Groundwater conditions with respect to interconnected surface water and most GDE parameters are currently sustainable. Therefore, no interim milestones are needed to achieve sustainability at this time.
6.7.8. Data Gaps
There are several data gaps that might be contributing to the lack of clear relationships between groundwater pumping, groundwater levels and vegetation die-back. These include:
• Wells with water-level data are clustered in a small number of locations. Water levels are unknown in many areas that experienced vegetation die-back. • Almost all wells with water-level data are also production wells. Water-level drawdown that results from pumping is greater and more persistent near a pumping well than in areas far from the well. Consequently, it is difficult to accurately estimate depth to the water table in areas where there is no nearby pumping. • The wells with data are not in the creek channel or within the areas with dense riparian vegetation, and the vertical distance between the wellhead and creek channel has not been surveyed at any well locations. The elevation difference can be estimated, but the lack of measured data produces uncertainty in estimating the depth to water at the channel.
• Vertical water-level gradients within the aquifer system are largely unknown.
Pumping commonly creates vertical water-level gradients within basin fill materials, such that the true water table near the land surface is higher than the water level in a deep production well at the same location. Some indication of vertical gradients can be gleaned from a study of flow and vegetation along Temescal Wash downstream of EVMWD’s Regional WRF in 2007 to 2008 (MWH 2008). Although the WRF is in the Elsinore Subbasin, vertical gradients caused by pumping would be similar in the Bedford MA. Shallow (seven-foot-deep) piezometers were installed in the channel at several locations along a four-mile reach extending downstream from the WRF. Water levels at piezometer TW7, CM2 and TW2 are included in the hydrographs for the Alberhill and Cemetery wells (see Figure 6-4). Unfortunately, most of the piezometers are not located near production wells. In terms of depth to water, the piezometer water levels appear generally shallower and more stable than are water levels in the nearest monitored production wells, which is consistent with the presence of vertical gradients caused by pumping at depth.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 6-40
TODD GROUNDWATER,
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6.7.8.1. Discussion of Monitoring and Management Measures to be Implemented Management actions to improve monitoring and management of interconnected surface water in the Basin will include tracking trends in groundwater levels near Temescal Wash, investigating groundwater/surface water interactions near Temescal Wash and taking action as necessary.
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Warm Springs (Elsinore Subbasin) Lee Lake (Elsinore Subbasin) Groundwater Pumping Near Temescal Wash: Warm Springs and Lee Lake MAs Path: T:\Projects\Bedford Coldwater GSP 80802\GRAPHICS\Figure 6-3 Annual Groundwater Pumping near Temescal Wash, 1990-2018.gpj Figure 6-3
Annual Groundwater
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The Warm Springs and Lee Lake areas in the upper chart
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Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-1
TODD GROUNDWATER,
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7. MONITORING NETWORK
The overall objective of the monitoring network for this Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) is to yield representative information about water conditions in the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin (Basin) as necessary to guide and evaluate GSP implementation. Specifically, monitoring network objectives are to:
• Build on the existing monitoring network data to represent the entire Basin, • Reduce uncertainty and provide better data to guide management actions, document the water budget, and better understand how the surface water/groundwater system works,
• Monitor groundwater conditions relative to sustainability criteria, and • Identify and track potential impacts on groundwater users/uses and better communicate the state of the Basin.
With the intent to provide sufficient data for demonstrating short-term, seasonal, and longterm trends in groundwater and related surface conditions, this GSP builds on existing monitoring programs(summarized in Chapter 2, Plan Area) that provide historical information and a context for monitoring. Data gaps are addressed in terms of information needed for understanding the basin setting, evaluation of the efficacy of Plan implementation, and the ability to assess whether the Basin is being sustainably managed.
This GSP Section describes the monitoring network as enhanced to fulfill Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements and explains how it will be implemented. This includes description of the monitoring protocols for data collection, the development and maintenance of Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Agency (BCGSA) data management system (DMS), and the regular assessment and improvement of the monitoring program.
7.1. DESCRIPTION OF MONITORING NETWORK
The monitoring network for GSP implementation has been established to document groundwater and related surface conditions as relevant to the sustainability indicators:
groundwater levels, storage, land subsidence, water quality, and interconnected surface water7. The components of the monitoring network are presented in Table 7-1. 7 Seawater intrusion is noted, but no risk of seawater intrusion exists in this inland basin.
Table 7-1. Bedford Coldwater Monitoring Network Summary Monitored Variable Type of Measurement Locations Data Interval Data Collection Agency Database Storage Agency Notes Groundwater levels
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Depth to water, feet 17 monitored wells (see Table 6-1), plus two new
dedicated monitoring wells
Continuous to
Annual
City of Corona, Elsinore Valley
Water District (EVMWD), and
Temescal Valley Water Disrict
(TVWD)
Bedford-Coldwater
Groundwater Sustainability
Agency (BCGSA)
Data from all sources compiled into unified groundwater elevation database. Continuous data recorded with and on data logging transducers.
Groundwater storage
Rainfall Rain gauge, daily total, inches Lake Elsinore, Santiago Peak, and Riverside
Daily and
Monthly
NOAA, Orange County, and UC
Riverside CIMIS
BCGSA Download from web annually for annual water budget and model update Rainfall (Interpolated) Interoplated spatially from point data Basin-wide PRISM Climate Group BCGSA Rainfall gauges are not within the basin, and PRISM data helps interpolate in regions with climatic variation
Reference ET (ET0) Daily ETo, inches Lake Elsinore and Riverside Daily NOAA, UC Riverside CIMIS DWR Download from web Stream flow Daily average flow, cfs Three active USGS gages near Beford-Coldwater Basin
Daily USGS USGS Download from web
Wastewater pond water budgets WWTP effluent discharge,
evaporation, percolation, AF
Corona and TVWD Monthly Corona and TVWD BCGSA
Recycled water use Recycled water delivery, AF Basin-wide Monthly Corona and TVWD BCGSA Recycled water use is a relatively small but increasing supply Imported Water Volume imported water AF Imported to Bedford Colwater Monthly Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD BCGSA Land Use Maps Maps of Land Use Basin-wide DWR (2014, 2016, and future) and Riverside County (1993 and
2000)
DWR and Riverside County DWR data is statewide, remotely sensed, and includes agriculture by crop Municipal Water Use Metered water use by sector EVMWD, Corona, and TVWD Monthly Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD BCGSA Annual data reported in by BCGSA agencies and to Western Municipal Water District as Watermaster for the watershed, includes imported, groundwater, and recycled water use Groundwater pumping
Community Water Systems Estimated Basin-wide Annual Santa Ana Watermaster BCGSA Annual estimates provided in water budget updates of Annual Report Groundwater Production Annual Volume, AFY Basin-wide Annual Santa Ana Watermaster, Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD
Western Municipal Water
District as Watermaster and
BCGSA
Annual data for all pumpers reported to Santa Ana Watermaster, monthly production data for BCGSA agencies availble from those agencies.
Rural domestic, commercial,
industrial
Estimated Basin-wide Annual Santa Ana Watermaster,
Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD
BCGSA Annual estimates provided in water budget updates of Annual Report Subsidence
Subsidence InSAR satellite mapping of ground
displacement
Basin-wide Annual change DWR (InSAR) DWR SGMA Data Portal Download annually, smooth InSAR raster datasets, compare cumulative elevation change since 2015 against Minimum Threshold criterion.
Groundwater quality
Groundwater Quality Major and minor ions and
contaminants
14 monitored wells Quarterly/ SemiannualCorona, EVMWD, TVWD,
SWRCB GAMA , DDW, RWQCB
BCGSA Wells with water qualtiy data may be added or removed over time Interconnected Surface Water and GDEs
Groundwater Depth to Water Depth to water, feet 8 monitored wells Continuous to Annual
Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD BCGSA Measurements are sparse, but groundwater in some areas may be shallow enough to support riprarian vegetation
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7-2
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7.1.1. Chronic Lowering of Groundwater Levels
As described in Plan Area Section 2, 19 wells in the Basin with elevation data are monitored by the BCGSA or its member agencies. Figure 7-1 shows the 19 wells that will be part of the groundwater level monitoring program. Of these 17 have been actively monitored within the past five years and 2 new wells (BCGSA MW-1 and MW-2) are being installed as part of GSP development. The new wells are currently being installed and are expected to be part of the network by 2022. Their planned locations are shown on Figure 7-1. The distribution of existing monitoring wells is uneven, with most monitoring wells clustered in the Coldwater Management Area (MA) and along the Temescal Wash in the Bedford MA. The new monitoring wells were designed to fill key data gaps in the northwestern portion of the Basin and to monitor water levels related to the potential effects of the Glen Ivy Fault. All the wells in the GSP monitoring network are listed in Table 7-2 and will continue to be monitored by the BCGSA or its member agencies. (Glen Ivy Well 1 also is listed as a planned water quality monitoring well).
Data for GSP implementation collected by the BCGSA and/or its member agencies will be compiled by the BCGSA into the DMS developed as part of the GSP. Benefits of these efforts will accrue over the next few years and will support review and update of the monitoring program in the 2027 Five-Year GSP Update. Additional groundwater elevation data from previous investigations may be used to supplement the current monitoring program.
7.1.1.1. Spatial and Vertical Coverage
Figure 7-1 shows locations of wells in the groundwater level monitoring program, while Table 7-2 provides a summary of relevant monitoring wells. All monitoring wells are owned by the City of Corona (Corona), Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and Temescal Valley Water District (TVWD).
Well density has been a consideration in identifying new dedicated monitoring well sites and adding existing wells to the monitoring program. California Department of Water Resources (DWR) guidance (DWR 2016d) generally recommends a monitoring well density of 4 wells per 100 square miles (mi2
), which would equate to 0.44 wells for the 11 mi2 Basin. The BCGSA monitoring program is consistent with this guidance. Many of the active wells are clustered in the Coldwater MA.
Data on vertical groundwater gradients generally are lacking, as discussed in the Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model, Section 3. Vertical gradients also have not been distinguished because most monitoring data are from public supply wells, which generally have long screen zones and have not been designed to assess or monitor vertical gradients in the Basin.
7.1.1.2. Monitoring Frequency
SGMA and the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) program require collection of static groundwater elevation measurements at least two times per year to represent seasonal low and seasonal high groundwater conditions. Currently, the 17 water Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-4
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level wells are monitored at least quarterly, and most are monitored either monthly or continuously. Data logging transducers have been installed for measuring groundwater elevation data in most of the groundwater monitoring wells. These transducers collect water level measurements at least monthly, and data are either transmitted to data collection and operation systems or downloaded quarterly.
7.1.2. Reduction of Groundwater in Storage
As described in GSP Section 6.3, groundwater level Minimum Thresholds (MTs) are used as a proxy metric for groundwater in storage. Accordingly, the monitoring of groundwater levels described above in Section 7.1.1 also pertains to tracking sustainability for groundwater in storage.
In addition, GSP regulations require annual evaluation and reporting of change in groundwater in storage.
For the GSP, the numerical groundwater model has been used to quantify the water budget and change in storage (see Water Budget, Chapter 5) using available information from the Monitoring Well Network. The numerical model (described in Appendix G) fulfills data and reporting standards described in Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Section 352.4.
As described in Plan Area Section 2.1.4.1 and summarized in Table 7-1, the BCGSA monitoring program providesinformation needed to update the water budget and assess annual change in groundwater storage. This program compiles and reviews information on climate (rainfall and evapotranspiration), stream flow, imported water deliveries, wastewater percolation and water recycling, and groundwater pumping (municipal, industrial, and other). Groundwater in storage will be assessed annually by estimating storage changes as the product of groundwater level change (feet), basin area (acres) and storativity values for each MA.
7.1.2.1. Spatial Coverage
Evaluation of change in groundwater in storage involves several of the monitored variables listed in Table 7-1; monitoring locations are described in the table. Table 7-1 identifies climate stations and stream gage locations. While the closest climate stations and stream gages are located outside the Basin, they are still sufficient to provide information about local conditions.
7.1.2.2. Surface Water Monitoring
There are three active stream flow monitoring gages near the Basin. These gages are monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Data from these gages will continue to be collected by the BCGSA.
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7.1.2.3. Monitoring Frequency
Table 7-1 describesthe data interval for the monitored variablesthat contribute to evaluation of groundwater in storage. Groundwater in storage will be assessed annually using the numerical model, which will be recalibrated during each five-year GSP update.
7.1.3. Seawater Intrusion
There is no monitoring for seawater intrusion and no gaging of tidal influence. The Basin is located over 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, and its lowest elevations are around 1,000 feet above sea level. No risk of seawater intrusion exists in the Basin given its location and therefore no monitoring is needed.
7.1.4. Subsidence
The monitoring program will review Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) satellite-based data to identify and evaluate land subsidence in the Basin (see Table 7-1).
These data will be used to monitor the rate and extent of ground surface elevation change as applicable and with reference to the MT and Measurable Objective (MO), which are described in Sustainability Criteria Sections 6.4. These data represent measurements of ground surface displacement and thus are directly applicable to scientific assessment of potentialsubsidence.
7.1.4.1. Spatial Coverage
The InSAR data provide adequate coverage of the Bedford Coldwater Basin including both MAs, as described in Groundwater Conditions Section 4.3 and Sustainability Criteria Section
6.4. InSAR data are available for the entire Basin (and beyond), as shown with recent InSAR information from DWR on Figure 4-10. InSAR data will be cross-checked, and in conjunction with local groundwater level and pumping data will be used to assess relationships between groundwater levels, pumping, and subsidence data.
7.1.4.2. Monitoring Frequency
Assuming continued data availability, the monitoring program will involve annual download of InSAR data with analysis for any signs (rate and extent) of cumulative inelastic subsidence.
To date there have been no reports or other indications ofsubsidence in the Basin. While data will be reviewed annually, at this time detailed analysis relative to the Minimum Threshold and Measurable Objective is planned as part of the five-year GSP update. The reporting will be consistent with GSP Regulations.
7.1.5. Degraded Water Quality
In addition to the general monitoring objectives listed above, specific objectives for the GSP water quality monitoring program include the following:
• Collect groundwater quality data from the principal aquifer to identify and track trends of any water quality degradation,
• Map the movement of degraded water quality,
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• Define the three-dimensional extent of any existing degraded water quality impact, • Assess groundwater quality impacts to beneficial uses and users, and • Evaluate whether management activities are contributing to water quality degradation.
Figure 7-2 shows the location of the existing wells that are sampled for water quality. The existing water quality monitoring programs for the Basin are described in Plan Area Section
2.1.4, Groundwater Conditions Section 4, and Sustainability Criteria Section 6.6. To summarize, the BCGSA monitoring program relies on other agencies and their annual orsemiannual measurements, including Corona, EVMWD, TVWD, the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB-DDW). The BCGSA agencies currently monitor 12 wells periodically for general minerals, physical parameters, and selected constituents of concern. In addition, one private well (Glen Ivy Hot Springs) is sampled regularly, and water quality data are provided to the SWRCB-DDW. Two new dedicated monitoring wells will be added to the monitoring network as part of GSP development. These wells (BCGSA MW-1 and MW-2) are shown on Figure 7-2. As described in Groundwater Conditions Section 4 and discussed in depth in Section 6.6, a broad suite of inorganic constituents is sampled and analyzed and known regulated contamination sites are tracked. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and nitrate have been identified as the key constituents of concern for which sustainability criteria have been defined.
7.1.5.1. Spatial and Vertical Coverage
The current monitoring network in the Basin contains spatial and vertical gaps. Figure 7-2 shows the spatial distribution of wells currently monitored, including the new dedicated monitoring wells that will be sampled regularly.
As with the groundwater level monitoring program, existing wells in the BCGSA groundwater quality monitoring program will be evaluated relative to 23 CCR § 352.4 requirementsfor well information. The new dedicated monitoring wells are designed to meet requirements while addressing data gaps in the water quality monitoring program as well as the water level monitoring program.
Vertical coverage is discussed in Groundwater Conditions Section 4.9, which indicates that the water quality monitoring programs in the Basin do not reveal vertical differences in water quality. Otherwise, vertical differences in water quality are uncertain; this reflects the fact that most monitored wells are pumping wells with long screens.
As stated in Section 6.6, the BCGSA will continue to improve and expand the monitoring program if needed to address spatial and vertical coverage.
7.1.6. Depletion of Interconnected Surface Water
The minimum threshold for depletion of interconnected surface water is defined by groundwater levels monitored near dense riparian vegetation along the Temescal Wash. At Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-7
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this time, wells in the groundwater level monitoring program are production wells with relatively deep screens that have not been sited and designed for tracking surface watergroundwater interactions. The lack of shallow monitoring wells has been identified as a data gap.
7.1.6.1. Spatial and Vertical Coverage
Figure 7-1 is a map showing locations of key wells currently selected for groundwater levels and those located along selected stream reaches can be used to monitored groundwatersurface water interaction. The identification of key stream reaches is described in Sustainability Criteria Section 6.7 and has addressed all management areas. Table 7-2 provides a summary of the monitoring wells in the network.
The scientific rationale foridentification of wellsforinclusion in the shallow groundwaterlevel monitoring program has involved the following:
• Location adjacent to riparian vegetation along Temescal Wash. • Length, completeness, and reliability of historical groundwater level record with measurements.
• Regular access to the well for measurements.
The selected wells are all water supply wells with relatively deep screens and therefore do not provide the needed vertical (shallow) coverage. The BCGSA will investigate the connection between shallow groundwater, surface water, and riparian vegetation as indicated in Section 8, Projects and Management Actions. These investigations will focus on identifying the need for additional shallow groundwater monitoring near areas of interconnected surface water.
7.1.6.2. Temporal Coverage and Monitoring Frequency
The monitoring for groundwater levels adjacent to areas of riparian vegetation in Temescal Wash will be implemented as part of the overall groundwater level monitoring program as described in Section 7.1.1. Monitoring of existing wells in the program will be continued, serving as the Key Wells for monitoring relative to the Minimum Thresholds defined in GSP Sustainability Criteria Section 6. Once sited and installed, the periods of record for new dedicated shallow wells will be established. Groundwater level data will be reviewed annually (for each annual report) with reference to the Minimum Threshold. Detailed analyses of the relationships among deep and shallow groundwater level data, stream flow, and riparian conditions will be provided in the Five-Year Update (or sooner if extreme drought conditions and riparian mortality occur; see GSP Section 6.7).
7.2. PROTOCOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND MONITORING
This section focuses on groundwater level monitoring (including regional and surface wateroriented) and groundwater quality sampling by BCGSA. Other data (e.g., climate, streamflow, municipal pumping, subsidence) are compiled by other agencies.
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This section describes general procedures for documenting wells in the monitoring program and for collecting consistently high-quality groundwater elevation and groundwater quality data. In general, the methods for establishing location coordinates (and reference point elevations for elevation monitoring) follow the data and reporting standards described in the GSP Regulations (23 CCR § 352.4) and the guidelines presented in USGS Groundwater Technical Procedures (Cunningham and Schalk 2011 and USGS 2021). These procedures are summarized below.
7.2.1. Field Methods for Monitoring Well Data
Background data for each monitoring well is required for its inclusion in the monitoring program. These data are generally available for wells in the network described on Table 7-2 and shown on Figures 7-1. As part of GSP implementation, location and elevation data will be acquired where missing, revised if conditions at a monitored well change, and added when new wells are brought into the program. The methods for acquiring these data follow:
• Location coordinates will be surveyed with a survey grade global positioning system (GPS) device. The coordinates will be in Latitude/Longitude decimal degrees and reference the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) datum. • Reference point elevations will also be surveyed with a survey grade GPS device with elevation accuracy of approximately 0.5 feet.
o During surveying, the elevations of the reference point and ground surface near the well will be measured to the nearest 0.5 foot. o All elevation measurements will reference North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) vertical datum.
7.2.2. Field Methods for Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Reference points and ground surface elevations will be documented as described above prior to groundwater elevation monitoring in the field. Field methods for collection of depth-towater measurements are described below:
1. Measurements in all wells will be collected within a three-day window whenever possible.
2. Active production wells should be turned off prior to collecting a depth to water measurement.
3. The standard period of time that a well needs to be off before a static measurement is taken is at least 24 hours (48 hours recommended).
4. To verify that the wells are ready for measurement, BCGSA field staff will coordinate with well operators and/or owners as necessary.
5. Coordination with well operators/owners should occur approximately four days prior to the expected measurement date.
6. Depth to groundwater measurements collected by either electric sounding tape (Solinst or Powers type sounders), by steel tape methods, or data logging transducers. Depth-to-water measurement methods are described in DWR’s Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-9
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Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Guidelines (DWR 2010). Depth to groundwater will be measured and reported in feet to at least 0.1 foot.
7.2.3. Field Methods for Groundwater Quality Monitoring Groundwater sampling is conducted by trained professionals from the three agencies in the BCGSA or specialty contractors. Sampling follows standard monitoring well sampling guidelines such as those presented in the National Field Manual for the Collection of Water‐ Quality Data (USGS 2021).
Generally, the wells have been pumped prior to sample collection, or are purged. Purging is conducted until field instruments indicate that water quality parameters (pH, oxidationreduction potential (ORP), specific conductance, and temperature) have stabilized and turbidity measurements are below five Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTUs). The pumping or purging prior to sample collection demonstrates that the sample collected is representative of formation water and not stagnant water in the well casing or well filter pack. For groundwater, field temperature and conductivity are recorded while the well is being purged to ensure that physical parameters have stabilized before collecting a sample.
All groundwater samples are collected in laboratory‐supplied, pre‐labeled containers and include prescribed preservatives. The filled sample containers will then be placed in an icefilled cooler for storage and transported to the laboratory for analysis under chain of custody procedures.
All field measurements are recorded in a field logbook or worksheets and the sample containers are labeled correctly and recorded on the chain‐of‐custody form. The applicable chain‐of‐custody sections are completed and forwarded with the samples to the laboratory.
Upon receipt of the samples at the laboratory, laboratory personnel complete the chain‐ofcustody.
Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) assessment of field sampling includes use of field blanks. Field blanks identify sample contamination that is associated with the field environment and sample handling. These samples are prepared in the field by filling the appropriate sample containers with the distilled water used for cleaning and decontamination of all field equipment. One field blank per sampling event is collected.
Samples are sent to a State‐certified laboratory that has a documented analytical QA/QC program including procedures to reduce variability and errors, identify and correct measurement problems, and provide a statistical measure of data quality. The laboratory conducts all QA/QC procedures in accordance with its QA/QC program. All QA/QC data are reported in the laboratory analytical report, including: the method, equipment, and analytical detection limits, the recovery rates, an explanation for any recovery rate that is less than 80 percent, the results of equipment and method blanks, the results of spiked and surrogate samples, the frequency of quality control analysis, and the name of the person(s) performing the analyses. Sample results are reported unadjusted for blank results or spike recovery.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-10
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7.3. REPRESENTATIVE MONITORING
To allow quantification and tracking of sustainability criteria, representative monitoring sites, or wells, have been identified for 1) regional groundwater level monitoring and 2) for monitoring shallow groundwater conditions where surface water-groundwater connection is likely and tied to groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs). These Key Wells are shown on Figure 7-1 and listed in Table 7-2. These have been designated by BCGSA asthe point at which sustainability indicators are monitored. Information on the quantitative values for MTs, MOs, and interim milestones is included in Sustainability Criteria Section 6.
As discussed in Sustainability Criteria Section 6.3, change in groundwater in storage is closely related to groundwater levels, which can serve as a proxy for monitoring change in storage.
Moreover, groundwater level MTs and MOs are sufficiently protective to ensure prevention ofsignificant and unreasonable results relating to storage. Accordingly, continued monitoring of wells for groundwater levels also serve to track sustainability for storage.
As discussed in Section 6.4, the definition of undesirable results and the quantification of the MT and MO for subsidence are based on InSAR information on vertical displacement of the ground surface; these spatial and temporal data are publicly available from DWR.
Section 6.5 discusses seawater intrusion, which is not possible in this inland basin.
Section 6.6 describes undesirable results and defines sustainability criteria for water quality.
MTs and MOs are quantified in terms of the percentage of wells with concentrations exceeding the local and state goals for nitrate and TDS based on current conditions. The BCGSA water quality monitoring wellsshown on Figure 7-2 and listed in Table 7-2 are sampled regularly to identify water quality problems and to track water quality trends.
Table 7-2. Wells in the Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Agency Monitoring Network Local Well Name State Well Number
CASGEM
Identification
Number Well Owner
Production
Well
Management
Area
X Coordinate (feet State
Plane CA Zone 6, NAD 83)
Y Coordinate (feet State
Plane CA Zone 6, NAD 83)
Ground Surface
Elevation (feet)
Reference Point
Elevation (feet) Completion Date
Total Well
Depth (feet)
Screen Interval
Depths (feet)
Water Level
Monitoring Well
(Yes/No)
Interconnected
Surface Water
Monitoring Well
(Yes/No)
Water Quality
Monitoring Well
(Yes/No)
Corona Well 20 005S006W11D001 Not Applicable City of Corona Yes Coldwater 6,187,462.780 2,220,777.903 1,147.58 1,149.48 10/2/1998 660 200 to 580 Yes No Yes Corona Well 21 005S006W03J005 Not Applicable City of Corona Yes Coldwater 6,185,101.479 2,224,408.672 1,128.00 1,128.49 5/22/1998 660 200 to 580 Yes No Yes Corona Well 3 005S006W03K001 Not Applicable City of Corona Yes Coldwater 6,184,790.810 2,222,918.852 1,137.70 1,143.57 1/26/1935 543 100 to 530 Yes No No Corona Non-Potable Well 1 004S006W16G004S 46729 City of Corona Yes Bedford 6,179,815.144 2,245,270.386 808.92 809.34 Unknown Unknown Unknown Yes Yes Yes Corona Non-Potable Well 2 004S006W16G005S 46730 City of Corona Yes Bedford 6,179,827.292 2,245,270.240 808.77 808.90 Unknown Unknown Unknown Yes Yes Yes Corona & EVMWD Trilogy 005S006W03H001S Not Applicable Corona & EVMWD Yes Coldwater 6,184,906.094 2,224,253.480 1,101.86 1,101.86 2/5/2016 579 250 to 360 and 390
to 450 Yes No No
EVMWD Flagler 2A Well 004S006W16C003S 46732 Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Yes Bedford 6,179,006.482 2,247,223.539 791.71 796.96 3/30/2005 105 51 to 92 Yes Yes Yes EVMWD Flagler 3A Well 004S006W16C002S 46733 Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Yes Bedford 6,179,002.084 2,246,859.661 794.16 795.72 3/18/2005 100 51 to 90 Yes Yes Yes EVMWD Station 71 005S006W11C001 Not Applicable Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Yes Bedford 6,187,370.000 2,222,025.759 1,166.45 1,168.53 7/22/1971 600 239 to 588 Yes No Yes EVMWD Mayhew Well 2 005S006W11G001 Not Applicable Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Yes Coldwater 6,187,322.670 2,222,291.946 1,241.00 1,242.33 10/27/1989 740 300 to 730 Yes No Yes TVWD Well 1 (Old well) 004S006W22P003S Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District No Bedford 6,182,456.123 2,237,346.855 894.00 881.40 Unknown 100 40 to 80 Yes Yes No TVWD Well 1A Not Available Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,182,464.822 2,237,273.854 895.00 882.68 Unknown 100 40 to 80 Yes No Yes TVWD Well 4 004S006W22P004S Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,182,523.828 2,237,795.159 883.00 878.97 Unknown 100 40 to 80 Yes Yes Yes TVWD TP-1 Not Available Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,183,364.598 2,235,315.457 901.46 902.29 6/18/2015 103 39 to 99 Yes Yes Yes TVWD TP-2 Not Available Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,183,683.778 2,235,349.830 902.37 902.62 5/18/2017 90 30 to 85 Yes Yes Yes TVWD Foster Well 004S006W22N002 Not Applicable Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,182,288.775 2,238,133.791 871.74 872.94 6/9/2015 93 38 to 88 Yes No Yes TVWD New Sump 004S006W35G002 47928 Temescal Valley Water District Yes Bedford 6,189,460.269 2,229,866.527 955.71 953.57 Unknown 74 Unknown Yes No Yes BCGSA MW-1 Not Available Yet Not Applicable Bedford-Coldwater GSA No Bedford 6,181,386.544 2,228,000.186 Not Available Yet Not Available Yet Construction
Planned Mid-2021 Not Available Yet Not Available Yet Yes No Yes BCGSA MW-2 Not Available Yet Not Applicable Bedford-Coldwater GSA No Coldwater 6,181,488.573 2,231,333.213 Not Available Yet Not Available Yet Construction
Planned Mid-2021 Not Available Yet Not Available Yet Yes No Yes Glen Ivy Well 1 Not Available Not Applicable Glen Ivy Hot Springs Yes Coldwater 6,183,187.330 2,221,453.024 Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown No No Yes T:\Projects\Bedford Coldwater GSP 80802\Deliverables\GSP\7 Monitoring\Table 7-2 Wells in the Bedford-Coldwater Monitoring Network.xlsx - Table 7-2 Todd Groundwater Des by: MR
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TODD GROUNDWATER,
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7.4. DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DMS)
The BCGSA has been collecting and compiling groundwater data including water levels, water quality, and water use for the GSP. Before the creation of the GSA, the individual agencies of the BCGSA (Corona, EVMWD, and TVWD) monitored water levels and water quality independently. These data from other sources are compiled in relational databases, which consists of Access databases and ESRI geodatabases that have the capabilities for queries to quickly check and summarize data. As part of the GSP, the DMS has been modified to be practicable, usable, and intuitive for the purpose of GSP preparation and implementation.
Appendix K details the final DMS. The databases include easy to update tables and other datasets that assist in comparison of real time conditions and sustainability goals.
7.5. ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF MONITORING NETWORK
The BCGSA has actively engaged in assessment and improvement of its monitoring network.
This process has been intensified as part of the GSP, given the need to identify data gaps and to assess uncertainty in setting and tracking sustainability criteria. Monitoring improvements are a major part of GSP implementation and will be reviewed and updated for each five-year GSP update.
7.5.1. Identification and Description of Data Gaps
The limited data gaps that have been identified in this GSP are summarized in Table 7-3 according to major monitored variable and described in terms of insufficient number of monitoring sites and utilization of monitoring sites that are unreliable (including those that do not satisfy minimum standards). Data gaps also are described in terms of the location and reason for data gaps in the monitoring network, and local issues and circumstances that limit or prevent monitoring. Data gaps listed in Table 7-3 do not include gaps in understanding, which build on the monitoring network but also require investigation and analysis. These planned studies are described as Projects and Management Actions in GSP Chapter 8.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 7-13
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Table 7-3. Identification and Description of Data Gaps
Monitored
Variable
Insufficient
Sites Local Issues
Regional
Groundwater
levels
No The water level network has historically relied on
production wells, but new dedicated wells have been
installed and the production wells are well suited to
monitoring conditions related to water supply for
municipal, industrial, and other beneficial uses.
Stream flow No
Groundwater
extraction
No Most pumping is reported; there may be unreported
pumping but it is assumed to be de minimis.
Groundwater
quality
No Water quality sampling in the Basin is typically tied to regulatory requirements. The BCGSA will perform
regular monitoring of the well network and collect water quality data from all available sources.
Shallow
groundwater
levels
Yes No shallow dedicated groundwater monitoring wells in Basin. Long well screens in monitoring wells limit vertical groundwater quality characterization.
7.5.2. Description of Steps to Fill Data Gaps
Monitoring data gaps have been identified for shallow groundwater level measurements.
Additional shallow groundwater level monitoring is required to better monitor interconnected surface water and GDEs in the Basin. The management actions the BCGSA will undertake towards filling this data gap are described in Section 8, Projects and Management Actions.
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Bedford-Coldwater GSP 8-1
TODD GROUNDWATER,
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8. PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
During the preparation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the BedfordColdwater Subbasin (Basin), five (5) specific management actions (Actions) and three (3) projects (Projects) were identified to achieve the sustainability goal. The Actions are generally focused on data collection, storage and reporting of information necessary to monitor sustainability, and assessment of when Actions may be necessary (i.e., when minimum thresholds(MTs) are approached or exceeded). The projects are generally designed to reduce uncertainty in areas where data gaps have been identified during development of the GSP.
The Projects and Actions will be implemented by a combination of personnel resources from the three agencies within the plan area (Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District [EVMWD], City of Corona [Corona], and Temescal Water District [TVWD]) and contracted resources as described in Section 9. The Projects and Actions in the GSP are as follows:
• Action 1 – Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required for Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports;
• Action 2 – Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary; • Action 3 – Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board as Appropriate; • Action 4 – Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary;
• Action 5 – Review Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) Data on the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) DataViewer During 5-Year Updates;
• Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash and Install Monitoring Wells;
• Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Active Private Wells; and • Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality.
The Projects and Actions are described in the following sections. Further details regarding each project and management action are summarized in Table 8-1 through Table 8-8 at the end of this section. A periodic 5-year update of the GSP is described in Chapter 9.
8.1. ACTION 1 – PROVIDE FOR COLLECTION, COMPILATION, AND
STORAGE OF INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR ANNUAL REPORTS AND
SUBMIT ANNUAL REPORTS
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to submit annual reports to DWR each April 1st following adoption of a GSP.
The report providesinformation on groundwater conditions and the status of implementation of the GSP overthe prior water year. Action 1 will facilitate gathering the required information Bedford-Coldwater GSP 8-2
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and producing the annual report (with the exception of collecting and compiling water levels, which is facilitated under Action 2).
As required by Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Section 356.2, the annual report produced by the Bedford-Coldwater GSA (BCGSA) will include the following components for the preceding water year:
(a) General information, including an executive summary and a location map depicting the Basin.
(b) A detailed description and graphical representation of the following conditions of the Basin:
(1) Groundwater elevation data from monitoring wells identified in the monitoring network and collected as part of Action – 2 will be analyzed and displayed as follows:
(A) Groundwater elevation contour maps for the principal aquifer in the Basin illustrating, at a minimum, the seasonal high and seasonal low groundwater conditions.
(B) Hydrographs of groundwater elevations and water year type using historical data to the greatest extent available, including from January 1, 2015, to current reporting year.
(2) Groundwater extraction for the preceding water year. Data shall be collected using the best available measurement methods and shall be presented in a table that summarizes groundwater extractions by water use sector and identifies the method of measurement (direct or estimate) and accuracy of measurements, and a map that illustrates the general location and volume of groundwater extractions.
(3) Surface water or imported water supply used or available for use, for groundwater recharge or in-lieu use shall be reported based on quantitative data that describes the annual volume and sources for the preceding water year.
(4) Total water use shall be collected using the best available measurement methods and shall be reported in a table that summarizes total water use by water use sector, water source type, and identifies the method of measurement (direct or estimate) and accuracy of measurements. Existing water use data collection methods will be evaluated and modified as necessary as part of this Action.
(5) Change in groundwater in storage shall include the following:
(A) Change in groundwater in storage maps for each principal aquifer in the basin.
(B) A graph depicting water year type, groundwater use, the annual change in groundwater in storage, and the cumulative change in groundwater in storage for the Basin based on historical data to the greatest extent available, including from January 1, 2015, to the current reporting year.
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(c) A description of progress towards implementing the Plan, including achieving interim milestones, and implementation of projects or management actions since the previous annual report.
Action 1 also provides for production and transmittal of the annual report described above.
8.2. ACTION 2 – ROUTINELY RECORD GROUNDWATER LEVELS AND
TAKE ACTION IF NECESSARY
Each agency will collect static groundwater elevation data at the wells they own and operate.
Depth to groundwater measurements will be collected at a minimum frequency of once per month, except in cases where a production well is active and shutting the well down to collect a static water level will cause operational problems due to interrupted supply. In these cases, quarterly measurements will be made. Several wells in the basin are monitored continuously via supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). In these cases, care will be taken to document the depth and elevation of the transducer, as well as the accuracy of the transducer, which can be expressed either as a percentage of full scale or in absolute terms.
Depth to groundwater measurements from a known elevation under static (non-pumping) conditions using an electric probe will be periodically compared to transducer readings to determine the elevation of the transducer such that groundwater elevation hydrographs can be produced from SCADA records. The BCGSA administrator will be responsible for facilitating collection of groundwater elevation data in the proper format. Field methods for collection of depth to groundwater information are specified in Section 7.
The BCGSA administrator and each agency will note trends in depth to groundwater information, and agencies will coordinate to reduce pumping rates or durations if a trend toward the MT is observed. Agencies will curtail pumping in the affected area if a MT is reached.
8.3. ACTION 3 – MONITOR SELECTED GROUNDWATER QUALITY
CONSTITUENTS AND COORDINATE WITH THE REGIONAL WATER
QUALITY CONTROL BOARD AS APPROPRIATE
Each agency will collect groundwater samples at the wells they own and operate and deliver to a common laboratory for analysis. Field methods for collection of groundwater samples are specified in Section 7. Groundwater sampling results will be delivered to the BCGSA administrator who will compile and report results.
The BCGSA administrator will note trends in groundwater quality, and the BCGSA will coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board as appropriate if a trend toward the MT is observed. The BCGSA administrator will be responsible for compiling groundwater quality data and adding itto the GSA Data Management System (DMS) in standardized format.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 8-4
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8.4. ACTION 4 – TRACK TRENDS IN GROUNDWATER LEVELS NEAR
TEMESCAL WASH AND TAKE ACTION AS NECESSARY
Each agency will collect groundwater elevations at the wells they own and operate in the vicinity of Temescal Wash as described in Sections 6 and 7. Depth to groundwater measurements will be collected at a minimum frequency of once per month, except in cases where a production well is active and shutting the well down to collect a static water level will cause operational problems due to interrupted supply. Several wells in the Basin are monitored continuously via SCADA. SCADA records will be corrected for groundwater elevation as described in Section 8.2. Field methods for collection of depth to groundwater information are specified in Section 7.
The BCGSA administrator and each agency will note trends in depth to groundwater information, and agencies will coordinate to reduce pumping rates or durations if a trend toward the MT regarding interconnected surface water at Temescal Wash is observed.
Agencies will curtail pumping in the affected area if an MT is reached.
8.5. ACTION 5 – REVIEW INSAR DATA ON THE DWR DATAVIEWER ANNUALLY AND COMPILE DURING 5-YEAR UPDATES
In other basins in California, extensive groundwater withdrawals from aquifer systems have caused land subsidence. Land subsidence can damage to structures such as wells, buildings, and highways. They also can create problems in the design and operation of facilities for drainage, flood protection, and water conveyance. Two factors generally needed for groundwater withdrawals to cause subsidence are 1) relatively large declines in groundwater levels combined with 2) relatively thick sequences of collapsible clays (such as ancestral lake deposits). Neither of these conditions exist in the Basin, and subsidence due to groundwater withdrawals has not been observed or expected. DWR has developed SGMA DataViewer to include updated subsidence information to help GSAs, water managers, and others to implement SGMA. The BCGSA will review the DataViewer information during the annual update and summarize the findings in the 5-year update.
8.6. PROJECT 1 – INVESTIGATE GROUNDWATER/SURFACE WATER
INTERACTION AT TEMESCAL WASH
As noted in Section 6.7.8, there are several data gaps related to depletions of interconnected surface water along Temescal Wash. Data gaps include lack of water level data in certain areas, lack of dedicated monitoring (vs. production) wells, lack of wells within or near the wash channel, and uncertainty regarding vertical gradients. The objective of Project 1 is to address these data gaps and improve protection of a potentially groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE) along Temescal Wash. Project 1 will be initiated in two phases: an initial feasibility study and permitting review, and a second phase of installation of monitoring facilities and on-going vegetation and shallow groundwater monitoring.
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The BCGSA will develop a request for proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to conduct the initialstudy to evaluate the interaction ofsurface water and groundwater and the relationship of groundwater elevation on the health of riparian vegetation in Temescal Wash. The purpose of this study is to reduce uncertainty regarding the riparian habitat and ultimately to improve the MT and protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems. The study may involve field biological surveys, review of historical surface flows, review of historical photographs and remote sensing data, and investigation and field studies regarding evapotranspiration and root depth ofriparian vegetation in and around Temescal Wash. An outcome of the first phase of the project is to identify appropriate locations and associated permitting requirements for monitoring wells along Temescal Wash. The work will result in recommendations for future riparian monitoring protocols and permitting requirements for installation of piezometers or drive points close to the wash itself.
Although the second phase of the project will be dependent on the results of the initial phase, the following work is anticipated:
1. Install four shallow monitoring wells along Temescal Wash, spread out along the wash, one or two near pumping wells to ascertain vertical gradients, others upstream near dense riparian vegetation.
a. During 5-year GSP updates, relate those water levels to production well water levels and stream flow, and refine MTs.
2. Conduct a survey for perennial pools along the entire length of the Temescal Wash in the Basin. Ideally, this would be done sometime during August to October in a normal year and again in a dry year.
a. If pools are found, a fisheries biologist should survey the fish species present in them.
3. The next time water levels start approaching the interconnected surface water MTs, conduct a vegetation survey along the Wash to look for drought stress. a. If stress correlates with increased depth to water, start reducing pumping (Management Action 4).
8.7. PROJECT 2 – INITIATE A SURVEY OF ACTIVE PRIVATE WELLS As noted in Section 6, there are very few known active private wells in the Basin. Because there are records (DWR and other sources) of many more wells than are known to exist and be active, it is believed that most have been abandoned, destroyed, or are no longer equipped or used, as residential users have been connected to municipal water supplies. Known active private wells are for non-potable uses and are of similar depths and construction to the monitored municipal supply wells. During the recent drought, the Basin was not marked by reports of significant water level decline impacts to shallow production wells.
Nevertheless, there still remains some uncertainty about the existence, use, and construction characteristics of local, active, private (non-municipal) wells. For this reason, the BCGSA will Bedford-Coldwater GSP 8-6
TODD GROUNDWATER,
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initiate a survey of active private wells in order to confirm that the MTs are protective of the use of private wells being put to beneficial use.
8.8. PROJECT 3 – EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF AGGREGATE PITS
ON GROUNDWATER FLOW AND QUALITY
Significant aggregate (sand and gravel) resources mining occurs south of Corona within and along Temescal Wash and north of Lake Elsinore which has been active since the late 1940s (CDMG 1991). In 2007, the State of California reported that the active mines in local areas other than Temescal Valley are “nearly exhausted” and that the fast-growing county now relies on Temescal Valley for much of its aggregate needs. As a result, the Temescal Valley Production District has become the largest sand and gravel production district in the United States, having produced about 12 million tons of aggregate in 2005. Per a 2007 report issued by the California Geological Survey, the region’s 50-year aggregate demand is 1,122 million tons. As of 2007, a total of approximately 355 million tons were being supplied by permitted aggregate resources; 32 percent of the forecast demand. Data indicate that approximately 6,000 million tons of mineral resources are secured within the region (County of Riverside 2015).
Current surface mining permits (SMPs) include:
• SMP-133 (Coldwater Aggregates) which expires in 2040; • SMP-139 (Mayhew Aggregates and Mining Reclamation) does not have an expiration date as an inert landfill site;
• SMP-143R2 (Foster’s Sand and Gravel) which expires in 2065; and • SMP-202 (Chandlers Palos Verdes Sand and Gravel Company) which expires in 2036.
These permits note the ultimate use of the mining pits as stormwater recharge basins (KWC 2017), and therefore the mining pits will clearly have an impact on groundwater management (albeit at least 18 yearsinto the future). The surface aggregate mining involves deepening and widening open pits as the mining operation expands. In doing so, the pits encounter groundwater. As groundwater levels rise and fall, the bottoms of the pits are exposed.
Therefore, it is clear that there is communication between the surface water in the pits and the adjacent groundwater body which currently exists and will continue well into the future.
Groundwater modeling conducted as part of the GSP development (Section 5 and Appendix G) and groundwatersampling from wells nearthe pitssuggest that the pits may have an effect on the local water budget and on groundwater quality in ways that are not completely understood. For example, model calibration efforts suggest consumptive use near the pits is higher than recorded pumping of adjacent wells, and the Corona Well 21 was shut down due to a high heterotrophic plate count (a measure of bacteria in water), potentially as a result of groundwater under the influence of surface water from the aggregate pits.
Therefore, to improve further modeling involving aggregate mines or simulation of proposed stormwater capture in the mines, a project is proposed to evaluate and improve the Bedford-Coldwater GSP 8-7
TODD GROUNDWATER,
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hydrogeologic conceptual model in the vicinity of the mines. The BCGSA will initiate the investigations after adoption of the GSP by issuing an RFP to qualified firms. Although details of the study of aggregate mining’s effect on groundwater are yet to be determined, it is anticipated that the study may involve detailed review of the aggregate pit water budget (pumping, evapotranspiration, precipitation, and surface water flow infiltration), historical remote sensing images, historical hydrograph and streamflow information review, monitoring well construction, and/or interviews with local mine managers.
Table 8-1. Action 1 – Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required for Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Routinely collect, compile, and store groundwater extractions by water use sector, groundwater extractions measurement methods and accuracy, surface water sources, and total water use and methods used to determine total water use. Prepare annual reports.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) Maintain groundwater elevations above the historical minimum elevation and maintain groundwater levels within the historical operating range.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) Information gathering will be implemented immediately upon GSP adoption.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $126,000 Annual cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) If overdraft is identified, the management action will be to curtail pumping as agreed upon by BCGSA staff.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) No additional permitting or regulatory processes will be required.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) Information gathering will be implemented immediately upon GSP adoption and will continue until the next 5-year update.
Collection of this information is required for annual reporting, but it will also assist in evaluation of trends and relationship to the sustainability of the management areas.
Level of uncertainty will be identified during the process of evaluating measurement methods and accuracy.
The BCGSA will utilize BMPs and data formats specified by the DWR.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates or duration if trends indicate historical maximum groundwater levels will be reached. Individual agencies will be responsible for monitoring their wells and informing the BCGSA if this trend becomes apparent.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The information will be collected by BCGSA agency personnel for the facilities (including wells) that they own and manage. This information will be transmitted to the a contracted BCGSA administrator on a monthly basis who will compile and store the information and complete annual reports. Information from private well owners which exceed de minimis levels will be compiled by the administrator.
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Table 8-2. Action 2 – Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Routinely measure and record water levels in selected wells identified in the monitoring plan. Monitor trends and reduce pumping if a trend toward a minimum threshold is observed. Curtail pumping in the event of reaching a minimum threshold.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) Maintain groundwater elevations above the historical minimum elevation and maintain groundwater levels within the historical operating range.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) Water level monitoring will be implemented once the GSP is adopted. The minimum threshold is defined at each key well by either the depth to groundwater equivalent to the current pump intake or 10 feet above the bottom of the deepest screen section, whichever is shallower. Undesirable results are indicated when exceedances occur in two consecutive quarters in each of two consecutive years in at least two thirds of key wells in each management area. If a trend toward the minimum threshold is observed, pumping rates or durations will be reduced in the affected areas.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $110,000 Annual cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Pumping will be reduced if a trend toward a minimum threshold is identified.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) No additional permitting or regulatory processes will be required.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) Water level monitoring will be ongoing, beginning with adoption of the GSP. The benefit of more consistent data and understanding of groundwater levels will increase with time and continued monitoring.
There is inconsistency of data in some areas of the Basin which regular standardized monitoring will mitigate.
Regular water level monitoring will benefit the maintenance of sustainability by decreasing the uncertainty regarding sustainable depths to groundwater in order to avoid undesirable results.
Static groundwater levels will be collected and compiled by BCGSA agency personnel for the wells they own and manage at a minimum frequency of monthly. Transducers will be utilized where practical. This information will be transmitted to the BCGSA administrator who will compile and store the information and complete annual reports. In cases where active production wells are monitored, frequency may be reduced to quarterly to minimize water supply interruption.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates or duration if trends indicate historical maximum groundwater levels will be reached. Individual agencies will be responsible for monitoring their wells and informing the BCGSA if this trend becomes apparent.
The BCGSA will use the water level monitoring to add to existing data of historical maximum depths to water.
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Table 8-3. Action 3 – Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board as Appropriate Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Routinely monitor water quality throughout the Basin as described in the monitoring plan. If a significant upward concentration trend is observed in areas that contribute to potable supply, cooperate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board for appropriate action. If a minimum threshold is observed in areas that contribute to potable supply, cooperate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board for appropriate.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) Maintain or reduce the 5-year average concentrations of nitrate and total dissolved solids based on conditions assessed in each 5-year update.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) Water quality monitoring will be implemented once the GSP is adopted. The minimum threshold for nitrate is defined as 5- year average concentrations (Basin-wide) not exceeding the 10 mg/L drinking water MCL for Nitrate as Nitrogen. The minimum threshold for TDS is defined as 5-year average concentrations (Basin-wide) not exceeding the 1,000 mg/L Secondary MCL for TDS. If significant upward concentration trends toward the minimum thresholds are observed in areas that contribute to potable supply, the GSA will coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board as appropriate..
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $24,000 Annual cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Overdraft will not be a factor in this management action.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) No additional permitting or regulatory processes will be required.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) Water quality monitoring will be ongoing, beginning with adoption of the GSP. The benefit of more consistent data of groundwater quality will increase with time and continued monitoring.
Uncertainty when assessing potential water quality concerns may be communicated to the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Regular water quality monitoring will benefit the Basin by serving as an early warning system to identify trends toward potential groundwater quality concerns in order to avoid undesirable results.
Groundwater samples will be collected BCGSA agency personnel for wells they own and operate. This information will be transmitted to the BCGSA administrator who will compile and store the information and complete annual reports.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
Groundwater extractions and recharge will not be a factor in this management action.
Analysis shall be conducted by a certified laboratory with the State of California through the California Water Boards Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). The BCGSA will incorporate data from the RWQCB when assessing water quality concentration trends.
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Table 8-4. Action 4 – Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Routinely track water levels in wells located near Temescal Wash and take action as specified.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) The measurable objective is the amount of surface water depletion that is less than the amount specified as the minimum threshold. Given the weak correlation between groundwater levels and vegetation health, no specific rise in shallow groundwater levels or increase in stream flow is identified as providing a preferred set of GDE conditions.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) The minimum threshold is defined as more than two-thirds of monitored wells near Temescal Wash with static water levels lower than 35 feet below the adjacent channel elevation for a period of more than one year. If a trend toward the minimum threshold is observed, pumping rates or durations will be reduced in affected areas. If the minimum threshold is met, pumping will be curtailed in the affected area until groundwater levels recover.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $2,000 Annual cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies. The majority of costs for this MA is covered under MA-2
Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Transducers installed in wells near Temescal Wash where practical and/or manual measurements will be performed on selected wells.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) No additional permitting or regulatory processes will be required.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) Water level monitoring at Temescal Wash will be ongoing, beginning with adoption of the GSP. The benefit of more consistent data and understanding of the groundwater levels will increase with time and continued monitoring.
There is uncertainty regarding the relationship between water levels in production wells adjacent to Temescal Wash and the health of the riparian vegetation in the wash. For this reason, a specific project will be developed in an attempt to resolve this data gap and update the minimum threshold as required.
Regular water level monitoring at Temescal Wash will benefit the Basin by decreasing the uncertainty of sustainable groundwater depths relating to riparian vegetation health.
Static groundwater levels will be collected and compiled agency personnel who own and operate individual wells at a minimum frequency of monthly. Transducers will be utilized where practical. This information will be transmitted to the GSA administrator who will compile and evaluate trends toward the minimum threshold. If a trend toward the minimum threshold is observed, pumping rates or durations will be reduced in the affected area. Should a minimum threshold occur, pumping will be curtailed in the affected area.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates or duration if trends indicate historical maximum groundwater levels will be reached. Individual agencies will be responsible for monitoring their wells and informing the BCGSA if this trend becomes apparent.
The BCGSA will use the water level monitoring to add to existing data of historical maximum depths to water.
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Table 8-5. Action 5 – Review InSAR Data on the SGMA Dataviewer During Updates Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data will be reviewed on the SGMA Dataviewer during 5-year updates. If a subsidence trend is observed, the GSA will initiate studies to evaluate the causes of subsidence and/or potential errors.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) The measurable objective for the land subsidence affecting land uses sustainability indicator is zero subsidence, acknowledging measurement error and other uncertainties.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) Subsidence monitoring will be implemented once the GSP is adopted. The minimum threshold is defined as a rate of decline equal to or greater than 0.2 feet in any 5-year period with 2015 as the baseline condition. If a subsidence trend is observed, studies will be initiated to evaluate the causes of subsidence.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $4,000 Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Overdraft will not be a factor in this management action.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) No additional permitting or regulatory processes will be required.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) Subsidence monitoring will begin with adoption of the GSP and will be reported during 5-year updates. The benefit of more consistent data will increase with time and continued monitoring.
Many factors may contribute to subsidence, therefore if a trend is observed, studies will be initiated to evaluate the cause(s) before further action is considered.
Undesirable results relating to land subsidence have not been observed in the Basin, however subsidence may be subtle and cumulative over time. The benefit of regular monitoring of subsidence will be to potentially identify subsidence concerns early and initiate studies to evaluate the causes before undesirable results occur.
InSAR data will be monitored annually and compiled on a 5-year basis by the GSA during completion of 5- year updates.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
Groundwater extractions and recharge will not be a factor in this management action.
The BCGSA will use InSAR data available on the SGMA Dataviewer to monitor for future potential subsidence.
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Table 8-6. Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Phase 1 includes field studies and review of historical remote sensing and surface flow data in order to better understand the relationship between groundwater elevations and health of riparian habitat in Temescal Wash. Phase I will also include siting and identifying permitting requirements for new facilities to monitor shallow groundwater along Temescal Wash. Phase 2 will include installation of monitoring wells or drive points and on-going monitoring.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) The measurable objective is the amount of surface water depletion that is less than the amount specified as the minimum threshold. Given the weak correlation between groundwater levels and vegetation health, no specific rise in shallow groundwater levels or increase in stream flow is identified as providing a preferred set of GDE conditions.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) The minimum threshold is defined as more than two-thirds of monitored wells near Temescal Wash with static water levels lower than 35 feet below the adjacent channel elevation for a period of more than one year. If a trend toward the minimum threshold is observed, pumping rates or durations will be reduced in affected areas. If the minimum threshold is met, pumping will be curtailed in the affected area until groundwater levels recover.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $514,000 One-occurrence cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Pumping will be reduced if a trend toward a minimum threshold is identified.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) Permitting or regulatory processes will be evaluated in the initial study.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) The project will start within 6 months of adoption of the GSP with the development of a request for proposal. The project is expected to last approximately two years. Benefits of the project will be to improve monitoring and required action to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
There is uncertainty regarding the relationship between water levels in production wells adjacent to Temescal Wash and the health of the riparian vegetation in the wash. The reason for this project is to reduce that uncertainty and improve minimum thresholds regarding GDEs, and ultimately, protection of GDEs
Technical studies and monitoring of shallow groundwater at Temescal Wash will benefit the Basin by decreasing the uncertainty of sustainable groundwater depths relating to riparian vegetation health and improving the minimum threshold for groundwater/surface water interaction.
The GSA will develop a request for proposal from qualified firms to conduct an initial study to evaluate the interaction of surface water and groundwater and the relationship of groundwater elevation on the health of riparian vegetation in Temescal Wash. The study may involve field biological surveys, review of historical surface flows, and/or review of historical photographs and remote sensing data. The work will result in recommendations for future monitoring and permitting requirements for installation of piezometers of drive points. A second phase will involve installation of monitoring facilities and on-going monitoring of groundwater and vegetation.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates or duration if trends indicate historical maximum groundwater levels will be reached. Individual agencies will be responsible for monitoring their wells and informing the BCGSA if this trend becomes apparent.
Review of historical remote sensing and biological surveys will be utilized.
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Table 8-7. Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Private Wells Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) Field studies and review of information in order to better understand the location and construction characteristics of local private wells
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) Maintain groundwater elevations above the historical minimum elevation and maintain groundwater levels within the historical operating range [such that private wells are not adversely affected.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) The private well survey will be initiated after adoption of the GSP when resources are available.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $60,000 One-occurrence cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Overdraft will be mitigated by reduction in pumping if identified.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) Permitting or regulatory processes are not required for the survey of private wells Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) The project will start after adoption of the GSP and will be conducted by the GSA administrator. Benefits of the project will be to improve understanding and protection of local wells.
There is uncertainty regarding the exact location and design of local private wells. The reason for this project is to reduce that uncertainty and improve protection of private wells.
Further information regarding private wells in the subbasin will benefit achievement of the sustainability goal by decreasing the uncertainty related to the construction characteristics and location of the private wells.
The GSA will initiate a survey of private wells in order to confirm that the minimum thresholds are protective of the use of private wells for beneficial use.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates or duration if trends indicate historical maximum groundwater levels will be reached. Individual agencies will be responsible for monitoring their wells and informing the BCGSA if this trend becomes apparent.
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Table 8-8. Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality Description of the Project or Management Action - §354.44(a) Project/management action benefits - §354.44(b)(5) The GSA administrator will initiate the investigations after adoption of the GSP by issuing an RFP to qualified firms. Although the details of the study of aggregate mine’s effect on groundwater are yet to be determined, it is anticipated that the study may involve detailed review of the aggregate pit water budget (pumping, evapotranspiration, precipitation, and surface water flow infiltration), historical remote sensing images, historical hydrograph and streamflow information review, monitoring well construction, and/or interviews with local mine managers.
Description of the measurable objective(s) addressed - §354.44(b)(1) How the project/management action will be accomplished - §354.44(b)(6) The measurable objective is the amount of surface water depletion that is less than the amount specified as the minimum threshold.
Circumstances and criteria for implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(A) Legal authority - §354.44(b)(7) The project will be implemented prior to the first 5-year update after the GSP has been adopted.
Process to provide the public notice of implementation - §354.44(b)(1)(B) Estimated cost and funding source - §354.44(b)(8) Notice of implementation with be provided in the public review period of the GSP and adoption of the GSP. Implementation of the management action will be internal and not affect landowners or water users in the Basin. $165,000 One-occurrence cost. Funding source to be contributions from BCGSA member agencies Quantification of methods to mitigate overdraft, if overdraft conditions are identified - §354.44(b)(2) Management of groundwater extractions and recharge - §354.44(b)(9) Overdraft will not be a factor in this management action.
Permitting and regulatory process - §354.44(b)(3) Supporting information and science - §354.44(c) If piezometers or monitoring wells will be installed as part of the project, well permits will be acquired from the County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health.
Timeframe for expected project/management action start and completion, accrual of benefits - §354.44(b)(4) Level of uncertainty - §354.44(d) The project is expected to be completed before the first 5-year update after the GSP has been adopted. Benefits will increase over time with a greater understanding of the relationship between aggregate mining and the local groundwater system.
There is uncertainty about the water budget in the vicinity of the aggregate mines. The project will seek to fill these data gaps.
The benefits of investigating the interconnectivity of surface water within the open pit aggregate mines and adjacent groundwater will improve the hydrologic conceptual model and benefit the GSA in understanding methods to maintain sustainability in the vicinity of the mines.
The GSA Administrator will develop a request for proposals from qualified firms and manage progress of the contractor.
CWC § 10725.4 (a)(1) provides GSAs the authority to determine the need for groundwater management and (2) to prepare and adopt a groundwater sustainability plan and implementing rules and regulations.
The BCGSA will manage reductions in pumping rates near the aggregate mines if appropriate based on investigations
The BCGSA will use data gathered during the project and existing best practices to develop methods of avoiding undesirable results around the aggregate mines.
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Bedford-Coldwater GSP 9-1
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
9. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The official adoption of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) by the Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority (BCGSA) will initiate Plan implementation. After submittal of the GSP to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and during the DWR review period, the BCGSA will continue to communicate with stakeholders via the BCGSA’s website and begin implementing the projects and management actions (Actions) described in Section 8. The Plan will be implemented to sustainably manage groundwater in the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin (Basin) under the authority of the BCGSA and its member agencies.
9.1. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Resources to implement the GSP will be derived from three different sources: a contracted GSP Administrator, personnel from the three BCGSA agencies (City of Corona [Corona], Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District [EVMWD], Temescal Valley Water District [TVWD]), and contracted firms qualified to perform specialized services.
The GSP Administrator will be generally responsible for facilitating (though not necessarily performing) all aspects of GSP implementation through the first 5 years, including annual reporting and a 5-year update described in a following section. After 5 years, the BCGSA may elect to renew the term of the Administrator or issue a new RFP for GSP administration.
Personnel from the three BCGSA agencies will be responsible for collection of information from their respective facilities or within their area of influence in the Basin. This will include depth to groundwater measurements, collection of groundwater quality samples, groundwater extractions, use ofsurface water supplies, and total water use. This information will be reported to the GSP Administratorfor compilation, quality control and standardization, ultimately, storage in the BCGSA Data Management System (DMS).
For specialized studies such as biological surveys or other specialized work that cannot be accomplished by the Administrator, the Administrator will be responsible for coordinating with the BCGSA to develop RFPs and facilitating consultant selection by the BCGSA. After the consultant is selected by the BCGSA, the Administrator will be responsible for management of the specialty consultant, including monitoring/reviewing the work and providing recommendations regarding consultant progress payments. Table 9-1 provides examples of GSP implementation tasks and the anticipated responsible party.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 9-2
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
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Table 9-1. Example GSP Implementation Responsibilities
GSP Task Responsible Party
Collect information on groundwater extractions by water use sector, surface water sources, and total water use and report this data to the Administrator
Agency Personnel
Collect and compile static water levels in wells and report this information to the Administrator Agency Personnel
Complete annual reports
GSP
Administrator/Specialty
Consultant
Coordinate appropriate action if measurement thresholds are exceeded GSP Administrator
Maintain Data Management System (DMS) GSP Administrator Monitor selected groundwater quality all active production wells.
Coordinate with RWQCB if action required GSP Administrator Review Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data annually from the DWR DataViewer, and during 5-year updates GSP Administrator Complete 5-year updates including groundwater modeling updates GSP
Administrator/Specialty
Consultant
Develop RFPs and manage specialty contractors GSP Administrator Maintain BCGSA website with periodic stakeholder communication GSP Administrator Conduct private well survey GSP Administrator
Develop quarterly JPA board updates and cost estimates GSP Administrator Identify and apply for potential grant funding GSP Administrator Project No 2: Private Well Survey GSP Administrator
Project No 1: Investigation of Interconnected Surface Water Specialty Consultant Project No 3: Investigation of Aggregate Pits Specialty Consultant
9.2. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COSTS
The costs associated with implementing the GSP can be considered either continually ongoing (operating) costs, or GSP implementation costs associated with specific management actions and projects. Estimated costs for both of these categories are provided below.
9.2.1. Operating Expenses
The cost of operating the BCGSA includes staff expenses, coordination between member agencies, maintenance of the BCGSA website and DMS site, legal expenses, auditing expenses, insurance, bank fees, and other administrative costs. These costs are estimated at approximately $60,000 annually (2021 dollars) based on experience since the BCGSA was formed.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 9-3
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
9.2.2. GSP Implementation Costs
Implementation costs include costs to implement management actions and projects. As detailed in Tables 8-1 through 8-8 and summarized in Table 9-2, total annual costs (2021 dollars) are estimated at approximately $266,000 per year, while estimated one-occurrence costs for recommended projects and the first 5-year periodic GSP update is approximately $990,000.
Table 9-2. GSP Implementation Cost Estimates
Management Action and Projects Estimated Annual Costs
Action 1 - Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required For Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports
$126,000
Action 2 - Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary $110,000
Action 3 - Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board as Appropriate
$24,000
Action 4 - Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary (field costs included in Action 2)
$2,000
Action 5 - Review InSAR Data on the DWR DataViewer During Annual and 5-Year Updates $4,000
Total Estimated Annual Implementation (Non-Operating) Costs $266,000 Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash and Install Monitoring Wells $514,000
Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Active Private Wells $60,000 Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality $165,000
First Periodic 5-year GSP Update $251,000
Total Estimated One-Occurrence Costs (First 5 years) $990,000
9.2.3. Funding Methods for Operating Expenses and GSP Implementation Costs The funding method for operating expenses and GSP implementation costsis by contributions by BCGSA member agencies (Corona, EVWMD, and TVWD). This is the same mechanism utilized to fund development of the GSP (with significant supplemental contribution though Bedford-Coldwater GSP 9-4
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
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California Proposition 1 Grant funding). The estimated costs are well within budget projections for the next several years provided to the BCGSA Board of Directors.
9.3. ANNUAL REPORTING
The BCGSA is required to submit an annual report to DWR by April 1st of each year following adoption of the GSP. The first annual report will be due in April of 2022. The annual report will be facilitated by implementing Actions 1 and 2, which provide for collection of the required information and production of the annual report. The annual report will include the following components as described in GSP Regulations for the preceding water year:
• General information – Executive summary, location map. • Detailed description and graphical representation of the following components of the Basin:
o Groundwater elevation data from monitoring wells within the monitoring network;
o Groundwater extraction data for the preceding water year; o Surface water supply used or available for use;
o Total water use; and
o Change in groundwater storage.
• Description of progress towards implementing the Plan – implementation of projects or management actions since the previous annual report.
It is currently anticipated that the annual reports will be produced by the GSP Administrator or Specialty Consultant. The costs associated with producing these reports will be incorporated into the annual budget of the BCGSA.
9.4. NEW INFORMATION AND CHANGES
The GSP has been developed based on the best available information. However, it is recognized that during implementation of the GSP, new information on groundwater conditions, changes in land use or climate, and or changes in the regulatory environment can be expected. Changes in GSP administration may also be appropriate based on experience.
When these changes occur, the BCGSA will react with appropriate changes in GSP administration, data collection, and/or groundwater management methods. If the changes are significant, stakeholders and the BCGSA Board of Directors will be kept informed of these changes via Board minutes, the BCGSA website, and emails to stakeholders.
9.5. PERIODIC EVALUATIONS
BCGSA will evaluate the GSP at least every five years and provide an assessment to DWR as required by SGMA Regulations. The assessment will provide an update on the progress of achieving sustainability goals in the Basin and will include the following:
Bedford-Coldwater GSP 9-5
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
• A description of current groundwater conditions for each sustainability indicator applicable to the Basin relative to measurable objectives and minimum thresholds. • A description of the implementation of any projects or management actions and their effect on groundwater conditions.
• Any revisions to the basin setting, management areas, or the identification of undesirable results and the setting of minimum thresholds and measurable objectives.
• An evaluation of the basin setting as a result of any significant changes, new information, or changes in water use.
• A description of the monitoring network within the Basin, including any data gaps and areas of the Basin that are represented by data that does not satisfy the requirements of SGMA requirements outlined in Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Sections 352.4 and 354.34(c).
• A description of significant new information that has been made available since GSP adoption, amendment, or last five-year assessment.
• A description of relevant actions taken by the BCGSA, including a summary of regulations or ordinances related to the GSP.
• Information describing any enforcement or legal actions taken by the BCGSA to continue the sustainability goals of the Subbasin.
• A description of completed or proposed GSP amendments.
As with the annual reports, the GSP Administrator/Specialty Consultant will be responsible for completion of the five-year assessment with assistance from BCGSA staff. Both annual reports and periodic updates will be available to the public via the BCGSA website as well as the DWR SGMA website.
The cost of the periodic updates is dependent on the complexity of changes occurring in the Basin since the adoption of the GSP but are estimated to be in the range of $250,000 per update (2021 dollars).
9.6. SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The BCGSA has committed to implementing the GSP upon adoption and completing the projects and management actions necessary to monitor and maintain sustainability within the first 5 years of initiation of the GSP. A preliminary schedule for implementation is shown in Figure 9-1. The GSP Administrator will conduct the survey of private wells and develop RFPs for surface/groundwater and aggregate pit studies within the first year of GSP implementation.
Figure 9-1. Schedule for GSP Implementation
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Action 1 – Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required For Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports Action 2 – Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary
Action 3 – Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board Action 4 – Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary
Action 5 – Review InSAR data on the SGMA Dataviewer During Annual and 5-year Updates
Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash and Install Monitoring Wells
Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Private Wells
Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality
Prepare 5-Year Evaluation
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Phase 1 Phase 2 Ongoing Monitoring
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
T:\Projects\Bedford Coldwater GSP 80802\Deliverables\GSP\0 Complete GSP\Tables\20211102 Projects and Managment Actions Detail.xlsx - Simple Sched 9-6
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Bedford-Coldwater GSP 10-7
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California Department of Mines and Geology (CDMG), 1991, Mineral Land Classification of the Temescal Valley Area, Riverside County, California, Special Report 165, available at:
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City of Temecula, 2020, Municipal Code Title 15, May, available at:
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 2011, NFIP Flood Insurance Manual, May 1, available at: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/fema_flood-insurancemanual-full-edition_april-oct2020.pdf Google Earth, 2021, Historical aerial imagery online maps and data, available at https://earth.google.com/web/, last accessed March 2021.
Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, 2008a, Updated Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Report, Western Municipal Water District, May, available at:
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KWC Engineers, 2016, City of Corona 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, July, available at: https://www.coronaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=4318
KWC Engineers, 2017, Strategic Planning Summary Report for the Coldwater & Mayhew Canyons, County of Riverside, California, Report for the City of Corona, January.
Lee Lake Water District (now Temescal Valley Water District, TVWD), 2007, Lee Lake Water District Recycled Water Master Plan.
Lee Lake Water District (now Temescal Valley Water District, TVWD), 2014, Lee Lake Water District Water System Master Plan Update.
Luhdorff and Scalmanini Consulting Engineers (LSCE), Borchers JW, Grabert VK, Carpenter M, Dalgish B, Cannon D, 2014, Land subsidence from groundwater use in California, report prepared by LSCE with support by the California Water Foundation, available at:
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Morton, Douglas M., Weber, F. Harold, Jr., 2003, Preliminary Geologic Map of the Elsinore
7.5’ Quadrangle, Riverside County, California: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 03- 281, available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/0281.
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MWH, 2008, Temescal Wash hydrologic monitoring report, prepared for Elsinore Municipal Water District, Lake Elsinore, CA, June.
MWH, 2016, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Urban Water Management Plan, Final, June, available at: http://leapshydro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Urban-WaterManagement-Plan-2016.pdf National Conservation Easement Database (NCED), 2019, Database of location and information regarding conserved land and easements, available at:
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 2019, SSURGO soil survey online map database available at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx, last accessed September 2019.
Norris, Robert M. and Webb, Robert W., 1990, Geology of California, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons.
PRISM Climate Group, 2018, Oregon State University, available at:
http://prism.oregonstate.edu, last accessed June 2018.
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., 2016, Temescal Valley Water District Comprehensive Water, Recycled Water, and Wastewater Cost of Service Study Draft Report, December 7, available at: https://www.temescalvwd.com/images/userImages/TVWD_Rate_Report.pdf Riverside County Planning Department, 2015, County of Riverside General Plan, December 8, available at: https://planning.rctlma.org/General-Plan-Zoning/General-Plan Riverside County Planning Department, 2018, Temescal Canyon Plan, available at:
https://rctlma.org/Portals/14/genplan/2019/ap/TCAP_062618.pdf Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD), 2020, Native Fish Studies and Propagation, available at https://www.rcrcd.org/native-fish-studies-and-propagation, last accessed November 2020.
RMC and Woodard & Curran, 2017, 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, Temescal Valley Water District, December, available at:
https://www.temescalvwd.com/pdf/TVWD_UWMP_Public%20Draft%20w%20Appendices.p df
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SAIC, 2007, Draft Coldwater Groundwater Basin Summary of the Hydrologic Inventory and Change in Groundwater Storage, October 23.
San Diego County, 2005, Drainage Design Manual, July, available at:
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/dpw/floodcontrol/floodcontrolpdf/drainagedesignmanual05.pdf State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), 2019, Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment (GAMA) Program Groundwater Information System online map and database, available at:
https://gamagroundwater.waterboards.ca.gov/gama/gamamap/public/, last accessed September 2019.
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), 2020, Response Levels Lowered for Water Systems Statewide as PFAS Investigation Continues, available at:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/press_room/press_releases/2020/pr02062020_pfoa_pfos _response_levels.pdf
The Nature Conservancy, 2020, GDE Pulse on-line vegetation mapping tool, available at https://groundwaterresourcehub.org/sgma-tools/gde-pulse/, last accessed May 2020.
Thomasson, H.G., Jr., F.H. Olmsted and E.F. LeRoux, 1960, Geology, water resources and usable ground-water storage capacity of part of Solano County, California. Water-Supply Paper 1464. U.S. Geological Survey, 1960, available at:
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Todd Engineers and AKM Consulting Engineers (Todd and AKM), 2008, AB3030 Groundwater Management Plan, prepared for City of Corona, June.
Towill, Inc. 2020, InSAR Data Accuracy for California Groundwater Basins CGPS Data Comparative Analysis, January 2015 to September 2019, March 23, available at https://data.cnra.ca.gov/dataset/5e2d49e1-9ed0-425e-9f3e2cda4a213c26/resource/a1949b59-2435-4e5d-bb29-7a8d432454f5/download/insar-dataaccuracy-report-towill.pdf United States Geological Survey (USGS), 2004, Preliminary Digital Geologic Map of the Santa Ana 30’ x 60’ Quadrangle, Southern California, Version 2.0 compiled by D.M. Morton, OpenFile Report 99-172, available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1999/of99-172/ United States Geological Survey (USGS), 2006, Geologic Map of the San Bernardino and Santa Ana 30’ x 60’ Quadrangles, California, Version 1.0 compiled by Douglas M. Morton and Fred K. Miller, Open-File Report 2006-1217, available at:
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https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv?site_no=11072100, groundwater elevation information for wells surrounding Bedford-Coldwater Basin, last accessed July 3, 2018.
United States Geologic Survey (USGS), 2019, National Elevation Dataset (NED) for Riverside County, available at: https://nationalmap.gov/elevation.html, last accessed November 2019.
United States Geological Survey (USGS), 2021, National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (NFM), available at: https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/waterresources/science/national-field-manual-collection-water-quality-data-nfm?qtscience_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects, last accessed February 2021.
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Bedford-Coldwater GSP
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APPENDIX A
Joint Powers Agreement forming the BedfordColdwater Groundwater Sustainability Agency
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
by and among
THE CITY OF CORONA,
a California general law city,
ELSINORE VALLEY MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT,
a municipal water district
and
TEMESCAL VALLEY WATER DISTRICT,
a California water district
for the formation of a joint powers authority and management of
THE BEDFORD-COLDWATER SUB-BASIN
OF THE ELSINORE BASIN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
-i1. RECITALS ....................................................................................................................... 2
2. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 2
3. CERTIFICATION ............................................................................................................ 3
4. CREATION OF SEPARATE AGENCY ......................................................................... 3
5. PURPOSES AND MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................... 4
6. POWERS .......................................................................................................................... 4
7. OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES OF AUTHORITY ................................................... 6
8. DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTERING MEMBER/ADMINISTRATOR .................... 6
9. ORGANIZATION ............................................................................................................ 6
10. SPECIAL PROJECTS AND PROJECT COMMITTEES ................................................ 8
11. FISCAL AGENT, DEPOSITORY AND ACCOUNTING .............................................. 9
12. ACCOUNTABILITY, REPORTS AND AUDITS .......................................................... 9
13. OPERATING BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES .......................................................... 9
14. CONTRIBUTIONS/BUDGETS ....................................................................................... 9
15. ASSESSMENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY COSTS ................................................... 12
16. STAFFING ..................................................................................................................... 13
17. DISPUTE RESOLUTION .............................................................................................. 13
18. WITHDRAWAL............................................................................................................. 14
19. TERM AND TERMINATION ....................................................................................... 15
20. INDEMNIFICATION/CONTRIBUTION ..................................................................... 15
21. INSURANCE .................................................................................................................. 16
22. CLAIMS ......................................................................................................................... 16
23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT REPRESENTED .................................................................... 16
24. HEADINGS .................................................................................................................... 16 Page
-ii25. NOTICES ........................................................................................................................ 16
26. CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................................................... 17
27. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES INTENDED .................................................... 17
28. WAIVERS ...................................................................................................................... 17
29. CONFLICT WITH LAWS OR REGULATIONS/SEVERABILITY ............................ 17
30. FURTHER ASSURANCES AND OBLIGATION OF GOOD FAITH
DEALING ....................................................................................................................... 17
31. COUNTERPARTS ......................................................................................................... 18
32. AMENDMENT............................................................................................................... 18
33. CUA ASSIGNMENT ..................................................................................................... 18 -1-
JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG THE CITY OF CORONA,
ELSINORE VALLEY MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT, AND TEMESCAL VALLEY
WATER DISTRICT FOR THE FORMATION OF A JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
AND MANAGEMENT OF THE BEDFORD-COLDWATER SUB-BASIN OF THE
ELSINORE BASIN
THIS JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of ___________________2017, by and between the CITY OF CORONA (“Corona”), a California General Law City organized and existing under the laws of the State of California, ELSINORE VALLEY MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (“EVMWD”), a Municipal Water District organized under Water Code §§ 71000 et seq., and the TEMESCAL VALLEY WATER DISTRICT (“TVWD”), a California Water District organized under California Water Code §§ 34000 et seq., hereinafter collectively referred to as “Members”, with reference to the following:
A. WHEREAS, in September 2014, the Governor signed three bills (SB 1168, SB 1319, and AB 1739) into law creating the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (“SGMA”); and
B. WHEREAS, SGMA generally requires the formation of one or more Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (“GSA” or “GSAs”) responsible for implementing sustainable groundwater management and preventing “undesirable results” in groundwater basins and subbasins designated as a medium or high priority basin by the California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) in its Bulletin 118 inventory of California groundwater basins; and C. WHEREAS, DWR has designated the Bedford-Coldwater Sub-Basin (the “SubBasin”), as a medium priority groundwater basin under Bulletin 118; and D. WHEREAS, each of the Members overlies a portion of the Sub-Basin and exercises water management, water supply or land use authority within a portion of the Sub-Basin; and E. WHEREAS, the Members are local agencies that can exercise powers related to groundwater management within their jurisdictional boundaries and qualify individually to serve as a GSA within portions of the Sub-Basin per Water Code Section 10723; and F. WHEREAS, under SGMA, a combination of local agencies may elect to form a joint powers authority (“JPA”) to serve as the GSA for all or portions of the Sub-Basin through a joint powers agreement; and
G. WHEREAS, the Members intend by this Agreement to create a JPA to implement SGMA in the entire Sub-Basin, and are authorized to enter into this Agreement pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, Government Code §§ 6500 et seq., for the purpose of acting as a separate public agency that can carry out all obligations, and exercise all powers, of a GSA in all areas of the Sub-Basin; and
H. WHEREAS, under SGMA, a GSA, including a JPA composed of one or more SGMA-eligible local agencies, must file a notice of intent with DWR by June 30, 2017 indicating the GSA’s intent to undertake sustainable groundwater management within all or portions of a groundwater basin; and
February 28,
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I. WHEREAS, the governing boards of each of the three Members have formally agreed to: (1) enter into this Agreement; (2) form a JPA that can jointly exercise the powers common to the Members and fulfill all legal obligations imposed by SGMA; and (3) authorize the JPA to promptly file all necessary documentation with DWR so as to permit the JPA to become the exclusive GSA for the entire Sub-Basin; and
J. WHEREAS, the Members further intend by this Agreement to provide for the management and funding commitments reasonably anticipated to be necessary for the above purposes and for the purpose of ensuring that the Sub-Basin is sustainably managed in accordance with the timelines established by SGMA; and
K. WHEREAS, the Members understand that Corona has entered into a Water Enterprise Management Agreement and a Wastewater Enterprise Management Agreement, both dated as of February 6, 2002, with the Corona Utility Authority (“CUA”) for the maintenance, management and operation of those utility systems (collectively “the CUA Management Agreements”). To the extent that this Agreement is deemed to be a “material contract” under either of the CUA Management Agreements, Corona enters into this Agreement on behalf of the CUA and subject to the terms of the applicable CUA Management Agreements.
ACCORDINGLY, IT IS AGREED BY ALL MEMBERS:
1. RECITALS: The foregoing recitals are incorporated as terms of this Agreement.
2. DEFINITIONS: Unless otherwise required by the context, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. “Administering Member” shall mean the Member designated by the Authority Board to provide administration, operation and staffing of the Authority so as to ensure the Authority complies with this Agreement and all legal requirements. The Board is not required to designate an Administering Member, and a Member so designated is not required to accept the designation.
b. “Administrator” shall mean the individual selected to act as the chief executive of the Authority, and the person responsible for its day to day operations. The Administrator may, but it is not required to be, an employee of one of the Members. c. “Authority” and “JPA” as used herein shall, unless otherwise noted, mean the “Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority,” the separate public agency created by this Agreement and Government Code Sections 6507 and 6508, and the entity charged by this Agreement with becoming the exclusive GSA for the Sub-Basin. d. “Board” or “Board of Directors,” shall, unless otherwise indicated, mean the Board of Directors of the Authority.
e. “DWR” shall mean the California Department of Water Resources. f. “Effective Date” shall mean the date on which all Members have signed this Agreement.
-3-
g. “Fiscal Year” shall run from July 1 through June 30. h. “Groundwater Sustainability Agency” or “GSA” shall mean a groundwater sustainability agency as defined in SGMA, Water Code § 10721. i. “Groundwater Sustainability Plan,” “Plan,” or “GSP” shall have the same meaning as provided in SGMA, Water Code § 10721.
j. “Member” shall mean any of the individual signatories to this Agreement, and “Members” shall collectively mean two or more of the signatories to this Agreement. k. “SGMA” shall mean the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014, as amended, and any regulations of DWR or the State Water Resources Control Board that implement SGMA.
l. “Special Projects” shall mean projects that are consistent with, and within the scope of activities, authorized by this Agreement, but which are undertaken by fewer than all the Members in the name of the Authority in accordance with the procedures outlined in Sections 10 and 14.
m. “Sub-Basin” shall mean the Bedford-Coldwater Sub-Basin of the Elsinore Groundwater Basin, Sub-Basin No. 8-004.2, as identified in the most recent modifications of Bulletin 118 by DWR.
n. “SWRCB” shall mean the California State Water Resources Control Board.
3. CERTIFICATION: Each Member, as a signatory to this Agreement, certifies and declares that it is a public agency, as defined by Government Code § 6500, that is authorized to enter into a joint powers agreement to contract with each other for the joint exercise of any common power under Article 1, Chapter 5, Division 7, Title 1 of the Government Code or any power otherwise granted to one or more of the Members by SGMA.
4. CREATION OF SEPARATE AGENCY: There is hereby created, per Government Code §§ 6507 and 6508, an agency separate from the parties to the Agreement, and which is responsible for the administration of this Agreement, to be known as the “BEDFORDCOLDWATER GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AUTHORITY.” Within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Members, and/or the Authority shall: (a) cause a notice of this Agreement to be prepared and filed with the office of the California Secretary of State as required by Government Code § 6503.5; (b) file a copy of this Agreement with the State Controller per Government Code § 6503.6; and (c) file a copy of this Agreement with the Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”) for Riverside County per Government Code § 6503.6.
5. PURPOSES AND MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: The Authority is formed with the purpose and intent of jointly creating a separate legal entity to fulfill the role and legal obligations of a GSA required by SGMA, to include complying with SGMA and ensuring sustainable groundwater management throughout the Sub-Basin, so that the Members may collaboratively and cost effectively develop, adopt, and implement a GSP for the Sub-Basin in -4-
accordance with pertinent regulatory timelines. The geographic boundaries of the GSA that will be formed by the Authority, which will encompass the entire Sub-Basin, are as depicted in the map attached hereto as Exhibit “A,” which is incorporated herein by reference. The Authority may also represent the Members, as appropriate, in discussions and transactions with other local agencies, to include (but not limited to) the development of inter-basin coordination agreements with other GSAs in Riverside County, and agreements with other local agencies or groundwater sustainability agencies as may be required to ensure compliance with SGMA for the Sub-Basin.
6. POWERS: The Members intend that the Authority provide for the joint exercise of powers common to the Members as such powers relate to the management of the Sub-Basin, and for the exercise of such additional powers as are conferred by law in order to meet the requirements of SGMA. The Members are each SGMA-eligible local agencies empowered by the laws of the State of California to exercise the powers specified in this Agreement, and such other powers as are granted to GSAs by SGMA. These common powers shall be exercised for the benefit of any one or more of the Members or otherwise in the manner set forth in this Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Authority shall have the powers to perform all acts necessary to accomplish its purposes as stated in this Agreement, as authorized by law, including but not limited to the following:
a. To make and/or assume contracts and to employ agents, employees, consultants and such other persons or firms as the Board may deem necessary, to the full extent of the Authority’s power, including, but not limited to, engineering, hydrogeological, and other consultants, and with attorneys and accountants and financial advisors, for the purpose of providing any service required by the Authority to accomplish its purposes, or to otherwise take such actions as are necessary to ensure the Sub-Basin is managed in accordance with the requirements of SGMA;
b. To conduct all necessary research and investigations, and to compile appropriate reports and collect data from all available sources to assist in preparation and implementation of a GSP, and to support the development of such other agreements as may be necessary to ensure the Sub-Basin can be sustainably managed; c. To cooperate, act in conjunction with, and contract with the United States, the State of California, or any agency thereof, the County of Riverside, or such other entities or persons as the Board may deem necessary to ensure that the Authority fulfills its obligations under SGMA;
d. To apply for, accept and receive licenses, permits, water rights, approvals, agreements, grants, loans, gifts, contributions, donations or other aid from any agency of the United States, the State of California or other public or private person or entity necessary for fulfilling the purposes of SGMA in the Sub-Basin;
e. To acquire by grant, purchase, lease, gift, devise, contract, construction, eminent domain or otherwise, and hold, use, enjoy, sell, let, and dispose of, real and personal property of every kind, including lands, water rights, structures, buildings, rights-of-way, easements, and privileges, and construct, maintain, alter, and operate any and all works or -5-
improvements, within or outside the agency, necessary or proper to carry out any of the purposes of the Authority as specified in this Agreement and/or the requirements of SGMA; f. To enforce the requirements of SGMA within the Sub-Basin to the extent authorized by law including, but not limited to, the imposition and collection of civil penalties as authorized by SGMA;
g. To sue and be sued in its own name;
h. To provide for the prosecution of, defense of, or other participation in actions or proceedings at law or in public meetings in which the Members, pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise pertaining to management of the Sub-Basin, may have an interest, and to employ counsel or other expert assistance for that purpose; i. To adopt an initial operating budget and initial Member contributions within ninety (90) days of the execution of this Agreement, and an annual budget and Member contributions, by March 31 of each subsequent Fiscal Year; j. To incur debts, liabilities or obligations, subject to the limitations provided in this Agreement;
k. To impose fees authorized by SGMA (Water Code §§ 10730-10731), without any limitation on a Member’s separate ability to impose fees within its jurisdiction, to fund the cost of furthering the purposes of this Agreement, complying with SGMA, and sustainably managing groundwater within the Sub-Basin;
l. To adopt rules, regulations, policies and procedures for governing the operation of the GSA and adoption and implementation of the GSP consistent with the powers and purposes of the Authority and as authorized by SGMA;
m. To investigate legislation and proposed legislation affecting SGMA and the Sub-Basin and make appearances regarding such matters;
n. Subject to the limitations imposed by this Agreement, to take such actions as are deemed necessary by the Board to achieve the purposes stated above and to provide for the sustainable management of the Sub-Basin; and
o. To adopt and revise bylaws, rules, ordinances, and resolutions in a manner authorized by law and not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement.
Any power necessary or incidental to the foregoing powers shall be exercised by the Authority in the manner provided for under the legal authority applicable to the City of Corona except as otherwise provided by law or in this Agreement.
7. OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES OF AUTHORITY: No debt, liability or obligation of the Authority shall constitute a debt, liability or obligation of any of the Members, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or unless otherwise required by law. -6-
8. DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTERING MEMBER/ADMINISTRATOR:
The powers of the Authority provided in this Agreement shall be exercised in the manner provided by this Agreement. The Board may designate an Administering Member and/or an Administrator to provide all or a portion of the administrative (or other) services required by this Agreement, SGMA, or other legal authority. However, whether or not the Board decides to designate an Administering Member, each Member shall nevertheless be responsible, when requested by the Board, for designating staff from their agency to coordinate with the Board and other Members, and for otherwise ensuring the Authority has sufficient staffing and administrative support to comply with this Agreement and other legal obligations.
9. ORGANIZATION:
a. Additional Members: The Board may allow additional members to join the Authority. Additional Members must be local agencies capable of being designated as a GSA under SGMA. The Board may set whatever conditions it deems necessary as a precondition to addition of the new Member, to include requiring the additional Members to reimburse the other Members for a proportionate share of the costs already incurred by the existing Members. b. Bylaws: The Board shall adopt bylaws governing the management of the Authority within 180 days of the Effective Date. The bylaws shall require the Board to develop a conflict of interest code for the Authority compliant with California law, and to otherwise ensure that the Board operates in a manner that is fully compliant with the Brown Act, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, Government Code §§ 6500 et seq., SGMA, and all other applicable legal requirements.
c. Committees: The Board may create committees as authorized by law. d. Governing Board: The Authority shall be governed by a Board of Directors which shall be composed of one (1) elected representative of each Member, appointed by each Member. The governing body of each Member shall determine in its sole discretion the person it will appoint to the Authority Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall receive no compensation from the JPA for serving on the Board of the JPA. e. Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board may be held quarterly, or as the Board determines necessary, on such dates and times and at such locations as the Board shall fix by resolution. Special meetings of the Board shall be called in accordance with Government Code § 54956. All meetings of the Board shall comply with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §§ 54950 et seq.).
f. Officers: The officers of the Authority shall be a Chairperson, and ViceChairperson, and such other officers as the Board shall designate. The election of officers will take place at the first meeting of the JPA Board, and subsequently in the first Board meeting of each new Fiscal Year unless the time of election is otherwise designated in the Authority bylaws.
The officers or persons who have charge of, handle or have access to any property of the Authority shall be designated in the bylaws, and such officers and persons shall comply with all applicable requirements of Government Code § 6505.1.
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g. Quorum: Two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum in order to conduct business.
h. Rules: The Board may adopt such other rules, policies, and regulations as it deems proper consistent with all applicable laws, this Agreement, and the Authority’s bylaws. i. Term: The Authority Board Members shall serve without terms and at the pleasure of the legislative body which appointed them.
j. Treasurer: The Treasurer of the Board shall be formally designated by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors stating the effective date of the appointment and the term of the appointment.
k. Voting: Each Director shall have one vote. A simple majority of the quorum shall be required for the adoption of a motion, resolution, contract authorization or other action of the Board, except that:
(1) A majority vote of less than a quorum may vote to adjourn; (2) Any of the following actions shall require a unanimous vote of the entire Board:
(a) Adoption, modification or alteration of the GSP, or of the GSA boundaries;
(b) Adoption of assessments, charges or fees;
(c) Adoption or modification of ramp-downs or curtailments; (d) Initiation/settlement of enforcement actions;
(e) Adoption of an initial budget;
(f) Adoption or modification of the annual budget, as further described in Section 14, below;
(g) Initiation/termination or settlement of any litigation or threatened litigation that involves the Authority;
(h) Admission of additional Members to the Authority;
(i) Appointment, employment, or dismissal of the Authority’s Administrator and/or Legal Counsel;
(j) Designating an Administrator or Administering Member; (k) Setting the amounts of any contributions or fees to be made or paid to the Authority by any Member, including extraordinary costs as defined in Section 15;
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(l) Acquisition by grant, purchase, lease, gift, devise, contract, construction, or otherwise, and hold, use, enjoy, sell, let, and dispose of, real and personal property of every kind, including lands, water rights, structures, buildings, rights-of-way, easements, and privileges, and construct, maintain, alter, and operate any and all works or improvements, within or outside the agency, necessary or proper to carry out any of the purposes of the Authority; (m) Replacement of the annual special audit required by Government Code § 6505(f) with an audit covering a two year period; (n) Amendments or modifications of this Agreement;
(o) Adoption or modification of bylaws or other binding rules governing the operations of the JPA Board;
(p) Adoption of ordinances;
(q) Issuance of bonds or other indebtedness;
(r) Allocating funding received from grants, loans, or from other alternative sources, in a manner that does not result in equal sharing of alternative funding among the Members;
(s) To apply for, accept and receive licenses, permits, water rights, approvals, agreements, grants, loans, gifts, contributions, donations or other aid from any agency of the United States, the State of California or other public or private person or entity necessary for fulfilling the purposes of SGMA in the SubBasin.
10. SPECIAL PROJECTS AND PROJECT COMMITTEES:
a. With the prior approval of the entire Board, Members may undertake Special Projects in the name of the Authority, utilizing the legal powers granted to the Authority under SGMA, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, or other applicable legal authorities. All Members shall be given the opportunity to participate in Special Projects, but shall not be required to participate.
b. A Member considering a new project, other than a groundwater extraction project, where the project is reasonably likely to affect groundwater management in the Sub-Basin shall consult with the other Members before individually undertaking the project to determine whether that individual project might otherwise be better accomplished as an Authority Special Project.
c. Members electing to participate in a Special Project shall enter into a Special Project Agreement in accordance with Section 14.a(4) of this Agreement. Such Special Project Agreement shall provide that: (a) no Special Project undertaken pursuant to such agreement shall conflict with the terms of this Agreement or the GSP; (b) the Members to the Special Project Agreement shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Authority, and Members -9-
of the Authority who are not participating in the Special Project, against any costs liabilities, or expenses of any kind arising as a result of the Special Project; (c) all benefits and liabilities attributable to a Special Project shall solely be the benefits and liabilities of the Members that have entered into the Special Project Agreement, and non-participating Members shall have no rights, and incur no obligations or liabilities, in the Special Project.
11. FISCAL AGENT, DEPOSITORY AND ACCOUNTING: The “Treasurer” appointed by the Board is designated as the fiscal agent and depository for the Authority per Government Code §§ 6505.5 and 6505.6. The Treasurer of the Authority shall be the treasurer of one of the Authority’s Members, or a certified public accountant designated by the Board, or an officer or employee designated per Government Code § 6505.6. The Treasurer shall be the depositary and have custody of all money of the Authority, from whatever source, subject to the applicable provisions of any indenture or resolution providing for a trustee or other fiscal agent.
All funds of the Authority shall be held in the operating fund established by Section 14, or such other separate accounts as may be necessary, in the name of the Authority and not commingled with the funds of any Member or any other person or entity. Full books and accounts shall be maintained for the Authority in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to governmental entities per Government Code §§ 6505 et seq., and any other applicable laws of the State of California.
12. ACCOUNTABILITY, REPORTS AND AUDITS: There shall be strict accountability of all funds, and an auditor designated by the Board shall report any and all receipts and disbursements to the Board with such frequency as shall reasonably be required by the Board.
The Authority will utilize the services of an outside independent certified public accountant to make an annual audit of the accounts and records of the Authority as required by Government Code § 6505, unless the Members, elect to conduct the audit for a two (2) year period. In each case, the minimum requirements of the audit shall be those prescribed by the State Controller for special districts pursuant to Government Code § 26909, and shall conform to generally accepted accounting principles. The outside independent certified public accountant selected by the Authority as auditor shall be formally designated by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors stating the effective date of the appointment and the term of the appointment.
13. OPERATING BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES: The Board shall adopt a budget as specified in the bylaws and as set forth in Section 14, below. Unless otherwise required by this Agreement or applicable law, the Authority’s Treasurer shall draw checks or warrants or make payments as specified in the bylaws of the Authority. The Authority may, consistent with the bylaws, invest any money in the treasury that is not needed for its immediate necessities.
14. CONTRIBUTIONS/BUDGETS: Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Members shall equally share in the costs of the JPA. The Authority shall establish an operating fund. The fund shall be used to pay all administrative, operating and other expenses incurred by the Authority, and shall be funded by equal Member’s contributions for payment of costs of the Authority. The Board may direct that any surplus funds be returned to the Members, per Government Code § 6512, in proportion to the contributions made by each Member. a. Authority Budgets: Authority budgets shall be established as follows:
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(1) General Operating Budget. No more than ninety (90) days following the first meeting of the Board, and annually thereafter in the month of March or other mutually agreed upon timeframe, a general operation budget (the “Operating Budget”) shall be adopted by the Board. The Operating Budget shall be prepared in sufficient detail to constitute an operating outline for the purpose of establishing rates and/or contributions to be billed to and paid by the Members. The operating rates and/or contributions to be billed to and paid by each Member shall be based upon an equal contribution by each Member. The Operating Budget shall outline anticipated revenues and planned expenditures to be made during the ensuing Budget year by functional category such as operations and maintenance, administration, projects, programs, planning, study and any applicable contributions to operate related reserves. For the purpose of the Operating Budget, operating shall mean any financial activity related to exchange transactions, as defined by applicable generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) associated with the principal activity of the JPA. The Operating Budget shall be adopted by unanimous approval of the Board. The rates and contributions approved by the Board shall be paid by the Members pursuant to Section 14.c below. (2) Non-Operating Budget. No more than ninety (90) days following the first meeting of the Board, and annually thereafter in the month of March or other mutually agreed upon timeframe, a non-operating budget (the “Non-Operating Budget”) shall be adopted by the Board. The Non-Operating Budget shall be prepared in sufficient detail to constitute a non-operating outline for the purpose of establishing rates and/or contributions to be billed to and paid by the Members. These rates and/or contributions shall be based upon equal contributions by each Member. At a minimum, the NonOperating Budget shall outline anticipated revenues and planned expenditures for nonoperating financial activities for the ensuing Fiscal Year, inclusive of any amount necessary for servicing debt. For the purpose of the budget, Non-Operating shall mean any financial activity related to non-exchange transactions, as defined by applicable GAAP. Examples of non-exchange transactions include investment income, contributed capital from Members for capital debt service, interest expense, and return of capital to Members. The Non-Operating Budget shall be adopted by unanimous approval of the Board. The rates and contributions approved by the Board shall be paid by the Members pursuant to Section
14.c below.
(3) Capital Project Budget. No more than ninety (90) days following the first meeting of the Board, and annually thereafter in the month of March, or other mutually agreed upon timeframe, a capital project budget (the “Capital Project Budget”) shall, if applicable, be adopted by the Board. The Capital Project Budget, if applicable, shall be prepared in sufficient detail to constitute a capital project outline to assess contributions to be paid by the Members and expenditures to be paid by the Members during the ensuing year for capital projects needed for major repair, replacement, expansion and efficiency of any capital improvements constructed or installed by or on behalf of the Authority. These contributions shall be based upon equal contribution by each Member, subject to unequal contribution amounts for Special Projects, as addressed in Sections 10 and 14.a.(4). The Capital Project Budget shall be adopted by unanimous approval of the Board. The contributions approved by the Board shall be paid by the Members pursuant to Section 14.c below.
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(4) Special Project Budgets. In addition to the Operating Budgets, the Non-Operating Budgets, and the Capital Project Budget, the Board may budget at any time for the study, implementation or construction of any Special Project, program or study proposed to be undertaken by the Authority for matters not deemed to be of general benefit to all Members. A Special Project budget and written Special Project Agreement of the Members who consented to participation in the Special Project shall be established for each Special Project, which budget and agreement shall determine the respective obligations, functions, and rights of the Members involved and of the Authority. The directors of the Board representing the Members who will be involved in financing and implementing the Special Project shall be and constitute a “Special Project Committee,” for purposes of administration and implementation of the Special Project. No Special Project shall be acquired or constructed by the Board without the consent of each of the governing boards of the participating Members. Ratification of the Special Project budget by each of the participating Members shall constitute consent for the acquisition and construction of the Special Project. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no debt shall be incurred by the Authority for a Special Project without the unanimous consent of the Board. Any rates and contributions approved by the Special Project Committee and approved by the participating Members shall be paid by the participating Members pursuant to Section 14.c below.
Where the Board has approved one or more Special Projects, annually thereafter in the month of March (or other mutually agreed upon timeframe), a Special Project budget shall be developed by each Special Project Committee if required by the applicable Special Project Agreement, Each Special Project budget shall include, without limitation, the following:
(i) Administrative expenses;
(ii) Studies and planning costs;
(iii) Engineering and construction costs;
(iv) The allocation of costs, including debt service costs, if any, among participating Members;
(v) Annual maintenance and operating expenses for the project; and
(vi) A formula for allocating annual maintenance and operating expenses, if any.
All actions by a Special Project Committee shall be deemed actions of the Authority and shall be taken in the name of the Authority, provided, only the participating Members shall have rights and obligations in the Special Project as herein provided.
b. Failure to Obtain Budget Approvals. In the event a budget acceptable to the Board is not approved prior to the start of a Fiscal Year the Authority shall continue to operate at the level of expenditure as authorized below:
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(1) General Operating Budget. The Operating Budget shall be at the expenditure level authorized by the last approved Operating Budget increased by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) with a minimum increase of no less than two percent (2%).
The CPI shall mean the change in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Riverside County areas for the all items category for the 12-month period ending the February prior to the beginning of the Fiscal Year budgeted as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or other mutually agreeable source if such a CPI is no longer available. This factor will be applied to the Operating Budget until such time as a new Operating Budget is approved by the Authority. Any shortfall in revenues will be made up from available reserves dedicated by the Board for such a purpose, and if insufficient to cover the shortfall, any available reserve funds not designated by the Board for other purposes or otherwise legally restricted for other purposes by external parties. Reserves shall mean any available cash or investments.
(2) Non-Operating Budget. The Non-Operating Budget shall automatically be established at the required level necessary to meet annual debt service requirements including any revenue coverage covenants. Each Member shall contribute to the Authority such amounts which will yield during each Fiscal Year net revenues payable to the Authority sufficient for the Authority to satisfy all covenants in any indentures, loan agreements or other documents entered into by the Authority and to enter into such other agreements as are necessary for the Authority to secure financing to pay the acquisition price for any facilities authorized by the Authority.
(3) Capital Project Budget. The Capital Project Budget shall automatically be established at the required level necessary to implement capital projects previously approved by the Authority.
c. Payments of Amounts Due. The payments owed for contributions from each Member to the Authority shall be due, payable, and delivered by the Members to the Authority within forty-five (45) days after receipt of a billing therefor from the Authority. To the extent permitted by state law, unpaid and past due contributions shall bear interest at ten percent (10%) per annum, calculated daily, from the date due to the date payment is received by the Authority.
15. ASSESSMENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY COSTS: In the event the Authority should experience an unanticipated need to pay for extraordinary costs (e.g., those costs that are unanticipated and not otherwise funded through the budget), including, but not limited to the costs of litigation or indemnification as provided in this Agreement, and to the extent that such costs cannot otherwise be reasonably funded through use of reserves on hand or through the other revenue sources authorized by this Agreement, the Board may allocate the additional costs to the Members, whether such extraordinary costs are actually incurred or estimated to be necessary.
Unless otherwise specifically allocated to one or more Members by the unanimous vote of the Board, all allocations of extraordinary costs shall be shared equally by each Member. The Members agree that they will then contribute their proportionate share of the extraordinary costs within a reasonable period of time as determined by the Board, or as otherwise specified in the Bylaws.
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16. STAFFING: The Board shall provide for staffing of the Authority in accordance with procedures established in the bylaws. Such staffing shall ensure the Authority is able to accomplish all requirements imposed by SGMA, this Agreement, and/or any other requirements imposed by law. Legal counsel shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Legal counsel may be an attorney that also performs work for one of the Members, provided appropriate waivers suitable to the Board, and counsel for all of the Members, are first obtained.
17. DISPUTE RESOLUTION: The Members desire to informally resolve all disputes related to this Agreement and/or SGMA, whenever possible, at the lowest possible level, and triggering of the dispute resolution procedures described herein shall only occur where the Members and/or the Board have reached impasse and are unable to resolve matters without invoking formal dispute resolution procedures. Should informal resolution of any dispute prove unsuccessful, the Parties agree to neutral facilitation/mediation of the dispute as a next step prior to filing a lawsuit or otherwise seeking judicial intervention. The appointed facilitator/mediator, who need not be a licensed attorney, shall be a person who is not a current or former employee or agent of any Member, and someone who has knowledge of the rules governing public agencies, and who has experience with the management of groundwater resources in Southern California.
The facilitator shall be compensated by the Authority.
The facilitator shall be a third party neutral assigned by the Center for Collaborative Policy (“CCP”) of Sacramento State University, or such other neutral as is unanimously decided upon by the Members involved in the dispute. In the event that the Members involved in the dispute are unable to agree upon the facilitator or mediator, then each Member involved in the dispute shall provide the name of one recommended facilitator or mediator to the Authority’s legal counsel.
The facilitator/mediator shall then be selected by the Authority’s legal counsel, based upon whichever recommended facilitator/mediator is the most qualified facilitator/mediator for the type of dispute involved. The selected facilitator/mediator shall diligently seek to achieve a consensus based solution to the dispute. Upon the request of one of the Members involved in the dispute, the facilitator shall render a recommended resolution of the dispute after five facilitated negotiation sessions between the Members involved in the dispute where an acceptable resolution has not yet been reached. The facilitator/mediator’s recommended resolution shall not be admissible in any judicial proceedings. Where facilitation/mediation as described herein is unable to successfully resolve the dispute, then a Member involved in the dispute, upon providing 60 days-notice to the other Members and the Authority, may initiate judicial proceedings in the Superior Court for Riverside County.
This Section shall not bar a Member or Member(s) from initiating legal action in another appropriate forum with jurisdiction over the matter as necessary to comply with an applicable statute of limitation, provided such legal action, where authorized, is stayed pending completion of the dispute resolution process described herein. Members involved in a dispute governed by this Section are encouraged to enter a tolling agreement, if legally authorized, in order to allow sufficient time for completion of the process required by this Section. -14-
18. WITHDRAWAL:
a. Notice to Members: Any Member may withdraw from the Authority by delivery of written notice to withdraw to each of the Members at least two years prior to the date of withdrawal (“Withdrawal Notice Period”), unless the Members unanimously agree to allow the withdrawing Member to withdraw sooner than two years, in which case the date of withdrawal shall be the date unanimously agreed upon by the Board. The withdrawing Member shall continue to be a full Member during the pendency of the Withdrawal Notice Period and shall retain all rights and obligations during such period unless otherwise agreed to by unanimous vote of the Board. b. Effect of Withdrawal: Should a Member choose to withdraw from the Authority in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, that Member retains any legal right it has under SGMA to serve as the GSA for the groundwater basin underlying its jurisdictional boundaries, provided such withdrawal will not cause the Authority (or its remaining Members) to default on financial obligations or to otherwise fail to comply with the legal obligations imposed by SGMA. The Authority and the non-withdrawing Members shall retain whatever legal rights they have under SGMA, and the withdrawal of the Member shall have no effect on the continuance of this Agreement among the remaining Members. The withdrawing Member shall not take any action after withdrawal that would be reasonably anticipated to frustrate the ability of the Authority to comply with SGMA. After providing written notice of withdrawal, the withdrawing Member shall act at all times in good faith in the best interests of the Authority until such time as the withdrawal process is complete.
c. Continuing Fiscal Obligations: Any Member that withdraws as provided herein shall remain proportionately liable during the Withdrawal Notice Period for its proportionate share of the budget. If the Members elect to incur extraordinary costs in accordance with Section 15, the withdrawing Member shall be proportionately liable during the Withdrawal Notice Period for the obligations or debts approved and incurred by the Authority for those extraordinary costs, unless the Members agree otherwise. Any Member that withdraws shall remain proportionately liable for any unfunded capital expenditures or debt service obligations incurred or approved by the Board prior to the date of written notice of withdrawal of such Member until such time as the obligation is fully satisfied.
d. Continuing Claims Obligations: Members will remain obligated to contribute their proportionate share (based upon the membership roll as of the date of the claim), including without limitation legal defense costs, for any occurrences incurred during the Member’s membership, but not presented as a claim against the Authority until after the Member’s withdrawal.
e. Divisions of Property Assets: The real and/or personal property assets contributed by the withdrawing Member or the value of the real and/or personal property assets at the date of withdrawal will be returned to the withdrawing Member to the extent such assets are not required for the Authority to meet its continuing obligations as a GSA under SGMA. If such real and/or personal property assets are needed to meet the continuing obligations of the Authority to comply with SGMA, then the remaining Members of the Authority and the withdrawing Member shall negotiate a purchase or lease of such assets for a price not to exceed the fair market value of those assets.
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19. TERM AND TERMINATION: This Agreement shall become effective, and the Authority shall come into existence, on the Effective Date. The Agreement, and the Authority, shall thereafter continue in full force and effect until the governing bodies of the Members unanimously elect to terminate the Agreement. Upon unanimous election to terminate this Agreement, the Board shall continue to act as a board to wind up and settle the affairs of the Authority. The Board shall adequately provide for the known debts, liabilities and obligations of the Authority, and shall then distribute the assets of the Authority among the Members, as follows:
a. The assets contributed by each Member, or the value thereof as of the date of termination, shall be distributed to that Member.
b. The remaining assets shall then be distributed to each Member in equal proportions.
The distribution of assets shall be made in-kind to the extent possible by returning to each Member those assets contributed by such parties to the Authority; however, no party shall be required to accept transfer of an asset in kind.
Notwithstanding any other provision by the Board for payment of all known debts, liabilities and obligations of the Authority, each Member shall remain liable for any and all such debts, liabilities, and obligations in equal proportions, or in the proportion specified by unanimous action of the Board if alternative proportions are so specified for particular actions or activities that give rise to such debts, liabilities, and obligations.
Termination of this Agreement shall not occur, and the Members shall continue to fund the operations of the Authority as a GSA for the Sub-Basin, until the Authority determines by a unanimous vote of the Board that: (a) a GSA is no longer required for the Sub-Basin; or (b) one or more of the individual Members will undertake the legal obligations of a GSA previously performed by the Authority, and such termination of the Authority will not result in the Sub-Basin being placed in a probationary status by the SWRCB.
20. INDEMNIFICATION/CONTRIBUTION: Members, directors, officers, agents and employees of the Authority shall use ordinary care and reasonable diligence in the exercise of their powers, and in the performance of their duties pursuant to this Agreement. The Authority shall hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Members, the Authority Board, and the Members’ directors, agents, officers and employees from and against any liability, claims, actions, costs, damages or losses of any kind, including death or injury to any person and/or damage to property (including property owned by any Member), arising out of the activities or omissions of the Authority, or its agents, officers and employees related to this Agreement or SGMA (“Claims”). a. To the extent authorized by California law, no Member shall be liable for the actions or omissions of any other Member or the Authority related to this Agreement. b. The indemnification obligations described herein shall continue beyond the term of this Agreement as to any acts or omissions occurring during this Agreement or any extension of this Agreement.
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c. To the extent that the Authority is unable or unwilling (because of comparative fault of Member(s), or other good faith legal basis) to hold harmless, defend and/or indemnify any Member to this Agreement as provided in this Section, such Member shall be entitled to contribution from the other Members in equal proportion to the extent one Member pays more than its equal share of such obligation. Provided, however, that where one or more Members is determined by a court (or in a settlement approved by a court) to be responsible for a greater proportion for the Claims, each Member will only be responsible for contribution to the other Member (or Members) up to the extent of the contributing Member’s proportional responsibility.
21. INSURANCE: The Authority shall obtain insurance for the Board members and general liability insurance containing liability in such amounts as the Board shall determine will be necessary to adequately insure against the risks of liability (including compliance with the indemnification provisions in Section 20 above) that may be incurred by the Authority. The Members, their officers, directors and employees, shall be named as additional insureds.
22. CLAIMS: All claims against the Authority, including, but not limited to, claims by public officers and employees for fees, salaries, wages, mileage, or any other expenses, shall be filed within the time and in the manner specified in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 910) of Part 3, Division 3.6 of Title I of the Government Code, which describes the appropriate content of a claim.
23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT REPRESENTED: This Agreement represents the entire agreement among the parties as to its subject matter and no prior oral or written understanding shall be of any force or effect. No part of this Agreement may be modified without the written consent of all of the parties.
24. HEADINGS: Section headings are provided for organizational purposes only and do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions under the headings.
25. NOTICES: Except as may be otherwise required by law, any notice to be given shall be written and shall be either personally delivered sent by facsimile transmission, emailed or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:
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MEMBERS:
City of Corona
Attn: General Manager,
Department of Water and Power
Address: 755 Public Safety Way
Corona, CA 92880
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Attn: General Manager
Address: 31315 Chaney Street
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Temescal Valley Water District
Attn: General Manager
Address: 22646 Temescal Canyon Rd
Corona, CA 92883
Notice delivered personally is deemed to be received upon delivery. Notice sent by first class mail shall be deemed received on the fourth day after the date of mailing. Any party may change the above address by giving written notice pursuant to this Section.
26. CONSTRUCTION: This Agreement reflects the contributions of all parties and accordingly the provisions of Civil Code § 1654 shall not apply to address and interpret any uncertainty.
27. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES INTENDED: Unless specifically set forth, the parties to this Agreement do not intend to provide any other party with any benefit or enforceable legal or equitable right or remedy.
28. WAIVERS: The failure of any party to insist on strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not be considered a waiver of any right to do so, whether for that breach or any subsequent breach.
29. CONFLICT WITH LAWS OR REGULATIONS/SEVERABILITY: This Agreement is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. If any provision of this Agreement is found by any court or other legal authority, or is agreed by the parties, to be in conflict with any code or regulation governing its subject, the conflicting provision shall be considered null and void. If the effect of nullifying any conflicting provision is such that a material benefit of the Agreement to any party is lost, the Agreement may be terminated at the option of the affected party. In all other cases the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
30. FURTHER ASSURANCES AND OBLIGATION OF GOOD FAITH
DEALING: Each party agrees to execute any additional documents and to perform any further acts which may be reasonably required to affect the purposes of this Agreement. Moreover, -18-
consent or approval, where reasonably requested in furtherance of the purposes of this Agreement or compliance with SGMA, shall not be unreasonably withheld by a Member.
31. COUNTERPARTS: This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
32. AMENDMENT: This document may only be amended with a vote by all of its Members.
33. CUA ASSIGNMENT: To the extent that this Agreement is deemed to be a “material contract” under either of the CUA Management Agreements, the Members have no right to terminate this Agreement, either or without cause, based upon the existence or non-existence of either or both of the CUA Management Agreements. Therefore, if an applicable CUA Management Agreement expires or terminates for any reason, the Members shall remain fully obligated to perform under this Agreement contracting directly with the CUA or another third party contracted by the CUA for the maintenance, management and operation of the applicable utility systems.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
APPENDIX B
Bedford-Coldwater GSA Notice of Decision to
become a Groundwater Sustainability Agency
April 20, 2017
Mark Nordberg, GSA Project Manager
Senior Engineering Geologist
California Department of Water Resources
901 P Street, Room 213A
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236
Re: Notice of Election to Become a Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin (Basin No. 8-.004.02)
Pursuant to California Water Code section 10723.8 of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Bedford-Coldwater Joint Powers Authority (JPA) provides this notice of election to serve as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the entire Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin (Basin No. 8-004.02) (the “Subbasin”). The JPA was formed by way of joint powers agreement among Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Temescal Valley Water District, and the City of Corona. The Board of Directors of the JPA approved a resolution forming the JPA on March 29, 2017.
Along with this letter and a copy of the joint powers agreement, we have also uploaded to the DWR SGMA Portal–GSA Formation Notification System a map and GIS shapefiles depicting the boundaries of the Subbasin from Bulletin 118 and the service area boundaries of the members of the JPA.
The GSA and its management area cover the entire 7,025-acre Subbasin. For planning purposes, minor portions of the Subbasin are located outside the service area boundaries of the member agencies of the JPA. The first of these areas comprises approximately 114 acres of steep, remote canyons within the Cleveland National Forest. To the JPA’s knowledge, no pumping is currently occurring in the portion of the Subbasin within these canyons and it is likely that no pumping has historically or will ever occur there due to their inaccessibility and relative lack of groundwater.
A second small area consisting of approximately 44 acres outside of the JPA’s boundaries is the eastern end of Dawson Canyon, which is located in the central, eastern side of the Subbasin. To the JPA’s knowledge, there are only two de minimis, domestic pumpers in this area. The remote canyon has little potential for significant groundwater extraction.
Notwithstanding, the GSA intends to ensure through the groundwater sustainability planning process that sustainability is reached within the SGMA statutory timeframe in the Dawson Canyon and all other areas of the Subbasin, including within the above-indicated U.S. Forest Service lands.
THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR CLERK / RECORDING STAMP
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2010, 2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
I am a Citizen of the United States. I am over the age of eighteen years and not a party to or interested in the above entitled matter. I am an Authorized Representative of SENTINEL WEEKLY NEWS (formerly known as The Lake Mathews Sentinel), a Newspaper of General Circulation, printed and published weekly in the City of Corona, County of Riverside, and which Newspaper has been Adjudicated a Newspaper of General Circulation by the Superior Court of the County of Riverside, State of California, under the date of March 30, 1995, Case Number 262254; and under the date of December 7, 1999, Case Number 334071; and the Notice, of which the annexed is a printed copy, has been published in said Newspaper in accordance with the instructions of the Person(s) requesting publication, and not in any supplement thereof on the following dates to wit:
(1) March 22, 2017
(2)
(3)
(4)
I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
/S/ ______________________________________
Authorized Representative
DATED: __ MARCH 22, 2017 __
P R O O F O F P U B L I C A T I O N
Sentinel Weekly News
Adjudicated for the City of Corona, California
1307-C West 6
th St., Suite 139
Corona, CA. 92882
Tel: (951) 737-9784 / Fax: (951) 737-9785
E-mail: [email protected]
CITY OF CORONA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO
CONSIDER THE ELECTION BY THE
BEDFORD-COLDWATER GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AUTHORITY TO
BECOME THE
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY
AGENCY FOR THE BEDFORD
COLDWATER SUBBASIN OF THE
ELSINORE BASIN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to
Section 10723(b) of the California Water
Code and Section 6066 of the California
Government Code that the Board of
Directors (“Board”) of the BedfordColdwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority will hold a public hearing to
consider the proposed decision by
Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority to become the
Groundwater Sustainability Agency
(“GSA”) for the Bedford-Coldwater
Subbasin (#8-004.02) of the Elsinore
Basin (#8-004) on WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 29, 2017 AT 4 P.M., in the
Boardroom of Temescal Valley Water
District’s headquarters, located at
22646 Temescal Canyon Road, Temescal Valley, California 92883.
The purpose of the public hearing
will be to hear comments from the
public regarding the Bedford-Coldwater
Groundwater Sustainability Authority’s
proposed formation of a GSA within its
boundaries in the Bedford-Coldwater
Subbasin (#8-004.02).
At the end of the public hearing, the
Board may adopt, revise or modify a
Resolution of Intent to become the GSA
and to submit notification to the
California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”), which shall post the notice pursuant to Section 10723.8(b)
of the California Water Code. The
notification submitted to DWR will
include a description of the proposed
boundaries of the GSA and the Subbasin that the Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority
intends to manage pursuant to the
Sustainable Groundwater Management
Act (“SGMA”).
The draft Resolution of Intent is on
file and available for inspection during
regular business hours at the office of
the Temescal Valley Water District at
22646 Temescal Canyon Road, Temescal Valley, California 92883.
Published: March 15, 2017 and
March 22, 2017.
JOB CC17-025
SENTINEL WEEKLY NEWS
"Adjudicated for City of Corona,
Corona Judicial Dist., Riverside County, California"
SWN-2511 JOB CC17-025
MARCH 15, 22, 2017
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
APPENDIX C
GSP Elements Guide
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
§ 354. Introduction to Plan Contents
This Article describes the required contents of Plans submitted to the Department for evaluation, including administrative information, a description of the basin setting, sustainable management criteria, description of the monitoring network, and projects and management actions.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
SubArticle 1. Administrative Information
§ 354.2. Introduction to Administrative Information
This Subarticle describes information in the Plan relating to administrative and other general information about the Agency that has adopted the Plan and the area covered by the Plan.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
§ 354.4. General Information
Each Plan shall include the following general information:
(a) An executive summary written in plain language that provides an overview of the Plan and description of groundwater conditions in the basin. 17:25 ES (b)
A list of references and technical studies relied upon by the Agency in developing the Plan. Each Agency shall provide to the Department electronic copies of reports and other documents and materials cited as references that are not generally available to the public. 225:230 10
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10733.2 and 10733.4, Water Code.
§ 354.6. Agency Information
When submitting an adopted Plan to the Department, the Agency shall include a copy of the information provided pursuant to Water Code Section 10723.8, with any updates, if necessary, along with the following information:
(a) The name and mailing address of the Agency. 29:31 1.3 (b) The organization and management structure of the Agency, identifying persons with management authority for implementation of the Plan. 29:30 1.3.1 (c) The name and contact information, including the phone number, mailing address and electronic mail address, of the plan manager. 29:30 1.3.1 (d)
The legal authority of the Agency, with specific reference to citations setting forth the duties, powers, and responsibilities of the Agency, demonstrating that the Agency has the legal authority to implement the Plan. 30 1.3.2
(e) An estimate of the cost of implementing the Plan and a general description of how the Agency plans to meet those costs. 30:31 1.3.3
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.8, 10727.2, and 10733.2, Water Code.
GSP Document References
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
§ 354.8. Description of Plan Area
Each Plan shall include a description of the geographic areas covered, including the following information:
(a) One or more maps of the basin that depict the following, as applicable:
(1)
The area covered by the Plan, delineating areas managed by the Agency as an exclusive Agency and any areas for which the Agency is not an exclusive Agency, and the name and location of any adjacent basins. 27, 35:47 2.1 Figure 1-1
(2) Adjudicated areas, other Agencies within the basin, and areas covered by an Alternative. 35:36, 49 2.1.2 Figure 2-2 (3)
Jurisdictional boundaries of federal or state land (including the identity of the agency with jurisdiction over that land), tribal land, cities, counties, agencies with water management responsibilities, and areas covered by relevant general plans. 35:36, 48:49 2.1.2
Figure 2-1,
2-2
(4) Existing land use designations and the identification of water use sector and water source type. 36, 38 2.1.3, 2.1.5
Figure 2-8,
2-9
(5)
The density of wells per square mile, by dasymetric or similar mapping techniques, showing the general distribution of agricultural, industrial, and domestic water supply wells in the basin, including de minimis extractors, and the location and extent of communities dependent upon groundwater, utilizing data provided by the Department, as specified in Section 353.2, or the best available information. 36:37, 50:53 2.1.2
Figures 2-
3,2-4, 2-5, 2-
6 (b) A written description of the Plan area, including a summary of the jurisdictional areas and other features depicted on the map. 35:49 2.1
Figure 2-1,
2-2
(c)
Identification of existing water resource monitoring and management programs, and description of any such programs the Agency plans to incorporate in its monitoring network or in development of its Plan. The Agency may coordinate with existing water resource monitoring and management programs to incorporate and adopt that program as part of the Plan. 37:38 2.1.4
(d)
A description of how existing water resource monitoring or management programs may limit operational flexibility in the basin, and how the Plan has been developed to adapt to those limits. 37:38 2.1.4
(e) A description of conjunctive use programs in the basin. 37:38 2.1.4
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
(f) A plain language description of the land use elements or topic categories of applicable general plans that includes the following:
(1) A summary of general plans and other land use plans governing the basin. 38, 55:56 2.1.5 Figure 2-8,
2-9
(2)
A general description of how implementation of existing land use plans may change water demands within the basin or affect the ability of the Agency to achieve sustainable groundwater management over the planning and implementation horizon, and how the Plan addresses those potential effects 38 2.1.5
(3) A general description of how implementation of the Plan may affect the water supply assumptions of relevant land use plans over the planning and implementation horizon. 38 2.1.5 (4)
A summary of the process for permitting new or replacement wells in the basin, including adopted standards in local well ordinances, zoning codes, and policies contained in adopted land use plans. 38 2.1.5
(5)
To the extent known, the Agency may include information regarding the implementation of land use plans outside the basin that could affect the ability of the Agency to achieve sustainable groundwater management. 38 2.1.5
(g) A description of any of the additional Plan elements included in Water Code Section 10727.4 that the Agency determines to be appropriate. none determined to be appropriate Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10720.3, 10727.2, 10727.4, 10733, and 10733.2, Water Code. § 354.10. Notice and Communication
Each Plan shall include a summary of information relating to notification and communication by the Agency with other agencies and interested parties including the following:
(a)
A description of the beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the basin, including the land uses and property interests potentially affected by the use of groundwater in the basin, the types of parties representing those interests, and the nature of consultation with those parties.
61:62, 157,
164:166,
168:169,
178,
288:300
3.10, 6.2.4,
6.3.4, 6.5.4,
6.6.4, 6.7.4,
Appendix D
(b) A list of public meetings at which the Plan was discussed or considered by the Agency. 301:354 Appendix E (c) Comments regarding the Plan received by the Agency and a summary of any responses by the Agency. 355:389 Appendix F
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
(d) A communication section of the Plan that includes the following:
(1) An explanation of the Agency’s decision-making process. 256:263 Appendix B (2) Identification of opportunities for public engagement and a discussion of how public input and response will be used. 288:300 Appendix D
(3) A description of how the Agency encourages the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the basin. 288:300 Appendix D (4) The method the Agency shall follow to inform the public about progress implementing the Plan, including the status of projects and actions. 288:300 Appendix D Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.2, 10727.8, 10728.4, and 10733.2, Water Code SubArticle 2. Basin Setting
§ 354.12. Introduction to Basin Setting
This Subarticle describes the information about the physical setting and characteristics of the basin and current conditions of the basin that shall be part of each Plan, including the identification of data gaps and levels of uncertainty, which comprise the basin setting that serves as the basis for defining and assessing reasonable sustainable management criteria and projects and management actions. Information provided pursuant to this Subarticle shall be prepared by or under the direction of a professional geologist or professional engineer.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
§ 354.14. Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model
(a)
Each Plan shall include a descriptive hydrogeologic conceptual model of the basin based on technical studies and qualified maps that characterizes the physical components and interaction of the surface water and groundwater systems in the basin. 57:73 3 Figures 3-
1:3-10
(b) The hydrogeologic conceptual model shall be summarized in a written description that includes the following:
(1) The regional geologic and structural setting of the basin including the immediate surrounding area, as necessary for geologic consistency. 58:59,
64:68 3.4, 3.5
Figures 3-
1:3-5
(2) Lateral basin boundaries, including major geologic features that significantly affect groundwater flow. 68 3.5, 3.6, 3.9 Figure 3-5
(3) The definable bottom of the basin. 60:61, 69 3.7 Figure 3-6
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
(4) Principal aquifers and aquitards, including the following information:
(A) Formation names, if defined. 60, 68 3.6.1 Figure 3-5 (B)
Physical properties of aquifers and aquitards, including the vertical and lateral extent, hydraulic conductivity, and storativity, which may be based on existing technical studies or other best available information. 58:61, 68,
390:506
3.4, 3.5,
3.6, 3.7,
3.8, 3.9,
Appendix G Figure 3-5
(C)
Structural properties of the basin that restrict groundwater flow within the principal aquifers, including information regarding stratigraphic changes, truncation of units, or other features. 58:61, 68,
390:506
3.4, 3.5,
3.6, 3.7,
3.8, 3.9,
Appendix G Figure 3-5
(D) General water quality of the principal aquifers, which may be based on information derived from existing technical studies or regulatory programs. 79:80 4.4, 4.5 (E) Identification of the primary use or uses of each aquifer, such as domestic, irrigation, or municipal water supply. 62:63 3.11
(5) Identification of data gaps and uncertainty within the hydrogeologic conceptual model 63 3.12 (c)
The hydrogeologic conceptual model shall be represented graphically by at least two scaled cross-sections that display the information required by this section and are sufficient to depict major stratigraphic and structural features in the basin. 61, 70:72 3.8 Figure 3-7:3-
9 (d) Physical characteristics of the basin shall be represented on one or more maps that depict the following:
(1) Topographic information derived from the U.S. Geological Survey or another reliable source. 64 Figure 3-1
(2) Surficial geology derived from a qualified map including the locations of cross-sections required by this Section. 68 Figure 3-5
(3) Soil characteristics as described by the appropriate Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey or other applicable studies. 67 Figure 3-4 (4)
Delineation of existing recharge areas that substantially contribute to the replenishment of the basin, potential recharge areas, and discharge areas, including significant active springs, seeps, and wetlands within or adjacent to the basin. 73 Figure 3-10 (5) Surface water bodies that are significant to the management of the basin. 65 Figure 3-2 (6) The source and point of delivery for imported water supplies. 35:36, 54 2.1.2.1 Figure 2-7 Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10727.2, 10733, and 10733.2, Water Code.
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
§ 354.16. Groundwater Conditions
Each Plan shall provide a description of current and historical groundwater conditions in the basin, including data from January 1, 2015, to current conditions, based on the best available information that includes the following:
(a) Groundwater elevation data demonstrating flow directions, lateral and vertical gradients, and regional pumping patterns, including:
(1)
Groundwater elevation contour maps depicting the groundwater table or potentiometric surface associated with the current seasonal high and seasonal low for each principal aquifer within the basin. 96:97
Figure 4-7,
Figure 4-8
(2) Hydrographs depicting long-term groundwater elevations, historical highs and lows, and hydraulic gradients between principal aquifers. 91:95
Figure 4-2,
Figure 4-6
(b)
A graph depicting estimates of the change in groundwater in storage, based on data, demonstrating the annual and cumulative change in the volume of groundwater in storage between seasonal high groundwater conditions, including the annual groundwater use and water year type. 139 Figure 5-6
(c) Seawater intrusion conditions in the basin, including maps and cross-sections of the seawater intrusion front for each principal aquifer. 8.3 4.8 (d)
Groundwater quality issues that may affect the supply and beneficial uses of groundwater, including a description and map of the location of known groundwater contamination sites and plumes.
79:83,
100:102
4.4, 4.5,
4.6, 4.7
Figure 4-
11:4-13
(e)
The extent, cumulative total, and annual rate of land subsidence, including maps depicting total subsidence, utilizing data available from the Department, as specified in Section 353.2, or the best available information.
76:78,
98:99 4.3
Figure 4-9,
4-10
(f)
Identification of interconnected surface water systems within the basin and an estimate of the quantity and timing of depletions of those systems, utilizing data available from the Department, as specified in Section 353.2, or the best available information. 83:89, 103:108 4.9
Figures 4-
14:4-19
(g)
Identification of groundwater dependent ecosystems within the basin, utilizing data available from the Department, as specified in Section 353.2, or the best available information.
83:89,
109:111 4.9
Figures 4-
20:4-22
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.2, 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10733.2, Water Code.
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
§ 354.18. Water Budget
(a)
Each Plan shall include a water budget for the basin that provides an accounting and assessment of the total annual volume of groundwater and surface water entering and leaving the basin, including historical, current and projected water budget conditions, and the change in the volume of water stored. Water budget information shall be reported in tabular and graphical form.
112,
114:119,
138:139 5.1, 5.5
Figure 5-5,
5-6
(b) The water budget shall quantify the following, either through direct measurements or estimates based on data:
(1) Total surface water entering and leaving a basin by water source type. 121:122, 138 5.6 Figure 5-5 Table 5-3
(2)
Inflow to the groundwater system by water source type, including subsurface groundwater inflow and infiltration of precipitation, applied water, and surface water systems, such as lakes, streams, rivers, canals, springs and conveyance systems. 126:129, 139 5.7.1 Figure 5-6 Table 5-4
(3)
Outflows from the groundwater system by water use sector, including evapotranspiration, groundwater extraction, groundwater discharge to surface water sources, and subsurface groundwater outflow.
126,
129:130,
139 5.7.2 Figure 5-6 Table 5-4
(4) The change in the annual volume of groundwater in storage between seasonal high conditions.
126,
130:131,
139,
513:520
5.8,
Appendix J Figure 5-6 Table 5-4
(5)
If overdraft conditions occur, as defined in Bulletin 118, the water budget shall include a quantification of overdraft over a period of years during which water year and water supply conditions approximate average conditions. Not applicable (6) The water year type associated with the annual supply, demand, and change in groundwater stored.
112:113,
134 5.2 Figure 5-1
(7) An estimate of sustainable yield for the basin. 131:133 5.9 Table 5-5 (c) Each Plan shall quantify the current, historical, and projected water budget for the basin as follows:
(1)
Current water budget information shall quantify current inflows and outflows for the basin using the most recent hydrology, water supply, water demand, and land use information.
124:126,
139 5.7 Figure 5-6 Table 5-4
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
(2)
Historical water budget information shall be used to evaluate availability or reliability of past surface water supply deliveries and aquifer response to water supply and demand trends relative to water year type. The historical water budget shall include the following:
(A)
A quantitative evaluation of the availability or reliability of historical surface water supply deliveries as a function of the historical planned versus actual annual surface water deliveries, by surface water source and water year type, and based on the most recent ten years of surface water supply information.
124:126,
138,
390:506,
513:520
5.7,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J Figure 5-5 Table 5-4
(B)
A quantitative assessment of the historical water budget, starting with the most recently available information and extending back a minimum of 10 years, or as is sufficient to calibrate and reduce the uncertainty of the tools and methods used to estimate and project future water budget information and future aquifer response to proposed sustainable groundwater management practices over the planning and implementation horizon.
124:126,
138,
390:506,
513:520
5.7,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J Figure 5-6 Table 5-4
(C)
A description of how historical conditions concerning hydrology, water demand, and surface water supply availability or reliability have impacted the ability of the Agency to operate the basin within sustainable yield. Basin hydrology may be characterized and evaluated using water year type.
124:126,
131:134,
139 5.7, 5.9
Figure 5-6,
5-1 Table 5-4
(3)
Projected water budgets shall be used to estimate future baseline conditions of supply, demand, and aquifer response to Plan implementation, and to identify the uncertainties of these projected water budget components. The projected water budget shall utilize the following methodologies and assumptions to estimate future baseline conditions concerning hydrology, water demand and surface water supply availability or reliability over the planning and implementation horizon:
(A)
Projected hydrology shall utilize 50 years of historical precipitation, evapotranspiration, and streamflow information as the baseline condition for estimating future hydrology.
The projected hydrology information shall also be applied as the baseline condition used to evaluate future scenarios of hydrologic uncertainty associated with projections of climate change and sea level rise.
117:119,
121:125,
140:141,
143
5.5.3, 5.6,
5.7 Figures 5-7,
5-8, 5-10
(B)
Projected water demand shall utilize the most recent land use, evapotranspiration, and crop coefficient information as the baseline condition for estimating future water demand. The projected water demand information shall also be applied as the baseline condition used to evaluate future scenarios of water demand uncertainty associated with projected changes in local land use planning, population growth, and climate. 114:120,
124:125,
140:141,
143 5.5, 5.7
Figures 5-7,
5-8, 5-10 Table 5-2
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
(C)
Projected surface water supply shall utilize the most recent water supply information as the baseline condition for estimating future surface water supply. The projected surface water supply shall also be applied as the baseline condition used to evaluate future scenarios of surface water supply availability and reliability as a function of the historical surface water supply identified in Section 354.18(c)(2)(A), and the projected changes in local land use planning, population growth, and climate. 114:125,
140:141,
143,
390:506,
513:520
5.5, 5.6,
5.7,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J
Figures 5-7,
5-8, 5-10
(d)
The Agency shall utilize the following information provided, as available, by the Department pursuant to Section 353.2, or other data of comparable quality, to develop the water budget:
(1) Historical water budget information for mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, water year type, and land use.
112:113,
139,
390:506,
513:520
5.2,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J Figure 5-6
(2) Current water budget information for temperature, water year type, evapotranspiration, and land use.
112:114,
139,
390:506,
513:520
5.2,5.3,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J Figure 5-6
(3) Projected water budget information for population, population growth, climate change, and sea level rise.
117:119,
140:141,
390:506,
513:520
5.5.3,
Appendix
G,
Appendix J
Figure 5-7,
5-8
(e)
Each Plan shall rely on the best available information and best available science to quantify the water budget for the basin in order to provide an understanding of historical and projected hydrology, water demand, water supply, land use, population, climate change, sea level rise, groundwater and surface water interaction, and subsurface groundwater flow. If a numerical groundwater and surface water model is not used to quantify and evaluate the projected water budget conditions and the potential impacts to beneficial uses and users of groundwater, the Plan shall identify and describe an equally effective method, tool, or analytical model to evaluate projected water budget conditions.
114:131,
390:506
5.5, 5.6,
5.7, 5.8,
Appendix G
(f)
The Department shall provide the California Central Valley Groundwater-Surface Water Simulation Model (C2VSIM) and the Integrated Water Flow Model (IWFM) for use by Agencies in developing the water budget. Each Agency may choose to use a different groundwater and surface water model, pursuant to Section 352.4. 112,
390:506
5.1,
Appendix G
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10721, 10723.2, 10727.2, 10727.6, 10729, and 10733.2, Water Code.
Article 5. Plan Contents for Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Page
Numbers
of Plan
Or Section
Numbers
Or Figure
Numbers
Or Table
Numbers Notes
GSP Document References
§ 354.20. Management Areas
(a)
Each Agency may define one or more management areas within a basin if the Agency has determined that creation of management areas will facilitate implementation of the Plan.
Management areas may define different minimum thresholds and be operated to different measurable objectives than the basin at large, provided that undesirable results are defined consistently throughout the basin. 114, 135, 509:512
5.4,
Appendix I Figure 5-2
(b) A basin that includes one or more management areas shall describe the following in the Plan:
(1) The reason for the creation of each management area. 114, 509:512
5.4,
Appendix I
(2)
The minimum thresholds and measurable objectives established for each management area, and an explanation of the rationale for selecting those values, if different from the basin at large. 145:183
6.1, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4,
6.5, 6.6, 6.7
(3) The level of monitoring and analysis appropriate for each management area. 189:200 7 (4)
An explanation of how the management area can operate under different minimum thresholds and measurable objectives without causing undesirable results outside the management area, if applicable. 144:183 6
(c)
If a Plan includes one or more management areas, the Plan shall include descriptions, maps, and other information required by this Subarticle sufficient to describe conditions in those areas. 114, 135 5.4 Figure 5-2
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10733.2 and 10733.4, Water Code.
SubArticle 3. Sustainable Management Criteria
§ 354.22. Introduction to Sustainable Management Criteria This Subarticle describes criteria by which an Agency defines conditions in its Plan that constitute sustainable groundwater management for the basin, including the process by which the Agency shall characterize undesirable results, and establish minimum thresholds and measurable objectives for each applicable sustainability indicator.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
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§ 354.24. Sustainability Goal
Each Agency shall establish in its Plan a sustainability goal for the basin that culminates in the absence of undesirable results within 20 years of the applicable statutory deadline.
The Plan shall include a description of the sustainability goal, including information from the basin setting used to establish the sustainability goal, a discussion of the measures that will be implemented to ensure that the basin will be operated within its sustainable yield, and an explanation of how the sustainability goal is likely to be achieved within 20 years of Plan implementation and is likely to be maintained through the planning and implementation horizon. 145 6.1.1
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10721, 10727, 10727.2, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code. § 354.26. Undesirable Results
(a)
Each Agency shall describe in its Plan the processes and criteria relied upon to define undesirable results applicable to the basin. Undesirable results occur when significant and unreasonable effects for any of the sustainability indicators are caused by groundwater conditions occurring throughout the basin.
145, 148,
156:157,
162:163,
167, 173
6.1.1, 6.2.1,
6.3.1, 6.5.1,
6.6.1, 6.7.1
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(b) The description of undesirable results shall include the following:
(1)
The cause of groundwater conditions occurring throughout the basin that would lead to or has led to undesirable results based on information described in the basin setting, and other data or models as appropriate.
145:146,
149, 157,
163, 168,
173:178
6.1.2, 6.2.2,
6.3.2, 6.5.2,
6.6.2, 6.7.2
(2)
The criteria used to define when and where the effects of the groundwater conditions cause undesirable results for each applicable sustainability indicator. The criteria shall be based on a quantitative description of the combination of minimum threshold exceedances that cause significant and unreasonable effects in the basin. 146:147,
149, 157,
164, 168,
178
6.1.3, 6.2.3,
6.3.3, 6.5.3,
6.6.3, 6.7.3
(3)
Potential effects on the beneficial uses and users of groundwater, on land uses and property interests, and other potential effects that may occur or are occurring from undesirable results.
145:147,
150, 157,
164:166,
178
6.1, 6.2.4,
6.3.4, 6.5.4,
6.6.4, 6.7.4
(c)
The Agency may need to evaluate multiple minimum thresholds to determine whether an undesirable result is occurring in the basin. The determination that undesirable results are occurring may depend upon measurements from multiple monitoring sites, rather than a single monitoring site.
150,
157:159,
166,
169:172,
179
6.2.5, 6.3.5,
6.5.5, 6.6.5,
6.7.5 (d)
An Agency that is able to demonstrate that undesirable results related to one or more sustainability indicators are not present and are not likely to occur in a basin shall not be required to establish criteria for undesirable results related to those sustainability indicators. 162 6.4
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10721, 10723.2, 10727.2, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code.
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§ 354.28. Minimum Thresholds
(a)
Each Agency in its Plan shall establish minimum thresholds that quantify groundwater conditions for each applicable sustainability indicator at each monitoring site or representative monitoring site established pursuant to Section 354.36. The numeric value used to define minimum thresholds shall represent a point in the basin that, if exceeded, may cause undesirable results as described in Section 354.26. 152:156,
159:161,
164:166,
169:172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.4, 6.6.5,
6.7.6 (b) The description of minimum thresholds shall include the following:
(1)
The information and criteria relied upon to establish and justify the minimum thresholds for each sustainability indicator. The justification for the minimum threshold shall be supported by information provided in the basin setting, and other data or models as appropriate, and qualified by uncertainty in the understanding of the basin setting. 150,
157:159,
166,
169:172,
179
6.2.5,
6.3.5, 6.5.5,
6.6.5, 6.7.5
(2)
The relationship between the minimum thresholds for each sustainability indicator, including an explanation of how the Agency has determined that basin conditions at each minimum threshold will avoid undesirable results for each of the sustainability indicators. 152:156,
159:161,
172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.6, 6.6.6,
6.7.6 (3) How minimum thresholds have been selected to avoid causing undesirable results in adjacent basins or affecting the ability of adjacent basins to achieve sustainability goals. 152:156,
159:161,
172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.6, 6.6.6,
6.7.6 (4) How minimum thresholds may affect the interests of beneficial uses and users of groundwater or land uses and property interests.
152:156,
159:161,
172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.6, 6.6.6,
6.7.6 (5)
How state, federal, or local standards relate to the relevant sustainability indicator. If the minimum threshold differs from other regulatory standards, the Agency shall explain the nature of and basis for the difference.
152:156,
159:161,
172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.6, 6.6.6,
6.7.6 (6) How each minimum threshold will be quantitatively measured, consistent with the monitoring network requirements described in Subarticle 4. 152:156,
159:161,
172,
179:181
6.2.6, 6.3.6,
6.5.6, 6.6.6,
6.7.6
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(c) Minimum thresholds for each sustainability indicator shall be defined as follows:
(1)
Chronic Lowering of Groundwater Levels. The minimum threshold for chronic lowering of groundwater levels shall be the groundwater elevation indicating a depletion of supply at a given location that may lead to undesirable results. Minimum thresholds for chronic lowering of groundwater levels shall be supported by the following:
(A) The rate of groundwater elevation decline based on historical trends, water year type, and projected water use in the basin.
74:75,
92:95,
147:156,
184 4.1.3, 6.2
Figure 4-3:4-
6, 6-1
(B) Potential effects on other sustainability indicators. 160 6.3.6.1 (2)
Reduction of Groundwater Storage. The minimum threshold for reduction of groundwater storage shall be a total volume of groundwater that can be withdrawn from the basin without causing conditions that may lead to undesirable results. Minimum thresholds for reduction of groundwater storage shall be supported by the sustainable yield of the basin, calculated based on historical trends, water year type, and projected water use in the basin. 156:161 6.3
(3)
Seawater Intrusion. The minimum threshold for seawater intrusion shall be defined by a chloride concentration isocontour for each principal aquifer where seawater intrusion may lead to undesirable results. Minimum thresholds for seawater intrusion shall be supported by the following:
(A) Maps and cross-sections of the chloride concentration isocontour that defines the minimum threshold and measurable objective for each principal aquifer. 162 6.4 (B) A description of how the seawater intrusion minimum threshold considers the effects of current and projected sea levels. 162 6.4
(4)
Degraded Water Quality. The minimum threshold for degraded water quality shall be the degradation of water quality, including the migration of contaminant plumes that impair water supplies or other indicator of water quality as determined by the Agency that may lead to undesirable results. The minimum threshold shall be based on the number of supply wells, a volume of water, or a location of an isocontour that exceeds concentrations of constituents determined by the Agency to be of concern for the basin.
In setting minimum thresholds for degraded water quality, the Agency shall consider local, state, and federal water quality standards applicable to the basin. 162:166 6.5
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(5)
Land Subsidence. The minimum threshold for land subsidence shall be the rate and extent of subsidence that substantially interferes with surface land uses and may lead to undesirable results. Minimum thresholds for land subsidence shall be supported by the following:
(A)
Identification of land uses and property interests that have been affected or are likely to be affected by land subsidence in the basin, including an explanation of how the Agency has determined and considered those uses and interests, and the Agency’s rationale for establishing minimum thresholds in light of those effects. 166:172 6.6 (B) Maps and graphs showing the extent and rate of land subsidence in the basin that defines the minimum threshold and measurable objectives. 99, 166:172 6.6 Figure 4-10 (6)
Depletions of Interconnected Surface Water. The minimum threshold for depletions of interconnected surface water shall be the rate or volume of surface water depletions caused by groundwater use that has adverse impacts on beneficial uses of the surface water and may lead to undesirable results. The minimum threshold established for depletions of interconnected surface water shall be supported by the following:
(A) The location, quantity, and timing of depletions of interconnected surface water. 172:182, 185:188 6.7
Figures 6-
2:6-5
(B)
A description of the groundwater and surface water model used to quantify surface water depletion. If a numerical groundwater and surface water model is not used to quantify surface water depletion, the Plan shall identify and describe an equally effective method, tool, or analytical model to accomplish the requirements of this Paragraph. 179, 185:188 6.7.5
Figures 6-
2:6-5
(d)
An Agency may establish a representative minimum threshold for groundwater elevation to serve as the value for multiple sustainability indicators, where the Agency can demonstrate that the representative value is a reasonable proxy for multiple individual minimum thresholds as supported by adequate evidence. 156:161 6.3 (e)
An Agency that has demonstrated that undesirable results related to one or more sustainability indicators are not present and are not likely to occur in a basin, as described in Section 354.26, shall not be required to establish minimum thresholds related to those sustainability indicators. 162 6.4
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.2, 10727.2, 10733, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code.
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§ 354.30. Measurable Objectives
(a)
Each Agency shall establish measurable objectives, including interim milestones in increments of five years, to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin within 20 years of Plan implementation and to continue to sustainably manage the groundwater basin over the planning and implementation horizon.
155:156,
161, 166,
172, 182
6.2.7, 6.3.7,
6.5.5, 6.6.6,
6.7.7 (b)
Measurable objectives shall be established for each sustainability indicator, based on quantitative values using the same metrics and monitoring sites as are used to define the minimum thresholds.
155:156,
161, 166,
172, 182
6.2.7, 6.3.7,
6.5.5, 6.6.6,
6.7.7 (c)
Measurable objectives shall provide a reasonable margin of operational flexibility under adverse conditions which shall take into consideration components such as historical water budgets, seasonal and long-term trends, and periods of drought, and be commensurate with levels of uncertainty.
155:156,
161, 166,
172, 182
6.2.7, 6.3.7,
6.5.5, 6.6.6,
6.7.7 (d)
An Agency may establish a representative measurable objective for groundwater elevation to serve as the value for multiple sustainability indicators where the Agency can demonstrate that the representative value is a reasonable proxy for multiple individual measurable objectives as supported by adequate evidence. 161, 182 6.3.7, 6.7.7 (e)
Each Plan shall describe a reasonable path to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin within 20 years of Plan implementation, including a description of interim milestones for each relevant sustainability indicator, using the same metric as the measurable objective, in increments of five years. The description shall explain how the Plan is likely to maintain sustainable groundwater management over the planning and implementation horizon. 145:147 6.1
(f)
Each Plan may include measurable objectives and interim milestones for additional Plan elements described in Water Code Section 10727.4 where the Agency determines such measures are appropriate for sustainable groundwater management in the basin. 155:156,
161, 166,
172, 182
6.2.7, 6.3.7,
6.5.5, 6.6.6,
6.7.7 (g)
An Agency may establish measurable objectives that exceed the reasonable margin of operational flexibility for the purpose of improving overall conditions in the basin, but failure to achieve those objectives shall not be grounds for a finding of inadequacy of the Plan.
155:156,
161, 166,
172, 182
6.2.7, 6.3.7,
6.5.5, 6.6.6,
6.7.7 Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10733.2, Water Code.
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SubArticle 4. Monitoring Networks
§ 354.32. Introduction to Monitoring Networks
This Subarticle describes the monitoring network that shall be developed for each basin, including monitoring objectives, monitoring protocols, and data reporting requirements.
The monitoring network shall promote the collection of data of sufficient quality, frequency, and distribution to characterize groundwater and related surface water conditions in the basin and evaluate changing conditions that occur through implementation of the Plan.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
§ 354.34. Monitoring Network
(a)
Each Agency shall develop a monitoring network capable of collecting sufficient data to demonstrate short-term, seasonal, and long-term trends in groundwater and related surface conditions, and yield representative information about groundwater conditions as necessary to evaluate Plan implementation. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1 (b)
Each Plan shall include a description of the monitoring network objectives for the basin, including an explanation of how the network will be developed and implemented to monitor groundwater and related surface conditions, and the interconnection of surface water and groundwater, with sufficient temporal frequency and spatial density to evaluate the affects and effectiveness of Plan implementation. The monitoring network objectives shall be implemented to accomplish the following:
(1) Demonstrate progress toward achieving measurable objectives described in the Plan. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1 (2) Monitor impacts to the beneficial uses or users of groundwater. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1 (3) Monitor changes in groundwater conditions relative to measurable objectives and minimum thresholds. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1
(4) Quantify annual changes in water budget components. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1
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(c) Each monitoring network shall be designed to accomplish the following for each sustainability indicator:
(1)
Chronic Lowering of Groundwater Levels. Demonstrate groundwater occurrence, flow directions, and hydraulic gradients between principal aquifers and surface water features by the following methods:
(A)
A sufficient density of monitoring wells to collect representative measurements through depth-discrete perforated intervals to characterize the groundwater table or potentiometric surface for each principal aquifer.
191:192,
199, 203 7.1.1 Figure 7-1 Table 7-2
(B) Static groundwater elevation measurements shall be collected at least two times per year, to represent seasonal low and seasonal high groundwater conditions. 191:192,
199, 203 7.1.1 Figure 7-1 Table 7-2
(2) Reduction of Groundwater Storage. Provide an estimate of the change in annual groundwater in storage. 192:193 7.1.2
(3)
Seawater Intrusion. Monitor seawater intrusion using chloride concentrations, or other measurements convertible to chloride concentrations, so that the current and projected rate and extent of seawater intrusion for each applicable principal aquifer may be calculated. 193 7.1.3
(4)
Degraded Water Quality. Collect sufficient spatial and temporal data from each applicable principal aquifer to determine groundwater quality trends for water quality indicators, as determined by the Agency, to address known water quality issues. 193:194, 199, 203 7.1.5 Figure 7-2 Table 7-2
(5)
Land Subsidence. Identify the rate and extent of land subsidence, which may be measured by extensometers, surveying, remote sensing technology, or other appropriate method. 193 7.1.4
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(6)
Depletions of Interconnected Surface Water. Monitor surface water and groundwater, where interconnected surface water conditions exist, to characterize the spatial and temporal exchanges between surface water and groundwater, and to calibrate and apply the tools and methods necessary to calculate depletions of surface water caused by groundwater extractions. The monitoring network shall be able to characterize the following:
(A) Flow conditions including surface water discharge, surface water head, and baseflow contribution. 194:195 7.1.6
(B) Identifying the approximate date and location where ephemeral or intermittent flowing streams and rivers cease to flow, if applicable. 194:195 7.1.6 (C) Temporal change in conditions due to variations in stream discharge and regional groundwater extraction. 194:195 7.1.6
(D) Other factors that may be necessary to identify adverse impacts on beneficial uses of the surface water. 194:195 7.1.6
(d)
The monitoring network shall be designed to ensure adequate coverage of sustainability indicators. If management areas are established, the quantity and density of monitoring sites in those areas shall be sufficient to evaluate conditions of the basin setting and sustainable management criteria specific to that area. 189:195, 202:203 7.1
Figure 7-1,
7-2
(e) A Plan may utilize site information and monitoring data from existing sources as part of the monitoring network. 189:195 7.1 Table 7-1
(f)
The Agency shall determine the density of monitoring sites and frequency of measurements required to demonstrate short-term, seasonal, and long-term trends based upon the following factors:
(1) Amount of current and projected groundwater use. 189:195 7.1 (2) Aquifer characteristics, including confined or unconfined aquifer conditions, or other physical characteristics that affect groundwater flow. 189:195 7.1 (3)
Impacts to beneficial uses and users of groundwater and land uses and property interests affected by groundwater production, and adjacent basins that could affect the ability of that basin to meet the sustainability goal. 189:195 7.1 (4) Whether the Agency has adequate long-term existing monitoring results or other technical information to demonstrate an understanding of aquifer response. 189:195 7.1
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(g) Each Plan shall describe the following information about the monitoring network:
(1) Scientific rationale for the monitoring site selection process. 189:195 7.1 (2)
Consistency with data and reporting standards described in Section 352.4. If a site is not consistent with those standards, the Plan shall explain the necessity of the site to the monitoring network, and how any variation from the standards will not affect the usefulness of the results obtained. 195:197 7.2
(3)
For each sustainability indicator, the quantitative values for the minimum threshold, measurable objective, and interim milestones that will be measured at each monitoring site or representative monitoring sites established pursuant to Section 354.36. 189:195 7.1 (h)
The location and type of each monitoring site within the basin displayed on a map, and reported in tabular format, including information regarding the monitoring site type, frequency of measurement, and the purposes for which the monitoring site is being used. 189:195 7.1 (i)
The monitoring protocols developed by each Agency shall include a description of technical standards, data collection methods, and other procedures or protocols pursuant to Water Code Section 10727.2(f) for monitoring sites or other data collection facilities to ensure that the monitoring network utilizes comparable data and methodologies. 195:197 7.2 (j)
An Agency that has demonstrated that undesirable results related to one or more sustainability indicators are not present and are not likely to occur in a basin, as described in Section 354.26, shall not be required to establish a monitoring network related to those sustainability indicators. 189:195 7.1 Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.2, 10727.2, 10727.4, 10728, 10733, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code
§ 354.36. Representative Monitoring
Each Agency may designate a subset of monitoring sites as representative of conditions in the basin or an area of the basin, as follows:
(a)
Representative monitoring sites may be designated by the Agency as the point at which sustainability indicators are monitored, and for which quantitative values for minimum thresholds, measurable objectives, and interim milestones are defined. 198 7.3
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(b) (b) Groundwater elevations may be used as a proxy for monitoring other sustainability indicators if the Agency demonstrates the following:
(1) Significant correlation exists between groundwater elevations and the sustainability indicators for which groundwater elevation measurements serve as a proxy. 198 7.3 (2)
Measurable objectives established for groundwater elevation shall include a reasonable margin of operational flexibility taking into consideration the basin setting to avoid undesirable results for the sustainability indicators for which groundwater elevation measurements serve as a proxy. 198 7.3
(c) The designation of a representative monitoring site shall be supported by adequate evidence demonstrating that the site reflects general conditions in the area. 198 7.3 Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10727.2 and 10733.2, Water Code
§ 354.38. Assessment and Improvement of Monitoring Network (a)
Each Agency shall review the monitoring network and include an evaluation in the Plan and each five-year assessment, including a determination of uncertainty and whether there are data gaps that could affect the ability of the Plan to achieve the sustainability goal for the basin. 200:201 7.5 Table 7-3
(b)
Each Agency shall identify data gaps wherever the basin does not contain a sufficient number of monitoring sites, does not monitor sites at a sufficient frequency, or utilizes monitoring sites that are unreliable, including those that do not satisfy minimum standards of the monitoring network adopted by the Agency. 200:201 7.5 Table 7-3 (c) If the monitoring network contains data gaps, the Plan shall include a description of the following:
(1) The location and reason for data gaps in the monitoring network. 201 Table 7-3 (2) Local issues and circumstances that limit or prevent monitoring. 200:201 7.5 Table 7-3 (d)
Each Agency shall describe steps that will be taken to fill data gaps before the next fiveyear assessment, including the location and purpose of newly added or installed monitoring sites. 200:201 7.5 Table 7-3
(e)
Each Agency shall adjust the monitoring frequency and density of monitoring sites to provide an adequate level of detail about site-specific surface water and groundwater conditions and to assess the effectiveness of management actions under circumstances that include the following:
(1) Minimum threshold exceedances. 189:195 7.1
(2) Highly variable spatial or temporal conditions. 189:195 7.1 (3) Adverse impacts to beneficial uses and users of groundwater. 189:195 7.1 (4) The potential to adversely affect the ability of an adjacent basin to implement its Plan or impede achievement of sustainability goals in an adjacent basin. 189:195 7.1 Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10723.2, 10727.2, 10728.2, 10733, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code
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§ 354.40. Reporting Monitoring Data to the Department
Monitoring data shall be stored in the data management system developed pursuant to Section 352.6. A copy of the monitoring data shall be included in the Annual Report and submitted electronically on forms provided by the Department.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10728, 10728.2, 10733.2, and 10733.8, Water Code.
SubArticle 5. Projects and Management Actions
§ 354.42. Introduction to Projects and Management Actions This Subarticle describes the criteria for projects and management actions to be included in a Plan to meet the sustainability goal for the basin in a manner that can be maintained over the planning and implementation horizon.
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
§ 354.44. Projects and Management Actions
(a)
Each Plan shall include a description of the projects and management actions the Agency has determined will achieve the sustainability goal for the basin, including projects and management actions to respond to changing conditions in the basin. 204:218 8 (b) Each Plan shall include a description of the projects and management actions that include the following:
(1)
A list of projects and management actions proposed in the Plan with a description of the measurable objective that is expected to benefit from the project or management action.
The list shall include projects and management actions that may be utilized to meet interim milestones, the exceedance of minimum thresholds, or where undesirable results have occurred or are imminent. The Plan shall include the following:
(A)
A description of the circumstances under which projects or management actions shall be implemented, the criteria that would trigger implementation and termination of projects or management actions, and the process by which the Agency shall determine that conditions requiring the implementation of particular projects or management actions have occurred. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(B)
The process by which the Agency shall provide notice to the public and other agencies that the implementation of projects or management actions is being considered or has been implemented, including a description of the actions to be taken. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(2)
If overdraft conditions are identified through the analysis required by Section 354.18, the Plan shall describe projects or management actions, including a quantification of demand reduction or other methods, for the mitigation of overdraft. Not applicable (3) A summary of the permitting and regulatory process required for each project and management action. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
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(4) The status of each project and management action, including a time-table for expected initiation and completion, and the accrual of expected benefits. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(5) An explanation of the benefits that are expected to be realized from the project or management action, and how those benefits will be evaluated. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(6)
An explanation of how the project or management action will be accomplished. If the projects or management actions rely on water from outside the jurisdiction of the Agency, an explanation of the source and reliability of that water shall be included. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(7) A description of the legal authority required for each project and management action, and the basis for that authority within the Agency. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(8) A description of the estimated cost for each project and management action and a description of how the Agency plans to meet those costs. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(9)
A description of the management of groundwater extractions and recharge to ensure that chronic lowering of groundwater levels or depletion of supply during periods of drought is offset by increases in groundwater levels or storage during other periods. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(c) Projects and management actions shall be supported by best available information and best available science. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
(d) An Agency shall take into account the level of uncertainty associated with the basin setting when developing projects or management actions. 204:218
8.1,8.2,8.3,
8.4,8.5,8.6,
8.7,8.8
Tables 8-
1:8-8
Note: Authority cited: Section 10733.2, Water Code.
Reference: Sections 10727.2, 10727.4, and 10733.2, Water Code.
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
APPENDIX D
BCGSA Stakeholder Outreach Plan
STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH PLAN
BEDFORD COLDWATER GROUNDWATER SUBBASIN (#8-004.02)
of the ELSINORE BASIN (#8-004)
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT
(SGMA) PROGRAM
Prepared For:
BEDFORD COLDWATER
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AUTHORITY
Acting as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Prepared By:
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
300 North Lake Avenue, Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
October 2018
Updated October 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………………... i
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1
2.0 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................1
3.0 STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION ..................................................................................1
4.0 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES..................................................................................................3
4.1 Public Notices and Meetings ....................................................................................3
4.1.1 Public Meetings ............................................................................................4
4.1.2 Agency Meetings ..........................................................................................4
4.2 GSA Website............................................................................................................4
4.3 Direct Mailings/Email................................................................................................5
4.4 Outreach Implementation Timeline ..........................................................................5
5.0 EVALUATION....................................................................................................................7
5.1 Public Meeting Participation and Attendance...........................................................7
5.2 Comment and Response Database .........................................................................7
6.0 REFERENCES...................................................................................................................7
APPENDIX A - SUMMARY OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
i
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
BCGSA Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority acting as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency
CASGEM California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Corona City of Corona
DAC disadvantaged community
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EVMWD Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
GSA Groundwater Sustainability Agency
GSP Groundwater Sustainability Plan
JPA Joint Powers Authority
SGMA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
TVWD Temescal Valley Water District
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), effective January 1, 2015, was enacted in California to regulate and sustainably manage groundwater basins throughout the state. SGMA provides a framework to guide local public agencies and newly created Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) in the management of their underlying groundwater basins, especially those considered critically affected as defined by the Department of Water Resources (DWR).
The Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority (BCGSA) was formed as a result of a Joint Powers Agreement to create a Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The JPA consists of the City of Corona (Corona), Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and Temescal Valley Water District (TVWD) acting as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) for the Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Subbasin (Subbasin), a subbasin of the Elsinore Groundwater Basin. The BCGSA will be responsible for creating a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to achieve long-term groundwater sustainability in the Subbasin.
Under SGMA Regulations (California Water Code [Water Code] Section 10723.2), the BCGSA must consider all beneficial users and users of groundwater throughout the GSP development process. The BCGSA, comprised of three local agencies, will strive to achieve sustainable groundwater management in the region in the best interests of the stakeholders and local community.
This Stakeholder Outreach Plan (Outreach Plan) outlines the communication methods and strategies the BCGSA will employ to most effectively engage and involve stakeholders throughout GSP development and SGMA implementation per California Water Code.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this Outreach Plan is to involve stakeholders and understand their values throughout development of the GSP for the Subbasin. The objectives of the Outreach Plan are to:
• Identify and include interested stakeholders, including: affected governments, agencies, land use and environmental organizations, interested parties, and members of the public • Provide multiple forums for stakeholder involvement
• Encourage stakeholder input throughout the GSP development process • Receive and understand information about stakeholders’ values and interests • Incorporate comments and feedback received during GSP development • Abide by SGMA Regulations and ensure broad public participation and transparency
3.0 STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION
SGMA Regulations require GSAs to consider the interests of all beneficial users and users of groundwater (Water Code Section 10723.2), and establish and maintain a list of persons interesting in receiving notices regarding plan preparation, meeting announcements, and availability of draft plans, maps, and other relevant documents (Water Code Section 10723.4). Per Water Code Section 10723.8(a)(4), a list of interested parties was developed and provided to DWR during formation of the BCGSA. The BCGSA will continue to expand this list throughout the GSP development process. An initial list of stakeholders is presented in Table 1.
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2 Table 1 – List of Stakeholders in the BCGSA Area
Category Identified Stakeholders
Holders of overlying groundwater rights –
Agricultural users None identified
Holders of overlying groundwater rights –
Domestic well owners
• Golf Club at Glen Ivy
• Shea Homes, Inc.
• Other small producers
Municipal well operators
• City of Corona Department of Water and Power
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Temescal Valley Water District
Industrial well operators • Coldwater Aggregates
Public water systems
• Western Municipal Water District
• Eastern Municipal Water District
• City of Corona Department of Water and Power
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Temescal Valley Water District
Local land use planning agencies • Riverside County, Planning Department • City of Corona
Regulatory Agencies
• Riverside County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board –
Santa Ana Region (8)
Environmental Groups • The Nature Conservatory
Surface water users, if there is a
hydrologic connection between surface
and groundwater bodies
• Santa Ana Watershed Protection Agency
• City of Corona Department of Water and Power
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Temescal Valley Water District
The Federal Government • United States Forest Service
• United States Fish and Wildlife Service
California State Agencies
• California Department of Water Resources
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Groundwater Program
California Native American Tribes
• Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
• Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
• Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Temecula Band of Luiseño Indians
Disadvantaged communities (DAC),
including, but not limited to, those served
by private domestic wells or small
community water systems
None identified
Entities listed in Water Code Section
10927 that are monitoring and reporting
groundwater elevations in all or a part of a
groundwater basin managed by the
groundwater sustainability agency
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District is the entity
responsible for the California Statewide Groundwater
Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM) program
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 3.1 Tribal Lands in the Basin
There are no tribal entities with land within the Basin. The list of stakeholders includes four California Native American tribes in the region, though not with land in the Basin, in order to continue the long history of coordination with tribal entities between the GSA agencies. The tribes have been contacted for stakeholder meetings as well as for consultation during the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process for two new monitoring wells. The tribes have indicated no specific interest in the Basin, however the BCGSA will continue to consult with the tribes throughout GSP implementation and CEQA permitting.
3.2 Private Well Owners
The BCGSA believes there are very few active private wells, none of which are used for potable water supply in the Basin. While the BCGSA is aware of a small number of private wells, a systematic well inventory identifying all active private wells has not been completed to date. The GSP includes a project to address this data gap with a survey and inventory of active private wells throughout the Basin (Project 2, Section 8.7). This project was designed to locate and characterize the construction and use of existing private wells so that they can be included in sustainable management of the Basin.
4.0 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
The BCGSA will implement the following outreach activities to maximize stakeholder involvement during development and implementation of the GSP. A summary of SGMA stakeholder outreach requirements and Water Code sections (Dobbin, 2015) are included in Table A.1 of Appendix A.
4.1 Public Notices and Meetings
SGMA establishes public notice requirements for GSAs to ensure that the general public and other stakeholders, are aware of actions by their local GSA. Table 2 outlines the three sections of the Water Code that require public notice, including before establishing a GSA, before adopting or amending a GSP, and before imposing or increasing a fee.
Table 2 – SGMA Requirements for Public Notice
Public Notice Requirement Water Code
Section
“Before deciding to become a groundwater sustainability agency, and after publication of notice pursuant to Section 6066 of the Government Code, the local agency or agencies shall hold a public hearing in the county or counties overlying the basin.”
10723(b)
“A groundwater sustainability agency may adopt or amend a groundwater sustainability plan after a public hearing, held at least 90 days after providing notice to a city or county within the area of the proposed plan or amendment.” 10728.4
“Prior to imposing or increasing a fee, a groundwater sustainability agency shall hold at least one public meeting, at which oral or written presentations may be made as part of the meeting.”
10730(b)(1)
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 The BCGSA will satisfy these requirements by publishing notices in local news outlets for Riverside County (The Press-Enterprise) and the City of Corona (Sentinel Weekly News), as well as posting on the BCGSA website.
In accordance with Water Code Section 10723(b), the following notices were provided to the public during formation of the BCGSA:
• On March 15, 2017 and March 22, 2017, a notice of public hearing was published in The PressEnterprise and Sentinel Weekly News to inform the public of the intent to hold a public hearing to consider the proposed decision by Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority to become the GSA for the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin of the Elsinore Basin. • On March 29, 2017, the Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority held a public hearing in the Boardroom of the Temescal Valley Water District’s headquarters to hear comments from the public regarding the Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority’s proposal to form a GSA within the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin.
4.1.1 Public Meetings
To promote broad public participation and stakeholder involvement (Water Code Section 10727.8(a)), the BCGSA will conduct at least two public meetings during development of the GSP. Each meeting will be open to stakeholders and will include agency representatives. These meetings will be an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions and provide input on sections of the GSP.
Public meetings will be held in the Boardroom of the Temescal Valley Water District’s headquarters, located at 22646 Temescal Canyon Road, Temescal Valley, California 92883. More information including date and time of upcoming meetings will be provided on the BCGSA website. Throughout stakeholder outreach, the BCGSA will evaluate if additional accommodations will be necessary (e.g., evening meetings, translation for hearing impaired or non-English speaking individuals, etc.) in order to include as many stakeholders as possible.
As of this 2021 update, two public meetings have been held: November 7, 2019 in the Temescal Valley Water District boardroom, and July 15, 2021 online via Zoom. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to encourage participation and ensure the safety of all participants, all public and JPA Board meetings have been conducted through online formats.
Stakeholders will continue to be encouraged to participate in meetings and engage with BCGSA members following adoption of the GSP through email updates and website postings. Public meetings will be held as needed prior to significant updates made to the GSP throughout GSP implementation. Meeting information will be made available on the BCGSA website.
4.1.2 JPA Board Meetings
Representatives of each agency comprising the BCGSA will be present during quarterly Board meetings with the JPA. The dates, times, and location of these meetings will be posted on the BCGSA website. Time is designated during these meetings for the BCGSA to provide the JPA with updates on the progress of GSP development and SGMA implementation. There will be opportunity for the public to pose questions and comments at the start of each meeting. This public comment period will continue throughout GSP implementation.
4.2 GSA Website
The BCGSA will develop a website to facilitate the sharing of information about GSP development and SGMA implementation with stakeholders. Information will include maps, a calendar of upcoming meetings
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 and important dates, meeting summaries, groundwater information, relevant documents, mailing list signup, and other SGMA/GSA related information. The BCGSA website is located at:
www.bedfordcoldwatergsa.com
The website will be updated regularly. There will be a designated page where users are encouraged to request more information, ask questions, or be added to the list of stakeholders. Links to the BCGSA website will be provided on the homepages of member agency websites.
Prior to initiating the development of a GSP, SGMA Regulations require that GSAs make a written statement describing the manner in which interested parties may participate in the development and implementation of the GSP available to the public and to DWR (Water Code Section 10727.8(a)). A section of the BCGSA website will allow the public to access this statement, the Outreach Plan, and any other written requirements.
4.3 Direct Mailings/Email
The BCGSA will maintain and continue to update a list of stakeholders. The list will be updated as persons request information though the website and from attendance at public meetings. Information distributed to those on the list who are interested in receiving BCGSA updates may include, plan preparation, meeting announcements, and availability of draft plans, maps, and other relevant documents (Water Code Section 10723.4).
4.4 Outreach Implementation Timeline
Stakeholder engagement opportunities will be tracked and available on the BCGSA website throughout the GSP development process. Figure 1 shows the required stakeholder engagement opportunities throughout the four phases of GSP development as described by DWR (DWR, 2018). Forms of stakeholder engagement may include public meetings, information distributed to the BCGSA list of stakeholders, or DWR open public comment periods online via the SGMA Portal found at https://sgma.water.ca.gov/portal/#intro.
Phase 1 (years 2015 to 2017) is the GSA Formation and Coordination phase and includes one stakeholder input requirement. This requirement was completed by holding a public hearing to form the GSA from the Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority.
Phase 2 (year 2017 to 2022) is the GSP Preparation and Submission part of the GSP development process.
During this phase, stakeholders will be provided with opportunities to provide input on sections of the GSP by attending public meetings or reaching out on the BCGSA website.
Phase 3, occurring at any point after completion of Phase 2, consists of GSP review and evaluation. Once the GSP is submitted, any person may provide comments to DWR regarding a proposed or adopted GSP via the SGMA Portal found on DWR’s website.
Phase 4 (year 2022+) is the Implementation and Reporting phase following adoption of the GSP. Active stakeholder involvement and public meetings are encouraged by DWR during this phase.
OUTREACH PLAN
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6 Figure 1 – Stakeholder Input Timeline (adapted from DWR, 2018)
OUTREACH PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7 5.0 EVALUATION
GSAs are encouraged to continually evaluate the effectiveness and monitor the progress of stakeholder engagement. The BCGSA will monitor the effectiveness of the Outreach Plan throughout GSP development and implementation by actively revising and updating the Outreach Plan to reflect any changing needs of stakeholders. The stakeholders list will be updated as needed to ensure all interested groups and beneficial users are included.
5.1 Public Meeting Participation and Attendance
Recording attendance and participation at public meetings is one method the BCGSA will use to implement the Outreach Plan and identify any adjustments that may be required. A record of attendance will be taken at each public meeting, and written feedback request forms will be available to each attendee. The forms will allow a clear pathway for the BCGSA to receive direct feedback on how to improve engagements with the public, if necessary, and to ensure individual interests are documented and considered.
5.2 Comment and Response Database
The BCGSA will maintain a database in order to ensure that comments voiced during public meetings and throughout stakeholder engagement are addressed. The database will track comments (and other information including name, date, and venue), assign responsibility for response preparation, and track distribution of responses. A copy of the information contained in the database will be included in the GSP as required by GSP Regulations Section 354.10.
6.0 REFERENCES
California Department of Water Resources (DWR), 2018. “Guidance Document for Groundwater Sustainability Plan, Stakeholder Communication and Engagement.” Sustainable Groundwater Management Program. January.
Dobbin, Kristin, et al., 2015. “Collaborating for Success: Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Implementation.” Community Water Center. July.
Water Code Sections can be found online at California Legislative Information. <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/home.xhtml>
APPENDIX A
Summary of Statutory Requirements
Table A.1 – Summary of Statutory Requirements for Stakeholder Engagement in SGMA Timeframe Requirement
California
Water Code
Section
During GSA
Formation
“Before electing to be a groundwater sustainability
agency… the local agency or agencies shall hold
a public hearing”
10723 (b)
“A list of interested parties [shall be] developed
[along with] an explanation of how their interests
will be considered”
10723.8(a)(4)
During GSP
Development and
Implementation
“A groundwater sustainability agency may adopt
or amend a groundwater sustainability plan after a
public hearing”
10728.4
“Prior to imposing or increasing a fee, a
groundwater sustainability agency shall hold at
least one public meeting”
10730(b)(1)
“The groundwater sustainability agency shall
establish and maintain a list of persons interested
in receiving notices regarding plan preparation,
meeting announcements, and availability of draft
plans, maps, and other relevant documents”
10723.4
“Any federally recognized Indian Tribe… may
voluntarily agree to participate in the preparation
or administration of a groundwater sustainability
plan or groundwater management plan… A
participating Tribe shall be eligible to participate
fully in planning, financing, and management
under this part”
10720.3(c)
“Prior to initiating the development of a
groundwater sustainability plan, the groundwater
sustainability agency shall make available to the
public and the department a written statement
describing the manner in which interested parties
may participate in the development and
implementation of the groundwater sustainability
plan”
10727.8(a)
Throughout SGMA
Implementation
“The groundwater sustainability agency shall
consider the interests of all beneficial uses and
users of groundwater”
10723.2
“The groundwater sustainability agency shall
encourage the active involvement of diverse
social, cultural, and economic elements of the
population within the groundwater basin”
10727.8(a)
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
APPENDIX E
Public Meeting Summaries
www.bedfordcoldwatergsa.com
31315 Chaney Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Board Members:
Paul Rodriguez, TVWD
Jacque Casillas, City of Corona
Phil Williams, EVMWD
MEETING SUMMARY
Public Meeting
Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority
6:30 PM, November 7, 2019
22646 Temescal Valley Road, Temescal Valley, CA 92883
Attendees
Craig Kessler, SoCal Golf Association
Kevin Fitzgerald, SoCal Golf Association
Rachel Gray, Eastern Municipal Water District
Kristian Aifelor, City of Corona Department of Water and Power Sonny Gowan, ECS/Glen Ivy
Arean Park, KOK/Tom’s Farms
Mike Buckantz, Associates Environmental
Jim St. Martin, Chandler’s Sand and Gravel
Trevor Wood, Chandler’s Sand and Gravel
Pakiza Chatha, California Department of Water Resources Ray Alvarez, Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Brandon Barnett, KWC Engineers
Charley Land, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Ian Achimore, Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Jacque Casillas, City of Corona
Phil Williams, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Margie Armstrong, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Tom Moody, City of Corona
Jeff Pape, Temescal Valley Water District
Victor Harris, Stantec
Kelly Shugart, Stantec
Agenda
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Introduction to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
3. Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority
4. Open Discussion
5. Next Steps
Victor Harris presented on the above topics followed by an open discussion. Comments from stakeholders were mostly addressed by Victor Harris, Tom Moody, and Jeff Pape are summarized below.
General comments from Jeff Pape, TVWD:
• It will be helpful for the BCGSA to know details about stakeholders’ wells in the Subbasin: Has anyone had to lower pumps? Any water quality issues? • We are interested in obtaining the earliest well data available for warm water and cold water wells.
2 General comments from Tom Moody, City of Corona
• The BCGSA is interested in gaining information about the geology where wells have been drilled in order to better understand the hydrogeology and the water entering those wells.
• We want to understand where recharge is occurring in the Subbasin and that we have recharge occurring in the correct location for future modelling efforts. • We are interested in the native safe yield at each of the wells in the Subbasin so the BCGSA can know how much can be pumped safely without damaging the aquifer.
Stakeholder Comment: Will future development go into recharge in the Subbasin? Response: The BCGSA will need to do a water study, but yes, it’s possible.
Stakeholder Comment: Does water withdrawn in the basin stay in the basin or is it transported out?
Response: Most of the water stays in or very near the basin, but not 100% of it. Any exports out of the Subbasin is another aspect we need to understand. TVWD imports 100% of its potable water, about 3,000 acre-feet.
Stakeholder Comment: Is any of the water used for recharge? Response: Recycled water is percolated into the ground.
Stakeholder Comment: What should we worry about for future projects? Response: We will try to plan for known development as part of the Master Plan, for example, recycled water is required for landscape irrigation. If something deviates from the Master Plan, we will need to work it out with the developer.
Stakeholder Comment: For future projects, will developments need to be equipped with a reservoir or way to capture rainwater?
Response: It’s possible; we want to minimize runoff and maybe look into xeriscaping. Future developments could be required to do stormwater management.
Knowing how much runoff we are saving could go into offsetting extractions.
Stakeholder Comment: There is a creek passing through my client’s land and they are experiencing erosion. Would it be possible to use [BCGSA] budget to create a reservoir to hold water on that land?
Response: If it promotes general sustainability, it could be a possibility.
Stakeholder Comment: Will you develop regulations for new and existing developments? Response: There could be guidance setup for minimizing runoff, for example. The BCGSA will continue to review and update the GSP regularly. As regulations change, we will need to see how our plan fits and update, as needed.
Stakeholder Comment: Can you speak more to fees?
Response: Extraction fees are a possible authority, but it is more about compliance.
It would be an enforcement amount. Fees could potentially used as funding for new projects or enforcement.
Stakeholder Comment: Is the GSA’s authority a one-size fits all or will you look at each user individually concerning compliance with policies? Not everything would fit for the spa, for example, like landscaping policies.
Response: Policies will need to be practical and equitable for everyone. 3 Stakeholder Comment: How do you plan on gathering data? Response: We will be asking users for any data they have. Lots of wells are de minimus, less than 2 acre-feet per year, or hard rock wells and are exempt. We are in contact with most of the larger producers and hope to have good relationships with everyone in the basin. We really want to know the geology and to understand the basin.
Stakeholder Comment: Are you reaching out to other stakeholders? Response: We have contacted all we are aware of in the basin. Do you have suggestions on how to reach others? We will be reaching out during a data gathering period and will publish our list of stakeholders. We will be careful of confidentiality, especially with the mining operations. We need to understand the basin without hurting business. We will be asking everyone for their information.
DWR Comment: How can stakeholders stay engaged?
Response: Attend meetings which are posted on the BCGSA website. A listserv is a good way to keep people engaged and send notifications automatically. We will also add the presentation slides to the website.
11/1/2021
1 Bedford Coldwater Subbasin
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Public Meeting – Thursday, November 7, 2019
Presenter: Victor Harris, PG, CEG, CHG
Agenda
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Introduction to the Sustainable
Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
3. Bedford Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority
4. Open Discussion
5. Next Steps
Meeting Objectives
Help keep you informed about the
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act
Understand your needs and priorities
Open lines of communication
Build common goals for the Bedford
Coldwater Subbasin
Introduction to the Sustainable
Groundwater Management Act
1 2
3 4
11/1/2021
2 The Sustainable Groundwater
Management Act (SGMA) Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed by the California legislature in 2014 Created a framework for sustainable groundwater management in California Sustainable Groundwater Management = “Management and use of groundwater in a manner that can be maintained during the
planning and implementation horizon without
causing undesirable results.”
“…groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally.” – Governor Jerry Brown, September 2014
SGMA Requires the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) – generally agencies overlying the groundwater basin GSAs are responsible for preparing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) and be submitted by: January 2020 for critically over drafted basins January 2022 for remaining high and medium priority basins Creates a single sustainability goal for the basin or subbasin Achieved within 20 years of GSP implementation Maintained without causing undesirable results SGMA
Two main goals to promote basin health:
1. Stop overdraft by “balancing the
water budget”
2. Achieve sustainable yield and avoid
six undesirable results Lowering GW Levels Reduction of Storage Seawater Intrusion Degraded Quality Land Subsidence Surface Water Depletion Joseph, Trevor, April 2018. DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program Assistance Webinar. GSP Development presentation slides. 5 6
7 8
11/1/2021
3 Basin Prioritization Four groundwater basin categories:
High, medium, low, and very low Based on components in California Water Code Section 10933(b) Population overlying basin or subbasin Number of wells that draw from the basin Irrigated acreage overlying the basin Reliance on groundwater for primary source of water Groundwater Sustainability
Agencies Allows for intervention by the State
Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
at points throughout the process of
achieving sustainable groundwater
management SGMA Required Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) be formed Expanded the role of DWR to support local implementation of sustainable groundwater management by GSAs Powers and Authority of a GSA Adopt rules, regulations, ordinances and resolutions to achieve groundwater sustainability Conduct investigations for the purpose of: Determining the need for groundwater management Preparing and adopting a GSP and implementing rules and regulations Proposing and updating fees Monitor compliance and enforcement Inspection of property or facilities to ascertain compliance Require registration of a groundwater extraction facility Require measurement and recording of groundwater extraction (costs borne by owner or operator) Require groundwater extraction facilities to file an annual report
Powers and Authority of a
GSA (continued) Acquire land, water rights, rights-of-way, structures, or other property Appropriate and acquire surface or groundwater (or rights thereof) Transport, reclaim, purify, desalinate or treat wastewater or polluted water Additional authorities Regulate or limit groundwater extractions Limit construction of new wells, or reactivation of older wells Authorize transfers and carryover of groundwater extraction allocations 9 10
11 12
11/1/2021
4 Groundwater Sustainability Plan GSP development must be a transparent and open process encouraging stakeholder and
public input Establish minimum thresholds for each
sustainability indicator to avoid undesirable
results
Bedford Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority
Bedford Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority Joint Powers Authority (JPA) formed by three local agencies in February 2017 for management of the Subbasin City of Corona Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Temescal Valley Water District City of Corona TVWD Jacque Casillas, Director Phil Williams, Vice-Chairman EVMWD Paul Rodriguez, Chairman JPA signed a resolution in March 2017 to become the GSA for the Subbasin Governed by a representative Board member from each agency
Bedford Coldwater GSA
Basin and Agency Boundaries
13 14
15 16
11/1/2021
5 Bedford Coldwater Subbasin
Prioritization Bedford Coldwater
Subbasin classified as a
very low priority
subbasin Groundwater use
<9,500 acre-feet per
year and no
documented impacts to
the subbasin DWR SGMA Basin Prioritization Tool
2017 Prop 1 SGWP Grant BCGSA was awarded funding by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) of the State of California
through the Proposition 1 Sustainable Groundwater
Planning (SGWP) Grant SGWP Grant provides funding to assist in financing the planning and/or selected project activities
that will improve sustainable groundwater
management BCGSA submits quarterly progress reports to DWR under the conditions of the grant
GSP Development
The First Step is a Conceptual Model
GSP Development
A Water Budget is Key to the
Conceptual Model
17 18
19 20
11/1/2021
6 Geologic
Map of the
Bedford
Coldwater
Subbasin
GSP Development
From Conceptual Model to
Groundwater Flow Model
Conceptual Model Water Budget Numerical Groundwater Model Potential Projects for BCGSA Drill new, or locate suitable existing wells for groundwater monitoring Surface water instrumentation and monitoring Baseline groundwater
quality sampling
GSP Development Timeline
July 2019
• Begin Draft GSP development
July 2020
• Draft GSP available for public review
December 2020
• Final Draft GSP submitted to DWR
21 22
23 24
11/1/2021
7 Open Discussion Who are the private groundwater users in the Subbasin? Rough estimate of volume used Use of groundwater Groundwater quality Concerns? Who has concerns about the current groundwater conditions or elements of the GSP? What specific subject matter should be discussed in the GSP?
Next Steps How can you stay involved? Visit our website: www.BedfordColdwaterGSA.com Attend BCGSA Board meetings Provide current contact information for BCGSA updates Contact Victor Harris at 626-840-3592, [email protected] Please complete our survey before you leave Thank you for your interest and participation in
the Bedford Coldwater Subbasin!
25 26
www.bedfordcoldwatergsa.com
31315 Chaney Street, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
Board Members:
Paul Rodriguez, TVWD
Jacque Casillas, City of Corona
Phil Williams, EVMWD
MEETING SUMMARY
Public Meeting to Review the Bedford Coldwater Basin Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)
Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority
6:00 PM, July 15, 2021
Online Zoom Meeting
Attendees
Rachel Gray, Eastern Municipal Water District
Kristian Alfelor, City of Corona Department of Water and Power Sonny Gowan, ECS/Glen Ivy
Jim St. Martin, Chandler’s Sand and Gravel
Mike Weil, California Department of Water Resources
Brent Miles, Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Phil Williams, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Margie Armstrong, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Ganesh Krishnamurthy, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Parag Kalaria, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Paul Rodriguez, Temescal Valley Water District
Melissa Estrada-Maravilla, City of Corona
Jesus Gastelum, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Sodavy Ou, West Yost Associates
Jerry Sincich, Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) Craig Deleo, Temescal Driving Range
Eric Werner, Werner Corporation
Tom Moody, City of Corona
Jeff Pape, Temescal Valley Water District
Chad Taylor, Todd Groundwater
Maureen Reilly, Todd Groundwater
Terese Quintanar, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Victor Harris, H & H Water Resources
Kelly Shugart, Stantec
Agenda
1. Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Background
2. Introduction to the Bedford Coldwater Basin
3. SGMA Requirements
4. Recommended Actions and Projects
5. Schedule and Timeline
6. Questions, Comments, and Open Discussion
The second Stakeholders Meeting of the Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority was held via teleconference. Participants joined by accessing Zoom web meeting.
The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. and was recorded.
2 Mr. Victor Harris made introductions of those attending and explained methods for participants to indicate the desire to speak or ask questions. Mr. Harris explained that the purpose of the meeting was to present a summary of the recently completed Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), and invite questions or comments from basin stakeholders. He presented and explained a PowerPoint presentation and welcomed questions and comments at the completion of the presentation. The PowerPoint is attached to this summary for reference.
After the PowerPoint presentation, the following questions were posed by stakeholders:
Stakeholder Question: Are there any new regulations that would prohibit private well owners from replacing or installing new wells?
Response: The BCGSA and GSP has not introduced new regulations regarding well installations and will adopt the Riverside County well guidance. Well regulations can be found on the Riverside County website.
Stakeholder Question: Are you willing to discuss the GSP with local citizens groups in the Temescal Valley?
Response: Yes.
Because of the relatively few questions or concerns voiced by attendees, Mr. Harris invited additional comments or questions during the public review period (ending September 6, 2021) via email or telephone contact (contact information was provided in the presentation). He also requested responses to a questionnaire distributed immediately after the meeting via email to invitees.
The meeting ended at approximately 7:00 pm.
Bedford Coldwater Subbasin
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Public Meeting – Thursday, July 15, 2021
Presenter: Victor Harris, PG, CEG, CHG
BCGSA Administrator
For Online Participation:
Go to: www.zoom.us
Select Join a Meeting
Enter Meeting ID: 884 5768 5551
Meeting Password: 92530
For Call-in Only:
Call: (669) 900-9128
Enter Meeting ID: 884 5768 5551
Meeting Password: 92530
Meeting Information
Agenda
1. Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)
Background
2. Introduction to the Bedford Coldwater Basin
3. SGMA Requirements
4. Recommended Actions and Projects
5. Schedule and Timeline
6. Questions, Comments, and Open Discussion
Acknowledgements
Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority (BCGSA)
Board and Staff
California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) Funding
Jacque Casillas,
Director
Phil Williams,
Vice-Chairman
Paul Rodriguez,
Chairman
First Stakeholder Meeting
Questions and Input
November 7, 2019, Temescal Valley Water District
Introduction to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), BGSA, and GSP development
Issues Discussed:
Protection of water
quality
Future projects
New regulations
Fees
How to stay engaged
SGMA Background
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)
was passed by the California legislature in 2014
Stop overdraft and achieve sustainable yield
Requires the formation of Groundwater
Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) overlying the
groundwater basin
GSAs are responsible for preparing Groundwater
Sustainability Plans (GSPs)
“…groundwater management in California is
best accomplished locally.”
– Governor Jerry Brown, September 2014
BedfordColdwater
Subbasin
• Coldwater Management
Area
• Bedford Management
Area
Geology of the Basin
Groundwater Level History
SGMA Terminology
Sustainability Criteria = Quantitative ways
the GSA can define, measure, and track
sustainable management
Undesirable results = Significant and
unreasonable conditions for any of the six
sustainability indicators
Minimum Threshold (MT) = Numeric value
used to define undesirable results for each
sustainability indicator
Management Action = Initiated when MTs
are approached or exceeded
Lowering
GW Levels
Reduction
of Storage
Seawater
Intrusion
Degraded
Quality
Land
Subsidence
Surface Water
Depletion
Joseph, Trevor, April 2018. DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program Assistance Webinar. GSP Development presentation slides.
Six Undesirable Results
Consequences of Undesirable
Results
Increased pumping costs
Entrained air in discharge/accelerated
corrosion
Loss of production
Loss of groundwater-dependent habitat
Subsidence
Loss of groundwater in storage
Loss of emergency supply
Sustainability Goal for the
Bedford-Coldwater Basin
Provide a long-term, reliable and efficient
groundwater supply for municipal, industrial, and
other uses;
Provide reliable storage for water supply resilience
during droughts and shortages;
Protect groundwater quality;
Support beneficial uses of interconnected surface
waters; and
Support integrated and cooperative water
resource management.
Minimum Thresholds for
Sustainability
Sustainability Criteria Minimum Threshold
Lowering of GW Levels Maintain water levels at or above current pump intakes or screens (2 exceedances occur in 2 consecutive years in >2/3 or more wells in each management area)
Reduction of GW in Storage Based on water levels
Land Subsidence 0.2 feet in any 5-year period
Degradation of GW Quality 5-year average TDS<1,000 mg/l, Nitrates<10 mg/l Depletion of
Interconnected Streams
Depth to water in wells near groundwater-supported
vegetation is more than 35 ft for more than 1 year
Well Screen
Water Table
Pump
Monitoring Network
Flaggler 2A
Corona 3
New Sump
Monitoring Well
Construction and
Transducer Installation
Management Action 1
Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage
of Information Required for Annual Reports and
Submit Annual Reports
Contents
Executive Summary
Groundwater Contour Maps
Hydrographs
Extraction Amounts
Amount of Imported Supply
Change in Groundwater in Storage
Progress in Plan Implementation
Management Action 2
Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take
Action if Necessary
Management Action 3
Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality
Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional
Water Quality Control Board
Management Action 4
Track Trends in Groundwater Levels Near Temescal
Wash and Take Action as Necessary
Management Action 5
Review InSAR* Data on the DWR Dataviewer During
5-Year Updates
* Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar
Project 1
Investigate
Groundwater/
Surface Water
Interaction at
Temescal Wash
Project 2
Initiate a Survey of Active Private Wells
Project 3
Evaluation of Interaction of Aggregate Pits and
Groundwater Flow
Benefits of the GSP
Ensures long-term sustainability of the Basin
Evaluates and prepares for climate change
Protects groundwater-dependent ecosystems
Protects all groundwater users in the Basin
Provides for transparent and open Basin management
Provides for continuing stakeholder input
GSP Implementation Schedule
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Select GSP Administrator
Action 1 – Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required For Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports Action 2 – Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary
Action 3 – Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board Action 4 – Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary
Action 5 – Review InSAR data on the SGMA Dataviewer During Annual and 5-year Updates
Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash
Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Private Wells
Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality
Prepare 5-Year Evaluation
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
Survey
Meeting Date: July 15, 2021
Organization or Business Name: ______________________________________________________________ Stakeholder Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Email:__________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________ How helpful was this meeting in understanding development of the draft GSP for the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin? Please circle response: 1 2 3 4 5
Not helpful Neutral Very helpful
Please provide suggestions for improvement of stakeholder outreach:
Question: Response:
3. Is the timeline for GSP implementation clear?
4. Do you have any concerns or suggestions about implementing the GSP in the BedfordColdwater Subbasin?
5. Please note any other comments or questions regarding implementation of the GSP in the Bedford-Coldwater Subbasin or the GSP document itself. (Reminder: written comments are due on the Draft GSP by September 6, 2021. Please email this survey and any addtional comments to [email protected]).
2. Do you own or operate a water well in the vicinity of the basin? Do you plan to in the future?
1. Has this presentation increased your knowledge about the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)?
Please submit your survey to
[email protected]
Open Discussion
How can you stay involved?
Visit our website: www.BedfordColdwaterGSA.com
Attend BCGSA Board meetings
Provide current contact information for BCGSA
updates
Contact Victor Harris at 626-840-3592 or:
[email protected]
Thank you for your interest and participation in
the Bedford Coldwater Subbasin GSP!
11/1/2021
1 Bedford Coldwater Subbasin
Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Public Meeting – Thursday, July 15, 2021
Presenter: Victor Harris, PG, CEG, CHG
BCGSA Administrator
Agenda
1. Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)
Background
2. Introduction to the Bedford Coldwater Basin
3. SGMA Requirements
4. Recommended Actions and Projects
5. Schedule and Timeline
6. Questions, Comments, and Open Discussion
Acknowledgements
Bedford-Coldwater Groundwater
Sustainability Authority (BCGSA)
Board and Staff
California Department of Water
Resources (DWR) Funding
Jacque Casillas, Director Phil Williams, Vice-Chairman Paul Rodriguez, Chairman First Stakeholder Meeting
Questions and Input November 7, 2019, Temescal Valley Water District Introduction to Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), BGSA, and GSP development
Issues Discussed: Protection of water quality Future projects New regulations Fees How to stay engaged 1 2
3 4
11/1/2021
2 SGMA Background Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed by the California legislature in 2014 Stop overdraft and achieve sustainable yield Requires the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) overlying the
groundwater basin GSAs are responsible for preparing Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) “…groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally.” – Governor Jerry Brown, September 2014
BedfordColdwater
Subbasin
• Coldwater Management Area
• Bedford Management Area
Geology of the Basin
5 6
7 8
11/1/2021
3 Groundwater Level History
SGMA Terminology
Sustainability Criteria = Quantitative ways
the GSA can define, measure, and track
sustainable management
Undesirable results = Significant and
unreasonable conditions for any of the six
sustainability indicators
Minimum Threshold (MT) = Numeric value
used to define undesirable results for each
sustainability indicator
Management Action = Initiated when MTs
are approached or exceeded
Lowering GW Levels Reduction of Storage Seawater
Intrusion Degraded Quality Land Subsidence Surface Water Depletion Joseph, Trevor, April 2018. DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Program Assistance Webinar. GSP Development presentation slides.
Six Undesirable Results
9 10
11 12
11/1/2021
4 Consequences of Undesirable
Results
Increased pumping costs
Entrained air in discharge/accelerated
corrosion
Loss of production
Loss of groundwater-dependent habitat
Subsidence
Loss of groundwater in storage
Loss of emergency supply
Sustainability Goal for the
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Provide a long-term, reliable and efficient groundwater supply for municipal, industrial, and
other uses; Provide reliable storage for water supply resilience during droughts and shortages; Protect groundwater quality; Support beneficial uses of interconnected surface waters; and Support integrated and cooperative water
resource management.
Minimum Thresholds for
Sustainability
Sustainability Criteria Minimum Threshold
Lowering of GW Levels Maintain water levels at or above current pump intakes or screens (2 exceedances occur in 2 consecutive years in >2/3 or more wells in each management area)
Reduction of GW in Storage Based on water levels Land Subsidence 0.2 feet in any 5-year period Degradation of GW Quality 5-year average TDS<1,000 mg/l, Nitrates<10 mg/l Depletion of
Interconnected Streams Depth to water in wells near groundwater-supported vegetation is more than 35 ft for more than 1 year Well Screen Water Table Pump Monitoring Network Flaggler 2A Corona 3 New Sump
13 14
15 16
11/1/2021
5 Monitoring Well
Construction and
Transducer Installation
Management Action 1 Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required for Annual Reports and
Submit Annual Reports Contents Executive Summary Groundwater Contour Maps Hydrographs Extraction Amounts Amount of Imported Supply Change in Groundwater in Storage Progress in Plan Implementation Management Action 2 Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary
Management Action 3 Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional
Water Quality Control Board
17 18
19 20
11/1/2021
6 Management Action 4 Track Trends in Groundwater Levels Near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary
Management Action 5 Review InSAR* Data on the DWR Dataviewer During 5-Year Updates * Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Project 1 Investigate
Groundwater/
Surface Water
Interaction at
Temescal Wash
Project 2 Initiate a Survey of Active Private Wells
21 22
23 24
11/1/2021
7 Project 3 Evaluation of Interaction of Aggregate Pits and Groundwater Flow
Benefits of the GSP Ensures long-term sustainability of the Basin Evaluates and prepares for climate change Protects groundwater-dependent ecosystems Protects all groundwater users in the Basin Provides for transparent and open Basin management Provides for continuing stakeholder input GSP Implementation Schedule Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Select GSP Administrator P Action 1 – Provide for Collection, Compilation, and Storage of Information Required For Annual Reports and Submit Annual Reports P P P P P Action 2 – Routinely Record Groundwater Levels and Take Action if Necessary Action 3 – Monitor Selected Groundwater Quality Constituents and Coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Board Action 4 – Track Trends in Groundwater Levels near Temescal Wash and Take Action as Necessary Action 5 – Review InSAR data on the SGMA Dataviewer During Annual and 5-year Updates P P P P P Project 1 – Investigate Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction at Temescal Wash Project 2 – Initiate a Survey of Private Wells Project 3 – Evaluation of the Effects of Aggregate Pits on Groundwater Flow and Quality Prepare 5-Year Evaluation P 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Open Discussion How can you stay involved? Visit our website: www.BedfordColdwaterGSA.com Attend BCGSA Board meetings Provide current contact information for BCGSA updates Contact Victor Harris at 626-840-3592,or:
[email protected]
Thank you for your interest and participation in
the Bedford Coldwater Subbasin GSP!
25 26
27 28
Meeting Date: July 15, 2021
Organization or Business Name: ______________________________________________________________Stakeholder Name:
__________________________________________________________________________ Email:__________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________How helpful was this meeting in understanding development of the draft GSP for the Bedford‐Coldwater Subbasin?Please circle response: 1 2 3 45 Not helpful Neutral Very helpful
BCGSA Stakeholder Survey
Question: Response:3. Is the timeline for GSP implementation clear?4. Do you have any concerns or suggestions about implementing the GSP in theBedford‐Coldwater Subbasin?5. Please note any other comments or questions regarding implementation of the GSP in the Bedford‐Coldwater Subbasin or the GSP document itself. ( Reminder: written comments are due on the Draft GSP by September 6, 2021.Please email this survey and any addtional comments [email protected] ).2. Do you own or operate a water well in the vicinity of the basin? Do you plan toin the future?1. Has this presentation increased your knowledge about the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)?
Please provide suggestions for improvement of stakeholder outreach:
Bedford-Coldwater GSP
TODD GROUNDWATER,
H&H Water Resources,
and Stantec
APPENDIX F
Draft GSP Comments and Responses
September 6, 2021
Bedford Coldwater Groundwater Sustainability Authority
c/o Temescal Valley Water District
22646 Temescal Valley Road
Temescal Valley, CA 92883
Submitted via email: [email protected]
Re: Public Comment Letter for the Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Dear Victor Harris,
On behalf of the above-listed organizations, we appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Bedford-Coldwater Basin being prepared under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Our organizations are deeply engaged in and committed to the successful implementation of SGMA because we understand that groundwater is critical for the resilience of California’s water portfolio, particularly in light of changing climate. Under the requirements of SGMA, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) must consider the interests of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater, such as domestic well owners, environmental users, surface water users, federal government, California Native American tribes and disadvantaged communities (Water Code 10723.2).
As stakeholder representatives for beneficial users of groundwater, our GSP review focuses on how well disadvantaged communities, tribes, climate change, and the environment were addressed in the GSP.
While we appreciate that some basins have consulted us directly via focus groups, workshops, and working groups, we are providing public comment letters to all GSAs as a means to engage in the development of GSPs across the state. Recognizing that GSPs are complicated and resource intensive to develop, the intention of this letter is to provide constructive stakeholder feedback that can improve the GSP prior to submission to the State.
Based on our review, we have significant concerns regarding the treatment of key beneficial users in the Draft GSP and consider the GSP to be insufficient under SGMA. We highlight the following findings:
1. Beneficial uses and users are not sufficiently considered in GSP development. a. Human Right to Water considerations are not sufficiently incorporated. b. Public trust resources are not sufficiently considered. c. Impacts of Minimum Thresholds, Measurable Objectives and Undesirable Results on beneficial uses and users are not sufficiently analyzed.
2. Climate change is not sufficiently considered.
3. Data gaps are not sufficiently identified and the GSP does not have a plan to eliminate them.
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 1 of 11
4. Projects and Management Actions do not sufficiently consider potential impacts or benefits to beneficial uses and users.
Our specific comments related to the deficiencies of the Draft Bedford-Coldwater Basin GSP along with recommendations on how to reconcile them, are provided in detail in Attachment A.
Please refer to the enclosed list of attachments for additional technical recommendations:
Attachment A GSP Specific Comments
Attachment B SGMA Tools to address DAC, drinking water, and environmental beneficial uses and users
Attachment C Freshwater species located in the basin
Attachment D The Nature Conservancy’s “Identifying GDEs under SGMA: Best Practices for using the NC Dataset”
Thank you for fully considering our comments as you finalize your GSP.
Best Regards,
Ngodoo Atume
Water Policy Analyst
Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund
Samantha Arthur
Working Lands Program Director
Audubon California
E.J. Remson
Senior Project Director, California Water Program
The Nature Conservancy
J. Pablo Ortiz-Partida, Ph.D.
Western States Climate and Water Scientist
Union of Concerned Scientists
Danielle V. Dolan
Water Program Director
Local Government Commission
Melissa M. Rohde
Groundwater Scientist
The Nature Conservancy
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 2 of 11
Attachment A
Specific Comments on the Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan
1. Consideration of Beneficial Uses and Users in GSP development Consideration of beneficial uses and users in GSP development is contingent upon adequate identification and engagement of the appropriate stakeholders. The (A) identification, (B) engagement, and (C) consideration of disadvantaged communities, drinking water users, tribes, groundwater dependent ecosystems, streams, wetlands, and freshwater species are essential for ensuring the GSP integrates existing state policies on the Human Right to Water and the Public Trust Doctrine.
A. Identification of Key Beneficial Uses and Users
Disadvantaged Communities, Drinking Water Users, and Tribes The identification of Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), drinking water users, and tribes is insufficient , due to lack of clarity around tribal lands in the basin. The GSP states that there are no tribal lands in the basin, but includes four tribes in the list of stakeholders presented in Appendix D, Table 1.
The GSP indicates that there are no DACs in the basin (Section 2.1.2). The GSP includes a map of the density of domestic wells in the basin (Figure 2-4). The GSP should be further improved by including a map of individual domestic well locations and by indicating the population dependent on groundwater for their source of drinking water.
The missing elements regarding tribes and domestic wells are required for the GSA to fully understand the specific interests and water demands of these beneficial users, to support the development of water budgets using the best available information, and to support the development of sustainable management criteria and projects and management actions that are protective of these users.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Describe the occurrence of tribal lands in the basin. If tribes have interests in the basin, describe them in detail.
● Include a map of individual domestic well locations and a table of well data showing screen depths. Indicate the population dependent on groundwater for their source of drinking water.
Interconnected Surface Waters
The identification of Interconnected Surface Water (ISW) is insufficient .
The GSP describes the use of aerial photos to analyze stream reaches during the dry season.
However, this analysis is insufficient to determine interconnected reaches. The GSP states: “the reach of Temescal Wash that passes through the Bedford-Coldwater Basin does not appear to Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 3 of 11
gain flow from groundwater seepage into the channel, at least during the dry season. Water levels in wells near the creek further suggest that the water table is usually below the creek bed elevation.” Both of these sentences appear to discount the time periods when the stream reaches may be interconnected. The regulations [23 CCR §351(o)] define ISW as “surface water that is hydraulically connected at any point by a continuous saturated zone to the underlying aquifer and the overlying surface water is not completely depleted”. “At any point” has both a spatial and temporal component. Even short durations of interconnections of groundwater and surface water can be crucial for surface water flow and supporting environmental users of groundwater and surface water.
Therefore, potential ISWs are not being identified, described, nor managed in the GSP. Until a disconnection can be proven, include all potential ISWs in the GSP. This is necessary to assess whether surface water depletions caused by groundwater use are having an adverse impact on environmental beneficial users of surface water.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Provide a map showing all the stream reaches in the basin, with reaches clearly labeled. Consider any segments with data gaps as potential ISWs and clearly mark them as such on maps provided in the GSP.
● Provide depth-to-groundwater contour maps using the best practices presented in Attachment D, to aid in the determination of ISWs. Specifically, ensure that the first step is contouring groundwater elevations, and then subtracting this layer from land surface elevations from a digital elevation model (DEM) to estimate depth to groundwater contours across the landscape. This will provide accurate contours of depth-to-groundwater along streams and other land surface depressions where GDEs are commonly found.
● Use seasonal data over multiple water year types to capture the variability in environmental conditions inherent in California’s climate, when mapping ISWs. ● Reconcile ISW data gaps with specific measures (shallow monitoring wells, stream gauges, and nested/clustered wells) along surface water features in the Monitoring Network section of the GSP.
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
The identification of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) is insufficient , due to a lack of comprehensive, systematic analysis of the basin’s GDEs.
The GSP uses TNC’s GDE Pulse Tool to describe trends in plant growth (e.g., NDVI) and plant moisture (e.g., NDMI), and provided a map of change in NDMI (Figure 4-16) plotted on NC dataset polygons. Additionally, the GSP provides general discussion of riparian vegetation and depth to groundwater. However, the depth to groundwater data was not directly used to verify the NC dataset polygons.
In particular, we found that some mapped features in the NC dataset were improperly disregarded based on the following:
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 4 of 11
● GDEs were disregarded based on the presence or proximity of surface water. However, partial reliance on surface water does not necessarily prove that the plants and animals do not access groundwater. Many GDEs often simultaneously rely on multiple sources of water (i.e., both groundwater and surface water), or shift their reliance on different sources on an interannual or inter-seasonal basis. Additionally, adverse impacts can occur to GDEs due to pumping that further separates groundwater from surface water. ● Mapped features in the NC dataset were disregarded if Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) data downloaded from GDE Pulse did not correlate with groundwater. This is an incorrect method, since a lack of a relationship does not preclude that groundwater is providing some of the ecosystem's water needs. If the ecosystem is tapping into shallow groundwater then the ecosystem should be categorized as a GDE. If there are no data to characterize groundwater conditions in the shallow principal aquifer, then the GDE should be retained as a potential GDE and data gaps reconciled in the Monitoring Network section of the GSP.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Develop and describe a systematic approach for analyzing the basin’s GDEs. For example, provide a map of the NC Dataset. On the map, label polygons retained or removed from the NC dataset (and the removal reason if polygons are not considered potential GDEs). Discuss how local groundwater data was used to verify whether polygons in the NC Dataset are supported by groundwater in an aquifer. Refer to Attachment D of this letter for best practices for using local groundwater data to verify whether polygons in the NC Dataset are supported by groundwater in an aquifer. ● Use depth to groundwater data from multiple seasons and water year types (e.g., wet, dry, average, drought) to determine the range of depth to groundwater around NC dataset polygons. We recommend that a baseline period (10 years from 2005 to 2015) be established to characterize groundwater conditions over multiple water year types.
Refer to Attachment D of this letter for best practices for using local groundwater data to verify whether polygons in the NC Dataset are supported by groundwater in an aquifer.
● Provide depth-to-groundwater contour maps, noting the best practices presented in Attachment D. Specifically, ensure that the first step is contouring groundwater elevations, and then subtracting this layer from land surface elevations from a DEM to estimate depth-to-groundwater contours across the landscape. ● If insufficient data are available to describe groundwater conditions within or near polygons from the NC dataset, include those polygons as “Potential GDEs” in the GSP until data gaps are reconciled in the monitoring network. ● Please provide a complete inventory, map, or description of fauna (e.g., birds, fish, amphibian) and flora (e.g., plants) species in the basin and note any threatened or endangered species (see Attachment C in this letter for a list of freshwater species located in the Bedford-Coldwater basin). The GSP provides a habitat map of the federally listed bird species gnatcatcher, but this is the only species referenced under the GDE discussion. The GSP mentions the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), but provides few details.
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 5 of 11
Native Vegetation and Managed Wetlands
Native vegetation and managed wetlands are water use sectors that are required 1 , 2 to be included into the water budget. The integration of native vegetation into the water budget is sufficient . We commend the GSA for including the groundwater demands of this ecosystem in the historical, current and projected water budgets. Managed wetlands are not mentioned in the GSP, so it is not known whether or not they are present in the basin.
RECOMMENDATION
● State whether or not there are managed wetlands in the basin. If there are, ensure that their groundwater demands are included as separate line items in the historical, current, and projected water budgets.
B. Engaging Stakeholders
Stakeholder Engagement during GSP development
Stakeholder engagement during GSP development is insufficient . SGMA’s requirement for public notice and engagement of stakeholders 3 is not fully met by the description in the Stakeholder Outreach Plan included in the GSP (Appendix D). We note the following deficiencies with the overall stakeholder engagement process:
● The opportunities for public involvement and engagement are described in very general terms. They include attendance at public meetings, stakeholder email list, and updates to the GSP website.
● Domestic well owners are specifically mentioned in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan as holders of overlying groundwater rights, however no information is provided other than stating that their participation is invited in the GSP development process. ● The Stakeholder Outreach Plan does not include a plan for continual opportunities for engagement through the implementation phase of the GSP for tribes and environmental stakeholders.
3 “A communication section of the Plan shall include a requirement that the GSP identify how it encourages the active involvement of diverse social, cultural, and economic elements of the population within the basin.” [23 CCR §354.10(d)(3)]
2 “The water budget shall quantify the following, either through direct measurements or estimates based on data: (3) Outflows from the groundwater system by water use sector, including evapotranspiration, groundwater extraction, groundwater discharge to surface water sources, and subsurface groundwater outflow.” [23 CCR §354.18] 1 “’Water use sector’ refers to categories of water demand based on the general land uses to which the water is applied, including urban, industrial, agricultural, managed wetlands, managed recharge, and native vegetation.” [23 CCR §351(al)]
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 6 of 11
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Include a more detailed and robust Stakeholder Outreach Plan that describes active and targeted outreach to engage domestic well owners, environmental stakeholders, and tribal stakeholders during the remainder of the GSP development process and throughout the GSP implementation phase. Refer to Attachment B for specific recommendations on how to actively engage stakeholders during all phases of the GSP process.
● Describe the occurrence of tribal lands in the basin. The GSP states that there are no tribal lands in the basin, but includes four tribes in the list of stakeholders presented in Table 1. If tribes have interests in the basin, describe them in detail. ● Describe efforts to consult and engage with tribes within the basin. Refer to the DWR guidance entitled Engagement with Tribal Governments for specifics on how to consult with tribes. 4
C. Considering Beneficial Uses and Users When Establishing Sustainable Management Criteria and Analyzing Impacts on Beneficial Uses and Users The consideration of beneficial uses and users when establishing sustainable management criteria (SMC) is insufficient . The consideration of potential impacts on all beneficial users of groundwater in the basin are required when defining undesirable results 5 and establishing minimum thresholds. 6 , 7 Disadvantaged Communities and Drinking Water Users
The GSP has aligned the minimum thresholds for contaminants of concern to maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), but has done so by averaging monitored concentrations over a 5-year period and over the entire basin. The TDS water quality minimum threshold basin-wide is defined as 5-year average concentrations not exceeding the 1,000 mg/L Secondary MCL for TDS. The nitrate water quality minimum threshold basin-wide is defined as 5-year average concentrations not exceeding the 10 mg/L drinking water MCL for nitrate as nitrogen. The monitored concentrations are totaled from each well and then divided by the total number of wells to achieve a single value representing average conditions over the entire Basin. 7 “The description of minimum thresholds shall include [...] how state, federal, or local standards relate to the relevant sustainability indicator. If the minimum threshold differs from other regulatory standards, the agency shall explain the nature of and the basis for the difference.” [23 CCR §354.28(b)(5)] 6 “The description of minimum thresholds shall include [...] how minimum thresholds may affect the interests of beneficial uses and users of groundwater or land uses and property interests.” [23 CCR §354.28(b)(4)] 5 “The description of undesirable results shall include [...] potential effects on the beneficial uses and users of groundwater, on land uses and property interests, and other potential effects that may occur or are occurring from undesirable results.” [23 CCR §354.26(b)(3)]
4 DWR Guidance Document for Engagement with Tribal Governments https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Groundwater-Management/Sustainable-Groundwat er-Management/Best-Management-Practices-and-Guidance-Documents/Files/Guidance-Doc-for-SGM-Engagement- with-Tribal-Govt_ay_19.pdf
Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 7 of 11
The GSP acknowledges that the method of averaging concentrations (p. 6-25) “is slightly different than the suggested methods to determine sustainability, [but] the GSA desired a single quantitative value to guide management.” Despite this explanation, we still disagree with averaging monitored concentrations over time and space. This is not an adequate methodology since concentrations averaged over 5-years and over the entire basin can not detect impacts to beneficial users of groundwater.
The GSP discounts domestic wells in the setting of SMC, based on the rationale that there are very few private wells in the basin, known private wells are for non-potable use, and responsibility for potential undesirable results to shallow wells is shared between a GSA and a well owner.
Therefore, potential impacts on all beneficial users of groundwater in the basin have not been considered when defining undesirable results and establishing minimum thresholds.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Chronic Lowering of Groundwater Levels
● Consider and evaluate the impacts of selected minimum thresholds and measurable objectives on drinking water users within the basin. Further describe the impact of passing the minimum threshold for drinking water users. For example, provide the number of domestic wells that would be de-watered at the minimum threshold.
Degraded Water Quality
● Set minimum thresholds for degraded water quality that are compared to individually monitored concentrations, not those that are averaged over time or space. ● Describe direct and indirect impacts on drinking water users when defining undesirable results for degraded water quality. For specific guidance on how to consider domestic water users, refer to “Guide to Protecting Water Quality Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.” 8
● Evaluate the cumulative or indirect impacts of proposed minimum thresholds for TDS and nitrate on drinking water users.
● Provide distinct maps for PFOS, PFOA and sulfate contamination plumes as required in SGMA regulations 9
.
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems and Interconnected Surface Waters The GSP uses 2014-2016 groundwater elevations as minimum thresholds for the depletion of interconnected surface water SMC (using groundwater elevations as proxy). We are concerned that this will not avoid undesirable results to environmental beneficial users. The true impacts to ecosystems under this scenario are not fully discussed in the GSP. If minimum thresholds are set to historic low groundwater levels and the subbasin is allowed to operate just above or close to those levels over many years, there is a risk of causing catastrophic damage to ecosystems that are more adverse than what was occurring at the height of the 2012-2016 drought. This is because California ecosystems, which are adapted to our Mediterranean climate, have some 9 “Groundwater quality issues that may affect the supply and beneficial uses of groundwater, including a description and map of the location of known groundwater contamination sites and plumes.” [23 CCR §354.16(d)] 8 Guide to Protecting Water Quality under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/communitywatercenter/pages/293/attachments/original/1559328858/Guide_to _Protecting_Drinking_Water_Quality_Under_the_Sustainable_Groundwater_Management_Act.pdf?1559328858.
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drought strategies that they can utilize to deal with short-term water stress. However, if the drought conditions are prolonged, the ecosystem can collapse.
The GSP states (p. 6-37) that “undesirable results did occur in the Bedford-Coldwater Basin during the recent drought, because vegetation die-back occurred along about 3.9 miles of the channel, or about 57 percent of the total length of Temescal Wash in the Basin.” The basin’s ecosystems could be further damaged or even destroyed if groundwater conditions are maintained just above those levels in the long-term, since the subbasin would be permitted to sustain extreme dry conditions over multiple seasons and years.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Define chronic lowering of groundwater SMC directly for environmental beneficial users of groundwater. GDEs are discussed only in relation to the depletions of interconnected surface water SMC (using groundwater elevations as proxy for depletions of interconnected surface waters), but not directly for the chronic lowering of groundwater SMC.
● When defining undesirable results for chronic lowering of groundwater levels and depletions of interconnected surface waters, provide specifics on what biological responses (e.g., extent of habitat, growth, recruitment rates) would best characterize a significant and unreasonable impact to GDEs. Undesirable results to environmental users occur when ‘significant and unreasonable’ effects on beneficial users are caused by groundwater conditions in the subbasin. Thus, potential impacts on environmental beneficial uses and users need to be considered when defining undesirable results 10 in the subbasin. Defining undesirable results is the crucial first step before the minimum thresholds 11 can be determined.
2. Climate Change
The SGMA statute identifies climate change as a significant threat to groundwater resources and one that must be examined and incorporated in the GSPs. The GSP Regulations 12 require integration of climate change into the projected water budget to ensure that projects and management actions sufficiently account for the range of potential climate futures.
The integration of climate change into the projected water budget is insufficient . The GSP does incorporate climate change into the projected water budget using DWR change factors for 2070.
However, the GSP did not consider the 2070 extremely wet and extremely dry climate scenarios in the projected water budget. The GSP should clearly and transparently incorporate the extremely wet and dry scenarios provided by DWR into projected water budgets or select more appropriate extreme scenarios 12 “Each Plan shall rely on the best available information and best available science to quantify the water budget for the basin in order to provide an understanding of historical and projected hydrology, water demand, water supply, land use, population, climate change, sea level rise, groundwater and surface water interaction, and subsurface groundwater flow.” [23 CCR §354.18(e)]
11 The description of minimum thresholds shall include [...] how minimum thresholds may affect the interests of beneficial uses and users of groundwater or land uses and property interests.” [23 CCR §354.28(b)(4)] 10 “The description of undesirable results shall include [...] potential effects on the beneficial uses and users of groundwater, on land uses and property interests, and other potential effects that may occur or are occurring from undesirable results”. [23 CCR §354.26(b)(3)]
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for their basins. While these extreme scenarios may have a lower likelihood of occurring, their consequences could be significant, therefore they should be included in groundwater planning.
We acknowledge and commend the inclusion of climate change into key inputs (precipitation, evaporation, and surface water flow) of the projected water budget. Additionally, the sustainable yield is calculated based on the projected pumping for future projections that include climate change. However, if the water budgets are incomplete, including the omission of extremely wet and dry scenarios, then there is increased uncertainty in virtually every subsequent calculation used to plan for projects, derive measurable objectives, and set minimum thresholds. Plans that do not adequately include climate change projections may underestimate future impacts on vulnerable beneficial users of groundwater such as ecosystems and domestic well owners.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Integrate extreme wet and dry scenarios into the projected water budget to form the basis for development of sustainable management criteria and projects and management actions.
● Incorporate climate change scenarios into projects and management actions.
3. Data Gaps
The consideration of beneficial users when establishing monitoring networks is insufficient . Without adequate monitoring and identification of data gaps, beneficial users of groundwater including GDEs, surface water users, and drinking water users will remain unprotected by the GSP. The Plan therefore fails to meet SGMA’s requirements for the monitoring network 13 . We recommend the following steps to ensure that the monitoring network is protective of all beneficial users of groundwater.
RECOMMENDATIONS
● Provide maps that overlay monitoring well locations with the locations of GDEs and domestic wells to clearly identify potentially impacted areas. Ensure that existing and proposed representative monitoring sites adequately cover portions of the basin with GDEs and domestic wells.
● Provide a detailed plan for the investigation of shallow groundwater/surface water interaction at Temescal Wash as discussed in Section 8.6, instead of leaving this for a future project. Reconcile data gaps in the monitoring network by evaluating how the gathered data will be used to identify and map GDEs and ISWs. 13 “The monitoring network objectives shall be implemented to accomplish the following: [...] (2) Monitor impacts to the beneficial uses or users of groundwater.” [23 CCR §354.34(b)(2)] Bedford-Coldwater Basin Draft GSP Page 10 of 11
● Determine what ecological monitoring can be used to assess the potential for significant and unreasonable impacts to GDEs or ISWs due to groundwater conditions in the subbasin. The GSP mentions biological surveys in Section 8.6, but no details are given.
4. Addressing Beneficial Users in Projects and Management Actions The consideration of beneficial users when developing projects and management actions is insufficient , due to lack of identification of benefits or impacts of identified projects and management actions to key beneficial users of groundwater such as GDEs, surface water users, and drinking water users. Therefore, potential project and management actions may not protect these beneficial users. Groundwater sustainability under SGMA is defined not just by sustainable yield, but by the avoidance of undesirable results for all beneficial users.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Because GDEs, aquatic habitats, surface water users, and drinking water users were not sufficiently identified in the GSP, please consider including the following related to potential project and management actions in the GSP:
● Recharge ponds, reservoirs and facilities for managed stormwater recharge can be designed as multiple-benefit projects to include elements that act functionally as wetlands and provide a benefit for wildlife and aquatic species. For guidance on how to integrate multi-benefit recharge projects into your GSP refer to the “Multi-Benefit Recharge Project Methodology Guidance Document” 14 .
● For domestic well owners, include discussion of a drinking water well impact mitigation program to proactively monitor and protect drinking water wells through GSP implementation. Refer to Attachment B for specific recommendations on how to implement a drinking water well mitigation program.
● For domestic well owners, include a discussion of whether potential impacts to water quality from projects and management actions could occur and how the GSA plans to mitigate such impacts.
● Develop management actions that incorporate climate and water delivery uncertainties to address future water demand and prevent future undesirable results. 14 The Nature Conservancy. 2021. Multi-Benefit Recharge Project Methodology for Inclusion in Groundwater Sustainability Plans. Sacramento. Available at:
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