Economic Impacts of Reduced Surface Water Diversions

Client: Somach Simmons & Dunn

Location: Sacramento, CA

Summary: In the case California Trout vs. Bureau of Reclamation/United Water Conservation District, Cardno ENTRIX prepared an expert report on economic impacts on behalf of the United Water Conservation District (UWCD). The report assessed the economic impacts to agriculture and the regional economy of reduced surface water diversions from the Santa Ana River at the Freeman Diversion. The reduced surface water diversions are expected to result from implementation of a Biological Opinion (BO) regarding Southern California Steelhead. Santa Clara River water from the Freeman Diversion is used in UWCD for municipal and agricultural purposes, and also serves to recharge local groundwater aquifers to halt seawater intrusion. Decreased surface water supplies resulting from implementation of the BO were estimated by UWCD hydrologists and geologists to increase seawater intrusion, reduce groundwater quality, and increase groundwater pumping lift. Working closely with UWCD hydrologists and geologists, Cardno ENTRIX analyzed the total agricultural acreage and production value that would be affected by seawater intrusion and that would consequently go out of production. Based on the linkage of agriculture to other industries in the region, Cardno ENTRIX also estimated the total economic impact of reduced agricultural production on all industries in the Ventura County economy.