Agenda Item Wording:
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Acceptance of the 2022 City of Visalia & Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District Water Management Plan submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
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Deadline for Action: 6/19/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Rhett Anderson, Water Resource Manager, 559-713-4530
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council accept the 2022 Annual Report.
Background Discussion:
In 2001, the City of Visalia (City) partnered with the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD) for the purpose of water resources management, supplemental surface purchases, and necessary or opportunistic projects on behalf of the City’s benefit. The agreement was formed with regulatory intention, as a means to facilitate mutual benefit and contribution to conveyance and groundwater projects between the City of Visalia, Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District, and Tulare Irrigation District. The Contract (Contract) is valid for a term of 40 years, at which the end both parties have the option to re-negotiate terms.
According to the terms of this agreement, KDWCD will perform these tasks on behalf of the City in exchange for $100,000 annually at the time of the agreement, adjusted annually for inflation. The funds are designated for beneficial purchases and/or projects, when such purchases are considered economically feasible. As a result of unpredictable and alternating wet and dry years, opportunities to purchase additional water supplies is not constant and highly volatile. Years in which reasonable supplemental resources are unavailable, un-utilized funds are rolled over into the following year.
The year 2021 was the driest year in recorded history for Tulare County. As a result, supplemental surface supplies were not only scarce, but also in high demand. This high demand drove the price of water to remarkably high prices. In some areas within the Central Valley, the price per acre-foot of water peaked near $2,000. Dry conditions continued into 2022, and no additional water deliveries of water rights were purchased in 2022. The City and the District continued to work together to implement the Eastside Regional Park, a multi benefit project with a significant recharge and conveyance component.
As per the Contract, KDWCD is obligated to provide a management plan for the incoming year for the City Council to approve. Below is a description of the 2023 Visalia Water Management Plan (Plan). A copy of the Plan has been included as an attachment.
The majority of the Plan is comprised of pre-existing goals outlined by the Management Committee and includes basic actions such as identification and purchase of supplemental surface supplies, further assessment of potential water recharge facilities, and investigation and pursuit of available water rights for the purposes of groundwater recharge. The Plan also includes a contingency for the KDWCD to be authorized to purchase a maximum of $300,000 worth of water supplies not to exceed $150 per acre-foot, for the benefit of the City with consent from by the District General Manager and the Visalia City Manager. This authorization is to prevent a delay of purchase when action is required sooner than the Management Committee has the ability to convene.
Fiscal Impact:
TBD
Prior Council Action: City Council approved the 2023 Visalia Water Management Plan in March, 2023. City Council approved the original Plan in December of 2002.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
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Environmental Assessment Status: Click or tap here to enter text.
CEQA Review: Click or tap here to enter text.
Attachments: Click or tap here to enter text.
Deadline for Action: N/A
Submitting Department: Administration
Department Recommendation:
Background Discussion:
The 2023 Water Management Plan was approved by Visalia City Council on March 6th, 2023.
Multi-year objectives of the City and the KDWCD are the further development of the Eastside Regional Park and the Peoples Basin; two promising multi use recharge facilities located in areas that are optimal for improving the underlying hydrogeology beneath the City and surrounding areas as a result of recharge.
The Water Management Committee is comprised of Steve Nelsen representing the City of Visalia and Don Mills representing Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the 2022 Annual Water Report submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
Environmental Assessment Status
CEQA Review: TBD based on projects pursued.