NCSD Presentation on 8/23/11
More links and work in progress
Documents used for the Presentation:
Propoganda, Mailed July 2011: "Water is vital to life"
Propoganda, Mailed August 2011: "Questions and Answers about Nipomo's serious water shortage"
Propoganda, Website July 2011: "FAQ The Threat to Nipomo Mesa Water Supply"
News Articles
09/08/11 The Adobe Press, Experts discuss Mesa water supply by Ed Eby
09/05/11 The Adobe Press, Check facts with NCSD
09/01/11 The Adobe Press, Mesa group has facts about pipeline
08/19/11 The Adobe Press, NCSD Water purveyors set info meeting
08/19/11 The Times Press Recorder, NCSD Water purveyors set info meeting
08/19/11 The Adobe Press, NCSD add Straight talk Straight answers
8/23/11 Public record Request & response: for powerpoint/slide show
8/23/11 Public record Request & response: for copy of question cards
8/23/11 Public record Request & response: for The letter from the Oceano attorney on seawater intrusion/monitoring well mentioned by Mr. Harrison
8/23/11 Questions asked at the meeting: Straight Talk ??? Maybe Not
8/23/11Questions asked at the meeting: What is the Wip Tax
Waiting for public record request response:
9/6/11 Public record Request: Second request for Oceano attorney letter on Sea water intrusion mentioned by Mr. Harrison
9/6/11 Public record Request Email: Second request for Oceano attorney letter on Sea water intrusion mentioned by Mr. Harrison, Email
9/6/11 Public record Request: Email attachment audio
8/23/11 Audio recording of meeting mp3 100mb: North side audio record
8/23/11 Audio recording of meeting mp3 mono 17mb: North side audio record
8/23/11 Audio recording of meeting mp3 100mb: South side audio record
Notes: The times below can be used with the audio recording above which have the best quality.
The time links below are a test. It has worked for XP, Internet Explorer 8, Windows Meda Player 11,and Windows 7, Internet Explorer 9 and Windows Meda Player 12 and Google Crome and Windows Meda Player 12, the links in the table should jump to the audio section in the notes. The audio file has to load first, if you try a link at end of the recording it will take some time to load first. Once it's downloaded on your computer the other links should work quickly out of your temp files. The audio file is a 17 mb mono file that is not as good as the larger ones above.
| h:mm:ss | Notes on Comments made |
| 0:00:26 | Introduction |
| 0:02:48 | Lebrun |
| 0:06:18 | Eby |
| 0:06:24 | Nipomo has a single source of water |
| 0:06:44 | Other communities do |
| 0:07:42 | This is a complicated view of |
| 0:08:47 | What the problem is, what we are trying to avoid is seawater intrusion. |
| 0:09:30 | An example of 50-60 wells we monitor. |
| 0:10:50 | A group called Nipomo Mesa Management Area Group |
| 0:11:28 | Average level in the key wells |
| 0:12:06 | The key well index for the numerically inclined, it's dropped over 40% |
| 0:12:17 | You might ask why these wells are dropping. |
| 0:12:22 | Well if you look at the next slide you see the population in the NCSD has grown quite a bit from 2000 to 2010 it has grown 20% |
| 0:12:32 | On the mesa it self on the next slide we show the population growth of the mesa from 1980 to 2010 and in the same period from 2000 to 2010 has grown 11% |
| 0:12:46 | we are getting a lot more people, and a lot more people consume a lot more water. |
| 0:13:10 | The real growth in the water use on the mesa |
| 0:13:16 | In fact from in the numbers from here to here, show we have increased our urban consumption by 50% between 2000 and 2008 |
| 0:13:30 | Is the increasing consumption and lowering of groundwater levels a problem, So What |
| 0:13:39 | Well there is a term that the water experts use, they call hydrologists, This term is called dependable yield |
| 0:13:57 | The harm comes in several manifestations. |
| 0:14:51 | The dependable yield for the Nipomo mesa is a number that has been calculated by a several groups over the years, and its ranged from some very small numbers up to 4800 to 6000 Acre feet per year |
| 0:15:07 | Nobody, None of the experts have estimated it being grater then 6000 AF year |
| 0:15:32 | Since 1984 we on the Nipomo Mesa have been pumping more then the dependable yield of 6000 AF year, this chart show water consumption on the mesa |
| 0:15:45 | We crossed 6000 AF per Year of dependable year in 1984-1985, since then as the population has been growing we have been digging deeper into our bank account. |
| 0:16:01 | We are next to the Pacific ocean |
| 0:16:18 | Have we had sea water intrusion No we have not |
| 0:17:09 | Why are we concerned now |
| 0:18:18 | Example of sea water intrusion in Los Osos |
| 0:20:05 | Oceano, Nearer to us |
| 0:20:16 | Wells closest to the ocean dropping below sea level for the first time in history |
| 0:21:52 | Nipomo has one source of water |
| 0:22:29 | Jim Harrison, Questions on cards only |
| 0:22:41 | Winn, The Question is, How did we get in this fix? |
| 0:24:40 | If you look at this we had lots of water |
| 0:26:12 | You saw this map hit dependable yield hit at 1984, the rain water did not change, .. rain average 16" a year |
| 0:26:51 | Ag has been increasingly responsible, in our area they have continued to irrigate more land with less water. |
| 0:27:12 | studies change in 2000... studies have flaws. |
| 0:27:49 | DWR study flawed, stopped at county line, how would you like to measure half of a bathtub. |
| 0:28:34 | Studies change tone |
| 0:29:02 | 2004 SLO BS do Papadopoulos study |
| 0:29:38 | Study flawed but said overdraft ... county level III |
| 0:30:37 | Papadopoulos not accurate. |
| 0:30:56 | Lawsuit |
| 0:31:13 | Different question asked is the whole basin overdraft? |
| 0:31:30 | After kicking the lawyers out of the room and talking to the hydrologists the judge came to the conclusion we were not in overdrafted. |
| 0:31:49 | one is talking locally about Nipomo the other is talking about the big picture. |
| 0:32:05 | The Judge said "for the Nipomo Mesa a physical solution is necessary" he also went on to say that " overdraft in the foreseeable future" |
| 0:32:31 | Because of that the technical groups were made up. |
| 0:32:57 | TG we have to bring in supplemental water as soon as possible |
| 0:34:36 | Vote on state water (wrong year) NCSD customer only not owners |
| 0:35:56 | See the pattern 16" rain sense 1975 ... go above 20", |
| 0:37:26 | Growth 2.5% |
| 0:38:32 | Three things can't be changed, i encourage you to look at them carefully |
| 0:38:38 | Number one, Farmers and other people who have private wells simply don’t' have to cutback on what they are taking. It's the law. |
| 0:38:51 | use is reasonable and beneficial, by the way that has been test in court a bunch of times and is very loss standard. |
| 0:38:58 | As long as it reasonable and beneficial, they do not have to conserve. |
| 0:39:05 | They do not have to join you and me in paying for a solution. They are exempt. |
| 0:39:13 | Sorry there are only two states out of 50 that have that rule Texas and California. |
| 0:39:26 | State Water only runs 18" away from our main. |
| 0:40:04 | The third thing is Desal is our .. only non political, .. but he expense is horrendous.... it would take us 15-20 years. even then the energy cost very expensive. |
| 0:40:58 | Desal won't get us the water fast enough to solve the problem |
| 0:41:15 | Lebrun, Solutions |
| 0:41:42 | We are using twice as much water as is being replace by rain fall |
| 0:46:46 | Question Rain Water harvesting, is a viable suggestion, I have heard from many On the Nipomo Mesa ancient sand dunes.. All of our rainwater percolated down into aquifer about as quickly as it can. No surface water, Harvesting most of our |
| 0:48:00 | we have had exhaustive Studies that conclude this is the best approach the reasons why, Santa Maria has adequate water to provide us, there is a pipe line that will connect. ...that can be built in two years. the design is complete |
| 0:48:38 | Cost 25 million dollars, actual spent 3 million to date ... from supplemental water fees. |
| 0:49:08 | Technical Group |
| 0:49:54 | We have to raise 25 million ... looking at property tax ... we feel that is the best... Any thing we do as assessment.. every property will vote to approve or not approve. |
| 0:51:19 | We have a single source of supply ... it's threatened |
| 0:51:51 | It's the lowest cost, it's not cheep, .. it can help in two years. |
| 0:52:05 | Keep our community informed. That’s our commitment to you. |
| 0:53:03 | Introduce Paul Teixeira |
| 0:53:03 | Sense 1984 we on the Nipomo Mesa have been pumping more then the 6000 AF Year |
| 0:53:58 | Back to Green Cards |
| 0:56:15 | Question, Why did people not vote yes on state water |
| 0:57:15 | Question: Reuse Waste water? |
| 0:58:50 | What would the assessment tax for a well owner |
| 0:59:39 | Question: What happened to all the rainfall last year |
| 1:00:47 | Question: four water purveyors, what if one area votes no? |
| 1:01:34 | Question: have developers paid money, where is the money? |
| 1:01:57 | $17,000 per house hold (for supplemental water) |
| 1:02:15 | Question: same false premise, on talk of 300m or 400m |
| 1:02:42 | Eby, 25million for the project $20-$40 per month per parcel 6000 sq ft to 1 acre. |
| 1:03:29 | Eb Eby, The cost of the water will not be in the assessment. |
| 1:03:49 | Eby Honda example |
| 1:04:13 | Question: Why Tax assessment vs use charge |
| 1:05:03 | Owner can opt out |
| 1:05:43 | Question: What can be done to get Conoco Philips and ag users to contribute? |
| 1:05:49 | Talk to our congress men? |
| 1:05:52 | Well you can certainly talk to your congress man. But the problem is the law. |
| 1:06:01 | We have one of the most antiquated water laws in America, Texas and united states (California ) only |
| 1:06:08 | have the law that water does not belong to all of us. It belongs to each individual underneath their property. When they pump it it's theirs and you can't tell them no. |
| 1:06:21 | This is so antiquated it came out of the gold rush in California there was a test case done and it started |
| 1:06:28 | back in the 1990 between Barstow and the water conservation district over Mojave and the question was: Look this law is so antiquated so out of date, surely this can't be are law. |
| 1:06:41 | and they one the first case and they lost the second case on appeal and they went to the California supreme court. |
| 1:06:49 | The California Supreme court ruled very simply: the old law is definitely still in effect. That's it. |
| 1:06:57 | The California Supreme court ruled very simply: the old law is definitely still in effect. That's it. |
| 1:07:00 | They can not be required to conserve. |
| 1:07:04 | can prosecute if they waste |
| 1:07:19 | So Conoco Philips is only drawing water from under their parcel |
| 1:07:42 | Also Raised with Conoco Philips |
| 1:08:37 | Question: Los Oso and Ocean not in our aquifer. |
| 1:09:59 | Pipeline vote was a long time ago is it time to do it again |
| 1:10:39 | Question: will property built before 1984 be taxed? |
| 1:11:04 | Question: We don't like you slick mailers |
| 1:11:19 | Cost is about two dollars a peace. |
| 1:11:49 | Question: Moratorium on growth |
| 1:12:27 | Question: After you collect the 25million will you lower the property tax down? |
| 1:13:10 | Question: after you make the connection to SM how will you wheel the water to the customers? |
| 1:14:17 | Question: if we are in a drought will SM have any water to sell us? |
| 1:15:25 | Question: if seawater were to occur can the water be cleaned with RO? |
| 1:15:58 | Question: What are the terms / years on the pipeline? |
| 1:17:32 | Question: Since the county created the overpopulation can't they pay for it? |
| 1:18:30 | Question: Does the pipeline that flows through Nipomo, the state pipeline pay us for passage? |
| 1:18:52 | Question: Not all people in Nipomo got to vote on the SW pipeline, can we change that with another election? |
| 1:19:47 | Question: Stipulation requires NCSD to support and not appose the WIP |
| 1:20:32 | Winn: if there is a solution that is cheaper then the one we are looking at, Seriously, we want to hear about it. But I don't think there is one. |
| 1:20:47 | Question: Why are we not considering a combination of options? |
| 1:20:55 | Winn: The reality is you guys have done a great job at conservation. |
| 1:21:08 | Winn: in our district we have already cut back 27% |
| 1:21:31 | Question: will Rural water receive Supplemental water? |
| 1:22:18 | Rumor on Sullivan building pipe to Rural |
| 1:23:03 | Question: What is the possibility of a desal plant that is owned by a group of purveyors? |
| 1:24:09 | Eby: Santa Maria has more then twice as much water as they need. |
| 1:24:41 | Question: How many AF will we get from Santa Maria? |
| 1:25:13 | Question: Why are we not taking it all at once? We can't use it. |
| 1:25:29 | We have to take the same flow winter and summer. |
| 1:26:04 | The pipeline under the river is sized for 6200 AF |
| 1:26:38 | Question: The SM aquifer is the same aquifer? |
| 1:26:45 | It's just the property owners in the four areas. |
| 1:26:58 | Question: Why is NCSD using scare marketing? |
| 1:27:37 | Question: Can the pipe be built on the 101 bridge? |
| 1:28:20 | Lebrun: so it's much more cost effective, especially when you look at the life cycle of operation this thing for 30 years. |
| 1:28:46 | Question: Why does NCSD and other water purveyors grant will serve letters? |
| 1:29:31 | What we have out there are small mutual water companies for the small developments. and there are a number of them right on our boundary’s |
| 1:29:38 | and again what we talked about tonight those small water companies organized there’s nine homes , they have a overall system |
| 1:29:46 | the day they put that well down they have a have a senior right to that water as a overlying user. |
| 1:29:51 | they are pumping and using on their property they become seniors to our water district customers |
| 1:30:17 | Question: The Santa pipe line has adequate supply, how long will that adequate supply last Santa Maria is on the same basin? |
| 1:30:57 | Question: rather then build the pipeline why done we buy this water right off the SW pipeline? |
| 1:32:07 | Question: is Santa Maria's water fluoridated? |
| 1:32:39 | Question: Since we have a emergency connection to the State Water pipe? |
| 1:34:16 | Question: NCSD Limits their cost estimate in the pipeline to on Capital costs only. What about the water and operation and maintenance? |
| 1:34:48 | Eby, I have another example of that to, I took the same mathemagic and applied it to my electric bill. |
| 1:36:13 | Question: If the assessment goes down what's the plan |
| 1:39:49 | Public comment starts |
| 1:40:17 | You will get one minute |
| 1:41:05 | Question: 25 million is the capital cost of the project what will our water bills go up? |
| 1:41:28 | Lebrun, I can't give you a solid figure |
| 1:41:37 | Lebrun, the contract with Santa Maria is $1450 per acre foot. |
| 1:41:42 | Lebrun, We have the operational cost etc. so I don't have a solid cost for you. |
| 1:41:50 | anyway any cost to the rate payer will need a vote |
| 1:41:58 | Member of the crowd said that's not true, Harrison makes him write it on a card |
| 1:42:16 | Nipomo has two source of water one is the rain, why are you not doing 100% capture |
| 1:43:13 | John Snyder |
| 1:44:10 | Pat Eby |
| 1:45:29 | Unknown, Just talking about Capital cost is disinjenuous |
| 1:46:22 | Unknown, Another heavy Tax |
| 1:47:25 | Winn, Response |
| 1:47:36 | Unknown, Does not cover cost of water over 30 years |
| 1:48:13 | Unknown, Boyle alternatives |
| 1:49:39 | Harrison, Response |
| 1:50:24 | Unknown, Problem with add that shows sea water intrusion |
| 1:51:20 | Bill Petrik, I would like to clarify the Oceano sea water intrusion incident. |
| 1:51:27 | Bill Petrik, I think if you really go back to Oceano that has responsibility for that well and ask them. |
| 1:51:34 | Bill Petrik, They will tell you, that was a Maintenance issue and there's nothing in the report that said it's sea water intrusion. |
| 1:51:41 | Harrison, Well thank you for your input however we have a letter from the attorney that doesn’t agree with you. |
| 1:51:50 | Harrison, the attorney from Oceano, we have on the letter from him, that does not agree with what you just said. |
| 1:52:05 | Harrison, Conclusion |