Page 7 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster
P. 7
After discussion among the Members, Engineer Blandon, and Legal Counsel
Montoya regarding the legality of the proposed accounting for an overlying
user under the stipulated judgment, Engineer Steve Johnson of Stetson
Engineers, Inc. spoke on behalf of the Tr ibe. He stated that crediting a storage
account for in-lieu deliveries it is a widely accepted practice in other parts of
Southern California.
Legal Counsel Montoya and Member Fraser further addressed the issue by
reaffirming that the judgment does not explicitly address the crediting of an
overlying party’s water storage account for unused water rights. Member
Fraser also highlighted differences between judgments in other basins of
Southern California and that of the Beaumont Basin.
Member Fraser motioned to approve the groundwater storage project as
proposed by the Tribe, subject to the Tribe receiving credit explicitly for the
water that is demonstrated to be recharged within the Basin, and that it meets
water quality that is equivalent to State Project water being recharged
elsewhere. Member Warsinski seconded the motion. Member Warsinski sought
to clarify the motion and expressed a desire to see the Committee address an
in-lieu policy within the parameters of the judgment.
Engineer Blandon reminded the Committee of the issue of potential water
losses and stressed that the Committee consider that. Member Fraser
amended the original motion to include staff’s recommendation pending the
development of surface and groundwater monitoring projects specific to this
project.
John Covington, Water Department Manager for the Tribe, asked that the
Committee consider further amending the motion, striking the language that
the water quality needs to meet the quality of State Project water. He
expressed his belief that it would be more appropriate that the water quality
meet the Basin objectives instead. Memb er Fraser further amended the motion
to reflect that the water quality needs to meet the water quality as identified
in the Basin objectives. Member Warinski seconded the twice-amended
motion.
Tribal Legal Counsel Scott Sommers recommended that the Committee, in
developing a methodology of accounting for water losses, adopt one that is
uniform throughout the Basin and not specific to the Tribe. Member Fraser
contended that losses must be project-specific due to differing hydrology in
different parts of the Basin. Mr. Sommers agreed with this and clarified that a
policy should be adopted Basin-wide, while the application of the policy would
differ on a project level.
Member Zoba requested that the five member agencies constituting the
Committee receive a copy of the environmental study for the proposed project.
Member Jorritsma fielded a vote of the standing motion, and the motion passed
4-1, with Member Jorritsma voting no.
VIII. Topics for Future Meetings
A. Recycled Water Recharge Policy
Montoya regarding the legality of the proposed accounting for an overlying
user under the stipulated judgment, Engineer Steve Johnson of Stetson
Engineers, Inc. spoke on behalf of the Tr ibe. He stated that crediting a storage
account for in-lieu deliveries it is a widely accepted practice in other parts of
Southern California.
Legal Counsel Montoya and Member Fraser further addressed the issue by
reaffirming that the judgment does not explicitly address the crediting of an
overlying party’s water storage account for unused water rights. Member
Fraser also highlighted differences between judgments in other basins of
Southern California and that of the Beaumont Basin.
Member Fraser motioned to approve the groundwater storage project as
proposed by the Tribe, subject to the Tribe receiving credit explicitly for the
water that is demonstrated to be recharged within the Basin, and that it meets
water quality that is equivalent to State Project water being recharged
elsewhere. Member Warsinski seconded the motion. Member Warsinski sought
to clarify the motion and expressed a desire to see the Committee address an
in-lieu policy within the parameters of the judgment.
Engineer Blandon reminded the Committee of the issue of potential water
losses and stressed that the Committee consider that. Member Fraser
amended the original motion to include staff’s recommendation pending the
development of surface and groundwater monitoring projects specific to this
project.
John Covington, Water Department Manager for the Tribe, asked that the
Committee consider further amending the motion, striking the language that
the water quality needs to meet the quality of State Project water. He
expressed his belief that it would be more appropriate that the water quality
meet the Basin objectives instead. Memb er Fraser further amended the motion
to reflect that the water quality needs to meet the water quality as identified
in the Basin objectives. Member Warinski seconded the twice-amended
motion.
Tribal Legal Counsel Scott Sommers recommended that the Committee, in
developing a methodology of accounting for water losses, adopt one that is
uniform throughout the Basin and not specific to the Tribe. Member Fraser
contended that losses must be project-specific due to differing hydrology in
different parts of the Basin. Mr. Sommers agreed with this and clarified that a
policy should be adopted Basin-wide, while the application of the policy would
differ on a project level.
Member Zoba requested that the five member agencies constituting the
Committee receive a copy of the environmental study for the proposed project.
Member Jorritsma fielded a vote of the standing motion, and the motion passed
4-1, with Member Jorritsma voting no.
VIII. Topics for Future Meetings
A. Recycled Water Recharge Policy
