Cachuma Project Water Rights Hearing

2000-2003 Hearing

Phase 1 of the Cachuma Project Water Rights Hearings began in November 2000, but was limited to presenting testimony to the State Board regarding the status of the studies required by WR 94-5. The State Board also considered a long-standing petition by Reclamation and the Member Units to change the permitted "place of use" for Cachuma Project water to coincide with the existing water service area for the Cachuma Project, which had increased over time since the original permits were issued.

The Phase 2 hearing in October and November 2003 was of primary importance. Extensive testimony and evidence were presented by the Cachuma Conservation Release Board (CCRB), the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, ID No. 1 (ID No. 1), and Reclamation to the State Board regarding the proposed flow and non-flow enhancement actions identified in the Cachuma Biological Opinion and Lower Santa Ynez River Fish Management Plan for the protection of the steelhead fishery downstream of Bradbury Dam. Other parties, such as the Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service, and California Trout requested that additional studies be undertaken to assess the feasibility of reestablishing anadromous steelhead in the upper Santa Ynez River watershed above Lake Cachuma.

Between Phases 1 and 2 of the hearing, an historic Cachuma Project Settlement Agreement was signed by CCRB, ID No. 1, the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District, and the City of Lompoc, resolving all key issues related to the protection of downstream water rights on the Santa Ynez River. At the Phase 2 hearing, the terms of the Settlement Agreement were presented to the State Board, and it was requested that certain changes be made to WR 89-18 to formalize the agreement.

Phase 1: 2000

Phase 1 of the hearing was convened in November 2000 to discuss the completion of the studies required by the State Board in 1994, and to evaluate requested changes to the authorized boundaries within which Cachuma water could be applied.

Phase 2: 2003

In October and November 2003, Phase 2 of the hearing was held. Testimony was presented to the State Board related to proposed changes in the operation of the Cachuma Project. It addressed continued delivery of vital water supplies, and protection of the steelhead fishery downstream of Lake Cachuma. The State Board has not yet issued a decision. It is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (PDF) on Cachuma Operations, which will evaluate several alternatives to current operations. Once the Final EIR has been completed, the State Board will consider the EIR's conclusions and the testimony presented at the hearing in order to make a final decision and issue a new water rights order for the Cachuma Project.