Reflecting on a Year of Advocacy: Tuolumne River Trust's Fight for Transparency
Don Pedro Reservoir, La Grange, CA
Today marks the one-year anniversary of a small, but important victory for the Tuolumne River Trust and our ongoing battle for transparency and accountability in water management. This journey, deeply rooted in our commitment to safeguarding the Tuolumne River, has shed light on the complex and often opaque world of water rationing projections and public utility practices.
The Catalyst: Questioning SFPUC's Projections
Our story began in early 2021, when the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) presented alarming water rationing figures – as high as 75% to 90% – under the new Water Quality Certification (WQC) for Don Pedro and La Grange Dams. These figures, we believed, were not only unrealistic but also lacked a transparent foundation.
Seeking Answers
In pursuit of the truth, we initiated a series of Public Records Act requests. Our goal was simple: to uncover the data and calculations behind SFPUC's daunting projections. However, the path to transparency was met with resistance. The SFPUC's response, citing attorney-client privilege, was a clear obstacle to public understanding.
The Battle for Transparency
In response, we filed a complaint with the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF), a move that marked a significant escalation in our quest for accountability. This effort culminated in a hearing on February 1, 2023, where our persistence paid off. The Task Force ordered the SFPUC to release all relevant documents, a decision that underscored the importance of transparency in public utilities.
A Year On: Reflecting on Our Impact
While the SFPUC's subsequent responses have been less than satisfactory, our efforts have not been in vain. This one-year milestone is not just about reflecting on a single victory but understanding its broader impact. Our actions have:
Demonstrated Effectiveness: We've shown our capability to challenge powerful entities and advocate for the river and our communities.
Highlighted SFPUC's Practices: The process has brought to light the need for greater transparency within the SFPUC.
Opened Doors for Unexpected Outcomes: We put the SFPUC on notice, and the next time we submitted a Public Records Act request, they responded with a document showing the drought they are planning for might occur once-in-25,000 years. This has bolstered our position that with reasonable planning, the SFPUC could manage the Bay Delta Plan flow requirements quite easily.
Moving Forward
As we mark this anniversary, our commitment to the Tuolumne River and our communities remains unwavering. The Trust continues to monitor the situation closely, ready to take further action if necessary. We believe that our efforts have sent a clear message to the SFPUC and similar agencies: accountability and transparency are not optional but essential for responsible environmental stewardship.
A Call to Action
We invite our supporters and community members to join us in this ongoing journey. Your involvement and support are crucial in ensuring that our water resources are managed transparently and sustainably. Together, we can make a difference for the Tuolumne River and our communities.
Get Involved:
Share this story with your community
Follow us to stay informed on upcoming campaigns for action (Instagram, Facebook and X).
__________________________________
The Timeline:
February 16, 2021: San Francisco submits a Petition for Reconsideration against the WQC issued by the State Water Board. The petition highlights SFPUC's projected water rationing of 75% to 90%.
May 28, 2021: City Attorney Dennis Herrera, in a San Francisco Chronicle editorial, reiterates the lower 75% rationing figure under the new state requirements.
January 21, 2022: First Public Records Act request submitted for documents supporting SFPUC's rationing figures.
January 28, 2022: Response received with two documents, but no raw data or calculations provided.
January 31, 2022: Second Public Records Act request filed, seeking raw data behind the rationing figures. SFPUC responds by withholding information, citing attorney-client privilege.
March 4, 2022: A complaint filed with the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF) against SFPUC's withholding of information.
April 13, 2022: Supporting documentation submitted to SOTF, highlighting past SFPUC issues.
April 19, 2022: SOTF subcommittee supports the complaint and refers it to the full Task Force.
February 1, 2023: During the hearing, SFPUC abandons attorney-client privilege argument but insists all relevant documents were provided. The Task Force orders SFPUC to release all relevant documents.
Post-Hearing: SFPUC responds with insufficient information. No further action taken, but the case strengthens the stance against SFPUC in future dealings.
