Salinas and Carmel River Basins Study Arlan Nickel Mid-Pacific Region Basin Study Coordinator Mike Tansey Mid-Pacific Region Climate Change Coordinator U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation
Presentation Overview 1. Basin Study Background 2. Basin Study Content Work Plan, Schedule, Expected Result 3. Memorandum of Agreement
WaterSMART Program Implements SECURE Water Act, Public Law 111-11 Established in 2010 by Secretary Salazar to Assist water managers in making sound decisions about water use Ensure sufficient future water supplies Propose adaptive strategies to address climate change impacts Improve water conservation Promote long-term sustainability
WaterSMART Programs West-Wide Climate Risk Assessments Basin-wide analysis of climate impacts in major Reclamation river basins Basin Studies Detailed analysis of impacts to water supplies and demands in specific basins Adaptation strategies for identified climate impacts Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Assess climate change impacts to regional ecosystems Proposed strategies to minimize or mitigate impacts to species and habitats
Basin Studies Purpose Work with state and local partners to: Identify climate change impacts to water supplies and demands Propose strategies to ensure sustainability Basin Studies are required to analyze potential climate impacts to: Hydroelectric power facilities Fish & wildlife habitats- ESA impacts Water-dependent recreation facilities Water quality/salinity Flood control management
Basin Study Elements 1. Assessment of existing & future water supplies and demands 2. Analysis of potential climate impacts to supplies and demands 3. Development of options and strategies to mitigate identified impacts 4. Trade-off analysis and ranking of options identified 5. Identify best options and recommendations for more detailed investigation
Salinas and Carmel Basins Study Estimated Timeline: Phase 1 Plan of Study & MOA Plan of Study & MOA Oct. 2016 Assumes data shared with the Drought Contingency Plan of MPWMD Phase 2 Basin Study Study Initiated Nov. 2016 Climate model tools and other data shared with Drought Plan process. Projected Completion May 2019
Salinas and Carmel Basin Study Work Plan Tasks Task 1 Coordinate Model Data Output Calibration Develop Global Climate Model Data Task 2 Assessment of Current and Future Water Supplies Task 3 - Assessment of Current and Future Water Demands Task 4 Identify Imbalances Between Supplies and Demands Task 5- Identify Potential Adaptation Strategies Task 6- Analyze Adaptation Strategies Perform Trade-Off Analysis Task 7 - Draft Report, Findings and Recommendations Task 8 - Prepare Final Report
Basin Study Schedule
Salinas and Carmel Basin Study Graphic Representation Of Basin Study Development Process Source: Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins Study
Adaptation Strategy Development for the Basins Study The objective of the Adaptation Strategy phase is to identify, describe, and evaluate actions that can be implemented to improve system performance in the face of climate and socioeconomic uncertainties The Study is intended to explore a broad range of adaptation strategies and identify promising solutions, but will not result in the selection of a particular proposed action or set of actions
Example Adaptation Strategies and Categories Example Strategy Types Improve water use efficiency Desalination Recycled water Precipitation enhancement and use Groundwater management Water quality improvements and management System operational efficiency Conveyance system improvements New or expanded surface storage Water acquisition and transfers Resource stewardship Institutions and regulations Monitoring and data management Funding, education, and other Example Portfolio Categories Reduce water demand Increase water supply Improve operational flexibility Improve resource stewardship Improve institutional flexibility
Water Management Strategies & Actions Evaluation Criteria Source: Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins Study Sample Criteria for Evaluating Adaptation Strategies
Memorandum of Agreement Standardized Format Prepared by Reclamation Prefer No Changes to the MOA, (if any changes, all Partners must agree and execute revised MOA) The real MOA will be sent out to each Partner by the Mid- Pacific Region s Regional Director Partners sign first, then Reclamation signs last Full Execution by Partners and Reclamation starts the Basin Study 3-year clock The Plan of Study is a required Exhibit of the MOA
Additional Information Reclamation Basin Study Web Sitehttp://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/bsp/index.html