The Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission announced this week that it has signed “a landmark agreement that lays the foundation for continued water diversions into the Russian River following the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project.”
In a press release Tuesday, MCIWPC Chair Janet Pauli explained that a “Memorandum of Understanding was announced between the agencies reliant on Russian River water, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and key stakeholders (which) establishes a framework for managing water resources across the region. This achievement is the result of extensive negotiations involving MCIWPC, Sonoma County Water Agency, Humboldt County, Sonoma County, CalTrout, Trout Unlimited, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.”
The MOU is described as including “provisions for lease payments to the Round Valley Indian Tribes for water usage, as well as funding for environmental restoration efforts on the Eel River. The agreement spans 30 years, with an option for a 20-year renewal.
“We are pleased to have reached this milestone after years of collaboration and challenging negotiations,” Pauli is quoted as saying in the release. “For nearly 120 years, water has been diverted from the Eel River into the Russian River, (and) this water supply has supported agriculture, businesses, schools, and communities. To sustain this region, we must secure a reliable and sustainable water source even after PG&E dismantles its (Potter Valley Project), and this MOU provides the foundation for that future.
“There is still much work ahead, but this MOU marks a major step forward,” Pauli continued. “It represents meaningful regional cooperation and outlines a sustainable, equitable plan to preserve our water supply while protecting the environment.”
The release also notes that Rep. Jared Huffman (D – San Rafael) “has been instrumental in bringing stakeholders together and fostering cooperation in planning for a post-Potter Valley Project future, (advocating) for a “two-basin solution,” which means protecting the future for both the Eel River and Russian River basins. Additionally, Chuck Bonham, Director of the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, provided key leadership in guiding stakeholders toward this agreement. Under the MOU, water diversions will continue through a “New Eel-Russian Facility” and the Round Valley Indian Tribes will coordinate resources and partner with environmental groups to oversee restoration efforts.
“The Round Valley Indian Tribes have been true partners in assessing the history and impact of the Potter Valley Project on local resources, while working collaboratively to shape a plan for our shared future that benefits the entire region,” Pauli added. “We are grateful for their commitment, as well as the support from the state and federal levels as we look ahead at replacing century-old PVP infrastructure with modern facilities and water governance systems.”
The Eel-Russian Project Authority is the newly established joint powers authority responsible for planning, operations and governance of the NERF facility, (and) ERPA is conducting planning and engineering studies now with grant support from both state and federal agencies.
Given that the NERF facility is included in PG&E’s draft application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to decommission and surrender the PVP as a “non-project use of project lands,” Pauli described PG&E as a key partner in this process, and we appreciate their diligence in recognizing what is at stake. Their collaboration with ERPA and commitment to incorporating the New Eel-Russian Facility into their application is essential for safeguarding our future.”
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