[0:21] All right, let's see, it looks like it's noon time. And that means it's time to call this meeting to order. Could we have a roll call please, clerk person.

[0:33] Good afternoon to the committee. Madame Bramble on your liaison for today committee members. Please unmute yourself when we can do roll call.

[0:41] Director Gary Kremlin here. Director Richard Santos. Yes. Director John Vorella.

[0:53] Here. We do have a forum. That's excellent. Okay, so now that we've taken

[1:01] role, we're going to move on to public comment. And this is public comment on items that are

[1:08] not on the agenda, but relevant to this committee, so if it's relevant to a item, feel free to speak during that time unless you can't make it, and if you can't make it, and I was a good time to do it.

[1:22] So do we have anyone who's raised their hand? Anyone who's given you any communication, Glenna, anything like that?

[1:34] Glenna, can we heard from anyone?

[1:37] through the chair. No, sorry. I had a technical difficulty. I haven't heard from anyone. No hands raised.

[1:46] All right. Well, if that's true, we're going to move on to approve minutes of the July 19th, 2021 meeting.

[1:53] Does anyone have any questions or staff comments, board comments or public comments?

[1:59] That does motion to approve the minutes. Seconded motion. All right, we have a motion

[2:06] a second. Any further public comments, clerk person, you see any? If not, we're going

[2:12] to take no at this time. Okay, so we're going to move on. Director. Okay. Director Chair

[2:19] Crimin? Yes.

[2:24] Director Richard Centos. Yes.

[2:27] And Director John Verella. Yes.

[2:32] And then I will say a proof. Thank you.

[2:34] Past. Okay. We're going to move on to action items.

[2:38] Groundwater, update.

[2:40] I'm not sure I see this actually. Well, why don't we just go do it.

[2:44] Staff, could we get an update on what's going on with storage projects

[2:48] with respect to groundwater?

[2:50] Good afternoon, Chair Kremlin.

[2:53] This afternoon definitely for water supply division.

[2:55] I'll turn the forward to Andrew Garcia for the groundwater banking update.

[2:59] Thank you.

[3:04] Good afternoon.

[3:06] Just take a second here today for my screen.

[3:08] Let me know when it pops up for you.

[3:14] Is that working alright?

[3:19] I'm assuming so.

[3:21] Okay.

[3:21] So we wanted to give a quick update on the groundwater banking projects for you all.

[3:25] I didn't prepare a PowerPoint as you all seen.

[3:29] There are projects and we don't have a two big of an update, but we wanted an opportunity to check in and let you all ask some questions.

[3:37] At the last committee meeting in June earlier this year, we presented this table.

[3:42] And at the request of this committee, we added that Pleasant Valley Water District.

[3:47] And they point of vista water storage district, long term exchange concept to this table.

[3:51] One update on the Buena Vista exchange, we've been asked by Buena Vista to put this discussion on forth until further notice.

[4:04] But if there's any questions on that, be happy to answer. But for now, we'll put the information here until we do resume conversations sometime next year with Buena Vista.

[4:13] I assume we have conversations with just them, not everyone else.

[4:20] That's correct.

[4:22] Thank you.

[4:25] So for, we'll start from left to right here for the McMillan groundwater bank.

[4:29] What they refer into as aquatera.

[4:31] We've been having numerous conversations with McMillan staff.

[4:35] McMillan's recently completed a draft feasibility report and the water quality analysis

[5:00] At the same time, McMillan is developing a preliminary partnership agreement with terms that I know this committee will be interested in.

[5:12] And so the results of both of those documents, the agreement, the feasibility report and water quality analysis,

[5:19] with planning on bringing that to the committee, probably January of next year, once we have an opportunity to complete that analysis and bring that information to you all.

[5:27] At the same time, DWR will be completing their review of McMillan's groundwater sustainability plan, January of 2022, and we plan on having conversations with Department of Water Resources, Bureau of Reclamation, and also the local agencies that rely on the Mendoza pool and me, bring this up.

[5:46] So as a reminder, this map was in the packet, the aquatera water bank would use the

[5:53] Mendo to pool as a main conveying point.

[5:56] And so we plan on having conversations with McMillan staff and the various agencies that

[6:02] operate in and around the Mendo to pool to better understand their interest in the project

[6:05] and how they see the project.

[6:08] So a lot of that information, the results of those conversations and the documents are referred

[6:11] to earlier, will be brought back to this committee, what were estimating around January,

[6:16] We're here next year.

[6:17] Yes, Diane.

[6:19] Don't talk to us about what you think the market.

[6:22] Let me pause there and see if you have any any questions on that.

[6:26] We come along and talk with Tara bank.

[6:31] Chairman.

[6:32] Yes, sir.

[6:36] Just a comment.

[6:37] When it comes to all of these, I'm, I'm no different than you and John.

[6:41] We all are eager to get an alternate source or get whatever we can and water.

[6:45] But when it comes to all these transfers,

[6:47] one of the issues we have taught terribly about when we can't transfer what's the cost of

[6:53] pumping and is it available when we can't transfer or get the water we need when it comes time.

[7:04] Yeah, so to follow up on that I think the paraphrase director Santosis we don't you know when times

[7:11] are good semi-traffic and everything south of us is good but when times are bad they're useless they're

[7:18] less than useless, because people think we have it there. Kind of like, money in the bank,

[7:25] but during a bank run, it doesn't happen. So I think what we're saying is,

[7:31] some of these need to be rank-ordered, like, Arvin, you know, Eastern Current, it just don't work because

[7:37] of that. But we need to know the cost if we had to pump. I hope it never happens, but

[7:45] No longer in this lifetime can we say anything as assured.

[7:48] So we've got to find out what that cost is because

[7:51] we really never talk about that.

[7:55] Yeah, so just to reply to that.

[7:58] Yeah, just to reply to those questions.

[7:59] I think that's a very, very good point.

[8:01] And we have this recovery pathway, criteria,

[8:03] or section in the matrix table.

[8:06] We've heard you, and we understand that the reliability

[8:11] of conveyance in return water is a main priority, right?

[8:14] If you recall, I believe it was a year ago, so probably at the next meeting, it makes sense to bring this back.

[8:20] Myself and others are an important water unit developed objectives to evaluate, to rank, just like you said,

[8:26] Director Cremant, to rank these projects based on certain criteria, one of those being the reliability of that conveyance.

[8:33] And so, as we evaluate each of these projects, we are evaluating whether there's an opportunity for direct conveyance.

[8:39] And so working with McMillan staff, for example, we're asking them to include in their feasibility work, in their engineering work, the potential for direct conveyance, whether that be utilizing the Delta Mendoza Canal, for example, and then to put a cost on it, just as director Santos mentioned, so that we can bring that to you all to understand, is there an opportunity for direct conveyance and if so, what would that cost impact be to this project.

[9:02] And on the AVAC project, we're currently evaluating, I guess we can just get right into that.

[9:11] We're currently evaluating a pilot banking program for two or three years,

[9:16] and the intent of that would be to test the feasibility of working with AVAC to see if they would

[9:23] store water in San Luis Reservoir on behalf of Valley Water as a banking partner,

[9:28] which would provide that reliability in those dry years.

[9:31] And currently the terms we're seeing has that language.

[9:36] And so when we get that to a place where we think it's ready,

[10:00] Okay? Through the chair? Yes. So, Andrew, if you could discuss what the Bureau of Reclamation and also DWR are doing in reference to blockage of exchanges at this particular time that I understand they are proposing. Do you have any information on that?

[10:25] Cindy, did you want to take that one?

[10:29] Sure.

[10:31] At this point, DWR and the Bureau are facilitating our transfers.

[10:37] We aren't engaging in exchanges at this point other than getting our semi-traffic water out.

[10:43] DWR has been extremely supportive and helpful this year in getting our semi-traffic out.

[10:50] planning to, we are expecting to get all of our anticipated take from some of my traffic this year.

[10:57] That's good news, thank you. Yeah.

[10:59] Rick or Braula, if I may ask, are you referring to the recent potential that we heard about

[11:04] due to the curtailments that there was a protection pack on the transfers?

[11:10] I guess so, yeah. I mean, I just heard this. That's why I'm asking you, you know,

[11:15] That wasn't really a blocking, it was just that the conditions in a Delta may have impacted the ability to pump out of the Delta.

[11:23] So it wasn't a regulatory or administrative action by DWR is merely the conditions in a Delta.

[11:29] But they've been very supportive.

[11:31] In fact, they had went over an extra mile to help us get our semi-traffic water out.

[11:36] And we just heard that the transfer that we purchased will be flowing through the Delta.

[11:40] Thanks to the extra rainfall we got that improved the conditions in the Delta.

[11:44] That's all good news. Thank you.

[11:49] Good.

[11:51] So moving on to the final project, the one that we just recently added back to the matrix, the Pleasant Valley Water District Water Bank, the conceptual water bank. So we put together this map just to generally show the location.

[12:05] Just quick reference.

[12:06] We're on circling around this area. This is Wesleyan's Water District here. So Pleasant Valley Water District is just south of Wesleyan's Water District.

[12:14] at the end of the Co-Alingu Canal off the California Aquaduct.

[12:18] So what this map is showing is how the potential transfer or bank would work and I think

[12:24] direct the criminal like you're saying this potential project would rely on an exchange, right?

[12:31] And so because of its low case, it's being south of Samus Reservoir, south of Samus Reservoir,

[12:49] So we've been in conversation with pleasant valley. They are working on putting together a new project description. They currently are planning on submitting their groundwater sustainability plan to the water.

[13:01] I mean, if it's, if it's another semi-traffic number two, why would we go any farther?

[13:16] So, Brad Gleason, the manager down there at Pleasant Valley Water District, has put together a early project description of what this water bank could look like.

[13:24] Because it would be CDP water on the CDP system, there's potential for there to be partners to have a more reliable exchange.

[13:30] And so what we're waiting for and we provided those comments exactly what you're saying, right?

[13:34] And we need that reliability on the exchange side.

[13:37] And so he's revising that project description now based on staff comments.

[13:42] And so once we see those comments and are able to have that follow-up conversation,

[13:46] I believe that that point is what will make that determination of whether or not we're basically looking at another

[13:50] semi-traffic scenario or whether there may be a more reliable exchange opportunity with

[13:55] VP supply, be it recognition themselves, or some other CVP contractor that may have more senior

[14:02] water rights.

[14:08] All right.

[14:08] So maybe why this might work different is he's a CVP contractor, isn't they out in a wide area

[14:20] out there?

[14:22] They're actually there in the seat.

[14:23] He plays a use.

[14:24] They just don't have a CVP contract.

[14:25] And so they're right adjacent to Westlands, and so you can, you can imagine the potential scenarios off the aqueduct of the color link that can out down here, there we need, there we need to be conversations with less water district course or additional reclamation themselves about making an exchange happen.

[14:42] And so we're having him revise this project description, think it through a little bit on that end. I believe he has consultant working on those types of scenarios. And once he comes back to us, we'll have the conversations with the necessary agencies and see if there's a potential concept here.

[14:53] If there is, we'll continue the conversations, and if there's not anything, like you said, director

[14:57] Kremlin, then we should, and we'll most likely...

[15:00] There are other potential exchanges that have less risk and higher confidence, and we're open to that.

[15:07] But if that doesn't work out, we'll eliminate the options or recommend the main options, but we are very sensitized to exchange as a recurring method.

[15:15] But right now when we do want to let the options play out and see if there's an opportunity for more higher confidence exchange mechanism.

[15:24] Of course, if there was a direct mechanism, that was a cost affordable, we would definitely have a preference to that direct recovery.

[15:34] Thanks.

[15:36] The last update I have for you all is I believe at the last storage committee meeting.

[15:41] There was a request for imported water unit folks directly working on these groundwater banks just because there is so many water banks and so many projects up and down the state to look into getting consultant support on some of the business development site.

[15:54] And so we've since gone and done that, and we've recently executed a contract to add some support out in the Sammo King Valley that are actually in the rooms with a lot of these various GSAs and water districts to help us think through some of these contacts or projects and also put us in contact with the necessary folks who may be developing new projects that we're not aware of, for example, or to help us continue these conversations more frequently.

[16:23] Great.

[16:26] So with that, that's my update unless there's any other questions.

[16:38] Let's go on.

[16:44] Sure, Criman.

[16:47] It sounds like we are, there are no fully discussions of 4.1 and we're being 2.4.

[16:52] The next time, 4.2.

[16:54] That's exactly.

[16:55] You don't have any public comment here, I guess.

[16:57] I don't see any.

[16:59] So we might as well go on to the next option.

[17:06] Thank you Chair, Elizabeth Kerbs, a reserve expansion project update for that update. We have Michael Martin on deck to provide a brief update to the committee.

[17:21] Mike, I think you're still muted.

[17:23] I am still muted. Thank you. Thank you, Vince.

[17:27] We've got to name chair, Cramon and members of the committee.

[17:30] I'm just providing a quick update a couple of major milestones.

[17:34] We've got to close with Crosis regionally hit.

[17:36] The first is the all departments approved the JPA agreement,

[17:40] and that was filed with the state on October 6th.

[17:43] Of course, the JAPO have a tone boarded director's with the representative

[17:45] from each member agency.

[17:47] Director Lizette was appointed to represent Valley Water,

[17:50] which director of Rela as the alternate.

[17:53] And over view of the JAPO with the list of all the JAPO members,

[17:56] And the alternates included in the attachment one.

[17:59] So that lists all the JPM members there or board members there.

[18:03] The first meeting of the JPM board we held in mid November.

[18:06] And that will be focusing on a lot of the administrative issues.

[18:10] Determining a chair and vice chair.

[18:13] Like I said, it will look at a lot of the administrative issues to get the GPA up and running.

[18:19] The board eventually has to come together take over project planning,

[18:22] project funding over-seek instruction and operations.

[18:27] And next to the JPLB focus on three major tasks,

[18:30] the development and interim funding agreement.

[18:33] To date, all the project planning has been split equally

[18:36] among partners, the interim funding agreement

[18:39] likely split those costs between how each agency is using

[18:43] proposing to use the facilities.

[18:46] Second agreement is a facility's use of

[18:48] with contract costs that needs to be mud.

[18:50] The use of various facilities is part of the loose-to-growth project.

[18:54] And the third is the development of service agreements with each partner,

[18:59] which will define how each partner proposes, how much storage

[19:01] they want anticipated and advance, et cetera.

[19:05] So that's all geared for next year.

[19:09] Agreement with the GPU have to be making.

[19:13] The second major milestone for the project is

[19:17] It went to the California Water Commission

[19:20] for its feasibility hearing on October 20th,

[19:22] and it was deemed feasible.

[19:24] That paved the way for continued planning

[19:25] and hearing in 2022 for a final ward of visit funding.

[19:30] So those are the major milestones

[19:32] that recently come up for our most of the carols.

[19:35] You'd open down any questions from the committee.

[20:11] Gary are muted.

[20:15] Yeah, I'm having some internet challenge, just here, all with these. So sorry about that. Is there a question on the floor? People want a public comment?

[20:32] I know far through the chair, Gary, is there anything going right in this pursuance of local kiddos? Because I know sure eager to get that source going is a smooth as all of partners working together, what's the latest report?

[20:47] Well, I think that wouldn't be more staff.

[20:52] I don't think the tentative deal, it wasn't a deal.

[20:57] It was a placeholder's satisfactory at least to me.

[21:01] But now that we'll have an APA board to negotiate,

[21:07] we'll have some people to negotiate with.

[21:11] But that's just my opinion.

[21:13] And that board hasn't met your ability, you know, I'm busy, I'm going to call in on another device.

[21:19] Sorry about this for everyone, typical internet.

[21:26] But why don't you want, I think, just to like chair, like the back, maybe John is so.

[21:35] And with my points of JTA, he has not yet met to, that's a correct.

[21:39] They haven't met yet their first meeting will be in in November.

[21:44] So after that, we'll be able to have more of information in the, I would imagine January time frame, I'm a meeting in December.

[21:52] Well, when I will provide an update after, after the meeting of November.

[21:57] Yeah, that'll help us find some the timelines in terms of when decisions will need to be made and we'll be preparing the things back to the committee.

[22:05] So, any other questions, public comment and reference to the Reservoir Expansion

[22:12] Lusflikettos,

[22:16] all right?

[22:17] So, let's move on to 4.3, particular Reservoir Expansion projects, staff recommended

[22:22] alternative and project update.

[22:27] Back to your own, by short, we're allowed to have a committee, for say, except the operating

[22:31] office for the answer.

[22:32] We need to turn the floor over to Ryan McCarton, for a brief presentation, and then, says

[22:36] a big thing.

[22:37] Thank you, Chris.

[22:41] Afternoon to the committee and attendees.

[22:43] Today we have two items to share with the committee,

[22:46] a short presentation of the draft that staff recommended alternative,

[22:50] as well as a project update covering the status of the project,

[22:53] including funding through WIFIA and partnerships.

[22:57] Would the committee prefer to start with a particular topic,

[22:59] or just start with the presentation and follow the order

[23:02] in which the agenda memo has everything?

[23:04] Yeah, let's just go through the general order of the presentation.

[23:07] Okay.

[23:07] We bring that up now.

[23:29] Have we seen that?

[23:32] All screens?

[23:36] The staff recommended alternative report is a culmination of the planning phase activities, including

[23:42] the alternative analysis performed to select the recommended alternative.

[23:47] Our team has been studying the particular reservoir expansion project site shown here for almost three years now.

[23:53] Performing field investigations, conducting analyses, and coordination of the various regulatory agencies.

[23:59] to develop the many different components of this project.

[24:04] These are the five different project alternatives that we're analyzed during our planning phase activities,

[24:10] as well as in the draft EIR.

[24:12] And these were presented to the committee in the board earlier in 2021.

[24:17] I believe in January.

[24:18] So we have the downstream site with the earth filled dam.

[24:23] As number one, the downstream site with the hard filled dam is number two.

[25:01] So, the staff recommended alternative that came out on top was the fourth alternative here, which is the upstream hard fields. So, I'll give him a little bit more detail about that.

[25:15] If you look at this, there we go. Here's a summary of the project design progression, starting with the with the application concept from 2017 there on the left. This was the downstream earth bill option.

[25:27] that our team is analyzed, and then we advanced this configuration with two technical data

[25:34] added several features in greater detail and updated the design in 2020, if you see there

[25:39] in the middle, and this was the two and a half billion dollar project that we presented the

[25:43] late last year and early in 2021. So now we have our staff recommended alternative on the right,

[25:49] which is the hard-filled damage upstream site. So you can see how much we've moved and also

[25:54] that the change in the footprint there on the hard-filled dam.

[26:03] So taking a look closer, look at the recommended alternative here, a few general points

[26:07] why this alternative is preferred, does have a smaller environmental impact area, just due

[26:13] to the less construction area needed to build a type of dam.

[26:17] We have about a 10 to 15 percent reduction in the construction cost compared to the preliminary

[26:22] design we had, and it also reduces the construction schedule by one year utilizing the

[26:27] type. The upstream dam site has some definite benefits to it. There's improved geotechnical

[26:35] conditions, allowing for less foundation excavation. The site is better geographically.

[26:41] It's a smaller dam. It's a narrower part of the canyon, so it's just a smaller amount

[26:45] of volume needed to build the dam. And also, moving upstream added one additional mile of

[26:52] of Creek Restoration of the existing reservoir, so we'll get to design that and have a new

[26:59] mile of restored Northport, particular Creek. Also, the pump station site is much more favorable

[27:06] with this arrangement, the flatter area, and it's got sufficient distance away from the dam

[27:12] to kind of give us some room to build that as well.

[27:19] Okay, so here's some engineering drawings

[27:20] of the hard-filled dam. You can see the small footprint of the dam and upper left as well as

[27:26] the spillway integrated within the body of the dam right here. That's what this rectangle is.

[27:31] So the spillway goes right over the center of the dam. That's also shown in this cross section here.

[27:37] That's what that will look like. And the lower left cross section illustrates the inlet

[27:41] and outlet works within the dam. This is shaft here and an outlet and there's an inlet at the bottom

[27:48] low-level inlet and then three different attets that allow flexibility in getting different water

[27:55] temperatures based on the reservoir depth. So this data is a art technology. I think I've

[28:02] talked about this before, the mixture of on-site rock and cement that is a place similar to

[28:07] roll or compacted concrete and it allows for the type of dam, also allows for less maintenance

[28:13] that we typically see at our Earthville dance.

[28:16] So, whether the benefits of this type of dance,

[28:18] that we found in our analysis,

[28:23] and that's it for the presentation.

[28:27] Any questions on that?

[28:28] Well, a couple of questions for you.

[28:30] So, in looking at the,

[28:32] guess a slide that shows the location,

[28:35] recommended alternative,

[28:39] or we are bordering the state park, is that correct?

[28:43] That is correct.

[28:44] The inundation area does this go about three quarters of a mile into the state park at full pool.

[28:51] At the head of the site.

[28:53] We had discussions with the state in reference to that and also the locally elected state representatives in reference to.

[29:01] The impacts that might have and are we getting positive results from those anticipated comments and statements.

[29:07] We have had conversations with state parks at the state level, the director of state parks as well as at the local level.

[29:16] And it has been pretty positive so far.

[29:19] That area of the park is just outside of the trails that are used from the Dowdy Ranch Visitor Center.

[29:26] And they don't see any major impacts and again that will only be impacted at full pool when we're at 100% capacity.

[29:32] So when that park part of the park is open during the summer, we likely won't be at 100% so

[29:42] We're encouraging recreation and perhaps even boating is that correct on that and that would be a county issue that we'll be working with

[29:49] Yeah, we haven't we haven't gotten too far on that topic with the county so far

[29:53] But we have we have initiated discussions and presented the project to them and potential

[29:59] ideas

[30:00] Is on the tribal discoveries that were recently found? Have those been mitigated?

[30:09] We're working with the tribes directly, so they were out there. They've seen the site and they've been given the data that we found out there in our discoveries.

[30:17] A lot of the sites were previously known and we also found some new sites of archaeological interest that we've been working with on a much in tribal band and bringing them out to the site.

[30:29] and there are some reverials that occurred

[30:31] from some items that were recovered.

[30:34] And yeah, we're working together with them

[30:35] and we haven't developed what the mitigation will be

[30:38] at, but we are talking to them.

[30:41] Okay, good.

[30:41] Thank you.

[30:42] Those are my questions.

[30:43] I appreciate it.

[30:44] Do I have to say something to you?

[30:45] Do you have a question?

[30:46] Yeah, John, thanks for bringing that up.

[30:49] Here's a suggestion I have.

[30:50] And again, I'm not giving direction.

[30:52] I'm just suggesting this.

[30:55] Because of John's relationship with Senator Anna

[30:58] and also Mr. Revis, I would hope that staff,

[31:03] when you guys get a chance and you're having those discussions,

[31:07] that see if we can get Director Barrel involved in that,

[31:11] because the relationship has already been started.

[31:13] John has had these conversations years ago about recreation.

[31:16] And this is the only way we're going to be able to protrude

[31:19] at the Henry Co. Park, if that, and what gets me is this,

[31:22] I mean, it's going to be helpful.

[31:24] Once people see that the director is there, being involved, it just shows more importance.

[31:31] And so I sure appreciate what you're doing Ryan and Christopher, you're doing a great job.

[31:36] But I really would suggest that so John, if we need a direction or consensus, let's do that.

[31:42] That's my suggestion first.

[31:44] I think that's a really very good point, director.

[31:48] I've already started my discussions as you are well aware,

[31:50] with Assemblymember Robert Revis, as recently yesterday, and also with state-centered John

[32:01] Laird.

[32:02] So, these people are very much involved and wanted to do that to work with us on whatever

[32:07] issues there might be in reference to the Jacob, and also with, of course, Senator

[32:11] Kaviyerov as well.

[32:13] And including Congressman Jimmy Penetta, who is also very involved in wanting to see this project

[32:20] come to fruition. So these these folks have political cloud. They will help us also and

[32:26] getting funding that we might need. So let's make sure that we engage them in conversation

[32:30] on all these issues pertaining to our water storage projects.

[32:34] What other point, John, is that the reason I'm saying this also, because let's just say,

[32:40] I sure hope so everything works out. That'll have a relationship that's going to

[32:45] Go over to Sergeant for Ranch and everything else for the future. Yes, and we're successful there

[32:50] It makes things just that much

[32:53] Never gonna be easy, but better

[32:56] You're right. Thank you. Appreciate that

[33:00] So anyway, you know, those are very strong points of director Santos has brought up and that we're we're you know

[33:05] We're engaging with those elected folks that can make the big difference for us on these on these major projects

[33:14] direct rattle. I'd like to add on that. Well, I think we, I know we've had COVID, but now

[33:22] that we've had better rules. These are some big decisions. I know I'd like to get out and

[33:27] see the site again. Now that we're more deterministic. So I'd like, does anyone, would all

[33:37] of us like to go and check it out.

[33:39] Well, in chair trim, and I didn't know you were back on some glad you were.

[33:42] That's an excellent idea.

[33:44] We need to keep on top of this and push it.

[33:46] You know, I made a statement while I'm back,

[33:47] and I'll do it publicly later on.

[33:50] You and I and John and our staff,

[33:52] we all know the particular zone important.

[33:53] We know this.

[33:55] But you know, as we now were talking,

[33:57] you know, a hundred years ago, when Shauna's seen,

[34:00] and my whole and all those people were taking the hits.

[34:02] And here we are, a hundred years later,

[34:04] all proven to be right.

[34:05] Well, the value of water district 20 years from today is going to be proven right when we get this thing done because this is an opportunity that just cannot let go and there's only those do sayers and I welcome the critics, but I also look at the people that want to be positive we got agriculture issues that we talked about today John and I are farming.

[34:24] This is all relative. We're losing water in a soap lake, going to the ocean. It's all ridiculous.

[34:32] We know what we're doing. Our staff knows what they're doing.

[35:00] Water, and we're going forward with it. So thank you.

[35:06] Okay. Anything else on?

[35:09] You're going to coordinate with us on getting us out there on a tour of the different sites.

[35:17] To the existing reservoir.

[35:20] We want to see the different alternatives.

[35:22] Yeah.

[35:22] I do.

[35:24] Hey, I have an idea.

[35:26] Hey, Dick, let's get Cal Fire to fly us over there.

[35:29] And you, John, you're totally right to the chair, they need to be included because that's a source that needs each other.

[35:37] Good. Good.

[35:41] Yeah, we'll coordinate with the directors on that.

[35:46] Thank you. Okay.

[35:48] All right.

[35:49] So moving on to the part B, just the project status update and discussion of a few topics on the checkout.

[35:56] So we're coming to the end of our draft EIR work, which has been a tremendous lift.

[36:01] The draft EIR is on track for public release in November.

[36:05] I think the 23rd is the current date.

[36:07] So that's the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

[36:09] So we're really excited to get that done.

[36:13] The design phase activities are continuing with development of the 30%

[36:17] design and additional field investigations are being planned together

[36:21] information to refine the design elements of the project.

[36:26] That's just kind of the general work we've been doing on the environmental

[36:30] and design stuff and then so on to funding with water storage investment program with it.

[36:37] We're approaching the three milestones. The deadline for our with the funding and are

[36:42] on track to meet the deadline by January 1st 2022. So that's right around the corner and we're

[36:47] we're on track. We've submitted the updated feasibility documentation to the CWC staff for review

[36:54] that all look really good and they're going to let us know if it's have any comments on that.

[36:59] before they present to their to the commission. The draft environmental documentation will be available

[37:05] for public review as I mentioned with the draft EIR next month and our finance team has drafted

[37:13] board resolution for the commitment to fund 75% of the non-public funded portion of the project

[37:20] and this resolution is planned to be presented aboard on November 9th. So given these three milestones

[37:25] are achieved. The project is scheduled for its eligibility hearing with the CWC on December 15th of this year.

[37:34] So I'll on track there. Any questions on that?

[37:38] Through the chair, just a comment. I know to staff and so on and sometimes we come on this

[37:45] community comes on very strong and we hope we don't hurt nobody's feelings because we're trying to

[37:50] work so hard. We're with you and you guys are doing a great job. Here's the deal.

[37:53] You know Anderson is going to take 10 years and the way things are going, this might be able to be done before that, but whatever it takes, we're going to keep on having droughts.

[38:04] This committee is in a hurry and you guys are working very hard. We've got to uncover every rock, every possible grant.

[38:11] And please explore the potential President's infrastructure bills, see through some money there. I understand, you know, you can't even go to Europe right now is all worried about it.

[38:20] too. We all are, but we're gonna look at every possible way because we know we get criticized

[38:25] continue about water rates. We went through that again today. That's an ever going to go away.

[38:29] And I got no problem. All I know is this, regardless of rates, water comes first. So Ryan,

[38:35] thank you. She's bigger. You guys, you're in your staff and Chris of Rehanks.

[38:39] All you guys, the meetings I've been having with our committees, I couldn't be more satisfied.

[38:45] The way you guys are working so hard. And I'll tell you, the public out there is supportness.

[38:50] And so you know what? We got a great opportunity here. We got this committee here has been aggressive for Pacheca from the day one and I've before I get out of here

[38:59] I hope we can get this thing like Senator Feinstein said about

[39:02] Why life and other things? Let's do it in our lifetime. So that's a little preaching. Thank you for listening

[39:09] Thank you, Director Santos. We do appreciate the support. I have two more topics if you'd like to hear more good news

[39:16] Go for it.

[39:18] On the withia front, the water infrastructure finance and innovation act, so earlier this year,

[39:24] we were selected to apply for $660 million in federal funding through withia.

[39:30] And in July 2021, we submitted a second letter of interest for an additional $575 million

[39:36] to bring in the total to $1.2 billion in federal loans through withia.

[39:41] And we were just notified this week, verbally, that this second letter of interest was accepted

[39:46] by the EPA, allowing us to apply for that $1.2 billion allowance. So really exciting news,

[39:52] we just talked to the EPA earlier today, and they're very excited, not as well. So great news there.

[40:00] And then the last topic I have is partnerships. So we are continuing.

[40:04] And what's the rate? What's the rate on that loan again?

[40:09] Charlene, I'll have to tell you, but it's like you make money by getting this loan. Sound like.

[40:15] Yeah. So it's during the chair. This is Charlene's son, Treasury and Data Officer for Valley Water.

[40:20] With your loan rates are set by as they pay to the Treasury rates.

[40:26] So, the actual final rate we will find out when we close on the low, but that's for the

[40:32] loans that have closed recently have all been 2% to 1.5% is. So, compared to our regular

[40:40] tax exempt and tax will long-term financing rates, with your loans are very favorable. There are also

[40:47] other features associated with a with your loan that makes it very advantageous. For example,

[40:53] You know, we would not be incurring any interest until we actually draw down on the known.

[41:00] So for a $1.2 billion loan, that is very advantageous.

[41:04] We can secure the loan without having to pay interest carry costs until we actually draw on it.

[41:09] So those are a couple of key points with Wifia.

[41:15] Thank you.

[41:19] We'll move on to the partnerships.

[41:21] So we're continuing our outreach and now have some experts supporting our efforts with our potential partners.

[41:28] We've brought on water and land solutions, as well as added scope to our contracts with

[41:33] stand-tech and west water specifically for supporting us in partnerships.

[41:38] I'm going to be helping us identify partners, performing outreach to potential partners and

[41:43] developing partnerships in areas and working with these folks, so that's good health there.

[41:49] Much needed. On October 14th, just two weeks ago, I was asked to give a presentation to the

[41:55] central coast water authority on potential partnerships for the Jacob and they responded just this week with a lot of interest representing eight cities and water districts on the central coast that are interested in discussing partnerships with us on the Jacob. So it's very exciting there at the state water contractor. So good news there. And we'll keep working on that lot the work ahead as we develop that kind of list of partners and and develop the outreach for that.

[42:24] That's all I have today if there's any questions.

[42:29] Hey, work.

[42:30] But we got a team if we recall our board's number two after Andersen, and of course the

[42:35] drought is getting partners for Pacheco, so we don't end up taking all the costs ourselves.

[42:41] So it's good you that some letters of interest.

[42:43] There's a bunch of big names.

[42:44] I'm not hearing anything about.

[42:45] I won't go into it now, but I think we definitely want to discuss that first thing

[42:50] at our next meeting.

[42:51] I don't know what the risk and director's thing about.

[42:53] I think we need to pursue that dairy post-haste. I do. I think we need to know who's

[42:58] important. I don't know who you're talking about. And I think we need to set those targets up and

[43:03] start, hey, we're salespeople, let's go and start selling this.

[43:09] That's right.

[43:13] Great. So you hear how important

[43:16] this is to the board. So great. That you're paying attention. Okay, why don't we move on to the next

[43:21] ready. Thank you for the chair. We'll have a hand raised by Stephen Jordan. Mr. Jordan,

[43:32] director Jordan. Welcome. Good to see you. Yes, sir. Thank you. I just a quick. I want to say as

[43:40] a member of the public congratulations on the progress on Pacheco. This is fantastic that the

[43:46] budgets down the storage is the same and the partners are up. So, you know, this is I would

[43:52] a great news. Thank you. Thank you.

[44:06] All right. Why don't we move on to the next item unless there's any more public comment.

[44:19] Seeing none chair, Clement. Okay, then we can move on to the next item.

[44:31] Vince, would you would you the on the standing out of report? Would you like to.

[45:00] Members, Vince, again, we have three standing items for verbal update. We have Andrew Garcia on deck for semi-traffic and sites. And subsequently, we have Cindy Gao for the BF system raise project update. So with that, I turn the floor to Andrew.

[45:20] Thanks, Vince.

[45:22] So for semi-traffic, quick update. Through September, we've recovered an estimated 17,700-day graffiti.

[45:28] from the bank, we have about 315,000 acre fee remaining in storage, about 90% full at this point.

[45:38] And we've been working pretty closely, we've kept you informed throughout the year.

[45:41] Pretty closely with DWR, South African tractors and other agencies on recovering our supplies from some atrophic.

[45:48] And DWRs, but confirmed the rest of this year, we're not looking at any challenges with recovering our water.

[45:55] for this year, if next year is dry, we are currently working with DWR and SAP contractors as well

[46:01] on planning for the worst, which would be a reverse flow project. If we need it, the signs are

[46:07] pointing to, we hopefully won't need it, but we are working to plan for that just in case.

[46:16] On on sites, the main and three to the current public board. Can you tell us why you think we're

[46:27] So we've been working with the operations office at DWR, looking at the storage in the system,

[46:35] the supplies that they have, and directly from the operations office all the way up the chain

[46:42] there at DWR, they've conveyed to us that they're not expecting challenges based on the supplies they

[46:50] have in storage. They are telling us however to obviously plan for the worst nothing is certain in

[46:55] California water. So we're planning on having that in place. One way or the other, at least having a project shelf ready.

[47:04] That's kind of the short of it is that from what we're hearing from the operations offices, they're not anticipating any any issues.

[47:11] However, if there is, that potentially would be later in the year. And so to have a project in place in preparation for the end of the year would be a competent decision.

[47:20] Yeah, and Andrew, I could add on to that we had recently had a meeting with DWR operators

[47:25] and some of their executive staff and they were observing that next year they will likely

[47:32] be public health and safety water pumped at banks and if that's the case or semi-traffic

[47:39] withdrawals will fall into the category of public health and safety withdrawals so they will

[47:45] be able to pump that water as long as they're able to physically pump from banks.

[47:52] They indicated that if, you know, if salinity is such that they have to stop pumping,

[47:59] not because of regulations or anything like that, but they, it's so dry in the fall next year

[48:04] that they cannot pump, then that's where we would need the reverse flow project. And they're anticipating

[48:11] If it turns out to be the case, we may need it for three to four months.

[48:17] They don't anticipate that that would happen until the fall.

[48:21] Of course, it depends on hydrology and the probability is quite low.

[48:26] It's never been the case historically that Banks has been shut off for that long.

[48:35] Well, seems to me before we do this very expensive bad for the environment,

[48:39] because of all the diesel generated reverse flow,

[48:42] we should be out there purchasing people's water supplies

[48:46] that they decide not to plant either in the exchange

[48:52] contractors, place near us.

[48:54] I think that has to be the absolute last resort.

[48:59] Right, we're moving forward with the design

[49:02] so that we can have it available, shelf ready, in case we need

[49:06] to go there, but definitely it's the last resort.

[49:09] So, who is spending the effort to go by north, south of Delta, but north of or water in San Luis?

[49:18] Who's doing that right now?

[49:21] That would be our group.

[49:23] So, tell us about it.

[49:25] Well, it's a bit early in the year.

[49:28] Sellers are not really talking about or they don't have the mentality right now to sell water.

[49:35] it's early, but I think that conversation is going to be coming up pretty quickly. We're entering

[49:41] the beginning of the next water year. Director, Borrell of Basin, your experience in the commercial

[49:49] world, don't don't people want to say, I don't want to talk right now when they're offered money,

[49:53] sometimes, can you sort of mind?

[49:56] Floor answers, yes.

[49:58] I don't know.

[49:59] You know what I mean?

[50:00] Your experience in the commercial world, don't they don't people want to say, I don't want to talk right now and they're offered money. They sometimes can't use their mind.

[50:08] Your answer is yes. You want to know what the details are beforehand, not at the moment. So I think we need to do some exploratory deeper dive of, you know, use that terminology to find out what's out there, what's available and let's start those negotiations.

[50:25] Yeah.

[50:26] Wait.

[50:26] We can definitely do that.

[50:28] Directors will absolutely, triumphantly reach out and invite a conversation.

[50:34] We know the typical sellers and rather than wait for normal timing, we'll initiate that process

[50:39] and start convening meetings.

[50:42] Well, I think we need to be proactive and start that process from bellywaters perspectives.

[50:45] Absolutely.

[50:47] Not reactive.

[50:49] We'll start the invitations.

[50:50] We'll reach out.

[51:00] quick update on sites reservoir, the amendment 3 to the current project agreement and its work plan.

[51:07] It bet that covers 36 months was approved by the Reservoir Committee and the JPA Board in September.

[51:14] We're currently working on our analysis, including modeling and financial analysis,

[51:19] to bring information back to this committee. Approximately, February next year,

[51:23] sites pass out to that individual participants seek approval from their own boards by the end of March.

[51:30] sites also received an additional 80 million in wind act funding for development design and construction of the site's reservoir project, which brings the total to roughly 104 million in total wind act funds appropriated for this project.

[51:44] So you'll hear more in February on the amendment 3 and participation so on and so forth.

[51:57] I mean, members, if there are no other questions at sites, we can move on to an update on BFC's project with Cindy Cal.

[52:06] Sure, let's hear it.

[52:08] Okay, this is going to be pretty brief.

[52:10] The final feasibility study for the system project was submitted last December.

[52:16] We reported on that previously that report presented a range of participation approaches.

[52:22] OMB requested that reclamation submit and addendum to the feasibility study that identifies a single participation approach.

[52:30] The authorities working with the Bureau and its member agencies to identify the approach.

[52:36] There are issues that need to be worked out primarily focusing on cost allocation, the split between M and I and Ag agency participation.

[52:44] There's also work that needs to be done to clarify how the project would be operated.

[52:50] recommendations targeting early 2022 for an initial cost allocation agreement for final design.

[53:01] That's pretty much my report, unless there are any additional questions.

[53:09] I don't have any, does anyone have any questions?

[53:27] All right, I don't want to go on to the next item.

[53:35] Why don't we move on to the next item?

[53:44] I'm here. Sorry. I was waiting to make sure we didn't have anybody else. I'm basically I'm starting on page 45 has been only half. What we've done throughout the year. What's going to be contained on today's meeting and following the next year. I don't think we'll meet until the end of the year.

[54:07] So we need to look at what we would like to have on the agenda starting for 2022.

[54:15] I don't know, Glenn, I think we need to meet every day over Christmas, myself.

[54:22] Can't so Christmas for water.

[54:27] Okay, Scrooge.

[54:29] Bon, Bon.

[54:31] All right.

[54:32] As of today, I think we fulfilled all of the items that we need.

[54:36] I heard some items coming back within their future in February, I don't know if there's any

[54:43] people to take a or anything coming up in January. So I just stand open to director Kremlin

[54:51] and to the other committee members and also to the director staff is to what would be on the agenda.

[54:59] And if they want to work.

[55:00] We had a meeting recently with the Pacheco-Bass Water District.

[55:07] During the was a meeting last night, we were not in attendance. They are still talking about their structure and what to do with the still way.

[55:14] So we are in contact with them on a regular basis. If you'd like to pursue a joint session that has started meeting in person, mass required of course, prior to this it had been only in virtual.

[55:28] Did we have anyone there?

[55:31] I thought where our direction was always at one person there in case, you know, they're changing their mind or they want to name it after you or something.

[55:43] I would probably be good suggestion if you don't mind that they are join us on the tour.

[55:49] Great idea.

[55:51] We can be chosen for that.

[55:59] I like the idea of how to count fire tickets there too.

[56:01] Yeah, they could join us. Thank you because there's a lot of fighter issues in that area and and we know what's been happening in our state and Mr. Chair

[56:10] We never know that with a calfara, we can end up getting a grant or be helpful in any kind of way.

[56:16] I heard they might have money especially in the area.

[56:20] That's my point.

[56:21] Yeah.

[56:21] They're going to get money because the four fighters cannot continue. We ain't going to have a state map.

[56:26] Mm-hmm.

[56:27] I continue. All right. I guess this meeting is adjourned unless we hear anything else.

[56:35] Well, come in, Mr. Chair.

[56:38] I want people to sit back and remember, I could be what five years ago, whatever it may be.

[56:44] But the director of a row of myself, we played a role in our chair, brought people together from

[56:50] Sabanito and Pacheco water district and they had a damn up there that the spill wasn't working it was going nowhere

[56:56] So just thinking about where we were then and Mr. Chair. I want to say thank you because you brought the energy and the passion

[57:04] We built relationships up that we're at the day, so I'm excited

[57:09] Well, thank you for saying that, but I'm following what you've actually told me since I got on this board

[57:15] Which is it is about relationships and we were in a place where we didn't had that many external relationships

[57:23] Who are in an incredibly focused so I think this is all a really good thing. So we got a lot of work to do. Let's all work together on this

[57:33] Well stated

[57:36] nicely done

[57:37] All right, meeting adjourned. Yeah, thank you. Well, no, thank you

[57:41] Right, right.

[57:42] Yeah.

[57:44] Yeah.

Water Storage Exploratory Committee - Regular Meeting - Oct 29th, 2021

Transcript