December 28, 2000

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

BOARD MEETING SESSION--DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY

JANUARY 25, 2001

ITEM 13

SUBJECT

CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO RESCIND STATEWATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD RESOLUTION
NO.2000-52 AUTHORIZING A $500,000 AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LOAN TO THE PACHECO WATER DISTRICT FOR A CANAL LINING PROJECT

DISCUSSION

On June 15, 2000, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted SWRCB Resolution No. 2000-52, which approved a $500,000 Agricultural Drainage Management Program (ADMP) loan to the Pacheco Water District (District) to construct a Canal Lining Project (Project). The Project would have provided a concrete lining to a threemile earthen lateral and a one-mile portion of an earthen drainage ditch. These improvements would have conserved up to 507 acre-feet per year of irrigation water that otherwise would leach salt and selenium into the District’s tile drainage system. This would have reduced selenium loading into the San Joaquin River by approximately 65pounds per year and reduced salt loading by approximately 1,258 tons per year.

On September 12, 2000, the District submitted the attached letter to the SWRCB stating that the District decided not to proceed with the Project. The letter states that the District believes the Project has strong merit and should be constructed in the future; however, at the present time, financing the ADMP loan is not feasible.

In order for the $500,000 committed to the Project to be available for other projects eligible under the ADMP program, the SWRCB needs to rescind SWRCB ResolutionNo.2000-52.

POLICY ISSUE

Should the SWRCB adopt a resolution rescinding SWRCB Resolution No. 2000-52 to provide an ADMP loan to the District for the Project?

FISCAL IMPACT

California Water Code section 78642(a) continuously appropriates the remaining funds without regard to fiscal years from the Drainage Management Subaccount to the SWRCB for the ADMP. California Water Code Section 78645.5 provides for the SWRCB to use up to 3 percent ($825,000) to administer the ADMP leaving $26,675,000 available for loans to local agencies. The status of the fund is as follows:

Initial Balance: $27,500,000

Less 3 percent Administrative Overhead ($825,000)

Subtotal $26,675,000

Previously Committed

Merced County ($5,000,000)

Santa Ana River Watershed Group ($3,100,000)

Subtotal $18,575,000

Pacheco Water District ($500,000)

Pacheco Water District deobligated $500,000

Balance $18,575,000

RWQCB IMPACT

Yes, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That the SWRCB adopt a resolution rescinding SWRCB Resolution No. 2000-52 to provide an ADMP loan to the District for the Project.


Note: The attachment is not electronically available. For copies, contact:

Paul Roggensack

Division of Water Quality

SWRCB

P.O. Box 944213

Sacramento, CA 94244-2130

(916) 341-5481 or FAX (916) 341-5463

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DRAFT December 28, 2000

STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD

RESOLUTION NO. 2001-

APPROVAL TO RESCIND STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL

BOARD RESOLUTION NO. 2000-52 AUTHORIZING A $500,000

AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM LOAN TO

THE PACHECO WATER DISTRICT FOR A CANAL LINING PROJECT

WHEREAS:

1. On June 15, 2000, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted SWRCB Resolution No. 2000-52, which approved a $500,000 Agricultural Drainage Management Program (ADMP) loan to the Pacheco Water District (District) to construct a Canal Lining Project (Project).

2.  On September 12, 2000, the District submitted the attached letter to the SWRCB stating that the District decided not to proceed with the Project.

3.  The District believes the Project has strong merit, and it should be constructed in the future; however, at the present time, financing the ADMP loan is not feasible.

4.  In order to use the ADMP funds on other projects, the SWRCB must deobligate the $500,000 committed for the Project.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The SWRCB adopts a resolution rescinding SWRCB Resolution No. 2000-52 to provide an ADMP loan to the District for the Project.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on January 25, 2001.

______

Maureen Marché

Administrative Assistant to the Board

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