Notice of Special Board of Directors Meeting

NOTICE OF SPECIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

10:00 A.M. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Meeting will be held via Zoom by phone & video conference. To attend/listen to the meeting please call Toll Free US 1 (888) 788-0099 or 1 (877) 853-5247 Meeting ID: 834 0000 4005 Password: 794375 Zoom Link: Zoom Link

Right to be heard: Members of the public have a right to address the Board directly on any item of interest to the public, which is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. The request to be heard should be made immediately before the Board’s consideration of the item. No action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of 54954.2 of the Government Code and except that members of a legislative body or its staff may briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by persons exercising their public testimony rights under section 54954.3 of the Government Code.

AGENDA

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

2. PUBLIC COMMENT – FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA (LIMIT PER PERSON – 5 MINUTES)

3. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2020-236 – DECLARING BALDWIN BATTERIES EXEMPT FROM CEQA

4. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 2020-237 - DECLARING PARKER BATTERIES EXEMPT FROM CEQA

5. COMMENT LETTER ON NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE MATILIJA DAM ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT

If you require special accommodations for attendance at or participation in this meeting, please notify our office 24 hours in advance at (805) 646- 3403 (Govt. Code Section 54954.1 and 54954.2(a).

Board Packet Page 1 of 20

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Board Packet Page 2 of 20 VENTURA RIVER WATER DISTRICT

DATE: September 25, 2020 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Bert J. Rapp, P.E. General Manager

SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS 2020-236 & 2020-237 APPROVAL OF NOTICES OF EXEMPTION FOR BALDWIN AND PARKER BATTERIES

SUMMARY The District is anticipating receiving a grant from the Public Utilities Commission to install batteries at the Baldwin and Parker pump stations. The environmental impact of batteries has been reviewed and determined to have not significant impact. Notices of Exemption have been prepared and are attached.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS The General Manager recommends that the Board take the following actions: 1. Approve Resolutions 2020 – 326 and 2020 - 327 declaring that the installation of emergency backup batteries is exempt from CEQA. 2. Direct the General Manager to file the Notice of Exemption with the State Office of Planning and Research and the Ventura County Clerk.

BACKGROUND

The District is currently applying to the California Public Utilities Commission for a grant for back up batteries for the Baldwin and Parker pump stations with the assistance of Tesla, Inc. If awarded the grant, the batteries will be provided to the District at no cost and will be capable of operating the pumps for about 4 hours. The battery installations are about 6-feet wide, 30-feet long and 7-feet tall. They are silent except for a cooling fan that periodically operates to keep the electronics cool. The cooling fan is facing away from sensitive receptors.

Board Packet Page 3 of 20

With the batteries in place the District will use the diesel engine generator less during power outages. This will reduce the noise and air pollution.

The locations for the batteries are shown on the exhibits above.

FISCAL SUMMARY No negative fiscal impact is anticipated associated with the declaration of batteries being exempt from CEQA.

Action: ______Motion:______2nd:______E. Lee____ B. Kuebler___ N. Rosser___ J. Curtis___ P. Wiles____

Board Packet Page 4 of 20 Print Form

Notice of Exemption Appendix E

To: Office of Planning and Research From: (Public Agency): ______P.O. Box 3044, Room 113 ______Sacramento, CA 95812-3044 ______County Clerk County of: ______(Address) ______

______

Project Title: ______

Project Applicant: ______

Project Location - Specific:

Project Location - City: ______Project Location - County: ______Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project:

Name of Public Agency Approving Project: ______Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project: ______Exempt Status: (check one): Ministerial (Sec. 21080(b)(1); 15268); Declared Emergency (Sec. 21080(b)(3); 15269(a)); Emergency Project (Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)); Categorical Exemption. State type and section number: ______Statutory Exemptions. State code number: ______Reasons why project is exempt:

Lead Agency Contact Person: ______Area Code/Telephone/Extension: ______

If filed by applicant: 1. Attach certified document of exemption finding. 2. Has a Notice of Exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes No

Signature: ______Date: ______Title: ______

Signed by Lead Agency Signed by Applicant

Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21110, Public Resources Code. Date Received for filing at OPR: ______Reference: Sections 21108, 21152, and 21152.1, Public Resources Code.

Revised 2011 Board Packet Page 5 of 20 Print Form

Notice of Exemption Appendix E

To: Office of Planning and Research From: (Public Agency): ______P.O. Box 3044, Room 113 ______Sacramento, CA 95812-3044 ______County Clerk County of: ______(Address) ______

______

Project Title: ______

Project Applicant: ______

Project Location - Specific:

Project Location - City: ______Project Location - County: ______Description of Nature, Purpose and Beneficiaries of Project:

Lead Agency Contact Person: ______Area Code/Telephone/Extension: ______

If filed by applicant: 1. Attach certified document of exemption finding. 2. Has a Notice of Exemption been filed by the public agency approving the project? Yes No

Signature: ______Date: ______Title: ______

Signed by Lead Agency Signed by Applicant

Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21110, Public Resources Code. Date Received for filing at OPR: ______Reference: Sections 21108, 21152, and 21152.1, Public Resources Code.

Revised 2011 Board Packet Page 6 of 20 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VENTURA RIVER WATER DISTRICT 409 OLD BALDWIN RD, OJAI CA 93023 805-646-3403

RESOLUTION # 2020 - 326

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP BATTERIES AT BALDWIN PUMP STATION EXEMPT FROM CEQA

Whereas, the Ventura River Water District intends to install backup batteries at the Baldwin Pump Station Site located at 409 Old Baldwin Road, Ojai, CA; and

Whereas, the battery energy system will help mitigate potential water service interruptions to customers during Public Safety Power Shutoff events and emergency power outages. The footprint of the system is approximately 200 SF, located adjacent to the existing electrical system at the pump station. Installation and operation of the battery energy system would not result in significant impacts to any environmental resources or sensitive receptors, and would in fact reduce noise impacts and air pollution emissions during power outages from the large diesel engine generator; and

Whereas, a Notice of Exemption was prepared for the project with an exempt status as an Emergency Project per Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c) of the California Code of Regulations because the project prepares for future emergencies, will reduce existing environmental impacts, will not result in any significant impacts to any environmental resources or sensitive receptors; and,

Now, therefore, Be It Resolved that the Board of Directors of Ventura River Water District find that the project has an exempt status.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of September 2020.

AYES: NOES: ABSENT:

Ed Lee - President Attest:

Bruce Kuebler, Vice-President

Board Packet Page 7 of 20 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE VENTURA RIVER WATER DISTRICT 409 OLD BALDWIN RD, OJAI CA 93023 805-646-3403

RESOLUTION # 2020 - 327

A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP BATTERIES AT PARKER PUMP STATION EXEMPT FROM CEQA

Whereas, the Ventura River Water District intends to install backup batteries at the Parker Pump Station Site located at 575 Highland Drive, Ojai, CA; and

Whereas, the battery energy system will help mitigate potential water service interruptions to customers during Public Safety Power Shutoff events and emergency power outages. The footprint of the system is approximately 100 SF, located adjacent to the existing electrical system at the pump station. Installation and operation of the battery energy system would not result in significant impacts to any environmental resources or sensitive receptors, and would in fact reduce noise impacts and air pollution emissions during power outages from the large diesel engine generator; and

Now, therefore, Be It Resolved that the Board of Directors of Ventura River Water District find that the project has an exempt status.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of September 2020.

AYES: NOES: ABSENT:

Ed Lee - President Attest:

Bruce Kuebler, Vice-President

Board Packet Page 8 of 20 VENTURA RIVER WATER DISTRICT

DATE: September 25, 2020 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Bert J. Rapp, P.E. General Manager

SUBJECT: COMMENT LETTER ON NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF A SUBSEQUENT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE MATILIJA DAM ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT

SUMMARY The District is expecting increased risk of flood damage when the Matilija Dam is removed and much of the 70 years of sediment accumulated behind the dam is released. Some of the sediment will collect in the river bottom and elevate flood levels. Prior environmental documents have identified potential flood impacts and they are being mitigated. With the attached letter the District will ask for consideration be given to mitigating the flood impacts on its facilities.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS The General Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Board President to sign the attached comment letter.

BACKGROUND

The Watershed Protection District has issued a Notice of Preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. See the attached copy. The NOP discusses Project Components of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project that are both included and excluded in the current NOP. Two of the Project Components will be addressed with future environmental documents. The attached letter requests that the Baldwin Booster Station be included as a Project Component and in future environmental analysis.

Board Packet Page 9 of 20 FISCAL SUMMARY The cost to relocate the Baldwin Pump Station to higher ground will cost about $2,700,000.

Action: ______Motion:______2nd:______E. Lee____ B. Kuebler___ N. Rosser___ J. Curtis___ P. Wiles____

Board Packet Page 10 of 20 September 25, 2020

Ventura County Public Works Agency – Watershed Protection Attn: Tyler Barns 800 S. Victoria Ave., #1600 Ventura, CA 93009

Email: [email protected]

Subject: Notice of Preparation of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project.

Dear Mr. Barns;

Thank you for providing the Notice of Preparation (NOP) and providing the Upper Ventura River Water District the opportunity to comment on environmental issues related to the dam removal. The NOP identifies four projects that will be analyzed with this Subsequent Environmental Impact Report. It also lists five additional projects two of which will require further environmental analysis.

With this letter the District requests that the Ventura County Watershed Protection District include the Baldwin Pump Station Relocation as Project Component of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project.

The following is a description of our concernes.

Increased Flood Damage

The removal of the Matilija Dam is going to cause the deposition of soil in the Ventura River that will raise the 100-year flood levels. The CEQA documents to date recognize this factor and has identified mitigation for various flood impacted facilities along the river including the Santa Ana Bridge in Oak View, the Live Oaks Levee in Oak View, the Casitas Springs Levee and several other facilities.

The Ventura River Water District Baldwin Pump Station is also at increased flooding risk because of the Matilija dam removal. The District has put together a concept plan for moving the pump station to high ground for an estimated cost of $2,700,000.

During the February 1969 flood the Ventura River flowed through the area now occupied by Baldwin Pump Station and destroyed a District water well that was replaced two months later but located on higher ground.

The current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map shows the Baldwin Pump Station in Flood Zone A for a 1% chance of flooding or the 100-year flood plain. See Exhibits 1 and 2.

Board Packet Page 11 of 20 The District understands that the Baldwin Pump Station is at risk of flood damage with or without the Matilija Dam Remove. However, the removal of the dam does, to some degree, increase the risk of flooding and to that extent the dam removal project should mitigate that impact as it is doing for other flood impacts along the river.

Flood Zone A – 1% Flood

Baldwin Pump Station

Exhibit 1 – Current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map

Baldwin Pump Station Calculated flooding pre dam removal.

Calculated flooding post dam removal.

Flood Zone A – 1% Flood

Exhibit 2 – Draft Matilija Dam Hydraulic Modeling Map

Board Packet Page 12 of 20 Notice on Exhibit 2 of the draft output of the Matilija Dam Hydraulic Modeling, the calculated flooding pre and post dam removal do not show an impact the Baldwin Pump Station. However, the 1969 flood damaged District facilities that are in the same area. Hydraulic modeling only places the flood flows and sedimentation on the existing shape of the river cross section. It does not have the ability to forecast the potential alluvial meanderings of the river during a flood event. The meander of the river is what caused the damage in the 1969 flood.

Loss of Percolation

When the fine sediments are released from behind Matilija Dam there is a potential that the river invert could become plugged by the silt. This occurred after Thomas Fire and following flash flood that caused the Montecito debris flow. The impact of the sedimentation was felt by the reduced aquifer recharge that occurred. As the watershed recovered and cleaner flood flows cleansed the river bottom of the silt seal percolation improved.

The fine sediment load from Matilija Dam removal may re-occur for several years and if the aquifer is low or following rain years are minimal the Ventura River Water District and Meiners Oaks Water District may need to purchase supplemental water from the Casitas Municipal Water District.

The Ventura County Water Shed Protection District is already analyzing this impact and the District encourages the analysis to continue and appropriate mitigation identified.

Thank you for your consideration of our concerns.

Very Truly Yours VENTURA RIVER WATER DISTRICT

Ed Lee, President

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