TUD Long-Term Water Service Contract

The Tuolumne Utilities District is establishing a long-term water service contract with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to secure Central Valley Project water from the New Melones Reservoir. This agreement is designed to increase water supply reliability and diversify the district's portfolio to support existing service areas and growth envisioned under the Tuolumne County General Plan 2040. The contract allows for the diversion of up to 6,000 acre-feet annually, with 2,500 acre-feet allocated for the district's existing service area and 3,500 acre-feet designated for the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians for agricultural, residential, and commercial use within their trust boundaries. The agreement remains effective through December 31, 2051, and utilizes existing pipelines and facilities for water conveyance. Payment is based on a rate structure that includes components for operations and maintenance, storage, water marketing, and dam safety, with tiered pricing applied if annual deliveries exceed 80 percent of the contract total. The district is responsible for constructing necessary conveyance facilities at no cost to the United States and must comply with all federal, state, and local water quality standards. Additionally, the contract mandates strict adherence to civil rights and non-discrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.