2024.04.18 Attachment to Agenda Item 6b Lake Tahoe Surface Water RightsRecent Steps in STPUD Water Supply Journey
A. January 2020: Submit Amended Application No. A023393 and exhibits to the SWRCB
B. Fall 2023: Receive request from SWRCB for “re-noticing” of application
C. February 2024: Hold Board Workshop on Surface Water Rights
D. April 2024: Staff Report “Options for Water Supply Augmentation”
Benefits of Surface Water
1.Diversify Water Supply: Currently 100% Groundwater
2.Surface Water higher “priority” than Groundwater
3.Broader Water Security
4.Replace Contaminated Groundwater: PCE, arsenic, uranium
5.Supplement Low-Yield Groundwater Wells
6.Address Increased Regulation: PFAS
7.Avoid Costly and Otherwise Unnecessary Distribution System
Upgrades
8.Surface Water more “scalable” than Groundwater
9.Leverage Availability of an Exceptionally Clean Surface Water
Source (Lake Tahoe)
Water Rights Permitting Process
Source: CHA377 water right
process (ca.gov)
CEQA Planning
Level
Technical
Report
Public Outreach by District Staff
By SWRCB
Water Rights Technical Report and Programmatic CEQA
Document Timeline (Assuming 8‐year process)
CEQA
Environmental
Document Preparation
and Public Review
Planning Level
Technical Report to
Support
Programmatic CEQA
for Water Rights
Application
Public Outreach by District Staff
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
CEQA
Response To
Comments/ Final
Document and
Adoption
$180k ‐$215 k$360k ‐$430 k
Next Steps in STPUD Water Supply Journey
1.Submit Change Petition to the SWRCB for Application No. A023933 (by April 30, 2024)
2.Proceed with Water Supply Master Plan
Refine scope (Groundwater and Surface Water)
Issue RFP for Technical Support (by June 2024)
Select Consultant and bring proposal to Board for consideration
3.Prepare for Public Notice of Surface Water Rights application
Receive response from SWRCB on Change Petition, with direction for next steps (Noticing and
CEQA)
Lead Public Outreach in advance of SWRCB Public Notice
Respond to comments/protests filed in response to SWRCB Public Notice
4.Develop Programmatic CEQA (for Water Supply MP and SW Rights Application)
Refine scope based on results of Water Supply Master Plan and SWRCB Public Notice
Work with Technical and Legal Consultants to prepare proposal for Board consideration
Prepare Draft CEQA: post, receive/respond to comments and hold hearing to adopt
5.SWRCB Issues Permit
Annually: Report to State on use of SW (and GW in lieu of SW)