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All-American Canal safety issues still debated

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 29, 2007 at 7:23 am

Safety issues take center stage in the continuing debate over the All-American canal lining project in this story from the Imperial Valley Press Online:

Already the safety issue has been a subject of legal battles at the state and federal court levels even as the work to build the canal has started this summer. Congressman Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, who used to represent the Imperial Valley before redistricting — and who is now a presidential candidate — sent a letter to IID June 13 questioning what he considers a lack of safety measures built into the new canal project.

Just days ago IID responded to Hunter. In the letter signed by IID board President Stella Mendoza, she says: “It is my belief that safety measures incorporated into the existing design specifications adequately address the need to provide for the public’s health and welfare.”

The original project called for escape ridges to be built into the side of the canal, but the Bureau of Reclamation, which is responsible for the canal, determined the ridges would make the canal structurally unsound, and so removed them from the plan:

IID officials say the decision on whether to include escape ridges rests with the bureau. It is not a decision IID, which operates the canal and is construction manager over the canal-lining project, could make on its own, district officials say.

The one safety measure in the project involves the placement of “escape” ladders that will be positioned 375 feet a part. IID officials have said they believe the ladders are an adequate safety measure. Hunter, whose brother John Hunter has been a leading voice in the Valley for immigrant safety — doesn’t think the ladders are sufficient. Duncan Hunter, like his brother, says IID should add other safety measures. “These measures include fencing, rope and buoy systems, tapered concrete sides as well as more frequent ladders,” Hunter says in his letter to the district.

To read the full text of the article from the Imperial Valley Press Online, click here.

July 29, 2007 · Filed Under All-American Canal, Colorado River Basin, Imperial Irrigation District & Imperial Valley