Water Policy Workshop Water Policy Workshop Agenda 1. Introduction - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Water Policy Workshop

Water Policy Workshop Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Policy Foundation 3. County Activities 4. Local Water Supply Challenges 5. Public Comment 6. Policy Discussion and Direction to Staff

Water Policy Workshop BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Water Policy Workshop Butte County Water Resources Element  Water Resources Element (Ch. 8) is one of 12 General Plan Elements  Water Resources Element is one of five optional Elements  Current Water Resources Element was adopted as part of General Plan 2030 on October 26, 2010  General Plan Action Plan Updates were adopted on April 24, 2018 - these removed 4 completed actions from the Water Resources Element  No further amendments have taken place since the original adoption in 2010 and the minor amendments to the actions in 2018  Current Element has 6 goals, 35 policies (7 of which are also mitigation measures in the EIR), and 13 actions

Water Policy Workshop Butte County General Plan – Goals, Policies and Actions  A goal is a description of the general desired result that the County seeks to create through the implementation of its General Plan.  A policy is a specific statement that guides decision-making as the County works to achieve a goal. Such policies, once adopted, represent statements of County regulation. A policy is on-going and requires no further implementation. The General Plan’s policies set out the standards that will be used by County staff, the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in their review of land development projects and in decision-making about County actions.  An action is an implementation measure, procedure, or technique intended to help achieve a specified goal. The County must take additional steps to implement each action in the General Plan. An action is something that can and will be completed.

Water Policy Workshop General Plan 2030 Water Resources Element Public Participation / Input from 2006 – 2010: o Public Comment and Outreach o Input from County Departments o Stakeholder and Interest Group Meetings o League of Women Voters Workshops o Citizen Advisory Committee Meetings o Water Commission and WC Subcommittee Meetings o Study Sessions at Board and Planning Commission

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation: Water Resources Element Goals 1. Maintain and enhance water quality . 9 Policies / 3 Actions 2. Ensure abundant and sustainable water supply to support all uses in Butte County. 9 Policies / 3 Actions 3. Effectively manage groundwater resources to ensure a long-term water supply for Butte County. 3 Policies / 5 Actions 4. Promote water conservation as an important part of a long-term and sustainable water supply. 7 Policies / 2 Actions 5. Protect water quality through effective storm water management . 5 Policies 6. Improve streambank stability and protect riparian resources. 2 Policies (Policies and Actions are included in the Agenda Packet Information)

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation: Water Resources Element Selected Policies from the Water Resources Element:  W-P2.1 The County supports solutions to ensure the sustainability of community water supplies.  W-P2.3 Water resources shall be planned and managed in a way that relies on sound science and public participation .  W-P2.4 The County’s State Water Project allocation should be fully utilized within Butte County.  W-P2.5 The expansion of public water systems to areas identified for future development on the General Plan land use map is encouraged.

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation: Water Resources Element Selected Policies from the Water Resources Element:  W-P2.6 The County supports water development projects that are needed to supply local demands.  W-P2.8 The County supports Area of Origin water rights , the existing water right priority system and the authority to make water management decisions locally to meet the county’s current and future needs, thereby County’s protecting Butte communities, economy and environment.

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation: Water Resources Element Selected Policies from the Water Resources Element: The County shall continue to ensure the W-P3.1 resources , including sustainability of groundwater groundwater levels, groundwater quality and avoidance of land subsidence, through a basin management objective program that relies on management at the local level, utilizes sound scientific data and assures compliance. W-P3.3 The County shall protect groundwater recharge when considering new and groundwater quality development projects.*

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation – Environmental Mitigation During the CEQA review of the General Plan 2030 document, some of the policies were incorporated that were also mitigation measures in the EIR. Those policies are indicated in the document with an (*) at the end of the policy. Below is a list of the Policies in the Water Resources Element that are also mitigation measures: W-P1.7 W-P2.9 W-P3.3 W-P4.6 W-P5.2 W-P5.4 W-P6.2 Changing policies identified as environmental mitigation for Butte County General Plan 2030 would require additional environmental analysis (i.e. preparation of a Subsequent or Supplemental EIR.)

Water Policy Workshop General Plan Amendments  State law requires the local planning agency to provide opportunities for the involvement of the community. Such involvement should include opportunities for the involvement of citizens, California Native American tribes, civic, education, and other community groups as well as public agencies and public utility companies through hearings or other appropriate methods (Gov. Code § 65351).  Internal consistency requires that no policy conflicts, either textual or diagrammatic, can exist between the components of an otherwise complete and adequate general plan such as internally referenced external documents like a climate action plan or a local energy assurance plan (Gov. Code § 65300.5). Different policies must be balanced and reconciled within the plan.

Water Policy Workshop General Plan Amendments – Process  Under State Law, counties must hold at least two public hearings before adopting a general plan or general plan amendment: one by the Planning Commission and another by the Board of Supervisors.  The minimal approach of two public hearings is often used for simple amendments that do not involve county-wide policy issues (e.g. a change in a general plan land use designation); General Plan 2030 involved many more meetings in order to ensure public outreach and engagement.  Many entities have recognized the ability of strong community engagement to improve local conditions, inform policy, enhance equity, and create better program outcomes. Community engagement as a process can also help strengthen community bonds. Creating the opportunity for community dialogue throughout the general plan update – while sometimes challenging – can result in a more informed plan with more public support (California General Plan Guidelines).

Water Policy Workshop General Plan Amendments – Community Engagement Process  Update the General Plan 2030 Settings and Trends Report (2007) to reflect existing conditions  Community outreach program  Advisory or Citizens Advisory Committee  Stakeholder Group Meetings  Public Workshops  Goals and Policies Development  Environmental Review (CEQA)  Public Hearings at Planning Commission and Board

Water Policy Workshop Policy Foundation Chapter 33 – Groundwater Conservation  Voter approved in 1996  Regulation of Groundwater Transfers  Water Commission/Technical Advisory Committee  Groundwater Monitoring and Reporting Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Butte County Table A Contract County Activities State Water Project o 29 State Water Project Contractors – 5 north of Delta o Water Contracts – Not a Water Right o Butte County SWP Table A – 27,500 AF (acre-feet) o Contract 1965 – 2038 o State Charges (2019 $72/acre-foot) o Allocation

Butte County Table A Contract County Activities State Water Project In-County Table A Contracts o Del Oro Water Company: 300 AF/yr o California Water Service-Oroville: 150 AF/yr South of Delta Lease Agreements o Palmdale (14,000 AF/yr) o Westside Districts (10,000 AF/yr)

Butte County Table A Contract County Activities State Water Project A Financial Liability - 2008 o Prior to 2008, DWR allowed the County to annually reduce its allocation to meet in-county demand o After 2008, Butte County to pay for the entire 27,500 AF o 2008-9 Two year Critical Drought Program o 2010-2011 – No transfer program

Butte County Table A Contract County Activities State Water Project Area of Origin Lawsuit  5 North of Delta SWP Contractors v. DWR (2013)  Settlement o Increased allocation - Butte Specific Allocation Table o “Credit” for the two year with no transfer o Ability to enter into long-term lease – concurrent negotiations

Butte County Table A Contract County Activities State Water Project In-County Contracts o California Water Service-Oroville o 150 acre feet/year (Previously 3,000 AF/year) o Non-project water PG&E Diversion 2014 & 2017 o Del Oro Water Company o 300 acre feet/year o Turn back option o “Additional Water” made available to South of Delta Contractors o Contracts end in 2020