Twentynine Palms City Council
July 28, 2026

TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
www.29palms.org
Public Participation Options
City Council meetings are held in person, but you can watch the meeting via live stream or participate through the following options below:

Live Stream: YouTube - City of 29 Palms - YouTube
In-Person Public Comment:
• General Public Comment – Upon arrival, please complete a speaker card and submit to the City Clerk.

Online Public Comment: Virtual participation is conducted via Webex. Use the raise hand feature to request to speak.

Meeting online link:

Register link:
https://cityoftwentyninepalms-448.my.webex.com/weblink/register/r8c8ac6049fcc0ad50e96301319eba9cd Webinar topic:

City Council Regular Meeting July 28, 2026, 6:00PM
Date and time:

Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:00 PM | (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) Tuesday, July 28, 2026
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 to consider the following:

REGULAR SESSION AGENDA
6:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation - Pastor Nick Foley, Set Free Church-Wonder Valley.

Roll Call.

Closed Session Announcements.

Changes to the Agenda.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
These proceedings may be viewed on demand on the City of Twentynine Palms website at www.29palms.org.

You may also Live Stream this meeting by going on our website and clicking on the "Meeting Agendas" link.

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS

1. Engineer Update by City Engineer Richard Pedersen.

COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS OF MEETINGS ATTENDED

CITY MANAGER UPDATE

CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are to be considered routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed. Any item may be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately by the City Council. The public will be given an opportunity to comment on Consent Calendar items prior to the City Council action

2. Waive the Reading of Ordinance and Approve the Reading by Title Only.

3. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $300 - Semper Fi Sports Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $300 - Semper Fi Sports - Pdf 7 - 8

4. Approval of Project Phoenix Warrant Register Totaling $47,362.88 Approval of Project Phoenix Warrant Register Totaling $47,362.88 - Pdf 9 - 10

5. Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,424,928.05
Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,424,928.05 - Pdf 11 - 17

6. Information on the Importance of Periodic Septic System Maintenance.

RECOMMENDATION: The purpose of this agenda item is to make the public aware of the vital need to periodically inspect and maintain your septic system. Proper maintenance will help protect the City's water supply and may help residents avoid expensive repairs. The EPA recommends having a professional inspect your system at least every three years and pump out the system every three to five years. Do your part to protect our water supply!
Information on the Importance of Periodic Septic System Maintenance. - Pdf 19 - 25

7. Treasurer's Report - FY 2025-26 Quarter 4.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council receive and approve the Treasurer's Report for the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26.

Treasurer's Report - FY 2025-26 Quarter 4. - Pdf
27 - 29

8. Adoption of Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-___ approving the Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031.

Adoption of Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031. - Pdf
31 - 36

9. Approval of License Agreement with the San Bernardino County for Rack Space Located at the Donnell Hill Communication Site.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:

1. Approve the five-year license agreement with the San Bernardino County for rack space located at the County's communication site, commonly known as Donnel Hill Communication Site, for an amount not to exceed $27,029, and

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to fully execute the agreement.

Approval of License Agreement with the San Bernardino County for Rack Space Located at the Donnell Hill Communication Site. - Pdf
37 - 48

10. Acceptance of Contribution from the Twentynine Palms Water District for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Study.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council formally accept the $200,000 contribution from the Twentynine Palms Water District for the USGS study.

Acceptance of Contribution from the Twentynine Palms Water District for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Study. - Pdf
49 - 135

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR DISCUSSION

PUBLIC HEARINGS

11. Twentynine Palms Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District #1, Confirming Assessment and Levying Assessment for FY 2026-2027.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council:

1. Conduct the Public Hearing.

2. Adopt Resolution No. 26- ___; a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms confirming the diagram and assessment and levying assessment pursuant to the Lighting and Landscaping Act of 1972 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

Twentynine Palms Lighting and Landscaping Assessment District #1, Confirming Assessment and Levying Assessment for FY 2026-2027. - Pdf 137 - 146

12. San Bernardino County Fire (SBCFD) Fire Code Update.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a Public Hearing, and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. ___ entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE

PALMS, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE CODE (REFERENCING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA

RESIDENTIAL CODE) ALONG WITH CERTAIN CHANGES,

MODIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND
EXCEPTIONS, RELATING TO FIRE REGULATIONS.

San Bernardino County Fire (SBCFD) Fire Code Update. - Pdf 147 - 224

13. Recission of the Ofland Resort Project.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a Public Hearing, and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. ___ entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING ORDINANCE 322 AND ORDINANCE 323, WHICH APPROVED DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 25-00004,

ESTABLISHED THE OPEN-SPACE CONSERVATION ZONE (OS-C),
AMENDED THE CITY’S ZONING MAP, APPROVED REZONING 25-000001 AND REZONING ASSESSOR’S PARCEL NUMBER NO. 0614-121-15 FROM

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, ESTATE DENSITY (RS-E) TO

COMMERCIAL TOURIST (C-T) AND OPEN SPACE-CONSERVATION (OS-C) That the City Council adopt a Resolution No. 26-___ entitled:

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION 25-17 AND RESOLUTION 25-18, WHICH ADOPTED GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. 24-000002 AND APPROVED CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT 24-000003
Recission of the Ofland Resort Project. - Pdf
225 - 237

14. Ordinance for Sewer Regulations, Establishing a FOG Program, and Related Topics.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council hold a Public Hearing, and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. ___ entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE

PALMS, CALIFORNIA PERTAINING TO THE USE OF, DISCHARGES TO, AND CONNECTIONS TO THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN SEWER SYSTEM;

ESTABLISHING A FATS, OILS, AND GREASE CONTROL AND PERMITTING PROGRAM; PROHIBITING THE DISCHARGE OF CERTAIN MATERIALS INTO THE CITY SEWER SYSTEM; AND ESTABLISHING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES RELATED THERETO.

Ordinance for Sewer Regulations, Establishing a FOG Program, and Related Topics. - Pdf
239 - 263

DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS

15. Community Resilience Center Grant.

RECOMMENDATION: The City Council will discuss and provide direction to the City Manager on how to proceed with the Community Resilience Center Grant.

Community Resilience Center Grant. - Pdf
265 - 301

FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS

1. Shade Structures around Freedom Plaza and a possible art fixture with “Freedom Plaza” announcing the location.

2. Discussion on the use of City funds for grants and the potential reallocation of housing and homeless funds to grants.

3. Discussion on the next steps of reallocating $1.3 million for housing.

4. Review and revision to Municipal Code 5.08 related to Cannabis uses to bring the City up to par with new legislation and State Law.

5. Discussion regarding a Moratorium on Data Centers.

6. Discussion on reallocating funds that were set aside for City Hall shade structures to grant writing.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time for the public to address the City Council on issues within the jurisdiction of the City Council that are NOT on this agenda. All comments are to be directed to the City Council and shall not consist of any personal attacks. Members of the public are expected to maintain a professional, courteous decorum during their comments. There is a time limitation of three minutes per person. If you haven’t already done so, please fill out name and address slips and give them to the City Clerk. The City Council is prohibited by State law from taking action or discussing items not included on the printed agenda. Public comments on specific agenda items will be deferred until consideration of the item on the agenda.

ADJOURNMENT
It is the intention of the City of Twentynine Palms to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in all respects. If you are a person with a disability who requires a disability-related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, please request such modification or accommodation from the City Clerk at (760) 367-4890 (facsimile). Notification at least 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. Please advise us at the time whether you will require accommodations to participate in meetings on a regular basis. Any person affected by any application on this agenda may submit their concerns in writing prior to the meeting or appear in person and be heard in support or opposition to the proposal at the time the matter is considered on the agenda. The staff reports, applications and environmental documents may be viewed at either the office of Community Development or the office of the City Clerk, 6136 Adobe Road, from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, except legal holidays. The Invocation is given per Policy 10-01, and does not reflect the views of the City but rather is an expression of speech by a private citizen making the presentation. Telephone inquiries may be made at (760) 367-6799. If you challenge any agenda issue in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues that you or someone else raised at the public meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Twentynine Palms at, or prior to, the public meeting.

This notice of agenda is hereby certified to have been posted on or before 6:00 p.m. July 23, 2026.

Cindy Villescas CMC, City Clerk Time/Date

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Technician
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $300 - Semper Fi Sports ATTACHMENTS:
• Approval of Warrant Register
Totaling $300 - Semper Fi
Sports

Check Date
Warrant Register
Columbia Bank Gen Chkng

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
Vendor
WARRANT DATE: 07-28-2026
Check / Payment
0022616 7/02/2026 [3925] SEMPER FI SPORTS 300.00
Approved by: Date:

Total Checks: 300.00
Run: 7/22/2026 at 10:09 AM Page: 1

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Technician
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of Project Phoenix Warrant Register Totaling $47,362.88 ATTACHMENTS:
• Approval of Project Phoenix
Warrant Register Totaling
$47,362.88

Check Date
Warrant Register
Columbia Bank Gen Chkng

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
Vendor
WARRANT DATE: 07-28-2026
Check / Payment
0022556 6/24/2026 [1182] NV5 INC (8793) 1,492.50
0022622 7/02/2026 [1243] THE GAS COMPANY 45,870.38
Approved by: Date:

Total Checks: 47,362.88
Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 1

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Technician
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of Warrant Register Totaling $2,424,928.05 ATTACHMENTS:
• Approval of Warrant Register
Totaling $2,424,928.05

Check Date
Warrant Register
Columbia Bank Gen Chkng

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
Vendor
WARRANT DATE: 07-28-2026
Check / Payment
HP060926 6/09/2026 [1044] CALPERS 34,727.28
CCF060926 6/09/2026 [2412] CREDIT CARD FEES 2,410.94
RDR060926 6/09/2026 [3682] RECDESK LLC 201.94
0022489 6/11/2026 [3723] DESERT GENERAL LLC 15,000.00
0022484 6/11/2026 [3826] A JUMP N PARTY INC. 2,008.24
0022488 6/11/2026 [2703] CLIMATEC LLC (8837) 5,624.32
0022496 6/11/2026 [2921] JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION 4,500.00 0022505 6/11/2026 [2396] SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY-CSA 1,672.50 0022506 6/11/2026 [2268] SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY-RADIO 118.58 0022497 6/11/2026 [1407] MIRACLE RECREATION EQUIPMENT COMPANY INC 16,932.97 0022503 6/11/2026 [3886] PARSONS TRANSPORTATION GROUP INC 96,224.28 0022508 6/11/2026 [3954] SPORTS EVENTS INTERNATIONAL INC 15,000.00 0022490 6/11/2026 [3982] DESERTARC 55.00
0022512 6/11/2026 [4012] RAYMOND WILLIAMS 150.00
RCPPE060726 6/11/2026 [1044] CALPERS 22,003.60
0022511 6/11/2026 [1271] VCA 29 PALMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL (0319) 871.75 0022500 6/11/2026 [1228] NCSI 370.00
0022498 6/11/2026 [1167] MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 4,435.20 0022499 6/11/2026 [1167] MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 6,648.44 0022491 6/11/2026 [1100] FEDEX 59.13
0022504 6/11/2026 [1213] SAN BERNARDINO CO SHERIFFS DEPT 492,769.00 0022494 6/11/2026 [1110] GAMETIME 18,551.60
0022485 6/11/2026 [1017] AUTOZONE (0842) 490.77
0022510 6/11/2026 [1269] VALIC C/O JP MORGAN CHASE 2,133.20 0022513 6/11/2026 [1287] XEROX FINANCIAL SERVICES 188.71 0022495 6/11/2026 [1122] GOLD MOUNTAIN CA NEWS MEDIA 358.06 0022487 6/11/2026 [1052] CHARLES ABBOTT ASSOCIATES INC 49,372.01 PRTX061226 6/11/2026 [1055] PAYROLL 20,829.43
0022486 6/11/2026 [1037] BURRTEC WASTE & RECYCLING (2692) 103.08 0022507 6/11/2026 [1230] SCE 27,540.46
0022509 6/11/2026 [1259] TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT 629.17 0022492 6/11/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 251.73
0022493 6/11/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 571.35
0022501 6/11/2026 [0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - TWENTYNINE PALMS JUNIOR 150.00 0022502 6/11/2026 [0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - TWENTYNINE PALMS 150.00 NWDC061226 6/12/2026 [1173] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS 2,314.49 NWODC060726 6/12/2026 [1172] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS OB 363.27 EFT 6/12/2026 96,465.23
EFT 6/12/2026 940.33
457DC060726 6/12/2026 [1044] CALPERS 1,466.91
INV32853914 6/12/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 123.00
WIREHRA06172 6/17/2026 [2367] MIDAMERICA 7,070.00
0022515 6/17/2026 [2385] AL'S KUBOTA TRACTOR 2,431.62
Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 1

0022533[VOID] 6/17/2026 [2686] QUEST DIAGNOSTICS 1,052.95 0022539 6/17/2026 [3094] TSR CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION INC 17,840.00 0022531 6/17/2026 [2726] PAVEMENT COATINGS, INC. (8852) 293,037.26 0022524 6/17/2026 [3136] JONS FLAGS & POLES INC 775.80
0022530 6/17/2026 [3695] OUTDOOR CREATIONS INC 8,372.18 0022519 6/17/2026 [3604] ASSUREHIRE, INC 34.96
0022532 6/17/2026 [4013] PGN 4,637.50
0022528 6/17/2026 [3993] MORONGO BASIN SEARCH & RESCUE 300.00 0022523 6/17/2026 [4011] JOHNS GARAGE 8,064.00
0022527 6/17/2026 [3874] LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP 1,764.90 0022516 6/17/2026 [3877] AMERITAS LIFE INSURANCE CORP 3,579.32 0022529 6/17/2026 [3884] ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC 1,221.07 0022536 6/17/2026 [1252] TPHS 500.00
0022537 6/17/2026 [1252] TPHS 2,000.00
0022538 6/17/2026 [1252] TPHS 300.00
0022520 6/17/2026 [1020] B & B AUTO PARTS / TOWING 2,000.00 0022540 6/17/2026 [1270] VALLEY INDEPENDENT PRINTING 230.10 0022522 6/17/2026 [1125] HDL COMPANIES 1,444.05
0022514 6/17/2026 [1005] AFLAC 648.86
0022525 6/17/2026 [1140] JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK COUNCIL FOR THE 1,781.25 0022518 6/17/2026 [1014] ARROWHEAD CREDIT UNION 19,277.10 0022521 6/17/2026 [1100] FEDEX 48.73
0022526 6/17/2026 [1144] JAMES W (2985) KYLE 1,640.00
0022534 6/17/2026 [1230] SCE 45.27
0022517 6/17/2026 [1008] ANIMAL ACTION LEAGUE INC 5,238.00 0022535 6/17/2026 [1250] TOTAL FITNESS (8331) 359.88
INV15785414 6/22/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 461.59
FSAR062426 6/24/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 250.00
0022547 6/24/2026 [1588] DS LOCKSMITHING (2787) 4,890.00 0022577 6/24/2026 [1178] T-MOBILE 45.62
0022550 6/24/2026 [1341] HI-DESERT AIR INC (0336) 200.85 0022565 6/24/2026 [2396] SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY-CSA 1,490.42 0022542 6/24/2026 [2385] AL'S KUBOTA TRACTOR 1,695.66
0022554 6/24/2026 [2367] MIDAMERICA 507.00
RDR062426 6/24/2026 [3682] RECDESK LLC 483.52
0022561 6/24/2026 [3733] R.A.G.G. INC 5,025.00
0022567 6/24/2026 [3810] SHERWOOD DESIGN ENGINEERS, LTD. 28,449.25 0022559 6/24/2026 [3382] PARTY LIFE PHOTO BOOTH 700.00
0022543 6/24/2026 [3121] AMERICAN EXPRESS 845.89
0022557 6/24/2026 [3884] ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC 500.46 0022562 6/24/2026 [0564] APRIL RAMIREZ 145.28
0022551 6/24/2026 [3890] HR GREEN PACIFIC, INC. 29,979.28 0022563 6/24/2026 [3907] PAUL RAZO 298.01
0022552 6/24/2026 [4009] LABELLE-MARVIN INCORPORATED 5,155.40 0022564 6/24/2026 [3940] ROADRUNNER PRINT AND SHIP 59.12 0022581 6/24/2026 [1277] WATERLINE TECHNOLOGIES INC 2,704.53 0022578 6/24/2026 [1250] TOTAL FITNESS (8331) 359.88
0022566 6/24/2026 [1230] SCE 1,239.35
0022558 6/24/2026 [0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - CITY WELLNESS CENTER 35.91 0022549 6/24/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 106.69
0022544 6/24/2026 [1007] ANDY'S LANDSCAPE AND TREE SERVICE (3803) 1,975.00 Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 2

0022541 6/24/2026 [1001] LORI (8411) ABDELNOUR 1,475.00 0022553 6/24/2026 [1150] MARK SPEER AUTOMOTIVE (2109) 3,483.77 0022555 6/24/2026 [1177] NEWCO DISTRIBUTORS INCORPORATED 4,426.24 0022560 6/24/2026 [1231] PRIMO BRANDS 847.96
0022568 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 199.99
0022569 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 39.15
0022570 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 50.47
0022571 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 130.00
0022572 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 165.13
0022573 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 1,179.00
0022574 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 119.99
0022575 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 119.99
0022576 6/24/2026 [1249] SPECTRUM 149.99
0022579 6/24/2026 [1269] VALIC C/O JP MORGAN CHASE 2,133.20 0022546 6/24/2026 [1080] DAVID EVANS AND ASSOCIATES INC 10,322.07 0022545 6/24/2026 [1079] DATA TICKET INC 352.08
0022548 6/24/2026 [1100] FEDEX 121.43
0022580 6/24/2026 [1271] VCA 29 PALMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL (0319) 110.00 RCPPE062126 6/25/2026 [1044] CALPERS 405.34
RCPPE062126 6/25/2026 [1044] CALPERS 22,003.87
PRTX062626 6/25/2026 [1055] PAYROLL 23,982.55
NWDC062126 6/26/2026 [1173] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS 2,314.49 457DC062126 6/26/2026 [1044] CALPERS 1,165.01
NWODC062126 6/26/2026 [1172] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS OB 1,398.38 EFT 6/26/2026 8,383.40
EFT 6/26/2026 111,518.81
FSAR062926 6/29/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 130.56
RDR063026 6/30/2026 [3682] RECDESK LLC 116.50
0022625 7/02/2026 [3636] UNITED STATES TREASURY 86.40
0022595 7/02/2026 [3660] KIMBERLY K. JOHNSON 1,500.00
0022623 7/02/2026 [0533] KLALYN TSCHOEPE 66.34
0022612 7/02/2026 [3737] RODNEYS REPAIR AND SERVICE 255.52 0022621 7/02/2026 [3798] TERRY EQUIPMENT INC. 4,851.67
0022629 7/02/2026 [3827] WILD HEART ESCAPES LLC 10.00
0022594 7/02/2026 [2934] I-BANK US BANK 64,554.73
0022617 7/02/2026 [3056] SOAP SUDS CLEANING SERVICE (9049) 2,627.00 0022583 7/02/2026 [2680] AIS 286.60
0022593 7/02/2026 [2696] HARRELL'S 15,743.82
0022620 7/02/2026 [3544] SPECTRIO LLC 692.76
0022582 7/02/2026 [3581] ADVANCED IMAGING SOLUTIONS 560.23 0022618 7/02/2026 [3590] SOUTHWEST PROTECTIVE 2,720.00
0022586 7/02/2026 [3591] AVCOM SERVICES 585.00
0022630 7/02/2026 [1744] YUNEX LLC 995.00
0022609 7/02/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 1,778.35
0022614 7/02/2026 [2268] SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY-RADIO 118.58 0022584 7/02/2026 [2385] AL'S KUBOTA TRACTOR 2,629.14
0022610 7/02/2026 [2499] RACKSPACE US, INC 2,247.13
0022628 7/02/2026 [2528] WELLS FARGO VENDOR FIN SERV 121.71 0022587 7/02/2026 [3983] LARA BENNETT 112.00
0022619 7/02/2026 [4014] SPARTAN ATHLETIC CO LLC 2,837.65 0022600 7/02/2026 [4015] MOJAVE'S CREATIONS 330.54
Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 3

7/02/2026 6,104.00
7/02/2026 519.00
7/02/2026 1,000.00
7/02/2026 600.00
7/02/2026 1,397.86
7/02/2026 918.10
7/02/2026 470.00
7/02/2026 1,800.00
7/02/2026 900.00
7/02/2026 359.08
7/02/2026 112.86
7/02/2026 300.00
7/02/2026 3,006.95
7/02/2026 216.29
7/02/2026 158.32
7/02/2026 234.41
7/02/2026 111.30
7/02/2026 113.99
7/02/2026 113.99
7/02/2026 198.86
7/02/2026 297.65
7/02/2026 433.91
7/02/2026 845.43
0022599
0022597
0022601
0022589
0022588
0022585
0022613
0022602
0022596
0022626
0022590
0022611
0022598
0022591
0022592
0022624
0022603
0022604
0022605
0022606
0022607
0022608
0022627
0022615 7/02/2026 206.93
HP070826 7/08/2026 38,105.49
CCF070826 7/08/2026 2,387.69
0022662 7/09/2026 1,287.13
0022658 7/09/2026 304.44
0022661 7/09/2026 1,173.85
0022651 7/09/2026 4,300.00
0022652 7/09/2026 3,000.00
0022645 7/09/2026 100.40
0022671 7/09/2026 100.00
0022653 7/09/2026 2,500.00
0022665 7/09/2026 1,677.78
0022631 7/09/2026 198.62
0022670 7/09/2026 2,365.31
0022668 7/09/2026 2,412.00
0022634 7/09/2026 2,220.00
0022659 7/09/2026 100.00
0022657 7/09/2026 912.53
0022655 7/09/2026 1,500.00
0022638 7/09/2026 8,400.00
0022660 7/09/2026 9,887.50
457DC070526 7/09/2026 1,049.63
0022650 7/09/2026 879.94
0022643 7/09/2026 134.57
RCPPE070526 7/09/2026 22,441.48
UAL070926 7/09/2026 198,984.00
0022640 7/09/2026
[3927] MCCi, LLC
[1149] LLOYD PEST CONTROL CO INC (8202)
[1164] MORONGO BASIN BROADCASTING CORP
[1081] STEPHEN F DAVIS
[1053] CINTAS CORPORATION (8315)
[2326] ANIMAL CARE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE
[1216] SAN BERNARDINO CO FIRE DEPARTMENT
[1165] MORONGO BASIN CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL
[1148] LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE
[1271] VCA 29 PALMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL (0319)
[1100] FEDEX
[1203] REACH OUT MORONGO BASIN
[1150] MARK SPEER AUTOMOTIVE (2109)
[1106] FRONTIER
[1106] FRONTIER
[1259] TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - INDIBLU DOG SALON
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - EARLY BREW
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - MIKAYLASPETSPA
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - PROPER MANAGEMENT
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - EPHRAIM ELBAZ
[0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - AMCE CA, INC
[1273] VERIZON WIRELESS
[1230] SCE
[1044] CALPERS
[2412] CREDIT CARD FEES
[2499] RACKSPACE US, INC
[2582] OREILLY
[2686] QUEST DIAGNOSTICS
[2164] INNOVATIVE FEDERAL STRATEGIES LLC
[2183] JOE A GONSALVES & SON
[2194] DIVISION OF THE STATE ARCHITECT
[2201] TRANSUNION RISK AND ALTERNATIVE
[2022] LAMAR COMPANIES (8442)
[3551] SAN BERNARDINO LAFCO
[3581] ADVANCED IMAGING SOLUTIONS
[2875] TOPS N BARRICADES INC
[3836] SUNNY DESERT NURSERY INC
[3928] BETTER CLOUD HOSTING
[3923] PAISLEY RAMSTEAD
[3884] ODP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC
[4016] SUSAN MASTERSON
[3981] CLIFFORD MOSS LLC
[4013] PGN
[1044] CALPERS
[1107] FULTON DISTRIBUTING
[1086] DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
[1044] CALPERS
[1044] CALPERS
[1070] CNTY SAN BERDO CLERK BRD SUPERVISORS 50.00
Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 4

0022674 7/09/2026 [1271] VCA 29 PALMS ANIMAL HOSPITAL (0319) 426.25 0022639 7/09/2026 [1038] CMRSFP 900.00
0022641 7/09/2026 [1063] COMPUTERWORKS NFP SOLUTIONS 500.00 0022633 7/09/2026 [1017] AUTOZONE (0842) 859.15
0022656 7/09/2026 [1157] MCCS 11,000.00
0022663 7/09/2026 [1212] RUTAN AND TUCKER 64,810.37
0022664 7/09/2026 [1213] SAN BERNARDINO CO SHERIFFS DEPT 64,298.61 0022644 7/09/2026 [1087] DESERT HARDWARE (0301) 2,296.83 0022632 7/09/2026 [2326] ANIMAL CARE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE 360.76 0022673 7/09/2026 [1269] VALIC C/O JP MORGAN CHASE 1,840.89 0022636 7/09/2026 [1039] CA BUILDING STANDARDS COMM 19.80 0022667 7/09/2026 [1233] SR BUILDING INC (2685) 7,500.00 0022637 7/09/2026 [1046] CAMPBELL PET CO 572.49
0022646 7/09/2026 [1102] FORENSIC DTS INC 99.00
0022635 7/09/2026 [1037] BURRTEC WASTE & RECYCLING (2692) 103.08 0022666 7/09/2026 [1230] SCE 25,981.94
0022669 7/09/2026 [1243] THE GAS COMPANY 586.77
0022672 7/09/2026 [1259] TWENTYNINE PALMS WATER DISTRICT 5,200.30 0022647 7/09/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 251.73
0022648 7/09/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 571.39
0022649 7/09/2026 [1106] FRONTIER 11.71
PRTX071026 7/09/2026 [1055] PAYROLL 22,486.80
0022642 7/09/2026 [1077] CUTTING EDGE SUPPLY 2,224.22
0022675 7/09/2026 [1287] XEROX FINANCIAL SERVICES 188.71 NWDC070526 7/09/2026 [1173] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS 2,304.87 0022654 7/09/2026 [1150] MARK SPEER AUTOMOTIVE (2109) 541.58 NWODC070526 7/10/2026 [1172] NATIONWIDE RETIREMENT SOLUTIONS OB 1,502.67 INV33017600 7/10/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 123.00
WIREHRA07152 7/15/2026 [2367] MIDAMERICA 7,070.00
0022700 7/16/2026 [0001] ONE TIME VENDOR - ANAIT BALAYAN 218.46 0022691 7/16/2026 [1341] HI-DESERT AIR INC (0336) 1,870.00 0022682 7/16/2026 [1836] COLDWELL BANKER ROADRUNNER REALTY/JOSHUA 431.17 0022693 7/16/2026 [3874] LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP 1,573.65 0022704 7/16/2026 [0531] AMY TESSIER 52.18
0022688 7/16/2026 [3732] FUSE CONNECT, LLC. 1,925.00
0022705 7/16/2026 [3597] TWENTYNINE PALMS DOWNTOWN BUSINESS 7,500.00 0022679 7/16/2026 [3604] ASSUREHIRE, INC 59.45
0022689 7/16/2026 [4018] KAREN GLADIS 1,728.00
0022692 7/16/2026 [3890] HR GREEN PACIFIC, INC. 56,031.07 0022676 7/16/2026 [3959] A.G. ROMO PRODUCTIONS 1,500.00 0022683 7/16/2026 [3980] DANIELS TIRE SERVICE 9,176.98
0022696 7/16/2026 [3930] MOON VALLEY NURSERY OF CALIFORNIA LLC 2,449.99 0022685 7/16/2026 [1100] FEDEX 57.73
0022690 7/16/2026 [1122] GOLD MOUNTAIN CA NEWS MEDIA 247.98 0022694 7/16/2026 [1150] MARK SPEER AUTOMOTIVE (2109) 27.99 0022701 7/16/2026 [1210] ROTARY CLUB OF TWENTYNINE PALMS 1,317.00 0022706 7/16/2026 [1744] YUNEX LLC 1,085.00
0022703 7/16/2026 [1230] SCE 14,325.53
0022680 7/16/2026 [1018] AVALON URGENT CARE INC 150.00
0022702 7/16/2026 [1216] SAN BERNARDINO CO FIRE DEPARTMENT 6,460.94 0022678 7/16/2026 [1014] ARROWHEAD CREDIT UNION 31,795.93 Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 5

0022677 7/16/2026 [1005] AFLAC 582.38
0022695 7/16/2026 [1162] MOJAVE DESERT & MOUNTAIN 5,623.00 0022697 7/16/2026 [1171] NATIONAL BAND AND TAG COMPANY 308.66 0022686 7/16/2026 [1101] FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE COMPANY 2,500.00 0022699 7/16/2026 [1175] AARON NEVEU 1,000.00
0022698 7/16/2026 [1228] NCSI 18.50
0022684 7/16/2026 [1079] DATA TICKET INC 331.08
0022687 7/16/2026 [1107] FULTON DISTRIBUTING 524.47
0022681 7/16/2026 [1069] CNTY SAN BERDO DEPT PUBLIC HEALTH 1,102.00 INV16291723 7/20/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 550.68
FSAR072126 7/21/2026 [2231] PAYCHEX INC 250.00
Approved by: Date:

Total Checks: 2,424,928.05
Run: 7/22/2026 at 9:39 AM Page: 6

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Information on the Importance of Periodic Septic System Maintenance.

RECOMMENDATION:

The purpose of this agenda item is to make the public aware of the vital need to periodically inspect and maintain your septic system. Proper maintenance will help protect the City's water supply and may help residents avoid expensive repairs. The EPA recommends having a professional inspect your system at least every three years and pump out the system every three to five years. Do your part to protect our water supply! ORDER OF PROCEDURE:

Request Staff Report (City Manager presenting)
Council Question of Staff
Request Public Comment
Council Discussion
Motion/Second
Discussion of Motion
Call the Question
ATTACHMENTS:
• 2025-11-05 SEPTIC
SYSTEMS TPWD_KM (1) (1)
(1)
• 2025-11-05 FOG FREE_KM
(1) (1) (1)
BACKGROUND:

The City of Twentynine Palms (City) and Twentynine Palms Water District (District) are collaborating their efforts to address the potential impacts to the shallow groundwater aquifers from septic systems within city limits.

For several years, the City and District have been completing tasks outlined in the Salt and Nutrient Management Plan (SNMP), collaboratively prepared, as required by the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). The plan was prepared in 2014 and later approved in 2019. Through this plan, they are undertaking measures to increase monitoring of the groundwater and to limit potential water quality impacts to groundwater that may arise from the septic systems in the region.

Residents of the City and the unincorporated areas rely solely on groundwater for their daily needs. This community pulls from four different underground basins (aquifers) that also overlap with neighboring districts. With no centralized sewer throughout the community, commercial and residential lots rely on septic systems to hold the domestic wastewater from their properties.

The District provides drinking water to their customers from deeper groundwater aquifers (>300 feet below ground surface). It is the District’s understanding that there is a clay layer separating the shallow groundwater from the deep groundwater. However, water naturally flows through paths of least resistance, so the potential for shallow groundwater to make its way down to the deeper groundwater remains present. Page 19 of 301 One of the main potential impacts to groundwater is septic systems. Within the City, there are individual systems for residential housing, and there are package systems (batch treatment) for residential developments, hotels and commercial areas.

With septic systems come different responsibilities. Due to systems holding domestic wastewater underground, they can pose a severe risk to our groundwater if they are not properly maintained. If installed, managed, and maintained as intended, septic systems are considered an acceptable solution to domestic wastewater treatment for rural areas. When septic systems are not regularly inspected and maintained, the results for potential water quality can impact the shallow groundwater.

There are eight (8) batch treatment systems in the City. The City and the Water District are aware of three systems that are failing. These systems are permitted by the Water Board. The other septic systems are individual residential systems that are permitted separately. Failing batch treatment plants may also affect water quality in the shallow groundwater.

The Water Board upholds that all water shall be protected, regardless of whether or not it is used for drinking, recreation or natural habitat. There is a need to better understand the quality of the shallow groundwater beneath the City. As part of the SNMP, measures have been identified to obtain information, communicate with residents and business owners, and implement ways to protect, or minimize the potential for further degradation of the shallow groundwater aquifers beneath the City.

The easiest and most immediate way to support these measures is to establish continual communications with the City Council, residents, and business owners. Communications can be used to provide education about septic systems and reminders about proper inspections and maintenance. These communications have just now begun with the addition of this memo and corresponding presentation by Matt Shragge with the District to City Council meetings. The City will have an item on the Consent Calendar each meeting to keep the City Council updated on this topic. The following are additional communication options to consider:

1. Add information to the City Website:
a. Community Events page:
i. Weekly Certified Farmers Market
b. Community Development Department Page
i. We could add a link called “Septic Systems” in it where we can add information. c. City Public Works website

2. Add information to the City Newsletter (info tidbits about septic systems and maybe information about timely inspections of septic systems).

3. Annual Pioneer Days – could be an opportunity to share how wastewater is managed

4. Community Health & Resource Fair
The District will also be looking into ways to spread the word about septic systems such as:

1. District Website:
a. Front Page - Hot Topics section (inclusion of tidbits about septic systems) b. Water Quality page – “Protecting Your Water”
c. Providing links to existing SNMP and other groundwater related reports d. Septic Tank Maintenance Section

2. District Quarterly Newsletter
These are options to consider and do not need to be implemented at once, but little by little as deemed appropriate. The intent is to keep residents informed of the City’s activities with respect to water quality, so that a foundation is established, conversations can begin, and improvements made as they are identified.

The Water Board has been engaged in discussions with the City and the District. Progress on septic system management is expected and accomplishments are reported on annually. Progress has now begun with the inclusion of this memo and the District’s presentation to this City Council Meeting.

ENVIRONMENTAL: Page 20 of 301
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:

N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:

N/A

wwmtog?
5529 in;
25$ $535.;
«w...—._.:Om< #20301... 30>
m_>=._.._.w<._MI... wnZMI>>
_.w>mO_._.n_m_m
.838: mmLo 2mm; m-m
>55 2260qu 053858
3 5:9: 3% 0E: m>mm
.Emygw 25mmUmEEEmE
258 m”6 w__m:_q m5 U_o><
EIEIEI
dWViS H
HOV—
£1226 v3 ‘sumadauguhuaml
P308 HaleH IOVZI
pgnsga . 1612Mswled augulhuaM J.

<05. Macao9333 mm
E: o."<05. 3030 .25
<05. ammcosmmgmq.
36 m3 <05 55%-
om=<8289.33. om:
0 83x 0038087
<0: 3m<m “mmcmmEa:
o
mmnzo .Hmsx.3898
U<m:83me 8:-
33 8: 23QO w
y
m<m$3U<Emozoim
=<gum.
’{
(F,
jinx 3 2.5 mi;
Im<m<9: $28 .5828
m?3 3.033
XmmunUS$039 Om.“: .3282-
Dos.” 98.: <05 03::
mama<05 _u.m_a_
3 m__om:mmgmmuzo ”max00:.

A829.

CmmEm6.. magma? mo<0: Q03 29
Ex <9: 3663. wasEm 9w?
Emmsmq mag 0.038 Emmrm; 2::

E: 63m. 003.31.33.50 :6:

24.0532 252mm.
00:.” U05
9859 3.8. 2 3233. 0:95.-
om_m56 83.8 man. «029%
aosB Em Q81?
Do :0” 2cm: sozémoaamzm
:93 58 amim: 20mm.9258. 2
333:6 3668 28:03.

Go 30315 2
6qu o: Em 993.65.
m<<mn9U639
ma
O> 0mm:
bbm oimmugomam:#532: no3332 05 30:31:53:
m _u_N0._.m0._.<05»
QWOCZU<<>HmI
> 0.600....30.3.0300 00.0.300.0.
.03 000100000 .30 0303000 0.
96:39:03.. 003.03.33.03.
._.s.03.<3.30 £0.30 5.00.. 00300

3.03 903305.03. 3033.0. 0003
30300.3 .30 0033.0 033.000. m0. 0

0.003 030 ..0_.03_0 20.0.. 00500.
.20 3:0. 300.00:. 00.0300.0.030
.3 0.600.. 0030.303.
.uoo.._<30.38.30... 00.0300.0.030
003 00383305 03:30 50.2 3..
«0.00030 3.3.0.00 .33 .30 003.-
.20. 00.00303 0. 363 _0<0_0 0.

3.30.00 .3 .30 9.0339232. .2... n0-
0:: .3 0 90.0 30300.0 0.63.3...3o

0.003060 0.. 00.3.0 $330 .3 0....

0.00. ..00::.3u .3 .30 0303003303.

0.“003.0 0.0.030 03.. .30 .320.
303.0303 0."0 000....2003508..

3.00.303. .0050...30...”...

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Director
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Treasurer's Report - FY 2025-26 Quarter 4.

RECOMMENDATION:

The City Council receive and approve the Treasurer's Report for the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26.

ORDER OF PROCEDURE:

Request Staff Report (Finance Director presenting)
Council Question of Staff
Request Public Comment
Council Discussion
Motion/Second
Discussion of Motion
Call the Question
ATTACHMENTS:
• Treasurer's Report 6-30-2026
• Securities Report as of 6-30-
2026
BACKGROUND:

The attached report depicts the City's cash and investment balances as of June 30, 2026.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

N/A
ALTERNATIVES:

The City Council could choose not to approve the report.

FISCAL IMPACT:

N/A

City of Twentynine Palms
Treasurer's Report
June 30, 2026
Average
Interest Market Percent
Depository Term Matures Rate Amount Value of Total
Petty Cash and Cash on Hand On Hand N/A $950 $950 0.00% PPBI Bank
Checking Account Demand 0.00% $2,376,679 $2,376,679 10.78% PPBI Bank - Successor Agency Demand 0.00% $671,869 $671,869 3.05% Local Agency Investment Fund Demand 3.92% $11,186,216 $11,173,602 50.69% Cash with MBS Demand 0.00% $19,011 $19,011 0.09%
U.S. Treasury Bills 3.917% $2,008,454 $1,976,896 8.97%
Cerfificate of Deposit 3.65% $5,169,000 $5,138,349 23.31% Total City Funds $21,432,179 $21,357,356 96.89%
Funds Held in Trust:

Cash With Fiscal Agent (Project Phoenix) $685,854 $685,854 3.11% Total Funds in the Treasurer's
Custody $22,118,033 $22,043,210 100.00%
NOTES:
1) All the above investments are in compliance with the City's Investment Policy. 2) The City has sufficient funds to meet its expenditure requirements for the next six months.

Prepared by: Abigail Hernandez Conde
Date: 7/16/2026

City of Twentynine Palms RMB033895
Account eCD70981
Report Name Position Report Export
Executed 6/30/2026
Certificates of Deposit
Issuer Settle Date Maturity Date Principal Payment Frequency Market Value Rate Interest Earned Redeemed AMERICAN EXPRESS 6/29/2022 6/29/2027 $245,000.00 Monthly $243,189.45 3.40% $684.65 AUSTIN TELCO FED CR 9/21/2022 9/21/2027 $249,000.00 Monthly $247,954.20 3.80% $777.70 BEAL BK USA LAS 3/2/2022 2/24/2027 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $241,834.60 2.05% $412.81 CAPITAL ONE BK USA 5/11/2022 5/11/2027 $246,000.00 Semi Annual $244,073.82 3.20% $647.01 CAPITAL ONE NATL 4/27/2022 4/27/2027 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $242,628.40 2.90% $583.97 CAPITAL ONE NATL 5/18/2022 5/19/2027 $246,000.00 Semi Annual $244,032.00 3.20% $647.01 CITY FED CR UN 1/12/2024 1/12/2029 $240,000.00 Monthly $238,233.60 3.95% $779.18 COBALT FED CR UN 9/15/2022 9/15/2027 $249,000.00 Monthly $247,386.48 3.60% $736.77 DORT FINL CR UN 6/20/2023 6/20/2028 $247,000.00 Quaterly $248,262.17 4.50% $913.56 FIRST BK OF THE LAKE 2/7/2025 2/7/2030 $249,000.00 Monthly $247,981.59 4.20% $859.56 FIRST TECHNOLOGY FED 7/15/2022 7/15/2027 $249,000.00 Monthly $247,645.44 3.60% $736.77 GOLDMAN SACHS BK USA 9/30/2025 9/30/2030 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $237,821.50 3.60% $724.93 GREENSTATE CR UN 9/26/2023 9/26/2028 $248,000.00 Monthly $252,007.68 5.00% $1,019.18 LAFAYETTE FED CR UN 5/25/2022 5/25/2027 $245,000.00 Monthly $243,174.75 3.25% $654.45 MAINE SVGS FCU 7/21/2023 7/21/2028 $248,000.00 Monthly $250,767.68 4.80% $978.41 MORGAN STANLEY 6/11/2025 6/11/2030 $244,000.00 Semi Annual $243,499.80 4.30% $862.35 MORGAN STANLEY BK N 9/15/2022 9/15/2026 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $244,683.95 3.60% $724.93 OPTUM BK DRAPER UTAH 9/15/2025 9/16/2030 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $238,897.05 3.70% $745.07 QUORUM FED CR UN PUR 9/30/2022 9/30/2026 $249,000.00 Monthly $249,092.13 4.15% $849.33 STATE BK INDIA NEW 3/10/2022 3/10/2027 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $241,878.70 2.20% $443.01 TOYOTA FINL SVGS BK 9/16/2022 9/16/2027 $245,000.00 Semi Annual $243,304.60 3.60% $724.93 Totals $5,169,000.00 $5,138,349.59 3.65% $15,505.58 $0.00 United States Treasury Bills
Issuer Settle Date Maturity Date Purchase Price Payment Frequency Market Value Rate Interest Earned Redeemed TSRYS5477964 10/15/2024 9/30/2029 $753,551.83 Monthly $742,596.05 3.875% $765.48 TSRYS6101258 7/29/2025 6/30/2030 $244,902.13 Monthly $242,309.90 3.875% $708.95 TSRYS5734122 2/3/2026 1/31/2031 $1,010,000.00 At Maturity $991,990.00 4.000% Totals $2,008,453.96 $1,976,895.95 3.917% $1,474.43
Cash, Money Funds, and Bank Deposits
CASH BALANCE $19,010.85
TOTAL INVESTMENTS $7,177,453.96 $7,134,256.39 $16,980.01

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Director
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031.

RECOMMENDATION:

The City Council adopt Resolution No. 26-___ approving the Measure I Five-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2026- 2027 through 2030-2031.

ORDER OF PROCEDURE:

Request Staff Report (Finance Director presenting)
Council Question of Staff
Request Public Comment
Council Discussion
Motion/Second
Discussion of Motion
Call the Question
ATTACHMENTS:
• Reso No. 26- Measure I 5-
Year CIP 2027-2031
• Exhibit A 2027-2031
CIP_Report_City of Twentynine
Palms
• 2027-2031 MICIP Expenditure
Strategy
• 2027-2031 MICIP Request
Letter
BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to the requirements of Measure I, which was renewed by the voters, each local jurisdiction receiving funds must annually adopt a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines the specific projects upon which those funds shall be expended. A Resolution adopting the Measure I Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Years 2026- 2027 through 2030-2031 for the City of Twentynine Palms is attached.

Measure I is a result of an initiative passed by voters of San Bernardino County in November 2004, authorizing a 1/2 cent sales tax to be used for transportation purposes. Local street projects receive 70% of the proceeds. The City expects to receive $533,146 in general distribution for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition, the City is estimating to have $2,736,774 in funds available from prior years' Measure I distributions. The City has budgeted to spend $1,556,260 in Fiscal Year 2026-27.

The projects are primarily prioritized by the City's Pavement Management System. Pavement management incorporates life cycle costs into a more systematic approach to minor and major road maintenance and reconstruction projects. The needs of the entire network as well as budget projections are considered before projects are executed. Pavement management encompasses the main aspects and tasks needed to maintain a quality pavement inventory and ensure that the overall condition of the road network can be sustained at desired levels.

The CIP for Fiscal Years 2026-2027 through 2030-2031, the adopted Resolution, and the City's Expenditure Strategy are due to SBCTA by September 1, 2026.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

Categorically Exempt.

ALTERNATIVES:

The City Council could choose to change the priorities presented in the 5-Year plan.

FISCAL IMPACT:

All funding for the projects listed in the Five-year plan will come from available Measure I (current allocation and carryover), General Capital Reserves, and Federal, State and local grants, which have been incorporated in the FY 2026-27 budget.

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS

CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 26-____

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TWENTYNINE

PALMS, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE MEASURE I FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FY 2026/2027 THROUGH FY 2030/2031 WHEREAS, San Bernardino County voters approved passage of Measure I in November 2004, authorizing the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to impose a one-half of one percent retail transactions and use tax applicable in the incorporated and unincorporated territory of the County of San Bernardino; and WHEREAS, revenue from the tax can only be used for transportation improvement and traffic management programs authorized in the Expenditure Plans set forth in Ordinance No. 04- 01 of the Authority; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan requires each local jurisdiction applying for revenue from the Local Street Program to annually adopt and update a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Twentynine Palms, State of California, that the Measure I Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, attached to this resolution as Exhibit A, is hereby adopted.

PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on the 28th day of July 2026. ____________________________
Daniel L. Mintz, Sr., Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Cindy Villescas, City Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 26-___ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Twentynine Palms at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 28th day of July 2026, by the following vote of the Council:

AYES: Councilmembers:

NOES: Councilmembers:

ABSENT: Councilmembers:

ABSTAIN: Councilmembers:
________________________________
Cindy Villescas, City Clerk

Resolution Number:

Resolution Approval Date:

Contact Person/Title:

Phone:

Email:
6/30/26 Carryover Balance $2,736,774.00
FY2026/27 Est. Revenue FY2027/28 Est. Revenue FY2028/29 Est. Revenue FY2029/30 Est. Revenue FY2030/31 Est. Revenue Total Est. Rev. $533,146 $545,831 $559,141 $572,764 $586,728 $2,797,611 Projects:

Citywide Payment Improvements/Pavement Preservation No No 0.0% 0.0% $1,195,609 $400,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $400,000 Split Rock Bridge - Project Management No No 0.0% 0.0% $5,178,048 $549,698 $0 $0 $0 $0 $549,698 Administrative Costs No No 0.0% 0.0% $100,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $100,000 SR62 Street Improvement Phase 2B - North side of SR62 from Encelia Avenue to Larrea Avenue - Project Management. No No 0.0% 0.0% $5,175,000 $65,400 $0 $0 $0 $0 $65,400 Channel at El Rey: Pavement Replacement No No 0.0% 0.0% $329,063 $329,063 $0 $0 $0 $0 $329,063 City-wide Channel Trail Class I: 6.9 mile long, 12' wide, PCC Class 1 bikeway. Limits: Trail head of the Fortynine Plams Canyon Trail, then easterly along the flood control channel to channel's east terminus at Bagdad Hwy.

No No 0.0% 0.0% $653,005 $192,099 $0 $0 $0 $0 $192,099

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.0% 0.0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$1,556,260 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $1,636,260
Total Programming is currently 30% Total Estimated Programming: $1,636,260 Is Project in
City's
Non-motorized
Transportation
Plan?
(Yes/No)
Does Project have
an ATP
Component?
(Yes/No)
Is the Project on the City's
Nexus Study List?
(Public/DIF Share %)
Estimated Total
Project Cost
[email protected]
Projects Total:

Twentynine Palms
Current
Estimate
Current
Estimate Total CurrentEstimate
Current
Estimate
Current
Estimate
(Must not exceed 150% of Carryover Balance +
Total Estimated Revenue)
26-XX Jurisdiction:
7/28/2026
Abigail Hernandez Conde, Finance Director
(760) 367-6799 Ext. 1013
Measure I Local Pass-through Program

FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Fiscal Years 2026/2027 thru 2030/2031

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS

MEASURE I CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

EXPENDITURE STRATEGY
Fiscal Year 2026/2027 thru 2030/2031
Each jurisdiction shall submit a Measure I Capital Improvement Plan Expenditure Strategy with the Capital Improvement Plan. The Expenditure Strategy is not intended to be a narrative description of the projects listed in the Capital Improvement Plan.

Instead, the Expenditure Strategy should provide the policy approach adopted by the Council for the expenditure of Measure I funds. The jurisdictional Expenditure Strategy provides an opportunity to document circumstances or analyses which are not otherwise apparent when reviewing the Measure I Capital Improvement Plan.

You must include the strategy as part of the annual Capital Improvement Plan submittal.

Guidance

1. The strategy should be no longer than one or two paragraphs.

2. Examples:
• The City/Town intends to accumulate Measure I revenue for a specific large project (i.e., “pay-as-you-go”).
• The City/Town intends to expend Measure I revenue for specific types of eligible projects and/or policy prioritization of specific programs; i.e., o Allocation of expenditures on a split of 60% for improvements to existing facilities and 40% for new project development.
o Dedication of revenues to maintenance of existing city/town center streets, which may be a strategy for built-out cities.

Pay as you go.

DATE: April 7, 2026
TO: City & Town Managers/County Executive Officer
FROM: Ryan Graham, Director of Fund Administration
SUBJECT: Measure I Capital Improvement Plan Submittal
All jurisdictions receiving Measure I revenue from the Local Street Program must annually submit a Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that outlines the specific projects upon which Measure I Local Street Program (pass-through) funds will be expended. The CIP for Fiscal Years 2026/2027-2030/2031, an adopting Resolution, and an Expenditure Strategy are due to SBCTA by September 1, 2026. Additionally, if any changes have occurred to the projects included in the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 CIP, a revised CIP, with an adopting Resolution, is due by September 1, 2026, to avoid an audit finding.

Please note the revised format: The CIP must be prepared using the Excel CIP workbook that is attached to this email with the file name: 2027-2031 CIP_Report_Template Attach B. No other formats should be used.

If the Five-Year CIP is not submitted by the due date, Measure I pass-through funds will be withheld until the approved CIP has been received.

If you have any questions, please contact Nohemi Moran at [email protected]. SBCTA highly recommends a draft be reviewed by SBCTA prior to your adoption to avoid any eligibility issues. When the CIP has been completed, please send an electronic copy and an original signed copy of the resolution to his attention. cc: TTAC Representative
Attachment A: 2027-2031 MICIP Instructions
Attachment B: CIP Excel Input file: 2027-2031 CIP_Report_Template Attachment C: Five-Year Revenue Estimates
Attachment D: Sample CIP Report
Attachment E: Sample Resolution
Attachment F: Sample Expenditure Strategy
Attachment G: Local Street Program Policies 40003, 40012 and 40016

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Finance Director
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Approval of License Agreement with the San Bernardino County for Rack Space Located at the Donnell Hill Communication Site.

RECOMMENDATION:

The City Council:

1. Approve the five-year license agreement with the San Bernardino County for rack space located at the County's communication site, commonly known as Donnel Hill Communication Site, for an amount not to exceed $27,029, and

2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to fully execute the agreement.

ORDER OF PROCEDURE:

Request Staff Report (Public Works Superintendent
Presenting)
Council Question of Staff
Request Public Comment
Council Discussion
Motion/Second
Discussion of Motion
Call the Question
ATTACHMENTS:
• CON-RESD-ITD-062326-
Revenue License w City of
Twentynine Palms JT
BACKGROUND:

The City has contracted with the San Bernardino County for rack space located at the County's communication site for over a decade. The last five-year renewal expired on June 30, 2024. This license agreement is for another five-year term, effective from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031, at an amount not to exceed $27,029. The service under this agreement covers the use of one-half (1/2) EIA Standard 19" wide by 2' deep by 3 1/2' tall rack. The City currently uses the rack space to store two devices used primarily for emergency response communications.

In efforts to reduce costs, the Public Works Department is currently exploring other sites to store these devices. At its own discretion, the City may terminate this license agreement by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the County. (see attached contract).

ENVIRONMENTAL:

N/A
ALTERNATIVES:

The City Council can choose not to approve this license agreement; however, no alternative site is available at this time.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The rack space fee of $4,997, plus the one-time contract administrative charge of $500, has been included in the Gas Tax fund budget for FY 2026-27.

1 LICENSE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, City of Twentynine Palms as licensee, (“LICENSEE”) and San Bernardino County, as licensor, (“COUNTY”) desire to enter into this License Agreement (“License”) for LICENSEE’s use of a certain portion of the COUNTY’s existing rack space within the COUNTY-owned equipment shelter and existing antenna space on the COUNTY-owned antenna tower located at the COUNTY’s communication site, commonly known as Donnell Hill Communication Site near 73195 Cactus Dr., Twentynine Palms, CA (“Site”), for the installation and operation of LICENSEE’s communication system equipment; and WHEREAS, COUNTY is willing to permit said use of a portion of the County Circuits/Sites subject to certain conditions as more specifically set forth in this License; and, WHEREAS, portions of the Site to be used by LICENSEE are currently excess to the COUNTY’s needs.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution of this License, the parties mutually agree to the following terms and conditions.

I. DEFINITIONS

1.1 “License” means this License Agreement and any relevant Documents, including any Exhibits and/or Attachments, all of which are made a part of this License.

1.2 “Site” refers individually or collectively to the physical property and all the structures thereon, including, therein, County designated rack space, each rack space defined as space for one (1) EIA Standard 19” wide by 2’ deep by 7’ tall rack or one-half (½) EIA Standard 19” wide by 2’ deep by 3½” tall rack and the use of cable runs and County designated tower space for the placement of the antenna(s) as may be singularly or collectively approved by COUNTY.

1.2.1 “Improvements” (when applicable) refers individually or collectively to the LICENSEE’s communication system and related equipment, cabling and antenna(s) as may be approved by the Innovation and Technology Department (ITD)- Communications Division.

1.3 “Circuits” (when applicable) refers individually or collectively to the COUNTY microwave circuit(s) licensed herein for use by LICENSEE. Each Circuit is a single 56K digital channel path for digital routes or a single 9.6KB analog channel for analog routes.

II. LICENSE TO USE
COUNTY hereby gives permission, revocable and terminable as hereinafter provided, to LICENSEE to enter the Site for the purpose of installing and maintaining Improvements on the County designated rack space and designated tower space for the placement of antenna(s) (“Licensed Area”). LICENSEE shall not install any antenna equipment or wave guide cabling or coax antenna cables at the Licensed Area or the Site without the prior written approval of the COUNTY ITD Public Safety Communications Division and only upon prior review and approval of LICENSEE’s plans, specifications, and structural calculations in support of the loading of COUNTY’s antenna tower at the Site. LICENSEE shall not be permitted to use the Site or the Licensed Area for any other purposes, except by prior written permission of COUNTY.

2 III. LICENSEE EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS

3.1 Acknowledgement of Responsibility
LICENSEE acknowledges that the Site is essential to COUNTY’s fulfilling its mission of public safety, diligence in safeguarding and restricting access to the Site and protecting COUNTY property, of all kinds, at said Site. LICENSEE warrants that it will not disturb or tamper with any COUNTY equipment, nor other COUNTY clients’ or users’ equipment to include, but not limited to, electronic, electrical, LPG, buildings, towers, grounding systems, antennas, feed lines, etc., at the Site. Exercising all reasonable diligence, LICENSEE warrants that it will take reasonable steps to ensure it will not hamper in any manner, the ability of the COUNTY to fulfill its mission at/through the Site.

LICENSEE shall be liable for all claims, demands, actions, and causes of action founded upon the negligence or otherwise wrongful conduct on the part of any employee or agent of LICENSEE attributable to LICENSEE’s installation/maintenance or operation of LICENSEE’s Equipment on the Site. Further, LICENSEE shall release, remise, and forever discharge COUNTY of and from any and all claims, demands, actions, and causes of action not based upon the intentional acts or negligence of COUNTY that LICENSEE may acquire by reason of LICENSEE’s installation/maintenance or operation of LICENSEE’s Equipment on the Site.

3.2 Requirements, Limitations, and Installation Conditions – This License is subject to the limitations, requirements and installation conditions as set forth below:

3.2.1 Installation: LICENSEE will observe and require LICENSEE retained contractors and sub-contractors to observe standard safety practices when climbing towers and when installing LICENSEE’s Equipment on the Licensed Area as designed by the County. LICENSEE agrees to install, maintain, and operate LICENSEE’s Equipment in accordance with the highest standard prevailing in the communications industry. Installation practices and materials are subject to approval of the County’s ITD.

3.2.2 Access: Access to rack space and any antenna space at the Site is on an escorted basis using COUNTY ITD personnel at the appropriate COUNTY Board of Supervisors approved ITD standard time and material billing rates, on a portal-toportal basis, in effect at the time of the escort. LICENSEE must request Site access at least three (3) working days, as defined a COUNTY government work schedule, (and excluding COUNTY holidays and closures) prior to desired access date.

3.2.3 Equipment Changes: Changes and modifications to LICENSEE’s Equipment that may alter performance of the Site or interfere with communications at the Site are to be approved in writing prior to any installation of LICENSEE’s Equipment by the County’s ITD Public Safety Communications Division. Following approval of any changes or modifications to the LICENSEE’s Equipment (as applicable), the Agreement shall be amended to reflect the updated authorized equipment.

3.2.4 Power: COUNTY will install electrical power as needed above each rack to be used by LICENSEE under this License. The cost for labor and materials to perform the installation work will be the responsibility of the LICENSEE, payable by LICENSEE to COUNTY upon invoice.

3.3 Additional Controlling Documents – Site may be subject to leases, master leases, licenses, rights-of-way, grants, use permits, or other controlling agreements (collectively,

3 “Documents”) secured by the COUNTY from other governmental or private entities.

LICENSEE agrees to be bound by the conditions and covenants of these Documents and is responsible for any related costs that may be incurred directly or indirectly due to LICENSEE’s use of its Licensed Area at the Site.

3.4 Maintenance – The costs of any installation, maintenance, operation, replacement, or removal of the LICENSEE’s Equipment shall be at the sole expense of LICENSEE.

Contractors providing maintenance or repair services for LICENSEE’s Equipment are required to be pre-approved by the COUNTY.

3.5 Interference – LICENSEE’s Equipment shall be located so as not to interfere, physically or electronically, with any of the COUNTY’s operations, and any equipment installed previous to LICENSEE’s installation by other COUNTY users.

In the event the COUNTY determines or is notified that the operation of the LICENSEE’s Equipment caused or is causing interference to transmission and/or reception of any other communications systems in use in the vicinity of the Site, County’s ITD shall notify LICENSEE to correct the problem and COUNTY reserves the right to immediately remove all or any portion of LICENSEE’s Equipment from service.

If such interference is not eliminated within a twenty-four (24) hour period, COUNTY shall have the right to terminate this License, remove all or any portion of LICENSEE’s Equipment from service, and take whatever immediate steps are necessary to eliminate said interference, including powering off LICENSEE’s Equipment without further notification.

IV. COUNTY CIRCUITS

4.1 Circuit Control – COUNTY reserves the right to manage and control COUNTY’s Circuits from time-to-time to meet the COUNTY’s Public Service Requirements. COUNTY will endeavor to give LICENSEE sufficient notice of control but cannot be held responsible for interruption to LICENSEE’s usage.

4.2 Maintenance – COUNTY will exercise all reasonable care to insure the availability and quality of its circuits licenses to LICENSEE; however, the License neither carries nor implies any warranty relative to the availability or performance of COUNTY Circuits licensed to LICENSEE. LICENSEE has no legal or other recourse in the event of failed or unsatisfactory COUNTY Circuit availability or performance.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION

5.1 Term: This agreement shall commence July 1, 2026 and shall terminate June 30, 2031.

This agreement shall remain in effect five (5) consecutive years unless the COUNTY or the LICENSEE, at the sole discretion of either, terminates the agreement by giving sixty (60) days written notice to the other party. COUNTY may, at its sole discretion, opt not to terminate its services until replacement services are identified and in place; however, in no event shall COUNTY’s services be continued beyond 120 days of the original written notice. Any such termination date shall coincide with the end of a calendar month. Neither party shall incur any liability to the other by reason of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the License is terminated by LICENSEE pursuant to this Section V but LICENSEE, despite its diligent efforts, requires additional time to remove LICENSEE’s Equipment after the effective termination date, upon written request to the COUNTY to be received by COUNTY prior to the effective termination date, COUNTY may, at its sole discretion, opt by express written consent to continue the License for a month-to-month term not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days after the original

4 effective termination date . During any such month-to-month term and any other holdover period with or without the COUNTY’s permission, LICENSEE shall pay to COUNTY the then current monthly fee (which shall be calculated by dividing the then current annual license fees as set forth in Section V [but without the Annual Escalator] by 12).

5.2 Option to Extend Term: COUNTY gives LICENSEE the option to extend the term of the License on the same provisions and conditions, except for the Annual License Fee for three (3) five (5) year periods (“Extended Terms”) following expiration of the Initial Term, provided that at the time of exercise of the applicable option, LICENSEE is not in default with respect to any of the terms, covenants or conditions to be observed or performed by LICENSEE hereunder beyond any applicable notice and cure period, and provided LICENSEE gives written notice of exercise of the option to COUNTY at least one (1) year prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the then existing Extended Term. Such extensions shall be automatic unless either party gives 60 days written notice of termination or non-renewal to the other party. The Annual License Fee for the first (1st) year of each Extended Term shall be re-established in accordance with the market rate for comparable properties in the Twentynine Palms area, San Bernardino County, (with the Annual License Fee for the remainder of the Extended Term to be subject to the 3.0% annual percentage increase stated in paragraph 6.3 and as shown in Exhibit “A”), provided that if the parties are unable to agree on the re-established Annual License Fee for the first year of an Extended Term, such fee shall be determined in accordance with Section

5.3. below.

5.3 If the Parties are unable to agree on the Annual License Fee for the first (1st) year of any Extended Term within five (5) months of LICENSEE's exercise of the subject option, the subject Annual License Fee shall be determined through arbitration conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

If the arbitration-determined Annual License Fee increases the Annual License Fee payable for the first (1st) year of an Extended Term by an amount equal to more than six percent (6%) over the Annual License Fee payable for the year immediately preceding the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Extended Term, the LICENSEE shall have the right to terminate this License within thirty (30) days after the date the arbitrator issues its formal Annual License Fee determination by providing written notice of termination to COUNTY within said thirty (30) days. If the arbitration-determined Annual License Fee reduces the Annual License Fee payable for the first year of an Extended Term by an amount equal to more than six percent (6%) below the Annual License Fee payable for the year immediately preceding the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Extended Term, the COUNTY shall have the right to terminate this License within thirty (30) days after the date the arbitrator issues its formal Annual License Fee determination by providing written notice of termination to LICENSEE within said thirty (30) days. If neither parties timely exercises its respective right to terminate the License under this paragraph, then the Annual License Fee for the first year of an Extended Term shall be the arbitration-determined Annual License Fee. The COUNTY’s RESD Director shall be authorized to provide such termination notice on behalf of the COUNTY. If the subject Annual License Fee is pending determination by the arbitration process at the expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Extended Term, as of the commencement date of the subject Extended Term, LICENSEE shall pay the Annual License Fee in the amount due for the year immediately preceding expiration of the Initial Term or the then current Extended Term. Upon determination of the subject Annual License Fee through arbitration, and provided that this License is not terminated pursuant to this paragraph, LICENSEE shall, within forty-five (45) days after the date the arbitrator issues its formal Annual License Fee determination, pay to COUNTY any deficiency between the Annual License Fee paid and the arbitration-determined Annual License Fee for the period from the commencement of an Extended Term through the date the arbitrator issues its formal Annual License Fee determination. In the event that either party terminates the License in

5 accordance with this paragraph, then no deficiency shall be payable to COUNTY and no refunds shall be due to LICENSEE for the period after the commencement of an Extended Term through the date the arbitrator issues its formal Annual License Fee determination.

VI. RATES AND PAYMENT TERMS.

6.1 Payment rates and conditions are set forth on Exhibit “A”, “San Bernardino County Rack Space and Antenna Space Rates and Payment Terms,” attached hereto. Payment shall be payable within sixty (60) days of each annual commencement date.

July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 – annual payment $4,997
July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 – annual payment $5,147
July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 – annual payment $5,301
July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030 – annual payment $5,460
July 1, 2030 – June 30, 2031 – annual payment $5,624
Checks shall be made payable to the San Bernardino County Payment address is: Real Estate Services Department
385 N Arrowhead Ave, Third Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0180

6.2 No substitution of or additions to LICENSEE’s Equipment or Improvements is permitted without written pre-approval of County’s ITD. In the event such substitution or additional equipment is approved by the COUNTY, Exhibits “A”, as applicable, of this License shall be amended to reflect a change in LICENSEE’s Equipment, in which case, County will provide to LICENSEE a revised Exhibit “A” incorporating such change(s) which shall be promptly signed by LICENSEE and returned to COUNTY. LICENSEE’s subsequent invoice shall be adjusted in accordance with the change(s), on a prorated basis, as necessary.

6.3 The rates set forth in Exhibit “A” shall be adjusted on each anniversary of the Commencement Date of this License during the initial term of this License and any extended term by the “Annual Escalator”. The Annual Escalator is defined as three percent (3.0%), rounded to the nearest whole dollar, per license year.

VII. AGREEMENT AUTHORIZATION
LICENSEE warrants and represents that the individual signing this License is a properly authorized representative of the LICENSEE and has the full power and authority to enter into this License on the LICENSEE’s behalf.

VIII. ASSIGNMENT
This License, or any interest therein, including any claims for monies due with respect thereto, shall not be assigned, and any such assignment shall be void and without effect.

IX. DEFAULT
If the LICENSEE does not make timely payment of amounts due under this License or breaches any term or condition of this License, COUNTY may declare immediately due and payable the entire unpaid amount, plus all other amounts due hereunder, less any unearned charges.

COUNTY may also exercise all rights and remedies of a secure party under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar law) of the State of California and pursue any other remedies existing in law or in equity.

6 X. HOLDING OVER
If the LICENSEE continues in possession of the Premises after the expiration of the term or after any termination of this license prior to the expiration of the term, and if said occupancy is with the consent of the COUNTY, then LICENSEE shall be deemed to be holding the Premises on a month-to-month basis subject to all the provisions of this license, and the annual fee payable during such period of holding over shall be the same as the annual fee most recently payable prior to the date such holding over was commenced.

XI. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

11.1 Indemnification
The LICENSEE agrees to indemnify, defend (with counsel reasonably approved by COUNTY) and hold harmless the COUNTY and its authorized officers, employees, agents and volunteers from any and all claims, actions, losses, damages, and/or liability arising out of this contract from any cause whatsoever, including the acts, errors or omissions of any person and for any costs or expenses incurred by the COUNTY on account of any claim except where such indemnification is prohibited by law. This indemnification provision shall apply regardless of the existence or degree of fault of indemnities. The LICENSEE’S indemnification obligation applies to the COUNTY’S “active” as well as “passive” negligence but does not apply to the COUNTY’S “sole negligence” or “willful misconduct” within the meaning of Civil Code Section 2782.

11.2 Insurance
The COUNTY and the LICENSEE are authorized self-insured or partially self-insured public entities for purposes of Professional Liability, General Liability, Automobile Liability and Worker’s Compensation and warrant that through their respective programs of selfinsurance and insurance, they have adequate coverage or resources to protect against liabilities arising out of performance of the terms, conditions or obligations of this Agreement.

11.2.1 Additional Named Insured – All policies or programs of self insurance, except for the Workers’ Compensation policies shall contain endorsements naming the COUNTY and its officers, employees, agents and volunteers as additional named insureds with respect to liabilities arising out of this License. The additional insured endorsements shall not limit the scope of coverage for the COUNTY to vicarious liability but shall allow coverage for the COUNTY to the full extent provided by the policy. Such additional insured coverage shall be at least as broad as Additional Insured (Form B) endorsement form ISO, CG 2010.11 85.

XII. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

12.1 Permits - LICENSEE is responsible for obtaining and paying any costs of all permits, licenses or approvals by any regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over the uses authorized herein, as appropriate.

12.2 Waiver - No waiver of a breach of any provision of this License shall constitute a waiver of any other breach, or of such provision. Failure of COUNTY to enforce at any time, or from time to time, any provision of this License shall not be construed as a waiver thereof.

The remedies herein reserved shall be cumulative and additional to any other remedies in law or equity.

7 12.3 Validity - The invalidity in whole or in part of any provision of this License shall not void or affect the validity of any other provision.

12.4 Captions and Paragraph Headings - Captions and paragraph headings used herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this License and shall not be used in construing it.

12.5 Exhibits - All Exhibits attached hereto, if any, are an integral part of this License and are incorporated herein by reference.

12.6 Entire Agreement - This License shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, and preliminary understanding.

This License may be amended as COUNTY and the LICENSEE mutually agree in writing.

Any such amendment must be signed/approved by authorized representatives of the COUNTY and LICENSEE. This License shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

12.7 Compliance – This License shall be subject to immediate termination under the following circumstances:
(a) LICENSEE fails or neglects to comply with any term or condition of this License; or (b) LICENSEE fails or neglects to comply with any reasonable requirement of COUNTY after thirty (30) days written notice and demand; or
(c) LICENSEE fails or neglects to comply with any Master Lease, Agreement, or Permit to which the COUNTY is subject.

In the event of such termination, the COUNTY may immediately disconnect all LICENSEE’s Equipment. LICENSEE shall, if appropriate, immediately remove any and all of LICENSEE’s Equipment from the Site and surrender all rights and privileges under this License. If LICENSEE fails to promptly restore the Site to its former condition, the COUNTY may restore the Site at LICENSEE’s sole expense.

12.8 Changes and Right to Prioritize – COUNTY reserves the right to make rack and antenna space changes at the Site, and to prioritize or restrict usage as necessary to optimize overall service effectiveness of the Site to the COUNTY and its users without liability to LICENSEE and LICENSEE shall have no claims of liability, damages, or otherwise against the COUNTY.

12.9 Notifications - All notices or demands required, or permitted to be given or made hereunder, shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given upon the date actual delivery to the recipient or the recipient’s refusal to accept delivery, if delivery is by hand; OR if delivery is by first class United States mail, postage pre-paid, certified or registered, return receipt requested, OR reputable overnight courier service.

Each such notice is to be sent to the respective party at the address indicated below or to any other address or person that the respective party may designate by written notice delivered pursuant hereto:

Licensee: City of Twentynine Palms
Public Works Department
6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277

8 Attn: Public Works Superintendent
County: San Bernardino County
Real Estate Services Department
385 N. Arrowhead Ave.

San Bernardino, CA. 92415-0180
With a copy to: San Bernardino County
Innovation and Technology Department
670 E. Gilbert Street, First Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0915
Attn: Administration Services
XIII. INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES

DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZATION
The County’s Innovation and Technology Department, through its Chief Information Officer or authorized designee, is authorized to discharge all technical functions ascribed to COUNTY in this License, except those specifically reserved by law to the Board of Supervisors. The County’s Real Estate Services (RESD) Director is authorized to administer all other provisions of this License, except those specifically reserved by law to the Board of Supervisors.

XIV. FORCE MAJEURE
COUNTY shall not be held liable for any delay or failure in performance of any part of this License from any cause beyond its control and without its fault or negligence, such as acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, government regulations, strikes, labor disputes, embargoes, epidemics, war, terrorist acts, riots, insurrections, fire, explosions, earthquakes, nuclear accidents, floods, power blackouts, brownouts, or surges, volcanic action, other major environmental disturbances, unusually severe weather conditions, inability to secure product or services of other persons or transportation facilities, or acts or omissions of transportation common carriers.

XV. ELECTRONIC COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. The parties shall be entitled to sign and transmit an electronic signature of this Agreement (whether by facsimile, PDF or other email transmission), which signature shall be binding on the party whose name is contained therein. Each party providing an electronic signature agrees to promptly execute and deliver to the other party an original signed Agreement upon request.

END OF LICENSE AGREEMENT.

9 IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties have hereto executed this License on the date set forth below their respective signatures.

FOR COUNTY USE ONLY
Approved as to Legal Form Reviewed for Contract Compliance Reviewed/Approved by Department ► ► ►
John Tubbs II, Deputy County Counsel John Gomez, Real Property Manager, RESD Date Date Date

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
(Print or type name of corporation, company, contractor, etc.) By
Dawn Rowe, Chair, Board of Supervisors (Authorized signature - sign in blue ink) Dated: Name
SIGNED AND CERTIFIED THAT A COPY OF THIS (Print or type name of person signing contract)

DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Title
Lynna Monell
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of
San Bernardino County
(Print or Type)
By Dated:

Deputy
Address 6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
6-10-26
Kevin Cole
City Manager

10 EXHIBIT “A”

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY RACK SPACE AND ANTENNA SPACE

RATES AND PAYMENT TERMS

LICENSE AREA PROVIDED
The following Rack Space and Antenna Space selected by check mark shall be rendered to Licensee under this License:
(½) Rack Spaces Fee @ $4,997 per rack per year
Contract Administration Charge* @ $500 **

* Fees are subject to annual increases set forth in Section VI ** One-time Contract Administration charge, payable upon the first date of this agreement _____________________________________________________________________________________

PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Licensee shall be invoiced as specified by check mark:

Monthly Invoicing: On the last day of each month of the Term.

Annual Invoicing: On July 1 (for period July 1 through June 30).

Payments are payable within sixty (60) days of every July 1st _______________________________________________________________________________________

CHARGES FOR SERVICES
Equipment Type No of Units Rack Space and
Antenna Space
Charges
Annual Charge
One-Time Contract Administration Charge** $500.00
Rack Space: ½
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 $4,997 $4,997
July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028 $5,147 $5,147
July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029 $5,301 $5,301
July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030 $5,460 $5,460
July 1, 2030 – June 30, 2031 $5,624 $5,624
Total Cost for ½ Rack Spaces for five year
period $27,029

STAFF REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Community Development Director
FOR MEETING: Jul 28 2026
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Contribution from the Twentynine Palms Water District for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Study.

RECOMMENDATION:

The City Council formally accept the $200,000 contribution from the Twentynine Palms Water District for the USGS study.

ORDER OF PROCEDURE:

Request Staff Report (Community Development Director
Presenting)
Council Questions of Staff
Receive Public Comment
Council Discussion
Motion/Second
Discussion on Motion
Call the Question
ATTACHMENTS:
• 2025-09-16 USGS grant
agreement final
• 2024-04-22 USGS Cover Cost
Agreement Objective Scope
and Approach
• CG-98T64201-0-City of
Twentynine Palms-Award
• USGS grant workplan for EPA
final
BACKGROUND:

On October 15, 2025, the City Council approved the agreement between the City and the United States Geological Survey to conduct a Water Resources Investigation. The study commenced in December 2025 and is expected to continue for another four years.

The total cost of this project is $2,431,988, which will be funded as follows: $1,938,224 EPA grant, $195,146 USGS contribution, $200,000 Twentynine Palms Water District (District) contribution, and $98,618 City's portion, unless offset by additional grants, contributions, cost reductions or waivers. The District agreed to start making the contribution once the study was commenced. The contribution will be made in four equal installments of $50,000 over a period of four fiscal years, starting with Fiscal Year 2026-27.

Further background on this study is as follows: Page 49 of 301 In 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the City of Twentynine Palms (City) had 24,257 residents. Currently, the City encompasses 58.8 square miles. The City’s various spheres of influence (located east, southeast, and northwest of the City) add an additional 30.5 square miles. Located within the Mojave Desert in the southeastern portion of San Bernardino County, groundwater is the only source of potable water.

Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or negligible in arid areas and septic discharges may be an important source of recharge to underlying aquifers (Stamos and others, 2013). In arid environments, dilution of septic discharge from infiltration of precipitation is scant, leaving only dilution with shallow groundwater or denitrification to mitigate nitrate associated with septic discharges. Nitrate contamination from septic discharges may be dampened by long travel times through thick unsaturated zones, and subsequent storage of high-nitrate water in the unsaturated zone (Izbicki, Flint and others, 2015).

The City relies heavily on Onsite Water Treatment Systems (OWTS; or septic) to treat and dispose of sewage and there is concern that the use of these OWTS could degrade groundwater quality as the local population grows.

Thus, it is important to understand the geohydrologic processes that will influence how the City will manage its future wastewater.

The overall purpose of this study is to better characterize the geohydrologic and geochemical conditions in aquifers near the City of Twentynine Palms to support water-quality management decisions. Specific geohydrologic conditions to be evaluated include depth-dependent aquifer water-levels and hydrologic properties, and aquifer recharge from natural sources and onsite water treatment system discharges. Specific geochemical conditions to be evaluated include the contributions of nitrate from onsite water treatment system discharges and contributions of arsenic and fluoride from natural (geogenic) sources on local groundwater quality.

The study area consists of the City of Twentynine Palms and surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County in the southwestern Mojave Desert of California, about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, California, which is within the Mesquite Lake and Forty-nine Palms Canyon-Shortz Lake watersheds.

The scope of the project involves the following activities:

1. Collect and review existing geohydrologic data (in process)

2. Determine baseline water quality (in process)

3. Model aquifer properties and estimate quantity and quality of water being pumped from different depths of the aquifer using depth dependent sampling methods, and well-bore flow logging. (ongoing)

4. Collect surface geophysical data and develop alluvial thickness and depth to basement models. (ongoing)

5. Install multiple-well monitoring sites for site-specific and depth-dependent water-quality and water-level monitoring.

6. Install piezometers and lysimeters to evaluate nitrate loads and transformations in the unsaturated zone.

7. Estimate septic discharge and nutrient flux into the local groundwater system.

8. Evaluate borehole cuttings for presence of arsenic and fluoride containing minerals and identify aquifer lithologies that may contribute arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms subbasin.

9. Estimate basin recharge using the Basin Characterization Model.

On August 6, 2025, the City of Twentynine Palms was awarded $1,938,244, based on its application dated 3/25/2023, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2022 and 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act program to fund a portion of this study. On May 28, 2025, the EPA waived the 20% match requirement for Community Grants Program due to the City's disadvantage community status.

The total combined cost of this study is $2,431,988, which will be funded as follows:

Funding Source Amount
EPA Grant1 $1,938,224
USGS Contribution $ 195,146
29 Palms Water District (subject of this Staff
Report) $ 200,000
Unfunded Balance2 $ 98,618

Total Project Cost $2,431,988

1. 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act: $663,224
2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act: $1,275,000

2. A reallocation from the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act will be requested to fund the remaining balance for this study. If the reallocation is not granted, then the City will have to fund the shortfall.

Additionally, The Water District has expressed an interest in working with the City and USGS to implement cost-cutting measures to reduce / eliminate this shortfall.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

N/A
ALTERNATIVES:

The City Council could choose not to accept this contribution; however, not accepting the contribution will result in the City having to find other funding sources to pay for portion of the USGS study that the District's contribution would have covered.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The total combined cost of this project is $2,431,988, which has been budgeted for in the Sewer Fund. $98,618 of the total cost has not been funded; however, as mentioned above, the District and the City will work closely with USGS to implement cost-cutting measures to reduce/eliminate this shortfall.

United States Department of the Interior
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
C California Water Science Center
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
September 14, 2025
Mr. Stone James
City Manager
Twentynine Palms, City of
6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Dear Mr. James:

Enclosed is our standard joint-funding agreement 25ZGJFA21000071 between the U.S. Geological Survey California Water Science Center and Twentynine Palms, City of for negotiated deliverables (see attached), during the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2030 in the amount of $2,236,842 from your agency. U.S. Geological Survey contributions for this agreement are $195,146 for a combined total of $2,431,988. Please sign and return one fully-executed original to Lolomi Richter-Mathany at [email protected] Federal law requires that we have a signed agreement before we start or continue work. Please return the signed agreement as soon as you’re able. If, for any reason, the agreement cannot be signed and returned, please contact Joseph Fackrell at (808) 271-1228 or email [email protected] to make alternative arrangements.

This is a actual cost agreement to be billed quarterly via Down Payment Request (automated Form DI-1040). Please allow 30-days from the end of the billing period for issuance of the bill. If you experience any problems with your invoice(s), please contact Lolomi Richter-Mathany at phone number (916) 278-3043 or [email protected].

The results of all work performed under this agreement will be available for publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. We look forward to continuing this and future cooperative efforts in these mutually beneficial water resources studies.

Sincerely,
Anke Muller-Solger
Center Director, USGS
California Water Science Center
Enclosure
25ZGJFA21000071
SOW

Form 9-1366
(May 2018)
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Joint Funding Agreement
FOR
Water Resource Investigations
Customer #: 6000003009
Agreement #: 25ZGJFA21000071
Project #: ZG00UTV
TIN #: 330265469
Fixed Cost Agreement YES[ X ] NO[ ]
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of October 1, 2025, by the U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, California Water Science Center, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, party of the first part, and the Twentynine Palms, City of party of the second part.

1. The parties hereto agree that subject to the availability of appropriations and in accordance with their respective authorities there shall be maintained in cooperation for negotiated deliverables (see attached), herein called the program. The USGS legal authority is 43 USC 36C; 43 USC 50, and 43 USC 50b.

2. The following amounts shall be contributed to cover all of the cost of the necessary field and analytical work directly related to this program. 2(b) include In-Kind-Services in the amount of $0.00 (a) $195,146
(b) $2,236,842
by the party of the first part during the period
October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2030
by the party of the second part during the
period October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2030
(c) Contributions are provided by the party of the first part through other USGS regional or national programs, in the amount of: $0
Description of the USGS regional/national program:
(d) Additional or reduced amounts by each party during the above period or succeeding periods as may be determined by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties. (e) The performance period may be changed by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties.

3. The costs of this program may be paid by either party in conformity with the laws and regulations respectively governing each party.

4. The field and analytical work pertaining to this program shall be under the direction of or subject to periodic review by an authorized representative of the party of the first part.

5. The areas to be included in the program shall be determined by mutual agreement between the parties hereto or their authorized representatives. The methods employed in the field and office shall be those adopted by the party of the first part to insure the required standards of accuracy subject to modification by mutual agreement.

6. During the course of this program, all field and analytical work of either party pertaining to this program shall be open to the inspection of the other party, and if the work is not being carried on in a mutually satisfactory manner, either party may terminate this agreement upon 60 days written notice to the other party.

7. The original records resulting from this program will be deposited in the office of origin of those records. Upon request, copies of the original records will be provided to the office of the other party.

8. The maps, records or reports resulting from this program shall be made available to the public as promptly as possible. The maps, records or reports normally will be published by the party of the first part. However, the party of the second part reserves the right to publish the results of this program, and if already published by the party of the first part shall, upon request, be furnished by the party of the first part, at cost, impressions suitable for purposes of reproduction similar to that for which the original copy was prepared. The maps, records or reports published by either party shall contain a statement of the cooperative relations between the parties. The Parties acknowledge that scientific information and data developed as a result of the Scope of Work (SOW) are subject to applicable USGS review, approval, and release requirements, which are available on the USGS Fundamental Science Practices website (https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-science-quality-and-integrity/fundamental-science-practices).

9. Billing for this agreement will be rendered quarterly. Invoices not paid within 60 days from the billing date will bear Interest, Penalties, and Administrative cost at the annual rate pursuant the Debt Collection Act of 1982, (codified at 31 U.S.C. § 3717) established by the U.S. Treasury.

Name:

Address:

USGS Technical Point of Contact
Joseph Fackrell
Physical Scientist
2885 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA 96050
Telephone: (808) 271-1228
Fax: (n/a)
Email: [email protected]
Customer Technical Point of Contact
Name: Stone James
City Manager
Address: 6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Telephone: (760) 367-6799
Fax: (n/a)
Email: [email protected]
USGS Billing Point of Contact
Name: Lolomi Richter-Mathany
Budget Analyst
Address: Placer Hall 6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
Telephone: (916) 278-3043
Fax: (916) 278-3070
Email: [email protected]
Customer Billing Point of Contact
Name: Abigail Hernandez
Finance Director
Address: 6136 Adobe Rd
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Telephone: (760) 367-6799
Fax: (n/a)
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Geological Survey
United States
Department of Interior
Signature
By_______________________ Date: ________
Name: Anke Muller-Solger
Title: Center Director, USGS California Water
Science Center
Twentynine Palms, City of
Signatures
By_______________________ Date: _________
Name:

Title:

By_______________________ Date: _________
Name:

Title:

By_______________________ Date: _________
Name:

Title:

Form 9-1366
(May 2018)
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Joint Funding Agreement
FOR
Water Resource Investigations
Customer #: 6000003009
Agreement #: 25ZGJFA21000071
Project #: ZG00UTV
TIN #: 330265469

1 Evaluation of geohydrologic conditions and geochemical conditions in Twentynine Palms, California
California Water Science Center, Southwest Region
Proposal # 2022-03
Cooperator: City of Twentynine Palms
Prepared by: Meghan Dick, Christina Stamos, John Izbicki, and Joseph Fackrell

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The study area consists of the City of Twentynine Palms and surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County in the southwestern Mojave Desert of California, about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, California (fig. 1) and is within the Mesquite Lake and Fortynine Palms Canyon-Shortz Lake watersheds. The underlying groundwater basins are the Twentynine Palms Valley (basin 7-010) and the Joshua Tree (basin 7-062), which are separated by the Pinto Mountain Fault, and a small area of the Dale Valley (California Department of Water Resources, 2021; basin 7-009); this area will not be included in this study. Nishikawa and others (2004) and Li and Martin (2011) further divided the Twentynine Palms Valley groundwater basin into the Mesquite and Mainside subbasins and divided the Joshua Tree groundwater basin into the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms subbasins.

The Mesquite subbasin is recharged primarily from groundwater underflow from the adjacent groundwater basins. Some runoff from the Little San Bernardino and Pinto Mountains recharges the Mesquite subbasin when streamflow infiltrates the washes that reaches the subbasin during storm events; some recharge also occurs from groundwater underflow resulting from the infiltration of streamflow in the Twentynine Palms subbasin (Nishikawa and others, 2004). Within the City limits, the terrain is primarily younger alluvial deposits of quaternary age bordered by the Pinto Mountains along the southern edge of the Joshua Tree groundwater basin. Li and Martin (2011) developed a 3D geologic framework for the Mesquite and Mainside subbasins. A north to south cross section through Mesquite subasin (fig. 2; Li and Martin, 2011, fig. 4D) shows a thin upper aquifer and 500 feet thick middle aquifer composed of Quaternary and Tertiary alluvial fan deposits and a lower aquifer more than 1,500 feet thick, composed of tertiary older sedimentary deposits. A west to east cross section in the northern part of Mesquite subbasin shows (fig. 3; Li and Martin, 2011, fig. 4B of the Mesquite and Mainside subbasins shows the Surprise Spring, Elkins, and Mesquite faults subdividing the basin into zones with distinct groundwater table elevations. Less is known about the subsurface in the Joshua Tree groundwater basin. In 2004, Nishikawa and others published a geohydrologic framework for the Joshua Tree Subbasin, which is divided from the Twentynine Palms subbasin by an unnamed fault. The western 5 miles of the Twentynine Palms subbasin was included in the geologic model and indicates a threeaquifer system, similar to the Mesquite subbasin (Nishikawa and others, 2004, fig. 6B). Gravity data from a variety of sources was analyzed by Roberts and others (2002) to generate maps of gravity data and an analysis of basin depths in the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms area. The gravity interpretations all show an east-west linear basin parallel to the Pinto Mountain Fault, however the various gravity models used indicate the deepest basin depth may be anywhere from 2000 to 6000 feet below land surface. Gravity data points are sparse in the Twentynine Palms Subbasin and the current models don’t cover the easternmost parts of the basin.

The population of the City of Twentynine Palms (City) was about 28,000 in 2020 and has grown by about 12 percent since the last census in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). The City’s municipal limits encompass 58.8 square miles and 30.5 square miles of unincorporated area around its boundary and have been designated as part of the City’s “sphere of influence” for future expansion (City of Twentynine Palms, 2021). The local land use is primarily rural, low-density residential and light

2 commercial. The Twentynine Palms Water District (TPWD) is a separate entity that provides drinking water to the broader community. Groundwater withdrawn from the Mesquite and Twentynine Palms subbasins is the primary source of drinking water for the community. There are no sanitary sewer connections in the City, so onsite water treatment systems (OWTS), commonly known as septic systems, serve as the sole means of wastewater disposal and provide an unknown quantity of groundwater recharge. The City and the TPWD are collaborating to develop a Wastewater Management Plan that will provide a blueprint for a centralized sewer-collection system and wastewater treatment plant to replace aging septic systems and protect the groundwater resources.

PROBLEM
Twentynine Palms, California is in a remote desert area and groundwater is the only source of potable water. Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or negligible in arid areas and septic discharges may be an important source of recharge to underlying aquifers (Stamos and others, 2013). In arid environments, dilution of septic discharge from infiltration of precipitation is scant, leaving only dilution with shallow groundwater or denitrification to mitigate nitrate associated with septic discharges. Nitrate contamination from septic discharges may be dampened by long travel times through thick unsaturated zones, and subsequent storage of high-nitrate water in the unsaturated zone (Izbicki, Flint and others, 2015). Previous work in Yucca Valley, Calif. showed nitrate from septic discharges stored in the unsaturated zone could be rapidly mobilized due to the infiltration of artificial recharge and subsequent rising groundwater (Nishikawa and others, 2003; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015; Stamos and others, 2013). The City relies heavily on OWTS to treat and dispose of sewage and there is concern that the use of these OWTS could degrade groundwater quality as the local population grows. Thus, it is important to understand the geohydrologic processes that will influence how the city will manage its future wastewater.

Li and Martin (2011) showed that groundwater levels in parts of the Mesquite subbasin have been declining because the amount of pumpage exceeds natural recharge; this has resulted in increasing concentrations of arsenic, fluoride, chromium, nitrates, and dissolved solids due to less groundwater availability for diluting contaminants. Therefore, groundwater quality has become a water-management issue particularly in regard to meeting the U.S. State of California maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for drinking water for arsenic (10 micrograms per liter (µg/L)), fluoride (2 milligrams per liter (mg/L)), chromium (50 µg/L), and nitrates (10 mg/L)
(https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/ccr/mcls_epa_vs_d wp.pdf). Elevated fluoride levels are widespread across the TPWD service area, especially in the Twentynine Palms subbasin where a fluoride removal plant is in operation to treat local groundwater prior to use as a source of public supply (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). Arsenic and chromium concentrations are also of concern and treatment systems for both constituents will likely need to be installed.

OBJECTIVES and SCOPE
The overall purpose of this project will be to better characterize the geohydrologic and geochemical conditions in aquifers near the City of Twentynine Palms to support water-quality management decisions. Specific geohydrologic conditions evaluated include depth-dependent aquifer water-levels and hydrologic properties, and aquifer recharge from natural sources and onsite water treatment system discharges. Specific geochemical conditions evaluated include the contributions of nitrate from onsite water treatment system discharges and contributions of arsenic and fluoride from natural (geogenic) sources on local groundwater quality. Additionally, this work will:

3 1) Refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area, including how subsurface features contribute to the structure of the groundwater basins and contribute to local water-quality concerns. 2) Establish well sites for long-term monitoring of local groundwater levels and quality.

The scope of this project involves the following activities:
1) Collect and review existing geohydrologic data.
2) Determine baseline water quality.
3) Model aquifer properties and estimate quantity and quality of water being pumped from different depths of the aquifer using depth-dependent sampling methods, well-bore flow logging and AnalyzeHOLE.
4) Collect surface geophysical data and develop alluvial thickness and depth to basement models. 5) Install multiple-well monitoring sites for site-specific and depth-dependent water-quality and water-level monitoring.
6) Install piezometers and lysimeters to evaluate nitrate loads and transformations in the unsaturated zone.
7) Estimate septic discharge and nutrient flux into the local groundwater system. 8) Evaluate borehole cuttings for presence of arsenic and fluoride containing minerals and identify aquifer lithologies that may contribute arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms subbasin.
9) Estimate basin recharge using the Basin Characterization Model.

RELEVANCE and BENEFITS
This project is based on a direct need for the City to better understand the sources and processes that control concentrations of regulated contaminants in the groundwater basins that serve its population.

USGS expertise in complex hydrologic concepts such as surface water-groundwater connectivity, geochemical evaluation of water and nutrient source identification, and groundwater age dating provide a means to serve the needs of the City efficiently. The work proposed will support the goals outlined by the current U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science Strategy Circular 1383-G (Evenson and others, 2013), as follows:

1. Provide Society the Information It Needs Regarding the Amount and Quality of Water in All Components of the Water Cycle at High Temporal and Spatial Resolution, Nationwide, by the advancement of monitoring networks and techniques for hydrologic and water-quality data and the assessment of water resources and their suitability to meet human needs

2. Advance Understanding of Processes that Determine Water Availability, by the comprehensive understanding of geological controls of water availability, and understanding human interactions with water availability
Additionally, the work proposed will support the current CAWSC list of Priorities for Project Relevance and Benefits as follows:

1. Statewide streamflow and groundwater monitoring - We see an additional need for long-term groundwater monitoring, including “super gages” to better understand stream-aquifer interaction and the effects of conjunctive use on water resources and quality.

2. Groundwater availability and use - With the implementation of California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), we see increasing demand for USGS engagement both at the state level (with the California Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board) and with local agencies that are required to develop Sustainability Plans.

3. Expanded groundwater quality work – One of the sustainability goals of SGMA is to achieve and maintain good groundwater quality. Through its statewide GAMA and COGG programs, the

4 CAWSC is recognized as the “go-to” government science agency for complex groundwater quality issues. We expect that our expertise will be required to help State and Local agencies comply with the groundwater quality aspects of SGMA.

7. Expansion of targeted water-quality assessments - E.g., mercury, chromium, pesticides, nutrients, recycled water, harmful algal blooms.

Further strategies for the relevance and benefit of this project can be found in: USGS Water Science Strategy – Observing, Understanding, Predicting, and Delivering Water Science to the Nation https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1383g/circ1383-G.pdf

APPROACH
Task 1. Review of Existing Geohydrologic Data
Existing geologic, geophysical, geochemical, hydrologic, and modeled data will be reviewed to refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area. Any data collected by the City and the TPWD, or other sources, will be incorporated with historical data available in the USGS National Water Inventory System (NWIS) data base and published reports, such as Izbicki, Teague and others (2015), Li and Martin (2011) and Nishikawa and others (2004).

Task 2. Baseline Water Quality
There are 7 active production wells serving the City and surrounding areas (wells TPWD-WTP-1, TPWD11B, TPWD-12, TPWD-14, TPWD-15, TPWD-16, TPWD-17; fig. 1). The TPWD operates these wells and collects water-quality samples annually. The USGS will collect additional water-quality samples from these active production wells to establish baseline water-quality chemistry (table 1). The samples will be collected by USGS field crews using methods described by Wilde, 2016 and U.S. Geological Survey (variously dated). Measurements of field parameters (Table 1) will be made at the time of sample collection. The samples will be analyzed for major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including fluoride, chromium, and arsenic), nutrients (including nitrate), dissolved organic carbon, and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (δ18O and δD, respectively). Indicators of groundwater age will also be collected, including carbon-14 and tritium. Laboratories and quality assurance procedures used for analyses of these samples are discussed later in this proposal.

Water chemistry data will be compared to historic and regional water chemistry data published by Christensen and Fields-Garand (2001) and Metzger and others (2015). Isotopic and groundwater age data will be compared to historic and regional data published by Izbicki (2004) and Izbicki and Michel (2004). Groundwater chemistry data will be used to evaluate the suitability of water from wells for public supply with respect to nitrate, arsenic, fluoride, and other constituents. Groundwater chemistry, isotopic, and age-dating data will be used to determine the regional source(s), flow path(s) (task 4), and age(s) of water from wells to understand the characteristics of the groundwater-flow system.

Table 1- Proposed analytical parameter information
Category Analyte Laboratory
Reporting limit, in
micrograms per liter
(unless otherwise
noted)
Field parameters pH Field --
Specific Conductance Field 5 µS/cm

5 Alkalinity Field 100
Temperature Field --
Dissolved Oxygen Field 100
Major Dissolved
Ions
Calcium NWQL 40.0
Magnesium NWQL 20.0
Potassium NWQL 60.0
Sodium NWQL 800
Chloride NWQL 40.0
Alkalinity
(bicarbonate) NWQL 4600
Silica NWQL 120
Sulfate NWQL 40.0
Minor Dissolved
Ions and Trace
Elements
Fluoride NWQL 20.0
Iron NWQL 10.0
Arsenic NWQL 0.2
Barium NWQL 0.3
Boron NWQL 2
Iodide NWQL 1
Strontium NWQL 0.2
Bromide NWQL 30
Chromium NWQL 0.2
Uranium NWQL 0.1
Vanadium NWQL 0.6
Manganese NWQL 0.4
Nutrients and
Organic Carbon
Dissolved Organic
Carbon NWQL 230
Ammonia NWQL 40.0
Organic Nitrogen NWQL 140.0
Nitrate NWQL 80.0
Nitrite NWQL 2.0
Phosphorus NWQL 40.0
Orthophosphate NWQL 8.0
Stable Isotopes
Water
Isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) RSIL --
Nitrate Isotopes (δ15NNO3, δ18O-NO3, δ15NNH4)

RSIL --
Groundwater Age
Tritium MPSIL 0.2 tritium units (TU)
Carbon-14/Carbon-13 NWQL 0.5 percent modern
carbon (PMC)

6 Task 3. Well-bore Flow Logging and Depth-Dependent Water-Quality Sampling Chemical concentrations in water samples collected from the surface discharge of long-screened production wells are representative of the mixture of water that entered the well’s screen from different depths. Samples collected within the well under pumped conditions (depth-dependent samples), when coupled with well-bore-flow log (velocity) data, can be used to estimate the quality and quantity of water entering a well from selected depths within an aquifer. These data can aid in interpreting the hydraulic and chemical characteristics of aquifers with depth that contribute water to a given production well.

The TPWD routinely removes the pumps from production wells for maintenance purposes. Depthdependent water-quality data and well-bore-flow logs will be collected from two selected TPWD production wells during this study. While the production pump is removed, the wells are accessible for geophysical logging and depth-dependent sample collection. A temporary pump will be installed to facilitate the testing once the production pump is removed. Costs provided are for a 100 gallon per minute (gpm) temporary pump installed by USGS field crews. The cost may increase if a larger capacity pump is required for the test.

Geophysical logs to be collected within the wells once the production pump is removed include caliper, natural gamma, fluid resistivity, fluid temperature, and well-bore flow logs. Geophysical logs will be collected from each well under unpumped and pumped conditions using the temporary pump. Wellbore-flow logs (dynamic logs) will be collected at downward trolling rates of 5, 10, and 15 feet per minute (ft/min) under unpumped and pumped conditions. Data from the different trolling logs will be used for calibration purposes. Fully calibrated logs are generally accurate within ±6 percent (Izbicki, Teague, and others, 2015). Well-bore-flow logs (stationary logs or stop counts) also will be collected under unpumped and pumped conditions from specific depths within the well to confirm trolling log data.

Water-quality samples (including field-parameters, fluoride, chromium, arsenic, and the stable isotopes of water δ18O and δD) will be collected from depths within the well determined based on the geophysical-log data under pumped conditions. The chemistry of water entering the well from different depths within the aquifer will be calculated based on well-bore flow and depth-dependent samples collected within the well under pumped conditions using methods described by Izbicki and others (1999). Samples from the surface discharge of the temporary pump and from the deepest depth selected within the well will be analyzed for a more complete set of constituents including groundwater age-dating constituents (tritium and carbon-14).

Well-bore flow logs and water-chemistry data will be evaluated to understand flow and redistribution of chemical constituents through the well under unpumped and pumped conditions. Additional analyses will be proposed if warranted.

Work described in this proposal assumes that water generated during logging and sampling will be disposed of on-site. Costs associated with this task are for two wells; some cost-savings could be realized if both wells are logged and sampled sequentially.

Task 4. Well-bore Flow and Transport Model
Well-bore flow and depth-dependent water quality data collected in Task 3 will be used in the computer program AnalyzeHOLE (Halford, 2009) to estimate changes in the quality of water yielded by a well over time as the distribution of flow into the changes as water levels decline, or as poor-quality water

7 associated with septic discharges accumulates at the water table. AnalyzeHOLE integrates readily available groundwater flow and particle tracking models in a comprehensive tool for analyzing flow-logs, drawdowns, and water-quality changes.

Two commonly used methods to reduce contaminant concentrations in water from public-supply wells are treatment at the surface discharge or blending of high-contaminant concentration waters with water from another source having lower contaminant concentrations. Another method is modification of the well to exclude water from depths having undesirable concentrations of contaminants (Izbicki and others, 2008; Halford and others, 2010). Well-bore scale simulations can be used to estimate aquifer hydraulic properties and predict changes in well-bore flow and water quality through time that may limit sustainable pumping from the well as water levels decline. Simulation results can indicate if well modification would be an effective approach to ensuring water quality meets the MCLs set by the State of California and the EPA and may indicate when more expensive treatment methods need to be installed to ensure the quality of water from wells is suitable for public supply.

Task 5. Surface-Geophysical Data Collection
Surface geophysical surveys will be done to assess and refine the understanding of the subsurface structural boundaries of the subbasins in the vicinity of the City. These surveys will include gravity data and the collection of selected surface-geophysical data using other methods.

Gravity-data collection will include about 100 field relative gravity measurements. Subsurface-density variation caused by vertical offsets in basement material, changes in alluvial thickness, and differences in water-table altitude across ground-water barriers can be detected using standard gravity analysis techniques. Data will initially be collected in a gridded pattern to characterize large-scale subsurface structural features within the groundwater basin. Data will be used to generate a residual gravity anomaly map showing subsurface density variation. Areas with high gravity gradients likely indicate locations of vertical offsets in basement or changes in the water table across faults. Based on the initial gravity-data collection and existing geologic data, additional surficial-gravity data may be collected at a finer scale along selected cross-sections near structural features identified within the basin. These areas will be targeted for further investigation using more detailed surface-geophysical techniques, discussed below. In addition to the gravity anomaly map, personnel from the USGS Geology, Mineral, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center will process available gravity data to develop alluvial thickness and depth to basement maps of the study area using well logs to ‘ground truth’ the results.

If conditions are suitable, additional surface-geophysical data may be collected at locations identified based on surficial-gravity data using direct-current resistivity or time-domain electromagnetic induction, depending on site conditions at the areas of interest. These more detailed data will be collected along sections developed to more fully characterize subsurface features identified in the gravity survey.

Surficial gravity and detailed surficial-geophysical data will be used to help identify locations for test drilling and well installation done as task 6 of this study.

Task 6. Multiple-Well Monitoring Site Installation and Data Collection A multiple-well monitoring site containing four wells within a single borehole will be installed at a location to be determined, based largely on the gravity data and any additional surface-geophysical data that is collected. The borehole will be drilled by the USGS Research Drilling Program drill rig and crew using mud-rotary techniques to a depth of approximately 1,000 ft. A suite of geophysical logs including caliper, electrical resistivity (16-in and 64-in normal), electromagnetic (EM) resistivity, natural gamma will be collected to characterize the subsurface and guide well installation. Monitoring wells within the borehole will be separated by low-permeability bentonite grout seals pumped into the borehole. Wells

8 will be developed to remove drilling mud initially using the drill rig, with final development using an air compressor.

The lithology of drill cuttings from the well will be described using standard techniques. Additionally, the particle-size distribution of the drill cuttings will be measured optically using instruments within the San Diego office (Fritsch International, 2013). The elemental composition of drill cuttings will be measured using portable (handheld) energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) in the San Diego Office (Groover, 2016). The pXRF has the capability to measure 27 major, minor, and trace elements. Lithologic, geophysical logs, and pXRF data will be used to evaluate differences in the elemental composition of aquifer materials with depth with respect to geologic provenance including source and depositional history. The elemental composition of aquifer materials will be compared with the elemental composition of source terranes contributing alluvium to the basin. pXRF data will be interpreted using techniques, including principal component analysis, described by Groover and Izbicki (2019) to determine the geologic provenance (source) of aquifer materials and the potential for these materials to contain arsenic and other naturally occurring constituents of concern. Evaluation of the potential for these materials to contribute arsenic or fluoride to groundwater is discussed in Task 9 (not currently funded).

Water-level data from the wells will be collected quarterly and the water quality will be sampled once after installation (for this study) to evaluate depth-specific water quality. Water from the wells will be sampled for field parameters, major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including arsenic, chromium, and uranium), the stable isotopes δ18O and δD, and age-dating constituents, including tritium and carbon-14 (Table 1). Costs presented within this proposal are for a single multiple-well site.

Significant cost savings can be realized if drilling materials can be disposed of on-site or at an alternate site made available by the City. Additional boreholes may be drilled at the cooperator’s request if funding is available. Additional boreholes would allow characterization of depth-specific changes in water levels, aquifer properties, and groundwater chemistry (including isotopic composition and age) across subsurface features that may restrict flow within aquifers of interest.

Task 7. Nitrate Loads and Transformations in the Unsaturated Zone The hydraulic and chemical properties of the unsaturated-zone beneath residential areas with onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS: septic tanks) in the Mesquite Springs subbasin will be characterized using two unsaturated-zone monitoring sites drilled to slightly below the water table, estimated to be between 70 and 200 feet below land surface. Significant cost savings can be realized by utilizing a site with a shallower water table. The sites will be near a large and long-operating septic field and smaller, less dense septic field.

The borehole at selected sites will be drilled using the overburden drilling exploration (ODEX) method (Hammermeister and others 1986), which uses air instead of water as the drilling fluid; therefore, the water content and matric potential of the unsaturated zone (and samples collected from the unsaturated zone) are minimally altered during drilling. A suite of geophysical logs (including natural gamma, neutron, and electromagnetic-resistivity logs) will be collected from the borehole after drilling.

Drill cuttings will be collected every foot to define the lithology and stratigraphy at the site. Specific conductance measurements will be made in the field on extracts from drill cuttings. These data will help determine if there are any low-permeability layers may retard the downward movement of OWTS effluent. Perched (saturated) conditions that develop on these low permeability layers may promote reduction of nitrate if locally reduced conditions are present (Umari and others, 1993; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015).

Two-foot-long cores will be collected every five feet from the boreholes. Core material will be analyzed for physical properties and chemical constituents. Physical properties to be measured include

9 gravimetric water content, bulk density, and matric potential. Physical properties will be analyzed in the USGS San Diego Office laboratory using gravimetric methods for water content and bulk density. The volumetric water content will be calculated from bulk density and gravimetric water content data.

Matric potential will be measured gravimetrically using the filter paper technique (Campbell and Gee, 1986). Water extracts from cuttings will be prepared in the San Diego office and analyzed for soluble anions including chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and sulfate using ion-chromatography at the NWQL (Izbicki and others, 2000). Physical property data and chemical data (nitrate and chloride concentrations) will be used to evaluate the depth of penetration of OWTS effluent in the unsaturated zone and the mass of nitrate stored within the unsaturated zone. Matric potential data will be used to confirm that OWTS effluent is draining down towards the water table. Water content data will be used with chemical data to estimate chloride and nitrate concentrations within the unsaturated zone and the concentrations of these constituents reaching the water table.

The sites will be instrumented with a water-table piezometer equipped with a submersible pressure transducer to measure water levels in the shallow saturated zone. Three suction-cup lysimeters will be installed in the unsaturated zone at the shallowest depth believed to yield water based on drilling data, just above the water table and at the water table. An additional suction-cup lysimeter will be installed in the saturated zone below the depth of the piezometer. A road-rated vault, approximately 2-by-3-ft, will enclose the borehole at land surface. Upon completion, groundwater samples will be collected from the piezometers and suction-cup lysimeters. The piezometer samples will be analyzed for major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including fluoride, chromium, and arsenic), nutrients (including nitrate), dissolved organic carbon, wastewater indicators, and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. The piezometer samples also will be analyzed for the stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope ratios of nitrate (δO18-NO3 and δ15N-NO3, respectively), and for dissolved gasses (including dissolved argon and nitrogen gas) to support interpretations of nitrogen isotopic data. Samples also will be collected and analyzed for the stable nitrogen isotope ratio of ammonia (δ15N-NH4, if present). Samples from the suction-cup lysimeters will be analyzed for similar constituents assuming they produce sufficient water for analyses.

It may be necessary to composite water from several samples to obtain sufficient volume for analyses.

Water samples also will be collected from within the OWTS holding tank and from the OWTS discharge mechanism (assuming it can be accessed). These samples will be analyzed for the same constituents as water from the piezometers, including the stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope ratios of nitrate (if present) and the stable nitrogen isotope ratio of ammonia. Samples from the OWTS holding tank and discharge will be compared with data from the water-table piezometer to determine nitrogen losses within the unsaturated and upper part of the saturated zone.

Data will be compared to similar data collected elsewhere in the Mojave Desert (Umari and others, 1993; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015) to evaluate the representativeness of the site and processes that act to remove nitrate from OWTS discharges. The mass of nitrate stored within the unsaturated zone will be compared to literature values for similar settings and evaluated with respect to the age and density of the septic system and the magnitude of septic discharges (estimated in the following section) to evaluate how nitrate presently stored within the unsaturated zone may impact future water quality within the basin.

Task 8. Estimates of Septic-Tank Discharge and Nutrient Flux Within the Twentynine Palms area there are no large-scale public wastewater treatment systems and businesses and residences typically rely on private OWTS to treat wastewater. These OWTS can contribute to water quality issues in groundwater basins when wastewater is discharged into the ground. Estimates will be made of septic tank discharge using land use, population, and infrastructure data (Izbicki and others, 2015). The timing of residential development, the age of septic tanks, and the timing of septic discharges in the area will be estimated. These data will be used with other data

10 collected during the study to investigate and estimate nutrient flux into the local groundwater systems due to the use of OWTS. The results from Izbicki, Flint, and others (2015) will be adapted to this area to estimate the lag in recharge from more recently installed OWTS and the lag in the water table drainage from existing OWTS to the water table.

Task 9. Arsenic and Fluoride Within Aquifer Materials and Groundwater In groundwater worldwide, arsenic and fluoride are the two geogenic (naturally occurring) contaminants of greatest public-health concern (World Health organization, 2006; Johnson and others, 2017).

Although arsenic concentrations in the surface discharge of public supply wells are less than the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L; Metzger and others, 2015), some intervals penetrated by wells may contain arsenic concentrations that exceed the MCL. The MCL set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for fluoride is 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) while the State of California set the MCL at 2 mg/L. Fluoride concentrations in water from wells in the Twentynine Palms area can exceed 5 mg/L (Metzger and others, 2015) and is of concern to local water purveyors.

The TPWD is currently required to remove fluoride from water pumped from the Twentynine Palms Valley groundwater basin and has been granted a temporary variance for water produced in the Joshua Tree groundwater basin. High-fluoride concentrations in groundwater may result from a combination of geologic source materials, aqueous geochemistry, and hydrologic factors that include the migration of fluid from underlying aquifer zones near faults.

Worldwide, the most common arsenic-containing mineral is arsenopyrite (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). Common fluoride-containing minerals include fluorite and fluorapatite (Dixon and Weed, 1989).

These minerals are dense with specific gravities of 3.2 or greater. Arsenopyrite has a metallic luster and fluorite and fluorapatite fluoresces blue under ultraviolet (UV) light. Drill cuttings and samples of surficial alluvium will be sorted by density to isolate the heavy (dense) mineral fraction. The heavy mineral fraction will be examined optically and hand-sorted to obtain arsenopyrite and fluorite mineral grains. The morphology of these mineral grains will be examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify features consistent with weathering (dissolution pits and weathering rinds). The elemental composition of the minerals of interest will be obtained using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) interfaced with the SEM. Mineralogic and SEM data will be evaluated with respect to mineral saturation indexes calculated using the computer program PHREEQC (Parkhurst and others, 2013) to determine if arsenic-containing and fluoride-containing minerals are dissolving within the aquifer, thereby releasing these constituents, or if these constituents are derived from other sources such as fluid movement from underlying aquifer zones.
pXRF data from drill cuttings collected as part of this study and from surficial alluvium samples will be collected to evaluate geologic source terrains that may have contributed arsenic and fluoride to aquifer materials. Arsenic data will be compared with regional surface-sorptive chemistry to evaluate surfacesorptive processes that may control arsenic concentrations in groundwater under differing pH and redox conditions. These data will be used with existing geologic data, and subsurface geologic, geophysical (Groover and Izbicki, 2018; Izbicki and others, in review), and geochemical data collected as part of this study to identify areas and aquifer lithologies that may contribute high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms area.

Task 10. Estimates of Basin Recharge
Groundwater recharge occurs as the result of infiltration of water through the unsaturated zone or movement from one aquifer to another. The Joshua Tree groundwater basin is isolated from other nearby groundwater basins by the Yucca barrier to the west and the Pinto Mountain Fault to the east and receives limited amounts of mountain-front recharge from the Pinto Mountains. Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or non-existent in this arid area, leaving recharge from septic

11 discharge and mountain-fronts as primary sources of recharge in the basin. The quantification and tracking of recharged water are important to understanding the source of constituents in groundwater and the spatial trends in groundwater quality. The Basin Characterization Model (BCM; Flint and others, 2021) provides natural recharge estimates based on a monthly, gridded, regional water-balance model; the results provide an estimate of the spatial distribution of recharge across the basins over time that can be used to assess the potential for chemical transport through the unsaturated zone.

BCM may overestimate groundwater recharge from mountain front processes in desert areas (Faunt and others, 2015). Field data will be compared with BCM simulation results to constrain estimates of groundwater recharge calculated using BCM. Field data to constrain BCM estimates of recharge will be collected from four shallow borings to about 50 feet below land surface within selected washes. Two washes will be identified, and an upstream and downstream core site will be selected in each wash.

These sites will be identified from areas identified by the BCM as potential recharge sites. Cuttings from these cores will be analyzed for chloride and matric potential using techniques discussed previously. The concentration of chlorides at various depths within each core will be used along with water potential measurements to indicate where mountain front recharge is occurring and if it is penetrating to below the root zone and ultimately to below the water table. Comparisons of BCM estimates of ground water recharge with field data will be used to determine if recharge from infiltration of streamflow occurs along selected stream reaches and if BCM estimates of recharge need to be modified.

Task 11. Data Documentation, Reporting, Interpretation, and Publications Well-construction data, borehole-geophysical logs, water-quality data (including extractions from core material and cuttings) will be publicly available in on-line USGS data repositories, such as the National Water Information System (NWIS; https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis) and GeoLog Locator (https://webapps.usgs.gov/geologlocator/#!/). Reporting will include creating and maintaining a project web page, which will show study progress and be a centralized location to access the data collected during the study. It will provide direct links to access the data on NWIS and ScienceBase (https://www.sciencebase.gov), where a data release describing the well construction data, surfacegeophysical data and well-bore model will reside.

An interpretive report describing the physical and hydrologic characteristics of the Twentynine Palms groundwater basin, groundwater chemistry within the basin, and nitrate loads and transformations of the unsaturated zone associated with OWTS discharges will be prepared and published as a USGS Scientific Investigation Report. It will include evaluation of the data collected to evaluate the presence of high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride known to be present within the study area. The report will focus on present-day conditions, including estimates of present-day groundwater recharge and the age of water from wells with respect to the sustainability of groundwater withdrawals from the basin.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Water-quality data collection from groundwater sampling locations will follow the policies described in the Quality Assurance Plan for Water Quality Activities of the California Water Science Center. Quality control (QC) samples will include equipment blanks, field blanks, and sequential replicate samples. The number of quality-assurance samples will be about 15 percent of the number of water-quality samples collected for this study. As the number of water-quality samples may vary, dependent on a number of factors including access to sampling locations, time available for sampling, and changes in scope following initial data collection and analysis, the exact number of blank and replicate samples is currently estimated. Blank samples will be collected using blank water certified by the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). Field blanks will be collected at the field site under the same conditions as environmental samples. Data will be documented and released according to the Open

12 Data policies. Water level data will be reviewed according to USGS policies and procedures and as described in the CAWSC Quality-Assurance Plan for Groundwater Activities, prior to archival in NWIS.

Water-quality sampling will be designed and executed following procedures described in the Quality Assurance Plan for Water Quality Activities of the California Water Science Center. Field measurements of temperature, pH, specific conductance, and alkalinity (Table 1) will be recorded and entered into NWIS. Samples will be processed following techniques described in the USGS National Field Manual (USGS, variously dated). Constituents for sampling and laboratory analysis include: DOC, nutrients, silica, select major/minor ions and trace elements, and carbon-14 age dating (NWQL); water isotopes, nitrate isotopes, and tritium (USGS Stable Isotope Lab, Reston, VA). Environmental water-quality samples collected will be added for quality control purposes based on the current understanding of the quality of the data. These samples will include equipment blanks, field blanks, and sequential replicates, and will be targeted for selected analyte groups as needed.

DOC, nutrient, and trace element results from the NWQL will be reviewed in context with project QC samples (blanks and replicates) to determine whether sampling procedures biased any results. Any environmental samples >10% different from replicate samples will be considered for rejection if the source of the difference cannot be identified. Any environmental samples associated with blank hits over two times the laboratory reporting level will be qualified prior to approval or rejected. In addition, nutrient blind samples analyzed at the NWQL by the Quality Systems Branch (QSB) will be utilized to evaluate laboratory performance over the project and any samples analyzed during a timeframe when the laboratory may have introduced bias of ±5 percent will be re-analyzed if possible or rejected if reruns at NWQL are not possible due to holding time violations.

Stable isotope results from the Reston Stable Isotope Lab (RSIL) will be reviewed in context with project QC samples (blanks and replicates) to determine if sampling procedures biased any results. Any environmental samples >10% different from replicate samples will be considered for rejection if the source of the difference cannot be identified. In addition, daily reference waters stored in LIMS-LSI will be utilized to evaluate laboratory performance and samples analyzed during a timeframe when the laboratory may have introduced bias of ±5 percent will be re-analyzed if possible or rejected if reruns at the RSIL are not possible due to holding time violations. Tritium and carbon isotopes results will be reviewed in context with replicate QC samples to determine if sampling procedures biased any results.

As part of the data analysis and quality-assurance Data-Quality Indicator codes will be set appropriately following standard USGS data verification and validation procedures prior to archival in NWIS.

LABORATORY EVALUATION PLAN
All water quality samples will be sent to the NWQL or RSIL. Results obtained from water, air, sediment, and environmental samples analyzed at USGS and other analytical laboratories and published in USGS information products must meet the documentation standards required in the USGS manual. NWQL, NWQL contract laboratories, and laboratories accredited to relevant national or international standards (introduced in OWQ Technical Memorandum 2002.05) are classified as Level 1 for methods that subscribe to either the Branch of Quality Systems (BQS) Blind Sample Projects or other independent proficiency test (PT) sample studies for the analytes of interest. Additionally, laboratories that provide project analytical results with directly corresponding set- or run-specific internal quality-control data and information may be considered Level 1 when the targeted analytes, quality controls, and analytical performance meet project objectives.

The USGS manual requires the documentation of data quality and is the basis for this memorandum.

This memorandum describes how Fundamental Science Practices are met for laboratory results and

13 reiterates the need for review and approval of results obtained from service laboratories as a policy of the WMA. This policy applies to results provided to WMA supported projects by USGS laboratories and other laboratories. This memorandum recommends flexible and relatively simple guidelines for assessing laboratory capability that relies, in most cases, on performance data and information rather than laboratory inspections. This guidance can be applied in combination with a user’s knowledge about a service laboratory and method performance to produce confidence in results.

The USGS must evaluate the laboratory data we use to ensure that it meets the requirements of our projects and programs, as per OWQ TM 2007.01. CAWSC staff may follow an abridged process that fulfills the USGS policy objectives in a manner both practical and beneficial to our projects. Guidance for the abridged process is divided into three steps:

1. Document the project specific DQOs for laboratory performance.

2. Monitor laboratory performance through the use of QC data.

3. Prepare and submit laboratory evaluation package for review and approval.

PRODUCTS
A project web site will be created to provides links to the data collected and updates on progress made during the study (see Task 11 for details). A final report summarizing the findings of the project will be provided to the City of Twentynine Palms in the form of a USGS Scientific Investigations Report. Data that are not able to be stored in NWIS will be released as a USGS data release. All scientific and technical reports and publications will undergo USGS internal review.

FIGURES
Figure 1. Location of groundwater and surface-water basins near Twentynine Palms, California.

14 Figure 2. North to south cross section of Deadman and Mesquite subbasins near Twentynine Palms, California (Li and Martin, 2011).

15 Figure 3. North to south cross section of Deadman and Mesquite subbasins near Twentynine Palms, California (Li and Martin, 2011).

TIMELINE
Task Task name FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030
1 Review of existing data X
2 Baseline Water Quality X
3 Well-bore flow logging and
depth-dependent QW X
4 Well-bore Flow and Transport
Model X
5 Surface geophysics X
6 Multiple-Well Monitoring Site
Installation and Data
Collection X X X
7 Nitrate Loads and
Transformations in the
Unsaturated Zone X X X
8 Estimates of septic tank
discharge and nutrient flux X
9 Arsenic and fluoride X X

16 10 Estimates of basin recharge X X
11 Data documentation, reports,
and writing X X X X X

PERSONNEL
This project will employ a GS-12 physical scientist (project management, data interpretation, reporting), a GS-11 hydrologist (project management, field work, sample handling, data management, reporting), five GS-11 hydrologic technicians (field work, sample handling, office work, drilling), one GS-9 geographer (data interpretation and management, reporting), one GS-9 hydrologic technician (field work, sample handling), one GS-7 hydrologic technician (drilling), one GS-5 hydrologic technician (sample handling and data management) and staff from the research drilling program. All personnel are employed by CAWSC and will be coordinating and collaborating with the City of Twentynine Palms throughout the study. The project will also contract with personnel from the Geology, Mineral, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center for geophysical studies.

BUDGET SUMMARY
The total cost of the proposed work is $2,431,9988. The U.S. Geological Survey may have funding available to share these costs from Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF) available through congressional appropriations. Costs below are based on the CMF availability of 25% for eligible labor and travel in the following budget table:

FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Total
Task 1: Review of existing data $32,585 $0 $0 $0 $0 $32,585 Task 2: Baseline Water Quality $81,789 $0 $0 $0 $0 $81,789 Task 3: Well-bore flow logging and
depth-dependent QW (two wells) $0 $172,140 $0 $0 $0 $172,140 Task 4: Well-bore Flow and Transport
Model $0 $0 $30,876 $0 $0 $30,876
Task 5: Surface geophysics $114,123 $0 $0 $0 $0 $114,123 Task 6: Multiple-Well Monitoring Site
Installation and Data Collection $0 $707,866 $20,832 $14,352 $0 $743,050 Task 7: Nitrate Loads and
Transformations in the Unsaturated
Zone
$0 $655,967 $121,972 $28,358 $0 $806,297
Task 8: Estimates of septic tank
discharge $0 $23,925 $0 $0 $0 $23,925
Task 9: Arsenic and fluoride within
aquifers and groundwater $0 $0 $29,179 $47,829 $0 $77,008 Task 10: Estimates of basin recharge $0 $190,616 $10,250 $0 $0 $200,866 Task 11: Data documentation, reports,
and writing $5,863 $1,383 $1,452 $50,225 $90,406 $149,329 Total $234,360 $1,751,857 $214,561 $140,764 $90,406 $2,431,988 USGS CMF $33,828 $81,879 $34,378 $26,980 $18,081 $195,146 Cooperator Total $200,532 $1,670,018 $180,183 $113,784 $72,325 $2,236,842

17 REFERENCES
California Department of Water Resources, 2016, California’s groundwater–Working toward sustainability: California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 Interim Update 2016, accessed December 11, 2019, at
https://water.ca.gov/LegacyFiles/groundwater/bulletin118/docs/Bulletin_118_Interim_Update_2016. pdf.

California Water Boards, 2021, Maximum contaminant levels and regulatory dates for drinking water, U.S. EPA vs California: California Water Boards website, accessed November 22, 2021, at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/ccr/mcls_epa_vs _dwp.pdf.

Campbell, G.S., and Gee, W.G., 1986, Water potential measurement using the filter paper technique, in:

Klute, A.L., ed., Methods of soil analysis, Part 1, Physical and mineralogical methods (2d ed.): Madison, Wise., American Society of Agronomy, chap. 25, p. 628-630.

City of Twentynine Palms, 2021, Wastewater master plan: City of Twentynine Palms website, accessed November 22, 2021, at https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/wastewatermasterplan.

Christensen, A. H., Fields-Garland, L.S., 2001, Concentrations for total dissolved solids, arsenic, boron, fluoride, and nitrite-nitrate for wells sampled in the Mojave Water Agency Management Area, California, 1991-97: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2001-84, 1 CD. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr0184
Dixon, J.B., and Weed, S.B., eds., 1989, Minerals in soil environments: Madison, Wis., Soil Science Society of America, 1244 p., https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser1.2ed.

Evenson, E.J., Orndorff, R.C., Blome, C.D., Böhlke, J.K., Hershberger, P.K., Langenheim, V.E., McCabe, G.J., Morlock, S.E., Reeves, H.W., Verdin, J.P., Weyers, H.S., and Wood, T.M., 2013, U.S. Geological Survey water science strategy—Observing, understanding, predicting, and delivering water science to the Nation: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1383–G, 49 p.

Faunt, C.C., Stamos, C.L., Flint, L.E., Wright, M.T., Burgess, M.K., Sneed, Michelle, Brandt, Justin, Martin, Peter, and Coes, A.L., 2015, Hydrogeology, hydrologic effects of development, and simulation of groundwater flow in the Borrego Valley, San Diego County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5150, 135 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155150.

Flint, L.E., Flint, A.L., and Stern, M.A., 2021, The basin characterization model—A regional water balance software package: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 6–H1, 85 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/06/h01/tm6h1.pdf.

Fritsch International, 2013, Operating instructions, Analysette 28 Imagesizer. 66 p. accessed December 6, 2011at BA_282000_0100_e__ID_9241_.pdf.

Groover, K.D., 2016, Elemental analyses using a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer: U.S.

Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2016–3043, 2 p., accessed August 2, 2017, at https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20163043.

Groover, K.D., and Izbicki, J.A., 2018, Field portable X-ray fluorescence and associated quality control data for the western Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CU0EH3.

Groover, K.D., and Izbicki, J.A., 2019, Selected trace-elements in alluvium and rocks, western Mojave Desert, southern California: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 200, p. 234–248, accessed July 8, 2019, at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2018.09.005.

18 Halford, K., 2009, AnalyzeHOLE-an integrated wellbore flow analysis tool: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 4-F2, 46 p.

Halford, K.J., Stamos, C.L., Nishikawa, T., and Martin, P., 2010, Arsenic management through well modification and simulation: Ground Water, v. 48, no. 4, p. 526-537, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00670.x
Hammermeister, D.P., Blout, D.O., and McDaniel, J.C., 1986, Drilling and coring methods that minimize the disturbance of cuttings, core, and rock formations in the unsaturated zone, Yucca Mountain, Nevada, in Proceedings of the NWWA Conference on Characterization and Monitoring of the Vadose (Unsaturated) Zone: National Water Well Association, Worthington, Ohio, p. 507-541 Izbicki, J.A., Christensen, A.H., Hansen, R.T., 1999, USGS combined well-bore flow and depth-dependent water-quality sampler. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS196-99, 2 p. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1999/fs19699, accessed December 1, 2021.

Izbicki J.A., Clark, D.A., Pimentel, M.I., Land, M., Radyk, J.C., and Michel, R.L., 2000, Data from a thick unsaturated zone underlying Oro Grande and Sheep Creek washes in the western part of the Mojave Desert, near Victorville, San Bernardino County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2000-262, 133 p.

Izbicki, J.A., 2004, Source and movement of groundwater in the western part of the Mojave Desert, southern California. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4313, 28 p. accessed December 6, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wrir034314/wrir034313.pdf.

Izbicki, J.A., and Michel, R.L., 2004, Movement and age of groundwater in the western part of the Mojave Desert, southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03- 4314, 35 p. accessed December 6, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wrir034314/wrir034314.pdf.

Izbicki, J.A., Stamos, C.L., Metzger, L.F., Halford, K.J., Kulp, T.R. and Bennett, G.L. 2008, Source, distribution, and management of arsenic in water from wells, Eastern San Joaquin Ground-Water Subbasin, California. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OFR 2008-1272, 8 p.

Izbicki, J.A., Teague, N.F., Hatzinger, P.B., Bohlke, J.K., and Sturchio, N.C, 2015, Groundwater movement, recharge, and perchlorate occurrence in a faulted alluvial aquifer, California (USA): Hydrogeology Journal, v. 23, no. 3, p. 467-491, DOI 10.1007/s10040-014-1217-y.

Izbicki, J.A., Flint, A.L., O’Leary, D.R., Nishikawa, T., Martin, P., Johnson, R.D., and Clark, D.A., 2015, Storage and mobilization of natural and septic nitrate in thick unsaturated zones, California: Journal of Hydrology, v. 524, p. 147-165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.02.005.

Izbicki, J.D., Groover, K.D., and Seymour, W.A., in review, Arsenic, chromium, uranium, and vanadium in rock, alluvium, and groundwater, Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins, southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper.

Johnson, A., Johnson, R.B., and Bretzler, A., 2017, Geogenic contamination. Chapter 2. In: Bader, H.P., and others (eds.), Geogenic contamination handbook. Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland, 177 p.

Kennedy Jenks, 2021, SNMP 2020 Groundwater Monitoring Report: Report prepared for Twentynine Palms Water District, 54 p. Li, Zhen, and Martin, Peter, 2011, Geohydrology, simulation of regional groundwater flow, and assessment of water management strategies, Twentynine Palms area, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5249, 106 p.

Li, Zhen, and Martin, Peter, 2011, Geohydrology, simulation of regional groundwater flow, and assessment of watermanagement strategies, Twentynine Palms area, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5249, 106 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5249/.

19 Metzger, L.F., Landon, M.K., House, S.F., and Olsen, L.D., 2015, Mapping selected trace elements and major ions, 2000-2012, Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://ca.water.usgs.gov/mojave/mojave-water-quality.html, accessed June 10, 2020.

Nishikawa, T., Densmore, J.N., Martin, P., and Matti, J., 2003, Evaluation of the Source and Transport of High Nitrate Concentrations in Ground Water, Warren Subbasin, California: U.S. Geol. Survey Water Resources Investigation Report 2003–4009, 133p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri034009.

Nishikawa, T. Izbicki, J.A., Hevesi, J.A., Stamos, C.L., and Martin, P., 2004, Evaluation of geohydrologic framework, recharge estimates, and ground-water flow of the Joshua Tree area, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5267, 115 p.

Parkhurst, D.L., and Appelo, C.A.J., 2013, Description of input and examples for PHREEQC version 3—A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. A43, 497 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm6A43.

Roberts, C.W., Jachens R.C., Katzenstein, A.M., Smith, G.A., and Johnson, R.U., 2002, Gravity map and data of the eastern half of the Big Bear Lake, 100,000 scale quadrangle, California, and analysis of the depths of several basins: U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 02-353, accessed December 1, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0353/depth.html.

Smedley, P.L, and Kinniburgh, D.G., 2002, A review of the source, behaviour, and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Applied Geochemistry Vol. 17, pp. 517-568.

Stamos, C.L., Martin, Peter, Everett, R.R., and Izbicki, J.A., 2013, The effects of artificial recharge on groundwater levels and water quality in the west hydrogeologic unit of the Warren subbasin, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5088, 88 p.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2021, QuickFacts: Twentynine Palms City, California: U.S. Census bureau website, accessed October 15, 2021, at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/twentyninepalmscitycalifornia.

U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, National field manual for the collection of water- quality data:

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1–A9, available online at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.

Umari, M.J., Martin, P., Schroeder, R.A., Duell, L.F., and Fay, R.G., 1993, Potential for ground-water contamination from movement of wastewater through the unsaturated zone, Upper Mojave River Basin, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report, 93-4137, 83 p.

Wilde, F.D., ed., 2006, Collection of water samples (ver. 2.0): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A4, 166 p., accessed December 6, 2021, at https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.

World Health Organization, 2006, Managing the quality of drinking-water sources: Section 1, In: Schmoll, O; Howard, G; Chilton G (eds.). Protecting Groundwater for Health: Managing the Quality of Drinkingwater. IWA Publishing, London, 152 p., ISBN 92 4 154668 9.

United States Department of the Interior
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
C California Water Science Center
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
April 22, 2024
Mr. Stone James
General Manager
Twentynine Palms, City of
6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Dear Mr. James:

Enclosed is our standard joint-funding agreement 24ZGJFA21000077 between the U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, and the City of Twentynine Palms, for Evaluation of geohydrologic conditions and geochemical conditions in Twentynine Palms, California during the period JXne 1, 2024 through September 30, 2029 in the amount of $,,
 from your agency. U.S. Geological Survey contributions for this agreement are $192,792 for a combined total of $,,
. Please sign and return one fully-executed original to Jonathan Esposito at [email protected]
Please return the signed agreement as soon as you are able. If, for any reason, the agreement cannot be signed and returned by the date shown above, please contact Meghan Dick at (619) 225-6154 or email [email protected] to make alternative arrangements.

This is an actual cost agreement to be billed quarterly via Down Payment Request (automated Form DI-1040). Please allow 30-days from the end of the billing period for issuance of the bill. If you experience any problems with your invoice(s), please contact Irene Rios at phone number (619) 225-6156 or [email protected].

The results of all work performed under this agreement will be available for publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. We look forward to continuing this and future cooperative efforts in these mutually beneficial water resources studies.

Sincerely,
Anke Mueller-Solger
Director, USGS California Water Science Center
Enclosure
24ZGJFA21000077 (2)

Form 9-1366
(May 2018)
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Joint Funding Agreement
FOR
Water Resource Investigations
Customer #: 6000003009
Agreement #: 24ZGJFA21000077
Project #: ZG00UTV
TIN #: 330265469
Fixed Cost Agreement YES[ ] NO[ X ]
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the May 1, 2024, by the U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, California Water Science Center, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, party of the first part, and the Twentynine Palms, City of party of the second part.

1. The parties hereto agree that subject to the availability of appropriations and in accordance with their respective authorities there shall be maintained in cooperation for negotiated deliverables (see attached), herein called the program. The USGS legal authority is 43 USC 36C; 43 USC 50, and 43 USC 50b.

2. The following amounts shall be contributed to cover all of the cost of the necessary field and analytical work directly related to this program. 2(b) include In-Kind-Services in the amount of $0.00 by the party of the first part during the period
May 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029
(a) $192,792
(b) $2,137,497 by the party of the second part during the period May 1, 2024 to September 30, 2029
(c) Contributions are provided by the party of the first part through other USGS regional or national programs, in the amount of: $0
Description of the USGS regional/national program:
(d) Additional or reduced amounts by each party during the above period or succeeding periods as may be determined by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties. (e) The performance period may be changed by mutual agreement and set forth in an exchange of letters between the parties.

3. The costs of this program may be paid by either party in conformity with the laws and regulations respectively governing each party.

4. The field and analytical work pertaining to this program shall be under the direction of or subject to periodic review by an authorized representative of the party of the first part.

5. The areas to be included in the program shall be determined by mutual agreement between the parties hereto or their authorized representatives. The methods employed in the field and office shall be those adopted by the party of the first part to insure the required standards of accuracy subject to modification by mutual agreement.

6. During the course of this program, all field and analytical work of either party pertaining to this program shall be open to the inspection of the other party, and if the work is not being carried on in a mutually satisfactory manner, either party may terminate this agreement upon 60 days written notice to the other party.

7. The original records resulting from this program will be deposited in the office of origin of those records. Upon request, copies of the original records will be provided to the office of the other party.

8. The maps, records or reports resulting from this program shall be made available to the public as promptly as possible. The maps, records or reports normally will be published by the party of the first part. However, the party of the second part reserves the right to publish the results of this program, and if already published by the party of the first part shall, upon request, be furnished by the party of the first part, at cost, impressions suitable for purposes of reproduction similar to that for which the original copy was prepared. The maps, records or reports published by either party shall contain a statement of the cooperative relations between the parties. The Parties acknowledge that scientific information and data developed as a result of the Scope of Work (SOW) are subject to applicable USGS review, approval, and release requirements, which are available on the USGS Fundamental Science Practices website (https://www.usgs.gov/office-of-science-quality-and-integrity/fundamental-science-practices).

9. Billing for this agreement will be rendered quarterly. Invoices not paid within 60 days from the billing date will bear Interest, Penalties, and Administrative cost at the annual rate pursuant the Debt Collection Act of 1982, (codified at 31 U.S.C. § 3717) established by the U.S. Treasury.

USGS Technical Point of Contact
Name: Meghan Dick
Hydrologist
Address: 4165 Spruance Road Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101-0821
Telephone: (619) 225-6154
Fax: (n/a)
Email: [email protected]
Name:

Address:

Customer Technical Point of Contact
6WRQH-aPHV
City Manager
13$GRbH5RaG
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Telephone: (760) 37799H[W14
Fax:

Email:

USGS Billing Point of Contact
Name: Irene Rios
Budget Analyst
Address: 4165 Spruance Road Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101-0821
Telephone: (619) 225-6156
Fax: (619) 225-6101
Email: [email protected]
Name:

Address:

Telephone: (760) 367-6799
Fax: (n/a)
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Geological Survey
United States
Department of Interior
Signature
By_______________________
Name: Anke Mueller-Solger
Title: Director, USGS California Water Science
Center
Twentynine Palms, City of
Signatures
By_______________________ Date: _________
Name: Stone James
Title:

By_______________________ Date: _________
Name:

Title:

By_______________________ Date: _________
Name:

Title:

Form 9-1366
(May 2018)
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Joint Funding Agreement
FOR
Water Resource Investigations
Customer #: 6000003009
Agreement #: 24ZGJFA21000077
Project #:

TIN #: 330265469
(n/a)
VMaPHV#29SaOPVRUJ
Customer Billing Point of Contact
Abigail Hernandez
Finance Director
13$GRbH5RaG,
7ZHQW\QLQH3aOPV,&$92277
City Manager

Evaluation of geohydrologic conditions and geochemical conditions in Twentynine Palms, California California Water Science Center, Southwest Region
Proposal # 2022-03 SUMMARY
Cooperator: City of Twentynine Palms
Prepared by: Meghan Dick, Christina Stamos, John Izbicki, and Joseph Fackrell

PROBLEM
Twentynine Palms, California is in a remote desert area and groundwater is the only source of potable water.

Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or negligible in arid areas and septic discharges may be an important source of recharge to underlying aquifers (Stamos and others, 2013). In arid environments, dilution of septic discharge from infiltration of precipitation is scant, leaving only dilution with shallow groundwater or denitrification to mitigate nitrate associated with septic discharges. Nitrate contamination from septic discharges may be dampened by long travel times through thick unsaturated zones, and subsequent storage of high-nitrate water in the unsaturated zone (Izbicki, Flint and others, 2015). Previous work in Yucca Valley, Calif. showed nitrate from septic discharges stored in the unsaturated zone could be rapidly mobilized due to the infiltration of artificial recharge and subsequent rising groundwater (Nishikawa and others, 2003; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015; Stamos and others, 2013). Twentynine Palms (The City) relies heavily on onsite water treatment systems (OWTS; septic) to treat and dispose of sewage and there is concern that the use of these OWTS could degrade groundwater quality as the local population grows. Thus, it is important to understand the geohydrologic processes that will influence how the city will manage its future wastewater.

Li and Martin (2011) showed that groundwater levels in parts of the Mesquite subbasin have been declining because the amount of pumpage exceeds natural recharge; this has resulted in increasing concentrations of arsenic, fluoride, chromium, nitrates, and dissolved solids due to less groundwater availability for diluting contaminants. Therefore, groundwater quality has become a water-management issue particularly in regard to meeting the U.S. State of California maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for drinking water for arsenic (10 micrograms per liter (µg/L)), fluoride (2 milligrams per liter (mg/L)), chromium (50 µg/L), and nitrates (10 mg/L) (https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/ccr/mcls_epa_vs_dwp.pdf).

Elevated fluoride levels are widespread across the Twentynine Palms Water District (TPWD) service area, especially in the Twentynine Palms subbasin where a fluoride removal plant is in operation to treat local groundwater prior to use as a source of public supply (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). Arsenic and chromium concentrations are also of concern and treatment systems for both constituents will likely need to be installed.

OBJECTIVES and SCOPE
The overall purpose of this project will be to better characterize the geohydrologic and geochemical conditions in aquifers near the City of Twentynine Palms to support water-quality management decisions. Specific geohydrologic conditions evaluated include depth-dependent aquifer water-levels and hydrologic properties, and aquifer recharge from natural sources and onsite water treatment system discharges. Specific geochemical conditions evaluated include the contributions of nitrate from onsite water treatment system discharges and contributions of arsenic and fluoride from natural (geogenic) sources on local groundwater quality. Additionally, this work will:
1) Refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area, including how subsurface features contribute to the structure of the groundwater basins and contribute to local water-quality concerns. 2) Establish well sites for long-term monitoring of local groundwater levels and quality.

RELEVANCE and BENEFITS
This project is based on a direct need for the City to better understand the sources and processes that control concentrations of regulated contaminants in the groundwater basins that serve its population. USGS expertise in complex hydrologic concepts such as surface water-groundwater connectivity, geochemical evaluation of water and nutrient source identification, and groundwater age dating provide a means to serve the needs of the City efficiently.

2 The work proposed will support the goals outlined by the current USGS Water Science Strategy Circular 1383-G (Evenson and others, 2013), as follows:

1. Provide Society the Information It Needs Regarding the Amount and Quality of Water in All Components of the Water Cycle at High Temporal and Spatial Resolution, Nationwide, by the advancement of monitoring networks and techniques for hydrologic and water-quality data and the assessment of water resources and their suitability to meet human needs

2. Advance Understanding of Processes that Determine Water Availability, by the comprehensive understanding of geological controls of water availability, and understanding human interactions with water availability Additionally, the work proposed will support the current CAWSC list of Priorities for Project Relevance and Benefits as follows:

1. Statewide streamflow and groundwater monitoring - We see an additional need for long-term groundwater monitoring, including “super gages” to better understand stream-aquifer interaction and the effects of conjunctive use on water resources and quality.

2. Groundwater availability and use - With the implementation of California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), we see increasing demand for USGS engagement both at the State Level (with the California Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board) and with local agencies that are required to develop Sustainability Plans.

3. Expanded groundwater quality work – One of the sustainability goals of SGMA is to achieve and maintain good groundwater quality. Through its statewide GAMA and COGG programs, the CAWSC is recognized as the “goto” government science agency for complex groundwater quality issues. We expect that our expertise will be required to help State and Local agencies comply with the groundwater quality aspects of SGMA.

7. Expansion of targeted water-quality assessments - E.g., mercury, chromium, pesticides, nutrients, recycled water, harmful algal blooms.

STRATEGY AND APPROACH
In order to refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area, including how subsurface features contribute to the structure of the groundwater basins and contribute to local water-quality concerns, this project will begin with collecting and reviewing existing geohydrologic data in the study area. Water quality will then be collected at local production wells in order to establish baseline conditions for the study. Borehole geophysics and depth-dependent water quality will also be collected and analyzed to estimate and model local aquifer properties. Surface geophysical data will also be collected in order to estimate alluvial thicknesses and identify subsurface geological features. This information will be used to pick sites for installation of a multiple-well monitoring site that will be used for site-specific and depth-dependent water-quality and water-level monitoring. The geophysical data will also be used to select sites for installation of piezometers and lysimeters near high and low-density septic fields for evaluation of nitrate loads and transformations in the unsaturated zone. Septic discharge and nutrient flux into the local groundwater system will also be evaluated. Cuttings from these boreholes will also be evaluated for presence of arsenic and fluoride containing minerals and identify aquifer lithologies that may contribute arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms subbasin. Finally, the Basin Characterization model will be used to identify areas where groundwater recharge may be occurring. Cores will be collected in these areas and the cuttings will be evaluated for chlorides and matric potential in order to assess the potential for chemical transport through the unsaturated zone. The results of this work will be synthesized in a USGS Scientific Investigations Report, data releases, and a project webpage.

Evaluation of geohydrologic conditions and geochemical conditions in Twentynine Palms, California California Water Science Center, Southwest Region
Proposal # 2022-03
Cooperator: City of Twentynine Palms
Prepared by: Meghan Dick, Christina Stamos, John Izbicki, and Joseph Fackrell

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The study area consists of the City of Twentynine Palms and surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County in the southwestern Mojave Desert of California, about 130 miles east of Los Angeles, California (fig. 1) and is within the Mesquite Lake and Fortynine Palms Canyon-Shortz Lake watersheds. The underlying groundwater basins are

3 the Twentynine Palms Valley (basin 7-010) and the Joshua Tree (basin 7-062), which are separated by the Pinto Mountain Fault, and a small area of the Dale Valley (California Department of Water Resources, 2021; basin 7-009); this area will not be included in this study. Nishikawa and others (2004) and Li and Martin (2011) further divided the Twentynine Palms Valley groundwater basin into the Mesquite and Mainside subbasins and divided the Joshua Tree groundwater basin into the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms subbasins.

The Mesquite subbasin is recharged primarily from groundwater underflow from the adjacent groundwater basins.

Some runoff from the Little San Bernardino and Pinto Mountains recharges the Mesquite subbasin when streamflow infiltrates the washes that reaches the subbasin during storm events; some recharge also occurs from groundwater underflow resulting from the infiltration of streamflow in the Twentynine Palms subbasin (Nishikawa and others, 2004). Within the City limits, the terrain is primarily younger alluvial deposits of quaternary age bordered by the Pinto Mountains along the southern edge of the Joshua Tree groundwater basin. Li and Martin (2011) developed a 3D geologic framework for the Mesquite and Mainside subbasins. A north to south cross section through the Deadman and Mesquite subasins (fig. 2; Li and Martin, 2011, fig. 4D) shows a thin upper aquifer and 500 feet thick middle aquifer composed of Quaternary and Tertiary alluvial fan deposits and a lower aquifer more than 1,500 feet thick, composed of tertiary older sedimentary deposits. A west to east cross section in the northern part of Mesquite subbasin shows (fig. 3; Li and Martin, 2011, fig. 4B) shows the Surprise Spring, Elkins, and Mesquite faults subdividing the basin into zones with distinct groundwater table elevations. Less is known about the subsurface in the Joshua Tree groundwater basin.

In 2004, Nishikawa and others published a geohydrologic framework for the Joshua Tree Subbasin, which is divided from the Twentynine Palms subbasin by an unnamed fault. The western 5 miles of the Twentynine Palms subbasin was included in the geologic model and indicates a three-aquifer system, similar to the Mesquite subbasin (Nishikawa and others, 2004, fig. 6B). Gravity data from a variety of sources was analyzed by Roberts and others (2002) to generate maps of gravity data and an analysis of basin depths in the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms area. The gravity interpretations all show an east-west linear basin parallel to the Pinto Mountain Fault, however the various gravity models used indicate the deepest basin depth may be anywhere from 2000 to 6000 feet below land surface. Gravity data points are sparse in the Twentynine Palms Subbasin and the current models don’t cover the easternmost parts of the basin.

The population of the City of Twentynine Palms (City) was about 28,000 in 2020 and has grown by about 12 percent since the last census in 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). The City’s municipal limits encompass 58.8 square miles and

30.5 square miles of unincorporated area around its boundary and have been designated as part of the City’s “sphere of influence” for future expansion (City of Twentynine Palms, 2021). The local land use is primarily rural, low-density residential and light commercial. The Twentynine Palms Water District (TPWD) is a separate entity that provides drinking water to the broader community. Groundwater withdrawn from the Mesquite and Twentynine Palms subbasins is the primary source of drinking water for the community. There are no sanitary sewer connections in the City, so onsite water treatment systems (OWTS), commonly known as septic systems, serve as the sole means of wastewater disposal and provide an unknown quantity of groundwater recharge. The City and the TPWD are collaborating to develop a Wastewater Management Plan that will provide a blueprint for a centralized sewercollection system and wastewater treatment plant to replace aging septic systems and protect the groundwater resources.

PROBLEM
Twentynine Palms, California is in a remote desert area and groundwater is the only source of potable water.

Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or negligible in arid areas and septic discharges may be an important source of recharge to underlying aquifers (Stamos and others, 2013). In arid environments, dilution of septic discharge from infiltration of precipitation is scant, leaving only dilution with shallow groundwater or denitrification to mitigate nitrate associated with septic discharges. Nitrate contamination from septic discharges may be dampened by long travel times through thick unsaturated zones, and subsequent storage of high-nitrate water in the unsaturated zone (Izbicki, Flint and others, 2015). Previous work in Yucca Valley, Calif. showed nitrate from septic discharges stored in the unsaturated zone could be rapidly mobilized due to the infiltration of artificial recharge and subsequent rising groundwater (Nishikawa and others, 2003; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015; Stamos and others, 2013). The City relies heavily on OWTS to treat and dispose of sewage and there is concern that the use of these OWTS could degrade groundwater quality as the local population grows. Thus, it is important to understand the geohydrologic processes that will influence how the city will manage its future wastewater.

4 Li and Martin (2011) showed that groundwater levels in parts of the Mesquite subbasin have been declining because the amount of pumpage exceeds natural recharge; this has resulted in increasing concentrations of arsenic, fluoride, chromium, nitrates, and dissolved solids due to less groundwater availability for diluting contaminants. Therefore, groundwater quality has become a water-management issue particularly in regard to meeting the U.S. State of California maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for drinking water for arsenic (10 micrograms per liter (µg/L)), fluoride (2 milligrams per liter (mg/L)), chromium (50 µg/L), and nitrates (10 mg/L) (https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/ccr/mcls_epa_vs_dwp.pdf).

Elevated fluoride levels are widespread across the TPWD service area, especially in the Twentynine Palms subbasin where a fluoride removal plant is in operation to treat local groundwater prior to use as a source of public supply (Kennedy Jenks, 2021). Arsenic and chromium concentrations are also of concern and treatment systems for both constituents will likely need to be installed.

OBJECTIVES and SCOPE
The overall purpose of this project will be to better characterize the geohydrologic and geochemical conditions in aquifers near the City of Twentynine Palms to support water-quality management decisions. Specific geohydrologic conditions evaluated include depth-dependent aquifer water-levels and hydrologic properties, and aquifer recharge from natural sources and onsite water treatment system discharges. Specific geochemical conditions evaluated include the contributions of nitrate from onsite water treatment system discharges and contributions of arsenic and fluoride from natural (geogenic) sources on local groundwater quality. Additionally, this work will:

1) Refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area, including how subsurface features contribute to the structure of the groundwater basins and contribute to local water-quality concerns. 2) Establish well sites for long-term monitoring of local groundwater levels and quality.

The scope of this project involves the following activities:
1) Collect and review existing geohydrologic data.
2) Determine baseline water quality.
3) Model aquifer properties and estimate quantity and quality of water being pumped from different depths of the aquifer using depth-dependent sampling methods, well-bore flow logging and AnalyzeHOLE. 4) Collect surface geophysical data and develop alluvial thickness and depth to basement models. 5) Install a multiple-well monitoring site for site-specific and depth-dependent water-quality and water-level monitoring.
6) Install piezometers and lysimeters to evaluate nitrate loads and transformations in the unsaturated zone. 7) Estimate septic discharge and nutrient flux into the local groundwater system. 8) Evaluate borehole cuttings for presence of arsenic and fluoride containing minerals and identify aquifer lithologies that may contribute arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms subbasin. 9) Estimate basin recharge using the Basin Characterization Model and sediment cores.

RELEVANCE and BENEFITS
This project is based on a direct need for the City to better understand the sources and processes that control concentrations of regulated contaminants in the groundwater basins that serve its population. USGS expertise in complex hydrologic concepts such as surface water-groundwater connectivity, geochemical evaluation of water and nutrient source identification, and groundwater age dating provide a means to serve the needs of the City efficiently.

The work proposed will support the goals outlined by the current USGS Water Science Strategy Circular 1383-G (Evenson and others, 2013), as follows:

3. Provide Society the Information It Needs Regarding the Amount and Quality of Water in All Components of the Water Cycle at High Temporal and Spatial Resolution, Nationwide, by the advancement of monitoring networks and techniques for hydrologic and water-quality data and the assessment of water resources and their suitability to meet human needs

5 4. Advance Understanding of Processes that Determine Water Availability, by the comprehensive understanding of geological controls of water availability, and understanding human interactions with water availability Additionally, the work proposed will support the current CAWSC list of Priorities for Project Relevance and Benefits as follows:

4. Statewide streamflow and groundwater monitoring - We see an additional need for long-term groundwater monitoring, including “super gages” to better understand stream-aquifer interaction and the effects of conjunctive use on water resources and quality.

5. Groundwater availability and use - With the implementation of California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), we see increasing demand for USGS engagement both at the State Level (with the California Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board) and with local agencies that are required to develop Sustainability Plans.

6. Expanded groundwater quality work – One of the sustainability goals of SGMA is to achieve and maintain good groundwater quality. Through its statewide GAMA and COGG programs, the CAWSC is recognized as the “goto” government science agency for complex groundwater quality issues. We expect that our expertise will be required to help State and Local agencies comply with the groundwater quality aspects of SGMA.

8. Expansion of targeted water-quality assessments - E.g., mercury, chromium, pesticides, nutrients, recycled water, harmful algal blooms.

Further strategies for the relevance and benefit of this project can be found in: USGS Water Science Strategy – Observing, Understanding, Predicting, and Delivering Water Science to the Nation https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1383g/circ1383-G.pdf

APPROACH
Task 1. Review of Existing Geohydrologic Data
Existing geologic, geophysical, geochemical, hydrologic, and modeled data will be reviewed to refine the hydrogeologic understanding of the area. Any data collected by the City and the TPWD, or other sources, will be incorporated with historical data available in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Inventory System (NWIS) data base and published reports, such as Izbicki, Teague and others (2015), Li and Martin (2011) and Nishikawa and others (2004).

Task 2. Baseline Water Quality
There are 7 active production wells serving the City and surrounding areas (wells TPWD-WTP-1, TPWD-11B, TPWD-12, TPWD-14, TPWD-15, TPWD-16, TPWD-17; fig. 1). The TPWD operates these wells and collects water-quality samples annually. The USGS will collect additional water-quality samples from these active production wells to establish baseline water-quality chemistry (table 1). The samples will be collected by USGS field crews using methods described by Wilde, 2016 and U.S. Geological Survey (variously dated). Measurements of field parameters (Table 1) will be made at the time of sample collection. The samples will be analyzed for major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including fluoride, chromium, and arsenic), nutrients (including nitrate), dissolved organic carbon, and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (δ18O and δD, respectively). Indicators of groundwater age will also be collected, including carbon-14 and tritium. Laboratories and quality assurance procedures used for analyses of these samples are discussed later in this proposal.

Water chemistry data will be compared to historic and regional water chemistry data published by Christensen and Fields-Garand (2001) and Metzger and others (2015). Isotopic and groundwater age data will be compared to historic and regional data published by Izbicki (2004) and Izbicki and Michel (2004). Groundwater chemistry data will be used to evaluate the suitability of water from wells for public supply with respect to nitrate, arsenic, fluoride, and other constituents. Groundwater chemistry, isotopic, and age-dating data will be used to determine the regional source(s), flow path(s) (task 4), and age(s) of water from wells to understand the characteristics of the groundwater-flow system.

6 Table 1- Proposed analytical parameter information
Category Analyte Laboratory
Reporting limit, in
micrograms per liter
(unless otherwise
noted)
Field parameters
pH Field --
Specific Conductance Field 5 µS/cm
Alkalinity Field 100
Temperature Field --
Dissolved Oxygen Field 100
Major Dissolved
Ions
Calcium NWQL 40.0
Magnesium NWQL 20.0
Potassium NWQL 60.0
Sodium NWQL 800
Chloride NWQL 40.0
Alkalinity
(bicarbonate) NWQL 4600
Silica NWQL 120
Sulfate NWQL 40.0
Minor Dissolved
Ions and Trace
Elements
Fluoride NWQL 20.0
Iron NWQL 10.0
Arsenic NWQL 0.2
Barium NWQL 0.3
Boron NWQL 2
Iodide NWQL 1
Strontium NWQL 0.2
Bromide NWQL 30
Chromium NWQL 0.2
Uranium NWQL 0.1
Vanadium NWQL 0.6
Manganese NWQL 0.4
Nutrients and
Organic Carbon
Dissolved Organic
Carbon NWQL 230
Ammonia NWQL 40.0
Organic Nitrogen NWQL 140.0
Nitrate NWQL 80.0
Nitrite NWQL 2.0
Phosphorus NWQL 40.0
Orthophosphate NWQL 8.0
Stable Isotopes
Water
Isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) RSIL --
Nitrate Isotopes (δ15NNO3, δ18O-NO3, δ15NNH4)

RSIL --
Groundwater Age Tritium MPSIL 0.2 tritium units (TU)

7 Carbon-14/Carbon-13 NWQL 0.5 percent modern
carbon (PMC)
Task 3. Well-bore Flow Logging and Depth-Dependent Water-Quality Sampling Chemical concentrations in water samples collected from the surface discharge of long-screened production wells are representative of the mixture of water that entered the well’s screen from different depths. Samples collected within the well under pumped conditions (depth-dependent samples), when coupled with well-bore-flow log (velocity) data, can be used to estimate the quality and quantity of water entering a well from selected depths within an aquifer. These data can aid in interpreting the hydraulic and chemical characteristics of aquifers with depth that contribute water to a given production well.

The TPWD routinely removes the pumps from production wells for maintenance purposes. Depth-dependent waterquality data and well-bore-flow logs will be collected from one selected TPWD production wells during this study.

While the production pump is removed, the wells are accessible for geophysical logging and depth-dependent sample collection. A temporary pump will be installed to facilitate the testing once the production pump is removed. Costs provided are for a 100 gallon per minute (gpm) temporary pump installed by USGS field crews. The cost may increase if a larger capacity pump is required for the test.

Geophysical logs to be collected within the well once the production pump is removed include caliper, natural gamma, fluid resistivity, fluid temperature, and well-bore flow logs. Geophysical logs will be collected from the well under unpumped and pumped conditions using the temporary pump. Well-bore-flow logs (dynamic logs) will be collected at downward trolling rates of 5, 10, and 15 feet per minute (ft/min) under unpumped and pumped conditions. Data from the different trolling logs will be used for calibration purposes. Fully calibrated logs are generally accurate within ±6 percent (Izbicki, Teague, and others, 2015). Well-bore-flow logs (stationary logs or stop counts) also will be collected under unpumped and pumped conditions from specific depths within the well to confirm trolling log data.

Water-quality samples (including field-parameters, fluoride, chromium, arsenic, and the stable isotopes of water δ18O and δD) will be collected from depths within the well determined based on the geophysical-log data under pumped conditions. The chemistry of water entering the well from different depths within the aquifer will be calculated based on well-bore flow and depth-dependent samples collected within the well under pumped conditions using methods described by Izbicki and others (1999). Samples from the surface discharge of the temporary pump and from the deepest depth selected within the well will be analyzed for a more complete set of constituents including groundwater age-dating constituents (tritium and carbon-14).

Well-bore flow logs and water-chemistry data will be evaluated to understand flow and redistribution of chemical constituents through the well under unpumped and pumped conditions. Additional analyses will be proposed if warranted.

Work described in this proposal assumes that water generated during logging and sampling will be disposed of on-site.

Costs associated with this task are for one well; equivalent work at a second selected TPWD production well will be performed if sufficient funding becomes available.

Task 4. Well-bore Flow and Transport Model
Well-bore flow and depth-dependent water quality data collected in Task 3 will be used in the computer program AnalyzeHOLE (Halford, 2009) to estimate changes in the quality of water yielded by a well over time as the distribution of flow into the changes as water levels decline, or as poor-quality water associated with septic discharges accumulates at the water table. AnalyzeHOLE integrates readily available groundwater flow and particle tracking models in a comprehensive tool for analyzing flow-logs, drawdowns, and water-quality changes.

Two commonly used methods to reduce contaminant concentrations in water from public-supply wells are treatment at the surface discharge or blending of high-contaminant concentration waters with water from another source having lower contaminant concentrations. Another method is modification of the well to exclude water from depths having

8 undesirable concentrations of contaminants (Izbicki and others, 2008; Halford and others, 2010). Well-bore scale simulations can be used to estimate aquifer hydraulic properties and predict changes in well-bore flow and water quality through time that may limit sustainable pumping from the well as water levels decline. Simulation results can indicate if well modification would be an effective approach to ensuring water quality meets the MCLs set by the State of California and the EPA and may indicate when more expensive treatment methods need to be installed to ensure the quality of water from wells is suitable for public supply.

Task 5. Surface-Geophysical Data Collection
Surface geophysical surveys will be done to assess and refine the understanding of the subsurface structural boundaries of the subbasins in the vicinity of the City. These surveys will include gravity data and the collection of selected surface-geophysical data using other methods.

Gravity-data collection will include about 100 field relative gravity measurements. Subsurface-density variation caused by vertical offsets in basement material, changes in alluvial thickness, and differences in water-table altitude across ground-water barriers can be detected using standard gravity analysis techniques. Data will initially be collected in a gridded pattern to characterize large-scale subsurface structural features within the groundwater basin. Data will be used to generate a residual gravity anomaly map showing subsurface density variation. Areas with high gravity gradients likely indicate locations of vertical offsets in basement or changes in the water table across faults. Based on the initial gravity-data collection and existing geologic data, additional surficial-gravity data may be collected at a finer scale along selected cross-sections near structural features identified within the basin. These areas will be targeted for further investigation using more detailed surface-geophysical techniques, discussed below. In addition to the gravity anomaly map, personnel from the USGS Geology, Mineral, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center will process available gravity data to develop alluvial thickness and depth to (gravity) basement maps of the study area using well logs to ‘ground truth’ the results.

If sufficient funding is available and conditions are suitable, additional surface-geophysical data may be collected at locations identified based on surficial-gravity data using direct-current resistivity or time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) induction, depending on site conditions at the areas of interest. These more detailed data will be collected along sections developed to more fully characterize subsurface features identified in the gravity survey. Surficial gravity and detailed surficial-geophysical data will be used to identify locations for test drilling and well installation done as task 6 and 7 of this study.

Task 6. Multiple-Well Monitoring Site Installation and Data Collection (funding currently not available for this task)
A multiple-well monitoring site containing four wells within a single borehole will be installed at a location to be determined, based largely on the gravity data and any additional surface-geophysical data that is collected. The borehole will be drilled by the USGS Research Drilling Program drill rig and crew using mud-rotary techniques to a depth of approximately 1,000 ft. A suite of geophysical logs including caliper, electrical resistivity (16-in and 64-in normal), electromagnetic (EM) resistivity, natural gamma will be collected to characterize the subsurface and guide well installation. Monitoring wells within the borehole will be separated by low-permeability bentonite grout seals pumped into the borehole. Wells will be developed to remove drilling mud initially using the drill rig, with final development using an air compressor.

The lithology of drill cuttings from the well will be described using standard techniques. Additionally, the particle-size distribution of the drill cuttings will be measured optically using instruments within the San Diego office (Fritsch International, 2013). The elemental composition of drill cuttings will be measured using portable (handheld) energydispersive X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) in the San Diego Office (Groover, 2016). The pXRF has the capability to measure 27 major, minor, and trace elements. Lithologic, geophysical logs, and pXRF data will be used to evaluate differences in the elemental composition of aquifer materials with depth with respect to geologic provenance including source and depositional history. The elemental composition of aquifer materials will be compared with the elemental composition of source terranes contributing alluvium to the basin. pXRF data will be interpreted using techniques, including principal component analysis, described by Groover and Izbicki (2019) to determine the geologic provenance (source) of aquifer materials and the potential for these materials to contain arsenic and other naturally occurring constituents

9 of concern. Evaluation of the potential for these materials to contribute arsenic or fluoride to groundwater is discussed in Task 9 (not currently funded).

Water-level data from the wells will be collected quarterly and the water quality will be sampled once after installation (for this study) to evaluate depth-specific water quality. Water from the wells will be sampled for field parameters, major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including arsenic, chromium, and uranium), the stable isotopes δ18O and δD, and age-dating constituents, including tritium and carbon-14 (Table 1). Costs presented within this proposal are for a single multiple-well site. Significant cost savings can be realized if drilling materials can be disposed of on-site or at an alternate site made available by the City. Additional boreholes may be drilled at the cooperator’s request if funding is available. Additional boreholes would allow characterization of depth-specific changes in water levels, aquifer properties, and groundwater chemistry (including isotopic composition and age) across subsurface features that may restrict flow within aquifers of interest.

Task 7. Nitrate Loads and Transformations in the Unsaturated Zone The hydraulic and chemical properties of the unsaturated-zone beneath residential areas with onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS: septic tanks) in the Mesquite Springs subbasin will be characterized using two unsaturatedzone monitoring sites drilled to slightly below the water table, estimated to be between 70 and 200 feet below land surface. Significant cost savings can be realized by utilizing a site with a shallower water table. The sites will be near a large and long-operating septic field and smaller, less dense septic field.

The borehole at selected sites will be drilled using the overburden drilling exploration (ODEX) method (Hammermeister and others 1986), which uses air instead of water as the drilling fluid; therefore, the water content and matric potential of the unsaturated zone (and samples collected from the unsaturated zone) are minimally altered during drilling. A suite of geophysical logs (including natural gamma, neutron, and electromagnetic-resistivity logs) will be collected from the borehole after drilling. Drill cuttings will be collected every foot to define the lithology and stratigraphy at the site.

Specific conductance measurements will be made in the field on extracts from drill cuttings. These data will help determine if there are any low-permeability layers may retard the downward movement of OWTS effluent. Perched (saturated) conditions that develop on these low permeability layers may promote reduction of nitrate if locally reduced conditions are present (Umari and others, 1993; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015).

Two-foot-long cores will be collected every five feet from the boreholes. Core material will be analyzed for physical properties and chemical constituents. Physical properties to be measured include gravimetric water content, bulk density, and matric potential. Physical properties will be analyzed in the USGS San Diego Office laboratory using gravimetric methods for water content and bulk density. The volumetric water content will be calculated from bulk density and gravimetric water content data. Matric potential will be measured gravimetrically using the filter paper technique (Campbell and Gee, 1986). Water extracts from cuttings will be prepared in the San Diego office and analyzed for soluble anions including chloride, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and sulfate using ionchromatography at the NWQL (Izbicki and others, 2000). Physical property data and chemical data (nitrate and chloride concentrations) will be used to evaluate the depth of penetration of OWTS effluent in the unsaturated zone and the mass of nitrate stored within the unsaturated zone. Matric potential data will be used to confirm that OWTS effluent is draining down towards the water table. Water content data will be used with chemical data to estimate chloride and nitrate concentrations within the unsaturated zone and the concentrations of these constituents reaching the water table.

The sites will be instrumented with a water-table piezometer equipped with a submersible pressure transducer to measure water levels in the shallow saturated zone. Three suction-cup lysimeters will be installed in the unsaturated zone at the shallowest depth believed to yield water based on drilling data, just above the water table and at the water table. An additional suction-cup lysimeter will be installed in the saturated zone below the depth of the piezometer. A road-rated vault, approximately 2-by-3-ft, will enclose the borehole at land surface. Upon completion, groundwater samples will be collected from the piezometers and suction-cup lysimeters. The piezometer samples will be analyzed for major and minor ions, selected trace elements (including fluoride, chromium, and arsenic), nutrients (including nitrate), dissolved organic carbon, wastewater indicators, and the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. The piezometer samples also will be analyzed for the stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope ratios of nitrate (δO18-NO3 and δ15N-NO3, respectively), and for dissolved gasses (including dissolved argon and nitrogen gas) to support interpretations of nitrogen isotopic data. Samples also will be collected and analyzed for the stable nitrogen isotope

10 ratio of ammonia (δ15N-NH4, if present). Samples from the suction-cup lysimeters will be analyzed for similar constituents assuming they produce sufficient water for analyses. It may be necessary to composite water from several samples to obtain sufficient volume for analyses.

Water samples also will be collected from within the OWTS holding tank and from the OWTS discharge mechanism (assuming it can be accessed). These samples will be analyzed for the same constituents as water from the piezometers, including the stable oxygen and nitrogen isotope ratios of nitrate (if present) and the stable nitrogen isotope ratio of ammonia. Samples from the OWTS holding tank and discharge will be compared with data from the water-table piezometer to determine nitrogen losses within the unsaturated and upper part of the saturated zone.

Data will be compared to similar data collected elsewhere in the Mojave Desert (Umari and others, 1993; Izbicki, Flint, and others, 2015) to evaluate the representativeness of the site and processes that act to remove nitrate from OWTS discharges. The mass of nitrate stored within the unsaturated zone will be compared to literature values for similar settings and evaluated with respect to the age and density of the septic system and the magnitude of septic discharges (estimated in the following section) to evaluate how nitrate presently stored within the unsaturated zone may impact future water quality within the basin.

Task 8. Estimates of Septic-Tank Discharge and Nutrient Flux Within the Twentynine Palms area there are no large-scale public wastewater treatment systems and businesses and residences typically rely on private OWTS to treat wastewater. These OWTS can contribute to water quality issues in groundwater basins when wastewater is discharged into the ground. Estimates will be made of septic tank discharge using land use, population, and infrastructure data (Izbicki and others, 2015). The timing of residential development, the age of septic tanks, and the timing of septic discharges in the area will be estimated. These data will be used with other data collected during the study to investigate and estimate nutrient flux into the local groundwater systems due to the use of OWTS. The results from Izbicki, Flint, and others (2015) will be adapted to this area to estimate the lag in recharge from more recently installed OWTS and the lag in the water table drainage from existing OWTS to the water table.

Task 9. Arsenic and Fluoride Within Aquifer Materials and Groundwater (funding currently not available for this task)
In groundwater worldwide, arsenic and fluoride are the two geogenic (naturally occurring) contaminants of greatest public-health concern (World Health organization, 2006; Johnson and others, 2017). Although arsenic concentrations in the surface discharge of public supply wells are less than the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L; Metzger and others, 2015), some intervals penetrated by wells may contain arsenic concentrations that exceed the MCL. The MCL set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for fluoride is 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) while the State of California set the MCL at 2 mg/L. Fluoride concentrations in water from wells in the Twentynine Palms area can exceed 5 mg/L (Metzger and others, 2015) and is of concern to local water purveyors. The TPWD is currently required to remove fluoride from water pumped from the Twentynine Palms Valley groundwater basin and has been granted a temporary variance for water produced in the Joshua Tree groundwater basin. Highfluoride concentrations in groundwater may result from a combination of geologic source materials, aqueous geochemistry, and hydrologic factors that include the migration of fluid from underlying aquifer zones near faults.

Worldwide, the most common arsenic-containing mineral is arsenopyrite (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002). Common fluoride-containing minerals include fluorite and fluorapatite (Dixon and Weed, 1989). These minerals are dense with specific gravities of 3.2 or greater. Arsenopyrite has a metallic luster and fluorite and fluorapatite fluoresces blue under ultraviolet (UV) light. Drill cuttings and samples of surficial alluvium will be sorted by density to isolate the heavy (dense) mineral fraction. The heavy mineral fraction will be examined optically and hand-sorted to obtain arsenopyrite and fluorite mineral grains. The morphology of these mineral grains will be examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify features consistent with weathering (dissolution pits and weathering rinds). The elemental composition of the minerals of interest will be obtained using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) interfaced with the SEM. Mineralogic and SEM data will be evaluated with respect to mineral saturation indexes calculated using the computer program PHREEQC (Parkhurst and others, 2013) to determine if arsenic-containing and fluoride-containing minerals are dissolving within the aquifer, thereby releasing these constituents, or if these constituents are derived from other sources such as fluid movement from underlying aquifer zones.

11 pXRF data from drill cuttings collected as part of this study and from surficial alluvium samples will be collected to evaluate geologic source terrains that may have contributed arsenic and fluoride to aquifer materials. Arsenic data will be compared with regional surface-sorptive chemistry to evaluate surface-sorptive processes that may control arsenic concentrations in groundwater under differing pH and redox conditions. These data will be used with existing geologic data, and subsurface geologic, geophysical (Groover and Izbicki, 2018; Izbicki and others, in review), and geochemical data collected as part of this study to identify areas and aquifer lithologies that may contribute high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride to wells in the Twentynine Palms area.

Task 10. Estimates of Basin Recharge
Groundwater recharge occurs as the result of infiltration of water through the unsaturated zone or movement from one aquifer to another. The Joshua Tree groundwater basin is isolated from other nearby groundwater basins by the Yucca barrier to the west and the Pinto Mountain Fault to the east and receives limited amounts of mountain-front recharge from the Pinto Mountains. Groundwater recharge from precipitation is small or non-existent in this arid area, leaving recharge from septic discharge and mountain-fronts as primary sources of recharge in the basin. The quantification and tracking of recharged water are important to understanding the source of constituents in groundwater and the spatial trends in groundwater quality. The Basin Characterization Model (BCM; Flint and others, 2021) provides natural recharge estimates based on a monthly, gridded, regional water-balance model; the results provide an estimate of the spatial distribution of recharge across the basins over time that can be used to assess the potential for chemical transport through the unsaturated zone. (Funding currently not available for this sub- task) BCM may overestimate groundwater recharge from mountain front processes in desert areas (Faunt and others, 2015). Field data will be compared with BCM simulation results to constrain estimates of groundwater recharge calculated using BCM. Field data to constrain BCM estimates of recharge will be collected from four shallow borings to about 50 feet below land surface within selected washes. Two washes will be identified, and an upstream and downstream core site will be selected in each wash. These sites will be identified from areas identified by the BCM as potential recharge sites. Cuttings from these cores will be analyzed for chloride and matric potential using techniques discussed previously. The concentration of chlorides at various depths within each core will be used along with water potential measurements to indicate where mountain front recharge is occurring and if it is penetrating to below the root zone and ultimately to below the water table. Comparisons of BCM estimates of ground water recharge with field data will be used to determine if recharge from infiltration of streamflow occurs along selected stream reaches and if BCM estimates of recharge need to be modified.

Task 11. Data Documentation, Reporting, Interpretation, and Publications Well-construction data, borehole-geophysical logs, water-quality data (including extractions from core material and cuttings) will be publicly available in on-line USGS data repositories, such as the National Water Information System (NWIS; https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis) and GeoLog Locator (https://webapps.usgs.gov/geologlocator/#!/). Reporting will include creating and maintaining a project web page, which will show study progress and be a centralized location to access the data collected during the study. It will provide direct links to access the data on NWIS and ScienceBase (https://www.sciencebase.gov), where a data release describing the well construction data, surface-geophysical data and well-bore model will reside.

An interpretive report describing the physical and hydrologic characteristics of the Twentynine Palms groundwater basin, groundwater chemistry within the basin, and nitrate loads and transformations of the unsaturated zone associated with OWTS discharges will be prepared and published as a USGS Scientific Investigation Report. It will include evaluation of the data collected to evaluate the presence of high concentrations of arsenic and fluoride known to be present within the study area. The report will focus on present-day conditions, including estimates of present-day groundwater recharge and the age of water from wells with respect to the sustainability of groundwater withdrawals from the basin.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Water-quality data collection from groundwater sampling locations will follow the policies described in the Quality Assurance Plan for Water Quality Activities of the California Water Science Center. Quality control (QC) samples will include equipment blanks, field blanks, and sequential replicate samples. The number of quality-assurance samples will be about 15 percent of the number of water-quality samples collected for this study. As the number of water-quality

12 samples may vary, dependent on a number of factors including access to sampling locations, time available for sampling, and changes in scope following initial data collection and analysis, the exact number of blank and replicate samples is currently estimated. Blank samples will be collected using blank water certified by the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL). Field blanks will be collected at the field site under the same conditions as environmental samples. Data will be documented and released according to the Open Data policies. Water level data will be reviewed according to USGS policies and procedures and as described in the CAWSC Quality-Assurance Plan for Groundwater Activities, prior to archival in NWIS.

Water-quality sampling will be designed and executed following procedures described in the Quality Assurance Plan for Water Quality Activities of the California Water Science Center. Field measurements of temperature, pH, specific conductance, and alkalinity (Table 1) will be recorded and entered into NWIS. Samples will be processed following techniques described in the USGS National Field Manual (USGS, variously dated). Constituents for sampling and laboratory analysis include: DOC, nutrients, silica, select major/minor ions and trace elements, and carbon-14 age dating (NWQL); water isotopes, nitrate isotopes, and tritium (USGS Stable Isotope Lab, Reston, VA). Environmental water-quality samples collected will be added for quality control purposes based on the current understanding of the quality of the data. These samples will include equipment blanks, field blanks, and sequential replicates, and will be targeted for selected analyte groups as needed.

DOC, nutrient, and trace element results from the NWQL will be reviewed in context with project QC samples (blanks and replicates) to determine whether sampling procedures biased any results. Any environmental samples >10% different from replicate samples will be considered for rejection if the source of the difference cannot be identified.

Any environmental samples associated with blank hits over two times the laboratory reporting level will be qualified prior to approval or rejected. In addition, nutrient blind samples analyzed at the NWQL by the Quality Systems Branch (QSB) will be utilized to evaluate laboratory performance over the project and any samples analyzed during a timeframe when the laboratory may have introduced bias of ±5 percent will be re-analyzed if possible or rejected if reruns at NWQL are not possible due to holding time violations.

Stable isotope results from the Reston Stable Isotope Lab (RSIL) will be reviewed in context with project QC samples (blanks and replicates) to determine if sampling procedures biased any results. Any environmental samples >10% different from replicate samples will be considered for rejection if the source of the difference cannot be identified. In addition, daily reference waters stored in LIMS-LSI will be utilized to evaluate laboratory performance and samples analyzed during a timeframe when the laboratory may have introduced bias of ±5 percent will be re-analyzed if possible or rejected if reruns at the RSIL are not possible due to holding time violations. Tritium and carbon isotopes results will be reviewed in context with replicate QC samples to determine if sampling procedures biased any results.

As part of the data analysis and quality-assurance Data-Quality Indicator codes will be set appropriately following standard USGS data verification and validation procedures prior to archival in NWIS.

LABORATORY EVALUATION PLAN
All water quality samples will be sent to the NWQL or RSIL. Results obtained from water, air, sediment, and environmental samples analyzed at USGS and other analytical laboratories and published in USGS information products must meet the documentation standards required in the USGS manual. NWQL, NWQL contract laboratories, and laboratories accredited to relevant national or international standards (introduced in OWQ Technical Memorandum 2002.05) are classified as Level 1 for methods that subscribe to either the Branch of Quality Systems (BQS) Blind Sample Projects or other independent proficiency test (PT) sample studies for the analytes of interest. Additionally, laboratories that provide project analytical results with directly corresponding set- or run-specific internal qualitycontrol data and information may be considered Level 1 when the targeted analytes, quality controls, and analytical performance meet project objectives.

The USGS manual requires the documentation of data quality and is the basis for this memorandum. This memorandum describes how Fundamental Science Practices are met for laboratory results and reiterates the need for review and approval of results obtained from service laboratories as a policy of the WMA. This policy applies to results provided to WMA supported projects by USGS laboratories and other laboratories. This memorandum recommends flexible and relatively simple guidelines for assessing laboratory capability that relies, in most cases, on performance

13 data and information rather than laboratory inspections. This guidance can be applied in combination with a user’s knowledge about a service laboratory and method performance to produce confidence in results.

The USGS must evaluate the laboratory data we use to ensure that it meets the requirements of our projects and programs, as per OWQ TM 2007.01. CAWSC staff may follow an abridged process that fulfills the USGS policy objectives in a manner both practical and beneficial to our projects. Guidance for the abridged process is divided into three steps:

1. Document the project specific DQOs for laboratory performance.

2. Monitor laboratory performance through the use of QC data.

3. Prepare and submit laboratory evaluation package for review and approval.

PRODUCTS
A project web site will be created to provides links to the data collected and updates on progress made during the study (see Task 11 for details). A final report summarizing the findings of the project will be provided to the City of Twentynine Palms in the form of a USGS Scientific Investigations Report. Data that are not able to be stored in NWIS will be released as a USGS data release. All scientific and technical reports and publications will undergo USGS internal review.

FIGURES
Figure 1. Location of groundwater and surface-water basins near Twentynine Palms, California.

14 Figure 2. North to south cross section of Deadman and Mesquite subbasins near Twentynine Palms, California (Li and Martin, 2011).

Figure 3. West to east cross section of Deadman and Mesquite subbasins near Twentynine Palms, California (Li and Martin, 2011).

15 TIMELINE—UPDATED March 2024
Task Task name FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 1 Review of existing data X
2 Baseline Water Quality X X
3 Well-bore flow logging and
depth-dependent QW X
4 Well-bore Flow and Transport
Model X
5 Surface geophysics X X
6 Multiple-Well Monitoring Site
Installation and Data
Collection X X X
7 Nitrate Loads and
Transformations in the
Unsaturated Zone X X X
8 Estimates of septic tank
discharge and nutrient flux X
9 Arsenic and fluoride X X
10 Estimates of basin recharge X X
11 Data documentation, reports,
and writing X X X X X

PERSONNEL
This project will employ a GS-12 geologist (data interpretation, reporting), a GS-11 hydrologist (project management, field work, sample handling, data management, reporting), five GS-11 hydrologic technicians (field work, sample handling, office work, drilling), one GS-9 geographer (data interpretation and management, reporting), one GS-9 hydrologic technician (field work, sample handling), one GS-7 hydrologic technician (drilling), one GS-5 hydrologic technician (sample handling and data management) and staff from the research drilling program. All personnel are employed by CAWSC and will be coordinating and collaborating with the City of Twentynine Palms throughout the study. The project will also contract with personnel from the Geology, Mineral, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center for geophysical studies.

BUDGET SUMMARY
The total cost of the proposed work is $2,330,288. The U.S. Geological Survey may have funding available to share these costs from Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF) available through congressional appropriations. Costs below are based on the CMF availability of 25% for eligible labor and travel in the following budget table:

FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 Total
Task 1: Review of existing data $31,611 $0 $0 $0 $0 $31,611 Task 2: Baseline Water Quality $66,645 $21,067 $0 $0 $0 $87,712 Task 3: Well-bore flow logging
and depth-dependent QW
(two wells)
$0 $161,962 $0 $0 $0 $161,962
Task 4: Well-bore Flow and
Transport Model $0 $0 $32,006 $0 $0 $32,006
Task 5: Surface geophysics $20,242 $82,932 $0 $0 $0 $103,174 Task 6: Multiple-Well
Monitoring Site Installation
and Data Collection
$0 $694,626 $17,849 $18,322 $0 $730,798

16 Task 7: Nitrate Loads and
Transformations in the
Unsaturated Zone
$0 $571,770 $122,283 $27,807 $0 $721,859
Task 8: Estimates of septic
tank discharge $0 $43,507 $0 $0 $0 $43,507
Task 9: Arsenic and fluoride
within aquifers and
groundwater
$0 $0 $68,620 $5,644 $0 $74,264
Task 10: Estimates of basin
recharge $0 $133,183 $10,094 $0 $0 $143,277
Task 11: Data documentation,
reports, and writing $0 $6,501 $12,422 $51,362 $71,409 $58,426 $220,120

Total $118,498 $1,715,545 $263,274 $103,135 $71,409 $58,426 $2,330,288 USGS CMF $14,840 $89,103 $43,758 $19,124 $14,282 $11,685 $192,792 Cooperator Total $103,659 $1,626,443 $219,516 $84,011 $57,128 $46,741 $2,137,497

17 REFERENCES
California Department of Water Resources, 2016, California’s groundwater–Working toward sustainability: California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 Interim Update 2016, accessed December 11, 2019, at https://water.ca.gov/LegacyFiles/groundwater/bulletin118/docs/Bulletin_118_Interim_Update_2016.pdf.

California Water Boards, 2021, Maximum contaminant levels and regulatory dates for drinking water, U.S. EPA vs California: California Water Boards website, accessed November 22, 2021, at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/ccr/mcls_epa_vs_dwp.pdf.

Campbell, G.S., and Gee, W.G., 1986, Water potential measurement using the filter paper technique, in: Klute, A.L., ed., Methods of soil analysis, Part 1, Physical and mineralogical methods (2d ed.): Madison, Wise., American Society of Agronomy, chap. 25, p. 628-630.

City of Twentynine Palms, 2021, Wastewater master plan: City of Twentynine Palms website, accessed November 22, 2021, at https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/wastewatermasterplan.

Christensen, A. H., Fields-Garland, L.S., 2001, Concentrations for total dissolved solids, arsenic, boron, fluoride, and nitrite-nitrate for wells sampled in the Mojave Water Agency Management Area, California, 1991-97: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2001-84, 1 CD. http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr0184 Dixon, J.B., and Weed, S.B., eds., 1989, Minerals in soil environments: Madison, Wis., Soil Science Society of America, 1244 p., https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser1.2ed.

Evenson, E.J., Orndorff, R.C., Blome, C.D., Böhlke, J.K., Hershberger, P.K., Langenheim, V.E., McCabe, G.J., Morlock, S.E., Reeves, H.W., Verdin, J.P., Weyers, H.S., and Wood, T.M., 2013, U.S. Geological Survey water science strategy— Observing, understanding, predicting, and delivering water science to the Nation: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1383–G, 49 p.

Faunt, C.C., Stamos, C.L., Flint, L.E., Wright, M.T., Burgess, M.K., Sneed, Michelle, Brandt, Justin, Martin, Peter, and Coes, A.L., 2015, Hydrogeology, hydrologic effects of development, and simulation of groundwater flow in the Borrego Valley, San Diego County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015–5150, 135 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155150.

Flint, L.E., Flint, A.L., and Stern, M.A., 2021, The basin characterization model—A regional water balance software package: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 6–H1, 85 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/06/h01/tm6h1.pdf.

Fritsch International, 2013, Operating instructions, Analysette 28 Imagesizer. 66 p. accessed December 6, 2011at BA_282000_0100_e__ID_9241_.pdf.

Groover, K.D., 2016, Elemental analyses using a handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2016–3043, 2 p., accessed August 2, 2017, at https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20163043.

Groover, K.D., and Izbicki, J.A., 2018, Field portable X-ray fluorescence and associated quality control data for the western Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CU0EH3.

Groover, K.D., and Izbicki, J.A., 2019, Selected trace-elements in alluvium and rocks, western Mojave Desert, southern California: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 200, p. 234–248, accessed July 8, 2019, at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2018.09.005.

Halford, K., 2009, AnalyzeHOLE-an integrated wellbore flow analysis tool: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 4-F2, 46 p.

Halford, K.J., Stamos, C.L., Nishikawa, T., and Martin, P., 2010, Arsenic management through well modification and simulation: Ground Water, v. 48, no. 4, p. 526-537, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2009.00670.x Hammermeister, D.P., Blout, D.O., and McDaniel, J.C., 1986, Drilling and coring methods that minimize the disturbance of cuttings, core, and rock formations in the unsaturated zone, Yucca Mountain, Nevada, in Proceedings of the NWWA Conference on Characterization and Monitoring of the Vadose (Unsaturated) Zone: National Water Well Association, Worthington, Ohio, p. 507-541

18 Izbicki, J.A., Christensen, A.H., Hansen, R.T., 1999, USGS combined well-bore flow and depth-dependent water-quality sampler. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS196-99, 2 p. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1999/fs19699, accessed December 1, 2021.

Izbicki J.A., Clark, D.A., Pimentel, M.I., Land, M., Radyk, J.C., and Michel, R.L., 2000, Data from a thick unsaturated zone underlying Oro Grande and Sheep Creek washes in the western part of the Mojave Desert, near Victorville, San Bernardino County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2000-262, 133 p.

Izbicki, J.A., 2004, Source and movement of groundwater in the western part of the Mojave Desert, southern California.

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4313, 28 p. accessed December 6, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wrir034314/wrir034313.pdf.

Izbicki, J.A., and Michel, R.L., 2004, Movement and age of groundwater in the western part of the Mojave Desert, southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 03-4314, 35 p. accessed December 6, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wrir034314/wrir034314.pdf.

Izbicki, J.A., Stamos, C.L., Metzger, L.F., Halford, K.J., Kulp, T.R. and Bennett, G.L. 2008, Source, distribution, and management of arsenic in water from wells, Eastern San Joaquin Ground-Water Subbasin, California. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OFR 2008-1272, 8 p.

Izbicki, J.A., Teague, N.F., Hatzinger, P.B., Bohlke, J.K., and Sturchio, N.C, 2015, Groundwater movement, recharge, and perchlorate occurrence in a faulted alluvial aquifer, California (USA): Hydrogeology Journal, v. 23, no. 3, p. 467-491, DOI 10.1007/s10040-014-1217-y.

Izbicki, J.A., Flint, A.L., O’Leary, D.R., Nishikawa, T., Martin, P., Johnson, R.D., and Clark, D.A., 2015, Storage and mobilization of natural and septic nitrate in thick unsaturated zones, California: Journal of Hydrology, v. 524, p. 147- 165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.02.005.

Izbicki, J.D., Groover, K.D., and Seymour, W.A., in review, Arsenic, chromium, uranium, and vanadium in rock, alluvium, and groundwater, Mojave River and Morongo groundwater basins, southern California: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper.

Johnson, A., Johnson, R.B., and Bretzler, A., 2017, Geogenic contamination. Chapter 2. In: Bader, H.P., and others (eds.), Geogenic contamination handbook. Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland, 177 p.

Kennedy Jenks, 2021, SNMP 2020 Groundwater Monitoring Report: Report prepared for Twentynine Palms Water District, 54 p. Li, Zhen, and Martin, Peter, 2011, Geohydrology, simulation of regional groundwater flow, and assessment of water management strategies, Twentynine Palms area, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5249, 106 p.

Li, Zhen, and Martin, Peter, 2011, Geohydrology, simulation of regional groundwater flow, and assessment of watermanagement strategies, Twentynine Palms area, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5249, 106 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2010/5249/.

Metzger, L.F., Landon, M.K., House, S.F., and Olsen, L.D., 2015, Mapping selected trace elements and major ions, 2000- 2012, Mojave River and Morongo Groundwater Basins, Southwestern Mojave Desert, San Bernardino County, California: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://ca.water.usgs.gov/mojave/mojave-water-quality.html, accessed June 10, 2020.

Nishikawa, T., Densmore, J.N., Martin, P., and Matti, J., 2003, Evaluation of the Source and Transport of High Nitrate Concentrations in Ground Water, Warren Subbasin, California: U.S. Geol. Survey Water Resources Investigation Report 2003–4009, 133p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri034009.

Nishikawa, T. Izbicki, J.A., Hevesi, J.A., Stamos, C.L., and Martin, P., 2004, Evaluation of geohydrologic framework, recharge estimates, and ground-water flow of the Joshua Tree area, San Bernardino County, California: U.S.

Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5267, 115 p.

Parkhurst, D.L., and Appelo, C.A.J., 2013, Description of input and examples for PHREEQC version 3—A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations: U.S.

Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. A43, 497 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm6A43.

19 Roberts, C.W., Jachens R.C., Katzenstein, A.M., Smith, G.A., and Johnson, R.U., 2002, Gravity map and data of the eastern half of the Big Bear Lake, 100,000 scale quadrangle, California, and analysis of the depths of several basins:

U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report 02-353, accessed December 1, 2021 at https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0353/depth.html.

Smedley, P.L, and Kinniburgh, D.G., 2002, A review of the source, behaviour, and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Applied Geochemistry Vol. 17, pp. 517-568.

Stamos, C.L., Martin, Peter, Everett, R.R., and Izbicki, J.A., 2013, The effects of artificial recharge on groundwater levels and water quality in the west hydrogeologic unit of the Warren subbasin, San Bernardino County, California: U.S.

Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013–5088, 88 p.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2021, QuickFacts: Twentynine Palms City, California: U.S. Census bureau website, accessed October 15, 2021, at https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/twentyninepalmscitycalifornia.

U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, National field manual for the collection of water- quality data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1–A9, available online at http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.

Umari, M.J., Martin, P., Schroeder, R.A., Duell, L.F., and Fay, R.G., 1993, Potential for ground-water contamination from movement of wastewater through the unsaturated zone, Upper Mojave River Basin, California: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report, 93-4137, 83 p.

Wilde, F.D., ed., 2006, Collection of water samples (ver. 2.0): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A4, 166 p., accessed December 6, 2021, at https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A.

World Health Organization, 2006, Managing the quality of drinking-water sources: Section 1, In: Schmoll, O; Howard, G; Chilton G (eds.). Protecting Groundwater for Health: Managing the Quality of Drinking-water. IWA Publishing, London, 152 p., ISBN 92 4 154668 9.

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 1
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AGENCY
Grant Agreement
GRANT NUMBER (FAIN): 98T64201
MODIFICATION NUMBER: 0
PROGRAM CODE: CG

DATE OF AWARD
08/06/2025

TYPE OF ACTION
New

MAILING DATE
08/11/2025
PAYMENT METHOD:

Reimbursement
ACH#
PEND
RECIPIENT TYPE:

Municipal
Send Payment Request to:

Contact EPA RTPFC at: [email protected]
RECIPIENT:

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
6136 ADOBE RD.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 92277-2652
EIN: 33-0265469
PAYEE:

CITY OF TWENTYNINE PALMS
6136 ADOBE RD.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA 92277-2652

PROJECT MANAGER
Keith Gardner
6136 Adobe Road
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 760-367-6499

EPA PROJECT OFFICER
Jillian Bletz
75 Hawthorne Street, WTR-3-3
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-972-3838

EPA GRANT SPECIALIST
Caitlin Hui
Grants Branch, MSD-6
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-972-3364

PROJECT TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
Community Grants Program - City of Twentynine Palms Wastewater Project See Attachment 1 for project description.

BUDGET PERIOD
10/01/2025 - 09/30/2031

PROJECT PERIOD
10/01/2025 - 09/30/2031

TOTAL BUDGET PERIOD COST
$ 1,938,224.00

TOTAL PROJECT PERIOD COST
$ 1,938,224.00

NOTICE OF AWARD
Based on your Application dated 03/25/2023 including all modifications and amendments, the United States acting by and through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby awards $ 1,938,224.00. EPA agrees to cost-share 100.00% of all approved budget period costs incurred, up to and not exceeding total federal funding of $ 1,938,224.00. Recipient's signature is not required on this agreement. The recipient demonstrates its commitment to carry out this award by either: 1) drawing down funds within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date; or 2) not filing a notice of disagreement with the award terms and conditions within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. If the recipient disagrees with the terms and conditions specified in this award, the authorized representative of the recipient must furnish a notice of disagreement to the EPA Award Official within 21 days after the EPA award or amendment mailing date. In case of disagreement, and until the disagreement is resolved, the recipient should not draw down on the funds provided by this award/amendment, and any costs incurred by the recipient are at its own risk. This agreement is subject to applicable EPA regulatory and statutory provisions, all terms and conditions of this agreement and any attachments.

ISSUING OFFICE (GRANTS MANAGEMENT OFFICE)

ORGANIZATION / ADDRESS
U.S. EPA, Region 9, U.S. EPA, Region 9 Grants Branch, MSD-6 75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

AWARD APPROVAL OFFICE

ORGANIZATION / ADDRESS
U.S. EPA, Region 9, Water Division, WTR-1
R9 - Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Digital signature applied by EPA Award Official Ellen Blake - Acting Grants Management Officer DATE 08/06/2025

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 2
EPA Funding Information

FUNDS FORMER AWARD THIS ACTION AMENDED TOTAL
EPA Amount This Action $ 0 $ 1,938,224 $ 1,938,224
EPA In-Kind Amount $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Unexpended Prior Year Balance $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Other Federal Funds $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Recipient Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
State Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Local Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Other Contribution $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Allowable Project Cost $ 0 $ 1,938,224 $ 1,938,224
Assistance Program

66.202 - Congressionally Mandated Projects
Statutory Authority
2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 117-328)
2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 117-103)
Regulatory Authority
2 CFR 200, 2 CFR 1500 and 40 CFR 33
Fiscal
Site Name Req No FY Approp.

Code
Budget
Organization PRC ObjectClass Site/Project CostOrganization Obligation /
Deobligation
- 2509W34078 24 E5C 0922CAZ 000B80 4192 - - $ 663,224
- 2509W34078 24 E5C 0923CMP 000B80 4192 - - $ 1,275,000 $ 1,938,224

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 3
Budget Summary Page
Table A - Object Class Category
(Non-Construction)
Total Approved Allowable
Budget Period Cost

1. Personnel $ 0

2. Fringe Benefits $ 0

3. Travel $ 0

4. Equipment $ 0

5. Supplies $ 0

6. Contractual $ 0

7. Construction $ 0

8. Other $ 1,938,224

9. Total Direct Charges $ 1,938,224

10. Indirect Costs: 0.00 % Base $ 0

11. Total (Share: Recipient ______ % Federal ______ %) 0.00 100.00 $ 1,938,224

12. Total Approved Assistance Amount $ 1,938,224

13. Program Income $ 0

14. Total EPA Amount Awarded This Action $ 1,938,224

15. Total EPA Amount Awarded To Date $ 1,938,224

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 4
Attachment 1 - Project Description
This agreement provides funding to The City of Twentynine Palms to implement a USGS study to support wastewater management and reclamation its project to as directed in the 2022 and 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Acts or as identified in an approved Technical Correction if one has been approved for this project.

This agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $1,938,224. Refer to Terms and Conditions.

The activities to be performed include the execution and implementation of a USGS hydrological and hadrochemical study project. Workplan activities consist of: Review of Existing Geohydrologic Data, Establishing baseline Water Quality, Well-bore Flow Logging and Depth-Dependent Water-Quality Sampling, Well-bore Flor and Transport Model, Surface Geophysics, Multiple-Well Monitoring Site Installation and Data Collection, Nitrate Lods and Transformations in the Unsaturated Zone, Estimates of Septic Tank Discharge and Nutrient Flux, Establishing Arsenic and Fluoride levels, Estimates of Basin Recharge, Data Documentation, Reports, and Writing. The anticipated deliverables include data and reporting for each task of the work plan, tasks lusted below.

Task 1 – Review of Existing Geohydrologic Data
Task 2 – Baseline Water Quality
Task 3 – Well-bore Flow Logging and Depth-Dependent Water-Quality Sampling Task 4 – Well-bore Flow and Transport Model
Task 5 – Surface Geophysics
Task 6 – Multiple-Well Monitoring Site Installation and Data Collection Task 7 – Nitrate Loads and Transformations in the Unsaturated Zone Task 8 – Estimates of Septic Tank Discharge and Nutrient Flux Task 9 – Arsenic and Fluoride
Task 10 – Estimates of Basin Recharge
Task 11 – Data Documentation, Reports, and Writing
The expected outcomes include a report that will Advance Understanding of Processes that Determine Water Availability, by the comprehensive understanding of geological controls of water availability, and understanding human interactions with water availability. The intended beneficiaries include residents of Twentynine Palms and the greater community.

USGS is the subawardee and they will conduct the study for the City of Twentynine Palms.

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 5
Administrative Conditions
General Terms and Conditions
The recipient agrees to comply with the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general terms and conditions available at: https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-general-terms-and-conditions-effectiveoctober-1-2024-or-later These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurances and certifications made as a part of the award and the terms, conditions, or restrictions cited throughout the award.

The EPA repository for the general terms and conditions by year can be found at: https://www.epa. gov/grants/grant-terms-and-conditions#general.

A.  Federal Financial Reporting (FFR)
For awards with cumulative project and budget periods greater than 12 months, the recipient will submit an annual FFR (SF 425) covering the period from "project/budget period start date" to September 30 of each calendar year to the EPA Finance Center in Research Triangle Park, NC.  The annual FFR will be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than December 30 of the same calendar year. Find additional information at https://www.epa.gov/financial/grants.  (Per 2 CFR § 200.344(b), the recipient must submit the Final FFR to [email protected] within 120 days after the end of the project period.)
B.  Procurement
The recipient will ensure all procurement transactions will be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition consistent with 2 CFR § 200.319. In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.324, the recipient and subawardee(s) must perform a cost or price analysis in connection with applicable procurement actions, including contract modifications. State and Tribal government entities must follow procurement standards as outlined in 2 CFR § 200.317.

C.  Indirect Costs
The Cost Principles under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E apply to this award.  Since there are no indirect costs included in the assistance budget, they are not allowable under this Assistance Agreement.

D.  Subaward(s)
The recipient's approved budget includes subaward(s). As applicable, the recipient will comply with the General Term and Condition on reporting of first tier subawards to the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) per “Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation” requirement.

E.  New Recipient Training Requirement
The recipient agrees to complete the EPA Grants Management Training for Applicants and Recipients and the How to Develop a Budget training within 90 calendar days of the date of award of this agreement. The recipient must notify the EPA Grant Specialist via email when the required training is complete. For additional information on this training requirement, the recipient should refer to RAINPage 100 of 301 CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 6
2024-G01.

The recipient is precluded from drawing down funds under this assistance agreement until such time the recipient receives from EPA written confirmation of completing the required online courses. Please note, any costs incurred prior to receiving EPA confirmation are at the City of Twenty Nine Palms' own risk. If the City of Twenty Nine Palms fails to respond or is unable to satisfactorily address all identified deficiencies within 90 days of the award date of this assistance agreement or within any extension of time granted by EPA, the agreement may be terminated.  Noncompliance with this term and condition may result in adverse action by EPA per 2 CFR § 200.339.

F.  Prior Approval of Payments for EPA Community Grants Payment Requests are to be completed on Standard Form 270, "Request for Advance or Reimbursement" and submitted to the EPA Grants Branch with a copy to the EPA Project Officer. This form and instructions for completing it can be found at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-grantee-forms.

The requests will report cumulative expenditures both (federal and non-federal) incurred under the grant.

EPA will approve payments for allowable expenditures at the ratio shown in the latest Agreement.

Under this payment mechanism, the recipient submits for EPA approval the Standard Form 270 along with supporting cost documentation via email to [email protected], the EPA Project Officer, and the EPA Grants Specialist listed on this award document. Attachments must be submitted in pdf or other acceptable software format (e.g., DocuSign) and the Standard Form 270 must be electronically or digitally signed by your organization's authorized representative or their designee in accordance with EPA's Recipient/Applicant Information Notice (RAIN), Establishment of Standards for Submission of Administrative and Financial Assistance Agreement Forms/Documents with Electronic or Digital Signatures by Email. Documentation to support costs claimed for reimbursement include copies of bills (vouchers, invoices, etc.), along with a description of services rendered, time spent, and charges. The table below provides examples of acceptable documentation.

When transmitting documents to EPA, the recipient must take reasonable cybersecurity and other measures to safeguard information including protected personally identifiable information (PII) and other types of sensitive information (2 CFR § 200.303(e)). Also, as a reminder, please refer to the GrantSpecific Programmatic Terms and Conditions of this award for additional information regarding procurement documentation submission requirements.

After review and written notification of EPA's approval, the recipient will request funds via the U.S.

Treasury's Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP) system for 100% of the total allowable expenditures shown on the Standard Form 270 (i.e., the Federal share) for the period covered by the request. EPA may pay 100% of the allowable expenditures reported for the period of the request for grants for which the cost share requirement has been waived by EPA. Payment for costs approved by EPA and authorized for drawdown by the recipient via the ASAP System will be credited to the recipient's designated financial institution (See Financial Information in the EPA General Terms and Conditions applicable to this award). Any questioned or disallowed costs will be detailed in writing by EPA's Grants Management Officer.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION BY BUDGET CATEGORY

BUDGET CATEGORY ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION

1. PERSONNEL-- (For both EPA-funded
and non-EPA funded employees whose

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 7
services will count towards the recipient's
cost share) Records must:  - meet the
requirements in 2 CFR § 200.430(g) for
producing accurate information regarding
actual hours an employee worked
performing the EPA agreement.- reflect
100% of actual hours worked daily and the
projects, programs or activities worked, not
estimated amounts or percentages.  They
must also reflect non-working hours used
during the pay period. - be certified by an
appropriate recipient manager indicating that
the hours shown as worked in support of the
EPA assistance agreement were actually
spent on activities approved and eligible
under the agreement for which the costs are
claimed- contain names of employees
charging time to the agreement, with explicit
indication of number of hours charged, the
hourly rate, and the total amount thereof
charged.
1a.  Working Hours -  copies of time sheets or equivalent personnel activity reports
1b. Non-Working Hours-- (e.g., sick leave,
annual leave, holiday pay, etc.) being
charged to the agreement if not covered by
a leave rate or included in fringe benefits.
-  a schedule or report showing the nonworking hour cost calculations and amounts claimed, including the applicable accruals
and distribution methodologies for the
periods used in the calculations.

2. FRINGE BENEFITS-- if applicable,
approved fringe rate or actual costs per
employee.
-  a schedule or report showing the fringe
benefit cost calculations per employee, per
pay period being claimed for payment and
charged to the assistance
agreement. Individual items included in
approved fringe benefit rates must be
identified.

3. INDIRECT COSTS-- Either an approved
indirect cost rate agreement covering the
period for the indirect costs being claimed,
or otherwise approved to use the 15% de
minimis rate. See the General Terms and
Conditions for additional information.
-  a schedule or report showing the indirect
costs calculations and amounts claimed and
charged to the assistance agreement,
including the applicable rates and cost basis
for the periods used in the calculations.

4. TRAVEL--  Note: First class/business
class travel costs are not allowable.
- listing of trips taken, trip dates, location,
purpose, and actual costs incurred.- copy of
signed and dated authorization documents
for each trip. - written certification by
employee's supervisor or other authorized
official that the trip took place.- copy of
signed and dated travel vouchers showing
actual expenditures

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 8

5. EQUIPMENT-- Records must show
equipment items, quantity, unit cost, and
total amount consistent with the PO and
RFP.
- copy of procurement requests- copy of
vendor invoices- quotes or bid
announcements as required

6. SUPPLIES
- invoices showing supply items, quantity,
unit cost, and total amount consistent with
the Purchase Order.- copy of procurement
requests- copy of vendor invoices- quotes or
bid announcements as required

7. CONTRACTUAL-- The contract
agreement must include all applicable
clauses stipulated at 2 CFR § 200.327 and
Appendix II. NOTE:  Per the grant-specific
Programmatic Terms and Conditions of the
award, all contracts should have already
been reviewed and approved by the EPA
project officer.Contracts for Architectural and
Engineering services are included in this
category.The costs for consultant
compensation that are charged to the EPA
assistance agreement (including cost
shares) must not exceed the consultant cap
(Level IV of the Executive Schedule) as
described at 2 CFR § 1500.10
- documents showing quotes or bid
announcements as required.- evidence of
the selection decision and a cost and price
analysis- copy of contractor invoices

8. CONSTRUCTION-- This category
includes contracts for general construction
and other contractor costs for activities
described in EPA's DBE Rule at 40 CFR §

33.103
- documents showing quotes or bid
announcements as applicable.- evidence of
the selection decision and a cost and price
analysis- copy of contractor and vendor
invoices

9.  OTHER-- If subaward costs are being
claimed, a copy of the executed subaward
agreement must be provided. The subaward
agreement must comply with the
requirements of the subaward term and
condition of the EPA award and 2 CFR §§
200.331 and 200.332.
- invoices showing items, quantity, unit cost,
and total amount. As applicable, ensure
there are:- copies of procurement requestscopy of vendor invoices- quotes or bid announcements as required- documentation
of participant support cost payments
approved in the budget- cost
Calculations/Allocations of shared costs like
rent, utilities, etc.

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 9
Programmatic Conditions

GRANT-SPECIFIC PROGRAMMATIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR EPA COMMUNITY GRANTS (Updated 04/30/25)
a.] Performance Reporting (2 CFR 200.329)
The recipient agrees to submit performance reports to the EPA Project Officer on a semi-annual basis, no later than April 30 and October 30 of each year. The final performance report must be submitted no later than 120 calendar days after the period of performance.

Performance reports must relate financial data and project or program accomplishments to performance goals and objectives and include brief information on each of the following areas, as applicable:
1) a comparison of accomplishments to the outputs/outcomes established in the assistance agreement workplan for the reporting period;
2) explanations on why established outputs/outcomes were not met; and 3) additional information, analysis, and explanation of cost overruns or higher-than-expected unit costs.

Additionally, the recipient agrees to notify the EPA when a significant development occurs that could impact the award. Significant developments include events that enable meeting milestones and objectives sooner or at less cost than anticipated or that produce different beneficial results than originally planned. Significant developments also include problems, delays, or adverse conditions which will impact the ability to meet the milestones or objectives of the award, including outputs/outcomes specified in the assistance agreement work plan. If the significant developments negatively impact the award, the recipient must include information on their plan for corrective action and any assistance needed to resolve the situation.
b.] Project changes (2 CFR 200.308)
Consistent with 2 CFR 200.308, the recipient must request prior written approval from EPA for the following program and budget-related reasons, including but not limited to: changes which alter the project performance standards; changes in the scope or objectives of the project (even if there is no associated budget revision requiring prior written approval) or substantially altering the design of the project; changes in key personnel (including employees and contractors) that are identified by name or position in the Federal award; the disengagement from a project for more than three months, or a 25% reduction in time and effort devoted to the Federal award over the course of the period of performance, by the approved project director or principal investigator; the inclusion, unless waived by the EPA, of costs that require prior approval in accordance with subpart E to 2 CFR Part 200 as applicable; the transfer funds between construction and non-construction budget categories; significantly delaying or accelerating the project schedule; or substantially altering the facilities plan, design drawings and specifications, or the location, size, capacity, or quality of any major part of the project. Note, depending on the type of change, the Agency Award Official or Grant Management Officer may need to make the final determination.
c.] Right of Access (2 CFR 200.337)

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 10
EPA will have access to all records which are pertinent to the assistance agreement (including fiscal, procurement, and engineering data and files), and EPA may conduct site visits and inspections related to progress of the assistance agreement workplan activities. This term and condition supplements the requirements in the “Access to Records” General Term and Condition. • Procurement Document Submission
(1) With the exception of projects that qualify for the procurement flexibilities in the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 118-42) discussed below in term and condition D. Procurement, the recipient shall submit a copy of all proposed and/or executed contracts for services (including professional and construction), supplies, and equipment over $250,000 to the EPA Project Officer for review. The submittal of the proposed and/or executed contracts must include procurement records. (a) Recipient agrees to submit plans and specifications, requests for proposals, invitations for bids, scopes of work, and/or plans and specifications to the EPA Project Officer for review prior to advertising for bids, or as soon as practicable thereafter if a contract has been executed or performance under the contract has begun. Recipient will also submit any addenda to these documents to the EPA Project Officer for review prior to the opening of bids, or as soon as practicable thereafter if a contract has been executed or performance under the contract has begun.
(b) Recipient agrees to submit to the EPA Project Officer, within ten calendar days after a bid opening, or as soon as practicable thereafter if a contract has been executed or performance under the contract has begun, the bid package of the lowest responsive, responsible bidder for review prior to the award of a contract, or as soon as practicable thereafter if a contract has been executed or performance under the contract has begun. The bid package will include a bid tabulation, a copy of the proof of advertising, the bid bond of the low bidder, the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) / Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) proposed utilization by the low bidder with a statement from Recipient that the efforts taken by the low bidder meet the statutory/regulatory requirements, and the recommendation to award a contract to the low bidder. (c) Recipient agrees to submit to the EPA Project Officer for review any proposed and/or executed contract for services, such as architectural/engineering or grant management or construction, prior to signing each contract, or as soon as practicable thereafter if a contract has been executed or performance under the contract has begun, as well as any change orders executed after the award of the contract.  A description of the process used to procure those services will also be submitted.  To be accepted as allowable project costs, such procurements/contracts must comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements, including 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (the Brooks Act) or an equivalent State qualifications-based procurement requirement, as applicable; 2 CFR Part 200; 2 CFR Part 1500; and/or 40 CFR Part 33. (2) Recipients that qualify for the procurement flexibilities discussed below in term and condition D.

Procurement, must provide to the EPA upon request solicitation documents (e.g., Request for Proposals or Request for Qualifications), contracts, and/or any other pertinent documents relating to the process used to enter the contract.
(3) All recipients, to include those that qualify for the procurement flexibilities in the FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 118-42) discussed below in term and condition D. Procurement must comply with the requirements in the Davis-Bacon Act, American Iron and Steel (AIS), and Build

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 11
America, Buy America (BABA) in any procurements and resulting contracts as applicable. These requirements include incorporating the appropriate prevailing wage determinations and AIS/BABA in the solicitation documents.
d.] Procurement
The FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 118-42), which was signed into law on March 9, 2024, states:

Provided further, That the funds made available under this heading for Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending grants in this or prior appropriations Acts are not subject to compliance with Federal procurement requirements for competition and methods of procurement applicable to Federal financial assistance, if a Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending recipient has procured services or products through contracts entered into prior to the date of enactment of this legislation that complied with state and/or local laws governing competition.

This provision was carried forward in the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (P.L. 119-4). Accordingly, “prior to the date of enactment of this legislation” means contracts entered into prior to March 15, 2025.
(a) Recipients with projects identified in the FY 2024 or prior (i.e., FY 2022 and FY 2023) Appropriations Acts are not subject to compliance with Federal procurement requirements for competition and methods of procurement applicable to Federal financial assistance if the recipient has:
procured services or products through contracts entered into prior to March 15, 2025; and complied with state and/or local laws governing competition (including laws/policies relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent, as applicable, and method of procurement).

The recipient must provide a written statement to the EPA Project Officer affirming any contracts entered into prior to March 15, 2025, complied with state and/or local laws governing competition (including laws/policies relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent as applicable, and method of procurement). The statement must also include the date the contracts were entered into.

The contract will be considered covered by the provision upon receipt of written confirmation from EPA.

The recipient must retain documentation (e.g., solicitation documents, procurement certifications from state and/or local officials) demonstrating compliance of such contracts with state and/or local laws governing competition, including such laws relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent as applicable.
(a)(1) Contract Amendments after March 15, 2025, and FY 2024 Procurement Flexibility Recipients with projects identified in the FY 2024 or prior (i.e., FY 2022 and FY 2023) Appropriations Acts  may not be subject to compliance with Federal procurement requirements for competition and methods of procurement applicable to Federal financial assistance (with the exception noted below in paragraph (a)(2) for contract modifications over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold in effect at the time of award) for contract amendments that occur after March 15, 2025, if the recipient has:

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 12
(i) procured services or products through contracts entered into prior to March 15, 2025; (ii) entered into said contracts in compliance with state and/or local laws governing competition (including laws/policies relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent, as applicable, and method of procurement); and (iii) complied with state and/or local laws relating to contract amendments as applicable.

The recipient must provide a written statement to the EPA Project Officer affirming any contracts entered into prior to March 15, 2025, and contract amendments after that date, complied with state and/or local laws governing competition (including laws/policies relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent as applicable, and method of procurement). The statement must also include the date the contracts and contract amendments were entered into. The contracts and contract amendments will be considered covered by the provision upon receipt of written confirmation from EPA.

The recipient must retain documentation (e.g., solicitation documents, procurement certifications from state and/or local officials) demonstrating compliance of such contracts and amendments with state and/or local laws governing competition, including such laws relating to participation by disadvantaged business enterprises or equivalent as applicable.
(2) Consistent with 2 CFR 200.324, the recipient further agrees that for all contract modifications/amendments in excess of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold in effect at the time of award, the recipient will perform a cost or price analysis. (b) All other recipients who do not qualify for the procurement flexibilities discussed in section (a) must procure all services (professional, construction, etc.), supplies, and equipment awarded under this grant in accordance with all applicable federal requirements, including: 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (the Brooks Act) or an equivalent State qualifications-based procurement requirement, as applicable; 2 CFR Part 200; 2 CFR Part 1500; and/or 40 CFR Part 33. This includes all services (professional, construction, etc.), supplies, and equipment for which costs are approved as preaward costs. (c) Recipient must comply with the procurement processes for architectural and engineering (A/E) services as described in 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., or an equivalent State qualifications-based requirement.

Where equivalent State qualifications-based requirements are complied with, the source of the requirement (e.g., existing State legislation or regulation, etc.) must be stated, and a certification from the Governor of the State that the State's A/E procurement requirements are equivalent to 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. must accompany the grant application. In lieu of a certification from the Governor, the Attorney General's certification submitted with each grant application may include this certification. The requirements of 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. include:
•Public announcement of the solicitation (e.g., public announcement of a Request for Qualifications);
•Evaluation and ranking of the submitted qualifications statements based on established, publicly available criteria (e.g., criteria identified in the solicitation); Evaluation criteria should be based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional services required (e.g., past performance, specialized experience,

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 13
and technical competence in the type of work required); •Discussion with at least three firms to consider anticipated concepts and compare alternative methods for furnishing services;
•Selection of at least three firms considered to be the most highly qualified to provide the services required; and
•Contract negotiation with the most highly qualified firm to determine compensation that is fair and reasonable based on a clear understanding of the project scope, complexity, professional nature, and the estimated value of the services to be rendered; In the event that the recipient is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the firm, the recipient shall formally terminate negotiations and then undertake negotiations with the next most qualified of the selected firms, continuing the process until an agreement is reached. If the recipient is unable to negotiate a satisfactory contract with any of the selected firms, the agency head shall select additional firms in order of their competence and qualification and continue negotiations in accordance with this section until an agreement is reached.

In the event that the State has no existing equivalent qualifications-based requirement for procurement, the federal requirements in 40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. apply. (d) All recipients, to include those that qualify for the procurement flexibilities discussed in section (a), must comply with the requirements in the Davis-Bacon Act, American Iron and Steel (AIS), and Build America, Buy America (BABA) in any procurements and resulting contracts as applicable. These requirements include incorporating the appropriate prevailing wage determinations and AIS/BABA in the solicitation documents.
e.] Cybersecurity Condition
(a) The recipient agrees that when collecting and managing environmental data under this assistance agreement, it will protect the data by following all applicable State or Tribal law cybersecurity requirements.
(b) (1) EPA must ensure that any connections between the recipient's network or information system and EPA networks used by the recipient to transfer data under this agreement, are secure. For purposes of this Section, a connection is defined as a dedicated persistent interface between an Agency IT system and an external IT system for the purpose of transferring information. Transitory, user-controlled connections such as website browsing are excluded from this definition.

If the recipient's connections as defined above do not go through the Environmental Information Exchange Network or EPA's Central Data Exchange, the recipient will contact the EPA Project Officer no later than 90 days after the date of this award and work with the designated Regional/Headquarters Information Security Officer to ensure that the connections meet EPA security requirements, including entering into Interconnection Service Agreements as appropriate. This condition does not apply to manual entry of data by the recipient into systems operated and used by EPA's regulatory programs for the submission of reporting and/or compliance data.

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 14
(2) The recipient agrees that any subawards it makes, under this agreement will require the subrecipient to comply with the requirements in (b)(1) if the subrecipient's network or information system is connected to EPA networks to transfer data to the Agency using systems other than the Environmental Information Exchange Network or EPA's Central Data Exchange. The recipient will be in compliance with this condition: (i) by including this requirement in subaward agreements; and (ii) during subrecipient monitoring deemed necessary by the recipient under 2 CFR 200.332(e), by inquiring whether the subrecipient has contacted the EPA Project Officer. Nothing in this condition requires the recipient to contact the EPA Project Officer on behalf of a subrecipient or to be involved in the negotiation of an Interconnection Service Agreement between the subrecipient and EPA. f.] Signage
The FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. Law 117-103), FY 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. Law 117- 328), and FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. Law 118- 42) provide that those federal requirements that would apply to a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project grant recipient shall apply to a grantee receiving a Community Grant. Consequently, these Appropriations Acts extend Signage requirements applicable to SRF projects to Community Grants. The recipient agrees to comply with the SRF Signage Guidelines in order to enhance public awareness of EPA assistance agreements nationwide.

Basic Requirements
Recipients should note that they have the option of selecting different implementation options depending on the location, project type, and available resources. The costs of compliance with the signage requirements are allowable under the grant, provided the costs are reasonable.

Summary of Options
The SRF Signage Guidelines present a number of options which communities can explore to implement EPA's signage policy. The option selected should meet all of the Basic Requirements above while remaining cost-effective and accessible to a broad audience.  The following strategies are acceptable options for communities to follow:

Standard signage
• Posters or wall signage in a public building or location • Newspaper or periodical advertisement for project construction, groundbreaking ceremony, or operation of the new or improved facility
• Online signage placed on community website or social media outlet • Press release
Each of these options is described in more detail in the sections below.

Implementation Option: Standard Signage

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 15
EPA recommends that large projects that involve significant expansion or construction of a new facility elect to publicize through standard signage.  This option should be selected for projects where the sign would be near a major road or thoroughfare or where the facility is in a location at which this would effectively publicize the upgrades.  Some facilities will not find this an appropriate or cost-effective solution.  For example, investing in a large road sign for a facility that is located in a rural area or where access is limited to a smaller service road would likely not be an optimal solution.

Signs can also be located away from the project site if there is another reasonable alternative.  For example, a community may elect to place a sign advertising the project near a body of water that receives discharge from a particular facility.

Recipients selecting projects that will implement this requirement through use of a traditional sign should ensure the following are included:
• The name of the facility, project, and community
• Project cost (total grant award amount, i.e., federal share plus recipient contribution) • The EPA and Recipient logos (EPA logo may only be used on a sign) If the EPA logo is displayed along with logos of other participating entities, the EPA logo must not be displayed in a manner that implies that EPA itself is conducting the project.  Instead, the EPA logo must be accompanied with a statement indicating that the recipient received financial assistance from EPA for the project.  As provided in the sign specifications from the EPA Office of Public Affairs (OPA), the EPA logo is the identifier for assistance agreement projects. Recipients are responsible to comply with the sign specifications provided by the OPA, available at https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-logo-sealspecifications-signage-produced-epa-assistance-agreement-recipients.  To obtain the appropriate EPA logo graphic file, the recipient should send a request directly to OPA and include the EPA Project Officer in the communication; contact information can be found at https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/using-epaseal-and-logo#download.

Implementation Option: Posters, Brochures, and/or Pamphlets Smaller projects, projects located in rural areas, and other efforts may find that it is more cost-effective and practical to advertise efforts through creation of a poster or smaller sign. If the project involves nonpoint source or green infrastructure components, those can be described at the discretion of the recipient.

The poster or brochure and acknowledgement should be visible, as well as a website or other source of information for individuals that may be curious about the Community Grants program.  The recipient may also implement this option as a short pamphlet that is placed in one of the locations noted below for community members to read.

Posters, brochures, and/or pamphlets should be placed in a public location that is accessible to a wide audience of community members.  This can include, but is not limited to:
• Town or City Hall
• Community Center

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 16
• Locally owned or operated park or recreational facility • Public Library
• County/municipal government facilities
• Court house or other public meeting space
Given the low cost for producing multiple copies of the same poster, brochure, and/or pamphlet, communities can explore options for displaying these posters in several locations simultaneously.  This would achieve the overall objective of reaching a broad audience and publicizing the project.

Projects that will implement this requirement through use of posters, brochures, and/or pamphlets should ensure the following are included:
• Name of facility, project, and community
• Project is wholly or partially funded with EPA funding • Brief description of project
• Brief description of the water quality benefits the project will achieve Implementation Option: Newsletters, Periodicals, and/or Press Releases For communities where there is no suitable public space or where advertisement through signage is unlikely to reach community members effectively, projects can be advertised in a community newsletter or similar periodical.  States can use guidelines from their standard public notice practices.  For new construction, if a groundbreaking ceremony is to be held, an announcement could publicize or accompany publicity for this event.

In some cases, it may be appropriate for the recipient to issue a formal press release announcing construction of a new facility.  Distributing a single prepared statement concisely summarizing the project purpose and the joint funding from EPA and community resources can reach a wide audience as the statement goes through multiple news outlets.

If the recipient decides on a public and/or media event to publicize the accomplishment of significant events related to the project as a result of EPA support, the recipient must provide EPA with at least ten working days' notice of the event and the opportunity to attend and participate in the event.

Recipients that will implement this requirement through use of a newsletter, periodical, or press release should ensure the following are included:
• Name of facility, project, and community
• Project is wholly or partially funded with EPA funding • Brief description of the project

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 17
• Brief listing of water quality benefits to be achieved Implementation Option: Inserts and/or Pamphlets in Water/Sewer Bills Utilities can consider including a single-page insert within water and sewer bills that are mailed to residents and users in the affected community.  This approach would effectively publicize the project to those individuals directly benefitting from the project.  The flyer or insert could emphasize the environmental and public health benefits to the community.

Recipients that will implement this requirement through use of inserts and/or pamphlets in water/sewer bills should ensure the following are included:
• Name of facility, project, and community
• Project is wholly or partially funded with EPA funding • Brief description of the project
• Brief listing of water quality benefits to be achieved Implementation Option: Online and/or Social Media Publicity Many communities are increasingly finding that the internet is the most cost-effective approach to publicizing their projects and reaching a broad audience of stakeholders. Online “signage” should follow the minimum information guidelines above and may appear on the town, community, and/or facility website if available.  In some cases, communities may be active on social media sites such as Facebook or X, formally known as Twitter.  These can be used as an opportunity for publicizing projects and information about how EPA funds are being used in the community.

These online announcements/notices may be appropriate for settings where physical signage would not be visible to a wide audience.  They can be a more cost-effective option than traditional signs or publicity in print media outlets.  This option may be most useful where the community's website is a wellrecognized source of information for its residents.

In the case of some projects, such as nonpoint source, there might be additional opportunities for online publicity through partner agencies or organizations. This could take place either on the organization's website or through other social media outlets.

Projects that will implement this requirement through use of online and/or social media publicity should ensure the following are included:
• Name of facility, project, and community
• Project was wholly or partially funded with EPA funding • Brief description of the project
• Brief listing of water quality benefits to be achieved

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 18
Suggested Language for Alternate Options
For any of the alternate implementation options listed above, recipients have discretion to structure their signage as they see appropriate.  The language below is offered as an option for use in posters, pamphlets, brochures, press releases, and/or online materials.  Communities may consider using the following:
“Construction of upgrades and improvements to the [Name of Facility, Project Location, or WWTP] were financed by the grant funding administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA's Community Grant Program.  This project will (description of project) and will provide water quality benefits [details specifying particular benefits] for community residents and businesses in and near (name of town, city, and/or water body or watershed to benefit from project.) For projects in certain areas, recipients should consider whether it is appropriate to include additional details about the project.  Specific benefits, such as reduction of CSO events, lessening of nutrient pollution, reducing contaminant levels or water pumping costs, or improvements to a particular water body, may be of interest to community residents.  In these cases, including additional detail would further serve to showcase positive efforts financed by EPA.  Additionally, recipients may elect to detail improvements in energy efficiency or water conservation achieved by project upgrades.  If the project includes green infrastructure components such as rain gardens and green roofs that have environmental and aesthetic benefits to the community, these can be described briefly as well.  Again, this additional information can be included at the discretion of the recipient when it is appropriate, given the project type, location, and the type of signage or publicity effort selected. g.] Public or Media Events
The recipient will notify the EPA Project Officer listed in this award document of public or media events publicizing the accomplishment of significant events related to the project as a result of EPA support and provide the opportunity for attendance and participation by federal representatives with at least ten working days notice.
h.] Federal Cross-cutting Requirements/Other Applicable Federal Laws Recipient must comply with federal cross-cutting requirements as well as other applicable federal laws as provided in EPA's Community Grants Program Final Implementation Guidance. For additional information on cross-cutting requirements, as well as applicability for recipients and subrecipients, visit https://www.epa.gov/grants/epa-subaward-cross-cutter-requirements. i.] American Iron and Steel (AIS)
AIS requirements apply to this award agreement based on the directive Congressional language in the FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Acts' (i.e., “Applicable Federal requirements that would apply to a Clean Water State Revolving Fund or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund project grant recipient shall apply to a grantee receiving a CPF grant under this section"). AIS requirements apply to State Revolving Fund assistance agreements signed on or after January 17, 2014, including all treatment works projects funded by a CWSRF assistance agreement and all public water system projects funded by a DWSRF assistance agreement. (a) Definitions. As used in this award term and condition—

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 19
(1) “iron and steel products” mean the following products made primarily of iron or steel, where “primarily” means 50% or greater iron/steel, measured by materials costs: lined or unlined pipes and fittings, manhole covers and other municipal castings, hydrants, tanks, flanges, pipe clamps and restraints, valves, structural steel, reinforced precast concrete, and ferrous construction materials.
(2) “steel” means an alloy that includes at least 50 percent iron, between .02 and 2 percent carbon, and may include other elements.
(b)  Domestic preference.
(1) This award term and condition requires that all iron and steel products used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public water system or treatment work are produced in the United States except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section and condition. “Produced in the United States means all manufacturing processes, beginning with initial melting, must occur in the United States.
(2) This requirement shall not apply in any case or category of cases in which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency finds that—
(i) applying the requirement would be inconsistent with the public interest; (ii) iron and steel products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (iii) inclusion of iron and steel products produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent.
(3) The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements do not supersede the AIS requirements, and both provisions still apply and work in conjunction. Compliance with AIS requirements meets the BABA requirements for iron and steel. (c) Request for a Waiver under (b)(2) of this section
(1) Any recipient request to use foreign iron or steel products in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall include adequate information for federal Government evaluation of the request, including—
(i) A description of the foreign and domestic iron and/or steel, ; (ii) Unit of measure;
(iii) Quantity;
(iv) Cost;
(v) Time of delivery or availability;

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 20
(vi) Location of the project;
(vii) Name and address of the proposed supplier; and
(viii) A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign iron or steel products cited in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) If the Administrator receives a request for a waiver under this section, the waiver request shall be made available to the public for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based on the request.
(3) Unless the Administrator issues a waiver of this term, use of foreign iron and steel products is noncompliant with Section 608 of the Clean Water Act and Section 1452(a)(4) of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
(d)  This term and condition shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.
j.] Build America, Buy America Act (BABA)
This term and condition supplements the “Build America, Buy America” term and condition included in EPA's General Terms and Conditions.
(a) Definitions.

For legal definitions and sourcing requirements, the recipient must consult the EPA Build America, Buy America website, 2 CFR Part 184, and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Memorandum M24-02 Implementation Guidance on Application of Buy America Preference in Federal Financial Assistance Programs for Infrastructure.
(b) Waiver Request.
(1) When necessary, recipients may apply for a waiver from these requirements. (2) A request to waive the application of the domestic content procurement preference must be in writing and submitted following the waiver instructions under the Water Programs section athttps://www.epa. gov/baba/build-america-buy-america-baba-epa-programs.
(3) Waiver requests are subject to public comment for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based on the request.
(4) Waiver requests are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget's Made in America Office.
(5) There may be instances where an award qualifies, in whole or in part, for an existing waiver described athttps://www.epa.gov/baba/build-america-buy-america-baba-approved-waivers . (6) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may grant a waiver based upon one of the exceptions as established in Section 70914(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and further described in

CG - 98T64201 - 0 Page 21
the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-24-02. (7) Any recipient waiver request to use foreign iron, steel, manufactured products, and/or construction materials in an infrastructure project shall include adequate information for the Federal Government evaluation of the request, including—
i.   The Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN);
ii    Location and description of the project;
iii.  Total cost of infrastructure expenditures, including federal and non-federal funds, as well as the source of any additional federal funds, if any;
iv.  List of iron or steel item(s), manufactured products, and construction material(s) proposed to be excepted from Buy America requirements, including name, cost, country(ies) of origin (if known), relevant Product Services Code (PSC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for each, unit of measure, quantity, time of delivery or availability, and name and address of the proposed supplier;
v.  Project schedule including earliest targeted installation dates of items requested to be waived; vi. A detailed justification of the reason for use of foreign iron, steel, manufactured products, and/or construction materials;
vii. Recipient's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI);
vii.  Anticipated impact if no waiver is issued; and
viii. A certification that the federal official or assistance recipient made a good faith effort to solicit bids for domestic products supported by terms included in requests for proposals, contracts, and nonproprietary communications with the prime contractor. (8) Unless a waiver applies, use of foreign iron, steel, manufactured products, and/or construction materials that are consumed in, incorporated into, or affixed to an infrastructure project is noncompliant with this term and condition pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58, including Build America, Buy America Act, Pub. L. No. 117-58 §§70901-52. (c) Waiver Evidence Submission.
(1) The recipient must maintain documentation of any use of materials which are considered de minimis and are covered by an existing waiver (e.g. miscellaneous, generally low-cost products that are essential for construction and are incorporated into the physical structure of the project) with grant project files for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.334.
(2) If the recipient seeks coverage under an existing general applicability BABA waiver, the recipient agrees to submit available evidence to the EPA Project Officer to support such a determination as identified in the BABA waiver. The recipient shall maintain this evidence with grant project files for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, in accordance with 2