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SUBJECT OF WORKSHOP
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is seeking comments and discussion to develop and clarify key issues for Phase 8 of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing
BACKGROUND
On December 29, 1999, the SWRCB issued Decision 1641 on the subjects considered in Phases 1 through 7 of this hearing. The remaining purpose of the water rights proceeding is to receive evidence and legal argument on the assignment of the remaining responsibilities of the noticed water right holders for meeting the flow-dependent objectives1 in the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, adopted on May 22, 1995 (1995 Bay-Delta Plan). The SWRCB determined the responsibilities of numerous parties in Decision 1641, and those parties’ responsibilities are not included in Phase 8. Decision 1641 establishes the responsibilities of water right holders in the watershed of the San Joaquin River upstream of Vernalis through the year 2011 unless the San Joaquin River Agreement is terminated earlier. Decision 1641 also establishes the responsibilities of water right holders in the watersheds of the Mokelumne River, Putah Creek, and Cache Creek, and in the North Delta Water Agency with respect to this proceeding.
The SWRCB will convene Phase 8 of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing for the purpose of receiving evidence on the responsibilities of the remaining water right holders listed in Enclosure 1
attached to this notice. These parties are located within the watersheds of the Sacramento, Cosumnes, and Calaveras river watersheds.
An agreement among the Department of Water Resources, South Sutter Irrigation District and Camp Far West Irrigation District to settle the responsibilities of the Bear River water rights holders to
implement the objectives in the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan has been submitted to the SWRCB.
This agreement will be considered by the SWRCB in the opening session of Phase 8. A separate supplemental notice will be issued for this session of Phase 8.
WORKSHOP ISSUES
The purpose of the workshop is to receive comments and information to assist the SWRCB in developing key issues for Phase 8 of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing. Issues raised thus far by the
parties to the hearing include the responsibilities of water right holders to meet the objectives in the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan under the water right priority system, conditions needed to protect the
public interest and public trust, the effect of the hearing on the CALFED program, and appropriate methods for calculating carriage water. Other issues include the obligations of the State Water
Project and Central Valley Project with regard to the watershed protection statutes, county of origin statutes, and the Delta Protection Act.
The SWRCB is soliciting comments on these issues and any other issues relevant to Phase 8.
The SWRCB also is soliciting comments on 1) the status of any agreements on the assignment of responsibility for meeting the flow objectives in the 1995 Bay-Delta Plan and 2) the effect of any other
existing or anticipated agreements on the issues for Phase 8.
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 the SWRCB and its staff may ask clarifying questions.
Participants are requested to provide to the SWRCB by 5 PM on Tuesday, March 21, 2000, 20 hard copies of their written comments and supporting materials for the use of the SWRCB and its staff.
Additionally, a copy should be sent to each person on the Bay-Delta service list. Additional copies should be provided to the SWRCB on the day of the workshop for participants not on the service
list. All participants are encouraged to provide their comments and recommendations in writing and then orally summarize them. However, oral presentations will not necessarily be limited to
summarizing written comments. Time limits may be imposed on oral presentations. Participants with similar interests are requested to make joint presentations.
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) 657-0446 (FAX (916) 657-1485), or to Barbara J. Leidigh, Senior Staff Counsel, at (916) 657-2102.
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Maureen Marché
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