4b) Discussion and Possible Action Including Adoption of Resolution of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Regarding the Potter Valley Project and the Loss of Water Supply Reliability
(Sponsors: Supervisor Cline and Supervisor Norvell)
It is my understanding having served as Mayor and Council in a Bay Area community, that unless it is an emergency, you cannot add to an agenda less than 72 hours before a meeting. The attorney should know this.
I believe that we should find a way to keep these dams while also upgrading the fish migration infrastructure. These lakes provide great resources to the communities for hundreds of miles. The BOS should look into Federal support to help with this rehabilitation and or taking over ownership of these dams. Water collection and storage should be a priority for Northern California and our community as we expand to support a growing population. Thank you Supervisor Cline and Supervisor Norvell for bringing this topic to the forefront. The community is behind this, now let's get some help to make it a reality.
I support finding a resolution which hopefully includes keeping the dams. We need to figure out a way to keep this fundamental water source for our community and the ecosystem around Lake Pillsbury. We need water in California, we shouldn't be removing a water source that helps fire protection, the farmers in our community and affects counties down the line. Please support our community and support a resolution.
I do not believe anyone downstream of the Cape Horn Dam on the Eel River wants to keep the dams. For over 100 years, the Eel River has suffered by having the 2 dams on the river which prevent fish passage and has had its water diverted to the Russian River.
A new water agreement has been worked out by California Trout, Round Valley Indian Tribes, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma Water, and Trout Unlimited.
This agreement allows for reasonable diversion to the Russian River as well as protecting the Eel River. Please support the removal of the dams and vote against this resolution.
support keeping the dams in place and keeping the fish hatchery going! With wildfires becoming more prevalent we need it! 600,000 people will suffer! Agriculture which we all need will disappear! We know how valuable this is! Rivers will run dry as well as lake Mendocino. Lake County should be involved because the lake sits in that county. We have the technology to build better fish passage. The hydro electric system could be brought into the future and actually produce better power. I care for the environment but why don’t we stop the over fishing in our oceans! Why would we wreck an ecosystem that has evolved and is thriving! The salmon were spawning and there so many fish up past soda creek! Why would we let pg& e get away with this! They have caused so many problems. Newsom and Huffman do not listen to the people who live here and will be affected! They listen to corporations and money! Lake , Mendocino and Sonoma should take it over with the Pomo tribes. This is crucial. We need to save this valuable resource!
Thank you supervisors Cline and Norvell for supporting the community in their desire to keep water storage at the forefront of conversation! I hope you can continue the drive forward. I thought some seismic studies came forth that said the dam was stable? Can we form a group to take over the dam and its liability. I imagine PGE would be willing to give it away and their expenses involved if they could truly walk away.
Thank you so much for your time in this very heated, but so important matter. People over fish.
I urge you to pass the resolution. With the county budget in the red, it would be fiscally irresponsible to not support the resolution. Keep the water flowing and continue to collect tax revenues from individuals and businesses that grow, produce or manufacture products that were created using Russian River water.
These are the attached comments on this Item 4d from the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA) and Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) opposing this Resolution regarding the Potter Valley Project dams. This may previously have been filed incorrectly, so this filing is to correct and prior filing deficiencies. -- Glen Spain, PCFFA-IFR General Legal Counsel
I urge you not to pass this resolution. The current draft appears critically limited, failing to address key aspects of the situation on the ground and relevant historical context essential for responsible decision-making.
The issues are :
Core Structural and Historical Omissions
Scott Dam Safety Issues: The resolution fails to address the fundamental structural and safety issues with Scott Dam (Lake Pillsbury). Specifically, the dam has known seismic vulnerabilities, which, as I understand it, necessitate maintaining a lower water level to mitigate risk. This critical, limiting factor must be acknowledged as it impacts the project's viability.
History of County Acquisition Attempts: The resolution ignores the history of previous Mendocino County efforts to acquire the PG&E Potter Valley Project (PVP), including joint discussions with Sonoma County. Sonoma County Supervisor Rabbitt publicly stated that discussions regarding a joint takeover determined that the combined counties currently lack the necessary capability to manage such a complex project.
Omission of MIWPC Involvement: The resolution omits mention of the Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission (MIWPC) and its existing participation in a relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Economic Rationale and Water Data
Unfunded Economic Mandate: PG&E is a private company tasked with delivering electricity safely and reliably, often resulting in some of the region's highest utility rates. Transforming the PVP into a "Mendocino Economic Enterprise" creates an unfunded mandate. The resolution fails to identify the economic mechanism, financial risks, or how beneficiaries would fund this new enterprise. Crucially, where are the economic studies backing this resolution? Furthermore, the resolution fails to seriously explore and evaluate alternative water supply options.
Existing Water Capacity & Alternatives: The resolution lacks necessary detail regarding current water usage and alternative resources:
o Ukiah Valley: Ukiah (Pop. 16,072 ): Urban Water Management Plan documents show the city’s total water consumption was 3,030AF in 2020. It documents a Russian River water right of 16,507AF.. The Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin, which serves approximately 30,000 neighbors and 8 water agencies (including Hopland), has an annual aquifer recharge of about 25,300 AF/year.
o Potter Valley Irrigation District (Pop. 1,700): This district serves more than 272 agricultural customers and 6,960 acres. A Nov 2021 study suggested alternative supply options to help address reliability in the face of a two-basin solution.
Sincerely,
Neil, A PG&E Customer in the Russian River Watershed
Thank you Supervisors Cline and Norvell for bringing this item forward. My name is Julia Carrera and I am running for 3rd District Supervisor in the June 2026 election, the District where Lake Pillsbury resides in Lake County. I am a descendent of the Potter Valley Pomo Tribe and an Environmental Scientist. I do appreciate all the hard work that has been done thus far regarding this project. And, the current basin solution does not appear to be the best solution. The economic, cultural, and environmental impacts over 3-4 California Counties have not been thoroughly vetted. Mitigation measures can not be recommended without a transparent and complete understanding of these total impacts and the cumulative impacts in their totality across 3-4 Counties. The discussion needs to expand to the other solution options that have never made it to the table to be considered, including non removal of the dams. Lake Pillsbury has served Lake County as a climate and wildlife resource and economic asset for centuries. The multitude of negative impacts to the 3rd District and Lake County as a whole have yet to be considered in their totality. Thank you for bringing this forward and for having the discussion.
It is my understanding having served as Mayor and Council in a Bay Area community, that unless it is an emergency, you cannot add to an agenda less than 72 hours before a meeting. The attorney should know this.
I believe that we should find a way to keep these dams while also upgrading the fish migration infrastructure. These lakes provide great resources to the communities for hundreds of miles. The BOS should look into Federal support to help with this rehabilitation and or taking over ownership of these dams. Water collection and storage should be a priority for Northern California and our community as we expand to support a growing population. Thank you Supervisor Cline and Supervisor Norvell for bringing this topic to the forefront. The community is behind this, now let's get some help to make it a reality.
I support finding a resolution which hopefully includes keeping the dams. We need to figure out a way to keep this fundamental water source for our community and the ecosystem around Lake Pillsbury. We need water in California, we shouldn't be removing a water source that helps fire protection, the farmers in our community and affects counties down the line. Please support our community and support a resolution.
I do not believe anyone downstream of the Cape Horn Dam on the Eel River wants to keep the dams. For over 100 years, the Eel River has suffered by having the 2 dams on the river which prevent fish passage and has had its water diverted to the Russian River.
A new water agreement has been worked out by California Trout, Round Valley Indian Tribes, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma Water, and Trout Unlimited.
This agreement allows for reasonable diversion to the Russian River as well as protecting the Eel River. Please support the removal of the dams and vote against this resolution.
support keeping the dams in place and keeping the fish hatchery going! With wildfires becoming more prevalent we need it! 600,000 people will suffer! Agriculture which we all need will disappear! We know how valuable this is! Rivers will run dry as well as lake Mendocino. Lake County should be involved because the lake sits in that county. We have the technology to build better fish passage. The hydro electric system could be brought into the future and actually produce better power. I care for the environment but why don’t we stop the over fishing in our oceans! Why would we wreck an ecosystem that has evolved and is thriving! The salmon were spawning and there so many fish up past soda creek! Why would we let pg& e get away with this! They have caused so many problems. Newsom and Huffman do not listen to the people who live here and will be affected! They listen to corporations and money! Lake , Mendocino and Sonoma should take it over with the Pomo tribes. This is crucial. We need to save this valuable resource!
Thank you supervisors Cline and Norvell for supporting the community in their desire to keep water storage at the forefront of conversation! I hope you can continue the drive forward. I thought some seismic studies came forth that said the dam was stable? Can we form a group to take over the dam and its liability. I imagine PGE would be willing to give it away and their expenses involved if they could truly walk away.
Thank you so much for your time in this very heated, but so important matter. People over fish.
I urge you to pass the resolution. With the county budget in the red, it would be fiscally irresponsible to not support the resolution. Keep the water flowing and continue to collect tax revenues from individuals and businesses that grow, produce or manufacture products that were created using Russian River water.
These are the attached comments on this Item 4d from the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA) and Institute for Fisheries Resources (IFR) opposing this Resolution regarding the Potter Valley Project dams. This may previously have been filed incorrectly, so this filing is to correct and prior filing deficiencies. -- Glen Spain, PCFFA-IFR General Legal Counsel
I urge you not to pass this resolution. The current draft appears critically limited, failing to address key aspects of the situation on the ground and relevant historical context essential for responsible decision-making.
The issues are :
Core Structural and Historical Omissions
Scott Dam Safety Issues: The resolution fails to address the fundamental structural and safety issues with Scott Dam (Lake Pillsbury). Specifically, the dam has known seismic vulnerabilities, which, as I understand it, necessitate maintaining a lower water level to mitigate risk. This critical, limiting factor must be acknowledged as it impacts the project's viability.
History of County Acquisition Attempts: The resolution ignores the history of previous Mendocino County efforts to acquire the PG&E Potter Valley Project (PVP), including joint discussions with Sonoma County. Sonoma County Supervisor Rabbitt publicly stated that discussions regarding a joint takeover determined that the combined counties currently lack the necessary capability to manage such a complex project.
Omission of MIWPC Involvement: The resolution omits mention of the Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission (MIWPC) and its existing participation in a relevant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Economic Rationale and Water Data
Unfunded Economic Mandate: PG&E is a private company tasked with delivering electricity safely and reliably, often resulting in some of the region's highest utility rates. Transforming the PVP into a "Mendocino Economic Enterprise" creates an unfunded mandate. The resolution fails to identify the economic mechanism, financial risks, or how beneficiaries would fund this new enterprise. Crucially, where are the economic studies backing this resolution? Furthermore, the resolution fails to seriously explore and evaluate alternative water supply options.
Existing Water Capacity & Alternatives: The resolution lacks necessary detail regarding current water usage and alternative resources:
o Ukiah Valley: Ukiah (Pop. 16,072 ): Urban Water Management Plan documents show the city’s total water consumption was 3,030AF in 2020. It documents a Russian River water right of 16,507AF.. The Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin, which serves approximately 30,000 neighbors and 8 water agencies (including Hopland), has an annual aquifer recharge of about 25,300 AF/year.
o Potter Valley Irrigation District (Pop. 1,700): This district serves more than 272 agricultural customers and 6,960 acres. A Nov 2021 study suggested alternative supply options to help address reliability in the face of a two-basin solution.
Sincerely,
Neil, A PG&E Customer in the Russian River Watershed
Thank you Supervisors Cline and Norvell for bringing this item forward. My name is Julia Carrera and I am running for 3rd District Supervisor in the June 2026 election, the District where Lake Pillsbury resides in Lake County. I am a descendent of the Potter Valley Pomo Tribe and an Environmental Scientist. I do appreciate all the hard work that has been done thus far regarding this project. And, the current basin solution does not appear to be the best solution. The economic, cultural, and environmental impacts over 3-4 California Counties have not been thoroughly vetted. Mitigation measures can not be recommended without a transparent and complete understanding of these total impacts and the cumulative impacts in their totality across 3-4 Counties. The discussion needs to expand to the other solution options that have never made it to the table to be considered, including non removal of the dams. Lake Pillsbury has served Lake County as a climate and wildlife resource and economic asset for centuries. The multitude of negative impacts to the 3rd District and Lake County as a whole have yet to be considered in their totality. Thank you for bringing this forward and for having the discussion.