3. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION - Lassen County

3: Plan Implementation Final Groundwater Management PlanProgram is to protect groundwater sources of public drinking water supplies from contamination, therebyeliminating the need for costly treatment to meet drinking water standards. The program was established bythe Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 and is based on the concept that the development andapplication of land-use controls (usually applied at the local level in California) and other preventativemeasures can protect ground water.A Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA), as defined by the 1986 Amendments, is "the surface and subsurfacearea surrounding a water well or wellfield supplying a public water system, through which contaminants arereasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or wellfield.” The WHPA may also be therecharge area that provides the water to a well or wellfield. Unlike surface watersheds that can be easilydetermined from topography, WHPAs can vary in size and shape depending on geology, pumping rates, andwell construction.Under the Act, states are required to develop an EPA-approved Wellhead Protection Program. To date,California has no formal state-mandated program, but instead relies on local agencies to plan and implementprograms. Wellhead Protection Programs are not regulatory by nature, nor do they address specific sources.They are designed to focus on the management of the resource rather than control a limited set of activitiesor contamination sources.Groundwater Resource Protection ActionsThe County will take the following actions:• Support and implement policies contained in the Lassen County General Plan Natural Resources Element(Water Resources chapter).• Support existing Ordinance 488 associated with well construction, repair, modification, and destruction.• Participate in the review and provide recommendation for permit applications submitted under Ordinance539, Groundwater Extraction and Exportation.• Support County Environmental Health Department submittal of received well completion reports toDWR Northern District.• Evaluate the need for and implement as necessary a wellhead protection, well spacing (and other)programs in Lassen County.• Continue to participate and support the function of the Long Valley Groundwater Management Districtpursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement with Sierra County.• Participate in activities of the Honey Lake Groundwater Management District, if enacted and directed bythe Board of Supervisors.• Participate in activities of the Willow Creek Valley Groundwater Management District when requested.• Participate in activities of the Surprise Valley Groundwater Management District when requested.• Support activities of the Lassen-Modoc County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.• Coordinate and collaborate with the Washoe County Regional Water Planning Commission and NevadaState Engineer on interstate groundwater management issues.3.7 Groundwater SustainabilityThe County is currently engaged in various activities that promote groundwater sustainability. Becausegroundwater levels in Lassen County are adequate for current uses, the County is not pursuing developmentof conjunctive use operations, replenishment of groundwater activities, nor mitigation of overdraft. Specificactions currently the County is pursuing or studying include:3-10