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Water Resource Manager details DWR invoices, grant awards and pipeline design; Blue Mountain begins program management
Summary
Staff reported that DWR invoices totaling hundreds of thousands have been paid or submitted, the Groundwater Authority received nearly $3.4 million for consolidation projects, pipeline design 30% deliverables are due this year, and Blue Mountain has begun program-management work and will deliver a master schedule and risk assessment.
Water Resource Manager Steve updated the board on grants, invoices and the pipeline project timeline, reporting that the Authority had received payment for invoice #11 (about $600,000) submitted to DWR and had submitted invoice #12 (about $420,000) for review. He said the community drought relief program awarded the groundwater authority nearly $3.4 million for consolidation of shallow-well systems into public water systems.
Steve reviewed the pipeline design schedule, noting that Provost & Pritchard has outstanding 30% submittals including refined hydraulic and transient-mitigation analyses and a draft mechanical pump selection memorandum. He said the team is working on preliminary permitting requirements and right-of-way drawings and expects a 90% design submittal later this year followed by 100% design.
On coordination and staffing, Steve praised Blue Mountain’s early work and handed the update to Bianca of Blue Mountain Development, who said the program-management contract was executed and kickoff meetings were held with Groundwater Authority staff and project consultants. Bianca said Blue Mountain will prepare a master schedule and conduct a risk assessment that looks at technical, environmental, regulatory, fiscal and schedule impacts.
Michael McKinney updated the board on expected Army Corps involvement for construction. He said the Corps will review environmental and planning documents and, because the Corps lacks funds for that review, staff are pursuing a Planning Assistance to States award and will seek an appropriation in the FY2027 Energy and Water Development Act to support a forced project start and transition; the transition and first-year coordinated budget are targeted for the first quarter of 2027.
Steve also noted environmental steps: environmental consultants will deliver a draft environmental assessment subject to a 45-day public comment period and a final EA/EIR as part of the project schedule; a right-of-way acquisition plan for properties needed for the project is expected by late this calendar year.
The board asked about recent heavy rains and pipeline scour risks; Steve said the design team is performing scour analysis and coordinating with Kern County roads data to assess impacts and adjust depth or trenching approach where necessary.
