This project is in the initial stages of review but is
expected to have the following impacts:
•
•
•
•
•
Restore Threatened Fish Species (Steelhead Trout)
Improve the Delta
Improve Resiliency and Emergency Water Supply
Eliminate Water Quality Issues in San Luis Reservoir
Reduce Flooding to Disadvantaged Communities
There are a variety of partners on this project including
Valley Water, San Benito County Water District, Pacheco Pass
Water District, Grassland Water District, and various wildlife
refuges in the San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region.
With a combination of state funds (Prop 1: Water Quality,
Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act, 2014), grants
and tentative commitments from partners and future water
users, this project is well on its way to full funding. Project
timelines are still being developed; however, 2021 is the
target year for the environmental impact reports, with
construction anticipated to start three years later. The entire
project currently has a 10-15 year timeline. More informa-
tion is available at Valley Water Pacheco Reservoir Expansion
The third issue of relevance and importance to our
community is maintaining affordable water rates for
agriculture. Santa Clara County’s agricultural production
for 2017 was over $316 million. District 1 is Valley
Water’s largest district geographically and is home to most
of Santa Clara Valley’s agriculture industry. Valley Water
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
has questioned the water rates for agriculture and has
proposed some conditions be set on reduced water rates for
agriculture in the future. While this is not a major concern
outside of District 1 due to the few agricultural ventures in
the north, it is a major factor in our regional economy and
a livelihood issue for many farmers and growers in District
1. A recent guest commentary by Mike Wade and Paul
Mirassou in the Silicon Valley Business Journal puts this
in perspective.
“If we agree that maintaining a vibrant, thriving local
food connection for Bay Area residents is important, then
we think the current policy that grants lower water rates
for working farms without burdensome mandates is still
the best way to go.”
John Varela, District 1
— our representative,
championing the
preservation of
reduced rates for
agriculture.
june/july 2019
gmhtoday.com
83