Foothill Water Coalition - Public Records
Contact the Foothill Water Coalition: contact@foothillwatercoalition.org
The information gathered here comes from a number of Public Record Act requests and other sources.
- READ DOCUMENT - Chief Butler's April 12 World Fest response Letter to Yuba County - Chief Butler's April 12, 2024, letter to Yuba County CSDA regarding Richards Ranch World Fest event planned for October 2024. This event did not happen.
- READ DOCUMENT - Richards Ranch Mitigation Monitoring for World Fest Events - Mitigation monitoring plan for Richards Ranch Use Permit for proposed World Fest events for 1,000 people ten times a year
- READ DOCUMENT - Richards Ranch Initial Study for World Fest Events - Initial study for Richards Ranch Use Permit for proposed World Fest events for 1,000 people ten times a year.
- READ DOCUMENT - Comments regarding Marieke Furnee's dandelionz post - On 10/6/24, Marieke Furnee posted a comment about the North Yuba Water District on the private Google Groups dandelionz. Here are comments about that post.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Cross-Complaint lawsuit against North Yuba - CROSS-COMPLAINT FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT; BREACH OF IMPLIED COVENENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING; VIOLATION OF PROHIBITION UPON GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF.
Case No: CVCS21-0001857 (Sutter County)
- READ DOCUMENT - False Narrative Transcript - Transcript of a statement by South Feather's Legal Counsel at South Feather Water and Power Board Agency meeting on 9/24/24. South Feather's Legal Counsel is with the law firm Minasian Law.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Net Revenue $6,705,130 payout - This documents the $6.7 million payout to North Yuba Water District realized through increased hydropower production, short term water transfer, internal budget management and controls.
- READ DOCUMENT - Regional Water System Map - This map shows the routes water takes to reach the irrigation customers in Oregon House.
- READ DOCUMENT - A Brief History of the North Yuba Water District - A Brief History of the North Yuba Water District as of September 7, 2024
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter written by Peter Jansen to Marieke Furnee - Letter demanding that Marieke Furnee cease making misrepresenting statements about Mr. Sharp.
- READ DOCUMENT - Settlement Letter to NYWD from FPPC - This settlement letter from the FPPC to the North Yuba Water District offers the District to settle complaints circa 2020 about how the District used their publicist Crystal Martin to promote incumbent Directors for re-election and offering to settle for $22,000. At its 7/25/24 board meeting, the District voted to pay the $22,000.
- READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District Domestic Water Lines - This map shows the domestic water lines for the North Yuba Water District. The highest available fire flow pressure is in the north near Forbestown, where the treatment plant is. The western most point is near Rackerby. The southern most point is in the vicinity of New York House Rd.
- READ DOCUMENT - Forfeited water rights letter from South Feather - This is a letter from South Feather's legal counsel Minasian Law which says that North Yuba has forfeited its rights to the Block 3 water and Resolution 24-778 should be amended to reflect that NYWD's conservation projects have not resulted in conserved water.
- READ DOCUMENT - Gannet Fleming Consulting Services Cost Breakdown - This report covers the cost breakdown for improvements to the Forbestown Ditch.
- READ DOCUMENT - 2024 Forbestown Ditch Walkdown summary - This report, produced on March 13, 2024, by the engineering firm Gannett Fleming who the North Yuba Water District has hired to provide recommendations on how to improve the Forbestown Ditch. This report was not included in the North Yuba Water District's March 28th meeting. However, it was provided to the Yuba Water Agency Directors for their April 2nd meeting. At this meeting, the North Yuba Water District was requesting a grant for $865,410 to address "critical need" improvements to the Forbestown Ditch. Transparency this is not.
- READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District Draft Irrigation Policy - The North Yuba Water District Draft Irrigation Policy was intended to have been voted on at the February meeting but was delayed until March. There are some substantial changes.
This policy would require water to proportionally run with the land for any parcel subdivision. The District has never required this before. Can the District mandate this?
This policy would allow the District to curtail water to ponds if the District deemed there was a "water shortage". The term water shortage is ambiguous and could be whatever the District deemed it to be.
This policy states that water is not for fire protection. However, Permit 1270 for water from Dry Creek contradicts this policy by expressly allowing water "for the purpose of irrigation and fire protection use."
- READ DOCUMENT - Rich Johansen, NID: Unimpaired flow proposal concerns - Nevada Irrigation District Board President Rich Johansen penned this op-ed regarding the 55 percent unimpaired flow criteria being considered by State Resources Water Resources Control Board as part of the Bay-Delta water supply system. Nevada Irrigation District system is similar to South Feather Water and Power Agency's system and the same water delivery principles and concerns apply to both systems.
- READ DOCUMENT - FPPC Complaint Filed against Crystal Martin on 4/24/23 - Formal Complaint Against Crystal Martin dba Smart Marketing & Public Affairs and Gary Hawthorne in Connection With Their Work for North Yuba Water District.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather CEQA Comment Letter Unipaired Flows - South Feather's letter to the State Water Resources Control Board outlining why the 55% unimpaired flow would not work. Regarding Nevada Irrigation District (NID), South Feather and NID share common characteristics, including treated and agricultural deliveries, hydroelectric power projects, reservoirs and recreational facilities. Under a 2005
Agreement with neighboring North Yuba Water District, South Feather facilities store and deliver water to North Yuba for its treated water and irrigation systems.
- READ DOCUMENT - Hydroelectric Power Producers Comment Re Bay Delta 55% unimpaired flow - Comment made to State Water Resources Control Board regarding 55% unimpaired flow requirements by Hydroelectric Power Producers including SMUD, PCWA, Nevada Irrigation District, South Feather Water & Power, Yuba Water Agency, South Sutter Water District, and California Municipal Utilities.
- READ DOCUMENT - Rulik Perla Letter to Editor in support of Charlie Mathews - Dr. Rulik Perla writes a Letter to the Editor of the Appeal-Democrat in support of re-electing Charlie Mathews as the Director for the northern area of the Yuba Water Agency. He ends with, "He [Mathews] is what all Yuba County people need right now, and for as long as he is willing to serve. There are also some comments about challenger Randy Fletcher.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather 1/23/24 Board Packet Excerpt - An excerpt from South Feather's 1/23/24 Meeting Board Packet showing a previous meeting comment made by Alton Wright to South Feather regarding an October 16, 2023, letter sent to CALAFCo. Included is a transcript from Tod Hickman of his comment to CALAFCo provided to South Feather's General Manager.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter to California LAFCO (Addendum) - Addendum to the letter of October 16, 2023, to The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions regarding the North Yuba Water District regarding use of un-permitted water should the SWRCB curtail water permits for the North Yuba Water District restricting water to 2,700 acre-feet.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter to California LAFCO - Letter of October 16, 2023, to The California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions regarding the North Yuba Water District.
- READ DOCUMENT - How the Forbestown Ditch could achieve 50 CFS - South Feather General Manager outlines approach to improving the Forbestown Ditch that could achieve 50 CFS for a cost (as of Fall 2020) of $2.8 million.
- READ DOCUMENT - 2005 agreement does not benefit either district - In this May 2022 correspondence, South Feather General Manager writes to the Yuba Water Agency General Manager that, "we have a 2005 agreement that does not seem to benefit either district".
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD December 21, 2023 Board Meeting Video - Link to the December 21, 2023 Board Meeting Video. At the 34 minute mark, the Board recesses for a closed session and some audience discussion can be heard in the background.
12-21-23 Board Meeting Video
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Response to Butte County LAFCO - Letter from North Yuba Water District to Butte County LAFCO regarding their December 7, 2023, meeting and presentation to dissolve North Yuba Water District.
- READ DOCUMENT - Crystal Martin Deposition - Crystal Martin Deposition taken on January 18, 2023.
- READ DOCUMENT - SWRCB Petition Time Extension - The most recent copy of the response to NYWD's request for a permit extension (Exhibit E) shows that SWRCB is readying to convert Permit 11518 to a license and restricting use to 2,700 AF while granting one last extension for Permit 11516.
- READ DOCUMENT - Division 1 Director Application Letter from Michael Mayo - Letter to the North Yuba Water District Board from Michael Mayo regarding applying for the Division 1 open seat.
- READ DOCUMENT - Permit 1270 - Dry Creek
- READ DOCUMENT - Permit 11516 - Slate Creek
- READ DOCUMENT - Permit 11518 - South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, Feather River.
- READ DOCUMENT - Water Rights Summary - GM Tully - Summary of the report produced on August 23, 2023, by GM Tully, the attorney the NYWD hired to research the District's Water Rights.
- READ DOCUMENT - Needs Assessment for A Foothill Food-Source - This report presents the findings of a Needs Assessment for a Foothill food-system, sponsored by Yuba County.
- READ DOCUMENT - Notice of Exemption for Stout Flume Replacement - The justification for a Categorial Exemption is 15302(c) Replacement and Reconstruction. This is not a replacement or reconstruction of the existing wood flume. The NYWD is making a false statement of fact. It is a deconstruction of the wooden flume and installing a completely new 42" concrete siphon pipe. Curious that the statement was filed by the Interim General Manager one day before the board voted on the exemption.
- READ DOCUMENT - Hell 4 Flume Pipeline Replacement - The project drawings and engieerning report from Gannett Fleming.
- READ DOCUMENT - Agenda item from North Yuba Water District for $200K more to build a 30 CFS siphon to replace Hell 4 Stout flume - Yuba Water Agency September 19, 2023 agenda item to consider increasing the grant funding request from the North Yuba Water District for the Hell 4 Stout wooden flume replacement with a siphon to increase the grant from $400,000 to $ 600,000.
- READ DOCUMENT - Grant application made to the Yuba Water Agency for $400K to build a 30 CFS siphon to replace Hell 4 Stout flume - This is the grant application made to the Yuba Water Agency by the North Yuba Water District for $400 000 to build a siphon to replace the aging Hell 4 Stout wooden flume. It states "The 100yr old wooden flume (126’long 6’wide and 40’ tall) will be analyzed to determine the feasibility performance characteristics and costs of replacing the existing flume with a Syphon."
- READ DOCUMENT - Summary of the site visit to the Hell 4 Stout flume on July 31 - This email was sent to Leona Harris (North Yuba Water District interim General Manager) from Michelle Karlen at Gannett Fleming. It summarizes the site visit to the Hell 4 Stout flume on July 31 2023. It says: "...we recommend that NYWD forego the formal alternatives analysis and move towards engineering design and construction of a buried inverted siphon to replace the existing timber flume."
- READ DOCUMENT - PRA Response to GM Tully request - This is the NYWD's response to a Public Records Act request for any documents from the District's water attorney GM Tully. He was in attendance to a Special Meeting on August 10 2023
- READ DOCUMENT - Resolution 23-776 - Code of Conduct Resolution passed in February 2023 regarding Director's behavior consequences for violating said rules.
- READ DOCUMENT - Summary of NYWD Water Permits Understanding - In early 2019 soon after being elected to the NYWD Board Dr. Gretchen Flohr visited the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento to better understand the NYWDS's permits. This the summary of what she found out.
- READ DOCUMENT - Curt Aikens Slate Creek Correspondence - In February 2014 Yuba Water Agency (then Yuba County Water Agency) General Manager sent an email to South Feather's General Manager Mike Glaze requesting the Slate Creek Power Tunnel be closed due to severe drought at the time. This would stop water from Slate Creek from being diverted through this tunnel.
- READ DOCUMENT - Water Tanks Location Diagram - This map shows where water tanks for better fire protection might be placed in Oregon House and Dobbins so that they can be gravity fed by water from the irrigation canal system. These tanks would be full year round.
- READ DOCUMENT - Crystal Martin FPPC Complaint - This complaint was filed against Crytal Martin and former North Yuba Water District Director Gary Hawthorne for the illegal mass mailing newsletter inclumbent Hawthorne instructed Crytal to send out to discredit opponents and get himself relected to the North Yuba Water District and to the Dobbins/Oregon House Fire Protection District. His bid to be re-elected failed by a large margin in both cases.
- READ DOCUMENT - FSC Fuels Reduction Project Right of Entry Form - The Fire Safe Council wants property owners in the fuels reduction project area, which includes a number of major roads in the Oregon House and Dobbins area to sign this RIGHT TO ENTRY FORM. By signing this form a landowner would be giving the foresters and contractors the right to come onto your property at will and start cutting trees and applying a herbicide 150 feet from the centerline of the road. See Yuba Roadside Fuel Treatment Project
- READ DOCUMENT - Fire Safe Council Project Map - Map showing the roads in Oregon House and Dobbins to be cleared 150 feet on either side as part of the fuel reduction project funded by the Yuba Water Agency.
- READ DOCUMENT - Fire Safe Council Application to YWA. The application document the Fire Safe Council made to the Yuba Water Agency to procure grant funding from the fuels reduction project in Oregon House and Dobbins.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter from Donna Corson - A letter to the Dobbins/Oregon House Fire Protection District from Donna Corson regarding Gary Hawthorne
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter from South Feather's Legal Counsel Dustin Cooper - Letter from South Feather's Legal Counsel Dustin Cooper explaining in great detail how the Directors of the North Yuba Water District violated the Brown Act in their zeal to provide General Manager Jeff Maupin and outrageous severance package. In the likely event, these resolutions are challenged, they will not stand.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter from Wanger Jones Helsley PC - Letter from Wanger Jones Helsley PC regarding Demand to Correct Brown Act Violations Related Actions Concerning Maupin Employment; and Demand to Declare NYWD Division 3 Vacancy.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter of resignation from Michael Vergara - Letter of resignation from Michael Vergara (now former Legal Counsel for the North Yuba Water District) when he realizes his time is up. No Directors are members of the Fellowship of Friends as Mr. Vergara erroneously believes.
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Fall 2022 Newsletter - North Yuba Water District Fall 2022 newsletter which was mass-mailed at public expense to the NYWD voters and customers. California law forbids public officials to use public resources to enhance their visibility and name identification with potential voters. The newsletter a) names candidates opposing NYWD's President/Chair Gary Hawthorne and b) puts them in an unfavorable light by listing how much they have cost the District in PRA requests.
- READ DOCUMENT - Irrigation and Hydro-Electric Potentialities 1953 - This report details how the Foothills of Yuba County could be served by irrigation water.
- READ DOCUMENT - Westlands Water District PRA - Westlands Water District Public Record Act response - copies of all communication and correspondence with NYWD regarding the proposed water transfer/sale in 2022. From Jan 2022 until present...Please include any correspondence on NYWD's behalf, written by Michael Vergara, or Crystal Martin.
- READ DOCUMENT - Brueggeman 460 Report 7-1-22 - 460 Report for the Protect our water rights! Committee to support Gary Hawthorne; Ginger Hughes; Doug Neilson; and Chris Cross for North Yuba Water District Directors 2022
- READ DOCUMENT - Brueggeman 460 Report 7-1-22 - 460 Report for the Protect our water rights! Committee to support Gary Hawthorne; Ginger Hughes; Doug Neilson; and Chris Cross for North Yuba Water District Directors 2022 - In this report Randy Fletcher donates $500
- READ DOCUMENT - Marieke Furnee Guest View Appeal-Democrat - Guest View: NYWD’s denial of irrigation delivery was based on false premises by Marieke Furnee
- READ DOCUMENT - 2022 Diversion Dam Flow Rate Data - Flow rate measurments provided by the North Yuba Water District supporting Marieke Furnee's conclusion, Now that we have seen the numbers on paper, it sure looks like the lack of water delivery, while harming people's livelihoods, was not due to a lack of water.
- READ DOCUMENT - Supervisor elect Jon Messick endorses candidates - Supervisor elect Jon Messick endorses Ronneberg & Furnee & Wright & Plumb or Napierski as Directors for the North Yuba Water District
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD seeks water transfer sales - by Robert Summa, Appeal Democrat. - North Yuba Water District and its general manager sent a request to another regional water agency to help facilitate the transfer of as much as 15,000 acre-feet of water following a previous denial of water to its irrigation customers for the year.
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter to the Editor: Re: North Yuba Water District - Steven Dambeck's letter to the editor about voting
- READ DOCUMENT - Manager Maupin's letter to Wade Crowfoot on 7/28/22 - On July 28 North Yuba Water District General Manager Jeff Maupin sent a letter to the California Natural Resources Agencyd Director Wade Crowfoot requesting an exemption from CEQA reporting requirements for piping the Forbestown Ditch. This letter was sent in secret and was only found by accident during a search on Google.
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Petition to the State for water sales.
North Yuba Water District Petition to the Division of Water Rights to change Permit 11518 so the District can sell water to other water agencies.
North Yuba Water District (NYWD) proposes to transfer up to 15,000 acre-feet (AF) of water pursuant to Water Code section 1725 et seq., under water right Permit 11518. NYWD proposes to transfer water from the date of approval of this petition through November 2022. This 15,000 acre-feet (AF) of water is currently stored in South Feather Water & Power Agency's (SFWPA) Little Grass Valley Reservoir and Sly Creek Reservoir.
Of this 15,000 AF, NYWD proposes to transfer 10,000 AF to (1) Westlands Water District, (2) Eagle Fields Water District, (3) Mercy Springs Water District, (4) Panache Water District, (5) Pacheco Water District, and (6) San Luis Water District. It further proposes to transfer 5,000 AF to Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Division Map - North Yuba Water District Division Map filed on July 20, 2021.
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READ DOCUMENT - Summary of NYWD Permits and License Applications
- READ DOCUMENT - Response to September 2 - In response to NYWD's September 2 letter
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - South Feather Requests responses
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - Did not request preliminary monthly accounting
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - Provide remaining requests by August 1
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - $37500 check payable to General Fund
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - $37500 check to JFOA not General Fund
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - Check addressed to General Fund
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READ DOCUMENT - County Elections 2022 Election Statement - Email from Yuba County Elections Officer Donna Hillegass stating who is up for elections on the North Yuba Water District Board for November 2022 which includes Doug Neilson, Fred Mitchell now replaced by Chris Cross, Ginger Hughes, and Donald Forguson.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Requests - Did not request preliminary monthly accounting
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD irrigation customers left dry: South Feather offers to supply water as NYWD stalls In a continued pattern of apparent mismanagement and what critics call a complete disregard for its customers, North Yuba Water District was presented with a plan by other water agencies to help supply water to its irrigation customers but is holding off on the deal until its demands are met. - by Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, July 2, 2022
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD GM cancels meeting about irrigation customers - Following a decision by North Yuba Water District General Manager Jeff Maupin and the district's board to not have a 2022 irrigation season for its customers in the foothills, a meeting to discuss possible solutions was dismissed recently by Maupin due to advice by legal counsel - by Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, June 9, 2022
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READ DOCUMENT - Forbestown Ditch has conveyed 40-50 CFS - Rath Moseley, the General Manager of South Feather says it is his undertanding that in the 40's and 50's, the Forbestown Ditch conveyed 40 to 50 CFS.
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SEE VIDEO - Water Crisis In Yuba County Has Farmers Crying Foul Over Water District - Sacramento Channel 13 aired a video on the plight of farmers due to water withheld by the North Yuba Water District.
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READ DOCUMENT - Inquiry by Foothill Water Coalition to South Feather. - South Feather's March 16, 2022, reply regarding the Foothill Water Coalition's inquiry into purchasing raw water from South Feather.
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READ DOCUMENT - Group seeks help getting water - NYWD customers ask South Feather to directly sell irrigation waterby Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, May 10, 2022.
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READ DOCUMENT - Water customers demand answers - Protestors unhappy with direction of NYWD by Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, April 22, 2022.
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD: No 2022 irrigation season by Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, April 15, 2022.
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READ DOCUMENT - "It's willful neglect", A look at the North Yuba Water District and alleged mismanagement by Appeal Democrat Editor Robert Summa, April 1, 2022.
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READ DOCUMENT - Document chain regarding water sale offer.
This is a consolidation of the correspondence between South Feather and the Foothill Water Coalition culminating in the offer from South Feather to sell raw water to the FWC for $39 an acre-foot.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter from South Feather to NYWD
Letter from South Feather Water and Power Agency General Manager on March 3 to North Yuba Water's General Manager regarding South Feather's needing 7.0 - 7.5 cfs for South Feather.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter from NYWD to South Feather
Letter from NYWD General Manager on March 24 to South Feather regarding 7 cfs flow for South Feather.
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READ DOCUMENT - Bookman-Edmonston report prepared for the Yuba Water Agency
The Bookman-Edmonston report prepared for the Yuba Water Agency (then the Yuba County Water Agency) circa 2000 regarding Water Demands and Conveyance Requirements Yuba County Water District (now the North Yuba Water District).
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READ DOCUMENT - 2022 Statement of water availability to the North Yuba Water District by South Feather Water & Power Agency
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READ DOCUMENT - Irrigation policy revisions for 2022 making the following revisions to the old policy:
1. Gives General Manager unilateral authority to deny any customer irrigation water based on his opinion of their water use.
2. Will allow denying water to the largest water users, starting the Fellowship of Friends, forming a "line" where NYWD puts the smallest water users at the front.
3. Will label ponds a waste of water and a means to denial of service.
4. Will allow the General Manager uninvited access onto irrigation customer's private property.
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READ DOCUMENT - Water System Improvements Preliminary Engineering Report, March 28, 2018.
READ DOCUMENT - Third amendment to the 2005 water sharing agreement with South Feather
Summary - The third admendment, signed by Donnie Forguson, says that "Advance consent of SFWPA's board of directors is required for any sale of water..."
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READ DOCUMENT - Public comment to Yuba Water Agency by Marieke Furnee
Summary - Marieke Furnee made this comment to the Yuba Water Agency Directors at the January 18, 2022, Board meeting.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter From NYWD General Manager about water service
Summary - In letter dated 9/12/2013, General Manager Maupin responds to question about water service in which in says that "The District does not provide water to any customers under contract..."
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READ DOCUMENT - Correspondence General Manager Kurt Aikens to South Feather.
Summary - This email exchange with Yuba Water Agency General Manager Kurt Aikens to South Feather Water & Power Authority details Slate Creek water diversions and how the Yuba Water Agency gets Slate Creek water when it is less than 800 acre-feet and the North Yuba Water District is entitled to the Slate Creek water above 800 acre-feet. The Slate Creek water over 800 acre-feet is the water the NYWD wants to sell.
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READ DOCUMENT - Correspondence From Dan Flory of Provost & Pritchard cc'ing YWA GM Whittlesey.
In April of 2021, Dan Flory from Provost & Pritchar, the consutlants the NYWD hired to help the District find water markets outside of the county, sent serveral emails and cc'd Yuba Water Agency General Manager Willie Whittlesey, NYWD General Manager Jeff Maupin and Crystal Martin.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter from the State Water Resources Control Board regarding the 4,500 acre foot sale to Yuba City.
Summary - This letter from the State Water Resources Control Board is regarding the 2005 agreement between NYWD/SFWPA and how the 4,500 acre-foot sale to Yuba City originated.
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READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District Tax Revenue Documents
Summary - An October 2002 analysis of the tax reveunes for the North Yuba Water Distrct (then the Yuba County Water District).
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READ DOCUMENT - Document forming the Yuba County Water District on July 22, 1952.
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READ DOCUMENT - In 1953, a report titled IRRIGATION AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC POTENTALITIES OF UPPER YUBA AND BUTE COUNTIES was prepared for the Directors of the Yuba County Water District, now known as the North Yuba Water District. This 114 page document begins by saying, This report presents the results of a preliminary investigation and study of the feasibility of constructing a combined irrigation and power development project in the Upper Yuba and Butte Counties for the benefit of both Yuba and Butte Counties and the people residing therein.
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READ DOCUMENT - State Land Classification
Summary - State Land Classification of Irrigable Areas - Feather-Yuba Foothill Area.
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READ DOCUMENT - Slate Creek Water Supply Alernative
Summary - Report prepared for the Yuba County Water Agency in 1993 regarging adding a reservoir on Slate Creek to supply the future needs of the Yuba County Water District (North Yuba Water District)and recommendations for improving the flow of water throught the Forbestown Ditch.
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READ DOCUMENT - Board Minutes of May 25, 2017, Selling Water to So. California suggestion by Supervisor Randy Fletcher.
Summary - At this meeting President Forguson said that Yuba County Supervisor Randy Fletcher had suggested that the General Manager attend meetings of the Association of California Water Agencies in Southern California so the Manager could, "meet agencies interested in possbile purchase of water...".
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READ DOCUMENT - Marieke's Statement
Summary - Marieke Furnee made this statement at the 9/15/21 Special Meeting to appoint a director for the vacant Division 4 Seat.
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READ DOCUMENT - Peter Pillsbury applies for the Division 4 Seat
Summary - Peter Pillsbury has made an application for the recently vacated Division 4 seat as of 9/7/21.
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READ DOCUMENT - Marieke applies for the Division 4 Seat
Marieke Furnee has made an application for the recently vacated Division 4 seat. Ms. Furnee opposes selling the district's water, see Link. She wants the general manager to turn on the valves and provide water that is available now. Ms. Furnee is against the general manager's restrictive pipe and wants to see all of the district's water delivered to the community as a resource for sustainable agriculture, groundwater recharge, and enhanced fire protection.
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READ DOCUMENT - Provost & Pritchard contract
This contract between the North Yuba Water District and the Fresno consulting firm Provost & Pritchar stipulates that this consulting firm will develop a Water Marketing Feasibility Study and recommendations ...on how to facilitate the potential sale of this water supply within and/or outside of the District service area....
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READ DOCUMENT - Crystal Martin - Litigation Consultant
Letter from NYWD Legal Council Daniel S. Stouder of the Sacramento law firm Boutin Jones, Inc., regarding the retention of Crystal Martin as a "Litigation Consultant" and, therefore, shielded from Public Record Act requests due to attorney client privilege.
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READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Press Release
On June 28 South Feather Water and Power Posted a Press Release on their Webiste regarding the NYWD's lawsuit against South Feather characterizing the water district as gone rogue.
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READ DOCUMENT - A Timeline
Temporary Restraining Order Filings on May 5, and May 7, 2021
Other videos and/or recordings:
READ DOCUMENT -
South Feather Offer of Mutual Aid
On May 7, South Feather Water and Power sent this letter to the North Yuba Water District which:
- Notes that the Upper Forbestown Ditch has fallen into disrepair
- Indicates that, despite current drought conditions, the NYWD has up to 23,700 acre feet of water stored in South Feather's reservoirs
- Makes an offer for South Feather to offer mutual aid to safely repair the ditch providing for 30 cfs that would allow irrigation water for 2021
- Proposes that the cost, estimated to be less than $250,000, can be defrayed from the quarterly payments South Feather makes to the NYWD as part of the 2005 Agreement
In short, implementing this offer would provide irrigation water for Oregon House and Dobbins in 2021.
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READ DOCUMENT - Yuba Water Agency Interactions with the North Yuba Water District
Comprehensive list of interactions between the Yuba Water Agency and the North Yuba Water District since 2017.
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READ DOCUMENT - Invoices from the North Yuba Water District legal Counsel White Brenner LP
From January 2020 until February 2021. The total is $767,497. This does not cover the last three months, which at an average of ~$60K a month, could be another $180K.
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READ DOCUMENT - Rulik Perla Questions Supervisor's Support
Rulik Perla's letter to the Yuba County Supervisors asking their position regarding Supervisor Fletcher's public comments at the April 23, 2021, North Yuba Water Distict Board meeting.
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READ DOCUMENT - CEQA Filing Requirements for supplying Woodleaf Younglife with water
A letter sent to the North Yuba Water District from the law offices of Wanger Jones Helsley PC on behalf of several irrigation customers regarding CEQA filing requirements for a contract with Woodleaf.
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READ DOCUMENT - Cure and Correct Letter
This letter from the law offices of Paul Boylan demands the North Yuba Water District cure and correct Brown Act Violations when the District voted at their March 26, 2021 Board meeting not to release water for irrigation because the public was not properly informed that this action would be voted on. The letter goes on to demand the NYWD cure and correct a meeting of a quorum of Directors meet at Dry Creek Diversion Dam on or about March 26, 2021 to decide irrigation water issues. Note, at the April 23, 2021 Board meeting, several Board members denied this meeting took place.
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READ DOCUMENT - 4/23/21 Board Meeting Packet
This is the board packet for the North Yuba Water District board meeting on April 23, 2021.
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READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District - the past 2 1/2 years
It's hard to imagine the drama that has befallen this district in the last 2 1/2 years. Read on for a compressed recap.
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READ DOCUMENT - Special Meeting Agenda on 4/8/2021
On April 8, 2021, the North Yuba Water District called a Special Meeting. Three closed session items were on the agenda all regarding lawsuits or anticipated lawsuits by South Feather Water and Power Authority including: 1. Anticipated Breach of Contract lawsuit; 2. Anticipated Clean Water Act lawsuit; 3) Case No. 21CV00815 filed in Butte County.
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READ DOCUMENT - South Feather files lawsuit against North Yuba Water District
On April 2, 2021, Butte County based South Feather Water and Power filed a lawsuit against the Brownsville based North Yuba Water District and its Directors for violating CEQA reporting requirements for the Oroleve Creek ditch piping project begun in the summer of 2020.
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READ DOCUMENT - March 2021 correspondence between South Feather and North Yuba Water District
Included are letters from South Feather's legal council, Minasin, Meith, Soares, Sexton & Copper, LLP, South Feather's Board Chair Rick Wulbern, Nand North Yuba Water District's legal council White Brenner LLP.
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READ DOCUMENT - Manager Maupin makes phone call to irrigation customers about water
On March 31, General Manager Maupin called all the irrigiation customers with his explaination of why there is no irrigation water this year and saying it is because there is no Forbestown Ditch pipe. He did not mention that there could be water if the North Yuba Water District would work with South Feather to upgrade and better maintain this ditch.
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READ DOCUMENT - President Hansard bemoans lack of water
"Shame on you guys!" laments President Hansard at the March 26th water district board meeting as he admonishes individuals, by name, that it's their fault there is no irrigation water this year. Was this a script read by Mr. Hansard for dramatic effect?
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READ DOCUMENT - 60 Notice of intent to sue NYWD by South Feather
On March 11, 2021, South Feather Water and Power sent a letter informing the North Yuba Water District South Feather intended to sue NYWD under the Clean Water Act for the Oroleve Creek piping project. This project, begun in mid summer of 2020, was engineered by NorthStar Engineering and constructed by Hansen Bros. Enterprises out of Grass Valley. The Yuba Water Agency has granted $515,000 to the North Yuba Water District for the engineering and construction of this project.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter from Foothill Water Coalition to Yuba Supervisors on 2/9/21
This letter was presented to the Yuba County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 9th, 2021 on behalf of the Foothill Water Coalition. Over two dozen Yuba County residents, voters, and water district customers signed this leletter.
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READ DOCUMENT - Verbal prolog to the Foothill Water Coalition Letter to County Supervisors
This is prolog to the Foothill Water Coalition was verbally read to the Yuba County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 9th, 2021.
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READ DOCUMENT - Smart Marketing Invoice ($4,126.93) for 2,500 newsletters
In mid October, the North Yuba Water District General Manager instructed Crystal Martin, owner of the public relations firm Smart Marketing, to mass mail 2,500 of the district's newsletters addressed to NORTH YUBA WATER DISTRICT RESIDENT. This action violates the Fair Political Practices Commission rules against a tax payer funded public agency promoting its incumbents. This is the invoice paid to Smart Marketing to print up and mail 2,500 newsletters. This cost the NYWD $4,126.93.
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READ DOCUMENT - Newsletter and Envelope addressed to NORTH YUBA WATER DISTRICT RESIDENT.
This is a picture of the envelope and the newsletter send to voters during the November 2020 elections for three incumbent NYWD Directors. 2,500 newsletters and envelopes were printed costing the North Yuba Water District over $4,000.
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READ DOCUMENT - Regional Water Distribution Map
This map shows the regional water system and how the water is conveyed to the North Yuba Water District
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READ DOCUMENT - System Delivery Diagram
This diagram shows how water is delivered through the NYWD ditches and canals.
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READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District Division Map
The Division Map drafted in 2016 and used in the 2018 and 2020 elections.
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READ DOCUMENT - Appeal Democrat article Court rules in favor of board member suing North Yuba Water District
An article in the Appeal Democrat about Director Flohr's suing the North Yuba Water District for her attorney fees in the amount of $65,560 plus multiplier fees $43,185. The hearing on this is September 28, 2020.
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READ DOCUMENT - June 2020 Presentation by NYWD to YWA POD Committee on Forbestown Ditch project
On June 16, 2020, the NYWD made a presentation before the Yuba Water Agency Planning and Development Committee. At this meeting were Director Randy Fletcher (Chair), and Directors Doug Lofton, and Brent Hastey. During this meeting Yuba Water indicated it would be willing to grant the NYWD 60% of the cost for piping the Forbestown Ditch. With an estimated cost of $12 million, this would amount to $7 million from Yuba Water Agency.
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READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District Contract with NorthStar Engineering
This contract, signed by NYWD General Manager Jeff Maupin and NorthStar Engineer Neil Graber on 12/4/17, is to create the engineering drawings for the Forbestown Ditch piping project. This 8.8 stretch of open ditch was built in Lincoln's time and has never been piped. The proposal NorthStar came up with was for a 24 cfs plastic pipe partly above ground and partly below ground. A recent wildfire in the area of the Forbestown Ditch raises the question of fire resiliency for a plastic pipe that would melt in a fire.
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READ DOCUMENT - Dobbins - Oregon House Fire Protection District Board Meeting
At this meeting, Chief Butler was asked if more water would help with better fire protection to which he replied, "yes hydrants by the Willow Glen would have helped greatly."
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READ DOCUMENT - Court finds water district missed deadline
The North Yuba Water District missed the deadline to appeal Judge Berrier's ruling that the water district (Manager Jeff Maupin) must turn over records requested by Director Gretchen Flohr.
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Withdraws CEQA Filing
On August 11, 2020, the North Yuba Water District withdrew its Forbestown Ditch piping project Mitigated Negative Declaration filed the state clearing house cequ.net on June 23 citing the necessity to "engage in further review".
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READ DOCUMENT - Territorial Dispatch - Why not twice the water?
Territorial Dispatch September 11, 2020, ad asking "Why not twice the water for 1/5 the cost?"
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter of May 29, 2020, to LAFCO General Council David Ruderman
This letter from attorney Paul Boylan points out a number of irregualarties filing in the North Yuba Water Distrit's application to detach 400 odd parcels which would be better served by BVID.
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READ DOCUMENT - Letter of June 26, 2020, to LAFCO Executive Officer John Benoit
This letter from attorney Paul Boylan requests that LAFCO reconsider Resolutio 2020-0006.
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READ DOCUMENT - LAFCO Cancels Protest Hearing
The scheduled protest hearing for property owners to be detached from being part of the North Yuba Water District is cancelled on the same date as it was scheldued. Due to the application being incomplete due to the lack of a sisignature by the NYWD's General Manager Jeff Maupin.
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READ DOCUMENT - LAFCO Special Meeting Agenda May 29, 2020
Special LAFCO meeting to vote on detaching 403 parcels from the NYWD service area.
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READ DOCUMENT - Atorney Paul Boylan Protest Letter
Letter from attorney Paul Boylan protesting irregularities with the May 29th LAFCO special meeting.
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READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Detachment Application
Detachment Application from the NYWD submitted to Yuba LAFCO on March 26, 2020.
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READ DOCUMENT - Ruling by Judge Berrier in favor of Director Flohr
Yuba County Superior Court Judge Berrier has ruled that "Petitioner's peremptory writ is granted and the District is ordered to produce Petioner the records indentified above forthwith" .
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READ DOCUMENT - Emails showing Yuba Water Agency involvement in plan to circumvent the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the Forbestown Ditch piping project.
Summary - On July 11, 2019, a meeting was held at the Yuba Water Agency F Street offices about making the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development the Lead Agency for the Forbestown Ditch piping project. As the Lead Agency, the USDA would declare the project Categorial Exemption under NEPA and, there for also exempted under CEQA. A Categorial Exemption means no environmental documents would be required.
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READ DOCUMENT - Gary Bradford Correspondence with NYWD Directors
Yuba County Supervisor Gary Bradford Correspondence with NYWD Directors Neilson, Brown, Hansard and Hawthorne offering them encouragement and support. These NYWD Directors endorsed Gary Bradford in his run for his November re-election campaign.
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READ DOCUMENT - Division boundary changes to group all irrigation customers into one division.
Summary - A map prepared on October 8, 2019 by Katie Atkinson with the IT Deptartment of Yuba County was presented at the February 27th, 2019 NYWD Board meeting.
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READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Bids On Oroleve Ditch piping project
On April 17, 2020, South Feather submitted a bid on the Oroleve Ditch piping project. This was on the same day that a bid was accepted by Hansen Bros Enterprises for a cost of $588,000. Later, NYWD General Manager would manipulate the water district's website to make it appear the bidding was publicly advertised. It was not. The current board seems not to care about these disingenuous actions on the part Manager Maupin. The boards of previous water districts (Newhall County Water District and Elk Grove Water District) where Mr. Maupin worked did, however, care and they dismissed him.
- READ DOCUMENT - Oroleve Creek Ditch Piping Project
Documents submitted to the Yuba Water Agency requesting funding to pipe Oroleve Creek in the amount of $683,444.
- READ DOCUMENT - Director Doug Neilson's "Bottom Line" speech
Summary - Audio where Doug Neilson says, "Now, if we pipe the ditch, we can live within the boundaries specified by the 2005 agreement. We can provide all the water we need and we can provide all the water they need, that's a matter of just calculating up the math. Now the bottom line is, I can live with the 2005 agreement, It doesn't give Charles Sharp his 23,000 or however many he wants, he wants it all brought down, but that's, that's right it doesn't, but it does allow us to live to within what historically we have ever done, ah since the 2005 went into effect...
Letters to the Editor (Territorial Dispatch)
- READ DOCUMENT - Letter to the Editor Unscrupulous Behavior (August 7, 2020)
Summary - Who is going to benefit from the 20,000 acre feet of water that cannot fit down the Forbestown Ditch Piping Project as currently designed?
- READ DOCUMENT - Ref. The Rest of the Story (September 11, 2019)
Summary - September 11th rebuttal to Buck Weckman's The Rest of the Story letter.
- READ DOCUMENT - North Yuba Water District - The Rest of the Story (August 28, 2019)
- READ DOCUMENT - Director elect Flohr requests information from General Manager
Summary - Director elect Flohr sends email in December of 2018 requesting CEQA documentation for the Forbestown Ditch Pipeline Project
- READ DOCUMENT - Northstar Engineer Neil Graber responds
Summary - Neil Graber, an engineer with NorthStar working on the Forbestown Ditch engineering documents, suggests to Manager Maupin that his NorthStar colleague Kamie Loeser should be aware of Flohr's request.
- READ DOCUMENT - Manager Maupin makes request for Kamie Loeser to call him
Summary - In this email, Manager Maupin asks NorthStar Environmental Department Manager Kamie Loeser to call him about the request for CEQA documents from my new board member (Flohr).
- READ DOCUMENT - Flohr vs NYWD Lawsuit filed on March 21, 2019
Summary - Director Flohr files complaint to obtain public records regarding the engineering drawings for piping the forbestown ditch.
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Cross Complaint against Director Flohr
Summary - General Council for the NYWD Barbara Brennen and Vincnt Vu claim the documents are in draft mode and thereby not available to Director Flohr.
- READ DOCUMENT - Sharp vs NYWD Lawsuit filed on April 28, 2020
Summary - Charles Sharp files a lawsuit against the North Yuba Water District and Directors Doug Neilson, Terry Brown, Gary Hawthorne, and Eric Hansard.
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD President Forguson's letter of October 23, 2017 to the Yuba Water Agency
Summary - North Yuba Water District Director Donnie Ferguson writes letter to the Yuba Water Agency asking for a MOU to grant and remainder of funding needed for the construction phase of the Forbestown Ditch Pipeline project.
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD President Hansard's of April 11, 2019 to the Yuba Water Agency
Summary - North Yuba Water District Director Eric Hansard writes letter to the Yuba Water Agency asking for $10 million dollars to contruct the Forbestown Ditch piping project as a 50/50 loan and grant.
- READ DOCUMENT - YWA General Manager Curt Aikens letter to NYWD General Manager of May 23, 2019
Summary - In response to President's Hansard letter, Mr. Aikens replies that the YWA does not want to loan or grant funding to the NYWA for their piping project. However, the YWA will be happy to assist the NYWD in applying for a grant from the YWA's IRWMP Program.
- READ DOCUMENT - South Feather Water and Power Authority General Manager Rath Moseley's email to the North Yuba Water District Board of Directors
Summary - General Manager Rath Moseley sends an email to the NYWD General Manager and Board offering to set up an Advisory Committee with the NYWD.
- READ DOCUMENT - Willie Whittlesey email to Jeff Maupin noting receving the DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK
Yuba Water Agency Staff Person Willie Whittlesey email to NYWD General Manager Jeff Maupin acknowledging review of DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK for Forbestown Ditch to Pipeline Replacement Project and the need to demonstrate the need for a 24 cfs (cubic feet second) demand criteria.
- READ DOCUMENT - Director Flohr's requests review of engineering plans from the YWA
Summary - Director Flohr requests from the Yuba Water Agency to see the engineering plans for the Forbestown Ditch.
- READ DOCUMENT - Curt Aikens March 26, 2019 response to Director Flohr's request
Summary - YWA General Manger Aikens says he cannot provide and engineering plans because the public records act does not cover draft documents.
- READ DOCUMENT - Request for $225,725 grant from the Yuba Water Agency
Summary - In this letter, General Manager Maupin makes a request from the Yuba Water Agency for $225,725. On September 10, 2019, the NYWD Board approved of a grant request of only $165,000.
- READ DOCUMENT - Legal Costs from January 2019 to July 2019
Summary - Billing statements from ChurchwellWhite LLP, Legal Council to the North Yuba Water Agency showing an average of $11,000 a month in legal costs to the Water District.
- READ DOCUMENT - Crystal Martin - (Smart Marketing) was paid $3,500 from Jun-Aug 2019
Summary - From June through August, Crystal Martin was paid $3,500 for 35 hours of work as "Community Outreach & Public Affairs Labor"
- READ DOCUMENT - YWA Correspondence to NYWD
Summary - Cyrstal Martin inqures about wording for $225k agenda item and Willie arranges lunch with Jeff.
- READ DOCUMENT - Manager Jeff Maupin withholds record to Yuba Water Agency
Summary - PRA request for records to Yuba Water Agency withheld by NYWD Council at direction of Manager Maupin.
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD declares Piping Project excempt from CEQA
Summary - USDA Representative Lisa Butler responds to Manager Maupin's query for assistance stating that "This project is presently classified under USDA NEPA as Categorial Exclusion".
Engineering Reports & Rate Study
- READ DOCUMENT - NorthStar Scope of Work for Forbestown Ditch to Pipeline Replacement Project
Summary - The engineering design drawings produced by NorthStar for piping the Forbestown Ditch.
- READ DOCUMENT - Forsgren Associates Water Conveyance System Report for the NYWD 9/25/2019
Summary - Forsgren Associates produced a feasibly study report presenting six options to improve the Forbestown Ditch conveyance system. The NYWD Choose the 24 cfs option, using plastic pipe which cannot be presurized.
- READ DOCUMENT - Kennedy/Jenks Consultans Report 8/3/2012
Summary - North Yuba Water District Irrigation and Domestic Water Delivery Feasibilty Study.
- READ DOCUMENT - The September 2015 Rate Study Report
In preparation of a proposed rate hike to the North Yuba Water District customers to cover the cost of piping the Forbestown Ditch, this rate study report was created.
- READ DOCUMENT - Buck Weckman's email to Jacques P. Lord
Summary - Clarence (Buck) Weckman's email to Water Boards Office of Enforcement Jacques P. Lord asking for a meeting to discuss the complaint made to the State Water Resources Control Board concerning the application for a $500,000 grant by the North Yuba Water District for the Forbestown Ditch piping project engneering drawings. Link to the Techical Checklist
- READ DOCUMENT - General Manager Jeff Maupin Employment Agreement
Summary - Mr. Maupin started out in 2011 with $7,500/month, today he is paid $10,000 a month and will receive 18 months of full pay if terminated.
- READ DOCUMENT - State Water Resources Control Board Office of Enforcement Report
Summary - The report from Jacques Lord at the Water Resources Control Board Office of Enforcement where he says there was no evidence of an intentional omission of facts.
- READ DOCUMENT - SFWPA Letter to NYWD about forensic water sales auditing
Summary - In this letter to the North Yuba Water District, South Feather Water and Power Authority General Manager suggests a forensic accounting firm to review payments under the 2005 agreement.
- READ DOCUMENT - Audio from February 27 Meeting concerning starting a dialog with South Feather
Summary - About 25 minutes of audio from the February 27 board meeting discussion of responding to South Feather's overture to from an advisory committee.
- READ DOCUMENT - YWA POD Committee Meets to discuss Forbestown Ditch Piping Project on 10/31/17
On October 31, 2017, Yuba Water Agency Planning and Development Committee meets regarding discussing support for the North Yuba Water District's Forbestown Ditch Piping Project. In attendance were Randy Fletcher, Brent Hastey, and Doug Lofton.
- READ DOCUMENT - Some silly Satire by Wyatt Howell
Summary - Wyatt Howell expresses some silly satire about a Yuba Foothill Water District
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Director Doug Neilson's blog "A Directors Notebook".
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD Director Gretchen Flohr's blog "She Persisted".
- READ DOCUMENT - NYWD North Yuba Water District Board Meetings and Agenda page".
- READ DOCUMENT - Life of a Water District" for sale on Amazon.
Contact This website: contact@foothillwatercoalition.org
The views expressed on this website may not represent the views of the Foothill Water Coalition.