BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Receive Additional Information on the Groundwater Benefit Zone Study and Consider Recommendations for Updates to the Groundwater Benefit Zones.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Receive information on additional stakeholder feedback and staff recommendations on the Groundwater Benefit Zone Study;
B. Provide direction on the staff recommendation to modify existing groundwater benefit zones W-2 and W-5 and to create new zones W-7 (Coyote Valley) and W-8 (below Uvas and Chesbro Reservoirs);
C. Direct staff to prepare metes and bounds for Board consideration;
D. Provide direction on the staff recommendation to implement modified and new zones beginning July 1, 2020;
E. Take no action on policy issue no. 1 (gradational groundwater benefit zones) raised by stakeholders; and
F. Provide direction to staff on policy issue nos. 2 through 4 raised by stakeholders.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) has sustainably managed local groundwater resources in Santa Clara County for many decades. The Santa Clara Valley Water District Act authorizes the Board of Directors to establish zones encompassing areas where groundwater pumpers benefit directly and indirectly from Valley Water activities to protect and augment water supplies. Valley Water established the two primary groundwater benefit zones (Zones W-2 and W-5) in 1963 and 1977, respectively (Attachment 1). Valley Water last modified Zone W-2 in 1971 and Zone W-5 in 2008.
Valley Water initiated the Groundwater Benefit Zone Study (Study) to assess existing zones and recommend changes needed to ensure the zones reflect as accurately as possible areas receiving benefit from Valley Water activities to protect and replenish groundwater. Valley Water hired the consulting firm Montgomery & Associates (Montgomery) to perform an independent, science-based study of the zones. At the August 27, 2019 Board meeting, staff presented the findings ...
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