Board approves Resolution honoring retiring BOR staff member and approves the use of reserve funds for NGS decommissioning

The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board of Directors (CAWCD) convened virtually today for its October 2020 meeting. CAWCD Board President Lisa Atkins chaired the meeting from the headquarters boardroom and all other board members participated via WebEx. The public was invited to watch the livestream and to provide public comment via the Board’s online “Blue Card.” All remaining board meetings in 2020 will be held virtually in accordance with CAP’s headquarters closure to keep employees safe and water flowing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Atkins began the meeting by reading a Resolution honoring Dr. Terry Fulp, who is retiring from his position as Regional Director of the Lower Colorado River Region of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The Board approved the Resolution, recognizing Dr. Fulp’s leadership to improve the Colorado River system using facts, planning and collaboration – always with a spirit of openness and inclusiveness.

After hearing a presentation regarding the Decommissioning of the Navajo Generating Station (NGS), the Board voted to approve the transfer of $8 million in SO2 reserve funds to be dedicated to the NGS Decommissioning Reserve. This SO2 reserve was built up from the sale of SO2 emission allowances pursuant to a 2007 agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). BOR agrees this balance is appropriate to use for costs associated with the NGS decommissioning.

Approved Consent Agenda items included:

• Design and Construction Contract for Electromechanical Relays at Brawley and San Xavier Pumping Plants ­
• Purchase Contract for Radio Upgrade
• Purchase Contract for Back­up, Restore and Data Domain Protection Appliances 
• Intergovernmental Agreement with ADWR for Use of CAP:SAM Computer Model 
• Amended CAGRD Enrollment Documents for “Red Rock Village V” ­

The Board also heard staff updates regarding:

• Public Policy Committee
• Finance, Audit & Power Committee, including a report on the Report on Economic Support Efforts Related to the NGS Closure by BOR and Salt River Project
• CAGRD and Underground Storage Committee
• Colorado River Conditions
• Report on Yuma Area Water Management and Impacts to CAWCD
• Report on Sept. 17, 2020 Arizona Reconsultation Committee Meeting
• Report on ADWR Recommendation to Approve Transfer of GSC Farm LLC Colorado River Entitlement to the Town of Queen Creek and ADWR Revised Substantive Policy Statement for Transferring an Entitlement of Colorado River Water

A presentation regarding Communications Strategies was postponed to the November 5, 2020 CAWCD board meeting.

The CAWCD Board of Directors is a popularly elected, 15-member board. Ten members are from Maricopa County, four from Pima County and one from Pinal. Members serve six-year, unpaid terms. The board typically meets publicly the first Thursday of each month to establish policy and set rates and taxes for CAP.

For additional details on the October board meeting, take a look at the agenda and packet. Board minutes and video will be posted here.