Proposed Water Availability StudyProposed Water Availability Studyfor the for the

San Antonio Groundwater BasinSan Antonio Groundwater Basin

Santa Barbara County Water AgencySanta Barbara County Water AgencySanta Barbara County Public Works Dept.Santa Barbara County Public Works Dept.

Matt Naftaly, Water Agency ManagerMatt Naftaly, Water Agency Manager

• Dependent Special District Formed in 1945Dependent Special District Formed in 1945• Contract holders for major reservoirsContract holders for major reservoirs• Conducts collaborative, regional projects and Conducts collaborative, regional projects and

programsprograms• Conducts water related studiesConducts water related studies• Does not buy or sell waterDoes not buy or sell water• Does not regulate water use or qualityDoes not regulate water use or quality• Funding is mostly from property taxesFunding is mostly from property taxes

Santa Barbara CountySanta Barbara CountyWater AgencyWater Agency

• San Antonio is a sole source basinSan Antonio is a sole source basin• Water planning is important:Water planning is important:

• Land use changesLand use changes• Periodic Droughts and other weather related cyclesPeriodic Droughts and other weather related cycles

Need For ProjectNeed For Project

• Past studies suggest that Past studies suggest that there may be a basin there may be a basin imbalanceimbalance

• Historic record of water Historic record of water level decline in some wellslevel decline in some wells

• Proposed legislation would Proposed legislation would require groundwater require groundwater management of the basinmanagement of the basin

• AB1739 (Dickinson) & SB1168 (Pavley)AB1739 (Dickinson) & SB1168 (Pavley)

• Generally follows the Generally follows the Governors Position on GroundwaterGovernors Position on Groundwater

• Applies to all GW Basins in California that DWR has designated as high or medium priority (Bulletin 118)Applies to all GW Basins in California that DWR has designated as high or medium priority (Bulletin 118)

• Allows until 2020 for local agencies to prepare a “sustainable groundwater management plan”. Sustainability means avoiding Allows until 2020 for local agencies to prepare a “sustainable groundwater management plan”. Sustainability means avoiding significant economic or environmental impacts related to GWsignificant economic or environmental impacts related to GW

• If locals cannot or will not institute a GW management plan, the State Water Resources Control Board may do so.If locals cannot or will not institute a GW management plan, the State Water Resources Control Board may do so.

Emerging Groundwater LegislationEmerging Groundwater Legislation

• Santa Barbara County Water Santa Barbara County Water AgencyAgency

• Agricultural CommissionerAgricultural Commissioner• Overlying Land OwnersOverlying Land Owners

• Agricultural InterestsAgricultural Interests

• Los Alamos CommunityLos Alamos Community

Service DistrictService District

• Vandenberg Air Force BaseVandenberg Air Force Base

StakeholdersStakeholders

• Advisory CommitteeAdvisory Committee• Small group to review and vet the work plan and Small group to review and vet the work plan and

informationinformation

• Community/Stakeholder status meetingsCommunity/Stakeholder status meetings• Occasional public meetings on the status of projectOccasional public meetings on the status of project

• Dedicated WebsiteDedicated Website• Draft Reports, data, and other informationDraft Reports, data, and other information• See Cuyama Study Website for an exampleSee Cuyama Study Website for an example

Project Communication and Project Communication and UpdatesUpdates

Estimated cost is $2.5 millionEstimated cost is $2.5 million• Costs and contributions still under developmentCosts and contributions still under development• Contributors: Water Agency, USGSContributors: Water Agency, USGS• Potential Contributors: VAFB Potential Contributors: VAFB

FundingFunding

• Directed by Board to conduct additional outreach – Directed by Board to conduct additional outreach – October, 2013October, 2013

• Presentation at Agricultural Commission Meeting – Presentation at Agricultural Commission Meeting – February 5, 2014February 5, 2014

• Presentation at Cattlemen’s Association – May 14, Presentation at Cattlemen’s Association – May 14, 20142014

• Public Meeting in Los Alamos – TodayPublic Meeting in Los Alamos – Today• Presentation at Farm Bureau – July 15, 2014Presentation at Farm Bureau – July 15, 2014• Board of Supervisors – October or NovemberBoard of Supervisors – October or November• Once initiated, the project duration is about 4 yearsOnce initiated, the project duration is about 4 years

History and ScheduleHistory and Schedule

Questions?Questions?