TUD Long-Term Water Service Contract

TUD serves the agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors of Tuolumne County including the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians (Tribe), a federally- recognized autonomous Native American Tribe of California. The proposed Project is the TUD Board of Directors’ consideration and approval (a discretionary action) of a long-term water service contact (LTWSC) with United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for Central Valley Project (CVP) Water from New Melones Reservoir that would allow TUD to: (1) facilitate delivery of CVP water to TUD and portions of its service area including the Chicken Ranch Tribe and growth envisioned under the Tuolumne County General Plan; and (2) increase water supply reliability in TUD’s existing service area. Under the proposed Project, TUD will be entitled to use the LTWSC to divert up to 6,000 AFY of water for beneficial uses. TUD will divert and use 2,500 AFY within its existing service area, while the Tribe will have access to divert 3,500 AFY for consumptive purposes, primarily agricultural, residential, and commercial uses within its federally recognized trust boundaries. Refer to Appendix A of the IS/ND for a copy of the Draft Long-Term Water Service Contract.