January: New Direction for the Plan for Water After SYRCL and allies re-submitted an 11-page letter critiquing NID's "disappointing" implementation of the Raw Water Master Plan (RWMP) update process, the NID Board fired the RWMP consultants. This was an important step towards fiscal responsibility and transparency because the RWMP will update the District's data on hydrology, water supply and demand. This will in turn help determine NID's need for any additional water storage, such as Centennial Dam. The estimated completion of the RWMP is now 2020. April: Water Rates Hike The NID Board voted to increase water rates "slightly more than a 17 percent increase over the next three years for customers. The original proposal was for an 89 percent increase over five years." This means we will be looking at another water rates increase in 2021. As Don Rogers, publisher of The Union, eloquently stated, "It is a little funny to hear pleas about empty pockets in the wake of spending $12 million so far to speculate on building a dam of questionable merit — ahead even of determining the district’s true water needs." July: District Budget Cuts The NID Board cut five percent of costs District-wide, which unfortunately did not include the $ 1.75 million allocated to Centennial Dam. August: NID Stops Buying Properties Despite recent budget cuts, NID considered purchasing three more properties for Centennial in closed session, worth over $2 million. After SYRCL, Watchdogs and allies gave public comment requesting NID stop spending on Centennial, the General Manager later announced NID would temporarily stop purchasing properties for the foreseeable future - including Centennial Dam. To see the full text of the NID staff memo, check out YubaNet's article. SYRCL applauded NID for making the fiscally responsible decision to temporarily suspend property purchases for Centennial. SYRCL and allies have consistently asked NID to cease spending on Centennial where legally possible for more than a year, and property acquisition was a majority of that spending.
Despite pausing property purchases, NID still had $1.75 million to spend on Centennial in 2019. NID's Assistant General Manager acknowledged in a YubaNet article, "Centennial is on the back burner and Centennial has a 2019 budget. Both these statements are true." October: Continued Centennial Spending The NID Board passed a 2020 Budget characterized as "unsustainable" by their General Manager. The Budget's highlights include raising water rates 46% in 2021, a new $30 million dollar bond, and $500,000 allocated for Centennial Dam every year until 2024. This was a disappointing turn of events, especially since NID's Administrative Practices Committee (APC) requested a staff report in the Spring to determine the minimum amount NID needed to spend on Centennial in order to improve fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately that report was never delivered. December: Centennial Spending Cap Approved The NID Board voted to place a cap on Centennial spending in 2020 to the pre-approved $500,000. This limit does not take into consideration if NID lifts the property moratorium in June 2020, and will be revisited during the 2021 Budget process. Overall, limiting Centennial spending is an important step towards fiscal responsibility for the District. However, it does not fulfill SYRCL's original request to NID to stop spending on Centennial where legally possible until the Raw Water Master Plan update is complete.
Though the project still continues, all these efforts, big and small, will help Stop Centennial Dam.
I look forward to continuing to advocate with you, a Dam Watchdog, to Stop Centennial Dam. Thank you for your continued engagement and actions that have had an impact on NID decisions regarding Centennial Dam. We have a busy year ahead and need your ongoing support. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season -- stay tuned for more updates in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Ashley Overhouse
River Policy Manager
South Yuba River Citizens League | 
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