ITEM 7

SUBJECT

CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION FOR A CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED SACRAMENTO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT, “NARROWS II POWERHOUSE INTAKE EXTENSION PROJECT,” 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 [California Water Code section 78500 et. seq.]). The Act provides grant funds for the “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 (California Water Code section 78681.8). The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) administers the Proposition 204 Sacramento Valley Water Program and has requested a consistency determination from the SWRCB for a proposed project titled “Narrows II Powerhouse Intake Extension Project” (Project) (Attachments 1). The Project applicant is the Yuba County Water Agency, and proposed funding is about $1.6 million. The Project is located at the Englebright Dam. Extension of the powerhouse intake will allow cooler water from Englebright Lake to flow through the powerhouse into the lower Yuba River and, thereby, benefit fisheries in the summer period.

Attachment 2 is a memorandum from the SWRCB’s 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 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—Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the SWRCB:

1. Finds that the Sacramento Valley Water Program’s proposed Project is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan, and

2. Confirms that the SWRCB’s schedule for rendering water allocation decisions will not be revised as a result of implementation of this Project.

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

________________________________________________________________________________________

SEPTEMBER 27, 1999 DRAFT

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 99-__

CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED SACRAMENTO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT, “NARROWS II POWERHOUSE INTAKE EXTENSION PROJECT,” WITH THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD’S WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLAN FOR THE

SAN FRANCISCO BAY/SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA ESTUARY

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, “Narrows II Powerhouse Intake Extension Project” (Project), provide for public review, and determine if the project is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan (Attachment 1).

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

7. The SWRCB’s Division of Water Rights reviewed the proposed Project and determined that it is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan (Attachment 2).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB:

1. Finds that the Sacramento Valley Water Program’s proposed Project is consistent with the Bay/Delta Plan.

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

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 21, 1999.

Maureen Marché