B. Description of Proposed Boundary Modification

1. Short Description

   Define the extent of an expanded and renamed Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin in Santa Cruz County.
2. Type of basin boundary revision

   • Scientific External
   • Jurisdiction Internal
3. Provide a narrative overview of the boundary modification request and how the resulting modification would affect likelihood of sustainable management.

   The proposed modification defines the extent of an expanded and renamed groundwater basin that will be managed by a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) that local water agencies and the County plan to form. The new basin is defined by a series of stacked aquifers in Santa Cruz County that lie beneath the existing Scotts Valley Groundwater Basin. The expanded basin will be renamed from the Scotts Valley Groundwater Basin to the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin. These modifications will promote sustainable groundwater management by formally recognizing an integrated and cohesive basin that is already managed by local groundwater agencies. The modification request includes both a scientific modification to define the external boundaries, and one jurisdictional modification to change internal boundaries.

   Attachment(s):
4. List the existing basin(s)/subbasin(s) to be modified by this request

   • 3-021 SANTA CRUZ PURISIMA FORMATION
   • 3-050 FELTON AREA
   • 3-027 SCOTTS VALLEY
5. Provide the proposed name for the new basin(s) or subbasin(s)

   Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin

C. Initial Notification and Combination of Requests

1. Was an initial notification submitted to the Department?

   Yes
   List of submitted initial notification for the selected basin(s)/subbasin(s).

   Local Agency	Potential Basin(s)/Subbasin(s)
   Soquel-Aptos Groundwater Management Committee	3-026 WEST SANTA CRUZ TERRACE
   Scotts Valley Water District

2. Does this application include a combination of requests?

   Yes

   If yes, describe:

   This is NOT a combined request, however the proposed Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin and the proposed Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin, for which a basin boundary modification request is being submitted by the Soquel-Aptos Groundwater Management Committee, will share a common boundary. It is not practical for the two requesting agencies to submit a combined request because there are a number of relatively complicated aspects to the modification requests for each basin beyond the common boundary. However, the requesting agencies coordinated on the common boundary by using the same consulting firm to prepare the modification requests. The common boundary is consistent between the two requests, and the supporting information for the common boundary is the same in the two requests. This prevents duplicate and conflicting requests as needed for DWR's consideration.

D. Required Documents for All Modifications

1. A copy of the statutory or other legal authority under which the requesting agency was created with specific citations to the provisions setting forth the duties and responsibilities of the agency.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Statutory_Authority.pdf (130.7kB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 04:09PM

2. A copy of the signed resolution adopted by the requesting agency formally initiating the boundary modification request process.

Attachment(s):

• Reso 01-16 SGMA Basin Boundary Mod.pdf (69.8kB) Uploaded on 02/15/2016 at 01:46PM

3. A map of adequate scale (no greater than 1:24,000; e.g., 1:10,000 is not acceptable) showing the proposed modified basin boundary in relation to the existing Bulletin-118 basin boundary and the local agencies that are within or bordering the existing and proposed basin.

Attachment(s):

• Proposed_SMB_Basin_map.pdf (431.5kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 01:05PM
• Affected_Agencies_map.pdf (515.4kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 01:05PM

4. A GIS shapefile of the proposed modified groundwater basin boundaries. Download Existing B118 basin shape file | DWR Spatial Data Standards

Attachment(s):

• SM_Basin_poly.zip (20.7kB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 03:51PM

5. A GIS shapefile of the political boundaries of any affected or adjacent local agency. Download water agency shape file

Attachment(s):

• Affected_agencies_and_systems.zip (164.4kB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 04:16PM

6. Any information, if necessary, to enable DWR to satisfy the requirements of a responsible agency pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

The attached notice of exemption was filed by Santa Cruz County for the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin boundary modification

Attachment(s):

• NOE-BoundaryModification SMGWB Signed.pdf (76.3kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:31AM

E. General Information

1. Describe the lateral boundaries of the alluvial aquifer or aquifers that form the groundwater basin and the definable bottom of the basin. The description must be in terms that are clear, definite, and sufficiently detailed to allow an authoritative map of the proposed basin boundaries to be plotted using the given description.

The lateral boundaries of the aquifers are described in the attached file. Additionally, we have added a description of the lateral boundary modifications that result from the jurisdictional internal basin boundary modification request. These jurisdictional boundary requests modify the basin boundary to coalesce all of the Scotts Valley Water District service district in a single basin. These jurisdictional boundary modifications are further described in the full technical report attached to item J2 (Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin Boundary Modification Request.PDF). The sections in that report titled "Description of Lateral Boundaries", and "Technical Information for Jurisdictional Modifications" include the relevant jurisdictional informaiton

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Lateral_Boundaries.pdf (1.6MB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 03:58PM

F. Notice and Consultation

1. List all local agencies and public water systems affected by the basin(s) modification request.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Affected_Agencies.pdf (573.8kB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 03:59PM

2. Explain the methods used to identify interested local agencies and public water systems in the affected basin(s):

A Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to visualize the extent and overlap of the local agencies and public water supply systems affected by these proposed modifications. The GIS files for these service areas are provided as part of the required documents (Item D5)

3. Provide information regarding the nature of consultations with affected or interested agencies. Attach and cite any copies of correspondences with local agencies and public water systems and/or any other persons or entities consulted.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Nature_of_Consultation.pdf (1.1MB) Uploaded on 03/06/2016 at 03:34PM

4. Provide a summary of all public meetings at which the proposed boundary modification was discussed or considered by the requesting agency. Attach and cite any copies of agendas and notices published.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Meeting_Agendas.pdf (1.4MB) Uploaded on 03/06/2016 at 03:36PM

5. Attach a copy of all comments regarding the proposed boundary modification received by the requesting agency and a summary of any responses made by the requesting agency.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Comments_Recieved.pdf (803.8kB) Uploaded on 03/06/2016 at 03:37PM

G. General Existing Groundwater Management

1. Explain how sustainable groundwater management exists or could likely be achieved in the basin:

Designating the already managed area as a formal basin will support sustainable groundwater management by focusing the Scotts Valley Water District and adjoining District?s groundwater management responsibilities on the shared groundwater resource that supply their wells. The basin modification will clearly align the shared groundwater resources with the agencies that manage that resource. Further matching the basin to the jurisdictional boundaries will allow for a single Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to cover the shared resource, improve and streamline governance for the shared resource, and allow for easier public communication.

2. Explain how the proposed boundary modification would affect the ability of adjacent groundwater basins to sustainably manage groundwater in those groundwater basins.

The proposed boundary modifications will positively affect the ability of basins adjacent to the new Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin to sustainably manage groundwater. The corner of the Scotts Valley Water District that currently lies in the existing Santa Cruz Purisima Formation Basin contains no municipal wells. Allowing a corner of the Scotts Valley Water District to remain in an adjacent basin potentially allows Scotts Valley Water District to take part in managing more than one basin, although it has no influence or interest in the basin. This jurisdictional modification ensures that the Scotts Valley Water District service area is in only one basin. Matching the basin to the jurisdictional boundaries will allow for improved and streamlined governance by the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin GSA, and allow easier public communication.

3. Provide a historical summary of the sustainable management of groundwater levels in the proposed basin(s) or subbasin(s).

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Sustainable_Groundwater_Management.pdf (153.7kB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 04:00PM

4. Discuss potential impacts to state programs resulting from the proposed boundary modification, including, but not limited to, the California Statewide Groundwater Elevation Monitoring (CASGEM), Groundwater Management Plans developed pursuant to AB 3030, Groundwater Sustainability Plans developed pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, any applicable state or regional board plans, and other water management and land use programs.

The County of Santa Cruz is the CASGEM reporting agency for all basins in the County, and will continue to serve that role after basin boundary modifications. The County is a member of the Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin Advisory Committee, and therefore will be coordinating its reporting function with the active management of the proposed Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin.

H. Local Support

1. Provide any evidence that sufficient information was provided to affected agencies and systems regarding the proposed boundary modification.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Evidence_of_Sufficient_Information_Distribution.pdf (1.1MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:46AM

2. Provide a list of all affected agencies and affected systems that submitted comments and/or documents in support or opposition to the proposed boundary. The agency submitting their support or opposition for a boundary modification must provide a copy of a resolution formally adopted by the decision-making body of the affected agency or system or a letter signed by an executive officer or other official with appropriate delegated authority who represents the agency or system. Attach copies of the resolution and/or signed letter detailing the support or opposition submitted.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Resolutions_of_Support.pdf (2.1MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:46AM

3. Provide any evidence that rebuts any opposition to the proposed boundary modification.

No resolutions of opposition were received. Responses to comments that were not associated with an agency resolution are included in item F5

I. Hydrogeologic Conceptual Model

1. Principal aquifer units within requested basin.
2. Lateral boundaries of the proposed basin, including:
   1. Geologic features that significantly impede or impact groundwater flow.
   2. Aquifer characteristics that significantly impede or impact groundwater flow.
   3. Significant geologic and hydrologic features and conditions of the principle aquifer units, as appropriate, including information regarding the confined or unconfined nature of the aquifer, facies changes, truncation of units, the presence of faults or folds that impede groundwater flow, or other groundwater flow restricting features.
   4. Key surface water bodies, groundwater divides and significant recharge sources.
3. Recharge and discharge areas within the basin.
4. Definable bottom of the basin or subbasin.

The department may waive this requirement for an internal boundary modification if the requesting agency is able to demonstrate that the proposed boundary modification is unlikely to affect sustainable groundwater management.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Conceptual_Model.pdf (1.1MB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 04:02PM

J. Technical Studies for External Scientific Modifications

1. A qualified map that depicts the lateral boundaries of the aquifers that define the basin or subbasin.

The geology of the attached map comes from Brabb, 1997. The scale of the original underlying geologic map is 1:62,500, but the data used for this map were GIS files provided by USGS.

Attachment(s):

• Qualified_map.pdf (621.5kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 12:55PM

2. A technical study that provides subsurface data that demonstrates the vertical thickness and relevant physical properties of the alluvial aquifer or stacked series of alluvial aquifers.

We have attached a synopsis and collation of technical studies that was developed as part of a basin definition report. (Santa_Margarita_Basin_Technical_Study_Synopsis.pdf) We have also attached earlier reports about the basin that provide technical details about the basin. Finally, we have attached our complete report justifying both the scientific and jurisdictional basin boundary modifications. This report (Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin Boundary Modification Request.PDF) brings together all of the information in this application in one report.

Attachment(s):

• Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin Boundary_Modification Request.pdf (11MB) Uploaded on 03/15/2016 at 04:05PM
• SMGB Final Report Text and Tables.pdf (925.4kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 12:34PM
• SMGroundWater_model_Tech_Study_June2015_0.pdf (23.5MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 12:34PM
• ETIC_SMGB Final Report Figures.pdf (38.3MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 12:35PM
• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Technical_Study_Synopsis.pdf (2.8MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 12:42PM

L. Technical Studies for All Jurisdictional Modifications

1. A water management plan that covers or is in the immediate vicinity of the proposed basin or portion of the proposed basin and satisfies the requirement of Water Code sections 10753.7(a) or 10727 by attaching one of the following:
   1. An adopted groundwater management plan, a basin wide management plan, or other integrated regional water management program or plan.
   2. Management pursuant to an adjudication action.
   3. One or more technical studies that cover the relevant portion of a basin or subbasin and adjacent areas.

Attachment(s):

• Todd_1994_GWMP.pdf (13.7MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 04:20PM
• SVWD-2014-Annual-Report_06-16-15.pdf (3.5MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 04:21PM

2. A statement of the existing and planned coordination of sustainable groundwater management activities and responsibilities where required.

Attachment(s):

• Santa_Margarita_Basin_Sustainable_Groundwater_Management.pdf (153.7kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 04:31PM