Water pact on agenda

CCWD looks at Stanislaus River co-op

Calaveras County Water District directors expect to renew their ability to tap the Stanislaus River this week, re-upping a resource planning arrangement that has helped the district land state grant funds.

Directors at Wednesday’s board meeting will look to maintain the district’s longstanding relationship with the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, a working group of more than a dozen area utility districts and special authorities dedicated to keeping Stanislaus watershed plans in compliance with Proposition 84, a water quality and flood control bond measure passed by voters in 2006.

CCWD Assistant General Manager Larry Diamond said the district, which belongs to a similar cooperative dedicated to the Mokelumne River watershed, has long benefitted from grant-winning strategies employed by IRWMP member agencies.

“A number of entities that have interests in those watersheds pool their resources and apply for Prop. 84 money to further their collective interests throughout the state,” Diamond explained. “I believe some of that funding went up to West Point for (water system) infrastructure rehabilitation, so anytime we can land money, especially for disadvantaged communities, that’s a good reason to stay involved.”

“We’ve been fortunate,” he added. “It’s just amazing when you look at the (CCWD) track record, at the number of projects built through the wastewater-grant dollars from the state as well as the federal economy; … we plan to keep after it until it dries up.”

Board members are also expected to set aside funds for a countywide legislative tour aimed at bringing U.S. Congressional candidate Tom McClintock up to speed on Calaveras County water issues.

McClintock, a Republican, is taking on Democratic challenger Jack Uppal in the race to replace current representative and Republican Daniel Lungren, who – thanks to redistricting – did not appear on June primary ballots cast in the newly formed District 4.

According to Diamond, the district plans to retain former district collaborator John Mills for help with McClintock’s tour.

“We’re just looking to educate the congressman and his staff on water issues in the county,” Diamond said. “We’re working with Tuolumne and El Dorado counties to update him on mountain-county water needs, so we’ve engaged (Mills) for his consulting experience to conduct the tour.”

The district will have to amend its fiscal year budget to make that hire, the last fiscal item set to appear on an agenda that elsewhere includes procedural updates to the district’s employee conduct policy and a report on ongoing efforts to bring utility districts from Wallace and Blue Lake Springs into the CCWD fold.

Board members will gavel-in this week’s meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the CCWD boardroom.