This news article reveals tensions between DWR pushing hard for relicensing while Civic leaders want answers.
= = Article clips: OROVILLE, Calif. - After an oftentimes testy exchange with representatives of the Department of Water Resources, the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) voted 7-2 with two abstentions to approve a motion to request an indefinite delay of the relicensing of the Oroville Dam with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which will decide the agreement at a later date.
Committee members wanted to know details of why the spillway failed and why Oroville hasn't received, they contend, benefits due the city from the previous agreement.
. .
In addition, a new report by a U.C. Berkeley research group says that green spots on the dam itself could suggest leaking.
"Don't lie to us and tell us it rained or it just came about or we should ignore it," said Bill Connelly, Butte County supervisor of District 1 and a member of ORAC. "Give us a real scientific and open explanation."
The DWR says the dam was never at risk, remains sound and that seepage is normal for any dam of this type.
"But it's not normal seepage," countered Connelly. "It's a dam and it has water coming out of it."
"We need a scientifically-proven theory and explanation," he said.
= = end clips More at link http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/butte/oroville-civic-leaders-request-delay-in-relicensing-of-oroville-dam/591055144
Same ORAC relicensing discussion/voting meeting, but this article (reporter) provides additional verbal interchanges.
=== Article clips: (emphasis mine) "With many unknowns following the spillway crisis — like what caused it in the first place – some signatories of the settlement agreement are having cold feet about DWR continuing to operate the dam, leaving the organization on the defensive. Things got a little heated Friday as DWR tried to convince the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee, or ORAC, to not request a delay in the relicensing of the Oroville Dam."
. .
With many unknowns following the spillway crisis — like what caused it in the first place – some signatories of the settlement agreement are having cold feet about DWR continuing to operate the dam, leaving the organization on the defensive. Things got a little heated Friday as DWR tried to convince the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee, or ORAC, to not request a delay in the relicensing of the Oroville Dam.
. .
“You’re all afraid people might wake up and say ‘Wow, we got the short end of this stick,’” Connelly said.
At that point, Anna West, a public relations person contracted by DWR and facilitator of the meeting, asked committee members to lower their voices and not interrupt each other.
= = end clips more at link:
http://www.orovillemr.com/article/NB/20170721/NEWS/170729931