A look back at 2023
Throughout 2023, my office and I worked on behalf of our district to improve our region and deliver quality service to those needing assistance. As 2024 begins, I looked back at last year to see all that we accomplished. In 2023, my staff and I worked with federal agencies to return $23,989,776.13 to residents of California’s Fourth District, we responded to over 185,000 letters and emails, introduced over 20 bills, and scheduled over 2,100 White House and Capitol tours for constituents. My team of dedicated caseworkers helped 2,053 constituents receive assistance from the federal government.
Each year, my office helps constituents with problems they have with the federal government, from passports and visas, veterans benefits, IRS issues, agricultural issues, small business assistance, and Medicare and Medicaid. If you or someone you know needs help navigating the federal government, my team is ready to help and we are only a phone call away.
As it relates to legislation, we are halfway through the 118th Congress and I am working to pass bills that will deliver for our district and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. My bills would increase access to health care by expanding telemedicine, provide funding to research the causes of mental health issues, take on the gun violence epidemic, support veterans, address the housing shortage, protect agricultural producers from the impact of natural disasters, protect our public lands, and address the climate crisis. Working across the aisle is the best way to get things done, and I will continue to work with anyone who will help get these bills signed into law.
My priorities this year remain the same: delivering for our district and helping every American live a healthy and successful life. I am committed to working with anyone in Congress to advance the issues that matter to our district.
I am disappointed that my bipartisan legislation with Rep. LaMalfa (R-Richvale), making payments from the PG&E Fire Victims Trust nontaxable, did not receive a vote in the full House before the end of the calendar year. This bill received a rare unanimous bipartisan vote in the Ways and Means Committee – a vote of 38-0 – and is a fundamental matter of fairness. Rep. LaMalfa and I are working hand-in-glove to make sure Congress passes our bill, and I remain optimistic that this will happen in early this year.
As 2024 begins, I am honored to continue to serve our district in Congress. I am excited to continue my work to support my constituents and secure a bright and healthy future for California and for our nation.
—Congressman Mike Thompson
In support of a New Eel-Russian Facility
I am writing in support of a New Eel-Russian Facility as generally described in PG&E’s Initial Draft Surrender Application and Conceptual Decommissioning Plan for the Potter Valley Project. I have followed this issue for years while farming in both Humboldt and Lake Counties. For me, a truly coequal two basin solution to this 100 plus year inequity has always been about engineering.
Initially I did not favor removal of Scott Dam believing that with modern materials and designs a fish ladder could be possible. Considering the weaknesses of the original construction, the increasingly uneconomic performance of power generation and the recent knowledge of greater seismic hazard, removing the dam is the more prudent forward looking decision. The Bartlett Springs earthquake fault is nearby.
Thinking about a new Eel-Russian Facility, I looked into PGE&E’s Initial Draft for an elevation drawing of the existing tunnel from Van Arsdale Reservoir to the Potter Valley Powerhouse. I was wondering if an under river infiltration system could flow by gravity to the tunnel, with possibly only limited new tunneling at the upstream end. Apparently not. Thinking seems to be leaning to a pumping station with screens to prevent entry of drbris and fish.
At this point proposals from the “New Regional Entity” don’t seem to address much beyond getting water to the tunnel entrance. Would it be possible to retain some generating capacity at the powerhouse to run the pumps delivering water to the tunnel?
Lake Mendocino will need to entirely fill during Winter and early Spring, with little or no inflow in Summer or early Fall. This will all depend on actual annual flows in the Eel River.
Lake County does not receive any water from the Eel River but Lake Pillsbury (Scott Dam) is located in Lake County. Lake County has, according to the County assessor, about $40 million in assessed valuation in summer homes and recreation facilities around Lake Pillsbury. This would translate into about $500,000 in annual tax revenue.
As a farmer, I’m thinking about the silt deposits. Not all of it will wash away. Contrary to previous concerns, sampling and analysis by Geosyntec Consultants in 2019 found that Mercury was not present above background levels considered normal in the Coast Range mountains. Some terraces above the river may be leveled. How much is the question. But I don’t doubt it will be excellent agricultural soil which could support farming.
I intend to continue to follow this issue. It is about the engineering and a commitment from all parties to, hopefully refrain from litigation, and adjust to a changed reality. Over the years I have heard all manner of “reasons” for the decline of Eel River fisheries. Certainly the in-filling agradation of deep sections during the 1964 flood was a big one. Some are quick to say that streams above Scott Dam are only 10% of the Eel River watershed. But those streams are the best, coldest, clearest spawning habitat.
—John LaBoyteaux, Upper Lake
