LAFCO
Grizzly Lake Community Services District Municipal Service Review and Sphere of Influence Update - Draft Final - 10.15.25
Read the report at Local Agency Formation Commissions ↗
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october 15, 2025
Prepared by: Policy
Consulting Associates, LLC
For Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission
Grizzly Lake CSD MSR
Public Review Draft
TTAABBLLEE OOFF CCOONNTTEENNTTSS ..................................................................................................... 1
LLIISSTT OOFF FFIIGGUURREESS ............................................................................................................ 3
AACCRROONNYYMMSS AANNDD DDEEFFIINNIITTIIOONNSS ........................................................................................ 4
PPRREEFFAACCEE ........................................................................................................................ 6
CONTEXT ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
CREDITS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
11.. EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE SSUUMMMMAARRYY .......................................................................................... 7
OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES ........................................................................................................................................ 8
CHALLENGES .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OPTIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 10
SOI UPDATE ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
22.. BBAACCKKGGRROOUUNNDD ................................................................................................... 12
LAFCO OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
MUNICIPAL SERVICES REVIEW LEGISLATION ................................................................................................................................... 12
MUNICIPAL SERVICES REVIEW PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................... 13
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE UPDATES .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
DISADVANTAGED UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES .................................................................................................................. 14
33.. AAGGEENNCCYY OOVVEERRVVIIEEWW ........................................................................................... 16
GRIZZLY LAKE COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT (CSD) ........................................................................................................... 16
Boundaries ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Sphere Of Influence ............................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Extra-territorial Services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Areas of Interest ................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
44.. AACCCCOOUUNNTTAABBIILLIITTYY AANNDD GGOOVVEERRNNAANNCCEE ................................................................ 21
GOVERNANCE ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
ACCOUNTABILITY ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Brown Act ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
GLCSD Policy on Board Meetings Agenda and Minutes .................................................................................................. 25
Proposition 218 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Required Training and Form 700 .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Financial Reporting and Compilation .......................................................................................................................................... 30
Public Records Act ................................................................................................................................................................................ 31
Transparency and Accountability Indicators ............................................................................................................................. 32
55.. PPLLAANNNNIINNGG AANNDD MMAANNAAGGEEMMEENNTT ........................................................................... 34
STAFFING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
PLANNING EFFORTS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 34
Financial Planning Practices ............................................................................................................................................................. 34
Management Planning Practices ................................................................................................................................................... 35
Operational Planning Practices ..................................................................................................................................................... 36
66.. GGRROOWWTTHH AANNDD PPOOPPUULLAATTIIOONN PPRROOJJEECCTTIIOONNSS ......................................................... 38
LAND USE ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
HISTORIC POPULATION TRENDS ......................................................................................................................................................... 38
POPULATION PROJECTIONS .................................................................................................................................................................. 38
GROWTH STRATEGIES ............................................................................................................................................................................. 39
77.. DDIISSAADDVVAANNTTAAGGEEDD UUNNIINNCCOORRPPOORRAATTEEDD CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTIIEESS ........................................... 40
Table of Contents
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Policy Consulting Associates, LLC
Grizzly Lake CSD MSR
Public Review Draft
88.. FFIINNAANNCCIIAALL AABBIILLIITTYY TTOO PPRROOVVIIDDEE SSEERRVVIICCEESS ........................................................... 41
Balanced Budget ................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Fund Balances, Reserves, and Liquidity ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Net Position ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Rates and Charges .............................................................................................................................................................................. 44
Long-term Debt .................................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Capital Assets ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 49
99.. WWAATTEERR SSEERRVVIICCEESS ................................................................................................ 50
TYPE AND EXTENT OF SERVICES ......................................................................................................................................................... 50
Services Provided ................................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Services to Other Agencies ............................................................................................................................................................. 50
Contracts for Services ........................................................................................................................................................................ 51
Overlapping Service Providers ........................................................................................................................................................ 51
Extra-territorial Services ...................................................................................................................................................................... 51
WATER FACILITIES AND CAPACITY ..................................................................................................................................................... 52
Delleker .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53
Crocker ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 55
SERVICE ADEQUACY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 56
CHALLENGES ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 57
1100.. WWAASSTTEEWWAATTEERR SSEERRVVIICCEESS ..................................................................................... 59
SERVICE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Services to Other Agencies ............................................................................................................................................................. 60
Contracts for Services ....................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Overlapping Service Providers ....................................................................................................................................................... 60
FACILITIES AND CAPACITY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Delleker .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Crocker .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 63
SERVICE ADEQUACY ................................................................................................................................................................................ 64
Regulatory Compliance ..................................................................................................................................................................... 65
1111.. GGOOVVEERRNNAANNCCEE SSTTRRUUCCTTUURREE OOPPTTIIOONNSS .................................................................. 67
1122.. MMUUNNIICCIIPPAALL SSEERRVVIICCEE RREEVVIIEEWW DDEETTEERRMMIINNAATTIIOONNSS ................................................... 68
GROWTH AND POPULATION PROJECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 68
THE LOCATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DISADVANTAGED UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES WITHIN OR
CONTIGUOUS TO THE AGENCY'S SOI ............................................................................................................................................ 68
PRESENT AND PLANNED CAPACITY OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC SERVICES, INCLUDING
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES ................................................................................................................................. 68
FINANCIAL ABILITY OF AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES ........................................................................................................ 69
STATUS OF, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR, SHARED FACILITIES .................................................................................................... 69
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE NEEDS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE AND
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES ................................................................................................................................................................. 70
1133.. SSPPHHEERREE OOFF IINNFFLLUUEENNCCEE UUPPDDAATTEE ........................................................................ 71
EXISTING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE BOUNDARY ................................................................................................................................. 71
SOI OPTIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 71
RECOMMENDED SPHERE OF INFLUENCE BOUNDARY .................................................................................................................... 71
1144.. PPRROOPPOOSSEEDD SSPPHHEERREE OOFF IINNFFLLUUEENNCCEE DDEETTEERRMMIINNAATTIIOONNSS .......................................... 72
THE NATURE, LOCATION, EXTENT, FUNCTIONS, AND CLASSES OF SERVICES PROVIDED ................................................ 72
PRESENT CAPACITY OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC SERVICES THAT THE AGENCY PROVIDES
OR IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ........................................................................................................................................................... 72
EXISTENCE OF ANY SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST IN THE AREA ................................................. 73
PRESENT AND PROBABLE NEED FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES OF ANY DISADVANTAGED
UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE EXISTING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE ........................................................... 73
AAPPPPEENNDDIIXX AA:: SSDDLLFF TTRRAANNSSPPAARREENNCCYY CCEERRTTIIFFIICCAATTIIOONN CCHHEECCKKLLIISSTT AANNDD AAPPPPLLIICCAATTIIOONN ......... 74
Table of Contents
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Public Review Draft
FFIIGGUURREE 33--11:: GGRRIIZZZZLLYY LLAAKKEE CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS DDIISSTTRRIICCTT OOVVEERRVVIIEEWW ........................................................................ 1177
FFIIGGUURREE 33--22:: GGLLCCSSDD BBOOUUNNDDAARRYY HHIISSTTOORRYY ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1188
FFIIGGUURREE 33--33:: GGLLCCSSDD SSOOII AANNDD SSEERRVVIICCEE AARREEAA .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1199
FFIIGGUURREE 33--44:: GGRRIIZZZZLLYY LLAAKKEE CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY SSEERRVVIICCEESS DDIISSTTRRIICCTT GGOOVVEERRNNIINNGG BBOODDYY .................................. 2211
FFIIGGUURREE 44--11:: TTRRAANNSSPPAARREENNCCYY AANNDD AACCCCOOUUNNTTAABBIILLIITTYY IINNDDIICCAATTOORRSS .................................................................................................. 3333
FFIIGGUURREE 88--11:: GGRRIIZZZZLLYY LLAAKKEE CCSSDD FFIINNAANNCCIIAALL SSUUMMMMAARRYY,, FFYY 1188--1199 .................................................................................................................... 4433
FFIIGGUURREE 88--22:: GGRRIIZZZZLLYY LLAAKKEE CCSSDD WWAATTEERR && SSEEWWEERR RRAATTEESS WWIITTHH SSUURRCCHHAARRGGEE ........................................................ 4477
FFIIGGUURREE 88--33:: GGRRIIZZZZLLYY LLAAKKEE CCSSDD CCOOMMPPAARRIISSOONN OOFF SSEEWWEERR RRAATTEESS ........................................................................................................ 4488
List of Figures
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CEQA: California Environmental Quality Act
cfs: Cubic feet per second
CIP: Capital improvement plan
CSA: County Service Area
CSD: Community Services District
CSDA: California Special District Association
CY: Calendar year
DFG: California Department of Fish and Game
DOF: California Department of Finance
DPH: California Department of Public Health
DWR: California Department of Water Resources
EPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FTE: Full Time Equivalent
FY: Fiscal year
GIS: Geographic Information Systems
GLCSD: Grizzly Lake Community Services District
GM: General Manger
gpd: Gallons per day
gpm: Gallons per minute
GP: General Plan
I/I: Infiltration and inflow
ISO: Insurance Services Organization
IRWMP: Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
JHA: Jurisdiction having authority
JPA: Joint Powers Authority
LAFCo: Local Agency Formation Commission
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
mg: Millions of gallons
mgd: Millions of gallons per day
Acronyms and Definitions
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MSR: Municipal services review
MS4: Municipal separate storm sewer systems
NA: Not applicable
NP: Not provided
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
OASA: Out-of-Area Service Agreement
OES: Office of Emergency Services
OIT: Operator in training
OPR: Governor's Office of Planning and Research
PSAP: Public Safety Answering Point
PWWF: Peak wet weather flow
RID: Resort Improvement District
RWQCB: Regional Water Quality Control Board
SAFER: Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience
SBOE: State Board of Equalization
SCADA: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
SDRMA: Special District Risk Management Authority
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act
SOI: Sphere of influence
SSMP: Sewer System Management Plan
SSO: Sewer System Overflow
SWP: State Water Project
SR: State Route
SWRCB: State Water Resources Control Board
TDS: Total dissolvable solids
TMDL: Total maximum daily load
TSS: Total suspended solids
USDA: United States Department of Agriculture
USFS: United States Forest Service
UWMP: Urban Water Management Plan
WWTP Wastewater treatment plant
WTP: Water treatment plant
Acronyms and Definitions
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Policy Consulting Associates, LLC
Grizzly Lake CSD MSR
Public Review Draft
Prepared for the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), this report is a
Municipal Services Review (MSR) covering the Grizzly Lake Community Services District
(GLCSD). An MSR is a state-required comprehensive study of services within a designated
geographic area. This MSR focuses on one special district in Plumas County that provides
water services and wastewater collection and treatment.
Plumas LAFCO is required to prepare this MSR by the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local
Government Reorganization Act of 2000 (Government Code 56000, et seq.), which took
effect on January 1, 2001. The MSR examines services provided by Grizzly Lake CSD, whose
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boundaries and governance are subject to LAFCO.
The authors extend their appreciation to those individuals at Grizzly Lake CSD that provided
the information and documents used in this report and made time for interviews and document
review to ensure the accuracy of the report. The authors also would like to thank the
members of the public that provided extensive input and feedback throughout the process.
This report was prepared by Policy Consulting Associates, LLC and was authored by Cheryl
Kolb. Jennifer Stephenson served as project manager.
Preface
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Policy Consulting Associates, LLC
Grizzly Lake CSD MSR
Public Review Draft
This report is a municipal service review (MSR) covering the Grizzly Lake Community Services
District, prepared for the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). An MSR is
a State-required comprehensive study of services that special districts or cities provide. The
MSR requirement is codified in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization
Act of 2000 (Government Code 56000 et seq.). The most recent MSR for the District was
adopted on October 3, 2011, as part of the Eastern Plumas MSR.
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The Grizzly Lake Community Service District is a community located in Plumas County,
California, just west of the Incorporated City of Portola. The District generally serves the
communities of Delleker and Crocker, and extends on both sides of Highway 70, bound by the
Middle Fork of the Feather River and Railroad to the south, and the Plumas National Forest
to the north.
Grizzly Lake Community Services District (GLCSD) provides water services to the
communities of Delleker, Crocker Mountain Estates, and Grizzly Retreat, as well as wastewater
services to the Delleker and Crocker Mountain Estates communities. A thorough Municipal
Service Review for the District was last completed in 2007; however, Grizzly Lake CSD was
included in the Eastern Plumas MSR adopted on October 3, 2011.
Over the years, GLCSD has encountered numerous challenges in delivering adequate water
and wastewater services, such as recurring violations of Waste Discharge Requirements
(WDR), aging infrastructure, insufficient storage capacity, and financial constraints.
Additionally, GLCSD has recently faced significant changes in its board and staffing. Before
December 15, 2023, the District's entire board, staff, and accountant resigned. Although these
changes were anticipated to some extent, the new board was left without pertinent information
regarding the maintenance and operations of the facilities, as well as no access to financial
records from the previous accountant.
The current General Manager for the District has acknowledged these challenges and provided
the following list of action items that they are prioritizing and are underway or already
completed:
• Correcting any transparency and accountability indicators recommended by LAFCo
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• Ensuring CSD compliance as outlined in Section 61110
• Reviewing the most recent SSMPs and establishing five-year updates
• Developing a capacity plan
• Undergoing a water and wastewater rate study
• Creating a capital improvement plan
• The District has developed a reserve policy
• In 2024, the District hired Cline and Associates to gather information for missing audits
• The District has contracted with Plumas Sanitation for 15 years
For the past twelve years, Grizzly Lake CSD has grappled with a consistent rise in operational
costs alongside stagnant income. After maintaining the same water and sewer rates since 2011,
1the District initiated the Proposition 218 process in September 2022 to raise rates for both
residential and commercial connections. Following a Prop 218 notification and public hearing on
November 4, 2022, to review the proposed increases, the new rates were implemented on
December 1, 2022.2
According to the Prop 218 notification and notice for a public hearing, a rate study was
prepared by the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide a detailed
explanation of the projected inflationary impact on operating costs and was made available on
the District's website. However, some residents indicate the rate study was not accessible on
the website prior to the notice of hearing, and as of 2024, the document is not available on the
District's website.3
The District also faces additional challenges concerning transparency and accountability,
particularly in meeting the requirements outlined in state laws regarding the Brown Act,
ensuring accessibility to website materials, and adhering to best practices to ensure easy access
to significant planning documents and financial reports. The District has struggled to make
1 RCAC references a rate update done in 2015; however, the Prop 218 notice states 2011 as the last rate increase.
2 Resolution 2022-5004, A Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Grizzly Lake Community Services District Imposing and
Increasing Water and Sewer Charges. November 2022.
3 Grizzly Lake Community Services District, Proposition 218 Notification- Notice of Public Hearing, Water and Sewer Rate
Adjustment. November 14, 2022.
Ch. 1 Executive Summary
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financial reports, and annual budgets readily available on the GLCSD website, along with
delays in completing annual audits.
LAFCO had several issues with obtaining financial reports that were not available on the
website. Repeated requests to both the former GM and the former District's accountant were
ignored. On October 27, 2023, LAFCO's Legal Counsel sent a Public Records Request to
the District Chair, Larry Terrill, GM Pat Guillory, and the District accountant, Vivian Maritza.
Vivian Maritza issued a response that the financials would be provided to LAFCo by the end
of the day on November 15, 2023. The financials were never provided.
As of the writing of this report, all financial records prior to January 1, 2024, had been removed
from the District website.
Under the former Board, Grizzly Lake CSD faced multiple challenges including:
•• Fluctuating Board members and numbers;
•• Employee turnover;
•• Loss of Accountant;
•• Mismanagement;
•• Brown Act violations;
•• Lack of transparency;
•• Use of company property;
•• Harassment from previous Board members and staff;
•• Alleged poor behavior during Board meetings;
•• Irregular meeting schedule;
•• Delayed annual audits;
•• Incomplete rate study;
•• Lack of accountability;
•• Illegal removal of a Board member;
•• Improper execution of the Prop 218 process;
•• Lack of approved budget;
•• Late financial reporting;
•• Disregarded public records requests;
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•• Missing Annual Compensation Reports and SCO Financial Transaction Reports from
website;
•• Lack of a Capital Improvement Plan; and
•• Missing financial records for FYs 20-21, 21-22, 22-23, and the first half of FY 23-24
•• Staffing turnover — the District has had four board members and one vacant seat
throughout 2025 with employee turnover of two. The District plans to have one CPO,
one OIT, and two D1.
It is recommended that Grizzly Lake CSD implement the following:
•• Thoroughly review the noted transparency and accountability indicators within this
report and make appropriate corrections.
•• Complete the Special District Leadership Foundation's (SDLF) Transparency
Certificate of Excellence.
•• Ensure compliance with the requirements for CSDs as outlined in Government Code
Section 61110 regarding an annual budget.
•• Adopt a strategic plan.
•• Review the SSMPs and update every five years.
•• Develop a capacity plan.
•• Consider training staff or hiring a qualified accountant to prepare GAAP financial
statements.
•• Develop a reserve policy.
•• Conduct audits for all recent missing years.
•• Review the pay structure with Plumas Sanitation.
•• Have a comprehensive rate study completed for both water and sewer.
•• Develop a capital improvement plan.
Based on the degree of necessary improvements to operate at the level expected/required of a
public agency, alternative governance structures for GLCSD were identified. Options consist
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of 1) contracting with the City of Portola for a portion or all services, including management
and administration, 2) complete reorganization into a subsidiary district allowing the City to
operate as the governing body of the district, and 3) reorganization into either a new
independent special district or dependent special district, such as a county service area. Each
of these options requires the willingness of either the City of Portola or Plumas County as the
identified successor agency, with the exception of reorganization into a new independent special
district, which while offering a fresh start for the community, generally would be cumbersome,
time consuming and offer no further advantages. Neither the City nor the County have
indicated interest in taking on responsibility for services in the area, further limiting feasible
options.
The District has stated that it would prefer to purchase water from the City of Portola and
remain independent rather than contract with them. The District also does not want to
reorganize with the City or have the City as the governing body. Given GLCSD's recent
turnover in leadership and staff, along with its stated intentions and initial actions to improve
operations, management, governance, and transparency, it is recommended that the District be
provided the opportunity to discuss its options and report on the status of its improvement
efforts at the December 2025 Plumas LAFCo meeting. At that time, the Commission can
determine whether consideration of reorganization options or making the current SOI
permanent would be appropriate.
It is recommended that a temporary coterminous SOI be approved for GLCSD, until a
permanent SOI can be approved following GLCSD's report back to LAFCO at its October
2025 meeting.
In an update provided to LAFCo in September 2025, GLCSD indicated it would like the
current SOI to be made permanent.
Ch. 1 Executive Summary
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LAFCO regulates boundary changes proposed by public agencies or individuals through
approval, denial, conditions, and modification.
It also regulates the extension of public services by cities and special districts outside their
boundaries. LAFCO is empowered to initiate updates to the SOIs and proposals involving the
dissolution or consolidation of special districts, mergers, the establishment of subsidiary districts,
and any reorganization, including such actions. Otherwise, LAFCO actions must originate as
petitions or resolutions from affected voters, landowners, cities, or districts.
The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000 requires LAFCO
to review and update SOIs every five years, or as necessary, and to review municipal services
before updating SOIs.
The requirement for service reviews arises from the identified need for a more coordinated and
efficient public service structure to support California's anticipated growth. The service review
provides LAFCO with a tool to study existing and future public service conditions
comprehensively and to evaluate organizational options for accommodating growth, preventing
urban sprawl, and ensuring that critical services are provided efficiently.
Government Code 56430 requires LAFCO to conduct a review of municipal services
provided in the county by region, sub-region, or other designated geographic area, or by type of
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service, as appropriate, for the service or services to be reviewed, and prepare a written
statement of determination with respect to each of the following topics:
•• Growth and population projections for the affected area.
•• The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities
(DUCs) within or contiguous to the SOI.
•• Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services,
including infrastructure needs or deficiencies (including needs or deficiencies related to
sewers, municipal and industrial water, and structural fire protection in any DUCs
within or contiguous to the sphere of influence).
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•• Financial ability of agencies to provide services.
•• Status of and opportunities for shared facilities.
•• Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and
operational efficiencies; and
•• Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by
commission policy.
The MSR process does not require LAFCO to initiate changes in an organization based on
service review findings, only that LAFCO identifies potential government structure options.
However, LAFCO, other local agencies, and the public may subsequently use the
determinations to analyze prospective changes in organization or reorganization or to establish
or amend SOIs. Within its legal authorization, LAFCO may act with respect to a
recommended change of organization or reorganization on its initiative (e.g., certain types of
consolidations) or in response to a proposal (i.e., initiated by resolution or petition by
landowners or registered voters). MSRs are exempt from the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) pursuant to 15306 (information collection) of the CEQA Guidelines. LAFCO's
actions to adopt MSR determinations are not considered "projects" subject to CEQA.
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The Commission is charged with developing and updating the SOI for each city and special
district within the county. SOIs must be updated every five years or as necessary. In
determining the SOI, LAFCO is required to complete an MSR and adopt the seven
determinations previously discussed.
An SOI is a LAFCO-approved plan that designates an agency's probable future boundary
and service area. Spheres are planning tools used to provide guidance for individual boundary
change proposals and are intended to encourage efficient provision of organized community
services and prevent duplication of service delivery. Territory cannot be annexed by LAFCO to
a city or a district unless it is within that agency's sphere.
The purposes of the SOI include the following: to ensure the efficient provision of services,
discourage urban sprawl and premature conversion of agricultural and open space lands, and
prevent overlapping jurisdictions and duplication of services.
Ch. 2 Background
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LAFCO cannot regulate land use, dictate internal operations or administration of any local
agency, or set rates. LAFCO is empowered to enact policies that indirectly affect land use
decisions. On a regional level, LAFCO promotes logical and orderly development of
communities as it considers and decides individual proposals. LAFCO has a role in reconciling
differences between agency plans so that the most efficient urban service arrangements are
created for the benefit of current and future area residents and property owners.
The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg (CKH) Act requires to develop and determine the SOI of each
local governmental agency within the county and review and update the SOI every five years.
LAFCOs are empowered to adopt, update, and amend the SOI. They may do so with or
without an application and any interested person may apply proposing an SOI amendment.
LAFCO may recommend government reorganizations to agencies in the county, using the
SOIs as the basis for those recommendations.
In addition, in adopting or amending an SOI, LAFCO must make the following determinations:
• Present and planned land uses in the area, including agricultural and open space lands.
• Present and probable need for public facilities and services in the area.
• Present capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public service that the agency
provides or is authorized to provide.
• Existence of any social or economic communities of interest in the area if the
Commission determines these are relevant to the agency; and
• Present and probable need for water, wastewater, and structural fire protection facilities
and services of any DUCs within the existing sphere of influence.
By statute, LAFCO must notify affected agencies 21 days before holding the public hearing to
consider the SOI and may not update the SOI until after that hearing. The LAFCO
Executive Officer must issue a report including recommendations on the SOI amendments and
updates under consideration at least five days before the public hearing.
LAFCO is required to evaluate disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUCs) as part of
this service review, including the location and characteristics of any such communities.
The purpose of Senate Bill (SB) 244 (Wolk, 2011) is to begin to address the complex legal,
financial, and political barriers that contribute to regional inequity and infrastructure deficits
Ch. 2 Background
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within DUCs. Identifying and including these communities in the long-range planning of a city
or a special district is required by SB 244.
The CKH requires LAFCO to make determinations regarding DUCs when considering a
change of organization, reorganization, sphere of influence expansion, and when conducting
municipal service reviews. For any updates to an SOI of a local agency (city or special district)
that provides public facilities or services related to sewer, municipal and industrial water, or
structural fire protection, LAFCO shall consider and prepare written determinations regarding
the present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services, and
infrastructure needs or deficiencies for any DUC within or contiguous to the SOI of a city or
special district.
CKH prohibits LAFCO from approving an annexation to a city of any territory greater than
10 acres if a DUC is contiguous to the proposed annexation, unless an application to annex
the DUC has been filed with LAFCO. An application to annex a contiguous DUC shall not
be required if a prior application for annexation of the same DUC has been made in the
preceding five years or if the Commission finds, based upon written evidence, that a majority of
the registered voters within the affected territory are opposed to annexation.
Government Code 56033.5 defines a DUC as 1) all or a portion of a "disadvantaged
community" as defined by 79505.5 of the Water Code, and as 2) "inhabited territory" (12 or
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more registered voters), as defined by 56046, or as determined by commission policy.
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Ch. 2 Background
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Grizzly Lake CSD was formed in 1965 as an independent special district – originally called the
Grizzly Lake Resort Improvement District (GLRID)4. The District was formed to provide water
and wastewater services to residents in Delleker, Crocker Mountain Estates, and Grizzly
Retreat. At some point in the District's history, GLCSD reportedly took on street lighting
services in the Delleker area from the County; however, neither the County nor the District has
records of when or how this occurred.
The District transitioned from an RID to a CSD in 2011.5 RIDs were originally designed for
unincorporated areas that were particularly suited to and used for recreational purposes, and
that were held and used by residents of California which were inhabited only seasonally.6 The
RID law greatly restricted the powers of the District to add new services. On July 17, 1997,
special legislation was approved by the Governor changing RIDs into "registered voter" districts
as opposed to "landowner voter" districts, as services provided by the District were no longer
"seasonal," and because for GLRID, 80 percent or more of the assessed valuation of the land
in the District was no longer in non-resident ownership.7
A new piece of legislation became effective January 1, 2011, permitting RIDs to easily convert to
CSDs via expedited reorganization. Once GLRID transitioned to GLCSD, the District
acquired the ability to secure grants and other funding, and the ability to take on new services
such as implementing and managing the community park around Delleker Pond.
The principal act that governs the District is the State of California Community Services
District Law. CSDs may potentially provide a wide array of services, including water supply,
wastewater, solid waste, police and fire protection, street lighting and landscaping, airport,
recreation and parks, mosquito abatement, library services, street maintenance and drainage
services, ambulance services, and flood protection, among various other services. CSDs are
required to gain LAFCo approval to provide services permitted by the principal act but not
performed by the end of 2005 (i.e., latent powers). This process ensures that CSDs adhere to
regulatory oversight and obtain the necessary authorization before expanding their services.
4 Plumas BOS, Resolution No. 1535
5 Plumas LAFCo, Regular Meeting Agenda, March 14, 2011, pg. 2
6 GLCSD, Grizzly Lake Resort Improvement District Municipal Service Review 2007-2012, January 2007, pg. 6
7 GLCSD, Grizzly Lake Resort Improvement District Municipal Service Review 2007-2012, January 2007, pg. 6
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FFiigguurree 33--11:: GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee CCoommmmuunniittyy SSeerrvviicceess DDiissttrriicctt OOvveerrvviieeww
ggrriizzzzllyy llaakkee ccoommmmuunniittyy sseerrvviicceess ddiissttrriicctt
ccoonnttaacctt iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn
CCoonnttaacctt:: BBoobb HHoowweellll
AAddddrreessss:: 111199 DDeelllleekkeerr DDrriivvee,, PPoorrttoollaa,, CCAA 9966112222
WWeebbssiittee:: ggrriizzzzllyyllaakkeeccssdd..ccoomm
ffoorrmmaattiioonn iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn
IInnddeeppeennddeenntt SSppeecciiaall
DDaattee ooff FFoorrmmaattiioonn:: 11996655 AAggeennccyy TTyyppee::
DDiissttrriicctt
ggoovveerrnniinngg bbooddyy
GGoovveerrnniinngg BBooddyy:: BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrss MMeemmbbeerrss:: 55
MMaannnneerr ooff SSeelleeccttiioonn:: EElleecctteedd LLeennggtthh ooff TTeerrmm:: 44 yyeeaarrss && 22 yyeeaarrss
111199 DDeelllleekkeerr RRooaadd,, FFiirrsstt aanndd tthhiirrdd TTuueessddaayy
MMeeeettiinnggss LLooccaattiioonn:: MMeeeettiinnggss DDaattee::
PPoorrttoollaa eeaacchh mmoonntthh aatt 33::3300 ppmm..
mmaappppiinngg aanndd ppooppuullaattiioonn
PPooppuullaattiioonn ppeerr 22002200
GGIISS DDaattee:: 22002244 880022
DDeecceennnniiaall CCeennssuuss::
ppuurrppoossee
AAllll ppoowweerrss CCSSDDss aarree
CCaalliiffoorrnniiaa
eemmppoowweerreedd ttoo pprroovviiddee
EEnnaabblliinngg LLeeggiissllaattiioonn:: GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt CCooddee LLaatteenntt PPoowweerrss::
bbuutt aarree nnoott aaccttiivveellyy
§6611000000-- 6611885500
pprroovviiddiinngg aass ooff 11//11//0066..
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PPrroovviiddeedd ((ddiirreeccttllyy oorr WWaatteerr,, WWaasstteewwaatteerr CCoolllleeccttiioonn aanndd TTrreeaattmmeenntt
bbyy ccoonnttrraacctt))
aarreeaa sseerrvveedd
DDeelllleekkeerr,, CCrroocckkeerr
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11,,229977 aaccrreess LLooccaattiioonn:: MMoouunnttaaiinn EEssttaatteess,,
BBoouunnddaarryy SSiizzee::
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PPaasstt MMSSRRss:: 22001111 22000077
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GLCSD is in the eastern part of Plumas County. The GLCSD boundary is entirely within
Plumas County, and includes the communities of Delleker, Crocker Mountain Estates, and
Grizzly Retreat. GLCSD provides services to non-contiguous areas – one is the community of
Delleker located generally at SR 70 and Delleker Road, west of the City of Portola. The other
area is Crocker Mountain Estates and Grizzly Retreat located generally at Grizzly Road and
Valley View, north of SR 70. The District's two bounded areas consist of approximately 1,297
acres or two square miles.8
There have been two annexations to and one detachment from the District since its formation
in 1965, as shown in Figure 3-2. In 1977, the Russell Detachment consisted of the removal of
two territories known as Portola Heights and Welch Estates from the District. The Plumas
Sierra Rentals property and Clark property were annexed in 1986 and 1996, respectively.
FFiigguurree 33--22:: GGLLCCSSDD BBoouunnddaarryy HHiissttoorryy
ttyyppee ooff rreeccoorrddiinngg
pprroojjeecctt nnaammee aaccttiioonn yyeeaarr aaggeennccyy
GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee RReessoorrtt IImmpprroovveemmeenntt DDiissttrriicctt FFoorrmmaattiioonn 11996655 LLAAFFCCoo,, SSBBOOEE
RRuusssseellll DDeettaacchhmmeenntt DDeettaacchhmmeenntt 11997788 LLAAFFCCoo,, SSBBOOEE
PPlluummaass SSiieerrrraa RReennttaallss AAnnnneexxaattiioonn 11998866 LLAAFFCCoo,, SSBBOOEE
CCllaarrkk AAnnnneexxaattiioonn AAnnnneexxaattiioonn 11999966 LLAAFFCCoo,, SSBBOOEE
In the Crocker Mountain Estates area, the District's SOI is coterminous with its boundaries,
and in the Delleker area, the District's SOI extends substantially beyond its boundaries north
and south of SR 70 to Meadowlark Lane in the west and the Portola city limits in the east.
The SOI for GLCSD was adopted in 19829, and it was most recently updated in 200710. The
SOI was originally updated in January, 2007; however, that was rescinded, as the SOI
included an area adjacent to the City of Portola where the City is already providing water and
wastewater utilities. A new updated SOI was adopted in LAFCo Resolution 2007-003.
8 Total agency area calculated in GIS software based on agency boundaries as of July 1, 2011. The data is not considered
survey quality.
9 LAFCo Resolution 82-07.
10 LAFCo Resolution 2007-013.
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FFiigguurree 33--33:: GGLLCCSSDD SSOOII aanndd SSeerrvviiccee AArreeaa
Lake Davis Rd
Grizzly
Rd
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70
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R d
·|þ}
70
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rD
rekelleD
Grizzly Lake Community Services District
31 32 33
1 6 5 4 3 2 1
4
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12 7 8 9 10 11 12
9
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13 18 17 16 15 14 13
18 17
24 19 20 21 22 23 24
19 20
25 30 29 28 27 26 25
30 29
36 31 32 33 34 35 36
31 32
1 6 5 4 3 2 1
Portola
McClears Rd 6 5
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Range 13 East Range 14 East
Grizzly Lake CSD
Legend Parcels Grizzly Lake CSD Resolution: 1535
Adopted: 5/3/1965
Major Roads Grizzly Lake CSD (SOI)
·|}þ 70 CA State Highway City of Portola Area Served Outside ² Grizzly Lake CSD (SOI)
Stream / River Sectional Grid (MDB&M) of District A R d e o s p o t lu e t d io : n: 2007-013
Waterbodies 0 0.25 0.5 1Miles
Source: Plumas LAFCo Map Created 5/4/2011
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The District provides extra-territorial water and wastewater services to two connections to the
east of the Delleker area boundaries along SR 7011, as shown in orange on Figure 3-3. It is
unknown when these connections were added to the system. One parcel receives water and
the other receives water and wastewater.
Of primary interest to the SOI update that the Commission will have to undertake is the
overlap in the District's and City of Portola's SOIs. The overlap area is illustrated in Figure 3-
3, and generally extends from the City's western limit to the District's eastern boundary in the
west. As both agencies provide water and wastewater utilities, the future provider of these
services will need to be clarified in this area of SOI overlap.
As mentioned earlier, the District has identified two areas for potential service expansion: the
SR 70 corridor and Grizzly Road. The new board will need to assess whether prioritizing
service to the SR 70 corridor, along with implementing active professional marketing strategies
to engage developers in the area as outlined in the previous MSR, is advisable. Additionally,
residents beyond the District's Crocker Mountain bounds along Grizzly Road have expressed
interest in obtaining water services from the District.
11 Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 125-372-002 and 125-372-003.
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Grizzly Lake CSD operates under the governance of a five-person Board of Directors. At
present, only three of the five positions are occupied; however, the board has been experiencing
ongoing fluctuation in numbers. Current Director names, positions, and term expiration dates
are shown in Figure 3-4. The Board meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at
6:00 p.m. at the District office. Board meeting agendas are posted in the window of the
district office and on the website. For public outreach, special notices are included with the
billings.
FFiigguurree 33--44:: GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee CCoommmmuunniittyy SSeerrvviicceess DDiissttrriicctt GGoovveerrnniinngg BBooddyy
ggrriizzzzllyy llaakkee ccoommmmuunniittyy sseerrvviicceess ddiissttrriicctt ((ccssdd))
ccoonnttaacctt iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn
CCoonnttaacctt:: BBoobb HHoowweellll
AAddddrreessss:: 111199 DDeelllleekkeerr DDrriivvee,, PPoorrttoollaa,, CCAA 9966112222
WWeebbssiittee:: ggllccssddddeelllleekkeerr@@ggmmaaiill..ccoomm // ggrriizzzzllyyllaakkeeccssdd..ccoomm
bbooaarrdd ooff ddiirreeccttoorrss
TTeerrmm
MMeemmbbeerr NNaammee PPoossiittiioonn EExxppiirraattiioonn MMaannnneerr ooff SSeelleeccttiioonn LLeennggtthh ooff TTeerrmm
SShhaarroonn CCaassttaanneeddaa CChhaaiirrmmaann 1122//33//22002277 EElleecctteedd 44 yyeeaarrss
VViiccee
DDaarrllaa TThhoommppssoonn CChhaaiirrmmaann 1122//55//22002255 EElleecctteedd 22 yyeeaarrss
JJeeaannnnee CCoolllliinnss SSeeccrreettaarryy 1122//33//22002277 EElleecctteedd 44 yyeeaarrss
BBooaarrdd
CChhaarrlloottttee WWiilllliiss MMeemmbbeerr 1122//33//22002277 EElleecctteedd 44 yyeeaarrss
VVaaccaanntt TTrreeaassuurreerr 1122//33//22002277 EElleecctteedd 44 yyeeaarrss
mmeeeettiinnggss
DDaattee:: FFiirrsstt aanndd tthhiirrdd TTuueessddaayy ooff eeaacchh mmoonntthh aatt 66::0000 pp..mm..
LLooccaattiioonn:: DDiissttrriicctt ooffffiiccee aatt 111199 DDeelllleekkeerr DDrriivvee,, PPoorrttoollaa,, CCAA
AAggeennddaa DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn:: PPoosstteedd ttoo tthhee DDiissttrriicctt wweebbssiittee aanndd iinn tthhee wwiinnddooww ooff tthhee DDiissttrriicctt ooffffiiccee
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MMiinnuutteess DDiissttrriibbuuttiioonn:: PPoosstteedd ttoo tthhee DDiissttrriicctt wweebbssiittee
Ethics training is required once every two years, beginning with an odd-numbered year (AB
1234, Chapter 700, Statutes of 2005). Training is available online at the State of California
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website.
Under former staff and management, Grizzly Lake CSD seemed to struggle to meet the
requirements outlined in State laws regarding the Brown Act, website materials, and best
practices to ensure easy access to significant planning documents and financial reports.
Several residents have voiced concerns about mismanagement, lack of transparency, use of
company property, harassment, and poor behavior by former Directors during meetings.
In 2023, five regular meetings and one special meeting were canceled due to a lack of quorum.
One regular meeting was canceled due to not meeting the agenda posting requirements.
Since the new Board was seated in December the District has been meeting regularly.
The current District GM recently stated that board meetings have been held regularly since
2024 and that no meetings have been canceled. It was also noted that the board has not
removed any members since its December 16, 2020 meeting and is following the Brown Act.
Several District board members and members of the public have voiced concerns about
transparency and accountability within the District under the former board.
At the December 16, 2020, special meeting, the Board voted to remove Director Sharon
Castaneda from the governing body of the CSD during a closed session. The reason for this
decision was not disclosed.
On February 11, 2021, Plumas LAFCO sent a letter to the District's Board clarifying that
under California law, there are only a few limited ways to remove public officials who hold
elective office. Directors may only be removed from office by 1) conviction of a qualifying crime,
2) official misconduct, or 3) recall, all of which are defined here:
•• Government Code Sections 1021 and 3000 provide that officers are removed from
office if convicted of crimes as specified in the Constitution or other state law. The
§
most common example is a felony or other crime involving a violation of the officer's
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official duties. In these instances, the official is suspended from office upon finding of
guilt and removed from office upon the entry of the trial court judgement. (Gov't
•• Code 1770, 1770.1)
•• Pursua
§
n
§
t to Government Code Section 3060, the California Grand Jury may present
"An accusation in writing against any officer of a district," which may in turn require
prosecution by the District Attorney. Upon a conviction, the official is to be removed
from office. (Govt. Code 3060, 3072.)
•• Elected officials are subject to recall by the voters, a process that begins with the
§§
service, filing, and publication or posting of a Notice of Intention to circulate a recall
petition. (Elec. Code 11000 et seq.)
§§
It does not appear that there is any statutory authority for a board of Directors of a special
district to remove a Director. The only authorized removal procedures are the three set forth
above. Given that, it does not appear that the Board had the lawful authority to deprive Ms.
Castaneda of the office to which she was appointed or elected.
Former Board Chair Larry Terrill received this letter from LAFCO, but no corrective action
was subsequently taken to correct the removal. Copies of the letter were distributed to Director
Sharon Castaneda, District Attorney David Hollister, and County Counsel Gretchen Stuhr.
At the April 12, 2023, regular meeting, the Board took action to appoint an individual to a
vacancy on the Board. In so doing, the GLCSD Board of Directors acted as defined in
Government Code 54952.6 because "a majority of the members took an actual vote when
sitting as a body or entity, upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order or ordinance."
§
However, this action was a substantial violation of the Brown Act as the matter was not
adequately described or included in the agenda for the open meeting where the action took
place, and none of the exceptions outlined in Government Code 54954.2(b) were met.
According to 54954.2(b), the legislative body may act on items o§f business not appearing on
the posted agenda under the conditions stated below.
§
•• Upon a determination by a majority vote of the legislative body that an emergency
situation exists, as defined in Section 54956.5.
•• Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the members of the legislative body
present at the meeting, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a
unanimous vote of those members present, that there is a need to take immediate
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action and that the need for action came to the attention of the local agency
subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in subdivision (a).
•• The item was posted pursuant to subdivision (a) for a prior meeting of the legislative
body occurring not more than five calendar days prior to the date action is taken on
the item, and at the prior meeting the item was continued to the meeting at which
action is being taken.
•• To consider action on a request from a member to participate in a meeting remotely
due to emergency circumstances, pursuant to Section 54953, if the request does not
allow sufficient time to place the proposed action on the posted agenda for the meeting
for which the request is made. The legislative body may approve such a request by
a majority vote of the legislative body.
LAFCo issued a cure and correct letter on April 21, 2023, to the GLCSD Board of Directors
with copies sent to the District Attorney and County Counsel's office. The above information
was provided to the Board of Directors in the form of a Cure and Correct letter from LAFCo
dated April 21, 2023, along with instructions to cure or correct the challenged action or inform
LAFCo of the Board's decision not to do so within 30 days of receipt of the letter as provided
by Government Code 54960.1. Copies of the letter were provided to District Attorney
David Hollister and County Counsel Gretchen Stuhr.
§
After these incidents, the actions taken by the District's board were as follows:
• May 10, 2023, regular meeting was cancelled, so the individual's appointment was
rescinded at the June 14, 2023, meeting. No new appointment was made at that time.
• The July 12, 2023, regular meeting was cancelled, and a special meeting was scheduled
for July 27, 2023. That, too, was cancelled.
• There was a regular meeting in August 2023, at which time the Board was provided
with four applications for new Directors. No action was taken.
• The September 2023 and October 2023 regular meetings were cancelled.
• There was no mention of reviewing Director applications or making an appointment on
the November 2023 agenda.
• At the December 13, 2023, regular meeting, Linda Van Dahlen, Darla Thompson,
Jeanne Collins and Sharon Castaneda took their oaths and were seated.
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Brown Act 54952.2 Ch. III defines meetings as any gathering of a quorum of a legislative
body to discuss or transact business under the body's jurisdiction; serial meetings are
§
prohibited. Alternatively, the following are exempt from being considered a meeting12:
•• Individual contacts between Directors and others that do not constitute serial
meetings; (54952.2(c)(1), Ch. III
•• Attendance at conferences and other gatherings that are open to the public so long
as members of legislative bodies do not discuss among themselves business of a
specific nature under the body's jurisdiction; 54952.2(c)(2), (3) and (4)
•• Attendance at social or ceremonial events where no business of the body is discussed
54952.2(c)(5)
While it does not appear that the District is failing to comply with this law, it is recommended
that the District review the above law with Directors for clarity on what is considered a meeting
and ensure open meeting requirements are always met.
The former District staff and accountant posed significant challenges for LAFCo, consistently
disregarding multiple requests for information and records pertaining to the drafting of this
MSR. However, under the new board, GLCSD has demonstrated accountability and
transparency in its disclosure of information and cooperation with Plumas LAFCo including
participating in an interview and cooperating fully with the document requests.
Current board meeting agendas are posted on the District website and in the window of the
office. Minutes are available upon request and, from January 2024 to present, are available on
the District website.
The District does not make available archived meeting recordings on its website. Since the
former GM took the laptop with a majority of the District's records with her, the District has
no access to recordings from any meetings prior to December 13, 2023.
The GM or Board Secretary prepares the agendas for each regular or special meetings of the
Board of Directors. Any Director may contact the GM, Board Secretary or the Board
Chairman and request any item to be placed on the agenda no later than 4:30 pm seven
calendar days prior to the meeting date.
12 The Brown Act, Open Meetings For Local Legislative Bodies. California Attorney General's Office. 2003. p.vii.
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/the-brown-act.pdf.
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The agenda notice and attachments are posted to the District's website and on the door of the
District's office at 119 Delleker Drive no less than 72 hours in advance of regular meetings and
no less than 24 hours in advance of a special meeting.
The District started using a new agenda and minutes program in December and recently
switched to a different program to post agendas and minutes to the GLCSD website. All
prior agendas have been removed from the website and all the minutes before the January 10,
2024, meeting have been removed from the website. Minutes from January 2024 to the
present, however, remain on the District website and are also available upon request.
After not adjusting the District's water and sewer rates since 2011, in September 2022, the
District initiated the Proposition 218 process to increase water and sewer rates for both
residential and commercial connections. The new rates were implemented on December 1,
2022.
Prop 218 Tax Reform radically changed how special districts raise revenues by ensuring
taxpayer approval of changes and increases to existing charges. Proposition 218 sets out
detailed rules for special districts to follow in levying or increasing fees and assessments.
Article XIII D, Section 6 requires that a special district comply with the following procedures
before imposing or increasing property-related fees or charges13:
•• Identify the parcels upon which an assessment is proposed for imposition.
•• Calculate the amount of the fee proposed to be imposed on each parcel.
•• Provide written notice by mail to the record owner and tenants directly responsible
for the fee for each identified parcel.
•• Conduct a public hearing on the proposed fee not less than 45 days after the mailing.
•• Consider all protests against the proposed fee or charge; and
•• If ballots against the fee are presented by a majority of owners of the identified parcels,
the fee cannot be imposed.
Under Prop 218, agencies must send written notice of a proposed increase to property owners
45 days in advance of a scheduled public hearing. The notice must contain (a) the amount of
13 League of California Cities: Proposition 26 and 218 Implementation Guide. p.82.
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the fee or charge proposed to be imposed; (b) the basis upon which it was calculated; (c) the
reason for the fee or charge; (d) the date, time, and location of the public hearing14.
Per Government Code, 53755, subdivision (b), a protest may be submitted by either an
owner of a parcel or a tenant directly liable for the proposed fee or charge, but only one
§
protest per parcel is counted in calculating a majority protest to a proposed new or increased
fee or charge.
Sewer, water, and refuse collection fees are exempt from Article XIII D, section 6, subdivision
(c)'s election requirement15.
The District's residents raised some concerns regarding the lack of proper initiation, notification,
and processing of rate increases in accordance with Prop 218 requirements. Although notice
appears to have been issued by GLCSD in compliance with Prop 218, residents reported that
the former GM declined to accept several protests. Additionally, there is no documented record
of the number of protests received, which protests were accepted or rejected, nor the rationale
behind any rejections. It is advised that the District conducts a comprehensive rate study and
repeats the Prop 218 process to ensure adherence to regulations.
The completed sewer rate study was initially included on the GLCSD Board's September 14,
2022, regular meeting agenda, however, was tabled to the September 20, 2022, special
meeting.
The public hearing to consider the proposed water and sewer rate service rate adjustments
was scheduled for November 14, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The agenda for the September 20, 2022,
Board meeting included a notice for the public hearing and outlined the procedures residents
could follow to protest the changes. It stated that protests must be received (not postmarked)
before the close of the public hearing on November 14, 2022.
Residents expressed concerns about GLCSD's Prop 218 process, stating that the Notice of
Public Hearing failed to present "a fee that does not exceed the reasonable cost of providing
services, facilities or regulatory activity for which the fee is charged" as required per GC
54954.6(a)).
§
The Prop 218 notice highlighted that GLCSD's water and sewer rates have not been adjusted
since 2011, resulting in financial challenges such as operating losses and insufficient funding for
reserves and improvements. Therefore, the rate adjustments are necessary to cover rising
14 California Special District Association (CSDA) Proposition 218 Guide for Special Districts, 2013, p.35.
15 League of California Cities: Proposition 26 and 218 Implementation Guide. p.97.
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operational costs, ensure system reliability, and prepare for future upgrades and replacements
essential for maintaining service quality.
The notice also indicated that the District undertook a thorough review of its budgetary
expenditures to minimize operational costs before considering rate increases. Measures taken
include reducing recommended reserves and evaluating general overhead expenses.
Additionally, it was reported that the proposed rates were developed through a comprehensive
Water and Sewer Rate Study designed to meet all legal requirements and fairly and equitably
recover the necessary revenue. According to the notice, the study, prepared by the Rural
Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and GLCSD, provides a detailed explanation of
the projected inflationary impact on operating costs. 16
However, residents indicate that there was no rate study provided on the website as the Notice
of Public Hearing states. As of the writing of this report, the rate study is not on the website;
however, there are spreadsheets on the website that appear to show budget projections with
the rate increases included. The spreadsheets on the website do not meet the Prop 218
requirements that the assessments must be supported by a detailed engineer's report prepared
by a registered professional engineer certified by the State of California17. It should be noted
that the new Board was able to produce a Rate Study completed by the Rural Community
Assistance Corporation (RCAC) on February 10, 2022. The Rate Study was requested by
Grizzly Lake CSD and the California State Water Resources Control Board.
There were also concerns that there was no disclosure to voters that the proposed rate would
pass if they did not return a written protest. However, page 2 of the Prop 218 notice for a
public hearing that the District sent out to residents indicates that the rates are subject to
majority protest and that renters/lessees who are financially responsible for the bill and
impacted by the rate change must submit written and signed protests opposing the increase
before or on September 15, 2023, at noon.
Another concern was that the proposed sewer fee increase was not scheduled to be held at
the general election. However, as mentioned above, the additional election requirement applies
to all newly imposed or increased property-related fees except those for sewer, water, and
refuse collection services18. The California Special Districts Association Proposition 218 Guide
16 Grizzly Lake Community Services District, Proposition 218 Notification- Notice of Public Hearing, Water and Sewer Rate
Adjustment. November 14, 2022.
17 A "registered professional engineer" is defined as "an engineer registered pursuant to the Professional Engineers Act
(Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code." Cal. Gov't Code
53750(k).
18 League of California Cities: Proposition 26 and 218 Implementation Guide. p.82, p.95. §
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for Special Districts highlights this exemption from the procedures and ballot protest approval
process of Article XIII D section 4.19
The District reported that on the day of the hearing, it would set up a space for designated
resident(s) to count any written protests. If most property owners submit written and signed
protests opposing the increase, then the proposed rate would not pass. Finally, the former
management was accused of discarding protests prior to tabulation. However, unlike proposed
assessments, for which Article XIII D, 4 requires local governments to adopt and provide
notice of the procedures for the consideration of ballots, Proposition 218 provides little guidance
§
and few requirements for the majority protest procedure and tabulation related to proposed
new or increased property-related fees or charges.
Instead, Article XIII D, 6, subdivision (a)(2) requires only that the agency consider any written
protests received. So long as a local government provides adequate notice, as described above,
§
and takes account of all written protests, Prop 218 is satisfied.20 Tabulation procedures, such as
ballots remaining sealed until the protest hearing, are only explicitly mandated for assessment
ballots.
Based on the information received from the public and the District and the Prop 218
requirements for wastewater rates, as previously outlined, it appears that the District did not
meet all legal mandates when processing its rate increase. Going forward, the current GLCSD
GM stated the District intends to adhere to all Prop 218 regulations for water and wastewater
increases.
Ethics training is required once every two years, beginning within the first year of the Director's
term, and then biennially thereafter21 (AB 1234, Chapter 700, Statutes of 2005). Ethics
Training is available online at the California Fair Political Practices Commission website
(localethics.fppc.ca.gov). Directors should ensure their Ethics training is up to date to limit
liability for the District. It is recommended to post the completion certificates for each Director
to the District website and to provide a copy to LAFCo after they have been filed.
Directors are required to complete Ethics Training within the first year of the election and then
again once every two years. The District's recently updated policies have more stringent
requirements with new Board Members being required to complete Ethics Training within six
19 California Special Districts Association Proposition 218 Guide for Special Districts. p.22.
20 League of California Cities: Proposition 26 and 218 Implementation Guide. p.85.
21 California Government Code, Section 53235.1(b)(1)
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months of taking office. As of September 2025, LAFCo has been advised by the District that
all current Board Members have completed their ethics training.
AB 1825 requires Directors and management staff to take two hours of Sexual Harassment
Prevention Training within six months of assuming the position and then once every two years
thereafter. In the event the District employs five or more personnel, then Sexual Harassment
Prevention Training must be provided to all employees. Non-supervisory employees must
complete one hour of training once every two years. Seasonal employees are required to take
the one-hour training within 60 days of hire. Of the five GLCSD Directors, none have
completed their Sexual Harassment Prevention Training yet. Training can be taken online at
https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/shpt/.
Statement of Economic Interest, or Form 700, must be submitted annually to indicate
transparency in economic interests as required by the Political Reform Act of 1974 (California
Government Code Sections 81000-81003). Each Director is required to submit a new Form
700 each year, even if the economic interests have stayed the same. Form 700s are due by
April 1st of each year. FPPC states a late fine may be imposed if a statement is filed past the
due date.22 When filing Form 700, it is for the previous year, so filing in 2024 is for the 2023
year. It is recommended to post the Form 700s for each Director to the District website and
to provide a copy to LAFCo after they have been filed.
All three of the district Directors have filed their Forms 700. Copies of these filings were
requested and should be made available on the District's website to ensure transparency;
however, as of the date of this report, none have been provided.
The District is struggling to comply with financial document compilation, adoption, and
reporting requirements amid multiple complaints alleging fiscal mismanagement by the former
staff. Following the resignation of the former GM and accountant, who took all the digital
records with them, the new Board has been working diligently at rebuilding the records with the
aid of Joleen Cline of Cline and Associates in Portola.
Under Government Code 53891, Special Districts are mandated to submit an annual
Government Compensation in California (GCC) report to the State Controller's Office
§
(SCO) by April 30th each year, covering the previous year. While the 2023 reports have not
22 2023 Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) – Form 700 Filing Officer Informational Fact Sheet Cities and Counties.
https://www.fppc.ca.gov/content/dam/fppc/NS-Documents/TAD/FilingOfficer/700FO-Folder/Cities_Counties.pdf.
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yet been posted to the State Controller's website, GLCSD complied with the 2022 reporting
requirements.
GC 53891 also mandates that each Special District submit a Financial Transactions Report
(FTR) to the State Controller's Office no later than seven months after the end of the fiscal
§
year. The 2022/23 FTR was due by January 31, 2024. This report must include data from
audited financial statements in accordance with GAAP, if available. While the FY 22/23
reports are not yet online, the SCO website indicates that GLCSD submitted the FY 21/22
report late.
The last completed audit for the District was for FY 18/19. LAFCo was informed by the
former GM and accountant that the audits for FY 19/20, 20/21, and 21/22 would be
completed in October of 2023. However, in December of 2023, LAFCo was advised by the
new board that no such audits had taken place. While the District has faced delays in meeting
annual audit requirements, the new Board is now making efforts to get up to date.
In 1968, the California Legislature enacted the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which
mandates that government records be disclosed to the public upon request unless there are
specific exemptions related to privacy, public safety, or other concerns that would prevent
disclosure.
Government Code 7920.530 defines a public record as "any writing containing information
relating to the conduct of the public's business prepared, owned, used or retained by any state
§
or local agency regardless of physical form or characteristics". The California Government
Code 6254 outlines several documents exempt from disclosure, including personnel, medical,
or similar files, which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
§
The public may inspect or obtain a copy of identifiable public records, including all forms of
recorded information that currently exists or may exist in the future. To invoke the CPRA, the
request for records must be specific and focused. A request for records may be made orally or
in writing. When an oral request is received, it is recommended that the agency confirm the
request in writing to avoid confusion regarding the request. The agency has ten days from
receipt of the request to issue a response to the requestor. In the event the requested records
or if the personnel that need to be consulted regarding the records request are not readily
available, the ten-day limit may be extended for up to fourteen days.
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One District member emailed a request for financial records to former GM Pat Guillory on
July 27, 2023. Ms. Guillory acknowledged the request and stated the request had been sent to
former accountant Vivian Maritza on August 1st. After none of the requested records were
provided within the ten-day limit, the Member spoke with Ms. Maritza at the GLCSD meeting
on August 9th and learned that Ms. Maritza had not received the request from Ms. Guillory.
The District Member sent an email to Ms. Guillory on August 11th with a second public
records request for the same information.
On August 16, Ms. Maritza emailed Ms. Guillory and former GLCSD Board Chair Larry
Terrill, stating she was too busy to respond to the PRA. Her email was forwarded to the
requestor that day.
LAFCO also submitted several requests for information relevant to this MSR via email to Ms.
Guillory, which culminated in LAFCO's legal counsel sending a Public Records Request via
email to Ms. Guillory, Ms. Maritza and Chair Terrill on October 26, 2023, with a copy sent by
mail to the GLCSD office. On November 5th, Ms. Maritza responded on behalf of GLCSD
and stated the current financials would be available at the November 8th GLCSD meeting.
At the November meeting the agenda item to discuss the financials was tabled until the next
regular meeting of December 13, 2023.
Chair Larry Terrill and GM Pat Guillory both resigned effective December 11th. District
accountant Vivian Maritza submitted an undated letter stating her services were no longer
needed, with no effective date. There were no financial reports made available at this meeting
or to LAFCo.
It is recommended that GLCSD have an online record of public record requests that the
District has processed to provide a tracking system to avoid duplication of requests and ensure
transparency. Also, a substantial and comprehensive update of the District's website would
make many documents readily available to the public, thereby limiting requests.
The District does not make available the Annual Compensation Reports nor the State
Controller's Office Financial Transaction Reports on its website, as required.
Figure 4-1 identifies efforts by GLCSD to meet State laws to ensure transparency and
accountability. It is recommended that the District thoroughly review these transparency and
accountability indicators to ensure it is meeting state laws and regulations, as well as fostering
public trust.
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It is recommended that GLCSD complete the Special District Leadership Foundation's (SDLF)
Transparency Certificate of Excellence. The certification's purpose is to promote transparency
in the operations and governance of special districts to the public/constituents and provide
special districts with an opportunity to showcase their efforts in transparency. The application is
free, and the certification is valid for three years from the date of award. The application and
the requirements are available on the Special District Leadership Foundation's website.
Appendix A illustrates the transparency checklist and sample application.
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The District employs a total of three staff members: one full-time maintenance worker who is
undergoing training in water and sewer operations, along with two part-time staff members.
These include a Level 3 Wastewater System Operator and a Level 1 Operator-in-Training. The
Level 3 Wastewater System Operator reports directly to the Board.
The District reported that it has recently hired a full-time GM and has a total of five staff
members: one CPO, one full-time Operator in Training Wasterwater, one Grade 3 part-time,
and two D1 part-time water workers. Bookkeeping services are outsourced to contract
personnel.23
The District's Board has policies to conduct staff evaluations for the GM and Operators only.
Staff workload is monitored by timesheets broken down by utility and a daily log of operations.
Currently, the District does not perform agency-wide performance evaluations or engage in
benchmarking activities.
The District's financial planning efforts should include an annually adopted budget and annually
audited financial statements. The financial statements were last audited for FY 18-19.
The District currently does not have a capital improvement plan but while prior financial
documents were removed by previous staff, the District does have an annually adopted budget
and audited financial statements for 2024.
Government Code Section 61110(a) requires that on or before July 1 of each year or, for
districts using two one-year budgets or a biennial budget, every other year, the Board of
Directors may adopt a preliminary budget that conforms to generally accepted accounting and
budgeting procedures for special districts.
23 Grizzly Lake Community Services District Profit and Loss, July-November, 2023, p. 2
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Government Code Section 61110(f) requires that on or before September 1 of each year, the
Board of Directors adopt a final budget that conforms to generally accepted accounting and
budgeting procedures for special districts.
GLCSD had released its preliminary budget for FY 23/24, accessible through the Agenda link
from the November 8, 2023, meeting, which is four months overdue per the Government
Code requirements. The minutes from the November 8, 2023, meeting revealed that a quorum
was not reached, leading to the non-adoption of the 23/24 budget. Furthermore, the budget
agenda item was absent from the December 13, 2023, regular meeting agenda, indicating that
the District currently lacks an adopted budget. To enhance transparency and clarify budget
deadlines, it is recommended that the District aligns its policy with the requirements for CSDs
outlined in Government Code Section 61110.
Government Code Section 26909 states that special districts are required to have annual,
independent audits conducted by the County Auditor or a Certified Public Accountant. The
§
completed audit is then required to be filed with the State Controller's Office. The annual
audit can be changed to a bi-annual audit if approved unanimously by the District board and
the Board of Supervisors, under certain circumstances.
The last audit GLCSD completed was for fiscal year 18/19. The audit evidence obtained at
that time was not sufficient to express an opinion by the Auditor on the results of operations
and cash flows. The inability for the Auditor to obtain sufficient audit evidence was due to
incomplete accounting for District revenues and expenses. GLCSD Management also omitted
the Management's Discussion and Analysis. Although the missing information is not part of
the financial statements, it is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.24
Grizzly Lake CSD does not currently have management planning practices in place. However,
the District GM stated that a Strategic Plan is being drafted and is intended to be presented
to the Board for adoption in the near future. It is recommended that GLCSD adopt a plan
that illustrates the District's core mission, goals and priorities, and work plan for staff and the
public. GLCSD can refer to other similar municipalities or special districts in the County with
strategic plans to identify essential elements that could be included in the planning document.
24 Robert W. Johnson Accountancy Corporation Independent Auditors Report, p.2.
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A strategic plan can be vital in communicating the District's vision and priorities to the public
and increasing transparency. The strategic plan could also provide an opportunity to engage
with the public to identify and address the right priorities.
Grizzly Lake CSD has developed Sanitary Sewer Management Plans (SSMPs) as mandated
by the State Water Resources Control Board Order No. 2022-0103-DWQ, Statewide General
Waste Discharge Requirements for Sanitary Sewer Systems. The purpose of the Order is to
require agencies to prepare a plan and schedule for measures to be implemented to reduce
sanitary sewer overflows and measures to clean up and report sanitary sewer overflows
effectively.
SSMPs are required to be self-audited every two years and updated every five years from the
original adoption date25. The last SSMP for Delleker was completed in 2014 and the last
SSMP for Crocker was completed in 2015.
The Legally Responsible Official (Chief Plant Operator) is required to upload and certify the
approved updated plan in the online CIWQS Sanitary Sewer Database per General Order
No. 2022-0103-DWQ.
The District's SSMPs are not available on its website. It is recommended that the District
upload all produced documents and reports on its website to enhance transparency and
educate the public.
GLCSD has no capacity plan. However, both Delleker's and Crocker's SSMP provide
illustration of the system capacity. Delleker's SSMP indicates the system has been entirely
built-out with no additional connections anticipated; however, current Directors indicate there
are vacant lots with the potential to connect to the system at some point in the future, and two
lots are in the process of connecting to the system as of the writing of this report.
Crocker's SSMP indicates a total of 109 parcels, 44 of which are actively connected to the
sanitary sewer collection system with 65 parcels that have the potential to be developed.
Current Directors indicate there are vacant lots with the potential to connect to the system at
25 California State Water Resources Control Board - "A Guide for Developing and Updating of Sewer System Management
Plans (SSMPs) – September 2015", p.1.
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some point in the future, and two lots are in the process of connecting to the system as of the
writing of this report.
Additionally, GLCSD recently explained it has the following standby lots which are not
connected to water or sewer service: Crocker, 71; and Delleker, 48.
No other operational plans, such as a master plan, are available for any of the services
GLCSD provides.
At the present time GLCSD has an aging infrastructure on the water side, and on the
wastewater side. The contact basin is rated for 90,000 gallons, and the PER for a new
wastewater plant does not call for a new contact basin. The District asserts that the new
contact basin should be rated for 320,000 gallons. The PER also calls for lining all five existing
ponds. The current plan is for five phases on the existing WWTP.
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This section reviews historical and recent population and economic growth, projected growth,
and growth areas.
Designated land uses within the District are primarily commercial and residential, with some
light industrial, suburban, and recreational uses near the City of Portola and in the
communities of Delleker, Crocker Mountain Estates, and Grizzly Retreat26. The total boundary
area of GLCSD is approximately two square miles.
The primary land uses within the District are residential, with some commercial uses. The
residential use varies from rural residential (5-acre minimums parcel sizes) to high density
residential (8 to 12 units per acre).27
The District provides sewer services to 350 residential, 19 commercial and one major industrial
discharger.28 The Delleker area had a population of 705 with 2.64 persons per household as of
the 2010 Census, while the 2020 Census reports an increased population of 802 with 2.37
persons per household. Accordingly, Delleker's average annual population growth rate
(AAGR) from 2010 to 2020 was approximately 1.3 percent. Population information specific to
Crocker Mountain Estates was not available.
According to the Department of Finance (DOF), countywide growth projections for Plumas
County indicate an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of approximately -1.05 percent from
2020 (population of 19,847) through 2060 (projected population of 13,025). Utilizing the
County's AAGR and Dellker's 2020 population estimates, the population within the area is
anticipated to decrease slightly to 798 by 2060.
26 Eastern Plumas Municipal Service Review adopted October 3, 2011.
27 GLCSD WWTP Preliminary Engineering Report, p.8.
28 GLCSD, Preliminary Engineering Report, Delleker WWTP.
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The District is not a land use authority and does not hold primary responsibility for
implementing growth strategies. The land use authority for unincorporated areas is the County.
The District does not take part in reviewing plans for proposed developments. In the past, the
District has not provided input to the County on developments within its SOI, but outside its
bounds.
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LAFCO is required to evaluate disadvantaged unincorporated communities as part of this
service review, including the location and characteristics of any such communities. The intent
and history of this requirement are outlined in the Background Section of this report.
A disadvantaged unincorporated community is defined as any area with 12 or more registered
voters, or as determined by commission policy, where the median household income is less than
80 percent of the statewide annual median.29
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has developed a mapping tool to
assist in determining which communities meet the disadvantaged community's median
household income definition. DWR is not bound by the same law as LAFCO to define
communities with a minimum threshold of 12 or more registered voters.
The DWR Mapping Tool is an interactive map application that allows users to overlay the
following three US Census geographies as separate data layers - Census Place, Census Tract,
and Census Block Group. It utilizes the US Census American Community Survey Five-Year
Data for 2016-2020. The map displays only those census geographies that meet the
Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Definition, specifically those with an annual median
household income (MHI) less than 80 percent of the statewide annual MHI. With the
statewide MHI at $91,551, the threshold for identifying a DAC is an MHI of $73,241. The
entirety of the Delleker Census Designated Place qualifies as a disadvantaged community, with
a median household income of $50,769 and a population of 802 residents. Crocker and
Grizzly Retreat are also considered DACs with MHI's of $48,238 based on Census Tract level
data. In contrast, 6.3 percent of people in GLCSD are at or below the poverty level, which is
significantly lower than the state poverty rate of 12 percent.30
29 Government Code 56033.5 defines a DUC as 1) all or a portion of a "disadvantaged community" as defined by 79505.5
of the Water Code, and as 2) "inhabited territory" (12 or more registered voters), as defined by 56046, or as determined by
commission policy. § §
30 U.S. Census Bureau (2020). American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Census Reporte § r Profile page for Delleker,
CA .http://data/census.gov/profile/Dellker_CDP, California.
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The District reported that all the financial records from FYs 20-21, 21-22, 22-23 and the first
half of FY 23-24 have been removed by the prior staff and management and are not locatable.
Given the lack of available information for prior years and incomplete accounting for the
current FY, a determination regarding the financial ability to provide services cannot be made.
Therefore, this section relies heavily on the financial statements included in the audit from FY
18-19, the last year that an audit was conducted for the District. While certain financial
documents were provided by a member of the public for FY 20-21, the accounting only
reflected a partial fiscal year and could not be used for the purposes of this review.
The District relies on the external auditor to ensure its financial statements are by Generally
Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP). The District hired a contract CPA to help
implement proper accounting standards to prepare governmental financial statements. The
FY18-19 audit report noted three specific concerns31:
•• Decrease in Profitability and Decrease in Cash — The audit showed a decrease in
profitability of $100,368 and a corresponding decrease in cash of $55,158 and noted
this as a serious matter.
•• 2017-18 Recommendations — The audit indicates that the District combined sewer
and water expenditures in FY17-18 and notes that the grant accounting for FY 18-19
was still not adequate, stating the water and sewer revenues and expenditures were
still mixed up. The audit recommends the District records each direct expense to the
proper fund when a claim is prepared. The District also should consider providing staff
direction on allocating indirect expenses to all funds. With the assistance of the CPA,
the District plans to implement the above recommendation better. In addition, the
auditor stated no budget for FY 17-18 had been prepared, and as of the date of the
audit the District had still not prepared a FY 18-19 budget. Auditor stated it is staff's
responsibility to prepare the budget for the Board of Director's review and approval.
State of District Accounting — The District accounting for FY 18-19 was both inadequate
and incomplete. The audit recommended hiring and properly recruiting a District
bookkeeper, hiring an accounting specialist, and having the GM present financials.
31 Grizzly Lake Community Services District Report on Accounting Controls and Procedures dated June 30, 2019, p. 3- 4.
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As of 2024, the District hired Cline and Associates to cater to GLCSD's accounting
needs going forward.
It is recommended that GLCSD considers training staff or hiring an externally qualified
accountant to prepare the GAAP financial statements. The current Board reports that there
are no financial records that have been located for FYs 20-21, 21-22, 22-23 and July through
December of 2023. The District plans on having an audit done for January 2024 - June 2024.
The District operates out of a single enterprise fund for both water and wastewater. Revenue
and expenditures for each utility are separated within the fund. The District's total revenues for
FY 18-19 were $374,533.32 Revenue sources included charges for services and fees for water
and wastewater, property taxes (6 percent), and interest income (less than one percent). Of
the charges for services and fees, most charges are from water services.
GLCSD charges its residents fees for the services it provides. The fee and rate schedule were
recently updated in December 2022. Separate fees are charged based on type of connection
(residential or commercial), applicable reserve funds and long-term debt financing for historical
projects.
In the past, GLCSD provided street lighting services to the Delleker area at a cost of $2.00
per month which was collected in each resident's utility bill. The amount collected did not cover
the cost of providing the service. In FY 09-10, streetlighting expenditures exceeded revenues by
$1,385. During the 2007 MSR, it was reported that the District was going to review the costs
and update the fee, which has not yet been completed. Sometime between FY 09-10 and 18-
19 the streetlights were shut off in the Delleker area, and there is no street lighting in Crocker
or Grizzly Retreat.
The District's expenditures in FY 18-19 were $434,274. The District's primary expenditures
consist of water services (43 percent), wastewater services (51 percent) and depreciation (six
percent). Other expenses are detailed in Figure 8-1. As can be seen from the figure, water and
wastewater service expenditures exceeded the utility revenue sources by $59,741 in FY 18-19.
The District finances capital expenditures through loans and certificates of participation, as well
as through rates. The District does not conduct capital improvement planning in its annual
budget for a 10-year planning horizon to allocate hook-up fees to specific projects. The District
does not currently plan to compile a more formal capital improvement plan in the future.
32 Grizzly Lake Community Services District Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report, FYE June 30, 2019, p.4.
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FFiigguurree 88--11:: GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee CCSSDD FFiinnaanncciiaall SSuummmmaarryy,, FFYY 1188--1199
PPeerrcceennttaaggee ooff
IInnccoommee // EExxppeennsseess FFYY 1188--1199 TToottaall TToottaall IInnccoommee
IInnccoommee
PPrrooppeerrttyy TTaaxxeess $$2233,,008800 44%%
OOtthheerr OOppeerraattiinngg RReevveennuuee $$3300,,990088 66%%
CChhaarrggeess ffoorr SSeerrvviicceess//FFeeeess:: SSeewweerr $$117722,,223333 3344%%
CChhaarrggeess ffoorr SSeerrvviicceess//FFeeeess:: WWaatteerr $$117711,,339922 3344%%
IInntteerreesstt IInnccoommee $$6688 <<11%%
SSeewweerr GGrraanntt $$111100,,880011 2222%%
TToottaall IInnccoommee $$550088,,448822 110000%%
EExxppeennsseess
WWaatteerr SSeerrvviicceess $$118844,,221166 3333%%
WWaasstteewwaatteerr SSeerrvviicceess $$222211,,117766 4400%%
DDeepprreecciiaattiioonn $$2288,,888822 55%%
IInntteerreesstt $$1144,,115533 22%%
SSeewweerr GGrraanntt $$110099,,442255 2200%%
TToottaall EExxppeennsseess $$555577,,885522 110000%%
NNeett IInnccoommee -- $$4499,,337700
The District participates in joint financing JPAs with the Special District Risk Management
Authority (SDMRA) for workers' compensation and is a member of the California Special
Districts Association (CSDA). CSDA provides education and training, insurance programs,
legal advice, litigation and public relations support, legislative advocacy, capital improvement
and equipment funding, collateral design services, and current information relevant to special
district management and operational efficiency. For 2024, regular membership dues range from
$226 to $9,275 depending on a district's operating budget.
Recurring operating deficits are a warning sign of fiscal distress. In the short term, reserves can
backfill deficits and maintain services. However, ongoing deficits eventually will deplete reserves.
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GLCSD's operating revenue (excluding other financing sources) for the fiscal year ending on
June 30, 2019, was less than total expenditures (excluding depreciation expenses) by $30,859
or about 9 percent.33
Fund balances and reserves should include funds for cash flow and liquidity, in addition to
funds to address longer-term needs. Cash reserves should be adequate to respond to system
emergencies, temporary deficits, economic downturns and fiscal emergencies, as well as to fund
needed capital improvements.
GLCSD's Balance Sheet for the FY 23/24 reflects a Capital Improvement Reserve of
$128,246 and a Loan Reserve of $29,257. The District has no other reserves and has no
savings when ending a fiscal year to weather any contingencies, such as unexpected
expenditures, or to offset temporary fluctuations in revenues.
The District currently does not have a reserve policy and there are no plans to allocate a
financial reserve as part of the new budget. At the end of FY 18-19, the District had an
unrestricted net asset balance of $40,888.
An agency's "Net Position" represents the amount by which assets (e.g., cash, capital assets,
other assets) exceed liabilities (e.g., debts, unfunded pension and OPEB liabilities, other
liabilities). A positive Net Position indicates financial soundness over the long term.
At the end of FY 18-19, GLCSD had a net position of $1,594,376.34 This amount includes
$1,228.013 in capital assets, $32,052 restricted for loan reserves and debt service, and
$126,899 in capital improvements. The remaining $207,412 consists of cash and cash
equivalents.
GLCSD is mandated to be self-sufficient, therefore revenue generated must meet all expenses
of the District. User fees must reflect the actual cost of providing services rendered. As such,
the adopted user fee rate structure must proportionally distribute the approximate service cost
to those who benefit from the service. The District relies on revenues from water and sewer
33 GLCSD Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report FYE June 30, 2019 – p. 4.
34 GLCSD Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report FYE June 30, 2019 – p.3.
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service rates to support operations and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems
while maintaining sufficient operation, improvement, and emergency reserves. The current rate
structure is shown in Figure 8-2.
Plumas Sanitation, the only industrial discharger, operates under a unique rate schedule. For
each gallon of discharge, Plumas Sanitation pays 10 cents according to the District's
Preliminary Engineering Report from 2023. However, the District reports that the charge per
gallon is $0.014. From May through September, Plumas Sanitation is limited to discharging no
more than 100,000 gallons per week and no more than 20,000 gallons per day. From
October through April, the limits are 60,000 gallons per week and 20,000 gallons per day.
Given the volume of sewage discharged by both residential and commercial customers, Plumas
Sanitation pays significantly less per gallon of discharge compared to other connections.35
An equitable rate structure must consider all user classes, and rates must be placed according
to benefit and use. There are several factors that should be considered when developing or
updating a rate structure. The rate structure should:
•• Generate sufficient revenue to pay for the actual total cost of providing service,
including all operational costs, as well as funding of necessary reserve accounts and
debt service.
•• Rates must distribute the costs of the system fairly across all user classes.
•• Enable the customer accounting to be easily performed.
•• Be easily understood and accepted by the consumer.
The District historically charged a flat rate for sewer service of $41.75 per month for residential
customers and $42.50 for commercial customers. A surcharge of $4.00 is also included in the
overall rates. According to the 2023 Preliminary Engineering Report, the surcharge is to repay
a loan from the USDA that funded a new water tank for the Community.
As mentioned previously, new sewer rates became effective in December 2022, increasing
monthly payments by 55 percent for both commercial and residential collections. Additionally,
rates will increase by 5 percent annually for the next four years. The final adjustment under
this schedule is expected to be implemented by December 1, 2027, or five years from the initial
increase. The rate increase would have to be approved by the Board and it has not been
35 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP dated December 2023, p. 15.
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approved for the 2024/25 Fiscal Year. The District's current rate for water is $68.25, $71.40
for wastewater, and $4.00 for the water tank surcharge.
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FFiigguurree 88--22:: GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee CCSSDD WWaatteerr && SSeewweerr RRaatteess wwiitthh SSuurrcchhaarrggee
ccoommmmuunniittyy nnaammee ffiissccaall yyeeaarr mmoonntthhllyy cchhaarrggeess
Delleker, Delleker Park,
Crocker Mountain Estates & 2021/2022
Grizzly Retreat
Water $35.75
Sewer $41.75
Surcharge $4.00
2022/2023 to present
Water $65.00
Sewer $68.00
Surcharge $4.00
Vacant Parcels 2021/2022
Water Standby $7.06
Sewer Standby $7.06
Surcharge $4.00
2022/2023 to present
Water Standby $7.06
Sewer $7.06
Surcharge $4.00
Commercial Lots 2021/2022
Water Not disclosed
Sewer Not disclosed
Tank Surcharge Not disclosed
Admin Fee Not disclosed
2022/2023 to present
Water $78.00
Sewer $69.00
Tank Surcharge $4.00
Admin Fee $8.00
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However, as shown in Figure 8-4, current GLCSD rates fall within the average for other
districts of relatively similar size and function. The current board of GLCSD is committed to
conducting a comprehensive rate study for both water and sewer at the earliest opportunity
and has applied for grant funding to cover its cost.
FFiigguurree 88--33:: GGrriizzzzllyy LLaakkee CCSSDD CCoommppaarriissoonn ooff SSeewweerr RRaatteess
aapppprrooxxiimmaattee
nnuummbbeerr ooff
aannnnuuaall mmoonntthhllyy sseewweerr
nnaammee ffeeee ffeeee aaccccoouunnttss
Grizzly Lake Community Services District $816.00 $68.00 369
Tehama County Sanitation District No. 1
$72.24 182
(2023/2024)
Donner Summit PUD (2023/2024) $95.15 234
Sutter County Waterworks District No. 1
$103.50 74
(Robbins)
(Tulare County Resource Management Agency
$59.61 98
(2023)
Gualala Community Services District
$901.11 $75.09 343
(2023/2024)
City of Portola $47.25 920
Geyserville Sanitation Zone $1,310.00 $109.17 212
Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone $1,400.00 $116.67 750
Westwood Community Services District (adopted
$39.31 741
2019)
Plumas Eureka Community Services District $89.56 282
McCloud Community Services District $56.00 619
American Valley Community Services District
$69.32 690
(Quincy)
City of Alturas $42.79 1,028
Jamestown Sanitary District $81.55 378
GLCSD has several long-term debt obligations as of April 30, 2024. The District took out
loans against three pieces of equipment including a Mini Excavator that was purchased in 2021
for $72,793.16 with a balance of $26,701.59; and a Skid Steer that was purchased in 2019 for
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$45,350 with a balloon payment due December 5, 2024, for $16,918.31. However, a 394
Excavator was sold in 2024 which allowed the Skid Steer to be paid off with the proceeds.
This resulted in a surplus of approximately $7,000.
The District also continues to pay USDA for a 40-year certificate of participation issued in
2005 for replacement of the Crocker Mountain tank. The loan incurs interest at 4.25% per
annum and is payable from the revenues of the District's water enterprises. The loan has a
remaining principal balance of $318,340 as of May 31, 2024, with the final payment due May 1,
2045.
GLCSD reports that it does not have a Capital Improvement Plan. Capital assets as of FY
18/19 were valued at $1,110,050 (cost less depreciation), with work in progress at that time of
$117,963 for a total of $1,228.013.36
36 GLCSD Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report ending June 30, 2019, p.3.
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The Grizzly Lake Community Services District (GLCSD) administers and operates two
separate, independent water systems- one is the Delleker subdivision approximately 3 miles
west of Portola, Ca., and the other is Crocker/Welch estates approximately 15 miles North of
Portola, Ca.
Delleker Consists of two municipal wells, a 300,000-gallon bolted steel storage tank, and close
to 5 miles of asbestos concrete, soft roll Copper, Steel, and PVC water mains/laterals ranging
from 3/4"- 10" in size, 25 fire hydrants, and 26 valves. Delleker also has 251 water connections,
none of which are metered.
Crocker Mountain/Grizzly Retreat is similar to Delleker in size. It consists of one municipal well,
a 200,000-gallon bolted steel storage tank. 16 fire hydrants, seven valves, four pressure
reducing valves, and approximately 4.85 miles of distribution system of which 95 percent is
Asbestos Concrete pipe with the remainder being schedule 40 and Direct Burial (DB) 120
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Crocker Mountain/Grizzly Retreat were constructed in a locale with
extremely steep terrain; to mitigate pressure Problems, pressure reducing valves were installed
at different elevations effectively breaking the system up into three separate pressure zones.
Crocker Mountain also has 76 service connections, none of which are metered.
GLCSD provides water retail services in the form of groundwater extraction and distribution.
The District does treat the groundwater. The District provides water services to the
communities of Delleker, Crocker Mountain Estates and Grizzly Retreat.
The water systems are operated by approximately 0.50 FTEs dedicated to water services. The
chief operator has a water distribution certification of D2 and a water treatment certification of
T2, which exceeds the requirements of the two systems.
Grizzly Lake CSD does not provide water-related services to other agencies.
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Grizzly Lake CSD does not have contracts for services.
There are no overlapping wastewater service providers in the GLCD area.
The District provides water services to two connections outside of the Delleker area bounds
along SR 70.
Federal, state, and local agencies play regulatory roles in California water. Key regulators and
regulatory provisions of are discussed in more detail below.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national standards for drinking water quality
and oversees the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The SDWA
establishes regulations for the protection of public drinking water supplies, including standards
for contaminants, treatment techniques, and monitoring requirements.
In California, the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SD WA) is primarily
overseen by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and its Division of Drinking
Water (DDW). The SWRCB is responsible for protecting water quality and ensuring
compliance with state and federal drinking water standards. The DDW, a division within the
SWRCB, specifically focuses on regulating public water systems and enforcing drinking water
regulations throughout the state.
The State Water Board is currently updating the Safe Drinking Water Plan (the 2020 Plan) to
include the topics from previous plans as well as topics recently added and signed into law.
The requirements for the Safe Drinking Water Plan are set forth in California Health & Safety
Code Section 116355, which identifies the topics to be addressed and requires periodic updates.
Recently, AB 2501 (Chu)(Statutes of 2018, Chapter 871) amended those requirements to add
additional topics, including a review of the use of administrators for disadvantaged
communities' public water systems and an evaluation of the success of consolidation of drinking
water systems.
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The SWRCB also guides the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs)
situated in major watersheds, ensuring coordinated efforts to protect water quality. The
SWRCB is tasked with granting water rights permits, approving specific water rights transfers,
and investigating violations.
The nine RWQCBs focus on developing and enforcing water quality objectives and
implementation plans within their respective regions. Together, these boards work to maintain
water quality standards and safeguard public health and the environment.
GLCSD falls under the jurisdiction of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control
Board. This regional board oversees water quality protection and management and is
responsible for developing and enforcing water quality objectives, implementation of plans, and
regulations to safeguard surface and groundwater resources within its jurisdiction.
Besides the Safe Drinking Water Act described above, two other pieces of legislation provide
the legal basis and authority for water quality standards in California — The Clean Water Act
(CWA) and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne Act). The Porter-
Cologne Act, enacted in 1969, is California's principal water quality law. It establishes the
framework for regulating water quality in the state, including the authority to adopt water
quality control plans, set water quality objectives, and issue waste discharge permits.
The Clean Water Act (CWA), enacted in 1972, is a key federal law to protect and r estore the
quality of the nation's water resources. CWA sets water quality standards, regulates pollutant
discharges into surface waters through permits, addresses nonpoint source pollution, protects
wetlands, and mandates water quality monitoring and reporting.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) manages Californ ia's water resources, systems,
and infrastructure, which includes overseeing the State Water Project (SWP). State law
imposes stringent infrastructure and reporting mandates on the SWP to ensure its efficient
operation and compliance with regulatory standards. These requirements help maintain the
reliability and integrity of the water supply system while safeguarding the state's water
resources for present and future generations.
The District presently relies entirely on groundwater for both systems. The district also retains
water rights to 52 acre-feet annually from Lake Davis. Water from Lake Davis is transported
by pipeline to the City of Portola, however, bypasses the GLCSD. A pipeline intertie,
approximately one mile in length, would be necessary to connect GLCSD to the Lake Davis
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supply line. GLCSD is presently collaborating with the City of Portola to carry out this intertie
project. The State Water Board recommended four ways to accomplish this with a tank-to-tank
connection being the best option.
The 2010 Municipal Service Review identifies the potential for the District to supplement with
surface water from Lake Davis.
Delleker currently receives its domestic water supply from two active groundwater wells, known
as Well 01 and Well 02.
Water is pumped from the Humbug Valley Groundwater Basin. The Department of Water
Resources estimates storage capacity of the basin to be 76,000 acre-feet to a depth of 100
feet.37 Groundwater extraction for municipal and industrial uses is estimated to be 200 acre-
feet. Deep percolation of applied water is estimated to be 200 acre-feet, meaning that the
amount pumped by users is replaced by groundwater recharge. GLCSD, Gold Mountain CSD
and the City are the only public users of the Humbug Valley Basin. GLCSD reported that
there had been no periods of significant drawdown and there is no noticeable change in
available water during droughts.38 The water from the Humbug Valley Groundwater Basin is
high quality and does not require treatment at this time.
Both wells are located next to Humbug Creek adjacent to Highway 70 and are approximately
500 feet deep. Each well taps into different aquifers and has a combined pumping capacity of
266 gpm. Well 01, constructed in 1979, and Well 02, constructed in 1985, are both reported to
be in good condition. Due to the water quality from Well 02, the water system has been in
violation of the uranium maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 pCi/L since 2008. The
uranium levels in Well 01 are typically around 15 pCi/L and from Well 02 the level typically is
around 25 pCi/L. Well 01 is used year-round and can meet consumer demands most of the
year, except during summer months, when Well 02 is needed. When Well 02 is brought
online, the water is mixed in the mainline and tank with water from Well 01.
Combined, the wells provide the District with a total source capacity of 266 gpm or 0.38 mgd.
Average daily demand in Delleker is 0.11 mgd or 29 percent of the total source capacity. Peak
day demand is .29 mgd, which equates to 76 percent of total source capacity. Peak day
demand is limited to the high-occupancy period in July and August. Source capacity should be
37 Department of Water Resources, California's Groundwater Bulletin 118 – Humbug Valley Groundwater Basin, 2004, p. 1.
38 Email from GM Bob Howell, July 30, 2024.
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sufficient to cover max day demand if the single largest water source was out, which the
District does not presently achieve.39
The water from the wells is pumped to a 300,000-gallon bolted steel storage tank located on
U.S. Forest Service Property on the mountain immediately behind Delleker. The District
presently requires 360,000 to provide adequate fire flow (240,000) emergency flow (60,000)
and diurnal flow (60,000). The District presently needs an additional 60,000 gallons of storage
to meet emergency needs. At build-out of the community, the system will require approximately
484,000 gallons of storage.
The existing distribution system consists primarily of approximately six miles of six-inch asbestos
cement water main pipe, with five percent PVC and five percent iron, and is generally
adequate to provide maximum daily demand. According to SWRCB, the distribution system is
generally considered to be in good condition.
The Crocker area receives groundwater purchased from a well owned by the Plumas County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District (PCFCWCD), as well as from a district-owned
well.
The District has historically sourced water from Lake Davis through a contract with Plumas
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. This usage ceased in 1997 when the
DFG treated the lake to remove the invasive Northern Pike fish. Although Lake Davis is not
currently in use, the District retains the option to resume utilizing its water supply. The City of
Portola now owns the plant from PCFCWCD and can provide water to the District if
requested, although a new contract would need to be negotiated. As of 2007, GLCSD held
contract rights for up to 42.66-acre feet of water from the plant, with this amount set to
increase to 60-acre feet by 2027. Currently, the District intends to continue using groundwater
until demand necessitates the use of surface water.
The District purchases water from PCFCWD from a well located at the old WTP, which
pumps to a clearwell. The water then flows to the District's new storage tank. The well and
clearwell are owned by the County but operated by the District. The well has a capacity to
pump 30 gpm of water.
As a result of the Lake Davis treatment and a subsequent moratorium on building due to a
lack of source capacity, the District installed a well in 2007 in the Crocker area. The well has
39 GLCSD, Facility Fee Study, 2005, p. 5.
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the capacity to provide up to 130 gpm or 0.19 mgd. The well is new and considered to be in
excellent condition.
Combined, the two wells have the capacity to provide 0.23 mgd. Average daily demand in
2010 was 0.01 mgd, or four percent of the water source capacity for the area. Peak day
demand was 0.03 mgd, which equates to 13 percent of source capacity.
There are approximately 1.7 miles of six-inch asbestos cement pipelines that carry water to the
District's main water storage tank located above Crocker Mountain Estates. The booster
pumps should also direct water through 8,000 feet of six-inch asbestos cement pipeline to the
Grizzly Retreat area. The booster pumps, however, are not functional, according to the District.
The Crocker water storage tank was installed in 2005 and is in poor condition. The tank is
cracked and must be manually turned on and off every day. It is a 200,000-gallon all steel
riveted tank. While the District does not own the PCFCWCD clearwell, it can rely on that
storage capacity during a short-term emergency or outage. Combined, the Crocker area has
500,000 gallons of available water storage.
The SWRCB has issued multiple enforcement orders to the District regarding the uranium
violation. In response to the Compliance Order issued in 2014, Sauers Engineering submitted
a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) on behalf of the District in June of 201540. The PER
evaluated four potential compliance projects: blending, constructing a new well, treating the
water to remove uranium, and creating an intertie connection with the City of Portola to
receive treated water from the Lake Davis Water Treatment Plant. The PER concluded that
the only feasible alternative was for the District to construct an intertie with the City. The
SWRCB agreed with these findings.
In 2017, Altec Engineering submitted a planning application to SWRCB Department of
Financial Assistance (DFA) on behalf of the District. This grant enabled the District to design
an intertie with the City and evaluate a test well in hopes of finding water with adequate
quality and quantity. Unfortunately, the test well proved to be inadequate to bring the water
system into compliance. Due to a failure to meet funding time constraints, DFA closed the
project in 2023, and the intertie design work was not completed. GLCSD has since applied
for another grant through DFA for the design of an intertie with the City.
40 Email from Stephen W. Watson, P.E., Lassen District Engineer, SWRCB Division of Drinking Water – May 28, 2024
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While the commercial connections in the Delleker system are metered, the remaining
connections in Delleker are unmetered. In the Crocker system, approximately 12 connections
are metered, although the District explained some of these are on standby. The District is
unable to track the amount delivered to the connections and to determine what percent of
unaccounted for loss the distribution system is experiencing. The District identified a need to
start metering of all the connections, prior to the State required deadline of 2025. Most
connections throughout both systems though have antiquated non-locking shut off valves that
would make it expensive to add meters.
GLCSD reported it has also had to repair six leaks since 2024. Each of these had " copper
pipe feeding two connections which does not meet fire requirements. The copper piping was
¾
therefore replaced with one HDPE that has fused fittings.
This section reviews indicators of service adequacy, including the State Water Resources
Control Board (SWRCB) system evaluation, drinking water quality, and distribution system
integrity.
The SWRCB is responsible for the enforcement of the federal and California Safe Drinking
Water Acts and the operational permitting and regulatory oversight of public water systems.
Domestic water providers of at least 200 connections are subject to inspections by SWRCB.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requires that community water systems
be inspected every three years; however, GLCSD has not had a written inspection completed
since 2018.
Drinking water quality in the District is assessed based on historical violations reported by the
SWRCB and the percentage of time that the District has complied with Primary Drinking
Water Regulations since 2019. Since that year, the District has had fourteen health violations
due to uranium exceedances at one of the wells and four monitoring violations for coliform.
This results in an average of approximately one violation per 24 connections served.
Indicators of distribution system integrity are the number of breaks and leaks and the rate of
unaccounted for distribution loss. Given the staff and board turnover at the end of 2023, many
records are missing and there is no way to determine how many breaks or leaks occurred
within the last few years.
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As most of the District's connections are not metered, the District is unable to calculate the
unaccounted-for loss from the distribution system between the water source and the
connections served.
Currently, GLCSD's Lead Water Operator does quarterly and annual reports, including well
tests, and recording flows to ponds and the four pump stations. The operator also tracks work
in a daily journal.
The District is facing numerous challenges with its two water systems41:
•• Water Storage Tank has several leaks and needs repairing to meet OSHA
compliance. Rust has penetrated the outer coating and is eating away at the steel
tank itself. Needs to be properly recoated. Hand railing is needed on top of the tank
to also meet OSHA standards. The tank also needs fencing due to trespassers and
offroad and recreational vehicles damaging the site.
•• Distribution System service laterals need to be repaired or replaced. Per state
regulations all copper in the system must be removed and no more added.
•• The Power Backup Generator System will likely need replacement in the near future.
•• Water meters need to be installed.
•• The outdated system requires replacement of several hundred feet of service main,
laterals, valves, fire hydrants, etc.
•• The water tank needs upgrades to meet state standards. Needs interior and exterior
refurbishment, has non-compliant exterior ladder, lacks the required 42" handrails
around the roof circumference, requires code compliant roof vent and second roof
hatch. Needs updating of SCADA communication and power system. Currently
unable to pump water in the event of a power outage.
•• Distribution system service laterals need replacing due to incorrect electrical conduit
used during installation.
41 Letter from Grizzly Lake Community Services District dated May 2, 2022.
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•• The Power Backup Generator System will likely need to be replaced in the near
future.
•• Water meters need to be installed.
The District has recently provided an update that both Delleker and Crocker tanks were
inspected by Preferred Tank and Tower on April 17, 2025. The quote for repairs to the 200,00-
gallon tank in Crocker is $30,240.00 to become OSHA compliant. The estimate for the
300,000-gallon tank in Delleker is $45,360.00. There is also an exterior coating option that
would cost $72,500.00 for both tanks.
The District reiterated that the Delleker Distribution System is an aging pipe system with multiple
types of piping and that there is not a backup power system to operate the wells. Likewise, the
Crocker Distribution System cannot pump water during a power outage as there is no backup
generator. Some system laterals are piped with electrical conduit.
GLCSD agrees water meters should be utilized but would require grant funding to implement.
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GLCSD provides wastewater services in two distinct geographic areas with two separate
wastewater systems. In Delleker, the District provides wastewater collection, pond treatment,
and discharge to land or surface water. In the Crocker area, the District provides collection
and disposal into a community septic tank and evaporation ponds. In 2010, the Municipal
Services Review identified that the District receives septage from other areas for treatment at
its Delleker facility; however, these areas were not specified. The District does have a contract
with a single sewage waste hauler to dispose of waste at its facility. This contract is currently
under negotiation.
In the Delleker area, services are provided to residences throughout the bounded territory;
however, all the commercial facilities in the area rely on private septic systems and have not
connected to the District's system. In the Crocker area, services are confined to the northern
portion of the District's territory. In the southern portion of Crocker, a 3,000 gallon septic tank
is used along with two ponds for their septic system. Wastewater services are not provided in
the southern portion of the Crocker area in Grizzly Retreat where 34 homes have their own
septic system.
The District currently provides sewer service to 251 residential, 17 commercial connections, and
one major industrial discharger, Plumas Sanitation. Plumas Sanitation is a company in the area
that operates portable toilets and assists communities in sewage disposal (septic tank cleaning
and treatment plant sludge disposal).42 The WWTP collects septage supernatant piped directly
to the plant from Plumas Sanitation at a rate of approximately 28,000 gallons per month.43
The wastewater systems are operated by one part-time Chief Plant Operator dedicated to
wastewater services. The Chief Operator has a wastewater certification of Level III, which
exceeds the requirements of the two systems.
As of September 2025, GLCSD reported that the Dellker WWTP is operated by a GR 2
WW and an OIT. There is also a 12-volt generator that is able to run the control system.
42 Grizzly Lake Community Services District- Draft Preliminary Engineering Report, December 2023, p.8.
43 Fiscal Sustainability Plan, Farr West Engineering. 2021.
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Grizzly Lake CSD does not provide Wastewater Treatment Sewer System Services to other
agencies.
Grizzly Lake CSD does not have contracts for services.
There are no overlapping wastewater service providers in the GLCSD area.
The District's Delleker WWTP operates under an NPDES permit (NPDES No CA0081744)
and waste discharge requirements (Order No R5-2019-0052). The permit is set to expire July
31, 2024.
The Delleker WWTP is located at 73821 Industrial Way, Portola, California. The collection
system is entirely gravity fed and consists of approximately 3.5 miles of pipelines primarily
constructed of asbestos cement (AC) and polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC). Some laterals consist
of Orangeburg or bituminous fiber pipe. There are also approximately 50 access manholes
and 14 clean-outs.
The 5.33-acre facultative pond treatment system consists of a headworks distribution box (no
screening), five unlined or poorly lined facultative treatment ponds, chlorination with liquid
chlorine, and de-chlorination. Aeration is achieved using three 5-horsepower vertical aerators,
which are operated on a timer. The facultative ponds offer both aerobic treatment processes
that provide nutrient and Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal, and anaerobic
fermentation processes for sludge digestion and denitrification. The ponds can be operated in
series or parallel depending on hydraulic or organic loading rates. Series operation is beneficial
where a high level of BOD or coliform removal is important and parallel operation provides
better distribution of settled solids.
Between November 1st and April 30th of each year, wastewater may be discharged to the
Middle Fork of the Feather River, but only when the Middle Fork of the Feather River flow is
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40 cfs or more.44 Discharge to the Middle Fork of the Feather River is prohibited from May 1st
through October 31st, during which time effluent is retained within the stabilization ponds for
evaporation, percolation, or future disposal.
The ponds have surface areas ranging from 0.7 acres to 1.3 acres, with a total surface area of
5.3 acres and a combined volume of 10.4 million gallons. The hydraulic detention time for the
entire system is roughly 165 days. Given that the discharge prohibition season lasts at least
183 days and is further restricted based on river flows, this storage volume and detention time
are inadequate for the Plant's needs.
Between November 1st and April 30th, the current permit allows up to 0.4 million gallons per
day of wastewater to be discharged from the plant into the Feather River.
The design daily average flow capacity of the WWTP is 0.1 MGD. Average daily flows
between 2012 and 2019 were reported to be 0.065 MGD, not including Plumas Sanitation
contributions.45
Plumas Sanitation is currently restricted in the amount of water they can discharge to the
Delleker WWTP. On average, the discharger contributes 6,088 gallons per day (gpd) with a
maximum average of 9,616 gpd. May through September, Plumas Sanitation cannot discharge
more than 100,000 gallons during any one-week period or more than 20,000 gallons in any
one day. October through April, Plumas Sanitation cannot discharge more than 60,0000
gallons during any one-week period or more than 20,000 gallons in any one day. 46
Average daily dry weather flow is approximately 0.043 MGD, or 11 percent of the permitted
discharge. Although peak wet weather flows exceed the facility's permitted discharge capacity,
these flows are treated and stored in the ponds over a period of one to three months, ensuring
that discharge levels never exceed the permitted capacity.
The ponds are tested per guidelines received from Silver State Lab in Reno, Nevada. The
data is then submitted by the CPO to CIWQS per the operating permit. Repairs are made
as needed.47
44 California Regional Water Quality Control Board Order R5-2019-0052
45 Fiscal Sustainability Plan, Farr West Engineering. 2021.
46 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP. December 2023, p. 15
47 Email from GM Bob Howell, July 30, 2024.
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On July 31, 2024, CVRWQCB issued a Notice of Violation spanning the period from June,
2023 through May, 2024. During this period, Delleker WWTP received 69 violations; 45
violations were for exceeding effluent limitations; two violations for construction, operation and
maintenance specifications; fourteen violations for deficient monitoring; and 8 violations for late
reporting.
On June 24, 2015, Crocker Mountain Estates System began operating under General Waste
Discharge Requirements (Order WQ 2014-0153-DWQ) as issued by the State Water
Resources Control Board. This order applies to facilities that treat and dispose of less than
100,000 gallons of wastewater per day.
Crocker Mountain Estates is subject to Monitoring and Reporting Program No. 2014-0153-
DWQ-R5181 which requires that flow rate reporting is to be sampled continuously and reported
quarterly. Dissolved oxygen, freeboard, odors and berm condition are to be sampled monthly
and reported to SWRCB quarterly. In addition, annual reports must be submitted to SWRCB
by March 1st following the monitoring year.
The Crocker Mountain Estates sewer system is a gravity-fed system that collects sewage in a
2,500-gallon underground concrete community septic tank. Black water drains to two
percolation/evaporation ponds. The Grizzly Creek Retreat area does not share this wastewater
system, as all the residents rely on private septic systems. The Crocker collection system is
composed of 1.7 miles of pipelines and is generally considered to be in good condition.
It is generally believed that the system was built at the time the subdivision was created in the
mid-1970s. According to SWRCB, the District has kept adequate maintenance documentation,
and all treatment and collection infrastructure appears in good order48.
The average daily wastewater flow is less than 5,000 gallons per day. The treatment ponds
have a design capacity of 700,000 gallons, or equivalent to 140 days of the storage volume
required by the existing community.
48 Email from Stephen W. Watson, P.E. – Lassen District Engineer, Division of Drinking Water, SWRCB
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The ponds are tested per state permit guidelines received from Silver State Lab. The data is
then submitted by the CPO to CIWQS per the operating permit. Repairs are made as
needed.49
In 2020, the District contracted with a third-party video contractor to perform a closed-circuit
television (CCTV) inspection to assess the condition of the sewer mains. The inspection
covered forty active main segments, which were subsequently rated in the report. However,
five active main segments were either not inspected or the inspection report was not provided
by NorCal Pipeline Services. Out of the inspected segments, thirteen had at least one Grade
5 structural or O&M defect, constituting nearly 33 percent of the main segments. Another
thirteen segments had at least one Grade 4 structural or O&M defect, also making up 33
percent of the segments. This indicates that approximately 66 percent of the main pipe
segments have at least one defect that is considered significant or most significant.
Additionally, six segments have at least one Grade 3 defect, and the remaining eight segments
have no defects greater than Grade 2 or are completely defect-free. As of September 2025,
the District informed Plumas LAFCo it has requested the report for review of the 2020 CCTV
inspection of the Delleker sewer mains.
The existing wastewater treatment plant, constructed before 1965, has several issues. The
ponds are unlined or have insufficient liners, leading to seepage between the ponds and
groundwater degradation near the facilities, which complicates maintenance activities. The
pond berms, levees, and contact chamber are deteriorating, although recent maintenance
efforts have helped the rehabilitation of these structures. The control valves are old and nearly
inoperable, and the headworks lacked screening at the time of the report.
The existing ponds are not only failing to adequately treat the influent wastewater, but they are
also undersized for the flow and retention times that are required by the WDR Order. Because
the existing ponds are unlined, it is assumed that a significant amount of pond water is
percolating into the ground below. While this does aid in ensuring that the ponds do not
overflow, it has the potential to contaminate groundwater and create a hydrologic connection to
the Middle Fork of the Feather River (MFFR) – both of which are long-term concerns of the
Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board). If a direct hydrologic
49 Email from GM Bob Howell, July 30, 2024.
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connection between the ponds/wetlands and the river is determined to be present, NPDES
permit requirements could be in effect year-round, whether directly discharging to the MFFR or
not. Other long-term issues include the impacts of the receiving water from both Delleker
WWTP and Portola WWTP. Effluent from Delleker WWTP affects the water quality of the
MFFR directly upstream of the Portola WWTP and can reduce the availability of dilution
credits for the Portola WWTP; the levels of electrical conductivity in the effluent exceeds the
Basin Plan objective of 150 umhos/cm and limited assimilative capacity is available in the
receiving water; compliance with potentially more stringent water quality criteria for ammonia
that will become effective in the future; cost for increased sampling frequencies, including whole
effluent chronic toxicity testing, and the cost for additional studies and evaluations that may be
required in future permits based on changing regulations.50
Additional concerns include inadequate security, fencing, and signage around the site. The
influent flow meter has experienced operational problems over the past several years, resulting
in potentially inaccurate flow data. Currently, only one aerator is functional, as the motor on
the large aerator is not operational.
The District reports that the plant is in poor condition, with the pump station allegedly having
been destroyed by previous staff and lack of proper maintenance.
This section reviews indicators of service adequacy, including regulatory compliance, treatment
effectiveness, sewer overflows and collection system integrity.
All wastewater agencies are required to report sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) to SWRCB.
Sewer overflows are discharges from sewer pipes, pumps, and manholes. Overflows reflect the
capacity and condition of collection system piping and the effectiveness of routine maintenance.
The sewer overflow rate is calculated as the number of overflows per 100 miles of the main
pipeline per year.
Wastewater agen cies are required to report sewer system overflows (SSOs) to SWRCB.
Overflows reflect the capacity and condition of collection system piping and the effectiveness of
routine maintenance. The District reported four overflows during the period from 2019 thru
2023, three of which were considered Category 3 spills and one was a Category 1. Category
50 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP. December 2023, pgs 1 and 49.
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3 spills are between 50 and 1,000 gallons and Category 1 is a spill of any volume that reaches
surface water or a drainage conveyance system. In this case, the Category 1 spill occurred at
a manhole on January 13, 2023, and 10,000 gallons were reported as having reached surface
water in a drainage channel.
Wastewater flow includes not only discharges from residences, businesses, institutions, and
industrial establishments but also infiltration and inflow. Infiltration refers to groundwater that
seeps into sewer pipes through cracks, pipe joints, and other system leaks. Inflow refers to
rainwater that enters the sewer system from sources such as yard and patio drains, roof gutter
downspouts, uncapped cleanouts, pond or pool overflow drains, footing drains, cross-connections
with storm drains, and even holes in manhole covers. Infiltration and inflow tend to affect older
sewer systems to a greater degree. Infiltration and inflow rates are highest during or right after
heavy rain. They are the primary factors driving peak flows through the wastewater system and
a major consideration in capacity planning and costs.
The peaking factor is the ratio of peak day wet weather flows to average dry weather flows.
The peaking factor is an indicator of the degree to which the system suffers from I/I, where
rainwater enters the sewer system through cracks, manholes or other means. A peaking factor
of up to three is generally considered acceptable based on industry practices.
One of the major issues related to the sewer system in Delleker, is the amount of I/I in the
system. I/I contribute unnecessary flow to the WWTP.51 Additionally, excessive I/I can result in
SSOs. During heavy rain the District's system has a peaking factor of 3.25.
Through the years, efforts have been made to reduce I/I, including manhole grouting. The
District performs hydro-jetting at problem segments within the collection system and conducts
video inspection of small sections of the system when routine maintenance is occurring or when
issues arise. Operators have taken considerable steps to improve the berms of the WWTP in
recent years. Operators have more recently began experimenting with different flow
configurations within the ponds to enhance treatment.52
The RWQCB enforces the Clean Water Act, permit conditions and other requirements of
wastewater providers. Violations of State requirements for wastewater providers and treatment
51 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP. December 2023, p. 49.
52 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP. December 2023, p. 48.
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facilities are recorded by SWRCB. The Board may levy fines or order the provider to take
specific actions to comply with water quality regulations.
The Delleker WWTP has been issued 254 violations by the California State Water Resources
Control Board between August of 2015 and May 2023. Violations range in type and have
included Class B, Unclassified, and Class 3 violations. Delleker WWTP did not receive any
Class A violations, defined as violations which may pose an immediate and substantial threat
to beneficial uses or that have the potential to cause significant detrimental impacts to human
health or the environment. Class B violations are those which do not rise to the level of Class
A category. Effluent violations include exceeding discharge limits for Total Coliforms, Copper (a
group 2 pollutant), and Total Suspended Solids (a group 1 pollutant). Additionally, several
discharge violations are the result of a sample not being taken or results not being recorded.
When samples are not taken, resulting in a violation, this is usually due to a lack of staffing
resources.53
Furthermore, GLCSD faced violations due to inadequate reporting and insufficient testing. To
address these issues, a new Chief Plant Operator was hired on April 6, 2024. Additionally,
GLCSD has contracted with an external laboratory to handle testing services.
In September 2025, the District provided an update that it is in the process of addressing the
254 violations that occurred between 2015 and 2023 and that since 2024, all but 54 have
been corrected. It was also stated that since 2024, GLCSD has taken samples as required by
permit. These samples are either collected by Silver State or delivered by staff to their lab in
Reno, Nevada for processing.
53 GLCSD – Draft Preliminary Engineering Report – Delleker WWTP. December 2023, p. 49.
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Based on the degree of necessary improvements to operate at the level expected/required of a
public agency, alternative governance structures for GLCSD were identified. Options consist
of 1) contracting with the City of Portola for a portion or all services, including management
and administration, 2) complete reorganization into a subsidiary district allowing the City to
operate as the governing body of the district, and 3) reorganization into either a new
independent special district or dependent special district, such as a county service area. Each
of these options requires the willingness of either the City of Portola or Plumas County as the
identified successor agency, with the exception of reorganization into a new independent special
district, which while offering a fresh start for the community, generally would be cumbersome,
time consuming and offer no further advantages. Neither the City nor the County have
indicated interest in taking on responsibility for services in the area, further limiting feasible
options. GLCSD has indicated its desire to remain independent with the implementation of a
tank-to-tank intertie with Portola and financial assistance through a TA grant.
Given that GLCSD recently underwent a significant turnover of its governing body and staff
and has indicated intentions and already taken actions to make necessary improvements to
operations, management, governance, and transparency, it is recommended that before other
governance options are considered, that GLCSD be given the opportunity to address the
concerns and report back to Plumas LAFCo at its October 2025 meeting as to the status of
its efforts. At that time, the Commission can determine whether moving forward with one of
the identified reorganization options would be appropriate.
Regardless of willingness to fully consolidate as previously discussed, GLCSD and the City of
Portola serve adjacent communities, offering an opportunity to work closely together in joint
efforts to provide services in the most efficient, safe, and cost-effective way. An extensive study
regarding regionalization of wastewater treatment was conducted in 2021. Physical
regionalization could be achieved without governance reorganization. Joint efforts between the
two agencies may maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and aid the agencies to better leverage
available resources. However, the study ultimately found that while regionalization is favorable
and beneficial, it is not feasible at this time due to public opinion.
Additionally, annexation of GLCSD extraterritorial service areas continues to be an option that
would promote logical boundaries. The District currently provides service outside of its bounds
to two connections located on SR 70.
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11--1155:: TThhee DDiissttrriicctt iiss nnoott ccuurrrreennttllyy ccoollllaabboorraattiinngg wwiitthh tthhee CCiittyy ooff PPoorrttoollaa oonn tthhee LLaakkee DDaavviiss
WWTTPP..
11--1166:: RReeggiioonnaalliizzaattiioonn ooff sseewweerr sseerrvviicceess iinn tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr//PPoorrttoollaa aarreeaa iiss aa ppootteennttiiaall
ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ffoorr ffaacciilliittyy sshhaarriinngg aanndd rreeggiioonnaall ccoollllaabboorraattiioonn.. JJooiinntt eeffffoorrttss bbeettwweeeenn tthhee
ttwwoo aaggeenncciieess mmaayy mmaaxxiimmiizzee eeffffiicciieennccyy,, rreedduuccee ccoossttss,, aanndd aaiidd tthhee aaggeenncciieess ttoo bbeetttteerr
lleevveerraaggee aavvaaiillaabbllee rreessoouurrcceess..
11--1177:: TThheerree iiss aann ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ttoo sshhaarree ssppeecciiaalliizzeedd eeqquuiippmmeenntt ((ii..ee..,, CCCCTTVV)) aammoonngg ootthheerr
ssmmaallll wwaasstteewwaatteerr pprroovviiddeerrss iinn tthhee aarreeaa..
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11--1188:: LLooccaall aaccccoouunnttaabbiilliittyy iiss pprroommootteedd bbyy tthhee rreellaattiivveellyy ssmmaallll ssiizzee ooff tthhee DDiissttrriicctt aanndd tthhee
iinnhheerreenntt ddeeggrreeee ooff llooccaall ccoonnttrrooll..
11--1199:: TThhee ccuurrrreenntt GGLLCCSSDD bbooaarrdd ddeemmoonnssttrraatteedd aaccccoouunnttaabbiilliittyy aanndd ttrraannssppaarreennccyy tthhrroouugghh
ccooooppeerraattiioonn wwiitthh tthhee MMSSRR pprroocceessss..
11--2200:: IItt iiss aa rreeccoommmmeennddeedd pprraaccttiiccee tthhaatt aa DDiissttrriicctt tthhee ssiizzee ooff GGLLCCSSDD mmaaiinnttaaiinn aa wweebbssiittee
wwhheerree aallll ddiissttrriicctt iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn iiss rreeaaddiillyy aavvaaiillaabbllee ttoo ccoonnssttiittuueennttss..
11--2211:: AAss GGLLCCSSDD aanndd tthhee CCiittyy ooff PPoorrttoollaa sseerrvvee aaddjjaacceenntt ccoommmmuunniittiieess,, tthheerree iiss aann
ooppppoorrttuunniittyy ttoo wwoorrkk cclloosseellyy ttooggeetthheerr iinn jjooiinntt eeffffoorrttss ttoo pprroovviiddee sseerrvviicceess iinn tthhee mmoosstt
eeffffiicciieenntt,, ssaaffee,, aanndd ccoosstt--eeffffeeccttiivvee wwaayy.. PPootteennttiiaall ggoovveerrnnaannccee ooppttiioonnss iinncclluuddee
rreeggiioonnaalliizzaattiioonn ooff sseewweerr sseerrvviicceess oorr aa ccoollllaabboorraattiivvee aaggrreeeemmeenntt ttoo sshhaarree ssppeecciiaalliizzeedd
eeqquuiippmmeenntt aanndd mmuuttuuaall aaiidd rreessoouurrcceess..
11--2222:: AAggeennddaass aanndd mmiinnuutteess ffoorr tthhee ccuurrrreenntt ccaalleennddaarr yyeeaarr aarree aavvaaiillaabbllee oonn tthhee GGLLCCSSDD
wweebbssiittee;; hhoowweevveerr,, aaggeennddaass aanndd mmiinnuutteess ffoorr pprriioorr mmeeeettiinnggss aarree nnoott rreeaaddiillyy aavvaaiillaabbllee
oonnlliinnee.. TThhee DDiissttrriicctt aallssoo ddooeess nnoott lliivveessttrreeaamm iittss rreeccoorrddiinnggss,, aanndd aarrcchhiivveedd mmeeeettiinngg
rreeccoorrddiinnggss aarree nnoott ppuubblliiccllyy aavvaaiillaabbllee oonn tthhee wweebbssiittee..
11--2233:: AAnnnneexxaattiioonn ooff GGLLCCSSDD eexxttrraatteerrrriittoorriiaall sseerrvviiccee aarreeaass iiss aann ooppttiioonn tthhaatt wwoouulldd pprroommoottee
llooggiiccaall bboouunnddaarriieess.. TThhee DDiissttrriicctt ccuurrrreennttllyy pprroovviiddeess sseerrvviiccee oouuttssiiddee ooff iittss bboouunnddss ttoo
ttwwoo ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss llooccaatteedd oonn SSRR 7700..
11--2244:: OOtthheerr ggoovveerrnnaannccee ssttrruuccttuurree ooppttiioonnss ffoorr GGLLCCSSDD ccoonnssiisstt ooff 11)) ccoonnttrraaccttiinngg wwiitthh tthhee
CCiittyy ooff PPoorrttoollaa ffoorr aa ppoorrttiioonn oorr aallll sseerrvviicceess,, iinncclluuddiinngg mmaannaaggeemmeenntt aanndd
aaddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn,, 22)) ccoommpplleettee rreeoorrggaanniizzaattiioonn iinnttoo aa ssuubbssiiddiiaarryy ddiissttrriicctt aalllloowwiinngg tthhee CCiittyy
ttoo ooppeerraattee aass tthhee ggoovveerrnniinngg bbooddyy ooff tthhee ddiissttrriicctt,, aanndd 33)) rreeoorrggaanniizzaattiioonn iinnttoo eeiitthheerr aa
nneeww iinnddeeppeennddeenntt ssppeecciiaall ddiissttrriicctt oorr ddeeppeennddeenntt ssppeecciiaall ddiissttrriicctt,, ssuucchh aass aa ccoouunnttyy
sseerrvviiccee aarreeaa..
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In the Crocker Mountain Estates area, the District's SOI is coterminous with its boundaries,
and in the Delleker area, the District's SOI extends substantially beyond its boundaries north
and south of SR 70 to Meadowlark Lane in the west and the Portola city limits in the east.
The SOI for GLCSD was adopted in 1982, and it was most recently updated in 2007. The
SOI was originally updated in January, 2007; however, that was rescinded, as the SOI
included an area adjacent to the City of Portola where the City is already providing water and
wastewater utilities. A new updated SOI was adopted in LAFCo Resolution 2007-003.
SOI options for GLCSD consist of the following:
OOppttiioonn ##11 – PPrroovviissiioonnaall CCootteerrmmiinnoouuss SSOOII – This option would retract GLCSD's SOI down
to just the area within its existing boundaries. It would indicate that the District is not a
position to serve additional areas, but that for the time being the District will not be considered
for reorganization. This option would offer the opportunity for the District to carry forward with
its new efforts to make significant enhancements to the District's operations, management and
governance. The District would be required to report to LAFCO after one year at LAFCO's
October 2025 meeting, and at that time LAFCO could determine a permanent SOI.
OOppttiioonn ##22 – ZZeerroo SSOOII – A Zero SOI would indicate that LAFCO anticipates the eventual
dissolution of GLCSD through reorganization due to the many identified deficiencies.
However, there are limited feasible options for a successor agency with this option.
OOppttiioonn ##33 – AApppprroovvee wwiitthh nnoo cchhaannggee – Given the lack of supported options, the Commission
may wish to consider no changes to GLCSD's SOI.
It is recommended that a temporary coterminous SOI as outlined in SOI Option #1 be
approved for GLCSD, until a permanent SOI can be approved following GLCSD's report
back to LAFCO at its October 2025 meeting.
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LAFCO is required to prepare a written statement of determination with respect to the
following areas when updating a special district's Sphere of Influence, as specified by Cortese-
Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. The following determinations
are proposed for the Grizzly Lake Community Services District.
11--2255:: GGLLCCSSDD pprroovviiddeess ddoommeessttiicc wwaatteerr sseerrvviicceess aanndd wwaasstteewwaatteerr ccoolllleeccttiioonn aanndd ttrreeaattmmeenntt..
TThhee DDiissttrriicctt pprroovviiddeess sseerrvviicceess ttoo ttwwoo ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss oouuttssiiddee ooff iittss bboouunnddaarriieess..
11--2266:: IInn CCrroocckkeerr,, ppeeaakk ddaayy ddeemmaanndd ffoorr wwaatteerr ccoonnssttiittuutteess aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 1133 ppeerrcceenntt ooff
ssoouurrccee ccaappaacciittyy.. TThhee ssyysstteemm hhaass ssuuffffiicciieenntt ccaappaacciittyy ttoo hhaannddllee aannttiicciippaatteedd ggrroowwtthh iinn
ddeemmaanndd wweellll iinnttoo tthhee ffuuttuurree..
11--2277:: PPeeaakk ddaayy ddeemmaanndd iinn DDeelllleekkeerr uusseess 7766 ppeerrcceenntt ooff ttoottaall ssoouurrccee ccaappaacciittyy.. SSoouurrccee
ccaappaacciittyy sshhoouulldd bbee ssuuffffiicciieenntt ttoo ccoovveerr mmaaxx ddaayy ddeemmaanndd iiff tthhee ssiinnggllee llaarrggeesstt wwaatteerr
ssoouurrccee wwaass oouutt;; hhoowweevveerr,, tthhee DDiissttrriicctt ddooeess nnoott pprreesseennttllyy aacchhiieevvee tthhiiss ssttaannddaarrdd..
OOppttiioonnss ffoorr eennhhaanncceedd ccaappaacciittyy iinncclluuddee aann aaddddiittiioonnaall wweellll oorr uussee ooff ssuurrffaaccee wwaatteerr
ffrroomm tthhee LLaakkee DDaavviiss WWTTPP..
11--2288:: AAlltthhoouugghh tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr iinndduussttrriiaall aarreeaa ddooeess hhaavvee mmeetteerrss,, mmoosstt ooff tthhee rreemmaaiinniinngg
ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss iinn DDeelllleekkeerr aanndd aallll ccoonnnneeccttiioonnss iinn CCrroocckkeerr llaacckk mmeetteerrss.. CCoonnsseeqquueennttllyy,,
tthhee DDiissttrriicctt iiss uunnaabbllee ttoo cchhaarrggee rraatteess bbaasseedd oonn wwaatteerr uussee,, ttrraacckk wwaatteerr ddeelliivveerreedd,, aanndd
iiddeennttiiffyy aannyy wwaatteerr lloossss ffrroomm tthhee ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn ssyysstteemmss..
11--2299:: DDuurriinngg ddrryy wweeaatthheerr,, tthhee DDiissttrriicctt uusseess aapppprrooxxiimmaatteellyy 4433 ppeerrcceenntt ooff tthhee ccaappaacciittyy ooff
tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr WWWWTTFF.. IInn tthhee CCrroocckkeerr ssyysstteemm,, tthhee DDiissttrriicctt uusseess oonn aavveerraaggee ffiivvee
ppeerrcceenntt ooff tthhee ssyysstteemm''ss ddiisscchhaarrggee ccaappaacciittyy.. WWhhiillee iitt aappppeeaarrss tthhaatt tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr
ssyysstteemm hhaass ssuuffffiicciieenntt ccaappaacciittyy,, tthhee DDiissttrriicctt rreeppoorrtteedd tthhaatt iitt ddooeess nnoott hhaavvee aaddeeqquuaattee
ccaappaacciittyy ffoorr lloonngg--tteerrmm ggrroowwtthh wwiitthhoouutt aaddddrreessssiinngg iinnffrraassttrruuccttuurree nneeeeddss..
11--3300:: TThhee WWWWTTPP hhaass aallssoo eexxppeerriieenncceedd eexxcceessssiivvee ddiisscchhaarrggee vviioollaattiioonnss,, rreessuullttiinngg ffrroomm tthhee
iinnaabbiilliittyy ttoo aaddeeqquuaatteellyy ttrreeaatt tthhee wwaatteerr,, ssaanniittaarryy sseewwaaggee oovveerrfflloowwss ((SSSSOOss)),, aanndd
eexxcceessssiivvee iinnffllooww aanndd iinnffiillttrraattiioonn ((II//II)) iinn tthhee sseewwaaggee ccoolllleeccttiioonn ssyysstteemm.. SSiinnccee 22002244,,
hhoowweevveerr,, GGLLCCSSDD hhaass wwoorrkkeedd ttoo lloowweerr iittss ddiisscchhaarrggee vviioollaattiioonnss ttoo 5544..
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11--3311:: IInnffiillttrraattiioonn aanndd iinnffllooww iissssuueess aarree ccrriittiiccaall iinn tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr ccoolllleeccttiioonn ssyysstteemm.. TThhee
DDiissttrriicctt iiss uussiinngg tthhee PPEERR aass aa gguuiiddee aanndd hhaass iimmpplleemmeenntteedd aa ppllaann ttoo iinnssppeecctt tthhee
eennttiirree ssyysstteemm aanndd iiddeennttiiffyy aanndd ccoorrrreecctt aarreeaass ooff ccoonncceerrnn..
11--3322:: TThheerree iiss aa nneeeedd ffoorr ffllooww mmeetteerr ddeevviicceess iinn tthhee CCrroocckkeerr wwaasstteewwaatteerr ssyysstteemm ttoo
ddooccuummeenntt ddaaiillyy aanndd aannnnuuaall ddeemmaannddss.. TThhee DDiissttrriicctt rreeppoorrttss tthhaatt tthhee CCrroocckkeerr ssyysstteemm
hhaass aa ffllooww mmeetteerr oonn tthhee ppiippee ttoo tthhee ppoonnddss..
11--3333:: TThhee ccoommmmuunniittiieess ooff DDeelllleekkeerr aanndd CCrroocckkeerr MMoouunnttaaiinn EEssttaatteess aarree ccoonnssiiddeerreedd
ccoommmmuunniittiieess ooff iinntteerreesstt..
11--3344:: WWaatteerr aanndd wwaasstteewwaatteerr sseerrvviicceess wwiillll ccoonnttiinnuuee ttoo bbee nneecceessssaarryy iinn tthhee ffuuttuurree rreeggaarrddlleessss
ooff tthhee aannttiicciippaatteedd ddeecclliinnee iinn ppooppuullaattiioonn.. AAddddiittiioonnaall ddeemmaanndd mmaayy ooccccuurr aass aarreeaass
aaddjjaacceenntt ttoo tthhee DDiissttrriicctt''ss bboouunnddaarriieess eexxppeerriieennccee ddeecclliinnee iinn wwaatteerr aavvaaiillaabbiilliittyy oorr sseeppttiicc
ssyysstteemm ffaaiilluurree aanndd ddeessiirree ttoo ccoonnnneecctt ttoo tthhee DDiissttrriicctt''ss ssyysstteemmss.. TThhee DDiissttrriicctt hhaass
ppooiinntteedd oouutt tthhaatt tthhee DDeelllleekkeerr wwaasstteewwaatteerr ppllaanntt iiss uunnddeerrssiizzeedd ffoorr iittss nneeeeddss wwhhiillee bbootthh
wweellll oonnee aanndd ttwwoo.. aass wweellll aass CCrroocckkeerr wweellll oonnee aarree nnoott ssiizzeedd ttoo aaccccoommmmooddaattee aammppllee
eexxppaannssiioonn..
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Appendix A
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Appendix A
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Appendix A
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