Page 6 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster
P. 6
Recommendation: No recommendation
Engineer Steve Johnson, President of Stetson Engineers, Inc., on behalf of the
Morongo Board of Mission Indians (Tribe), presented the Tribe’s Proposed
Groundwater Storage Agreement, a plan to deliver and recharge imported
water from the San Timoteo Basin in the Beaumont Basin. He also provided
responses to Committee concerns about the location of the proposed spreading
grounds, and accounting for water losses from the spreading. Members Eric
Fraser and Joseph Zoba inquired of Mr. Johnson and expressed concerns on
behalf of the Committee regarding several aspects of the Tribe’s proposal,
including historical water quality in Tukwet Canyon Well B (Well B), proposed
possible expansion of facilities, and construction specifications of Well B.
Tribal Legal Counsel Scott Sommers presented legal and administrative
information as it pertains to the Proposed Agreement, providing clarification of
several issues and responses to concerns raised by the Committee’s
engineering consultant, ALDA Engineering.
Engineer Harder presented charted information to highlight concerns
previously addressed by the Tribe’s representatives that the Tribe has not
proposed a method of accounting for water losses and the issue of water
quality. Additionally, he expressed concerns with the lack of permeability of
the bedrock formations occurring in the proposed recharge site and the
direction of groundwater flow from that site. Engineer Harder recommended
putting monitoring wells in the proposed recharge site, and that the Committee
and Tribe work together to determine the number and location of those wells.
Several questions were raised by Members of the Committee, including the
reason for the proposed location and irrigation methods used at the Tukwet
Canyon Golf Course, as well as concerns regarding the water quality and
groundwater flow in that location. Jo hn Covington, Water Department Manager
for the Tribe, provided responses to the inquiries and an explanation of how
the Well B was developed and tested for water quality.
At this point, Engineer Harder reiterated his concerns and recommended that
the Committee seek further information from the Tribe before approving the
Agreement. Mr. Covington expressed concern on behalf of the Tribe about
spending additional resources before receiving assurances from the Committee
that the project can happen. Engineer Blandon stated that until continuous
monitoring has taken place to provide information about water levels across
the boundary, the Committee cannot proceed.
Member Joseph Zoba motioned to continue this discussion item until the
October Watermaster meeting, in hopes of getting additional information and
a work plan from the Tribe; Member Fraser seconded the motion; motion
passed 5-0.
E. Overview of Oak Valley Partners Production Wells and Proposed Adjustments
to Historical Groundwater Production [Memorandum No. 15-18, Page 74 of 79]
Recommendation: No recommendation
Beaumont Basin Watermaster Meeting - October 7, 2015 - Page 6 of 85
Engineer Steve Johnson, President of Stetson Engineers, Inc., on behalf of the
Morongo Board of Mission Indians (Tribe), presented the Tribe’s Proposed
Groundwater Storage Agreement, a plan to deliver and recharge imported
water from the San Timoteo Basin in the Beaumont Basin. He also provided
responses to Committee concerns about the location of the proposed spreading
grounds, and accounting for water losses from the spreading. Members Eric
Fraser and Joseph Zoba inquired of Mr. Johnson and expressed concerns on
behalf of the Committee regarding several aspects of the Tribe’s proposal,
including historical water quality in Tukwet Canyon Well B (Well B), proposed
possible expansion of facilities, and construction specifications of Well B.
Tribal Legal Counsel Scott Sommers presented legal and administrative
information as it pertains to the Proposed Agreement, providing clarification of
several issues and responses to concerns raised by the Committee’s
engineering consultant, ALDA Engineering.
Engineer Harder presented charted information to highlight concerns
previously addressed by the Tribe’s representatives that the Tribe has not
proposed a method of accounting for water losses and the issue of water
quality. Additionally, he expressed concerns with the lack of permeability of
the bedrock formations occurring in the proposed recharge site and the
direction of groundwater flow from that site. Engineer Harder recommended
putting monitoring wells in the proposed recharge site, and that the Committee
and Tribe work together to determine the number and location of those wells.
Several questions were raised by Members of the Committee, including the
reason for the proposed location and irrigation methods used at the Tukwet
Canyon Golf Course, as well as concerns regarding the water quality and
groundwater flow in that location. Jo hn Covington, Water Department Manager
for the Tribe, provided responses to the inquiries and an explanation of how
the Well B was developed and tested for water quality.
At this point, Engineer Harder reiterated his concerns and recommended that
the Committee seek further information from the Tribe before approving the
Agreement. Mr. Covington expressed concern on behalf of the Tribe about
spending additional resources before receiving assurances from the Committee
that the project can happen. Engineer Blandon stated that until continuous
monitoring has taken place to provide information about water levels across
the boundary, the Committee cannot proceed.
Member Joseph Zoba motioned to continue this discussion item until the
October Watermaster meeting, in hopes of getting additional information and
a work plan from the Tribe; Member Fraser seconded the motion; motion
passed 5-0.
E. Overview of Oak Valley Partners Production Wells and Proposed Adjustments
to Historical Groundwater Production [Memorandum No. 15-18, Page 74 of 79]
Recommendation: No recommendation
Beaumont Basin Watermaster Meeting - October 7, 2015 - Page 6 of 85
