CENTRAL SACRAMENTO COUNTY GROUNDWATER FORUM CSCGF

1. CENTRAL �SACRAMENTO COUNTY�GROUNDWATER FORUM(CSCGF) LAR Science Conference Presented by Larry Norton April 22, 2005

2. CSCGF Cooperation between the Water Forum and DWR�s ISI Program Role of the Center for Collaborative Policy Current conditions in the Central Area Stakeholder assessment Results of the assessment and recommendations concerning the collaborative process Organizing the Groundwater Forum Mission and goal statement Progress to date Challenges ahead

3. CSCGF Cooperation between the Water Forum and DWR�s ISI Program Water Forum Agreement: Groundwater Element �� North Area ? SNAGMA / SGA �� Other areas ? Discussions involving all parties interested in the negotiation of groundwater management arrangements will continue.

4. CSCGF Cooperation between the Water Forum and DWR�s ISI Program DWR: Integrated Storage Investigations Program� Increase water reliability statewide through planned coordinated management and use of groundwater and surface water resources.� Emphasis on forming partnerships with local agencies and stakeholders to share data and costs of planning and developing locally controlled and managed conjunctive water management projects.

5. CSCGF Cooperation between the Water Forum and DWR�s ISI Program Memorandum of Understanding Identify and convene stakeholders representing all segments of the community in the Central Area that have an interest in developing a groundwater management plan. Conduct an education effort among stakeholders to establish a common understanding of current conditions in the groundwater basin. Negotiate a groundwater management program, including identification of basin management objectives and some form of governance, if appropriate.

6. Role of the Center for Collaborative Policy (CCP) Joint venture between CSUS and McGeorge School of Law of the University of the Pacific Enable public agencies and stakeholders groups to use collaborative problems solving techniques to develop innovative solutions to complex public policy issues. Provided facilitation and mediation services during the six-year process that led to the Water Forum Agreement.

7. Role of the Center for Collaborative Policy Five stage model in consensus-building: Planning and assessment Organization Education Negotiation / resolution Implementation

8. Role of the Center for Collaborative Policy Interest-based negotiation: Look beyond positions to underlying interests Brainstorm potential solutions without judgment,commitments or decisions Know your and other�s B.A.T.N.A. Package agreements and move in an orderly way toward closure

9. Current Conditions in the Central Area

10. Current Conditions in the Central Area Area currently served by 11 organized purveyors Sacramento County Water Agency�s �Zone 40�: Funded by fees collected at the time of development and by utility charges. Construct major water supply facilities in urbanized and urbanizing areas. Infrastructure to deliver water in much of the area not yet in place. Large portion of area not served by any organized purveyor: more than 6000 agricultural / residential groundwater users

11. CSCGF Current Conditions in the Central Area Significant population growth, much of it in the Central Area: agricultural land being converted to residential use Groundwater contamination is a serious concern: three Superfund sites and other source localized contaminant areas Agencies and organizations with an interest in the Central Area groundwater basin already involved in litigation related to issues / concerns

12. CSCGF Stakeholder Assessment � Purpose� Determine whether the conditions favorable to an interest-based collaborative process are present Identify specific concerns of potential participants to understand scope of problems and range of issues to be addressed� Methodology Interviews (100 face-to-face interviews ranging in length form forty five minutes to two hours) Review of background materials (Sac. County Groundwater Model, SCWA Zone 40 Master Plan, Water Forum Agreement, etc.)

13. CSCGF Results of Assessment and Recommendations Concerning Process Stakeholders identified more than 30 items of concern. Six most frequently mentioned: Potential over-drafting of the aquifer / declining water table Water quality / groundwater contamination Impacts of development Cost of solving the problem Equitable sharing of those costs Lack of public awareness of any groundwater problems or concerns

14. CSCGF Results of Assessment and Recommendations Concerning Process Areas of consensus among stakeholders: Health and viability of the groundwater basin should be protected for current and future users It will cost money to do so These costs should be shared equitably by all segments of the community No single agency or jurisdiction can assure protection of the basin: regional effort is needed.

15. CSCGF Results of Assessment and Recommendations Concerning Process 1.��� Initiate a collaborative process to be known as the Central Sacramento County Groundwater Forum. � 2.��� Interest groups that must be �at the table� include Agriculture Agricultural / residential groundwater users Business Environmental / community organizations Local governments / public agencies Water purveyors � 3.��� Each interest group to have 5 representatives. � 4.��� Education Phase --- critical to the process.

16. CSCGF Mission and Goal Statements Mission: Through a collaborative process, develop recommendations designed to protect the health and viability of the central Sacramento County groundwater as a sustainable resource for both current users and future generations. � Goal: The Groundwater Forum shall work collaboratively to develop recommendations with regard to groundwater management which effectively address the interests of stakeholders. These recommendations shall be forwarded to the Water Forum for review and approval and implementation by appropriate entities.

17. CSCGF Progress to Date � To date, the Groundwater Forum has: Adopted mission and goal statement, guiding principles and ground rules � Approved guidelines on dealing with current / potential litigation involving Forum participants� Conducted a comprehensive education program exploring basics concepts in groundwater management and specific details relating to the Central Area of the basin

18. CSCGF Progress to Date Formulated Issues and Interest Statements for each of the six interest groups represented in the Forum Reviewed and discussed the issues and interests for each of these interest groups Negotiated 29 Agreements-in-Principle that provide the framework for further discussions Secured the approval of all stakeholder organizations for these Agreements-in-Principle

19. CSCGF Progress to Date Reviewed and discussed four �trial balloons� --- i.e., potential scenarios addressing groundwater concerns in the Central Area of the basin Created a Groundwater Management Plan (GMP) Task Force, composed of stakeholder representatives, to draft a comprehensive GMP for the entire Central Area of the basin Facilitated a Memorandum of Agreement by The Nature Conservancy, the Southeast Sacramento County Agricultural Water Authority and the Sacramento County Water Agency for the management of water and environmental resources associated with the Lower Cosumnes River

20. CSCGF Challenges Ahead Reaching consensus on a groundwater management plan that will include a governance structure that provides adequate protection for the interests of each of the stakeholder groups at the table. Deciding how costs associated with groundwater management will be paid. Safeguarding the process so that it will not be drawn off course by issues or events outside its control.