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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04271999 - C86 Contra TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORSCosta FROM: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE County COMMITTEE Supervisor Donna Gerber, Chair Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier DATE- April 27, 1 999 SUBJECT; Report from Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee on Support of the Central Valley Project Contract Amendment between the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the US Bureau of Reclamation SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMM DAT. .S. AUTHORIZE Chair to sign a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation in support of amending the contract the Bureau holds with EBMUD for American River water. FI_ SCA, IST None BACKGROUNDIREASONS FOR R MM N ATI On April 19, 1999 the Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee heard a presentation from EBMUD on planning efforts to build infrastructure to utilize American Fever water which EBMUD, for some time, has had a contract to use. This project is In the process of environmental review, having produced a draft EI SIR for the project. EBMUD has received public comment and is in the process of responding to comments, and is working with CCWD on their concerns related to the project. No action on the project itself is recommended at this time. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT- YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION, OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE � OTHER SIGNATURE S - SUPERVISOR DONNA GERBER SUPERVISOR MARK DESAULNIER ftemo ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED `OTHER_ VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES- NOES- "* AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE ABSENT- ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Roberta Goulart (925-335-1226) ATTESTED) ,4, 401 , 9°95' cc: Community Development Department (CDL) PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY Transportation, water & Infrastructure Committee April 27, 1999 However, the TW&l Committee recommends support of amending the contract EBMUD currently holds with the Bureau, to allow EBMUD more flexibility in examination of the full array of alternatives in planning efforts to determine the best route by which to take this water. In 1974, EBMUD signed a contract with the Bureau to take 154,444 acre feet of water per year from the American River. Shortly thereafter, in 1972, EBMUD's contract was challenged in court, and cited as an "unreasonable use" of American River water. In 1994, EBMUD's water rights to the American were reaffirmed, with conditions imposed as to when and how much water EBMUD could take in any given water year. This reaffirmation (with the conditions imposed) is known as the Hodge decision. Since 1994, EBMUD has been working on methods to obtain this supply. Recent efforts by EBMUD have focused on two main alternatives; use of American Diver water at the historic diversion point at Nimbus (in accordance with the Hodge decision) through the Folsom South canal to the Mokelumne Aqueducts, or as the City and County of Sacramento once requested (as a joint project), taking water at the 1-5 diversion point back through Sacramento to Folsom South canal. This diversion point adds some 23 miles and $154 million dollars in cost, but also allows EBMUD to take water in dry years. This planning effort has taken several years, and negotiations with potential local partners such as the City and County of Sacramento, and San Joaquin County are continuing. Sacramento, at one time a more enthusiastic partner, is rethinking their position to some degree. EBMUD, by its own admission does not have sufficient supply from its Mokelumne River source alone to see its customers through a major drought. The Mokelumne water supply has been curtailed to some degree because of water needs for fish, and less water will be available to EBMUD in the future because of increased use of Mokelumne River water by senior water rights holders. EBMUD has instigated a number of demand management programs which have the effect of conserving supply by Its customers as a matter of course, creating a situation where little additional conservation can be obtained in a drought situation. As a result, rationing of 25% can be a very significant impact to customers, (as compared to past years), and EBMUD cannot guarantee rationing would be limited to 25% in a major drought situation. 2 The Beard o Supervisors Contra Clerk 3 hehelor Clark u`the hoard Costa and County Administration Building County Administrator 651 mine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 County John Giola, 1001strict Gayle B. Ulikerrsa,2^'district Donna Gerber, 3r' District - Mark Resaulnier, 0' district � Joe danclarnilla, b'" district € 9 Mr. Tom Aiken,Area Manager April 27, 1999 United States Bureau of Reclamation Central California Area Office 7794 Folsom Dain Road Folsom, CA 95667 Dear Mr, Aiken: On April 27, 1999, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to support the East Bay Municipal Utility District's (EBMLD)Central Malley Project(CVP) amendatory contract with the Bureau. The Board supports EBMI UD's continued evaluation of all alternatives in order to determine the best way to provide infrastructure to allow EBMUJD to take its American River entitlement. The Board recognizes the complexity of implementing this project, and the efforts that EBMUD has made over the past several years in development of alternatives and in working with other local entities for area wide benefit. It would not be appropriate to limit options by denying the amendment, as a full assessment of infrastructure and related opportunities to partners needs to be fully explored. As you know,EBMUD has been paying for this entitlement since the early 1970`s, and has endured a lengthy legal process to affirm their right to the American River supply, By its own admission, EBMUD does not have the water supply from its Mokelumne River source to satisfy customers during all water years, in fact, a major drought situation would cause severe shortages to EBMUD customers(up to 65%of existing water use for some customer classes). This is especially significant because demand management practices implemented by EBMUD over the last few years allow little additional conservation to take place, increasing the drought hardship to customers. For these reasons,the Board encourages your favorable resolution in amendment of EBMUD's CVP contract. If you have questions,please contact Roberta Goulart of our staff at(925) 335- 1226. Sincerely, 1 a oe ciamilla Ch�.ir tjSBR/EBMUD DRAFT AMENDATORY CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT CONTRACT +� % Supplemental Water Supply Project Update— March 1999 PURPOSE The purpose of this fact sheet and information meeting notice is for ♦ Inform the community as to the availability of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBt UD)IU.S Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Draft Amendatory CVP water service contract; 4 Notify the community about an upcoming information meeting; 4 .Provide background information regarding the provisions of the proposed Draft Contract; and Encourage public participation. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRAFT AMENDATORY CONTRACT & PROJECT EIR/EIS In November of 1997 EBMUD and USBR published the Supplemental Water Supply (SWS) Draft EIR/EIS which identified three alternatives: the No Action (Alternative 1); the Nimbus Project (Alternative 2); and the EBMUD- Sacramento Joint Project (Alternative 3). The proposed draft amendatory CVP water service contract provides for water delivery near the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers and at the end of the Folsom South Canal, which facilitates either Alternative 2 or Alternative 3. In addition, it is possible to implement two of the pipeline alignments associated with the Nimbus Alternative 2(alignments I &4) from Grant Line Road to the Mokelutnne Aqueducts without the contract amendment. The SWS EHUMS focuses on the effects of implementing the alternatives, including pipeline construction, American River fisheries,endangered species,recreation,aesthetics, water quality and biological resources. PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS The SWS Draft EIR'EIS was published on November 3, 1997 and was available for public review for a 135 day period through March 19, 1998. The SWS Final EIR/EIS and responses to comments received on the Draft is expected to be published during Spring/Summer 1999. The proposed draft amendatory CVP water service contract was published for a 60 day public review period on December 16, 1998. Due to the public interest expressed in this contract action,EBMUD and USBR decided to extend the review period to a total of 135 days through April 30, 1999.To request a copy of the Contract please call Tota Aiken, USBR, at (916)989-1707. ABOUT THE DRAFT AMENDATORY CVP WATER SERVICE CONTRACT Background provided that certain requirements including the following in- In 1970, East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) stream flow standards are met: entered into a contract with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) for 150,000 acre-feet per year of Central Valley October 15 to February 28 ; 2,000 cfs Project (CVP) water to meet the District's long term need for March I to June 30 3,000 cfs water. The contract provides for diversion at Nimbus Dain July I to October 15 1,750 cfs and delivery at a turnout on the Folsom South Canal (FSC) All requirements of the"Hodge Decision"are applicable to near the canal crossing at(want Lane Road. both the current and the proposed amended Contract. In 1972 the Environmental Defense Fund(EDF) et al,brought Draft Terms and Conditions of Amended Contract suit against EBMUD in Alameda County Superior Court. In Significant modifications proposed to the 1970 contract 1990,Judge Richard Hodge issued a decision that affirmed the include: District's rights to take delivery of the CVP contract water, Points of Delivery Federal laws, including the Hodge Decision, further 4 Additional points of delivery include the lower American approval by Reclamation following completion of River upstream of the 1-5 bridge, and the end of the FSC, appropriate environmental review and compliance with to enable moving the diversions downstream consistent the Central Valley Project Improvement Act(CVPIA). with the City/County/EBMUD Joint Project;and 4 Other points as approved.by USBR following completion Groundwater/Conjunctive use of supplemental environmental compliance. 4 The contract amendment is structured so as to provide opportunity for a future groundwater conjunctive use Entitlement Amount project to further reduce the District's demand on CVP 4 Base entitlement reduced to 133,000 acre-feet for water and to supplement its Mokelune supply during dry delivered from the Joint Project diversion; years. 4 Standard Municipal and Industrial (M&I) shortage provisions applied to a stipulated base use of 133,000 Cost acre-feet; 4 The District will pay for all water delivered at M&I rates 4 Up to 150,000 acre-feet diverted at Nimbus in years when using "tiered pricing", as defined by the Central Valley Hodge flows are met; USBR is able to fully meet all Project Improvement Act(CVPIA). downstream environmental commitments; and, deliveries to EBMUD do not cause or increase deficiencies on other CVPIA Provisions American or Sacramento River contractors or Contra 4 Other requirements of the CVPIA, including water Costa Mater District. conservation, water measurement, and Binding Agreement to renew,have also been incorporated. Water'Transfers f Transfers of the water to other entities under the CVP contract can only be made subject to applicable State and Comparison of Current Contract with Amendatory Contract Contract Provision Current Contract Amendatory Contract Point of Delivery 4 Turnout on Folsom South Canal 4 Folsom South Canal near Grant fine Road near Grant Line Road 4 Joint Project diversion on lower American River upstream of 1-5 y 4 Terminus of Folsom South Canal 3 4 Other mutually agreed locations Contract Entitlement ` 4 Up to 150,000 AF,subject to 4 133,000 AF base entitlement in years when EBMUD total "Hodge Decision" storage is less than 500,000 acre-ft;maximum of 165,000 j acre-feet over a three consecutive dry year period,subject to"Hodge Decision„ i 4 Up to 154,000 acre-feet diverted at Nimbus in years when Hodge flows are met,USSR is able to fully meet all downstream environmental commitments,and deliveries to EBMUD do not cause or increase deficiencies on other t American or Sacramento River contractors or Contra Costa ; Water District. Shortage Provisions 4 25%M&I Preference 4 Standard shortage provision as all other CVP M&I (no shortages until Irrigation Contractors applied to the 133,000 acre-foot base contractors shorted by 25'/0) entitlement Transfers 4 With approval of USSR;subject 4 With approval of USBR,consistent with applicable State to"Hodge Decision" and Federal laws including the"Hodge Decision", CVPIA Groundwater/Conjure 4 Not identified 4 Contract allows opportunity for future ctive Use groundwater/conjunctive use projects,subject to Contracting Officer approval and completion of supplemental environmental compliance Cost 4 As specified in the Contract 1 4 M&I Interim R.atesetting Policy including:water rates, tiered pricing&Restoration Fund charges Other 4 Renewal in 2012 4 CVPIA mandated programs on water conservation and measurement 4 Binding Agreement to renew upon completion of CVPIA j - L PEIS To request a copy of the Contract please call Torn .Aiken, USBR, at (916) 989-170 7 UPDATE ON SUPPLEMENTAL WATER SUPPLY FINAL EIR/EIS Since publication of the SWS Draft EIR/EIS,the following activities have been completed: Negotiation of USER—EBMUD draft amendatory CVP water service contract, . Preliminary engineering of the various facilities and options, Evaluation of additional pipeline routing refimements alternatives, 4 Preparation of Responses to Comments received on the Draft EIRIEIS, 6 Revisions to Reclamation's PROSIM hydrologic model, i Meetings with local,state and federal agencies and concerned interests. Supplemental Water}Supply Traject Alternatives Lake (NVCf4don at Interstate Sam*join f ProjectO am not EBMUV Only ��• � � Pipeline Aligintrents trt Msaw .south � trb Im. Water t rraX t Treatment Plant A 0 Ckso End of n FISC �8g Ix if� Tom Aiken, Area Manager United States Bureau of Reclamation Central California Area Office 7794 Folsom Dam Road Folsom, CA 95667 fad BBMUD/USBR Draft Amendatory CVP Water Service Contract Supplemental Water Supply Project/Folsom South Canal Connection Project Meeting Location. SACRAMENTO Tuesday, March 30, 7-10 PM Sacramento Red Dion Inn —Martinique Room 41.01 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA This meeting will provide the interested public an opportunity to receive information and comment on the proposed EBMUD✓USBR Draft Amendatory CVP Water Service Contract. More Information ,can be obtained on Reclamation's Website at www.mp.usbr.gov MEIMA C O d LKAAUh Publication. VVU E31�fUD Date: �/ !1 / Page. Y-_ It would also allow EBMU'D to 'take the Pardee Reservoir out of ser- must develo vice for repairs as needed. the y. 'E,113M"Mquest of the Sacramento comm munitity we slowed down our Nimbus pro- ject schedule to explore a joint pro- source forquality .ter ject with that community. A water supply project partner- ship with Sacramento interests can jiver habitat needs and the needs provide greater dry-year water as- By John Coleman of other water users on the surances and similar high-quality GUEST COM ENrARY Mokelumne are decreasing the water. YOUR READERS should know amount of water available to The joint`project, while more why the East Bay Municipal EBM`UD from that source.Since it costly than our alternative near Nim- Utility District (EBMUD) is is not possible to meet the East Bay's bus Dam,would give EBMUD an- seeking a supplemental water sup- long-term water needs solely from other high-quality water supply in ply:customers risk serious drought our existing facilities on the drier years by 2003,Other projects shortages and the attendant eco- Mokelumne,EBMiID has looked at to provide as much drought protec- nomic impact on the business coca.- many alternatives. tion could not be on line in time to munity. EBMUD has a contract for water be of real help. Water available from EBMU-D's from the American River, another We spent more than three years high-quality Sierra source, the high-quality source. An American and$6 million on envirorimental and Mokelumne River, is . limited. River project can deliver the last in- EBMUD forecasts that in three out crement of water supply that EBMLM engineering studies working n good dhe of 10 years, customers would have customers need.We studied two pro- faith with the am of Sacramento, ta- to cut water use by as much as 65 jects in detail:an EBMUD-only pro- county of Water nto and the Sacra- percent. ject drawing American River water mento Water Forum a at their re- Second,EBMUD must serve fu- at Nimbus Data,and a partnership quest t.#o create a regional water ture customers within its service with Sacramento-area interests that project,We remain enthusiastic about boundary.Business would face short- would take water downstream near developing s project that contributes ages as well,and those shortages can the oantiuence of the Sacramento and B. meeting the needs of both the East have serious economic impacts American Rivers. Bay and the Sacramento region. throughout the region—not just in We continue to explore other wa- We are seeking agreement with the EBMUD service area. ter supply and storage alternatives,the leaders. Carr partners EBM`UD customers have a long such as groundwater banking and now say that they no longer"have record of commitment to sensible enlarging our Pardee Reservoir in. the political will" implement the water use.Despite a 26 percent in- the Sierra. joint project thatt.we mutually worked so long and hard to develop. crease in the number of EBMUD ac- We have also considered using wo counts since 3968, EBMUD cus- the Delta as a water source,but our are disappointed and have Comers'total water consumption has customers would have to pay a bil- urged them to reconsider their deci- grown less than 5 percent. lion dollars to use Delta water be- sion.Just two issues remain to be Some of our stable water use re- cause current treatment facilities worked out:hose EBMUD gets assur- sulted from changes in local users cannot treat that water to meet reg- ances that its water needs will be met (businesses that used a lot of water ulatory'standards.Many industries by a joint project before forever ab&n- being replaced by businesses with j .. 1. caning the Nimbus alternative,and processes that use less water).But ' in the EBMUD service area depend how to minimize the project's con- customer conservation and recycled on high-quality water for their prod- struction effects on Sacramento neigh- water projects have been vital in ucts and industrial processes,some borhoods.These issues are resolvable. keeping total water consumption say it would be difficult to continue Soon,the EBMUD Board of bi- level over three decades. their operations with lower quality rectors will consider certification of EBMUD continues to invest in water and might face difficult deci- an environmental impact report on reclamation and conservation.We sions on relocation out of the region. the American Raver Project alterna- invest more per capita in conserva- A project near Nimbus Dam can Lives. The environmental study tion than any other large California deliver high-quality water directly processes for the supplemental sup- water agency.We are investing more into EBMUD's system.This project ply project are nearly complete. than$155 million in water recycling would deliver needed water supplies. The board could certify the envi- projects. It would reduce rationing in some ranmental documentation and se. dry years, and enable EBMUD to lect a preferred project as early as bring more water resources to any June 1999.We invite customers to future groundwater storage option actively participate as the board con- -resources other parties say are siders ways to.protect our customers important 4n reaching agreement on from water shortages. such options. Coleman is the president of the EBMUD board of directors. Water Supply for the Future Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors"Water r i Committee Meeting R April 19, 1999 Pardee Reservoir March 1977 E MUD Service Area 1990 4 Population 1.2 million ♦ 485,000 Households ► By 2020 ,r ♦ 80,000 IF more ti N! households i ��x s 1 Projected (2020) WSupply ReclaimReclaim Conserve 14 MGD Conserve 14 MGD 34 MGD 34 MGD r O�IVIAL Radon 58 MGD Pardee DROUGHT 229 MGD Pardee 108.5 MGD FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF RATIONING REQUIRED OF EBMUD CUSTOMERS WITH AND WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLY � � w u 60% J RAnONINGWTHOUTSUPPLEMENTAL}SUPPLY -----------N-� LU C7 RA'170NING OTH SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPLY LU �'- 40% ►s.. Ul3G'3fi O 25 I z w LU aLt 20%� t I LU 0"lo p 0% Gn. si'Ya ±t!I ISIX* 0% 21 5`Y 3c"i 35?6 40% PERCENT OF YEARS WATER USE CUTBACKS WILL BE REQUIRED z �-� Water Suply Action Pian Water Supply Management ProEarn Water Supply Action Plan September 1995 1► Prepare environmental documentation and initiate preliminary design for a pipeline connection from.the Folsom South Canal to the Mokelumne Aqueducts ♦ Continue negotiations with San Joaquin interests regarding a joint conjunctive use project ♦ Initiate discussions with Sacramento-area interests regarding a joint conjunctive-use project ! Initiate project-level studies for raising Pardee Dam l Local groundwater pilot project (added in 1996) Supplemental Water Supply . .. {7ivxrvto a4 talro / V Rt4 inYu fa{nt Yrgjrct .y„ i + :asxefigM279O:tly ,• American Raver rwlrbxlrn WaYsr i.ura! /Ngi,�„✓ f. tr.`stex na YMxat� f"°"#••x: i{}J Project Mc . mfy+ ., xu, ttr� '' r lFolsom South Connection and Joint Protect ,•„�-.- i w_ 1, $d ........� 3 Primary Milestones Necessary r Joint ret to Proceed 4 .Amended CVP Contract ♦ EIR/S ♦ Tri-Party Agreement American River Milestones 1970s 1�1 31 UD signs contractwth bitr�ct begins making �JSBR for up tri . payments for water 9 1'50 TAF/year' L7 / At A . belivery of 1Fles;iawsi t 25TA> at' to friva[tdate Middle`RVer cact. 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1575 1977 1978 1979 4 American diver Milestones 1980s Alenje. a' punt,.I superior.Court, r � refers case to E Trial In I StNRCB Alameda County SWRCB Superior I issues Report Court of Referee 19801 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 American River Milestones 19905 District discussions with Sacramento interests Jan'97 Water Forum ABrccrncnt f Court Issues Mar'97 Joint Project(JP)Agreement final Judgi-hent i Apr'97 JP added as co-equal ail.(NEPA Nov'97 Published Draft EIRJS I i District begins Nov'98 Completed Preliminary Design I ground water. 1 i neg.otiatibr s with. ESJPWA ESJPWA ` Groundwater I pilot 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 5 EIRIEIs Alternatives I I 9� EBMUD-Sacramento ! Joint Water Supply Folsom South Canal j Project Alternative Cann AProject ! / Alternatives an r-natives 1 `�..� s Why the Sacramento Parties Believe the Original Joint Project is Infeasible 4 Impact on Fisheries .6 America.River i. Sacramento River and Bay Delta ♦ Disruption of Downtown City Streets i City Landfill Liability ♦ .Downstream Purveyors ♦ Costs 6 i i i E j .63 t Current 4 CVP Contract Amendment Public Review/Comment March 30th Information Meeting 4 City/County of Sacramento indicated ":Loss of Political Will" re: Joint Project 4 Requested Joint Policy Board Meeting to Discuss Alternative Proposal left uurrent Status (cont'd) i Sacramento County USBR Contract Signed ♦ City of Sacramento .American River DEIR Issued 4 Sacramento Forum Programatic EIR Issued Next Steps ♦ CVP Contract Amendment Comment Period Ends April 30th ♦ Joint Policy Board Meeting Pending EBMUD Certify EIRIS as early as June `99 s