Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Platform And Futures topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission to consider future briefing on Tule River settlement and finalizes local legislative platform edits
Summary
The Tulare County Water Commission reviewed final edits to the county's legislative platform water section and agreed to place the Tule River water settlement and potential off-stream reservoir on a future agenda for a presentation and possible recommendation.
The Tulare County Water Commission reviewed final edits to the water section of the county's legislative platform and agreed to add a future agenda item to hear a presentation and consider a recommendation regarding the Tule River water settlement and a proposed off-stream reservoir that would benefit tribal drinking-water supply.
Commission staff said the commission's proposed edits were sent to staffer Israel in October and that the commission's platform adoption by the Board of Supervisors was expected soon. Staff highlighted two specific edits: a line supporting operation and maintenance funding for drinking-water and wastewater systems (for example, the SAFER program) and language to preserve local control as an umbrella item in the platform.
Commissioners discussed federal and state developments affecting Delta operations and noted the incoming federal administration and recently issued decisions related to the Delta. Staff outlined key legislative dates: governors' budget submission, the bill-introduction deadline (late February), the house-of-origin passage deadline (June 6), and the budget and final-pass deadlines in June and September.
Separately, the commission took up a future-agenda suggestion about the Tule River water settlement, a long-running federal and tribal matter involving headwater rights and proposed land acquisitions. One commissioner described a proposal for an off-stream surface reservoir intended to improve drinking-water quality and supply for the tribe; the Tule River Association has provided draft language for two pieces of federal legislation and the Tulare County Farm Bureau had been contacted in November. The chair suggested scheduling a future presentation to inform the commission and potentially prepare a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
No formal votes were taken on the legislative platform language at the meeting; staff noted the Board of Supervisors would consider the platform in the coming month and the commission will add the Tule River settlement as a future agenda item for presentation.
