Title
Consider staff recommendation to approve the EAHCP Nonroutine Adaptive Management Process Proposal as the mechanism for ensuring compliance with EAHCP Phase II flow targets.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the Stakeholder Committee approve the Nonroutine Adaptive Management Process proposal to modify the Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option Conservation Measure (EAHCP § 5.1.2) to ensure compliance with the EAHCP Phase II flow targets, especially for Comal Springs.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this item is for the Stakeholder Committee to review, discuss, and approve the proposed modification to the EAHCP Voluntary Irrigation Suspension Program Option (VISPO) Conservation Measure (EAHCP § 5.1.2) to ensure compliance with the EAHCP Phase II flow targets, specifically the 30 cfs minimum flow objective for the Comal Springs system. This proposal seeks to change VISPO forbearance from 40,000 ac-ft/yr to 41,795 ac-ft/yr.
Pursuant to Funding and Management Agreement § 7.6.2, modifications to Phase I and/or Phase II Conservation Measures are subject to the procedures of the Nonroutine Adaptive Management Process (AMP) to be implemented. Moreover, these modifications require the approval of the EAHCP Stakeholder, Science, and Implementing Committees.
On March 27, 2019, the EAHCP Science Committee convened to discuss the Nonroutine AMP proposal and developed a Scientific Evaluation Report describing the Science Committee’s discussion and approving the VISPO modifications.
The Nonroutine AMP Proposal and Scientific Evaluation Report are attached.
This action meets the obligations of the Funding and Management Agreement § 7.12.3.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The minimum fiscal impact associated with the stand-by payments between 2020-2028 is $872,370. Assuming VISPO triggers three times in that timeframe, the total fiscal impact of this item is $1,733,970.