Amador County – The Amador Water Agency discussed the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Gravity Supply Line project Thursday, with the outcome not available by deadline late Thursday. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said “information has been provided to the board,” including about 7 comment letters, the environmental study document, and proposals and plans for mitigation measures. He said staff, including attorney Steve Kronick were involved in writing the Mitigated Negative Declaration, which in effect would say that environmental impact was not necessary to merit a full Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act. Mancebo said they have “also met with the Foothill Conservancy regarding their concerns.” Foothill Conservancy’s Katherine Evatt, Pete Bell and attorney Thomas Infusino met with AWA staff and reportedly emerged satisfied with the approach to the GSL’s size. Mancebo recommended the board approve a resolution making the Negative Declaration, while the board also would consider making a policy decision whether to approve the Gravity Supply Line project. Kronick said approval of both would trigger a timeline for protests of the Negative Declaration. The board could make the negative declaration without approving the project. One concern was that the GSL was designed for a maximum flow of 5 cubic feet per second, while AWA only has diversion rights from the Mokelumne River for 3 cubic feet per second. Board Vice President Debbie Dunn said “we’re 2 CEQAs short,” noting that they did not have expanded diversion rights, and faced a prospect of needing to expand the Buckhorn water treatment plant to handle the extra flow. Mancebo said “this is a project-specific document” and the agency is “looking at the GSL,” not increased rights or capacity. He said environmental work on other projects would be handled separately. Director Terence Moore said: “all we’re talking about here is building the pipeline. Who knows how long the capacity increase will take.” Mancebo said the aim is that the GSL’s size outlives the capacity of the agency. Kronick said the agency has already applied to the state for a diversion capacity increase of 2 cubic feet per second. He said the state will not consider that application until an environmental review is done. That would include a review of “growth inducing effects.” Kronick said AWA “spent a considerable amount of time over this issue” with the Foothill Conservancy, whose members he said were satisfied that the agency would analyze growth inducement in that environmental analysis associated with a diversion increase application. AWA President Bill Condrashoff said that process would be open to public comment, like the negative declaration. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friday, 26 February 2010 01:00
AWA Discusses the Size of the Gravity Supply Line Project
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Amador County – The Amador Water Agency discussed the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Gravity Supply Line project Thursday, with the outcome not available by deadline late Thursday. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo said “information has been provided to the board,” including about 7 comment letters, the environmental study document, and proposals and plans for mitigation measures. He said staff, including attorney Steve Kronick were involved in writing the Mitigated Negative Declaration, which in effect would say that environmental impact was not necessary to merit a full Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act. Mancebo said they have “also met with the Foothill Conservancy regarding their concerns.” Foothill Conservancy’s Katherine Evatt, Pete Bell and attorney Thomas Infusino met with AWA staff and reportedly emerged satisfied with the approach to the GSL’s size. Mancebo recommended the board approve a resolution making the Negative Declaration, while the board also would consider making a policy decision whether to approve the Gravity Supply Line project. Kronick said approval of both would trigger a timeline for protests of the Negative Declaration. The board could make the negative declaration without approving the project. One concern was that the GSL was designed for a maximum flow of 5 cubic feet per second, while AWA only has diversion rights from the Mokelumne River for 3 cubic feet per second. Board Vice President Debbie Dunn said “we’re 2 CEQAs short,” noting that they did not have expanded diversion rights, and faced a prospect of needing to expand the Buckhorn water treatment plant to handle the extra flow. Mancebo said “this is a project-specific document” and the agency is “looking at the GSL,” not increased rights or capacity. He said environmental work on other projects would be handled separately. Director Terence Moore said: “all we’re talking about here is building the pipeline. Who knows how long the capacity increase will take.” Mancebo said the aim is that the GSL’s size outlives the capacity of the agency. Kronick said the agency has already applied to the state for a diversion capacity increase of 2 cubic feet per second. He said the state will not consider that application until an environmental review is done. That would include a review of “growth inducing effects.” Kronick said AWA “spent a considerable amount of time over this issue” with the Foothill Conservancy, whose members he said were satisfied that the agency would analyze growth inducement in that environmental analysis associated with a diversion increase application. AWA President Bill Condrashoff said that process would be open to public comment, like the negative declaration. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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