The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District's ambitious plan to acquire Eel River water rights has sparked intense debate and raised concerns among local users and environmental groups. This Southern California water agency's secretive approach and potential financial gain from selling water to Russian River users have ignited a heated discussion about water security and control.
The Potter Valley Project, originally intended for electricity generation, has been a source of water disputes for decades. However, a recent development has shifted the focus to a potential cash windfall for the Elsinore Valley Water District. According to internal documents obtained by Friends of the Eel, the district's director, Darcy Burke, and general manager, Greg Thomas, have been actively pursuing water rights since December, despite a lack of transparency.
The documents reveal a staggering valuation of the water rights, estimating their worth between $500 million and $800 million. This high estimate suggests a potential revenue stream of $400 million annually from selling 50,000 acre-feet of water to downstream users at $8,000 per acre-foot. In contrast, the two-basin agreement, negotiated by Congressman Jared Huffman, proposed leasing the water rights to downstream users for a fraction of this amount.
Burke's actions have raised eyebrows, as she sent letters to federal entities arguing against the decommissioning of the dams, despite the district's board never discussing the project in an open meeting. Her outreach to former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chair Curt Hébert further highlights her determination to influence the decommissioning process.
The Elsinore Valley Water District's strategy appears to be twofold: derailing the decommissioning process and acquiring the water rights for itself. This move has sparked concerns about a potential water grab, reminiscent of historical fears in Northern California. The district's secrecy and potential financial gain have ignited a debate about the balance between water security and control.
As the story unfolds, the 'Two-Basin Partnership' has joined the fray, expressing alarm over the potential Southern California water grab. Mari Rodin, a Ukiah City Council appointee, emphasizes the importance of local control over resources, reflecting a broader concern among Northern California communities.
