East Branch Enlargement

1. East Branch Enlargement Division of Engineering February 3, 2009 Terry Becker Chief, Civil Engineering Branch

2. FLOW CAPACITY / SCHEDULE • The current sustainable capacity is 2,010 cfs. • The East Branch Contractors have projected that some additional capacity is required by 2015, and Phase II needs to be completed by 2017. • In order to meet both deadlines (and considering construction staging issues), the current schedule for the Phase II enlargement provides for full delivery in August 2017.

3. AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED • February 13, 2007 - East Branch Enlargement contractors signed letter requesting commencement of CEQA work, preliminary design, topographic mapping, obtaining TEP’s, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. • The work identified was: 3 years of environmental surveys, obtain TEP’s, complete mapping of aqueduct, complete preliminary design in sufficient detail to complete CEQA/EIR documents, and complete CEQA/EIR documents. • Approved spending $14 million by the end of 2009. • May 13, 2007 – DWR Director signed letter committing allocation of staff. • Additional authorization by the East Branch Enlargement contractors will be required prior to work commencing on final design for the majority of this project.

4. SCHEDULE ASSUMPTIONS • Final design on the additional pumps and motors for Pearblossom Pumping Plant began October 2008, prior to completion of CEQA/EIR documents. • Only the furnish pumps contract for Pearblossom Pumping Plant may be advertised and awarded prior to obtaining the Biological Opinion and permits. • Final design may not begin on any other contracts until completion of CEQA/EIR documents. • Authorization to begin final design for the remainder of the project, and approval to proceed with the project shall be issued far enough in advance to avoid schedule delays. • Design work may begin on adding Unit 2 to the Alamo Powerplant by fall 2009 if the business case justifies installation without completion of the Phase II enlargement (it is currently estimated that the Energy Sub-Committee will complete their analysis by fall 2009).

5. NOTICE OF PREPARATION • Draft Notice of Preparation (NOP) completed January 2009, with anticipated circulation in February 2009. • East Branch Water Contractors sub-committee met last week and decided that circulation of the NOP should be deferred for up to one to two years. • Discussion/comments offered by James Bodnar regarding concerns/reasons for decision.

6. CEQA / EIR DEVELOPMENT • CEQA Project Description development will be completed in March 2009. • Work began on administrative draft of EIR, with completion of draft scheduled for August 2009. • Currently plan to complete 75% of work on the administrative draft, then wait for approval to do final environmental field surveys, issue NOP, have public scoping meetings, and complete the draft EIR. • Plan to continue discussions with regulatory agencies to resolve general issues related to EIR and permits. • Reaching agreement with regulatory agencies on conservation easement language and funding has been time consuming for the SBA Project. The precedence of those completed agreements should shorten the permitting process on the East Branch Enlargement, but the permitting process still remains as the largest unknown in our schedule.

7. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE • Design, fabrication, and installation of two additional pumps at Pearblossom Pumping Plant is the critical path item. This will require eight years to complete. • It is estimated that it will require approximately 14 months to complete the EIR once we are authorized to file the NOP. • It is estimated that it will require 18 months to obtain permits after completion of the draft EIR. • With a completion date in 2017, there is no longer any float time in our schedule. • Some of the design work for equipment furnish contracts will need to be undertaken while we are in the permitting process.

8. MAPPING PROGRESS • Aerial photography complete for entire aqueduct. • Mapping, TEP’s, and acquisitions generally prioritized for middle third of aqueduct first, then southern third, then northern third last. • Photogrametry Branch has completed maps for 20-mile section near Palmdale, and will complete the next 20-mile section in that area in March 2009. • Survey Branch has provided ground control for all aerial photography. • Survey Branch has started field surveys of all structures. • R/W working on determination of property ownerships. • Work will continue on maps/topgraphy until all are completed (estimated fall 2009).

9. GENERAL WORK PROGRESS • TEP work – First public meeting to notify landowners of project, planned to occur in the Palmdale area, is on hold. • Recent residential and commercial development is impacting acquisitions at siphon sites. Acquisitions are being re-assessed at those sites to account for recent development, as well as the impacts of recent downturn in the economy. • Workshop with URS and the East Branch Water Contractors committee took place at MWD’s headquarters on October 6, 2008. • CD copies of URS’s final report will be distributed following this meeting.

10. PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK • Further assessment of structure modifications. • Refinement of diversion plans at check structures and siphons. • Refinement of preliminary outage schedules. • Slope stability analyses at critical locations, particularly where R/W requirements may be impacted. Embankment slope stability is a concern in some areas regardless of whether or not an enlargement occurs. • Preliminary assessment of bridge modifications. • Preliminary hydrology studies at drainages and modifications of overchutes. • Update cost estimate (evaluated 5 years ago).

11. NEXT STEPS • The schedule is being modified to accommodate the requested delays in issuance of the NOP and completion of the EIR. • Critical path items of work are being identified and prioritized in order to minimize potential impacts on completion dates for the project.