Conjunctive Use Plan for the San Lorenzo River Watershed

Conjunctive Use Plan for the San Lorenzo River Watershed

The Conjunctive Use Plan is intended to optimize the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater sources to improve aquatic habitat and water supply reliability within the San Lorenzo River watershed. The plan includes four selected conjunctive use scenarios, three of which are discussed in the initial study, the fourth scenario will be subject to future CEQA review prior to approval. Implementation of the selected scenarios would allow more flexibility to divert surface flows during the winter and spring (peak flow season) and/or provide in-lieu groundwater recharge to improve surface flows during the summer (low flow season). The three scenarios discussed in the initial study are described below: - SLRBT Low-Flow Requirements Modification Scenario: Under the SLRBT Low-Flow Requirements Modification Scenario, Fall Creek bypass flows would continue to comply with the current permit requirements, but SLVWD would seek a water right permit modification to relieve it of the SLRBT low-flow requirements that at times can prohibit all diversions for the Felton System. No new infrastructure would be required under this scenario. -North System Diversions Scenario: Under the North System Diversions Scenario, SLVWD would export unused potential diversions from the North System to the South System as a substitute for pumping groundwater from the Pasatiempo groundwater wells. No new infrastructure would be required under this scenario. Infrastructure currently used for emergencies only, such as Pipeline Interties #3 and #4, would be used for regular operation. - Under the Loch Lomond Scenario, the South System would import an average of 245 AFY from Loch Lomond Reservoir, ranging between 120 and 290 AFY. The South System’s use of Loch Lomond Reservoir water would result in a simulated 67 percent reduction in groundwater pumping from the Pasatiempo wells. Unlike the SLRBT Low-Flow Requirements Modification Scenario and the North System Diversions Scenario, this scenario would require the installation of new infrastructure.

Felton

Santa Cruz

Northern California, Unincorporated

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 5 (DOT), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Coast Region 3 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Toxic Substances Control, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Divison of Financial Assistance, California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Delta Region 3 (CDFW)

California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Delta Region 3 (CDFW)

Water Facilities (Raw water pipeline and Water treatment plant upgrades )(Type Pipeline, MGD .22)

Conjunctive Use Plan

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire