|
|
SUBJECT OF THE WORKSHOP
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is seeking comments and discussion on two subjects: (1) the schedule for resumption of Phase 8 of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing,
and (2) the status of negotiations between export and upstream interests. The SWRCB intends to set a schedule for Phase 8 at or immediately after the workshop.
BACKGROUND
The SWRCB is conducting the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing for the purpose of receiving evidence regarding the rights and responsibilities of water right holders whose use of their water rights affects
the beneficial use of water in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary (Bay-Delta). The SWRCB has concluded Phases 1 through 7 of this hearing. Phases 1 through 7 pertain to
issues involving the San Joaquin River, the Suisun Marsh, the Mokelumne River, Putah and Cache Creeks, use of Joint Point of Diversion by the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project and the
consolidated and conformed place of use petition of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
On March 27, 2000, the SWRCB held a public workshop to develop key issues for Phase 8, the final phase of this hearing. The SWRCB issued a Notice of
Resumption of Public Hearing on April 19, 2000. That notice describes in detail the subject, background, key issues and the conduct of the hearing. On June 21, 2000, the Department of
Water Resources requested that the SWRCB postpone Phase 8 of the Hearing until late December 2000 or early January 2001, to provide parties an opportunity to resolve certain Phase 8 issues prior to
commencement of the hearing.
The issues to be negotiated deal with the responsibilities of the parties to meet flow-dependent objectives in the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation supported this request as did representatives of state and federal export water users and upstream Sacramento River water users.
WORKSHOP ISSUES
- When should the SWRCB resume Phase 8 of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing? When should the SWRCB require opening briefs and exhibits for Phase 8 to be submitted?
- What is the status of the negotiations between export water users and upstream water users? When will the negotiations be completed?
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
The workshop will be informal but a court reporter will be present to provide an accurate record of the proceedings. There will be no sworn testimony or cross-examination of participants, but SWRCB
members and staff may ask clarifying questions.
Participants are requested to provide to the SWRCB by 4 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2001, 20 hard copies of their written comments and any supporting materials for the use of the SWRCB
and its staff. Please send to: Nick Wilcox, Chief, Bay-Delta Unit, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000. Additionally, each participant should send a copy to each
person on the Bay-Delta Service List and provide additional copies on the day of the workshop for other participants.
All participants are encouraged to provide their comments and recommendations in writing and then orally summarize them. However, oral comments need not be limited to summarizing written comments. Participants with similar interests are encouraged to make joint presentations. Participants are requested to limit their oral comments to 10 minutes to ensure that all participants have an opportunity to be heard.
PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY
The enclosed map shows the location of the Paul R. Bonderson Building in Sacramento. Public Parking is available in the State Garage on 10th Street between O and P Streets, in metered spaces on area streets, and in the public parking garages on L Street between 10th and 11th Streets and on P Street between 11th and 12th Streets. The First Floor Hearing Room is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Questions concerning this notice may be directed to Nick Wilcox, Chief, Bay-Delta Unit, at (916) 341-5424 (FAX (916) 341-5400), or to Barbara J. Leidigh, Senior Staff Counsel, at (916) 657-2102 before
December 7, 2000, or (916) 341-5190 after December 7, 2000.
________________________
Maureen Marché
|
