East Bay Municipal Utilities District's Rob Alcott, right, and Cliff Threlkeld, left, present a check for $4.339 million to the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors and staff Thursday. The check is the EBMUD's up-front share of the Amador Transmission Pipeline project, which, pending an easement ruling, could commence as early as March 20.

East Bay Municipal Utilities District brought the Amador Transmission Pipeline another step closer to fruition Thursday with delivery of a $4.339 million check to the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors.

Rob Alcott, Director of water and natural resources for EBMUD, and Cliff Threlkeld, water supply division manager of EBMUD, presented the check to the board.

"You have lived and learned how difficult it is to do stuff," Alcott said, noting that getting controversial things accomplished takes time and effort. "You have earned the respect of the water industry."

Threlkeld said he was actually working for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. during negotiations, and handled the utility's end of the agreement.

The board gave brief comments commending Alcott's work.

"I think the future's in front of us and future endeavors will build with the success that we have had with this project," Alcott said, noting that advances in the water industry take time. "This was a very good business decision for us, as it was for you."

Finance Manager Mike Lee said the check would officially transfer into AWA's account on March 21, along with $23.6 million in bond sale proceeds that will be used to build the $18.14 million pipeline from Lake Tabeaud to the Tanner Water Treatment Plant, plus other water system upgrades.

Engineering Manager Gene Mancebo gave an update of the construction schedule, received Feb. 27 from Ranger Pipeline Inc., which is building the project.

The schedule includes pipe fabrication beginning Monday and installing the staging areas on March 20, laying the pipe between May 1 and Oct. 30 and restoration of pavement from May 8 to June of 2007. Mancebo said that Ranger also has included February to July of next year for potential needed "punch list" work.

Mancebo said that Ranger selected three sites for the construction staging area, and the primary location is on the Mondani property. He said the staging area was selected based on good road access, via an existing ranch road, and its ready availability to utilities access. The site was subject of an emergency easement hearing on Tuesday with Judge Susan Harlan taking arguments and considering the decision, to be announced later (see story on page A1). AWA Attorney Steve Kronick said that decision is required by 90 days, and once reached would be announced by Harlan to each side.

Board Member Heinz Hamann asked Mancebo about inspections of the pipeline welding and noted the importance of having the welding meet certified procedures. Mancebo said that two special inspectors would be hired and they were getting proposals back now. One would be at the manufacturing site, he said, and they may try to use East Bay MUD's inspector, to cut costs. The other would be an on-site inspector.

Lee said that from March 21, funds will be available to be paid out as needed. The finances will earn "approximately $180,000 as it sits," which could go well toward contingencies.

The tentative construction schedule includes an April 10 date for mobilization, surveying, pothole work, clearing, grubbing and pioneering; installation of a water flow meter and bypass piping at Lake Tabeaud on Nov. 14; installation of a Lake Tabeaud emergency inlet, turnout piping and a vacuum reservoir on Nov. 22; plus aerial and stream crossing in June and grinding and paving in September.

Pipe testing is tentatively scheduled for January 2007, Mancebo said.

The notice to proceed with the pipeline project was signed Feb. 27, Mancebo said, and the easement acquisition is taking a substantial amount of time.