Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Butte County to ask DWR to allow PG&E non‑project water to remain in West Branch, streamlining delivery to Oroville
Summary
The board approved a resolution and authorized the director of Water and Resource Conservation to seek a DWR amendment allowing PG&E non‑project water to remain in the West Branch and be measured by an existing stream gauge rather than diverted into the Upper Miocene Canal; CEQA notice of exemption was also adopted.
Butte County on Oct. 28 voted to seek a revision to an existing agreement with the California Department of Water Resources that would simplify how PG&E’s non‑project water is measured and delivered to Cal Water in Oroville.
Under the proposed amendment the non‑project water would remain in the West Branch, flow past the Miocene Head dam into Lake Oroville and be measured by an existing stream gauge. The change would eliminate diversion into the Upper Miocene Canal, a temporary route adopted after Camp Fire damage made the Miocene Canal route unusable.
"This change simplifies operations, eliminates the use of the upper Miocene, and ensures continued water deliveries to Cal Water and ultimately the City Of Oroville," Camie Loeser, director of water and resource conservation, told the board.
The board adopted a CEQA notice of exemption (Categorical Exemption §15301 — existing facilities) and authorized the director to submit the amendment request to DWR, including a request to extend the contract through Dec. 31, 2037.
Why it matters: The amendment reduces operational complexity and preserves deliveries to the City of Oroville without building new diversion or measurement facilities. County staff said the amendment does not change quantities delivered and does not require new construction.
Evidence: Presentation by Camie Loeser, Director of Water and Resource Conservation (02:12:05–02:18:40).
