To drill a well in New Mexico, the well driller must hold a valid license issued by the Office of the State Engineer. Continuing education is required for license renewal every two years for well drillers and drill rig supervisors. This education is part of the Rules and Regulations Governing Well Driller Licensing, and Construction, Repair and Plugging of Wells.

The basin study is jointly funded by the state and supported under Reclamation’s WaterSMART Basin Study program. For the plan of study, OWRD and Reclamation will equally share $50,000 toward the $100,000 study effort.

This follows an earlier announcement from Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor who said $2.1 million will be made available under the WaterSMART Basin Study program for Reclamation to partner with local entities to conduct comprehensive studies of river basins in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada and Oregon.

The Willamette River Basin supports approximately 75 percent of Oregon’s population and is the fastest growing area in the state.

More than 170 varieties of agricultural crops are grown and sold in the basin, which produces more than 40 percent of the state’s gross farm sales. The basin is rich in native fish and provides critical habitat for several endangered species.

Recreation opportunities are abundant, and the basin is one of the most visited destinations for recreational boaters in Oregon.

The plan of study will assist Reclamation and OWRD to develop the proposed Willamette River Basin Study which will update a previous assessment of basin water demands completed in 2008 and expand it to include an assessment of future demands as a result of climate change. The plan of study is expected to be complete in 2014.

Future study efforts will compile in-stream demands quantified through previous studies, aid the implementation of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy adopted in 2013 and help evaluate adaptation strategies for securing water in the future.

In collaboration with representatives from the seven Colorado River Basin states, the Ten Tribes Partnership and conservation organizations, the Moving Forward event highlighted the next steps based on the findings of the Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study released in December.

“Only by working together can we improve public understanding of the enormous challenges facing the Colorado River Basin and identify the potential solutions that can help reduce future uncertainties and meet those challenges,” Assistant Secretary Anne Castle said. “This continuing effort will require innovative thinking, integration of many viewpoints and a commitment to work in a positive and collaborative spirit.”

The Moving Forward event at the U.S. Geological Survey’s California Water Science Center in San Diego introduced the next steps framework as part of the collaborative process to work on the challenges in the Colorado River Basin.

“We have made substantial progress addressing Colorado River water management over the past several years,” Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor said. “From the interim guidelines for shortage and surplus in 2007, the 2012 signing of Minute 319 to the treaty with Mexico and the latest WaterSMART funding announcements supporting new projects and studies, we remain focused on wise use and new technologies to address upcoming gaps in supply and demand.”

Last week, Interior announced $8.2 million in WaterSMART funding for projects to assist the Colorado River Basin by augmenting water supplies, conserving and reusing existing water supplies and plan for the future of the basin. Interior awarded $2.8 million in Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for seven projects, $1.8 million for one Basin Study and one plan of study and $3.6 million for water reclamation and reuse projects in Albuquerque, N.M. and Long Beach, Calif. More information on the WaterSMART program and the newly funded projects is at www.usbr.gov/waterSMART.

The 2012 Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study, the most comprehensive survey of future supplies and demands on the Colorado River ever developed, was produced collaboratively with a wide array of interested individuals, organizations and scientists. The study’s findings projected significant shortfalls between expected water supplies and demands in the Colorado River Basin in coming decades. The study is widely acknowledged as a call to action for all who rely on the Colorado River.

“Drew has worked at CCAO since 2000 as a Civil Engineer, as the Deputy Area Manager and most recently as the Acting Area Manager. With his experience, management skills and expertise working with customers and stakeholders, he is the ideal choice for this critical position,” stated Murillo.

As Area Manager, Lessard is responsible for Reclamation programs and facilities in the central part of California. CCAO encompasses twelve counties and includes the Central Valley Project’s American River Division (Folsom Dam, powerplant and reservoir; Nimbus Dam and powerplant and Lake Natoma), the Auburn-Folsom South Unit (the Auburn Dam site and the Folsom-South Canal), the Eastside Division (New Melones Dam, powerplant and reservoir on the Stanislaus River) and the Solano Project (Monticello Dam, Lake Berryessa and the Putah South Canal).

CCAO’s jurisdiction extends from the coast to the crest of the Sierra Nevada and from the American River Basin to the Stanislaus River Basin. CCAO manages recreation at Lake Berryessa and New Melones and has a long-term managing partnership agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation for recreation management at Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma and the Auburn Recreation Area.

The contracts will be with seven or more of the 17 water districts served by the Sacramento Canals Unit of the CVP for a five-year period beginning with Water Contract Year 2013. A combined total of up to 44,000 acre-feet could be transported in each year. Groundwater would be pumped from existing wells and conveyed through existing facilities.

The Final Environmental Assessment and Findings of No Significant Impact were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=13151.

The proposed action includes the return of half the water to Kern-Tulare Water District with the other half left in West Kern Water District as compensation for banking services. The agreement between the two water districts would be in effect for 25 years.

The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_base.cfm?location=sccao.

Reclamation recognizes groundwater banking as an important water management tool in optimizing the use of CVP water while addressing groundwater overdraft in certain areas.

These criteria will apply to contractors under contract with Reclamation for water service or repayment, water rights settlement, exchange, or other applicable contracts requesting to bank CVP water outside of their contract service area. These criteria set forth the standards under which Reclamation may approve banking and recovering of CVP water outside of the contractor’s contract service area boundary, while protecting the integrity of the CVP.

Written comments on the criteria must be received by the close of business on June 21

“Western communities are extremely dependent upon the river basins in which they reside,” Commissioner Connor said. “These basin studies are critical to assess the long-term supply and demand for water and to develop collaborative solutions that will sustain communities and support healthy rivers long into the future.”

The San Diego Basin in California and West Salt River Valley Basin in Arizona were selected for Basin Studies. Basin Studies are comprehensive water studies that define options for meeting future water demands in river basins in the western United States where imbalances in water supply and demand exist or are projected to exist.

The Carson River Basin in California and Nevada, Willamette River Basin in Oregon and Arkansas River Basin in Colorado and Kansas were chosen for plans of study. A plan of study helps a cost-share partner—such as a local water district–define the outcomes and set the scope and focus for a potential future Basin Study. Reclamation and the cost-share partners in each case will develop the plans of study jointly.

The projects are:

Carson River Basin Plan of Study, Carson River Subsconservancy District
Non-Federal Funding: $75,000; Federal Funding: $75,000
The Carson River Basin encompasses approximately 3,965 square miles, spanning west-central Nevada and eastern California. The Carson River originates in the Sierra Nevada range and terminates at the Carson Sink in Nevada. The basin provides water for 57,000 acres of irrigated agriculture, 160,000 people and a strategic buffer zone for the Fallon Naval Air Station. It includes the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, habitat for two species of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Carson River is over-appropriated and also has a highly variable hydrologic cycle that leads to frequent floods and droughts. The Carson River Subconservancy District, a bi-state consortium of city and county governments, will work with Reclamation to develop a comprehensive plan of study. The proposed Basin Study will assess water supply and demand imbalances and evaluate water management actions under a range of potential future uncertainties.

San Diego Watershed Basin Study, San Diego Public Utilities Department
Non-Federal Funding: $1,082,244 Federal Funding: $1,025,000
San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest city in California. San Diego currently imports up to 90 percent of its water supplies from the Colorado River and northern California. The proposed study area is the San Diego Integrated Regional Water Management region, which includes the San Diego watershed. The San Diego watershed covers an area of 217 square miles and is home to 1.8 million people. The proposed Basin Study will provide a quantitative analysis of the uncertainties associated with the impacts of climate change on water supplies and demands and focus on adaptation strategies that optimize reservoir systems within the study area to advance indirect potable reuse.

Arkansas River Basin Plan of Study, Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District 3
Non-Federal Funding: $150,000 Federal Funding: $100,000
The Arkansas River provides irrigation for more than 270,000 acres in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. Poor water quality in the river near the border of Colorado and Kansas poses challenges for municipal and agricultural water users including reduced crop yields, high saline soil, surface water shortages and increased groundwater pumping from the Ogallala Aquifer. The proposed Arkansas River Basin Study Plan of Study will identify potential study partners and stakeholders to participate in a future Basin Study. It also will identify the basin study team and climate team and allow them to work with local entities to develop an interstate water plan that addresses current and future water quality and quantity issues to ensure that the local health and economy remain viable.

Willamette River Basin Plan of Study, Oregon Water Resources Department
Non-Federal Funding: $50,000 Federal Funding: $50,000
The Willamette River Basin supports approximately 75 percent of Oregon’s population and is the fastest growing area in the state. More than 170 varieties of agricultural crops are grown and sold in the basin, which produces more than 40 percent of the state’s gross farm sales. The basin is rich in native fish and provides critical habitat for several endangered species. Recreation opportunities are abundant, and the basin is one of the most visited destinations for recreational boaters in the state. The proposed Willamette River Basin Study will update a previous assessment of basin water demands completed in 2008 and expand it to include an assessment of future demands as a result of climate change. It will compile in-stream demands quantified through previous studies, aid the implementation of Oregon’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy adopted in 2013 and help evaluate adaptation strategies for securing water in the future.

West Salt River Valley Basin Study, West Valley Central Arizona Project Subcontractors
Non-Federal Funding: $860,000 Federal Funding: $840,000
The West Salt River Valley Basin is located in Maricopa County, Ariz., and includes the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. It is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The proposed study will include the development of a clear understanding of regional water supply and demand taking into account climate change and population growth projections. Additionally the study will include the development of strategies to address current and future imbalances in water supply and demand. The basin study will be a collaboration between Reclamation, the West Valley Central Arizona Project subcontractors, the Central Arizona Project (operated by the Central Arizona Water Conservancy District) and the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

The Department of the Interior established WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) in February 2010 to facilitate the work of Interior’s bureaus in pursuing a sustainable water supply for the nation. The program focuses on improving water conservation and sustainability and helping water resource managers make sound decisions about water use. It identifies strategies to ensure that this and future generations will have sufficient supplies of clean water for drinking, economic activities, recreation and ecosystem health. The program also identifies adaptive measures to address climate change and its impact on future water demands.

Since its establishment in 2010, WaterSMART has provided more than $161 million in competitively-awarded funding to non-federal partners, including tribes, water districts, municipalities, and universities through WaterSMART Grants and the Title XVI Program. Through WaterSMART and other conservation programs funded over the last three years, a total of more than 616,000 acre-feet of water per year is estimated to have been saved.

The non-federal partners in a basin study must contribute at least 50 percent of the total study cost in non-federal funding or in-kind services. Basin studies are not financial assistance and Reclamation’s share of the study costs may be used only to support work done by Reclamation or its contractors. Non-federal partners include state and city agencies, municipal water districts and flood control districts.

The revisions made to the previously issued substantive policy statements
are described below.

In 2002, the Department issued Substantive Policy Statement R5 titled “Underground Water Storage Permit Application Guidance –
Technical and Financial Capability and Unreasonable Harm and
Hydrologic Feasibility.” Substantive Policy Statement R5 consisted of the following two papers: (1) a paper titled “Technical and Financial Capability
, A.R.S. § 45-811.01(C)(1),”and (2) a paper titled “Unreasonable Harm and Hydrologic Feasibility, A.R.S. § 45-811.01(C)(2), (3), and (5)” (collectively
“USF Guidance Papers”).

The purpose of the USF Guidance Papers was to assist applicants for Underground Storage Facility (“USF “) permits with the identification of appropriate evidence that may be submitted to establish that certain criteria in A.R.S. § 45-811.01(C) have been met. Substantive Policy Statement R9 contains the following revisions to the USF Guidance Papers: 1. The paper titled “Technical and Financial Capability, A.R.S. § 45-811.01(C)(1) ”has been revised by removing the languagein Section IV(b)stating that an applicant may establish that it has access to the proposed USF site by submitting proof that it is in the process of obtaining a deed, easement, lease, license or other proof of access to the site. That language has been replaced with language stating that if the applicant does not have legal access to the site, the applicant must submit proof that it has the exclusive right to acquire legal access to the site, such as a purchase contract or other agreement with the site owner. Language has been added at the end of Section IV stating that if the applicant submits evidence that it has the exclusive right toacquire legal access to the site, the Director may issue the permit conditioned upon the applicant obtaining that access within a specified period of time. A conforming change has been made to Section I and the first sentence of Section IV of the paper.

The paper titled“Unreasonable Harm and Hydrologic Feasibility, A.R.S. § 45-811.01(C)(2), (3), and (5)” has been revised by adding language to Section I clarifying that the requirement to obtain an Aquifer Protection Permit from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality applies if effluent will be stored at the proposed USF.

If the Supreme Court rules in support of WSU and the state Department of Ecology, then water supplies will be in jeopardy for thousands of people from eastern Washington to the San Juan Islands. In Pullman, Wash., and Moscow, Idaho, two university towns in the arid rolling hills of the Palouse, more than 50,000 people depend on ancient water pumped from basalt aquifers as their sole source of water. For 70 years, the groundwater has been dropping 1-2 feet per year.

WSU’s expanded 18-hole Palouse Ridge golf course, opened in 2008, uses irreplaceable 20,000-year-old groundwater to irrigate its golf greens, tees, and fairways. The Department of Ecology affirmed the university’s right to that water partly by skewing the 2003 Municipal Water Law to side-step the “use it or lose it” principle of western water law.”

Even here where we have a university and a very well-defined aquifer problem, we still can’t get it right,” said Scotty Cornelius, a homeowner in Pullman who depends on a well, and leader in the legal challenge. “We still are pressured by our administrative and political leaders, rubber-stamped by Department of Ecology, to develop an amenity using water that cannot be replaced.”

Appellants are Scotty Cornelius, the Palouse Water Conservation Network, and the Sierra Club’s Palouse Group.