DATE: March 12, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution adopting the Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will adopt the Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (Kings Basin IRWMP) as required by Department of Water Resources (DWR) to continue eligibility for Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management grant funding. The County of Fresno is a member of the Upper Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (Authority). The Authority has developed the Kings Basin IRWMP, which is a collaborative effort between 57 public, private, and non-governmental agencies to manage water resources in the Kings Groundwater region. In 2007, the original Kings Basin IRWMP was prepared, followed with updates in 2012 and 2018. The 2018 IRWMP was drafted in compliance with new standards established by the DWR, to document changes in policies and procedure, to describe updated approaches to water management, and to include information on new stakeholders and their input on water management issues. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended action; however, due to the revision of standards by the DWR, the Kings Basin IRWMP has been updated to address new legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. However, the cost to participate, as a member of the Authority is $7,000 annually, which is included the Department of Public Works and Planning Org 4360 FY 2018-19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
In May 2004, the Upper Kings Basin Water Forum (Forum) was formed by a group of local agencies, including the County, to initiate a process of regional water management. The Forum provided a venue for all stakeholders in the Upper Kings Basin, consisting of cities, counties, state and public agencies, and other interested groups, that worked in a collaborative effort to evaluate and implement local water management programs and projects.
On May 24, 2005, in connection with the County’s participation in the Forum, the Board adopted Resolution No. 05-268 endorsing and supporting the Kings River Conservation District as the lead agency in the development of the Kings Basin IRWMP to implement a water management and planning program. The purpose of the IRWMP was to identify and define different water management scenarios for the Kings Basin and evaluate alternatives to determine the best management strategies for the regions as a whole. The Kings Basin IRWMP is also a prerequisite for funding eligibility from the DWR for assistance with a variety of water projects proposed to be constructed to overcome water resource issues. The original Kings Basin IRWMP was completed in 2007.
The Kings Basin IRWMP required the creation of a Joint Powers Authority to form the institutional framework to undertake IRWMP projects. On April 13, 2010, the Board adopted Resolution No. 10-137 authorizing the Chairman to execute a joint exercise of powers agreement making the County a member of the Authority.
The Authority is a joint effort, involving the collaboration and coordination of various public agencies in the region, created to maintain the Kings River Basin’s surface and groundwater resources through regional planning. The Authority’s main purpose is to engage in integrated regional water management planning and related activities of the Kings River Basin’s surface and groundwater resource users.
In August 2010, DWR revised the Integrated Regional Water Management Grant Program Guidelines (Guidelines) making it necessary to update the 2007 Kings Basin IRWMP. The updated IRWMP was presented to the Authority and adopted on October 17, 2012. In addition to meeting requirements of the new Guidelines, the 2012 Kings Basin IRWMP included revisions to the governance structure of the Authority and its policies and procedures. On February 5, 2013, the Board adopted Resolution No. 13-065 to establish its support for and adoption of the 2012 Kings Basin IRWMP.
In 2016, after new legislation, DWR further revised the Guidelines, which necessitated a revision of the 2012 Kings Basin IWRMP.
The Authority adopted the Kings Basin IRWMP on October 17, 2018. The IRWMP was drafted in compliance with the 2016 standards established by DWR, to document changes in policies and procedure, to describe updated approaches to water management, and to include information on new stakeholders and their input on water management issues. To continue eligibility for future funding, the 2018 Kings Basin IRWMP must be adopted by each member agency as required by DWR to be eligible for Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management grant funds. All Authority members, listed in Exhibit A, are required to adopt the 2018 IRWMP as a requirement of the 2016 Guidelines.
The adoption of the 2018 Kings Basin IRWMP by your Board will fulfill the DWR requirement and ensure that the County continues to participate as a member in cooperative efforts to plan regional water management.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #24 February 5, 2013
BAI #42 April 13, 2010
BAI #20 May 24, 2005
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Exhibit A
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Kings Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa