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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/24 KRGSA SPECIALPOSTED ON by City Clerk's Officf:• city of Bakersfield 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 KERN RIVER GSA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING Wednesday, August 21, 2024 10:00 a.m. City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department 1000 Buena Vista Road, Bakersfield CA 93311 Large Conference Room AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL PUBLIC STATEMENTS NEW BUSINESS Board Members: Rodney Palla, Chair Bob Smith, Vice -Chair Gene Lundquist p m i c c O n .. r rn cn v A. Management Group Updates (Maldonado, McCarthy, Teglia) i. Basin Coordination Committee Updates a. SWRCB Kern County Subbasin Staff Report b. SWRCB Kern County Subbasin Workshops c. Authorization to participate in GEI/EKI Kern County Subbasin Stakeholder Communications and Engagement Plan COMMITTEE COMMENTS 6. ADJOURNMENT August 9, 2024 Derek Yurosek Coordination Committee Chair via email: DYurosek(d)bolthouseproperties.com SCOPE OF WORK AND BUDGET FOR STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT PLAN The draft Amended Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) was released for public comment and submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in May 2024. The GSP included a commitment to develop and implement a subbasin-wide stakeholder communication and engagement plan (SCEP). A SCEP is needed to identify the stakeholders across the Subbasin and outline meaningful and effective engagement strategies through GSP adoption, anticipated in late Fall 2024. The SCEP will need to be adopted by all 20 Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and included as an attachment to the adopted GSP. GEI and EKI have partnered to prepare the scope of work provided in this proposal, which includes developing a SCEP following California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and other guidance documents and will expand upon the existing stakeholder communication and engagement that is highlighted in Chapter 5 of the draft Amended GSP. Additionally, this scope includes support for and attendance at three outreach events. This scope of work also provides for establishing a simple, user-friendly website for the Kern Subbasin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This dedicated website serves as a communication tool to the public, providing a platform for information, storage of relevant SGMA-related documents, and tool for mechanism for submitting comments. The website will also provide links to external websites, such as the Subbasin's Data Management System (DMS), GSA websites (where available) and public web viewer. SCOPE OF SERVICES Task 1 - SCEP Development Under Task 1, the SCEP will be developed following existing guidance documents, including the "Guidance Document for Groundwater Sustainability Plan Stakeholder Communication and Engagement" (DWR, 2018)1, "Guidance Document for the Sustainable Management of Groundwater Engagement with Tribal Governments" (DWR, 2018)2, I https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Groundwater-ManagemenVAssistance-and- EngagemenUFiles/Guidance-Doc-for-GSP---Stakeholder-Communication-and-Engagement.pdf 2 https://resources.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Groundwater-ManagemenUSustainable-Groundwater- ManagemenUBest-Management-Practices-and-Guidance-Documents/Files/Guidance-Doc-for-SGM-Engagement-with-Tribal- Govt_ay_19.pdf Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9, 2024 Page 2 "Collaborating for Success: Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Implementation" (Community Water Center, 2015)3, and "SGMA and Underrepresented Farmers" (Clean Water Action Clean Water Fund, 2022)4. The SCEP will follow the outline recommended by DWR, as follows: Goals and Desired Outcomes The SCEP will define the Subbasin's goals and desired outcomes and explain how Plan implementation results in meaningful and effective stakeholder engagement on a subbasin-scale. Identify Stakeholders The SCEP will expand upon the information already documented in the draft Amended GSP Chapter 5 to identify all stakeholders in the Subbasin. The SCEP will describe how all stakeholder groups are being informed through existing partnerships, such as the Kern Water Collaborative (KWC) and Farm Bureau, and media outlets such as WaterWrights and SJV Water. Mapping Stakeholders / "Lay of the Land" Documentation A "lay of the land" exercise will be conducted that collates the stakeholders identified into a table and presents their key interests and issues, the sections of the Plan likely relevant to each stakeholder, and the level of engagement expected. Stakeholder Engagement During GSP Development The SCEP will expand upon the stakeholder engagement that occurred during GSP development and is summarized in Chapter 5 of the draft Amended GSP, including documentation of how stakeholder concerns were incorporated into the Amended GSP, specifically referencing Friant Water Authority, State Water Project California Aqueduct Subsidence Program (CASP), Kern County Environmental Health Services (KCEHS), DWR, and Division of Drinking Water (DDW), landowners and local disadvantaged communities, such as the cities of Arvin, Bakersfield, and Shafter, Buttonwillow, and Greenfield County Water District. The SCEP will document how feedback from the stakeholders was incorporated into the draft Amended GSP; and how the GSAs will continue engaging these stakeholders. Engagement Key Messages and Talking Points To ensure the Subbasin GSAs are providing consistent messaging, the SCEP will provide some key messages and presentation materials that all Subbasin GSAs can disseminate to their respective stakeholders, including likely questions and responses (i.e., a FAQ document). 3 https://cleanwater.org/sites/defaulYfiles/docs/publications/SGMA_Stakeholder_Engagement_White_Paper.pdf 4 https://www.cleanwateraction.org/sites/defaulVfiles/docs/publications/Underrepresented%20Farmers%20and°/a20SGMA%202.0.pdf Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9, 2024 Page 3 Advisory Committees and Strategic Partnerships The SCEP will detail the Subbasin's existing advisory committees (e.g., GSP group meetings, outreach subcommittee, well mitigation subcommittee, and KNDLA subcommittees) and the strategic partnerships the Subbasin GSAs have initiated, including KWC, Self -Help Enterprises (SHE), WAKC, KCFB, KCEHS, and DDWs Safe and Affordable Fund for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Program Administrators, and how these partnerships will be maintained throughout GSP implementation. Implementation Plan The SCEP will outline the implementation timeline for stakeholder engagement, including key stakeholder engagement efforts and events that need to occur, including: (1) Public Comment Period for the draft Amended GSP with links and directions on how to submit public comments (see Task 2 below for details), and (2) Hosting two in -person and one hybrid public engagement events in September with targeted messaging at how the draft Amended GSP may affect daily operations as a water user. Evaluation and Assessment • The SCEP will establish performance criteria and outline the process for Subbasin GSAs to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement efforts. Implementation and Reporting The SCEP will outline the process for Subbasin GSAs to report on stakeholder engagement efforts during GSP implementation, including an ongoing evaluation process based on the performance criteria that will be reported in the Subbasin Annual Reports. This process would outline expectations for GSAs to track ongoing engagement efforts, but does not include any data collection, tracking, or reporting beyond the public comment period. Task 1 also includes time for project management. Deliverables • Draft Kern County Subbasin SCEP for review and comment Final Kern County Subbasin SCEP, which addresses and incorporates comments received from Subbasin GSAs and participating entities. Documentation of Subbasin and GSA outreach and engagement events that occurred between June 1 and the end of the GSP review period, which will be incorporated into the adopted GSPs. Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9, 2024 Page 4 Assumptions • The draft SCEP will be provided to the Subbasin GSAs and participating entities for review and feedback. It is assumed that one consolidated set of comments will be provided digitally in Word using the GEI Teams channel. • The Subbasin GSAs will provide the project team with information regarding their local stakeholders and ongoing engagement efforts in a timely manner and using the provided template. • Updates on SCEP development will be discussed at outreach subcommittee meetings. Outreach subcommittee meetings are assumed to occur bi-weekly and be one hour in length. Once the draft SCEP is completed, it will be presented at the managers and coordination committee meetings. • SCEP will be developed/drafted simultaneous to implementing the three stakeholder events (refer to Task 3). Task 2 — Kern SGMA Website Development This task consists of developing a simple, user-friendly website dedicated to hosting SGMA related information and documents and communicating important information to the public. This task also includes a process for collecting GSP related comments in preparation for finalizing the arnended GSPs. Kern SGMA Website The website will be publicly accessible and allow public users to: • Identify their GSA via link to Kern County GIS tool. • Access Kern Subbasin draft Amended GSPs that together constitute the Subbasin GSP. • View upcoming Subbasin public outreach events. Users will also be able to access event documents, such as fact sheets or informational flyers. • Submit public comments on the draft Amended GSPs. The website will have a "Submit Comments" option that is essentially an Outlook email function that will allow users to write comments and attach documents which will be submitted to KernGSPComments(d,)geiconsultants.com email address. Comments will be e- mailed to a designated e-mail distribution list consisting of all Subbasin GSA designated contacts. • Register as an interested party to receive e-mail updates from GSAs. • Navigate to other SGMA related websites (via website links). Example websites include: o Kern DMS Public Map Viewer o DVVR SGMA Portal o SWRCB SGMA Website Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9 2024 Page 5 Deliverables • New webpage to serve as the Kern Subbasin SGMA homepage (see mockup below) with access to the Amended Kern Subbasin Plan, outreach and engagement meeting information. general SGMA information, Kern DMS and the "Submit Comments" function. • Designated e-mail address with distribution list to receive public comments. • The website layout will be presented to the SCEP subcommittee or at a manager's meeting before it is published. Assumptions • Expenses associated with website management, such as domain registration and hosting fees, are not included in the budget estimate. GEI will provide a quote for expenses at the start of website development. • All pictures and informational materials will be provided to GEI. Task 3 - Outreach and Engagement Events Task 3 includes planning, coordination. and participation in three outreach events, including two fully in -person and one hybrid in-person/virtual anticipated to occur sequentially over two days in early September. These events will be spatially distributed across the Subbasin to reach the widest audience, with event locations anticipated to occur in South Basin, Kern River Fan (hybrid option), and North Basin HCM Areas. These events are assumed to be Subbasin-wide events and will be hosted in partnership with Subbasin GSAs. GEI and EKI will develop template noticing materials. a 1-page SGMA fact sheet, and presentation(s) that explain the draft Amended GSP with targeted messaging at how the draft Amended GSP may affect daily operations as a water user. The Subbasin outreach subcommittee will be responsible for booking the event venues, and any verbal interpretations if required. The project team will work with the GSAs to disseminate outreach noticing materials to partners in the Subbasin. including but not limited to KWC, KCFB, Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) and WAKC, and to disseminate a press release to media outlets. The project team will also provide WAKC with the SGMA fact sheet for distribution at their Kern County fair booth. Finally, the project team will maintain documentation of the stakeholders notified of the events, and which stakeholders attended each event. Deliverables • Three sets of template outreach materials. including a public notice flyer, a presentation, and a press release. • 1-page SGMA fact sheet. • Documentation of stakeholder attendance at three events. • Attendance at three events. Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9, 2024 Page 6 Assumptions Template outreach materials will be provided in English and Spanish. The scope and budget provided herein assumes that free -of -cost written translation services will be provided by DWR through their assistance program. DWR translation services require submittal of an online application and requests require at least three weeks' notice to fulfill. Based on timing of request and DWR availability, EKI can either directly provide or work with another entity (e.g., Self -Help Enterprises) to provide written translation services, subject to additional scope and fee. Translation of materials to other languages depending on local demographics, as appropriate, is not included in this scope of work. The Subbasin outreach subcommittee will be responsible for booking the event venues. Cost estimates do not include any costs associated with venues that may be used to host the outreach events. Verbal interpretation services are assumed to be the responsibility of the outreach subcommittee and/or GSAs. Therefore, verbal interpretation during outreach events is not included in this scope and budget. If desired, verbal interpretation services for either the hybrid or all outreach events can be arranged through DWR's free -of -cost interpretation assistance program, or through Self -Help Enterprises, subject to additional scope and fee. The Subbasin GSAs will provide a list of stakeholders that were notified and invited to the events, as well as documentation of the notification methods, on the provided template. One GEI staff and one EKI staff will attend events in person. It is assumed that the events will be two hours in length each and be held over two sequential days. The budget includes travel time and an overnight stay for one EKI staff. SCHEDULE AND WORKFLOW Upon authorization to proceed, the project team will initiate Tasks 1, 2, and 3 concurrently. Task 1 SCEP development is anticipated to take two months to complete. Task 2 is anticipated to take up to three months to complete with the initial landing page implemented in late August, prior to the first outreach event. Task 3 will be initiated simultaneous to SCEP development, with the goal of holding the events in September, prior to draft Amended GSPs adoption in late Fall 2024. This scope of work includes a final SCEP that would be attached to the adopted Amended GSPs, and therefore does not cover ongoing stakeholder engagement labor efforts past Fall 2024. BUDGET Table 1 below provides the estimated budget to develop the SCEP and support stakeholder communication and engagement required for the Amended GSP. Cost estimates provided in Table 1 are comprehensive of anticipated costs to conduct meaningful outreach and engagement during the draft Amended GSP public comment period. Derek Yurosek, Coordination Committee Chair Stakeholder Communication & Engagement Plan August 9, 2024 Page 7 Table 1. Cost Estimate for SCEP Development and Outreach Events Firm EKI Tasks Task 1 - SCEP Development Estimated Cost 19,000 Task 3 — Outreach and Engagement Events 11,000 Task 1 — SCEP Development 8,000 GEI Consultants Task 2 — Kern SGMA Website Development 16,000 Task 3 — Outreach and Engagement Events 2,000 Total Estimated Budget 56,000 We appreciate having the opportunity to provide you with this proposal. Throughout the GSP Development process, GEI and EKI have established a good working relationship and are jointly submitting this scope of work/proposal. In developing our cost estimates, we assumed contract terms would be consistent with the GSP Development process, where we are working at the direction of the Subbasin with the understanding that invoices are paid through the Subbasin fiscal agent. All work performed under this proposal will be performed pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of each consultant's existing agreement with their direct client, represented by the signatures authorizing this scope of work. All work will be billed under a unique project or task number for each firm. Labor effort will be tracked and invoiced on a monthly basis. Regards, Stephanie Hearn, GEI Consultants, Inc Authorized by: Buena Vista Water Storage District Title: Tim Ashlock t ,Ltcat� .-'l— Anona Dutton, EKI Environment & Water, Inc. Authorized by: Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District M. Title: Sheridan Nicholas Date: Date: