PCWA Adopts Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan – YubaNet

Report on the Adoption of the Updated Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan

A Framework for Sustainable Water Resource Management in Alignment with Global Goals

On August 7, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors formally adopted the updated Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan (GMP). This action represents a significant step in the long-term, sustainable stewardship of a critical water resource, directly contributing to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – A Collaborative Governance Model

The updated GMP is the result of a robust partnership, exemplifying the principles of SDG 17. The plan was developed through a cooperative effort between three key agencies responsible for managing the groundwater basin, which spans both Placer and Nevada counties.

• Placer County Water Agency (PCWA)
• Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD)
• Northstar Community Services District (NCSD)

This voluntary, non-regulatory framework serves as a model for inter-agency cooperation. As noted by PCWA Director Josh Alpine, the plan showcases how collaborative work among partners can ensure the quality and sustainability of crucial water resources. This approach aligns policy and implements effective programs based on shared objectives, a core tenet of SDG 17.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensuring Water Security

The primary purpose of the GMP is to improve the understanding and management of the Martis Valley groundwater resource, directly addressing the targets of SDG 6. The plan is built upon a foundation of Best Management Objectives (BMOs) retained from previous versions:

1. Protecting groundwater resources and the associated environment.
2. Managing resources in coordination with the Truckee River Operating Agreement.
3. Fostering collaboration with all groundwater users and stakeholders.
4. Utilizing the best available science and technology to inform decision-making.

By focusing on these objectives, the partner agencies ensure the sustainable management and availability of clean water for the communities and ecosystems that depend on the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin.

SDG 13 & SDG 15: Climate Action and Life on Land

The report confirms the basin’s resilience and health, which is vital for climate adaptation (SDG 13) and protecting local ecosystems (SDG 15).

• Basin Health: The Martis Valley Groundwater Basin is operated well within its sustainable yield. Consistent recharge from precipitation and snowmelt has maintained stable groundwater storage levels, estimated between 350,000 and 400,000 acre-feet, even through varying wet and dry years since 2016.
• Ecosystem Support: A healthy groundwater basin is fundamental to the overall ecosystem. The management plan helps safeguard the 57-square-mile basin and Martis Creek, which flows into the Truckee River, thereby contributing to the protection and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems as outlined in SDG 15.
• Proactive Monitoring: Continuous monthly monitoring and an annual review by a licensed hydrogeologist ensure that the basin’s condition is closely tracked, allowing for adaptive management strategies in response to climatic changes.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The sustainable management of the Martis Valley groundwater directly supports the development of resilient and sustainable communities (SDG 11). By safeguarding this vital resource, the GMP ensures a reliable water supply for the residents and economy of Placer County and the surrounding region. The classification of the basin as “Very Low Priority” by the California Department of Water Resources underscores the success of this proactive, collaborative management in preventing resource depletion and securing long-term water security for the community.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The entire article focuses on the “Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan (GMP),” which is a direct effort to ensure the “sustainable, long-term stewardship” and management of a vital water resource. It discusses assuring the quality and sustainability of groundwater, which is central to SDG 6.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article connects the health of the groundwater basin to the wider environment, stating that “A healthy groundwater basin supports the overall ecosystem.” One of the plan’s objectives is “protecting groundwater resources and the environment,” which aligns with protecting terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems as outlined in SDG 15.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights that the management plan is a “model for collaboration and cooperation.” It explicitly names the partners involved: Placer County Water Agency (PCWA), Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD), and Northstar Community Services District (NCSD). This multi-stakeholder partnership is a core principle of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
   • The article is centered on the adoption and implementation of the Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan. This plan represents a framework for partner agencies to “align policy and implement effective programs” for managing a shared water resource, which is the definition of integrated water resources management. The collaboration between PCWA, TDPUD, and NCSD demonstrates this management at a local and regional level.
2. Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
   • The plan’s objectives include “protecting groundwater resources and the environment.” The article notes the basin is in the “eastern Sierra” and that its health “supports the overall ecosystem,” directly linking the groundwater management to the protection of a water-related mountain ecosystem.
3. Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • The effort to ensure the “sustainable, long-term stewardship” of the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin, which is described as supporting the “overall ecosystem,” directly contributes to this target. The management plan is a tool for the sustainable use of an inland freshwater ecosystem (the aquifer).
4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The article describes the plan as a “collaborative effort” and a “model for collaboration and cooperation between agencies and stakeholders with common goals.” The partnership between the three public agencies (PCWA, TDPUD, NCSD) is a clear example of an effective public-public partnership to achieve a common sustainability goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Existence of an Integrated Management Plan: The adoption of the “updated Martis Valley Groundwater Management Plan (GMP)” itself serves as a key qualitative indicator for Target 6.5.
• Groundwater Level Monitoring: The article explicitly states that “Monthly monitoring of the groundwater levels allows the agencies to keep a close eye on the basin.” This is a direct quantitative indicator of the basin’s condition.
• Groundwater Storage Volume: The report found that “the basin’s estimated groundwater storage has remained between 350,000 and 400,000 acre-feet.” This measurement is a crucial indicator of the sustainable yield and health of the aquifer (Targets 6.6 and 15.1).
• Annual Expert Review: The article mentions that as part of ongoing implementation, “a licensed California hydrogeologist will continue to review monitored data annually and report on the basin’s condition.” This annual report serves as a regular assessment indicator.
• Formal Partnership Structure: The established partnership between PCWA, TDPUD, and NCSD since 2013 is an indicator of a functioning multi-stakeholder collaboration (Target 17.17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yubanet.com