B. Description of Proposed Boundary Modification

1. Short Description

   Basin modification to Basin 8-1 to establish the La Habra Groundwater Basin.
2. Type of basin boundary revision

   • Scientific External
   • Scientific Internal
   • 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 boundary modification to establish the La Habra Groundwater Basin, is based on both scientific and jurisdictional reasoning. The scientific basis for the boundary modification is derived from the boundaries of the historic La Habra Groundwater Basin as described by the DWR in 1934 (Bulletin No. 45) and 1947 (Bulletin No. 53). The jurisdictional basis for the boundary modification is derived from the current county boundaries, city boundaries, and groundwater management agency boundaries located within and near the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin. Currently, the portion of the historic La Habra Groundwater Basin under the cities of La Habra and portions of Brea is not covered by a formal management plan; therefore, the establishment of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin will allow development of a sustainable groundwater management plan for a portion of Basin 8-1 that is currently only informally managed by the City of La Habra.

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

   • 8-001 COASTAL PLAIN OF ORANGE COUNTY
5. Provide the proposed name for the new basin(s) or subbasin(s)

   La Habra 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)
   La Habra City Of	8-001 COASTAL PLAIN OF ORANGE COUNTY
   Orange County Water District	8-001 COASTAL PLAIN OF ORANGE COUNTY

2. Does this application include a combination of requests?

   Yes

   If yes, describe:

   The proposed basin modification to establish the La Habra Groundwater Basin consists of both a scientific modification and a jurisdictional modification.

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):

• CA_Constitution_GovernmentCode.zip (143.7kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:29AM

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

Attachment(s):

• Reso 5715 re boundary mod.pdf (127kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:30AM

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):

• fig1.pdf (2.3MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:31AM

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

Attachment(s):

• Proposed_La_Habra_Boundary.zip (24.6kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:32AM

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

Attachment(s):

• Affected_Political_Boundaries.zip (66.4kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:44AM

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

The creation of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin is not defined as a project, and is therefore, not subject to CEQA requirements.

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 following describes DWR's (1947) historic La Habra Groundwater Basin extents and the portion of the basin that is within the boundaries of the Coastal Plain of Orange County as shown in Bulletin 118. The proposed boundary for this Scientific Modification will be established using 1) the overlap of these two basin boundaries, and 2) extending the groundwater basin to include more of the City of Brea within the Coastal Plain of Orange County. The La Habra Groundwater Basin described by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in 1934 and 1947 is located in both Los Angeles County (western portion) and Orange County (eastern portion). The groundwater basin was delineated by the synclinal trough between the Puente Hills and the Santa Fe Springs - Coyote uplift. The La Habra Groundwater Basin was bounded on the west by the Montebello Forebay Area and on the east by the Yorba Linda Basin. The majority of the eastern portion of the La Habra Groundwater Basin, located in Los Angeles County, lies within Basin 4-11, the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles, as depicted in DWR Bulletin 118 (2003 update). The majority of the western portion of the La Habra Groundwater Basin, located in Orange County, lies within Basin 8-1 Coastal Plain of Orange County, as depicted in DWR Bulletin 118 (2003 update). The entirety of the La Habra Basin located in Los Angeles County is within the area subject to the terms of the Central Basin Adjudication. Only a portion of the La Habra Basin located in Orange County is within the boundaries of the Orange County Water District. La Habra, Brea, and Fullerton are the primary cities that overlie the eastern portion of the La Habra Groundwater Basin. The City of La Habra fully overlies the groundwater basin on the valley floor between the Puente Hills and West Coyote Hills. The western portion of the City of Brea overlies the groundwater basin on the valley floor east of La Habra. Fullerton primarily overlies the Coyote Hills and some of the Brea Creek alluvium. The proposed boundary modification would include all of the City of La Habra and a portion of the City of Brea. The portion of the City of Brea will extend beyond the DWR 1947 boundary but inside the Coastal Plain of Orange County. This proposed boundary is outside of the boundaries of the Orange County Water District. The boundaries of the combined areas of the whole of the City of La Habra and the portion of the City of Brea that overlies the Coastal Plain of Orange County, as depicted in DWR's Bulletin 118, form the proposed boundaries of the La Habra Groundwater Basin under SGMA. Additional geological information is provided in the scientific modification technical study (see attachment for J2 and K2).

F. Notice and Consultation

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

The following attachment is a list of parties that may be interested in the basin modification request, including local cities, counties, water management agencies, and tribes.

Attachment(s):

• List of Interested Parties.docx (13.6kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:38AM

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

The La Habra GSA identified interested local agencies and public water systems that could be potentially affected by the establishment of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin according to the requirements of Water Codes Section 10723.2 In addition, local water districts in the vicinity of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin were identified as an interested local agency.

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.

On July 13th 2015, a joint agency meeting was held with the Cities of La Habra, Brea, and Fullerton, and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to discuss the SGMA process and the La Habra Groundwater Sustainability Plan. See attached minutes. On September 8th, 2015, a joint agency meeting was held with the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) and the City of La Habra to discuss the La Habra Sustainability Plan. See attached agenda. A public hearing was held in the City of La Habra regarding the establishment of the City of La Habra as a GSA and the proposed basin modification on December 21st, 2015. See attached agenda and minutes. Notice of the public hearing was provided to the list of interested parties. See attached public hearing notice. The City of La Habra consulted with interested parties regarding the basin modification on January 27th, 2016. See attached invitation, agenda, and minutes. The La Habra City Council authorized City staff to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Brea regarding sustainable management of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin. A draft MOU will be considered for approval by the Brea City Council at an upcoming meeting.

Attachment(s):

• Meetings_Consultations.zip (228.6kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:50AM

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.

A public hearing was held in the City of La Habra regarding the establishment of the City of La Habra as a GSA and the proposed basin modification on December 21st, 2015. See attached agenda and minutes. Notice of the public hearing was provided to the list of interested parties. See attached public hearing notice. In addition, La Habra consulted with interested parties regarding the basin modification on January 27th, 2016. See attached invitation, agenda, and minutes.

Attachment(s):

• public_meetings.zip (201.3kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:52AM

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.

No comments were provided at the public hearing regarding the boundary modification held on December 21st, 2015.

G. General Existing Groundwater Management

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

Currently, the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin is not formally managed or adjudicated. The Cities of La Habra and Brea currently extract groundwater within the limits of the estimated safe yield of the basin. By establishing the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin, the La Habra GSA will coordinate groundwater management activities in order to continue to sustainably manage groundwater extractions.

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

There is some underflow from the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin to the portion of Basin 8-1 managed by the Orange County Water District. The establishment of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin and the development of a sustainable groundwater management plan will allow coordinated management of the two areas.

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

Since 2008, the City of La Habra has measured non-pumping and pumping groundwater elevations at its production wells to review general trends in groundwater elevations in the Basin. The DWR compiled groundwater level data from 1970 through 2010; likewise, Montgomery Engineers analyzed groundwater level trends in 1977 with groundwater level data from 1922 through 1975 (see scientific modification technical study attachment for J2 and K2). The analyses of the groundwater levels indicate that groundwater levels in the alluvial aquifer declined to the lowest levels in the 1950s, recovered during the 1970s, and have leveled off through the 1990s. Similarly, groundwater levels in the San Pedro aquifer have recovered since the lowest levels in the 1930s and 1940s. A "safe yield" is used for ongoing management and future planning of a groundwater basin for sustained beneficial use. It is generally defined as the volume of groundwater that can be pumped annually without depleting the aquifer beyond its ability to recover through natural recharge over a reasonable hydrologic period. In 1977, Montgomery Engineers completed a groundwater study for the City of La Habra and estimated the "probable long-term groundwater basin yield" to be 4,500 AFY for a groundwater study area of approximately 8,400 acres (13 square miles) and a watershed of 17,000 acres (27 square miles). The 1977 basin yield estimate was based on an average of two methods: (1) natural groundwater recharge, 3,650 AFY; and (2) natural groundwater discharge, 5,500 AFY. Stetson conducted a re-evaluation of Montgomery's (1977) safe yield analysis, which was estimated based on the recharge from precipitation that can be expected to replenish the aquifer on an average annual basis. Using the natural recharge approach (Montgomery 1977), which estimates the safe yield based on the recharge from precipitation that can be expected to replenish the aquifer on an average annual basis, under current conditions, the safe yield of the La Habra Basin was estimated to be approximately 3,500 AFY, with a contributing watershed of 23,100 acres. The Stetson re-evaluation did not include an updated re-evaluation of the safe yield using the natural groundwater discharge method. If Stetson's estimated safe yield of 3,500 AFY is averaged with Montgomery's estimated safe yield using the natural groundwater discharge method of 5,500 AFY, the estimated average safe yield for the basin is 4,500 AFY. Currently, the Cities of La Habra and Brea extract groundwater from the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin within the limits of the estimated safe yield thereby utilizing the basin in a sustainable manner. The recovery of groundwater levels verifies the La Habra Groundwater Basin is being sustainably managed.

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.

CASGEM currently categorizes Basin 8-1 under "Monitored Basins/Portions". Orange County Water District (OCWD) is designated as the "Responsible Monitoring Entity". If the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin is established as a separate basin or subbasin distinct from Basin 8-1, the City of La Habra may be required to submit groundwater level data to the DWR through the CASGEM program. There is no adopted AB3030 Groundwater Management Plan for the La Habra Basin. A Groundwater Sustainability Plan will be developed in the near future to satisfy the requirements of SGMA. The Groundwater Sustainability Plan will include at a minimum the following components: description of the basin and existing conditions, plan objectives, basin management activities, and monitoring protocols. The development of the plan will involve coordination with the City of Brea. The proposed boundary modification will not impact any other state or regional board plans or other water management and land use programs.

H. Local Support

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

Information regarding the proposed boundary modification was provided to interested agencies. The minutes for meetings with the interested agencies indicate support for the proposed modifications.

Attachment(s):

• Meetings_Consultations.zip (228.6kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:56AM

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.

No comments were provided at the public hearing regarding the boundary modification held on December 21st, 2015. The La Habra City Council authorized City staff to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Brea regarding sustainable management of the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin. A draft MOU will be considered for approval by the Brea City Council at an upcoming meeting. The minutes for meetings with interested agencies indicate support for the proposed modification.

Attachment(s):

• Meetings_Consultations.zip (228.6kB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 10:57AM

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

Not applicable. No opposition was expressed to the proposed boundary modification.

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):

• Hydrogeological_Conceptual_Model.pdf (8MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:48AM

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.

Attachment(s):

• Qualified_Map.zip (38.1MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:53AM

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.

Attachment(s):

• Scientific_Tech_Study.pdf (11MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:50AM

K. Technical Studies for Internal Scientific Modifications

1. A qualified map depicting structural geologic features that could significant impact or impede lateral groundwater flow.

Attachment(s):

• Qualified_Map.zip (38.1MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:53AM

2. Geologic and hydrologic evidence of groundwater conditions by attaching or providing a URL to any of the following:
   1. Historical and current potentiometric surface maps, groundwater levels, groundwater recharge and discharge areas of the aquifer system within the vicinity of the proposed boundary modification.
   2. Aquifer performance testing results demonstrating basin boundary condition response.
   3. Water quality information of the aquifer system including but not limited to general water quality parameters and isotopic analysis.
   4. Supporting certified geophysical studies.
   5. Any other pertinent information.

Attachment(s):

• Scientific_Tech_Study.pdf (11MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:53AM

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.

URL: http://www.ladpw.org/wmd/irwmp/index.cfm?fuseaction=TopDocListing&directory=RMC12-10Submittal-FinalPlan&ttl=2014%20Public%20IRWMP%20Update

Attachment(s):

• Jurisdictional_Tech_Study.pdf (8.1MB) Uploaded on 03/10/2016 at 11:53AM

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

The Greater Los Angeles County Region, comprised of five subregions spanning from Ventura County to Orange County, have collaborated to develop an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). The purpose of the IRWMP is to ensure a sustainable water supply for the region comprised of approximately nine million people. The La Habra Basin is included in the Lower San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers Subregion of the Greater Los Angeles County Region and included in the subregional IRWMP. The Greater Los Angeles County Region Leadership Committee adopted the IRWMP on August 27, 2014. Currently, the Cities of La Habra and Brea extract groundwater in the proposed La Habra Groundwater Basin within the limits of the safe yield in order to prevent overdraft conditions. The Cities of La Habra and Brea are currently developing a MOA regarding the establishment of the City of La Habra as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency to coordinate sustainable groundwater management activities in the future. The City of La Habra will prepare a Groundwater Sustainability Plan, in accordance with SGMA.