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Northwest Hydropower Association February 2014 SWP Recreation and the Oroville Facilities RMP Mark E. Andersen, P.E., Assistant State Water Project Deputy Director DWR State Water Project Overview Largest state owned & operated water delivery system in the U.S. – CA voters said yes in 1960 Multiple Purposes and Benefits: water supply, flood control, Delta salinity control, environmental benefits including fish and wildlife preservation and enhancement, recreation, and power generation/grid stability Serves 25 million Californians & over 750,000 acres of farmland 32 Storage Facilities including 23 dams, 17 Pumping Plants, 4 Pumping-Generating Plants, 5 Hydroelectric Plants, about 700 miles of Canals and Pipelines SWP Recreational Installations at Oroville Lower Feather River and Sewim Bo Trail Bidwell Marina and Lake Oroville Amenities • 167 miles of shoreline for Lake Oroville • Other reservoirs add 47 miles • More than 1.5 million visitors annually to OF • 2 full service Marinas, Bidwell and Lime Saddle • 10 floating campsites, 3 more to be added • Cold water sport fishery well stocked warm water fishery abundant • 54 boat ramp lanes, maximum of 225 vertical feet useable Equestrian, hiking, and biking trails Lake Oroville Boat Ramps Unique Recreational Facilities at Oroville DWR/DPR/CSUC Aquatic Center at Thermalito Forebay Oroville Facilities and Broader SWP Recreation Management • DWR Typically partners with a Recreation Facilities Operator Primarily CA Dept of Parks and Rec as at Oroville (LOSRA) Other entities too including Los Angeles County DPR, East Bay Regional PD, and USFS. CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife as recreation partners for public fishing facilities By statute and contract, these recreation operators are responsible for capital recreation construction, and operations and maintenance costs they incur CA Davis-Dolwig Act passed into law in 1960 concurrently with initial SWP water supply contracts Prohibits by statute the inclusion of RFWE costs in the SWP utility rates for water and power – RFWE deemed a benefit to all Californians • Many Benefits of this Partnering Approach For the most part, these partners have sworn peace officers as park rangers which typically makes for a safer and more pleasant recreational experience These agencies do have their own funding and budgets although conflicts can arise DDA intent is to maximize recreational opportunities at the SWP so recreational amenities at Lake Oroville and other SWP reservoirs are broad Oroville Facilities Settlement Agreement and Recreation Management Plan • Signed in March of 2006 with 56 signatories CA Dept of Parks and Rec and Dept of Fish and Wildlife as recreation partners International MTB Association, California State Horseman’s Association, Lake Oroville Bicyclist Organization • Some unusual, perhaps unique, or notable PMEs/elements Supplemental Benefit Fund allocated $61 million over 50 years for stakeholders to use, primarily intended for outside the P2100 boundary Additional floating campsites, existing 7 already somewhat unique Equestrian camp with fenced stables at each campsite, roundpen, and showers for horses Additional low water boat ramp lanes for CA lake with most lanes Additional car and boat trailer parking Trail safety improvments at existing RR crossing Joint venture Aquatic Center at TFB with CSUC, DPR, and DWR The SWP’s Benefits are Statewide