Friday, 19 March 2010 06:06

AWA to Consider GSL at Mace Meadow CC

awa_to_consider_gsl_at_mace_meadow_cc.pngAmador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors will head Upcountry next week to look at issues involving the “Gravity Supply Line” raw water pipeline that would take water from Tiger Creek to central Amador. The board last week set a 2 p.m. meeting Thursday (March 25th) at Mace Meadow Country Club to talk about the proposed $13.4 million project, that could qualify for a $5 million USDA grant, and more in loans, but which has drawn criticism for not following up on alternatives to a gravity-powered water pipeline. Agency staff has produce information about the GSL design, studies of replacing electric pumps on the existing pipeline, and estimates for replacing the existing pipeline itself. Interim General Manger Gene Mancebo said the board, when it reconvenes its regular meeting Thursday at Mace Meadow, in Pioneer, it could return to the financial plan proposals of the Central Amador Water Project. He said he did not see any environmental questions that had raised a need to go beyond approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration on the GSL. The agency took public comment on the Negative Declaraton, both in writing during a comment period, and in person during a February 25th meeting. Mancebo said he will recommend Thursday that the board approve the Negative Declaration on the Gravity Supply Line, which could lead to consideration of approving the GSL project itself. Mancebo said the board could approve the Negative Declaration, or take other actions. The AWA board will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the agency office in Sutter Creek, then break for lunch and reconvene at Mace Meadow. The agenda at 2 p.m. will include “discussion and possible adoption of environmental documents and project approval for a gravity-fed raw water pipeline, the Gravity Supply Line project, on the CAWP water treatment system.” AWA staff will address questions on the GSL raised in a February 1st workshop. They could look at the reliability of PG&E’s Tiger Creek Regulator as a water source, the availability of grants to finance upgrades to existing pumps, and deadlines for federal grant offers. The board will also discuss the CAWP rate study and financial plan and an “ongoing operational deficit in the CAWP retail system.” They could also discuss repayment of internal loans made by Amador Water System, and funding for future capital improvements. If the board OKs a financial plan, CAWP retail customers will receive a notice of a proposed rate increase in early April. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.