⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
Page 2
wells for agricultural use, except for replacement wells of equal capacity.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
wells for agricultural use, except for replacement wells of equal capacity.
F2
Page 2
The BoS has not proposed any revenue source which would enhance the County's ability to solve the groundwater problem. Any tax or fee that would be enacted to generate a revenue stream for ongoing groundwater remediation would be subject to approval by the impacted voters.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The BoS enact an ordinance requiring the review, prior to issuing a well permit, of the location and design of new wells so as to minimize adverse impacts to existing wells on parcels under different ownership.
F3
Page 2
New tree and fruit plantings in recent years have been mostly in areas without access to surface water, thus increasing the use of groundwater for agricultural irrigation, particularly due to new plantings of almond trees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The BoS develop procedures to monitor and quantify the annual use of groundwater by residential, commercial/industrial and agricultural categories.
F4
Page 2
Any significant action to reduce the short term overdraft of groundwater must reduce the use for agricultural irrigation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The BoS prepare a plan for a fee on groundwater extraction based on usage.
F5
Page 2
The continuing overdraft of groundwater will result in an ongoing drop in the water table and land subsidence. Land subsidence is an irreversible process, resulting in a permanent loss of potential subsurface water storage. Land subsidence has caused damage to local, state and federal infrastructure. The sources of groundwater recharge are insufficient to maintain an adequate supply of water for Madera County. (See Attachment) Although Madera County is a Right to Farm county, the use of land for agriculture is still subject to all the land use polices and ordinances enacted by the BoS. The Right to Farm ordinance in Madera County does not justify lack of action by the BoS to enact regulations on the Agricultural Industry.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The BoS enact an ordinance that would require the demonstration of a sustainable water supply for agricultural use before land can be converted to permanent crops with intensive water requirements.
F6
Page 3
The BoS enact a water conservation plan which includes restrictions on agricultural, commercial/industrial and residential uses of water and publish it online.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The BoS enact a water conservation plan which includes restrictions on agricultural, commercial/industrial and residential uses of water and publish it online.
F7
Page 2
Over the years, the BoS has requested many studies regarding water usage; however, little change in groundwater usage has resulted.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The BoS work with stakeholders to develop additional groundwater recharge, groundwater storage, and surface water delivery systems.
F8
Page 2
The Water Advisory Commission is ineffective due to the lack of access to professional staff and lack of support by the BoS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The BoS employ in the County Engineering Department, additional professional staff with water expertise to aid in planning and implementation of sustainable water usage.
F9
Page 2
The only professional with water expertise on staff is the Madera County Engineer who can only devote a fraction of his time to water issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The BoS prepare an annual report quantifying the water usage of the county by residential, commercial/industrial and agriculture users. Make the report available to the public in local newspapers, posting on the county website and mailing to all property owners with property tax statements.
F10
Page 2
Madera County has no accurate method of measuring how much groundwater is used in different areas of the county on an ongoing basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The BoS initiate a land subsidence monitoring program in all areas of the county and adopt policies relating to land subsidence that are based on the premise that continuing land subsidence will permanently damage infrastructure, reduce groundwater storage capacity and negatively impact the county economy.
F11
Page 3
The BoS adopt policies so that groundwater decisions are: a) based on maintaining a sustainable balance between supply and use; b) acknowledge that groundwater is a limited resource that must be managed for the common good; c) recognizing the needs of domestic users and smaller farms. Respondents: Board of Supervisors200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Informational: Khen Vang County Engineer200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Water Advisory Commission 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
The BoS adopt policies so that groundwater decisions are: a) based on maintaining a sustainable balance between supply and use; b) acknowledge that groundwater is a limited resource that must be managed for the common good; c) recognizing the needs of domestic users and smaller farms.