Summary of Potential Basin Boundary Modifications Sonoma Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency Advisory Committee Meeting February 13, 2018 sonomacountygroundwater.org
Presentation Summary • Review of DWR process/requirements for Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary Modification Requests • Sonoma Valley potential boundary modifications • Summary of potential modifications • Associated Pros/Opportunities and Cons/Challenges • Additional Considerations • Next Steps sonomacountygroundwater.org
DWR Schedule for 2018 Basin Boundary Modification Requests Submission Period opens for 6 month window - During this 6 month window, GSAs and local agencies can submit the required January 1, 2018 information to support a Basin Boundary Modification to the BBMRS on the SGMA Portal http://sgma.water.ca.gov/portal/#intro. Submission Period Closes and 30-day Public Comment Period opens - All information to support a boundary modification should be June 30, 2018 submitted to the BBMRS Public Comment Period Closes - DWR begins review of boundary July 30, 2018 modification requests and public comments Draft Basin Boundary Modifications released Fall 2018 Final Basin Boundary Modifications released Fall / Winter 2018 sonomacountygroundwater.org
Summary of DWR’s Revision Request Requirements • Notice and Consultation • Affected cities, agencies, water systems, residents • Public meetings • Description of Modification • How it will facilitate sustainable groundwater management • How it could impact other state and local programs • Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model • Technical Studies sonomacountygroundwater.org
Two Possible Considerations for Basin Boundary Modifications sonomacountygroundwater.org
Sonoma Valley Possible Technical Considerations: Northern Boundary Expand northern boundary to include the southern Kenwood Valley basin • Kenwood Valley is currently very low priority groundwater basin that is hydrogeologically connected to the Sonoma Valley sub-basin. • Groundwater appears to be flowing south from southern half of Kenwood Valley Basin into Sonoma Valley subbasin. sonomacountygroundwater.org
Northern Boundary Pros/Cons Pros/Opportunities Cons/Challenges • Would add ability for GSA to • Funding to make basin modification request manage, as part of it’s (estimated at $30,000 to $60,000) is not included in jurisdiction, an area that appears GSA’s FY16/17 Budget. hydrogeologically interconnected • Resources would be diverted from work needed to with (and represents a source of initiate development of GSP. inflow to) the Sonoma Valley B118 basin. • Landowners/agencies/water systems that would be affected by modification may oppose the • Could lower any potential fees modification request, which would lead to assessed to landowners within uncertainty in DWR’s acceptance of the request. current Sonoma Valley B118 basin by spreading out costs over • Uncertainties regarding degree and nature of larger base of potential payers. connection between basins and complex geologic conditions create uncertainty as to whether DWR will accept technical basis for boundary modification. • Adding to the GSA’s jurisdiction by expanding the Sonoma Valley B118 basin could potentially increase long-term costs to the GSA (associated with monitoring and managing this area). sonomacountygroundwater.org
Sonoma Valley Possible Technical Considerations: Southwestern Boundary Expand southwestern boundary to include the portions of Petaluma Valley basin within Sonoma Creek watershed • Area consists of Tolay Creek drainage, which flows into lower Sonoma Creek Watershed (and Sonoma Valley B118 subbasin. • Includes unincorporated areas, Infineon Raceway and portion of North Bay Water District Service Area. sonomacountygroundwater.org
Southwestern Boundary Pros/Cons Pros/Opportunities Cons/Challenges • Would add ability for GSA to • Funding to make basin modification request (estimated manage, as part of it’s at $20,000 to $30,000) is not included in GSA’s FY16/17 jurisdiction, an area that may Budget. be hydrogeologically • Significant coordination/collaboration with Petaluma interconnected with the Valley GSA would be required Sonoma Valley B118 basin. • Resources would be diverted from work needed to • Could lower any potential fees initiate development of GSP. assessed to landowners within current Sonoma Valley B118 • Landowners/agencies/water systems that would be basin by spreading out costs affected by modification may oppose the modification over larger base of potential request, which would lead to uncertainty in DWR’s payers. acceptance of the request. • If agreed to by Petaluma Valley • Available groundwater data is sparse and without GSA, costs associated with additional data regarding groundwater flow in these making modification request areas, uncertain whether DWR will accept technical could be shared. basis for boundary modification. • Adding to the GSA’s jurisdiction by expanding the Sonoma Valley B118 basin could potentially increase long-term costs to the GSA (associated with monitoring and managing this area). sonomacountygroundwater.org
Other Considerations Regarding Possible Bulletin 118 Boundary Modification Potential Future Opportunities for Basin Boundary Modifications: Corresponding to future Bulletin 118 updates (next window potentially in 2023) Basin Advisory Panel recommendations regarding hydrologically connected watershed areas: • Support voluntary monitoring • Closely coordinate with land use agencies • Include stakeholders from contributing watersheds on advisory committee • Support projects/actions in these areas that benefit basin • Base considerations for boundary changes on strong scientific and technical rationale sonomacountygroundwater.org
Summary of Options for Consideration (B118 Boundary) • No changes to existing boundaries (collect additional information under GSP and reconsider for next round). • Modify northern boundary to include the southern Kenwood Valley basin • Modify the southwestern boundary to move portions of Petaluma Valley groundwater basin that occur within the Sonoma Creek watershed to Sonoma Valley basin. sonomacountygroundwater.org
Next Steps – Possible Bulletin 118 Basin Boundary Modification Request January • Overview of DWR Regulations for Basin Boundary Modifications Requests 2018 • Consider viability of possible modification requests February - • Determine whether Basin Boundary Revision Request s should be submitted (AC input for GSA Board decision in March) March 2018 • Stakeholder outreach (as applicable) April – June • Develop technical justification (as applicable) • Submit Basin Boundary Revision Requests to DWR (if 2018 any) sonomacountygroundwater.org
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