Information Order and Reporting Requirements for the Clear Lake Watershed
Information Orders were issued to water users in the Clear Lake Watershed at the end of January 2024. The Orders were accompanied by a letter containing details on how to comply and reporting deadlines. An example Information Order and letter are available below:
Click here to complete Report 1 – due March 31, 2024
The platform requires the following access code: ClearLake
Click here to complete Certification – due February 29, 2024
The platform requires the following access code: ClearLake
For help submitting Report 1 or Certifying, contact Staff directly by phone or email.
REMINDER: Measure and track weekly groundwater extractions by well from March 1 through July 31, 2024 (if you are required to submit Report 1).
How To Comply
Information Order Certification - February 29, 2024
Recipients of the Information Order must:
- Certify they received the Order.
- Choose a reporting pathway – report directly to the State Water Board or register with the Lake County Farm Bureau Education Corporation Alternative Compliance Pathway.
- Identify how they will track groundwater extractions from March 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. Guidance on approved methodologies and example tracking logs are available in the Resources section.
All recipients will certify through the State Water Board online reporting platform at research.net/r/clearlakeorder_pathway
The platform requires the following access code: ClearLake
Choose Reporting Pathway
Recipients of the Information Order must choose their reporting pathway by February 29, 2024. You can choose between the following two pathways for reporting:
Pathway A: Report Directly to the State Water Board
This is the default option for anyone who receives the Order. If you choose this option, you must submit your reports through the Board’s online reporting platform. This is the same platform you will use to certify receipt of the Order and confirm your reporting pathway.
Pathway B: Report through the Lake County Farm Bureau Education Corporation (LCFBEC) Alternative Compliance Pathway (Pathway)
To report through the LCFBEC Pathway, you must register with the Lake County Farm Bureau (LCFB) AND certify with the State Water Board (see step 1 above) by February 29, 2024. This pathway allows the LCFB to collect data from participants and submit datasets and summaries to the State Water Board in a format that addresses concerns about personal information while providing the State Water Board with the information it needs to support efforts to protect the Clear Lake hitch. You must call or email Rebecca Harper with the LCFB at (707) 263-0911 or lcfarmbureau@sbcglobal.net to register for the LCFBEC Pathway. Once you register, the LCFB will provide instructions on how to report.
Due dates are the same no matter which reporting pathway you choose.
Measure Groundwater Extractions - March 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024
Recipients of the Information Order are required to measure weekly groundwater extraction volumes by well from March 1 to July 31, 2024 using a method acceptable to the State Water Board. This information will be submitted in Report 2. Groundwater extraction for domestic water use is not required to be tracked or reported per the Information Order. Guidance on acceptable methods for measuring weekly groundwater extraction volumes and sample tracking forms are available in the Resources section.
Submit Report 1 - March 31, 2024
Recipients of the Information Order are required to submit two reports containing information about water diversions, extractions, and use. The first report (Report 1) is due by March 31, 2024. Details about the information you need to include in Report 1 is available in the Resources section below, along with a list of documents that are helpful to have at the time of reporting.
If you are reporting through the State Water Board, you can click here to access the online reporting platform using ClearLake as the access code.
Submit Report 2 - August 31, 2024
Recipients of the Information Order are required to submit two reports containing information about water diversions, extractions, and use. The second report (Report 2) is due by August 31, 2024. Details about what information will be requested in Report 2 is available in the Resources section below, along with a list of documents that are helpful to have at the time of reporting.
If you are reporting through the State Water Board online reporting platform, it will open for Report 2 submissions by August 1, 2024.
Resources
We are developing resources to help you comply with the Information Order. Links to the following materials will be updated soon:
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I only use groundwater for domestic use?
Domestic use is defined as indoor and outdoor household use, and non-commercial hobby farming/ranching.
If you use groundwater for domestic purposes only, you will not be required to track weekly volumetric groundwater extractions, or complete Reports 1 and 2. You are only required to certify through the State Water Board online reporting platform by February 29, 2024. The certification process will ask for your contact information, parcel number(s) and water use type (domestic). To complete the process, you will certify that the information is accurate and complete (click a check box). At that point, you will be considered in compliance with the Information Order and there are no further steps to complete, unless the State Water Board has follow-up questions.
If my property is not located near a creek, why did I receive an Order?
The Information Order was sent to people who own or are responsible for properties located within the following areas:
- The Big Valley Groundwater Basin
- Approximately 1,000 feet of Rodman Slough, Middle Creek, Lyons Creek, Clover Creek, Tule Lake, Blue Lakes, Scotts Creek, Adobe Creek, Kelsey Creek, Cole Creek, Manning Creek, and/or McGaugh Slough
- Upstream of hitch spawning habitat that may have substantial surface water diversions AND/OR
- In areas within the Clear Lake watershed where groundwater may be connected to key hitch spawning habitat.
While your property may not be near a creek, it likely meets one of the other criteria stated above. If you have further questions, please email or call us.
What if my well is inactive and/or I do not use, divert, or extract water from the property?
An inactive well is defined as a well that has not been used within the last five years or has been decommissioned.
If your well is inactive and/or you do not use, divert, or extract water from the property, you will not be required to track weekly volumetric groundwater extractions, or complete Reports 1 and 2. You are only required to certify through the State Water Board online reporting platform by February 29, 2024. The certification process will ask for your contact information, parcel number(s) and water use type. To complete the process, you will certify that the information is accurate and complete (click a check box). At that point, you will be considered in compliance with the Information Order and there are no further steps to complete, unless the State Water Board has follow-up questions.
If I no longer own a property, how should I respond to the Order?
Please contact State Water Board staff and provide the following information:
- APN for the sold parcel
- Legal proof of sale and/or transfer of ownership
If documentation is valid, the State Water Board will work with you to address the issue.
Can I have someone complete the reporting process on my behalf?
You can designate another person to report for you. As part of the reporting process, the person you designate will provide their name and contact information along with your name and contact information.
Public Workshops & Office Hours
We are here to help! In addition to the guidance documents provided in the Resource section, you can send questions to ClearLakeHitch@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5355.
- Public Workshops
Workshops were held in February to review the process for complying with the Order. Related materials: Presentation Slides.
Stay Informed
Email Subscription List
Subscribe to the Clear Lake Hitch Information Email List.
Check your email account for a confirmation email to complete your subscription.
Contact Us
ClearLakeHitch@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 341-5355
Staff are on-call Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Communications received over the weekend or on holidays will be processed the next business day.
