HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/81 AGENDA
~ATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1981
4:00 P~M.
Call meeting to order
Roll Call - Board Memebers: Barton, Chairman; Payne, Ratty, Kelmar,
Oberholzer
1. Approve minutes of~regular meeting of August 26, 1981.
2. Scheduled Public Statements
3. Correspondence
4. Weather Modification agreement for City participation in the
1981-82 cloud seeding operation 'on the Kern River watershed. -
FOR BOARD ACTION.
5. Kern County Water Agency Zone of Benefit assessments proposed
for Improvement District No. 4 in 1983. - FOR BOARD INFO~TION.
6. City of Bakersfield/California Regional Water Quality Control
Board Contract for groundwater quality investigation of City's
2800 acre recharge area. - First quarterly report. - FOR BOARD
INFO~4ATIOM.
7. Progress payment request from Rickett, Ward & Delmarter for work
performed to-date on the Kern River Open Space Land Use Plan. -
FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION.
8. Staff Comments
9. Board Comments
10. Adjournment
MINUTES
WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1981
4:00 P.M
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Barton in the Depart-
ment of Water Conference Room.
The secretary called the roll as follows:
Present: Barton, Payne, Ratty, Kelmar, Oberholzer
Absent: None
The minutes from the meeting of August 19, 1981, were approved
as presented.
Letter from Rag Gulch Water District, dated August 19, 1981,
requesting balance of 1981 Basic Contract Water t~ be assigned
North Kern Water Storage District was p~esented to the board.
Mr. Bogart explained to the board that this City Basic Contract
water has to be delivered by August 31, 1981. After discussion
between board and staff Mr. Kelmar made a motion that the request
for assignment be approved for 1981 only and the Chairman autho-
rized to sign, but subject to the agreement stating the purchase
price being signed by Mr. C. H. Williams, Engineer-Manager of
North Kern Water Storage District. The motion was passed.
At this time an update of City's participation in upper Kern
River Power Projects was brought before the board for information
and discussion~ Mr. Bogart informed the board that last September,
North Kern Water Storage District approached the City Water and
Growth Committee regarding'the renewed activity in filing power
applications at ~various locations on the Kern River. The Water
Board subsequently authorized participation with North Kern
Water Storage District as the lead agency to file for a pre-
liminary permit on the Miracle-Cottonwood Project, the Isabella
Reservoir Power Project and also the Junction Power Project.
Mr. Bogart at this time gave a map illustration of the projects
involved, along with an updated status of the permit applications
for the three power projects.
At this time Mr. Stetson presented to the board two tabulations
of the Review Of Preliminary Findings Regarding Proposed Miracle-'
Cottonwood Power Project and Proposed Junction Power Project.
Mr. Stetson then outlined the Summary of Costs versus Revenues
on both projects.
After discussion, Mr. Kelmar made a motion that the City not
participate any further financially in the Miracle-Cottonwood
project or the~isabella Power Project and that the staff meet
with North Kern and Kern Delta staffs to review the revenue
and cost figures on the Junction Project. The motion was
passed.
Mr. Bogart stated that at the Water Board Meeting of August 19,
1981, ~n. "iterim" Spreading Agreement for the use of the City's
2800 acre spreading area by Kern County Water Agency was autho-
rized by the board subject to certain language changes. Subsequent
to that meeting, the City's water consultants have. prepared
an addendUm to the original agreement that incorporates the
requested language provisions. Mr. Oberholzer stated' that he
had reviewed the addendum and it was satisfactory to him. After
discussion Mr. Oberholzer made a motion that the addendum to
the Kern County Water Agency Spreading Agreement be approved.
The motion was passed.
There being no further business to come before the board, Chair-
man Barton adjourned the meeting at 5:50 P.M.
James J. Barton, Chairman
City of Bakersfield Water Board
Linda Hostmyer, Secretary
City of Bakersfield Water Board
FIRST QUARTER
PROGRESS REPORT
City of Bakersfield-
California Regional Water Quality
Control Board
Groundwater Quality Improvement Project
Standard Agreement No. 0-142-158-0
August 15, 1981
GROUNDWATER QUALITY [~IPROVDIENT PROJECT
2800 ACRE REC~&RGE FACILITY
CITY oF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA
Standard Agreement No. 0-142-158-0
Groundwater is th~ primary source of water supply for all
users in the Bakersfield area of Kern County. The aquifers have
been Jubjected to intensive use over the past one hundred years
and as a result, areas of bad water quality have developed. The
overZall basin supply has also shown signs of quality degradation
dUring this time period. Since nearly all water entering the~
groundwater basin area stays there until it is used consumptively,
the original salt load becomes concentrated as the'total water
volume is reduced. Natural soil salts are also leached, from
the~soil, into the groundwater supply as a result of irrigated
agriculture, recharge operations and point source disposal acti-
vities. Additional basin-wide salt concentration results from
the continued over-draYt of the basin supply.
E.P.A. has approved the Regional Board's Phase IV workplan
for Water Quality Management planning for the Central Valley Region,
pursuant to Section 208 of-Public LaW 92-500 (The Clean Water
Act). The Phase IV workplan contains the Tulare Basin Ground
Water Quality Improvement element which names the City of Bakers-
field as Contractor for the Bakersfield Recharge Study.
On May 1Sth 1981 S.W.R.C.B. Contract 0-14Z-158-0 was offi-
cially recognized and the work plan was initiated by City of
Bakersfield personnel.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
The objective of this contract is to improve local ground
water quality by investigating the feasibility of recharging
low salinity surface water into the aquifer which will provide
B~kersfield with an underground reservoir of good quality water
for domestic use. The 2800 acre recharge site is centrally loca-
ted within a highly developed agricultural area which contri-
butes significantly to ground water degradation due to the deep
percolation of applied-irrigation water. Continued and optimized
artificial recharge of low salinity surface water from the site,
located adjacent to the Kern River channel, will tend to improve
the quality of deep percolating waters in this area therby re-
ducing the rate of degradation 'normally associated with farming.
WORK TO BE PERFOrm, lED
1. Define surface and subsurface conditions which influence
the flow of recharge water at this time, establish a plan
for monitoring future flows of ground Water and a basis for
planning structures to manage surface water flows more effi-
ciently.
Z. Plan for a most efficient use of recharge property under
various stages of water availability and various manage-
ment options.
3. Identify management options available to the City of Bakers-
field in acquiring, storing and extracting water; determine
the institutional and legal arrangements that might have an
effect on how~recharge can be used to create the greatest
benefits; and indicate how to develop the conjunctive use
of the site by others.
1st QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT
During the months of May and June 1981, City Water Depart-
ment personnel began basic data research for all available water
well and water quality information in and around the "2800.Acre"
investigation site. Several local sources Were contacted and
provided detailed information on groundwater, elevation and depth
to water measurements from the area that needed to construct
appropriate contour maps. Water quality data have been more
difficult to acquire and further investigation of other sources,
such as California Department of Water Resources, has begun.
Electric log and drillers logs were solicited from both
public agencies and private enterprise on wells in the area and
this has yielded scant information on the detailed subsurface
geology. This has pointed out the need for the proposed drilling
program on the "2800 Acre" properties to gain the additional infor-
mation needed to draw conclusive geologic cross-sections.
For the month of July, work started on data plotting and
contouring groundwater elevation and depth to water maps. These
maps have. not been finalized to date.
Other work involving the "2800 Acres" has been continuing with
use of City funding. This has resulted in a two foot contour
topographic survey of the project site and preliminary levee
design work on recharge ponds on the property.
In the next quarter (August 16 thru NovembEr 15, 1981) it
is planned to finalize contour maps for groundwater.elevation
and depth to water. The final data gathering for water quality
and contour map' work will be completed. After preliminary geo-,
logic cross-sections are evaluated the proposed drilling and
logging program will be initiated.
-4-
STATEMENT
RICKETT, WARD& DELMARTER
.2901 H STREET - 13AKERSFIELE), CALIFORNIA 9330!
TELEPHONE {805~ 3Z7'1486 ~' ,
~CiCy of Bakersfield, Water Board ~ ~FA~I'M~WA~
J. Oale Hawley
1501*Truxton Ave.
Bakersfield, ~ 93301
DETACH AND MAIL WITH YOUR CHECK. YOUR CANCELLED CHECK IS YOUR RECEIPT.
8/17/81 Invoice #8-4 13000.00
9/17/81 Invoice #8-4 Revised 9500.00 13000.00 9500.00
PAYMENT FOR ALL WORK PERFORMED IS DUE THE FIRST OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH. A CHAR(:~E OF ! ~J~ PER MONTH
WIL. L BE ADDED TO COVER INTEREST AND COST TO SERVICE OVERDUE ACCOUNTS.
'- ~-? NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT
1415 - 18th STREET, ROOM -/05
BOX 1195
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA 93302
October 6, 1981 18o51 325-3116
Messrs. Gil Castle
Kern Delta Water District
John Chafin~
City of Bakersfield
Department of Water
Harold Russell
Buena Vista Water Storage District
Re: 1981-82 Weather Modification Program Agreement
Gentlemen:
Attached is a copy of AGREEMENT AMONG THE NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT,
BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT, KERN DELTA WATER DISTRICT AND CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD WATER BOARD FOR OPERATION OF THE KERN RIVER WEATHER MODIFICATION
PROGRAM, an agreement among the parties whereby a Weather Modification
Program can commence after North Kern executes a contract with Atmospherics
Incorporated for a 1981-82 Weather Modification Program. A copy of the
CONTRACT TO CARRY OUT AND SUPERVISE KERN RIVER WEATHER MODIFICATION PROGRAM
is also attached for your review and information.
Our format will be the same as 1980-81. However, the costs will be modified
as shown in the Proposal letter from Atmospherics Incorporated dated August
31, 1981 (copy of which is also attached). Discussions to date have indicated
our desire to.pursue a six-month program commencing November~ 1, 1981 (earlier,
if mechanics c~n be accomplished) through April 1982 with an extension pro-
vision for after May 1, 1982. If so, then the dollar figure would be $92,600
~otal. As occurred last year, the "flight insurance" will be separately
obtained and additionally billed. Last year, the premium was $2,144.00 for
this insurance.
Would each of you process the Agreement between the Districts this month so
we might execute the Contract and commence with the Program.
Very truly yours,
C. H. Williams
Engineer-Manager
attachments
CHW:lm
..,-- SEP :1 1981
·
NORTH KERN WATER
· ' STORA~GE [~ISTRICT
atmospherics incorpor ed
31 August 1981
Mr. Charles H. Williams
Engineer-Manager
North Kern Water Storage District
1415 18th St.
Suite 705
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Dear Mr. Williams:
For the past month our group has been reviewing project costs and
preparing cost estimates for the various programs we will conduct
during the 1981/82 water year. Within all of these cost reviews, we
thought your group might like to have our thoughts in regards possible
continuation of your weather resources management program during the
second year under your present four-year permit. As in the case of
the immediate past season, the major components of the program would
include the following:
1. Personnel:
a. Radar Meteorologist
b. Radar Operator
c. Cloud Seeding Pilot
d. Field Technician
2. 5.5cm Weather Radar System (installed at the Porterville Airport)
3. Completely ~quipped cloud seeding aircraft (based at Porterville)
4. Pyrotechnic cloud seeding devices
5. Data acquisition and compilations
6. 'Evaluations
7. Monthly and Final Reports (District, State and Federal)
Following are the proposed costs covering the options for three different
periods of operations. Of course, the suggested Schedules of Payments
could be modified to fit any schedule suitable to the District.
5652 EAST DAYTON / FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93727 / TELEPHONE (209) 291-557,5 / CABLE: ATMOS
atmospherics incorporated
Mr. Charles H. Williams 31 August 1981
Page 2
7 months 6 months 5 months
Month - 1981/82 Oct-Apr Nov-Apr Dec-Apr
1 October 1981 $ 20,000
I November 1981 20,000 $ 20,000
I December 1981 17,000 20,000 $ 20,000
1 January 1982 17,000 17,000 20,000
I February 1982 ~ 8,000 17,000 17,000
I March 1982 6,000 8,000 17,000
1 April 1982 5,000 6,000 8,000
1 May 1982 ' 3,800 4,600 4,400
TOTALS: $ 96,800 $ 92,600 $ 86,400
I would be pleased to organize a more comprehensive proposal and present
this at any of your Board Meetings. In the event your group decides to
continue the program with Atmospherics Incorporated, the format of last
year's contract is perfectly satisfactory. If you have any further questions
just give us a call.
I will be in Greece and Chile during the period from about 7-18 September,
and should be back in Fresno on September 20th.
Most sincerely,
President
TJH/h
5652 EAST DAM TON ! FRESNO. CALIFORNIA 9372? / TELEPHONE (2091 291-5575 I CABLE. ATMOS
AGREEMENT AMONG THE
NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT,
BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT,
KERN DELTA WATER DISTRICT, AND
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD WATER BOARD FOR OPERATION OF
THE KERN RIVER WEATHER MODIFICATION PROGRAM
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the day of
, by and among NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT, (herein-
after referred to as "NORTH KERN"), a Water Storage District
organized and existing under and by virtue of Division 14 of
the California Water Code, BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT,
a like district, KERN DELTA WATER DISTRICT, a California Water
District organized and existing under and by virtue of Division
13 of the California Water Code and the CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
WATER BOARD, an agency of the City of Bakersfield, hereinafter
collectively referred to as "parties to this Agreement".
WHEREAS:
1. The Department of Water Resources, State of Califor-
nia, has issued to NORTH KERN a permit for weather resource
management (hereinafter referred to as the "permit"), dated
July 2, 1980 (permit #11). Such permit authorizes NORTH KERN
to conduct a weather resource management program (hereinafter
referred to as the "Program") under the supervision of Thomas
J. Henderson.
2. Available data indicates operation of a weather
modification program in the Kern River watershed upstream of
Isabella Reservoir will increase precipitation in said water-
shed, and therefore increase the quantity of water available
(i)
for diversions from the Kern River. The parties to this Agree-
ment are the principle diverters of waters from the Kern River,
and therefore will benefit from any program to increase precipi-
tation in said watershed.
3. The governing bodies of each of the parties to this
Agreement have approved execution of same.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED AS FOLLOWS'
1. Operation of the Program'
NORTH KERN shall operate the Program consistent with the
description, terms and conditions set forth in the permit.
2. Cost of the program:
All costs associated with operating and carrying out the
Program, including engineering and legal fees and other adminis-
trative cost, shall be borne by the parties to the Agreement
equally (that is to say, 25% per party); provided, however, said
total cost shall not exceed
without the prior consent of all parties to this
Agreement.
3. Indemnification and Contribution'
It is understood by the parties to this Agreement that
Atmospherics Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as "Contrac-
tor'') has obtained a policy of insurance, with limits of TWO
MILLION DOLLARS ($2,000,000.00) for bodily injury and property
damage and that such policies name the parties to this Agreement
as additional insureds. The parties to this Agreement shall
contribute in equal shares toward any liability arising out of
(2)
performance of the Program pursuant to this Agreement, that may
be determined to not be covered or included in Contractor's
insurance policy.
4. Insurance:
Notwithstanding the parties to this Agreement relying on
Contractor's insurance policy, during the term of this Agreement,
each party thereto shall maintain insurance or reserves with
limits of liability at least equal to ONE MILLION DOLLARS
($1,000,000.00) for combined bodily injury and property damage
on a comprehensive general liability form, including the
following extended coverages:
Blanket Contractual Coverage
Broad Form Property Damage
Personal Injury
Products/Completed Operations
Owners and Contractors Protective
Non/Owner Automotive
Such insurance or reserves maintained by each party to this
Agreement shall not exclude the type of activity undertaken by
the Program. Each party of this Agreement shall within fifteen
(15) days of the execution of this Agreement provide a certifi-
cate of insurance which names each party to this Agreement and
its officers, agents and employees as additional insureds and
reflects the existence of the required insurance or reserves
delineated above.
5. Term:
(3)
This Agreement shall continue for a term of one (1) year
from the date of this Agreement.
EXECUTED in quadruplicate at Bakersfield, California, as
of the day and year first above written.
NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT
By
PRESIDENT
By
SECRETARY
BUENA VISTA WATER STORAGE DISTRICT
By
PRESIDENT
By
SECRETARY
KERN DELTA WATER DISTRICT
By
PRESIDENT
By
SECRETARY
CITY OF BAKERSFIELD WATER BOARD
By
CHAIRMAN
By
CITY ATTORNEY
Countersigned:
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, FINANCE
(4)
CONTRACT TO CARRY OUT AND SUPERVISE
KERN RIVER WEATHER MODIFICATION PROGRAM
This contract entered into this day of
, by and between the North Kern
Water Storage District, a Water Storage District organized
and existing under and by virtue of Division 14 of the
California Water Code, hereinafter referred to as thee
"District", and Atmospherics Incorporated, a California
corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor"
~? I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Department of Water Resources, State of
California, has issued to the District a permit for Weather
Resource Management (hereinafter referred to as the "permit"),
dated July 2, 1980 (permit #11), which authorizes the District
to conduct a Weather Resource Management Program (hereinafter
referred to as the "Program"); and
WHEREAS, the Contractor has on its staff weather resource
management licensees and other professionals necessary to carry
out and supervise the Program and has at its disposal equipment
to carry out the Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED as follows:
1. Contractor shall engage in artifical cloud nucle-
ation operations during the term of this contract, within the
takget area identified by and consistent with the INITIAL STUDY
- ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF KERN RIVER WEATHER MODIFICATION
PROGRAM and the above referenced permit. The purpose of this
cloud nucleation operation is to increase precipitation within
the target area.
2. The term of this contract shall cover one seasonal
operational period and shall commence and
end unless mutually extended.
3. The Contractor shall furnish and have available for
use during the operational period of the following equipment
and personnel:
a. The Contractor agrees to have available on a
24-hour-a-day basis the services of a competent
staff to furnish full meteorological data.
(i)
b. A complete radar system of the type designed
to track precipitation areas within storms
will be located in the vicinity of Porterville,
California, and shall be installed to cover the
target area to the best advantage.
c. All weather data will be available at the loca-
tion of the radar system and will be used to
coordinate the various phases of the field
program.
d. Telephone and power facilities will be main-
tained at the location of the radar system.
e. A weather radio receiver will be maintained at
the location of the radar system for receiving
airway weather reports.
f. Contractor will provide special photographic
equipment designed to furnish permanent records
of the various phases of the Program. These
~photographs will be used to study and analyze
various storm situations and will be made avail-
able to the District upon request.
g. A cloud seeding aircraft will be based at the
Porterville Municipal Airport. This aircraft
will be equipped for all-weather flying. It
will be further equipped with facilities for
dispensing both dry ice and silver iodide for
use in cloud seeding activities through the
target area. The Contractor agrees that its
aircraft and equipment thereon will be certified
by the Federal Aviation Administration, an agency
of the United States of America, and that any and
all pilots operating aircraft for or on behalf of
the Contractor shall be duly licensed by the said
Federal Aviation Administration.
h. Contractor will provide a service vehicle for
field work related to all ground and air equip-
ment utilized on the project.
i. Contractor will furnish the following personnel
who will be stationed within or near the project:
(1) One radar meteorologist,
(2) One instrument rated pilot meteorologist,
(3) One radar technician, and
(2)
(4) One field serviceman and equipment
technician.
Thomas J. Henderson shall supervise the Program.
4. The main nucleating agent will be silver iodide, which
shall be dispensed from aircraft.
5. The Contractor shall prepare all reports pretaining to
the Program required to be filed by the Contractor and District
to comply with Federal and State Law. The Contractor shall
furnish monthly operational reports during the course of the
clou8 nucleating operation. As soon as practical after the con-
clusion of the operational period, the Contractor will furnish
the District a final evaluation report covering the entire yearly
operation.
6. The Contractor shall furnish and keep in force during
the operational period the following insurance: comprehensive
public liability and property damage insurance, in amount of
$1,250,000.00 covering operation of its equipment, owned or
leased, including aircraft; workmen's compensation insurance;
and aviation bodily injury and property damage liability
insurance of $2,000,000.00. Such insurance shall be maintained
at Contractor's cost, except that the District shall pay the
Contractor for the cost of the above referenced aviation bodily
injury and property damage liability insurance in addition to
payments delineated~r~below. With respect to the above referenced
insurance policies, the Contractor shall deposit certificates of
insurance with the District prior to the commencement of the
operational period reflecting the existence of the required in-
surance. The certificates of insurance for the comprehensive
public liability and property damage insurance and the aviation
bodily injury and property damage liability insurance addition-
ally shall name North Kern Water Storage District, Buena Vista
Water Storage District, Kern Delta Water District and the City
of Bakersfield, and their officers, agents and employe~s, as
additionally named insureds.
7. Contractor agrees to be responsible for, and to in-
demnify and hold the District harmless and free from all claims
of damage to person or property of any kind or character whatso-
ever caused by Contractor's acts of negligence or malpractice
in its cloud seeding operations.
8. Contractor agrees to be bound by the laws of the State
of California and the Federal Government particularly with respect
to cloud nucleation operations, and that prior to commencing the
operation under the contract for the District, the Contractor
shall have in force all necessary licenses and permits from the
State of California so to operate.
(3)
9. This contract may be cancelled by the District upon
five days written notice, sent by mail to the principal office
of the Contractor, upon the occurrence of any one of the
following contingencies:
(a) The issuance by any court of competent
jurisdiction of any temporary or permanent
injunction against all or any part of the
cloud nucleation operations undertaken by
Contractor under this contract, whether the
District is a part to said legal proceedings
or not. It is understood that the issuance
of any temporary restraining order, or any
temporary injunction limited by its terms to
a period of less than twenty (20) days in
duration, shall not constitute a basis for
cancellation under this paragraph.
(b) The passage of any overriding legislation by
the State of California which shall outlaw,
limit, void or alter in any substantial
respect, any provisions of this contract, or
shall make unlawful or improper in any sub-
stantial respects, any of the operations of
the Contractor under this contract.
In the event of cancellation by the District under or pursuant
to th~ terms of this paragraph, all monies already paid to the
Contractor by District shall be retained by the Contractor as
compensation for service already performed and in addition
thereto District shall pay to the Contractor the payment due
on the first of the month following the month in which such
cancellation is made. If the District requests an evaluation
report on the cloud seeding operations for that season up to
the time of such cancellation, Contractor will furnish such
report.
10. In the event th'e District decides that additional
precipitation is not desired for any portion of the operational
period, the District may suspend cloud seeding operations for
any specified portion of such operational period by providing
three days notice to the Contractor. In the event the District
suspends operations under this paragraph, Contractor will reim-
burse the District in the amount of $110 for each day of such
suspension.
11. District agrees to pay to the Contractor for the
services rendered, as outlined in this contract, the total sum
for the operational period of
in payments as set forth below. It is
understood and agreed that this sum includes the total fees for
(4)
all aircraft flights and evaluation ~eports as well as all
normal operating expenses of the' program, except as provided
at paragraph 6 above.
12. Schedule of Payments.
MONTH - 1981-82
October 1, 1981
November 1, 1981
December 1, 1981
January 1, 1982
February 1, 1982
March 1, 1982
April 1, 1982
May 1, 1982
TOTAL
13. Any notice to be given hereunder may be served per-
$onally or by depositing the same in the United States mail,
postate prepaid, and addressed to the party being notified at
its add~ess as set forth below, or at such other address as may
be hereafter designated in writing. If served by mail, service
shall be conclusively deemed to have been made upon deposit in
the United States mail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have exeucted this
contract in duplicate the day and year. first hereinabove written.
Address' NORTH KERN WATER STORAGE DISTRICT
1415 18th Street, Suite 705 By
Bakersfield, California 93301
President
By
(SEAL) Secretary
(s)
Address' ATMOSPHERICS INCORPORATED
5652 E. Bayton Avenue By
Fresno, Californ±a 95727 President
By
Secretary
(SEAL)
(6)
MEMORANDUM
Kern County Water Agency
TO: Board of Directors Ref. File: #220-F
Attention: CONTRACT COMMITTEE
FROM: George W. Nickel, Jr.
DATE: October 12, 1981
SUBJECT: SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FORe. MAKING AVAILABLE AN
EMERGENCY SUPPLY OF WATER IN 1982 AND FOLLOWING
YEARS FOR AGENCY MEMBER UNITS
Because of the problems at San Luis Reservoir, we have particular
concern regarding Aqueduct water supply in 1982. I want to
compliment the Agency for taking steps to create a useable
supplemental water supply in the summer months of 1982. I, of
course, make reference to the Interim agreement worked out
between the Agency and the City for spreading for later recovery
presently available surplus Aqueduct water on the City's 2800
acre spreading area. This is the start of a program that should
be workable, not only in 1982, but in following years. To move
this program along, it is of course elementary that steps should
now be taken to set up a recovery program that will make
supplemental water available to Agency Member Units in the
summer of 1982. As all or most of you know, I have been working
very closely with the City on spreading and recovery programs;
consequently, I think I am in a position to offer some suggestions
that will work for the benefit of all concerned. As a point
of beginning, I would l~ke to set forth some basic concepts that
might be addressed at this time.
1. The City has a long term contractural agreement with the
Olcese Water District and the Buena Vista Water Storage District
that brings about a water supply for the Rio Bravo Annexation to
the City. This involves the spreading and recovery of City, Olcese
~nd Buena Vista water. I think it can ~e properly concluded that
a~y City-Agency program wil! recognize and give priority to the
existing Agreements between the City, Olcese and Buena Vista.
2. If there should be a truly critical water supply problem
on the Aqueduct in the summer of 1982, I think it follows that
permanent crops should, ~f possible, have some sort of a priority
position in being-able to obtain an emergency supply of supplemental
water. ~ recognize that this may not be feasible; however,
believe that it is a subject that should be given consideration.
It may be that the unit price of recovered water will be sufficiently
high to make it primarily feasible for permanent crops.
3. For discussion and evaluation purposes, I am going to
make the assumption that the Agency will be able to utilize the
Cross Valley Canal to spread some 60,0~00~ acre feet o~ water that
will be recoverable in the critical summer months of 1982. To
~ ~'Memo - Page 2.
spread this amount of water, there will be a requirement for
construction of spreading works in the City's 2800 acre area.
Such spreading works should logically be constructed by the
Agency to be a p~rt of the Cityls spreading facilities designed
by the engineering firm of Ricks, Taylor and Meyer. This will
insure that the spreading works will have a continuing long range
value.
4. Having been directly involved in very recent installation
of a well in the City's spreading area, I think that I can state
with some accuracy that wells can be installed generally in the
area that will produce in the range of 3,000 gallons per minute at a
total lift of approximately 150 feet. The cost of such wells
should run in the range of $75,000.00 per well. If we make the
further assumption that 60,000 acre feet will need to be
recovered in a critical four (4) month period in the summer of
t982 at the rate of 15,000 acre feet per month, a total of 40 wells
would likely be required. At $75,000.00 per installation, we
are looking at an investment of $3,000,000.00. I would suspect
that there are permanent crop owners who would be willing to
put up this kind of investment to be assured of a water supply
in the critical months of 1982. Using the figures quoted above,
it would appear that the investment in the 40 wells would be the
equivalent of paying $50 per acre foot. There would, of course,
be the additional cost of operating the wells, purchase of the
Aqueduct water, conveyance through the Cross Valley Canal,
spreading costs and extraction charge to the City and whatever
conveyance charges there might be in use of the River Canal, the
Alejandro Canal and whatever delivery facility will be needed
to put water into the Aqueduct. The assumption is, of course,
made that the State will regulate the water in the Aqueduct. It
would appear that overall initial cost will be in the range of
$100.00 per acre foot, about half of which would be the well
installation cost that should logically be recoverable over a
period of time.
5. In an emergency situation, such as that which we may
be facing in 1982, I think that other entities-that are concerned
with the City's spreading area and the lands adjacent there to,
will agree to a full recovery of whatever water is actually spread
by the Agency to cope with this emergency situation; however,
looking beyond 1982, there would seem to be equity in a program
wherein the Agency would be restricted to a take of no more than
50% of its underground water bank account in the City's 2800 acres
in any given calendar year. Also, it may be proper for the Agency
to stipulate that if there should ever be a successful legal-
challenge to recovery of all of the bank account water in the
City's 2800 acres, that the Agency's bank account should be.charged
with whatever reduction in bank account water recovery might be
required. This type of stipulation would better insure that the
Memo Z'Pa~°e 3.
Agency program will not work to the detriment of the City, Olcese
and Buena Vista.
I suggest for your consideration that all of the Agency's Member
Units should be contacted to determine how much interest there
is in an emergency water supply in 1982 at $100 per acre foot.~
I don't think that it will be real~istic to offer firm emergency
water for less than that amount per acre foot. Because the price
is high, I speculate that it will be primarily permanent crop
owners who may be willing to make such a commitment. I would
further suggest that to the extent that money received would go
into wells, pumps and pipelines, that such investment on the part
of participating units should be recoverable on some formula related
to use in future years. There may be other ways to approach this
overall program. If there are, I am sure that you will want to
address yourself to them. Nevertheless, as a point of beginning,
I restate my recommendation that all Member Units should be
contacted to see if commitments will be available for a firm supply
of emergency water at turnouts on the Aqueduct at $100 per acre
foot. Lead time is absolutely essential, if anything like 40
wells are to be drilled and installed with pumps before the critical
summer months of 1982. Incidentally, I recognize that the State
must agree to utilization of the Aqueduct to ~regulate this well
water. Although Ron Robie has not indicated ~ull cooperation,
I personally am confident that a program can be worked out with
the State not only on an emergency basis, but on a long term basis.
I would welcome the opportunity to participate with Agency
personnel and directors in further contact with Ron Robie on this
subject.
GWN: rj p