FCGMA - DRAFT LIST OF POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Transcription

1 FCGMA - DRAFT LIST OF POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS A. TECHNICAL/BASIN DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS UNDERSTANDING INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES A.1 Basins Hydrogeology and Basin Hydrogeology and flow regime may not be Internal - Review previous Considerable Intermediate 1. Fund, initiate and Groundwater Flow well understood, defined, be outdated or need Work/Studies. Consultant ( hrs) Term complete broad based Regime technical reevaluation. assistance may be needed for each Sub- (1-5 years) hydrogeologic and for peer review of technical basin Flow Studies for one Complete Studies for Seven (7) Sub-basins: reports. Oxnard Plain. Forebay, Pleasant Valley, Santa Rosa, Las Posas (West, East and South) or more sub-basins. 2. Fund, initiate and complete focused hydrogeologic and Flow Studies for one or more sub-basins, based upon an identified issue of importance. External - Rely on Water Considerable 1. Rely on Water Districts and others to ($30,000 - Districts and others to provide data, analyses and $100,000) for provide data, analyses determinations, with in- each Suband determinations, house validation, basin with in-house Or utilize consultant services validation. with Agency staff oversight. 2. Utilize consultant services with Agency staff oversight. Item 6A - Page 1 of 22

2 A.2 Safe Yield Safe yield analyses and determinations have not Internal - Develop additional Considerable Intermediate 1. Current Safe Yield Determinations been completed for each Basin/Sub-basin, and the In-house expertise with (160 hours) Term values are sufficient existing Agency-wide safe yield value may not be consultant assistance. for each Sub- (1-5 years) for Management accurate. basin Strategies in 2007 Complete Individual Safe Yield Analysis for Seven GMP. (7) Sub-basins: Oxnard Plain, Forebay, Pleasant Valley, Santa Rosa, Las Posas (West, East and 2. Undertake South), development of And/or Groundwater Models Conversely Update to Agency's Cumulative Safe for each basin; before Yield Value. embarking on Safe Yield Analysis. 3. Fund and complete comprehensive Safe Yield Analysis and Determination for one or more sub-basins. External - Rely on Water Considerable 1. Rely on Water Districts and others to ($5,000 - Districts and others to provide data, analyses and $30,000) for provide data, analyses determinations, with in- Each Suband determinations, house validation, or utilize basin consultant services with with in-house Agency staff oversight. validation, or utilize consultant services with Agency staff oversight. Item 6A - Page 2 of 22 A.3 Graphical Tools Good graphical tools to represent the health and Internal - Explore sources of Minimal Short-Term 1. Use existing Graphical condition of the basins are necessary/helpful to graphical tools (free & for ($0 - $5,000) (12 months or inform decision-makers and/or public, but may not purchase) less) Software. be available to Agency staff. 2. Obtain free Graphical External - Purchase Mi nimal software & any necessary ($0 - $5,000) Software. computer hardware. 3. Purchase Graphical Have Consultant synthesize Significant Software with data and present graphically. ($5,000 - necessary supporting $20,000) hardware. 4. Have graphics generated by others.

3 A.4 Groundwater Model A comprehensive calibrated Regional groundwater Internal - Develop In-house Considerable Intermediate 1. Rely on existing model is a needed predictive tool. However, no expertise with consultant (160 to 800 Term Regional groundwater model is currently available assistance. hrs) - Staff (1-5 years) Groundwater Models. to the Agency, and the existing UWCD Resources groundwater model is being overhauled and needed for 2. Fund and develop recalibrated. Other models are being developed by validation & independent In-House CMWD, City of Camarillo, and County Waterworks. Peer Review. Groundwater Models in collaboration with stakeholders. 3. Fund and implement peer review of existing Groundwater Models. Item 6A - Page 3 of 22 External - Rely on UWCD, Large if 1. Rely on UWCD, CMWD and others to provide developing CMWD, and others to model, assumptions. inputs, owngw provide model, analyses and Model. assumptions, inputs, determinations, with in- ($1 million or house validation. more for all analyses and Basins, less if determinations, with 1 or more in-house validation. Basins) 2. Other - hybrid of Agency has already above.. invested $225,000 in UWCDModel. A.5 Comprehensive A monitoring program for both coastal and inland Internal - Evaluate and Significant Intermediate 1. Existing WQ and WL Monitoring Program for areas for water level and water quality currently complete data gap analysis. (40-80 hrs) Term Monitoring Network Water Quality and Water exists, but has significant data and information Additional resources for (1-2 years) adequate. Level gaps, and relies on other entities to supply the data. measurements. Incorporate Minimal Furthermore the current program lacks and integrate various ($5,000 or comprehensive aerial and spatial coverage, and monitoring data. less) for the 2. Require all Well real time measurements. analyses, and Operators to provide if existing WQ and WL data. wells exist. External - Currently rely on Considerable 3. Require all Water UWCD, and County of ($100,000 to Purveyors to provide Ventura for no cost access to $1 million) if representative WQ water quality and water level installing and WL data. data. Develop own wells, less if monitoring network. Install only access 4. Revise and/or additional monitoring wells, needed. One augment existing WQ and automatic data loggers time cost for and cellular technolo!lv. and WL Monitoring

4 real time data loggers. May be offset by grants. Network (Agency conducts monitoring). 5. Revise and augment existing Monitoring Network (install transducers, automated data readers). Agency relies and/or partners with others for monitoring data. 6. Combination of one or more above. B. ALLOCATION SCHEME DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES B.1 Historical and Baseline Concern has been raised that the current Agency Internal - Utilize existing Significant Short-Term 1. Utilize Allocation system for Historical and Baseline is Agency database and (40-80 hrs) (12 months or Historical and unsustainable now, and into the future, and produce reports through less) Baseline Allocation perhaps a new or different Allocation system various queries. Systems. should be developed. External - Research other Water District's, GMA's or academia. 2. Modify Base Period from to recent period; readjust Historical Allocations. Item 6A - Page 4 of Eliminate Historical and Baseline Allocations. 4. Replace and institute a Flat Baseline Allocation System (within minimum Safe Yield) with ability to transfer allocations within sub-basin.

5 5. Replace and institute a Flat Baseline Allocation System (within minimum Safe Yield) taking into account credits and banked allocation. 6. Replace and develop and implement a market-based allocation scheme. 7. Tailor allocation schemes for each basin based on water rights and property rights, with stakeholder input 8. Implement a streamlined adjudication process for each basin. B.2 Irrigation Allowance Concern has been raised whether an Agriculture Internal - Existing Database Significant Intermediate 1. Retain current Efficiency Based Allowance Program is compatible and new information ( hrs) (1-2 years) Irrigation Allowance with the objective of providing a long-term, reliable, generated under Emergency Index (IAI) and predictable framework for each pumper's access to Ordinance E Irrigation program. groundwater. Allowance Program. Item 6A - Page 5 of Modify current IAI Program with combination Baseline and IAI. 3. Eliminate IAI Program. 4. Institute a Flat Baseline Allocation System (within minimum safe yield) with ability to transfer

6 allocations within subbasin. 5. Develop and institute a market-based allocation scheme. 6. Tailor allocation schemes for each basin based on water rights and property rights, with stakeholder input. Item 6A - Page 6 of 22 External - Research work by Academia and Research Institutes (i.e. U.C. Extension, Cal Poly ITSC) B.3 Credits - Conservation, Credits - The Agency has several credit programs Internal - Considerable Minimal Short Term 1. Maintain existing Storage, In-Lieu it created and administers. Currently, the Agency historical data and previous (20-40 hrs) (3 months or has on balance conservation credits that amount to work exists, and provides less) program. over 7 times the Safe Yield value of 100,000 AFY, foundation for Policy 2. Discontinue effectively leaving a large theoretical pumping debt development. on the Agency's basins. The Agency's Ordinance program(s) and does not have any limitations on accumulation, Legal Analysis Minimal eliminate accumulated annual usage of credits, nor any sun setting Credits. provisions. In addition, many of the conservation 15 hours for credits were earned many years ago, and in Internal Legal 3. Sunset accumulated essence now "virtual water." Other policies may Opinion Credits over period of also need to be developed for the Storage and Intime. Lieu credit programs so that any detriment of credit accumulation does not outweigh its initial benefit. External - Legal Analysis May need ($1, Credits on account $5,000) for a remain viable; facilitator. discontinue any future $5,000 for accumulation. Legal Opinion 5. Replace Credit Program with different Groundwater Management Pumping Disincentive Program. 6. Implement a combination ofthe

7 above solutions based on the specific type of credit program. B.4 Specific Program In the past, the Agency has authorized specific Internal - Staff review of Significant Intermediate 1. Authorize on a case- Authorizations/ allocations for certain programs and projects. Is it data, special studies, model (40-80 hrs) Term by-case basis. Desalter Allocations in the Agency's best interest to continue such and environmental per Project (1-3 years) separate authorizations on a case by case basis documents. 2. Authorize on a basin (creating more complexity to our Allocation System), or should these authorizations be part of overall different allocation system? External - Peer Review of Significant Studies and Modeling ($10,000 - $50,000) or sub-basin basis. 3. Do not authorize, unless clear and definitive benefit to Agency Sustainability Goals. 4. Eliminate special Allocation Programs. Item 6A - Page 7 of 22 c. HEALTH OF THE DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS BASINS/UNABATED INFORMATION ESTIMATE THREATS RANGES C.1 Seawater Intrusion Agency policies and management strategies have Internal -Access to and/or Significant Short to 1. Monitoring only. not prevented seawater intrusion along the Oxnard ability to collect water level (40-80 hrs) Long-Term Plain. Unabated, this intrusion will further advance and water quality data as to (1-1 O years) 2. Abate seawater inland, resulting in the permanent loss of this the extent of seawater intrusion front at groundwater resource. intrusion. Evaluate existing data, maps and reports current position outlining horizontal and (2014). vertical extent of intrusion. 3. Reverse and push Also related to A.1-A.5 seawater intrusion front back to ocean shoreline, and recover resource overtime. Install and operate seawater intrusion barrier.

8 4. Allow seawater intrusion front to migrate further inland. C.2 Migration and Intrusion of Current policies and procedures may not be Internal - Access to and/or Significant Short to 1. Monitoring only. Poor Quality Water effective in preventing this degradation. The ability to collect water level (40-60 hrs) Intermediate Allow continual mitigation and intrusion of poor quality water from and water quality data, and Term (1-5 migration (vertically or shallow aquifers (or other sources) to deeper review of any reports years) horizontally) and aquifers threatens better quality groundwater. Left documenting mitigation and unabated, groundwater quality can be degraded, intrusion. degradation of better resulting in loss of beneficial uses. quality. Also related to A.1-A.5 2. Abate and/or do not allow poor water quality to migrate and degrade better quality groundwater beyond current position (2014). 3. Push to have Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) implemented and enforced. 4. Mitigate poor quality migration with active Brackish Desalters and Injection Program, and recover resource overtime. Item 6A - Page 8 of Allow mitigate further inland, but operate Brackish Desalters. 6. Shift pumping (vertically or horizontally) to different non-affected areas. 7. On a basin-by-basin basis, implement a

9 combination of the above (Solutions No. 1 through No. 6) C.3 I Land Subsidence External - Access to and/or ability to collect water level and water quality data and reports from other Agencies. Subsidence has been documented in several areas Internal - Access to readily of the Oxnard Plain, and concern has been raised available surface elevation that allowing pumping trough depressions to form, data through Caltrans, that meet or go below historical water levels will County surveyor, or LIDAR cause subsidence. Land subsidence may result in images, and compare with irreversible aquifer storage capacity loss (from past reports. dewatering of aquifer sediments). Subsidence also has the potential to impact surface infrastructure (buildings, roads, bridges, pipelines, levees, etc.). Significant ($50,000 - $100,000) Significant (40-60 hrs) Intermediate 1. Status Quo - no active to Long-Term monitoring. (1-10 years) 2. Actively monitor with established baseline condition by entering into agreement with Ventura County, cities, State and Federal Agencies that collect surface elevation data. 3. Do not allow water levels to be depressed beyond current historical lows. 4. Combination of Solutions No. 2 and No. 3 above. Item 6A - Page 9 of 22 C.4 Pumping Trough Depressions External - Access to surface elevation data collected by others, purchase or obtain remote sensing images. (i.e. NASA satellite, DWR data) There are several documented pumping trough Internal - Access to and/or depressions within the Agency, both in coastal and ability to collect water level inland basins. Acute and chronic over extraction of and water quality data groundwater beyond safe yield can lead to documenting conditions. pumping trough depressions. These depressions can lead to a number of adverse conseauences: Also related to A.1-A.5. Significant (40-60 hrs) Intermediate to Long-Term (1-1 O years) 1. Monitor only. 2. Maintain current depressed water levels; Pumping

10 including saltwater intrusion, water quality External - Access to and/or Trough Depression degradation, reduced groundwater storage, ability to collect water level remains. availability and reliability; increased energy costs; and water quality data and costs for well deepening or replacement; stream reports from other Agencies. 3. Allow water levels to flow depletion, and land subsidence. Also related to A.1- A.5. rise to a sustainable level. Promote water supply solutions and/or reductions to allow depressions to recover. 4. Utilize Depression Troughs as opportunity for future ASR or Storage Projects. 5. Allow pumping to a pre-determined level. 6. On a case-by-case basis implement a combination of the above solutions. Item 6A - Page 10 of 22 D. GROUNDWATER DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION ESTIMATE PLANNING RANGES D.1 Basin Management The 2007 Groundwater Management Plan contains Internal - Review 2007 GMP Significant Short to 1. BMO are adequate for Objectives water level and water quality Basin Management and determine which BMOs (40-60 hrs) Intermediate all basins; no change Objectives, and represent an important component require further evaluation. Term in determining the effectiveness of Agency (1-3 years) needed. management strategies. Many of these BMOs Also related to A.1-A.5. were established in 2007 under an older External - If necessary, 2. BMOs are adequate Significant Groundwater model. consultant services for peer ($20,000 - for some but not all review of existing BMOs. 50,000) sub-basins. Identify, revise and/or add new BMOs based upon existing data and assumptions. 3. BMOs need revising for all basins. Identify, revise and/or

11 add new BMOs based upon existing and any new data. D.2 I llllanagement Strategies (Current and Proposed) The 2007 Groundwater Management Plan contains Internal - Review 2007 GMP I Significant management strategies to achieve the Agency's management strategies (40-60 hrs) mission, goals and objectives. These management relative to whether goals strategies should be reevaluated, revised, deleted have been achieved. or new ones added. Also related to A.1-A.5 and C.1-C.4 Short to Intermediate Term (1-3 years) 1. Current 2007 GMP Strategies are adequate. No change needed. 2. Management strategies are adequate for some, but not all basins. Identify, revise and/or add new strategies within updated GMP. 3. Management strategies are needed for all basins. Identify, revise and/or add new strategies within updated GMP. External - If necessary consultant services for peer review of management strategies. Also related to A.1-A.5 and C.1-C.4 Significant ($20,000 - $50,000) Item 6A - Page 11 of 22 D.3 Basin Specific Plan Development The 2007 Groundwater Management Plan, while Internal - Research other describing each of the groundwater basins/sub- Agency's GMA specific basins, however does not contain a specific plans, pending state management plan for each basin. The legislation and DWR development of specific plan(s) for each basin has guidelines for sustainable been expressed as desirable to avoid a "one size groundwater. fits all" regulatory scheme, and account for different hydrogeology, land uses, water uses, etc. Another Also related to A.1-A.5 and issue raised is to whether basins are truly separate C.1-C.4 and not-interconnected with other Agency basins. Complete Specific Plans for Seven (7) Sub-basins: Oxnard Plain, Forebay, Pleasant Valley, Santa Rosa, Las Posas (West, East and South) Significant (40-60 hrs) for initial research. Additional time for review of submitted Specific Plans. Short to Intermediate Term (1-5 years) 1. Current GMP is adequate for management of all or most of the subbasins, or requires only minor revisions. 2. Fund, initiate and complete comprehensive specific plans for one or more sub-basins.

12 External - If necessary, Significant consultant services for peer ($20,000 - review of specific basin plan $50,000) underlying data, assumptions, model and conclusions. Also related to A.1-A.5 and C.1-C.4. E. DEMAND DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES E.1 Expansion of Use Expansion of use, and increased groundwater Internal - Information Significant Intermediate 1. Allow expansion of extractions has been documented in most basins currently available through (40-80 hrs) Term use on unused or as the number of planted acreage of water Agency database, and/or (1-2 years) unirrigated land to intensive crops has increased over time. This research other Agencies occur. Monitor effects. expansion of groundwater use has the potential to datasets, Cities' water be counterproductive in achieving the safe yield management plans. goal. Similarly, increased M&I use can also have (Agricultural Commissioner, 2. CAP expansion use the same effect. Farm Bureau, DWR, and the limit the SWRCB\ number of unirrigated External - Consultant Significant acres allowed for Services to Evaluate Data, ($10,000 - Validate Information & 30,000) expansion. Produce Report 3. CAP use and assign a minimum allocation to each newly planted acre. 4. CAP M&I Allocations. Item 6A - Page 12 of Implement a flat allocation system based on specific yield for all land and use type. E.2 Well Permits The issue of how well permits should be used as Research currently available Significant Short-Term 1. Existing Well management tool has been raised. Well permit data, and/or research other (40-80 hrs) (12 months or Permitting Program moratoriums have previously been used through GMAs on their well less) adequate - no change. adoption of Emergency Ordinances, to reduce permitting tools. immediate groundwater demand. Similarly, well permits and conditions have been used to manage

13 groundwater extractions, and effect changes in water quality. Well permits issuance can also be used to shift pumping from a lower aquifer system to an upper aquifer system. 2. Modify Well Permitting Process; place additional conditions including: shifting zones/areas of pumping, quantity of water extracted, well spacing, denial or rescission of permits, etc. 3. Reform Well Permit Process to control extractions at parcel or property vs. current operator/wells. 4. Establish and fund Abandoned and Leaking Well Program. 5. Establish and fund a Well Head Protection Program to protect Recharge Areas. 6. Implement a combination of Solutions Nos. 2, 3 and 5 above. Item 6A - Page 13 of Permit conditions would be based on GSP requirements. E.3 Future Reductions If no effective management strategies are Internal - Data generally Significant Intermediate 1. Implement an implemented, and/or if basin conditions worsen, currently available, or (40-80 hrs) Term immediate across the then future additional reductions may need to be research other GMAs on for Simple (1-3 years) board % reduction in considered Agency-wide, or on a basin or sub- their demand reduction Reduction(s) groundwater basin basis. How/Should Emergency Ordinance E efforts. extractions. provisions be translated into a permanent Considerable Ordinance. for Emergency Ordinance to 2. Implement a stepwise Regular % reduction.

14 Ordinance Change (160 to 320 hrs) Large (1800 hrs) or more for staff adjudication costs 3. Implement a stepwise % reduction for Agriculture only. 4. Implement a stepwise % reduction for M&I only. 5. Establish and fund a Water Conservation Program. 6. Based on basin specific conditions implement variation of a Solutions No. 1 through No. 6 above. 7. Instead of reductions, replenish basins. External - Consultant and Large Long-Term 1. Seek authority and Legal Services ($1 million or (5 years or implement a stream more) for longer) line Adjudication Court Data, Process. Studies and Attorney Costs for Adjudication Item 6A - Page 14 of 22 F. SUPPLY DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIM ELI NE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES F.1 Reclamation/Recycled A number of Reclamation/Recycled projects are Research available data, and Minimal Short-Term 1. Do nothing; not a Projects being planned that could provide the region with current information on the (40 hrs or (3 months or priority. significant additional water supply to off-set number of pending less) less) groundwater demand. The Agency can authorize reclamation/recycled 2. Existing program the use of credits and/or other policies to facilitate projects. these projects, as long as they are beneficial to the adequate - no change. region and the Agency's short and long-term objectives and goals. 3. Establish alternative Water Supply Program; different allocation scheme.

15 4. Based on basin specific conditions implement a combinations of the above solutions. F.2 Brackish Groundwater Projects A number of Brackish Groundwater Desalter Research available data, and projects are being planned that could provide the current information on the region with significant additional water supply to number of current and off-set groundwater demand. The Agency can pending brackish authorize the use of credits and/or other policies to groundwater projects. facilitate these projects, as long as they are beneficial to the region and Agency's short and long-term objectives and goals. Minimal (40 hrs or less) Short-Term (3 months or less) 1. Do nothing; not a priority. 2. Existing program authorizations adequate - no change. 3. Establish alternative Water Supply Program and allocation scheme. 4. Based on basin specific conditions implement a combinations of the above solutions. Item 6A - Page 15 of 22 F.3 Aquifer, Storage and Recovery Projects The construction and operation of Aquifer Storage I Research data and reports and Recovery Project(s) can be beneficial to a on current and planned ASR region and effective tool if properly operated, have projects. operational triggers and contingency plans in place, actively monitored, and data made available. In addition, Agency export and imports from ASR projects may be a point for consideration. Minimal (40 hrs or less) Short-Term (3 months or less) 1. Current ASR Operating and Reporting Rules are adequate. 2. Establish better ASR Operating Criteria. Authorize only on a case-by-case basis with clear Operating and Contingency Plans and triggers in place. 3. Establish better ASR Operating Criteria. Authorize on a basin or sub-basin basis

16 with Operating and Contingency Plans and triggers in place. 4. Do not authorize, unless clear and definitive benefit to Agency's Sustainability Goals. 5. Promote ASRs In all over-drafted basins. 6. Promote Regional Stormwater Projects that capture, infiltrate, store and recover Stormwater as supply. 7. Implement a combination of the solutions listed above. Item 6A - Page 16 of 22 G. FINANCIAL/FISCAL DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMELINE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES G.1 Establishment of a Water The Agency's Enabling Legislation, prohibits the Research various Water Significant Short-Term 1. Seek additional Replenishment Fee Agency from supply side solutions, including District's' fee governance (40-80 hrs) (1-3 authority for funding, and operating facilities or purchasing structure and legislative for initial months) supplemental sources of water. The establishment language. establishment Replenishment Fee. of a Water Replenishment Fee has been of Fee, and suggested to provide the Agency with an effective Governance 2. Establish balance to groundwater management. Structure Governance Structure, utilize and implement a Water Replenishment using authority in new Groundwater Legislation. 3. Do not use authority granted under new Groundwater Legislation.

17 G.2 Use of Surcharges Surcharges have historically been used by the I Research and review other Agency as a disincentive tool to limit over extraction Agency's use of Surcharges. of groundwater allocations. In recent history surcharges have been used to support the Agency's operations, including staffing. Concern has been raised that surcharges should be used for other purposes, perhaps among many to pay for supplemental water. Minimal (40 hrs) for simple change through Resolution, more if legislative change sought. Short-Term (1-3 months) 1. Use existing Annual Budget Process to designate use of surcharges. 2. Enact new formal policy to designate and sequester surcharges for a specific purpose, program or project, including, but not limited to purchases of Supplemental Water. 3. Eliminate surcharges. 4. GSEAP Grant Program - Fund and issue a new set of grants under this program. 5. Implement a combination of Solution No. 2 and No. 4 above. Item 6A - Page 17 of 22 G.3 Adequacy of Current Management/Pump Charges The Agency primarily funds its management Internal - Evaluate operations through the collection of pump charges information from past from Operators. Over time the Agency has raised budgets, staff reports and its pump charge to its current level of $4 per AF. At Board Resolutions. the $4 AF level, funding for the Agency's groundwater management oversight, staffing and operations are on an unsustainable track, and do not support additional efforts to address many of the issues listed in this table. Minimal Short-Term (Completed) 1. On an annual (or periodic) basis evaluate and adjust Pump Charges to sustain and support Agency Operations without Surcharge Revenue. 2. Enact an Automatic Inflation Rider to increase Pump Charges to sustain

18 Agency Operations without Surcharge Revenue. 3. Increase Pump Charges to create a Reserve Fund for Emergency and Water Purchases during droughts. H. EQUITY AND CERTAINTY H.1 I Meter and Extraction Verification Inspection Program DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION COST ESTIMATE The Agency, in order to effectively manage the Internal - From current RANGES Internal - groundwater resources, requires accurate Meter Calibration Program, Significant groundwater extraction reporting. An effective utilize existing Agency (40-80 hrs) Meter and Extraction verification and inspection database and produce Program is essential to verify the accuracy of the reports through various information used in analysis for decision-making.,_.u_e_r_ie_s_.,,, Despite an Ordinance Code requirement for many External - Option for years, the Agency continues to have Operators that consultant services for fail to timely calibrate their flow meter, or report. In verification of Meter addition, many Operators fail to report their Calibration Data. extractions, timely or otherwise. l::xternal Considerable ($50,000 - $100,000) TIMELINE Short-Term (1 year) 4. Evaluate and adjust current FCGMA pump charges in light of future GSA funding. POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS 1. Maintain current Meter and Extraction Program - no change. 2. Refine current Self- Reporting Program with Field Audits and full, partial or random verification inspections, and other website enhancements. Item 6A - Page 18 of Replace current Self- Reporting Program with Agency Field Audit and full, partial or random inspections & Automated Meter- Reading.

19 H.2 Self-Reporting The Agency, in order to effectively manage its groundwater resources, requires accurate and timely reporting of groundwater extractions. The Agency historically has relied on a self-reporting system (or honor system) for reporting extractions Internal -From current Self Reporting Program, utilize existing Agency database and produce reports through various queries. Internal - Significant (40-80 hrs) and water use. Improvements to self-reporting =----:----4 program would prevent any cheating on reporting, External- Option for Externalor water use, and create a fair, firm, consistent and consultant services for Considerable equitable application of the current rules and verification of Self-Reported ($50,000- requirements. extraction data. $100,000) Short-Term (1 year) 1. Maintain current Self Reported Program - no change. 2. Optimize and/or reform Sett-Reporting Program with Mandatory Online Reporting and full, partial or random inspections. 3. Optimize and/or reform Self-Reporting Program with incentives for Online Reporting and full, partial or random inspections. 4. Replace Self Reporting Program with Automated Meter Read ing, and full, partial or random inspections. Item 6A - Page 19 of 22 H.3 Ordinance Enforcement Program Timely and consistent application of the Agency's Internal - From current Ordinance is critical to the Agency's success. In Enforcement Program, utilize addition, enforcement of the Ordinance is a critical existing Agency database ingredient in creating the deterrence needed to and produce reports through encourage the regulated community to anticipate various queries. requirements, and apply consequences for those who choose to violate and equity to those that choose to comply. Without a strong enforcement program to back the Agency's cooperative approach, the public confidence and the Agency's regulatory framework may be in jeopardy. The Agency's ability to fully implement and have all Operators comply with our Ordinance code is constrained by existing resources. Internal - Significant (40-80 hrs) Short-Term (1 year) 1. Current Enforcement Program is effective - no change. 2. Refine Enforcement Program with faster follow-up of complaints, violations of Ordinance, increased penalties for repeat violators, and full, partial or random inspection presence.

20 3. Replace Enforcement Program with outside entity for full, partial or random inspections, complaints, response to Ordinance violations, and collection of penalties/fines. External - Option for External - consultant services to Considerable determine needs to fully ($20,000- enforce Ordinance Code: $30,000) including follow-up with frequent violators and collection of delinquent fines and penalties, inspection program to follow-up on complaints and violations. I. GOVERNANCE DESCRIPTION MEANS OF OBTAINING COST TIMEUNE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS INFORMATION ESTIMATE RANGES 1.1 Board Composition Board Composition - Is the current Board structure Internal -Assistance with 3"' Significant Short-Term 1. Current Board adequate? Party evaluation and any (40-80 hrs) (6 months or structure and data collection. less) composition is adequate - no change needed. Item 6A - Page 20 of Change Board structure including: term limits, elected vs. appointment of Board Members, additional Board Members beyond current five members, and automatic rotation of Board Officers.

21 3. Eliminate Board and replace with new GSP entity. 4. Change Board composition based on GSA formation and basin boundary adjustments. 5. Expand boundaries of Agency to include all portions of basins consistent with DWR Bulletin 118; revise Board composition as appropriate. External - Commission Significant Short-Term 6. Hire independent firm External Report requesting ($5,000 to (12 months or to evaluate, report and 3rd Party review and $50,000) less) recommend changes. recommendations. Implement recommendations to Board's composition based upon report. 1.2 Staff Support Staff Support - Is the County the appropriate Internal - Assistance with 3rd Significant Short-Term 1. No change; County organization to provide staffing support? Party review and data (40-80 hrs) (6 months or staff continues collection. less) Agency staff support. 2. Modify contract with County. Item 6A - Page 21 of Another public agency assumes Agency staffing. 4. Private contractor assumes Agency staffing. 5. Hire additional permanent staff and

22 consultants to meet workload demand. External - Commission Significant Short-Tenn 1. Hire independent firm External Report requesting ($5,000 to (12 months or to evaluate, report and 3rd Party review, develop $50,000) less) recommend changes options and provide for Agency staffing. conclusions and recommendations. Implement recommendations based upon report. Item 6A - Page 22 of 22