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RESOLUTION APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF A SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT GRANT APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution approving submittal of a grant application to the Department of Water Resources for the 2021 Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program.
It is also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to take appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is coordinating the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program. The intent of this grant program is to improve groundwater supply and quality by funding the development and implementation of projects adopted under Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP).
The City of Stockton is one of the 16-member Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) that make up the Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Authority (GWA). The GWA has an adopted GSP with projects that are eligible for SGM Grant Program funds. The GWA grant application will support projects from North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, San Joaquin County and City of Stockton. Each of the project proponents is required to adopt resolutions as Local Project Sponsors to be included with the grant application. If approved by DWR, grant funding will be used to complete geotechnical investigations for the Delta Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Recharge Improvements Project that is currently under development.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the submission of an $800,000 grant application, as part of the GWA combined grant application, to the DWR for the 2021 SGM Grant Program.
DISCUSSION
Background
In 2014, California enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Subbasin (ESJ Subbasin) has been designated by the DWR as a high-priority basin and in a state of critical overdraft. The GWA is a joint powers authority comprised of 16 member GSAs, duly established in accordance with the SGMA, to adopt and submit a GSP to the DWR.
The DWR is coordinating the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program pursuant to the CA Budget Act of 2021 & Proposition 68, known as the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for all Act of 2018 (Proposition 68). Proposition 68 authorizes the Legislature to appropriate a total of at least $120 million for drought and groundwater investments to achieve regional sustainability through investments in groundwater recharge with surface water, stormwater, recycled water, and other conjunctive use projects, and projects to prevent or clean up contamination of groundwater that serves as a source of drinking water. (Pub. Resource Code, § 80000 et seq.) (Stats. 2021, ch. 240, § 80).
Present Situation
The Eastern San Joaquin Subbasin has been designated by DWR as a Critically Over-drafted Basin, and the GWA is eligible to submit a grant application and accompanying spending plan on behalf of the ESJ Subbasin GSAs.
Following DWR grant application acceptance, the GWA will be eligible for a minimum grant award of $3.9 million, and an additional $3.7 million for tasks and activities that include (1) geophysical investigation(s) of groundwater basins to identify recharge potential, (2) early implementation of existing regional flood management plans that incorporate groundwater recharge, and (3) projects that would complement efforts of a local GSP that provide floodplain expansion to benefit groundwater recharge or habitat.
Consistent with the grant program guidelines and solicitation package, the GWA conducted a call for projects from the GSAs and completed a competitive process to evaluate and rank projects to be submitted to the DWR for funding. The projects that were supported by the GWA Board included projects from North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, San Joaquin County and City of Stockton. Each of the project proponents is required to adopt resolutions as Local Project Sponsors to be included along with the grant application package. If approved by DWR, grant funding will be used to complete geotechnical investigations for the Delta Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Recharge Improvements Project that is currently under development.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution to approve the submission of an $800,000 grant application, as part of the GWA combined grant application package, to the DWR for the 2021 SGM Grant Program.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Financial participation in the GWA activities will be reviewed and approved during the annual Municipal Utilities Department budgeting process.
If the City participates in future grant applications, under the GWA MOU, the total cost of the application preparation will be shared by those entities with projects included in the grant applications, if needed. If an entity does not provide a project for a grant application, that entity is not responsible for providing funding for that grant application.
There is no impact to the General Fund, or any other unrestricted fund, from this action.