Trinity County Grand Jury • 2015-2016

Sdr 2015-2016-001 Final Report Approved 06/30/2016

Published: June 30, 2016 15 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 13 findings

F1
Recent changes in California water law mandates managing water as a long-term sustainable resource.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The County needs a cross-discipline study of carrying capacity in Trinity County that projects what population and agricultural activities the water and other resources in Trinity County are capable of supporting.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Grand Jury recommends that the Trinity County Board of Supervisors and all Water Providers and all stakeholders assign a high priority to and participate in conducting a county-wide study of carrying capacity. The study should also consider additional public and private water storage opportunities.
F3
Water Providers of all types within Trinity County need to sufficiently educate water users about their responsibilities for sharing water resources, potential limitations on water use, and the advantages of making sure, through sustainability, that water will be available in the future for their own use.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Most governmental entities in Trinity County — departments, and other agencies — have yet to adopt sustainability provisions in their mission statements, goals, and programs, or to coordinate those efforts with other government entities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Grand Jury recommends that the Trinity County Board of Supervisors and all Water Providers in Trinity County take prompt action to establish goals that include sustainability and recognize water sustainability as a specific goal.
F5
Trinity County has not participated significantly in preparations for sustainable water management, including failure to regulate grading.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3
The Trinity County Board of Supervisors should immediately review its resolutions, ordinances, and practices, as well as State law, regarding regulating, managing, and permitting wells. If they do not comply, they should take immediate steps to change their practices.
R4
The Trinity County Board of Supervisors should examine and act on ways to protect its watersheds and aquifers from unauthorized or damaging incursions.
R10
The Board of Supervisors should promptly adopt a grading ordinance.
F6
Residential water is most important. Any agricultural or other use that interferes with residential use must be well and carefully regulated.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Policies of Water Providers and the County conflict. Transport of water out of District boundaries has opened up agriculture in areas, and to an extent, not anticipated or desired by County policies.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
All Water Providers should examine their minutes, resolutions, bylaws, charters, enabling legislation, and statutes to determine what authority they have, if any, to sell or otherwise provide water to any person or property that is not within the boundaries served by the provider. If these practices do not comply, Water Providers should take immediate steps to change their practices to reflect this Recommendation.
R2
All Water Providers should meet with County officers and elected officials to examine and resolve the conflicting customs and practices described in this report regarding sale and transportation of bulk water for agricultural purposes.
F8
Some Water Providers are reluctant to provide information and disclosure of public records as required by the Brown Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
All the Water Providers should examine their minutes, resolutions, bylaws, charters, enabling legislation, and statutes regarding open meeting and public records. If they do not comply, they should take immediate steps to change their practices.
F9
Water quality tests of drinking water are recognized as an expense. Most Water Provider organizations do only the State required tests. Individual owners do not have such requirements and are likely not to do any tests except at property transfer.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Regular testing of well water quality and quantity should be done. An incentive program would help.
F10
Water was plentiful during the last century. Water in saturated soil beneath the surface of the earth could be easily pumped for use and its availability fostered urban and agricultural growth. Riparian (land adjacent to rivers or other bodies of water) demands did not overwhelm streams. As demand for water increased, effective management became critical to protecting the future availability and quality of the supply.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
Excessive sediment loads to creeks and the river can negatively impact salmon and steelhead populations. For Trinity County there is concern about Coho and other Salmon or Steelhead of becoming legally endangered, as that can cause serious economic repercussions. Even just one species, such as Coho, on the endangered list would seriously impact any recreational or commercial fishing.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
The Grand Jury has found no evidence that the County has been managing water resources for sustainability; that is, satisfying current needs without compromising the future.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Grand Jury recommends that the Trinity County Board of Supervisors acknowledge the real issues of water sustainability in Trinity County and establish, fund and support a GSA or similar entity and related laws and enforcement.
F13
The County and Water Providers have not met in a meaningful and productive way.
No recommendations for this finding

No Responses Found 5

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

County of Trinity Agency
Trinity County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Trinity County Office of Education Agency
Trinity County Waterworks District No. 1 Special District
Weaverville Community Services District Special District