Bond Act: Proposition 84
Agency of Appropriation: Department of Water Resources
Bond Statute: 75041
Implementing Statute: Water Code Sections 10004 - 10013
- Front-end
- In-progress
- Follow-up (Audit)
Bond Expenditure Criteria or Process: The Surface Storage Investigations Program are currently evaluating three of the five surface storage projects identified in the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Record of Decision (August 28, 2000). The bond funds will be used on evaluating the following active surface storage projects:
- North-of-the-Delta Offstream Storage Investigations
- Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion
- Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation
The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act 2006 (Proposition 84) made funds available for surface storage planning and feasibility studies associated with the projects named above. The surface storage investigations will continue to: 1) identify alternative plans for potential projects; and 2) narrow the range of alternative plans with the highest national and state economic benefits to move forward to the final stages of the planning and feasibility study process (e.g., draft and final feasibility report, environmental documentation, and financial analysis). As part of this process, the program will continue working directly with potential participants through workshops and other public forums to assess their needs and interests in specific surface storage projects, defining specific project alternatives that meet the needs of Federal, State, and local participants, and identifying specific public benefits that will be evaluated in more detailed studies. Additionally, to this end, the State and Federal partners will work with local and regional groups to set up Joint Powers Authorities to help address the needs and ultimately how projects will be financed, owned and operated. Additional Program information may be found on the California Department of Water Resources website.
Standard project management practices will be used to manage the project. The Surface Storage Investigations program manager will track the budget expenditures monthly using the SAP database. The project managers will oversee consultant contracts and review monthly invoices to verify that deliverables are acceptable, and the work is completed to the satisfaction of DWR. The project schedule will be tracked using Microsoft Project software.
To date, findings for each project have been documented in an Initial Alternatives Information Report and Plan Formulation Report. Draft and Final Feasibility Reports and Environmental Impact Report/Statement for each project are forthcoming.
DWR completed a Surface Storage Investigations progress report in August 2010.
Completed feasibility studies and environmental documentation for each project will identify a preferred alternative or plan, and will be subject to public review in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act. The final Feasibility Report and EIS/R will include input from project partners and final cost and benefit allocations.
Once adopted, a Notice of Determination and Record of Decision will be issued for the project or projects. The Department of Water Resources in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and local water agencies will seek necessary permits and Congressional and Legislative authorization for implementation.
Projects within this Program: