blackberry can resprout from the root crown and rhizomes, and its seeds are spread by wildlife that forage on its fruit.
It should also be noted that a small stand of giant reed (Arundo donax) was observed within the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area (Table 4-4) and this species has been documented along San Timoteo Creek (Howe, 2014). Giant reed has a CAL-IPC rating of high and is a particularly damaging invasive species in riparian ecosystems throughout the Southwest. This species forms dense monotypic stands that can significantly alter stream hydrology and is likely the most damaging invasive plant species affecting southern California riparian ecosystems (Bell, 2002). Riparian areas dominated by giant reed also support lower biodiversity and are more prone to wildfire.
14 CAL-IPC ratings are as follows:
High —These species have severe ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal and establishment. Most are widely distributed ecologically.
Moderate —These species have substantial and apparent -but generally not severe -ecological impacts on physical processes, plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. Their reproductive biology and other attributes are conducive to moderate to high rates of dispersal, though establishment is generally dependent upon ecological disturbance. Ecological amplitude and distribution may range from limited to widespread.
Limited —These species are invasive but their ecological impacts are minor on a statewide level or there was not enough information to justify a higher score. Their reproductive biology and other attributes result in low to moderate rates of invasiveness. Ecological amplitude and distribution are generally limited, but these species may be locally persistent and problematic.
Alert — An Alert is listed on species with High or Moderate impacts that have limited distribution in California but may have the potential to spread much further.
Watch —These species have been assessed as posing a high risk of becoming invasive in the future in California.
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Based on the analysis of NDVI presented in Section 5, there are no areas with decreasing NDVI, and so this is not a factor impacting the riparian habitat at this time. However, continuing to track the occurrence and prevalence of invasive species and pests will be important to the AMMP going forward so that the relationship between their presence can be assessed relative to future changes in NDVI, or other factors that cause changes to NDVI (such as reduced discharge and surface water flow).
7.7 Data Gaps
Based on the analysis of available data and the discussion of potential impacts to riparian habitat and health, the following data gaps15 were identified and should be prioritized for a robust AMMP.
1. Riparian vegetation data, specifically additional baseline vegetation sampling surveys along Cooper's Creek.
2. Groundwater level data, specifically groundwater levels immediately adjacent to Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks and within the riparian habitat.
3. Study Area elevations, specifically for monitoring well reference points and the thalweg along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks.
4. Surface water flow measurements, specifically an increase in flow measurement frequency.
These data gaps are described further below.
7.7.1 Riparian Vegetation Data
Additional baseline vegetation sampling surveys are needed to characterize vegetation cover, species richness, and percentage of native and non-native species cover west of the SR -60 crossing of Cooper's Creek (see Sample Area 4 on Figure 8-1). Additional baseline vegetation sampling along the same transects surveyed in August 2024 (Sample Areas 1 through 3) is also recommended to improve the statistical confidence of baseline species richness and provide woody plant density results. Additionally, future vegetation monitoring should include measurements of canopy height utilizing either ground -based methods (i.e., a clinometer) or aerial methods (i.e., drone survey).
7.7.2 Groundwater Level Data
There is limited spatial and temporal groundwater level data within the Study Area. For this Report, groundwater levels for selected representative wells for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program were used to analyze local groundwater conditions. The data were available at variable frequencies over time but are now only measured twice per year in the spring and fall. And, as described in Section 7.2.2, there are no wells currently monitored along the San Timoteo 1 Segment that are within the upper shallow aquifer. There are several wells that could potentially be utilized to monitor shallow groundwater elevations within this Segment, including SanTim-1, San Tim -2B/1, and San Tim -2B/2 (if found to be in suitable condition).
The frequency of water level monitoring at the representative wells along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks is currently bi-annual (two times per year). High -frequency groundwater level measurements will improve the understanding of seasonal and longer -term fluctuations in groundwater elevations and depth to groundwater, as well as provide a more robust understanding of the important groundwater and 15 Data gaps exist when there are no entities already collecting and publishing the noted data.
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surface water interactions along the Creeks, the delicate balance of which may be supporting the riparian habitat extent and health. High -frequency data would ideally involve the installation of continuously recording pressure transducers that can capture sub -daily changes in water levels.
7.7.3 Surveyed Elevations of Reference Points and Thalweg Currently, there is limited or imprecise elevation data within the Study Area to accurately characterize the small changes in groundwater levels and their relation to the stream channel elevation. As discussed in Section 7.3.2, riparian habitat health can be impacted by fluctuations in groundwater levels of as little as
0.5 meters (about 1.6 feet) from January to June. For this reason, it is important to have high precision in the reference points used to calculate elevations so that sites across the study area can more accurately be compared and used to understand the groundwater and surface water hydrology. • Reference Point Elevations. A reference point is the location on a well, such as the top of a sounding tube, where the depth to groundwater measurement is made and referenced to calculate the groundwater elevation (Reference Point Elevation minus Depth to Water = Groundwater Elevation). Currently the reference point elevations for wells in the Study Area are typically estimates that have been derived from a 10 -meter resolution DEM. To support this AMMP, the reference point elevations should be professionally benchmarked and surveyed.
• Thalweg Elevations. The "thalweg" is the bottom elevation of a stream channel. The thalweg elevation can be compared to the groundwater elevations in nearby monitoring wells to better characterize groundwater/surface-water interactions within the Study Area.
It is important to have thalweg elevations and groundwater elevations that can accurately be compared to each other. For this reason, the thalweg elevation across Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks should also be professionally surveyed.
• DEM of the Ground Surface Elevation. Depth to water contours were not developed for this report because they would have to be estimated based on the limited available reference point data at the wells and would rely on a USGS 10 -meter DEM of the ground surface. As described in Section 6.3.3, a 10 -meter resolution does not provide a high enough resolution of the ground surface elevation for these narrow areas along the creek of importance in the Study Area. A higher resolution DEM (i.e. 1 -meter) would provide a more accurate delineation of the ground surface elevation and could be used to develop depth to water contours of the Study Area. The DEM should be prepared from professional survey using LIDARI6 in the same vertical datum as the surveyed reference point and thalweg elevations described in the bullets above.
7.7.4 Frequency of Surface Water Flow Measurements
Surface water flow measurements are currently measured within the Study Area on a bi-weekly basis or following storms in the case of STC-02 on Cooper's and San Timoteo Creek within the Beaumont GMZ.
Although these are beneficial datasets, there is an insufficient frequency of data to develop a more robust understanding of surface water flows in response to storms and daily fluctuations in discharge from the Beaumont WWTP. Higher -frequency surface water flow data coupled with high -frequency groundwater 16 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), is a remote sensing technique that uses a pulsed laser to measure distances and create 3D models of the Earth's surface
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level measurements could also improve the understanding of groundwater/surface water interactions along the creeks. Additionally, the higher frequency surface water dataset could be used to assist with the calibration of future modeling tools that may be needed to simulate the impact of reduced discharges to surface water flow and groundwater levels in the Study Area.
Permanent stream gages would be needed to increase the frequency of surface water flow measurements. This can be costly and may not be practical to do without grant funding.
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8.0 BASELINE MONITORING AND DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM
This section describes the recommended Baseline Monitoring and Data Collection Program (Baseline Monitoring Program) to initiate the AMMP. The objective of the Baseline Monitoring Program is to establish a more comprehensive characterization of the current conditions of the Study Area prior to reducing discharge from the Beaumont WWTP. The baseline data will be compared to data collected as the discharge is reduced to detect any changes in riparian habitat health that are attributable to the reduced discharge. And, if any unacceptable changes to riparian habitat are attributable to reducing discharge, the information can be used to support the development of mitigation actions.
The Baseline Monitoring Program includes collection of riparian habitat, surface water, groundwater, climate, and elevation data. Where feasible to meet the AMMP objectives, the Baseline Monitoring Program will utilize and leverage data from the existing monitoring programs described in Section 2.2.3 of this Report.
8.1 Riparian Habitat Monitoring
Figure 8-1 shows the recommended sites for riparian habitat monitoring for the Baseline Monitoring Program. Riparian habitat monitoring will consist of a combination of remote sensing, drone surveys, and ground survey techniques as specified below.
8.1.1 Remote Sensing
Similar to the historical characterization described in Section 5 of this Report, remote sensing data from the Landsat Satellite will be used to analyze NDVI to evaluate riparian habitat health in the Study Area.
NDVI will continue to be collected and analyzed for the three Segments and ten Focus Areas defined in this report. The current frequency of the remote sensing measurements of NDVI is between one and eight days. NDVI time series data will be prepared and analyzed for these Segments and Focus Areas and the trends and results for three distinct time periods will be evaluated: 1) the early growing season (around March), 2) peak growing season (sometime between April and September), and 3) late growing season (October). An average NDVI for each period will be compared to assess short-term and long-term changes in NDVI for each Focus Area and Segment.
8.1.2 Drone Surveys
Drone surveys of the entire Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area (from the Beaumont WWTP DP001 outfall to the confluence with San Timoteo Creek) will be conducted annually during peak growing season (typically April/May). Surveys are not recommended for the San Timoteo Creek portion of the Study Area due to the SAWA biological surveys that occur annually and because of an overabundant amount of additional factors (such as influence from other stream systems) that could influence changes in riparian habitat health. The drone survey will collect high -resolution orthoimagery for both red, green, and blue (RGB) and near -infrared spectrometric data that can be used to calculate much higher resolution NDVI values than available from the satellite imagery. The orthoimagery will also provide the necessary data to assess vegetation cover, canopy height, species richness, density, and plant health over a much broader area than ground surveys alone can provide.
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WWTP Discharge Point
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Cooper's Creek 1 Segment
San Timoteo 1 Segment
L
San Timoteo 2 Segment
Study Area
Notes:
1. GMZ - groundwater management zone
2. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Riparian Baseline Monitoring and
Data Collection Locations
City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 8-1
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8.1.3 Ground Surveys
Ground surveys will be conducted to assess habitat use by focal species and other wildlife within the riparian habitat. Ground surveys will include:
• Periodic vegetation sampling surveys to characterize riparian habitats along the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone at Sample Areas 1 through 4. Vegetation sampling surveys should be conducted once every 2-3 years within the Cooper's Creek portion of the Study Area and Riparian Zone to ground -truth vegetation data collected during the annual drone surveys and remote sensing data. Ground based vegetation sampling surveys should be conducted within the three Sample Areas established during the initial 2024 baseline vegetation sampling efforts plus one additional sample area, Sample Area 4 located downstream (west) of the SR -60 crossing of Cooper's Creek (Figure 8-1). The surveys would consist of the same vegetation sampling methods used during the 2024 baseline year to document any changes that may occur within the Riparian Zone over time.
• Bi-annual (every two years) inventory of biological resources to document all plant and wildlife species observed along the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone. This inventory will produce a description of plant species composition and wildlife use from the Beaumont WWTP DP001 to the confluence with San Timoteo Creek. Faunal surveys will be conducted during the focal species' breeding season (i.e., March -August). Focused protocol LBVI and WIFL presence/absence surveys will be conducted by permitted/qualified biologists in accordance with the USFWS survey protocols for these species. • SAWA biological monitoring reports will continue to be used to document wildlife species use of riparian habitat, including the presence of focal species, within the San Timoteo Creek Riparian Zone from the Cooper's Creek / San Timoteo Creek confluence to the Henry N.
Wochholz RWRF DP001.
8.2 Surface Water Monitoring
Figure 8-2 and Table 8-1 summarize the recommended surface water monitoring sites for the Baseline Monitoring Program.
Surface water monitoring will include high -frequency monitoring of stage, flow, temperature, and specific conductance (SC)17 at 4 locations along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks. These locations are CC -03, ST -02, STC-01, and YVWD-A. These are the monitoring locations for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program where bi-weekly measurements of flow and surface water quality are collected. To collect the high -frequency data, stilling wells will be installed and equipped with pressure transducers with data loggers and sensors that will record data at 15 -minute intervals. A staff plate will be installed in the vicinity of the stilling wells and both the stilling wells and staff plates will be installed in an area that protects the equipment from higher storm flows. The bi-weekly flow measurements collected for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program will be used to develop a rating curve for each site. The rating curve is a tool to translate stream stage (measured by the transducer) to stream flow (measured manually). 17 Specific conductance, or electrical conductivity, is a measure of the salinity of water. SC data can be correlated with laboratory measurements of TDS to develop a translator of SC to TDS.
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Proposed Transducer Deployment
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Proposed Transducer Deployment
Location - Groundwater Well
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City of Beaumont AMMP
Figure 8-2
Table
8-1. Hydrogeological Baseline Monitoring Program Enhanced Monitoring Locations
Monitoring Location Regulatory Program
Existing Monitoring
Proposed Monitoring
Frequency(a) Data Type(b) Sampling Methodic) Frequency
Data Type(d) Sampling Method
Groundwater
0BMW-3
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
Ranch Well
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and \A/Q
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
Heartland Well
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
335645117024201
Maximum Benefit
SA
WL
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
San Tim -2B/1
Maximum Benefit
3 years
WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
SanTim-1
Maximum Benefit
3 years
WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
Fishermen's Retreat 2
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
ONE
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
NA_1003048
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
YVWD GWMW-4
Maximum Benefit
SA and 3 years
WL and WQ
M and L
Hourly
WL, T, and SC
Transducer
Surface Water '
M
CC -03
Maximum Benefit
Bi-weekly
Flow and WQ
M and L
15 minutes
Stage, flow, T, and SC
Transducer
STC-02
Maximum Benefit
Following storms
Flow and WQ
M and L
15 minutes
Stage, flow, T, and SC
Transducer
STC-01
Maximum Benefit
Bi-weekly
Flow and WQ
M and L
15 minutes
Stage, flow, T, and SC
Transducer
YVWD-A
Maximum Benefit
Bi-weekly
Flow and WQ
M and L
15 minutes
Stage, flow, T, and SC
Transducer
(a) The Maximum Benefit Program requires groundwater levels to be collected at a minimum twice a year (semi-annually [SA]) and groundwater quality every 3 years. (b) WL - water level, WQ - water quality
(c) M - manual (water levels and surface water flow), L - laboratory analysis (water quality) (d) T - temperature, SC - specific conductance
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The high -frequency flow, temperature, and SC data will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term and short-term trends in surface water flow in the study area and help understand surface water conditions in response to storms and discharges from the Beaumont WWTP. The high -frequency data will also help discern groundwater and surface water interactions along the Study Area.
The Baseline Monitoring Program will also utilize the bi-weekly water quality data collected for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program, and the flow and water quality data collected for compliance with the Beaumont WWTP NPDES discharge permit monitoring program.
8.3 Groundwater Monitoring
Figure 8-2 and Table 8-1 summarize the recommended groundwater monitoring sites for the Baseline Monitoring Program.
Groundwater monitoring will include high -frequency collection of groundwater levels, temperature, and SC at 10 existing wells located along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks. The wells include OBMW-3, Ranch Well, Heartland Well, 335645117024201, San Tim 2B/1, SanTim-1, Fishermen's Retreat 2, ONE, NA -1003048, and YVWD GWMW-4. These wells were selected because they are distributed throughout the Study Area and provide coverage in all three NDVI analysis Segments. Most of these wells are currently monitored for water levels on a semi-annual basis for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program. Two of the wells (San Tim 2B/1, SanTim-1) are not currently monitored for water levels and are recommended for inclusion to fill the spatial data gaps described in Section 7.7.1. Pressure transducers with data loggers will be installed in the wells to collect 15 -minute readings of water level, temperature, and SC. Access and agreements will need to be coordinated with the individual well owners for the installation of this monitoring equipment. A well canvas will need to be conducted to confirm if transducers can be installed within the wells.
The high -frequency water level, temperature, and SC data will provide for a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term and short-term trends in groundwater levels in the study area and the relationship of discharges from the Beaumont WWTP and groundwater levels. The high -frequency data will also help discern groundwater and surface water interactions along the Study Area.
The Baseline Monitoring Program will also utilize the water quality samples collected at these wells for the Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program.
8.4 Reference Point and Thalweg Elevation Surveys
To address the data gaps described in Section 7.7.3, professional elevation surveys should be conducted on the following:
• Well reference points for the wells in the Baseline Monitoring Program. • Stream gaging sites, including staff plates, for monitoring locations in the Baseline Monitoring Program.
• Points along the channel thalweg that are adjacent to the monitoring wells. The thalweg elevation surveys will be done for the lowest point in the creek at a location perpendicular to the adjacent monitoring wells.
The thalweg, stream, and groundwater elevations will be compared to better characterize groundwater/ surface -water interactions within the Study Area and determine how the groundwater/surface-water
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interactions are correlated with Beaumont WWTP discharges and riparian habitat health. The collection of a finer resolution (i.e., 1 -meter) DEM is not recommended as part of the Baseline Monitoring Program but may be recommended in the future.
8.5 Climate
Publicly available data on precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration will be collected and utilized as part of the Baseline Monitoring Program. This includes the PRISM Climate group gridded dataset (for precipitation and temperature), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) precipitation gages, other gridded datasets, and/or CIMIS weather stations, in the area.18 Climate data will be used to analyze the relationship between climate conditions and riparian habitat and hydrologic datasets.
8.6 Feasibility of Reduced Discharge
Phase 1 initially included assessing available modeling tools that could be used to analyze surface water and groundwater responses to reducing Beaumont WWTP discharges. This task will now be part of the Baseline Monitoring Program and should generally follow the steps outlined for Phases 1 and 2, as described below.
The first step of this effort is to collect and assess all available surface and groundwater models or analytical tools that could potentially be used to assess hydrogeologic impacts of reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek. An outcome of this task will be articulation of the level of analysis necessary to support development of the AMMP (i.e. what is the "right size" scope of work to support the City's project) and scope of work and cost estimate to use the existing surface and groundwater models/tools, or construct new ones, to test the feasibility of various levels of reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek.
The second step of this effort is to use the surface and groundwater modeling tools (numerical or analytical) to perform predictive model simulations of the surface -water and groundwater hydrology of the Study Area with and without the Beaumont WWTP discharges and comparing the model results against the preliminary metrics for habitat sustainability, as defined in Section 9 of this Report. Depending on the state of existing models and tools, this effort may require the City to:
• Construct and calibrate (or update) a surface -water model that is capable of simulating: 1) historical surface water flow in Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek and 2) future surface water flow in under climate change, water conservation, and various future wastewater discharge scenarios.
• Construct and calibrate (or update) a groundwater -flow model that is capable of simulating:
1) historical groundwater levels and GW/SW interactions within the alluvial aquifer and regional aquifer beneath the Study Area and 2) future groundwater levels and GW/SW interactions under climate change, water conservation, and various future wastewater discharge scenarios.
The first step began in Phase 1 and will be completed in 2025, including a technical memorandum documenting the outcomes and recommendations.
18 https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/search
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8.7 Implementation and Reporting
Implementation of the recommended Baseline Monitoring Program should begin in 2025 and continue until such time the City will begin diverting recycled water for beneficial uses. The data collected for the Baseline Monitoring Program should be compiled and analyzed annually. An annual report will be prepared to document the following information:
• Summary of the data collected and available for the reporting period • An analysis of the following, as appropriate based on monitoring frequency of the data sets:
— Riparian habitat health based on NDVI, drone surveys, and/or biological ground surveys performed during the reporting period
— Trends in precipitation, wastewater discharge, surface water flow, and groundwater elevation
— Analysis of surface and groundwater interactions
— Identification and analysis of other factors that may be affecting riparian habitat health, including climate, wildfires, and invasive species/pests • A description of the latest activities related to the City's recycled water program, the procurement of the discharge change petition, and other activities related to the development of the AMMP
• Recommended changes to the Baseline Monitoring Program • A schedule of future activities related to the AMMP
The annual report reporting period will be based on the water year. The first annual report of the AMMP Baseline Monitoring Program will be for WY 2026 (e.g. the period ending September 30, 2026) and should be completed by April 30th following the end of the water year (eg., April 20, 2027 for the first annual report). Producing the first annual report in for WY 2026 will allow time in 2025 for ramp -up of certain activities, such as installation of stream gages and elevation surveys and provide an opportunity to assess a full water -year worth of data for new data sets.
When the City is ready to begin reducing discharges to Cooper's Creek, the data and analysis contained in the annual reports will be used as the basis for updating the AMMP for the next phase of implementation.
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9.0 CONCLUSIONS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
This Report was prepared as part of the development of the City's AMMP, to document the detailed characterization of historical riparian habitat in the Study Area and the physical factors that can impact its health and extent. This characterization provides an initial baseline understanding of the relationship of Beaumont WWTP discharges and riparian habitat extent and health. This section summarizes the main conclusions drawn from the analyses presented herein and the recommend performance criteria to measure the success of the AMMP in the future.
9.1 Conclusions
The main conclusions of the Report are:
• The Riparian Zone along Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek developed over the course of several decades beginning in the late 1960s or 1970s. Riparian plant communities dominated by phreatophytes such as cottonwoods, willows, and mulefat established along Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek between Beaumont WWTP DP001 and Henry N.
Wochholz RWRF DP001 as a result of increasing discharges from the Beaumont WWTP over time.
• Baseline vegetation surveys and available habitat mapping data identified a total of seven riparian plant communities currently present within the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone and six riparian plant communities within the San Timoteo Creek Riparian Zone. The current average width of the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone is approximately 47 meters, and the current average width of the San Timoteo Creek Riparian Zone is approximately 79 meters.
Baseline vegetation surveys conducted within the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone found a complete vegetation coverage across the areas of the Riparian Zone sampled. Invasive species cover within the sampled areas ranged from about 1 percent to 14 percent and native species richness ranged from 7 to 22 species across the sampled areas. In total, of the 55 plant species identified within the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone, 31 were native species and 24 were non-native species. 16 of the non-native species are considered invasive species.
• Historical wildlife usage of the Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Riparian Zones includes several riparian associated "focal species" that indicate riparian habitat health by their presence. A total of 57 wildlife species (48 birds, 4 reptiles, 5 mammals) were observed within the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone during baseline faunal inventory surveys, including seven USFWS BCC, four CDFW "Watch List" species, two CDFW SSC, one state listed as endangered species (WIFL), and one state and federally listed endangered species (LBVI).
Additionally, five riparian associated focal species were observed within the Cooper's Creek Riparian Zone. Biological monitoring surveys conducted by SAWA have documented six riparian associated focal species within the San Timoteo Creek Riparian Zone. • Based on the analysis of NDVI time series, the quality (greenness) of the riparian habitat vegetation increased across most of the Study Area from 2004 to 2023. These increases occurred during a time of below average precipitation, increasing Beaumont WWTP discharges, and increasing surface water flows. The largest increases in NDVI occurred in the area just downstream and closest to the Beaumont WWTP DP001 discharge point along the Cooper's Creek 1 Segment.
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• Since the available period of record of surface water flows in 2005, surface water flow increased concurrently with increases in discharge from the Beaumont WWTP. Monitoring sites in closer proximity to Beaumont WWTP DP001 exhibited more constant flows (i.e., less peaks and troughs), while those farther away exhibited more seasonality in flows (i.e., more peaks and troughs). Generally, the pattern of flow at all sites mimic the pattern of discharge from the Beaumont WWTP, except during precipitation events that result in short-term peak flows.
• Since the early 2000's, groundwater levels within the Study Area have remained relatively stable, even through dry climate conditions and extended periods of below average precipitation.
• The depth to groundwater at wells in the Study Area ranges from 23 ft bgs to 123 ft bgs and is shallower at sites closer to the Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek channels. Depth to groundwater is variable along the axis of the Study Area reaches, with shallower depths occurring near the wastewater discharges at Beaumont WWTP and Henry N. Wochholz RWRF. • Surface water flows appear to have the largest impact on riparian habitat health based on the available data. However, it should be noted that because groundwater levels remain steady throughout the common period of record, year-round surface water flows could have a key role in recharging and sustaining the shallow groundwater. The shallow groundwater in turn could have a secondary role in maintaining riparian habitat health. • Data gaps related to groundwater levels, surface water flows, and elevation surveys are apparent and should be addressed with baseline monitoring activities prior to reducing discharges from the Beaumont WWTP.
• The recommended Baseline Monitoring Program includes high -frequency monitoring of groundwater and surface water to measure water levels, surface stage, water temperature, and SC. The high -frequency data will provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the long-term and short-term trends in surface water flow and groundwater levels and their relationship to each other, Beaumont WWTP discharges, and riparian habitat health. This data will be necessary to accurately assess the factors that are causing changes to riparian habitat health as WWTP discharges are decreased. • The recommended Baseline Monitoring Program should be implemented until such time the City will begin diverting recycled water for beneficial uses and provides for annual reporting of data and key findings that will shape the long term AMMP that will be implemented as the discharges are reduced.
9.2 Performance Criteria
As described in Section 3.2, performance criteria are defined as the specific set of measurable standards that can be used to evaluate the success of the AMMP. Performance criteria should be based on the baseline riparian habitat and hydrologic characterization described in this Report and improvements in understanding gained through the Baseline Monitoring Program. The initial recommended performance criteria for inclusion in the AMMP following the completion of the Baseline Monitoring Program are discussed below:
1. Riparian habitat will not be adversely affected by reduction in Beaumont WWTP discharges.
Riparian habitat health will be evaluated utilizing remote sensing data and biological surveys to determine if riparian health indicates declining trends and if the declining trends are
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attributable to reduced discharge. Indications of declining trends in riparian habitat may include:
a. Declines in riparian plant health indicated by lower NDVI values b. Decreases in native riparian vegetation cover and species richness c. Increased prevalence of invasive species
d. Declines in observed wildlife diversity, particularly decreased use by focal species Attribution of the declining riparian habitat trend to reduced discharges from the Beaumont WWTP would be evident if the decrease in discharge is directly correlated with decreases in surface water flow and/or groundwater level.
2. Beaumont WWTP discharges will be maintained a the minimum level necessary to sustain the riparian habitat along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks that have historically benefited from Beaumont WWTP. To the extent practical, reductions in discharge should be done in a manner that results in surface water flows that mimic the natural seasonal flow system, which typically begins to decay around the end of April. Higher surface water flows should be maintained in the early and peak growing season (i.e. March through May) and should taper off toward the end of the growing season (i.e. June through October). Lower flows should be maintained during the dormant season (November through February). Reductions in discharge should be implemented gradually and in no case entirely ceased. Discharges should be modulated to maintain surface water flows within the Study Area for at least 76 percent of the year, with peak flows remaining relatively stable from January to June and gradually decreasing as the summer progresses toward late growing season and dormancy.
Beaumont WWTP discharges, surface water flow, and groundwater levels will be monitored and compared to riparian habitat health to assess if there is a potential for the riparian habitat to be affected by reduced surface water flows (solely or in combination with other factors at play such as groundwater levels, climate conditions, wildfires, etc.).
3. To the extent practical, reductions in discharge should be done in a manner that maintains sufficient surface water flows to support groundwater levels consistent with the needs of the dominant phreatophyte species. To sustain healthy riparian plant communities throughout the Study Area, groundwater levels should initially be maintained at the historical steady levels that have likely supported the riparian habitat vegetation. High -frequency groundwater level data will be analyzed to ensure that neither rapid and extended increases or decreases in depth to groundwater occur that can adversely impact riparian vegetation at all life stages.
The Baseline Monitoring Program will fill groundwater level data gaps to provide better data to characterize the relationship between groundwater levels, surface water flow, and Beaumont WWTP discharges, and help discern groundwater/surface water interactions along the Study Area. Groundwater levels will be measured at high -frequency and compared to riparian habitat health to assess if there is a potential for the riparian habitat to be affected by reduced groundwater levels (solely or in combination with other factors at play such as surface flow, climate conditions, wildfires, etc.).
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10.0 REFERENCES
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Bell, G.P. 2002. Ecology and management of Arundo donax, and approaches to riparian habitat restoration in southern California. The Nature Conservancy of New Mexico. 10 pp.
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Fraser, D.M. 1931. California Division of Mines and Geology. Mining in California v. 27 [p. 494-539]. Geology of San Jacinto quadrangle south of San Gorgonio Pass, California Griffith, G. E., J. M. Omernik, D. W. Smith, T. D. Cook, E. Tallyn, K. Moseley, and C. B. Johnson. 2016. Ecoregions of California (poster): U.S. Geological Survey Open -File Report 2016-1021, with map, scale 1:1,100,000, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161021 .
Gary, H. L. 1963. Root distribution of five -stamen tamarisk, seepwillow, and arrowweed For. Sci. 9 311-4.
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California's Wildlife. Vol. I -III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
Green, M. 1990b. Life history account for common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) from California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. Originally published in Zeiner, D. C., W. F. Laudenslayer, K. E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988-1990.
California's Wildlife. Vol. I -III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
Green, M. 1990b. Life history account for song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) from California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, California Interagency Wildlife Task Group.
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California's Wildlife. Vol. I -III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
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Green, M. 2005a (updated). Life history account for yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia) from California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. Originally published in Zeiner, D. C., W. F. Laudenslayer, K. E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988-1990.
California's Wildlife. Vol. I -III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
Green, M. 2005b (updated). Life history account for yellow -breasted chat (Icteria virens) from California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System, California Department of Fish and Game, California Interagency Wildlife Task Group. Originally published in Zeiner, D. C., W. F. Laudenslayer, K. E. Mayer, and M. White, eds. 1988-1990.
California's Wildlife. Vol. I -III. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California.
Grenfell, W. E. n.d. Description for valley foothill riparian [technical report]. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System. California Department of Fish and Game, California Interagency Wildlife Task Group.
Griggs, F.T. 2009. California riparian restoration handbook. Second Edition. Sacramento, CA: Riparian Habitat Joint Venture. 77p. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://riverpartners.org/initiatives/riparian-restoration- handbook/.
Holland, R. F. 1986. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
Howe, C. E, 2014. A review of the removal of Arundo donax from a riparian area within San Timoteo Canyon.
Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations 106.
Ke, Y., Im, J., Lee, J., Gong, H., and Ryu, Y. 2015. Characteristics of Landsat 8 OLI-derived NDVI by Comparison with Multiple Sensors and In -Situ Observations. Remote Sensing of Environment v. 164, pg. 298-313.
Kibler, E. M., E. C. Schmidt, D. A. Roberts, J. C. Stella, L. Kui, A. M. Lambert, and M. B. Singer. 2021. A brown wave of riparian woodland mortality following groundwater declines during the 2012-2019 California drought.
Environmental Research Letters 16(8), 084030.
Lite, S.J., J.C. Stromberg. 2005. Surface water and ground -water thresholds for maintaining Populus—Salix forests, San Pedro River, Arizona. Biological Conservation 125 153-167.
Mahoney, J.M. and S.B. Rood. 1992. Response of a hybrid poplar to water table decline in different substrates.
Forest Ecology and Management 54 141-156.
Mitsch, W.J. and Gosselink, J.G. 2015. Wetlands. Fifth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Markon, C., Fleming, M., and Binnian, E. 1995. Characteristics of Vegetation Phenology over Alaskan Landscape using AVHRR Time -Series Data. Polar Records v. 31, pg.179-190.
Markon, C., and Peterson, K. 2002. The Utility of Estimating Net Primary Productivity over Alaska Using Baseline AVHRR Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, v.23, pg. 4571-4596.
Morton, D.M. and Miller, F.K. 2006. United States Geological Survey. Geologic Map of the San Bernadino and Santa Ana 30' x 60' Quadrangles, California.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2007. Early successional habitat. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet 41 1-16.
Pettorelli, N. 2013. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. First edition. Published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Prism Climate Group. 2024. Accessed at https://prism.oregonstate.edu/recent/ on October 1, 2023.
Rewis, D.L., Christensen, A.H., Matti, J.C., Hevesi, J.A., Nishikawa, T. and Martin, P. 2006. United States Geological Survey. Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5026. Geology, Ground -Water Hydrology, Geochemistry, and Ground -Water Simulation of the Beaumont and Banning Storage Units, San Gorgonio Pass Area, Riverside County, California.
Riparian Habitat Joint Venture (RHJV). 2004. Version 2.0. The riparian bird conservation plan: a strategy for reversing the decline of riparian associated birds in California. California Partners in Flight. http://www.prbo.org/calpif/pdfs/riparian.v-2.pdf .
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Rood, S. B., S. G. Bigelow, and A. A. Hall. 2011. Root architecture of riparian trees: river cut -banks provide natural hydraulic excavation, revealing that cottonwoods are facultative phreatophytes. Trees 25 907-17.
Shafroth, P. B., J. C. Stromberg, and D. T. Patten. 2000. Woody riparian vegetation response to different alluvial water table regimes. West. N. Am. Nat. 60 66-76.
Sogge, M.K., D. Ahlers, and S. J. Sferra. 2010. A natural history summary and survey protocol for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 2A-10, 38 p.
State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region. 2015. Waste Discharge Requirements and Master Reclamation Permit for the City of Beaumont Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant Riverside County. Order No. R-2015-0026, NPDES No. CA 0105376.
Stover, J., E. Keller, T. Dudley, and E. Langendoen. 2018. Fluvial geomorphology, root distribution, and tensile strength of the invasive giant reed, Arundo donax and its role on stream bank stability in the Santa Clara River.
Southern California Geosciences 8 304.
Stromberg, J.C., R. Tiller, B. Richter. 1996. Effects of ground water decline on riparian vegetation of semi -arid regions: The San Pedro River, AZ. Ecological Applications 6 113-131.
Stromberg, J. 2013. Root patterns and hydrogeomorphic niches of riparian plants in the American Southwest.
Journal of Arid Environments 94 1-9. Appendix B. Rooting data for shrubs and trees.
United States Census, 2020. Accessed at
https://data.census.gov/profile/Beaumont city, California?g=160XX000S0604758 on November 8, 2024.
United State Geological Survey. 2017b. User Guide — Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Science Processing Architecture (ESPA) On Demand Interface. Version 3.7. January 2017.
Western Pond Turtle Range -wide Conservation Coalition. 2020. Western Pond Turtle Range -wide Management Strategy. 24 pp.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2007. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Riparian Bird Survey Report 2006 [technical report], April 23, 2007.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2008. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Riparian Bird Survey Report 2007 [technical report], 13 March 2008.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2009a. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Carnivore Survey Report 2008 [technical report], 15 April 2009.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2009b. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Coastal California Gnatcatcher, Least Bell's Vireo, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Yellow -breasted Chat, and Yellow Warbler Nesting Report 2008 [technical report], 19 April 2009.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2010a. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Carnivore Survey Report 2009 [technical report], 23 April 2010.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2010b. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Overwintering Raptor Survey Report 2009 [technical report], 23 April 2010.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2011. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Carnivore Survey Report 2010 [technical report], 23 March 2011.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2012a. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, Carnivore Survey Report 2011 [technical report], 20 April 2012.
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Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2015. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2014 Riparian Bird Survey Report [technical report], 15 June 2015.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2018a. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2017 White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) Survey Report [technical report], 4 April 2018.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2018b. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2017 Riparian Bird Surveys and Nest Monitoring Report [technical report], 4 April 2018.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2020. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2019 Riparian Birds Survey and Nest Monitoring Report [technical report], 15 April 2020.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2021a. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2020 White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) Survey Report [technical report], 28 April 2021.
Western Riverside County — Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WRC-MSHCP). 2021b. WRC-MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program, 2020 Least Bell's Vireo Surveys and Nest Monitoring [technical report], June 2021.
Wildermuth Environmental, Inc. prepared for San Timoteo Watershed Management Authority. June 2005.
Integrated Regional Water Management Program for the San Timoteo Watershed (Formerly, San Timoteo Watershed Management Program).
Williams, J. J. C. Stella, S. L. Voelker, A. M. Lambert, L. M. Pelletier, J. E. Drake, J. M. Friedman, D. A. Roberts, M. B.
Singer. 2022. Local groundwater decline exacerbates response of dryland riparian woodlands to climatic drought. Glob. Chang. Biol. 28 6771-6788.
Zimmerman, R. C. 1969. Plant Ecology of an Arid Basin: Tres Alamos-Redington Area, Southeastern Arizona (U.S. Department of the Interior) Geological Survey Professional Paper No. 485, available at:
https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0485d/report.pdf .
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Draft Technical Memorandum, Initial Goals, Objectives
and Performance Criteria for the City of Beaumont
Adaptive Management and Mitigation Program (AMMP),
December 21, 2023
WWEST YOST
I Water. Engineered.
23692 Birtcher Drive
Lake Forest CA 92630
949.420.3030 phone
530.756.5991 fax
westyost.com
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
DATE:
December 21, 2023
TO: Thaxton VanBelle (City of Beaumont)
Sunshine Sanchez (City of Beaumont)
Project No.: 1113-80-23-01
SENT VIA: EMAIL
CC: Kaitlyn Dodson -Hamilton (Tom Dodson & Associates)
Lisa Patterson (HDR)
FROM: Clay Sorensen, PG, CHG
REVIEWED BY: Samantha Adams
SUBJECT: Initial Goals, Objectives, and Performance Criteria for the City of Beaumont Adaptive Management and Mitigation Program (AMMP)
INTRODUCTION
The City of Beaumont (City or Beaumont) plans to reduce the discharge of treated wastewater from the Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to Cooper's Creek. To reduce the volume of discharge, the City must file a Wastewater Change Petition (Change Petition) with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Water Rights. When the City first discussed the plan to apply for a change petition with the SWRCB, the Division of Water Rights staff advised that the City develop an Adaptive Management and Mitigation Program (AMMP) to aid in the process of approving the reduced discharge. The purpose of the AMMP is to ensure there is a plan and program in place to assess and mitigate, if necessary, any impacts that result from reducing the WWTP discharge to Cooper's Creek. The City contracted with Tom Dodson & Associates (TDA), West Yost, and Lisa Patterson of HDR (collectively referred to as the Consultant Team) to develop the AMMP and support the change petition process.
The AMMP will be developed in three phases, as follows:
• Phase 1— characterize historical and current conditions to support development of the AMMP.
• Phase 2 — assess the feasibility of reduced discharge and perform initial baseline monitoring. • Phase 3 — prepare the AMMP.
The Consultant Team is currently performing Phase 1 of the AMMP. The objective of Phase 1 is to characterize the historical and current conditions of the study area in support of the development of the AMMP. This will be completed through the following tasks/steps:
• Task 2 — Establish initial goals, objectives, and project performance criteria. • Task 3 — Characterize historical discharge and surface water flow hydrology.
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
• Task 4 — Characterize historical riparian habitat health (NDVI). • Task 5 — Characterize historical and existing biological resources. • Task 6 — Identify potential impacts to biological resources from reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek.
• Task 7 — Assess available tools for analyzing surface water and groundwater impacts. • Task 8 — Prepare Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report.
The City and Consultant Team held a kick-off meeting on September 20, 2023 and a follow-up meeting on October 31, 2023 to discuss the general requirements of the AMMP and the goals for the City in obtaining the Change Petition. This Technical Memorandum (TM) outlines the initial goals, objectives, and performance criteria. This TM should be considered a "living document" and may be updated during the Phase 1 portion of the project as the Consultant Team learns more or the goals of the City change based on new information.
Ultimately, the information in this TM will be incorporated into the Phase 1 deliverable that will be completed in 2024 — Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report. The remainder of this TM is organized into the following sections:
• Introduction
• Background and Regulatory Setting
• Initial Goals, Objectives, and Performance Criteria
• Study Area and Available Data
• Next Steps
BACKGROUND AND REGULATORY SETTING
Beaumont owns and operates the only WWTP for the City. According to the City, discharge to Cooper's Creek from the original WWTP began sometime in the 1920s. The WWTP and discharge operations have been modified over time with population growth and changing regulations. The discharge volume from the WWTP began to increase significantly around 2004, concurrent with rapid development throughout the City service area. In 2020, the WWTP was upgraded to include advanced treatment of a portion of the tertiary treated effluent. The WWTP now treats and disinfects wastewater using a combination of membrane bioreactor (MBR), reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) treatments. All tertiary and advanced treated water is blended and then discharged to Cooper's Creek at rates ranging between 3.5 and 3.7 million gallons per day (MGD). Brine generated from the RO system is pumped through a City -owned private brine line approximately 23 miles in length that connects to the Santa Ana Regional Interceptor (SARI) line. The SARI line is owned and operated by the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA).
The treated wastewater is discharged via one outfall to Cooper's Creek: Discharge Point 001 (DP -001).
Historically, two additional wastewater discharge points were permitted within the City's limits: DP -007 to an unnamed tributary of Marshall Creek and DP -008 to Noble Creek. The City only operated outfall DP -007 from March 2010 to August 2015 and there is no record of discharges to outfall DP -008. Cooper's Creek flows into San Timoteo Creek approximately 3 miles downstream of DP -001. San Timoteo Creek is tributary to the Santa Ana River in Colton, California. Figure 1 is a location map of the region showing the City boundary, Beaumont WWTP, local surface water tributaries, and current and historical DPs.
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Prepared by:
Prepared for:
Redlands
San Timoteo
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300/2.7
YN
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Yucaipa
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City of Beaumont
Adaptive Management and
Mitigation Plan (AMMP) BEAUMONT
• WWTP Discharge Point (active)
Q WWTP Discharge Point (inactive)
- - - Streams
City of Beaumont
Bunker Hill GMZ (portion)
San Timoteo GMZ
Beaumont GMZ
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330/5.0
230/ 1.5
GMZ maximum benefit (top values) and
antidegradation (bottom values) water quality
objectives for TDS (left values) and nitrate as
nitrogen (right values)
Notes:
1. GMZ - groundwater management zone
2. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
3. TDS - total dissolved solids
Site Location and
Water Quality Objectives Map
City of Beaumont AMMP
DRAFT Figure 1
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
Discharge from the Beaumont WWTP is regulated by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Water Board) in accordance with the Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan defines groundwater management zones (GMZs) and surface water bodies with beneficial uses and water quality objectives which must be considered by the Regional Board in permitting discharges. The Basin Plan contains a detailed regional salt and nutrient management plan (SNMP) that supports the Water Board's process to establish discharge limitations for total dissolved solids (TDS) and nitrate that are protective of receiving water bodies, namely surface water and GMZs of the Santa Ana region. In some cases, the Basin Plan SNMP contains GMZ-specific SNMPs known as maximum -benefit SNMPs. These GMZ-specific SNMPs allow for less -stringent TDS and nitrate groundwater objectives to enable local agencies to maximize recycled water reuse for the benefit of water resources management.
Access to the less -stringent maximum -benefit based water quality objectives requires the sponsoring agencies to implement a program of projects and management actions, known as Maximum Benefit commitments, to ensure the long-term protection of beneficial uses of the affected GMZs.
The City's discharge activities are located within the Beaumont and San Timoteo GMZs, both of which have Maximum Benefit SNMPs defined in the Basin Plan. The boundaries of the Beaumont and San Timoteo GMZs, and their associated TDS and nitrate Maximum Benefit objectives, are shown on Figure 1. The City is a joint responsible agency for the Beaumont and San Timoteo Maximum Benefit SNMPs. The other joint responsible agencies for the Beaumont GMZ include the Yucaipa Valley Water District (YVWD), the Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD), the City of Banning, and the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency. The other joint responsible agency for the San Timoteo GMZ is the YVWD. YVWD also has treated wastewater discharges to San Timoteo Creek, from the Henry N Wocholz Regional Water Recycling Facility.
In 2014, the Maximum Benefit SNMPs for the Beaumont and San Timoteo were updated (Basin Plan Amendment R8-2014-0005). Under the amended SNMP for the San Timoteo GMZ, both YVWD and the City were required to produce a non -potable (recycled water) supply with a 10 -year volume -weighted running average TDS concentration of 400 milligrams per liter (mgl) or less and nitrate -nitrogen concentration of 6.7 mgl or less. The City was further required to limit the TDS and TIN concentration for discharges in excess of 1.8 mgd to 300 mgl and 3.6 mgl. The lower limits are based on the original antidegradation objectives for TDS and nitrate that existed prior to the adoption of the Maximum Benefit SNMP for the San Timoteo GMZ. The amendment also triggered updates to the permits for the City and YVWD discharges to the Beaumont and San Timoteo GMZs. At the time of amendment, the City's treated effluent had a TDS concentration of about 430 mgl TDS and 1.70 mgl TIN.
In 2015, the Santa Ana Water Board adopted National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. CA0105376 to regulate the City's discharge in accordance with the amended Basin Plan. The permit is valid through October 31, 2027. The updated NPDES permit requires the City to document all flow and concentrations that exceeded the 400 mgl TDS and 6.7 mgl TIN limits (up to 1.8 MGD) and 300 mgl (for flows exceeding 1.8 MGD) and "offset" the total amount that was discharged above these limits (Santa Ana RWQCB, 2015). The offset will be achieved by discharging at TDS and TIN concentrations lower than the limits for a period of time until the long-term average meets the required targets. The RWQCB acknowledged that the City would be unable to offset its TDS liabilities until the new RO system was constructed (Santa Ana RWQCB, 2015). The RWQCB set a date of January 1, 2025 to fully offset of the excess salts discharged. Due to delays in completing construction of the upgraded Beaumont WWTP, the City estimates that the offsets will not be completed until 2027 (Santa Ana RWQCB, 2015). To meet the obligation, the City has a goal to discharge effluent at TDS concentrations of 200 mgl or less through 2027.
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December 21, 2023
Now that the City's upgraded WWTP is fully operational and the offset process is underway, the City wants to move forward with its plans to reduce the discharge to Cooper's Creek so that the recycled water may be put to maximum beneficial use within the Beaumont GMZ. The recycled water will be used as a not - potable supply for City customers, and potentially other future projects such as groundwater recharge.
All of the non -potable supply system infrastructure is in place and ready to receive the recycled water supply. The primary limitation to moving forward with the non -potable supply deliveries is obtaining the Change Petition from the SWRCB Division of Water Rights. The development of the AMMP is a critical step in the approval of a Change Petition.
INITIAL GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
The following subsections describe the established initial goals, objectives, and performance criteria the City would like to see during the drafting and implementation of the AMMP.
Description of Established Goals and Objectives
The City's goals for the AMMP are as follows:
1. Obtain approval for the lowest feasible discharge volume to enable the City to maximize the amount of recycled water that can be used for planned non -potable supply projects in the City service area, as well as for potential future projects for non -potable supply or recharge in the Beaumont groundwater basin.
2. Appropriately characterize the various climate, hydrogeologic, and other factors that have contributed to the extent and health of the riparian habitat that may also have historically benefited from the City's discharges.
3. Avoid unmitigable degradation to riparian habitat that could result through development of a robust monitoring and mitigation plan to address degradation to riparian habitat health due to decreased discharge from DP -001.
4. Utilize existing monitoring programs and analytical tools to the extent practical to avoid duplicative work and achieve cost efficiency.
5. Establish a dialogue with other dischargers in the area to promote collaboration, openness, sharing of ideas and actions, and to promote the success of the project with stakeholders and/or other dischargers. The other discharge in the region is the YVWD.
6. Establish a dialog with the SWRCB Division of Water Rights to ensure the development of an AMMP that meets expectations and a process to gain approval of the Change Petition.
Given its many investments in the Beaumont WWTP upgrades and non -potable supply system infrastructure, goal number one is the primary goal for the City. Designing an AMMP to minimize discharge to meet this goal will likely mean more robust mitigation actions be considered in the AMMP. This will in turn potentially require more robust modeling efforts to assess the long-term effects of reduced discharges as it pertains to riparian health. The goals for open communication with other local stakeholders and regulators will also be critical to achieving goal number one. A key local stakeholder is the YVWD due to its downstream discharges on San Timoteo Creek. Any changes to the City's discharge could impact how the YVWD manages its discharge and any requirements to manage riparian habitat.
The City plans to accomplish these goals with the support of the Consultant Team through the development and implementation of the AMMP. The Consultant Teams objectives in support of the City's goals for Phase 1 of the AMMP are as follows:
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1. Quantify the extent and health of the riparian habitat in the immediate vicinity of DP -00 and downstream areas that may have benefitted from the City's discharges.
2. Quantify the climate and hydrogeologic factors that have contributed to the extent and health of the riparian habitat.
3. Characterize the range of hydrogeologic conditions that contribute to healthy riparian habitat.
4. Define the extent of riparian habitat that benefited from discharges from the City's WWTP on Cooper's Creek and identify the potential impacts to riparian habitat and hydrogeologic conditions from reduced discharges.
5. Define data gaps and uncertainties that exist in defining the baseline condition of the riparian and hydrogeologic conditions (e.g., current conditions based on current discharge rates at DP -001).
6. Define a monitoring program necessary to fill the data gaps and uncertainties in the baseline conditions.
7. Define the analytical tools needed to assess impacts to the hydrogeologic at various levels of reduced discharge.
8. Establish a process for external communication with stakeholders.
Performance Criteria
Performance criteria are defined as a specific set of measurable standards used to evaluate the success of the AMMP. For the purposes of this study, the performance criteria will be defined following completion of Task 3 — historical characterization of the hydrology, and Task 4— historical characterization of riparian habitat health. This document may be updated with specific performance criteria as more is understood following historical characterization of riparian habitat health and comparison to the hydrology that supports it.
STUDY AREA AND AVAILABLE DATA
This section describes the study are and available data that will be analyzed on by the Consultant Team in achieving the objectives outlined above.
The study area is broken into two components — the riparian ecosystem and the hydrogeologic system.
The riparian habitat zone is defined as the extent of the tree line along the surface water systems of Cooper's Creek just upstream of the Beaumont WWTP (upstream extent) to San Timoteo Creek where the channel transitions from a natural bottom to a concrete -lined channel near the intersection of Barton Road and Romero Road in Redlands, CA. The hydrogeological study area boundary is defined as the Beaumont GMZ, San Timoteo GMZ, and a portion of the Bunker Hill -B GMZ, which are the groundwater systems that are potentially interconnected with the surface water system. The Bunker Hill - B GMZ is included in the study area, at least initially, because the downstream end of the unlined portion of San Timoteo creek extends into this GMZ. The two study area extents are shown on Figures 1 and 2.
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Adaptive Management and
Mitigation Plan (AMMP) BEAUMONT
Riparian Zone and Study Segments
Cooper's Creek 1
San Timoteo 1
San Timoteo 2
San Timoteo 3
San Timoteo 4
❑ Focus Areas
• WWTP Discharge Point
- - - Streams
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. Study Segments are sections of the riparian corridor that will be studied on a larger scale using the NDVI dataset.
3. Focus Areas are spaced approximately 11,000 feet along the extent of the study area as well as before and after important features such as waste discharge points and stream confluences.
4. Focus Areas are defined as a one pixel area
(30 meters x 30 meters) of NDVI data.
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Riparian Zone, Study Segments, and
Focus Areas
City of Beaumont AMMP
DRAFT Figure 2
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
Existing and Historical Characterization of Riparian Habitat Existing characterization of riparian habitat will occur through biological resource assessments along the riparian corridor of the study area. Based on discussions with the Consultant Team's Biologist, this will occur in two ways:
1. Coordination with the Santa Ana Watershed Association (SAWA), who conducts biological monitoring activities within the San Timoteo Canyon area and reports yearly on the biological health of the entire Santa Ana Watershed. The current monitoring data spans from 2000 to 2021.
2. The Consultant Team Biologist will perform targeted biological resource assessments within the Cooper's Creek riparian corridor and outside of the scope of the SAWA biological activities.
Additionally, the historical and current extent and quality of the riparian habitat will be characterized using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, which is available for free from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat database.' NDVI is a numerical value ranging from -1 to 1 that represents vegetation health. NDVI is derived from satellite imagery and is the normalized difference between the near -infrared (reflected by vegetation) and red light (absorbed by vegetation). Larger NDVI values (NDVI of 0.6 or higher) indicate healthier vegetation, while NDVI values closer to zero indicate bare soil or unhealthy vegetation. A negative NDVI value may indicate a waterbody. The NDVI data for the study area is available and of good quality dating back to 1982. Current NDVI data is available from USGS at approximately two to four times per month.
Two scales of NDVI data will be evaluated for this study for the period of Water Year 1983 to 2023. The two scales are described below:
• Study Segments are defined as sub -segments of the riparian habitat boundary extent. The segments are delineated based on hydrological characteristics, changes to the observed riparian vegetation, or inputs to the stream(s) such as confluences with other creeks. There are a total of five study segments, ranging from approximately 4.7 to 12 miles in length. The segments will be evaluated and compared against each other to characterize riparian health on a broad scale. The Study Segments are named as follows:
Cooper's Creek 1
San Timoteo 1
San Timoteo 2
San Timoteo 3
San Timoteo 4
• Focus Areas are defined as small 30 -by -30 -meter areas (made up of individual NDVI pixels) along the riparian habitat Study Segments. There are a total of 13 focus areas that will be used to evaluate riparian health at a finer scale. The focus areas were generally placed before or after inputs to the study area such as WWTP discharge points, stream confluences, or visible changes to the riparian vegetation. Additional focus points were sited at an approximate spacing of 11,000 feet in between the input focus points. 1 https://www.usgs.gov/landsat-missions/landsat-data-access
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The Study Segments and Focus Areas are shown on Figure 2. Maps of the individual Study Segments and associated Focus Areas are shown on the following figures:
• Figure 3: Focus Areas 1 through 5 and a portion of Study Segment Cooper's Creek 1 • Figure 4: Focus Areas 6 through 8 and portions of Study Segments Cooper's Creek 1 and San Timoteo 1
• Figure 5: Focus Areas 9 through 11 and portions of Study Segments San Timoteo 2 and 3 • Figure 6: Focus Areas 12 and 13 and portions of Study Segments San Timoteo 3 and 4
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Adaptive Management and
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Riparian Zone and Study Segments
Cooper's Creek 1
Focus Areas
• WWTP Discharge Point
-�-_ I Beaumont WWTP Boundary
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. Study Segments are sections of the riparian corridor that will be studied on a larger scale using the NDVI dataset.
3. Focus Areas are spaced approximately 11,000 feet along the extent of the study area as well as before and after important features such as waste discharge points and stream confluences.
4. Focus Areas are defined as a one pixel area
(30 meters x 30 meters) of NDVI data.
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Riparian
MorencZone and
Va/leStudy Area
Henryel aipa
Wocholz
RWRF DP 001
The
Badlands
Beaumont
WWTP DP 001
\D
BE
Focus Areas FA01, FA02, FA03, FA04, and FA05
for NDVI Analysis
City of Beaumont AMMP
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Adaptive Management and
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Riparian Zone and Study Segments
Cooper's Creek 1
San Timoteo 1
Focus Areas
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. Study Segments are sections of the riparian corridor that will be studied on a larger scale using the NDVI dataset.
3. Focus Areas are spaced approximately 11,000 feet along the extent of the study area as well as before and after important features such as waste discharge points and stream confluences.
4. Focus Areas are defined as a one pixel area
(30 meters x 30 meters) of NDVI data.
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Focus Areas FA06, FA07, and FA08
for NDVI Data Analysis
City of Beaumont AMMP
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Adaptive Management and
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Riparian Zone and Study Segments
San Timoteo 2
San Timoteo 3
Focus Areas
• WWTP Discharge Point
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. Study Segments are sections of the riparian corridor that will be studied on a larger scale using the NDVI dataset.
3. Focus Areas are spaced approximately 11,000 feet along the extent of the study area as well as before and after important features such as waste discharge points and stream confluences.
4. Focus Areas are defined as a one pixel area
(30 meters x 30 meters) of NDVI data.
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Focus Areas FA09, FA10, and FA11
for NDVI Data Analysis
City of Beaumont AMMP
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Miles
City of Beaumont
Adaptive Management and
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Riparian Zone and Study Segments
San Timoteo 3
San Timoteo 4
Focus Areas
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. Study Segments are sections of the riparian corridor that will be studied on a larger scale using the NDVI dataset.
3. Focus Areas are spaced approximately 11,000 feet along the extent of the study area as well as before and after important features such as waste discharge points and stream confluences.
4. Focus Areas are defined as a one pixel area
(30 meters x 30 meters) of NDVI data.
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
Riparian
MorencZone and
Va//eStudy Area
Henryel aipa
Wocholz
RWRF DP 001
Beaumont
1\a\ WWTP DP 001
r �
The
Badlands
Focus Areas FA12 and FA13
for NDVI Data Analysis
City of Beaumont AMMP
DRAFT Figure 6
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
Existing and Historical Characterization of Climate and Hydrogeology Climate Data Sources
The Consultant Team will prepare a characterization of the historical and current climate conditions that can be used to evaluate how the conditions may or may not correlate to the riparian habitat extent and health and to hydrogeologic conditions. Climate conditions will be evaluated at the regional scale of the study using a long-term, gridded data set from the PRISM climate group.2 The gridded dataset is a based on all available precipitation and climate gages in the region to create a long-term record of precipitation and temperature.
Hydrogeology Data Sources
Surface water and groundwater monitoring has been performed for various purposes over time within the study areas. Figures 7 and 8 show the location of know historical and current surface and groundwater monitoring stations in the hydrogeologic study area that are proximate to the riparian habitat study area'.
The Consultant Team will prepare a characterization of the historical and current climate and hydrogeologic conditions that can be used to evaluate how the conditions may or may not correlate to the riparian habitat extent and health.
Table 1 lists the groundwater monitoring locations and Table 2 lists the surface water monitoring locations shown in Figures 8 and 9. Tables 1 and 2 also describe the availability of historical data of interest within the existing records of the Consultant Team, including groundwater levels and quality, surface water flow and quality, and YVWD and Beaumont WWTP discharge and quality. The water quality parameters of interest to the study include TDS, nitrate, and the major anions and cations that can be used to perform simple source -water fingerprinting (calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, alkalinity, chloride, and sulfate). The objective of source water fingerprinting is to understand surface and groundwater interactions (and how they've changed over time) — including understanding the influence of the recycled water discharge on the quality of both water systems.
Tables 1 and 2 show data available within West Yost's database. The availability of data within West Yost's database is shown on Tables 1 and 2 and are summarized generally below:
Groundwater (Table 1):
• TDS and nitrate water quality data is generally available until December 2021, but general minerals data is only available through December 2014.
• Water level data is generally available until December 2014.
Surface water (Table 2):
• Water quality data is generally available until 2013 for surface water discharge and July 2018 for WWTP effluent.
2 https://prism.oregonstate.edu/
'There are more monitoring sites in the GMZs, but these are excluded because they are not in proximity to the riparian habitat boundary.
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• Flow data is generally available until 2013, while effluent data until July 2018.
The Consultant Team has determined that the data needed to fill the data gaps to create complete records through December 2021 are readily available and will be collected from the following sources:
• The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority's Basin Monitoring Program Task Force database (groundwater level and quality in Santa Ana Region GMZs for the period of 2013 through 2021).
• The Maximum Benefit SNMP Monitoring Programs (surface water discharge and surface water quality for 2013 to 2022; groundwater level and quality for 2022). • The California Integrated Water Quality System Project (CIWQS)4 (Beaumont and YVWD effluent discharge rates and quality through the present). 4 https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ciwqs/
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Table 1. Groundwater Monitoring Locations for the City of Beaumont AMMP Well Name
Data
Type
(WL, WQ,
Owner or Both)
Data in West Yost Database
Water Quality
Water Level
Start Date
End Date Start Date End Date
Beaumont Management Zone
Beaumont/Hiway60
United States,
Geological Survey
(USGS)
Both
7/21/1932
11/6/1973
10/10/1926
10/23/2008
2 Dowling, Francis M
Both
9/28/2006
11/13/2007
7/20/2006
12/30/2014
NA_1004370
Pistilli, Joe
Both
9/28/2006
11/11/2021
11/9/1994
12/24/2014
NA_1006182
Almo, M.C.
Both
9/28/2006
12/24/2014
8/21/2006
12/24/2014
NA_1206892
Witter George G
Both
3/17/2011
11/11/2021
5/19/2006
12/22/2014
A
East Valley Golf
Club
Both
1/16/2003
11/10/2021
10/25/2000
12/1/2014
C
East Valley Golf
Club
Both
5/31/2002
5/31/2002
4/26/2000
12/30/2014
Ranch Well
MCM Poultry
Both
9/28/2006
11/9/2021
5/25/2006
12/30/2014
Dowling Orchard
Dowling, Francis M
Both
10/5/2009
11/10/2021
4/23/2009
12/23/2014
OBMW-1
Riverside County
Waste
Management
Department
Both
1/31/2005
12/13/2021
1/31/2005
10/2/2013
OBMW-2
Riverside County
Waste
Management
Department
Both
1/31/2005
12/13/2021
1/31/2005
10/2/2013
OBMW-3
Riverside County
Waste
Management
Department
Both
1/31/2005
12/13/2021
1/31/2005
10/2/2013
OBMW-4
Riverside County
Waste
Management
Department
Both
1/31/2005
12/13/2021
1/31/2005
10/2/2013
MW1
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
11/8/2005
11/14/2012
MW2
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
11/8/2005
8/12/2014
MW3
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
11/8/2005
11/5/2014
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Table 1.
Groundwater Monitoring
Locations
for the City of Beaumont AMMP
Well Name
Owner
Data
Type
(WL, WQ,
or Both)
Data in West Yost Database
Water Quality Water Level
Start Date
End Date
Start Date
End Date
MW4
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
11/8/2005
11/5/2014
MW5
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
4/6/2011
11/5/2014
MW6
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
4/6/2011
11/5/2014
MW7
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
4/6/2011
11/5/2014
MW8
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
4/6/2011
11/5/2014
MW9
State of California,
Department of
Water Resources
WL
na
na
4/6/2011
11/5/2014
#493 Schuelke R
Unknown
WL
na
na
11/8/1994
12/30/2014
#569 Jurado
Unknown
WL
na
na
5/19/2006
12/22/2014
#608 Co. of Riv
County of
Riverside
WL
na
na
11/8/1994
11/3/2014
335510116581901
United States,
Geological Survey
(USGS)
WL
na
na
4/26/2000
12/4/2013
335552116592601
Dowling, Francis
WL
na
na
11/1/1991
5/23/2012
San Timoteo Management Zone
NA_1003048
Hildebrand,
Chester F.
Both
3/23/1961
7/31/1961
8/21/2006
12/30/2014
ONE
El Casco Lake
Ranch
Both
11/17/2008
5/10/2011
8/21/2006
12/30/2014
Fishermen's
Retreat 1
Rutherford, Mark
Both
3/23/1961
4/26/2021
11/16/2007
11/16/2007
1 Schwenckert,
Henry W. and
Jewel
Both
10/27/2006
11/9/2021
10/16/2006
12/22/2014
Fishermen's
Retreat 2
Rutherford, Mark
Both
8/24/2005
4/26/2021
11/16/2007
12/23/2014
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Table 1. Groundwater Monitoring Locations for the City of Beaumont AMMP Well Name
Owner
Data
Type
(WL, WQ,
or Both)
Data in West Yost Database
Water Quality Water Level
Start Date
End Date
Start Date
End Date
335645117024201
East Valley Golf
Club
Both
6/25/2001
6/25/2001
10/26/1999
12/30/2014
Heartland Well
City of Beaumont
Both
10/10/2006
5/18/2020
2/23/2007
12/30/2014
BH-19
Metropolitan
Water District of
Southern
California
Both
11/17/2008
5/26/2011
11/17/2008
5/23/2013
YVWD GWMW-3
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
6/30/2010
10/19/2012
6/30/2010
12/1/2012
YVWD GWMW-2
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
6/29/2010
11/8/2021
6/29/2010
12/1/2012
YVWD GWMW-1
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
12/30/2009
11/8/2021
6/30/2010
12/1/2012
YVWD GWMW-4
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
8/17/2010
11/9/2021
1/29/2010
12/1/2012
YVWD GWMW-5A
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
8/3/2010
11/8/2021
8/25/2010
12/1/2012
YVWD GWMW-5B
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
Both
8/3/2010
11/8/2021
8/25/2010
12/1/2012
USGS 2
United States,
Geological Survey
(USGS)
WL
na
na
4/13/1993
11/13/2008
CGL-8 Lhdino Investors
WL
na
na
6/27/2006
12/1/2012
#427, Agri -Empire
San Gorgonio Pass
Water Agency
WL
na
na
11/8/1994
11/4/2014
#428, Agri -Empire
#2
San Gorgonio Pass
Water Agency
WL
na
na
11/8/1994
11/4/2014
Fishermen's
Retreat 3
Rutherford, Mark
WQ
12/4/2003
12/4/2003
na
na
SanTim-1
City of Beaumont
WQ
5/21/2010
11/9/2021
na
na
San Tim -2B/1
City of Beaumont
WQ
7/28/2010
11/9/2021
na
na
San Tim -2B/2
City of Beaumont
WQ
7/22/2010
11/9/2021
na
na
YVWD GWMW-5C
Yucaipa Valley
Water District
WQ
8/2/2010
11/8/2021
na
na
Deep Well
Martie Wells
WQ
10/8/2009
5/6/2019
na
na
Bunker Hill Management Zone
Redlands 38
City of Redlands
Both
1/24/1996
12/15/2021
12/15/1993
12/1/2012
Bryn Mar #2/3
Bryn Mawr Mutual
Water Company
Both
8/22/1949
8/22/1949
10/8/1935
12/1/2012
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Table 1.
Groundwater Monitoring Locations
for the City of Beaumont
AMMP
Well Name
Owner
Data
Type
(WL, WQ,
or Both)
Data in West
Yost Database
Water Quality
Water Level
Start Date
End Date
Start Date
End Date
Bryn Mar #1
Bryn Mawr Mutual
Water Company
Both
8/5/1932
7/26/1977
4/25/1929
11/1/2012
Lee Well
City of Redlands
Both
4/24/1951
4/16/2009
6/1/1947
12/1/2012
Redlands 39
City of Redlands
Both
5/1/1999
12/17/2021
1/1/2000
12/1/2012
Bryn Mar #4
Bryn Mawr Mutual
Water Company
WL
na
na
12/2/1997
12/1/2012
Notes:
na- no data is available within West Yost's database
TDS - total dissolved solids
WQ - water quality
WL - water level
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Table 2. Surface Water Monitoring Locations
Site Name Facility Type
for the City of Beaumont
Data in West
Water Quality
AMMP
Yost Database
Flow/Effluent
Start Date
End Date
Start Date End Date
Beaumont Management Zone
Beaumont WWTP DP 001
WWTP/RWRF
1/1/2002
7/9/2018
1/1/2006
7/30/2018
Beaumont WWTP DP 007
WWTP/RWRF
None
None
3/29/2010
12/31/2014
Beaumont WWTP DP 008
WWTP/RWRF
None
None
None
None
CC -01
Stream
Monitoring Site
10/5/2005
12/22/2014
10/21/2005
12/22/2014
CC1
Stream
Monitoring Site
12/12/2005
1/27/2006
None
None
CC2
Stream
Monitoring Site
12/12/2005
1/27/2006
None
None
LSGC-02
Stream
Monitoring Site
4/5/2006
4/5/2006
4/5/2006
12/22/2014
NC -01
Stream
Monitoring Site
3/22/2006
3/11/2010
3/22/2006
12/22/2014
NC -02
Stream
Monitoring Site
4/5/2006
4/5/2006
4/5/2006
12/22/2014
Bunker Hill Management Zone
YVWD-D
Stream
Monitoring Site
2/2/2005
12/15/2010
10/21/2005
3/21/2013
YVWD-E
Stream
Monitoring Site
10/13/2005
12/30/2010
1/1/1990
3/31/2013
YVWD-F
Stream
Monitoring Site
2/2/2005
12/30/2010
10/21/2005
5/3/2012
San Timoteo Management Zone
Henry Wochholz RWRF DP 001
WWTP/RWRF
1/1/2002
7/31/2018
10/1/1986
7/31/2018
STC-01
Stream
Monitoring Site
10/5/2005
12/22/2014
12/12/2005
12/22/2014
YVWD-A
Stream
Monitoring Site
2/2/2005
12/30/2010
11/14/2005
3/12/2013
YVWD-B
Stream
Monitoring Site
2/2/2005
12/30/2010
10/21/2005
3/21/2013
YVWD-C
Stream
Monitoring Site
2/2/2005
12/30/2010
7/3/2008
7/6/2012
Notes:
HD - HydroDaVE (West Yost hydrologic database)
CIWQS - California Integrated Water Quality System Project None — no data is available within West Yost's database
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w
—1 -•'•
--
E
•
J i(
Fishermen
Retreaty3
WEST I YOST
J
r �
SanTim-1
Sj T �• J
#42
e
'#428, LsAgri- ire
San Tim=2B%1'
Agri Empire,#2
jam, ,
afjp1;e0i
sa s ir
. ��� h /22
n36100024x04,
0 •
A
•
/#608 Co..
of Rivi'
... _
Pop
s
Creed(
CC2
i CC1
9 Beaumont
WWTP DP 01
•
2 Miles
0 2,000
Feet
4,000
/
•
/*
NC -02
DOMInf�ir O fa0way600 p o fling
Ganch WA ±c\
Cf3`ftvt/1W 3 MW6- MW2
MW5 MW4_
CC 01 / I NA 1,0000 6Lf32
335510116581901
\\ I
,NC -01
LSGC-02 /
'Beaumont
--WWTP DP 008
/ (Inactive), '
/
Beaumont
WWTP DP 007
(Inactive)
335552116592601
"AwA MW8 MW1 1.
1Rua az)680
569 Jurado
i
City of Beaumont ,—�
Adaptive Management and
Mitigation Plan (AMMP) BEAUMONT
•
GW wells with WL and WQ data
GW wells with WL data
GW wells with WQ data
Stream Monitoring Sites
WWTP Discharge Point (active)
WWTP Discharge Point (inactive)
Study Area/Riparian Zone
San Timoteo GMZ
Beaumont GMZ
Streams
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. The hydrological study area is defined as the three GMZs shown
3. GW - groundwater; SW - surface water
4. GMZ - groundwater management zone
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
6. WL - water level; WQ - water quality
Hydrogeological Monitoring Locations -
Beaumont and Upper San Timoteo GMZs
City of Beaumont AMMP
DRAFT Figure 7
eaornont AM
es\80-23-01 Beaumont AMMP\
Prepared by:
YN
WEST I YOST
O
2 O
2,000
Feet
4,000
Miles
Prepared for:
City of Beaumont
Adaptive Management and
Mitigation Plan (AMMP) BEAUMONT
▪ GW wells with WL and WQ data
♦ GW wells with WL data
♦ GW wells with WQ data
Stream Monitoring Sites
• WWTP Discharge Point (active)
Study Area/Riparian Zone
Bunker Hill GMZ (portion)
San Timoteo GMZ
---- Streams
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. The hydrological study area is defined as the three GMZs shown
3. GW - groundwater; SW - surface water
4. GMZ - groundwater management zone
5. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
6. WL - water level; WQ - water quality
Hydrogeological Monitoring Locations -
Lower San Timoteo and Bunker Hill GMZs
City of Beaumont AMMP
DRAFT Figure 8
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
Available Modeling Tools
A thorough review of available modeling and/or analytical tools will be required for Phase 1 of the AMMP.
The available models will be identified and assessed to determine their potential for use in evaluating the impacts of reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek within the study area. The known models that exist are listed below, however more may be added following further research:
1. Beaumont Basin Groundwater Model. This groundwater flow model was developed by the Beaumont Basin Watermaster. The model overlies the Beaumont GMZ, and may overlie a portion of the San Timoteo GMZ. After initial review of the model documentation, the consultant team may prepare a request for information that the City can submit to the Watermaster for access to the model and/or model files.
2. Yucaipa Subbasin Groundwater Model. This groundwater flow model was prepared by the USGS for use in supporting the Yucaipa Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. The model may overlie a portion of the San Timoteo GMZ. After initial review of the model documentation, the consultant team may prepare a request for information that the City can submit to the USGS for access to the model and/or model files.
3. County of Riverside's surface water modeling and related work for the Flow Ecology investigation into Cooper's Creek or other regional surface water systems.
The findings and recommendations will be summarized in the Phase 1 Report — Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report following the completion of Phase 1 activities.
NEXT STEPS
The next steps that the Consultant Team will perform to develop the AMMP include:
• Complete collection of all missing historical data.
• Characterize the extent and health of riparian habitat using NDVI and other data. • Characterize historical and existing hydrogeologic conditions. • Correlate historical and existing conditions to riparian habitat extent and health. • Identifiy the potential impacts to riparian habitat extent and health from reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek.
• Assess the available tools and identify necessary tools for analyzing surface water and groundwater impacts of reduced discharge.
• Identify data gaps and uncertainties.
• Define a baseline monitoring program.
• Prepare the Phase 1 report: Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report. Appendix A includes proposed outline of the Phase 1 report.
WEST YOST
O
2775
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
REFERENCES
Dudek, 2021. Maximum Benefit Monitoring Program 2020 Annual Report for the Beaumont, San Timoteo and Yucaipa Groundwater Management Zones. Prepared for Yucaipa Valley Water District. April 9.
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), 2006. Order No. R8-2006-0003, NPDES No.
CA0105376 Waste Discharge Requirements for the City of Beaumont, Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant, Riverside County.
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), 2014. Resolution R8-2014-0005 Resolution Amending the Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin to Incorporate Updates to the Salt Management Plan for the Santa Ana Region.
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), 2015. Order No. R8-2015-0026, NPDES No.
CA0105376 Waste Discharge Requirements and Master Reclamation Permit for the City of Beaumont, Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant, Riverside County. \Nc
WEST YOST
Outline for Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
Outline for Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report
1. Introduction
This section will include:
• The purpose of the Cooper's Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report. • A brief overview of the need for the Report in the context of the AMMP.
2. Background and Setting
This section will include:
• A description and overview of the regulatory setting. • A description of the study area(s) and its characteristics. • The historical context of the WWTP and its discharges. • The hydrological, geological, and hydrogeological setting.
3. Initial Goals, Objectives, and Performance Criteria
This section will include:
• An explanation of the updated goals and objectives as well as the performance criteria to measure success under the AMMP.
• The Task 2 TM will be updated and referred to in this section as reference and for more detail.
4. Historical and Existing Biological Resources
This section will include:
• Review of prior biologic resources assessment used to obtain the City's existing discharge permit, review habitat conditions in the field, and review reports and data from other relevant investigations (i.e., those completed in the downstream reaches of San Timoteo Creek through other scopes of work).
• Identification of the potential impacts to biologic resources when the City reduces its discharges to Cooper's Creek. Exhibits will be prepared to characterize the biologic resources.
5. Historical Discharge and Surface Water Flow Hydrology Characterization This section will include:
• A description, review, and analysis of all available data relevant to surface water flow and wastewater discharge, including climate/precipitation, water conservation, WWTP discharges, surface water flow, groundwater levels, and water quality. • Explanatory graphics to characterize historical surface water flow and groundwater conditions and the relationship to the factors that contribute to short term and long-term variations in the observed record.
WEST YOST
o
2775
TM — City of Beaumont
December 21, 2023
6. Historical Riparian Habitat Health (NDVI)
This section will include:
• A review and analysis of available NDVI of the area and as it pertains to riparian vegetation health between 1982 and 2023.
• Explanatory graphics to characterize historical habitat conditions and the relationship to the factors that contribute to short term and long-term variations in the observed record.
7. Potential Impacts to Biological Resources from Reduced Discharge to Cooper's Creek This section will include:
• A presentation and review of all the factors that could have supported or affected the extent/health of the biological resources over time.
• Description of the relationship of the above factors to the extent/health of the biological resources.
• A definition of preliminary metrics for habitat sustainability. • Any identified data gaps.
8. Assessment of Available Tools for Analyzing Surface Water and Groundwater Impacts This section will include:
• A review and assessment of all available surface and groundwater models or analytical tools that could potentially be used to assess hydrogeologic impacts of reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek, including a review of the County of Riverside's modeling and related work for the Flow Ecology investigation into Cooper's Creek. • A description/articulation of the level of analysis necessary to support development of the AMMP (what is the "right size" level of work to support the City's project) and an assessment of the ability to use the existing surface and groundwater models/tools in Phase 2 to evaluate reduced discharges to Cooper's Creek.
9. Scope for Baseline Monitoring and Data Collection
This section will include:
• An outline of a plan for ongoing monitoring and data collection, including monitoring sites for hydrological and riparian monitoring, as necessary. • Explanation of how this data will be used to assess riparian habitat health and sustainability, particularly as it pertains to reductions in discharges from the Beaumont WWTP Discharge Point 001.
10. Summary and Conclusions
This section will summarize the Report and list the conclusions in bullet form.
WEST YOST
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Letter, Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher Survey Results for the City of Beaumont,
Cooper's Creek Wastewater Discharge Study,
November 5, 2024
November 5, 2024
Stacey Love
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2177 Salk Avenue, Suite 250
Carlsbad, California 92008
Re: Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Results for the City of Beaumont, Cooper's Creek Wastewater Discharge Study
Dear Ms. Love,
This letter report documents the results of protocol surveys for the least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus, LBVI) and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus, SWFL) conducted by HDR Engineering, Inc. for the City of Beaumont, Cooper's Creek Wastewater Discharge Study (Project) located in the community of Beaumont, California (Figures B-1, B-2 and B-3).
The Project is being conducted in order to help inform potential changes to wastewater discharge into Cooper's Creek. To reduce the volume of discharge, the City must file a Wastewater Change Petition (Change Petition) with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Water Rights.
When the City first discussed the plan to apply for a change petition with the SWRCB, the Division of Water Rights staff advised that the city develop an Adaptive Management and Mitigation Program (AMMP) to aid in the process of approving the reduced discharge.
The SWFL and LBVI are listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of California under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The USFWS and CDFW require surveys for SWFL and LBVI when suitable habitat for these species occurs within or adjacent to a project. Surveys were conducted in accordance with USFWS listed protocols for each species.
Project Location and Riparian Bird Survey Area
hdrinc.com
These surveys were conducted in riparian habitat in three areas southwest of the intersection of Interstate -60 and Interstate -10 in Beaumont, California. These areas are located within the El Casco and Beaumont USGS Quadrangle maps (Figures B-1, B-2 and B-3).
Surveys were conducted in potentially suitable riparian habitat along Cooper's Creek. Habitat consisted of riparian forest dominated by willow species (Salix sp.), Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), and oak (Quercus sp.).
Methods
A 15 -day prior notification for surveys was provided to the USFWS on April 10, 2024 (Appendix A, attached). All survey areas are depicted in Figures B-1, B-2 and B-3. HDR biologist Adam Lockyer (Permitted Biologist, TE55135D-0) and assisting biologist Aaron Newton conducted only the first of eight protocol LBVI surveys. During the first round of LBVI surveys conducted on April 25, LBVI were detected throughout all three of the survey areas. Following the confirmation of the presence of LBVI during the first survey, subsequent surveys were canceled because the purpose of the surveys was to 3230 El Camino Real
Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92602
T (714) 730-2300
Stacey Love
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
November 5, 2024
determine only the presence or absence of LBVI in the survey areas. Five total protocol SWFL surveys were conducted from May 16 to July 5, 2024. After accessing survey area #1 on April 25, locks were placed on all gates with access to the survey area. No other probable access was possible and the fence precluded any future surveys of this area. Subsequent SWFL surveys were conducted in survey areas #2 and #3.
Because surveys for LBVI and SWFL did not occur on the same days, there was no need to stagger LBVI surveys following SWFL surveys. During each of the surveys, the biologist walked slowly along the edge of riparian habitat, stopping at 60 -to -100 -foot intervals to listen for LBVI and SWFL. During the SWFL surveys, a recording of SWFL vocalizations was played at 60 -to -100 -foot intervals along the survey route. The surveying biologist, with the aid of binoculars for viewing wildlife species, waited for several minutes after each playback to look and listen for SWFL. Surveys for LBVI were conducted by stopping at similar intervals along the survey route to watch and listen for LBVI. All surveys were completed between dawn and 11:00 AM for LBVI and by 10:30 AM for SWFL. No surveys were conducted during extreme weather conditions (i.e., winds exceeding 15 miles per hour, rain, or temperatures in excess of 95°F).
Tables 1, 2 and 3 present the survey dates, times, and weather conditions for the surveys.
Stacey Love
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
November 5, 2024
Table 1. Summary of Least BeII's Vireo Survey Dates, Times, and Weather Conditions for Survey Area #1.
Survey
Date
Surveyor
Time
(start/end)
Weather
Temp.
Range
LBV/WIFL
Detected
LBVI 1
4/25/24
AL/AN
0810-0920
Start: 0 mph, overcast;
End: 0 mph, overcast
60 1
Notes:
Due to access issues, no other surveys past April 25 were possible for survey area #1 AL: Adam Lockyer— Permitted Biologist (TE55135D-0), AN: Aaron Newton °F = degrees Fahrenheit
mph = miles per hour
LBVI = least Bell's vireo
Table 2. Summary of Least BeII's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Dates, Times, and Weather Conditions for Survey Area #2.
Survey
Date
Surveyor
Time
(start/end)
Weather
Temp.
Range
LBV/WIFL
Detected
LBVI 1
4/25/24
AL/AN
0955-1040
Start: 0 mph, overcast;
End: 3 mph, partly cloudy
60-65
1(LBVI)
SWFL 1
5/16/24
AL
0840-0920
Start: 3 mph, overcast;
End: 3 mph, overcast
55-60
0 SWFL 2
6/4/24
AL
0925-1015
Start: 0 mph, partly cloudy;
End: 0 mph, partly cloudy
72-75
1(WIFL)
SWFL 3
6/14/24
AL/AN
0845-0950
Start: 0 mph, clear;
End: 0 mph, clear
71-75
0 SWFL 4
6/25/24
AL
0842-1002
Start: 5 mph, partly cloudy;
End: 0 mph, partly cloudy
77-80
0 SWFL 5
7/10/24
AL
0903-1015
Start: 0 mph, clear;
End: 0 mph, clear
75-85
0 Notes:
AL: Adam Lockyer, AN: Aaron Newton
°F = degrees Fahrenheit
LBVI = least Bell's vireo
SWFL = southwestern willow flycatcher
mph = miles per hour
Stacey Love
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
November 5, 2024
Table 3. Summary of Least Bell's Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Survey Dates, Times, and Weather Conditions for Survey Area #3.
Survey
Date
Surveyor
Time
(start/end)
Weather
Temp.
Range
LBV/WIFL
Detected
LBVI 1
4/25/24
AL/AN
0700-0745
Start: 0 mph, light drizzle;
End: 0 mph, light drizzle
47-60
2 SWFL 1
5/16/24
AL
0720-0815
Start: 0 mph, overcast;
End: 0 mph, overcast
58-58
0 SWFL 2
6/4/24
AL
0705-0900
Start: 0 mph, partly cloudy;
End: 0 mph, partly cloudy
65-72
0 SWFL 3
6/14/24
AL/AN
0710-0831
Start: 0 mph, partly cloudy;
End: 0 mph, partly cloudy
72-76
0 SWFL 4
6/25/24
AL
0815-0905
Start: 5 mph, partly cloudy;
End: 0 mph, partly cloudy
68-72
0 SWFL 5
7/10/24
AL
0620-0830
Start: 0 mph, clear;
End: 0 mph, clear
70-75
0 Notes:
AL: Adam Lockyer, AN: Aaron Newton
°F = degrees Fahrenheit
LBVI = least Bell's vireo
SWFL = southwestern willow flycatcher
mph = miles per hour
Results
LBVI surveys were halted following the first round of surveys over all three survey areas because there were multiple detections in all areas and this satisfied the purpose of the survey effort (it is understood that this does not constitute a full protocol LBVI survey). Although there were no more LBVI protocol surveys, LBVI were noted when detected in all survey areas during SWFL protocol surveys.
One willow flycatcher was detected in survey area #2 on June 4. No other detections of willow flycatchers were made during other survey events and no nesting was observed. Because this individual was not detected during subsequent visits during the nesting survey windows, this one observation of a willow flycatcher is not considered to be the southwester willow flycatcher subspecies.
All observations of WIFL and LBVI along with the dates of observations are included in Figures B-1, B- 2 and B-3.
One brown -headed cowbird was detected just outside survey area #2 on April 25.
A complete list of birds and other wildlife observed on -site during surveys is included as Appendix B. A completed Willow Flycatcher Survey and Detection Form is included as Appendix C.
If you have any questions regarding this survey report, please contact me at (702) 283-9429.
Stacey Love
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
November 5, 2024
I certify that the information in this survey report and attached exhibits fully and accurately depict my work.
Sincerely,
HDR Engineering, Inc.
44 gl'
Adam Lockyer, TE55135D-0
Biologist
Attachments
Figure B-1. Beaumont Survey Area #1
Figure B-2: Beaumont Survey Area #2
Figure B-3. Beaumont Survey Area #3
Appendix A: USFWS 15 -Day Notification (April 10, 2024) Appendix B: Inventory of Wildlife Species Observed During 2024 Protocol Surveys Appendix C: Willow Flycatcher Survey and Detection Form
Figure B-1. Beaumont LBVI/SWFL Survey Area #1
i
Map
Extent
Beaumont
0 0
0 Beaumont Survey
Area Site 1
Sensitive Wildlife Point
• Least Bell's Vireo
0 0 350 Feet
Figure B-2. Beaumont Survey Area #2
Beaumont
d
fr
C 1
OLIVEWOOD WAY
a -
ri -
CASCINALN
Beaumont Survey
Area Site 2
Sensitive Wildlife Point
Brown Headed
•
Cowbird
0 Least Bell's Vireo
• Willow Fly Catcher
0 250 Feet
Figure B-3. Beaumont Survey Area #3
O
O
L o
Map
Extent ("Beaumont
25/2024
car
6/4/2024
5/16/2024
6/4/2024
6/14/2024
Beaumont Survey
Area Site 3
Sensitive Wildlife Point
0 Least Bell's Vireo
0 0 250 Feet
Appendix A: USFWS 15 -Day Notification
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Date:
Attachments:
j nve. Stacey
Lockver. Adam T
Patterson. Liu• Keller. Andrew
Re: [tXI RNAL] RE: Returned: SWFL/LBVI Survey Notification; Permit # TE55135D-0 Thursday, April 11, 202410:03:49 AM
jmaae003.onq
CAUTION: [EXTERNAL] This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Adam, thank you for the revised notification, which has been forwarded to my colleagues for review.
From: Lockyer, Adam T
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2024 7:18 PM
To: Love, Stacey
Cc: Patterson, Lisa ; Keller, Andrew
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Returned: SWFL/LBVI Survey Notification; Permit # TE55135D-0 This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for the comments and guidance. Below is my updated notification.
This is my 15 -day notification to conduct southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) surveys along with least Bell's vireo (LBVI) surveys in suitable habitat in the survey areas depicted in the attached maps. These surveys will be conducted in riparian habitat southwest of the intersection of Interstate -60 and Interstate -10 in Beaumont, California. These areas are located within the El Casco and Beaumont USGS Quadrangle maps. Also attached is my federal permit for SWFL surveys. Scheduled dates for those surveys are below. For survey events when both SWFL and LBVI surveys are scheduled for the same day, surveys will not be done concurrently. Surveys for SWFL will be conducted first thing in the morning followed by LBVI surveys.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Survey
Dates
SWFL Survey #
LBVI Survey #
5 days apart
10 days apart
1: May 15 - 31 - 1 visit
April 10 - July 31
2: June 1 - 24 - 2 visits
8 surveys
3: June 25 - July 17 - 2
visits
Thur25-Apr
1 Mon 6 -May
2 Thur 16 -May
1 3
Tue 4 -Jun
2 4
Fri 14 -Jun
3 5
Tue 25 -Jun
4 6
Fri 5 -Jul
5 7
Fri 19 -Jul
8 Thank You,
Adam Lockyer
Biologist
HDR
591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92108
M 702-283-9429
Adam.Lockyer©hdrinc.corn
hdrinn..nnm/follow-i iv
From: Love, Stacey
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 4:23 PM
To: Lockyer, Adam T
Cc: Patterson, Lisa ; Keller, Andrew
Subject: Returned: SWFL/LBVI Survey Notification; Permit # TE55135D-0 CAUTION: [EXTERNAL] This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hello Adam,
Thank you for the notification. I am returning it to you with the following comments:
Comment 1
Regarding your statement "For survey events when both SWFL and LBVI surveys are scheduled for the same day, surveys will not be done concurrently.
Surveys for SWFL will be conducted upon entry to the survey area and LBVI surveys will be conducted on return or visa versa." Thank you for not conducting the surveys concurrently, however, I am concerned about the statement "vice versa." The SWFL surveys should be conducted first, early in the morning, in accordance with the protocol. Surveys early in the morning increases the detectability of SWFL whereas vireos are vocal throughout the day.
For your reference, here is an excerpt of our current permit conditions for SWFL permits, which were revised since your last permit was issued: "If protocol surveys are conducted on the same day, we recommend that surveys be conducted sequentially, with surveys for the flycatcher first (i.e., first thing in the morning) and surveys for the vireo conducted afterwards." Comment 7
A 1:24,000 scale U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographical map is required.
Please see permit condition 5. Maps should not be created at more or less than 1:24,000 scale (i.e., zoomed out or in). Please clip to the area of interest and do not exceed page sizes of 11 x 17. Multiple maps may need to be prepared to accurately depict all locations. (Please attach the map(s) to the email rather than inserting as images in the email).
If you are using ArcGIS, the correct basemap to use is "USATopo Maps", not "USGS National Map." If you are not using ArcGIS, we have prepared guidance (attached) regarding using the free software (confusingly) called National Map. Please identify the quadrangle map name(s).
Finally, I would like to clarify regarding other maps, which was received here. At stated above, we require maps of the survey area on a USGS topographic map at minimum. However, we accept and appreciate additional maps with other base data, as they can provide additional information. As you already created this other map, please resend the notification with all maps included.
Thank you,
Stacey Love (she/her)
Recovery Permit Coordinator
Carsbad (inc: . Pa m Snringsl fie r office
Jc ic
Sent: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 3:56 PM
To: Love, Stacey
Cc: Patterson, Lisa ; Keller, Andrew
Subject: [EXTERNAL] SWFL/LBVI Survey Notification; Permit # TE55135D-0 This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding.
Hi Stacey,
This is my 15 -day notification to conduct southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) surveys along with least Bell's vireo (LBVI) surveys in suitable habitat in the areas depicted in purple, green and orange on the map below. These surveys will be conducted in riparian habitat southwest of the intersection of Interstate -60 and Interstate -10 in Beaumont, California. Also attached is my federal permit for SWFL surveys. Scheduled dates for those surveys are below.
For survey events when both SWFL and LBVI surveys are scheduled for the same day, surveys will not be done concurrently. Surveys for SWFL will be conducted upon entry to the survey area and LBVI surveys will be conducted on return or visa versa.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
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1964 1906 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2034 2010 2022 2014 2016 2018 2020 2023 2024 Survey
Dates
SWFL Survey #
LBVI Survey #
5 days apart
10 days apart
1: May 15 - 31 - 1 visit
April 10 - July 31
2: June 1 - 24 - 2 visits
8 surveys
3: June 25- July 17-2
visits
Thur 25 -Apr
1 Mon 6 -May
2 Thur 16 -May
1 3
Tue 4 -Jun
2 4
Fri 14 -Jun
3 5
Tue 25 -Jun
4 6
Fri 5 -Jul
5 7
Fri 19 -Jul
8 Thank You,
Adam Lockyer
Biologist
NOR
591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92108
M 702-283-9429
Adam. Lockyer@hdrinc. cons
hdrinn.nom/follow-uq
Appendix B: Inventory of Wildlife Species
Observed During 2024 Protocol Surveys
Scientific Name
BIRDS
ACCIPITRIDAE - HAWK FAMILY
Buteo jamaicensis
Common Name Special Status
Red-tailed hawk
ANATIDAE - SWAN, GOOSE, AND DUCK FAMILY
Anas platyrhynchos Mallard
FALCONIDAE - FALCON FAMILY
Falco sparverius American kestrel
ODONTOPHORIDAE - NEW WORLD QUAIL FAMILY
Callipepla californica California quail
RALLIDAE - RAIL AND COOT FAMILY
Fulica americana American coot
CHARADRIIDAE - PLOVER FAMILY
Charadrius vociferus Killdeer
COLUMBIDAE - PIGEON AND DOVE FAMILY
Zenaida macroura Mourning dove
Columba livia* Rock pigeon
PICIDAE - WOODPECKER FAMILY
Picoides nuttallii Nuttall's woodpecker
TYRANNIDAE - TYRANT FLYCATCHER FAMILY
Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher SE
Sayornis nigricans Black phoebe
VIREONIDAE - VIREO FAMILY
Vireo bellii pusillus Least bell's vireo FE, SE
CORVIDAE - JAY AND CROW FAMILY
Aphelocoma californica Western scrub -jay
Corvus corax Common raven
AEGITHALIDAE - BUSHTIT FAMILY
Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit
TROGLODYTIDAE - WREN FAMILY
Thryomanes bewickii Bewick's wren
Scientific Name
SYLVIIDAE - SILVIID WARBLERS FAMILY
Chamaea fasciata Wrentit
MIMIDAE - MOCKINGBIRD AND THRASHER FAMILY
Toxostoma redivivum
STURNIDAE - STARLING FAMILY
Sturnus vulgaris*
PARULIDAE - WOOD -WARBLER FAMILY
Geothlypis trichas
Common Name Special Status
California thrasher
European starling*
Common yellowthroat
EMBERIZIDAE - NEW WORLD SPARROW FAMILY
Melospiza melodia Song sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys White -crowned sparrow
Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee
Melozone crissalis California towhee
ICTERIDAE - BLACKBIRD AND ORIOLE FAMILY
lcterus bullockii Bullock's oriole
Molothrus ater Brown -headed cowbird
FRINGILLIDAE - FINCH FAMILY
Spinus tristis American goldfinch
Spinus psaltria Lesser goldfinch
Haemorhous mexicanus House finch
EN
Appendix C: Willow Flycatcher Survey and
Detection Form
Willow Flycatcher (WIFL) Survey and Detection Form (revised April, 2010) Site Name: Beaumont SWFL Survey - Area #2
USGS Quad Name: El Casco
State: California County: San Bernardino
Elevation: 725 (meters)
Creek, River, or Lake Name: Cooper's Creek
Is copy of USGS map marked with survey area and WIFL sightings attached (as required)? Yes X No Survey Coordinates: Start: E 497,519 N 3,754,659 UTM Datum: NAD27 (See instructions) Stop: E 497,789
N 3,754,585 UTM
Zone: 11S
If survey coordinates changed between visits, enter coordinates for each survey in comments section on back of this page. **Fill in additional site information on back of this page** Survey #
Observer(s)
(Full Name)
Date (m d y)
Survey Time
Number of
Adult
WIFLs
Estimated
Number of
Pairs
Estimated
Number of
Territories
Nest(s)
Found?
y or N
If Yes,
number of
nests
Comments (e.g., bird behavior; evidence of pairs or
breeding; -potential threats [livestock, cowbirds,
Diorhabda spp.]). If Diorhabda found, contact
USFWS and State WIFL coordinator.
GPS Coordinates for WIFL Detections
(this is an optional column for documenting individuals, pairs, or groups of birds found on
each survey). Include additional sheets if necessary.
Survey # 1
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
5/16/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
8:40
Stop:
9:20
Total hrs:
0.7 Survey # 2
Observer(s):
A.Lockyer
Date:
6/4/2023
0 NA
No
Single adult heard during call-backs. No nest
located, only one individual heard.
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
1 unk
497,638
3,754,623
Start:
9:25
Stop:
0:15
Total hrs:
0.8 Survey # 3
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
A. Newton
Date:
6/14/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
8:45
Stop:
9:50
Total hrs:
1 Survey # 4
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
6/25/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
8:42
Stop:
10:02
Total hrs:
1.3 Survey # 5
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
7/10/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
9:03
—
Stop:
10:15
Total hrs:
1.l
Overall Site Summary
Totals do not equal the
column. Include only resident
Do not include migrants,
fledglings.
Be careful not to double
ndividuals.
Total survey hrs:
sum of each
adults.
nestlings, and
count
Total Adult
Residents
Total Pairs
Total
Territories
Total Nests
Were any WIFLs color -banded? Yes
If yes, report color combination(s)
section on back of form and report
No
0 o
o
o
in the comments
to USFWS.
4.9 Reporting Individual:
Adam Lockyer
US Fish & Wildlife Service Permit #:
TE55135D-0
Date Report Completed:
State Wildlife Agency Permit #:
7/26/2024
Submit form to USFWS and State Wildlife Agency by September lst. Retain a copy for your records.
Fill in the following information completely. Submit form by September 1St. Retain a copy for your records.
Reporting Individual
Affiliation
Site Name
Was this site surveyed in a previous year? Yes No UnknownX Did you verify that this site name is consistent with that used in previous yrs? If name is different, what name(s) was used in the past? Adam Lockyer
Phone # 702-283-9429
HDR Engineering, Inc. E-mail Ada [email protected]
Beaumont, Cooper's Creek, Area #2
Yes
Date report Completed 7/26/2024
No X Not Applicable X
If site was surveyed last year, did you survey the same general area this year? Did you survey the same general area during each visit to this site this year? Yes
Yes
No
No
Management Authority for Survey Area: Federal Municipal/County X State Name of Management Entity or Owner (e.g., Tonto National Forest) Length of area surveyed:
If no, summarize below.
If no, summarize below.
Tribal Private
Approximately 0.3 (km)
Vegetation Characteristics: Check (only one) category that best describes the predominant tree/shrub foliar layer at this site:
Native broadleaf plants (entirely or almost entirely, > 90% native) X Mixed native and exotic plants (mostly native, 50 - 90% native) Mixed native and exotic plants (mostly exotic, 50 - 90% exotic) Exotic/introduced plants (entirely or almost entirely, > 90% exotic) Identify the 2-3 predominant tree/shrub species in order of dominance. Use scientific name.
Salix sp, Quercus sp, Populus fremontii
Average height of canopy (Do not include a range):
7 (meters)
Attach the following: 1) copy of USGS quad/topographical map (REQUIRED) of survey area, outlining survey site and location of WIFE detections; 2) sketch or aerial photo showing site location, patch shape, survey route, location of any detected WIFLs or their nests; 3) photos of the interior of the patch, exterior of the patch, and overall site. Describe any unique habitat features in Comments.
Comments (such as start and end coordinates of survey area if changed among surveys, supplemental visits to sites, unique habitat features.
Attach additional sheets if necessary.
Territory Summary Table. Provide the following information for each verified territory at your site.
Territory Number
All Dates Detected
UTM E
UTM N
Pair
Confirmed?
Y or N
Nest Found?
Y or N
Description of How You Confirmed
Territory and Breeding Status
(e.g., vocalization type, pair interactions,
nesting attempts, behavior)
Attach additional sheets if necessary
Territory Summary Table, continued
Reporting Individual
Affiliation
Site Name
Phone #
E-mail
Date report Completed
Territory Number
All Dates Detected
UTM E
UTM N
Pair
Confirmed?
Y or N
Nest Found?
Y or N
Description of How You Confirmed
Territory and Breeding Status
(e.g., vocalization type, pair interactions,
renesting attemps, behavior)
Comments
Willow Flycatcher (WIFL) Survey and Detection Form (revised April, 2010) Site Name: Beaumont SWFL Survey - Area #3
USGS Quad Name: Beaumont
State: California County: San Bernardino
Elevation: 762 (meters)
Creek, River, or Lake Name: Cooper's Creek
Is copy of USGS map marked with survey area and WIFL sightings attached (as required)? Yes X No Survey Coordinates: Start: E 500,415 N 3,753,577 UTM Datum: NAD27 (See instructions) Stop: E 500,120
N 3,753,713 UTM
Zone: 11S
If survey coordinates changed between visits, enter coordinates for each survey in comments section on back of this page. **Fill in additional site information on back of this page** Survey #
Observer(s)
(Full Name)
Date (m d y)
Survey Time
Number of
Adult
WIFLs
Estimated
Number of
Pairs
Estimated
Number of
Territories
Nest(s)
Found?
y or N
If Yes,
number of
nests
Comments (e.g., bird behavior; evidence of pairs or
breeding; -potential threats [livestock, cowbirds,
Diorhabda spp.]). If Diorhabda found, contact
USFWS and State WIFL coordinator.
GPS Coordinates for WIFL Detections
(this is an optional column for documenting individuals, pairs, or groups of birds found on
each survey). Include additional sheets if necessary.
Survey # 1
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
5/16/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
7:20
Stop:
8:15
Total hrs:
0.9 Survey # 2
Observer(s):
A.Lockyer
Date:
6/4/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
7:05
Stop:
9:00
Total hrs:
2 Survey # 3
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
A. Newton
Date:
6/14/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
7:10
Stop:
8:3i
Total hrs:
1.3 Survey # 4
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
6/25/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
8:15
Stop:
9:05
Total hrs:
0.8 Survey # 5
Observer(s):
A. Lockyer
Date:
7/10/2024
0 0
NA
No
# Birds
Sex
UTM E
UTM N
Start:
6:20
Stop:
5:30
Total hrs:
2.2 Overall Site Summary
Totals do not equal the
column. Include only resident
Do not include migrants,
fledglings.
Be careful not to double
ndividuals.
Total survey hrs:
sum of each
adults.
nestlings, and
count
Total Adult
Residents
Total Pairs
Total
Territories
Total Nests
Were any WIFLs color -banded? Yes
If yes, report color combination(s)
section on back of form and report
No
0 o
o
o
in the comments
to USFWS.
7.2 Reporting Individual:
Adam Lockyer
US Fish & Wildlife Service Permit #:
TE55135D-0
Date Report Completed:
State Wildlife Agency Permit #:
7/26/2024
Submit form to USFWS and State Wildlife Agency by September lst. Retain a copy for your records.
Fill in the following information completely. Submit form by September 1St. Retain a copy for your records.
Reporting Individual
Affiliation
Site Name
Was this site surveyed in a previous year? Yes No UnknownX Did you verify that this site name is consistent with that used in previous yrs? If name is different, what name(s) was used in the past? Adam Lockyer
Phone # 702-283-9429
HDR Engineering, Inc. E-mail Ada [email protected]
Beaumont, Cooper's Creek, Area #3
Yes
Date report Completed 7/26/2024
No X Not Applicable X
If site was surveyed last year, did you survey the same general area this year? Did you survey the same general area during each visit to this site this year? Yes
Yes
No
No
Management Authority for Survey Area: Federal Municipal/County X State Name of Management Entity or Owner (e.g., Tonto National Forest) Length of area surveyed:
If no, summarize below.
If no, summarize below.
Tribal Private
Approximately 0.3 (km)
Vegetation Characteristics: Check (only one) category that best describes the predominant tree/shrub foliar layer at this site:
Native broadleaf plants (entirely or almost entirely, > 90% native) X Mixed native and exotic plants (mostly native, 50 - 90% native) Mixed native and exotic plants (mostly exotic, 50 - 90% exotic) Exotic/introduced plants (entirely or almost entirely, > 90% exotic) Identify the 2-3 predominant tree/shrub species in order of dominance. Use scientific name.
Salix sp, Quercus sp, Populus fremontii
Average height of canopy (Do not include a range):
7 (meters)
Attach the following: 1) copy of USGS quad/topographical map (REQUIRED) of survey area, outlining survey site and location of WIFE detections; 2) sketch or aerial photo showing site location, patch shape, survey route, location of any detected WIFLs or their nests; 3) photos of the interior of the patch, exterior of the patch, and overall site. Describe any unique habitat features in Comments.
Comments (such as start and end coordinates of survey area if changed among surveys, supplemental visits to sites, unique habitat features.
Attach additional sheets if necessary.
Territory Summary Table. Provide the following information for each verified territory at your site.
Territory Number
All Dates Detected
UTM E
UTM N
Pair
Confirmed?
Y or N
Nest Found?
Y or N
Description of How You Confirmed
Territory and Breeding Status
(e.g., vocalization type, pair interactions,
nesting attempts, behavior)
Attach additional sheets if necessary
Territory Summary Table, continued
Reporting Individual
Affiliation
Site Name
Phone #
E-mail
Date report Completed
Territory Number
All Dates Detected
UTM E
UTM N
Pair
Confirmed?
Y or N
Nest Found?
Y or N
Description of How You Confirmed
Territory and Breeding Status
(e.g., vocalization type, pair interactions,
renesting attemps, behavior)
Comments
App
Normalized Differences Vegetation Index (NDVI)
Appendix C
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)
BEAUMONT
C.1 BACKGROUND
Multi -spectral remote -sensing measurements of the Earth's surface from satellites are a verifiable means of deriving complete spatial coverage of environmental information. Remote -sensing measurements have been collected in a consistent manner over time. They are updated regularly and can be analyzed retrospectively, which has made these measurements useful in various types of ecological and environmental monitoring, including vegetation monitoring (USDA, 1996; Schidt and Karnieli, 2000; Campbell, 2007; Lillesand et al., 2008; Xie et al., 2008; Jones and Vaughnan, 2010).
Remote sensing -based methods of vegetation monitoring commonly use vegetation indices that can be calculated from the wavelengths of light absorbed and reflected by vegetation (Jensen, 2007). Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is a widely used numerical indicator of vegetation extent and quality that is calculated from remote -sensing measurements (Ke et al., 2015; Xue, J and Su, B., 2017). Moreover, NDVI is an index of greenness correlated with photosynthesis and can be used to assess temporal and spatial changes in the distribution, productivity, and dynamics of vegetation (Pettorelli, 2013). NDVI is calculated from visible and near -infrared radiation reflected by vegetation using the following formula:
NDVI = NIR +VIS
(NIR — VIS)
Where: NIR = the spectral reflectance of near infrared radiation VIS = the spectral reflectance of visible (red) radiation During photosynthesis, healthy vegetation absorbs incoming visible light and reflects a large portion of near -infrared radiation. Unhealthy or dormant vegetation absorbs less visible light and reflects less near -infrared radiation. The figure' below illustrates NDVI:
(0.50 - 0.08) - 0.72
(0.50 + 0.08)
(0.4 - 0.30) - 0.14
(OA + 0.30)
1 Nasa.gov
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
Near -infrared radiation and visible light spectral reflectance are both expressed as ratios of the reflected radiation over the incoming radiation (values between 0 and 1); therefore, NDVI estimates range between -1.0 and 1.0. Negative NDVI estimates correspond to standing water, and low positive values (0 to 0.1) correspond to non -vegetated areas, such as barren rock and sand, snow, and water. NDVI estimates ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 correspond to vegetated areas, with very low -end estimates indicating sparse, unhealthy, or dormant vegetation, and increasing estimates towards 0.9 indicating higher amounts of dense, healthy green vegetation.
Advantages and Limitations
NDVI was chosen as a method for characterizing and monitoring the riparian habitat for the City of Beaumont's Adaptive Management and Mitigation Plan (AMMP) (physical setting referred to as the Study Area) for the following reasons:
• Changes in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges could cause regional changes in surface water flows or groundwater levels, which potentially could result in regional impacts to the riparian habitat that is dependent on shallow groundwater. The regional scale of NDVI makes it an appropriate "first indicator" of regional changes in the extent and quality of riparian vegetation. And, it has been widely used in the past to support similar environmental monitoring and management programs (Peters et al., 2002; Pinzon et al., 2004; Wang et al., 2004; Weiss et al., 2004; Intera, 2014; Verbesselt et al, 2010; Gandhi et al., 2015).
• There is a long time -series of historical NDVI (early 1980s to present) that spatially covers the entire Study Area. These datasets can be used to characterize the history of the spatial extent and quality of the riparian vegetation prior to and after the increased discharges at Beaumont WWTP (2004).
• In the future, it is likely that multi -spectral remote sensing will continue to collect the commonly measured spectral bands that are used to calculate NDVI (red and near -infrared) and that these data will be available for use as part of the AMMP at a low cost.
Like most monitoring tools, NDVI has its limitations, which can reduce its reliability and usefulness.
Important examples include:
• Cloud cover, water vapor, and atmospheric contaminants can lead to false decreases in NDVI estimates compared to clear days (Tanre et al., 1992; Achard and Estreguil, 1995; Chen et al., 2004; Hird and McDermid, 2009).
• Satellite degradation, sensor errors, and data transmission errors can lead to false increases in NDVI estimates (James and Kalluri, 1994).
• Changes in soil moisture can lead to changes in NDVI estimates that are not necessarily related to changes in vegetation (Pettorelli, 2013).
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
• NDVI is a composite view of plant species diversity, form, structure, density, and vigor. As such, changes in NDVI may be caused by various changes in riparian habitat (Markon et al., 1995; Markon and Peterson, 2002). In other words, NDVI does not provide a complete picture of how and why vegetative changes are occurring; it simply indicates a change in vegetation.
• In densely vegetated areas, NDVI estimates have been shown to plateau during the growing season, indicating that NDVI can underestimate the green biomass in densely vegetated areas (Tucker et al., 1986).
These limitations demand that NDVI data be screened and filtered to identify or remove errors and noise.
To reduce or eliminate noise, processing algorithms can be applied to "smooth" the time -series data and reveal patterns of change over time. For example, a smoothing technique applied in this report was the averaging of all NDVI from the growing season months. The average values are then plotted on time -series charts to display long-term trends in growing season vegetation quality.
The limitations also demand that NDVI not be interpreted in isolation. Interpretations of NDVI (vegetative changes) should be (i) verified with other georeferenced datasets, such as air photos and field vegetation surveys, and (ii) explained by comparison to datasets of causal factors of vegetative changes, such as water availability.
C.2 LANDSAT PROGRAM AND NDVI
The USGS and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly manage the Landsat Program2, a series of Earth -observing satellite missions that began in 1972 with sensors that observe the Earth's surface and transmit information to ground stations that receive and process multi -spectral, remote -sensing data. Landsat satellites use technology that collects scenes of remote sensing measurements at the same time and location on the Earth's surface at a temporal frequency of about every two weeks. Landsat remote sensing measurements (Landsat imagery) is acquired in scenes that are approximately 106 by 115 miles. Landsat imagery is the only data source with more than thirty -years of continuous records of global land surface conditions at a spatial resolution of tens of meters (Tuck et al., 2004). Landsat imagery is among the most widely used satellite imagery in ecology and conservation studies (Pettorelli, 2013), and the data have been available for no cost since about 2010.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), in compliance with the Global Climate Observing System3, produces spectral indices products from Landsat imagery to support land surface change studies, which includes NDVI from 1982 to present (USGS, 2016). The USGS uses remote sensing imagery from the Landsat satellites—Landsat 4, Landsat 5, Landsat 7, Landsat 8, and Landsat 9 (Landsat 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9) — to generate NDVI estimates of the Earth's surface at a 30 x 30 -meter pixel resolution. To apply the necessary atmospheric corrections and generate a surface reflectance product, the USGS uses a specialized software called Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) to post - process the Landsat imagery (USGS 2015; 2017a). This surface reflectance product is then used to 2 Nasa.gov
3 Global Climate Observing System Link
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
determine NDVI, among the other spectral indices. The spectral indices products are available for the USGS Landsat Collection 2 Level -2.4
C.3 COLLECTION, REVIEW, AND ANALYSIS OF NDVI FOR THE PBHSP Collection
NDVI from the Landsat imagery for the period 1982 to 2023 were collected from the USGS, using the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Science Processing Architecture (ESPA) On Demand Interfaces (USGS 2017b). The interface requires a bulk request in the form of a text file list of specific Landsat scenes using the Landsat scene identifier ID.6 To obtain complete spatial coverage of the Study Area, NDVI was requested for all Landsat scenes for Path 040, Rows 036 and 037.' Table 1 below summarizes the Landsat satellites and periods for which NDVI was obtained to produce a near -continuous NDVI record.
Table
C-1. Landsat Satellites
Satellite
Instrument
Launched
Ended
Period of NDVI Data
Obtained from USGS
Landsat 4
Thematic Mapper
July 16, 1982
December 14, 1993
1982 - 1983
Landsat 5
Thematic Mapper
March 1, 1984
June 5, 2013
1984 - 2011
Landsat 7
Enhanced
Thematic Mapper
April 15, 1999
Still active
1999 - 2016
Landsat 8
Operational
Land Imager
February 11, 2013
Still active
2013 - 2023
Landsat 9
Operational Land
Imager 2 and Thermal
Infrared Sensor 2
September 27, 2021
Still active
2021- 2023
NDVI from the entire period of record from 1984 to 2023 was obtained and uploaded to the project database to have a consistent record of NDVI from the same collection so that there are no changes in the NDVI analyzed in time series that were attributable to the difference in the spectral indices products from different Landsat Collections over time.
USGS Link
6 Landsat imagery is captured in scenes that are about 106 by 114 miles. Each Landsat scene has a unique scene ID based on the specific Landsat satellite, Landsat path number, Landsat row number, and date the image was collected.
The Study Area is in an area of the Landsat path 040 that straddles Rows 036 and 037. Landsat scenes from Path 040 Row 036 and Path 040 Row 037 overlap each other throughout most of the Study Area, but both are required to obtain complete spatial coverage of the Study Area.
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
NDVI from scenes produced from the Landsat 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 satellites were obtained from the USGS for the period 1982 through 2023. The source and frequency of availability of NDVI from the USGS varies over the period of record:
• From 1982 to 1989, NDVI is from Landsat 4 and 5 and is patchy, ranging from a frequency of once every eight days to one year.
• From 1990 to 1999, NDVI is from Landsat 5 at a frequency of about once every 16 days. • From 1999 to 2011, NDVI is from Landsat 5 and 7 at a frequency of once every seven to eight days.
• In 2012, NDVI is from Landsat 7 at a frequency of once every 14 to 16 days. • From 2013 to 2023, NDVI is from Landsat 7 and 8 at a frequency of once every seven to eight days.
• Since November 2021, NDVI is from Landsat 7, 8, and 9 at a frequency of once every one to eight days.
NDVI were cataloged, processed, and uploaded into HydroDaVEsM, a database management software that manages gridded datasets and features tools for viewing and extracting data.' There is some overlap of NVDI data in areas where there is NVDI from Landsat scenes from Rows 036 and 037. HydroDaVE has the ability to compute a stacked average for Landsat scenes from Rows 036 and 037 for each NDVI pixel they overlay' when viewing and extracting NDVI data.
Review
Spatial NDVI were reviewed for disormalized Difference Vegetation Indeturbances that can be caused by cloud cover, unfavorable atmospheric conditions, or satellite equipment malfunction. In HydroDaVESM, maps were prepared of spatial NDVI for the entire Study Area for each date. The maps were reviewed and documented to identify specific dates for exclusion due to cloud cover or other disturbances. Erroneous NDVI estimates were discernable because NDVI patterns of permanent landscape features were distorted and/or NDVI estimates were clearly not consistent with estimates typically observed for a particular area both seasonally and over time. On average, about 31 percent of the NDVI were identified as erroneous and excluded from the analysis. Most of which were rejected because of cloud coverage, which was further verified by referencing and viewing the specific Landsat scene on the USGS EarthExplorer website.lo After excluding erroneous NDVI estimates, the time -series data discussed throughout Section 5 of the report include NDVI estimates for 1984 to 2023.
$ Hydrodave Link
9 Not all dates will have Landsat scenes for both Rows 036 and 037 if cloud cover was greater than 20 percent in one of them; Landsat scenes with a percent cloud cover greater than 20 percent were not obtained from the USGS for this study.
io Earthexplorer Link
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
NDVI estimates derived from Landsat 7satellite imagery since mid -2003 have to be further reviewed date - by -date for the occurrence of spatial data gaps, resulting from the failure of the Scan Line Corrector (SLC) on the Landsat 7 satellite, which accounts for the satellite's forward motion. SLC failure results in data gaps along scan line paths of variable widths and occurrences. An estimated 22 percent of any given Landsat 7 scene is lost because of SLC failure; however, the imagery acquired between these gaps is valid and useable for analysis.' All NDVI estimates derived from Landsat 7 satellite imagery since 2003 were evaluated spatially date -by -date to determine if the valid portion of the data covers the defined areas of interest used for the temporal analysis of NDVI in the time series discussed in Section 5 of this report.
Date -by -date analysis is necessary because the spatial position and size of the data gaps from the Landsat-7 satellite vary for each date. Generally, areas of interest for NDVI analysis that are larger than about 400 square meters cannot use any NDVI determined from Landsat 7 satellite imagery because it would include data gaps within the area; while areas of interest less than 400 square meters can use NDVI determined from the Landsat 7 satellite imagery if the data gap area is not within the area of interest.
During 2012, the Landsat 7 satellite was the only Landsat satellite collecting data. Therefore, there are no data for the areas of interest larger than 400 square meters during 2012. After the launch of the Landsat-9 satellite in 2022, there were several dates without spatial data gaps from the Landsat 7 satellite.
Analyses of Time -series Data
HydroDaVESM contains features to calculate and extract a spatial average NDVI for a designated area and time period. The NDVI spatial average for each available date is plotted in time -series charts to analyze seasonal and temporal changes for a defined area. Time -series charts of NDVI for various areas in the Study Area are first introduced in Section 5.1 of this report.
When viewing time -series charts of NDVI for the period of record, it should be noted that a methodological factor that can affect observed NDVI trends is the difference between the technology of the Landsat 4, 5, and 7 satellites, and the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites. The Landsat 4, 5, and 7 satellites use thematic mapper technology to scan the land surface, whereas Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 use operational land imager sensors. It has been well documented that the NDVI estimates obtained from the operational land imager sensors used on the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites generate slightly higher index values for vegetated land cover (Xu and Guo 2014; She et al., 2015). In order to analyze the time -series of NDVI derived across all Landsat satellites for the period of record, a bias -correction factor of -0.05, derived from literature review (Li et al., 2014; Flood, 2014: and Ke et al., 2015), was used to transform all Landsat 8 and 9 NDVI estimates such that all historical NDVI estimates could be analyzed collectively (Roy et al., 2016). The Landsat 9 satellite was launched into orbit in 2022, and since then, NDVI has been available from Landsat 7, 8, and 9 satellites. During 2023, data was collected from both the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites on some of the same dates. On these dates, only NDVI from the Landsat 9 satellite was used. u Landsat Link
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Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
C.4 REFERENCES
Achard F., and Estreguil, C. 1995. Forest Classification of Southeast Asia Using NOAA AVHRR data. Remote Sensing of the Environment v. 56, pg. 198-208.
Campbell, 2007. Introduction to Remote Sensing. Fourth edition. Published 2007 Guilford Press.
Chen, J., Jonsson, P., Tamura, M, Gu, Z., Matsushita, B., and Eklundh, L. 2004. A Simple Method For Reconstructing A High -Quality NDVI Time -Series Data Set Based On The Savitzky-Golay Filter. Remote Sensing Of Environment V. 91, Pg. 332-344.
Gandhi, M., Parthiban, S., Thummalu, N., and A., C. 2015. Ndvi: Vegetation Changes Detection Using Remote Sensing And Gis — A Case Study Of Vellore District. Procedia Computer Science v. 57, pg. 1199-1210.
Hird, J., and McDermid, G. 2009. Noise reduction of NDVI time series: An Empirical Comparison of Selected Techniques. Remote Sensing of Environment V. 113, Pg. 248-258.
Intera Inc. 2015. Memorandum Remote -Sensing Based Evaluation of Temporal Changes in Riparian Vegetation Health Along Temescal Creek, Prado Reservoir, Corona, California. Prepared for Orange County Water District.
January 30, 2015.
James, M., and Kalluri, S. 1994. The PathfinderAVHARR Land Data Set; An Improved Coarse Resolution Data Set for Terrestrial Monitoring. International Journal Of Remote Sensing V. 15, Pg. 3347-3363.
Jenson, J. 2007. Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective, Second Edition.Jones, H., and Vaughan, R. 2010. Remote Sensing of Vegetation: Principles, Techniques and Applications. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Ke, Y., Im, J., Lee, J., Gong, H., and Ryu, Y. 2015. Characteristics of Landsat 8 OLI-derived NDVI by Comparison with Multiple Sensors and In -Situ Observations. Remote Sensing of Environment v. 164, pg. 298-313.
Lillesand,T, Kiefer, R, and Chipman, J. 2008. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, Sixth Edition. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, New York.
Markon, C., and Peterson, K. 2002. The Utility Of Estimating Net Primary Productivity Over Alaska Using Baseline AVHRR Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, v.23, pg. 4571-4596 Markon, C., Fleming, M., and Binnian, E. 1995. Characteristics of Vegetation Phenology Over Alaskan Landscape Using AVHRR Time -Series Data. Polar Records v. 31, pg.179-190.
Peters, A., Walter -Shea, E., Ji, L, Vina, A., Hayes, M., and Svoboda, M.D. 2002. Drought Monitoring with NDVI-Based Standardized Vegetation Index. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing v. 68, no. 1, pg. 71-75.
Pettorelli, N. 2013. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. First edition. Published 2013 by Oxford University Press.
Pinzon, J., Brown, M., and Tucker, C. 2004. Monitoring Seasonal and International Variations in Land -surface Vegetation from 1981-2003 Using GIMMS NDVI . Landval Link Published 2007 by Prentice -Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J.
Schimdt, H. and Karnieli, A. 2000. Remote Sensing of Seasonal Variability of Vegetation In A Semi -Arid Environment.
Journal of Arid Environments v.45, pg. 43-59.
She, X., Zhang L., Cen, Y., Wu, T., Changping, H., and Ali Baig, H. 2015. Comparison of the Continuity of Vegetation Indices Derived from Landsat * OLI and Landsat 7 ETM+ Data Among Different Vegetation Types. Remote Sensing v.7, pg. 13485-13506. October 16, 2015. pg. 13485-13506. October 16, 2015.
Tucker C., Grant, D., and Dykstra, J.D. 2004. NASA's Global Orthorectified Landsat Data Set. Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, v. 70, pg. 313-322.
Tucker C., Justice, C., and Prince, S. 1986. Monitoring the Grasslands of Sahel 1984-1985. International Journal of Remote Sensing, v. 71, pg. 1571-1581.
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Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat
Characterization and Sustainability Report
Appendix C
NDVI
BEAUMONT
United State Geological Survey. 2013. Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) Algorithm Description. Open -File Report 2013-1057. 2013.
United State Geological Survey. 2016. Product Guide — Landsat Surface Reflectance -Derived Spectral Indices.
Version 3.3. December 2016.
United State Geological Survey. 2017a. Product Guide — Landsat 4-7 Climate Data Record (CDR) Surface Reflectance. Version 7.2. January 2017.
United State Geological Survey. 2017b. User Guide — Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center Science Processing Architecture (ESPA) On Demand Interface. Version 3.7. January 2017.
United States Department of Agriculture. 1996. Using NDVI to Assess Departure From Average Greenness and its Relation to Fire Business. Burgan, R.E., Hartford, R.A, and Eidenshink, J.C. General Technical Report INT-GTR- 333. April 1996.
Verbesselt, J., Hyndman, R., Newnham, G., and Culvenor, D. 2010. Detecting Trend and Seasonal Changes In Satellite Image Time -Series. Remote Sensing of Environmental, v. 17, pg. 231-235.
Wang, J., Rich, P., Price, K., and Kettle, W. 2004. Relations between NDVI and Tree Productivity in The Central Great Plains. International Journal or Remote Sensing, v. 25, pg. 3127-3138.
Weiss, J., Gutzler, D., Allred Coonrod, J., and Dahm, C. 2004. Long -Term Vegetation Monitoring with NDVI In A Diverse Semi -Arid Setting Central New Mexico, USA. Journal of Arid Environments v. 58, pg. 249-272.
Xie, Y., Sha, Z., and Yu, M. 2008. Remote Sensing Imagery In Vegetation Mapping: A Review. Journal of Plant Ecology. V. 1, no.1, pg 9-23.
Xue, J. and Su, B. 2017. Significant Remote Sensing Vegetation Indices a Review of Development and Applications.
Journal of Sensors V. 2017, Article ID 1353691 17 pages.
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Characterization and Sustainability Report
Mann -Kendall Analysis of NDVI
Appendix D
Mann -Kendall Analysis of NDVI
BEAUMONT
D.1 INTRODUCTION
The Mann -Kendall statistical trend test (Mann -Kendall test) was performed on the average growing -season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) metrics for the period of 1984 to 2023 for all 13 areas where NDVI are analyzed for the Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report. The Mann -Kendall test was utilized to evaluate whether the average growing - season NDVI increased, decreased, or remained stable over time.
D.2 METHODS
The Mann -Kendall test is a non -parametric statistical trend test. It is analogous to parametric trend testing such as regression (linear regression) except the data do not need to have a particular probability distribution (normal) and be accurately described by a particular measure of centrally tendency (mean, standard deviation, etc.) (Helsel and Hirsch, 2002).
To perform the test, the NDVI values are ordered chronologically and the signs (+/-) are recorded for all of the possible differences between a given NDVI value and every NDVI value that preceded it in the time series. The Mann -Kendall test statistic S is defined as the number of positive differences (+) minus the number of negative differences (-). From S and the number of NDVI values, n, the r coefficient (analogous to the r correlation coefficient in linear associations) is then calculated. The r coefficient represents the strength of the monotonic relationship between time and NVDI values with a possible range of -1 to 1.
A perfect positive trend would yield a r coefficient equal to 1, and a perfect negative trend would yield a r coefficient equal to -1.
The Mann -Kendall test utilizes the null hypothesis that there is no trend. If the S test statistic and r coefficient are significantly different than zero, the null hypothesis is rejected, and a trend exists. The level of statistical significance is expressed as a p -value between 0 and 1. The smaller the p -value the stronger the evidence that the null hypothesis should be rejected. In this study, a p -value of less than or equal to
0.05 was used to determine if a trend existed. In summary, the three possible outcomes of the test are • Increasing trend (p -value ≤ 0.05, r > 0)
• No trend (p -value > 0.05)
• Decreasing trend (p -value ≤ 0.05, r < 0)
D.3 DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
The Mann -Kendall S test statistic, r coefficient and p -value were computed for average -growing season NDVI from 1984 to 2023 for the 13 areas in the Study Area, using the python package pyMann-Kendall (Hussain, 2019). Tables D-1 through D-3 list the results of the Mann -Kendall test for the three time periods of interest: 1984 through 2023 (entire period of record); 1984 through 2003 (pre -Beaumont WWTP discharge increase); and 2004 through 2023 (post -Beaumont WWTP discharge increase). 3WEST YOST
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Appendix D
Mann -Kendall Analysis of NDVI
BEAUMONT
i- D R N I A
Table D-1.1984 through 2023
Area
n
(number of
NDVI values)
38 S Test Statistic
371
r coefficient
0.53 p -value
Trend
Cooper's Creek 1 Segment
3.29E-06
Increasing
San Timoteo 1 Segment
39 459
0.62 3.02E-08
Increasing
San Timoteo 2 Segment
39 161
0.22 5.29E-02
No Trend
FA01
40 570
0.73 3.37E-11
Increasing
FA02
40 308
0.39 3.48E-04
Increasing
FA03
40 582
0.75 1.29E-11
Increasing
FA04
40 378
0.48 1.12E-05
Increasing
FA05
40 358
0.46 3.19E-05
Increasing
FA06
40 484
0.62 1.83E-08
Increasing
FA07
40 364
0.47 2.34E-05
Increasing
FA08
40 516
0.66 1.97E-09
Increasing
FA09
40 252
0.32 3.45E-03
Increasing
FA10
40 270
0.35 1.72E-03
Increasing
Table D-2. 1984 through 2003
Area
n
(number of
NDVI values)
S Test Statistic
r coefficient
p -value
Trend
Cooper's Creek 1 Segment
20 90
0.47 3.88E-03
Increasing
San Timoteo 1 Segment
20 60
0.32 5.56E-02
No Trend
San Timoteo 2 Segment
20 -46
-0.24
1.44E-01
No Trend
FA01
20 70
0.37 2.52E-02
Increasing
FA02
20 28
0.15 3.81E-01
No Trend
FA03
20 122
0.64 8.65E-05
Increasing
FA04
20 0
0.00 1.00E+00
No Trend
FA05
20 60
0.32 5.56E-02
No Trend
FA06
20 30
0.16 3.47E-01
No Trend
FA07
20 40
0.21 2.06E-01
No Trend
FA08
20 82
0.43 8.59E-03
Increasing
FA09
20 -106
-0.56
6.58E-04
Decreasing
FA10
20 78
0.41 1.25E-02
Increasing
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Appendix D
Mann -Kendall Analysis of NDVI
BEAUMONT
i- D R N I A
Table D-3. 2004 through 2023
Area
n
(number of
NDVI values)
S Test Statistic
r coefficient
p -value
Trend
Cooper's Creek 1 Segment
18 67
0.44 1.24E-02
Increasing
San Timoteo 1 Segment
19 99
0.58 6.07E-04
Increasing
San Timoteo 2 Segment
19 63
0.37 3.01E-02
Increasing
FA01
20 144
0.76 3.49E-06
Increasing
FA02
20 112
0.59 3.17E-04
Increasing
FA03
20 90
0.47 3.88E-03
Increasing
FA04
20 124
0.65 6.59E-05
Increasing
FA05
20 84
0.44 7.08E-03
Increasing
FA06
20 78
0.41 1.25E-02
Increasing
FA07
20 96
0.51 2.05E-03
Increasing
FA08
20 56
0.29 7.44E-02
No Trend
FA09
20 88
0.46 4.76E-03
Increasing
FA10
20 26
0.14 4.17E-01
No Trend
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Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat
Characterization and Sustainability Report
Appendix D
Mann -Kendall Analysis of NDVI
BEAUMONT
D.4 REFERENCES
Helsel, D.R., and Hirsch R.M. 2002. Statistical Methods in Water Resources. Techniques of Water Resource Investigations of the United States Geological Survey, Book, 4 Hydrological Analysis and Interpretation.
September 2002.
Hussain et al. 2019. Journal of Open Source Software. pyMannKendall: a python package for non -parametric Mann Kendall family of trend tests. 4(39), 1556, https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.01556 WEST YOST D-4
City of Beaumont
Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat
Characterization and Sustainability Report
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westyost.com
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
DATE:
February 14, 2025
TO: Thaxton Van Belle (City of Beaumont)
CC:
Kaitlyn Dodson -Hamilton (Tom Dodson & Associates)
Daniel Smith (HDR)
Lisa Patterson (HDR)
Project No.: 1113-80-23-01
SENT VIA: EMAIL
FROM: Clay Sorensen, PG, CHG (West Yest Associates)
REVIEWED BY: Veva Weamer (West Yest Associates)
SUBJECT: Scope of work to complete modeling and/or monitoring of a reduced discharge to Cooper's Creek
The Consultant Team — West Yost Associates (West Yost), HDR, and Tom Dodson & Associates (TDA) — completed the draft Cooper's Creek and San Timoteo Creek Habitat Characterization and Sustainability Report (Phase 1 Report) in January 2025. The Phase 1 Report supports the City of Beaumont's (City) efforts to reduce discharges from the Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to Cooper's Creek. On January 28, 2025, the Consultant Team met with the City to review the Phase 1 Report and discuss the next steps and options of reduced discharge from the WWTP for the City to pursue. During the meeting two reduced discharge scenarios were discussed for further consideration based on the results and conclusions of the Phase 1 Report. The two reduced discharge scenarios are:
• Scenario 1 - Reduce discharge to 1.7 million gallons per day (MGD). Includes implementation of the baseline monitoring program.
• Scenario 2 - Explore a discharge lower than 1.7 MGD. Includes modeling of the hydrologic system and its response to a suite of reduced discharges, and the implementation of the baseline monitoring program.
This Technical Memorandum (TM) describes the scope of work for each discharge reduction scenario, which would entail baseline monitoring and/or modeling to evaluate any impacts from discharge reductions to Cooper's Creek. The TM was requested by the City to assist in evaluating and selecting the reduced discharge scenario to pursue. The TM is organized as follows:
• A brief introduction and background of the work completed to date. • A description of two proposed scenarios (Scenario 1 and Scenario 2) in which the City can pursue a reduced discharge.
• A scope of work for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, including rough order of magnitude costs.
TM —City of Beaumont
February 14, 2025
• Conclusions and recommendations.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The City has initiated plans to reduce the discharge of treated wastewater (i.e. recycled water) from the Beaumont WWTP to Cooper's Creek, and divert that water for other beneficial uses. To reduce the volume of discharge to Cooper's Creek, the City must file a Wastewater Change Petition (Change Petition) under California Water Code Section 1211 with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Division of Water Rights. When the City first discussed the plan to apply for a change petition with Division of Water Rights staff, they advised that the City develop an adaptive management and mitigation plan (AMMP) to aid in the process of approving the reduced discharge.
An AMMP is required to ensure there is a plan and program in place to assess and mitigate, if necessary, any riparian habitat impacts that result from reducing the WWTP discharge to Cooper's Creek. The AMMP defines the monitoring, adaptive triggers, and mitigation measures put in place to manage the effects of a reduced discharge to the Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks.
The Consultant Team prepared the Phase 1 Report to support the efforts to reduce WWTP discharges and as the first step in preparing an AMMP (West Yost and HDR, 2025). The Phase 1 Report characterized the i) historical WWTP discharges to Cooper's Creek; ii) surface water flows and quality; iii) groundwater levels and quality; iv) historical riparian habitat health via normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); and v) historical and existing biological resources.
DISCHARGE REDUCTION SCENARIOS
Based on our understanding of the Change Petition process, a technical study is typically required to assess the potential impacts of reduced discharge on riparian and hydrologic systems. The study should provide the technical basis for a recommended discharge reduction that would not adversely impact the riparian habitat.
The Phase 1 Report established two distinct periods of Beaumont WWTP discharges: i) pre -2004 discharges that were historically lower that increased monotonically from approximately 1,200 acre feet per year (AFY) in 1989 (average of 1.1 MGD) to 1,900 AFY in 2003 (average of 1.7 MGD); and ii) post -2004 discharges that were historically higher and increased more than 100 percent from 2004 to a maximum of 4,300 AFY in 2020 (average of 3.8 MGD). The NDVI data showed that before 2004, riparian habitat health within Cooper's Creek was maintained and exhibited little to no trend; and after 2004, riparian habitat health responded to increases in discharge and exhibited increasing trends. The surface water flows over the period of recorded maintained consistent groundwater levels to support the riparian habitat.
The Consultant Team recommended in the Phase 1 Report that Beaumont WWTP discharges should be maintained at the minimum level necessary to sustain i) groundwater levels and ii) the riparian habitat along Cooper's and San Timoteo Creeks that has historically benefited from Beaumont WWTP discharges.
Further, any reductions in discharge should be implemented gradually.
The Consultant Team advised that based on the analyses and conclusions in the Phase 1 Report, a reduced discharge of the 1.7 MGD (equivalent to the WWTP discharge in 2003) would likely sustain groundwater levels and the riparian habitat health. A reduced discharge below 1.7 MGD would require additional analysis to support the potential impacts. Hence, the Consultant Team advised of these two reduced discharge scenarios to be explored by the City:
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TM —City of Beaumont
February 14, 2025
• Scenario 1- Reduce Discharges to 1.7 MGD. The City would file a Change Petition for this reduced discharge, and the technical basis for this discharge is supported in the Phase 1 Report. The reduced discharge would be implemented gradually, in a manner that mirrors the natural hydrologic system. An incremental reduction would involve gradually decreasing discharges over time until reaching the targeted 1.7 MGD daily average discharge (equivalent to 1,900 AFY). As recommended in the Phase 1 Report, surface water flows would be required for at least 75 percent (%) of the year, maintained in the winter months, and diminishing in the summer months.
This approach would require the implementation of the baseline monitoring program (described in the Phase I Report) immediately and at a minimum up until the City begins reducing its discharge. Some version of a monitoring program would continue throughout the reduction in discharges to assess impacts to the hydrology and riparian habitat and would be established later in the AMMP process.
• Scenario 2 - Explore a Reduced Discharge Less than 1.7 MGD. Currently, there is no technical basis to support reduced discharges below 1.7 MGD. Therefore, the Consultant Team recommends development of a hydrologic model that has the ability to predict the response of surface water flow and groundwater levels to a range of reduced discharge rates. The results of this modeling will be used to identify the reduced discharge to pursue through a Change Petition and the technical basis to support it. Like Scenario 1, this approach would require the implementation of baseline monitoring program immediately and at a minimum up until the City begins reducing its discharge. Some version of a monitoring program would continue throughout the reduction in discharges to assess impacts to the hydrology and riparian habitat and would be established later in the AMMP process.
SCOPE OF WORK FOR SCENARIOS 1 AND 2
Below is a brief scope of work and rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs for pursuing Scenario 1 and Scenario 2. A summary of costs is provided in Table 1.
Table 1. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 Scenario
Tasks
Assumed Time
(for cost estimating)
Two years
Pursued Reduced
Discharge
1.7 MGD
Total
ROM
Cost
Scenario 1
Monitoring
$415,000
Scenario 2
Modeling &
Monitoring
Monitoring: Two years
Modeling: One year (after monitoring)
Below 1.7 MGD
$980,000
Scenario 1 Scope (Monitoring)
As described in the Phase 1 Report, the proposed baseline monitoring plan should be implemented as soon as possible and until the City begins reducing discharges to Cooper's Creek. Some form of monitoring (i.e., on -going monitoring) would continue beyond the implementation of the reduced discharge and as part of the AMMP. On -going monitoring is not included in this scope and will be developed later in the AMMP process. The baseline monitoring plan scope and ROM costs are outlined below in Table 2. The estimated costs assume implementation of the monitoring program for the first two years.
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February 14, 2025
Task
No.(a)
15a
Table 2. Scenario 1 Scope Description and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs Task Name
Description
Deliverables
ROM
Costs
Installation
Activities
Includes i) preparation for all installation
activities, ii) purchasing of equipment, iii)
canvassing well owners and private landowners
of the stream channels, iv) installing four stream
gages, and v) installing ten groundwater sensors.
It is assumed that no permits will be required
Deliverables for this
task will be included in
the Task 15e and will
include a description of
installation activities.
$100,000
15b
Biologic
Baseline
Monitoring
Activities
Includes i) the collection, processing, QA/QC, and
analysis of NDVI data for 2024-2027), ii)
performing three annual drone surveys (2025,
2026, and 2027), and iii) conducting one ground
survey (2027)
Deliverables for this
task will be included in
the Tasks 15d and 15e
and will include maps,
tables, and time -series
plots as well as a
description of biologic
monitoring conducted.
$60,000
15c
Hydrologic
Baseline
Monitoring
Activities
Includes i) quarterly downloads for ten
groundwater transducers, ii) three streamflow
measurements per year at four surface water
gages to aid in development of a rating curve, iii)
one reference point and thalweg survey with a
professional land surveyor, iv) collection of
climate and Maximum Benefit data, and v)
processing, QA/QC, and uploading all to
HydroDaVE all hydrologic data
Deliverables for this
task will be included in
Tasks 15d and 15e and
will include maps,
figures, and time -series
plots and a description
of the hydrologic
monitoring conducted
$125,000
15d
Reporting
for Year 1 —
2025/2026
Includes data from the end of the Phase 1 Report
through mid 2026. This task includes the
preparation of maps, tables, and time series
plots of biologic and hydrologic data in draft and
final form. One meeting is included to present
the findings to the City
Draft and final maps,
table, and time -series
plots
$45,000
15e
Reporting
for Year 2 —
2026/
2027
Includes data from the end of the Phase 1 Report
through mid -2027. This task includes the
preparation of a Report in draft and final form.
One meeting is included to present the findings
to the City
Draft and final 2027
Report
$85,000
Monitoring Total
$415,000
Notes:
a) Task numbers are from the original proposal.
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TM —City of Beaumont
February 14, 2025
Scenario 2 Scope (Modeling and Monitoring)
The proposed monitoring scope and costs for Scenario 2 are the same as Scenario 1 and are provided in Table 2 above.
As described earlier, the goal of the modeling scope will be to predict and evaluate the effects of reductions in WWTP discharge to Cooper's Creek on groundwater and surface water conditions within the Study Area. The model would prioritize groundwater levels, stream flows, and riparian habitat evapotranspiration (ET).
West Yost's recommendation is to construct a new model utilizing available existing models and datasets as a basis for the design. The model recommendation is MODFLOW6 and the model area is recommended to be the Study Area and the Beaumont Basin to the northeast. MODFLOW6 would allow an unstructured model grid, which would help with focusing computational resources on the riparian habitat area.
Relying on the existing models aims to prevent repeating efforts and allows for a more efficient model development process. However, part of the process of incorporating existing information will be to assess it for usefulness and to prevent incorrect or flawed understanding of the system to be incorporated into a new modeling tool. West Yost can potentially use the existing models in the following ways:
• Beaumont Groundwater Model: structure of the Beaumont Basin and initial structure of the riparian area to El Casco, initial parameterization, HCM of the Beaumont Basin, and groundwater head calibration information.
• Yucaipa Integrated Hydrological Model (YIHM): structure of the riparian area to the end of the Study Area, initial parameterization, and groundwater head and streamflow calibration information.
• Santa Ana River Wasteload Allocation Model (SAWLAM): stream structure and routing, land surface characteristics, and streamflow calibration information.
We recommend placing substantial effort into data gathering to better characterize the state of groundwater -surface water interaction, which will be accomplished through the baseline monitoring program. Additionally, we plan to assess available sources of runoff generation' to determine whether an existing tool can be used for rainfall -runoff generation, or whether we need to develop a new one.
Scenario 2 task descriptions, deliverables, and ROM costs are provided below in Table 3. 1 Such as the USGS Basin Characterization Model, existing Beaumont Hydrological Simulation Program — FORTRAN (HSPF) model, and WLAM HSPF model.
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Table 3. Scenario 2 Scope Description and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs Task
NO.(a)
10a
Task Name
Description
Deliverables
ROM
Costs
Data Collection,
Management, and
Assessment
This task would include additional
data collection not currently being
collected as part of the AMMP scope,
organization of baseline monitoring
data, and assessing data for usability.
Data collection efforts can be
incorporated from the baseline
monitoring program to maximize
efficiency
All collected data will be
made available to the
client
$40,000
10b
Hydrologic
Conceptual Model
Development
Development of the hydrologic
conceptual model includes synthesis
of data to create the conceptual
model portions that govern the
geology, Y g gY,
h dro eolo hydrology,
riparian, and climate systems.
The results of this task will
be incorporated into the
Modeling Report (Task 10f)
$50,000
10c
Rainfall -Runoff
Model
Construction and
Calibration
Utilizing historical climate data and
existing models, this task will include
developing the portion of the model
that will govern the rainfall and runoff
The results of this task will
be incorporated into the
Modeling Report (Task 10f)
and calibration results will
be provided as an interim
milestone at a project
meeting
$130,000
10d
Historical
Groundwater
Surface Water
Model
Construction and
Calibration
This task includes the creation of the
numerical model for the surface
water and groundwater. It includes
calibration of the model to historical
groundwater and surface water data.
Existing modeling tools will contribute
significantly to the development of a
groundwater -surface water modeling
tool
The results of this task will
be incorporated into the
Project Report (Task 10f)
and calibration results will
be provided as an interim
milestone at a project
meeting
$190,000
10e
Model Scenarios
This task includes running the model
for one baseline and three
alternatives using a range of
discharges from the Beaumont
WWTP. Analysis of the output
groundwater levels and surface water
flows will aide in understanding their
response to a variety of discharges at
and below 1.7 MGD.
Baseline and alternative scenarios will
be designed in collaboration with the
client and run using the model.
Comparisons between baseline and
alternatives
The results of this task will
be incorporated into the
Project Report (Task 10f)
and scenario results will be
provided as an interim
milestone at a project
meeting
$80,000
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February 14, 2025
Table 3. Scenario 2 Scope Description and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Costs Task
Nos(a)
Task Name
Description
Deliverables
ROM
Costs
10f
We will prepare a Draft Report, which
Modeling Report will be modified based on the City's
comments to produce a Final Report
One (1) Draft and one (1)
Final Report will be
delivered
$75,000
Modeling Total
$565,000
Monitoring Total
$415,000
Scenario 2 Total
$980,000
Notes:
a) Task numbers are from the original July 2023 proposal.
Comparison of Potential Costs for Scenarios 1 and 2 to Approved Budget Table 4 shows a comparison of the potential cost increases associated with Scenarios 1 and 2 to the approved budget outlined in the July 2023 proposal. It is intended to aid the City with understanding potential additional costs associated with pursuing either scenario.
Table 4. Comparison of Potential ROM Cost Increases Associated with Scenarios 1 and 2 Task
Number(s)(a)
Task Name
(Scenario)
Approved Budget(b)
ROM Costs Outlined
in this TM
ROM Cost Increase
from Approved
Budget
15 Monitoring
(Scenario 1)
$40,000
$415,000
$375,000
10 Modeling
(portion of Scenario 2)
$200,000
$565,000
$365,000
15 & 10
Monitoring &
Modeling
(Scenario 2)
$240,000
$980,000
$740,000
Notes:
a) Task numbers are from the original July 2023 proposal. b) Estimated costs are based on the original proposal from July 2023.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This TM will assist the City in understanding the rationale and required effort to pursue two reduced discharge scenarios for the Beaumont WWTP. It will also aid in making an informed decision on the reduced discharge to request in the Change Petition.
The City should consider the timing of its ability to file a Change Petition and determine the volume and use of the recycled water. The City could perform a cost -benefit analysis to determine whether the additional recycled water produced in Scenario 2 is more advantageous compared to Scenario 1.
WEST YOST
WEST / YOST
Water. Engineered.
In association with
TOM DODSON AND ASSOCIATES
On behalf of the City of Beaumont
BEAUMON
cai
City of Beaumont AMMP Phase I Report Presentation
June 17 2025
• e 2327 of 2775
1 Agenda
1. Draft Phase 1 Report
i. Overview
ii. Performance Criteria
iii. Key Takeaways
2. Recommended next steps
i. Scenario 1— perform baseline monitoring and file 1211 permit with reduced discharge of 1.7 MGD
i i . Scenario 2 — perform baseline monitoring and explore a reduced discharge below 1.7 MGD through modeling
TOM DODSON AND ASSOCIATES I)
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TOM DODSON�„AND ASSOCIATES
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co I
Draft Report
Overview
— — Streams
L__, Beaumont WWTP Boundary
San Timoteo GMZ
Li Riparian Zone
n Study Area
• GW wells with WL and WQ data
• GW wells with WL data
• GW wells with WQ data
O Stream Gage
• WWTP Discharge Point
Geology
Water -Bearing Sediments
Unconsolidated to Semi -consolidated Quaternary
— — Alluvium
Consolidated and Semi -Consolidated Formations
San Timoteo Formation
I. Undifferentiated Pre -Tertiary Igneous and
Metamorphic Crystalline Rocks
Notes:
1. Riparian Zone was drawn using tree line.
2. GW - groundwater; SW - surface water
3. GMZ - groundwater management zone
4. WWTP - wastewater treatment plant
5. WL - water level; WQ water quality
BEAUMONT
FYZ
TOM DODSON `AND ASSOCIATES
Draft Report — Key Takeaways
• Increased discharge from 2004 to 2023 resulted in a noticeable increase in riparian habitat health
• Riparian 'health' from 1984 to 2003 indicated 'stable' conditions • Groundwater levels remained stable while surface water increased • Discharge in 2003 was 1.7 MGD or 1,900 AF per year, which represents the maximum discharge between 1984 and 2003
Reduction to 1.7 MGD would likely sustain groundwater levels and riparian habitat health
TOM DODSON�� , AND ASSOCIATES
F�2
Draft Report — Performance Criteria
Riparian habitat will not be adversely affected by reduction in discharges Minimum discharges will be maintained to levels determined necessary to sustain habitat along the Study Area • that have historically benefited from WWTP discharges Flow Reduction, reductions in discharge should be done in a manner that results in surface water flows that mimic the natural seasonal flow system, which typically begins to decay around the end of April. Higher surface water flows should be maintained in the early and peak growing season (i.e.
March -May), should taper off toward the end of the growing season (i.e. June -October). Lower flows should be maintained during the dormant season (November -February).
The groundwater table in the riparian zone should be monitored to ensure that reductions in surface water flows do not result in a drop in groundwater elevations that results in a negative impact to the riparian habitat health
BEAUMONT
TOM DODSOAfAND ASSOCIATES
F�2
Recommended Next Steps
1. City chooses between two Scenarios:
i. Scenario 1— reduce discharge to 1.7 MGD
ii. Scenario 2 — reduce discharge below 1.7 MGD
2. Based on which scenario the City chooses, implement the following:
i. Baseline monitoring program (Scenario 1)
i i . Model the hydrologic system and its response to a suite of reduced discharges, and implement the baseline monitoring program (Scenario 2)
3. Move forward with CEQA Process
i. CEQA document would need to address AMMP and the 1211 Permit (i.e. project(s) addressing how and where the City wishes to utilize recycled water above selected Scenario discharge amount (1.7 MGD or less)
ii. CEQA cost estimate in TDA's original proposal addressed CEQA for AMMP only, expect approximately a 35-50% increase in cost for the CEQA Task.
TOM DODSON�� , AND ASSOCIATES
FYZ
Scenario 1 —reduce to 1.7 MGD
• City would file a 1211 permit using 1.7 MGD utilizing the technical basis from the Phase 1 Report • Reductions would occur incrementally to 1.7 MGD, and flows maintained seasonally to support riparian habitat
• Monitor impacts from reductions through a baseline monitoring program and adjust when necessary • Timing: Monitoring would occur initially over a 2 year period Beaumont WWTP DP -001
Discharge from Beaumont WWTP DP -001 (afy)
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0 TOM DODSONN AND ASSOCIATES F)'
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge (Daily - mgd)
— 30 -Day Moving Average Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Effluent Discharge (mgd) 6 Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge (Annual - afy)
Discharge (mgd)
au 4n
^'1,900 AFY I ll
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1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 201E 2018 2020 2022 2024
Scenario 1 —reduce to 1.7 MGD
.
• Installation Activities
• Biological Baseline Monitoring
• Hydrological Baseline Monitoring Activities
• Reporting for Year 1 2025/2026
• Reporting for Year 2 2026/2027
Proposed Tasks
Earliest submittal of 1211
permit: 2026
• This timing is contingent on the
City determining how it wants to
use the water above 1.7 — and is
contingent on whether the
completion of the CEQA process.
• The CEQA compliance document
would cover how the City wants to
use the water, as well as the
AMMP as mitigation to address
biological and hydrological impacts
from reducing the discharge
TOM DODSON�� , AND ASSOCIATES
F�2
Scenario 2 — reduce below 1.7 MGD
• No current technical basis to support this scenario and a reduction below 1.7 MGD would require additional analysis • Develop a modeling tool to perform an alternative analysis to assess reduced discharge on the hydrologic system • Baseline monitoring would occur while the model is developed and City would file 1211 permit following modeling results
• Timing: Monitoring would occur initially over a 2 year period. Modeling would occur for 1 year after monitoring Beaumont WWTP DP -001
Discharge from Beaumont WWTP DP -001 (afy)
4,500
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0 TOM DODSONN AND ASSOCIATES F)'
Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge (Daily - mgd)
— 30 -Day Moving Average Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Effluent Discharge (mgd) 6 Beaumont WWTP DP -001 Discharge (Annual - afy)
Discharge (mgd)
au 4n
^'1,900 AFY I ll
I
I
\
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,
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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= 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 201E 2018 2020 2022 2024
Scenario 2 — reduce to below 1.7 MGD — Proposed Tasks
• Same Proposed Tasks as Scenario 1, as well as the following • Data Collection, Management, and Assessment
• Hydrologic Conceptual Model Development
• Rainfall -Runoff Model Construction and Calibration
• Historical Groundwater -Surface Water Model Construction and Calibration • Model Scenarios
• Modeling Report
• Earliest submittal of 1211 permit: 3-4 years from start date (2028/2029) • 2 years for monitoring, 1 year for modeling
• CEQA Process would still apply
TOM DODSON�� , AND ASSOCIATES
FYZ
THANK YOU
WEST YOST
City of Beaumont Phase I Report Presentation I June 2025 12
BEAUMONT
-C A L I F O R N I A
Staff Report
TO: City Council
FROM: Jennifer Ustation, Finance Director
DATE June 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Revenue Outlook and Review of Options
Description Receive and file the Revenue Outlook and Review of Options report prepared by GrassrootsLab, LLC, which outlines the City's long-term revenue risks and identifies potential strategies to maintain fiscal sustainability.
Background and Analysis:
On March 18, 2025, the City Council received an update on the Sales Tax Working Group regarding proposed changes to the state's e -commerce sales tax allocation formula. These changes, if enacted through legislation or a state ballot measure in 2026, could significantly reduce local sales tax revenues for jurisdictions with distribution centers. A preliminary analysis of the City's FY 2024 sales tax revenues indicates Beaumont could face an annual loss of up to $9.4 million, beginning as early as FY 2026-27.
Given that sales tax is the City's largest General Fund revenue source, accounting for more than 40% of total revenues, this potential reduction poses a serious long-term fiscal challenge. At the same time, Public Safety costs have nearly doubled since 2021, due to the addition of a fire station and general cost increases, placing additional pressure on General Fund resources. A recent financial forecast projects that City expenditures could exceed revenues by FY 2031 if no corrective actions are taken and if the City proceeds with debt issuance for a new police station.
To proactively address these challenges, the City retained GrassrootsLab, LLC to prepare a revenue outlook and strategy report which is phase one of a potential three phased approach. The attached report provides:
• An overview of current revenue sources and the composition of the General Fund,
• Analysis of projected revenue risks and expenditure growth;
• A review of recent efforts to promote fiscal sustainability, including cost recovery measures, development impact fees, grant acquisition, and economic development;
• A summary of new and underutilized revenue opportunities, such as short-term rental permitting, leases or sales of City -owned land, and increased returns from billboards or other commercial uses;
• An evaluation of potential revenue measures, including:
o Sales and Use Tax.
o Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
o Utility User Tax (UUT).
o Parcel Tax.
o Business License Tax (BLT).
o Cannabis -related revenues (Note: Not recommended by staff).
The report also includes a gap analysis comparing Beaumont's tax rates with those of peer cities across Riverside County. Beaumont currently maintains among the lowest rates for sales tax, TOT, and UUT, suggesting viable room for adjustment if needed.
GrassrootsLab further developed a scoring matrix to evaluate each option based on criteria such as revenue potential, legal requirements, implementation and administrative complexity, voter approval thresholds, and volatility.
Finally, the report outlines a potential timeline for pursuing revenue measures. Should the Council wish to consider a general or special tax measure for the November 2026 ballot, action would be required no later than the July 7, 2026, Council meeting to meet placement deadlines.
The next phase of the GrassrootsLab process includes the following:
• Develop a public information campaign to educate residents on fiscal issues in compliance with legal requirements.
• Create digital and print materials, including:
o Presentations, FAQs, fact sheets, and talking points. o Social media content, newsletters, and informational videos. o Press releases and community mailers.
• Optional: Conduct community meetings and town halls, engaging civic and neighborhood groups.
• Design and distribute a community survey to gather public input. • Attend City Council meetings to provide updates and reports. • Optional: Assist the City in soliciting bids for public opinion polling.
This process is estimated to take six to nine months to complete.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing the attached report. However, the report highlights the potential for an annual sales tax revenue loss of up to $9.4 million, as well as rising public safety costs that could contribute to structural budget deficits by FY 2031. Future actions related to implementing new revenue strategies may have fiscal implications and will be brought to the Council for consideration as appropriate. The cost for Phase Two is $5,500 per month for six to nine months ($7,500 per month if town halls are included). These funds have not been budgeted in the FY25- 26 budget; therefore, a budget amendment would be necessary should the Council choose to move forward with this approach.
The estimated cost to prepare this report is $465.
Recommended Action:
Receive and file the Revenue Outlook and Review of Options report prepared by GrassrootsLab, LLC, and direct staff to proceed with phase 2 outlined above.
Attachments:
A. Beaumont Revenue Study — GrassrootsLab, LLC
B. Presentation
City of Beaumont Revenue Outlook and Review of Options
Sales tax is Beaumont's largest revenue source, and proposed changes to e -commerce tax allocations could significantly impact the City's financial outlook. While exact figures are still being analyzed, cities with a high concentration of distribution centers could see a revenue decline of 25% or more under the proposed framework. based on a quick analysis of FY24 actuals points to a potential estimated decrease of $9.4m.1 The City could begin seeing these reductions as early as 2027 if the legislature acts or a State Ballot Measure is proposed/passed in 2026.
Public Safety costs are also rising. Overall Public Safety spending has nearly doubled since 2021, owing in part to an added Fire Station and other long term trends.' According to a recent forecast, City expenditures would exceed revenues by FY2031 should the City issue debt for the construction of a new police station. The City will need to find additional revenue sources to cover this shortfall or reduce the burden of the construction on the General Fund by other sources.3
As part of the proactive planning to address these and other fiscal challenges, City Staff has been working to develop policy & revenue strategies, including identifying opportunities for revenue diversification and potential ballot measures to sustain fiscal stability.
Current City Revenue Streams and the General Fund
The General Fund is the primary operating fund for the City. It funds core services including public safety, parks and recreation, street maintenance, administration and finance, permitting and code enforcement. The City projected $68.1 million of revenue in FY2025, which represented less than a 1% increase over the prior year. Budgeted expenditures were projected to decrease by 2% to $66.7 million in FY2025. However, after adding funding for priority projects and addition of needed positions, FY2025 expenditures total $80.3 million.
The primary sources of revenue for the General Fund are taxes, permits, franchise fees and transfers from Community Financing Districts (CFDs).
Sales Tax Working Group Update 3.18.25
2 Based on FY21 safety at $17.5m and FY25 at $30.2m. https://city-beaumont-ca-budget- book.cleargov.com/8398/fund-summaries/general-fund
3 https://city-beaumont-ca-budget-book.cleargov.com/8398/budget-overview/assumptions
For the FY2024-2025 budget, the pie chart below represents the percentage of each revenue stream in the General Fund.
Transfers
10.74:;
Misc & Other
4.9%
Cost Recovery
Fines and Forfeit...
0.3%
Charges for Service
3 9
Franchise Fees
5.0%
Permits
3.2 ..
Business Licenses
0.6%
Other Taxes
16 Personal Property...
0.4% 12.3%
Real Property Taxes
Sales Taxes
$27,642,910.00
Real Property Taxes
$8,367,897.00
Personal Property
Taxes
$266,098.00
Other Taxes
$11,420,511
Business Licenses
$398,437
Permits
$2,204,998
Franchise Fees
$3,421,662
Charges for Service
$2,666,801
Fines and Forfeitures
$174,194
Cost Recovery
$950,988
Misc & Other
$3,339,383
Transfers
$7,263,776
TOTAL
$68,117,655
Recent Steps Taken to Promote Fiscal Sustainability
Fee Update: Determine internal service costs and update fees to cover costs — periodic review of internal service costs and updating fees to cover costs of benefits received from users who individually receive a benefit, charging grants for indirect costs, and charging enterprise funds their identified share of administrative costs ensure there isn't a subsidy provided for services. The last cost allocation plan was adopted on May 24, 2022, and the last fee study and fee update was adopted on March 21, 2023. This is currently up to date and not recommended at this time.
Development Impact Fees — The City seeks to recover some of the cost of growth through development impact fees on new developments in the City of Beaumont. As Beaumont's population grows, the demand for expansion of public infrastructure and the purchase of capital equipment needed to serve new development in the City increases. State law requires these fees to be updated every eight years, and Beaumont completed an analysis in 2024.
Investment Returns - The City of Beaumont invests cash based on its policy of safety, liquidity, and rate of return. Investment returns can increase revenues to be used for projects and one-time purchases. Reviewing quarterly reports and comparing them to benchmarks will provide City staff with the tools needed to adjust to make sure policy goals are met. This is a continuing effort.
Grant Funding — Cities can maximize grants that align with goals and priorities of the city. The Grants Analyst position was filled in FY 23-24 and from FY 23 to FY 24 grants increased by $3.6 million. These are restricted revenues for specific purposes and generally are for Capital Improvements outside the General Fund.
Economic Development - Recruit new business, while retaining and expanding local business, that promotes growth of primary jobs and/or sales tax revenue. Several initiatives are currently underway.
Items In Progress
Put current assets to work — Governments can increase revenue by use of owned real estate for leases or rental of vacant properties. A review of any unused vacant property is underway to ensure the city is putting all available assets to use for revenue generation. Examples could include leases for billboards, cell towers, and other uses, as well as sale of freeway adjacent city -owned parcels. Current staff estimates suggest a combination of new and converted billboards could generate between $100,000 and $200,000 annually. Sale of
certain City -owned properties under review might garner between $1 and 1.25 million in one- time proceeds.
Potential New Revenue
Short Term Rentals (SRT) - The City estimates 50-70 SRT units in the City. There is a potential for approximately $120,000 per year in revenue from permitting these properties, with associated costs to the City expected as much as $30,000 in annual administration.
Tax Measures
Sales and Use Tax — Cities and counties may impose additional transaction and use taxes in increments of 0.125 percent with two-thirds city council approval and majority voter approval for a general tax, a special tax requires two-thirds voter approval. The combined rate of the city and county transaction and use taxes is capped at 2 percent in most counties.
Beaumont's 7.750% rate is tied for the lowest in Riverside County, and 19 cities in the county charge a higher rate. Add-on Sales Taxes authorized by local voters are kept 100% within that jurisdiction. Currently, the City receives just 1% of the 7.750% charged with the City, sharing those funds with the State and County as follows:
THE UNITED STATES OF AN
THIS NOTE '$ LEGAL TENDER
FOR ALL OEETS, POBLIC AND PRIVATE
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a
z
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY: 0.75%
CITY OF BEAUMONT: 1%
Sales Tax increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024 81 measures passed and 14 measures failed, giving an 85% pass rate.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) — More than 400 cities in California impose TOT on people staying for 30 days or less in a hotel, inn or other lodging facility. TOT increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 23 measures passed and 5
measures failed, giving an 82% pass rate. Hemet successfully increased their rate from 10 to 12%
Utility User Tax (UUT) — More than 150 cities (collectively representing a majority of the state's population) impose a utility user tax. UUT rates are levied on users of various utilities, which may include telephone, electricity, gas, water, and cable television. The City could use its existing consultants to review options to increase revenue. UUT modernizations are rare on the ballot, and in 2024, 1 measure passed and 1 measure failed, in Banning.
Parcel Tax — The property tax is an ad valorem (value -based) tax imposed on real property and tangible personal property. California Constitution Article XIIIA (Proposition 13) limits the property tax to a maximum of 1 percent of assessed value, not including voter -approved rates to fund debt. Approval for a City referred measure requires a % vote and the measures broadly target specific purposes such as parks, roads, libraries, housing or other services. Parcel Taxes put forth by municipalities are rarer on the ballot, and fall into several categories.
Flat Rate Per Parcel — There were three such measures (including renewals) in November 2024, all of which passed. These have been most common for municipalities recently in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Per Square Foot Rates — These can target residential and/or commercial, though often these kind of measures target commercial/industrial sites. There were three such measures in 2024, all of which passed. Cathedral City did attempt a 15cent/sf measure in 2022, which failed. Similarly, Pomona attempted a commercial/industrial per/ssf measure in 2022 and also failed.
Business License Tax — Most cities in California including Beaumont levy a business license tax. Business license taxes can vary widely and be calibrated to industry type, number of employees, gross receipts or other factors. BLT revenue in Beaumont totaled $419,887 for FY 23-24. The City could use its existing consultants to review options to increase revenue. BLT increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 16 measures passed and 0 failed.
Cannabis Sales - Cannabis sales have potential to increase sales tax and can include a component to the business license tax. Neighboring Banning has budgeted new Cannabis tax revenue of $950,000 until more analysis can be done on their actuals.
There are some challenges with managing cannabis compliance so a study would be recommended to ensure potential revenue sources achieve the desired result without
excessive cost. It should be noted that staff does NOT recommend this as an option to increase revenues. Cannabis increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 5 measures passed and 0 failed.
GAP Analysis
The City has already reviewed rates of several key levies in neighboring and comparable cities, see below. Broadly, Beaumont is charging the lowest rates among these peers on Sales Tax, Utility Users Tax and Transient Occupancy Tax.
Sales Tax
Utility Users Tax
Transient
Occupancy (TOT)
Beaumont Rate
7.75%
3.00%
10%
Banning
7.75%
-
12%
Calimesa
7.75%
-
10%
Palm Springs
9.25%
5.00`)/0
11.50%
Riverside
8.75%
6.50%
13%
Hemet
8.75%
-
12%
Murrieta
8.75%
-
10%
Temecula
8.75%
-
10%
Menifee
8.75%
-
10%
Moreno Valley
8.75%
5.75%
-
San Bernardino
8.75%
7.75%
-
Average Rate
9%
5%
11')/0
Current Budget
$28,374,719
$2,152,970
$416,381
% of rev Budget
42%
3%
1%
Potential increase
to average
$7,093,680
$43,059
$4,163
How to Evaluate the City's Options?
The City has a range of options to generate additional revenue, from fees/cost recovery to economic development to new taxes requiring voter approval. The City has taken a number of steps in recent years, including a fee update adopted on March 21, 2023, and several economic development initiatives now underway.
To assess the potential for these and other revenue options, staff have compiled a list of options and scored them on the following criteria:
• Amount of annual revenue — How much revenue is estimated annually? • Legal requirements to implement — How difficult is the measure to implement from a legal standpoint?
• Restricted versus unrestricted (by Fund, department) — Are funds restricted or unrestricted?
• Longevity of revenue — How long would revenues be available? • Revenue volatility — How volatile would the revenues be on annual basis? • City Council approval/ — Does the measure require council approval and are there public perception considerations?
• Voter approval — Does the measure require voter approval and what threshold? • Staff resources (time & money) to implement — What resources are needed to develop and implement the measure?
• Staff resources (time & money) to administer after implementation — What resources would be involved in the ongoing collection and administration of the measure? This analysis is designed to help the City determine which actions can improve fiscal sustainability with the greatest efficiency and effectiveness. Options that generate more revenue with greater efficiency and fewer barriers will appear in the upper right quadrant of the analysis.
Revenue
Weighted Score
Options for the City of Beaumont
Revenue Options/Scoring
$11,000,000
$10,000.000
$9,000,000
$8,000 ,000
$7,000,000
$6,000,000
$5,000 ,000
$4,000 ,000
$3,000 ,000
$2,000 ,000
$1,000 ,000
$0
0 Potential Next Steps
Parcel Tax
{Commerical/Industrial) *
410$ Sales
Tax Increase
Parcel Tax (Special
Purpose)*
Sale of City Properties"
Tax*
11Ulf Tax Increase —. Business License
Cannabis Sales*
- I. Billboard Revenue.
Short Term Rental
TQTfncTease
1 7
3 f 5
*Figures Based on Analysis of Recent Measures in Comparable Jurisdictions. ^Denotes One -Time revenue.
The City has various options to explore regarding additional potential revenue.
Those that require voter approval are recommended to undergo further vetting through public opinion survey work and community outreach. Council may direct staff to further explore these options, or take no action. The deadline to refer a measure to the November 2026 ballot is the July 7, 2026 council meeting.
1 En°Bea mnt
Revenue Study,
Background
• Sales tax is Beaumont's largest revenue source, and proposed changes to e - commerce tax allocations could significantly impact the City's financial outlook.
• The City could begin seeing these reductions as early as 2027. • Potential revenue losses unfold in the context of rising Public Safety costs. • As part of the proactive planning to address these and other fiscal challenges, City Staff has been working to develop policy & revenue strategies, including identifying opportunities for revenue diversification and potential ballot measures to sustain fiscal stability.
Revenue Study Goals
Review Current Options for One Time and Ongoing
General Fund Revenue
Assess prevailing rates in neighboring/peer
communities.
Evaluate options in context of feasibility,
administrative and other considerations.
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
The City has taken numerous steps in recent years to
address rising costs and optimize revenue streams
through fee updates, economic development, investment
adjustments and pursual of state and federal grant
dollars.
�i
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
�
Fee Upj!atc�
Determine internal service costs and update fees to cover costs - periodic review of internal service costs and updating fees to cover costs of benefits received from users who individually receive a benefit, charging grants for indirect costs, and charging enterprise funds their identified share of administrative costs ensure there isn't a subsidy provided for services.
The last cost allocation plan was adopted on May 24, 2022, and the last fee study and fee update was adopted on March 21, 2023 and a new cost allocation plan if forthcoming in FY2S-26.
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
Development Impact Fees
The City seeks to recover some of the cost of growth through development impact fees on new developments in the City of Beaumont. As Beaumont's population grows, the demand for expansion of public infrastructure and the purchase of capital equipment needed to serve new development in the City
increases. State law requires these fees to be updated every eight years, and Beaumont completed an analysis in 2024.
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
jnvestmQnEetu mns
The City of Beaumont invests cash based on its policy of safety, liquidity, and rate of return. Investment returns can increase revenues to be used for projects and one-time purchases.
Reviewing quarterly reports and comparing them to benchmarks will provide City staff with the tools needed to adjust to make sure policy goals are met. This is a continuing effort.
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
Grant Funding
Cities can maximize grants that align with goals and
priorities of the city. These are restricted revenues for specific purposes and generally are for Capital
Improvements outside the General Fund.
The Grants Analyst position was filled in FY 23-2"i and from FY 23 to FY 24 grants increased by $3.6 million.
Recent Steps Taken to
Promote Fiscal Sustainability
Economic Development
Recruit new business, while retaining and
expanding local business, that promotes growth of
primary jobs and/or sales tax revenue. Several
initiatives are currently underway.
`Items In Progress
Put current assets to work
Governments can increase revenue by use of owned real estate for leases or rental of vacant properties. A review of any unused vacant property is underway to ensure the city is putting all available assets to use for revenue generation. Examples could include leases for billboards, cell towers, and other uses, as well as sale of freeway adjacent city -owned parcels.
Current staff estimates suggest a combination of new and converted billboards could generate between $1OO,OOO and $2OO,OOO annually. Sale of certain City -owned properties under review might garner between $1 and 1.25 million in one-time proceeds.
Potential New Revenue
Short Term Rentals (SRT)
The City estimates 50-70 SRT units in the City. There is a potential for approximately $120,000 per year in revenue from permitting these properties, with associated costs to the City expected as much as $30,000 in annual
administration.
Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
Sales and Use Tax
Beaumont's 7.750% rate is tied for the lowest in Riverside County, and 19 cities in the county charge a higher rate.
Add-on Sales Taxes authorized by local voters are kept
100% within that jurisdiction. Currently, the City receives just 1% of the 7.750% charged with the City, sharing those funds with the State and County (see graphic).
Sales Tax increases are common on the ballot in
California, and in 2024 81 measures passed and 14
measures failed, giving an 85% pass rate.
THE UNITED STATES OF A,..
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FOR ALL DEBT?, PUNLIC AND PRIVATE
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RIGA
IR
2460 F�
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Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
v„'0
More than 400 cities in California impose TOT on people staying for 30 days or less in a hotel, inn or other lodging facility. TOT increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 23 measures passed and S measures failed, giving an 82% pass rate.
Hemet successfully increased their rate from 10 to 12%
Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
Utility User Tax (UUT)
More than 150 cities (collectively representing a majority of the state's population) impose a utility user tax. UUT rates are levied on users of various utilities, which may include telephone, electricity, gas, water, and cable television. The City could use its existing consultants to review options to increase revenue. UUT modernizations are rare on the ballot, and in 2024, 1 measure passed and 1 measure failed, in Banning.
Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
The property tax is an ad valorem (value -based) tax imposed on real property and tangible personal property.
California Constitution Article XI I IA (Proposition 13) limits the property tax to a maximum of 1 percent of assessed value, not including voter -approved rates to fund debt. Approval for a City referred measure requires a 2/3 vote and the measures broadly target specific purposes such as parks, roads, libraries, housing or other services. Parcel Taxes put forth by municipalities are rarer on the ballot, and fall into several categories.
Flat Rate Per Parcel - There were three such measures (including renewals) in November 2024, all of which passed. These have been most common for municipalities recently in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Per Square Foot Rates - These can target residential and/or commercial, though often these kind of measures target commercial/industrial sites. There were three such measures in 2024, all of which passed. Cathedral City did attempt a 1Scent/sf measure in 2022, which failed. Similarly, Pomona attempted a commercial/industrial per/sf measure in 2022 and also failed.
Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
Business License Tax
rh TAX
•
0000
0000
0000
Most cities in California including Beaumont levy a business license tax.
Business license taxes can vary widely and be calibrated to industry type, number of employees, gross receipts or other factors. BLT revenue in Beaumont totaled $419,887 for FY 23-24. The City could use its existing consultants to review options to increase revenue. BLT increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 16 measures passed and 0 failed.
Potential New Revenue
Tax Measures
Cannabis Sales
I
Cannabis sales have potential to increase sales tax and can include a component to the business license tax. Neighboring Banning has budgeted new Cannabis tax revenue of $950,000 until more analysis can be done on their actuals. There are some challenges with managing cannabis compliance so a study would be recommended to ensure potential revenue sources achieve the desired result without excessive cost. It should be noted that staff does NOT recommend this as an option to increase revenues. Cannabis increases are common on the ballot in California, and in 2024, 5 measures passed and 0 failed.
GAP Analysis
Sales Tax
Utility Users Tax
Transient Occupancy
Beaumont
7.75%
3.00%
10%
Banning
7.75%
-
12%
Calimesa
7.75%
-
10%
Palm Springs
9.25%
5.00%
11.5%
Riverside
8.75%
6.50%
13%
Hemet
8.75%
-
12%
Murrieta
8.75%
-
10%
Temecula
8.75%
-
10%
Menifee
8.75%
-
10%
Moreno Valley
8.75%
5.75%
-
San Bernardino
8.75%
7.75%
-
Average Rate
9.00%
5.00%
11.0%
Current Budget
28,374,719.00
2,152,970.00
416,381.00
% of rev Budget
42%
3%
1%
Potential increase to average
701192409f3-55
43,059.40
4,163.81
How to Evaluate the City's Options?
The City has a range of options to generate additional revenue, from fees/cost recovery to economic development to new taxes requiring voter approval. The City has taken a number of steps in recent years, including a fee update adopted on March 21, 2023, and several economic development initiatives now underway.
To assess the potential for these and other revenue options, staff have compiled a list of options and scored them on key criteria.
`ow to Evaluate the City's Options?
Amount of annual revenue
NEU
Legal requirements to implement
Restricted versus unrestricted (by Fund, department)
Longevity of revenue
Revenue volatility
City Council approval
Voter approval
Staff resources (time & money) to implement
Staff resources (time & money
•
Pa. e 2369 of 277
inister after implementation
Revenue
Weighted Boor's
How to Evaluate the City's Options?
Rating Scale:
• Revenue on Y axis.
• Score (1-5) for each
criteria
• Weighted Score on X Axis
Options for the City of Beaumont
Revenue On
$11,000„000
$10.000.000
S9.000 M
$8.000.000
$7,000 x000
$6.000.000
$4.000 ,O0O
S3.000
$2.000 .,
000
$1.000.000
so
Parcel Tax
(Commericaliindustrialr
•
Sales Tax Increase
• Parcel Tax (Special
Purpose)*
UUT Tax Increase
Cannabis Sales i
Short Tern Rental
'Page 2371 of 2775
Sale of City Properties
Business License Tax*
Billboard Revenue
TOT In r
•
5 Potential Next Steps
The City has various options to explore regarding additional potential revenue.
Those that require voter approval are recommended to undergo further vetting through public opinion survey work and community outreach. Council may direct staff to further explore these options, or take no action. The deadline to refer a measure to the November 2026 ballot is the July 7, 2026 council meeting.
°no°
Thank
° _ °O
n
BEAUMONT
-C A L I F O R N I A
Staff Report
TO: City Council
FROM: Elizabeth Gibbs, City Manager
Darron Usher, Principal Management Analyst
DATE June 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Approval of a Cooperative Agreement with the County of Riverside to Provide One -Time Equipment and Staffing Cost Share Agreement Services for Fire Station #106
Description Consideration of a Cooperative Agreement with the County of Riverside for cost sharing related to equipment and staffing for Fire Station #106 - Capital Improvement Project (CIP) PS -05.
Background and Analysis:
On June 20, 2023, the City Council reviewed and approved Capital Improvement Project (CIP) No. PS -05 to fund the development of Fire Station No. 106, including the purchase of a new fire apparatus. At that time, the Council authorized a total project budget of $2,490,000 and directed staff to explore options for acquiring a ladder truck either through Riverside County or directly from a certified vendor. The project was identified as a critical investment to enhance fire response capabilities for the City and surrounding communities.
Subsequently, on April 15, 2025, the City Council approved the purchase of a ladder truck originally ordered by a Texas fire agency but no longer needed. The unit matched the specifications approved for CIP PS -05 and presented an opportunity for expedited acquisition and cost efficiency.
Operational Overview
Station No. 106 has been scheduled to operate with a 12 -person crew to staff a ladder truck under the updated CAL FIRE staffing model. The collaborative approach between the City and County ensures sufficient deployment and operational coverage.
Key Agreement Provisions
1. Equipment Cost Share
• The City of Beaumont will purchase and outfit a new ladder truck to meet CAL FIRE specifications.
• The County of Riverside will contribute up to $250,000 toward the truck's equipment costs.
2. Staffing Cost Share
• The City will fund nine (9) fire personnel, including Fire Captains, Apparatus Engineers, and Firefighter Its/Paramedics.
• The County will fund three (3) personnel assigned to the same apparatus.
This model allows the City and County to jointly support fire services at Station No. 106, optimizing regional resources while reducing individual agency expenditures.
Upon the station becoming operational, the staffing structure under this agreement will be incorporated as an amendment to Exhibit A of the City's existing Master Cooperative Agreement with the County.
Fiscal Impact:
The cost of preparing this staff report is estimated to be $350.
The funding for the City's share of this agreement is included in the adopted FY 2025- 2026 Capital Improvement Program under Project PS -05.
Recommended Action:
Approve the Cooperative Agreement between the City of Beaumont and the County of Riverside for Fire Station #106 Equipment and Staffing; and Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any related documents.
Attachments:
A. Cost Sharing Agreement
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ONE-TIME EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING COST SHARE AGREEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT FOR FIRE STATION #106 THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into this day of
2025, by and between the County of Riverside, a political subdivision of the State of California, on behalf of the Fire Department (hereinafter referred to as "COUNTY"), and the City of Beaumont, a duly created city, (hereinafter referred to as "CITY"). COUNTY and CITY hereinafter may be individually referred to as a "Party" and collectively referred to as the "Parties." The Parties agree as follows:
SECTION I: PURPOSE
A. The COUNTY has contracted with the CITY, individually, pursuant to a Cooperative Agreement, to provide fire protection, disaster preparedness and response, fire prevention, rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, technical rescue response, medical emergency services, and public service assists for the City of Beaumont, dated June 29, 2021, by and between the City of Beaumont and the County of Riverside (the "Cooperative Agreement")
B. As part of the negotiations and in consideration of the cost of providing Fire Services to the CITY, the CITY, and COUNTY desire a cost -sharing agreement related to the equipment and staffing of Station #106. Station #106 will provide services to the incorporated territory of the City of Beaumont as well as to unincorporated territory in the County of Riverside. This agreement is for the mutual benefit of both the COUNTY and the CITY.
SECTION II: COST SHARE
A. The CITY will purchase a new Fire Truck, which conforms to the standard specification for the Fire Department. Each Fire Truck is custom constructed and takes approximately two (2) years to receive fully equipped.
B. The COUNTY will purchase the standard compliment of equipment for the Fire Truck, not to exceed $250,000.
C. The Fire Truck is expected to be received in November 2025.
D. For the purposes of staffing the Fire Truck of Fire Station #106, the Parties agree as follows.
(1) The CITY shall pay the actual cost of two (2) Fire Captains, two (2) Fire Apparatus Engineers, three (3) Fire Fighter II , and two (2) Fire Fighter II Paramedics.
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ONETIME EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING COST SHARE AGREEMENT SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
(2) The COUNTY shall pay the actual cost of one (1) Fire Captain, one (1) Fire Apparatus Engineer, and one (1) Fire Fighter II Paramedic. (3) The Staffing Model agreed to in support of the current needs/vehicles at Station #106 are as follows:
Staffing Model
City
Fire Truck 9
County Total
3 12
(4) The outlined staffing cost share shall be incorporated into the "Cooperative Agreement" via an amendment or renewal to the Cooperative Agreement's Exhibit "A" for the City of Beaumont upon operation of the Fire Station. (5) The cost share will be re—evaluated by both the CITY and the COUNTY at the end of the Agreement period prior to any extension or renewal. (6) Upon each renewal of any future Cooperative Agreement, the CITY and COUNTY will conduct a review of the cost share agreement and evaluate the current relevance based on current call volume and incident location.
SECTION III: TERM
The term of this Agreement shall begin November 1, 2025, and shall remain in effect until the Fire Station is operational with the Fire Truck. Upon the fire station being operational, the outlined staffing cost share shall be incorporated into the "Cooperative Agreement" via an amendment or renewal to the Cooperative Agreement's Exhibit "A" for the City of Beaumont.
SECTION IV: INDEMNIFICATION
The indemnification provisions as provided in the respective Cooperative Agreement referenced above, as they are currently in effect or hereafter entered into, shall apply to this Agreement.
SECTION IV: AUDIT
COUNTY and CITY agree that their designated representative shall have the right to review and to copy any records and supporting documentation of the other Party hereto, pertaining to the performance of this Agreement. COUNTY and CITY agree to maintain such records for possible audit for a minimum of three (3) years after final payment, unless a longer period of records retention is stipulated or as required by law, and to allow the auditor(s) of the other Party access to such records during normal business hours and to allow interviews of any employees who might reasonably have information related to such records. COUNTY and CITY agree to a similar right to audit records and interview staff in any subcontract related to performance of this
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ONETIME EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING COST SHARE AGREEMENT SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
Agreement. (See, e.g., Gov. Code, §8546.7; Pub. Contract Code, §10115 et seq.; CCR, Title 2, § 1896 et seq.).
SECTION V: DISPUTES
The disputes provisions as provided in the respective Cooperative Agreement referenced above, as they are currently in effect or hereafter entered into, shall apply to this Agreement.
SECTION V: ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be an original, but all of which together will constitute one instrument. Each party of this Agreement agrees to the use of electronic signatures, such as digital signatures that meet the requirements of the California Uniform Electronic Transactions Act ((`CUETA') Civ. Code, §§ 1633.1 to 1633.17), for executing this Agreement. The parties further agree that the electronic signatures of the parties included in this Agreement are intended to authenticate this writing and to have the same force and effect as manual signatures. Electronic signature means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with an electronic record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the electronic record pursuant to the CUETA as amended from time to time. The CUETA authorizes use of an electronic signature for transactions and contracts among parties in California, including a government agency.
Digital signature means an electronic identifier, created by computer, intended by the party using it to have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature, and shall be reasonably relied upon by the parties. For purposes of this section, a digital signature is a type of `electronic signature' as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code.
[Signature Provisions on following page]
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ONETIME EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING COST SHARE AGREEMENT SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized officials of the parties hereto have, in their respective capacities, set their hands as of the date first herein above written.
CITY OF BEAUMONT
DATED: By:
ELIZABETH GIBBS, CITY MANAGER
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: By:
ELAINE MORGAN, CITY CLERK BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP,
CITY ATTORNEY
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE, A political
subdivision of the State of California
DATED: By:
CHAIR, BOARD OF UPERVISORS
ATTEST:
KIMBERLY A. RECTOR
Clerk of the Board
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
MINH C. TRAN
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
By: By:
Deputy MELISSA R. CUSHMAN
DEPUTY COUNTY COUNSEL
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE ONETIME EQUIPMENT AND STAFFING COST SHARE AGREEMENT SERVICES
FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT
BEAUMONT
-C A L I F O R N I A
Staff Report
TO: City Council
FROM: Elizabeth Gibbs, City Manager
DATE June 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Discussion and Direction on Rescinding Purchase Order No. 24/252033 in the Amount of $1,383,753 Issued to the County of Riverside for a Fire Engine Smeal Type 1 Apparatus — Capital Improvement Project No.
PS25-05
Description Proposal to rescind the purchase order and instead incorporate the fire engine into the existing engine use agreement with the County of Riverside.
Background and Analysis:
On August 20, 2024, the City Council authorized the issuance of Purchase Order No. 24/252033 to the County of Riverside in an amount not to exceed $1,383,753 for the acquisition of a Smeal Type 1 Pumper Fire Engine with the intent that the engine would be owned and maintained directly by the City of Beaumont (Attachment A). (Note: With the adoption of the FY2026-2030 5 -year CIP, this project was re -labeled from F25-02 to PS25-05 using the correct nomenclature.)
On May 6, 2025, the City Council authorized the issuance of a purchase order to the County of Riverside in an amount not to exceed $211,912.18 for the outfitting of the Smeal Type 1 Pumper Fire Engine.
On May 8, 2025, a Council subcommittee consisting of Mayor Lara and Council Member White met with County of Riverside Fire Chief Deputy Pemberton to explore collaborative alternatives for fire services. During that meeting, Chief Deputy Pemberton confirmed that the new engine could still be assigned to Beaumont under the County's engine use agreement. Under this arrangement, the engine would be procured, maintained, and insured by the County but stationed in Beaumont for dedicated service.
This model aligns with the County's existing equipment management framework and has the potential to relieve the City of upfront capital costs and ongoing maintenance responsibilities. The equipment to outfit the engine in the amount of $211,912.18 would still be the financial responsibility of the City of Beaumont.
Importantly, the operational availability and service level provided by the new engine would remain unchanged under this approach. The engine would be part of the County's rotating replacement schedule and strategically deployed to ensure continued readiness and public safety in Beaumont.
This alternative presents a cost-effective opportunity to integrate the new apparatus into the County's fleet under terms consistent with regional fire service best practices, while allowing the City to redirect the previously allocated funds to other high -priority needs or capital improvements.
At the direction of the Council subcommittee, this item is now presented for full City Council discussion and formal direction.
Fiscal Impact:
Should City Council approve the rescission of Purchase Order No. 24/252033 for the Smeal Type 1 fire engine, the funds previously encumbered for the purchase of the engine (but not the equipment to outfit it) will be returned to their respective sources and made available for reallocation. This action could result in significant cost avoidance for the City related to equipment maintenance, insurance, and future replacement obligations, while still ensuring Beaumont is equipped with a modern fully operational fire engine through the engine use agreement.
CIP PS25-05 Fire Engine and Equipment Project Funding Summary Estimated Project Cost= $1,700,000
DIF - Fire, $700,000
,41%
General fund,
$1,000,000 , 59%
CIP PS25-05 Fire Engine and Equipment Project Budget Summary
Project
Component
Budget
Encumbered Paid to Remaining
Date Budget
Project Management
Preliminary Services
Environmental
Design
Permits
Right -of -Way
Construction
Construction Management
Equipment - engine
Equipment - outfitting
$1,400,000 $(1,383,753)
$300,000 $(211,912)
$16,247
$88,088
$1,700,000
$-
$104,335
The estimated cost to prepare this report is $400.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council rescind Purchase Order No. 24/252033 and direct staff to notify the County of Riverside to include the new fire engine in the engine use agreement, ensuring its assignment to the City of Beaumont.
Attachments:
A. Purchase Order No. 24/252033
B. Cooperative Agreement — Exhibit C Fire Engine Use Agreement
BEAUMONT
CITY OF BEAUMONT
City Hall
550 E. 6th Street
Beaumont, CA 92223
PH: (951) 769-8520
FAX: (951) 769-8526
ISSUED TO: COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
Attn: RIVERSIDE COUNTY CLERK
PO BOX 512
RIVERSIDE, CA 92502
PURCHASE ORDER
PO Number: 24/252033 Date:
Requisition #: REQ0002956 Vendor #:
SHIP TO:
CITY OF BEAUMONT CA
Attn:CITY MANAGER
550 EAST 6TH STREET
BEAUMONT, CA 92223
08/22/2024
1328
ITEM UNITS DESCRIPTION
GLACCT# PROJACCT# PRICE AMOUNT
1 1 fIRE ENGINE SMEALTYPE 1 CIP NO.F25-02
500-0000-8060-0000
F25 -02A L,383,753.00
1,383,753.00
Jl ,dk i> ,
Authorized by:
SUBTOTAL:
1,383,753.00
TOTAL TAX:
0.00 SHIPPING:
0.00 TOTAL
1,383,753.00
1. Original invoice with remittance slip must be sent to: ATTN: Finance - City Hall, 550 E. 6th Street, Beaumont, CA 92223.
2. Payment may be expected within 30 days of receipt of goods and invoice.
3. C.O.D. shipment will not be accepted.
4. Purchase Order numbers must appear on all shipping containers, packing slips and invoices. Failure to comply with the above request may delay payment.
5. All goods are to be shipped F.O.B. Destination unless otherwise stated.
6. All materials and services are subject to approval based on the description on the face of the purchase order or appendages thereof. Substitutions are not permitted without approval of the Requesting Department. Material not approved will be returned at no cost to the City.
7. All goods and equipment must meet or exceed all necessary city, state and federal standards and regulations.
8. Vendor or manufacturer bears risk of loss or damage until property received and/or installed.
9. Seller acknowledges that the buyer is an equal opportunity employer. Seller will comply with all equal opportunity laws and regulations that are applicable to it as a supplier of the buyer.
10. ID# 95-6000676
A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION, FIRE PREVENTION, RESCUE, FIRE MARSHAL
AND MEDICAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF BEAUMONT THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), made and entered into this 01 day of OOfob&r , 2024, by and between the County of Riverside, a political subdivision or the State of Califomia, on behalf of the Fire Department (hereinafter referred to as "COUNTY") and the City of Beaumont, a municipal corporation (hereinafter referred to as "CITY"), whereby it is agreed as follows:
SECTION I: PURPOSE
The purpose of this Agreement is to arrange for COUNTY, through its Cooperative Fire Programs Fire Protection Reimbursement Agreement ("CAL FIRE Agreement") with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ("CAL FIRE") to provide CITY with fire protection, hazardous materials mitigation, technical rescue response, fire marshal, medical emergency services, and public service assists (hereinafter called "Fire Services"). This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the authority granted by Government Code section 55600 et seq., and will provide a unified, integrated, cooperative, regional fire protection system. COUNTY's ability to perform under this Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the CAL FIRE Agreement.
SECTION II: DESIGNATION OF FIRE CHIEF
A. The County Fire Chief appointed by the County Board of Supervisors, or his/her designee (hereinafter referred to as "Chief'), shall represent COUNTY and CITY during the period of this Agreement, and Chief shall, under the supervision and direction of the County Board of Supervisors, have charge of the organization described in Exhibit "A," attached hereto and made a part hereof, for the purpose of providing Fire Services as deemed necessary to satisfy the needs of both the COUNTY and CITY, except upon those lands wherein other agencies of government have responsibility for the same or similar Fire Services.
B. The COUNTY will assign an existing Chief Officer as the Fire Department Liaison ("Fire Liaison"). The Chief may delegate certain authority to the Fire Liaison, as the Chief's duly authorized designee and the Fire Liaison shall be responsible for directing the Fire Services provided to CITY as set forth in Exhibit "A." C. The Chief Deputy County Fire shall be the COUNTY Contract Administrator and is the liaison for the administration of this agreement.
D. COUNTY will be allowed flexibility in the assignment of available personnel and equipment in order to provide the Fire Services as agreed upon herein. This flexibility shall include staffing challenges. The CITY shall be notified of any changes in classifications provided that differ from the Exhibit "A" OCT o 1 2024 3,029
Cooperative Fire Agreement
City of Beaumont
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
SECTION III: PAYMENT FOR SERVICES
A. CITY shall annually appropriate a fiscal year budget to support the Fire Services designated at a level of service mutually agreed upon by both parties and as set forth in Exhibit "A" for the term of this Agreement. This Exhibit may be amended in writing by mutual agreement by both parties or when a CITY requested increase or reduction in services is approved by COUNTY.
B. COUNTY provides fire personnel and services through its CAL FIRE Agreement. In the event CITY desires an increase or decrease in CAL FIRE or COUNTY civil service employees or services assigned to CITY as provided for in Exhibit "A," CITY shall provide one hundred twenty (120) days' written notice of the proposed requested increase or decrease. Proper notification shall include the following: (1) The total amount of increase or decrease; (2) The effective date of the increase or decrease; (3) The number of employees, by classification, affected by the proposed increase or decrease; and (4) the date the Notice is sent to COUNTY. If such notice is not provided, CITY shall reimburse COUNTY for relocation costs incurred by COUNTY because of the increase or decrease, in addition to any other remedies available resulting from the increase or decrease in services. COUNTY is under no obligation to approve any requested increase or decrease, and it is expressly understood by the parties that in no event will COUNTY authorize or approve CITY's request to reduce services below the COUNTY Board of Supervisors approved staffing level for any fire station, or to reduce services to the extent that the services provided under this Agreement are borne by other jurisdictions.
COUNTY shall render a written decision on whether to allow or deny the increase or decrease within thirty (30) days of the notice provided pursuant to this section.
C. CITY shall pay COUNTY actual costs for Fire Services pursuant to this Agreement. COUNTY shall make a claim to CITY for the actual cost of contracted services, pursuant to Exhibit "A," on a quarterly basis. The COUNTY is mandated per Government Code section 51350 for full cost recovery. CITY shall pay each claim, in full, within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.
D. Any changes to the salaries or expenses set forth in Exhibit "A" made necessary by action of the Legislature, CAL FIRE, or any other public agency with authority to direct changes in the level of salaries or expenses, shall be paid from the funds represented as set forth in Exhibit "A." The CITY is obligated to expend or appropriate any sum in excess of Exhibit"A" increased by action of the Legislature, CAL FIRE, or any other public agency with authority to direct changes. If within thirty (30) days after notice, in writing, from COUNTY to CITY that the actual cost of maintaining the services specified in Exhibit "A" as a result of action by the Legislature, CAL FIRE, or other public agency will exceed the total amount specified therein, and CITY has not agreed to make available the necessary additional funds, COUNTY shall have the right to unilaterally reduce the services furnished under this Agreement by an appropriate amount and shall promptly notify CITY, in writing, specifying the services to be reduced.
Any COUNTY or CAL FIRE personnel reduction resulting solely due to an increase in employee salaries or expenses occurring after signing this Agreement and set forth in Cooperative Fire Agreement
City of Beaumont
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
Exhibit "A" that CITY does not agree to fund, as described above, shall not be subject to relocation expense reimbursement by CITY. If CITY desires to add funds to the total included herein to cover the cost of increased salaries or services necessitated by actions described in this paragraph, such increase shall be accomplished by an additional appropriation by the City Council of CITY, and an amendment to Exhibits "A" and "C" approved by the parties hereto.
E. Chief Deputy County Fire, as the COUNTY Contract Administrator, may be authorized to negotiate and execute any amendments to Exhibit "A" or Exhibit "C" of this Agreement on behalf of COUNTY as authorized by the Board of Supervisors. CITY shall designate a "Contract Administrator" who shall, under the supervision and direction of CITY, be authorized to execute amendments to Exhibit "A" or "C" on behalf of CITY.
F. N/A [ ] (Check only if applicable, and please initial to acknowledge) Additional terms as set forth in the attached Exhibit "B" are incorporated herein and shall additionally apply to this agreement regarding payment of services.
G. = ` . [ x ] (Check only if applicable, and please initial to acknowledge) Additional terms as s forth in the attached Exhibit "C" are incorporated herein and shall additionally apply to this a reement regarding payment for the Fire Engine Use Agreement.
H. :� [ x ] (Check only if applicable, and please initial to acknowledge) Additional terms as set rth in the attached Exhibit "D" are incorporated herein and shall additionally apply to this agreement regarding payment for Fire Marshall Services.
I. Notwithstanding Paragraph G, as it relates to the Fire Engine Use Agreement, if applicable, additional terms as set forth are incorporated herein and shall additionally apply to this Agreement regarding payment of services. In the event that a fire engine, owned and maintained by the CITY has a catastrophic failure or is requested by the CITY, the COUNTY Fire Chief or Chief Deputy County Fire may allow use of a COUNTY fire engine, free of charge up to one hundred twenty (120) days. After the initial one hundred twenty (120) days, a rental fee will be applied to the CITY invoice for use of said COUNTY fire engine. The rental fee shall be Two Thousand Two Hundred Eighty - Five Dollars ($2,285) per day, or Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety -Five Dollars ($15,995) per week, not including equipment.
J. Notwithstanding Paragraph H, as it relates to Fire Marshal services, if applicable, additional terms as set forth are incorporated herein and shall additionally apply to this agreement regarding Fire Marshal services. In the event the CITY elects not to use Fire Marshal services outlined in Paragraph H (Exhibit "D"), the services must be provided by the COUNTY Office of the Fire Marshal pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 13145 and 13146 and at a cost to the developer as outlined in COUNTY Ordinance No. 671 (Establishing Consolidated Fees For Land Use and Related Functions). Any services not provided for under Ordinance No. 671 will be at a cost to the CITY based upon the COUNTY -approved productive hourly rate for cost recovery.
Cooperative Fire Agreement
City of Beaumont
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
K. In the event that a COUNTY owned squad, patrol (Type VI), or light vehicle is requested by the CITY for temporary operational use, the COUNTY Fire Chief or Chief Deputy County Fire may allow use of a COUNTY squad, patrol (Type VI), or light vehicle, free of charge up to one hundred twenty (120) days. After the initial one hundred twenty (120) days, a rental fee will be applied to the CITY invoice for use of said COUNTY squad, patrol (Type VI) or light vehicle as follows.
1. The squad rental fee shall be Fifty-two Dollars ($52) per day; or Three Hundred Sixty-two Dollars ($362) per week, not including equipment or fuel.
2. The patrol rental fee shall be Sixty-seven Dollars ($67) per day; or Four Hundred Seventy-one Dollars ($471) per week, not including equipment or fuel.
3. The light vehicle rental fee shall be Twenty-nine Dollars ($29) per day; or Two Hundred Four Dollars ($204) per week, not including equipment or fuel.
SECTION IV: INITIAL TERM AND AMENDMENT
A. The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
B. CITY shall have an option, in its sole discretion, to extend this Agreement for a one-year term ending June 30, 2026. In the event CITY elects to exercise this option to extend the term of this Agreement by one year, it shall provide COUNTY written notice 120 days prior to June 30, 2025.
SECTION V: TERMINATION
During the term of this Agreement, this Agreement may only be terminated by the voters of either the COUNTY or the CITY pursuant to Government Code section 55603.5.
SECTION VI: COOPERATIVE OPERATIONS
All Fire Services contemplated under this Agreement shall be performed by both parties to this Agreement working as one unit; therefore, personnel and/or equipment belonging to either CITY or COUNTY may be temporarily dispatched elsewhere from time to time for mutual aid.
SECTION VII: MUTUAL AID
Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 13050 et seq., when rendering mutual aid or assistance, COUNTY may, at the request of CITY, demand payment of charges and seek reimbursement of CITY costs for personnel, equipment use, and operating expenses as funded herein, under authority given by Health and Safety Code sections 13051 and 13054. COUNTY, in seeking said reimbursement pursuant to such request of CITY, shall represent the CITY by following the procedures set forth in Health Cooperative Fire Agreement
City of Beaumont
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
and Safety Code Section 13052. Any recovery of CITY costs, less actual expenses, shall be paid to the CITY.
In all such instances, COUNTY shall give timely notice of the possible application of Health and Safety Code sections 13051 and 13054 to the officer designated by CITY.
SECTION VIII: SUPPRESSION COST RECOVERY
As provided in Health and Safety Code section 13009, County Ordinance No. 787.10, Section 5.D.2., and California Fire Code, COUNTY may bring an action for collection of suppression costs of any fire caused by negligence, violation of law, or failure to correct noticed fire safety violations. Additionally, COUNTY may bring action for collection to any person who negligently, intentionally or in violation of law causes an emergency response, including, but not limited to, a traffic accident, spill of toxic or flammable fluids or chemicals is liable for the costs of securing such emergency, including those costs pursuant to Government Code section 53150 et seq. as may be amended from time to time. When using CITY equipment and personnel under the terms of this Agreement, COUNTY may bring such actions for collection of costs incurred by CITY and the COUNTY. In such a case CITY appoints and designates COUNTY as its agent in said collection proceedings. In the event of recovery, COUNTY shall apportion the recovered amount via the annual Cost Allocation Plan. This recovery does not include CITY resources outside of this Cooperative Agreement. Those resources would require the CITY to obtain cost recovery directly.
In all such instances, COUNTY shall give timely notice of the possible application of Health and Safety Code section 13009 to the officer designated by CITY.
SECTION IX: PROPERTY ACCOUNTING
All personal property provided by CITY and by COUNTY for the purpose of providing Fire Services under the terms of this Agreement shall be marked and accounted for in such a manner as to conform to the standard operating procedure established by the COUNTY for the segregation, care, and use of the respective property of each.
SECTION X: FACILITY
CITY shall provide Fire Station(s), strategically located to provide standard response time within the City of Beaumont from which fire operations shall be conducted.
If the Fire Station(s) are owned by the CITY, the CITY shall maintain the facilities at CITY's cost and expense. In the event CITY requests COUNTY in writing to undertake repairs or maintenance costs or services, the costs and expenses of such repairs or maintenance shall be reimbursed to COUNTY through the Support Services Cost Allocation, or as a direct Invoice to the CITY.
Cooperative Fire Agreement
City of Beaumont
July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
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