Sonoma County launching groundwater study, management plan
Brett Wilkison
The Press Democrat
05/02/2011
Sonoma County supervisors today are set to consider approval of two efforts geared toward closer study and management of the region’s ground water.
The first is a bid to monitor the county’s ground water levels, which have dropped in places as pumping outpaces natural recharge. Overpumping has also caused other problems, including the threat of salt water intrusion into ground water in southern Sonoma Valley.
To head off those problems, state legislators in 2009 passed a law that mandated study of all ground water basins. Critics said it was a move toward regulation of ground water use, which is limited under current state law.
Local governments can choose not to participate, but they cannot receive state grant funds for water projects if they do so.
The monitoring effort would be overseen by the county’s planning department and Water Agency. It would combine data from wells already monitored by the state and local governments with data volunteered by landowners, including rural residents and agricultural interests.
Twice a year that data would be turned over to the state and posted online. The reports would show the general location of monitored wells, water depth and date of measurement. But they would not include pumping rates — which would not be measured — nor would they include the names of participating landowners, which the county can withhold, according to Marcus Trotta, hydrogeologist with the county Water Agency.
“We want to make sure that (landowners) are comfortable with what data is being submitted to the state and how it is being used,” Trotta said.
