Shasta Valley Groundwater Basin

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) September 2014 – Governor Brown signs legislation requiring groundwater resources be managed by local agencies; referred to as Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) SGMA establishes requirements for how groundwater basins will be managed and monitored over the long-term through the development and implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) by GSA’s GSP’s for critically overdrafted basins are due January 2020, & due January 2022 for high & medium priority basins

SGMA in brief 6 Undesirable Results that must assessed through GSP’s Groundwater storage reduction Chronic lowering of groundwater levels Water quality degradation Interconnected surface water depletion Land subsidence Seawater intrusion

Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Multiple factors should be implemented into GSP’s to meet DWR requirements to determine: Undesirable result triggers based on Minimum Thresholds Gauge current and future groundwater conditions Plan and manage for future sustainability. By conducting projects, analysis, & models

Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Tools include: Gathering & considering current data & information, as well as future data collection Developing groundwater & hydrogeologic conceptual model’s & water budgets – to assess current and future conditions Developing sustainability criteria, minimum thresholds & measurable objectives Developing monitoring programs, protocols & networks Planning for and implementing future projects such as aquifer recharge, irrigation or water use efficiency, & water banking If a basin is determined to be sustainable the GSP must outline how sustainability will be maintained If it is determined that a basin is not sustainable in any of the six undesirable results, GSP’s must also include how sustainability will be achieve by 2042.

SGMA & residential use “de minimis” extractor “means a person who extracts, for domestic purposes, two acre-feet or less per year”. – SGMA definition 10725.8 – Measuring devices & reporting does not apply 10730 – A “GSA” shall not impose a fee pursuant to this subdivision on a de minimis extractor unless the agency has regulated the users pursuant to this part

Shasta Advisory Committee Currently 7 committee members appointed by the Siskiyou County Flood Control District & Water Conservation District (GSA) Duties include review, evaluate, and advise the GSA Board of Directors of all relevant aspects regarding GSP development Information & data collection privacy important to the GSA Initial meeting on 3/5, next meeting 6/4

Current boundary

Bulletin 118 How current line was determined Update 2020 Basin defined as “an aquifer or stacked series of aquifers with reasonably well-defined boundaries in a lateral direction, based on features that significantly impede groundwater flow, and a definable bottom” Determined by DWR GSA is only other agency that can initiate boundary line modification Update 2020 “Groundwater basin boundaries…and any subsequent basin boundary modifications” “Status of groundwater management efforts for areas not covered by SGMA…”

Shasta Valley Groundwater Basin Basin Boundary Bill Ehorn, DWR, Northern Region office

Shasta Valley Groundwater Basin DWR’s Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary Water Agencies and CDFW Lands

1958-61 250k Scale Geology Map DWR’s Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary

1981 250k Scale Geology Map DWR’s Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary

2010 750k Scale Geology Map DWR’s Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary

Bulletin 118 Basin Description - Excerpt

Bulletin 118 Basin Description - Excerpt

Groundwater is a Renewable Resource and CAN be Managed Sustainably Questions or Comments? Groundwater is a Renewable Resource and CAN be Managed Sustainably

Factors for the community to consider Level of importance to being included in the GSP to the overall Shasta Valley community watershed supply sustainability Level of importance to GSP assuring reliable & predictable irrigation & domestic water supplies GSA through GSP development can utilize funding opportunities to improve monitoring network, improve management of irrigation resources, and seek out efficiency projects

Potential Results from boundary change Inclusion in locally controlled plan, built on local knowledge, studies, & input Reliable water availability knowledge & planning based on GSP Recharge benefits – within basin boundary Legislation language Project & funding opportunities – Grant & GSP related projects can only apply within the basin boundary Seat at table & input to GSA & GSP development A “process” is in place to determine overdraft regions or negative groundwater supplies, & develop strategy to improve

Potential Results from boundary change More regulation & oversight Potential for additional fees, costs, etc… Public process Worst case scenarios around California - potential restrictions, shut-offs, or capping Not expected in Siskiyou County Potential data & access intrusion

Where would a new line make sense & how do you determine? Known hydrologic conditions Roadways Soil type Sub-region(s) Land-use practices Water-use practices

Boundary modification types Scientific Addition, deletion, or relocation based on the geological or hydrologic condition Jurisdictional Addition, deletion, or relocation that promotes sustainable groundwater management

Technical Needs Any technical studies submitted must be from a published geologic or hydrologic report Hydrology Geology Groundwater data collection Current volunteer/CASGEM monitoring wells Measures to determine potential new line

DWR Timeline Submittal period – Jan. 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 Public comment period June 30 to July 30, Draft modifications released – Fall 2018 Final modifications released – Fall/Winter 2018

Process to submit Public outreach & accompanying documentation - Now Provide comment & subsequent recommendation to the GSA board of directors – Next Information gathering & boundary line development Public meetings regarding proposed draft line GSA decision & approving resolution - June Notify DWR by writing, of intent to modify Submit in application any current technical reports, data, and hydroconceptual models 30-day public comment

Public comment GSA welcomes all comments from public Send to: Letters/email of support or opposition Technical submission to GSA Send to: mparker@co.siskiyou.ca.us Subject – Shasta Groundwater Basin Boundary Final comment date: 3/30/18 Official comment during DWR review period (6/30-7/30)