20170421-0007 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 04/18/2017

STATE CAPITOL

Po. SCX 942949
SACRAMENTO. CA

94249-9115

OFFiCE OF

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FEGERIAL

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr.
Governor of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
John Laird, Secretary
California Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Brown & Secretary Laird:
Recently there have been requests for information from both the Department of Water Resources
(DWR) and the Administration regarding communications, reports and other documents relating
to the emergency incident at Oroville Dam. These requests have been blocked citing executive
privilege and security concerns, and little to no information has been released in response to
these requests.
A few weeks ago, the second report from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Board of Consultants was blocked from public access in its entirety, apparently at
the direction of DWR.

We recognize that sensitive critical infrastructure information may bc contained in some of these
documents; however we believe shielding entire reports and requests for information is not in
this blocks vital
More importantly,
meeting with good government
and transparency.
affects
their lives and
the
crisis
that
information from our constituents regarding
ongoing
increases the distrust many feel with regard to the operations at Oroville Dam.
We call upon DWR and the administration to release the information including the BOC reports
with redaction to protect sensitive information about Critical infrastructure.
Transparency on these issues invites scrutiny to be sure but it also helps our communities be
assured that the current repair is assessing the issues that led to the failure in the first place. We
understand the FERC Board of Consultants has affirmed DWR's repair plan on the service and
emergency spillways. This information helps the public understand the basis for the current plan
and how it addresses any previous deficiencies.

Our constituents also have a right to know what those responsible for the Dam have been doing
over the years to ensure safety and proper operations. They also have a right to know the efforts
and deliberations made by public oflicials, agencies, and staff in response to the emergency
beginning with the service spillway failure on February 7.

 20170421-0007 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 04/18/2017

We can find the right balance that ensures transparency while protecting legitimate security
concerns. Please advise as to how you will ensure this vital inform&]ion will be provided to the
public with regard to recent requests and future public information
luests.
Sincerely,

ames allagher
Assemblyman, 3'istrict

cc:

Jim

elsen
r, 4 District

Acting Director Bill Croyle, Department of Water Resources
Acting Chairman Cheryl LaFleur, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

 20170421-0007 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 04/18/2017

Document Content(s)
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