The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors last week discussed allocating a half-million dollars to regional entities involved with the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project, with one supervisor questioning the need for it and another saying it was essential.

Ultimately, the board approved $500,000 earmarked for the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission and the Eel-Russian Project Authority. The money would go to “unanticipated” costs that may incur, according to Tony Rakes, deputy county chief executive officer.

The Potter Valley Project, owned by PG&E, is a hydroelectric facility that will be dismantled as soon as 2028. The Potter Valley Project diverts water from the Eel River to the Russian River watershed through two dams — the Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury and Cape Horn Dam at Lake Van Arsdale. The two lakes supply water to communities throughout Mendocino and Sonoma counties. The water has been crucial for agricultural, municipal, and environmental uses.

The Inland Water and Power Commission is a joint powers authority that works to protect the Russian and Eel river watersheds and is comprised of representatives from the city of Ukiah, Mendocino County, and several local water agencies.

The Eel-Russian Project Authority is an organization formed between the Sonoma County Water Agency, Sonoma County, and the Inland Water and Power Commission. 

PG&E will be transferring water rights of the Eel River diversion to the Round Valley Indian Tribes once the decommissioning takes place, which could happen as soon as 2028. The Round Valley Indian Tribes have agreed to lease part of those rights to the newly formed Eel-Russian Project Authority in exchange for yearly payments and protections for local fish species and ecological health.

At Tuesday’s meeting, before a motion passed to approve the funds, Supervisor John Haschak questioned the line-item on the budget.

“And just for clarification, the $500,000 for water, what was that again?” Haschak asked.

“That’s to go to the HO, or the water agency, for unanticipated expense, water expenses that we may have throughout the rest of this fiscal year,” Rakes explained.

“Is there any idea what those are?” Haschak questioned.

Mendocino County’s Chief Executive Officer Darcie Antle clarified by saying the money will support the ongoing work of the Inland Water and Power Commission and the Eel-Russian Project Authority.

But Supervisor Ted Williams questioned why $500,000 should be earmarked for water issues when there are many other infrastructure issues in the county.

“We are trying to reflect public values,” said Williams. “I know the community supports county roads — that’s what I hear the most. I don’t hear people talking about allocating $500,000 to projects related to water.”

Supervisor Maureen Mulheren sharply disagreed.

“I do hear people talking about the need for unanticipated consequences related to water in front of this board, quite vocally, related to the Potter Valley Project,” Mulheren said. “The IWPC and the Eel-Russian Project Authority are Mendocino County’s key ability to move forward with water security.”

She added that she didn’t think the costs are entirely unanticipated and that costs are already mounting.

“I’m surprised that we’re having this discussion right now,” Mulheren said.

The motion to accept the budget passed unanimously, but with the caveat that the county provide a report to the board at the next meeting outlining more concretely what the money would be used for.

The next Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 10 in the board chambers at 501 Low Gap Road in Ukiah. Meetings can also be viewed virtually via Zoom. More information, including agendas, is available at this website.

This story originally appeared in The Mendocino Voice.