SU0004689 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

FROM :CITY OF GALT PLANNING/BUILDING FAX NO. :209 744 1642 Nov. 22 2004 06:OBPM P3 Review letter for PA-"00650(CM Page 2 of 7 respond to the project location in a timely manner since it is on the border of another district. Finally,this area is predominately agricultural and a change to the general plan designation will create growth inducing effects on surrounding lands. An EIR should he prepared. 3. The proposed subdivision will create an additional load on an already limited ground water supply. The City is opposed to the proposed project because it will increase the impacts on the City's limited ground water supply. The City of Galt relies completely on ground water and has no surface water rights at this time. For the past 6 years, the City has participated in the Sacramento Area Water Forum Program that is funded and coordinated through the Sacramento City-County Office of Metropolitan Water Planning. The groundwater basin in the Galt area continues to drop at an average rate of one foot per year and the area will be subject to continued groundwater monitoring to assure that the decreasing water table does not reach unacceptable levels. The development of more residential units that are exempt from water conservation programs represents an additional load on die groundwater basin that is above current demands for the subject property and increases the demand on the ground water basin. Existing residential development is not subject to the Water Forum Agreement as it would be cumbersome and deterrnining/collceting shared costs for groundwater management programs was determined not to be feasible. Given the new understanding of the region's water needs and demands, the City is opposed to the change in land use for this arca. 4, The use of septic systema on one acre+/-parcels will increase potential ground water contamination. The groundwater basin for the City of Galt and environs extends from the Cosumnes River south beyond the Sacramento County line. Due to a cone of depression that exists cast of Galt, the basin has a downhill gradient towards the City of Galt. Development in close proximity to the City limits and adjacent to Dry Creek and its tributaries is creating a serious concern in the City because all these lots are utilizing wells and septic systems. The addition of additional septic tank and leach fields in the Galt area further increases the potential for contamination of groundwater resources, In the past,the City has detected high nitrate levels in wells and has closed down one production well due to high nitrate concentration. The nitrate problem is perceived to be caused by either agricultural run-off into an open well or similar situation adjacent to a leach field or other source of contamination. Given the potential for additional rezonings and subdivisions (additional septic systems) in the future,the City is opposed to the proposed project.