Category: Media article

No budget approved, Navy weighs in at IWV Groundwater Authority meeting:

“The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority met at City Hall on Thursday morning, first with an hour-long closed session meeting, covering potential litigation, followed by a five-hour regular meeting.

The 2019 IWVGA budget was not approved, after several board members and a handful of residents voiced their concerns over the presentation.  For starters, the budget that was presented was different from the one that was in the packet. A handful of numbers had been updated, including the total revenue (pump fee revenue and stressed counties grant revenue reimbursements) as well as a couple of lines in the expenditures section. … ”

Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here:  No budget approved, Navy weighs in at IWV Groundwater Authority meeting

Roseville testing groundwater storage plan

“The city of Roseville is taking full advantage of the recent storms and water surplus going into Folsom Reservoir to fully test its groundwater storage plan.  The city currently has six groundwater pumping stations that were used during the drought. But the stations have the ability to pump water back into the aquifer as well.  The Folsom Dam currently has three gates open to release enough water so it has room to capture flood water. … ”

Read more from Fox 40 here:  Roseville testing groundwater storage plan

Well monitoring tech offered to Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority

From the Ridgecrest News Review:

The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority has continually discussed its need for additional well data needed to draft an adequate Groundwater Sustain-ability Plan for IWV pumpers. Recently, the Authority heard a brief presentation from Lee Knudtson of Wellntell, who offered an opportunity to upgrade the Authority’s well-monitoring capabilities.

“We’ve invented a tool for monitoring water levels and pumping activity from domestic wells and small ag wells,” said Knudtson. “Several federal and state agencies have adopted our technologies because they’re easy to use and less expensive.”

To continue reading at the Ridgecrest News & Review, click here:  Well monitoring tech offered to Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority

Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program

From the Fresno State Collegian:

“Agricultural and environmental leaders spoke at the Water Market Exchange Symposium in the Satellite Student Union on Jan. 24 to share their perspectives on a water market exchange program.  The symposium featured speakers from water agencies, environmental interests, disadvantaged community interests and water market administrators.

According to Fresno State California Water Institute program manager Laura Ramos, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) would result in reductions of the supply of groundwater, creating the need for a creative and innovative solution to efficiently manage it. … ”

Read more from the Collegian here:  Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program

Sonoma County: Well owners looking at fees for their water usage

From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“Water well owners in Sonoma County may get billed for their annual water usage under a proposed water-conservation plan up for discussion next week at a community meeting in Santa Rosa.

The Santa Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) is hosting the Jan. 30 meeting to hear feedback on its proposed “groundwater sustainability fee,” which would provide funding to support the new agency. … “

Read more from Sonoma West here: Well owners looking at fees for their water usage

Salinas Valley: A little fee to manage a lot of water

From Voices of Monterey Bay:

“Residents of the Salinas Valley will soon see their utility or water bills go up – but only a little. The new fee, which is likely to be passed by July 1, will add about $2.27 for non-agricultural residents, and $4.81 per irrigated acre for agricultural users. The fee is needed to fund the valley’s newest water agency — the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency.

If the new fee schedule passes, residents in areas managed by the new GSA can expect to likely see the fee included in their property tax bill or their water utility bill by the end of the year. … ”

Read more from Voices of Monterey Bay here:  Salinas Valley:  A little fee to manage a lot of water

Oxnard prepares for changes in groundwater use

From the Tri County Sentry (Part 1):

“The Oxnard City Council discussed its water future in detail during the Jan. 15 Oxnard City Council meeting as the group learned about how it may allocate groundwater over the next 20 years.  The group learned that it needs to make some adjustments and use less water moving forward, which will be a challenge.

Assistant City Attorney Khiri Klima made the presentation and said the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency’s (GMA) groundwater allocation ordinance would significantly affect the city’s groundwater pumping for the next 20 years. … ”

Read more the Tri County Sentry here:  Oxnard prepares for changes in groundwater use (Part 1)

Read Part 2 here:  Water rates in Oxnard may rise in the future

With the clock running for SGMA, Indian Wells Valley Water District’s workshop plans and prepares

From the Ridgecrest Independent:

“The Groundwater Authority has a little over a year left to create the Groundwater Sustainability Plan, and the Indian Wells Valley Water District is doing everything it can to ensure that happens.  The IWV Water District had its first workshop of the year on Wednesday morning, where future plans and goals of the water district were discussed.

The main objective was to ensure that every decision and action that the water district makes is in tune with what the GA is trying to achieve.  “I want to make sure that the GSP reflects our inputs,” director Stan Rajtora said. … ”

Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here:  With the clock running for SGMA, Indian Wells Valley Water District’s workshop plans and prepares

Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s first meeting of 2019 meeting features presentations, appointments

From the Ridgecrest Independent:

“The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority had its first meeting since November 2018 on Jan. 17. All representatives were present with the exception of Ryan Klaush from Bureau of Land Management because of the government shutdown. There was a moment of silence for furloughed workers.

This was also the first board of directors meeting for Ridgecrest City Councilman Loren Scott Hayman since being appointed to the position.

The board approved the appointment of Judie Decker as a policy advisory committee representative for Eastern Kern County Resource Conservation District. Mick Gleason personally thanked Decker for her service on the board. … ”

Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here:  Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s first meeting of 2019 meeting features presentations, appointments