HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 Attachement 1, r2016-28 Alternative SubmittalResolution No. 2016-28
APPROVING THE MARTIS VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN
SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT ALTERNATIVE
SUBMITTAL
WHEREAS, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act ("SGMA"), as amended and codified in
California Water Code §§ 10720, et seq., applies to all groundwater basins in the State of California;
and
WHEREAS, The legislative intent of SGMA is to provide sustainable management of groundwater
basins, to enhance local management of groundwater, to establish minimum standards for the
sustainable groundwater management, and to provide local groundwater agencies with the authority
and the technical and financial assistance necessary to sustainably manage groundwater; and
WHEREAS, SGMA requires "sustainable groundwater management" for all groundwater basins or
sub -basins that are designated as high- or medium -priority basins by the Department of Water
Resources ("Department") in the Department's report entitled "California's Groundwater: Bulletin 118"
("Bulletin 118"); and
WHEREAS, The Martis Valley Groundwater Basin ("MVGB") is located in both Nevada County and
Placer County and has been designated by the Department as Basin No. 6-67 and is currently
designated a medium -priority basin; and
WHEREAS, SGMA defines a "local agency" as a local public agency that has water supply, water
management, or land use responsibilities within a groundwater basin; and
WHEREAS, there are a total of six qualifying local agencies with jurisdiction over MVGB, which
include the County of Nevada, the County of Placer, the Town of Truckee, the Truckee Donner Public
Utility District, the Placer County Water Agency and the Northstar Community Services District,
collectively referred to as "Partners" and who wish to cooperate in sustainable groundwater
management and compliance with SGMA; and
WHEREAS, SGMA provides that any local agency or combination of local agencies overlying a
groundwater basin have discretion to become a groundwater sustainability agency ("GSA") for that
basin; and
WHEREAS, SGMA requires that either: (1) a groundwater sustainability plan ("GSP") be developed
and implemented by the GSA; OR (2) if a local agency or combination of local agencies believes that
an alternative to a GSP satisfies the objectives of SGMA, the local agency may submit the alternative
to the Department for evaluation and assessment no later than January 1, 2017, and every five years
thereafter; and
WHEREAS, the Partners believe that an alternative to a GSP will satisfy the objectives of SGMA
because the basin has been operated within sustainable yield for at least the last 10 years, a fact that
has been documented by a hydrogeologist registered in the State of California; and
WHEREAS, the Partners wish to collectively submit an alternative titled Martis Valley
Groundwater Basin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Alternative Submittal ("Alternative
Submittal") to the Department; and
WHEREAS, the Truckee Donner Public Utility District has led the preparation of the Alternative
Submittal, with input and review by all Partners and a hydrogeologist registered in the State of
California; and
WHEREAS, the Alternative Submittal leverages the Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan
adopted in 2013, the Truckee River Operating Agreement, enacted under Federal Law to restrict and
monitor surface water and groundwater use, and a body of scientific work that demonstrates the
existence of sustainable groundwater management in MVGB for at least 10 years; and
WHEREAS, the Alternative Submittal addresses the six undesirable results that have been identified
by the Department and is believed by the Partners to be functionally and substantially compliant with
SGMA and applicable requirements of the Department; and
WHEREAS, based on the above findings, the Partners intend to submit the Alternative Submittal to
the Department by the due date set by SGMA of January 1, 2017, and, subject to approval of the
Department, intend to continue sustainable groundwater management of the MVGB in accordance
with the Alternative Submittal and without formation of a GSA or preparation of a GSP.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TRUCKEE-DONNER PUBLIC
UTILITY DISTRICT DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Alternative Submittal has been reviewed by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District
and is found to provide for the legislative intent of SGMA and qualify the MVGB as eligible for an
alternative to a GSP.
Section 2. The Alternative Submittal, in substantially the same form as attached to this Resolution, is
approved by the Truckee Donner Public Utility District and it is requested thatthe Alternative Submittal
be submitted to the Department for review and approval by the District on behalf of all Partners.
Section 3. Subject to the Department's approval of the Alternative Submittal, the Truckee Donner
Public Utility District wishes to continue participation in sustainable groundwater managementwith the
Partners.
Section 4. Approval of this Resolution and the Alternative Submittal are exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act based on a legislative exemption provided in SGMA, Water Code Section
10728.6, and for purposes of protection of natural resources and the environment, per CEQA
guidelines Sections 15307 and 15308.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held within the
District on the seventh day of December of 2016 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Directors: Ellis, Bender, Warmerdam, Laliotis, and President Aguera.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT
Joseph Aguera, President
ATTEST:
Michael D. Holley, District Clerk