The Mokelumne RIver at sunrise near the fish hatchery west of Camanche Dam. The North San Joaquin Water Conservation District hopes to reclaim its right to 20,000 acre-feet of water from the river during normal and wet winters. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

North San Joaquin's water future on the table at hearing Thursday

On Thursday, a local water district will plead its case before a state water board in an attempt to recover its rights to 20,000 acre-feet of water from the Mokelumne River.

North San Joaquin Water Conservation District sees that water right as key to its efforts to recharge the area's groundwater.

How did the district lose its water rights?

The State Water Resources Control Board's staff rescinded the right to all but 4,000 of the 20,000 acre-feet of water.

Water Resources staff denied North San Joaquin's time extension to complete a project providing "complete beneficial use" of the 20,000 acre-feet, which was available during years with average or above-average rainfall and snowpack. Essentially, the state determined that if North San Joaquin didn't have the means to use the water, it shouldn't have the water.

North San Joaquin has had the equipment to pump only about 3,000 acre-feet from the Mokelumne River. Water Resources staff, in its November ruling, said it will allow North San Joaquin only the 3,000 acre-feet it's been using, plus another 1,000 acre-feet from a Cal-Fed grant.

How did district respond?

Last month, the North San Joaquin board voted to assess a groundwater charge on property owners who use well water. Revenue from the groundwater charge is intended to purchase infrastructure to pump the full 20,000 acre-feet grants the appeal.

Why should I care?

The groundwater basin in the Lodi area has an estimated 50,000 acre-feet annual overdraft in the district. The North San Joaquin and other water districts, and the cities of Lodi and Stockton want additional water from local rivers to replenish the groundwater basin.

Saltwater from the Delta is slowly moving east into the Lodi and Stockton areas. The higher the groundwater levels, the less salt moves in from the Delta.

Lodi relies completely on groundwater for its domestic supply. That could change somewhat with the city's purchase of Mokelumne River water from the Woodbridge Irrigation District.

What will take place at the hearing?

The hearing, before two state water board members will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Water Resources Control Board office, 10th and I streets, second floor, Sacramento. The hearing is scheduled for about two and a half hours, with 12 people testifying on North San Joaquin's behalf.

Speakers will include district Manager Ed Steffani, North San Joaquin board members Fred Weybret and John Ferreira, Lodi Public Works Director Richard Prima, farmers Joe Valenti and Larry Mettler, plus representatives from the city of Stockton, the Stockton East Water District and San Joaquin County.

Speakers will discuss water issues and history throughout San Joaquin County, but mostly how they affect the Lodi area. No decision on the appeal is expected Thursday.

The public will be allowed to speak briefly at the beginning of the appeal hearing, and carpools from Lodi are being arranged. For information on carpools, call North San Joaquin board member Tom Hoffman at 369-8578.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.