NID News Release

April 14, 2010

Contact: Ron Nelson (530) 273-6185 Or Dave Carter (530) 265-NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRASS VALLEY – Directors of the Nevada Irrigation District are working to keep a Placer County canal improvement project on track after nearby property owners raised concerns late in the planning process. The board on Wednesday (Apr. 14) devoted nearly two hours to discussions with two property owners who live along the planned alignment of the the Mt. Vernon Road siphon project, a buried pipeline designed to bypass a leaking, failure-prone stretch of the Combie-Ophir IV Canal. The property owners expressed concerns about views, fencing from an access road, tree replacements and property valuations obtained from an independent appraiser. The water project has been in the public planning process for nearly three years and the district has attempted to negotiate the easements for the past seven months. After receiving assurances from the residents that they wanted to obtain second appraisals and settle the matter, NID directors postponed action to declare the district’s intent to acquire the property for the public good. A progress update was scheduled in two weeks.

In other business, Directors:

• approved formation of the Saddleback North Water Group, an association to supply irrigation water to five customers located off Moss Rock Drive in the North Auburn area.

• learned from Asst. General Manager Tim Crough that the district will save an estimated $104,000 next year on its liability and worker’s compensation insurance premiums. Crough attributed the savings to safe work practices by district employees and an effective safety training program.

• approved revisions to and reinstatement of the district’s pilot program that assists customers in extending water lines to their neighborhoods. Business Coordinator Shannon Bradley said at least one group of homeowners is anxious to begin a water project for their area.

• agreed to a $1000 contribution to the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County for its Scotch Broom eradication program. Directors said the contribution is part of the district’s focus on watershed management and improvement.

• cast a ballot for Division V Director Nick Wilcox of Penn Valley to serve as special district representative on the Nevada County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). If elected, he would succeed Division II Director John Drew who is completing a LAFCO term.

• held a retirement presentation for Information Systems Manager J.W. Paul, who retires May 3 following a 25-year career in information technology, including the past six years with NID. General Manager Ron Nelson credited Paul with leading several key advancements in NID systems.

The next regular meeting of the NID Board of Directors will be held at 9 a.m. on Apr. 28 at the NID Business Center in Grass Valley. NID board meetings are open to the public.

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