HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 018-16RESOLUTION NO. 018- 1 6
RESOLUTION OF THE BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSERVATION ELEMENT TEXT OF THE
METROPOLITAN BAKERSFIELD GENERAL PLAN. (CITY WIDE).
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield is requesting a text amendment to the conservation
element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan (the "Project "); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Project is to comply with AB 162; and
WHEREAS, AB 162 requires an update of the Conservation Element with the update of
the Housing Element on or after January 1, 2009. The update requires adding information
concerning stormwoter management and ground water recharge; and
WHEREAS, the Project is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental
Quality Act; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 3, 2015, and
approved Resolution No. 61 -15, which recommended that the City Council adopt the Project;
and
WHEREAS, the Clerk of the City Council set Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 5:15 p.m.
in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, as the time
and place for a public hearing before the City Council to consider the approval of the
amendment as required by Government Code Section 65355, and notice of the public
hearing was given in the manner provided in Title 17 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council continued the item to it's regular meeting of January 6, 2016
and then to January 20, 2016; and
WHEREAS, during the hearing, the City Council considered all facts, testimony, and
evidence concerning the staff report, Notice of Exemption for the project and the Planning
Commission's deliberation, and action.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Bakersfield City Council as follows:
1. The recitals above are incorporated herein by this reference.
2. The Project is exempt for CEQA the State CEQA Guidelines and the City of
Bakersfield CEQA Implementation Procedures have been followed. Staff
determined that the proposal is exempt under CEQA Section 15306 of the CEQA
Guidelines.
3. The Project is hereby approved as shown on the attachment.
4. The Project approved herein is hereby made part of the 1st amendment to the
Conservation Element of the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan for calendar
year 2015 in accordance with Government Code Section 65358 (b).
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the
Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting held on JAN 2 0 2016 , by
the following vote:
COUNCILMEMBER: RIVERA, MAXWELL, WEIR, SMITH, HAN ON, SULLIVAN, PAR IER
NOES: COUNCILMEMBER: I'll"
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER: NnYU.-
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: Wm0
APPROVED
JAN 2 0 2016
ROBERTA GAFFORD, CM
CITY CLERK and Ex Offici6 Clerk of the
Council of the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED as to form:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Atto y
By:
ANDREW HEGLUND
Deputy City Attorney
Exhibit A: Text Amendment
S:\Metro General Plan\ Metropolitan Gen Plan -21)15 update \Res CC_GPA APPROVE_ Conten Elem Text Amend.docx
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C'r!A-
CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
D. WATER RESOURCES
Water supply for the Kern County portion of the southern San Joaquin Valley, in which
Bakersfield is located, is derived from four major sources —from groundwater, from the
Kern River, from the State Water Project, and from the Federal Central Valley Project
With a population of approximately 400,000, primarily concentrated in urban Bakersfield,
the principal use of water in the study area is for irrigated agriculture.
Water usage is expected to change to more urban needs within the planning period.
Growth in Metropolitan Bakersfield has been substantial, nearly 80,000 more people live
here than in 1990. This growth appears to be continuing at a rate of more than 600
people a month. Clearly the need to provide a stable water supply is important as the
Southern San Joaquin Valley is a desert.
Water Supply:
There are two major sources for water locally, surface water and ground water.
Surface water from the Kern River, California State Water Project or Central Valley
Project must be treated prior to distribution. There are currently two surface water
treatment plants in the metropolitan Bakersfield area.
One faciTy is owned and operated by the Kern County Water Agency Improvement
JID41. The plant treats supplies from the Kern River, California Water
Project and Central Valley Project. The facility has a nominal peak capacity of 37.5
mgd. Treated water is distributed to customers inside and outside the City of Bakersfield
boundaries.
Each plant uses a combination of chemical addition, settling, filtration and disinfection to
produce water of acceptable quality. -
129; of the Gity's total water supply.
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
Supplemental surface water supplies:
The California State Water Project (SWP) is an extensive network of reservoirs,
aqueducts, power plants and pump stations. The main function of the SWP is to manage
water supply, storing surplus water during wet periods and distributing it to service areas
throughout California.
ID4 , a subdivision of the Kern County Water Agency is
allocated approximately 93,000 acre feet per year of State Water Project surface water,
treating 25,000 acre feet of such water for municipal and industrial use and wholesaling
the treated water to retail water distribution agencies in the planning area. The
remainder of this water is spread for groundwater replenishment.
The Federal Central Valley Project provides irrigation water to the Central Valley through
the Friant -Kern Canal System. It also contributes to urban water supply, water quality,
flood control, power, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement throughout central
and northern California. Many of its facilities were developed to be used jointly with the
P
Existing SWP facilities can supply approximately 2.4 million acre -feet of water each year.
This system could ultimately be expanded to provide 4.2 million acre -feet per year.
The City of Bakersfield has acquired water rights for Kern River flows for approximately
140,000 acre -feet per year. Together with appropriate storage rights in Isabella
Reservoir; it currently sub - contracts to five irrigation districts the usage of a major portion
of these rights, utilizing the balance for groundwater recharge in a city-owned 2,800 acre
recharge area located on the Kern River. The future use of this water for municipal and
industrial purposes is a key factor in the long -range adequacy of the urban water supply
of the planning area.
Groundwater
Metropolitan Bakersfield rests above a series of aquifers. These aquifers are part of the
larger groundwater basin called the Southern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin.
The primary groundwater aquifer below Metropolitan Bakersfield is made up of
unconsolidated sediments. These sediments are bordered by faults or mountain ridges
to the east, west, and south. These geologic features serve as effective barriers to
groundwater movement to or from these directions.
The goal for water resource management is to reach a condition of "safe yield" for the
groundwater basin. "Safe yield" occurs when the amount of water pumped from the
basin is less than or equal to recharge into the basin.
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION /WATER RESOURCES
Sources of recharge include:
1. Kern River channel
2. runoff
3. canalseepage
4. spreading/banking and
5. wastewater reclamation
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
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FIGURE V -1
CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
OVERDRAFT
In the worst case, if the groundwater overdraft is not controlled, the groundwater table
ultimately could be lowered to a depth where it is uneconomic to pump for agricultural
use. This would reduce withdrawals to balance recharge, achieving a stable
groundwater level. Thus, groundwater would still be available for municipal and industrial
use, which can afford to pay the higher pumping costs. In the best rase, additional
imported water supplies could offset the overdraft and stabilize the groundwater level at
present levels.
Much of the planning area relies upon groundwater pumping for its water supply,
including the rapidly developing area north of the Kern River. Groundwater quality
problems have been identified in this area, particularly in the upper (unconfined) portions
of the groundwater aquifer.
Precipitation Runoff:
Natural recharge is provided by precipitation runoff, which is defined as the amount of
melted snow and rainwater measured after evaporation, evapotranspiration, and
percolation. Runoff from the Sierra Nevada Mountains feeds the Kern River.
Precipitation falling within the City of Bakersfield may not reach the Kern River. The City
operates a series of drainage basins or "sumps ". Stormwater collected in these basins
percolates to the groundwater or evapotranspirates. An average of 24,000 acre -feet of
runoff occurs yearly. This contributes about 12% to the City of Bakersfield's total water
supply.
River and Canal Seepage:
Canal seepage is defined as the amount of water that percolates into the ground from
earthen canals. When added with seepage from the Kern River channel, it contributes
more than half the City's water supply at an average of 54 %, or about 106,000 acre -feet
each year.
Reclaimed Water:
Current and anticipated water shortages in the Southwestern United States have caused
recycled wastewater, or reclaimed water, to be viewed as a valuable resource in water
supply. Effluent produced from the City's two wastewater treatment plants is used in
land application. Land application of reclaimed water to non - edible crops for irrigation is
considered one of its most beneficial uses, providing both water and nutrients to
enhance plant growth. The City of Bakersfield obtains about 10% of its total water
supply from reclaimed water, at an average of 20,000 acre -feet per year.
Spreading and banking:
Percolation of water spread in open basins has been historically used in Kern County as
a means of banking groundwater. The City owns and operates a 2800 Acre recharge
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
facility used to replenish water to the groundwater aquifers. It was included with the
acquisition of Kern River water rights by the City.
This site is 6 miles long and includes old river channels, overflow lands, and constructed
spreading basins. It is located in and along the Kern River Channel approximately 8
miles wrest of Highway 99. The facility receives surface water supplies during years
when surpluses exist. Sources include the Kam River, the Central Valley Project, and
the State Water Project.
The groundwater is recharged in this facility by using spreading basins, which look like
small lakes surrounded by levees. The city began spreading water into the "2800 Acres"
in 1978 through the use of one basin and a number of temporary embankments.
Additional basins have since been constructed, increasing the number of acres available
for water spreading and recharge. More that 1,000,000 acre -feet of water has been
spread within the facility since its inception.
The 2800 Acre recharge facility improves groundwater quality by recharging low salinity
Kam River water into the aquifers. This dilutes the more saline irrigation water that
percolates underground from adjacent farming operations. The underground reservoir
can be pumped in dry years for agricultural and domestic use. In wet years, the reservoir
can be built up. This allows water to be used without causing a groundwater overdraft
problem.
The facility is a valuable resource to the City in providing a reliable water supply during
dry years. An average of 22,000 acre -feet of water is banked annually in the facility,
which provides about 11% to the City's total water supply.
Water Contamination
In the northwest portion of the planning area (Rosedale), contaminants include nitrates
and dissolved solids which may be indicative of the presence of other water
contaminants such as boron, chloride, and possibly Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) and
arsenic. The groundwater contamination data for the total study area may be found in
various reports on file with the Kern County Water Agency.
The northeast portion of the planning area has severely limited groundwater supplies. In
1999 there was the creation of a public/private partnership (City of Bakersfield and
California Water Service) in northeast Bakersfield to construct a 40 million gallon a day
water processing facility to serve Kern River water to new and existing urban
developments.
Other recent water planning supply projects:
• Completion of a 10 million gallon storage tank that links high quality Kern
River water into the drinking system.
• Implemented a Water Management Plan to increase flows in the river
channel through the Kam River Parkway to complement Parkway
activities and increase groundwater aquifer recharge.
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
Enhanced the Reclaimed Water Program with the acquisition of additional
farm land for the use of recycled water for irrigation of crops, decreasing
the reliance of those lands on the shared groundwater basin.
WATER RESOURCE ISSUES
The following issues have been identified with respect to the area's water resources:
a) The conservation and effective utilization of planning area water
resources is complicated by multi - jurisdiction control over such resources.
b) There are portions of the planning area which are water deficient and /or
in which there are problems with water quality.
C) Water transport, groundwater recharge needs, recreational usage of
water resources, and the preservation and enhancement of water - related
natural habitat all compete for the usage of scarce water resources in the
planning area.
GOALS AND POLICIES
The following lists the goals and policies for each of the fundamental water resources
issues of the planning area. At the end of each policy is listed in parenthesis a code
beginning with the letter "I" followed by a number. This code refers to the pertinent
implementing program.
GOALS
1. Conserve and augment the available water resources of the planning
area.
2. Assure that adequate groundwater resources remain available to the
planning area.
3. Assure that adequate surface water supplies remain available to the
planning area.
4. Continue cooperative planning for and implementation of programs and
projects which will resolve water resource deficiencies and water quality
problems.
5. Achieve a continuing balance between competing demands for water
resource usage.
6. Maintain effective cooperative planning programs for water resource
conservation and utilization in the planning area by involving all
responsible water agencies in the planning process.
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
POLICIES
Goals will be achieved through the following policies which set more specific directions
and guide actions.
1. Develop and maintain facilities for groundwater recharge in the planning
area (1 -1, 1 -2).
2. Minimize the loss of water which could otherwise be utilized for
groundwater recharge purposes and benefit planning area groundwater
aquifers from diversion to locations outside the area (1 -3).
3. Support programs to convey water from other than San Joaquin Valley
basin sources to the planning area (1-4).
4. Support programs and policies which assure continuance or
augmentation of Kern River surface water supplies (1-4).
5. Work towards resolving the problem of groundwater resource deficiencies
in the upland portions of the planning area (1-5,1-6).
6. Protect planning area groundwater resources from further quality
degradation (1 -7).
7. Provide substitute or supplemental water resources to areas already
impacted by groundwater quality degradation by supporting facilities
construction for surface water diversions (1 -8).
8. Consider each proposal for water resource usage within the context of
total planning area needs and priorities- -major incremental water
transport, groundwater recharge, flood control, recreational needs,
riparian habitat preservation and conservation (1 -9).
9. Encourage and implement water conservation measures and programs
(1 -11).
The following are programs to be carried out by the City of Bakersfield and County of
Kern to implement the goals and policies of the Conservation Element affecting water
resources. This listing is not to limit the scope of implementation of this plan. State law
requires that planning agencies recommend various methods of implementation of the
general plan as part of their on -going duties.
1. Maintain, and utilize to the fullest extent possible, the City of Bakersfield's
2800 -Acre spreading facility and all other existing recharge facilities and
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CHAPTER V - CONSERVATION / WATER RESOURCES
channels in or serving the planning area groundwater resource, including
the Kern River channel through Bakersfield.
2. Support all financially feasible and practical groundwater projects, for the
augmentation of groundwater recharge for the south San Joaquin Valley
basin by the construction and operation of additional recharge facilities or
the importation of additional water for basin recharge.
3. Oppose the diversion or exportation of water resources which would
unduly diminish the availability of such resources for planning area
groundwater recharge.
4. Provide necessary legislative advocacy and /or funding for the Planning
area.
5. Initiate and /or support planning, financing, construction and
implementation programs for supplying upland portions of the planning
area having groundwater deficiencies with an adequate water supply.
6. Support the provision of adequate wastewater collection systems and
treatment reclamation and disposal facilities which will prevent
groundwater degradation by on -site wastewater systems.
7. Maintain industrial waste discharge regulation and monitoring programs
which protect the planning area groundwater from contaminants.
8. Provide supplemental or replacement water supplies (such as the City's
conjunctive use project) to metropolitan area distribution systems which
utilize currently or potentially degraded water supplies.
9. Utilize the Kern River Plan Element as a policy guide for consideration of
competing water resource needs, including water for municipal, industrial,
direct irrigation, groundwater recharge, habitat restoration and mul i-
purpose recreational uses.
10. Support additional water conservation measures and programs of benefit
to the planning area.
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