Board of Supervisors Meeting 10/29/13
Water drop (Photo credit: @Doug88888)
Vance Kennedy
There has been widespread discussion of groundwater problems in the foothills. The question seems to be “what to do about it”? Major damage to some smaller property owners is occurring right now and that can be a complete loss of value of home and property, simply because adjacent large plantings of almonds are taking their groundwater. An estimate of that property loss would be highly appropriate in your investigation. Legal costs to defend these small properties are simply too expensive to individuals and are prolonged.
You have the police power to stop abuses. Please use that power as soon as possible. An immediate moratorium, like that in San Louis Obispo County would be very appropriate…but then what?
A rapid estimate of the problem could be made with existing knowledge by county employees, hydrologists and farmers, using present orchard records and detailed data on approved wells, plus planned almond planting and wells. That would be a guide.
Rainfall in the low foothills is on the order of 12 inches per year. Half may reach the water table. Minimum irrigation needs of almond trees is estimated at 30 inches per year. Thus, at least 2 feet of water is needed, in addition to rain. That must come from groundwater, since there is no other source. Because the pore space in rocks holding available water is roughly 15% (plus or minus 5%), every foot of pumped groundwater should drop the water perhaps 8 feet. That equals 16 feet per year. If the water table drops significantly less than that, it means that groundwater is flowing laterally underground to the well from ones’ neighbors and depleting the overall groundwater supply. That would not be surprising, since lateral movement of groundwater is well known to be much easier than vertical movement.
There is a legal term known as “prescriptive rights”, whereby, if water is taken wrongly, and no objections occur, then at some point in time the right to object is lost. Since there is no groundwater law in California, the time for a prescriptive right is unknown, but could conceivably be quite short. You can control that.
A rough estimate of the magnitude of the water problem in the foothills can be made in a week. Not a year or two, if people use reasonable estimates, as described. There is certainly enough understanding of the problem by employees of the local irrigation districts to make valid estimates of the problem. I cannot overstate the need to act now on requiring environmental impacts on properties adjacent to wells. Also, grand-fathering in of continuing harmful practices absolutely must be avoided.
While I am up here, I would like to put in a plug once again for an influential county/city committee to look at the truly long term needs by our local society for food and water. Some members of this area seem determined to make the central valley another silicon valley. that would truly be a local and national disaster. I believe the average local citizen is concerned but does not know how to register that concern with the decision makers. A prominent committee could help
WATER EXPORT RULES
I would like to put in a plea that you folks approve the proposed rules on export of groundwater today. I understand from highly reliable sources that this sort of problem was recognized at least 10 years ago and ignored. If it had been addressed then we would probably not have the present problems. There is a phrase to “kick the can down the road” that has been applicable in the past. Please do not do it in this case. If there are major unexpected problems with the rules, there is no reason why they cannot be changed in the future.
The county does need a water expert on its staff, who has legal advice available. Neither the city or county has a lawyer knowledgeable in water precedents….I have asked. given the tremendous importance of water at present, and even more so in the future, it is imperative that the county have such advice readily available, the sooner the better.
Rumor has it that 40% of natural river flow will be kept for the fish in the future. Meanwhile, the state requires major increases in housing by the city. It seems obvious that truly great water challenges lie ahead and that does not even consider potential global warming.
Eye On Modesto 