Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 6, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
WATER CONSERVATION:
Guest Column: Water cutoff demands new ideas -
OROVILLE FUNDS:
SBF guidelines almost ready - Oroville Mercury Register
FOLSOM DAM CONSTRUCTION:
Folsom Dam work won't cut lake access - Sacramento Bee
WATER CONSERVATION:
Guest Column: Water cutoff demands new ideas
By Fred Starrh, president of the Kern County Water Agency board of directors
An Alameda County Superior Court judge has issued an earth-shaking decision that could shut down the State Water Project within 60 days. All water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will cease unless the Department of Water Resources can get a permit from the California Department of Fish and Game within that time.
KCWA is making every effort to ensure that this procedural snafu does not shutdown
To further protect our farms, families and businesses, we are working with our members to prepare a contingency plan that ensures adequate water supplies if appeals are unsuccessful.
However, the real solution must come from DWR and DFG.
The issue is whether DWR has the proper "take" permit from DFG -- responsible for protecting fish species -- to operate SWP pumps. Pumping has the incidental effect of harming three fish species that are protected under the California Endangered Species Act.
Although DWR and water agencies throughout
The court reviewed only written agreements between DWR and DFG and ignored many programs DWR has to protect fish species and mitigate the SWP's impact on them. DWR's efforts to protect these species are extensive, amounting to tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of water per year.
DFG did not participate in the case and the court emphasized that a case of this magnitude -- affecting up to $400 billion of the state's economy -- should have included testimony from DFG. DWR and DFG must coordinate a response to the court's proposed decision and make it clear that DWR has the appropriate authorization from DFG under existing agreements.
The decision illustrates the conflict between using the Delta to convey water to the state's farms and cities and protecting the Delta ecosystem.
Growing consensus from scientists and state leaders is that the Delta is unsustainable and the water delivery system is failing. In addition to this ruling's effects, the Delta water supply and infrastructure system face other unprecedented risks, including earthquakes, major floods and global warming impacts.
The proposed decision is yet another example of why
The Public Policy Institute of California recently identified alternatives for solving the Delta's problems. Constructing a new water conveyance facility around the Delta, rather than through it, is one of them. The court's decision illustrates that the need for such a facility is urgent and the time to act is now. #
http://www.bakersfield.com/140/story/113456.html
OROVILLE FUNDS:
SBF guidelines almost ready
Oroville Mercury Register – 4/6/07
By Mary Weston, staff writer
The committee charged with dispersing the Supplemental Benefits Fund met for two hours Wednesday to review the guidelines for submitting projects and suggest changes.
Although the document will come back to the committee next Thursday for approval, the guidelines are pretty much nailed down after several months of brainstorming and discussion by the SBF Steering Committee. After final approval, the guidelines will be available for agencies and non-profits to review the criteria for submitting projects for funding.
Vene Thompson, a voting member on the steering committee from the Feather River Recreation and Park District Board urged the committee members to approve the guidelines, so the 45-day window to apply for funding could begin.
Thompson said the committee had already spent many hours developing the guidelines. However, Jim Prouty, a voting member of the committee from the Oroville City Council, and a few others had questions. Prouty said the 45-day window for submitting projects was too short for the first year of funding disbursements. He asked if the committee had considered compromises for the submission period.
"We met on a weekly basis for two months," Thompson said. "We don't want to hold it up any longer. We have already been four months making compromises."
The SBF sprang from collaborative efforts and partnerships formed during the relicensing of the Oroville Dam Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project.
The stakeholders collaborative included California Department of Water Resources, State Water Contractors,
In accordance with the FERC Settlement Agreement, Appendix B, the SBF Committee was created to oversee and administer the money in the fund.
At this time, $1,935,000 can be dispersed for projects, said Bill Cochran of DWR. From that, up to $300,000 can be used for administration costs. According to the guidelines being developed, $50,000 can go for small projects in the community, $100,000 for economic development. That would leave $1,485,000 to be divvied up for large projects.
Bob Sharkey, general manager of FRRPD, suggested that funding might be split up between the top project applicants, as the state and other agencies disperse grant funding. That would mean three or four top projects might get a portion of the funding, even though the applicants might not get as much as they ask for.
The voting members of the SBF Committee are comprised of three members of the Oroville City Council and two members of the
Additionally, one member from the State Department of Water Resources, the State Waters Contractors,
Cochran said DWR and the water contractors will give the SBF another $4,135,000 when FERC issues a permanent license to DWR, and the temporary annual license DWR has now does not trigger disbursements. In addition, upon issuance of a 50-year license, DWR, would add $1 million a year to the fund, retroactive to 2006.
For the funding period of July 2006 through 2009, DWR has a standard agreement between the city and the state for $8,270,000 total, but again disbursements in addition to the $1.935 million available now depend on issuance of a license.
The exact date a license will be issued is unclear, as lawsuits challenging the license could extend the date.
According to the guidelines, small projects are $5,000 and less. Large projects are more than $5,000.
Public agencies and non-profits will submit projects through either the city or the FRRPD.
Evaluation criteria include resource priorities, which looks at how the project enhances community recreation, economic development and related environmental issues. This includes how the project is consistent with the DWR Settlement agreement, the general plan and other agency plans.
Access and location criteria considers the project's nexus to the community, the river and riparian habitat, as well as how it would enhance public access. Projects inside the FERC boundaries would need FERC approval.
Other criteria considers community and regional impacts, project readiness, matching funds for the project and other factors. Other factors include bang for the buck, community need, historic significance and sustainability.
Sustainability criteria considers local organizations and partnerships that will assist with construction and ongoing maintenance. This rates the ability of the applicants to complete the project.
The guidelines outline the elements of a completed application. The two representing agencies, the city and FRRPD will help applicants though the process.
The city will also be scheduling a grant workshop to guide people through the application process.
Jan Hill, of the FRRPD board, said she had evaluated projects for the state for many years, and more specific criteria would be needed to evaluate projects, but it is good to keep the guidelines general.
"I think it's a very good guideline for projects because it's general," Hill said.
She said the guideline could also change over time, and the document could be amended.
"We need to start somewhere, and this is a very good document to start with," Hill said. #
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_5605590
FOLSOM DAM CONSTRUCTION:
Folsom Dam work won't cut lake access
FOLSOM -- Area residents and boaters who frequent Folsom Lake received assurances they were looking for Wednesday night: Public access to recreation areas around the lake will remain open throughout most of an 11-year project to improve dam safety and flood control.
"There will be nearly continuous access to all recreation areas," Mike Finnegan, area manager of the Bureau of Reclamation's Central California Area Office, told about 40 area residents and lake users during a community meeting.
The public responded with alarm in January after release of the draft environmental report for the project, which indicated that Folsom Point, the most popular day-use area on the eastern shore, could be closed for up to seven years.
Finnegan said a final decision on how work will proceed likely will be made by the first of May. #
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/150465.html
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