July 11, 2017 3:35 PM
Why the state is in such a hurry to fix Oroville Dam
By Dale Kasler
California officials are trying to speed up repairs on Oroville Dam’s battered flood-control spillway.
The Department of Water Resources have asked federal regulators to let it demolish and replace an additional 240 feet of the spillway’s 3,000-foot concrete chute before the rains comes this fall, leaving less work for next year.
That 240-foot section originally was going to be replaced next summer as part of the two-year plan for repairing the spillway, whose massive structural problems in February sparked the emergency evacuation of 188,000 downstream residents.
Now DWR officials believe that 240-foot section, in the upper portion of the spillway, should be replaced this year to make certain the entire spillway can be rebuilt by the fall of 2018. Erin Mellon, spokeswoman for DWR’s parent agency the Natural Resources Agency, said officials want to leave little to chance next year.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article160817799.html#storylink=cpy
http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/butte/lamalfa-requests-analysis-before-relicensing-dam/585822239
LaMalfa requests analysis before relicensing dam
Congressman sends letter to FERC
Brent Weber
Posted: Jul 11, 2017 05:41 PM PDT
Updated: Jul 11, 2017 05:48 PM PDT
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, requesting a delay in the relicensing process for the Oroville Dam.
A longtime proponent of the relicensing effort, LaMalfa said the recent spillway crisis has raised concerns over the ongoing safety of the dam and the management of the area surrounding it. He believes a final forensic report, due to be released by an independent board later in 2017, should be examined before the deal is done.
“The citizens of Oroville, Butte County and Northern California are counting on a proper and independent review that is completed, analyzed, and made available to the public,” LaMalfa said in a press release. “We can’t let the Federal and State entities rush away from the table with a final 50 year agreement before the concerns of our constituents are met.”
In a letter to acting FERC Chairman Cheryl LaFleur, LaMalfa outlined five “milestones” he would like to see met before the Oroville Dam/FERC Project 2100 agreement is finalized.
Below is verbatim from Congressman LaMalfa’s press release outlining those milestones.
1.The independent board of consultant’s final forensic report is delivered to FERC.
2.FERC takes adequate time to fully analyze and consider the findings of the forensic report.
3.FERC issues direction to the DWR providing detailed instructions, implementation plans, and compliance requirements to address any findings of the report impacting dam operations and maintenance, safety, or structural improvements.
4.The license includes adequate annual compensation for the City of Oroville and the County of Butte for the services these local governments provide to the State Water Project by hosting a facility of this magnitude, including but not limited to law enforcement efforts to secure the dam, search and rescue responsibilities on Lake Oroville, operation and maintenance of associated recreation facilities, and other impacts.
5. A complete analysis and report determining the condition and adequacy of all recreational facilities within the parameters of the project. Required upgrades to facilities or new additional recreational opportunities must be clearly defined and supported with design and implementation plans.
“I have always been a strong supporter of Oroville Dam’s relicensing effort,” LaMalfa said. “After waiting for many years to finalize the relicensing agreement, waiting a couple more months for the independent forensic report promised for September is a reasonable request.”