HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS ltr to T Bettner - Groundwater Supplemental Supply Project � .....,`,c o
BILL GONNELLY
4uA F VI First District
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Administration Center LARRY WVAHL
* *r 25 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 200-OROV6LLE,CALIFORNIA,95965 Second District
Telephone:(530)536-7631
MAU'REEN KIRK
+ ......9p� Third District
STEVE LAMBERT
Fourth District
July 30, 2015
DOUG TEETER
Fifth District
Thaddeus L. Bettner, General Manager
Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District
P.O. Box 150
Willows, CA 95958
Re: Groundwater Supplemental Supply Project
Dear Mr. Bettner,.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report(DEIR) for the
Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District's (District) Proposed Groundwater Supplemental Supply Project
(Project). It is our understanding from the DEIR that this project will allow the installation of five
new groundwater production wells to be used in conjunction with the five existing wells currently
owned by the District to supplement the District's surface water supplies during dry and criticallly
dry years.
Table ES-1 provides a summary of impacts and mitigation measures for the Project and Section 3.1,
Impact R-2, discusses the potential for the depletion of aquifer volume or lowering of local
groundwater levels such that the yield of existing wells is substantially reduced, rendering the
existing wells incapable of supporting their existing land use. The DEIR lists this as a significant
impact and discusses the implementation of a groundwater level monitoring program as mitigation
to reduce this type of impact. In light of the Project's proximity to the northwestern border of our
county, the County of Butte feels that the mitigation measure to reduce impacts is insufficient to
protect our residents. We assert that the goal of the District should be to eliminate the lowering of
groundwater levels within Butte County associated with the Project and the mitigation should
appropriately address it.
Another impact discussed in Table ES-1 is related to the potential for land subsidence. Impact WR-4
states that the project could result in substantial, permanent land subsidence that would adversely
affect critical infrastructure such as wells or levees. Once again, the District's approach to
mitigation for land subsidence associatedwith the project would be the creation of a monitoring
program to evaluate and assess potential changes in groundwater levels that may result in land
subsidence. Since land subsidence has the potential to permanently alter the landscape and
destroy valuable infrastructure, the County of Butte believes that the mitigation proposed is
insufficient to protect our residents. We believe that the potential for land subsidence should be
carefully studied prior to the development of new production wells that could exacerbate the
situation.
Finally, the County is concerned about the use of these wells for other purposes, such as a future
groundwater substitution water transfer, which would move groundwater outside of the region.
We have an ordinance requiring a permit for this type of water transfer from within Butte County
and oppose the concept of transferring local groundwater to meet statewide water demands.
Once these wells are developed, we are concerned that the District would use them for this
purpose. In light of their proximity to our border, this type of water transfer could potentially cause
or increase negative impacts to the residents of Butte County, such as those discussed above.
The project description states that the new wells will be used to increase system reflability and
flexibility;to protect and maintain agricultural production in times of water shortage;to periodically
reduce Sacramento River diversions to benefit migrating fish; and to offset reductions to the
D:istrict's,Settlement Contract diversions during drought years. Any other use of these wells is
strongly opposed by Butte County.
In conclusion,the Butte County Board of Supervisors is concerned about the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation
District Groundwater Supplemental Supply Project due to its potential to lower groundwater levels
and./or cause permanent land subsidence within Butte County,which would have a negative impact
on the residents of Butte County. In addition, the County of Butte is apprehensive about the
incorporation of these groundwater wells into a future groundwater substitution transfer program,
which we believe sets a precedent for other areas of the state to the detriment of our local
economy.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the DEIR for the District's Proposed
Groundwater Supplemental Supply Project. Any questions associated with these comments should
be addressed to Paul Gosselin, Director of Water and Resource Conservation at(S30) 538-3804 or
ossglip 2butte county.net,
Sincerel
Doug Teeter, Chair
Butte County, Board of Supervisors
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