Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize staff to develop an addendum to the Water Conservation Ordinance to address non-de minimis water users who operate their own well to voluntarily enroll with the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency as an alternative to the City's water conservation irrigation requirements.
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Deadline for Action: 6/19/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Rhett Anderson, (559) 713-4530
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Visalia City Council authorize staff to develop an amendment to the Water Conservation Ordinance to provide for an alternative to non-de minimis (more than 2 non-ag acres) users who operate their own well to comply with all the policies, requirements and fees of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency as a member of that agency in lieu of operating under the City's Water Conservation Ordinance including an up to three-month transition period.
Background Discussion:
There are several public and private organizations within the City of Visalia that have large land parcels, have operate independent wells and are large water users. While these organizations have been required to comply with the City's ordinance, the implementation of the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and the nature of their usage, will soon supersede the City's Ordinance provisions for these type of users. However, it will be another 12-24 months before the GSA provisions are fully implemented in urban settings. There are some large water users who may find it more appropriate to their business to comply with the GSA voluntarily. Staff has assessed this option, and believes that it is congruent with the overall goal of water conservation, and will create a better business environment for some users thereby offering an alternative for early compliance with the GSA is a viable option. To do so would require an ordinance amendment. Staff is seeking that directive and will ...
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