BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
California Waterfix Update Including Design and Construction Management and Governance, Operations, and Adaptive Management.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Receive and discuss information on the California WaterFix including a proposed framework for design and construction management and governance, operations and adaptive management.
Body
SUMMARY:
This agenda item provides an opportunity for the Board and the public to receive information on the proposed California WaterFix (WaterFix) project, which is intended to help restore the health of the Delta ecosystem and to ensure the long-term reliability of water supplies conveyed through the Delta. The proposed WaterFix includes dual tunnels under the Delta that would provide an alternative conveyance pathway for moving water from the north Delta to the existing pumping plants in the south Delta. The location of the proposed WaterFix intakes in the north Delta would reduce risks to water supplies from increasing salinity due to projected sea level rise and other climate change effects, and allow improved flow patterns in the south Delta to protect fish.
Because Santa Clara County relies on State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) water supplies conveyed through the Delta to meet 40 percent, on average, of its water supply needs, the District has an interest in the development of the WaterFix as a potential cost-effective project that could improve the reliability of the District's imported water supplies.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is proceeding with WaterFix as an integral part of the SWP, and thus, participation for SWP contractors, including the District, will not be optional. The US Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has not clearly stated its intent with respect to WaterFix, but current discussions are centered around an optional participation approach for CVP contractors. The District has not yet decided whether or not ...
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