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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2015 PH3 CarmelLomeli, Monique Subject: FW: Drought Response Strategy and the Corporation Yard Water Well . -} Vii:_ �:J _ From: Tim Carmel [ mailto:tcarmel(acarnaclaw.com] JUN U ] 2015 Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2015 11:40 AM To: E -mail Council Website Cc: Lichtig, Katie Subject: Drought Response Strategy and the Corporation Yard Water Well COUNCIL MEETING; o� 6 Dear Madam Mayor and Members of the City Council, ITEM NO.: I hope you are doing well. I am writing in regard to one component of the proposed Drought Response Strategy that is set to come before you at the City Council meeting taking place this coming Tuesday night. I want to make sure you are aware of the vitally important resource that the Corporation Yard Water Well (Well) has become to a significant number of homes located on O'Connor Way, just outside City limits, but most within the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin (Basin). There are more than a dozen homes located in this area that rely on the Well to meet the water needs of our families. As the recommendation in the staff report is currently written, those parcels within the San Luis Obispo Valley Groundwater Basin will be able to pay an annual permit fee of $350 to access the water from the Well. The Department of Water Resources Bulletin 118 map is being used as an overlay to evaluate which parcels are included in the Basin and, therefore, which of them will be given access to the Well. The map is decades old and, even according to City staff, it is unclear how accurately the map boundary lines reflect the actual lines of the Basin. For this reason and because of the critical importance of the Well in our lives, I respectfully request that you consider a minor modification to those recommended guidelines by allowing parcels immediately adjacent to or possibly within a short set distance (for example, a quarter mile) of the Basin line depicted on the map to also be granted access to the Well. I ask this because my property sits in or immediately adjacent to the Basin and is not listed as one of the addresses that will be given access to water from the Well. This is deeply concerning to me as it threatens my ability to get water for my family. I believe there is only one other property on O'Conner Way, the Monastery of the Risen Christ, that is dependent on the Well and currently excluded from participation, that would also qualify under these revised guidelines. I realize this Well was originally established to serve construction - related activities, but because of the impact to our water wells caused by the current severe drought conditions, the families in this area have come to rely on this resource to meet the water needs. I understand that use of the Well must be temporary and that it cannot serve as a permanent water supply. Recognizing that this dry weather pattern may last for decades or longer, a group of property owners in the area have been and are actively pursuing a long term water supply solution, including forming an assessment district or possibly a county service area. However, that is a cumbersome process that will take some time. I fully support the annual $350 permit fee that is proposed for outside -the- City use of the Corporation Yard Well. That is a very fair cost for use of the Well. Our ability to continue to live in our homes in this unincorporated area may be jeopardized if this resource were to be taken away. I ask that you please keep that in mind as you move forward with this important agenda item. Thank you for your consideration, Tim Carmel San Luis Obispo, CA. 93405 cc: Katie Lichtig, City Manager