REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 27, 2017
FROM: STEVE BRANDAU, Councilmember for District 2
GARRY BREDEFELD, Councilmember to District 6
City Council Offices
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - In support of Temperance Flat Dam and Storage Project
Body
RECOMMENDATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority is requesting a resolution to the California Water Commission (CWC) in support of Temperance Flat Dam and local storage projects. This year the CWC will begin receiving applications for the Storage Water Investment Program component of The Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 (Prop 1). Support from local agencies and affected parties are critical to demonstration of the need of the project.
BACKGROUND
In 2014, voters approved Proposition 1, the California Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, which contains $2.7 billion for public benefits of water storage projects in the Storage Water Investment Program. While applicable to projects statewide on multiple scales, the intent and focus will likely be to fund large scale surface storage projects. Eligible projects include Temperance Flat Dam, an expansion of existing storage above Friant Dam.
The San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority (Authority) is a joint powers agreement formed in 2015 between Fresno, Madera, Merced, Kings, and Tulare Counties with the purpose to facilitate the application and construction of Temperance Flat Dam and local storage/conveyance projects within its boundaries. As an expansion of the Central Valley Project, the Authority is seeking funding and support from both the state and federal governments. The Authority has already gained planning assistance from the US Bureau of Reclamation, and Federal legislators are currently crafting water storage legislation that could benefit Temperance Flat. The Trump Administration has similarly expressed support of western state storage projects.
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