Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Jim Eggemeyer, Director, Office of Sustainability
Heather Forshey, Director, Environmental Health Services, Health System
Subject: San Mateo Plain Groundwater Basin Assessment Report
RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept this informational report regarding the San Mateo Plain Groundwater Basin Assessment, prepared for the County by EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI).
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo Plain groundwater basin (Basin) underlies the bayside of the County from approximately Burlingame to the Santa Clara-San Mateo County boundary at San Francisquito Creek. During historical periods of high groundwater use from the early 1900s until the Hetch Hetchy line was completed in the 1960s, groundwater levels in the Basin had dropped significantly and negative impacts including seawater intrusion and subsidence were observed. The recent historic drought, coupled with renewed interest in groundwater use within the Basin, has increased local interest in better understanding the Basin, evaluating the extent to which increased groundwater use would impact the Basin, and options for mitigating potential negative impacts. There was a desire to have a more holistic assessment of the Basin combining research and historical data collected by various cities and water agencies within the Basin, as well as water districts and cities outside of San Mateo County, to create a more comprehensive and accurate picture of current conditions and understanding of the Basin.
The County contracted with EKI to comprehensively evaluate the Basin. The San Mateo Plain Groundwater Basin Assessment (Project) began in April 2016 and was completed in July 2018.
The primary objectives of the Project were to:
1. Increase public knowledge by collecting, standardizing, and hosting data and historical studies on the County's website for ease of use by agencies, consult...
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