FOX CANYON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY A STATE OF CALIFORNIA WAHR AGENCY

Transcription

1 FOX CANYON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY A STATE OF CALIFORNIA WAHR AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lynn E. Maulhardt, Chair, Director, United Water Conservation District Charlotte Craven, Vice Chair, Councilperson, City of Camarillo David Borchard, Farmer, Agricultural Representative Steve Bennett, Supervisor, County of Ventura Eugene F. West, Director, Camrosa Water District EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jeff Pratt, P.E. MINUTES Minutes of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency's (FCGMA) regular Board meeting held Wednesday, in the Board of Supervisors' Hearing Room at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura California. A. Call to Order Chair Charlotte Craven called the meeting to order at 1 :30 p.m. C. Roll Call Vice Chair Charlotte Craven Alternate Director Robert Eranio Director Steve Bennett Director Eugene F. West Director David Borchard Alternate Directors Andrew Waters, Neal Andrews, and David Schwabauer were in the audience (noted at 3:10 p.m. prior to Item No. 8). Agency Staff Alberto Boada, Agency Counsel Tully Clifford, WPD, Director Gerhardt Hubner, Deputy Director Rick Viergutz, Groundwater Manager Kathleen Riedel, Groundwater Specialist Mandi Freitas, Administrative Assistant Jessica Kam, Clerk of the Board B. Pledge of Allegiance Director David Borchard led the Pledge of Allegiance. D. Agenda Review No changes were made to the Agenda. E. Public Comments Mr. Andy Waters, Chairperson, Las Posas Users Group (LPUG), provided an update of LPUG's 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA (805) FAX: (805) Website: Item 1 - Page 1 of 5

2 Page 2 of 5 meeting held the morning of. Mr. Waters requested the Board hear LPUG's Allocation Program proposal at the April Board meeting. F. Board Member Comments Director Eugene F. West, requested staff return to the April meeting with a report updating compliance with each of the Basin Management Objectives (2007 BMOs) from 2007 to the present (if data does not exist, report such to the Board). The purpose of the report is to provide an assessment of how the existing objectives have been complied with as the Board plans further objectives for the future. Director West commented on Code and suggested staff return to the May meeting with a road map/timeline for a 24 to 30-month period on a disaggregated basis to identify the various steps in the process from where the Agency is now and where it will be at the end of the timeline with plans in front of the Board for review, proposal, and adoption. Directors West, Craven, and Steve Bennett commented on the decision to include Item Nos. 8 and 9 as Action Items. Director Bennett commented on the Agency's timeline for developing the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). CONSENT ITEMS: 1. Approval of Minutes seconded the motion, 2. Fiscal Year Second Quarter (Mid-Year) Budget Performance Report seconded the motion, 3. Request by Sterling Hills Golf Course for a 90-Day Extension for Payment of Surcharges on Extractions and a Reduction of Surcharges for 2014 seconded the motion, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 4. Compliance Summary Report for Extraction Reporting Filing Periods to Flowmeter Accuracy Testing Ms. Kathleen Riedel, Groundwater Specialist, presented the Compliance Summary Report for Extraction Reporting Filing Periods to and Flowmeter Accuracy Testing. Director Bennett suggested that as the Agency is drafting the GSP, they should include a policy that will address the chronic non-reporters and provide the confidence that the Agency is receiving accurate data in a timely manner, as well as, provide equitable and fair treatment amongst the well owners/operators. Item 1 - Page 2 of 5

3 Page 3 of 5 Director Eranio suggested the Board consider technology such as the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Technology, an automatic cellular based production meter that could help solve two problems. Director Borchard made the motion to receive and file the report. Director Eranio seconded the motion, ACTION ITEMS: 5. Executive, Fiscal, and Operations Committee Board Member Assignments for Calendar Year 2015 Mr. Gerhardt Hubner, Watershed Protection District, introduced the item. He highlighted the current committee assignments (as voted upon in 2014): Executive Committee: Lynn Maulhardt and Charlotte Craven Fiscal Committee: Lynn Maulhardt and David Borchard Operations Committee: Michael Kelley and Steve Bennett He recommended the Board assign members to the Agency's Executive, Fiscal, and Operations Committees and address the vacancy by Michael Kelley. Director Borchard made the motion to continue with the same distribution of duties as shown in the packet with Director West substituting for Michael Kelley on the Operations Committee. Director Bennett seconded the motion, 6. List of Possible Solutions with Revised Advantages and Disadvantages Identified for the Issues/Problems for Developing Measures to Assure Agency Long-Term Sustainable Groundwater Management Mr. Hubner introduced the item and reviewed the history and the three comment letters received since the list was released on February 20, 2015 for public comment. He informed the Board that the next steps are: (1) to begin the process of drafting the Fiscal Year Budget (which will be a convergence of: the Work Plan and Budget; the List of Possible Solutions for Developing Long-Term Sustainable Groundwater Management process; and the CA Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)); and (2) identify preferred solution(s) from the List of Possible Solutions for Developing Long-Term Sustainable Groundwater Management. He concluded that the staff revised the advantages and disadvantages based on the submitted stakeholder comments, and recommended the Board consider adopting the List of Possible Solutions, and Revised Advantages and Disadvantages, with modifications as appropriate. Chair Craven suggested the Agency address the four "Very High" priority items first as they move forward with selecting solutions, as well as, some of the twelve "High" priority items. Director Bennett made the motion to direct Agency staff to return with recommended steps in terms of moving forward (i.e. a road map for the convergence of current efforts with SGMA). Director Eranio seconded the motion, and the motion passed unanimously (Chair Craven - Yes; Director Eranio - Yes; Director Bennett - Yes; Director West - Yes; Director Borchard - Yes). Item 1 - Page 3 of 5

4 Page 4 of 5 7. Proposed Resolution No , A Resolution Establishing Reporting Requirements for Proving Irrigation Efficiency By Operators Who Supply Groundwater to Non-Well Operator Agricultural Users Mr. Rick Viergutz, Groundwater Manager, reviewed the background of Emergency Ordinance E and the Irrigation Allowance Index (IAI) process. He emphasized the following proposal for Resolution No If the customer/shareholder is a grower and a well operator, "primary well operator," staff recommended that the primary well operator complete the IAI reporting. If a surcharge were assessed, staff suggested that it is first assessed against extractions from the primary well operator's account. If additional extractions are subject to surcharge, then they would be assessed against the agricultural water supplier. If the customer/shareholder is a grower, but not a well operator, "grower non-well operator," staff recommended the agricultural water supplier complete the IAI reporting because they have an established reporting relationship with the Agency. If a surcharge were assessed, it would be assessed against extractions from the agricultural water supplier. Staff recommended the Board adopt Resolution No setting forth reporting requirements for water suppliers under the IAI program. The Board received public comments and discussed the drafting process. Director Borchard made the motion to postpone Resolution No to the next Board meeting and directed (Agency) Counsel to work with the parties involved to resolve the issues and return with a revised resolution. Director Bennett seconded the motion, 8. Groundwater Levels Status Update Ms. Riedel introduced the update and the draft 2014 Potentiometric Surface Maps for the Upper and Lower Aquifer Systems. She provided a chronology of maps from 1972 to present. She recommended the report be received and filed. Director Bennett commented on the report and noted that the visuals were very helpful. Director West made the motion to receive and file the report. Director Eranio seconded the motion, 9. Second Status Report on Implementation of Emergency Ordinance E Considerations of Additional Adjustments to the Annual Irrigation Allowances Mr. Viergutz presented the background and update. He noted that extractions in calendar year (CY) 2014 were slightly lower than in 2013 (i.e. Agricultural (Ag) extractions were approximately 1.7% (or -1,800 acre-feet (AF)) lower, and Municipal and Industrial (M&I) extractions were approximately 3.4% (or -1,500 AF) lower). He highlighted that the extraction targets are: 63,700 AF for Ag; and 36,000 AF for M&I. He noted that Ag would have to reduce -35,000 AF in Crop Year 14/15 (a reduction of -33% from CY 2014). The Crop Year 15/16 target, relative to CY 2014 reference point, extraction reduction would need to be -43,000 AF (a reduction of -40%). Item 1 - Page 4 of 5

5 Page 5 of 5 Beginning January 1, 2015, M&I will have to reduce -6,000 AF (a reduction of -14% from CY 2014). The 2016 target, relative to CY 2014, extraction reduction would need to be -7,000 AF. He concluded that additional reductions in extractions are necessary to reach targets; he requested the Board's direction/confirmation to provide additional information at the April Board meeting. The Board received public comments and commented on the Agency seeing the Irrigation Allowance Index program through a cycle, as well as, beginning to consider new allocation systems. Director Bennett made the motion to receive and file the report. Director Borchard seconded the motion, EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT: 11. Administrative Reports Director West made the motion to receive and file the reports. Director Bennett seconded the motion, CLOSED SESSION MEETING: 10. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Gov. Code, A ) Pursuant to Government Code A , subdivision (d) (1 ): Name of Case: Pleasant Valley County Water District v. Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency; Ventura County Superior Court Case No CU-WM-OXN The Regular meeting recessed to the Closed Session at 4:03 p.m. The Closed Session meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m. Mr. Alberto Boada, Agency Counsel, reported there was no reportable action. 12. Adjourn Board Meeting The meeting was adjourned at 4:34 p.m. Submitted by: Item 1 - Page 5 of 5