Central Valley Region Salt and Nitrate Management Plan

Transcription

1 CENTRAL VALLEY SALINITY ALTERNATIVES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY (CV SALTS) Central Valley Region Salt and Nitrate Management Plan Draft Final Document for Central Valley Water Board Consideration December 2016

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3 Final SNMP for Central Valley Water Board Consideration: December 2016 Table of Contents SNMP Executive Summary... ES 1 1. Introduction Problem Statement Regional Water Quality Goals and Priorities Other Regulatory Requirements Salt and Nitrate Management Plan Development SNMP Roadmap Central Valley Region Overview Beneficial Uses and Water Quality Objectives MUN Water Quality Objectives AGR Water Quality Objectives Physical Description Climate Land Cover and Land Uses Water Sources and Demands Surface Water, Delivered Water, Imported Water, and Recycled Water Groundwater Basin/Subbasin Boundaries Geology Hydrogeology/Hydrology Aquifer Recharge Areas Salt and Nitrate Conditions in the Central Valley Region Introduction Initial Assessment of Salt and Nitrate in Groundwater in the Central Valley Methodology Model Development Data Sources Mass Balance Calculations Water Quality Conditions Ambient Concentrations Water Quality Trends Assimilative Capacity Fate and Transport of Nitrate and TDS in the Central Valley Final Assessment of Salt and Nitrate Conditions in Groundwater in the Central Valley Methodology Definition of Upper, Lower and Production Zones Groundwater Quality Data Spatial Analyses Aggregate Analyses Findings i

4 Ambient Concentrations Water Quality Trends and Predicted Conditions Assimilative Capacity Salt and Nitrate Conditions in Surface Waters in the Central Valley Region Methodology and Data Sources Hydrologic Region Water Quality Summaries Water Quality Findings for Salt and Nitrate Salinity Nitrate Waters Impaired for Salinity or Nitrate Central Valley Salt and Nitrate Management Strategy Salt & Nitrate Management Plan Framework Management Goals and Priorities SNMP Overview SNMP Development Process CV SALTS Recommended Clarifications, Policies and New Regulatory Tools Groundwater Management Areas Permitting and Management Strategies Policies and Guidance Related Basin Plan Amendments MUN Beneficial Use Project Agriculturally Dominated Water Bodies Evaluation Evaluation of MUN and AGR Beneficial Uses in a Portion of Historical Tulare Lakebed Groundwater Lower San Joaquin River Salinity Water Quality Objectives Regulatory Evaluations Salinity Effects on MUN related Uses of Water Salinity Effects on Agricultural Irrigation Uses Stock Watering Protection Aquatic Life Protection Development of the Technical Foundation Nitrate Management Salt Management Alta Irrigation District Management Zone Archetype Salt and Nitrate Conditions Salt and Nitrate Management Strategy Management Plan Framework Nitrate Management Overview of Nitrate Permitting Strategy Permitting Pathways Allocation of Assimilative Capacity Granting an Exception to Meeting the Water Quality Objective for Nitrate Salt Management ii

5 Overview Salinity Management Strategy Interim Salinity Permitting Approach Opting Out of Participation in the Phase I Prioritization and Optimization Study Process for Development and Adoption of Resolutions/Orders to Implement Interim Permitting Approach Potential Future Permitting Approach Development of Alternative Data Surveillance and Monitoring Program Overview Program Goals SAMP Approach CV SALTS Database Defining a Monitoring Network Power Analysis Grid Cell Size Selection Algorithm for Monitoring Well Selection Recommended Next Steps to Finalize the SNMP Surveillance and Monitoring Program Surveillance and Monitoring Program Implementation Environmental Review and Economics Analysis Overview CEQA Scoping Environmental Setting and Baseline Federal Laws, Plans, Policies, and Regulations State Laws, Plans, Policies, and Regulations Statutes Water Quality Control Plans Policies and Programs Regulation of Waste Discharges Description of Project Alternatives No Project Alternative Preferred Alternative Environmental Review Analysis of the Preferred Alternative Issue (a) Biological Considerations Issue (b) Evaluation of Cumulative Conditions Issue (c) Environmental Effects on Human Beings Analysis of No Project Alternative Assessment of the Alternative Cumulative Impacts Assessment Economics Analysis Introduction Analysis of the No Project Alternative Economic Impacts to Dischargers iii

6 Projected Future Economic Impacts of Not Controlling Salinity Analysis of the Preferred Alternative Drinking Water Long term Nitrate Management Salt Management Economic Costs Attributable to Individual CV SALTS Policies, Strategies, and Guidance SNMP Surveillance and Monitoring Program Antidegradation Analysis Overview Analysis of the Preferred Alternative Analysis of the No Project Alternative Limitation to the Antidegradation Analysis Summary References SNMP Attachments Attachment A Supporting Documents for Recommended Clarifications, Policies and New Regulatory Tools A 1 Groundwater Management Zone Policy A 2 Nitrate Permitting Strategy A 3 Salinity Management Strategy A 4 Revisions to the Exceptions Policy for Waste Discharges to Groundwater A 5 Salinity Management to Provide Reasonable Protection of AGR Beneficial Uses in Groundwater (AGR Policy) A 6 Revisions to the Salinity Variance Program Policy A 7 Offsets Policy A 8 Drought and Water Conservation Policy A 9 Guidance to Implement Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels A 10 Guidance for Developing Alternative Compliance Projects for Nitrate Discharges A 11 Factors to Support a Maximum Benefit Finding Attachment B Technical and Regulatory Supporting Documentation (Summaries with Report Links) B.1 Regulatory Evaluations B.1.1 Salinity Effects on MUN related Uses of Water B1.2 Salinity related Effects on Agricultural Irrigation Uses B1.3 Stock Watering Protection B1.4 Aquatic Life Study B.2 Technical Supporting Documentation B.2.1 Initial Conceptual Model Analyses B Characterization of Hydrologic Regions B Basin Water Balance iv

7 B Basin Salt & Nitrate Mass Balance B Basin Evaluation of Trends and Projected Water Quality B Water Quality Analysis Methods B Management Zone Delineation Methods B.2.2 Final Groundwater Analyses B.2.3 Salt and Nitrate Management Studies B Nitrate Implementation Measures Study B Strategic Salt Accumulation Land and Transportation Study B Management Zone Archetype Analysis Report: Alta Irrigation District B Aggressive Restoration Scenario Modeling B.2.4 Surveillance and Monitoring Program Evaluation Attachment C Environmental Review and Economic Analysis Supporting Documentation (Summaries with Report Links) C 1 Environmental Documentation C 2 Central Valley Salt and Nitrate Management Plan Economics Analysis C 3 Central Valley Salt and Nitrate Management Plan Antidegradation Analysis Attachment D Other SNMP Supporting Documentation D 1 SNMP Glossary of Terms D 2 CV SALTS Stakeholder Process D 3 Summary of Significant Stakeholder Alternatives/Options to SNMP Recommended Policies D 4 Methodology to Initially Prioritize Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Based on Water Quality List of Figures Section Central Valley Hydrologic Regions and Surrounding Geography Central Valley Surface Water Flows Recycled Water Policy SNMP Content Requirements Section Central Valley Surface Waters and Surrounding Geography Major Surface Waters and Average Annual Precipitation in the Central Valley Region Groundwater Basins/Subbasins in the Valley Floor of the Central Valley Region Central Valley Groundwater Basins/Subbasins and Underlying Corcoran Clay Section Initial Analysis Zones in the Central Valley Floor Variability in 20 Year Travel Distance within Groundwater in the Central Valley Floor Conceptual Model for Water Balance Calculations for Each IAZ Distribution of Wells with Nitrate and Salt Data in the Central Valley Region Use of CVHM Grid Cells to Illustrate Water Quality Conditions v

8 3 6 Mass Balance Component and Mass Transport Due to Groundwater Movement Average Nitrate Mass (Tons) Present for Northern Central Valley IAZs Average TDS Mass (Tons) Present for Northern Central Valley IAZs Starting, Net Change, and Final Nitrate Mass (Tons) the 20 Year Travel Zone for Northern Central Valley IAZs ( ) Starting, Net Change, and Final TDS Mass (Tons) in the 20 Year Travel Zone for Northern Central Valley IAZs ( ) Average Nitrate Mass (Tons) Present for Middle Central Valley IAZs Average TDS Mass (Tons) Present for Middle Central Valley IAZs Starting, Net Change, and Final Nitrate Mass (Tons) the 20 Year Travel Zone for Middle Central Valley IAZs ( ) Starting, Net Change, and Final TDS Mass (Tons) in the 20 Year Travel Zone for Middle Central Valley IAZs ( ) Average Nitrate Mass (Tons) Present for Southern Central Valley IAZs Average TDS Mass (Tons) Present for Southern Central Valley IAZs Starting, Net Change, and Final Nitrate Mass (Tons) the 20 Year Travel Zone for Southern Central Valley IAZs ( ) Starting, Net Change, and Final TDS Mass (Tons) in the 20 Year Travel Zone for Southern Central Valley IAZs ( ) Schematic of Aquifer System (Where Corcoran Clay is Absent) Schematic of Aquifer System (Where Corcoran Clay Layer is Present) Explanation of Terms in Figures 3 19 and Extent of the Corcoran Clay in the Central Valley Floor Ambient Conditions for Nitrate (mg/l as N) in the Upper Zone of Groundwater Basins/Subbasins in the Central Valley Floor Ambient Conditions for Nitrate (mg/l as N) in the Production Zone of Groundwater Basins/Subbasins in the Central Valley Floor Ambient Conditions for TDS (mg/l as N) in the Upper Zone of Groundwater Basins/Subbasins in the Central Valley Floor Ambient Conditions for TDS (mg/l as N) in the Production Zone of Groundwater Basins/Subbasins in the Central Valley Floor Illustration of How Assimilative Capacity is Estimated for Groundwater Zones Estimated Assimilative Capacity for Nitrate (mg/l as N) in the Upper Zone of Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Estimated Assimilative Capacity for Nitrate (mg/l as N) in the Production Zone of Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Estimated Assimilative Capacity for TDS (mg/l as N) in the Upper Zone of Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Estimated Assimilative Capacity for TDS (mg/l as N) in the Production Zone of Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Surface Water Monitoring Locations in the Central Valley Region Electrical Conductivity Observations in Sacramento River Tributaries Electrical Conductivity Observations in Sacramento River Median Electrical Conductivity Values in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region Electrical Conductivity Observations in San Joaquin River Tributaries Electrical Conductivity Observations in San Joaquin River vi

9 3 38 Median Electrical Conductivity Values in San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region Electrical Conductivity Observations in Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region Median Electrical Conductivity Values in Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region Electrical Conductivity Observations in Delta Region Median Electrical Conductivity Values in Delta Region Nitrate (as N) Observations in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region Median Nitrate (as N) Values in Sacramento River Hydrologic Region Nitrate (as N) Observations in San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region Median Nitrate (as N) Values in San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region Nitrate (as N) Observations in Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region Median Nitrate (as N) Values in Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region Nitrate (as N) Observations in Delta Region Median Nitrate (as N) Values in Delta Region Section Characteristics of a Management Zone Initial SNMP Nitrate Management Actions Elements of Preliminary Management Zone Proposals Path A Steps to Compliance with SNMP Path B Steps to Compliance with SNMP Minimum Requirements for Final Management Zone Proposal Minimum Requirements for Management Zone Implementation Plan Factors to Consider When Authorizing an Exception for Nitrate in a WDR Milestones for Implementation of Phase I of the Salinity Management Strategy Section Recycled Water Policy SNMP Monitoring Requirements Illustration of SNMP Surveillance and Monitoring that Relies on Existing Monitoring Program Data List of Tables Section Groundwater Basin and Subbasins in Central Valley Region Section Well Types and Number of Wells from Data Sources Used to Support ICM Development Ambient Nitrate Concentrations in Northern Central Valley IAZs Ambient TDS Concentrations in Northern Central Valley IAZs Ambient Nitrate Concentrations in Middle Central Valley IAZs Ambient TDS Concentrations in Middle Central Valley IAZs Ambient Nitrate Concentrations in Southern Central Valley IAZs Ambient TDS Concentrations in Southern Central Valley IAZs vii

10 3 8 Trends in Ambient Nitrate Concentrations in Central Valley IAZs Trends in Ambient TDS Concentrations in Central Valley IAZs Summary of Deep Ambient Groundwater Quality Trends in IAZs Weights for Calculating Upper and Lower Zone Boundaries Average and Median Nitrate Concentration Statistics for Wells Defined in Upper or Lower Zones in Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Average and Median TDS Concentration Statistics for Wells Defined in Upper or Lower Zones in Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Average and Median Nitrate Concentration Statistics for Wells Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Outside the Central Valley Floor Average and Median TDS Concentration Statistics for Wells Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Outside the Central Valley Floor Volume Weighted Ambient Concentrations of Nitrate and TDS in the Upper and Production Zones Central Valley Floor Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Estimated Assimilative Capacity for Nitrate and TDS in the Upper and Production Zones in Central Valley Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Surface Waters Listed as Impaired for Salinity or Nutrient related Constituents Section Table A Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels; Consumer Acceptance Contaminant Levels Table B Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels; Consumer Acceptance Contaminant Level Ranges CV SALTS Studies Completed to Satisfy Recycled Water Policy SNMP Requirements Ranking and Priority for Groundwater Basins/Subbasins Based on Step 1 of Prioritization Process Using Ambient Nitrate Concentrations in the Upper Zone Discharge Categories Applicable to Path A Summary of the Findings/Conditions Required to Demonstrate Compliance with the Nitrate Management Requirements Applicable to Path A Salinity Management Strategy Phases Section Minimum Recommended Next Steps in Development of Surveillance and Monitoring Program to Support SNMP Implementation Section Community Water System Estimated Costs for the AID Area Using Different Treatment Technologies for Nitrate Removal Community Water System Estimated Costs for Areas in the Central Valley with Elevated Nitrate Concentrations in Groundwater Point of Use Treatment System Estimated Costs for the AID Area Point of Use Treatment System Estimated Costs for Areas in the Central Valley with Elevated Nitrate Concentrations in Groundwater Estimated Capital and O&M Costs for Long Term Nitrate Management in the Entire AID Area Based on Restoration Plan B viii

11 6 6 Estimates of the Number of Wells and Area Requiring Treatment in the AID Area and Projections for the Central Valley Estimated Capital and O&M Costs for Long Term Nitrate Management in the Central Valley Based on Restoration Plan B Estimated Central Valley Regulated Brine Line Costs ix

12 List of Acronyms or Abbreviations Acronym or Abbreviation ACP AF AFY AGR AID AWQ Basin Plans BATEA BCT BMP Board BPA BPT BPTC CASGEM CCR CDPH CEC CEDEN Central Valley Water Board CEQA CFR CVHM CVP CVRWQCB CV SALTS CVSC CWA CWC DDW DMC Alternative Compliance Project Acre Feet Acre Feet/Year Agricultural Supply Alta Irrigation District Ambient Water Quality Definition Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins and the Water Quality Control Plan for the Tulare Lake Basin Best Available Technology Economically Achievable Best Conventional Pollution Control Technology Best Management Practice Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan Amendment Best Practicable Control Technology Best Practicable Treatment or Control California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring California Code of Regulations California Department of Public Health Constituents of Emerging Concern California Environmental Data Exchange Network Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board California Environmental Quality Act Code of Federal Regulations Central Valley Hydrologic Model Central Valley Project Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long Term Sustainability Central Valley Salinity Coalition Clean Water Act California Water Code Division of Drinking Water Delta Mendota Canal x

13 Acronym or Abbreviation DWR EAP EBMUD EC GAMA GAR GMP gpm GSA GSP GW HASP IAZ ICM ILRP IRWMP IX LMUN LSJR MAF MCL MGD mg/l MUN N NIMS NOI NO 3 N NPDES NUE NWIS O & M OWTS POTW POU Definition California Department of Water Resources Early Action Plan East Bay Municipal Utility District Electrical Conductivity Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Groundwater Quality Assessment Reports Groundwater Management Plan Gallons per Minute Groundwater Sustainability Agency Groundwater Sustainability Plan Groundwater Health and Safety Plan Initial Analysis Zone Initial Conceptual Model Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Ion Exchange Limited Municipal and Domestic Water Supply Lower San Joaquin River Million acre feet Maximum Contaminant Level Million Gallons/Day Milligrams/liter Municipal and Domestic Water Supply Nitrogen Nitrate Implementation Measures Study Notice of Intent Nitrate as Nitrogen National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Nitrate Use Efficiencies National Water Information System Operations and Maintenance Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Publically Owned Treatment Works Point of Use xi

14 Acronym or Abbreviation PTS QA/QC QAPP Regional Water Boards RO SAMP SAP SED SGMA SMCL SNMP SRSJR SSALTS SWP State Water Board TAC TAF TDS TLB TMDL µmhos/cm µs/cm USC US EPA USGS UTS UWMP Act WARMF Wat. Code WBD WBS WDL WDR WQ WQBEL Definition Pump, Treat and Serve Quality Assurance/Quality Control Quality Assurance Project Plan Regional Water Quality Control Boards Reverse Osmosis Surveillance and Monitoring Program Sample Analysis Plan Substitute Environmental Document Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level Salt and Nitrate Management Plan Sacramento River/San Joaquin River Strategic Salt Accumulation Land and Transportation Study State Water Project State Water Resources Control Board Technical Advisory Committee Thousand acre feet Total Dissolved Solids Tulare Lake Basin Total Maximum Daily Load micromhos/centimeter microsiemens/centimeter United States Code United States Environmental Protection Agency United States Geological Survey Under the Sink Urban Water Management Planning Act Watershed Analysis Risk Management Framework California Water Code Watershed Boundary Dataset Water Balance Subregions Water Data Library Waste Discharge Requirement Water Quality Water Quality based Effluent Limitations xii

15 Acronym or Abbreviation WQO WQP WWTP WY Definition Water Quality Objective Water Quality Portal Waste Water Treatment Plant Water Year xiii

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