TURLOCK GROUNDWATER BASIN ASSOCIATION
Turlock, California
October 16, 2014
The meeting of the Turlock Groundwater Basin Association was called to order in
regular session on October 16th at 2:14 p.m.
MOU Agency Representatives were:
Michael Cooke (City of Turlock), Debbie Liebersbach (TID), Kevin Kauffman (Eastside
Water District), Samantha Long (Merced Irrigation District), Miguel Alvarez (City of
Modesto), Ron Rowe (Merced County), and Amber Minami (Stanislaus County).
Also in attendance:
Jennifer Land (City of Turlock) and Jason Preece (DWR – IRWM).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2014 meeting.
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Kevin Kauffman, second by Miguel
Alvarez. All present were in favor and the motion was approved.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
There was no business from the public.
REPORT ON OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
No updates from the last meeting in August. Michael Cooke reminded attendees to
submit comments (if any) from the LGA Grant - Technical Memorandum No. 2 to Garner
Reynolds.
Debbie Liebersbach mentioned there might be a slight delay in the delivery of Technical
Memorandum No. 3. TID is working on gathering expanded data throughout the basin.
A portion of this data will include more detailed information on crop consumptive uses
and estimates which will come from TID’s Water Master Plan. This information will help
to improve information available for the LGA Grant process and the Durbin Model. TID,
City of Turlock, Todd Groundwater, Davids Engineering, and Tim Durbin will be meeting
the week of October 20th to discuss details and benefits.
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM – IDENTIFYING RECHARGE AREAS.
Consider authorizing TGBA to finalize and submit the technical memorandum identifying
recharge areas within the Turlock Subbasin to DWR and to local planning agencies
pursuant to the 2011 amendments to the California Groundwater Management Act (AB
359).
AB 359 was enacted after the Turlock Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management
Plan (GMP) was adopted. It requires that information be developed by identifying the
recharge areas within the subbasin and provided to local land use planning agencies
and DWR. The legislation was intended to begin to make water resources information
readily available so that it can be used to help inform land use planning activities.
TID worked with Todd Engineers about two (2) years ago to evaluate groundwater
recharge opportunities. Recognizing that the analysis contained the information
required by AB 359, TID worked with Todd to compile the necessary information in a
draft addendum for the TGBAs consideration. The document evaluates the basin
geology and potential for recharge within the subbasin. Since that time, it was
determined that amending the plan was not necessary. The information regarding
recharge within the subbasin, gathered through implementing the plan, could be
submitted to comply with the AB 359 requirements. As a result, the addendum was
revised (in title) to a memorandum and provided to the TGBA for their consideration.
Debbie Liebersbach suggested that if the group is comfortable with the document, and
wishes to submit it to DWR to comply with the AB 359 requirements, it could do so by
making a motion to request Michael Cooke to submit this information to the local
planning agencies and DWR on behalf of the subbasin. Prior to doing so, Michael
Cooke stated the Technical Memorandum is missing information from the Basin
Management Plan that addresses how the basin operates, where recharge is occurring
now, and where the best recharge areas are located. In order to make the TM a
standalone document, this information needs to be added in. Debbie agreed that the
memorandum doesn’t restate information that is already contained within the
Groundwater Management Plan. The draft memorandum was not intended to do that,
but rather relies upon and references the Groundwater Management Plan for that
information. Changes could be made to enable the memo to be more of a stand-alone
document. Unfortunately, TID does not have additional funding available to have Todd
Groundwater revise the document. Kevin Kauffman suggested incorporating the
necessary changes and bringing this document back to the next meeting for review and
possible approval to move this item forward. Michael agreed to provide specific
comments. Debbie will work with Michael to resolve his concerns with the intent to
bring it back to the TGBA for consideration in November.
GROUNDWATER LEVEL MONITORING
Coordinate CASGEM monitoring to be conducted the first week in November, and
discuss options for beginning to identify wells to fill data gaps.
Debbie Liebersbach stated that TID has been approved for CASGEM. The first
monitoring event is scheduled for November. Debbie also mentioned that municipal
wells are now eligible for use within CASGEM monitoring and suggested if agencies
have wells that can be used to please let her know. Michael Cooke asked if there are
data gaps within City of Turlock (COT). Debbie responded, yes. Michael said he would
compile a list / map of potable and non-potable wells that are currently being used for
monitoring purposes. These might help fill gaps within COT.
GROUNDWATER LEGISLATION
Continue discussion of the groundwater legislation recently signed by the governor and
what it may mean for future groundwater management within the Subbasin.
A notice/letter from Stanislaus County was sent to all of the water agencies within
Stanislaus County as well as those agencies within the Merced County portion of the
Turlock subbasin to identify participation in the Groundwater Sustainability Agency
(GSA). The agencies will also need to determine who will be the lead agency…
Stanislaus County, the Irrigation Districts, JPA, etc. Stanislaus County’s goal appears
to be to approach the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) from a countywide
perspective rather than a subbasin. We have two (2) years to identify the agency and
three (3) years to develop the plan.
STANISLAUS & MERCED COUNTY GROUNDWATER ISSUES
Review and discuss the various groundwater issues at the County level including but
not limited to: groundwater ordinances, committee activities, data collection,
coordination issues, and groundwater legislation implementation options.
Kevin Kauffman shared that the WAC put a hold on the moratorium. The WAC is going
to put more focus on the Groundwater Export Ordinance.
Ron Rowe provided an update on the development of Merced County’s urgency
ordinance. The ordinance is being developed to create a process that will assist with
requests for new well permits. Ron stated that they are looking at this process on a
countywide level so they can properly address issues within the subbasin as well as
nearby outer areas. In addition to issuing a permit, Merced County will be asking for
information such as intended use of land and interest in exporting. They will also
monitor and report pumping, depth to water, water quality, etc. Ron said they will be
taking the proposed ordinance to their board next week as an informational item. The
intent is to have something in place as quickly as possible.
Both Amber Minami and Ron Rowe mentioned that their staff is working overtime to
inspect new well installations. There is a significant back log.
UPDATE FROM LOCAL AGENCIES
Debbie Liebersbach (TID) – Due to reduced surface water supplies, the irrigation
season ended early. Monthly static water level monitoring was a challenge this month
due to wells being used for irrigation purposes. November has historically been used
to represent the end of season water levels for this reason. The November monitoring
event will be the first event pursuant to the new CASGEM monitoring program.
Kevin Kauffman (Eastside Water District) – Had a board meeting regarding groundwater
recharge within Eastside and surrounding areas. They are trying to identify recharge
sites near the canal to release diffused water if received from TID. Kevin is going to
share details of this meeting with TID first, then with the TGBA.
Ron Rowe (Merced County) – Asked Amber Minami if Stanislaus County is monitoring
or reporting locations of failed well sites (depth to water vs mechanical failure). Amber
said Walt Ward is working on this. Jason Preece said DWR would be interested in this
information.
Jason Preece (DWR) – Shared information about the Water-Energy Grant. Solicitations
opened this week. Jason also mentioned that DWR will be hosting a webcast on
November 6th “How to increase capacity.”
Miguel Alvarez (City of Modesto) – Asked if anyone has heard that Prop 218 will now
include a process for Storm Drain fees, management, etc. Michael Cooke said
Turlock’s City Attorney has been watching this information (case) very closely.
ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting of the Turlock Groundwater Basin Association was adjourned at
approximately 3:51 p.m.
NEXT MEETING DATE
The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 152
at the TID.