It seems there is always something happening related to Valley Water’s Pacheco Reservoir project. In April, the Sierra Club and others submitted comments about the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for geotechnical investigations. On May 21st, the California Water Commission will discuss progress to date on the project to help them decide whether to allocate additional funding. Then, on June 10th or 24th the Valley Water Board of Directors will receive an update on the project which will focus on how Pacheco fits into their Water Supply Master Plan (WSMP), and on their progress on finding project partners.
Our letter on the Draft EIR for geotechnical investigations asked for additional information about access to the approximately 200 exploration locations, many of which will be accessed off-road by vehicle or by helicopter. Other environmental organizations’ comments focused on insufficient analysis and mitigation related to impacts on biological resources. Valley Water plans to certify the Final EIR in August and begin the investigations soon thereafter.
The California Water Commission is administering the Water Storage Investment Program which came from Proposition 1, passed by the voters in 2014. The Commission is in the middle of a process to decide how to allocate additional funds now available since the Los Vaqueros Reservoir project withdrew and Proposition 4, passed in 2024, provided additional funding. The Commission is in the process of evaluating the progress of each project and in August or September will decide how to allocate the funding.
The Valley Water Board of Directors has identified a series of discussion topics about the main concerns with the Pacheco Reservoir project. The topics to be presented in June were presented to the Water Supply and Demand Management Committee on May 5th (meeting agenda and video).
- WSMP analysis shows that Pacheco Reservoir is not necessary to meet water supply goals, and the project cost is significantly higher than other water storage options. However, the WSMP advises to continue planning for the project in case other projects fall through.
- Regarding partnerships, Valley Water budgeting and rate-setting projections have assumed 35% of the project will be paid by partner agencies, but despite trying to find partners since 2017, only two agencies have submitted letters of interest. Now they are looking into unconventional ways to “partner” such as annual fees for storage or sales of excess water supplies.
We welcome you to join the Loma Prieta Chapter Water Committee to talk about this or any other water issues that are of interest to you. You can join for one meeting, or become a regular committee member. Contact water@lomaprieta.sierraclub.org or for more information.