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HomeMy WebLinkAbout55A - RESO CA WATERFIX AND ECORESTORE PROJCITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: AUGUST 1, 2017 TITLE: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA WATERFIX AND CALIFORNIA ECORESTORE PROJECTS (STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5,2) 6 CIT ANAGER 1a*9191IT, 1Trg� CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 151 Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO DC7 Adopt a resolution in support of the California WaterFix and California EcoRestore projects. DISCUSSION As a critical source of water supply, the California Bay Delta (the Delta), where the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers converge, provides approximately 30 percent of Southern California's water supply annually. In partnership with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), the City of Santa Ana participated in the recent Orange County Water Reliability Study (Study) evaluating scenarios and projects that enhance or sustain water supplies to the region. Modeling shows the California WaterFix, as currently proposed, represents the most cost-effective, large-scale reliability solution to improving Orange County's water supply reliability over the next 25 years. The supply analyses in the Study assumed that the California WaterFix results in "recovery" (prevents the future loss) of historical supplies in the amount of 440,000 acre-feet per year on average. As a reference, Santa Ana Water Resources Division distributed just over 33,000 acre- feet in all of fiscal year 2016-2017; one thirteenth the annual volume anticipated from this project. The project cost is estimated to be $14.9 billion dollars, or about $5 a month for urban water users. This is an early estimate and may not be reflective of the actual cost to the consumer. In December 2016, MWDOC Directors passed a resolution of support for the California WaterFix, which is approaching the final stages of permitting and environmental review (EIR/EIS and Record of Decision). The recommendation of Plan 4a, the WaterFix, is the result of the more than 100 alternatives which were considered during a 10 -year study period that drew 30,000 public comments. At this time, it is essential to raise the profile and level of support for the WaterFix and EcoRestore programs. 55A-1 Resolution supporting the California WaterFix and California EcoRestore projects August 1, 2017 Page 2 The California WaterFix involves construction and design of three new water intakes north of the Delta and two, 32 -mile, 9,000 cubic feet per second volume capacity underground tunnels that will provide operational pumping flexibility and protect against water supply disruption. However, much remains to be determined, especially with respect to the financing, regulatory certainty and operating criteria for the project. In addition to water management and quality benefits, a large and growing consensus understands that the Delta is in an unsustainable position and needs to be "fixed" to accommodate the many competing interests for the future, especially with regard to ensuring the area is a sustainable ecosystem. The status quo is yielding a continuing degradation of the Delta systems, levee integrity, and water supply reliability. The companion initiative to the California WaterFix is EcoRestore, which seeks to achieve the State's co -equal goal of habitat restoration and reliability of supplies. EcoRestore is initially charged with 30,000 acres of restoration efforts under an accelerated effort by 2020 to improve habitat conditions for fisheries migration, restore tidal and non -tidal wetland habitats for native wildlife, and improve connectivity among existing grassland and other natural habitats. Based on these proposed improvements in system conveyance and habitat restoration, staff recommends the City Council adopt the attached resolution in support of the California WaterFix and California EcoRestore and Preferred Alternative (No. 4A) as described in the environmental documents, with reasonable adherence to the current public operating criteria and cost allocation principles and assumptions. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 - Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #2 (expand opportunities for conservation and environmental sustainability). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. P,--, If i A , I, Freo MIOUSAbAr Executive Director Public Works Agency FM/NS Exhibits: 1. Resolution 2. Metropolitan Water District (MET) White Paper #1 55A-2 jmf 7111117 RESOLUTION NO. 2017 -XXX A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA IN SUPPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA WATERFIX AND CALIFORNIA ECORESTORE PROJECTS WHEREAS, the California Delta, formed by the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers as they come together and flow into San Francisco Bay, is a major water hub for California's water supply system for the majority of the State, including 30 percent of the supplies for Southern California, and therefore underpins the overall economy of California; and WHEREAS, the Delta historically was a complex and dynamic natural system driven by tidal fluctuations and natural marsh flooding that has been highly altered over the last 100 years, with many of the levees and islands reclaimed from former marshlands for development or farming. The Delta was never intended to be a water conveyance facility. The scientific consensus is that the Delta is not sustainable as it exists today and that changes must be made to stabilize conditions; and WHEREAS, voters approved the State Water Project (SWP) about 55 years ago, yet it was never completed as envisioned to include an independent conveyance facility that would allow increased capture and storage of water during periods of high flows and would also minimize conflicts with fisheries; and WHEREAS, as the result of federal court decisions, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinions, as well as other regulatory constraints to protect native species in the Delta, the SWP has not been able to collect, store, and deliver an estimated volume of 3.6 million acre-feet of water since 2008; and WHEREAS, Governor Brown's California WaterFix and California EcoRestore proposal provides a framework of how best to approach managing the Delta's combined water and land resources in a manner that will realistically achieve improvements in both water supply reliability and ecosystem protection for the Delta as an evolving place by balancing the many competing demands; and WHEREAS, the California WaterFix and EcoRestore proposal will help with water supply reliability by improving essential ecosystem functions so that populations of endangered or threatened aquatic species will be strengthened; and WHEREAS, the California EcoRestore will pursue more than 30,000 acres of critical Delta restoration over the next five years, including the improvements of habitat condgtions for fisheries migration, restoring tidal and non -tidal wetland habitat for native wildlife, and improving connectivity among existing grassland and other natural habitats; and 55A-3 Resolution No. 2017 -XXX Page 1 of 3 -ZLIND IM WHEREAS, the California WaterFix includes construction of three intakes north of the Delta, two 35 -mile tunnels up to 150 feet below the Delta, and Clifton Court forebay modifications, all of which will provide operational pumping flexibility and protect against water supply disruption due to sea -level rise, earthquakes, and flood events; and WHEREAS, improving the SWP system can increase regional storage reserve levels. These storage reserves are used to protect the region from devastating effects of drought and other emergencies, The California WaterFix will help ensure that Orange County will have sufficient supplies at critical times when needed; and WHEREAS, the 2016 Orange County Water Reliability Study revealed a number of important findings with implications for the county's water reliability, including that projected water shortages would be too frequent and overall reliability would not be sustainable by as early as 2030 without new supply and system investments by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, its member agencies, and Orange County; and WHEREAS, Orange County should strongly advocate for the Implementation of the California WaterFix and EcoRestore, as it represents the most cost-effective large-scale reliability solution to improve regional water supply reliability for all of Southern California. The Orange County water reliability supply analyses assumes the California WaterFix results in "recovery" of historical supplies in the amount of approximately 440,000 acre-feet per year on average and notes that adjustments to the project costs or supply development could result in changes to this recommendation; and WHEREAS, Orange County ratepayers have invested millions of dollars to build and maintain the SWP as well as portions of Metropolitan's regional storage, distribution, and treatment systems that take delivery of SWP supplies. Modernizing the system through the California WaterFix will protect this investment for decades to come; and WHEREAS, moving forward with the California WaterFix will not be an inexpensive endeavor; however, it is the most cost-effective investment of the ratepayers' dollars to maintain and continue our economic vitality for the region. Furthermore, all of the costs for California WaterFix will be paid for exclusively by water agencies benefiting from the project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana as follows: Section 1. The City of Santa Ana does hereby support the California EcoRestore and California WaterFix Preferred Alternative (No.4A) as described in the Resolution No. 2017 -XXX 55A-4 Page 2 of a EXHIBIT 1 jmf 7/11/17 respective environmental documents with reasonable adherence to the current, public operating criteria and cost allocation principles and assumptions. Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this _ day of APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney By:_ 014 - a ohn M. Funk Assistant City Attorney AYES: Councilmembers NOES Councilmembers ABSTAIN: Councilmembers NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers 2017. Miguel A. Pulido Mayor CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2017 -XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on Date: Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana 55A-5 EXHIBIT 1 Resolution No. 2017 -XXX Page 3 of 3 y Modernizing and improving California's water system is essential for the reliable delivery of water supplies to much of the state. About 30 percent of the water that flows out of taps in Southern California homes and businesses comes from Northern California watersheds and flows through the Sacramento -San Joaquin Delta. But the Delta's declining ecosystem and 1,100 miles of levees are increasingly vulnerable to earthquakes, flooding, saltwater intrusion, climate change and further environmental degradation. California Water% is the product of more than a decade of review, planning, and rigorous scientific and environmental analysis by water experts, engineers and conservationists, as well as unprecedented public comment. The proposed project will improve the security of our water system by fixing aging infrastructure and constructing new, skate -of -the art facilities using innovative technologies and engineering practices. Significant planning work for the design and construction of the project has been performed by the state, water agencies, and construction and engineering firms, which have determined the projectis buildable. Details of the project features, actions to address public comment, risk management, schedule projection and cost estimates are addressed in a new white paper and summarized below.. An extensive planning process evaluated various alignments, facility configurations and system options. • The system would be capable of diverting up to 9,000 cubic feet -per -second from the Sacramento River and capturing additional wet period water supplies after all environmental flow and water quality criteria are met. Proposed construction plans, including the use of dual 40 -foot diameter tunnels, is well within common practices in the engineering construction industry and will provide operational redundancy. ('g1 CALIFORNIA WATER FIX RELIABLE. CLEAN. WATER. 55A-7 EXHIBIT 2 Specific steps were taken during the design effort to reduce or eliminate the impact of the new facilities on the environment and Delta communities. As a result of input during the environmental planning process, the following changes were made: • Reduced size of overall project •Expanded use of tunnels for conveyance • Revised tunnel alignment • Reduced size and location of intermediate forebay • Reduced pumping requirements • Reduced construction impacts along Sacramento River sqa THFMETROGOLITANWATCRDISTRICT f OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA „p4 DUAL CONVEYANCE: A flexible dual intake system will deliver water to state and federal pumping plants in the south Delta. New intakes farther upstream will reduce overall adverse environmental impacts on the Delta and provide higher quality water to water contractors' service areas. MODERNIZED FACILITIES: The existing system will be modernized with new facilities, equipment and technologies, State-of-the-art fish screens and intake structures will reduce harm to fish. OPERATIONAL. FLEXIBILITY: The new intake facilities will work in conjunction with the existing south Delta intake system, delivering water from just one system or both, depending on fishery and water quality conditions. Dual intakes will provide greater flexibility to protect fish when they are present. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY: Gravity -fed tunnels will move water more naturally and efficiently. This will simplify overall operations and reduce long-term system and maintenance costs. MAXIMIZES THE USE OF PUBLIC LANDS: The project alignment uses more public lands, reducing the impact to private property and agriculture. REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT: The proposed water facilities and operations have a greatly reduced project footprint compared to earlier proposals. This will reduce community impacts. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: The plan allows for a more natural flow direction in the Delta during critical fish protection periods and increases water supply reliability with greater flexibility to divert water in ways that protect sensitive fish species WATER SUPPLY RELIABILITY: A modernized system can more reliably capture water from peak storms and flood flows to refill reservoirs and replenish groundwater basins. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: A modernized system will ensure that water is available for drought and emergency needs and help protect supplies from earthquakes or other natural disasters that could disrupt the current system. CALIFORNIA (.�; WATER FIX `✓ RELIABLE. CLEAN. WATER. Q ( d 2 �. 3 3 1— — .--- a----------- —;.. F _------..-..---------- ----------------- 55A-8 n THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT EXHIBIT 2 OFSOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Tunnels: Extensive work and surveys to identify best practices of large tunnel projects with similar design, construction and project management confirmed that the proposed California WaterFix tunnel boring machines are well within the existing industry knowledge and experience. Leakage: The lining system will be designed to withstand the maximum internal pressure calculated for the conveyance system, resulting in negligible leakage. Ground Vibration: Tunnels will be constructed at. Least 100 feet below ground. Material over the tunnels will dampen and absorb any energy generated during tunneling activities. .Surface Settlement: The project will use geotechnical information, monitoring and structure projection methods to mitigate the risk of settlement effects and structural damage. Seismic Mitigation: Because the proposed tunnel alignment does not cross any major fault rupture or creep zones, the deep tunnels will not be subject to liquefaction potential. The. tunnel design uses precast segmental lining systems which have been successfully used in seismically active areas around the world. Geotechnical Considerations and Mitigations: At proposed tunnel depths, dense .layers of silts, sands and clays are anticipated. This material will be suitable for the planned tunneling activities. Flood Protection: Facilities will be engineered and designed to withstand water level rise resulting from both a200 -year storm event and from sea Level rise of 18 inches in the Delta. The Department of Water Resources is working with the State Water Contractors to resolve the final details of how the construction of California WaterFix will be managed to guarantee the project's safety and construction integrity and to ensure the project is delivered on time, on budget and in accordance with approved specifications, white managing risk prudently. Cost estimates were determined through a rigorous analysis by industry professionals and will be updated as additional information becomes available. Program management, construction management $ 1.91 B and engineering - Tunnels/shafts construction Remaining construction Contingency (-36% for tunnel/shafts and $ 3.38 B remaining construction) Land acquisition (includes 20% contingency) $ 0.15 B r so Program Estimate in 2014 Dollars *Significant additional fishery habitat restoration will occur through California EcoRestore http://resources.ca.govlecorestorel wwww CALIFORNIA. 55A-9 A e �t/ / ♦ \ A 1 AT E P'1 F I V z i+ THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT r`a+21 MMF19 GFC W /\ EXHIBIT 2 � ' �.,',. OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REIJA6LE. CLF.FlDI. WATER. GAII �� R Permits ---- Leadership Staf RFO Process DESIGN ---- - -- Land Acquisit Utilities and � Pumping Plar Intakes --- Tunnels ---- Clifton Court Intermediate CONSTRUCTIOP Utilities and S Tunnel ............... Clifton Court Intakes--- Intermediate Pumping Plar COMMISSIONI The current schedule estimates it will take 12 to 15 months to fully staff the project, up to four years to complete the design phase and approximately 13 years to complete construction. California WaterFix -Program Summary Schedule Note: Years shown next to bars indicate task duration 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Years from project start *_11 CALIFORNIA 55A-10WATER F 1 XFORNIA THE MET OFSOUTHERN ALI WATER DISTRICT PELIAaLE CLEAN wnTc2 EXHIBIT 2