Loading...
City Council Presentation- SGMA 2017-03-14 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 3/15/2017 1 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council schedule a Public Hearing to form a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) over the non-adjudicated portion of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin within the Arroyo Grande City limits and to work with the other GSAs formed in the fringe areas of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement to manage the subject groundwater basin in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA). 3/15/2017 2 SGMA Overview By County of San Luis Obispo 3 SGMA Update to Board of Supervisors 3/7/2017 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act SGMA Overview Presentation by: Carolyn Berg, Senior Water Resources Engineer County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department 3/15/2017 4 SGMA: The Basics Goal: Sustainability within 20 years 5 SGMA Update to Board of Supervisors 3/7/2017 Lowering of Groundwater Levels Reduction in Groundwater Storage Seawater Intrusion Water Quality Degradation Land Subsidence Depletions of Surface Water SGMA: The Basics “Significant” & “Unreasonable” Prevent “undesirable results” 6 SGMA Update to Board of Supervisors 3/7/2017 General Roles & Responsibilities 7 SGMA Update to Board of Supervisors 3/7/2017 SGMA Key Deadlines 2015 2016 2017 2020/22 2040/42 KEY LOCAL DATES KEY STATE DATES 2018 State reviews basins for compliance & designates probationary basins WE ARE HERE …… 8 SGMA Update to Board of Supervisors 3/7/2017 Santa Maria Groundwater Basin (SMGB) 3/15/2017 Basin Boundary modification request to DWR in 2018 (Align with DWR 118 boundary) 9 Non-Adjudicated Portion ( Fringe) of the SMGB within the Arroyo Grande City limits 3/15/2017 5.3 % of total Fringe Area of SMGB 10 Non-Adjudicated Portion (Fringe) of the SMGB within the Arroyo Grande City limits 3/15/2017 11 Non-Adjudicated Portion ( Fringe) of the SMGB within the Arroyo Grande City limits 3/15/2017 4 Private wells in Fringe area (1 used for domestic water) No City production wells in Fringe area. 12 GSMGB Fringe Areas- Governance Model Options 3/15/2017 Method of participation through MOA to mitigate three main areas of concern with having another jurisdiction exercise authority over groundwater resources 1) influence over potential limitations on groundwater extractions 2)influence over General Plan Amendments through determination of water resource impacts 3) influence over limitations of fees and charges 13 GSMGB Fringe Areas- Governance Model Options 3/15/2017 14 GSMGB Fringe Areas- Governance Model Options 3/15/2017 Recommended b/c SGMA grants GSAs substantial additonal powers and authorities to ensure sustainable ground water management. City can assume role and access over our jurisdictional area and potentially grant funding or other opportunities that may be ultimately available through the GSA. 15 3/15/2017 1. Potential limitations on groundwater extractions that the GSA could enforce should groundwater management protection measures dictate. Without having a “seat at the table” through an independent GSA, these extraction limitations could be enforced without City participation. The City has water rights to one of the private wells located within the basin boundary. GSA FORMATION CONSIDERATIONS: 16 3/15/2017 2. All future General Plan Amendment changes would require a determination of an adequate water supply by the GSA. SGMA specifically addresses the fact that it does not impact a City’s land use authority, however any adverse reports provided by the GSA would need to be addressed through the CEQA process. GSA FORMATION CONSIDERATIONS: 17 3/15/2017 3. GSAs will have the authority to impose fees on groundwater extractions. GSAs will also have the ability to levy and collect taxes, assessments and charges as already provided by law. Without a separate GSA, the City may have limited control over limiting or impacting fees and charges to Arroyo Grande property owners affected by SGMA. NOTE: Currently revised County policy would not charge “non-represented” areas. GSA FORMATION CONSIDERATIONS: 18 3/15/2017 POTENTIAL COSTS WITH GSA Phase 1 and 2 County Estimate $2,317,615 5.3% could be estimate of City fair share $122,900 Potential share of operating expenses potentially estimated at $13,250 GSA FORMATION CONSIDERATIONS: Consultant services $20k 19 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council schedule a Public Hearing to form a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) over the non-adjudicated portion of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin within the Arroyo Grande City limits and to work with the other GSAs formed in the fringe areas of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement to manage the subject groundwater basin in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 (SGMA). 3/15/2017 20