Significant updates from the Redwood Valley County Water District Board Meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024, include the successful repair of the aging Millview Well, talks on consolidating water districts with Ukiah, public concerns over groundwater fees, and a delay in Energea solar panel installation. As Lake Mendocino sees a notable rise, the community grapples with key decisions affecting water sources. This report brings you the latest on Ukiah’s water developments, spotlighting the challenges and choices impacting the local environment and community.
Lake Mendocino is up 10 feet from its low point thanks to the recent atmospheric river, with another 3 1/2 inches of rain expected. General Manager Jared Walker anticipates that Redwood Valley will be able to get enough water from Flood Control this coming summer.
The aging Millview Well Number Six at the Masonite site has been repaired, using a nylon brush to scrub the screen. This well historically produced 600 gallons per minute. After being cleaned out, it is producing up to 800 gallons per minute. This well provides drinking water for Redwood Valley.
LACO consultants continue to work on the Small Community Drought Relief grant project. The previous attempt to drill another well at the Masonite site specifically for Redwood Valley did not find a well with sufficient gallons per minute. Walker reported that Jordan Blough of LACO contacted a different contractor, Balance Hydrologic, to take another look at the site in hopes of finding a new municipal well. Balance quoted an estimate of $160,000. LACO will get a couple more quotes for this from different contractors.
There is nothing new to report on the Russian River Water Forum. The New Eel Russian Authority JPA, an entity formed to negotiate with PG&E and FERC in hopes of continuing the diversion of Eel River water into the Russian River after PG&E pulls out of the Potter Valley Project, will have its first meeting on January 31 at 3 pm in the Sonoma County Supervisors Chambers. The public can attend in person or via Zoom. Information is available at this link.
The ad hoc committee working on the consolidation of the smaller water districts with the City of Ukiah met and discussed the Potter Valley Project, the Eel-Russian Authority, the potential impacts on water rights, and the amount of water to be allotted. Ukiah’s attorneys are working on revising the consolidation agreement to reflect the comments made by the California Department of Water Resources’ attorneys. Not all of the Districts managed by Willow Water District want to consolidate. Redwood Valley will move forward with the consolidation, as it does not have a secure source of water on its own.
Paul Minasian, the District’s counsel, sent a letter to the Board and General Manager, asking for guidance on a number of legal issues. After discussion, the Board voted to direct counsel to focus on consolidation with Ukiah. Board Member Bree Klotter requested that the board review all draft communication to counsel prior to sending.
The Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency is a state-mandated agency that is not funded by the state. The UVBGSA sent Willow County Water District an invoice for its annual operating costs to be allocated among the water districts administered by Willow. The Board had discussed this at prior meetings and now voted to approve paying the bill for the agency fees. Redwood Valley’s portion for the 2023-2024 year was initially $21,240, but the GSA sent a second invoice, and Redwood Valley will have to pay an additional $9,269.62. The UVBGSA held a community meeting on January 11 on the subject of the agency’s fees (covered in a separate MendoFever article). It was a full house at the meeting, and the attendees were not happy to learn about the new GSA fees. Most people had never heard of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and the UVBGSA. Board President Adam Gaska said he told the consultants “to sharpen their pencils to try and cut costs for the agency, as the proposed budget is a lot more than the District wants to pay.” Walker said “In the next 10 years the valley will have major changes, we need to be sensitive to cost. Hopefully, consolidation will provide economies of scale.” The long-range plan for California water security has resulted in an enormous amount of additional reporting that water managers in the groundwater basins will have to perform.
Beginning in July 2022, Mike Silvestrini, a principal with Energea, spent several months in extended discussions about the replacement of the aging solar panels. The panels finally arrived in November 2023. Walker reported to the Board on the status of the project. Energea’s subcontractor from the Bay Area came to inspect the solar panels, most of which arrived damaged due to poor shipping methods. The subcontractor will report back to Energia. There is no date for installation. Walker said that this is a small project for Energia, which normally works on bigger projects. Board Member Bree Klotter said, “That was not the attitude Energea presented to us.” The old panels are still in place providing power. (Not discussed at the meeting, but CNN.com reported that there was a worldwide shortage of solar panels in 2022.)
CPA Michael Celantano, auditor for the District, has submitted the completed audit for the year ended June 30, 2023. Celantano commented in his cover letter that the small size of the District staff did not allow for the type of internal control that would be preferable. Board Members Cassie Taaning and Bree Klotter plan to meet with Celantano to discuss the audit.
Walker said the District and Board Members need to submit California Fair Political Practice Form 700 to the County by April 2.
The Board voted for Adam Gaska to continue the position of Board President for the coming year.
