Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve a Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey for groundwater model uncertainty analysis in an amount not to exceed $130,000.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board approve Joint Funding Agreement No. 17-867-AM between the EAA and the United States Geological Survey for groundwater model uncertainty analysis for a total amount of $130,000, of which the EAA contribution will not exceed $69,000, for the period October 1, 2017, through March 31, 2019, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the agreement.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to approve a Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the United States Geological Survey for groundwater model uncertainty analysis. The EAA recently updated and recalibrated its groundwater model of the Edwards Aquifer. While the model is consistent with the conceptual understanding of the aquifer and is well-calibrated to a variety of aquifer condition measurements, uncertainty may exist in the model inputs that could be propagated to simulated predictions of aquifer springflows and water levels. Dr. Jeremy White and Ms. Linzy Foster of USGS will assist EAA staff with their expertise in uncertainty analysis and access to high-end computational resources to better quantify how uncertainties may affect model predictions used to support water resource management decisions.
Attached to this item is the proposed JFA which was reviewed by legal counsel.
At the August 22 meeting, the Research & Technology Committee voted to recommend the board approve Joint Funding Agreement No. 17-867-AM between the EAA and the United States Geological Survey for groundwater model uncertainty analysis for a total amount of $130,000, of which the EAA contribution will not exceed $69,000, for the period October 1, 2017, through March 31, 2019, and authorizi...
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