REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BROCK D. BUCHE, PE, PLS, Director
Department of Public Utilities
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to purchase of United States Central Valley Project waters:
1. Adopt a finding of statutory exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15282(u).
2. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the execution of contracts annually for Uncontrolled Season water, Section 215 water, Recovered Water Account water, and Recaptured water between the United States and the City of Fresno through February 28, 2025, and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities to purchase and accept the aforementioned water annually in an amount not to exceed $4 million. (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The Department of Public Utilities recommends that Council adopt findings of a statutory exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15282(u), and adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or designee to execute contracts annually with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) for Uncontrolled Season water, Section 215 water, Recovered Water Account water, and Recaptured water, and to purchase and accept the aforementioned water from the (Bureau) annually through February 28, 2025, should they become available and the City is able to take them, in an amount not to exceed $4 million.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City entered into a contract (9D Contract) with the Bureau providing for a Class 1 allocation of Central Valley Project Water from Millerton Lake ("Project Water"). Through the 9D Contract a variety of additional types of water supplies may become available based on precipitation and high Sierra snow-pack. These additional types of water supply include: Uncontrolled Season water (preemptive flood releases); Section 215 water (non-storable flood flows); Recovered Water Account (RWA) water; Unreleased Restoration Flows (URFs) water; and Recaptured Water. Due to the usual short time...
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