About Banner Cascade Pipeline Project

Large pipes will transport raw water between the Loma Rica and E. George Water Treatment Plants to be converted into drinking water.

NID recognized there were potential impacts in the environmental impact report caused by both decommissioning the historical Lower Cascade Canal, also a recreational resource, and constructing a more-directly routed pipeline. In 2000, while preparing a project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), NID consulted widely with numerous individuals and local community organizations to determine public concerns about the temporary disruption and potential long term impacts caused by the project. In 2007, when the project’s Final EIR was certified, approving the Banner Cascade Pipeline Project, NID’s Board committed to minimize the identified impacts by adopting a detailed Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) associated with the requirements of CEQA. NID further committed to maintain the historical Lower Cascade Canal with typical flows of between 2 and 10 cfs once the Banner Cascade Pipeline is put into service.

In November 2007, NID contracted with Hatch Mott MacDonald with RMC Water and Environment, Inc. as consultants to prepare the Banner Cascade Pipeline design. Multiple public meetings such as 10%, 50% and 80% design workshops, MMRP review, and contractor introductions have been held to inform the public of NID’s plan and invite comments from interested community members. These comments focused on improving the pipeline design to better conform to individual property owner’s needs while also lessening the impact on the environment and affected residents during the construction and restoration phases. NID contacted all the property owners along the pipeline route and invited them to participate in individual meetings to gather information and alleviate concerns by adjusting the design plan to avoid irreplaceable sentimental objects or landscape features.

Hatch Mott MacDonald with RMC Water and Environment, Inc. completed the design for the Banner Cascade Pipeline Project in December 2009. NID introduced Hugh Gordon as Ombudsperson on the project in January 2010. Teichert Construction was awarded the contract April 2010, and construction began in May of 2010 at the Nevada County Airport. Sarah Rohde joined the team as an Ombudsperson and Information Coordinator in June 2010.