Joint Statement by the Mayor of Sacramento, Chairman of the Sacramento Board of Supervisors, President of the East Bay Municipal Untility District Board of Directors and the Department of the Interior
December 8, 2000

Representatives of the East Bay Municipal Utility District and Sacramento City and County today announced an agreement to recommend that their agencies work toward a joint project that will resolve EBMUD’s American River claims and help meet the regional water supply needs.

Since 1970, when EBMUD contracted with the Bureau of Reclamation for American River water to be taken at Nimbus Dam there have been thirty years of controversies and litigation without a solution.

In June 2000, Senator Feinstein asked the Department of Interior to make another attempt at finding a solution that was acceptable to EBMUD, the City and County of Sacramento and environmental organizations. Specifically, she asked all parties to work on a supplemental EIS/EIR that would address outstanding issues and identify an acceptable project.

On Thursday, December 7, EBMUD, Sacramento City and County, U.S. Department of Interior and environmental representatives met with Senator Feinstein in Washington.

EBMUD reported that the revised EIS/EIR has been finalized and sent to Washington for publication in the Federal Register on December 15. The EIS/EIR identifies a “preferred alternative” that includes an opportunity for EBMUD and Sacramento to jointly develop a water supply project on the Sacramento River near Freeport.

“I am greatly encouraged by this opportunity to resolve this long-standing threat to the American River. This is a significant effort in regional cooperation,” said Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo. “I look forward to presenting this to the City Council.”

“Our continuing interest has been in protecting the environmental, aesthetic, recreational and other values of the American River. This approach creates the potential of a true win-win for Sacramento and EBMUD by addressing both our concerns and the water supply interests of EBMUD,” said Roger Dickinson, chairman of the Sacramento Board of Supervisors, who looks forward to presenting the proposal to the Board.

“The need for water is so great at this time that it is in the best interest of all East Bay customers to have certainty for a reliable water supply in dry years,” said John Coleman, President of the EBMUD Board of Directors.

“This is a giant step forward,” Senator Feinstein said. “It is an example of two regions that have fought for 30 years over water finally saying we are going to work together. If we do it right, it’s going to set an example for the rest of the state.”

While many details and approvals remain, EBMUD and the City and County of Sacramento representatives expressed enthusiasm with the Bureau’s proposal and committed to work quickly to develop a Memorandum of Understanding by mid-January, which will serve as a partnership agreement for the development of this alternative.

Senator Feinstein and the other government participants also acknowledged the constructive input of representatives of the environmental community and look forward to their constructive involvement in the continuing process.

In order to maintain progress, the Department of Interior will publish a final EIS by December 15, 2000. Additionally, working with EBMUD, the Department is committed to signing a Record of Decision and completing necessary ESA compliance by January 19, 2001, which will allow amendment of the EBMUD contract. The Department will also issue a proposed amended contract by January 19, 2001.

Officials from the Department of Interior said they are pleased by the progress made through the collaborative discussions held in recent weeks, and assured the parties that if a joint project with the support of these groups is approved, that the federal government would do its best to support that decision.

All parties are committed to working with affected and interested stakeholders.