James A. Van Haun. Re: Water Usage Analysis for Esperanza Hills Project in Yorba Linda, California

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1 James A. Van Haun Sent via to: September 20, 2018 Re: Water Usage Analysis for Esperanza Hills Project in Yorba Linda, California On September 5, 2018 I was contacted and retained by Kevin Johnson, Esq. to review the Esperanza Hills Project 2018 Additional Environmental Analysis Project No. PA dated August I was asked to particularly review Attachment E Revision to Section 5.15, Utilities & Service Systems, Second Revised EIR on water use and Attachment F Letters from consultants regarding water use. As part of this analysis, I have been in contact with John Kennedy, Assistant General Manager, Chief Engineer, Orange County Water District; D. D. Kanne, retired research & environmental scientist and Kevin Johnson. The following are my comments regarding the subject Environmental Analysis (EA) document & attachments: 1. Water Demand Analysis The documents used to determine sufficient water supply were produced in 2005 & These documents are now dated because of consumer response to the drought and new laws that have been promulgated based on the drought conditions during that period. The State is now in a new water supply reality that recognizes that droughts are a way of life and based on historical records can last for decades. This reality is lacking in the current analysis. The basis of the water demand analysis contained in the EA relies on various studies that are in conflict with each other in terms of assumptions & conclusions which ultimately leads to unclear assumptions & conclusions in the EA. As part of the Additional EA, SMP Environmental Design (SMP), generated an analysis dated August 7, 2018 that lumps in all water demands into one analysis including residential landscape water use, indoor water use, fuel modification zone use, special maintenance area landscape use and parks use. This allinclusive analysis then encompasses the entire 469 acres which leads to a murky, unclear analysis of the concluding assumptions. This approach is unusual and does not provide an accurate picture of actual water use.

2 The Esperanza Hills Project contains very large 4,500-6,500 sq. ft. homes that use far more water than average homes. They are also on very large (by Orange County standards) 1 acre lots. These very large lots and homes are generally considered luxury homes that lend themselves to large individual water features, more large pools and more indoor water use per person. None of this was factored into the SMP analysis. According to the EA, a total of 13 acres will be dedicated to active and passive parks including dramatic fountain geysers and a boulder-lined babbling brook and fruit tree groves. The parks water usage conducted by SMP Environmental Design assumed that 21.8% of the 13 acres would be dedicated to high water use turf and water features. The remaining 78.2% of the 13 acres would be dedicated to low water & medium water use shrubs. It is assumed in the analysis that medium water use trees consume as much water as medium water use shrubs. The parks analysis concludes that 7,801,734 gallons per year will be used. An acre-foot of water is (rounded) 326,000 gallons which equates to acre-feet per year. Divided by the 13 acres equates to 1.84 acre-feet/acre/year, a very low figure for use of this kind. Depending on the type of turf used and irrigation regime employed, turf water use can be 4-6 acre-feet/acre/year. Similarly, mature fruit trees even with drip irrigation require at least 4 acre-feet/acre/year. Medium water use shrubs use about two-thirds of the water compared to turf, which if assuming 4.5 acre-feet for turf equates to 3 acre-feet/acre/year. And low water use shrubs use about 37% of the water compared to turf or about 1.7 acre-feet/acre/year. Since final landscape design has not been submitted and approved, and a host of water use variables exist a more realistic number of 4 acre-feet/acre/year is assumed. This then equates to acre-feet of water annually applied to the 13 acres, not acre-feet per year assumed in the analysis, a difference of acre-feet of additional water per year. Entire water use for the proposed project is 403 acre feet per year so the acre-feet is a 6.9% increase in annual consumption for the proposed project. Nowhere in the EA is there any discussion or analysis on how the proposed project can take measures to save water. For example, a mix of medium use and low water use shrubs are to be installed in residential property, parks & other areas in the development. It is assumed in the EA that medium water use plants

3 use 3 acre-feet/acre/year of water versus 1.7 acre-feet/acre/year for low water use plants. By merely switching to low water use shrubs entirely from mediumuse shrubs realizes a 56% savings in annual water demand on each acre. Further, it is very difficult to determine, based on how the analysis is all lumped together, exactly how many acres of medium & low water use plants are being planned. The challenge in today s drought conscience environment is to reduce water consumption when possible rather than assume that adequate supplies will be available forever. The notion of installing geyser like fountains and artificial babbling brooks is clearly out of place. 2. Construction Water Demand Analysis The construction water demand analysis is entirely contained in a one (1) page letter prepared by Sukut Construction (undated) that is contained in Attachment F. Sukut estimates that 15 million cubic yards of material will be moved to accomplish construction on the project site. For a project of this size, 15 million cubic yards of material is a significant amount given the elevation differences of the project site. Sukut estimates that 20 gallons of water will be required per cubic yard of material moved. Given the significant elevation differences of the project site where did this figure come from? Has Sukut ever worked at a site of this nature? Sukut should be specifically asked about how they have arrived at these water use requirements based on specific projects of a similar nature. Clearly, historical construction water demand has been tracked & should be provided in a more comprehensive construction water demand analysis. 3. Origin of Construction Water According to Sukut Construction, approximately 213 million gallons of water will be dedicated to construction use on the project over a 2 ½ year period, a significant amount of water. Since the Diemer Filtration Plant pipeline is in the immediate vicinity of the project site that contains unfiltered Colorado River Water from Lake Mathews and is entirely gravity fed, this is by far the preferred alternative for construction water. The only other alternative is treated water obtained from YLWD. The considerable energy required by using YLWD water can be entirely avoided by using water from the Diemer Filtration Plant pipeline. JAMES A. VAN HAUN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

4 January 2018 to Present Viticulture & Enology Consultant Water Resources Consultant November 1998 to December 2017 Founding owner and winemaker of Cedar View Winery/Sequoia View Bed & Breakfast located west of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks in Central California. Responsible for all viticulture and winemaking activities including, Managing 10 acre estate vineyard with ten varietals including Viognier, Rousanne, Marsanne, Muscat Blanc, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Winemaker for 1,500-2,000 annual case production all sold retail in the tasting room and wine club. Awarded over 100 regional, state and international medals including 4 Star Gold, Best of Class and Gold medals. Tasting room manager for a period of over 18 years participating in all aspects of sales. Organized and participated in over a hundred events including winemaker s dinners, wine club pickup parties, music events, weddings and similar events. Experienced in all aspects of winemaking including complete production from growing wine grapes to bottling. December 2004 to December 2016 Founding Executive Director of the Kings River Conservancy obtaining over $2 million in grants for construction of facilities including river access parks. Managed all aspects of the Conservancy. Orange County Water District February 1989 to October 1998 Associate General Manager Worked directly with the Board of Directors and General Manager in formulating policy and managing the programs of the Orange County Water District with an $80 million annual budget and 200 employees. Primary architect and negotiator of water resource transfers and purchases with various groundwater agencies in Southern California and along the State Water Project resulting in savings of millions of dollars annually. Responsible for all environmental compliance programs which affected over 4,000 acres of property along the Santa Ana River and in Prado Basin, resulting in millions of dollars in annual water savings. Responsible for administration associated with Board of Directors meetings, including agenda submittals, recommendations and presentations. Responsible for Human Resources functions including salary administration, benefits, recruiting, employee relations, training and safety programs. Directed staff members with expertise in Administration, Biology, Human Resources, Engineering, Public Affairs and Government Relations functions.

5 Orange County Water District March 1978 to January 1989 Public Affairs Manager Coordinated intergovernmental relations policies and programs. Served as primary liaison with other governmental and professional organizations on the national, state and local levels. Directed an extensive, diversified public information department with input from the District's member agencies and the assistance of five staff members. Department activities included one of the most extensive water conservation programs in the nation. White-water River Guide Guided on rivers throughout the western United States. Over 10,000 miles of white-water experience on over 50 western rivers EDUCATION Biology, Bachelor of Science, California State University, Fullerton, 1975 National Executive Institute, Mendham, New Jersey, 1976 PAST LOCAL/STATE AFFILIATIONS California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns Orange County Water Association, President (1995) President, City of Reedley District Chamber of Commerce President, National Xeriscape Foundation Board Member Central California Wine Growers Association AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS Founder of the National Xeriscape Water Conservation movement Association of California Water Agencies Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award for Prado Basin Projects California Water Policy IV Award for Forging New Relationships Prado Basin Project Over 100 medals for winemaking including numerous golds, 4 star gold and Best of Class.