| | | | | | | | REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
BOARD MEETING DATE: February 7, 2017
CATEGORY: Consent - Public Works-6.
SUBJECT:
Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan |
| | | | | | | | Supervisorial District No. : All
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Pat Minturn, Public Works Director, (530) 225-5661
STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY: Pat Minturn, Public Works Director
Vote Required?
Simple Majority Vote | General Fund Impact?
No General Fund Impact |
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| | | | | | | | RECOMMENDATION
Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a coalition letter to Governor Brown, in cooperation with other Sacramento Valley counties, advocating for an integrated approach to the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. |
| | | | | | | | SUMMARY
The State Water Resources Control Board is revisiting the Bay Delta Water Quality Plan. Local water supplies could be impacted. Sacramento Valley counties have proposed to send a coalition letter to express our concerns. |
| | | | | | | | DISCUSSION
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) establishes water rights and water quality requirements to protect human, fish and wildlife uses. They are updating the Bay Delta Water Quality Plan. Phase I will set water quality standards for the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. Phase II will set enforceable flow standards for the Sacramento River and its tributaries.
On October 19, 2016, the SWRCB released a draft scientific report for Phase II (Report). The Report used an “unimpaired flow” methodology. This approach can lead to arbitrary curtailments. A similar 2010 effort called for increasing spring Delta outflows by 4.6 million acre-feet per year. Additional flow can only come from curtailed water rights, diversions and storage. The state and federal water projects would share the burden. Groundwater pumping would increase with associated impacts to groundwater levels and sustainability.
Alternative approaches exist to meet Delta objectives. A "functional flows” approach would manage flows for specific environmental purposes in conjunction with flood protection and other uses. The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) has outlined and advocated for such an approach. NCWA and the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) recommend concerted involvement in the process.The current list of county signatories is still tentative. One or two counties may be added or deleted on the final letter. |
| | | | | | | | ALTERNATIVES
The Board may decline to sign the proposed coalition letter. The Board may elect to send a modified letter of its own or decline to send a letter at this time. Phase II is ongoing. |
| | | | | | | | OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office. |
| | | | | | | | FINANCING
Adequate funds have been included in the FY 2016/17 Water Agency budget. There is no General Fund impact. |
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