ITEM: 8

SUBJECT: CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED SACRAMENTO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT, "BUTTE COUNTY WATER INVENTORY," WITH THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD’S WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY/ SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA ESTUARY

DISCUSSION: In November 1996, the voters approved Proposition 204, the Safe, Clean, Reliable, Water Supply Act (Act). The Act provides grant funds for "Sacramento Valley Water Management and Habitat Protection Measures Program" (Sacramento Valley Water Program). The Act stipulates that the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) must find that projects are consistent with the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay/Delta Plan) prior to award of project funding (Chapter 6, Article 5, section 78681 et seq.). The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) administers the Proposition 204 Sacramento Valley Water Program and has requested a consistency determination from the SWRCB on a proposed project titled "Butte County Water Inventory" (Attachments 1 and 2).

Attachment 3 is a memorandum from the SWRCB Division of Water Rights indicating that the proposed project is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB find that the Sacramento Valley Water Program’s proposed project, "Butte County Water Inventory," is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan?

FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact on Regional Water Quality Control Boards or SWRCB from this proposed action.

RWQCB IMPACT: Information only—San Francisco Bay and Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Boards.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The SWRCB finds that the Sacramento Valley Water Program’s proposed project, "Butte County Water Inventory," is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan.

2.  The SWRCB’s schedule for rendering water allocation decisions will not be revised as a result of implementation of this project.

Note: Attachments 1, 2, and 3 are not available electronically. For copies, contact:  Karen Hurskainen, Division of Water Quality, P.O. Box 944213, Sacramento, CA 94244-2130/(916) 657-1007 or FAX (916) 657-2388

WHEREAS:

1. The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay/Delta Plan) under Resolution No. 95-24 on May 22, 1995.

2. In November 1996, voters approved the Safe, Clean, Reliable, Water Supply Act (Act) which included provisions to provide funding for projects under the "Sacramento Valley Water Management and Habitat Protection Measures Program" (Sacramento Valley Water Program) (California Water Code, Chapter 6, Article 5, section 78681 et seq.).

3. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is the designated State agency responsible for administration of the Sacramento Valley Water Program under the Act (California Water Code, section 78681.4).

4. The SWRCB is required to provide adequate public review for proposed projects and to determine that proposed projects will assist in the implementation of the Bay/Delta Plan (California Water Code, section 78681.8) prior to award of funding.

5. On April 16, 1999, DWR requested the SWRCB to review the proposed project, "Butte County Water Inventory," provide for public review, and determine if the project is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan (Attachment 1 and 2).

6. The SWRCB noticed a list of interested parties of its intent to consider this matter at its June 2, 1999 Workshop Session.

7. The SWRCB’s Division of Water Rights reviewed the proposal and determined that it is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan (Attachment 3).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. The SWRCB finds that the Sacramento Valley Water Program’s proposed project, "Butte County Water Inventory," is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan.

2. The SWRCB’s schedule for rendering water allocation decisions will not be revised as a result of implementation of this project.

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 June 17, 1999.

________________
Maureen Marché
Administrative Assistant to the Board