Page 9 - Beaumont Basin Watermaster
P. 9
BEAUMONT BASIN WATERMASTER
MEMORANDUM NO. 15-27
Date: October 7, 2015 The following recommendation was included
in the first amended motion by Fraser/Warsinski
From: Hannibal Blandon, ALDA at the Watermaster meeting on October 7, 2015.
Subject: Morongo Band of Mission Indians - Proposed Groundwater
Storage Agreement - Revised Storage Location
Recommendation: That the Watermaster Committee approves the proposed
groundwater storage project, as proposed by the Morongo Band
of Mission Indians, pending the development of a surface and
groundwater monitoring program specific to this project.
During the August 5, 2015 Board meeting, Mr. Stephen B. Johnson, president of Stetson
Engineers Inc., on behalf of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, presented a project to
import groundwater pumped from the San Timoteo Basin for spreading and recharge in
the Beaumont Basin. While Mr. Johnson addressed the water rights, water quality, and
water quantity aspects of the proposed project and outlined the benef its to the Beaumont
Basin, Mr. Harder (TH&Co) expressed his concerns about the project. Mr. Harder’s
concerns focused primarily on the location of the spreading area that may result in a
significant portion of the imported groundwater flowing out of the Beaumont Basin back
into the San Timoteo Basin.
After a lengthy discussion, Watermaster indicated that the Morongo Band of Mission
Indians and its representatives should coordinate with Watermast er’s Engineers to further
discuss the merits of the project and potential alternatives that would address the
concerns raised during the Board meeting.
On September 17, Tribe representatives met with Mr. Blandon and Mr. Harder to further
discuss the project. An alternative to the initial project was developed to convey
groundwater pumped by Well B in the San Timot eo Basin further into the Beaumont Basin
to supply one of the Tukwet Canyon Golf Course irrigation lakes. Groundwater pumped
from Well B would be used in lieu of groundwater pumped by Well D, which currently is
being used to maintain adequate water levels at the lake. It is also proposed that excess
groundwater production from Well B be conveyed to a nearby spreading facility during
the winter months. Under this concept, the Tribe will get an equivalent amount of water
into their storage account. The attached letter from Mr. Johnson, dated September 24,
2015, documents in detailed the alternative project. A subsequent e-mail from Mr.
Johnson to Mr. Blandon is also attached for your consideration.
In general, Mr. Blandon and Mr. Ha rder approve of the Morongo Band of Mission Indian’s
proposed project to store water from outside the basin, as described above. However,
MEMORANDUM NO. 15-27
Date: October 7, 2015 The following recommendation was included
in the first amended motion by Fraser/Warsinski
From: Hannibal Blandon, ALDA at the Watermaster meeting on October 7, 2015.
Subject: Morongo Band of Mission Indians - Proposed Groundwater
Storage Agreement - Revised Storage Location
Recommendation: That the Watermaster Committee approves the proposed
groundwater storage project, as proposed by the Morongo Band
of Mission Indians, pending the development of a surface and
groundwater monitoring program specific to this project.
During the August 5, 2015 Board meeting, Mr. Stephen B. Johnson, president of Stetson
Engineers Inc., on behalf of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, presented a project to
import groundwater pumped from the San Timoteo Basin for spreading and recharge in
the Beaumont Basin. While Mr. Johnson addressed the water rights, water quality, and
water quantity aspects of the proposed project and outlined the benef its to the Beaumont
Basin, Mr. Harder (TH&Co) expressed his concerns about the project. Mr. Harder’s
concerns focused primarily on the location of the spreading area that may result in a
significant portion of the imported groundwater flowing out of the Beaumont Basin back
into the San Timoteo Basin.
After a lengthy discussion, Watermaster indicated that the Morongo Band of Mission
Indians and its representatives should coordinate with Watermast er’s Engineers to further
discuss the merits of the project and potential alternatives that would address the
concerns raised during the Board meeting.
On September 17, Tribe representatives met with Mr. Blandon and Mr. Harder to further
discuss the project. An alternative to the initial project was developed to convey
groundwater pumped by Well B in the San Timot eo Basin further into the Beaumont Basin
to supply one of the Tukwet Canyon Golf Course irrigation lakes. Groundwater pumped
from Well B would be used in lieu of groundwater pumped by Well D, which currently is
being used to maintain adequate water levels at the lake. It is also proposed that excess
groundwater production from Well B be conveyed to a nearby spreading facility during
the winter months. Under this concept, the Tribe will get an equivalent amount of water
into their storage account. The attached letter from Mr. Johnson, dated September 24,
2015, documents in detailed the alternative project. A subsequent e-mail from Mr.
Johnson to Mr. Blandon is also attached for your consideration.
In general, Mr. Blandon and Mr. Ha rder approve of the Morongo Band of Mission Indian’s
proposed project to store water from outside the basin, as described above. However,
