Sunday’s top of the scroll: Senator Lois Wolk continues to fight for Delta rights
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:53 am
From the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal:
“Up for reelection in 2012, State Senator Lois Wolk continues to fight for Delta representation and equality within the legislature. The senator has a busy 2012 ahead, with several main goals and focuses to improve the fifth district she calls home.
Wolk’s main focuses includes working on legislation for the Delta, levees and flood protection. She plans to keep close track on the BDCP and the Delta Plan, and to tackle water bond issues.
“I think more and more people are becoming dissatisfied with the plan (BDCP), and I’m one of them,” said Wolk. “It was a plan that was put together years ago and the centerpiece of it is the canal. It’s a grandiose project that I think is a 19th century project. As the plan goes along, more ratepayers particularly in southern California are becoming very skeptical if this is the right answer. If it is, it’s going to take 25 years to get there. There is a lot that has to be done in the meantime.” … “
Continue reading from the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal by clicking here.
Photo of the Delta by the California Department of Water Resources.
Peripheral canal proposal, loss of home rule prompts SSJID to join battle against the Delta Stewardship Council
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:51 amFrom the Manteca Bulletin:
“A coalition of cities, counties and other organizations worried about the perceived far-reaching political power of the Delta Stewardship Council are banding together to fight for preservation of home rule.
And they now have the South San Joaquin Irrigation District on board.
The SSJID board unanimously approved a resolution this week to join the Delta Initiative of Cities and Agencies of San Joaquin County to fight for the overall protection of both land use and water rights.
General Manager Jeff Shields, though, wanted to make sure that the interests of the district were adequately addressed before the board gave their final approval. … “
Continue reading from the Manteca Bulletin by clicking here.
Senator Feinstein: Proposals to drain Hetch Hetchy won’t work
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:48 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this commentary by Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park has been a vital source of clean water for San Francisco Bay communities for almost 100 years.
Through its energy-efficient gravity flow system, it pipes some of the cleanest water in California to 2.6 million people and thousands of high-tech companies that rely on its purity.
Nevertheless, every so often an effort emerges to remove the O’Shaughnessy Dam and drain the reservoir. … “
Continue reading this commentary by Senator Feinstein at the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Delta National Park blog: The other, still equal goal
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:46 amFrom the Delta National Park blog:
“We may from time to time forget that SB 7X 1 has teeth, and includes “protecting and restoring the health of the Delta estuary, and its native fisheries” language as a co-equal goal of the legislation. And the implications of those teeth are starting to come into focus.
Via Aquafornia, this thought from the Met’s “Review of Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report.”
Additionally, the draft EIR states that the “no project” alternative, which is meant to analyze what will happen if no plan moves forward – in other words, the status quo – will result in greater water deliveries to export areas than will result from some of the Delta Plan alternatives the EIR is analyzing. It is troubling that the Council is analyzing Delta Plan alternatives that would reduce deliveries to export areas compared to the status quo, particularly given proposed BDCP investments and that such an approach will not meet the statutory goal of a more reliable water supply for the state.
Consider that last sentence for a moment. The key phrases, “reduce deliveries to export areas” and “more reliable water supply for the state” are negatively linked, misleadingly suggesting that increasing water supply is consonant with increasing its reliability, therefore trumping that other and equal goal. … “
Continue reading from the Delta National Park blog by clicking here.
Commentary: Ensuring clean water for the future
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:44 amFrom the Santa Clarita Signal, this commentary by Maria Gutzeit, president of the Newhall County Water District:
“How often do you think about your tap water? If you are like most of us in the Santa Clarita Valley, it’s not often. Recent polls suggest that since California’s drought ended, public interest in conservation and other water matters has dropped significantly.
To some, complacency or apathy about tap water suggests public utilities are doing a good job at delivering a clean, reliable and affordable resource to your homes and businesses. To others, such as me and others in the water sector, the value of tap water needs to be in the forefront of everyone’s minds. … “
Continue reading this commentary at the Santa Clarita Signal by clicking here.
Monterey County water talks hit key phase: 2 mediation sessions set before parties meet with judge
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:17 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“In the wake of the regional desalination project, litigation challenging the state-ordered cutback in pumping from the Carmel River is again taking center stage.
With the chances of getting a replacement water source in place by the 2016 deadline appearing more remote after the regional project’s demise, and attention shifting to other alternatives, local water officials are hopeful the state Water Resources Control Board will be open to an agreement to relax the cut-off date if a new plan is well under way.
That makes the next few months potentially crucial for confidential mediation discussions arising out of the litigation between local interests and the state. Those talks are expected to decide if there will be an agreement or if the case will head to trial. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Cambria directors to put alternatives to desalination back on the table
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:14 amFrom the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
“The Cambria Community Services District — still reeling from the California Coastal Commission’s unanimous Dec. 9 vote against a series of sampling tests near the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek — is now seeking other possible locations from which to draw salty or brackish water into a desalination plant, and will also be taking a look at other possible alternatives for bringing stable new water supplies to town.
CCSD directors and staff said Jan. 19 they also expect to consult soon with the district’s constituents and its project partner, the Army Corps of Engineers. … “
Continue reading from the San Luis Obispo Tribune by clicking here.
Glendale water upgrades are worth the cost, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 7:54 amFrom the Burbank Leader, this commentary by Michael Teahan, a Glendale resident and business owner:
“We all know that the economic recovery for Glendale, like all of California, isn’t progressing as quickly as we would like, and money is in short supply, but the proposal by Glendale Water & Power to adjust water rates is both timely and necessary.
More importantly for the City Council’s consideration, it’s also remarkably fair.
My first exposure to the aging water infrastructure came from Adams Hill residents whose homes were built on lots divided in the 1950s without direct access to water mains. The infrastructure is inadequate to serve the community, with so few hydrants that a devastating fire is a real possibility, and existing water mains need to be relined, having reached the end of their service life. … “
Continue reading from the Burbank Leader by clicking here.
Southwest turns anxious eye to shrinking Lake Mead
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 7:50 amFrom OPB News:
“In a dramatic reversal of fortune compared to last year, an unusually dry winter is causing the level of Lake Mead, Nevada, to decline, making water managers increasingly anxious about supplying water to the thirsty Southwest.
The latest U.S. Drought Outlook shows continued dry conditions in the Southwest are likely for the rest of the winter.
During the past three years, the level of Lake Mead has followed a boom and bust cycle, dropping to a record low in 2010 during an intense drought, then recovering during 2011 thanks to record mountain snowfall, and now dropping again in the midst of a dry winter. … “
Continue reading from OPB News by clicking here.
Saturday’s top of the scroll: California water projects circling the drain
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:25 amFrom Reuters News:
“California’s efforts to deal with its chronic water crisis are again in upheaval as lawmakers prepare to pull an $11 billion water bond off the November ballot even as Governor Jerry Brown revives the controversial idea of a canal to route Northern California water to the state’s arid south.
The water bond, which would fund a variety of projects around the state ranging from dams to watershed protection, was painstakingly crafted under former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to balance the needs of agricultural and residential water users and address environmental concerns.
But the bond measure was bumped from the ballot in 2010 due to fears that recession weary voters would reject it. Many legislators now fear the economic climate remains too weak for voters to agree on a big new debt plan. Brown is also eager to keep the ballot uncluttered to maximize odds that voters will approve his measure to increase taxes. … “
Continue reading from Reuters News by clicking here.
Bureau of Reclamation discusses preliminary Water Year 2012 Central Valley Project water supply conditions
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:23 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“In preparation for the Bureau of Reclamation’s initial Water Year (WY) 2012 water allocation announcement in mid-February, Reclamation is providing information on water supply conditions for the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) and comparisons of CVP reservoir storage for January 2012 with January 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the 15-year average. (Reclamation’s WY runs from October 1 to September 30.)
Water conditions over the past several years have fluctuated from “Dry” in WYs 2009 and 2010 to “Wet” in WY 2011. The California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) first snow survey for 2011, held December 28, 2010, showed California’s mountain snowpack to be 198 percent of normal for that date. In contrast, DWR’s first Snow Survey for 2012, performed January 3, 2012, showed California’s mountain snowpack to be among the driest on record, with the snow-water content at 19 percent of normal for that date.
Despite recent rain and snowfall, hydrologic conditions are far below average for the season. As of December 31, 2011, DWR reported that the Northern Sierra 8-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 6.9 inches, which is about 39 percent of the seasonal average to date and 14 percent of an average water year (which is 50.0 inches). During December 2011, the total precipitation for the northern region was 0.3 inches, which is about 4 percent of the monthly average and the third driest December on record. Additionally, the San Joaquin 5-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 4.0 inches, which is about 31 percent of the seasonal average to date and 10 percent of an average water year (which is 40.8 inches). During December, the total precipitation for the southern region was 0.0 inches, which tied with 1989 as the driest December on record. … “
Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
Tehama County Tea Party Patriots discuss water and the Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plan (and much more calmly, this time)
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:21 amFrom the Tehama Daily News:
“The Tehama County Tea Party Patriots began dialogue with water rights advocates during the group’s Tuesday night meeting.
More than 80 people edged onto folding chairs set up on the dance floor of the Red Bluff Grange Hall on Walnut Street, eager to share questions and concerns, after coffee and cookies.
The Patriots were ready to talk peacefully Tuesday evening, in contrast to a riled up group of individuals that stirred up conflict at a public meeting the week before.
Representatives of the group had made apologies to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning and through the Daily News’ opinion page about the actions of Tea Party affiliates from Redding and other towns at a water plan meeting Jan. 18. … “
Continue reading from the Tehama Daily News by clicking here.
Draft of flood protection plan released
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:15 amFrom the Fresno Business Journal:
“The long-awaited public draft of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, a first comprehensive systemwide flood plan, has been released, GEI Consultants Inc. , lead consulting firm for the state Department of Water Resources’ FloodSAFE California Program, announced today.
The plan calls for $17 billion in infrastructure projects over a 25-year period. It will be adopted by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board following public hearings slated for the next three months. The draft plan is expected to be finalized and adopted by the board by July 1. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Business Journal by clicking here.
SEE ALSO:
$17 Billion Flood Protection Plan Proposed, from Capital Public Radio
California Farm Bureau Federation seeks more political clout
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:12 amFrom the Capital Press:
“The Golden State’s largest farm organization wants to boost political fundraising this year to increase agriculture’s clout in Sacramento.
California Farm Bureau Federation president Paul Wenger sent a letter to the group’s 30,000 members urging more donations.
The organization now spends between $300,000 and $500,000 a year on political activity, Wenger said. He’d like to see it gather as much as $30 million annually to keep pace with teachers’ unions, prison guards, environmental groups and other powerful interests. … “
Continue reading from the Capital Press by clicking here.
Western Weather Blog: Reversal of fortunes for Lake Mead
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:10 amFrom Accu-Weather’s Western Weather Blog:
“I have documented many times in this blog in the last month the lack of rain and snow across the Southwest U.S. watershed this Winter and its seriousness. I have had one person question why am I being so pessimistic especially since there was a change in the weather coming (from two weeks ago). Some of you may remember this exchange. There was a nice round of precipitation a week ago in the Colorado River Watershed and also in California. But that has proved to be the exception and not the rule. This is no surprise to me as I have been saying all along the El Nino pattern we have been in would remain all Winter and the chance was quite high that the “pattern change” was only temporary. And indeed we are right back into the same kind of weather pattern now that has kept precipitation well below normal for December and much of January. … “
Continue reading from the Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Metropolitan Water District on the Delta Plan
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:05 amSo what does Metropolitan think of the Delta Plan? It’s all outlined in this report to be presented at February 14th board meeting. Here is an excerpt:
” … the draft EIR states that the “no project” alternative, which is meant to analyze what will happen if no plan moves forward—in other words, the status quo—will result in greater water deliveries to export areas than will result from some of the Delta Plan alternatives the EIR is analyzing. It is troubling that the Council is analyzing Delta Plan alternatives that would reduce deliveries to export areas compared to the status quo, particularly given proposed BDCP investments and that such an approach will not meet the statutory goal of a more reliable water supply for the state. … “
Read the entire report at the Metropolitan website by clicking here.
Dan Bacher: Delta group blasts canal plan as ‘Brown legacy, green disaster’
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:58 amFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org:
“In his State of the State address on January 18, Governor Jerry Brown confirmed what everybody knew anyway: the construction of conveyance (a peripheral canal or tunnel) to export more Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta water to corporate agribusiness and southern California is a huge priority for him.
“Last week, Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar – met here in Sacramento with those in my administration who are working to complete the Bay Delta Conservation Plan,” proclaimed Brown. “Together we agreed that by this summer we should have the basic elements of the project we need to build.”
“This is something my father worked on and then I worked on—decades ago. We know more now and are committed to the dual goals of restoring the Delta ecosystem and ensuring a reliable water supply,” he said. (http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17386)
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta, took issue with his repetition of the canard about how the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) project “will ensure water for 25 million Californians and for millions of acres of farmland as well as a hundred thousand acres of new habitat for spawning fish and other wildlife.” … “
Continue reading from Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org by clicking here.
Marysville: Linda levee resolution delayed
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:56 amFrom the Appeal Democrat:
“West Linda residents hoping to get resolution on Thursday on a issue with their properties encroaching on state land instead got a month’s delay because of a bureaucratic miscue.
But the handful of property owners who came to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board’s meeting in Marysville said the delay is OK, because it’s bringing to light issues they believe haven’t been considered.
“The drainage was never talked about before,” said Monty Hecker, who owns property on Riverside Drive backing up to the Feather River levee. “We want to help them a bit, but we want it to be fair.” … “
Continue reading from the Appeal-Democrat by clicking here.
Salmon habitat restoration at Englebright Dam shows encouraging signs
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:48 amFrom the US Army Corps of Engineers:
“A habitat improvement program to help the recovery of threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the Yuba River below the Sacramento District’s Englebright Dam is showing encouraging results.”
New snow moving Sierra beyond shadow of a drought? Survey in February will give Placer County a clearer water supply picture
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:45 amFrom the Auburn Journal:
“Placer County Water Agency Director Mike Lee says that the lack of rain or snow usually means board members can raise a chuckle or two when they speak before a group and joke that they’re starting to do their rain dance.
Beneath the mirth is a growing sense of concern.
Last week’s storms brought snow to the Sierra after a lengthy dry period through the late fall and early winter.
But Lee said that the agency, which gets its water from high in the Sierra, is still worried about low snow totals so far this season. … “
Continue reading from the Auburn Journal by clicking here.
Monterey: Five out of six cities join new water agency
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:44 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Five of six Peninsula cities have voted to join a new water agency.
The city councils of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside this week approved the proposed Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority — a power-sharing agency of cities aimed at solving the long dilemma over a new Peninsula water supply.
Only the city of Monterey, whose council last week voted 3-2 to delay action on the new agency, hasn’t signed on to the idea. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey commentary: Resetting water priorities
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Dale Hekhuis, former chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and a founder of the Peninsula Water Ratepayer Coalition:
“Cal Am’s departure from the regional desalination project has opened the door to resetting water priorities. Suddenly, a number of water supply options appear attractive.
- Accelerating Cal Am’s water facility construction.
Cal Am has a request before the Public Utilities Commission to accelerate construction of the Seaside pipeline, the Monterey pipeline (not including the main transfer pipeline), two storage reservoirs and aquifer storage and recovery facilities. The pipelines are sized based on the aquifer storage project and would not change even if a smaller desalination plant is built. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Sewage-eating algae used to treat wastewater in test project
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:37 amFrom the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
“Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo on Monday unveiled a pilot project to test the viability of using algae to treat wastewater.
The project at San Luis Obispo’s sewage treatment plant on Prado Road has been under construction for the past year and a half. It consists of nine algae-rich ponds that circulate wastewater. … “
Continue reading from the San Luis Obispo Tribune by clicking here.
Lanare holds dinner-dance to raise money for an election just to stay in hunt for state water funding
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:35 amFrom the Fresno Bee News Blog:
“I don’t often mention fundraisers, let alone dinner-dances in rural towns around the San Joaquin Valley. But stay with me on this one for a minute.
The Fresno County community of Lanare is holding a dinner-dance fundraiser on Feb. 4 because it needs money to pay for the election of board members to its community service district. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee News Blog by clicking here.
Beaumont: Water board to revisit decision to downsize
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:32 amFrom the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
“A proposal to reduce the number of San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency directors may be dropped because the board is divided on the matter.
On Dec. 19, the agency’s general manager, Jeff Davis, brought a resolution to the board of directors that, if passed, would direct him to work with the state Legislature to get a bill introduced. That bill would reduce the number of directors from seven to five by December 2014.
The board approved the resolution with a 4-3 vote.
Davis said Wednesday that he has talked to legislative staff who advised him that without a unanimous vote, it would be very difficult for him to get a bill passed in Sacramento. … “
Continue reading from the Riverside Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
Southern Nevada Water Authority scales back rural water request
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:27 amFrom the Las Vegas Sun:
“The Southern Nevada Water Authority has scaled back its request for water rights in rural Nevada and suggested some water be set aside for growth in the four rural valleys where the water resides.
In its recommendation, the authority said 104,854 acre-feet should be allocated from Eastern Nevada for the needs of Southern Nevada. That’s down from its initial request of 125,975 acre-feet.
The Water Authority recommends the state engineer set aside 450 acre-feet in the valleys to accommodate future growth or agricultural needs. … “
Continue reading from the Las Vegas Sun by clicking here.
Colorado River risks are debated by state
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:25 amFrom the Pueblo Chieftain:
“Colorado is struggling with determining the risks of further development of the state’s entitlement to Colorado River water under a seven-state compact signed in 1922.
“I think the question is: ‘What is the result of overdevelopment of Colorado River water, and who suffers the consequences?’ ” said John McClow, an attorney who represents the Gunnison River basin on the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
McClow said the task is difficult because sharing the information with other states could hurt Colorado’s position in ongoing negotiations with other states. … “
Continue reading from the Pueblo Chieftain by clicking here.
Friday’s top of the scroll: Placer water agency concerned about impact of Delta plan: More water to flush Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta could mean less for Placer County
Posted by: Maven on January 27, 2012 at 5:41 amGreetings! I’ve updated the site a little earlier than usual as I’m headed downtown to UCLA’s Future of Water in Southern California where I’ll be tweeting live from the conference all day. You can follow my tweets here: https://twitter.com/#!/Aquafornia If you’re attending, find me and say hi! And now this from the Auburn Journal:
“The Delta Plan is raising serious concerns with the Placer County Water Agency.
Board members have asked staff to submit agency concerns over the potential impacts on Placer County’s water supplies from plans to solve downstream water issues involving the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The water agency will be lodging its concerns in comments on a draft environmental impact report for the proposed Delta Plan and has been active on several fronts in bringing attention to perceived problems.
Water agency leaders focused much of their concern at a board meeting earlier this month on language in the fifth revision of the plan calling for “a more natural flow regime” in the delta. They fear it could dramatically impact areas upstream of the Delta, including Placer County. … “
Continue reading from the Auburn Journal by clicking here.
Water conservation, recycling and California’s future
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 11:31 pmFrom Bilingual News:
“Conservation is the largest, least expensive and most environmentally sound source of new water, and water is being wasted in every sector of California’s economy, according to the Pacific Institute of Oakland. “We’ve found that California can cut its urban water use by a third through efficient technology, simple changes in policy and improved public education,” said Dr. Peter H. Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute. “What this means is that we can avoid new, expensive and environmentally destructive water projects and still meet California’s future needs—even if California’s population and economy grow as expected.”
There appears to be much room for improvement.
Outdoor water use accounts for 42 percent of urban use in California; this includes lawns, large landscapes, parks, golf courses and cemeteries, and a portion of commercial and industrial water use. But regional use varies significantly. … “
Continue reading from Bilingual News by clicking here.
The Delta Caucus and current Delta initiatives
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 11:29 pmFrom the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation:
“The five county Farm Bureaus of the Delta (Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo) have been working together since 2008, when we formed the Farm Bureau Delta Caucus to better leverage our limited resources to uphold core Farm Bureau values and policies. The caucus has been tracking and commenting on issues of importance to agriculture in the Delta.
In 2009, the California Legislature passed monumental legislation containing requirements that led to the formation of the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC) and a water bond, which has not yet appeared on the ballot. The Delta Caucus is committed to working with other interested parties and to enlighten others on the broader impacts that will likely result from regulations dealing with Delta issues. … “
Continue reading from the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation by clicking here.
Delta Stewardship Council appoints new lead scientist; Dr. Peter Goodwin is internationally recognized expert in ecohydraulics
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 11:27 pmFrom the Delta Stewardship Council, this press release:
“Dr. Peter Goodwin, an internationally-recognized expert in ecohydraulics (the impact of management on aquatic ecosystems), ecosystem restoration, and enhancement of river, wetland and estuarine systems is the new Lead Scientist for the Delta Science Program.
In making the two-year appointment, DSC Chair Phil Isenberg said, “With his broad understanding of water-related science and engineering, and his background as a former CALFED Independent Science Board member, Peter will provide crucial knowledge and scientific leadership for the Delta Stewardship Program and the Delta Plan.”
“I look forward to helping build the scientific community and to search for the common truths on the many critical issues that face the Delta,” Dr. Goodwin said. “The development of the Delta Plan is clearly a project of critical importance to California that is helping set standards of how science can inform the making of policy.” … “
Continue reading this press release from the Delta Stewardship Council by clicking here.
Next congressman could be caught in the middle, says the Tracy Press
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 11:25 pmFrom the Tracy Press, this editorial:
“It looks like Tracy’s next congressman will have to pick a side in the Central Valley’s version of North versus South.
The North is San Joaquin County and above, and the South is the West Side of Stanislaus County and below.
The North relies on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to provide its $1 billion-a-year agriculture industry with its literal lifeblood — water. That means the idea of a peripheral canal to pump water around the Delta is an economic nonstarter. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Tracy Press by clicking here.
State-proposed eradication plan hides real problems for salmon, other fish, says the Golden Gate Salmon Association
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 11:24 pmFrom the Golden Gate Salmon Association:
” The Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) submitted formal comments to the California Fish and Game Commission proposing an alternate common sense approach to address the striped bass predation problem. The Commission is currently considering a proposal from the Department of Fish and Game to greatly increase fishing of striped bass in an effort to decrease or eradicate them. The Department made the proposal after being sued over its management of the striped bass fishery by a group of San Joaquin Valley growers calling themselves Coalition for a Sustainable Delta.
The growers brought the lawsuit to deflect attention from their overuse of delta water and the steep decline they’ve sent salmon, smelt and other native fish into. The growers annually siphon huge quantities of subsidized water from the delta for their agricultural operations in the San Joaquin Valley. The loss of this water to the delta and bay estuary has badly damaged state and federal endangered salmon and smelt runs as well as commercially valuable fall run salmon in the past decade. … “
Continue reading from IndyBay.org by clicking here.
Coho salmon face lofty recovery goals; Siskiyou County calls rates ‘unfair, unrealistic’
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:52 pmFrom the Record Searchlight:
“Federal fisheries biologists say threatened coho salmon need to return to the Scott River in Siskiyou County at rates more than four times higher than ever recorded.
The federal fisheries goals, released this month in a draft plan that calls for sweeping coho habitat restoration efforts in two states, have drawn condemnation from Siskiyou County officials and the leaders of the county’s resources conservation groups.
They say the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s coho recovery models create “unfair and unrealistic” standards that could be used to place even more restrictions on farmers’ irrigation use in a region already embroiled in a bitter dispute with regulators and environmental groups over the state- and federally protected fish. … “
Continue reading from the Record Searchlight by clicking here.
Recycling wastewater: Sonoma County Water Agency begins filling newly-constructed recycled water reservoir
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:50 pmFrom Sonoma News:
“State environmental experts agree water conservation is one of the most important issues facing California. In response, communities across the state, including Sonoma Valley, are turning rivers of raw sewage into clean water suitable for agricultural irrigation, fighting fires and even industrial air conditioners, among other potential uses.
“The water is actually certified organic,” said Brian Anderson, operations coordinator at the Sonoma Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant on Eighth Street East, which is overseen by the Sonoma County Water Agency.
Last Thursday, Jan. 19, officials at the plant turned the valve for the first time to begin filling the newly constructed 37-million-gallon, or 113-acre-foot, recycled water reservoir. The reservoir will rise at a rate of 500,000 gallons a day, meaning it will take 74 days to fill completely. The reservoir, which took six months and $3.5 million to complete, is the second in the Valley. The recycled water reservoir on Ramal Road has been servicing agriculture producers for 19 years, who pay $25 for an acre-foot of water, which measures out to about 326,000 gallons. … “
Continue reading from Sonoma News by clicking here.
Commentary on Point Reyes oyster conflict: Is Feinstein’s focus really on science?
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:46 pmFrom the Marin Independent Journal, this commentary by Huey Johnson, president of the
Resource Renewal Institute and former resources secretary of the state of California:
“The Point Reyes oyster conflict has accomplished at least one result of positive national environmental importance: Related research by the University of California has exposed and could solve a disastrous hurdle for U.S. environmental legislation.
It is the practice of legislators’ corrupt use of science. The formula is to call an environmental project’s scientific work inferior, state that the public needs “good science,” and then do one or more scientific studies to review that which has already been done. Faking a need for a better research effort is nothing but a smoke screen to avert a vote and to provide time to manipulate legislation. The tactic has actually been used in Congress 900 times. … “
Continue reading from the Marin Independent Journal by clicking here.
Tahoe open for business
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:44 pmFrom Fox Reno:
“A robust and moisture laden jet stream slammed Tahoe resorts this past weekend, dumping up to six feet of snow in 72 hours in the higher elevations. Peak wind gusts during the storm reached 132 mph on Slide Mountain near the Mt. Rose ski area.
The heavy snowfall has enabled regional ski areas to open new runs and fire up more chairlifts. By this weekend, nearly all of our regional ski areas (Alpine and Nordic) will be open for business. It’s about time.
Lake Tahoe’s water level rose 2 inches in 24 hours during the heavy rain event. Just for perspective, consider that one tenth of an inch of Tahoe’s surface represents 1,400,000 tons of water. … “
Continue reading from Fox Reno by clicking here.
Lake Tahoe boating fees rise after ‘good year’ for stopping invasive species
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:44 pmFrom the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza:
“Boaters will need to open their wallets a little bit wider before launching at Lake Tahoe this summer.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Governing Board approved fee increases for mandatory aquatic invasive species inspections Wednesday.
The average boater will pay an additional $10 or $11 for a year of boating on Lake Tahoe under the new rate structure, said Dennis Zabaglo, TRPA’s watercraft program manager. … “
Continue reading from the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza by clicking here.
Sacramento: Commission wants guarantee before it OK’s rate hikes
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:43 pmFrom Capital Public Radio:
“The City of Sacramento is asking the Utility Rate Advisory Commission to recommend an increase in water and sewage rates.
The city admits it has used previous rate increases intended for infrastructure upkeep…to pay operational costs instead. The Commission is asking for accountability proposals from the Department of Utilities before recommending a 19 percent increase over three years. … “
Continue reading from Capital Public Radio by clicking here.
Tuolomne Utilities District water ditch plan advances
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:42 pmFrom the Union Democrat:
“Tuolumne Utilities District has moved one step closer to hammering out a comprehensive plan for managing its 57 miles of open ditches, used for water delivery.
The TUD board, senior staff members and a handful of area residents attended a public workshop Wednesday morning to hash out the details of the ongoing Ditch Sustainability Project plan.
The district hired Stantec, a Modesto-based planning and engineering firm, to study options for capital improvement projects to prevent leaks and to manage water flows through the ditches, which provide drinking water to the majority of TUD customers. The consultant began work in September and was hired using $500,000 in grants from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and the Environmental Protection Agency. … “
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