Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program. Report to the Nevada Legislature December 2016

Transcription

1 Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program Report to the Nevada Legislature December 2016

2 Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program Summary Report of Activities I. Executive Summary...3 II. Advisory Committee...5 Administrative Meetings...6 III. Annual Public Workshops...6 IV. Programs...6 Well Conversion Grant Program...6 Well Plugging and Abandonment...7 Conservation Programs...7 Sub-meter Assistance Program...8 Permanent Recharge...8 Public Outreach...9 Groundwater Guardian...9 Groundwater Management Fee...9 Program Revenues and Expenses...10 V. Plans for Calendar Year VI. Appendices...11 Appendix A Summaries of Administrative Meetings and Public Workshops Appendix B Groundwater Update Newsletters Appendix C Statements of Revenues and Expenses Appendix D 2017 Tentative Budget Summary Report Page 1

3 This page intentionally left blank Summary Report Page 2

4 Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program Summary Report I. Executive Summary In 1997, the 69 th Nevada Legislature directed the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to establish a groundwater management program for the Las Vegas hydrographic basin. To provide oversight for the program and recommendations to the SNWA Board of Directors, the Legislature also created the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management. This standing committee consists of seven individuals who represent various types of groundwater users in the Las Vegas Valley and two individuals who represent the Nevada Division of Water Resources and Division of Environmental Protection, respectively. The Legislature also authorized the SNWA Board of Directors to impose on municipal water right holders a $10 annual fee per domestic well or per acre-foot of permitted water right to support the activities of a groundwater management program. This fee was implemented in In 1999, the 70 th Nevada Legislature amended the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program to allow the SNWA to establish a permanent artificial recharge program to benefit well users in the Las Vegas Valley; provide financial assistance to well owners who are required to connect to municipal water supplies; and increase the annual fee from $10 to $13 per domestic well or per acre-foot of permitted water right. The Legislature also authorized an increase of the fee to $30 if the SNWA operates an artificial recharge program. Currently, the SNWA is not operating an artificial recharge program. On November 18, 1999, the SNWA Board authorized the imposition of the fee for all well owners in the Las Vegas Valley. Funds collected from the fee have paid for permanent artificial recharge activities, public education, water conservation programs, water quality efforts, a plugging and abandonment program, and a financial assistance program for well owners to connect to a municipal system. Over the last several years, public interest in program sponsored workshops and Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management meetings has declined. Therefore, in 2011, Assembly Bill 422 was introduced and approved, which modified some administrative aspects of the Advisory Committee, including reducing meeting frequency to at least once per year. The bill also increased the terms of Advisory Committee members from two to four years. In the biennium, the Advisory Committee held two administrative meetings and two public workshops. SNWA staff continued to support the major elements of the Groundwater Management Program, including well conversions, well pluggings and conservation incentives. Since program inception, 519 homes and businesses have received financial assistance to connect to a municipal system, 721 unused wells have been plugged and abandoned, 1.8 million Summary Report Page 3

5 square-feet of turf has been removed by well owners, and more than 17,000 acre-feet of treated Colorado River has been permanently recharged in the Las Vegas Valley. This summary report on the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program is a biennial requirement of Section 12(2) of Chapter 572, Statutes of Nevada 1997, as amended by Chapter 468, Statutes of Nevada Summary Report Page 4

6 II. Advisory Committee Committee Members. The Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management is comprised of seven voting members and two non-voting ex officio members. The nonvoting members are representatives of the Nevada State Engineer and Administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Table 1 shows the current membership of the Advisory Committee. Table 1. Members of the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Category Name Affiliation Domestic Well Users (2 Representatives) John Hiatt Stacey Lindburg Enterprise Township Resident Las Vegas Resident Community Well Users Kumiko-Katie Las Vegas Resident Moore Commercial/Industrial Well Trent Scarlett Wells Cargo, Inc. Users Municipal Well Operators Robert City of North Las Vegas McLaughlin Municipal Ratepayers Kelli Ross Palm Mortuary Private Water Companies Richard Avila Hillcrest Water Association Nevada State Engineer Representative* Nevada Division of Environmental Protection* *Denotes non-voting member. John Guillory Todd Croft Division of Water Resources, Southern Nevada Branch Office Las Vegas Office As defined by statute, voting members serve four-year terms. Both the State Engineer and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection representatives serve indefinitely. In March 2013, the SNWA Board of Directors appointed John Hiatt, Stacey Lindburg, Kumiko-Katie Moore, Trent Scarlett, Kirk Medina, Kelli Ross and Richard Avila for four-year terms expiring in In 2014, Kirk Medina vacated his position on the Advisory Committee. Robert McLaughlin was appointed to complete the term of the vacated position. To solicit nominations for representatives on the Advisory Committee, SNWA staff published notices in the Groundwater Update asking interested well users to submit letters of interest Summary Report Page 5

7 Administrative Meetings. The Advisory Committee met one time in 2015 and Summaries of the administrative meetings conducted in 2015 and 2016 are located in Appendix A. The following is an overview of each administrative meeting: III. April 28, 2015: The Advisory Committee received an update on Groundwater Management Program activities and a presentation on Groundwater Management Program fees. November 30, 2016: The Advisory Committee received a presentation about the Advisory Committee s accomplishments since committee inception and discussed recommendations to guide future activities of the Advisory Committee. Annual Public Workshops As part of the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program, the Advisory Committee and the SNWA are required to hold at least one joint workshop each calendar year to discuss issues related to the groundwater basin and the groundwater management program. The committee held annual workshops on July 8, 2015 and July 12, SNWA staff sent notices to all people listed on the committee s mailing list through the fall Groundwater Update newsletters, which were sent to all well owners (approximately 7,800) in the Las Vegas basin. In addition, the annual workshops were publicized on LasVegasGMP.org. 26 well owners attended the 2015 workshop, and 25 well owners attended the 2016 workshop and 2016 Workshops. The format for the workshops was similar for both 2015 and Staff gave a brief presentation on the Groundwater Management Program. After the presentation, participants asked questions and offered comments. At the conclusion of the question and comment session, participants visited booths staffed by state and local government representatives. The booths featured information from the State Engineer s Office, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Southern Nevada Health District, well conversion grant program, water conservation incentive programs and the Groundwater Management Program. Summaries of the 2015 and 2016 public workshops are located in Appendix A. IV. Programs Well Conversion Grant Program. On November 18, 1999, the SNWA Board of Directors approved Financial Assistance Guidelines to assist well owners in the Las Vegas Valley who are required to connect to a municipal water system by the State Engineer. SNWA also provides financial assistance to well users who volunteer to connect. The guidelines were subsequently revised in April Summary Report Page 6

8 Since inception, 519 residential and commercial properties have applied for and received financial assistance. In the past two years, nine well conversions have been completed and $331,151 in grant program funds have been provided to well owners. Over the years, voluntary connections have far outnumbered the mandatory connections. Chart 1 shows the number of mandatory and voluntary connections that have taken place since program inception. Chart 1. Number of Voluntary and Mandatory Connections, Mandatory 10 Voluntary 509 Well Plugging and Abandonment. In cooperation with the State Engineer s Office, the SNWA is working to properly plug wells that have been abandoned and might pose a contamination risk to the aquifer. In addition, the SNWA also plugs the wells of groundwater users who have disconnected their wells and are now receiving water from a municipal water provider, pursuant to the well conversion grant program. Since inception, SNWA has plugged 721 unused wells. In the past two years, 21 abandoned/unused wells were plugged in the amount of $304,141 in program grant funds. In 2011, the program added a form to the GMP website to allow people to report abandoned wells. After receiving the online form, staff conducts site visits to determine the well status and contacts the property owner to inform them about the plugging and abandonment program. Conservation Programs. On July 18, 2002, the SNWA Board of Directors approved a pilot project to extend existing SNWA conservation incentive programs to well owners in the Las Vegas Valley groundwater basin. The board initially authorized $50,000 annually for well owner conservation programs, specifically the Water Smart Landscapes program and the irrigation clock rebate program Summary Report Page 7

9 As part of its discussions concerning overpumping, the Advisory Committee recommended that conservation funding be increased to provide well owners a mechanism to reduce their water use voluntarily. To that end, the Advisory Committee recommended increasing conservation funding to $150,000 annually. The SNWA Board of Directors approved the committee s recommendation on January 15, Following this decision, the Advisory Committee recommended a second increase in funding in May 2004 to keep up with increased demand for the Water Smart Landscapes program. The SNWA Board of Directors again approved the committee s recommendation on June 17, 2004, approving the expenditure of up to $500,000 annually for the Water Smart Landscapes program for well owners, while also instituting a limit of 2,500 square feet of turf eligible to be converted per property per year. Since program inception, 719 well owners received funding for turf removal and have converted more than 1.8 million square feet of turf to water-smart landscaping. In the past two years, the program converted more than 73,500 square feet of turf and issued $132,551 in Water Smart Landscapes rebates. Sub-meter Assistance Program. In August 2008, the SNWA Board of Directors approved a Sub-meter Assistance Program for well owners in the Las Vegas Valley based on recommendations by the Advisory Committee. The program provides a one-inch meter to each qualified domestic or community well user wishing to participate in the program, as well as a $150 installation incentive rebate once the meter is installed. The rebate is paid following verification by the Nevada Division of Water Resources that the meter was installed and is functioning. Since inception, the program has provided 408 sub-meters to well owners in the Las Vegas Valley, along with 216 installation rebates. In the past two years, the program distributed nine sub-meters and issued $1,350 in installation rebates. Permanent Recharge. Chapter 468, Statutes of Nevada 1999, authorized the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program to establish a permanent recharge program to help stabilize the water table. The Groundwater Management Program purchased a total of 17,378 acre-feet of permanent recharge over the period of 2000 to The program has not conducted permanent artificial recharge activities since In December 2004, the State Engineer issued an order creating an in-lieu recharge program for the Las Vegas Valley groundwater basin. This program applies to the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) and the City of North Las Vegas. The in-lieu recharge program allows LVVWD and the City of North Las Vegas to obtain credit for refraining from pumping non-revocable groundwater rights. Up to 85 percent of the credits earned by not pumping established under the program are recoverable, with 15 percent remaining in the aquifer in perpetuity. The unrecoverable in-lieu recharge between 2004 and 2015 was 8,297 acre-feet, and the estimated unrecoverable in-lieu recharge in 2016 was 650 acrefeet. As a result, the portion remaining in the aquifer in perpetuity is approximately 8,947 acre-feet Summary Report Page 8

10 Public Outreach. Publications/Collateral Materials. The SNWA published and mailed three issues of the Groundwater Update, a newsletter on groundwater issues, to approximately 7,800 well users in the Las Vegas Valley during the biennium. The newsletter provided information on the various GMP programs including, financial assistance, available sub-meters and the plugging and abandonment program. Other topics included the Groundwater Management Program s designation as a Groundwater Guardian, invitation to the annual public workshop and water conservation tips. Appendix B contains copies of the issues of the Groundwater Update. LasVegasGMP.org. Established in November 2000, the website for the Groundwater Management Program continues to be a resource for well users and other interested parties. The website contains information on groundwater in the Las Vegas Valley, groundwater laws, and summaries from meetings of the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management. In early 2015, the LasVegasGMP.org website was re-designed and re-launched to create a better, more user-friendly experience for visitors. In 2015, the website received more than 4,200 visits. In 2016, the website received more than 1,900 visits. Groundwater Information Line. The groundwater information helpline ( ) continues to be a valuable resource for well users in the Las Vegas Valley. SNWA staff answers questions and provides information to well users who call or leave a message on the information line. Call volume generally increases after the annual and reminder billing for the groundwater management fee is issued. In the past two years, staff received 820 phone calls on the groundwater information helpline. Groundwater Guardian. For the 16th consecutive year, the Groundwater Foundation designated the Groundwater Management Program as a Groundwater Guardian community in The Groundwater Foundation is a national non-profit organization committed to protecting groundwater supplies and increasing awareness of water quality issues. The Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program is also represented on the Foundation s Board of Directors. Groundwater Management Fee. In 2009, the SNWA ceased permanent artificial recharge activities in Southern Nevada for the foreseeable future. Therefore, in accordance with Chapter 572, Statutes of Nevada 1997 as amended by Chapter 468, Statutes of Nevada 1999, the SNWA Board reduced the fee for all well owners from $30 to $13 per domestic well or per acre-foot of permitted rights. In August 2015 and 2016, bills for the annual groundwater management fee were issued to all groundwater users in the Las Vegas Valley. Reminder bills are sent in February of each year in an effort to collect the remaining amounts due Summary Report Page 9

11 Groundwater fees collected in 2015: $670, Groundwater fees collected in 2016 through 10/31/2016: $790, Total: $1,461, Program Revenues and Expenses. Table 3 summarizes the program s revenues and expenses since its inception in Tables 4 and 5 summarize the program s revenues and expenses for 2015 and 2016, respectively. A more detailed summary is provided in Appendix C, along with a cumulative statement of revenues and expenses since the program s inception. Appendix D contains a tentative budget for Table 3. Summary of Revenues and Expenses, Since Inception (1997) to Present (10/31/16) Totals Revenues $27,528, Expenses $23,917, Balance $ 3,611, Table 4. Summary of Revenues and Expenses, Calendar Year 2015 Totals Revenues $670, Expenses $417, Balance $253, Table 5. Summary of Revenues and Expenses, Calendar Year 2016 (10/31/16) Totals Revenues $790, Expenses $492, Balance $298, V. Plans for Calendar Year 2017 The Advisory Committee will continue to provide oversight to the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program and develop recommendations for consideration by the SNWA Board of Directors on groundwater issues. SNWA staff will continue to administer the various elements of the program, including the well conversion grant program, conservation incentives and the sub-meter assistance program. Staff also will closely monitor program expenditures and will work with the Nevada Division of Water Resources to ensure that unused wells in the Las Vegas Valley are properly plugged and abandoned. The billing of the annual groundwater management fee for calendar year 2017 is scheduled for late summer All well users in the Las Vegas Valley, including municipal and governmental well users, will be billed at that time Summary Report Page 10

12 Appendix A Summaries of Administrative Meetings and Public Workshops

13 ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN Meeting No. 69 6:00 P.M. April 28, 2015 Las Vegas Valley Water District 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV Members Present: Members Absent: Richard Avila Robert McLaughlin Stacey Lindburg John Hiatt Kumiko-Katie Moore John Guillory Todd Croft Kelli Ross Trent Scarlett Also Present: Katie Horn Natalia Londono SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES The Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management met for its 69 th meeting on April 28, The meeting began at 6:00 P.M. and ended at 7:05 P.M. Natalia Londono SNWA; facilitated the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members from the public wishing to speak. APPROVE MEETING SUMMARY OF OCTOBER 8, 2014 MEETING Given that there was no quorum, the committee could not approve the October 8, 2014 meeting. RECEIVE UPDATES ON GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES Natalia Londono provided an overview presentation of the Groundwater Management Program (GMP) and the various financial programs offered to well users through the GMP. RECEIVE UPDATES FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS There were no updates from the GMP Advisory Committee members.

14 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (April 28, 2015) Page 2 of 3 RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON GMP RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OCTOBER 8, 2014 COMMITTEE MEETING REGARDING GMP FEE COMPLIANCE Londono explained to the committee that the annual GMP fees fund several programs including the Well Conversion Grant Program, Sub-meter Assistance Program, Well Plugging and Abandonment Program and Water Smart Landscapes Program for well users. Londono explained that based on GMP billing for 2014, the GMP program issued more than 4,800 GMP bills and collected a little over $900,000 for the 2014 billing period. There were 1,093 accounts that were unpaid. There were 63 accounts owing $500 or more in GMP fees. Londono reported that the average well conversion is between $18,000 to $25,000 per connection. A quasi-municipal (community well) conversion with four properties (four connections) would cost the Well Conversion Grant Program up to $72,000. Londono presented a graph of well conversion grant funds awarded per year. Since 2003, the GMP Well Conversion Grant has provided more than $7 million dollars for well conversions. Londono noted that the GMP program does not record liens on unpaid GMP fees. Currently, there is no consequence for non-payment of the GMP fee and some well users have never paid their fee. Londono noted an arising issue with some well users whose GMP fees are non-compliant, they will pay their outstanding fee only if their well fails and they need to take advantage of the Well Conversion Grant Program. Those users then expect to receive the full benefits of the grant the 85 percent of eligible connection costs. Londono stated that at the October 8, 2014 GMP Advisory Committee meeting; committee members began a discussion and shared some initial ideas on ways that staff could encourage GMP fee compliance. Initial ideas included: If a well user is not current on his or her GMP bill for more than two years, reduce the grant available from 85 percent to 50 percent. Staff should issue a letter to all well users explaining any and all approved changes to the GMP program and indicate the cost difference between receiving 85 percent vs. 50 percent of the well conversion grant. The committee agreed that this information might influence well users to pay the GMP fee, particularly those who have never paid the fee. Offer an amnesty program for those well users who have not paid for several years. This group of well users would receive a notice indicating that they have a specified time frame to become current with their GMP bill. Also, the notice would explain what the GMP fees pay for and the cost difference between receiving 85 percent vs. 50 percent of the well conversion grant.

15 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (April 28, 2015) Page 3 of 3 Reach out to related industries, such as real state, with information regarding the GMP fee. The committee also discussed issuing a copy of the GMP bill to all well users who share a quasi-municipal well. Currently, the GMP bill is issued only to the well master of the quasimunicipal well. In several cases, the well master does not pay the GMP fee and does not communicate this to the neighbors. Londono asked committee members for feedback and/or ideas regarding other ways in which staff can encourage GMP fee compliance. The committee discussed the idea of offering an amnesty program. The committee agreed that instead of calling it an amnesty program it is more of a deadline to pay any outstanding GMP fees. Londono indicated that the majority of GMP fees owed come from quasi-municipal wells and irrigation wells. John Guillory stated that some well users that have not paid the GMP fee may be outside of the distance of them being able to re-drill a well or that they would not benefit from the Well Conversion Grant Program, because of the distance between their home and the closest water main. Given that there are some well users that would not be able to use the Well Conversion Grant, the committee discussed issuing a notice only to those well users who are delinquent on their GMP fee and would benefit from a well conversion those whose property is located within 180 feet from a water main. The committee suggested that SNWA staff issue a notice to this group of well users explaining the programs that the GMP fee funds and providing a cost comparison between receiving 85 percent vs. 50 percent of the Well Conversion grant. The committee also discussed the possibility of sending a copy of the GMP bill to all of the neighbors that share a well on quasi-municipal accounts with an outstanding balance. Currently; for quasi-municipal wells the GMP bill is issued only to the Well Master. In many cases the well master does not pay the fee and does not communicate to other neighbors using the well that the fee exists. The committee agreed that is highly likely that if all neighbors using a community well are made aware of the annual GMP fee; that most neighbors would want to follow through and ensure that the bill is paid. Particularly when they consider that GMP fees would cover a large percentage of a well conversion if and when their community needed one. Staff thanked the committee for their feedback. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members from the public wishing to speak. The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

16 ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN Meeting No. 70 8:30 A.M. November 30, 2016 Las Vegas Valley Water District 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV Members Present: Richard Avila Todd Croft John Guillory John Hiatt Kumiko Katie Moore Stacey Lindburg Robert McLaughlin Members Absent: Kelli Ross Trent Scarlett Also Present: Andy Belanger Katie Horn Omar Saucedo Natalia Londono Arroyo SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES The Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management met for its 70 th meeting on November 30, The meeting began at 8:30 A.M. and ended at 9:42 A.M. Andy Belanger, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), facilitated the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members from the public wishing to speak. REVIEW MEETING SUMMARY OF APRIL 28, 2015 MEETING John Hiatt noted that on page three of the meeting summary, the word state should be changed to estate. Todd Croft asked if there had been a resolution to the ideas discussed during the April 28, 2015, committee meeting to encourage delinquent well owners to pay the Groundwater Management Program (GMP) fee. Andy Belanger, (SNWA), explained that the challenge with the April 28, 2015 meeting was that quorum was not met; therefore, action could not be taken on items discussed. Mr. Belanger added that these ideas could be covered under item No.3, if it was the committee s desire. Mr. Hiatt noted that water lines were being extended often as a result of development, and a person that wasn t within 180 feet of a water line last year, could be within 180 feet of a water line this year. He added that this should not be a constraining factor on what the advisory committee does.

17 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (November 30, 2016) Page 2 of 5 Mr. Croft noted that he agreed with Mr. Hiatt. He added that Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) worked with a neighborhood contamination issue and some of the homes involved were located more than 180 feet from a water line. John Guillory noted that for properties with permitted water rights and domestic wells located more than 180 feet from a water line had the option to deepen their well depending on the well s condition instead of connecting to municipal a water system. Mr. Croft asked whether the committee should limit the notice to well users within 180 feet or have a broader notification. In his response, Mr. Belanger referenced the committee s discussion at the April 28, 2015 meeting, should the committee make a recommendation to change the percentage of grant funding for delinquent well owners, only properties who were delinquent on their GMP fees and were within 180 feet would be notified. During the discussion, the committee was advocating that the notification be broader than 180 feet to address well users near the 180 foot boundary. Stacey Lindburg made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 28, 2015 with the changes to the word state. The motion was approved. RECEIVE UPDATES FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mr. Croft reported that he wanted to make the advisory committee aware of remediation activities that NDEP had been working on. A dry cleaning business near the intersection of Pecos and Tropicana had a release of PCE chemical and a neighborhood with 16 domestic wells is located nearby. The dry cleaners was not willing to contact these well owners to notify them of possible groundwater contamination. Consequently; NDEP used state money to conduct a large outreach program for these well users. NDEP offered to sample these wells three times to get an understanding of contaminant presence or absence and also offered to cover any costs not covered by the SNWA Well Conversion Grant (15 percent) so that well owners would not have pay the 15 percent out of pocket expense. Out of 16 properties, four elected to get their wells sampled and two participated in the Well Conversation Grant Program. There were four properties that had previously connected to the municipal water system years ago but maintained their well. The Nevada State Engineer s Office would work with these property owners and SNWA to plug and abandon these wells. Mr. Croft added that because of the Well Conversion Grant Program, and the ability for NDEP and SNWA to work together, the agencies were able to reduce potential risk to human health by cutting off the pathway for contaminant to get to people through the drinking water system.

18 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (November 30, 2016) Page 3 of 5 Mr. Belanger noted that he was aware of a mobile home park in Las Vegas, where the SNWA was working with the State Revolving Loan Fund to provide funding to get the mobile home connected to municipal water due to a water quality issue, which was identified through required testing. Mr. Croft stated that NDEP maintains a fund of approximately $1 million annually to mitigate issues related to groundwater contaminants. Mr. Belanger suggested that the Groundwater Management Program could fund well conversions that derived as a result of a notification of contamination. Mr. Belanger asked if there should be something done so people were at least aware of potential water quality issue and then determine the best course of action. Mr. Hiatt responded that the notification process could be challenging because many well owners may doubt information coming from the GMP Program. Mr. Hiatt suggested a better approach would be contacting well owners in person, explaining a health problem existed and that their wells would not be taken away. Mrs. Lindburg suggested a process where well owners received formal notification of a well contamination issue, which would shift the agencies responsibility to the well owner. Mr. Belanger responded that there are notification requirements for public water systems, but no notification requirements for domestic well owners. Although there was no legal reason to do the notification, Mr. Belanger asked if there was a reason, that the GMP should notify well users. Mr. Hiatt responded that the program should notify well users, noting potential legal ramifications if the GMP failed to take action. Rob McLaughlin reported that North Las Vegas had three well conversions in process. Mr. Hiatt stated that since groundwater was no longer being recharged through the permanent recharge program, the groundwater aquifer would eventually observe an over draft situation, uneven subsidence and housing damage. Mr. Belanger asked Mr. Guillory whether pumping had been stable over the last decade? Had it declined? Mr. Guillory responded that pumping had decreased minimally but for the most part has remained steady. Mr. Guillory asked how many years it had been since the permanent recharge program was discontinued? Mr. Belanger responded that it has been approximately five years. Mr. Belanger asked the committee if they felt there was continued value in doing more permanent recharge and increasing the fee back to $30 annually or leaving it at $13 per year? Mr. Belanger noted that approximately 17,000 acre feet of water that was recharged into the aquifer. He noted that this topic is not listed on the agenda, but will be placed in a future agenda for discussion and possible recommendation. Also, staff would bring a hydrologist to provide additional details on this matter.

19 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (November 30, 2016) Page 4 of 5 Mr. Croft made a suggestion to go back to holding quarterly meetings of the GMP Advisory Committee meeting. DISCUSS GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO GUIDE FUTURE ACTIVITIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mr. Belanger provided a brief presentation on the GMP Advisory Committee meeting, its efforts and the work that had been accomplished over the years. Mr. Belanger noted that the GMP committee was formed nearly 20 years ago. During the initial stages of the GMP program, the committee met over four times a year. The committee s workshops at the time were attended by over 150 people and up to 300 people in some of the early years. At the time, there was a lot of community interest and concern with groundwater wells. Mr. Belanger stated that having the perspective of the early days of the committee, when issues were addressed and solved from recommendations made by the committee at various points in time and looking at the history now Mr. Belanger asked the committee: 1. Have the groundwater related issues been solved? 2. Are there new issues that need to be addressed? 3. Is the legislative framework that was established 20 years ago still valid? Mr. Belanger noted that one of the reasons why the committee meeting schedule was changed to a meeting per year was because it was difficult to get members to attend quarterly meetings. The GMP program had entered into a sort of maintenance mode where there were few significant issues that needed to be addressed by the committee. Mr. Belanger commented on Mr. Croft s suggestion regarding quarterly meetings by stating that staff was absolutely open to more meetings if more issues needed to be addressed. A change in statue provided flexibility that mandated meetings to occur only when necessary. Mrs. Lindburg noted that she agreed that to have meetings just to provide a staff report was unnecessary. She added that moving forward, agenda items of future committee meetings should include educating the public. Mr. Hiatt noted that an on going issue that has not been solved is groundwater contamination. There was a brief discussion about developing an early process where the advisory committee could set an agenda during the first meeting of the year and work the agenda throughout the year. Mr. Belanger reported that he anticipated 8 10 water bills at the 2017 Legislative Session, which included addressing Diamond Valley Basin and other over appropriated basins. Mr. Hiatt asked if staff could forward a list of groundwater bills and who sponsored them to the committee, and Mr. Belanger responded that staff will do that.

20 Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management Administrative Meeting (November 30, 2016) Page 5 of 5 Mrs. Lindburg indicated that the committee should look into developing a groundwater education plan for town board meetings regarding groundwater. Mr. Belanger suggested that staff could provide annual presentations at town board meetings. Mr. McLaughlin asked for clarification on changing the statutory requirements with regard to advisory committee appointments. Mr. Belanger responded that the proposal was to change the language to say that the committee may meet and if a committee is established, it shall have representation from broad groundwater sectors. He added that staff was proposing a less formal appointment structure to provide greater flexibility on how and when the appointments were made. The existing committee appointment structure are four year terms. A lot of administrative work is involved with keeping track of committee appointments, term expiration dates and re appointments. Mrs. Lindburg made a recommendation to change committee appointments to every two years and have all committee members on the same appointment schedule. The committee had a brief discussion about scheduling a meeting in January 2017 to develop a work plan for the year, formalize a committee schedule, review a proposed bill draft of potential committee changes and develop a plan to begin engaging with the town advisory boards. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members from the public wishing to speak. The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 a.m.

21 WORKSHOP SUMMARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN Public Workshop No. 21 6:00 P.M. July 8, 2015 Las Vegas Valley Water District 1001 South Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV Members Present: Robert McLaughlin John Hiatt Kumiko-Katie Moore Trent Scarlett Members Absent: Kelli Ross Richard Avila Stacey Lindburg Also Present: Scott Leedom Natalia Londono-Arroyo Lou Anne Chessik GENERAL INFORMATION The Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) held their twenty first workshop on July 8, 2015 at the Las Vegas Valley Water District building. A copy of the agenda is attached. In addition to the legal posting, the workshop was noticed to approximately 7,800 well users in the Las Vegas Valley through the Spring edition of the Groundwater Update newsletter. Natalia Londono, SNWA facilitated the workshop. Approximately 26 citizens attended the workshop. PUBLIC COMMENT None SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES Natalia Londono, SNWA Management Services, gave a brief overview presentation on the Groundwater Management Program. Following the presentation, there was a question and answer period.

22 Groundwater Management Public Workshop (July 8, 2015) Page 2 of 2 QUESTIONS How far from water connection would a property have to be in order to be able to apply for a well water permit? If a property is at least 360 feet from the closest water connection, the property may apply for a well water permit. If a developer has a well on a vacant parcel, are they able to use it or do they have to connect to the municipal water system? If the well is in working order, the well can be used and the owner would not be required to connect to the municipal water system. VISIT INFORMATIONAL BOOTHS At the end of the workshop, participants visited the following booths to obtain specific information on program elements: Conservation Groundwater Management Program Nevada Division of Water Resources Southern Nevada Health District Nevada Division of Environmental Protection FINAL NOTES The workshop concluded at approximately 7:10 P.M. ATTACHMENTS Meeting agenda

23 WORKSHOP SUMMARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY GROUNDWATER BASIN Public Workshop No. 22 6:00 P.M. July 12, 2016 Las Vegas Valley Water District 1001 South Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV Members Present: Trent Scarlett Todd Croft Kumiko-Katie Moore John Guillory Members Absent: Kelli Ross Richard Avila Stacey Lindburg John Hiatt Robert McLaughlin Also Present: Omar Saucedo Natalia Londono-Arroyo Chauncey Chau-Duong GENERAL INFORMATION The Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management (GMP) and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) held its annual workshop on July 12, In addition to the guidelines for noticing public meetings established in NRS 241, notice of the workshop was also given in the spring edition of the Groundwater Update Newsletter which was distributed to approximately 7,800 well users in the Las Vegas Valley via post mail. Omar Saucedo and Natalia Londono-Arroyo, SNWA, facilitated the workshop. Approximately 25 citizens attended. PUBLIC COMMENT None SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES Omar Saucedo and Natalia Londono-Arroyo, SNWA Public Services, gave a brief presentation about the Groundwater Management Program accomplishments and programs. A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes. A question and answer period followed the presentation.

24 Groundwater Management Public Workshop (July 12, 2016) Page 2 of 2 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 1. Under what circumstances can the Southern Nevada Water Authority mandate a customer to switch over to municipal water? The SNWA does not have the authority to require a well user to connect to municipal water. The Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is the regulatory agency that makes this determination and does so if a well fails or if a well needs to be deepened. If a well is located within 180 feet of a municipal water connection and needs to be re-drilled, NDWR could deny the request to re-drill and the customer would be mandated to connect to municipal water. If a well is within 180 feet of municipal water and requires deepening to be operational, the NDWR could deny the request to deepen the well and mandate the well owner to connect to municipal water. 2. What about if I have to replace the pump on my well, will I be mandated to connect? Pump replacement is not considered altering the construction of the well. The well owner can perform this type of repair to the well, without being mandated to connect to municipal water. 3. If someone gets their well water tested and the testing lab finds something wrong with the water, are they required to report it to SNWA in order to check other wells in the area? Neither water labs nor well users are required to report well water results to the SNWA or the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Water quality and safety is the responsibility of well users and domestic well users are encouraged to get their well water tested at least annually. For a well that serves a group of homes, the Southern Nevada Health District tests the water periodically. Domestic well users whose water quality results indicate that there is high levels of nitrate or other water quality issues are encouraged to contact the Groundwater Management Program, Nevada Division of Water Resources or the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for assistance in resolving these water quality issues. 4. In the past, your agency has shared how much over-pumping has been done on commercial and domestic wells. Is this something that you have information on tonight? The Division of Water Resources maintains that information and staff indicated they could provide more information to the well user looking for that information. VISIT INFORMATIONAL BOOTHS At the end of the workshop, participants visited the following booths to obtain specific information on program elements: Water Conservation Groundwater Management Program Nevada Division of Water Resources Nevada Division of Environmental Protection FINAL NOTES The workshop concluded at 7:20 P.M.

25 Appendix B Groundwater Update Newsletters

26 A publication of the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management and the Southern Nevada Water Authority Spring 2015 Annual bill reminder In February, bills were issued to well owners with outstanding balances for the 2014 billing cycle. As a reminder, electronic payments made through your bank must include your GWMP number, which can be found on the upper left corner of the bill. GMP fees fund a variety of programs for well users, including financial assistance programs to cap wells and to install sub-meters, as well as conservation rebates. Learn more about these programs at LasVegasGMP.org. Sub-meters help you manage your well Sub-meters help well users track water use and identify potential water system leaks. The Southern Nevada Water Authority s Sub-meter Assistance Program provides a free 1-inch water meter and an installation rebate to assist individual well users. The Sub-meter Assistance Program is designed to help defray the costs for well users who are required to, or choose to, install a water meter. This program is funded through the Have your well water tested Groundwater Management Fee that all well users pay. To be eligible for a meter and the installation rebate, complete payment of the Groundwater Management Fee is required. It s easy to get started: Visit LasVegasGMP.org to fill out a meter application and read about program qualifications. For more information, call the Groundwater Information Helpline at Groundwater Update is published by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Comments or questions should be directed to: Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., MS #760 Las Vegas, NV You may also call or log on to snwa.com. Board of Directors Mary Beth Scow Chair Sam Bateman Vice Chair Directors Susan Brager Bob Coffin Duncan McCoy Steve Sisolak Anita Wood SNWA General Manager John J. Entsminger As a well user, you want to know that your drinking water is safe. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) recommends that you have your well water tested by a qualified water lab for bacteria at least annually and for nitrates every four years. To have your drinking water analyzed, collect and send samples from your tap to a local water laboratory. After testing the water, the lab will provide you a comprehensive analysis of any detected substances. The SNHD is available to help you understand the results and also can suggest possible courses of action if your water is found to be potentially unsafe to use. Contact SNHD at with questions or to obtain a list of local water-quality laboratories.

27 Attend annual groundwater public workshop Learn more about Las Vegas Valley groundwater at the Groundwater Management Program annual public workshop on Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Las Vegas Valley Water District offices at 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas. Representatives from the Nevada Division of Water Resources, Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and Southern Nevada Water Authority will be present to answer questions about water conservation, health and water quality, and other issues of interest to well owners. The open-house format allows well owners to visit several information booths and ask questions concerning the groundwater basin or their individual well. WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 If you have questions about the workshop, please call or visit LasVegasGMP.org.? DID YOU KNOW Abandoned wells can represent a significant risk to groundwater quality. If you are aware of any abandoned well, please call or report it online at LasVegasGMP.org. GROUNDWATER UPDATE Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Boulevard, MS #760 Las Vegas, NV PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAS VEGAS, NV PERMIT NO. 1355

28 A publication of the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management and the Southern Nevada Water Authority Fall 2015 Annual bill reminder The annual bills for the Groundwater Management Fee were mailed out mid- September and are due 30 days from issuance. GMP Fees fund a variety of programs for well owners, including financial assistance programs, conservation rebates and incentives. Questions? Call the Groundwater Information Helpline at (702) or visit LasVegasGMP.org. Groundwater Update is published by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Comments or questions should be directed to: Programs help you use less The Groundwater Management Program (GMP) offers assistance programs to help you reduce your groundwater use. Water Smart Landscapes rebate program Receive $2 for each square foot of grass you replace with water-efficient landscaping, up to 5,000 square feet per year. Every square foot of grass you convert saves about 55 gallons of water per year. Pool cover rebate program Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation and save up to 15,000 gallons of water each year. Offset up to 50 percent of a pool cover purchase price with a rebate coupon available through the Groundwater Management Program. Sub-meter Assistance Program. Track your personal water use and make the changes necessary to avoid overpumping or fines. Well owners, particularly those on community wells, qualify for a one-inch water meter and $150 rebate to help offset installation costs through the Sub-meter Assistance Program. Visit LasVegasGMP.org or call SAVE for details about conservation rebates and incentives. Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., MS #760 Las Vegas, NV You may also call or log on to snwa.com. Board of Directors Mary Beth Scow Chair Sam Bateman Vice Chair Directors Bob Coffin Marilyn Kirkpatrick Duncan McCoy Steve Sisolak Anita Wood SNWA General Manager John J. Entsminger Ensure your drinking water is safe Is water quality important to you? The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) recommends that you have your well water tested by a qualified water lab for substances such as bacteria, nitrates and ph at least annually. Send samples from your tap to a certified local water laboratory for analysis. The lab will test the water and provide you with a comprehensive analysis of any detected substances. Contact SNHD at with questions or to obtain a list of local water quality laboratories.

29 Program recognized as Groundwater Guardian T he Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program (GMP) has been recognized as a Groundwater Guardian community for the fourteenth year in a row. The Groundwater Foundation recognized the GMP for results-oriented activities designed to educate the community about groundwater and promote responsible use of this precious resource. The GMP continues to administer the Well-Plugging and Abandonment Program, the Well Conversion Grant Program, the Sub-meter Assistance Program and the Water Smart Landscapes rebate program. The Groundwater Foundation a national non-profit organization dedicated to groundwater education and protection recognized these activities as beneficial and effective programs for sound groundwater management. Visit groundwater.org for more information.? DID YOU KNOW Connect to a municipal water system and receive a discount on offsite connection costs (as much as 85 percent) as well as $500 toward onsite connection costs through the Well Conversion Grant Program. Visit LasVegasGMP.org for details. GROUNDWATER UPDATE Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Boulevard, MS #760 Las Vegas, NV PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAS VEGAS, NV PERMIT NO. 1355

30 A publication of the Advisory Committee for Groundwater Management and the Southern Nevada Water Authority Spring 2016 Annual bill reminder In February, bills were issued to well owners with outstanding balances for the 2015 billing cycle. As a reminder, electronic payments made through your bank must include your GMP number, which can be found on the upper left corner of the bill. GMP fees fund a variety of programs for well users, including financial assistance programs for well caps and sub-meters, as well as conservation rebates. Learn more about these programs at LasVegasGMP.org. Groundwater Update is published by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Comments or questions should be directed to: Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., MS #760 Las Vegas, NV You may also call or log on to snwa.com. The GMP works for you! Since it began in 1997, the Groundwater Management Program (GMP) has been a valuable resource for well users by offering financial assistance and conservation programs. For instance, if you are interested in connecting to a municipal water system, the GMP s Well Conversion Grant Program can help. More than 500 homes and businesses have participated in this program, which helps reduce the costs associated with connecting to municipal water. When well users connect to municipal water, it reduces demands on the valley s aquifer. The GMP also offers a $2 rebate per square-foot (up to 5,000 square feet) of turf you remove and replace with waterefficient landscaping. Local well users have successfully converted more than 1.8 million square feet of turf, further reducing demands on the Las Vegas aquifer through conservation efforts. Find additional information about the GMP s financial assistance programs at LasVegasGMP.org or call the Groundwater Information Helpline at (702) Board of Directors Mary Beth Scow Chair Sam Bateman Vice Chair Directors Bob Coffin Marilyn Kirkpatrick Duncan McCoy Steve Sisolak Anita Wood SNWA General Manager John J. Entsminger Save water outdoors Manage your outdoor water use and stay within the limits of your water-use permit with these tips: Upgrade to a Water Smart Landscape and save an average of 55 gallons of water annually per square foot of grass replaced with water-efficient landscaping. Take Sundays off this summer and reduce your water use by percent. Landscapes can stay healthy and look great with less. Test, adjust and repair your sprinkler heads and drip emitters regularly for broken or missing parts Find more water-smart tips at snwa.com.

31 Attend annual groundwater public workshop Learn more about groundwater in the Las Vegas Valley at the Groundwater Management Program annual public workshop on Tuesday, July 12 at 6 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Las Vegas Valley Water District offices at 1001 S. Valley View Boulevard. Representatives from the Nevada Division of Water Resources, Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and Southern Nevada Water Authority will be present to answer questions about water conservation, health and water quality, and other topics of interest. TUESDAY, JULY 12 During the open house, visit several information booths and ask questions concerning the groundwater basin or your individual well. Find out more information about the upcoming workshop by contacting Natalia Londono-Arroyo at (702) ? DID YOU KNOW You can learn about water levels in the valley and water level fluctuations near your well through the GMP Hydrologic Telemetry System. Visit LasVegasGMP.org for details. GROUNDWATER UPDATE Southern Nevada Water Authority 1001 S. Valley View Boulevard, MS #760 Las Vegas, NV PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LAS VEGAS, NV PERMIT NO. 1355