STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD MEETING

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

OCTOBER 23, 1997

ITEM 2: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN TO THE DEL PUERTO WATER DISTRICT FOR THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (LOAN NUMBER C-06-6047-110)

DISCUSSION: The Del Puerto Water District (District) submitted a loan application for an Irrigation Improvement Project (Project). The amount of the loan request is $4 million. The proposed Project involves the purchase of irrigation equipment including sprinkler, gated pipe, tailwater return systems, and drip irrigation equipment. The equipment will be owned by the District and leased to the growers. The lease payments on the equipment will be the dedicated source of revenue to repay the SRF loan.

The District reports that it has exceeded the West Stanislaus Hydrologic Unit Area suspended sediment goal of 300 mg/l. In addition, there may be adsorbed organochloride residues in the fine grained sediments. More efficient irrigation systems are a tool to help control the sediment problem. Conversion to more efficient irrigation systems will also conserve water and minimize potential impacts to the drainage problem on lower lands.

The District will complete a Categorical Exemption to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) approve an SRF loan of $4 million to the District for the Project?

FISCAL IMPACT: According to SWRCB Resolution No. 97-001 (Approval of a Staff Proposal to Better Manage the SRF Repayment Account), the SWRCB may approve preliminary loan commitments against the current Federal Fiscal Year account and against 125 percent of future repayment funds based on scheduled loan dates.

The SRF account balances, anticipated repayment amounts, and project approvals under consideration by the SWRCB in October 1997 are as follows:


Loan No. 1998 1999 2000


SRF Account Repayment Repayment
Balance:
$50,978,954 $63,633,739 $63,633,739
125% Repayment:

$79,542,174 $79,542,174
Previous commitment:

-$61,300,000 -$50,000,000





Town of Mammoth Lakes 6031-110 $200,000

Town of Mammoth Lakes 6032-110 $212,000

Town of Mammoth Lakes 6033-110 $376,000

Lost Hills Water District 6045-110 $1,875,000

Panoche Water District 6044-110 $5,600,000

Del Puerto Water District 6047-110 $4,000,000






Balance after Approval:
$38,715,954 $18,242,174 $29,542,174

RWQCB IMPACT: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB approves an SRF loan of $4 million to the District for the Project.


SEPTEMBER 29, 1997 DRAFT

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 97-

APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE A STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN TO THE DEL PUERTO WATER DISTRICT FOR THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (LOAN NUMBER C-06-6047-110)

WHEREAS:

1. The Del Puerto Water District (District) has requested an SRF loan of $4 million for the Irrigation System Improvement Project (Project).

2. The Project will (a) reduce the sediment problem in the West Stanislaus Hydrologic Unit Area, (b) conserve water, and (c) minimize potential impacts to the drainage problem in lower lands.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The State Water Resources Control Board approves an SRF loan of $4 million to the District for the Project. This approval is contingent upon the District complying with the California Environmental Quality Act.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on October 23, 1997.


Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board