Representative Clients
Turlock Irrigation District
Founded in 1887, the Turlock Irrigation District is the oldest irrigation district in California. TID diverts an average of 600,000 acre-feet of water per year from the lower Tuolumne River. TID is also a vertically integrated electric utility with hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, and geothermal generation resources, transmission, and retail distribution to electric customers within a 662-square mile service area, primarily within Stanislaus and Merced Counties. TID owns 68.46% of the FERC-licensed Don Pedro Project and serves as Project Manager. Don Pedro Reservoir, with a maximum storage capacity of 2,030,00 acre-feet, is the fifth largest reservoir in the State of California and the largest reservoir in the State not owned by the Federal or State government. Our firm has been TID's attorney since the 1930's. Mr. Masuda has acted as TID General Counsel since November 1976.
Don Pedro Recreation Agency
Don Pedro Reservoir, with a maximum storage capacity of 2,030,00 acre-feet, is the fifth largest reservoir in the State of California. The reservoir has three recreation areas, 550 campsites, and two marinas that are managed by the Don Pedro Recreation Agency, a department of the Turlock Irrigation District. Management oversight is provided by the Board of Control consisting of representatives from Turlock Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District, and the City and County of San Francisco - the three agencies responsible for DPRA's costs. Sara Lima is the attorney for the DPRA and the Board of Control.
County of Butte
Butte County has extensive groundwater resources. Lake Oroville, the second largest reservoir in the State of California, is located entirely within the county. Under a 1996 voter-approved initiative, Butte County regulates groundwater substitute pumping and the export of groundwater. Butte County is also a State Water Project contractor. Since March 1991, we have been special water counsel to the County advising the County on groundwater management, water resources, and State Water Contract issues. Since 2000, Roger Masuda has also served as the Butte County Relicensing Coordinator participating in the California Department of Water Resources' FERC relicensing of the Oroville Facilities.
La Grange Domestic Water System
The Turlock Irrigation District manages and operates the La Grange Domestic Water System by treating and distributing surface water to the Town of La Grange located in Eastern Stanislaus County. Sara Lima advises TID on legal matters relating to the water system.
Merquin County Water District
MCWD is located in the Stevinson area of Merced County at the confluence of the Merced and San Joaquin Rivers hence the name. The district delivers irrigation water to some 6,300 acres of farm land.
Turlock Mosquito Abatement District
The primary mission of the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District is to protect the public health and well-being as well as their animals from mosquitoes. The control of mosquitoes enhances the public's quality of life. It also greatly reduces the threat of mosquito borne diseases to people and animals as well as reduces the annoyance that is created by mosquito feeding activities.
Westside Power Authority
In August 2000, the Turlock Irrigation District and the Patterson Irrigation District formed the Westside Power Authority, a joint powers authority, to explore the acquisition of Pacific Gas & Electric Company's electric distribution and subtransmission facilities on the Westside of Stanislaus County. TID, on behalf of the WPA, successfully negotiated the acquisition of 225 square miles of retail distribution service area, including the City of Patterson, the community of Crows Landing, and the Diablo Grande golf resort development, from PG&E. Roger Masuda was on the TID negotiating team and was a primary drafter of the transactional documents. PID later agreed that it was more cost effective and in the best interests of the Westside electric customers and PID for TID to directly serve those customers instead of indirectly through the WPA. The PG&E assets and customers were transferred to TID on December 8, 2003. James Koontz assisted in the CPUC approval process and in finalizing and closing the transaction, and is working on post-closing issues. The WPA continues as a joint planning agency between TID and PID on power and water issues.
Walnut Energy Center Authority
In 2003, the Turlock Irrigation District and the Merced Irrigation District formed the Walnut Energy Center Authority to finance, construct, and operate a proposed 250 MW natural gas-fired power plant in Turlock. In April 2004, the WECA issued $201 million in tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds to finance the construction of the project. The power plant is scheduled to be commercially operable by early 2006.
