Proposed Water Availability Study for the San Antonio Groundwater Basin Santa Barbara County Water Agency Santa Barbara County Public Works Dept. Matt Naftaly, Water Agency Manager

Dependent Special District Formed in 1945 Dependent Special District Formed in 1945 Contract holders for major reservoirs Contract holders for major reservoirs Conducts collaborative, regional projects and programs Conducts collaborative, regional projects and programs Conducts water related studies Conducts water related studies Does not buy or sell water Does not buy or sell water Does not regulate water use or quality Does not regulate water use or quality Funding is mostly from property taxes Funding is mostly from property taxes Santa Barbara County Water Agency

San Antonio is a sole source basin San Antonio is a sole source basin Water planning is important: Water planning is important: Land use changes Land use changes Periodic Droughts and other weather related cycles Periodic Droughts and other weather related cycles Need For Project Past studies suggest that there may be a basin imbalance Past studies suggest that there may be a basin imbalance Historic record of water level decline in some wells Historic record of water level decline in some wells Proposed legislation would require groundwater management of the basin Proposed legislation would require groundwater management of the basin

AB1739 (Dickinson) & SB1168 (Pavley) AB1739 (Dickinson) & SB1168 (Pavley) Generally follows the Governors Position on Groundwater Generally follows the Governors 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 significant economic or environmental impacts related to GW Allows until 2020 for local agencies to prepare a “sustainable groundwater management plan”. Sustainability means avoiding significant 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 Legislation

Santa Barbara County Water Agency Santa Barbara County Water Agency Agricultural Commissioner Agricultural Commissioner Overlying Land Owners Overlying Land Owners Agricultural Interests Agricultural Interests Los Alamos Community Los Alamos Community Service District Service District Vandenberg Air Force Base Vandenberg Air Force Base Stakeholders

Advisory Committee Advisory Committee Small group to review and vet the work plan and information Small group to review and vet the work plan and information Community/Stakeholder status meetings Community/Stakeholder status meetings Occasional public meetings on the status of project Occasional public meetings on the status of project Dedicated Website Dedicated Website Draft Reports, data, and other information Draft Reports, data, and other information See Cuyama Study Website for an example See Cuyama Study Website for an example Project Communication and Updates

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

Directed by Board to conduct additional outreach – October, 2013 Directed by Board to conduct additional outreach – October, 2013 Presentation at Agricultural Commission Meeting – February 5, 2014 Presentation at Agricultural Commission Meeting – February 5, 2014 Presentation at Cattlemen’s Association – May 14, 2014 Presentation at Cattlemen’s Association – May 14, 2014 Public Meeting in Los Alamos – Today Public Meeting in Los Alamos – Today Presentation at Farm Bureau – July 15, 2014 Presentation at Farm Bureau – July 15, 2014 Board of Supervisors – October or November Board of Supervisors – October or November Once initiated, the project duration is about 4 years Once initiated, the project duration is about 4 years History and Schedule

Questions?