Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley Groundwater Groundwater Management PlanningManagement Planning

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Presentation Overview

• SCWA/USGS Groundwater Study

• Stakeholder Assessment

• Groundwater Management Work Plan

• Funding

• Next Steps

• Schedule

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Regional Sources of Water

Recycled Water

Water ConservationRussian River Water

Groundwater

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Agency/USGS Groundwater Studies

• Systematic Program to Characterize Major Groundwater Basins in County

• Evaluate Linkage of Groundwater and Russian River Supplies

• First Studies – Sonoma Valley and Alexander Valley

–$1.16 Million, 4 Year Study, Started 2001

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Agency/USGS Groundwater Study

• Physiography and Geologic Setting

• Geology

• Hydrology

• Surface-Water and Ground-Water Chemistry

• Ground-Water Flow Model

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Challenge of Estimating Pumpage from Land Use, Population

• Estimated Pumpage Ranged from 6,200 af/yr in 1974 to 8,400 af/yr in 2000

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Estimated Time-Varying Pumpage

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Water-Quality Analyses

• Ground-Water Quality Generally Acceptable

• Localized Issues:

–Southern End

–Thermal Water

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Salinity In Southern End of Sonoma Valley

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Ground-Water Flow Model

• Synthesizes Current

Data and

Understanding of

Ground-Water Flow

System

• Provides Tool to Assess

Potential Impacts of

Alternative Water

Management Scenarios

• Identifies Key Data

Gaps

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Time Series Of Modeled vs. Measured Water Levels

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Stakeholder Assessment

• Agriculture–Dairy/Grape Growers

• PRMD

• Domestic Well Owners

• Elected Officials

• Environmental

• Resource Conservation District

• Valley of the Moon Water District

• City of Sonoma

• SCWA

16 Interviews Involving 30 People

Conducted in Fall 2005

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Findings/Stakeholder Input

• Water Supply– Important to Educate Residents about Water

• Groundwater –Pumping Existing Quantities of Groundwater is not

Sustainable–Quality is a Concern

• Recycled Water–Recycled Water is Viewed Favorably and Expanded

use is Encouraged• Land Use

–Link Land Use and Water Supply• Diversify Supply

–Strong Support for Need to Diversify Water Supply• Information Gathering And Data Analysis

–Sensitivity Related to Well Monitoring and Data Analysis

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Findings/Stakeholder Input

• Hydrogeologic Assessment –Hydrogeologic Assessment could provide a Framework

for Planning • Groundwater Management Planning

–Motivation for Groundwater Management Planning Exists • Goals And Scope of Management Planning

–Should Prevent Further Depletion of Aquifer–Limit Quality or Shortage Issues– Increase Recharge

• Jurisdictions and Leadership–Multiple Agencies have Jurisdiction in Sonoma Valley and

Interest in Water Issues• Water Resources Education

–Most noted need for Accurate Water Supply and Management Information in Sonoma Valley

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Recommendations

• Use Collaboration to Address Groundwater Management

• Convene Basin Advisory Panel under AB 3030 with Economic Interests, Environmental Interests, Groundwater Users, and Government Represented

• Design and Implement Public Outreach Plan

• Develop Milestones and Encourage Panel to Evaluate Progress Relative to Milestones

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Why Manage Groundwater in Sonoma Valley?

–Permanent damage to aquifer

–Poor groundwater quality due to accelerated seawater intrusion and geothermal upwelling

–Declining basin groundwater levels over time

–Drilling deeper wells at greater expense

–Land subsidence

–Loss of local control, legal battles or adjudication for management control

–Decreased base flows for Sonoma Creek and other creeks in the Sonoma Valley

–Uncertain quality and quantity of groundwater in the future

–Increased pumping costs

Without viable groundwater management, potential impacts:

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Why Manage Groundwater in Sonoma Valley?

–Ensure Long-Term Viability of the Groundwater Aquifer

–Maintain Water Quality–Prevent Aquifer Depletion and Stabilize Groundwater Levels

–Ensure Safe Drinking Water

–Meet Existing and Future Water Demands

–Diversify Supply Through Conjunctive use

–Maintain Local Control–Environmental Benefits (E.G. Stream Restoration)

–Sustain Groundwater Quantity and Quality for Future Generations

–Increased Opportunity for State Funding

Potential benefits of local groundwater management planning:

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Proposed Groundwater Management Plan for Sonoma Valley

• Emphasize Local Control

• Collaborative, Facilitated Process through Stakeholder Group

• Non-Regulatory Approach in Compliance with Groundwater Management Act AB3030 and SB1938

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Required Components of AB 3030 Plan

• Documentation of Outreach to Potential Stakeholders

• Basin Management Objectives

• Technical Components

–e.g., Water Level and Water Quality

• Plan to Involve Affected Agencies

• Monitoring Protocols to Track Changes to Groundwater Conditions

• Map of Management Area

• Plan Prepared using Geologic and Hydrologic Principles

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Phased Approach to Developing Groundwater Management Plan

• Phase One - Convene Basin Advisory Panel (BAP) and Conduct Organizational Meetings

• Phase Two - Public Outreach and Education for Basin-Wide Understanding

• Phase Three - Develop Groundwater Management Goal and Basin Management Objectives

• Phase Four – Develop Monitoring and Data Collection Protocol

• Phase Five – Implementation Plan and Final Draft Groundwater Management Plan

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Groundwater Management Planning Funding

• Local Cooperative Funding Agreement–SCWA, City of Sonoma, VOMWD, SVCSD and County

–$150,000 annually for Three Years

• DWR Memorandum of Understanding–Facilitation Services – Cost Estimated at $70K/Year

–Technical Assistance – Central District Office

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Board Workshop – June 20, 2006

• Approved work plan for Groundwater Management

• Approved entering into an MOU with Dept. of Water Resources

• Entered into Cooperative Funding Agreement with VOMWD and City of Sonoma

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Groundwater Management Planning – Tentative Schedule

• Basin Advisory Panel (BAP)–Convened Basin Advisory Panel and Initiated Groundwater Management Planning Process (next mtg. is November 20)

• Years 1-2 –Develop Groundwater Management Plan

• Year 3 –Finalize Plan and Initiate Plan Implementation

• Years 4 and Beyond –Plan Implementation and Monitoring

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Sonoma Valley Groundwater Management Planning – Contact

For Information Contact:

Bill Keene

(707)-547-1922

bkeene@scwa.ca.gov

Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley Groundwater Groundwater Management PlanningManagement Planning