GRASS VALLEY, May 30, 2009 - In the presence of several tribal leaders and members, Nevada Irrigation District's board of directors this week unanimously approved a resolution officially recognizing the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. General Manager Ron Nelson said the district was responding to a recent letter to NID's board from tribal chair Don Ryberg requesting a resolution of support for recognition of the local tribe. "But my relationship with the tribe goes back to my first year with the district when I began having discussions with Don Ryberg," Nelson added.
Nelson also noted that NID is embracing the role of watershed stewardship more actively, a role that the Tsi-Akim Maidu organization supports. "Most recently we have been involved with the tribe during FERC relicensing. We also have the project to remove mercury sediments in the Bear River. We believe this is consistent with the tribal goal to heal the watershed."
Speaking before the board, tribal chair Don Ryberg explained the need for the resolution. "The federal government today claims our tribe does not exist - this is because the government failed to terminate our tribes legally," Ryberg told the board.
According to Ryberg, despite early recognition of their people, the federal government "delisted" the tribe in the 1960s and subsequently does not officially "recognize" the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. "The resolution costs nothing, just compassion and a piece of paper," Ryberg advised. "But it means more because we would have an opportunity for federal dollars to our community if the tribe becomes federally recognized."
Members of the Tsi-Akim Tribe have resided in the Sierra Nevada for over 5,000 years. Maidu lands stretch from Mount Lassen on the north, the Cosumnes River to the south, the Sierra Crest on the east, and the Sacramento River on the west. Each tribe is distinguished by language.
"Our language group is north of the Bear River," said Greyson Coney, Cultural Director for the tribe.
The tribe has 181 enrolled members. Ninety percent are direct descendants of the Southern Maidu who inhabited the region of today's Tsi-Akim Maidu.
While the resolution formally recognizes the tribe, it also supports and endorses the efforts of the Tsi-Akim Maidu in their pursuit of federal recognition, including the rights and privileges that the tribe is entitled to under federal law. The resolution also recognizes the importance of the tribe's history and cultural heritage and supports the continuing efforts of the Tsi-Akim Maidu to preserve their heritage, culture, language, and religion. "We have probably 20 of these resolutions. They are all done by consensus," Ryberg said. "We are proud of these."
State Election Fallout: Tax Grab Imminent
With last week's election defeat of all key budget-related propositions, Governor Schwarzenegger must begin to look for other ideas on how to backfill California's bloated deficit. According to the latest report by the Legislature's Budget Analyst, the deficit will exceed $28 billion by the end of the 2009-2010 state budget year.
General Manager Nelson warned that the state will definitely be casting a greedy eye in the direction of property tax revenues from special districts like NID. What is unclear is just how much the state would inevitably borrow from NID.
On the low end, Nelson predicts the numbers could be anywhere from $800,000 to $1 million. But he fears the tax grab could reach as high as $2.4 million. According to Nelson, the state would be obligated to repay with interest over the next three years the tax revenues taken from special districts.
It appears, however, that board president John Drew isn't convinced of the state's commitment to repay its debts. "I don't believe for one moment they will pay the money back," Drew responded.
Nelson did advise the board that NID is a member of a California special districts group which will be saying "no" to the potential tax grab on behalf of its members.
CABY Budget Still in Limbo
For a second time, NID's board postponed approval of an amendment to a cost sharing agreement for the Cosumnes, American, Bear and Yuba (CABY) rivers regional water planning group. At issue is the 2009 draft budget of $353,418.
Both Directors Nancy Weber and John Drew expressed concerns about accepting the budget and approving the amended cost sharing agreement without further information. "I think it's a big budget," Director Weber said as she requested that the agenda item be pulled from the consent calendar for further review. "I'm very supportive of CABY and the IRWMPs, but to present this to us for the second time without any explanation - I want a work plan to see how CABY staff work into this."
Director Drew concurred with Weber and asked NID staff to provide this information to the board. "I want to see an accounting of time that these folks spend on the job," Drew said. "I want to know what we're getting."
Begun as a collaborative planning effort between over 30 diverse organizations including water agencies, conservation districts, watershed organizations and recreation groups, the CABY is funded through a cost sharing agreement between NID, El Dorado Irrigation District, Placer County Water Agency and El Dorado County Water Agency.
Through its approved IRWMP (Integrated Regional Water Management Plan) the CABY seeks to improve water management in the Sierra foothills and mountain region by increasing communication and coordination and by seeking funding to implement region-wide projects. NID is the fiscal agent for the CABY.
Combie North Powerhouse Project: PPA Update
With construction of its new Combie North powerhouse nearly complete, NID took steps this week to finalize its intent to sell power to PG&E from this facility. Board members voted unanimously to terminate NID's existing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with PG&E and approved a new 15-year agreement that will actually reduce the district's payback period.
According to NID Operations Manager Don Wight, based on the terms of the new State PUC-approved contract, the new payback period will be somewhere between 9 to 10 years. This is a significant reduction from the originally anticipated time it would take before NID could begin seeing a return on its improvement costs. Back in December 2008, NID directors heard from staff that NID wouldn't be seeing a return on their investment for around 14 years.
Along with construction of the new powerhouse building, the project also includes replacement of the existing combined 300-kilowat (kW) unit with a new single unit turbine that can generate up to 500 kW. Additional work involves replacing the existing concrete flume and installing a new spillway downstream of the new powerhouse. Wight advised board members this week that the project should be up and running - and generating power - by July.
A Win-Win Scenario: Benefits of a Road Easement
Nevada County gains easy access to areas when it conducts road maintenance projects. Public safety is improved on county roads. And NID reduces risk of liability on its own property. Sounds like a winning plan for Nevada County, the general public, and NID. In reality, it is, says NID Right of Way Agent Anthony Rodoni.
Currently, Nevada County is proposing shoulder widening and drainage improvement at spot locations along Pasquale Road on Banner Mountain. The purpose of the project is to address safety and drainage deficiencies associated with substandard or non-existent road shoulders.
Pasquale Road is a critical alternate route to the Cascade Shores subdivision.
According to the county, proposed improvements would provide 10-foot travel lanes with two-foot paved shoulders for eastbound traffic. While the County maintains a road "prism" over NID lands of approximately 40 feet in width, the proposed easement would be 80 feet in width and run about 4,265 feet in length.
The new easement would accommodate the county's Pasquale Road widening project in addition to future projects. But the benefits of this easement continue.
Nevada County is currently pursuing federal funding to offset all or a portion of its costs in implementing its safety and drainage work on Pasquale Road. To secure these grant funds, the county must acquire a road easement from NID.
Director Nick Wilcox questioned the county's use of a Categorical Exemption on the project, citing a list of 30 trees which would be removed in the project area. 13 of those listed have diameters of 30 inches or more. "It is not our place to question the county, but I want to go on record that I believe the county is being irresponsible," Wilcox advised NID's board and staff. "I think the Categorical Exemption is a way of glossing over potential impacts - this is my objection."
NID General Manager Ron Nelson advised the board that he would pass on Director Wilcox's concerns to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.
NID Supports Local Business
In keeping with its efforts to streamline costs while maintaining support of local businesses, NID's board awarded Hansen Brothers Enterprises a $1,594,316 contract for construction of the Alta Sierra/Dog Bar Pipeline Project. The Grass Valley-based company submitted the lowest quote. NID budgeted the project at $2,300,000 in 2009.
The project will allow the district to provide master plan flows to the south end of the Loma Rica treated water system, while increasing reliability and water pressure to some of Alta Sierra. Construction will include nearly 9000 feet of pipeline under and alongside Francis Drive, Gary Way, Alta Sierra Drive and Dog Bar Road. Construction is slated to begin this spring.
The next regularly scheduled NID board meeting will be held Wednesday June 10 at 9 a.m. at the NID Business Center in Grass Valley. The public is encouraged to attend.
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