Sand Hollow aquifer study funded; USGS to lead two-year effort
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Summary
Board heard that funding for the Sand Hollow aquifer study is in place with district contribution majority, USGS $30,000, and the city covering about 10%; USGS will lead and the effort is expected to take about two years with regular board involvement.
Board members were told that funding and roles have been settled for a Sand Hollow aquifer study. Speaker 6 reported, "The funding has finally all been agreed on," and described anticipated cost-sharing: the district will pay the majority (Speaker 2 estimated 60–80 percent), USGS will contribute $30,000 and the city about 10 percent. USGS is expected to take the lead on study design and execution and the board noted a roughly two-year timetable.
Board members emphasized the need to stay engaged, with Speaker 6 saying the board should "remind them once a month that we're here and these are the questions we have" to ensure study questions are addressed. The board identified Tom Marston (USGS contact) as a likely key interlocutor and assigned staff to stay involved in question framing.
Why it matters: an externally led aquifer study can provide the hydrogeologic data needed for long-term well siting, sustainable yield estimates and informed water-right change applications. The board requested monthly check-ins and asked staff to track study deliverables.