The Semitropic Water Storage District board of directors held its Wednesday, March 9, 2022 meeting at its Wasco headquarters and on the non-Zoom GoToMeeting. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dan Waterhouse at 12:34 pm. Things started with a flag salute. General Manager Jason Gianquinto asked we all took a moment to reflect on the fact today is Will Boschman’s 83rd birthday. Happy birthday Will. For those of you who don’t know Boschman, he is one of the kindest and wisest men in the water world or maybe in the entire world.
The Meeting
One of the first things discussed was whether or not to continue offering online participation next month. I stated in public comment how pleased I am Semitropic has opted to provide online viewing, especially with gas more than $5/gallon in way too many locations. It didn’t sound like they were sure if this would be advisable after the relaxed Brown Act period ushered in by the Sino Cooties expires. Gianquinto expressed a concern of a possible hitch in the get along should the district’s online equipment malfunction. He also said there is legislation pending in Sacramento that could make it possible for a district to provide online access without strings attached.
There was no change in the agenda, the minutes were approved and CFO Bobby Salinas gave the financial statement and the board approved as well as voted to pay the bills.
Action Items
Semitropic engineer Isela Medina gave the board an update on the cost of power. She said SWSD has been on a legacy plan with PG&E but the times and rates have changed. For much of the district’s pumpers it will now cost more, but significantly lower if they are going through the district instead of the utility. The cost of electricity is going up like everything else. The in-canal rate will be $5.88 per a/f and the deep well rate will be $122.98 per a/f. The board approved the rates.
Next Medina said staff is asking for up to $75,000 for well equipment for the pump back project. She said with supply chain interruptions it would be good to get the process started now. Gianquinto added the costs are moving and it’s hard to lock anything in until an offer is agreed upon. The board understood and approved the funds.
There is a project near the Shafter Wasco Irrigation District that would become a real boost to the system. It would allow for transfers between the district, the wells in the area are clean and it could serve property not currently receiving surface water. A bid was put out
and WM Lyles came in with the winning bid for about $15 million. Some grants might pop up that could shave the cost another $2 million or so. Related issues and items include GEI engineering getting construction management service, Booher Consultants for enviro compliance and Alliance Appraisal Group for help securing acquisition of easements. Gianquinto said all the landowners impacted have been happy to cooperate in the project.
One of the directors said there will be another 3,000 acres brought in to benefit from the system. He said anyone not wanting to sign up to receive water would be committing a foolish act. Gianquinto said this area (they call it the Leonard Project) has not had surface water available before. He said the repairs taking place on the Friant Kern Canal could be very helpful as the intertie with SWID could bring San Joaquin River water in the wet years. The board approved.
Evapotranspiration
A review of the ET data gathered and authorization of issuing landowner statements for basin sustainability charges and credits was next. Gianquinto said this is the last year this
will take place. The types of crops and how much water is being used was presented. About 2.81 a/f per acre is being used on the land being farmed. This is going to result in a stored water credit of $350 a/f to landowners. Gianquinto laid out a lot of other data that was difficult to follow but since this is the last year this program will be conducted the idea is to keep it at the pervious $350. By the way this program was implemented before there were any GSAs formed so it’s been around for a while.
SGMA
The Semitropic GSA report was next and Gianquinto talked about the DWR comments on the GSP and it was declared incomplete. The Semitropic part of the GSP sounds like an
easy one, the monitoring wells’ map needs a better legend and a couple of more details to help in data gathering. Not so bad. DWR asked about the impact to beneficial users and the users are all the wells: ag, domestic and wetlands in the area. DWR would like to see a corrective management plan for each of these areas should there be a pumping event. GEI engineer Larry Rodriguez said there are ways to make these modification and he doesn’t see it being too heavy a lift to work up an improved methodology if I understood. Gianquinto told Rodriguez he’d like to get Semitropic’s portion of the GSP revised by the end of April. Waterhouse is also the chair of the Kern Groundwater Authority GSA and he concurred that’s a reasonable deadline to make room for the entire subbasin’s GSP.
Consultant Reports
Next Waterhouse invited the representative from WM Lyles to give his update. He usually says he’ll be brief and isn’t. But he didn’t say that today was quick. He started talking
about the water treatment plant and the chemicals used to help remove arsenic from groundwater. He said there has been little maintenance required. There is also a solar farm permit issued for Semitropic. Finally Maricopa Orchards has problems with a turnout. Lyles is meeting Maricopa for design work. Good for them.
Rodriguez gave the GEI update saying the Prop 218 engineering work before the election is being evaluated and moving along. GEI has been reviewing plans being submitted by Rail Builders and the annual SGMA update will be ready on deadline.
Dean Florez gave the legislative update saying there are bills out there with implications for Semitropic. He’s meeting with State Senator Anthony Portantino to see about getting some help changing the more draconian parts. He recommended the legislative committee meet next week to develop support or opposition positions. Governor Gav gave the state of the state last night. Gav wanted the legislature to reduce gas taxes and he got a lot of push back until the past week or so. Now they might be willing to reduce some of the
onerous taxes that have helped cause the problems this state is living in. Florez said they may downsize some of the drought relief funding. Didn’t think the majority in Sacramento was going to take a real cut did you? Florez has been in touch with folks at the capital and told them water needs regulatory relief. He said notice has been taken in Sacramento about the unstoppable force verses the immovable object of Vidovich’s pipeline meets Boswell’s canal. Florez listed a lot of tours of elected officials and staff coming up next month. He said Sacramento is starting to repopulate again and things are returning a little bit towards normal. A double edged sword is ever there was.
Waterhouse asked Florez about the legislative proposals made by the Planning and Conservation League to change to water rights and Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill to reformulate the State Water Resources Out of Control Board. Florez said he’s keeping an eye out on the PCL proposals but not to hold your breath over the State Board bill. He did say it’s got the enviros frothing and spinning.
That Son of Texas Greg Allen gave the Red Trac report saying the data from electricity, latices and water flow is coming in smoothly now. He said they’ve had to wait for some equipment parts from China but things are moving along better and much smoother. He expects to have the complete package together right on time.
Information and Updates
Gianquinto reminded the board Semitropic agreed to fund science studies in the Delta Habitat & Conservation Conveyance Plan and it’s time to renew this commitment for two more years. He said so far there have been no cost overruns or unexpected increases. He’ll have a figure at the next board meeting.
Gianquinto said there is no word on the Kings River hearings that took place last June at the State Board. There is now a Kern River Water Collaborative working on groundwater quality. He said the KGA is setting a meeting with DWR to get an opinion on the revisions to the GSP.
Medina reported the Cox Canal project is now up and running. The Semitropic Solar Project had its on-switch flicked and is now producing power and just in time to deal with rising energy costs. She said staff has made an inventory of the district’s power assets and has a much better understanding or its energy budget.
Gianquinto said a program for government agencies has run out of new pickups. It’s hard to find vehicles at this point of our history.
Closed Session
At 2:01pm the meeting adjourned to go into Closed Session for 13-items. And that was that.
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SEMITROPIC WATER STORAGE DISTRICT
1101 Central Avenue, Wasco, CA 93280-0877 • 661-758-5113 • mail@semitropic.com
Board: Dan Waterhouse – President, Rick Wegis – Vice President, Tom Toretta – Treasurer, Todd Tracy – Secretary, Philip W. Portwood, Jeff Fabbri, Tim Thomson
Staff: Jason Gianquinto-General Manager, Bobby Salinas–District Controller, Isela Medina–District Engineer, Executive Secretary-Marsha Payne, Consultant-Will Boschman, Superintendent-John Lynch & Attorney
About: Semitropic Water Storage District is one of eight water storage districts in California and is the largest in Kern County. The District delivers water to nearly 300 customers for the irrigation of approximately 140,000 acres for agricultural uses. Semitropic also supplies energy to a variety of users and provides groundwater banking and storage services. Established in 1958, Semitropic Water Storage District covers an area of more than 220,000 acres. It began as an irrigation district for the purpose of securing State Water Project supplies to reduce groundwater overdraft. From www.semitropic.com
