Update: consolidation status, upcoming SLV walk through
Dear Neighbors,
We are at a stage in the new SLVWD water system construction planning where residential water meter locations need to be established in order to meet timelines to start construction at the end of 2023.
This step needs to be done even though we have not officially received, voted on, or approved a consolidation agreement with San Lorenzo Valley Water District for all shareholders in Forest Springs to vote on.
Tomorrow the district engineer from San Lorenzo Valley Water District will begin to mark potential meter locations on Acorn 1, 2, 3 where the proposed mainline would be installed. There is a little flexibility to modify later- but the more we can be clear about this now, the better. In order to make the best use of Josh Wolff's time, we think it would be best to have a limited group of individuals involved in this initial walk through.
I apologize for the short time between this notification and the walk-through- it was not possible to give more notice.
A separate flier will be sent in a follow up email/post and also distributed physically tomorrow for information about how we will be collecting/relaying general questions and how to get in touch with Forest Springs representatives regarding your specific proposed meter location. Please do not try to get ahold of SLVWD individually – we are tasked with consolidating the comments.
Background:
In May 2022, Forest Springs signed a binding letter of intent to consolidate with San Lorenzo Valley Water district (SLVWD or SLV). I have attached the text of that letter (LOI) and the text of the accompanying letter by President Sean Machado that was mailed to residents at that time (LOI Machado letter).
At this time, members of the board and committees are working to clarify the aspects of the project that are Forest Springs financial responsibility and those that are shared with or largely funded by San Lorenzo Valley Water District. A community meeting will be held in June to give a full consolidation update and potentially vote on consolidation. This vote may be on consolidation in principle, but it may be on a specific agreement if it is available at that time. A mailing is coming about this meeting. I thank you all for your patience in this process and the trust you have all placed in the board to work on consolidation. We sincerely believe that it is our best option given current circumstances.
Additionally, I would like to remind you of the public comment period we are currently in with respect to the proposed Consolidation. You should have already received the notice regarding the Draft Initial Study (IS-MND), a draft environmental assessment, from SLVWD via US Mail. The comment period ends on May 30.
The links at the end of this email will take you to documents provided by SLVWD notifying you of the public comment period and their Board Meeting on June 15th.
The report for which public comment is being solicited is one part of SLVWD moving forward with the engineering and permitting activities for the consolidation project as mentioned in the LOI. SLVWD has actively worked to obtain grants to fund the project, has received grant application approval for the initial phase of the project and is seeking congressional line-item funding for a substantial portion of the project cost.
The Report has a detailed description of the 1st phase of the Consolidation project. Engineering is near completion and it is expected to go for bid within a month. In this 1st phase SLVWD will:
1) Build a pump station,
2) Construct a mainline to Bracken Brae,
3) Construct a mainline in Forest Springs by going up Acorn 1, Acorn 2, Acorn 3, and Reservoir Rd,
4) Install a 120,000 gal water storage tank at the Forest Springs tank site on Reservoir RD,
5) Install fire hydrants, and laterals with meters to the homes along the mainlines.
6) All activities include a comprehensive repair of the roads that are dug up for the lines.
The 2nd phase of the Consolidation project is the distribution system for homes on Acorn 4 and the private roads. FS has been working with Sherwood Engineering to finalize the conceptual design, which is nearly completed. FS Board members and FS community volunteers are also working with Sherwood Engineering and SLVWD to identify and apply for grants or long-term low-interest loans to fund the detailed engineering project. We will continue to work with SLVWD to find funding sources to minimize the financial impact of design and construction costs on our community.
We will do our best to keep you all informed about this project that is so critical to the future of our community.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bacon
President of the Board of Directors, Forest Springs Improvement and Maintenance Association
https://www.slvwd.com/projects/files/bracken-brae-and-forest-springs-consolidation-projectmmrp
What follows is the original text the letter sent in 2022 by the board alongside the invitation to our Sept 2022 meeting (I referred to this as LOI Machado letter):
September 1, 2022
A letter from the Vice-President
Dear Forest Springs Association members.
A lot has transpired since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that occurred on August 18th 2020. Recovery has been a slow process for those that lost their homes in the fire and difficult for the homes that survived.
Forest Springs is comprised of 128 individual homes. Of those 128 homes, 42 were destroyed. Some of our neighbors have made the difficult decision not to rebuild. Those that are rebuilding have had an enormous battle getting permits and plans approved before even starting to rebuild. Many are still in this permitting process and have yet to actually start building nearly two years later. We have lost part of our income from those that aren't rebuilding and also from homeowners that are delinquent, in arrears or simply refuse to pay their dues. This places the entire association in a serious bind. We simply have far too many projects with insufficient funding.
The fire has also impacted our infrastructure. It took three months to fully restore our water service and even longer to fix many leaks. We spent $28,613.61 on plumbing and with the gracious help of a few volunteers, restored our water service.
Our roads were left in horrible shape after trucks and heavy equipment completed their task of removing burned homes and other debris. Although the roads are far from perfect, the worst of the damage on the frequently driven roads was repaired. $33,442.20 has been spent this year on roads so far. There are still additional roads that need to be repaired, but this isn't going to happen without adequate funding. Forest Springs is required by the county and local fire administration to widen certain private roads within our association, provide vegetation management along roads, and also create a reasonable access plan for all roads to accommodate emergency vehicles.
We have $42,454.54 left in our operating budget and $323,972.80 in reserves which is only a small portion of what is actually required.
Our water distribution system was already in need of replacement and the fire did further damage. The only good news about the fire is that it possibly opened up funding sources for Forest Springs that weren't an option before. In time, the entire water distribution system will be upgraded which will require complete repaving of all roads. We contracted with Sherwood Engineering in March of 2021 for the sum of $54,037.87 This provided Forest Springs with a conceptual design for our new water system. Sherwood Engineering provided us with a cost estimate for the project at $7.2 million dollars.
This lays out the groundwork needed to have a new water system with adequate sized piping, increased storage capacity and fire hydrants.
Our main source of water comes from Big Basin Water (BBW) company which was severely impacted by the fire. BBW lost their entire surface water infrastructure along with their water treatment plant and offices during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. This severely limited their ability to function and they are now operating with only one well. Forest Springs had contracted with Big Basin Water Co. to not only provide water service, but also act as the certified water operator for the Forest Springs system. As of January 1, 2022 without notification to Forest Springs, Big Basin Water stopped providing the services of being Forest Springs' certified water operator.
Currently BBW is in negotiations to merge with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD). Forest Springs and our neighboring community Bracken Brae are also discussing possible merger options.
Springs Board sees no other option in maintaining its pursuit for clean, safe and adequate water service.
Thank You.
Rolf Grumme Sean Machado Mike Judd
Vice-President President Treasurer
FSIMA
Forest Springs Improvement & Maintenance Association
Below are recent public articles discussing the merger, and a past article from the board for you reference.
https://www.goodtimes.sc/possible-slvwd-big-basin-water-merger-close/
https://www.slvwd.com/home/news/holiday-letter-district-manager-rick-roqers