Water District during March. The Replenish team will continue to work with these Agencies and their concerns will be addressed within the environmental documents. Pilot testing of proposed treatment equipment continues and BBARWA provided tours of the pilot equipment on July 19, 2023.
David Lawrence provided a Project update Power Point Presentation during the September 26, 2023 Board meeting. A similar presentation has been given to CSD and BVBGSA, and a presentation will be given to MWD during their November Board meeting.
Grants Update :
Staff submitted two USBR Grant applications on October 5, 2021, one for the Wolf Reservoir & Boosters Replacement Project and one for the Division No. 9 Well & Well Pumping Plant Project. The grants required a 50% grant match. The USBR notified the DWP that we were not selected for this round of funding. We attended a debrief meeting with USBR on March 24,2022.
Staff incorporated USBR’s comments and submitted two USBR Drought Resiliency Grant applications on June 15, 2022; one for the Wolf Reservoir Boosters & Pipeline Project and one for the Division No. 9 Well Drilling & Equipping Project. On December 22, 2022, the USBR notified the DWP that we were selected for funding in the amount of $1,600,000 for the Wolf Reservoir & Boosters Replacement Project. This grant will provide 50% funding for the Wolf Pipeline Replacement Project. The grant agreement is finalize and USBR issued a Notice of Award.
We were not selected for funding for the Division No. 9 Well & Well Pumping Plant Project.
On January 11, 2023, staff attended a debrief with USBR staff for the Division No. 9 Well & Well Pumping Plant Project and we are planning on reapplying for the equipping portion of the Division No. 9 Well Project. Staff received additional information from USBR and will incorporate these comments into the grant application. On November 6, 2023, staff submitted a grant application with the USBR for the Equipping Division Well No. 9 Project. The grant requires a 50% grant match.
Staff submitted two USBR Small Scale Grant applications on April 28, 2022, for the Pontel Hydropneumatic System and the 6th Lane Pipeline Replacement Project. Each grant is for up to $100,000 and require a 50% match. On January 5, 2023, the USBR notified the DWP that we were selected for funding in the amount of $100,000 for the Pontel Hydropneumatic System.
The grant agreement is finalize and USBR issued a Notice of Award.
On March 9, 2023, WSC informed staff of a Community Project Funding Request Grant that is being administered through Jay Obernolte’s office. The proposed Garstin Water Operations Facilities meets many of the requirements for this grant. Staff worked closely with WSC and on March 17, 2023, staff submitted a $1,500,000 grant application to Jay Obernolte’s office. The application included nine letters of support from local agencies and politicians. Staff appreciates everyone that provided letters of support in a timely fashion.
Grant applications for the Replenish Big Bear Project (Project) are as follows (No Change):
1. SAWPA/DWR - DCI Technical Assistance Grant: The Project team submitted an application for a $500,000 grant on September 26, 2019. On November 19, 2019, the SAWPA Board approved an agreement to provide a $500,000 planning grant. This grant General Manager’s Report
November 28, 2023
is being used to reimburse the four BVBGSA agencies for a portion of project planning costs.
2. SAWPA/DWR – Prop 1 IRWM Grant: The Project team submitted an application for a $4,500,000 grant on November 1, 2019. DWR notified the project team that our application is recommended for funding. Final award has been completed. This grant will reimburse the four BVBGSA agencies for project planning costs and fund a portion of the Project construction costs.
3. USBR – Title XVI Grant: The Project team submitted an application for a $7,025,643 grant on April 22, 2021. The Administration’s recent increase in funding for the drought stricken western states, along with an enhanced grant application, should improve our chances of receiving this grant. USBR has recommended a $1,700,000 grant to help fund design, permitting, and pilot testing activities
4. The Replenish Big Bear Team had a Zoom Meeting with Congressman Obernolte on April 20, 2021. The Congressman informed us that he would be submitting Appropriations Applications and would like to include the Replenish Big Bear Project.
The team submitted an application to the Congressman on April 22, 2021. Congressman Obernolte informed BBARWA that Congress has awarded the Replenish Big Bear Project $960,000. Additional funding opportunities will be available next fiscal year.
5. On November 19, 2021, The Replenish Big Bear Team submitted a $50,000,000 DWR grant application for consideration. DWR staff has stated that they are open to awarding partial funding for projects and encouraged us to request the full amount. Replenish Big Bear was not recommended for this funding. DWR informed the Replenish Big Bear Team that additional funding is now available, and they are reevaluating our current application.
6. USBR – Title XVI Grant-Phase II: The Project team submitted an application for a $8,267,112 grant on March 11, 2022. BBARWA has been recommended for this funding.
7. The Replenish Big Bear Team had a Meeting with Congressman Obernolte regarding a possible 2022 Appropriation Application. The Congressman informed us that he would be submitting Appropriations Applications and would like to again include the Replenish Big Bear Project. The team submitted an application to the Congressman in May 2022.
This request has been included in the Federal Budget and is scheduled to be approved this month.
General Manager’s Report
November 28, 2023
Replenish Big Bear Grant Summary:
Grant Amount Status
DCI Technical Assistance $500,000 Awarded and Fully Funded IRWM Prop 1, Round 1 $4,563,338 Awarded, In Process
2021 Title XVI $1,600,000 Awarded, In Process
2022 EPA STAG $960,000 CEQA and NEPA must be
completed prior to an Award
2022 Title XVI $8,267,112 Recommended for Funding
2023 Community Funding Request $1,000,000 Recommended for Funding Total $16,890,450
SAWPA Santa Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Program:
On November 23, 2021, the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) provided a presentation to the Board on the Santa Ana River Watershed Weather Modification Pilot Program (Program). The Board requested staff investigate the Program and bring it back to the Board. On January 25, 2022, the Board approved financial support for the Program in the amount of $3,000 annually for four years.
On October 13, 2022, we received the following update from SAWPA: “Unfortunately with the timing of CEQA completion for the project in June and securing an operations contractor in early August, we were unable to get the pilot project operations contractor on board in sufficient time to make the Nov. 2022 seeding start date, particularly with the need to execute 10 separate local seeding site operator agreements in the watershed. Consequently, the pilot project was postponed to start seeding to November 2023. In some ways, the delay works better for our efforts to secure 50% grant funding from the State as well since this grant funding would not be available from the State until late 2023.”
On August 16,2023, participating partners received the attached update. The highlights are as follows:
1. The project received $861,400 in Prop. 1 grant funding from DWR.
2. Biological Surveys are underway.
3. Equipment Set-Up is scheduled for September/October 2023
4. 1st Year Operation Period November 15, 2023 – April 15, 2023
5. 1st Year Pilot Report June 1, 2023
On November 15, 2023, SAWPA announced that the Program went live on that day and will continue through April 2027. For more information, visit the weather modification webpage at https://sawpa.gov/santa-ana-river-watershed-weather-modification/. SAWPA also established an email address, [email protected], for public inquiries regarding the Program.
General Manager’s Report
November 28, 2023
Bear Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (BVBGSA) On February 16, 2023, the BVBGSA had a Board meeting. The primary purpose of the meeting was to consider a proposal from Tom Harder and Associates to prepare the first Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Annual Report. The annual report is a requirement of the GSP. The report contains groundwater level information, water pumping information, and computes groundwater storage volume for the Bear Valley Basin. The BVBGSA Board approved the proposal and the funding of $10,277.50 will come from each of the four member agencies. The GSP Annual Report was submitted to DWR on April 1, 2023.
On June 20, 2023, the BVBGSA had a Board Meeting. The primary purpose of the meeting was to adopt the FY 2023/24 Budget. David Lawrence provided an update on Replenish Big Bear to the Board including the following: The Replenish Big Bear Team will be submitting the Pilot Study Report to the Regional Board. The pilot equipment including the UV disinfectant and advanced oxidation process have been delivered. BBARWA will be piloting the equipment through September to ensure we can support the claims that we have made for the Replenish Big Bear Project. On July 19, 2023, BBARWA held an Open House and Pilot Tour. From 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, the Regional Board and local Board members had an opportunity for a Pilot Tour and the public was invited to join BBARWA from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Over 300 people attended the event.
On November 13, 2023, the BVBGSA Board approved an agreement with Tom Harder to prepare the GSP 2022/23 Annual Report contingent upon concurrence of approval by the member agencies that will be responsible for reimbursing the BVBGSA.