Consulting Services for Development of Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Transcription

1 Proposal for: Consulting Services for Development of Groundwater Sustainability Plan Prepared by: Prepared for: September 5, 2017 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency

2 Page 1 of 30 Mr. Matt Young Santa Barbara County Water Agency 130 E. Victoria Street, Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA September 1, 2017 Subject: Mr. Young, Proposal for Developing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CBGSA) HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. (WRI), in association with Kearns & West, Inc. (K&W), Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. (BGC), and Montgomery & Associates (M&A), appreciates the opportunity to submit this proposal in response to the Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency Request for Proposal for Consulting Services for Development of Groundwater Sustainability Plan. From our unique team, we have assembled a team of highly motivated professionals with expertise tailored specifically for the needs of this project. We offer: Unique Insight into the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): Derrik Williams, our project manager, is a recognized leader in California groundwater he has been at the table with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) developing SGMA, shaping its implementation, and guiding the development of best management practices. Unparalleled Expertise in Groundwater Hydrology: Unlike other consulting firms, the core business of HydroMetrics WRI, BGC, and M&A is groundwater hydrology our team has decades of experience characterizing and modeling groundwater basins similar to Cuyama Basin. Specialized Expertise in Stakeholder Engagement: We believe the highest priority for the GSP will be building a shared vision of sustainability among stakeholders; an imperative for avoiding risks associated with poor communication, contentious relationships, and misinformation about the GSP process. K&W offers decades of specialized experience in stakeholder engagement, public outreach, and conflict resolution. Local Presence and Regional Experience: Bryan Bondy, our local project lead, offers critical local understanding of groundwater management challenges in the project area; HydroMetrics WRI is a demonstrated leader in groundwater management throughout California; and M&A offers regional perspective on groundwater management through their decades of experience in Arizona, where groundwater regulations have existed for over 35 years. HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc Franklin Street, Suite 501 Oakland, CA (510) (510) (fax)

3 Page 2 of 30 In addition to our demonstrated expertise, our team has the staff capacity and resources to work closely with the CBGSA to bring stakeholders together and complete the technical requirements for adoption of a GSP that meets DWR requirements. We look forward to an opportunity to work with the CBGSA and other stakeholders on this project. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (510) ext. 301, or at Derrik@HydroMetricsWRI.com. Sincerely, Derrik Williams, President HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc Franklin Street, Suite 501 Oakland, CA (510) (510) (fax)

4 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 3 of 30 Project Team The HydroMetrics WRI team comprises of four firms: HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. (WRI), Kearns & West, Inc. (K&W), Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. (BGC), and Montgomery & Associates (M&A). HydroMetrics WRI is the lead firm. Our team was assembled specifically to bring the local presence, statewide experience, SGMA expertise, stakeholder facilitation services, and technical excellence needed to successfully and efficiently develop the Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CBGSA) Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Our team is based on longstanding relationships: HydroMetrics WRI staff has known and worked with staff from each of the firms for decades, including on recent Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) projects. Our team is at the forefront of developing successful groundwater management strategies in both urban and agricultural basins throughout California and the Western United States. Not only do we bring the necessary technical capabilities needed for developing effective and practical GSPs; we also bring decades of experience aligning diverse and competing stakeholders to a common platform for effective water resource management. We have developed integrated solutions and implemented successful multi-party groundwater management plans in basins that, similar to the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin (Cuyama Basin or Basin), have competing water users and uses. HydroMetrics WRI HydroMetrics WRI is one of the few California consulting firms with groundwater as its core business. Our staff of experienced hydrologists, hydrogeologists, engineers, and water management policy professionals is unique. HydroMetrics WRI specializes in groundwater planning at a regional scale and implementing local groundwater projects to improve water supply reliability and sustainability. We provide targeted expertise to clients for developing, protecting, and managing both groundwater and surface water resources. We have a reputation for providing perceptive, quality analyses that yield practical solutions to water resource issues. We have prepared several groundwater management plans under AB3030/SB1938, including for the Soquel-Aptos area and Olympic Valley Basin, and have managed adjudicated groundwater basins, most prominently the Seaside Basin. Our staff includes two retired general managers of water agencies. They bring practical experience with governance and policy issues and have hands-on experience managing water resources in agricultural and urban settings at both local and regional scales. HydroMetrics WRI has been actively involved with SGMA since its inception. We have served as close advisors to the Department of Water Resources (DWR), local water agencies, local stakeholders (including growers), and nongovernmental organizations such as the California Water Foundation, where we helped develop and direct statewide SGMA policy. We have led all aspects of SGMA implementation including assisting Groundwater Sustainability Agencies form, modifying groundwater basin boundaries for the Santa Margarita, Santa Cruz Mid-County, and Pajaro Valley Basins, guiding early GSP development for the Santa Cruz Mid- County Basin, and creating best management practices on behalf of DWR. Our unique relationship with SGMA policy makers and implementers allows us to effectively resolve issues on our clients behalf.

5 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 4 of 30 As a statewide leader in groundwater modeling, HydroMetrics WRI has a reputation for developing and implementing practical and effective models for groundwater management. We have developed and applied groundwater models in some of California s most important agricultural, coastal, and urban basins such as the Pajaro Valley and Livermore Valley Basins. HydroMetrics WRI is built around a culture of providing our clients the best understanding possible of their groundwater basins and partnering with them to establish and achieve groundwater management goals and objectives that are practical and effective. We pride ourselves on consistently providing value-added service that positions our clients to successfully address the challenges and complexities of integrated water management. Kearns & West K&W is a woman-owned collaboration, conflict resolution, and strategic communications firm founded in They bring an extensive resume of assisting diverse stakeholders to build agreements around water supply, water allocation, and resource management problems, and have contributed significantly to SGMA development as well as initial implementation in multiple sub-basins. K&W s collaboration initiatives are designed to take a diverse range of issues, opinions, goals and interests and organize them into clear, productive processes that lead to successful conclusions. The K&W tool kit encompasses assessment, outreach, engagement and collaboration, process and meeting design, facilitation, mediation, environmental dispute resolution, public involvement, and development of communications tools tailored to each project s unique issues. Collectively, these tools and techniques build productive stakeholder relationships, collaborations, and strategic partnerships to support long-term, sustainable solutions. K&W s staff combine their deep experience designing and facilitating stakeholder collaborative processes with strong up-front strategic planning, mixed with an adaptive approach that allows them to be nimble and effective in keeping processes focused on achieving project objectives. The K&W team brings specific experience working with eligible local agencies, stakeholders, and the interested public in the context of SGMA. K&W has a practical working knowledge of SGMA that includes playing an active role in developing policy recommendations that informed the SGMA legislation. K&W staff have conducted multiple assessments and facilitated multiple GSA formation work group sessions, workshops, and public meetings. K&W s direct SGMA experience includes contracts working with both the State Water Resources Control Board and DWR on projects specific to SGMA outreach and facilitation. While K&W makes it a point to understand project content, their collaboration work is successful because they remain impartial about subject matter while focusing on the parties, their interests and desired outcomes to build trust and transparency. K&W s approach emphasizes building understanding through exchange of reliable information, effective communication customized to project needs, meaningful decision-making, and conflict resolution where necessary. This approach enables K&W to navigate controversial projects and maintain stakeholder confidence. Clients that K&W has supported through SGMA and groundwater management projects include: Butte County GSA Formation Assessment with HydroMetrics WRI

6 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 5 of 30 (four subbasins); Santa Cruz GSA Outreach (HydroMetrics WRI is technical consultant); Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency for SGMA Strategic Advice; Merced County Groundwater Sustainability Agency Formation; and Water Foundation Groundwater Stakeholder Dialog Process Design and Implementation (to inform legislation resulting in SGMA) and subsequent support for development of resource materials for SGMA implementation. Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. BGC was founded in 2016 to service the growing need for groundwater professionals to address groundwater management, planning, and development needs in California. Mr. Bondy has 20+ years of private and public-sector experience conducting a wide range of groundwater projects in California, including SGMA planning, groundwater basin studies, and groundwater modeling. BGC is located in Ventura, California. Mr. Bondy has considerable experience guiding the technical and stakeholder aspects of GSPs. Mr. Bondy has completed numerous groundwater studies and management plans prior to SGMA and is currently involved in various capacities in the development of seven GSPs. Mr. Bondy is a Board-appointed member of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency s Technical Advisory Group that is reviewing four GSPs currently under development. Mr. Bondy is an advisor to Yuima Municipal Water District for the San Luis Rey Valley GSP and is part of a consultant team advising the City of San Diego on the development of GSPs in multiple groundwater basins in San Diego County. Mr. Bondy has worked with the Las Posas Valley Basin Groundwater Users Group for nearly a decade and recently facilitated the group s development of a proposed groundwater pumping allocation plan for the GSP. Montgomery & Associates M&A is one of the most accomplished groundwater consultants in the Western United States. For more than 30 years, they have achieved successful outcomes for clients in the municipal, agricultural, land development, tribal, industrial, mining, and energy sectors. Over the past year, M&A has provided consulting to several clients in California. Specifically, M&A teamed with HydroMetrics WRI to assess recharge capacity and develop grant funding for the Tulare Irrigation District and is currently conducting a groundwater modeling study of aquifer storage and recovery in the Santa Margarita Basin. Additionally, M&A is providing groundwater modeling services and grant funding assistance to the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency for a planned enterprise groundwater bank. In addition to recent work for SGMA, M&A has decades of experience assisting clients address water resource challenges under groundwater management laws in other states, including Arizona and Texas. Their experienced staff of over 40 groundwater professionals specializes in hydrology, geology, soil science, policy and regulatory affairs, groundwater modeling, GIS analyses and 3D visualization, database management, and instrumentation and monitoring. Areas of specific expertise that will benefit the CBGSA include: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) M&A is a demonstrated expert in MAR. They have provided planning, investigation, and design

7 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 6 of 30 services for over 30 recharge facilities over the past 30 years. The recharge projects M&A has participated in account for more than two-thirds of the Colorado River water stored in Arizona. Modeling & Data Management M&A has developed numerous groundwater models to assist water managers make informed financial decisions, usually under highly dynamic and uncertain conditions. In most cases, modeling projects include comprehensive data management services, where data are organized, analyzed, and reported using the latest software, such as tools for on-line data serving on websites and data portals. Water Policy, Planning, and Economics M&A professionals have expertise in water policy and regulations, environmental economics, water demand forecasting and analysis, and water conservation planning. They work with clients to develop reliable, affordable water resource portfolios that are aligned with their needs. Their planning services typically entail quantifying use, assessing trends, and developing forecasts of future demand. Key Success Factors for GSP: Stakeholder Consensus Clear Communication Technical Excellence Practicable Strategies Our team, as depicted on the flow diagram below, comprises motivated senior professionals who will build a constructive and collaborative working environment among the GSA members and stakeholders, clearly communicate technical concepts to stakeholders and the public, and provide sound technical analyses and practicable strategies to develop a broadly accepted GSP.

8 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 7 of 30 Organizational Chart for Cuyama GSP Development We are committed to complete execution of this project. Based on the level of effort envisioned to develop the GSP, our team members will commit the following percentages of available work hours during the period January 1, 2018 through January 31, Percentage Time Commitment for Project Team Team Member Commitment Team Member Commitment Derrik Williams 20% J. Michael Harty 5% Cameron Tana 10% Bryan Bondy 30% Georgina King 10% Tim Leo 15% Laura Brown 5% Staffan Schorr 5% Ellen Cross 25% Colin Kikuchi 15% Short biographical sketches for the senior professionals who will work closely with the CBGSA are provided on the following pages.

9 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 8 of 30 Derrik Williams, P.G., C.Hg. Project Manager Derrik Williams, a California Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, is President of HydroMetrics WRI. He will be the project manager and principal point of contact for the CBGSA. Mr. Williams has more than 30 years of experience in applied geology and hydrogeology. His project experience spans all aspects of groundwater resource management. He has facilitated stakeholder consensus and developed groundwater management plans in agricultural basins with contentious water rights, and has testified in court regarding groundwater-surface water interactions. California Groundwater Leadership He is an established leader in statewide groundwater policy. As a member of the Groundwater Committee of the ACWA since 2008, Derrik helped shape the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program (CASGEM) and helped develop ACWA's Groundwater Framework document. He also drafted ACWA s Guidelines for Groundwater Monitoring. Derrik is currently working with DWR to develop the state s SGMA implementation process, including the pending best management practice for Sustainable Management Criteria (SMC). He reviewed and commented on the SGMA legislation while it was being drafted, and currently chairs ACWA s SGMA Best Management Practices work group. He was a contributor to the California Water Foundation s GSP regulations workshops. He has been invited to, and participated in, Stanford s Water in the West meetings on data and modeling in SGMA and the Groundwater Resources Association of California s Contemporary Groundwater Issues Council. Groundwater Modeling Mr. Williams is an established expert in groundwater modeling. He has managed and applied groundwater models in the Kings Groundwater Basin, the Santa Clara Valley, San Benito County, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, Placer County, Alameda County, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Santa Barbara County, among other areas in California. Ellen Cross Ellen Cross drives diverse stakeholders forward to develop and realize shared vision and success. Ellen has more than 27 years of experience in the California water and environmental science industry creating successful, innovative solutions through forums for vision, collaboration, and achievement. Ellen brings a large-scale view of proven strategic and tactical approaches to develop outcomes that meet multi-stakeholder objectives. Ellen has a history of creating neutral forums to work on critical topics where communication and leadership are key to moving complex issues forward. Facilitator In the area of emerging challenges, Ellen has successfully facilitated public and private entities on climate change, restoration in the Delta, water scarcity, sea level rise and flood protection. Ellen has facilitated initiatives that envision multistakeholder success and operationalizes the tactics to achieve results on policy, governance, funding, institutional and technical goals to ensure sustained success. Specific to groundwater projects, Ellen has developed strategies to develop holistic integrated scopes for Fox Canyon GSA, Mid Kaweah, Tulare, Irvine Ranch Water District, Kings Canyon, Department of Water Resources, and San Luis Obispo.

10 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 9 of 30 Bryan Bondy, P.G. C.Hg. Mr. Bondy, a California Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, has considerable experience guiding the technical and stakeholder aspects of GSPs. Mr. Bondy has completed numerous groundwater studies and management plans prior to SGMA and is currently involved in various capacities in the development of seven GSPs. GSP Advisor Mr. Bondy is a Board-appointed member of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency s Technical Advisory Group that is reviewing four GSPs currently under development. Mr. Bondy is an advisor to Yuima Municipal Water District for the San Luis Rey Valley GSP and is part of a consultant team advising the City of San Diego on the development of GSPs in multiple groundwater basins in San Diego County. Mr. Bondy has worked with the Las Posas Valley Basin Groundwater Users Group for nearly a decade and recently facilitated the group s development of a proposed groundwater pumping allocation plan for the GSP. Tim Leo, P.G., C.Hg. Tim Leo, a California Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, is a Principal and Director of California Operations at M&A. For nearly 30 years, Mr. Leo has managed and participated in numerous multidisciplinary water resources and groundwater restoration projects throughout the western U.S. His work in Arizona, where groundwater has been statemanaged for over 35 years, has included a variety of projects related to groundwater resource management, including aquifer protection permitting, groundwater supply protection, and regulatory permitting. For nearly 15 years, he has directed a regional groundwater restoration project in the Sacramento area. Analytical Hydrogeology Mr. Leo specializes in analytical hydrogeology. He has decades of experience developing and applying groundwater modeling, conceptual models and water budgets, and groundwater system characterization and testing. SGMA Experience Mr. Leo is also conducting project work related to SGMA, including groundwater recharge studies in Tulare County and the Antelope Valley. On both of these projects, he has provided technical support on grant applications. Cameron Tana, P.E. A co-founder of HydroMetrics WRI, Cameron Tana has 17 years of experience as a hydrologist focused on assisting public agencies in California manage their groundwater resources. He is experienced at communicating technical findings to advance groundwater management, taking into account legal, economic, and political challenges. SGMA Related Experience Cameron has supported SGMA implementation for the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency, presenting to the Mid-Santa Cruz County Stakeholder Advisory Committee, leading the successful application to DWR to modify basin boundaries to consolidate portions of four basins into a single basin, assisting the Agency with GSA notification to the state and representing the Agency in Central Coast advisory group meetings with DWR. He has also supported the basin boundary modification and alternate submittal for the Pajaro Valley Subbasin. He is leading a team to evaluate and revise the Santa Clara Valley Water District s groundwater zones of benefit that provide the basis for its groundwater charges that fund groundwater management projects. To date, the groundbreaking study evaluates areas that

11 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 10 of 30 benefit from the District s in-lieu and managed recharge activities and Cameron has presented study plans at stakeholder meetings. Groundwater Modeling Cameron is an accomplished groundwater modeler helping develop and calibrate groundwater models of the Santa Cruz Mid-County, Livermore Valley, Seaside, Olympic Valley, and Carpinteria Basins. Colin Kikuchi, PhD Colin Kikuchi is a lead modeler at M&A. He has a doctoral degree in Hydrology and Water Resources, with a minor in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Arizona. His research and project work at M&A have focused on advance methods in groundwater modeling, including efficient methods for groundwater model calibration and uncertainty analysis. He has conducted project work and research related to agricultural water management using the MODFLOW-OWHM, IWFM Demand Calculator, and C2VSim models. Colin is currently working with the staff at HydroMetrics WRI on a groundwater modeling study in the Santa Margarita Basin in Santa Cruz County. J. Michael Harty, JD Mr. Harty has over 20 years of direct experience involving conflict management and resolution, facilitated decision making, organizational dynamics, strategic planning, public outreach and engagement, and policy assessment. He was a practicing attorney for eight years before focusing full time on conflict resolution. Policy Expertise Mike has worked with numerous local, state, and federal agencies, both internally and in multiagency contexts, as well as diverse private sector and not-for-profit stakeholders. His policy understanding has been an asset in assisting agency managers and staff with internal planning and organizational decision making, and in designing and conducting successful external policy-focused stakeholder processes. SGMA Experience Mike has experience with regulatory policy as it relates to SGMA and environmental compliance. He was directly involved in development of policy recommendations that informed SGMA and led K&W teams in multiple sub-basins to support initial SGMA implementation. As a Strategic Advisor, Mike will work with the team to develop effective outreach strategies and process design. In addition to his extensive facilitation skills, he is an expert on conflict resolution and mediation. Staffan Schorr Staffan Schorr is a Principal Hydrogeologist and GIS specialist with a background in water resource data management and analysis. He has developed systems for data management, analysis, visualization, and dissemination for a variety of M&A s projects. He also has extensive experience using GIS methods to develop numerical model inputs, display model results, geospatial databases for conceptual hydrogeologic models. He also manages M&A s 3D modeling services, and specializes in the use of Leapfrog software to develop volumetric geologic and geochemical interpolation models. Prior to joining M&A, Staffan worked for 8 years in watershed planning at a regional agency that facilitates coordination among local jurisdictions.

12 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 11 of 30 Georgina King, P.G., C.Hg. Georgina King is a Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, and Principal Hydrogeologist at HydroMetrics WRI. She has 23 years of experience in groundwater resource management and development. She has worked in both Northern and Southern California on numerous hydrogeologic studies, including water budgets, groundwater basin management, monitoring plans, and groundwater modeling. GIS/Data Management Ms. King is an expert in GIS and database development. For example, she directed GIS efforts to support basin boundary modification requests for the Santa Margarita, Santa Cruz Mid-County, and Pajaro Valley Basins as well as the Santa Clara Valley Water District zone of benefit study. She has developed database applications for water districts to store and analyze hydrogeologic data. SGMA Experience In addition to providing technical support for basin modification requests, she helped prepare the alternative GSP submittals for the Pajaro Valley Subbasin, and has experience as project manager for early GSP development of four groundwater basins in Ventura County. Ventura County Experience Georgina was HydroMetrics WRI s project manager and lead hydrogeologist for developing a water supply and demand estimates for Ventura County. She also was technical lead on a team developing salt and nutrient management plans for the Lower Santa Clara River and City of Oxnard. Laura Brown Laura Brown joined HydroMetrics WRI following a 33-year career in local government administration. Most notably, she served as General Manager of a highly exemplary and innovative urban water purveyor and groundwater management agency for 17 years. In that role, Laura guided the process for engaging other agencies, stakeholders, and the community in groundwater management planning to address a critically overdrafted coastal basin. Laura excels at complex problem solving and strategic planning, teamwork, public outreach and community engagement, fostering interagency cooperation, regulatory compliance, sound fiscal management and professional integrity and ethics. Her significant contributions to regional water resource management were recognized by being named Woman of the Year by both the Santa Cruz (2013) and Aptos (2007) Chambers of Commerce. Her agency s approach to groundwater management was also recognized by numerous groups publications including: The Association of California Water Agencies Sustainability from the Ground Up: A Framework for Groundwater Management in California Stanford University s Woods Institute s Uncommon Innovation: Developments in Groundwater Management Planning in California Laura has an agricultural background and is very engaged with current California Central Coast agricultural issues through familial relationships.

13 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 12 of 30 Project Approach Our approach to developing the Cuyama Basin GSP is based on a first-hand understanding of DWR s expectations and our experience assisting other GSAs initiate their GSPs. The RFP requested identification of key priorities and potential risk factors and mitigation measures. From our perspective, the critical key priority for developing the GSP will be to successfully implement our proposed stakeholder engagement strategy as a foundation for building shared vision, transparency and mutual interests in groundwater sustainability. Doing so will reduce the cost and time required to prepare the GSP, avoid risks associated with poor communication and misinformation, and create a path forward for agreement on sustainability metrics and plans in time to meet the January 2020 submittal deadline. We will work closely with the CBGSA members and Board, GSA Advisory Committee, and Executive Director (collectively referred to as the CBGSA in our proposal) to develop a positive and productive working relationship that will facilitate development of a broadly accepted GSP. To develop a GSP that has broad support among basin stakeholders and will be approved by DWR, it will be critical to develop a shared vision for sustainable groundwater management in the basin. This shared vision will be required to develop the sustainability goal(s) and SMC, develop confidence in the groundwater model for the GSP, and implement and adaptively manage the actions and projects that will be required to achieve sustainability. In line with the RFP, our approach is designed to develop a GSP that meets all requirements and procedures under DWR s regulations, including stakeholder facilitation, notice and communication requirements of Section of the GSP Regulations. As requested in the RFP, our approach is outlined as follows: 1. Stakeholder Engagement Strategy 2. Data Management 3. Development of a Basin Model and Water Budget 4. Establishment of Basin Sustainability Criteria 5. Development of Projects and Actions to Achieve Sustainability Goals 6. GSP Document Preparation 7. GSP Implementation 8. Meetings (added to provide cost transparency) Key deliverables to the CBGSA are identified in the task descriptions.

14 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 13 of Stakeholder Engagement Strategy Our strategy for successful stakeholder engagement is based on the following principles: Shared understanding. Build broadly shared understanding throughout the GSP development process that encompasses: the GSA members, GSA Board, the Advisory Committee, Executive Director, technical or ad hoc committees, key stakeholder representatives, and the interested public Reliable and accessible information. Build confidence in key information that will inform the GSP s key elements and the CBGSA decisions through appropriate transparency and accessibility Clear expectations and meaningful opportunities. Ensure that engagement activities are meaningful and that stakeholders and the public have accurate expectations about opportunities to impact decision making including input on GSP drafts Project integration. Ensure that SGMA engagement requirements are identified as clear objectives and that stakeholder engagement is integrated into project work plans, schedules, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC). These principles reflect our team s extensive familiarity with SGMA: its purposes, statutory and regulatory requirements, experiences with GSA formation and other implementation actions, and insight into the concerns and interests of diverse stakeholders who use groundwater or are otherwise impacted by SGMA. They also reflect decades of experience designing and successfully implementing stakeholder engagement strategies across a wide range of water resource issues within California and around the western United States. SGMA is notable for its identification of certain requirements linked to stakeholder engagement. One example is the requirement in WC Section that a GSA consider the interests of all beneficial uses and users of groundwater, as well as those responsible for implementing GSPs. Our engagement strategy will incorporate and address these requirements, and the GSP will include all necessary engagement information. 1 More importantly, our strategy will provide opportunities for all participants to make contributions to a comprehensive GSP for the Basin. Stakeholder engagement will be a critical aspect of GSP development and we recommend that the CBGSA commit the appropriate resources accordingly. While our recommended strategy represents is comprehensive, at the beginning of the process we will meet with the CBGSA and other stakeholders to understand the goals and needs for stakeholder engagement. Based on these discussions, we will tailor our approach to best meet those goals and needs. Throughout GSP development, we will optimize our stakeholder engagement approach in collaboration with the CBGSA. 1 DWR recently released draft guidance on stakeholder engagement under SGMA for comment. This guidance, when finalized, will be an important reference point for the Cuyama Basin GSP engagement approach. GD_C&E_Final_ pdf

15 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 14 of 30 STAKEHOLDERS Engagement begins with identifying who should be engaged by asking: Whose interests will be significantly affected by development and implementation of a GSP for the Basin? Certain stakeholders are obvious, beginning with the six GSA members and Advisory Committee. Each GSA member has its own interests and priorities, and one important early engagement task will be to learn as much as possible about those interests. Looking around the Basin, our second question is: To what extent are significant interests or needs related to developing and implementing a GSP not fully represented by GSA members and Advisory Committee, and what are options for engaging those interests? One of our project tasks described below is an Assessment for the purpose of answering these questions. Our intention is not to suggest that the GSA and its members, particularly counties, don t represent all key stakeholder interests and perspectives, but rather to ensure that we test assumptions through an independent evaluation. Our assessment would focus on applicable following stakeholder categories, including for example: Independent groundwater pumpers in agriculture at different scales Independent groundwater pumpers in other sectors including oil and gas Residential water users Native American tribes Federal and state resource agencies The online GSA formation filing with DWR identifies a list of over 100 Interested Parties in Section E. We will utilize this document as a starting point for individuals and organizations that should be considered as stakeholders for our engagement strategy. KEY TASKS Our proposed engagement strategy includes these basic tasks; others may be added based on the findings and recommendations from our assessment in Task 1b. Task 1a: Workshop to Develop Shared Project Understanding Consistent with the principle of building understanding, Task 1a is intended to publicly initiate the GSP development process. The kickoff workshop would likely be structured primarily around the GSA Board and the Advisory Committee, and any technical staff assigned to the GSP effort. The workshop also would be open to the public and provide an opportunity for input from the public. Our focus would be on shared understanding of SGMA and the GSP development process; we would emphasize clear and realistic expectations about roles and responsibilities, opportunities to participate in the Task 1b assessment and GSP development, and availability of key technical information. Other potential workshop topics include: Understanding of Roles for GSP: It will be essential to confirm the decision making and representation framework established by the GSA for GSP development and adoption. This topic includes the functioning of the GSA, its funding and other resources, its management, and the role and authority of the Advisory Committee. It also includes any plans for submitting a Basin Boundary modification to DWR in Understanding of GSP Requirements: This will ensure stakeholders understand what GSP regulations require and what does not have to be resolved for the GSP. Project Manager Derrik Williams, who helped draft the forthcoming Best Management Practice (BMP) on SMC, will present on the importance

16 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 15 of 30 and requirements of SMC (see Task 4) and how groundwater models can be used for the GSP. GSP Approach: This topic includes developing a shared vision for GSP success; creating GSP process goals and metrics for progress and decision making; anticipating challenges and opportunities; and identifying key deliverables and milestones including Advisory Committee charter 2 GSP Engagement Strategy: Creating a strategy to identify and engage Stakeholder participants and their interests and anticipated concerns through a stakeholder assessment Task 1b: Survey Assessment of Key Stakeholders We will design and conduct a focused, efficient assessment step in order to ensure that we have a reliable understanding of stakeholder needs, priorities, interests, and concerns related to: Participation in the GSP process Quality of, access to and uses of information and technical tools including models Decision making for the GSP how will the Advisory Committee operate? Vision for GSP success Concerns or interests related to GSP implementation including future GSA decisions about: Who pays? For what? How much? And why? Role(s) of the GSP team including objectivity and lack of bias The tools for this assessment tentatively include an online survey and a limited number of individual and group discussions. We will prepare a summary of key findings and recommendations that will inform other tasks. Task 1c: Prepare Communications, Outreach and Engagement Plan Based on the information gained from Task 1a (Workshop) and Task 1b (Survey), we will prepare a draft Communications, Outreach and Engagement Plan (COEP). The plan s content will depend on what we learn in the workshop and assessment to a significant extent. Our experience and knowledge of SGMA suggest the following will be included: Specific engagement goals Key stakeholders interests related to GSP components including Sustainability Goal, Minimum Thresholds, Measurable Criteria Specific engagement activities such as facilitation of stakeholder interactions with technical team GSA s decision making process for the GSP Inter-basin engagement needs and opportunities Opportunities for participation and how public input will be considered Approach to outreach and education for the interested public including how the public will be kept informed Recommended methods of communication Website and other tools for access The COEP will identify opportunities for meaningful engagement to improve outcomes, optimize resources, broaden support, and reduce conflict. It will consider both intra-basin and inter-basin dimensions 2 If the Advisory Committee has not yet been chartered, we recommend including this as a task for the engagement effort.

17 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 16 of 30 of engagement. Equally important, the COEP will explicitly focus on meeting the minimum requirements identified in SGMA and its regulations. For example, the GSP must have a section that explains the GSA s decision making process, identifies opportunities for public engagement, and describes how the GSA encourages active involvement from diverse elements of the Basin s population. Task 1d: Plan, Coordinate, and Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement in GSP Development and Public Outreach As elements of the plan are developed, a central engagement task will be facilitating the interaction of the GSA s designated representatives (Advisory Committee), other stakeholders, and the interested public. Based on the RFP these interactions will occur primarily in the context of the Advisory Committee; they also may involve one or more ad hoc technical committees; and they may also involve the Board and GSA members. These assumptions will be addressed as part of the initial workshop (Task 1a). Our engagement strategy anticipates developing an agreed framework for GSP development with the Advisory Committee; this framework will be added to the COEP (Task 1c). The framework will include customized engagement approaches for each key element of the GSP, including Sustainability Criteria and Measurable Objectives. These approaches will vary depending on where it is critical to reach agreements within the Advisory Committee, and where it is sufficient to ensure that all key viewpoints and concerns are heard without seeking agreement. Task 1e: Conduct QA/QC of the Communication and Engagement Plan We will integrate engagement objectives and activities into our overall QA/QC for this project. We will focus on required content for the GSP as well as engagement deliverables, milestones, criteria and schedule. We will also review and update our COEP as appropriate based on project dynamics and our learning about the most effective engagement tools and activities for the Cuyama Basin. Our metrics may consider: Are stakeholders and the interested public informed about the GSP development process and their own roles? Is the timeline for GSP development understood? Has the GSA received positive or negative public comment and media coverage? Do diverse stakeholders feel engagement opportunities are meaningful? Deliverables Key deliverables for Task 1 include: presentations from the workshop, the COEP and required GSP sections describing stakeholder engagement. 2. Data Management SGMA requires that GSAs develop an electronic database to store hydrogeologic data (e.g., groundwater levels, pumping data, water quality data, etc.) for the basin and to aid in reporting data to the state-wide DWR database. Clear and transparent communication among stakeholders can only happen if data and information are managed effectively and are easily accessible. An effective data management system will also be critical for groundwater modeling and water budget development, future data acquisition under the monitoring program, and developing and evaluating attainment of minimum thresholds and measurable objectives.

18 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 17 of 30 Task 2a. Prepare Data Management Plan There are many forms and software available for data management. Early in the stakeholder engagement process, we will work with stakeholders to develop goals and a conceptual plan for data management and information dissemination. Based on that process, we will prepare a brief written data management plan that will outline the approach to data management. During this task, we will confer with the USGS to assess the availability of databases that they may have developed for the basin groundwater model. In addition, we will coordinate with the DWR and evaluate existing tools to streamline the data management system development. Task 2b. Develop Data Management System The data management system will be built in phases, starting with necessary elements and adding additional elements as they are needed this approach will control costs and result in a more effective data management system. We will evaluate the nature and extent of data available in the basin to determine the most appropriate approach for managing data in an electronic database. Early system development will focus on building a database to organize, analyze, and report the basic hydrogeology that will be needed to develop and implement the GSP. As the GSP progresses, the data management system may be extended in collaboration with the CBGSA to support information dissemination to stakeholders via the GSA s website. Important considerations in developing the database include: Historic Data Incorporating historic data into a database will likely be needed. In many cases, this task can be time consuming and costly, depending on the amount of historic data that exist. We will assess the amount of historic data and develop a plan for incorporating data that are considered most useful for GSP development, prioritizing data related to undesirable results that define sustainability. The cost to populate the database with historic data only can be developed after the form and amount of data are determined and the data management objectives of the GSA are better understood. Software and Compatibility The database should be developed in a commercially available database software to ensure broad compatibility of the database with other software. Database Use To facilitate GSP development and implementation, a robust database should be developed that can serve the current and future needs of the CGBSA. We will develop a database that is easily updated, that can interface with mapping software like geographical information systems (i.e., a geodatabase), and that can be easily linked to the CBGSA s website. During database management system develop, we will keep the CBGSA and other stakeholders informed on data management, and we will ensure that the data management system is developed in a timely manner as well as effective to support GSP development. Task 2c. Deliver and Deploy Data Management System Once the data management system is developed and tested, we will work with the CBGSA to deliver and deploy the system. We will train CBGSA staff on use of the database. If needed, we can prepare a user s manual for the database. We will also

19 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 18 of 30 continue to maintain the database and adapt it to improve use for GSP development and implementation. Deliverables Key deliverables for Task 2 include: data management plan and a functional data management system. 3. Development of a Basin Model and Water Budget Models of the hydrogeologic conditions in the basin are the primary basis for developing water budgets. Two types of basin models will be utilized. First, a conceptual model of hydrogeologic conditions in the basin must be developed. The conceptual model is a narrative and graphical summary of the state of groundwater conditions in the basin. The conceptual model forms the basis for mathematical models, which are typically numerical computer models of the basin aquifer systems. A critical first step in developing the basin conceptual model is to assess basin conditions. DWR outlined basic requirements for modeling in the GSP regulations ( 352.4f) and prepared a BMP document for modeling. However, DWR does not prescribe the type of modeling or specify which modeling software should be used for GSP development if it meets certain minimum standards. GSAs are encouraged to decide on the scope of modeling they believe is needed for their basin, and if modeling is conducted, select any model that meets the minimum requirements outlined in the regulations. Hydrologic conditions and water resource management challenges in the Cuyama Basin are complex. In order to adequately address these complexities in the GSP, groundwater modeling will be required. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a hydrologic computer model of the Cuyama Basin. We understand that some GSA members question aspects of the USGS model. Our approach to analyzing basin conditions and groundwater modeling will start with an evaluation of the USGS model to identify key uncertainties. There is likely insufficient time to revise the model to fully address all model uncertainties before the GSP is due to DWR, but the model can still be used for the GSP with acknowledgement of these uncertainties. Modeling will be important for establishing water budgets for the groundwater basin, developing SMC and interim milestones, estimating sustainable yield, developing the hydrologic monitoring program, evaluating management actions and projects to achieve sustainability, and supporting an adaptive management strategy for ensuring progress towards sustainability. The modeling program we propose will be conducted in accordance with the GSP regulations and BMPs established by DWR. It is important to recognize that, while modeling will be important in the sustainability planning process, it will not be the basis for proving that sustainable groundwater conditions have been achieved in the basin. Actual data for example, groundwater elevations or groundwater quality obtained from the hydrologic monitoring program will provide the basis for demonstrating progress towards sustainable groundwater management. Our modeling and water budget task includes the following subtasks. Task 3a. Evaluate Basin Conditions Critical decisions related to developing an effective GSP must be based on a reasonable understanding of the basin s hydrogeology. Therefore, an important early step in the GSP

20 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 19 of 30 process is assessing the state of the basin and agreeing on data gaps. In our discussions with DWR, it is clear that a perfect understanding of the basin hydrogeology is not necessary. We will assess what is understood about the basin s hydrogeology and water balance and work with GSA members and stakeholders to determine hydrogeologic and water budget data gaps. If data are available to reduce uncertainties, we will analyze these data during GSP development. However, it is more likely that new data will be developed during GSP implementation to address these uncertainties. We believe the most efficient path forward is to identify uncertainties and ambiguities, and specifically acknowledge them in the GSP. DWR fully expects most plans to contain uncertainties which can be addressed during GSP implementation. Task 3b. Evaluate USGS Model of Cuyama Basin The USGS has developed an integrated hydrologic model for the Cuyama Basin 3. The model is comprehensive and likely simulates all of the necessary hydrologic processes for GSP development; this will be confirmed in Task 3a. In order to develop the GSP in a timely and cost effective manner, we recommend that the USGS model be used to develop the GSP, while acknowledging uncertainties for use in the model. The USGS model was developed using the MODFLOW-OWHM code. This model code simulates the comprehensive water budget associated with a groundwater dependent agricultural basin. The model code is relatively new, complex, and lacks a commercially available graphical user interface hence, it is not widely used by modelers other than the USGS. However, our lead modeler Colin Kikuchi used this model code during his doctoral research and then subsequently when he worked for the USGS. His experience with MODFLOW- OWHM is unique and will be a tangible benefit to the CBGSA during GSP development. In addition, our project manager Derrik Williams used the USGS model of the Pajaro Valley Basin based on this code to evaluate management options for Pajaro Valley s Basin Management Plan. Before using the model, we will review model input and output data to assess the representativeness of the model and to identify aspects of the model that could lead to uncertainties in model predictions. Understanding model uncertainty is critical to developing the GSP. Through our team s close work with DWR during development of the GSP regulations, the groundwater model BMP, and the pending BMP for SMC, we understand that DWR expects there to be uncertainty in model predictions and expects 3 The model is summarized in the 2015 report entitled Hydrologic Models and Analysis of Water Availability in Cuyama Valley, California.

21 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 20 of 30 that GSAs will account for this uncertainty when developing their GSP. For that reason, we will focus on model representativeness and uncertainties instead of striving to develop the perfect model for the basin. This modeling approach will lead to timely and less costly integration of modeling into the GSP process, and lead to more effective development of SMC and more effective analysis of management actions and projects that are needed to achieve sustainability. In the future during GSP implementation, additional evaluation of the model would be conducted to determine whether modifications are needed to improve model utility for adaptive management and optimization of sustainability projects and management actions. Task 3c: Develop Water Budgets The model will be used to develop historic, current, and future water budgets. The water budgets will provide a basis for estimating sustainable yield for the basin. The water budgets are also critical for developing SMC. It is important to recognize that the model will be used in the context of developing water budgets and SMC and estimating sustainable yield based on SMC, but results from the model will not be the basis for demonstrating that sustainable conditions have been achieved. Therefore, it is important to scale the model to inform water budgets not to define sustainability. Task 3d: Support Development of Sustainable Management Criteria SMC are the most important aspect of the GSP. The model will be used to support development of the SMC. In particular, the model will be useful for conceptually evaluating the cause of undesirable results, establishing minimum thresholds and measurable objectives, and developing and refining the monitoring program for the basin. The model can potentially be used to establish groundwater level proxies for sustainability criteria such as subsidence and surface water depletion. Task 3e: Simulate Management Actions and Projects After the model has been used to develop the water budget and support development of SMC, the model will be used to evaluate various management actions and projects that may be feasible components of sustainability. In this case, the model will be used to simulate different actions and projects. The model provides the best means to simulate the effect of actions and projects on complex hydrologic processes, such as interconnected surface and groundwater systems, and to account for potential impacts from climate change. Model results will be compared to identify the best combination of management actions and projects that avoid undesirable results, attain measurable objectives, help set interim milestones based on simulated progress toward sustainability in the basin, and estimate sustainable yield for inclusion in the water budget section of the GSP. Deliverables Key deliverables for Task 3 include: technical memoranda on basin conditions, model review, water budgets, and summary of use of the model during GSP development for use as sections in GSP.

22 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 21 of Establishment of Basin Sustainability Criteria In its GSP for the Basin, the GSA will need to define sustainability for the Basin with Sustainable SMC. The basis for SMC and therefore basin sustainability is the definition of undesirable results for the six sustainability indicators shown in the figure below. A basin is considered sustainable if all undesirable results are avoided. Note that DWR s view of sustainability under SGMA is based on the aquifer conditions, which is very different from how sustainability is viewed under a legal adjudication, which is based on amount pumped. Views on Sustainability SGMA Adjudication As the SMC define sustainability, DWR considers this to be the most important part of the GSP. While DWR anticipates that GSPs will include uncertainty in the basin description and water budget, DWR expects all GSPs to have clearly stated and factually supported sustainability criteria. Sustainability criteria define how a GSA will measure and demonstrate sustainability, and DWR will not accept plans that have vague criteria. Therefore, we believe a significant part of the GSP development effort will be spent defining, clarifying, and adjusting sustainability criteria. Finalizing these criteria will be an iterative process that requires stakeholder input, technical analyses, and broad agreement on the definition of undesirable results. This phase of the process has significant potential for disagreements that may require conflict resolution expertise. Therefore, our approach will be to begin discussion of the SMC at a very early point in the project and continue with facilitated

23 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 22 of 30 discussions on the SMC throughout the project. The discussion will start with a workshop that will help stakeholders understand their specific roles in making decisions, and what is required of them during the GSP development process. By the start of the project, DWR is scheduled to release a draft BMP for developing the SMC. Our principal-in-charge and project manager, Derrik Williams, assisted in drafting this BMP for DWR, and therefore has unparalleled knowledge of the requirements for developing the SMC. He is therefore uniquely qualified and prepared to present on the SMC at this early workshop. Facilitated discussions on SMC with the GSP Advisory Committee will continue to take place as other tasks for the GSP are undertaken, such as establishing basin conditions, developing data management systems, assessing and recommending improvements to the monitoring network, identifying projects and programs to achieve sustainability, groundwater modeling to evaluate contributions of identified projects and programs to sustainability, and planning implementation. All of this work must be performed within the context of developing the SMC. By facilitating discussion of the SMC throughout the project, we will help the basin s beneficial users quantify the desired state of the groundwater basin with the SMC. The SMC include identification of undesirable results, minimum thresholds at every representative monitoring point (RMP), measurable objectives at every RMP, and describing how combinations of minimum threshold exceedances in the basin will be considered to be undesirable results. The different steps for developing the SMC and how they integrate and sequence with other GSP tasks (italicized) are described below. These steps are part of the broader GSP development process, and we have grouped them into the following four subtasks for cost estimation purposes (provided under separate sealed cover). Task 4a Monitoring Network Evaluation (Step 3) Task 4b Sustainable Management Criteria (Steps 2, 4, 5, 8, and 9) Task 4c Management Areas (Steps 6 and 7) Task 4d Interim Milestones (Step 10) An important early milestone will be the Workshop to Develop Shared Project Understanding (Task 1a), where Derrik Williams will present on the SMC to initiate development of a shared understanding of their importance and the process required to develop them. Steps to Developing SMC 1. Identify Applicable Sustainability Indicators, Identify Undesirable Results, and Draft Sustainability Goal. As Basin Conditions (Task 3a) are documented and communicated with the GSA and the GSP Advisory Committee, we will help identify the applicable sustainability indicators and develop draft descriptions of what is significant and unreasonable for the sustainability indicators and therefore considered undesirable results. Based on this process, we will draft the descriptive sustainability goal. 2. Assess and Improve Monitoring Network Based on Needs for Evaluating Undesirable Results. Groundwater sustainability is demonstrated using data from the basin s monitoring network. The network must be sufficient to assess all six sustainability indicators, and

24 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 23 of 30 provide reasonable coverage throughout the basin. Assessing the existing monitoring network, and improving or modifying it is an imperative for avoiding undesirable results. Attempting to demonstrate sustainability with an incomplete or poorly designed monitoring network may result in the CBGSA having difficulty proving sustainability in the future. It will also be important to Develop a Data Management System (Task 2) with the SMC in mind as the data should focus on the applicable sustainability indicators. 3. Draft Concepts for Minimum Thresholds. Minimum thresholds are the numeric value for each applicable sustainability indicator used to define undesirable results. Based on GSP Advisory Committee agreement on undesirable results and data availability, we will propose options for what the bases of minimum thresholds could be. This could include proposing use of groundwater levels as proxies for minimum thresholds for multiple sustainability indicators. Discussion with the GSP Advisory Committee on the conceptual options will be facilitated to arrive at agreement on the bases for minimum thresholds. 4. Draft Concepts for Measurable Objectives. Measurable objectives are specific, quantifiable goals for the maintenance or improvement of specified groundwater conditions. They represent better basin conditions than minimum thresholds and represent a long-term sustainability goal that provides operational flexibility and a buffer, for example during dry periods, which reduce risk of undesirable results. Based on the agreed concepts for minimum thresholds, we will facilitate discussion by the GSP Advisory Committee of the operational flexibility that is appropriate for the basin guided by historic water budget information from Basin Conditions (Task 3a). 5. Evaluate Establishment of Management Areas. The GSP regulations allow for definition of multiple management areas with different minimum thresholds and measurable objectives than the rest of the basin. It may be appropriate to define multiple management areas in the Basin since there are three distinct subareas within the Basin (Main Zone, Sierra Madre Foothills, and Ventucopa Uplands). However, the definition of undesirable results needs to be consistent with the rest of the basin so this discussion takes place after agreement on definition and concepts for minimum thresholds and measurable objectives. We will advise the GSP Advisory Committee on the appropriateness for defining management areas based on the hydrogeologic conceptual model in Basin Conditions (Task 3a) and the level of monitoring described in Assess and Improve Monitoring Network. 6. Select Representative Monitoring Points (e.g., red dots on graphic). Minimum thresholds and measurable objectives are only applied at representative monitoring points. Based on

25 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 24 of 30 the work to Assess and Improve Monitoring Network (Task 4a), we will propose representative monitoring points for each applicable sustainability indicator to the GSP Advisory Committee for discussion and revision. 7. Establish Minimum Thresholds and Measurable Objectives at Each Representative Monitoring Point. Based on an understanding of the above steps, we will propose minimum thresholds and measurable objectives at all representative monitoring points for consideration by the GSP Advisory Committee. The Water Budget (Task 3c) section will include an estimate of sustainable yield which will be estimated by Groundwater Modeling for pumping totals that achieve measurable objectives throughout the basin. It should be noted that, per SGMA, total pumping that meets this sustainable yield estimate does not define sustainability. 8. Define Combinations of Minimum Thresholds that Represent Undesirable Results. In the SMCs, the GSA can establish combinations of minimum threshold exceedances that represent undesirable results. We will facilitate a discussion by the GSP Advisory Committee of how the GSA wants to apply minimum thresholds throughout the Basin that will inform development of these combinations. 9. Establish Interim Milestones for Achieving Sustainability. As part of Development of Projects and Actions to Achieve Sustainability Goals (Task 5), we will use the Basin Model (Task 3) to assess whether projects and actions result in sustainability by meeting measurable objectives by 2040 and prevent undesirable results for the rest of the 50-year future climate evaluation period required by DWR. The modeled results for the first 20 years can guide the establishment of interim milestones for progress that is expected to achieve sustainability. Groundwater Level Deliverables Historical IM#1 Measurable Objective Minimum Threshold IM#2 Future IM#3 Sustainable Key deliverables for Task 4 include: Five technical memoranda describing steps developing sustainability management criteria for use as draft sections for the GSP. 5. Development of Projects and Actions to Achieve Sustainability Goals Projects and management actions are a required element of the GSP and will be selected to meet the sustainability goal for the basin. The GSP must describe the projects and management actions that CBGSA has determined will achieve the sustainability goal for the basin. This discussion must identify the specific linkages with the SMC (i.e. measurable objectives, interim

26 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 25 of 30 milestones, and minimum thresholds) and any implementation triggers. This section of the GSP must also describe the process by which CBGSA will provide notice to the public and other agencies that the implementation of projects or management actions is being considered or has been implemented. Because the basin has been designated as critically overdrafted by DWR, the GSP must specifically describe projects or management actions that may be implemented to address the overdraft condition. The HydroMetrics WRI team recognizes that there are three distinct subareas within the basin (Main Zone, Sierra Madre Foothills, and Ventucopa Uplands), which have different groundwater conditions and potentially different sustainability criteria. Moreover, there are structural imbalances between these areas, with the majority of the recharge occurring in the Ventucopa and Sierra Madre Foothills and the majority of the pumping and groundwater storage depletion occurring in the Main Zone. Hence, these areas may require different projects and management actions achieve the sustainability goal for the basin. While the GSP may proceed with different management areas for the three subareas, it may be necessary to consider projects that facilitate water transfers from areas that are more easily recharged to areas that are not. Of course, any project that transfers water must ensure that the beneficial users located in the area where the water is being transferred from are not impacted or are made whole. The principal issue in the basin that must be addressed to achieve sustainability is balancing groundwater supply and demand. Balance will likely be achieved through a combination of water supply augmentation projects and demand management measures. If appropriate, our approach will consider the use of decision support modeling to better evaluate the financial tradeoffs and benefits of projects and actions. This approach is more transparent and objective, and can help quantify the financial implications of the projects and actions that are being considered for the basin. Potential water supply augmentation projects will likely need to focus on engineered projects that increase recharge following precipitation events and transfer water from areas that are more easily recharged to areas that are not. Some options that will be considered include: Regional storm water recharge projects in the Ventucopa and Sierra Madre Foothills; On-farm recharge projects (temporary flooding of farmland adjacent to Cuyama River or a tributary for recharge); Storm water retention; Dry wells in recharge areas; and Injection wells in the Main Zone. Demand management programs should be considered to reduce groundwater demand and ensure that the available resources are being used as efficiently as possible. Demand management options that will be considered include, but are not limited to: Irrigation efficiency improvement programs; Pay-to-fallow programs; Longer crop rotations; and Land-use change (e.g. solar generation). There are three ways to pursue the abovelisted demand management measures. One method is via regulatory mandates. Another method is via incentives provided by the GSA (funded by an extraction fee). The last option is via a water market. The idea behind a water market is that it would create marketdriven financial incentives that drive

27 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 26 of 30 business decisions toward the most efficient use of water without regulatory mandates or other incentives. The HydroMetrics WRI team will work with CBGSA and the stakeholders to explore the demand management measures and the preferred approach for pursuing them. In the end, the water supply augmentation projects and demand management measures may not be sufficient to balance groundwater supply and demand. Thus, it is anticipated that some amount of regulated demand management (i.e. pumping reductions) will be needed to achieve sustainability. However, we would propose that any pumping reductions be phased in carefully over time commensurate with increased certainty and confidence in the basin sustainable yield achieved through addressing data gaps and implementation of other projects/measures described above. These concepts are illustrated in the figure below, which also shows one possible approach for using projects and management actions to achieve sustainable groundwater pumping. However, meeting the estimate for sustainable yield does not ensure sustainability, which is defined as avoiding undesirable results. Therefore, the sustainable yield estimate could be revised during GSP implementation. We understand that there is little existing information for the basin concerning potential water supply augmentation projects. Thus, we envision that the GSP will propose conceptual projects and recommend that a water augmentation feasibility study be completed as a first step of GSP implementation. The feasibility study would further assess and rank the projects. We will develop the required information for the GSP, commensurate with the level of available information, including: Permitting and regulatory process; Time-table for initiation and completion, and the accrual of expected benefits; Expected benefits and how they will be evaluated; How the project or demand management action would be accomplished;

28 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 27 of 30 Deliverables Legal authority required; Estimated costs for the projects and management actions; and Strategy to finance the projects and management actions (Task 5b in schedule and cost). Key deliverables for Task 5 include a technical memorandum on conceptual management actions and projects, and a technical memorandum on planned management actions, projects, and finance strategy for use as the draft GSP chapter. 6. Groundwater Sustainability Plan Document Preparation The GSP will be the fundamental document for groundwater management in the Cuyama Basin. Additionally, the GSP serves as proof to DWR that the CBGSA has a hydrogeologic understanding of the basin, a clear definition of sustainability, and a defined approach for achieving sustainability within 20 years. In terms of content and compliance with the GSP regulations, the GSP will follow guidance from DWR in their Groundwater Sustainability Plan Annotated Outline Guidance Document for the Sustainable Management of Groundwater. We have reviewed this outline, and used it as the starting point for other GSPs that we are working on. We believe DWR s outline could be structurally modified for clarity, however all the basic sections suggested by DWR will be included in our GSP. Relying on DWR s outline ensures that the CBGSA will address all of DWR s requirements in the GSP. While our goal is to ensure the GSP meets the standards set forth in the GSP regulations and BMPs, we also recognize that a successful GSP requires much more than just meeting these standards. SGMA envisions a robust stakeholder engagement process during the GSP development and for good reason a GSP that is adopted with significant stakeholder opposition may not be approved by DWR and would be challenging to implement. Thus, we view the GSP as an outcome of a successful planning process, not just a deliverable. We believe this wholeheartedly because our team s success in other basins has resulted from taking the time to build shared vision amongst the participating stakeholders throughout the planning process. Thus, our approach will be to deliver draft sections of the GSP incrementally as they are completed so we can obtain early input from the CBGSA and build confidence in the process and, ultimately, the GSP itself. Our outreach and stakeholder involvement program will be aligned with draft GSP section deliveries to ensure a cohesive and collaborative process. We believe this approach maximizes transparency, provides early and frequent opportunities for stakeholder input, and helps mitigate the inevitable push back that will occur immediately prior to adoption by the CBGSA Board. Deliverables Key deliverables for Task 6 include draft and final GSP. 7. GSP Implementation The implementation chapter of the GSP summarizes the plan to achieve sustainability, describes how sustainability will be periodically evaluated, and discusses the use of adaptive management to meet sustainability. Therefore, this chapter will not only describe how the GSA will meet ongoing requirements of the GSP regulations and SGMA, such as annual reports and the five year periodic evaluations, but describe how actions and projects will meet interim milestones and eventually measurable

29 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 28 of 30 objectives. This chapter represents the GSA s roadmap to sustainability based on the actions and projects identified in the GSP. In addition to cost, schedule, and planned contents of annual reports and five year periodic evaluations, the chapter will include the cost and schedule of planned actions and projects in relation to achieving interim milestones set every five years until The chapter will describe the additional actions and projects or revisions to actions and projects available if interim milestones are not achieved. We will propose adaptive management options for a facilitated discussion with the GSP Advisory Committee before describing them in the GSP. Deliverables Key deliverables for Task 7 include: the draft implementation chapter of the GSP. 8. Meetings Our approach to the GSP development process will be hands-on with frequent interaction with the CBGSA, GSP Advisory Committee, Executive Director, and other stakeholders. A key element of the process will be participation in meetings. In order to inform stakeholders on the GSP process, build consensus among the stakeholders, and minimize delays, we will participate in all GSP Advisory Committee meetings, attend all CGBSA Board meetings, and take on an appropriate role in other ad hoc meetings as needed. It will be important for our project manager, lead facilitator, and local project lead to be involved in meetings throughout the GSP development process. Other team members may attend some meetings when appropriate. We understand that the GSP Advisory Committee is in the process of forming and an Executive Director will be hired. We also understand that advisory committee and GSA Board meetings will be held monthly. For cost estimating purposes, we have assumed the following level of effort for meetings. Task 8a: GSP Advisory Committee Meetings We assume there will be 20 advisory committee meetings during GSP development. Our lead facilitator, Ellen Cross, will attend all meetings, and our senior facilitator, J. Michael Harty, will attend 4 meetings, where they will facilitate stakeholder interactions and ensure that meeting goals are met and the GSP process stays on schedule. We assume our project manager, Derrik Williams, will attend 8 meetings and our local project lead, Bryan Bondy, will attend the other 12 meetings. For meetings they do not attend, Derrik and Bryan will attend by teleconference to stay updated. Their attendance will be important to inform stakeholders on technical issues and progress. Task 8b: CBGSA Board Meetings We assume there will be 20 meetings during GSP development. Bryan Bondy will attend all CBGSA Board meetings to stay informed about issues and report back to the technical and facilitation team. We assume Ellen and Derrik would each attend 4 meetings. Task 8c: Other Meetings We anticipate that other technical meetings will be required to develop the GSP. For planning purposes, we assume that Ellen, and Bryan will attend 4 additional meetings. Deliverables The primary deliverable for Task 8 will be meeting notes and presentations.

30 Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Page 29 of 30 Project Schedule Figure 1 shows a detailed schedule for GSP development. Our team is motivated to deliver the GSP before the January 31, 2020 deadline assuming we can start work during or before January Proprietary Statement HydroMetrics WRI, on behalf of it and its subconsultants, attests that nothing contained in the submittal is proprietary. HydroMetrics WRI further attests that it will, to the best of its ability, not include proprietary information in any subsequent interview (if required). Insurance All members of the HydroMetrics WRI team currently have the required insurance coverages. The table below identifies the insurance carrier for each team member. Firm General Liability Automotive Workers Comp. Errors & Omissions HydroMetrics WRI Travelers Insurance Travelers Insurance Travelers Insurance U.S. Specialty Insurance Kearns & West Twin City Fire Insurance/The Hartford The Hartford The Hartford Federal Insurance Co. Bondy Groundwater, Inc. Farmers Insurance Exchange Farmers Insurance Exchange N/A Sole proprietor U.S. Specialty Insurance Montgomery & Associates The Hartford The Hartford The Hartford CNA Estimated Costs Estimated costs are provided under separate cover.

31 ID Task Name 1 Notice to Proceed 2 1. Stakeholder Engagment Strategy 3 1a. Workshop to Develop Shared Project Understanding 4 1b. Survey Assessment of Key Stakeholders 5 1c. Prepare Communications, Outreach and Engagement Plan 6 1d. Plan, Coordinate, and Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement in GSP Development and Public Outreach 7 1e. Conduct QA/QC of the Communication and Engagement Plan 8 2. Data Management 9 2a. Prepare Data Management Plan 10 2b. Develop Data Management System 11 2c. Deliver and Deploy Data Management System Development of Basin Model and Water Budget 13 3a. Evaluate Basin Conditions 14 3b. Evaluate USGS Model of Cuyama Basin 15 3c. Develop Water Budgets 16 Historic 17 Future 18 3d. Support Development of Sustainable Management Criteria 19 3e. Simulate Management Actions and Projects Establishment of Basin Sustainability Criteria 21 4a. Monitoring Network Evaluation 22 4b. Sustainable Management Criteria 23 4c. Management Areas 24 4d. Interim Milestones Development of Projects and Actions to Achieve Sustainability Goals 26 5a. Identify and Evaluate Projects 27 5b. Develop Finance Strategy GSP Document Preparation 29 Prepare Outline 30 Task Deliverables to be included in GSP 31 Basin Conditions / Monitoring Network 32 Historic Water Budgets 33 Future Water Budgets 34 Sustainable Management Criteria 35 Projects and Management Actions GSP Implementation 37 Submit Complete Draft GSP to CBGSA 38 CBGSA/Advisory Committee Review 39 Prepare final GSP 40 Final CBGSA Board Approval of GSP Meetings 42 8a. GSP Advisory Committee Meetings 68 8b. CBGSA Boad Meetings 94 8c. Other Meetings Figure 1. Detailed Project Schedule Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Notice to Proceed Final CBGSA Board Approval of GSP Page 1 of 1

32 . Appendix A: Resumes

33 Derrik Williams, P.G., C.Hg. Page 1 of 2 EDUCATION M.S., Hydrology, University of Arizona, 1987 B.S., Geology, University of California at Davis, 1982 EXPERIENCE 28 years REGISTRATION Professional Geologist, California, #6044 Certified Hydrogeologist, California, #35 EXPERTISE o 3D groundwater flow and transport models o Groundwater recharge o Conjunctive water management o Groundwater basin management o Aquifer test analysis o Interagency negotiation and coordination o Independent technical review PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS o American Geophysical Union o Association of California Water Agencies o National Groundwater Association o Groundwater Resources Association of California Experience Summary Derrik Williams, a California Professional Geologist and Certified Hydrogeologist, is President of HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. Derrik has more than 28 years of experience in applied geology and hydrogeology and excels at assisting his clients with integrating technical analyses and institutional challenges to manage their water resources. His project experience includes managing, reviewing, and assisting on water supply, groundwater recharge, wastewater disposal, and hazardous waste remediation projects. Derrik is accomplished in analytical hydrogeology, with extensive interpretation and application of groundwater flow and transport models. He is an expert in aquifer test design and analysis and is experienced in all aspects of groundwater management. As a member of the Groundwater Committee of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) since 2008, Derrik helped shape the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring Program (CASGEM) and helped develop ACWA's Groundwater Framework document. He additionally drafted ACWA s Guidelines for Groundwater Monitoring. Derrik is one of the few consultants working closely with DWR to develop the state s SGMA implementation process. He reviewed and commented on the SGMA legislation while it was being drafted, and currently sits on ACWA s SGMA Implementation Policy Committee as well as ACWA s SGMA Policy Advisory Workgroup. Derrik has been invited to meet regularly with representatives from DWR and SWRCB to shape the regulations implementing the SGMA legislation. During 2015, he represented both ACWA and the midcoast groundwater users group in numerous meetings with DWR and SWRCB. He was a contributor to the California Water Foundation s GSP regulations workshops, and he was invited to participate in Stanford s Water in the West meetings on data and modeling in SGMA. Representative Experience Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin Boundary Modification, Scotts Valley Water District. Derrik managed the one of the most complex basin boundary modifications as in SGMA s implementation. The basin boundary modification included both technical and jurisdictional modifications to promote sustainable groundwater management. Derrik reviewed and interpreted 1814 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612

34 Derrik Williams, P.G., C.Hg. Page 2 of 2 relevant SGMA regulations for the client and hosted meetings with DWR and SWRCB to review and obtain agreement to the modification approach. He developed the technical justification to establish a new groundwater basin that encompasses all or parts of two existing groundwater basins, along with areas previously not considered groundwater basins. Derrik assisted the client with required stakeholder outreach and water agency notification, and developed responses to concerns raised by neighboring water agencies. As part of his management, Derrik presented the modification approach and technical work at numerous Boards of Directors meetings in Santa Cruz County. Groundwater Sustainability Agency Assessment, Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation. Derrik is providing technical assistance regarding GSA development to Butte County as a subconsultant to Kearns and West Inc. The project is assisting Butte County assess the potential interest and concerns of various agencies and groups regarding GSA formation under SGMA. Derrik was part of the team that helped develop the outreach materials to ensure that relevant information was collected to guide Butte County s GSA development. Groundwater Supply/Groundwater Management Seaside Basin Groundwater Management, Seaside Basin Watermaster. Derrik helped develop both a Basin Management Action Plan and Seawater Intrusion Response Plan (SIRP) for the Watermaster in Monterey County. The Basin Management Action Plan identified specific data needs, water sources, and groundwater management actions and recommended an implementation strategy to the Watermaster. The SIRP was a companion document that included exhaustive statistical and graphical analyses of groundwater quality data to identify potential seawater intrusion. Groundwater Management for the Soquel-Aptos Basin, Soquel Creek Water District. For the past nine years, Derrik has served as technical consultant and advisor to the Soquel Creek Water District for all aspects of their groundwater program. Specific support includes updating the groundwater management plan, investigating conjunctive use alternatives, providing well master plan EIR support, designing and installing monitoring wells, seawater intrusion monitoring, assisting with municipal well rehabilitation and restoration, and assisting with negotiating with neighboring agencies. Creek/Aquifer Interaction Study, Squaw Valley Public Service District (SVPSD). Derrik directed a unique study to establish and quantify the interflow between Squaw Creek and the adjoining shallow aquifers. The study used temperature monitoring techniques that can directly estimate the flow rates between the Creek and the shallow aquifers. This project was funded by a California Department of Water Resources AB303 Local Groundwater Assistance Grant Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612

35 Cameron Tana, P.E. Page 1 of 2 EDUCATION M.Eng., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999 B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 1998 A.B., Economics, Stanford University, 1998 EXPERIENCE 17 years REGISTRATION Registered Professional, Engineer (Civil), California, #C65822 EXPERTISE o Three dimensional groundwater flow and transport models o Groundwater basin management o Analysis of pumping impacts o Inverse methods for calibrating numerical models o Estuarine hydrodynamics models PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS o American Society of Civil Engineers o American Water Works Association o Emerging Leaders Alliance o Groundwater Resources Association of California o National Ground Water Association Experience Summary A co-founder of HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc., Cameron Tana has 17 years of experience as a hydrologist focused on assisting public agencies in California manage their groundwater resources. Cameron uses analytical tools and numerical models to address his clients challenges and is particularly adept at selecting and implementing the analytical tools best suited to address specific ground- and surfacewater issues. He is experienced at communicating technical findings to advance groundwater management, taking into account legal, economic, and political challenges. As a member of the American Water Works Association, Cameron serves as Chair of the California-Nevada Section s Water Well Technology Committee. Representative Experience Sustainable Groundwater Basin Management Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation, Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency. Cameron has presented an overview of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin s groundwater hydrology and groundwater management activities to the Santa Cruz Mid-County Stakeholder Advisory Committee, providing important background as the committee discussed stakeholder involvement in formation of a Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Cameron led the successful application to the Department of Water Resources to revise basin boundaries to consolidate portions of four basins into the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin that will be managed by the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA). The revision included jurisdictional and scientific modifications of internal and external boundaries. Cameron coordinated between MGA members and neighboring agencies to ensure all basin boundary modification applications in Santa Cruz County were consistent. Cameron also assisted with MGA s notification of its formation as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency to the state and represented the MGA in Central Coast advisory group meetings with the California Department of Water Resources, where he articulated how groundwater conditions on the Central Coast differ from the rest of the state. Groundwater Zone of Benefit Study, Santa Clara Valley Water District. Cameron is leading a team to evaluate and revise the District s groundwater zones of benefit that provide the basis for its groundwater charges. To date, the team has developed the study methodology and draft report to evaluate areas that benefit from the District s in-lieu and managed recharge activities. Working with the outreach subconsultant and the District, Cameron planned meetings with stakeholder groups and presented study plans at the meetings.

36 Cameron Tana, P.E. Page 2 of 2 Conjunctive Use Benefit of Treated Water, Santa Clara Valley Water District. Cameron led a water resources engineering team in support of an evaluation of the District s groundwater production charges. The task involved estimating the economic benefit of in-lieu recharge to the groundwater basin from including treated surface water in the supply portfolio. Cameron evaluated the groundwater infrastructure required for a groundwater only portfolio and managed the cost estimates for developing the additional groundwater infrastructure. Groundwater Basin Management, Soquel Creek Water District. Cameron has provided broad technical expertise to the Soquel Creek Water District since 2005 under four consecutive as-needed consulting contracts. His contributions have touched on all issues dealing with groundwater management for the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin. Examples of his work include: Revised the Groundwater Management Plan for the Basin, leads the compilation of annual reports on the state of the groundwater basin and the status of basin management objectives, and recommended updates to the Plan. Developed drought curtailment criteria for an update of the Integrated Resources Plan. Cameron analyzed deep recharge results from a Precipitation Runoff Watershed Model to base drought curtailment stages on multi-year rainfall totals that indicate shortfalls of the groundwater recharge. Groundwater Modeling/Analytical Hydrogeology Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin Integrated Watershed-Groundwater Model, Santa Cruz Mid- County Groundwater Agency. Cameron is project manager for development of a GSFLOW model of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Basin that integrates groundwater flow with watershed processes. He has directed strategy for updates to the basin conceptual model, model construction, estimates of non-metered pumping and return flow, and calibration to streamflows and groundwater levels. The model will be used to evaluate in-lieu recharge, recharge of purified water, and aquifer storage and recovery of excess surface water as well as analyses required by the Basin s Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Cameron has led Technical Review Committee meetings and presented to the Agency Board on model development progress. Groundwater Model Upgrades, Zone 7 Water Agency. Zone 7 uses its groundwater model to evaluate projects for salts and minerals management. Cameron updated and recalibrated the model to reflect new salinity and groundwater data. He developed and implemented a strategy for calibrating the Zone 7 model with pilot points and regularization using PEST. He provided training and technical consultation to Zone 7 in-house staff regarding optimizing use of the model. As part of a recently completed project to improve simulation of managed recharge and salt transport in the basin, he managed development of packages included in the MT3D-USGS release for transport in surface water and its interaction with groundwater. PRESENTATIONS ON SGMA Culkin, S., C. Tana, and D. Williams Using Cross-Sectional models to Develop Proxy Measurable Thresholds for Seawater Intrusion. Groundwater Resources Association Tools for SGMA Workshop. Modesto, CA. Tana, C., S. Culkin, N. Byler, and D. Williams First Steps in Inter-Basin Coordination for SGMA: Basin Boundary Modification Requests in Santa Cruz County, Groundwater Resources Association of California Annual Conference. Concord, CA.

37 Georgina King, P.G., C.Hg. Page 1 of 3 EDUCATION M.S., Geohydrology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa, 1997 B.S., Engineering Geology, University of Natal- Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, 1992 B.S., Geology, University of Natal- Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, 1991 Postbaccalaureate Certificate in GIS, Penn State, 2016 EXPERIENCE 24 years REGISTRATION Registered Geologist, California, #8023 Certified Hydrogeologist, California, #874 EXPERTISE Hydrogeologic characterization Groundwater basin management Groundwater recharge Groundwater quality Geographical Information Systems and database management PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Association of California Water Agencies Groundwater Resources Association of California National Ground Water Association Experience Summary Georgina King is a Principal Hydrogeologist at HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. Educated in South Africa, she spent her early career years with the South African Department of Water Affairs as Assistant Director of groundwater resources for the province of KwaZulu-Natal. She was responsible for the technical aspects of managing groundwater, such as establishing a regional monitoring network, rural water supply, and developing regional hydrogeological maps. Since 2000, Georgina has worked in California and focused on developing, managing, and protecting groundwater resources. She has extensive experience in developing and managing geographic information systems (GIS) and databases, which she applies to most of her projects. She is experienced in managing and conducting technical studies on basin-wide groundwater management, large-capacity public water supply projects, sustainable yield, and groundwater modeling projects. Representative Experience Groundwater Supply/Groundwater Management Well Siting Study, Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley Water District. As the primary author of a well siting study to identify up to three new potential well sites, Georgina performed a GIS overlay analysis that took into account hydrogeologic and logistical factors. She also provided site specific actions that would need to take place for the three preferred sites, and prepared the report. Groundwater Management Plan Annual Report, Santa Cruz County, Scotts Valley Water District. Georgina prepared the Water Year 2016 annual report for the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. The work included analyzing groundwater level and quality data, preparing groundwater contour maps, and reporting on environmental cleanup operations and drought impacts. Groundwater Zone of Benefit Study, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water District. Georgina has contributed her hydrogeologic and GIS expertise to a project to evaluate and revise the District s groundwater zones of benefit that provide the basis for its groundwater charges. She assisted the project team in developing the study methodology to evaluate areas that benefit from the District s in-lieu and managed recharge activities. She also will work with the project surveyor to determine metes and bounds for the zones of benefit based on boundaries developed in GIS Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612

38 Georgina King, P.G., C.Hg. Page 2 of 3 Groundwater Recharge Capacity Evaluation, Phase I, Tulare Irrigation District (TID). Georgina was the primary analyst and author of a recharge capacity report that estimated the surface and groundwater budgets of the TID service area, identifies potential water sources to supplement groundwater recharge, evaluated existing recharge capacity and required future capacity given the potential sources available. Ventura County Water Supply and Demand, Ventura County. Georgina was the project manager and lead hydrogeologist in developing countywide water supply and demand estimates for To estimate the amount of undocumented demand by urban and agricultural private users, a demand calculator (IDC) was developed to estimate the countywide demands. The difference between the countywide demand and the documented use was assumed to be the private use. Seaside Groundwater Basin Laguna Seca Subarea Safe Yield, Seaside Basin Watermaster. Georgina was the project manager for a modeling study to estimate the safe yield of the Laguna Seca subarea which has experienced ongoing declines in groundwater levels. She was responsible for directing modeling work carried out, preparing the technical memorandum, and presenting the results to the Technical Advisory Committee. Oxnard and Pleasant Valley Salt and Nutrient Management Plan, City of Oxnard/Carollo Engineers. Georgina provided technical hydrogeologic information that was incorporated into a salt and nutrient management plan for three groundwater basins. Georgina was responsible for the basin characterization, estimating existing groundwater quality, and assimilative capacity portions of the plan. Lower Santa Clara River Salt and Nutrient Management Plan, Ventura County/Larry Walker Associates. Georgina was the project manager for HydroMetrics WRI which was part of a team of consultants preparing a salt and nutrient management plan for five groundwater basins. Georgina was responsible for the basin characterization, estimating existing groundwater quality, and assimilative capacity portions of the plan. Seaside Basin Salt and Nutrient Management Plan, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. Georgina was the project manager and principal author of the salt and nutrient plan for the Seaside basin. She was also responsible for preparing the Prop 84 grant application that provided funding for the project. Seaside Groundwater Basin Hydrogeologic Studies, Seaside Basin Watermaster. Georgina is the project manager for all hydrogeologic studies and annual reports for the Seaside Basin Watermaster. She has managed finalization of reports including the Basin Management Action Plan, annual Seawater Intrusion Analysis Report since 2009, and the Seawater Intrusion Response Plan. Groundwater Management for the Soquel-Aptos Basin, Soquel Creek Water District. Since 2009, Georgina has been involved in preparing the annual groundwater review and report as per Groundwater Management Plan requirements. She develops seasonal groundwater contour maps and prepares all GIS maps Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612

39 Georgina King, P.G., C.Hg. Page 3 of 3 AB303 Aquifer/Stream Interaction, Squaw Valley Public Service District. Georgina has conducted installation of pressure transducers in monitoring wells, and pumping tests to study the interaction between a local creek and production wells. This work is ongoing Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612

40 Laura D. Brown Page 1 of 2 EDUCATION B.A. Political Science, University of Southern California, 1976 Senior Executive Institute, University of Virginia, 1985 EXPERIENCE 33 years Public Administration 17 years Groundwater Resources Management EXPERTISE o Groundwater Resources Management o Integrated Water Resources Planning & Development o Water Conservation o Seawater Desalination Issues & Permitting o Interagency Negotiation and Coordination o Public Outreach and Engagement o Municipal Utility Administration o California Laws and Regulations pertaining to Local Gov t, Groundwater and Drinking Water HONORS o Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year 2013 o Aptos Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year 2007 Experience Summary Laura Brown joined HydroMetrics Water Resources, Inc. as a Senior Manager in 2013, following a 33-year career in local government administration. From 1995 through 2012, Laura provided solid and progressive leadership as General Manager of the highly regarded Soquel Creek Water District (SqCWD) in Santa Cruz County, which is entirely dependent on local aquifers for its water supply. Under Laura s leadership, SqCWD was identified as one of California s exemplary and innovative groundwater management agencies by numerous groups publications including: The Association of California Water Agencies Sustainability from the Ground Up: A Framework for Groundwater Management in California Stanford University s Woods Institute s Uncommon Innovation: Developments in Groundwater Management Planning in California Prior to managing SqCWD, Laura served as Assistant City Manager for both the City of Monterey ( ) and the City of Santa Cruz ( ). Since joining HydroMetrics WRI, Laura has become well-versed in the provisions of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and has provided a variety of SGMA related services to clients. Laura excels at complex problem solving and strategic planning, teamwork, public outreach and community engagement, fostering inter-agency cooperation, regulatory compliance, sound fiscal management and professional integrity and ethics. Laura has an agricultural background and is very engaged with current California agricultural issues through familial relationships Franklin Street, Suite 501, Oakland, CA 94612

41 Laura D. Brown Page 2 of 2 Representative Experience Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Develop Guidance Documents for Interagency Agreements and Other Tasks Related to GSA Formation, County of San Luis Obispo (June 2016 Present). Funded through a Prop 1 grant, Laura has provided reference and public outreach materials to be available to GSAs within San Luis Obispo County. This included researching and analyzing groundwater management agency governance structures, preparing a worksheet for developing a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA), and preparing SGMA Fact Sheets and Frequently Asked Questions for the public. She is currently developing guidance documents for GSA startup. The latter is a resource addressing GSA staffing decisions, conducting agency business, initial board actions to form and administer the new agency, sample policy documents, and a work plan outline for undertaking preparation of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Groundwater Management Soquel Creek Water District (SqCWD) ( ). With her agency being the primary user of the overdrafted Soquel-Aptos groundwater basin and solely dependent on groundwater, Laura supported a diverse group of 25 community stakeholders through a process that: 1) achieved consensus on the water supply shortage; 2) vetted a list of viable conservation and supply alternatives against agreed upon criteria; and 3) provided a roadmap for meeting longterm water needs. Laura also led the effort for SqCWD to greatly expand its coastal and inland groundwater monitoring program; prepare a Well Master Plan to strategically locate and design new and replacement wells to more uniformly pump the basin; establish a collaborative approach to groundwater management with other stakeholders; implement a monitoring and mitigation program for private wells within the potential impact radii of new municipal wells; and establish groundwater level goals to protect against seawater intrusion. Tulare Irrigation District (TID) Groundwater Recharge Capacity Evaluation (2014 Present). Laura serves as project manager for this project that includes a water budget to determine a groundwater sustainability goal for TID and assessment of current and potential recharge capacity and supply resources. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Groundwater Zone of Benefit Study, Santa Clara Valley Water District. This project is to evaluate and revise the District s groundwater zones of benefit that provide the basis for its groundwater charges. Laura reviews and edits all reports and presentations associated with this highly technical and potentially controversial study for clarity and understandability by the general public Franklin Street, Suite 501, Oakland, CA 94612

42 Bryan Bondy, PG, CHG Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. Bryan has 20 years of experience conducting a wide range of groundwater projects in California. His experience includes both public water agency and consulting experience including, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation, groundwater supply studies, well design, construction, and rehabilitation, contaminant hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, interagency planning and coordination, permitting, project management, grant writing, and grant management. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 2016-Present: President, Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. Bryan is the founder and President of Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. formed in 2016 to service the growing need for groundwater professionals to address Sustainable Groundwater Management Act requirements and other groundwater regulatory and planning issues. EDUCATION MS, Geological Sciences (Hydrogeology), San Diego State University (2000) BS, Geological Sciences (Hydrogeology), San Diego State University (1997) GIS Certification, Mt. San Jacinto Junior College (2008) PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS Professional Geologist: California No Certified Hydrogeologist: California No. 821 DISTINGUISHING QUALIFICATIONS Hands-on SGMA experience Former public water agency management employee experience Strong technical, writing, and public speaking skills 2012-Present*: Contract Groundwater Manager, Calleguas Municipal Water District, Ventura County, California. Bryan has served as the District s expert groundwater hydrogeologist and has served on the District s management team since Bryan s responsibilities include addressing legal and technical issues related to operation of the District s aquifer storage and recovery project. Bryan serves on the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency s Board-appointed Technical Advisory Group for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation and he is the facilitator of the Las Posas Valley Groundwater Basin Users Group, where he advises the groundwater users on Sustainable Groundwater Management Act planning issues. * In July 2016, Bryan s role transitioned to a part-time Contract Groundwater Manager position serviced through Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc : Groundwater Policy Senior Hydrogeologist (Inter-Agency Position), Calleguas Municipal Water District, United Water Conservation District, and Fox Canyon Groundwater Agency, Ventura County, California. Bryan served as the Inter-Agency Groundwater Hydrogeologist working on groundwater management issues affecting the above-listed agencies : Principal Hydrogeologist, Aqui-Ver, Inc., Temecula, California. Bryan served as a principal-in-charge on groundwater remediation design projects : Senior Hydrogeologist / Project Manager, Kleinfelder, Inc., Temecula, California. As a client service manager, Bryan was responsible for numerous groundwater supply and remediation projects. As one of the few hydrogeologists in the firm at the time, Bryan was frequently called upon to assist other Kleinfelder offices with groundwater projects. Bryan also managed a team of professional staff and technicians : Staff Hydrogeologist, Hargis + Associates, Inc., San Diego, California. As a staff hydrogeologist, Bryan completed numerous groundwater investigations. PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC HONORS Kleinfelder President s Award for Exceptional Client Service Member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Societies Undergraduate Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Student of the Year Seeks to provide practical and costeffective solutions 9452 Telephone Road, #112, Ventura, CA BondyGroundwater@gmail.com 1 of 2

43 Bryan Bondy, PG, CHG Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc. SELECTED REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE AND PROJECTS SGMA Technical Advisory Group Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA), Ventura County, California. In 2015, Bryan was appointed by the Agricultural Representative on the FCGMA Board of Directors to the Agency s SGMA Technical Advisory Group. The committee is tasked with advising the Board of Directors on technical aspects of the four Groundwater Sustainability Plans currently under development. SGMA Advisor Yuima Municipal Water District. Bryan was hired by Yuima Municipal Water District to advise the General Manager and Board of Directors concerning the development of the San Luis Rey Valley GSP. SGMA Advisor City of San Diego. Bryan is teamed with another consulting firm to provide technical services for the City of San Diego on SGMA and other related groundwater issues in multiple groundwater basins. SGMA Stakeholder Group Advisor/Facilitator - Las Posas Valley Groundwater Basin Users Group, Ventura County, California. Since 2009, Bryan has served as the Las Posas Valley Groundwater Basin Users (stakeholder) Group s technical advisor and facilitator. During this time Bryan has educated the stakeholders on the basin groundwater hydrology, groundwater management issues, and led the group through a groundwater management planning process prior to SGMA. More recently, Bryan facilitated the group s development of a pumping allocation management program for the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. SGMA Data Gaps Evaluation Countywide Groundwater Monitoring Program, County of San Luis Obispo. Bryan is the lead hydrogeologist working with GSI Water Solutions, Inc. performing a data gaps evaluation of the County s groundwater monitoring program. The purpose of the project is to identify data gaps in the existing groundwater monitoring program relative to the SGMA GSP regulations and BMPs. SGMA Basin Prioritization Re-Evaluation Project Las Posas Valley Basin. Bryan, on behalf of the Las Posas Valley Groundwater Basin Users Group, worked with DWR staff to re-assess the critical overdraft designation of the Las Posas Valley Basin. Mr. Bondy reviewed groundwater conditions with DWR staff and recommended that the basin be reclassified. DWR staff concurred with Mr. Bondy s recommendation and the basin was ultimately removed from the critical overdraft priority list. SGMA Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Guidance Framework, The Nature Conservancy and Department of Water Resources. Bryan is serving on a subcommittee of the Fox Canyon GMA SGMA Technical Advisory Group that is working with The Nature Conservancy and DWR to develop a guidance manual for the identification, evaluation, and consideration of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems under SGMA. USGS Groundwater Model Review United Water Conservation District, Santa Paula, CA. Bryan performed an independent, comprehensive review of the Ventura Regional Groundwater Model originally completed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The model area includes the groundwater basins of the Santa Clara River Valley and Coastal Plain of Ventura County, which provide almost half of the water supply for Ventura County. Bryan s review revealed that the model was not accurately predicting groundwater levels in key areas of the basins, which led to a decision by the District to reconstruct and re-calibrate the model. Santee El Monte Basin Groundwater Management Study, San Diego County Water Authority, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Riverview Water District, Lakeside Water District, Helix Water District, and City of San Diego. Bryan was the principal investigator for this study to develop information and planning tools necessary to manage the groundwater resources of the Santee-El Monte Basin. The study consisted of a hydrogeologic evaluation of the basin, water budget development, groundwater monitoring well installation, establishment of a groundwater monitoring network, groundwater monitoring and water quality testing, and development of a groundwater flow model of the basin. Goleta Basin Groundwater Management Plan Update, Goleta, California. Bryan was the lead author of the Goleta Water District s 2016 Groundwater Management Plan update Telephone Road, #112, Ventura, CA BondyGroundwater@gmail.com 2 of 2

44 J. Michael Harty Principal/Senior Mediator Discipline/Specialty! Assessment and process design! Environmental mediation/facilitation! Public Engagement Planning and Implementation! Policy and Regulatory Analysis! Policy Evaluation! Natural Resource Management Education! J.D. cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center! B.A. cum laude, Political Philosophy, Kenyon College Professional Affiliations and Awards! Roster Member, U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution! American Bar Association! Bar admissions: NY (inactive), CO (inactive) Summary of Qualifications J. Michael Harty is a Principal with Kearns & West and oversees the Sacramento regional office located in Davis, California. He has over 20 years of direct experience in the field of conflict management, mediation, facilitated decision making, public outreach and engagement, and strategic planning, and was a practicing attorney for eight years before turning full time to conflict resolution. Mike has substantive experience with water rights, water quality, conjunctive water management, groundwater, flood risk management, oceans, mining, ecosystem restoration and endangered species issues, among others. He has worked with numerous local, state, and federal agencies, both internally and in multi-agency contexts. He also has worked with a wide range of stakeholders in and around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Mike is familiar with CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, NEPA, and the Endangered Species Act, and with some state natural resource and environmental statutes, particularly those in California including SGMA, MLMA, MLPA, CESA, and CEQA. He is also familiar with water rights frameworks around the Western United States. Mike also has significant experience working with government agencies at all levels around strategic planning, organizational change, policy development, and conflict resolution. Selected Experience The following projects are provided as examples, generally in chronological order. Please contact Kearns & West to discuss any of these projects or learn about others not listed here. SGMA Implementation ( ) K&W worked in portions of five sub-basins located in Butte and Merced Counties over the past two years supporting implemenation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The K&W roles included conducting assessments intended to develop recommendations for local decision makers about options for forming Groundwater Sustainability Agencies. K&W worked with county staff and other eligible local agency representatives to design and support collaborative efforts to form GSAs prior to the June 30, 2017 deadline. The implementation processes differed as a result of local interests and dynamics, as anticipated under SGMA, but stakeholders were successful in meeting initial SGMA requirements. Mike served as the project lead for both efforts. Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) SGMA Support (Ongoing) Kearns & West is teamed with a technical consultant (Geosyntec) to assist BAWSCA as it makes decisions related to groundwater management in the context of SGMA.

45 J. Michael Harty Principal/Senior Mediator California Water Foundation Groundwater Project ( ) In early 2014 the California Water Foundation engaged K&W to assist with design and facilitation of a Stakeholder Dialog process to support development of a report to Governor Brown and the Legislature on sustainable groundwater management. The project timeframe was short: eight weeks from initiation to finalizing a report with policy recommendations. Mike worked with CWF to design the Dialogue s threetrack process: a Steering Committee, a round of Interest Group meetings that combined in-person and webinar participation, and one-on-one meetings. In addition to its Findings and Recommendations, the CWF report highlighted areas of agreement across stakeholder groups, along with differences in views on key issues to be addressed in the policy process. Mike subsequently was hired by CWF to facilitate a series of public meetings sponsored by legislators and the Governor s office designed to gather input on pending legislative proposals for groundwater management. Following adoption of California s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) late in 2014, Mike served as project lead for a Kearns & West team that assisted multiple co-sponsors in designing, planning, and facilitating three educational workshops on the unique local governance requirements of the SGMA. As a final task for CWF, Mike led a K&W team that worked with four counties, local agencies, and other stakeholders across the Colusa Sub-basin to convene, design, and conduct a well attended meeting in July 2015 that explored opportunities for collaborative groundwater governance. State Water Project Contract Extension Negotiations ( ) The California State Water Project provides water to 25 million Californians and 750,000 acres of agricultural land. It is a water storage and delivery system of reservoirs, aqueducts, power plants and pumping plants, the main purpose of which is to store water and distribute it to 29 urban and agricultural public water agencies in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California. Contract extension involves extending and amending the water supply contracts between the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and 29 State Water Project (SWP) Contractors beyond the current contract cost repayment period that terminates in December The formal phase of these complex negotiations is required to be conducted in public. Mike was part of a Kearns & West team that provided process support, including facilitation, for the public negotiation process. K&W also advised DWR about preparations for the public negotiations. Delta Stewardship Council Outreach and Engagement ( ) Mike was the project manager for a Kearns & West team that support outreach and public engagement for the Delta Stewardship Council and also provided internal support for organizational transition. As part of that role, Mike worked with Council staff during 2010 to organize and conduct a series of stakeholder work group sessions on key issues of importance for development of both an interim plan and Delta Plan. He later worked with staff to gather input about organizational transition issues and plan and conduct an initial allstaff conversation. Yuba Salmon Forum and Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative (2009-ongoing) Convened in 2009, the Yuba Salmon Forum is a multi-stakeholder effort to develop and implement a collaborative process to address anadromous fish restoration and water management issues in the Yuba River Watershed. Kearns & West conducted an initial assessment that led to convening, process design, and facilitation services for the Forum; Mike has served as the Forum s facilitator since late in The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides financial support for the Kearns & West facilitation role. Stakeholders include representatives from state, federal, tribal, NGO, and public water agencies, including the CA Department of Water Resources, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yuba County Water Agency, and American Rivers. The Forum has focused intensively on gathering and analyzing technical data involving salmonid habit and cost estimates for various actions to support species recovery in order to support future decision making about restoration activities. The Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative involves many of the same participants as the Forum; its discussions currently are subject to a confidentiality agreement. Bar Admission Colorado (no longer active), New York (no longer active) Contact Information jmharty@kearnswest.com (o); (c)

46 Ellen Cross Sr. Facilitator Discipline/Specialty Facilitated and drafted governance frameworks for water + flood agencies Created funding strategies for emerging water and flood initiatives Worked among local, regional, state and federal agencies on top water and flood issues Crafted strategic communications at programmatic level to meet funding, technical, institutional and stakeholder objectives Provided implementation of Strategic Plans ensuring performance metrics and success Education/Training Bachelor of Science, Political Science, University of Oregon Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University Water Education Foundation; MetroChamber Cap to Cap: Association of California Water Agencies Summary of Qualifications Ellen drives diverse stakeholders forward to develop and realize shared vision and success. Ellen Cross has more than 27 years of experience in the California water and environmental science industry creating successful innovative solutions through forums for vision, collaboration, and achievement. Ellen brings a large-scale view of proven strategic and tactical approaches to develop outcomes that meet multi-stakeholder objectives. Beginning her career on Capitol Hill leading workshops on anti-terrorism, global environmental issues and narco-trafficking under the auspices of the United Nations and United States Information Agency, Ellen has a history of creating neutral forums to work on critical topics where communication and leadership are key to moving complex issues forward. In the area of emerging challenges, Ellen has successfully facilitated public and private entities on Superfund, climate change, restoration in the Delta, water scarcity, sea level rise and flood protection. Ellen has facilitated intiatives that envision the multi stakeholder success goals and operationlizes the tactics to achieve results holistically on policy, governance, stakeholders, funding, institituional and technical goals to ensure sustained success. Example Projects Private Consultants Groundwater + Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Facilitation + Strategic Communications for GEI, Environmental Science Associates, HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc., Churchwell White (2005-present) Ellen has served as a Senior Facilitator and Strategic Communications Advisor for private industry consultants that focus on groundwater challenges from a broad range of perspectives including: technical, environmental compliance and permitting, and specific basin stakeholder concerns. Scope has included developing strategy and approach for pursuing groundwater and SGMA related projects including: strategic planning to capture Fox Canyon SGMA, Mid Kaweah, Tulare, Irvine Ranch Water Agency, Kings Canyon, Department of Water Resources, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento Water Forum to name a few. San Francisco Bay Region Coastal Hazards Adaptation Resiliency Group (CHARG) (2014-present) Ellen served as the primary facilitator for more than 100 stakeholders including federal, state and local flood managers, planners, scientists and engineers who are undertaking the development and implementation of regional solutions to issues associated with sea level rise and extreme tides.

47 She worked closely with the sponsoring agencies and 13 steering committee members including local county flood districts (Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Francisquito Creek JPA; state (BCDC, BARC, Coastal Conservancy, DWR), federal (FEMA, USACE), and NGOs (San Francisco Estuary Institute) to develop CHARG s vision and goals for CHARG s Strategic Brief (Q1 2015). She played a central role to keep the working groups (policy, funding and technical) engaged and focused on important issues that address resiliency. Also, she co-authored strategic communications including presentations, poster boards, memoranda of understanding, governance models, letters of support, workshop and meeting notes with emphasis on outcomes and actions. Ellen facilitated stakeholder workshops and represented and spoke on behalf of CHARG at professional organizations. Marin County Department of Public Works BayWAVE Facilitation + Strategic Communications for Sea Level Rise On Call Contract (2016-Present) Ellen served as senior facilitator for outreach to more than 55 public officials ranging from public works, city mayors to emergency responders for BayWAVE that represents the County s Vulnerability Assessment outreach. The first task order included facilitation and development of a Strategic Communications Plan which includes talking points as well as a PowerPoint for officials to educate their organizations and provide a unified message across the various public authorities throughout the County. DWR Division of Flood Management / Interagency Flood Management Collaborative Program. (2014- present) Ellen is facilitating the IFMCP which is comprised of, but not limited to representatives from the USFWS, National Marine Fisheries Service, USACE, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, and DWR - Flood Maintenance and FloodSAFE Environmental Stewardship and Statewide Resources Offices. The IFMCP's intent is to promote dialogue between maintaining agency and regulatory agency staff, identify maintenance opportunities and constraints, and improve permitting and maintenance procedures for flood control activities on local and regional scales. The IFMCP was mandated by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to collaboratively work with flood protection implementers and the resource agencies to prevent a California Katrina. Mid and Upper Sacramento River Regional Flood Management Plan. (2015) Ellen facilitated two workshops to identify multi-benefit opportunities on behalf of landowners, public agencies and community organizations who are partnering to identify and address regional flood management challenges and opportunities within the Mid and Upper Sacramento River basin. Over 50 stakeholders from urban cities, small communities and rural areas including local agri-business, government, state and federal resource agencies, NGOs and the Department of Water Resources participated. The MUSR RFMP is a follow up to the 2012 CVFPP and will be used to inform the 2017 update of the CVFPP. The MUSR RFMP outlines the long-term vision for flood management in the region and includes a description of the current flood management conditions, opportunities for improving flood management within the Planning Area, needed projects based upon priority, and a preliminary financing plan that will compete for state and federal funding. Delta Stewardship Council Delta Science Plan Strategic Plan Facilitation (February-Present 2017) Facilitated 20+ scientists for the Delta Science Program s Strategic Plan to include emphasis on vision, core culture, successon and leadership planning and key priroty objectives to plan and implement their key science programatic goals within and external to the Delta.

48 Resumes Timothy P. Leo, P.G., Hydrogeologist / Principal Tim Leo manages large, multidisciplinary water resources projects. For nearly three decades, he has worked on a variety of groundwater resource projects throughout the western United States for private-sector and municipal clients. As a principal hydrogeologist, he routinely provides senior guidance to staff on a variety of technical hydrogeologic analyses. In his technical work, he specializes in analytical hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, groundwater system characterization and testing, hydrogeologic conceptual models and water budgets, and groundwater remediation. His current focus is on water resources projects in CA, with a particular focus on managed aquifer recharge studies. He recently led the opening of our Sacramento office and currently leads the marketing effort for that branch office. Office: TUCSON/SACRAMENTO Years Experience Total: 29 M&A: 9 Education M.S., Hydrology, University of Arizona (1988) B.S., Geology, Bradley University (1983) Key Areas of Expertise Water resource evaluations Groundwater modeling Environmental hydrogeology Groundwater system characterization, testing and analysis Managed aquifer recharge Representative Projects Managed Aquifer Recharge Managed Aquifer Recharge Capacity Study Conjunctive Water Use Study Tulare Irrigation District Under subcontract to HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc., assessed recharge capacity at over 1,000 acres of infiltration basins; work included field studies to assess lithologic conditions, including testing to determine infiltration rates [TULARE COUNTY, CA] Managed Aquifer Recharge Capacity Study Proposed Groundwater Bank Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency Under subcontract to WestWater Research, LLC, managed a modeling study to assess the recharge capacity at two proposed enterprise groundwater banks; developed recommendations for additional investigations to prove-out the recharge capacity; supported an evaluation to determine if one of the water banks could be partially funded under WSIP [LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA] Impact Analysis Effluent Recharge APP City of Avondale Conducted a groundwater modeling study to project the area impacted by discharge from a proposed recycled water recharge basin [MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ] Groundwater Resource Protection Groundwater Restoration Inactive Rancho Cordova Site The Boeing Company Provided strategic direction for a regional groundwater remedy; directed groundwater investigations, feasibility studies, remedial action planning, groundwater modeling, remedial wellfield design, source area remediation; currently manages stakeholder communications and provides strategic direction on remedy effectiveness, cost containment, and risk management [SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA] Conceptual Site Model Industrial Site Montrose Chemical Company Developed a hydrogeologic conceptual model for a complex site in Nevada; conceptual model evaluated groundwater flow conditions, effects of PAGE 1

49 Resumes Professional Registrations Registered Professional Geologist #6163, CA Certified Professional Hydrogeologist #344, CA Registered Professional Geologist #33257, AZ Registered Professional Geologist # , UT groundwater contamination, and effectiveness of remediation system at protecting groundwater resources in the Colorado River watershed [CLARK COUNTY, NV] Hydrogeologic Investigations Former Lisbon Mine & Mill Rio Algom Mining LLC Managed a comprehensive hydrogeologic investigation that included well drilling, sampling, and testing; development of a conceptual site model, development of a groundwater model, preparation of reports and presentations for project stakeholders [SAN JUAN COUNTY, UT] Groundwater Restoration Various Sites City of Tucson, Pima County, and State of Arizona Provided a range of analyses of groundwater contamination sites for city, county, and state agencies; projects include evaluation of groundwater restoration programs at historical landfills; evaluation of impacts to public from contaminated groundwater; presented results of groundwater models to project stakeholders [AZ] Groundwater Modeling Groundwater Restoration Various Sites Various Clients Developed or directed the development of groundwater models to design, optimize, or evaluate groundwater restoration wellfields at five Superfund sites in the CA and AZ; analyses included studies to improve wellfield operations to protect potable water supplies and limit impact to groundwater resources; presented complex model results to project stakeholders, including the public [AZ/CA] Water Resource Management Studies Various Mine Sites Various Clients Developed groundwater models to evaluate various groundwater management scenarios at copper and gold mines; model uses have included estimating groundwater inflows to open pits and underground tunnels; evaluating environmental impacts from mine groundwater pumping; evaluating impacts to surface and groundwater quality from mine water discharges, among others [U.S AND SOUTH AMERICA] Model Reviews Various Sites Various Clients Reviewed groundwater model developed for variety of water resource objectives; evaluated model parameters and model calibration; recalibrated models; provided recommendations for model improvement [TULARE AND ORANGE COUNTY, CA] Expert Testimony & Litigation Support Expert Testimony Support Various Sites Various Clients Evaluated hydrogeologic data and conducted groundwater modeling in support of expert testimony; presented complex data analyses to nontechnical stakeholders [AZ, CA, AND HI] PAGE 2

50 Resumes Colin P. Kikuchi, Ph.D., Hydrologist Colin joined M&A in 2014, bringing a background in quantitative hydrology and resource economics. From , he served as the lead instructor for the Alaska Section of American Water Resources Association s workshop series on groundwater and surface-water interactions. Representative Projects Groundwater Modeling Office: TUCSON Years of Experience Total: 8 M&A: 3 Education Ph.D., Hydrology & Water Resources, Minor in Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Arizona (2016) M.S., Hydrology & Water Resources, University of Arizona (2011) B.A., Environmental Studies and Geography, Middlebury College (2005) Key Areas of Expertise Groundwater flow modeling Quantitative uncertainty prediction for hydrologic simulations Analysis of groundwater / surface water interactions Design of hydrologic monitoring networks Recharge Uncertainty Analysis San Pedro Inacaliri Basin CODELCO Evaluated hydrogeologic and geochemical data to develop alternate conceptual models; quantified the uncertainty of groundwater budget components, including natural recharge and underflow in and out of basin [CHILE] Numerical Groundwater Flow Simulation Salares de Centenario & Ratones ERAMET SA Developed an approach to simulate head-dependent evaporation by the finiteelement code FEFLOW to support ongoing modeling efforts [ARGENTINA] Aquifer Storage & Recovery Model Santa Margarita Basin HydroMetrics WRI Conducting a modeling study of aquifer storage and recovery for the Santa Margarita Basin [SANTA CRUZ, CA] Hydrologic Impact Analysis Recharge Analysis Salar de Lagunillas Compañía Minera Cerro Colorado Designed and installed a streambed and borehole temperature monitoring network; analyzed the statistical uncertainty of natural groundwater recharge [CHILE] Contaminant Investigation Analysis of Aquifer Test Data Inactive Rancho Cordova Test Site The Boeing Company Compiled data on groundwater pumping rates and water levels; developed a conceptual model of an unconsolidated, multiple-aquifer system; used analytical and numerical solutions to infer aquifer hydraulic properties based on aquifer test data [SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA] Analysis of Well Capture Inactive Rancho Cordova Test Site The Boeing Company Developed probabilistic approach to determination of capture from extraction wells based on realization of lithofacies within unconsolidated sediments [SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA] Adjudication & Water Rights Litigation Support Confidential Project Confidential Client Prepared groundwater and surface water budgets based on historical data; evaluated a framework for estimating groundwater diversion for irrigation uses PAGE 1

51 Resumes and irrigation return flows; developed a conceptual framework for quantifying farm budget components at the irrigation-district scale [NM] Codes & Software MODFLOW, MODFLOW-USG PEST AQTESOLV MAxSym (Axisymmetric Numerical Simulator) IDC (Irrigation Demand Calculator) SURFER/KT3D Awards & Distinctions 2012: Harshbarger Doctoral Fellowship in Subsurface Hydrology 2011: Galileo Circle Scholarship 2010: Outstanding Student Paper, American Geophysical Union Additional Training 2015: Fundamentals of MODFLOW-USG, an unstructured grid version of MODFLOW 2015: Model Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis with PEST 2011: Practical Statistics for Environmental Applications 2010: Introduction to Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) Systems for Water Resource Applications Experience USGS Experience Served as a technical review team member for aquatic and riparian instream flow studies, Susitna Watana Hydroelectric Project, as part of the FERC licensing process Performed field investigations and hydrologic simulations for a permafrostaffected boreal catchment Worked as lead scientist for regional-scale groundwater availability study Developed conceptual hydrogeologic model and a numerical groundwater flow model for the Matanuska-Susitna Valley Used a land-surface modeling code to estimate spatially distributed groundwater recharge Publications & Presentations Journal Articles Towards Increased Use of Data Worth Analyses in Groundwater Studies Kikuchi, C.P., in Groundwater, in press On the optimal design of experiments for conceptual and predictive discrimination of hydrologic system models Kikuchi, C.P., Ferré, T.P.A., and Vrugt, J.A., 2015, in Water Resources Research, volume 51 Runoff sources and flow paths in a partially burned, upland boreal catchment underlain by permafrost Koch, J.C., Kikuchi, C.P., Wickland, K.P., and Schuster, P., 2014, in Water Resources Research, volume 50 issue 10 Spatially telescoping measurements for improved characterization of groundwater-surface water interactions Kikuchi, C.P., Ferré, T.P.A., and Welker, J.M., 2012, in Journal of Hydrology, volume Professional Reports Shallow groundwater in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska Conceptualization and simulation of flow Kikuchi, C.P., 2013, USGS Scientific Investigations Report PAGE 2

52 Resumes Staffan W. Schorr, Hydrogeologist / Principal Staffan Schorr is a hydrogeologist and GIS specialist with a background in numerical and analytical groundwater flow modeling. He has developed data management systems for data management, analysis, visualization, and dissemination for a variety of M&A s projects. He also has extensive experience using GIS methods to develop numerical model inputs, display model results, and develop geospatial databases for conceptual hydrogeologic models. He also manages M&A s 3D modeling services, and specializes in the use of Leapfrog software to develop volumetric geologic and geochemical interpolation models. Prior to joining M&A, Staffan worked for 8 years in watershed planning at a regional agency that facilitates coordination among local jurisdictions. Office: TUCSON Years Experience Total: 19 M&A: 11 Education M.S., Hydrology, University of Arizona (2005) B.S., Geology, University of Arizona (1997) Key Areas of Expertise Regional hydrogeologic characterization Database development and management Integration of GIS and conceptual models for numerical model construction Flow and transport modeling Development of geologic models Aquifer test design, implementation, and data analysis Representative Projects Hydrogeologic Characterization and Data Management Rio Grande Confidential Client Developed regional conceptual model for a portion of the Rio Grande basin in support of litigation activities; constructed spatial and non-spatial databases for conceptual and numerical model development; developed secure online database for data sharing among project team and stakeholders; conducted hydrogeologic assessments and water budget analyses; developed regional three-dimensional geologic model for visualization and input to groundwater flow model. [NM, TX, NORTHERN MEXICO] Hydrogeologic Characterization and Data Management Lower Rio Grande Valley Developed conceptual hydrogeologic model for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Groundwater Transport Model for the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB); constructed spatial and relational databases in support of conceptual and numerical model development; compiled publicly available data including TWDB s Groundwater database and Brackish Resources Aquifer Characterization System database; conducted hydrogeologic assessments; supervised the development of three-dimensional geologic model for visualization of aquifer system and for input to groundwater model; and prepared input datasets for the numerical model. [TX] Groundwater Flow Model and Data Management Hueco Bolson El Paso Water Utilities Developed conceptual model for the Hueco Bolson groundwater basin; constructed wells database to facilitate well management by the water utility; developed spatial and relational databases for conceptual and numerical model development; compiled and evaluated data from the Texas groundwater database; developed three-dimensional geologic model for visualization and input to groundwater flow model; and constructed and calibrated a groundwater flow model to support wellfield and water resource management. [EL PASO COUNTY, TX] PAGE 1

53 Resumes Modeling Codes & Software MS Access MODFLOW HEC-RAS Leapfrog Hydro Leapfrog Geo Groundwater Vistas ArcView ArcGIS Spatial Analyst 3D Analyst Additional Training 2015: Introduction to MineSight 2013: MODFLOW-USG workshop 2012: Fundamental and Advanced Techniques of Leapfrog Hydro 2010: Advanced Techniques for Aquifer Test Analysis Featuring AQTESOLV 2010: Fundamentals of Leapfrog Hydro 2009: HEC-RAS 3-Day Short Course 2008: Advanced Techniques for Aquifer Test Analysis Featuring AQTESOLV 2008: Calibration, Uncertainty Analysis, and Optimization A Seminar on Groundwater Vistas Dewatering & Impacts Modeling Collahuasi Mine / Rosario Pit Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi SMC Developed data management systems in support of development of the conceptual model, the numerical model, and pre- and post-processing of model results. Designed and constructed a groundwater flow model to support dewatering operations and predict the environmental impacts associated with a large, open-pit mine in a complex mountain aquifer system [NORTHERN CHILE] GIS and Database Development & Application Various Sites Various Clients Developed GIS inventories for wells, infrastructure, water use, land use, and other related features; developed geodatabases and relational databases for project data management and sharing; prepared cartographically correct maps and figures; and used ArcGIS applications to construct and evaluate threedimensional geologic models for many hydrogeologic investigations and modeling projects. [U.S., MEXICO, CHILE, PERU, ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA] Publications & Presentations Development of conceptual plan for direct recovery of Central Arizona Project water stored at Tonopah Desert Recharge Project, Maricopa County, Arizona Meyer, J.J., Cross, M.M., Schorr, S.W., Shipman, T.D., and Fuerst, D., 2009, National Groundwater Association 2009 Groundwater Summit, Tucson, AZ, April Hydrogeologic conceptual model for the Collahuasi Mine area, Chile Thomasson, M.J., Schorr, S.W., Davis, L.A., Rosko, M.J., Acosta, O.J., 2010, Water in Mining, Second International Congress on Water Management in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, June 9 11 PAGE 2

54 1814 Franklin St., Suite 501 Oakland, CA Mr. Matt Young September 1, 2017 Santa Barbara County Water Agency 130 E. Victoria Street, Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA Subject: Mr. Young, Cost Estimate and Schedule for Proposal for Developing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the Cuyama Basin GSA HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc., in association with Kearns & West, Inc., Bondy Groundwater Consulting, Inc., and Montgomery & Associates, has developed a cost estimate and schedule for our proposal for Development of Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Table 1 summarizes our estimated total project cost. The table below summarizes the hourly labor rates for our team members. Table 2 Hourly Labor Rates for Team Members HydroMetrics WRI Derrik Williams $220 Georgina King $195 Cameron Tana $205 Laura Brown $195 Kearns & West Ellen Cross $220 J. Michael Harty $220 Bondy Groundwater Consulting Inc. Bryan Bondy $195 Montgomery & Associates Tim Leo $187 Staffan Schorr $151 Colin Kikuchi $138 Also included herein are fee schedules for the firms on our team. Figure 1 shows a detailed schedule of tasks for GSP development. Page 1 of 2

55 We look forward to an opportunity to work with the CBGSA and other stakeholders on this project. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (510) ext. 301, or at Sincerely, Derrik Williams, President HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. Page 2 of 2

56 TABLE 1 ESTIMATED COST FOR DEVELOPMENT OF GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN HydroMetrics Water Resources Inc. Team Task Total Cost 1. Stakeholder Engagement Strategy 1a. Workshop to Develop Shared Project Understanding $25,756 1b. Survey Assessment of Key Stakeholders $16,800 1c. Prepare Communications, Outreach and Engagement Plan $18,940 1d. Plan, Coordinate, and Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement in GSP Development and Public Outreach $70,720 1e. Conduct QC/QC of the Communication and Engagement Plan $21,100 Task 1 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $153, Data Management 2a. Prepare Data Management Plan $12,754 2b. Develop Data Management System $32,260 2c. Deliver and Deploy Data Management System $12,850 Task 2 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $57, Development of Basin Model and Water Budget 3a. Evaluate Basin Conditions $117,870 3b. Evaluate USGS Model of Cuyama Basin $21,672 3c. Develop Water Budgets $33,712 3d. Support Development of Sustainable Management Criteria $33,648 3e. Simulate Management Actions and Projects $32,072 Task 3 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $238, Establishment of Basin Sustainability Criteria 4a. Monitoring Network Evaluation $44,920 4b. Sustainable Management Criteria $70,760 4c. Management Areas $40,828 4d. Interim Milestones $20,652 Task 4 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $177, Development of Projects and Actions to Achieve Sustainability Goals 5a. Identify and Evaluate Projects $67,844 5b. Develop Finance Strategy $28,668 Task 5 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $96, GSP Document Preparation Task 6 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $151, GSP Implementation Task 7 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $25, Meetings 8a. GSP Advisory Committee Meetings $168,680 8b. GSA Board Meetngs $52,320 8c. Other Meetings $20,320 Task 8 Subtotal Estimated Labor Cost: $241,320 Total Estimated Labor Cost: $1,141,978 Total Expenses (travel & subsistence, copies, & contractor markup): $130,219 Total Estimated Cost: $1,272,197

57 HydroMetrics WRI Rate Schedule for Cuyama Valley Basin GSP Employee Position Office Field Expert Rate Rate Witness Derrik Williams President $220 $170 $315 Cameron Tana Vice President $205 $170 $300 Georgina King Principal Hydrogeologist $195 $170 $290 Laura Brown Senior Manager $195 Walt Wadlow Senior Advisor $230 Staff Rate Classification Office Field Rate Rate Principal Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist $195-$230 $170 Senior Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 3 $185 $170 Senior Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 2 $175 $160 Senior Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 1 $165 $155 Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 5 $150 $150 Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 4 $140 $140 Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 3 $130 $130 Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 2 $120 $120 Hydrologist/Hydrogeologist 1 $110 $110 Hydrology Graduate Intern $85 Hydrology Undergrad Intern $75 Office Support $75 Other Direct Costs and Subconsultants charged at cost + 10% Reproduction charged at $0.10 per page (exclusive of labor and other direct costs, e.g. binders) Mileage charged at current federal rate Data loggers rented at $150 per week. Field rate applies only to extended field work such as well drilling, sampling, etc. Field visits are charged at office rates.

58 September 1, 2017 Sacramento, CA Portland, OR San Francisco, CA Washington, DC Kearns & West, Inc. 409 Third Street, Suite C Davis, CA Kearns & West Fee Schedule J. Michael Harty Ellen Cross K&W Associate(s) $220 $220 $145 Travel time is billed Travel expenses are billed separately at actual cost Other Direct Costs are billed separately at actual cost 1

59 2017 SCHEDULE OF FEES Professional Hydrogeologic Services GIS or Modeling Software Charge: Vehicle Mileage: $195/hour $30/hour IRS Rate Expenses: Cost Plus 10%

60 PROFESSIONAL FEES SCHEDULE OF FEES AND EXPENSES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Hourly Rate Errol L. Montgomery... $ *Scientist VIII Scientist VII Scientist VI Scientist V Scientist IV Scientist III Scientist II Scientist I Senior Water Policy/Economics Consultant Senior Water Resource Economist Water Policy Consultant Water Resource Economist Hydrologic Technician II Hydrologic Technician I Hydrologic Assistant GIS / Database Analyst Drafter III Drafter II Drafter I Contract Administrator Technical Editor Clerical Note: Expert Testimony charged at 1.5 times hourly rate. EXPENSES Airline travel and auto rental... Cost Lodging and subsistence... Cost Copying, printing, long distance calls, shipping, field supplies... Cost Subcontractor services... Cost, plus 10% Laboratory analytical services... Cost, plus 10% Montgomery & Associates vehicles: Standard... $ 0.61/mile 4-wheel drive or high clearance 2-wheel drive for off-road use... $ 0.71/mile *Scientist classification includes hydrogeologist, hydrologist, geologist, engineer, soil physicist, and chemist. Invoices are issued on a monthly basis and are due upon receipt for payment within 30 days. If payment has not been received within 30 days, interest will accrue at 1% per month for unpaid balance.