City Council Report
915 I Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2022-00885 May 10, 2022 Consent Item 16
Title: Regional Water Authority: Support for One-Time State Budget Appropriation Request for Multi-Benefit Water Infrastructure Projects
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution and letter of support for the Regional Water Authority’s (RWA) requested one-time state budget appropriation of $16.7 million to fund multi-benefit water infrastructure projects.
Contact: Anne Sanger, Government Affairs Program Manager, (916) 808-1635, [email protected]; William O. Busath, Director, (916) 808-1434, [email protected], Department of Utilities
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
3-Letter from Assemblymembers McCarty, Cooley, Cooper
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The RWA is seeking support of its requested one-time state budget appropriation of $16.7 million to fund multi-benefit water infrastructure projects. Several of these projects will benefit the City through direct funding for a groundwater well and funding for the “River-Arc” project. The RWA is implementing the Sacramento Regional Water Bank, an innovative groundwater storage and recovery program, that is central to the ability of local water providers (including the City of Sacramento) to provide a climate-resilient 21st century sustainable water supply. These projects will greatly benefit many aspects of regional water supply resiliency including the Sacramento Regional Water Bank.
The City of Sacramento is a member of the RWA, and staff supports this request for water infrastructure projects that will help our region adapt to more frequent and longer droughts due to climate change, including the loss of snowpack and extreme weather conditions. Projects will be construction-ready and will leverage existing infrastructure. The purpose of this resolution is to garner support for the request made by Assembly Members Ken Cooley, (AD8), Jim Cooper (AD9), and Kevin McCarty (AD7).
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): It has been determined that the proposed activity is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378(b). The activities described in this report are an ongoing administrative fiscal activity and are not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3).
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: This item was not brought to the Law & Legislation Committee because this Resolution is deemed urgent by Mayor Darrell Steinberg as a result of the approaching deadlines imposed by the State budget process.
Rationale for Recommendation: The requested budget allocation would fund Sacramento Regional Water Bank projects. These projects include:
• $4.2 million for Highland Well Project (Citrus Heights) • $5 million for Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Well Improvement in Sacramento (Sacramento)
• $5 million for Elk Grove Water District Well for enhanced conjunctive use (Elk Grove) • $1.5 million for “RiverArc,” which will provide surface water from the Sacramento River for banking while benefitting the delicate ecosystem of the lower American River by reduced diversions (RWA)
• $1 million for environmental planning and engineering work for a non-potable irrigation system, which will directly reduce diversions from Folsom reservoir (Folsom)
Financial Considerations: There are no financial considerations at this time. Staff will monitor RWA’s progress for the Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Well Improvement in the amount of $5 million, and if approved, will seek approval to establish revenue and expense budgets.
There are no General Fund obligations for this project.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
May 10, 2022
Regional Water Authority: Support for One-Time State Budget Appropriation Request for Multi-Benefit Water Infrastructure Projects
BACKGROUND
A. The Regional Water Authority, a joint powers authority formed in 2001, is recognized as a leader for its integrated and collaborative approach in assisting its members’ effective management of the region’s water resources in support of a sustainable environment, healthy communities, a vibrant economy, and water supply reliability and resilience under future climate conditions.
B. The Regional Water Authority has requested a one-time state budget appropriation of $16.7 million to fund multi-benefit water infrastructure projects.
C. The Regional Water Authority represents 20 water providers, five associates and nine affiliate agencies in Northern California.
D. For 20 years the Regional Water Authority has provided a unified voice to its diverse membership to improve regional water management plans, advocate for funding, and implement successful water resources strategies and programs.
E. The requested funds are for construction -ready projects that will leverage existing infrastructure and build upon proven efforts to adapt to climate change, the loss of snowpack and extreme weather conditions.
F. The Regional Water Authority is the model for sustainable groundwater management and is addressing the threats of climate change impacts, including severe drought, fires and flood.
G. The Regional Water Authority is implementing the Sacramento Regional Water Bank , an innovative groundwater storage an d recovery program that is central to the ability of local water providers to provide a climate-resilient 21st century sustainable water supply.
H. The requested budget allocation would fund Sacramento Regional Water Bank projects.
These projects include:
$4.2 million for Highland Well Project (Citrus Heights) $5 million for Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Well Improvement in Sacramento (Sacramento)
$5 million for Elk Grove Water District Well for enhanced conjunctive use (Elk Grove) $1.5 million for “RiverArc,” which will provide surface water from the Sacramento River for banking while benefitting the delicate ecosystem of the lower American River by reduced diversions (Sacramento).
$1 million for environmental planning and engineering work fo r a non -potable irrigation
system, which will directly reduce diversions from Folsom reservoir (Folsom).
I. With more severe effects of climate change increasing, we must increase the pace and scale of these kinds of proven multi-benefit projects.
J. Due to the state budget process timeline this Resolution is being deemed urgent by Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Support, appreciation, recognition, and thanks to Assembly Members Ken Cooley (AD8), Jim Cooper (AD9), and Kevin McCarty (AD7) for their One-Time State Budget Appropriation Request for Multi-Benefit Water Infrastructure Projects on behalf of the region through the Regional Water Authority.
Adopted by the City of Sacramento City Council on May 10, 2022, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
Attest:
The presence of an electronic signature certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy as approved by the Sacramento City Council.
March 31, 2022
The Honorable Phil Ting
Chair Assembly Budget Committee
Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 8239
P.O. Box 94289, Sacramento, CA 94249-0019
Re: State Budget Request: $16.7 million for water infrastructure projects in Sacramento Region to promote climate resiliency.
Dear Chair Ting:
The undersigned Sacramento Area Assemblymembers respectfully request a one-time state budget appropriation of $16.7 million to fund multi-benefit water infrastructure projects.
After years of study and planning paid for by local water agencies, these projects are construction-ready, will leverage existing backbone infrastructure and build on proven efforts to adapt to climate change, the loss of snowpack, and more extreme “whiplash” between wet and dry conditions.
State investment in these projects is necessary to accelerate the Sacramento Region’s comprehensive plan to build a more climate resilient water system by significantly expanding the use of below-ground water in a region-wide water bank (“Sacramento Regional Water Bank”). As one of California’s source watersheds, building climate resilience in the Sacramento Region will benefit communities and the environment throughout the state as we collectively grapple with the impacts of climate change on our water resources.
Specifically, we are asking for $14.2 million of funding that would be directed to individual water agencies to move the following projects forward:
• $4.2 million for Highland Well Project (Citrus Heights) • $5 million for Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant Groundwater Well Improvement (Sacramento)
• $5 million for Elk Grove Water District Well for enhanced conjunctive use (Elk Grove)
In addition, we are requesting $2.5 million to conduct environmental planning for water infrastructure projects that will augment the Water Bank and reduce diversions from the lower American River providing environmental benefits.
• $1.5 million for “RiverArc,” which will provide surface water from the Sacramento River for banking while benefitting the delicate ecosystem of the lower American River by reduced diversions (Sacramento).
• $1 million for environmental planning and engineering work for a non-potable irrigation system to offset existing non-potable water demands, which will directly reduce diversions from Folsom reservoir (Folsom).
By advancing the development of the Sacramento Regional Water Bank, these projects will enhance the regional approach to water management and allow the region to expand its ability to store groundwater during wet times and shift to groundwater (and away from more environmentally sensitive and climate change impacted sources) during dry times.
The Water Bank currently has the ability to store and manage up 60,000 acre-feet of water annually. The requested state funding will expand banking capacity. The total available capacity in the Water Bank today is twice the size of Folsom Reservoir. Studies demonstrate that this groundwater basin is sustainably managed and, according to the state Department of Water Resources, has seen increasing groundwater levels over the past two decades resulting from our proactive management, despite the megadrought.
With more severe effects of climate change increasing, we must increase the pace and scale of these kinds of proven multi-benefit projects. We are proud to submit this request for the residents of our respective districts, which will strengthen the resiliency of our water management systems for residents throughout California.
Thank you for your consideration of this state budget request.
Sincerely,
Ken Cooley Jim Cooper Kevin McCarty
Assemblyman, 8th District Assemblymember, 9th District Assemblymember, 7th District