Eastern Water Alliance (EWA)

Post Office Box 5157

Stockton, CA 95205

An Alliance of Water Districts, Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District (CSJWCD), North San Joaquin Water Conservation District (NSJWCD), and Stockton East Water District (SEWD), located over the critically over drafted Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin

Thursday, September 5, 2024 Minutes

MEETING OF THE EASTERN WATER ALLIANCE

A)    Call to Order: Director McGurk called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

B)    Roll Call: A full quorum was not present to proceed with the Eastern Water Alliance Board meeting.

C)    Public Comment: None

D)    Presentation and Action items:                                                                                              

1.      Approval of Minutes:

a.       Minutes 03/07/24

b.      Minutes 06/06/24

No action was taken and will return at the next Eastern Water Alliance meeting.

2.      Consider Adopting New Conflict of Interest Code

No action was taken and will return at the next Eastern Water Alliance meeting.

3.      Consider Adopting DREAM Pilot Project Results

No action was taken and will return at the next Eastern Water Alliance meeting.

E)     Unfinished Business

1.      DREAM Project Press Release Update

Stella Tan from East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) updated the committee with information about an upcoming press release. Stella reported the release is scheduled for either November or December of this year. EBMUD will be producing a thirty-second video about the DREAM project.

Grace questioned if the video will be filmed with a drone. Stella replied yes and mentioned that recently, the EBMUD staff had captured some drone footage of the area where the DREAM project facilities are located.

Director Simpson inquired when will the drone footage be completed. Stella replied the drone footage has already been completed.

F) New Business

1. Discussion Regarding Large-Scale Project

Director Simpson commented if the committee chooses to undertake another project in a different area, additional monitoring wells will need to be established before any extractions can take place and we need to consider a ‘leave-behind’ greater than 50%.

Manager Hopkins reported Metropolitan Water District recently entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Friant Water Authority and Westlands Water District for a groundwater banking project similar to the DREAM Pilot Project. Manager Hopkins noted in the Metropolitan Water District MOU they only have a 10% lead behind.

Manager Hopkins inquired if the committee would be interested in a presentation on the MICUP project at the next Eastern Water Alliance committee meeting, as the MICUP project will likely be integral to the larger banking project. Consensus of those present was to receive a MICUP project presentation.

G)    Agenda Planning for Next Meeting: The next Eastern Water Alliance is tentatively scheduled for the end of September at 10:00 a.m. for a special meeting.

Legal Counsel Zolezzi recommended the committee appoint alternates for the Eastern Water Alliance board prior to the special meeting scheduled for the end of September.

H)    Adjournment: Director McGurk adjourned the meeting at 10:23 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Justin M. Hopkins               

Secretary