In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) – which included provisions under Section 3406 of the Act establishing environmental mitigation activities to be undertaken utilizing federal and state funding, and creating a Restoration Fund comprised of contributions from power and water contractors for this purpose on an annual basis.  The CVPIA anticipated that the initial undertaking of the 3406 activities would require intensive effort for a number of years, and stipulated in Section 3407 that when the initial activities were accomplished, annual payments into the restoration fund would be reduced by half. 

At this writing, NCPA is collaborating with the Bureau of Reclamation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and other stakeholders, to closely examine Section 3406 to ensure its implementation in accordance with the intent of the CVPIA.  What is needed is an inventory of goals within Section 3406 that have been achieved, and a shared understanding and agreement regarding future actions needed to fulfill the required mitigation-related objectives of the Act going forward.

Because public power systems contribute public dollars toward these important programs, a clear accounting of the funds contributed – and effective implementation of the provisions of the CVPIA is needed.  The ongoing review process is designed to advance this important objective, while assuring achievement of the environmental goals surrounding the Central Valley Project.