Bureau of ReclamationBureau of ReclamationMid-Pacific RegionMid-Pacific Region
Regional Criteria for Regional Criteria for Evaluating Water Evaluating Water
Management Plans for the Management Plans for the Sacramento River Sacramento River
ContractorsContractors
Water Conservation LawsWater Conservation Laws
Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (RRA)
Central Valley Project Improvement Act of 1992 (CVPIA)
RRA RequirementsRRA Requirements
●Each Contractors shall develop a Water Conservation Plan (Plan)
●Each Plan shall contain:• Definite goals• Water conservation measures• Time schedule for meeting objectives
CVPIA RequirementsCVPIA Requirements
The Secretary shall:• Develop criteria to evaluate Plans
which:– Include EWMPs identified for Ag Water
Suppliers (State) or– Provides for reasonable alternatives
Standard CriteriaStandard Criteria
Developed Standard Criteria in 1993 Revised every 3 years (1996, 1999, 2002) 2002 Criteria:
• Provides Contractors the option of pooling resources and implementing joint programs
• Provided alternatives, i.e. Quantifiable Objectives
Administrative ProposalAdministrative Proposal
1995 – Interior invited the public to comment on CVPIA implementation
1997 – Final CVPIA Administrative Proposal on Water Conservation – Recommended development of Regional
Criteria for the Sacramento Valley as an experimental first step
– Measurement – Resolve by collecting additional info within Districts
Regional Criteria – How did we Regional Criteria – How did we get here?get here?Initiated Public Scoping in 1997
• 15 Stakeholders interviewed in August 1997• Public Workshops held – October 1 and 28,
1997• Comments received from the public
Sacramento Valley Regional Criteria Sacramento Valley Regional Criteria
First workshop resulted in three alternatives • Regional BMP • Needs analysis with negotiated
efficiency• Objectives driven (QOs)
Second workshop• Selected QO approach and explored
potential QOs
Sacramento Valley Regional CriteriaSacramento Valley Regional Criteria
Drafted Regional Criteria Unresolved issues included:
• Undefined QOs
• Water measurement approach
Development of Regional Criteria Development of Regional Criteria – Restarted Process: 2002– Restarted Process: 2002
Utilized defined QO methodology defined by CALFED
Measurement Study proposal from the Sac River Contractors
Quantifiable ObjectivesQuantifiable Objectives
Specific to Ag projectsIdentify improvements on a
Watershed Basis (Targeted Benefits)• Demand Reduction (Reduction in ET)• Water Quality (Reduction in NPS
Pollution)• Environmental (Improved Stream Flows)
Quantifiable ObjectivesQuantifiable Objectives
Quantify the change that will be required for the improvement• Allow early spring flow event of approximately
8,000-10,000 cfs in dry years• Reduce in ET by 5 percent• Reduce Nitrates in River to 10ppm
Establish practices that will lead to all or a portion of the improvement.
Multiple Benefits of Multiple Benefits of Rerouted FlowsRerouted Flows
ET
Irrecoverable Loss
Recoverable Loss
River
Reduce rerouted flow: no supply gain, but increases stream flow and improves quality
Rerouted Flow
Targeted Benefits: Categories Targeted Benefits: Categories by Regionby Region
Region
Sacramento Valley a a a a a a aDelta & Tributary a a a a a a a a a a aWest Side SJ Valley a a a a a a a a a
East Side SJ Valley a a a a a a a aSouthern SJ Valley a a a a a a a a
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Linking Benefits to Sub-RegionsLinking Benefits to Sub-Regions
Want to use incentives to motivate locals to
address these benefits
21 Sub-Regions
Analyze QOs
For
Non–Applicability
List
Non–Applicable
Prioritize
Applicable QOs
Develop Proposed QO/Year 1
Develop Proposed QO/Year 2
Develop Proposed QO/Year 3
Develop Proposed QO/Year 4
Develop Proposed QO/Year 5
Identify Actions
Identify Actions
Identify Actions
Identify Actions
Identify Actions
Quantifiable ObjectivesQuantifiable Objectives
Currently developed – 33 QOsContractors to:
• Assess QOs for non-applicability• Develop six potential QOs per year• Develop implementation plan for each QO
–Include specific actions and analysis for local/overall benefits and costs
Analyze QOs for Non-ApplicabilityAnalyze QOs for Non-Applicability
QOs currently being implemented through other Regional activities
CALFED Science Program has determined the QO and/or related TB are no longer warranted
Participating Contractors are not able to affect related TB
Prioritize QOs for Analysis & Prioritize QOs for Analysis & QuantificationQuantification
Information in the Annual Update to include:• Preliminary prioritization of proposed QOs
based on specific considerations• Annual analyze 1/5th of proposed QOs for
implementation (one for each sub-region)• Progress tracked in the Annual Update
(actions and funding efforts)
Potential MeasuresPotential Measures
Consider• Improved grower education• Implementation of appropriate Pricing
and Measurement
Regional Measurement ProgramRegional Measurement Program
Contractor to measure volume of water delivered to each customer, and
Implement procedures providing incentives for improved water management,
or
Regional Measurement ProgramRegional Measurement Program
Initiate implementation of a mutually acceptable measurement program within 3 years of contract renewal
Full implementation within 5 years thereof Based on results from field studies Shall be at lease as effective as the
measurement provision in the Standard Criteria
Monitoring ProgramMonitoring Program
Document existing conditions for flows and water quality constituents for selected QOs • Update these conditions annually
Monitoring Program to include:• Specific monitoring for each objective• Schedule, budget, and responsibility for
monitoring• Annual Reporting requirements
Regional Criteria – Pilot StudyRegional Criteria – Pilot Study
These Regional Criteria are a pilot study
If not found to be as effective, will revert to the current Standard Criteria