EID Board delays some project funding
Calls special session to discuss financing, budget, and capital improvement program
Published on Oct 7, 2008 - 7:06:56 AM

By: El Dorado Irrigation District

Placerville, CA Oct. 6, 2008 - During their October 6 meeting, El Dorado Irrigation District (District) Board members delayed consideration of several funding proposals until later in the month. Citing the seized-up credit and bond markets, Board president George Osborne announced that the Board will hold a public meeting on October 17 to discuss prioritization and financing of the District's future capital improvement projects and to reassess the 2009 operating budget.

The meeting will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at noon. It will be held in the Sly Park room of the District's headquarters building located at 2890 Mosquito Road in Placerville.

"With the bond market as tight as it currently is, we will take another hard look at our short- and long-term options and realign our financial plans and operating budget as necessary," Osborne said. "The need for the meeting directly reflects the fact that the mistakes of Wall Street are clearly being felt on Main Street. Even local businesses and homeowners who, like the District, plan ahead and operate in a fiscally responsible manner are caught up in the mess."

The delayed funding totaled approximately $530,500 for three capital improvement projects and a new chemical root control truck. However, the Board did approve funding for two proposals to be finished this year. The first is for specialized work needed to repair part of the District's flume system that transports water from the high Sierra. EID crews are completing the bulk of the project but need help with rock stabilization and related work. The second proposal is to sandblast and repaint degraded portions of a clarifier at El Dorado Hills wastewater treatment plant as part of critical maintenance for that facility.

The Board also voted to fund a fish restocking plan, approved by the state Department of Fish and Game, for Caples Lake, but the money will not be spent until next spring when the restocking begins.

Update on Caples Lake emergency project

The Board heard a staff update on the emergency repairs needed to ensure safe operation of the main dam at Caples Lake. Staff reported that a temporary "bladder" dam was installed on September 20 to store as much water as possible and still protect workers. The lake has been dewatered between the bladder dam and main dam, and the repair work is proceeding. Two badly deteriorated, 85-year-old slide gates and the eroded, bent trash rack are being replaced under an emergency declared by the Board on July 1.

Staff also reported that 20,000+ fish were captured and transported to Silver and Red lakes during the second Caples Lake fish rescue, which took place September 22. The rescue was funded by the state Department of Fish and Game and conducted by Fish and Game employees assisted by volunteers.

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