PCWA approves Middle Fork agreement with BLM

Auburn, Calif.- Directors of the Placer County Water Agency on Thursday (Aug. 4) approved a long-term agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation related to PCWA’s Middle Fork American River Project.

PCWA Director of Strategic Affairs Einar Maisch said the three-party agreement serves to fully compensate the two federal agencies in connection with their costs for management of certain recreational lands, facilities and activities along and downstream of PCWA’s hydroelectric project.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

The contributed funds agreement, approved by the board, calls for annual payments of $226,538 to the Bureau of Land Management, $161,896 to the Bureau of Reclamation and begins in October 2013.

Brett Storey, Placer County staff representative to the Middle Fork Project Finance Authority, attended the meeting and voiced support for the agreement.  PCWA and the county are jointly financing the relicensing effort through the Finance Authority.

Maisch said the agreement, which was approved by the two federal agencies, protects the Middle Fork Project against future financial obligations downstream of the Project.

In other business, PCWA directors:

• were introduced to Jay L’Estrange, the agency’s new Director of Power Generation Services.  In welcoming remarks, General Manager David A. Breninger cited L’Estrange’s 22 years of experience in hydroelectric energy management, including service with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Eugene (Oregon) Water and Electric Board.  L’Estrange and his wife, Jessica, are residing in Auburn.
• recognized six college students who are completing summer internships with the water agency.  The students have gained work experience in PCWA’s Engineering, Customer Services and Financial Services departments.
• heard a presentation from Director of Financial Services Joseph Parker on the agency’s recent website upgrade and expansion.  Parker said the agency enlisted the services of a website designer but completed most of the update on an in-house basis. 

Information on PCWA board meetings may be obtained through the Clerk to the Board at (530) 823-4850 or (800) 464-0030.