HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12101985 - WC.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: WATER COMMITTEE
DATE: DECEMBER 2, 1985
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS AND WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT
SpecificRequest(s) or Recommendation(s) A Bac group us i ica ion
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Direct the Environmental Health Division of the Health Services Department to prepare
a concise summary of existing County policy procedures , regulations , and requirements
to be satisfied for issuance of a well permit or permit for a small water system.
2. Direct the Community Development Department, with assistance from County Counsel , to
draft a policy statement, that will prohibit subdivision and development in rural areas
where basic services (such as water) are lacking, for review by the Board of Supervisors.
3. Authorize the Chairwoman to sign a letter to the Secretary of the Interior opposing
the proposed agreement to sell additional subsidized water to the Westlands Water District
and stating that no additional water should be contracted to San Joaquin Valley interests
until the agricultural drainage solution has been effected.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The County has an existing ordinance on water systems which allows the County to regulate
the development and operations of small community water systems. These regulations provide
a method of determinating the amount of water available for proposed developments and also
address water quality. In order to inform developers of these County requirements, it is
appropriate for the Environmental Health Division of the Health Services Department to
prepare a document outlining the County requirements to be made available to developers.
This policy should be reviewed by the Water Committee before it is finalized for distribution
by the Community Development Department.
Continued on attachment: X yes Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on:
,( / 9�'S� Approved as Recommended /Other_
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
/Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain:
DBOcl-wc.bo.com.sys.tl2 Attested �J0, S
Orig. Div.: Community Development (EC) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK
cc: Congressman George Miller via EC OF THE BOARD AND COUNTY
Westlands Water District via EC ADMINISTRATOR
County Counsel
Health Services, Environmental Health
County Administrator By ,
DEPUTY CLERK
In order to discourage premature and potentially troublesome development in rural areas
where basic services, such as water and sewer service, are lacking, it is appropriate for
the Board of Supervisors to consider land use or other types of policies prohibiting or
discouraging these types of developments. It is appropriate for the Community Development
Department to prepare a draft policy for review by the Board of Supervisors. This policy
statement would provide the foundation for subsequent planning activities, such as General
Plan Revision, Specific Plans, etc.
In an effort to settle a long-standing lawsuit between the Westlands Water District and the
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation , an out-of-court settlement has been proposed which would allow
additional subsidized water to be permanently allocated to the Westlands Water District.
Congressman George Miller has opposed this settlement on the grounds that the lands in
question are not entitled to additional water and that any new contracts should not be
subsidized by the general taxpayers, but paid for by the water customers. It is appropriate
for the Chair to send a letter to the U . S. Department of Interior stating the County' s
opposition to the settlement and calling for a public review of any documents and negotia-
tions concerning this matter. Copies of the letter should go to appropriate agencies and
individuals, including Congressman Miller, and the Westlands Water District.