6 minute read
Tuesday, May
What’s new at the harbor seal rookery?
KARLSSON
This report covers May 9 – May 15, 2022. High Count 170+ Most pups are now diffi cult to distinguish.
Natural History Notes Pinnipeds, commonly known as seals, are carnivorous, fi n-footed, semi aquatic and mostly marine mammals. There are about 34 species worldwide, composed of three families: the Odobenidae (one walrus species), the Otariidae (sea lions and fur seals – the eared seals) and the Phocidae (the earless or “true” seals). All are believed to have a common ancestor, and they are most closely related to musteloids such as raccoons, weasels and skunks. Visitors Easing of pandemic restrictions has brought more people from distant areas; on Sunday, people from Israel, Canada and France introduced themselves. Disturbances Kayakers near shore and people trespassing at the foot of the pier frightened many seals into the ocean. Once safely in the water, seals will often approach kayakers, but on land they are defenseless. More Info The Carpinteria harbor seal rookery is located immediately east of Casitas Pier, between the Carpinteria Bluff s Nature Preserve and Carpinteria State Beach. Please remember not to bring dogs, bicycles or loud voices to view the seals. Harbor seals, when disturbed, may fl ee and become separated from their pups. Volunteers ask that dogs remain outside the rope area at all times. Volunteers needed. Call (805) 684-2247 or email carpsealwatch@gmail.com. To fi nd out more, visit carpinteriasealwatch.org.
THURS. FRI. SAT. SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. FRI. SAT. SUN. MON. TUES. WED.
HIGH: 63 LOW: 46 HIGH: 69 LOW: 50 HIGH: 69 LOW: 48 HIGH: 67 LOW: 49 HIGH: 66 LOW: 46 HIGH: 64 LOW: 48 HIGH: 63 LOW: 49
HIGH: 67 LOW: 54
SUNDAY Sunrise: 6:29am • Sunset: 5:54pm HIGH: 73 LOW: 59
HIGH: 76 LOW: 60 HIGH: 75 LOW: 60
SURF DIRECTION WIND
1 ft 1-2 ft 1-2 ft 1 ft 1 ft 1 ft W W W W W WSW 9mph/WSW 5mph/S 6mph/SW 6mph/E 6mph/E 14mph/SE THURS FRI SAT SUN MON TUES SUNDAY Sunrise: 5:50am • Sunset: 7:58pm THURS FRI SAT SUN MON TUES SURF & TIDES SURF DIRECTION WIND 1-2ft 1-2 ft 1-2ft 1-2 ft 1-2 ft 1-2 ft W W W W W W 6mph/SSE 5mph/SSW 7mph/S 7mph/W 8mph/SSE 5mph/S
Update on Groundwater Basin management
Water District seeks public input on proposed groundwater fee
BY ROBERT MCDONALD, GENERAL MANAGER CARPINTERIA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
To protect and regulate groundwater supplies across the state and avoid long-term economic impacts, California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. This enacted a framework to help avoid overdraft and manage these shared resources at the local level.
SGMA requires any groundwater basin classifi ed as high- and medium-priority by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) to create a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to avoid undesirable results. GSAs must reach sustainability within 20 years of adopting their GSPs.
The Carpinteria Valley Water District (CVWD) has been monitoring water quality and water levels in the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin (CGB) since 1999, with records dating back to the 1940s for older wells that were previously monitored by the US Geological Society (USGS). Based on decades of observations, known extraction by CVWD, estimated extraction from private well pumpers, various groundwater models, and the number of stakeholders dependent on our valuable groundwater resources, the CGB was re-evaluated and designated as a “high priority” by DWR in 2019.
As a result, the Carpinteria Groundwater Sustainability Agency (CGSA) was formed in 2020 through a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between CVWD, the city of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County Water Agency and the county of Ventura to implement and develop a GSP, which will serve as a road map for ensuring the basin will be operated sustainably.
The CGSA is distinct from its member authorities and has a separate structure for its Board of Directors, with the potential for an eight-member board. The CGSA will ensure long-term sustainable groundwater use through planning, regulation and oversight and develop the GSP for submission to DWR by the end of 2023.
Additional roles of the CGSA may include developing new projects to study and understand the groundwater basin’s hydrologic characteristics, registering and metering groundwater wells, implementing rules and regulations, and assessing fees to cover the costs associated with ensuring the goals and metrics outlined in the GSP are met and sustained. Fortunately, CVWD was granted $1.9 million from the state on behalf of the CGSA to develop the GSP, and for drilling new monitoring wells to better understand groundwater levels and water quality.
However, for non-GSP activities the agency currently is operating on loans and cannot continue without establishing a revenue source to support ongoing GSA operations and administration. A rate study to help develop a fair and equitable cost recovery fee for properties that sit atop the basin is in development. The fee proposal will be discussed at upcoming public meetings. The public is invited, and encouraged, to learn more about the CGSA and the proposed fee and to attend these meetings:
Thursday, May 26, 5:30 p.m.: on Zoom/ Phone. Zoom and phone information is posted at carpgsa.org.
Tuesday, June 14, 5:30 p.m.: in person at Lion’s Park located at 6197 Casitas Pass Road. (For language and other accommodations, please contact the district by 3 p.m. Monday, June 13.)
Ensuring long-term groundwater sustainability is important to everyone, from homeowners to business owners, to those in agriculture and beyond. Groundwater is a vital component of our local water supply portfolio, especially as naturally occurring water supplies across California are drying up due to drought and climate fl uctuations. In addition, without proper management, our groundwater basin could be susceptible to seawater intrusion, which many other coastal basins throughout California have experienced.
Prudent groundwater management will contribute to a reliable and sustainable source of water for future generations. Everyone has a stake in local groundwater resources regardless of whether you have a well or not, so we hope that community members will consider participating and provide input to the CGSA staff and Board of Directors.
We hope that you will be a part of this conversation about preserving our groundwater resources at one or both community meetings on May 26 and June 14. With the continued absence of rain, we are asking our customers to recognize the situation, be mindful of your water consumption and make conservation a way of life. Use our water wisely and fi nd ways to further reduce your water footprint.
For district updates, visit our website at cvwd.net, follow us on Twitter @ CarpWater, or Carpinteria Valley Water District on Facebook and Nextdoor.
Monitor your water use and sign up for leak alerts at eyeonwater.com/signup and e-mail conservation@cvwd.net with any questions. For CGSA updates, visit carpgsa.org and sign up for email updates at carpgsa.org/public-info/learn-more. For any CGSA related questions, e-mail sgma@cvwd.net.
