Huffman Inquiry Confirms Southern California Agency Exploring Potter Valley Project Options
EVMWD said it expects to begin releasing documents by May 29
The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District confirmed in a letter to Congressman Jared Huffman that it is evaluating an acquisition of the Potter Valley Project but cautioned that only limited information regarding the potential acquisition could be shared publicly.
In a May 8 letter to Jared Huffman, obtained MendoLocal.News on May 19, the Southern California water agency acknowledged it has responsive records related to Huffman’s inquiry into the project and expects to begin releasing non-exempt documents by May 29.
The letter, signed by EVMWD Board President Andy Morris, marks one of the clearest public acknowledgements yet that the district is actively exploring possible involvement in the future of the Potter Valley Project, which diverts water from the Eel River into the Russian River watershed through a pair of dams and a century-old tunnel system.
“Staff is gathering information and coordinating with partner agencies and stakeholders to better understand potential opportunities, challenges, and impacts,” Morris wrote. “No decisions have been made regarding acquisition, ownership, operations, financing, or any future use connected to the Potter Valley Project or related infrastructure.”
The letter was sent in response to an April 28 inquiry from Huffman, whose district includes communities affected by the Potter Valley Project and the future of the Eel River, including users of water diverted from the Eel River to the Russian River by the project. Huffman requested records related to any potential acquisition, transfer or operation of project infrastructure — including Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam — as well as any plans involving the storage, diversion, transfer or sale of Eel River water outside the Eel or Russian River watersheds.
The possibility that a Southern California water district could become involved in the Potter Valley Project has alarmed many North Coast residents, tribal nations and environmental advocates, who fear it could lead to expensive litigation and complicate long-running efforts to remove Scott Dam, restore fish passage and continue providing water to Potter Valley and Sonoma County.
In the letter, EVMWD acknowledged those concerns directly, stating that the district recognizes the project’s importance to “local communities, Tribal Nations, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, and water users throughout the Eel and Russian River watersheds.” The district also said it understands “the history and sensitivities tied to water management discussions in Northern California.”
At the same time, the district indicated it intends to limit public disclosures during the early stages of its review process, citing the sensitive nature of potential infrastructure and water supply acquisitions. The agency said it is reviewing responsive records with legal counsel to determine what information can legally be withheld under exemptions to the California Public Records Act.
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Southern California needs to require their water users to all have usage restrictions (metered), collection of rain water, gray water systems and even some non-water toilets in place BEFORE they start taking water from Northern California. They need to take responsibility just as other states and countries have done when faced with geographical water shortages.