Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan

Transcription

1 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 1 Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Revised Draft Goals for the IRWM Planning Process These goals represent what we would like to accomplish by the time the updated Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan is adopted. 1. Define a clear vision for integrated water management in the Mojave Region for the next 20 years, from the perspective of a much longer term vision for the Region, that is broadly supported by the diverse set of stakeholders in the Region. 2. Strengthen working relationships and promote additional collaboration to leverage limited resources and improve overall system performance. 3. Promote a broader understanding among experts and other stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities of integrated water management in the Mojave Region. 4. Engage relevant expertise that exists within local agencies and other stakeholders to help update the IRWM Plan. 5. Use the IRWM Plan update process as a mentoring and developmental opportunity for local participating agency staff and as an organizational capacity-building opportunity for local agencies. 6. Be creative, including the identification of likely barriers, when identifying potential resource management strategies and projects. (Think beyond projects and programs with identified sources of funding.) 7. Develop the IRWM Plan and Salt/Nutrient Management Plan in close coordination with one another and invite strong participation in the process by regulators and other stakeholders. 8. Reinvigorate relationships and increase communication with disadvantaged communities (DAC) within the Region, including those located in rural unincorporated areas. Begin by developing up-to-date, comprehensive information about the demographics, geographic locations and the leadership in these communities. Support meaningful participation of representatives of DAC s and include relevant content into the IRWM Plan. 9. Develop a compelling IRWM Plan that meets state guidelines and supports opportunities to obtain additional financial assistance for implementation of IRWM projects and programs. 10. Provide enough economic information in the Plan to support financial master planning for the Region and other information needed to support local land use planning and decision-making. Handout 1: Proposed IRWM Process Planning Goals Revision 1 April 4, 2013

2 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # Develop the IRWM Plan on a foundation of solid scientific data concerning existing conditions in the Mojave Region and a comprehensive, objective understanding of those conditions based on proven industry methodologies. 12. Develop an IRWM Plan that supports the development of projects and programs required to meet projected future needs, maintains the existing water management system and infrastructure, and builds in the resiliency required to deal with potential disruptions to the water supply and other emergencies Consider the system-wide ramifications of all proposed IRWM Plan elements, including but not limited to effects on water treatment, storm drainage, and water runoff on water quality and supply. Handout 1: Proposed IRWM Process Planning Goals Revision 1 April 4, 2013

3 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2a Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Challenges and Opportunities as Captured in Stakeholder Meeting #1 This handout lists the challenges and opportunities as they were offered by stakeholders during Stakeholder Meeting #1 (March 5, 2013). Participants in the meeting were invited to write their ideas for challenges and opportunities on sticky notes and place them on a wall in the meeting room. Participants then arranged the notes into groups of common themes as listed below. Governance and Land Use Level of importance for identical competing projects for a finite amount of grant funding MWA and County not on the same page. Integrate with Capital County Vision Plan-Water Section. Will there be any type of protection against selling of h20 as in Cadiz? Dealing with existing and future agency (city, county, csa's) water master plans for consistency with the plan. Interagency involvement (involve affected government agencies). For financing use sphere of influence of cities to provide tax base for funding programs and projects. Water planning = land use planning. Input from large water producers/users (private) within your district boundaries. Coordinated regional efforts that have common goals and objectives. Land use allegations. Regional community participation engagement. Increased competition for water use with land use growth e.g. housing, business What responsibility do Watermaster entities have for over pumping or...does MWA cover with water? Engaging the public in an apathetic society. Using new laws implemented in Cal. in 2014 all homes (residential) must have water efficient i.e. shower heads toilets hot water heaters to be able to sell or buy. Starting age of home 1980's or older. Handout 2a 1 April 4, 2013

4 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2a Viable and completive projects could get buried in bureaucracy when multiple jurisdictions are involved in approvals i.e. County Land Use, Flood Control, DFG/BLM etc. Need to coordinate up front. Need for enforcement of existing rules/laws in rural county areas. Getting Colorado WQCB to participate. They will be focused on the lower desert - possibly putting most of its $ allocation to those areas - paying little attention to our area. Use the IRWMP to inform/formulate good land use practices that are protective of water quality and supply. Emergency What steps can be taken to reduce the impact of an earthquake on the availability of water? Management plan in the event of a disaster "emergency plan". Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) DAC PRIORITIES "WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO DAC". How can Disadvantaged Communities get help on smaller projects? Mutual water company in Disadvantaged Community in need to new well. Private well owners concern over well regulation. Disadvantage Community. How to provide clean water to the Hinkley Community (new complete system)? Disadvantaged community without pressurized water supply (rely on hauled water, dev. code prevents building). MWA-MABWA provides an organization citizen involvement of minimal producers in organization process 1,300 minimal producer s 190-MABWA major area 10 acre-feet. Minoritymajority people need a voice (? illegible?) Rural disadvantage areas re: MAWA-Baja Subarea increase importation of state water to reduce yearly over drafting of water table. Education for minimum producers as in our area (Newberry Springs) how it works is almost 100% unknown. Small systems taking advantage of unknown opportunities or not having ability to apply. Address needs to supply water to DACs, such as water line upgrades. Cost of Water Rising costs for pumping and transporting water. How can reduce the cost of water per household on both the supply and demand side so as to make the high desert more attractive to live in? Lower water rates. Increasing energy costs. Handout 2a 2 April 4, 2013

5 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2a Water Supply Stop loss of water out Afton Canyon to benefit loss of land and infrastructure and replenish Baja Basin. Availability of water for future residential, commercial, or industrial growth. Maintain water availability for minimal producers including all of those who impact water use and supply into the region. If and when the h2o runs out... then what? Regional water shed protection program doesn't exist (at least in Morongo Basin). Increased groundwater storage and recovery facility. Future water use by both private and business. Limited water supply. Water-Import Export. Funding infrastructure needs such as pipe replacement. Reduction in water available for irrigation. Water Conservation Delta Workable and enforceable water conservation ordinance for unincorporated areas of the MWA jurisdictional boundary. Still continue to work and update water wise landscaping-programs incentives for investors or owner occupied. Ag conservation programs. Water conservation incentive for rural, unincorporated areas ex. cash for grass is not applicable. Existing irrigation change over to a more efficient (water and power). Water conservation and the implementation of dual plumbing into land use planning. Coordinating and managing conservation and DMM requirements. (AWAC used to play a major role in this effort. Gray water education. Rain water harvesting. What effect does state on water supply to agencies? Increasing cost of SWP Water. Decreasing SWP supply due to Bay-Delta issues. Delta environmental issues (pumping and earthquake). Ability to take large volumes of imported water quickly. Handout 2a 3 April 4, 2013

6 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2a Delta fix. Water Quality Improper abandonment/destruction of private water wells (threat to WQ). Plan to improve water quality in areas where no $ to investigate/implement cleanup. All flood control projects are an opportunity to save water and enhance water quality. Septic tanks. How will septic s be replaced by sewer systems? (less than an acre plot)? Increased business expense to comply with water quality regulations. Groundwater contamination from previous and current business. Elevated uranium in pipes sub basin (Ames Valley). Injunction against diverting storm flows? New Chromium to regulations coming within a couple years. Small groundwater systems will be impacted most Continued deterioration of water quality by naturally occurring constituents, i.e. arsenic, etc. will additional treatment be anticipated? Reclaimed Water Need for reclaimed/recycled water in Barstow area. More focus on recycled water use for irrigation and industrial uses. Reclamation of storm water and wastewater. Recharge Determine feasibility of capturing storm water for recharge. Off river recharge. Water bank in High Desert for downstream aqueduct users as protection against state water project hazards (delta, national disaster, infrastructure failure etc. Apply a small "tax" on the banked water to boost local supplies long term. ASR through existing infrastructure during off season wet periods (winter). Growth may lead to increase capacity of Ames/Reche Recharge Basin for participants. Combine land use and recharge (i.e. recharge pond and rec. lake). Storm water Run-off water conservation Mitigating storm water runoff damage from increased "100 year storms". Extreme wet weather flow sends water past Agency boundaries that could otherwise be captured and recharged at a later date for beneficial use. Handout 2a 4 April 4, 2013

7 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2a Is there a way flood control can be used to recharge the water supply locally? Storm water detention (San Bernardino County Flood Control District). Storm water capture. Climate Change Extreme wet weather flow causes flooding damage. Effects of climate change on water availability and use. Judgment Including Water Rights Look at the effects of upstream pumping on the lower basins- specifically Baja. Address the economic impact of the reduction of water (rampdowns) in the Baja basin, particularly in regards to farming. Please not that this is a very rural basin - no "cities ". Would like to see the Judgment work as was intended for Baja. Moderation of water rights purchases by investors. What effect has adjudication had on ability to manage groundwater basins? No benefit to be a stipulator in Baja. Pumping water outside the Judgment. Expand Judgment bio fund beyond riparian areas. The Judgment was not supposed to put people out of business or destroy property values. Rural areas - 1. MA Watermaster-Baja Subarea reduces over drafting of groundwater from 10,000 AF per year to zero. 2. Reduce allowable cayover water from 2 years to 1 year. 3. No selling or transfer. Rampdowns alone are not the way to manage the water efficiently and can be very detrimental to an already deprived area. Mojave River-Reduce upstream over drafting so tradition water levels in Mojave River in Baja Subarea can be restored. Retire water rights. How can the Adjudication be classified as Disadvantaged Area- yet there are 1,300 Disadvantaged Minimal Producers. Handout 2a 5 April 4, 2013

8 IRWM Plan Stakeholder Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2b Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Draft Synthesis of Challenges and Opportunities This handout provides a draft synthesis of the challenges and opportunities offered by stakeholders as shown in Handout 2a. The Project Team identified X major themes from a planning context that the list of challenges and opportunities address. Coordination Recognize that multiple types of plans and authorities exist within the Region and the IRWM Plan needs to consider these and plan to coordinate implementation where relevant and practical. Would like to establish a common management vision, goals, and objectives related to integrated water management for the Region. Implementing projects requires coordination and cooperation through the life of the project from concept, design, financing, permitting, construction, maintenance, etc. Engage the necessary organizations and interests early in the process. Recognize and deal with close interconnection between land use planning and water management. How to prioritize projects for consideration of limited grant funds? Engagement Encourage participation by Colorado Water Quality Control Board. Encourage participation by all agencies with some responsibility for water management or activities that affect water management in the Region. Make sure disadvantaged communities (DAC s) are represented in the process. How to engage disinterested citizens and organizations? Minimal producers need a voice in the process. Disadvantaged Community Needs Understand the needs of different DAC communities in the Region. Help educate communities about requirements and opportunities. Support DAC s to apply for assistance. Help improve water management systems, including water quality, that serve DACs. Handout 2b 1 April 4, 2013

9 IRWM Plan Stakeholder Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2b Water Supplies Expect increasing competition between different water uses in the Region. Provide sufficient supplies to support additional growth (residential, commercial, and industrial) in the Region. Encourage and support additional water conservation. Expand use of reclaimed water. Create additional opportunities for recharge. Look for new supplies. Use ordinance(s) to encourage desired behaviors. Water Quality Implement watershed protections. Coordinate with land use. Deal with septic systems. Increasing concentrations of natural constituents in water supplies. Changes in imported water quality. Threats from improper well abandonment. Deal with historic contamination of groundwater. New regulations. Finance and Affordability How to maintain and improve systems while keeping supplies affordable? Facing increasing costs to meet regulations. Want to keep high desert a viable option for new development. How to address problems without obvious revenue sources? Risk and Uncertainty Plan for changes in the Delta. Prepare for earthquake or other cause for disruption to imported water deliveries. Reduce damages from storm water and flood events. Consider potential impacts from climate change. Handout 2b 2 April 4, 2013

10 IRWM Plan Stakeholder Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 2b Judgment and Water Rights Questions about purchases of water rights. Look at effects caused by upstream activities on downstream users. Consider economic impacts on rural communities. Project Ideas Several items were offered that appear to be specific concepts for projects or programs that will be discussed later in the IRWM Plan update process. Use incentives to encourage agricultural conservation and technology adoption. Improve education programs (e.g., gray water, water harvesting, etc.). Develop new recharge areas (including off-river sites). Develop additional reclaimed/recycled water projects and uses. Water bank (with water tax to increase local water supplies). Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects. Multi-use projects such as a recharge area that can also be used for recreation. Additional storm water capture. Expand use of judgment biological fund outside riparian areas. Incorporate dual plumbing with land use planning. Develop workable ordinance(s) to support water conservation. Evaluate existing infrastructure (e.g. Mojave River Dam). Questions about Specific Challenges and Opportunities Submitted The Project Team is not clear about some of the items submitted and would like to discuss them further to make sure we understand the topics being raised. Some of the specific items we would like clarification on include: Land use allegations. DAC priorities What s available to DAC s? Will there be any protection against selling of H2O as in Cadiz? Pumping water outside the Judgment. Retire water rights. Need for enforcement of existing rules/laws in rural county areas. Handout 2b 3 April 4, 2013

11 2775 North Ventura Road, Suite 100 Oxnard, California FAX: Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan 4 April 2013 Prepared for Mojave Regional Water Management Group Mojave Water Agency Headquarters Drive Apple Valley, CA K/J Project No

12 DRAFT Table of Contents Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline List of Tables... vi List of Figures... vi List of Appendices... vi Executive Summary... I Section 1: Introduction Purpose Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Background Formation of the Region Existing IRWM Plans and Previous Planning Efforts Stakeholder Participation Regional Water Management Group (RWMG) Mojave Water Agency (MWA) Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority MWA s Technical Advisory Committee Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District Morongo Basin Pipeline Commission Coordinating Committee Stakeholders Municipalities Local Jurisdictions/Land use Planning Agencies Federal Agencies State Agencies/Regulatory Agencies Environmental Community Tribal Community Mutual Water Companies Others Public Outreach Process Inclusive Planning Area Outreach Disadvantaged Community Outreach Tribal Outreach Media Coverage of Plan Preparation Interregional Coordination Plan Development Goals for the Planning Process Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline 4/4/13

13 1.4.2 The Planning Process Potential Obstacles to Plan Implementation Plan Organization Section 2: Agency Background Mojave Water Agency Adjudication Mojave Basin Area Warren Valley Basin Summary of 1994 and 2004 Regional Water Management Plan Groundwater Management Plan Urban Water Management Plan Section 3: Physical Setting Region Overview Geology Communities Social and Cultural Values California Native American Tribes Population Economic Conditions and Trends Disadvantaged Communities Land Use Land Use Policies Organizational Boundaries Hydrologic Features Surface Water Riparian Habitat/Wetlands Exhibit H Areas outside Exhibit H Climate Groundwater DWR Documentation of Overdraft Conditions Efforts to Eliminate Overdraft Climate Climate Statistics Vulnerability to Climate Change Wastewater City of Adelanto City of Barstow Helendale Community Services District Hi-Desert Wastewater Treatment Plant Marine Corps Logistics Base City of Victorville Wastewater Imports Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority Section 4: Water Supply Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline 4/4/13

14 4.1 Mojave Basin Area Water Entering Precipitation Surface Water Overview Runoff Gaged Inflow and Outflow Ungaged Inflow and Outflow Subsurface Flow Deep Percolation of Precipitation Wastewater Imports Phreatophyte Consumption Return Flow Agricultural Depletion from Storage Groundwater Dry Year and Multiple Dry Year Water Supply Surface Deliveries Water Leaving Evaporative/Conveyance Losses Losses/Subsurface Flow Morongo Basin/Johnson Valley Area Dry Year and Multiple Dry Year Water Supply Well Data SWP Water Quality Management Assessment Surface Water Quality Algae, Sediment and Nutrients Mercury Groundwater Quality Iron Boron Hardness Mercury Wastewater and Recycled Water Quality Wastewater Infrastructure Wastewater Quality Flood Management Assessment Environmental Resource Management Assessment Important Ecological Processes Habitat Types Native Species Non-Native Species Land Use Management Assessment Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Section 5: Water Demand Introduction Current Water Demand Demographics Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline 4/4/13

15 5.2.2 Consumptive Use Mojave Basin area Morongo Basin/Johnson Valley area Current Water Balance Future Water Demand Demographics Consumptive Use Mojave Basin area Morongo Basin/Johnson Valley area Future Water Balance Water Demands Urban Water Demand Rural Water Demand Agricultural Water Demand Environmental Water Demand Section 6: Challenges and Opportunities Introduction Water Supply Management Water Quality Management Flood Management Environmental Resource Management Regional Issues and Needs Interregional Opportunities Section 7: Goals and Objectives Planning Terms Process for Developing Goals and Objectives Plan Goals Plan Objectives Strategies Section 8: Resource Management Strategies Used to Meet Plan Objectives Overview Process to Consider RMS California Water Plan Resource Management Strategies Water Management Strategy Descriptions Reduce Water Demand Increase Water Supply Improve Water Quality Improve Flood Management Other Strategies Strategies Related to Climate Change Resource Management Strategies Adopted by Stakeholders Section 9: Project Review and Prioritization Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline 4/4/13

16 9.1 Project Review and Prioritization Process Project Submittal Process Initial Call for Projects Process for Considering Future Projects Opportunities for Integration Prioritized Project List Section 10: Implementation Framework Institutional Arrangements and Partnerships Coordinated Implementation of Projects Coordinated Funding Pursuits Section 11: Financing Expected Costs Potential Sources of Funding Section 12: Impacts and Benefits Plan Level Impacts and Benefits Project Level Impacts and Benefits Section 13: Plan Performance and Monitoring Process for Measuring Progress toward Plan Objectives Components of Project-Specific Monitoring Plans Section 14: Data Management Existing Data Collection and Reporting Data Needs within the Region Mojave Data Management System Section 15: Technical Analysis Section 16: Coordination Neighboring IRWM Efforts North/South Lahontan Funding Area Colorado River Basin Funding Area Relation to Local Water Planning Relation to Local Land Use Planning Section 17: Glossary and Acronyms References... i Handout 3: Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Outline 4/4/13

17 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 4 Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan IRWM Plan Current and Future Conditions For the Mojave IRWM Plan Update, we will need current and future conditions of the following: Land Use Species and Habitat of Special Concern Invasive Species Management Water Supply Water Quality Flood Management Land Use Current Land Use Designation of each Parcel Per San Bernardino County Assessor Handout 4: Current and Future Conditions Page 1 of 4 April 4, 2013

18 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 4 Species and Habitat of Special Concern Sensitive Biological Resources Wetland Habitat Wildlife Corridors Significant Ecological Areas Locally Important Species and Communities Water Supply Source is MWA s 2010 Urban Water Management Plan. Water Quality Imported SWP Quality Groundwater Quality Wastewater and Recycled Water Quality City of Adelanto City of Barstow Helendale Community Services District Handout 4: Current and Future Conditions Page 2 of 4 April 4, 2013

19 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 4 Hi-Desert Wastewater Treatment Plant Marine Corps Logistics Base City of Victorville Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority Flood Management Have history. Need maps. Mojave Region Floodplain Mapping Challenges and opportunities from various perspectives including: Current Future Area Disadvantaged Communities California Native American Tribes Delta-specific Handout 4: Current and Future Conditions Page 3 of 4 April 4, 2013

20 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 4 Disadvantaged Communities Map Handout 4: Current and Future Conditions Page 4 of 4 April 4, 2013

21 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 5 Mojave Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Preliminary Draft Mojave IRWM Plan Objectives 1. Balance average annual future water demands with available supplies throughout the Region between now and [insert planning horizon]. a. Measured by forecasted average annual demand (adjusted by expected levels of conservation) at different times through planning period. b. Measured by forecasted average annual available water supplies at different times through planning period. 2. Meet urban water demand reduction targets of 20% by Prevent overdraft of groundwater basins throughout Region between now and [insert planning horizon]. a. Measured by moving average [select number of years] of groundwater levels in specific indicator wells. 4. Provide sufficient water supplies and drought-induced demand management measures to meet demands during a [insert X year] drought assuming [insert Y % of average annual water supply] through planning period. Comment [TG1]: Are the drought induced demand management strategies necessary if we are able to bank enough water to avoid them? 5. Prevent land subsidence throughout Region through planning period. a. Measure by subsidence monitoring data. 6. Improve water supply reliability and drinking water quality for DAC communities. a. Measured by [TBD] 7. Protect and restore riparian habitat areas [and perhaps others] as identified in Exhibit H of the Mojave Basin Area Judgment a. Measured by [TBD] 8. Provide sufficient water supplies to support [insert X%] annual average growth during the planning period. a. Measured by [TBD e.g., population, houses, commercial property, economic outputs, etc.] Comment [TG2]: Is this really different than Objective #1? Handout 5: Goals and Objectives Page 1 of 3 April 4, 2013

22 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 5 9. [Add flood risk management / storm water management objective(s).] 10. [Add water quality management objective(s).] 11. Do we need to have climate change as a goal? 12. What about positioning ourselves financially for things like delta fix? If we don t plan for it and can t afford it what happens? 13. Is it appropriate to put something in here about realizing multiple assistance opportunities (not just DWR) and developing a strategy to position all levels of stakeholders to take advantage of a variety of assistance programs? 14. Ensure continued stakeholder participation in the implementation of the IRWM plan. a. Measured by public meeting opportunities and the deployment of an annual survey. Comment [LE3]: 12 months comes by quick. I don t want to over commit this early. Thoughts? One of the goals is ongoing participation. Should we as the group for what constitutes participation when we get there? Just pondering.. Handout 5: Goals and Objectives Page 2 of 3 April 4, 2013

23 IRWM Plan Meeting #2 (4/4/13) Handout # 5 As described in Chapter 9 of the 2004 RWM Plan, Fundamental Objectives established with the input of the TAC are to: 1) Balance future water demands with available supplies, recognizing the need to: stabilize the groundwater basin storage balance over long-term hydrologic cycles protect and restore riparian habitat areas as identified in Exhibit H of the Mojave Basin Area Judgment and the Department of Fish & Game management by Exhibit H limit the potential for well dewatering, land subsidence, and migration of poor quality water maintain a sustainable water supply through extended drought periods; and select projects with the highest likelihood of being implemented. 2) Maximize the overall beneficial use of water throughout MWA by: supplying water in quantity and of quality suitable to the various beneficial uses addressing at a minimum Table 7-1 (see below for copy) issues throughout the MWA service area recognizing the interconnection and interaction between different areas distributing benefits that can be provided by MWA in an equitable and fair manner ensuring that costs incurred to meet beneficial uses provide the greatest potential return to beneficiaries of the project(s) avoiding redirected impacts; and identifying sustainable funding sources including consideration of affordability. Handout 5: Goals and Objectives Page 3 of 3 April 4, 2013