It appears the report preparation has become more complicated than initially anticipated (normal for this level of engineering complexity) and might not be out for awhile; though political motives could also be at play.
An excerpt.
Dam study release delayed
$1 million cost-benefit report still in briefings
By: Gus Thomson, Journal Staff WriterSaturday, October 21, 2006 10:57 PM PDT
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's updated cost-benefit study on the Auburn dam is still under wraps - more than 1½ months after the $1 million report's initial due date for release to Congress.
A spokesman for the bureau said the report continues to be the subject of briefings in Washington, D.C., mentioning the Office of Management and Budget as one interested party.
Bureau spokesman Jeff McCracken, who works out of reclamation's Folsom office, said there is now no new target date for public release of the study and there is no indication whether it will happen before or after the Nov. 7 election.
"Sometimes these things take on a life of their own," McCracken said. "We're hoping that it will be ready for release in the not-too-distant future."
The study was encouraged in Congress by U.S. Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, a strong proponent of a multipurpose dam at Auburn. This past summer, he said he expects the cost of the dam to be in the billions of dollars but said this month that it would pay for itself.
Proponents, including Doolittle and the Auburn Dam Council, say increased water storage, energy production and flood protection for the Sacramento area from the dam make it an attractive project.
Doolittle is being challenged by Democrat Charlie Brown, a Roseville resident who has said he favors improving Sacramento-area levees and raising Folsom Dam to building an Auburn dam.
