Statement By Thomas W. Birmingham from Westlands on Department of the Interior Allocation Announcement

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 19, 2010 at 6:55 am

From California Ag Network, this press release from Westlands Water District:

“Fresno, Calif., (March 19, 2010) – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced an increased allocation of water for south-of-Delta Central Valley Project agricultural water service contractors to 25 percent of their contract. Westlands Water District is very grateful to Secretary Salazar, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation Mike Connor and the other members of the Obama Administration who have been working to bring this relief to the people who live and work on the westside of the San Joaquin Valley. The availability of these additional supplies will enable many farmers to put some of their lands back into production, creating jobs and helping to restore the economic health of the San Joaquin Valley.

We hope the allocation will increase further in the months ahead, and we are encouraged by Secretary Salazar’s announcement that Reclamation will accelerate its analysis of potential increases to the allocation. We realize that Secretary Salazar and his colleagues face a difficult task in balancing Reclamation’s responsibility to deliver water to the farms and cities served by the Project and their responsibility to protect species under the Endangered Species Act. Secretary Salazar’s personal involvement in these issues demonstrates his genuine interest in helping find a solution to this crisis.

Westlands also thanks Senator Dianne Feinstein for her continued efforts on behalf of westside farmers. Her leadership and the strong, consistent support from Representative Dennis Cardoza, Representative Jim Costa, and the other members of the valley delegation, were critically important to securing these additional supplies. … “

Continue reading this press release by clicking here.

March 19, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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Large increase in CVP water supplies

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 18, 2010 at 7:24 am

From the Western Farm Press:

“The Bureau of Reclamation has significantly increased water supplies for Central Valley Project (CVP) water contractors.

For agricultural water service contractors north of the Delta, the water supply forecast increases from 5 percent to 50 percent, and the water supply forecast for Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water service contractors north of the Delta increases from 55 percent to 75 percent. For agricultural water service contractors south of the Delta, the water supply forecast increases from 5 percent to 25 percent, while the water supply forecast for M&I users south of the Delta increases from 55 percent to 75 percent of historic use.

Plus, the Class 2 water supply forecast for Friant Division contractors increases from 0 to 10 percent; the Class 1 water supply forecast for Friant Division contractors remains at 100 percent. … “

Continue reading this article from the Western Farm Press by clicking here.

March 18, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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Wednesday’s top of scroll: Water deliveries up for Valley farms; Farmers hail increased water allowance

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 17, 2010 at 8:26 am

From the Fresno Bee:

“Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Tuesday announced a five-fold increase in west Valley irrigation supply for summer, but water officials wonder if the news has come in time to help farmers make last-minute crop plans.

Salazar raised the water forecast to 25% of the amount that west San Joaquin Valley growers are allowed each year from the Central Valley Project. Last month, he could only assure west siders of 5%.

Thanks to continuing March storms, the announcement was moved a week ahead of schedule to help farmers with planning.

Officials added that allotments might be increased further in the coming months.

Salazar has personally delivered each forecast to California this year after receiving political pressure from lawmakers and water officials, who point to the west side’s increasing unemployment and economic plight after three years of drought. Usually, water forecasts are made by lower-level federal officials in Sacramento. … “

Continue reading this article from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

” … “This is good news for the large majority of water users served by the Central Valley Project, but we realize that south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors face serious water supply challenges,” Salazar said during a joint news conference with Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor.

Three years of drought and federally mandated limits on pumping to protect endangered fish caused some farmers to abandon fields and others to trim jobs.

Tensions between farmers and conservationists reached a high point when Sen. Dianne Feinstein threatened to bypass environmental laws to get farmers more water.

The news of a 25 percent allocation was rushed out a week early at the urging of Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Reps. Jim Costa, D-Hanford (Kings County), and Dennis Cardoza, D-Atwater (Merced County).

“This updated allocation provides more certainty and should help farmers secure the loans they need,” Feinstein said in a statement. “I’m pleased that the Interior Department has recognized the urgency of the water crisis.” … “

Continue reading this article from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.

From the California Farm Bureau Federation:

” … “This is certainly a big improvement from the 5 percent supplies that the CVP promised last month,” Wenger said, “and we appreciate the Interior Department’s pledge to enhance the allocation further through actions that could add another 8 percent to 10 percent to CVP supplies. We will continue to press the department to make that additional water available as soon as possible.

“The additional water from the CVP will reduce the pressure on underground water supplies. It will also help farmers with permanent crops to provide critically needed water after the harvest to their trees and vines. We hope the additional water will also create momentum to meet needs for next year and beyond, allowing farmers more time to make their planting plans,” he said. … “

Continue reading this article from the California Farm Bureau Federation by clicking here.

Read the press release from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.

March 17, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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California’s legislators respond to increased CVP water allocations

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 17, 2010 at 8:19 am

From Senator Barbara Boxer:

“U. S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today praised the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply allocations have increased throughout the Central Valley. The increase results from additional precipitation and improved snowpack and storage at Shasta Reservoir.

Senator Boxer said, “I am so pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has agreed to release their updated water allocations a few weeks early so that farmers can start making more informed planting decisions. Water supplies are still limited, but I am optimistic that allocations will continue to go up and that the other measures the Bureau is working on will provide additional relief to the human suffering on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.” … “

From Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“The Department of the Interior today announced an updated allocation for Central Valley Project water supplies. Based on a 90 percent forecast, farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley will receive 25 percent of their contract water supply and farmers in the Sacramento Valley will receive 50 percent – both allocations are up from 5 percent.

This is good news, and this updated allocation provides more certainty and should help farmers secure the loans they need.

The Department also reaffirmed that they are working to secure the equivalent of an additional allocation of 8 to 10 percent for South-of-Delta agricultural users through administrative measures.

I’m pleased that the Interior Department has recognized the urgency of the water crisis and worked quickly to provide this updated allocation announcement ahead of schedule. I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure that farmers have enough water to plant, hire, and harvest this year.”

From Congressman Dennis Cardoza:

“Today’s announcement is less than the 40 percent minimum our farmers desperately need,” said Cardoza. “However, it does show an improvement over the initial allocation announced in February. I appreciate the work of Interior Secretary Salazar, but I will continue to press the Department to immediately undertake the necessary actions which will result in additional allocation increases.”

Despite this year’s heavy rains, San Joaquin Valley West-side farmers are facing a regulatory drought as a result of continued cuts in water supply in recent years. Pumping of irrigation water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the San Joaquin Valley has been curtailed in recent years as the pumps have been blamed for losses in smelt and salmon species.

Congressman Cardoza has worked closely with Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) in calling for a National Academies of Science review of the science that was guiding the Biological Opinions. The opinions have resulted in pumping restrictions to protect the Delta smelt. The National Academies of Science has undertaken this review, and Phase I of their review of the science underlying the Biological Opinions is expected to be released later this week. Phase II of the study will analyze the other stressors in the Delta, including urban pesticide run-off, discharge of treated sewage, and non-native predatory species.

“Today’s announcement is helpful,” said Cardoza. “However, we must do more to get water to our West-side farmers. We must address all of the factors affecting the health of the Delta and we must ensure we have long-term water supply projects in the pipeline. Until we do that, we will continue to face these critical shortages no matter how much it rains.”

From Congressman Jim Costa:

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for the Valley and our local economy,” Costa said. “Every additional drop of water we secure is a step forward in our ongoing fight to bring more water to our farmers, farm workers, and farm communities. While the increase is positive news, I want to make it clear that a 35 percent water allocation still falls short of what Valley farmers and communities need to get by. Our Valley’s water district managers have stated that our farmers need a minimum allocation of 40 percent to make it through the year.”

Interior’s latest announcement is an increase from the Department’s initial announcement of 5 percent to agricultural service contractors south of the Delta on February 26. Since the current Administration took office, Congressman Costa has taken every opportunity to meet with President Obama and officials from the Department of the Interior to press for an increased water supply for the Valley.

“Our fight for a fair and sustainable supply of water this year is far from over,” Costa said. “Timeliness and specific details remain key as farmers need to make decisions for this year’s growing season as soon as possible. After taking our Valley’s message directly to the President and meeting repeatedly with officials from the Interior Department, I am pleased that the Administration increased the Valley’s water supply. The President and the Department of Interior must continue to think outside the box and do whatever it takes to provide at least a 40% water allocation.”

March 17, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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Dept. of Interior announces increased water supply allocations in California; Additional water supplies to be made available south of Delta

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 16, 2010 at 12:32 pm

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply allocations have increased throughout the valley as a result of additional precipitation, improved snowpack, and improved storage at Shasta Reservoir. As forecast by Reclamation on February 26, California is having a near-average water year following three years of drought.

“The Department is deeply committed to working with all stakeholders to find solutions to the challenges – both short term and long term – facing water users throughout the Central Valley,” said Secretary Salazar, who was joined on the teleconference by Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor. “In this case, we accelerated our reporting of updated allocations, hoping to get the best available information to agricultural water service contractors as quickly as possible. This allocation update shows improvements from the previous allocation – just as we hoped in our recent announcement.”

Typically, Reclamation would release the March allocation update around March 22nd, but moved up the announcement at the urging of Senators Feinstein and Boxer, and Congressmen Costa and Cardoza.

Compared to the previous allocation, and using a conservative forecast regarding additional precipitation (generally referred to as the 90 percent exceedence forecast):

* The allocation for settlement contractors with claims to senior water rights along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers remains at 100 percent of their contract quantities (approximately 2.4 million acre-feet).
* Friant Division agricultural water service contractors’ allocation remains at 100 percent of Class 1 water and increases the Class 2 allocation to 10 percent – up from 0 percent.
* Eastside Division agricultural contractors’ (Stanislaus River) allocation remains at 100 percent of their contract quantities (155,000 acre-feet).
* Agricultural water service contractors north of the Delta are allocated 50 percent of their contract quantities – up from 5 percent.
* Agricultural water service contractors south of the Delta are allocated 25 percent of their contract quantities – up from 5 percent.
* Municipal and industrial water service contractors north of the Delta are allocated 75 percent – up from 55 percent – and those south of the Delta, 75 percent – also up from 55 percent.
* Wildlife refuges’ allocation north and south of the Delta remains at 100 percent of their “Level 2” water (approximately 400,000 acre-feet).

“This is good news for the large majority of water users served by the Central Valley Project, but we realize that South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors face serious water supply challenges, in part as a result of three consecutive years of drought and operational constraints imposed on the CVP to address water quality and fish species of concern. That’s why we continue to work hard and make progress towards providing an additional 8 to 10 percent for agriculture south of the Delta,” said Secretary Salazar.

The Department of the Interior is working diligently and in close partnership with other Federal and State agencies, South-of-Delta contractors, and other stakeholders to secure additional water for agricultural water users on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Under this initiative, it is expected that a range of an additional 150,000 to 200,000 acre-feet will be secured, or 8-10 percent of west side South-of-Delta agricultural water service contract quantities. These amounts represent new supplies for 2010 not previously available to the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.

“While we must take immediate steps and stop-gap measures, we cannot lose sight of our long-term plans to help California’s situation,” added Salazar. “We will continue to aggressively pursue a comprehensive water supply and restoration plan, working closely with Governor Schwarzenegger and his team, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, Congressmen Miller, Costa, Cardoza, Thompson, Napolitano, and other members of the delegation, and all stakeholders, so that California can have a sustainable water future.”

Additional information regarding the updated forecast, including water supply forecasts based on both the median (50 percent exceedence) and conservative (90 percent exceedence) levels, is available in the Bureau of Reclamations March 16, 2010 Information Release and at www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water. “

March 16, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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This just in … State Water Project delivery forecast remains at 15% despite CVP increase

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 16, 2010 at 12:06 pm

From the Department of Water Resources:

“Sacramento – Although the Central Valley Project today increased its water delivery allocation, the Department of Water Resources is unable at this time to increase allocations.

“It is clear that both the state and federal water projects face great challenges in delivering the amount of water that our farms, businesses and residents need this year,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “We will continue to work aggressively in looking for opportunities to improve water supplies to the State Water Project (SWP) contractors this year, and for long-term solutions to improve water supply reliability for California.”

Poor hydrologic conditions in the Feather River watershed, which feeds into Lake Oroville, is preventing DWR from raising the current 15 percent allocation for 2010 State Water Project deliveries at this time.
The CVP has substantially more water in storage than the SWP, largely due to this winter’s precipitation patterns. Lake Shasta, north of Redding, the CVP’s largest reservoir, is at 104 percent of average for this time of year, and 81 percent of capacity. Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal storage reservoir, is only at 57 percent of normal for this time of year, and 43 percent of capacity.

Depending on how hydrology improves, DWR will increase the delivery allocation accordingly. The initial 2010 allocation, announced in December 2009, was 5 percent of contractor requests. DWR raised the initial allocation to 15 percent in February.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.”

March 16, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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California Department of Water Resources appealing citations following Oroville Dam accident

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 10, 2010 at 5:47 am

From HydroWorld:

“The California Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined the state’s Department of Water Resources following a 2009 accident at the Edward Hyatt hydropower plant. DWR is appealing the citations, wire services reported.

Last July, a steel panel in a dam tunnel collapsed at the hydroelectric facility located at the base of the Oroville Dam, injuring five employees, according to media reports.

At the time, workers were performing tests on two valves that regulate the flow of river water from the Feather River to the hydropower plant, wire reports indicate. … “

Continue reading this brief article from HydroWorld by clicking here.

March 10, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Alex Brietler’s blog: Legislative Analyst Office should audit DWR’s bond spending

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:14 am

From Alex Breitler’s blog:

“While there’s a lot of talk about the $11.1 billion water bond on the November ballot, the general public may not realize that Department of Water Resources has already been on the receiving end of over $15 billion in bond funds over the past decade. Of that sum, several billion are still available, according to a report released today by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.

In its analysis of the governor’s proposed budget for natural resources, the LAO concluded that DWR bond spending should be audited.

“These recent increases in the availability of bond funding for DWR are unprecedented in their magnitude,” the report says. “This has led to concerns about the department’s capacity to effectively manage such a high level of funding.” … “

Continue reading this post from Alex Breitler’s blog by clicking here.

March 9, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Bureau of Reclamation releases rinal EA/FONSI for 2010-2011 water transfer program

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:28 am

From the Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:

“The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the 2010-2011 Water Transfer Program.

The purpose of the proposed action is to help make possible water transfers from willing sellers upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under contract with Reclamation to buyers in the State who are at risk of experiencing water shortages in 2010 and 2011. Reclamation would review and approve proposed water transfers in accordance with the Interim Guidelines for the Implementation of Water Transfers under the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), which can be found at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvpia/3405a/index.html.

The water would be made available for transfer through a combination of cropland idling, crop substitution, and groundwater substitution and would be available for purchase by public and private water providers in California. The EA analyzes the potential upper limit of water that may be made available by transfers in 2010 and 2011. This program is targeted at helping water contractors supplement local and imported supplies to meet critical demands due to consecutive drought years.

The Final EA/FONSI were developed to meet requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and are available online. If you encounter problems accessing documents online, please call 916-978-5100 or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For questions on the Final EA/FONSI or to request a copy of the documents, please contact Mr. Brad Hubbard, Bureau of Reclamation, at 916-978-5204 (TTY 916-978-5608) or e-mail bhubbard@usbr.gov.

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.

February 27, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, Water Agency News (all)

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Dept of Interior hopeful on California water outlook; Forecast expected to improve – additional water supplies to be made available

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 11:27 am

From the Department of the Interior:

“WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the Bureau of Reclamation’s Initial 2010 Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Supply Forecast and steps the United States government is taking to seek additional water supplies for drought-stricken farmers. Snowpack and runoff forecasts are significantly improved over the past three years and, if current weather patterns continue, California may have an “average” or better water year.

If 2010 is an average water year, allocations can be anticipated as follows:

* Senior agricultural water users along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers will be allocated 100 percent of their contract quantities (approximately 2.4 million acre feet);
* Friant Division agricultural water service contractors will be allocated 100 percent of Class 1 water;
* Eastside Division agricultural contractors (Stanislaus River) will be allocated 100 percent of their contract quantities (155,000 acre-feet);
* Agricultural water service contractors north of the Delta will be allocated 100 percent of their contract quantities;
* Agricultural water service contractors south of the Delta will be allocated 30 percent of their contract quantities;
* Municipal and industrial water service contractors north of the Delta will be allocated 100 percent, and those south of the Delta, 75 percent;
* Wildlife refuges north and south of the Delta will be allocated 100 percent of their “Level 2” water (approximately 400,000 acre feet).

These potential allocations are good news for the large majority of water users served by the Central Valley Project; however, the three previous years of drought and uncertainty regarding this water year present serious water supply challenges for west valley south of Delta agricultural water service contractors. In recognition of this fact, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has directed the Department of the Interior to work with other federal and state agencies and other parties to secure additional water opportunities for farmers south of the Delta.

“Valley farmers have suffered tremendously during California’s three year drought,” said Salazar. “With the support and guidance of Senator Feinstein, Senator Boxer, Congressmen Costa and Cardoza, and a number of stakeholders, the Department has identified actions that will provide additional water on top of what an average water year would deliver.”

Under the Interior initiative, it is expected that the additional water supplies secured through the collective efforts of federal and state agencies and many stakeholders are likely to be in the range of 150,000 to 200,000 acre feet, amounts that represent approximately 8 to 10 percent of the south of Delta agricultural water service contract quantities. These amounts represent new water supplies for 2010 that were not previously available to the west side. They would add to other supplies available to west side farmers through their own efforts and planning.

To augment Interior’s initiative, the Department of Agriculture has resources for farmers and communities available. “The US Department of Agriculture is committed to using its resources to help farmers in the Central Valley,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Next week a team from USDA headquarters will go to California to work with local USDA staff from Rural Development, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency to ensure that our farm and community programs are ready to be deployed and to ensure our conservation programs will provide more water in the Valley over the long term.”

Assuming the necessary agreements and permits can be secured, the actions that are expected to provide additional supplies to the west side include: securing water from urban water suppliers in exchange arrangements; capturing and using excess restoration flows in the Mendota Pool; improved operations through more precise compliance with Old and Middle River flows by the Bureau of Reclamation and the State Water Project; additional water transfers to be made available from senior east side water users to the west side, over and above customary east to west side transfers; and authorization of additional pumping capacity at Banks Pumping Plant by the U.S. Corps of Engineers during times that are not restricted by water rights permit conditions or environmental requirements.

The measures that do not require additional agreements or permits will be implemented immediately. The Department will work with the state and other stakeholders on an on-going basis to confirm that progress is being made to secure these additional supplies.

“The Interior Department and my colleagues on the Federal Bay Delta Leadership Committee will work diligently and aggressively to provide these augmented water supplies, based on the recognition that this is a one-year, stop-gap measure to reduce the pain felt by farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley,” said Salazar. “Delivering these water supplies will require the cooperation of many parties, and we are pleased that other water users and stakeholders, with the active encouragement of Senator Feinstein, are stepping up to the plate to make it happen.”

Although current weather patterns suggest that 2010 may be an average or better water year for California, the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of California also provide an official allocation at this time of year. That allocation is based on a “dry year” forecast which assumes, essentially, that there is little or no additional precipitation over the balance of the water year. For more detailed information about the initial 2010 Central Valley Project water supply forecast, please go to http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water Under this scenario, some junior agricultural interests north and south of the Delta would receive an allocation of 5 percent of their water service contracts.

The Secretary further noted that “[t]he reality is that the Bay Delta ecosystem has collapsed, and a major, long-term solution is needed to secure reliable water flows. We are looking forward to input from the National Academy of Sciences on these questions and will continue to aggressively pursue a comprehensive water supply and restoration plan, working closely with Governor Schwarzenegger and his team, Senators Feinstein and Boxer, Congressman George Miller and other members of the delegation, and all stakeholders, so that California can have a sustainable water future.” “

February 26, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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Department of Water Resoures: Water delivery projection remains low

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 10:54 am

From the Department of Water Resources:

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased anticipated 2010 State Water Project deliveries to California’s water contractors from five to 15 percent of requests. If this amount remains unchanged by the final allocation in late spring this will be the lowest allocation percentage in the project’s history.

“Despite a relatively wet winter our reservoir storage levels remain low,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “After three years of drought conditions and a number of mandated pumping restrictions even a wet year won’t get us out of the woods. We need increased conservation, a more reliable water delivery system and a comprehensive solution for California’s water crisis.”

Lake Oroville is at only 54% of its average storage level for this time of year. And while San Luis Reservoir is at 80% of normal for this time of year, the vast majority of that supply is unavailable for this year’s allocation. Most of the supply in San Luis is earmarked for individual water contractors who are trying to stretch these supplies carried over from previous years. So supplies in two key State Water Project reservoirs are well below where DWR would like them to be.

Another hydrologic condition affecting the allocation amount is the condition of the watershed. After three years of drought, the watershed is dry and will likely absorb more of the snowpack. Therefore, less runoff from the snowpack is expected.

However, the allocation at this time of year is a conservative estimate. As winter progresses and the Department has a clearer picture of water conditions, the allocation can be increased. There is a 90 percent chance that the allocation will improve by late spring. If average precipitation continues, the final allocation will likely be in the range of 35-45 percent of requested amounts. That spread is based on how the biological opinions to protect fish species are applied and how much flexibility the Department has to pump water.

In 2009, the State Water Project delivered 40 percent of customer requests. The federal Central Valley Project was only able to deliver 10 percent of contracted amounts to some agricultural areas in the San Joaquin Valley.

The reduced deliveries were due both to dry weather and fishery agency restrictions on pumping to protect fish species; principally Delta smelt, salmon, and longfin smelt.

The historical average of final State Water Project allocations over the past 10 years has been 68 percent of contractors’ requests.

Electronic readings indicate that statewide, water content in the Sierra snowpack currently is 103 percent of normal for the date. The crucial reading will be at the beginning of April, when snowpack water content normally is at its peak before the spring melt into rivers and reservoirs.

Governor Schwarzenegger has championed a comprehensive water plan that he recently signed into law. The package would safeguard the state’s water supply through conservation, more surface and groundwater storage, new investments in the state’s aging water infrastructure and an improved water conveyance system to protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

February 26, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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On the Water Front blog: Central Valley Project contracts make no allocation promises

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 7:47 am

From Mark Hitchcock at the Environmental Defense Fund’s On the Water Front blog:

“As a first-year attorney, my understanding of the intricacies of California water law is limited. Still, I am always bothered by the fact that the battles over Central Valley Project (“CVP”) exports regularly allude to the idea that water users have seen their contractual rights to Bay-Delta water decreased by environmental protection laws. In her recent op-ed proposing an Endangered Species Act rider, Senator Feinstein wrote about the percentage of a “contractual allocation” available to Central Valley users. The New York Times referenced percentages of “normal allocations,” and the Fresno Bee used that same term. Even the rebuttal letter questioning the wisdom of Senator Feinstein’s proposed rider sent by Representative George Miller and ten other members of Congress referred to water users receiving percentages of their “contract supply.”

In fact, there is no contractual right to any set or “normal” amount of CVP water. Exporters do not receive varying percentages of a set amount of water that they have continuing contractual rights to; it is the amount of water that they are contractually entitled to that varies from year to year. … “

February 26, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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This just in … Westlands Water District quits ACWA

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 24, 2010 at 11:12 am

From Matt Weiser at the Sacramento Bee:

“Westlands Water District, the powerful farm irrigation agency in the San Joaquin Valley, has quit its membership in a leading statewide water association.

Spokeswoman Sarah Woolf said Westlands quit the Association of California Water Agencies because of budget priorities. She denied rumors the split was related to a policy disagreement. Wetlands’ ACWA membership cost about $19,000 a year, Woolf said. … “

Continue reading this story at the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.

February 24, 2010 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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Barry Nelson: Assemblyman Huffman writes to DWR about state-created CESA violation

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 11, 2010 at 2:01 pm

From Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog:

“My colleague Kate Poole wrote here about the risk that, should it succeed in its efforts to invalidate current ESA protections in the Delta, the Department of Water Resources would put itself in violation of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

Yesterday, Assemblyman Huffman, chairman of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, sent DWR a letter chronicling the agency’s convoluted path toward compliance with CESA – and the risk that the state’s own legal strategy could result in a violation of state law. He asks DWR to explain how it intends to meet the requirements of CESA, should the federal courts block either of the federal biological opinions that regulate the operations of the pumps in the Delta. DWR’s reply should make interesting reading. … “

Continue reading this post from Barry Nelson by clicking here. Read the letter from Assemblyman Huffman by clicking here.

February 11, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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California water utility uses RFID to reduce terrorism risk

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 11, 2010 at 8:00 am

From the RFID Journal:

“Feb. 10, 2010—Alco Water Service, an investor-owned water utility based in Salinas, Calif., has rolled out an RFID-based system for both security and asset-management applications. The company, which maintains a number of unmanned pump stations throughout the town, is employing the system to gain better visibility into the use of its stations, both for operational efficiency and in compliance with the Bioterrorism Act, federal legislation passed in 2002.

The counterterrorism law requires that a water utility serving a population of 3,300 or more must assess its system’s vulnerability to acts of terrorism or other intentional harm. Alco assessed the security of its unmanned well sites, each of which consists of a small building housing a pump, and secured with barbed-wire fencing. Based on that analysis, the firm decided that by issuing RFID tags to personnel then and linking those tags to an access-control system so that only authorized workers could enter the pumps stations, it would appreciably lower the stations’ vulnerability to terrorist attack. The use of RFID would also allow Alco to maintain a detailed and accurate history of employee activity at each well. … “

February 11, 2010 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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New Director Mark Cowin offers ‘straightforward’ vision for DWR

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 10, 2010 at 4:50 pm

From the California Water Plan e-News:

“Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin has offered a vision for the department. Cowin took over this month from Lester Snow, who is now secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.

“My vision for DWR is straightforward,” Cowin wrote. “We must continue to lead California towards more sustainable, integrated resources management to provide for a productive economy, healthy ecosystem, and desirable quality of life for all Californians.” He continued, “It is also the vision described in the 2005 and 2009 Updates of the California Water Plan.”

Read Mark Cowin’s memo to DWR Employees by clicking here.

February 10, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Groups write U.S. BOR to request full EIR of renewed water delivery contracts

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 9, 2010 at 8:31 am

From Lloyd Carter’s Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood blog:

“The Sierra Club, Friends of the River and the Planning and Conservation League have written the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to request a full environmental impact report on a Bureau proposal to renew water delivery contracts for high selenium lands in the Western San Joaquin Valley. To read more, click here.“

February 9, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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Barry Nelson: State legal strategy in the Delta conflicts with state legal requirements

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:19 am

From Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard Blog:

“Yesterday, a federal judge refused the Department of Water Resources’ “nonopposition” to a request to block ESA protections for the delta smelt under the Endangered Species Act. The court, however, has not yet ruled on the request to weaken protections for listed salmon and other species. The state’s position in this case is in conflict with two important legal requirements.

The first conflict is with SB 7×1 — the Delta governance bill passed in November. That bill requires the state’s Bay-Delta Conservation Plan to meet the requirements of the Natural Communities Conservation Planning Act – the state’s highest standard for ecosystem restoration and species recovery — which requires the development of a science based program to protect and restore listed species. … “

Continue reading this post from Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.

February 5, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project, Delta Issues

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Kate Poole: Is the Department of Water Resources trying to shut down the State Water Project?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:17 am

From Kate Poole at the NRDC Switchboard blog:

“It’s an odd strategy for the agency charged with operating California’s primary water supply system to try to shut it down. But that is exactly where the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is headed. Let’s hope the state reverses course before it’s too late.

The State Water Project supplies some portion of drinking water to over 23 million people. It is comprised of a series of reservoirs (such as Oroville on the Feather River), pumping plants (including the massive Banks pumping plant in the south Delta) and conveyance canals (the most notable of which is the California Aqueduct, which transports water from Stockton all the way down to Riverside). For the last 50 years, the state has grown up around the State Water Project and relies on DWR to competently run it.

So why is DWR pursuing a reckless legal strategy that, if successful, will shut down the Banks pumping plant and turn the aqueduct into the world’s longest skateboard park? … “

Continue reading this post from Kate Poole at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.

February 5, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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DWR certifies EIR for Monterey Amendment to State Water Project contracts

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:02 am

From the Delta e-News:

“DWR on Monday certified the Monterey Plus Final EIR for the Monterey Amendment to the State Water Project Contracts (Including kern Water Bank Transfer) and Associated Actions as Part of a Settlement Agreement (Monterey Plus).

The Monterey EIR is aimed at identifying potential environmental impacts resulting from modifications to water supply contracts. In 1994, DWR and some of the contractors, meeting in Monterey,
executed the Monterey Agreement to modify the long-term water supply contracts. These modifications were incorporated into the long-term water supply contracts in what became known as the Monterey Amendment.

A decision regarding approval of the proposed project will be made later.”

You can learn more about the Monterey Agreement by clicking here.

February 5, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Battle expected over water pipeline: Intertie would link two major canals by 2011

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 23, 2010 at 8:31 am

From the Fresno Bee:

“Work is finally supposed to start this spring on pipelines connecting California’s two most important canals, allowing a little more water to be pumped for west San Joaquin Valley farms.

But the project, conceived more than two decades ago, is a prime target for an environmental lawsuit and delay — again.

The connection would be called the California Aqueduct and Delta-Mendota Canal Intertie, and it would be ready to use in late 2011, if it isn’t held up by a lawsuit.

Officials would use two 500-foot pipelines west of Tracy to send extra water to the massive California Aqueduct from the smaller and sometimes inadequate Delta-Mendota Canal — water that otherwise might end up in the ocean. That would allow more irrigation water to be stored at San Luis Reservoir — a piece of good news for farmers who have suffered severe cutbacks. … “

But don’t expect it to go smoothly:

” … pumping any more water — even a small amount — from the broken delta is too much, say environmentalists and fishing groups. They say the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s environmental studies for the project ignored many issues, including the dying fish populations and poor water quality in the delta.

They expect to sue in hopes of stopping the intertie. Their lawsuit in 2006 forced an extensive environmental study, which environmentalists and fishing groups say still does not satisfy the law.

“The environmental work is grossly deficient,” said Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance in Stockton. “You can’t continue pumping more and more water here.” … “

Here’s the Bay-Delta blog’s in-depth look at the intertie project posted earlier this month.

January 23, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, DWR & State Water Project

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Los Banos water meeting: ‘A whole lot of nothing’

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 16, 2010 at 8:42 am

From the Hanford Sentinel:

“A meeting about water Thursday in Los Banos offered little hope to Westside farming interests that their water shortages will ease this year, according to Sarah Woolf, spokeswoman for Westlands Water District. Woolf called it “a whole lot of nothing.” “It’s not looking good,” she said.

The meeting was organized by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, to give San Joaquin Valley users of Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta water an idea of what’s ahead. State, federal and regional water agencies were represented.

The State Water Project, which supplies delta water to several Kings County agencies, is predicting that users will get 5 percent of their original water contract, Costa said. The parallel federal Central Valley Project announces its first allocation in February. Farmers depend on the allocation to plan their cropping season.

Costa said he is “frustrated” and wants more “urgency” on the part of agency heads. … “

January 16, 2010 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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Bureau of Reclamation announces Recovery Act award for the purchase of drought relief emergency supplies for California

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 16, 2010 at 7:38 am

From the Bureau of Reclamation:

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Bureau of Reclamation, an agency within the Department of the Interior, today awarded a $1,651,023 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to fund emergency drought relief supplies for affected agricultural areas of California.

The contract entails purchasing irrigation supplies from Western Oilfields Supply Company, Bakersfield, Calif. These supplies include pumps, valves, flow meters, piping and fittings, and others, to increase the flexibility of limited water supplies for helping maintain production of trees and vines. When purchased, these items will be provided to the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority for distribution to water districts impacted by the drought.

“California’s drought is having devastating economic effects due to lessened agricultural production and loss of farm-related jobs. To help the people of California, Reclamation is funding emergency drought relief projects through the use of ARRA funds and under the Reclamation States Emergency Relief Act of 1991,” Reclamation’s Commissioner Michael Connor said. … Read more

January 16, 2010 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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Intertie gets federal green light; Construction on project expected to start by May, 2011

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 8, 2010 at 8:39 am

From the Capital Press:

“With a final regulatory hurdle cleared, water managers expect to get California’s Intertie project under construction by May, but it will cost nearly 30 percent more than originally estimated.

A federal fast-tracking has kept the Delta-Mendota Canal-California Aqueduct Intertie project on schedule. That means it could be completed by fall 2011.

“These things typically take a longer time frame, but we’re focusing a lot of attention and resources on it,” said Gwen Knittweis, a supervising engineer with the state Department of Water Resources. “I have a lot of papers on my desk pertaining to this one.” … “

January 8, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, DWR & State Water Project

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Bay Delta blog: Record of Decision for the Delta-Mendota Canal / California Aqueduct Intertie

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 4, 2010 at 8:19 am

From the Bay Delta blog:

“Last week, in the final days of 2009, it was announced that the long-planned Delta Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie project finally got its Record of Decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The federal government, in its Interim Action Plan for the Bay-Delta (PDF), released on December 22, 2009, also listed the Intertie as a priority project to expedite, aiming to have construction start by June 2010 and completed by October 2011.

The $34 million proposed Intertie, which will be located in Alameda County generally west of Tracy, would connect the Delta-Mendota Canal, a federal facility, to the California Aqueduct, a state facility. The proposed project takes the form of a pipeline connection from milepost 7.2 of the Delta-Mendota to milepost 9 of the Aqueduct, where the state and federal projects are only about 500 feet apart. … “

Continue reading this post at the Bay Delta blog by clicking here.

January 4, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, DWR & State Water Project

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C-WIN: The Monterey Amendments to State Water Project contracts

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 2, 2010 at 7:56 am

From the California Water Impact Network:

“Drought from 1987 to 1992, and again in 1994, financial crisis among state water contractors, and the prospect of severe regulation of Delta exports by the State Water Project (SWP) provoked the project’s most serious crisis.

In 1994 four of its contractors, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Kern County Water Agency which together control about 75 percent of State Water Project allocations, met in secret in Monterey with representatives of Paramount Farming (a private corporation) to attempt to resolve their water shortage.

The result was the Monterey Amendments to the State Water Project contracts.

These contracts lay out the contractors’ and state’s obligations concerning delivery of water under both surplus and drought conditions. … “

Find out more about the Monterey Amendments from the California Water Impact Network by clicking here.

January 2, 2010 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Delta Intertie gets environmental approval

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 30, 2009 at 6:25 am

From the Eureka Times-Standard:

“A plan to connect state and federal canals to improve the reliability of water deliveries across the San Joaquin Valley and beyond has received environmental approval.

The $34 million Intertie Project would connect the Delta Mendota Canal and the California Aqueduct using a 500-foot underground pipe and pumps. … “

December 30, 2009 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, DWR & State Water Project

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DWP pitches solar farm, state park at Owens Lake

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 18, 2009 at 7:35 am

From the Los Angeles Times:

“Los Angeles city officials are drafting a master plan for a proposed solar farm and possibly a state park on Owens Lake, drained nearly a century ago when its water was diverted to the Los Angeles Aqueduct, officials said Thursday.

Representatives with the Department of Water and Power disclosed the concept when they appeared before the California State Lands Commission, which has regulatory authority over the dusty lake bed near Lone Pine.

Commission members, meeting in San Diego, said they were intrigued by the idea but remain wary because of the DWP’s history of using its ample political power to get its way and not cooperate with the state panel. A formal proposal could come before the commission in the spring.

The DWP’s plans for Owens Lake arose during a hearing on a separate dust control measure that the municipal utility proposed for portions of the lake bed: a series of moats and berms to control dust on 3 1/2 square miles of the 100-square-mile dry lake. … “

December 18, 2009 · Filed Under LA DWP, Southern California

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Paul Kelley elected to lead Association of California Water Agencies; Members also choose Randy Record for vice president post

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 5, 2009 at 7:20 am

From the New York Times:

“Members of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) have elected Paul Kelley to a two-year term as president of the statewide group. A Sonoma County supervisor and director of the Sonoma County Water Agency, Kelley had served as vice president of the association since January 2008.

Randy Record, a member of the Eastern Municipal Water District Board of Directors, was elected vice president. The two will take office in January.

The election, which took place at ACWA’s 2009 Fall Conference & Exhibition in San Diego, capped a year in which the Association launched several new public outreach initiatives and supported a historic legislative package on water passed by the Legislature in November and signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“We are in tumultuous and challenging times for California water,” Kelley said. “But this organization is a strong organization. We are uniting to implement sustainable policies and take care of California’s water. I am thrilled to be part of that.”

Kelley was first elected to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in 1994. He has served as chair of ACWA’s Region 1 and is current chair of Sonoma County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO).

Record, who currently chairs ACWA’s Federal Affairs Committee, has served on the Eastern Municipal Water District Board of Directors since 2000. He also represents Eastern on the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and is a past chair of the Riverside County Water Task Force.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, contact ACWA at 916.441.4545 or visit www.acwa.com.

December 5, 2009 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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Congressman McCarthy calls for up or down vote on Turning on the Pumps

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:25 am

From the Office of Congressman Kevin McCarthy:

“WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the California State Water Project announced that its allocation for 2010 would be the lowest allocation of water in history. Congressman McCarthy and several of his California colleagues signed a discharge petition for The Turn on the Pumps Act (H.R. 3105), of which he is a cosponsor, and McCarthy and colleagues are urging other members of Congress to join them to bring this legislation to the floor. This legislation would waive the regulatory burdens that restrict Delta water pumping, which would help restore California water flow. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures and would allow for a straight up or down vote to override Democratic Congressional leadership scheduling barriers.

McCarthy issued the following statement:

“Our communities and local job creators urgently need water to help our local economy. We have been waiting too long and experienced too much hardship. Enough is enough. Now is the time for this Congress to take real bipartisan action to solve the San Joaquin Valley’s man-made drought. That is why I will continue to work with my colleagues to help finally pass this common sense solution to bring relief to our communities. This bill deserves an up or down vote.”

Related:

McCarthy has continued to work to raise awareness of our local crisis and advocate for common-sense relief measures. Congressman McCarthy has also cosponsored the following bills to help alleviate the man-made water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley:
• H.R. 856, (California Drought Alleviation Act of 2009) which would increase water deliveries to the Central Valley and Southern California urban and agriculture users by waiving regulations regarding the smelt fish at Delta pumps during times of drought.
• H.R. 996, which would increase water deliveries by temporarily exempting the operations of any water supply or flood control project from ESA when the Governor declares an emergency.
• H.R. 2977, would authorize a National Academy of Sciences study on all the stressors in the Delta affecting the species in it; the study would also review the science used in conducting the Biological Opinion on operations of the pumps in the Delta (the result of which is reduced water deliveries).”

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Severe water delivery cutbacks: Necessary or tactic?

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:24 am

From KQED Radio:

“The state’s water managers say California is so dry that they can only promise to deliver five percent of the water customers want for the coming year. Critics of the state’s water policy say the threatened supply cut is a tactic intended to build support for an $11 billion water bond measure on next November’s ballot. So where does the state’s water supply really stand after three years of drought? ”

Host: Cy Musiker

Guests:

* Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute

More at KQED Radio website by clicking here.

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Congressman Costa’s statement on SWP Allocation

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:23 am

From the Office of Congressman Jim Costa:

“Following the Department of Water Resource’s initial announcement of a 5 percent water allocation for San Joaquin Valley Farmers, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) made the following statement.

“This is the worst news our farmers, farm workers and farm communities could have been told today. The water crisis has devastated our local economy and put thousands of Valley residents out of work. For the past 18 months, Congressman Cardoza and I have worked tirelessly to bring relief to our Valley. We have been able to secure funding for twenty-five water projects, pass legislation to ease water transfers, and continue to press for short, mid and long-term solutions to this crisis. Today’s news is unacceptable. We need immediate action from both Governor Schwarzenegger and President Obama to ensure a stable water supply for Valley farms and cities this growing season.” “

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Congressman Cardoza’s statement on SWP Allocation

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:20 am

From the Office of Congressman Dennis Cardoza:

“WASHINGTON, DC – The California Department of Water Resources initial allocation of just 5 percent for the State Water Project today is nothing short of an abomination. This is the lowest initial allocation of water that has ever been awarded in the history of this water system. We have moved beyond a regional water emergency and are now staring in the face of a statewide emergency and a potential national food crisis. It is this simple: Without water, our California farmers cannot grow the crops that feed our nation.

Over the past year my colleagues and I have provided numerous proposals – such as various water improvement projects and legislative fixes – that would provide real relief to our farmers and ensure water is delivered for their crops. Just last month, I introduced bipartisan legislation with my fellow Valley Congress members calling for a reconsultation of the biological opinions on salmon and smelt, as well as a review of the science and all of the factors affecting water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This bill would force an objective scientific examination of the declines of fish populations in the Delta and prevent the pumps from being made the scapegoat for all the problems in the Delta.

The state’s water shortages are being exacerbated by the regulatory drought. It is essential that the U.S. Department of the Interior and other state and federal agencies provide greater flexibility in their water management decisions as well as work collaboratively with the state of California on the proposals my colleagues and I have offered to address the water shortages.

In addition to facing unemployment rates of more than 40 percent in some of our Valley farming communities, our nation today is one significant step closer to becoming an importer of the vegetables, fruits and nuts currently grown in California. This must end and it must end now. We have solutions. We simply need the appropriate agencies to explore every creative approach that can both turn on the pumps and jump start the California and national economies. … “

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under DWR & State Water Project

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Lawsuit takes aim at pre-dam water rights

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:19 am

From the Chico Enterprise-Record:

“Environmental groups filed a legal challenge to water rights of some of Northern California’s oldest agricultural water users, stating that contracts for use of Sacramento River water for the next 40 years violate the Endangered Species Act.

The suit goes to the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and seeks to revisit 40-year water contracts approved in 2005 between the federal Bureau of Reclamation and water districts including Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District in Willows, Princeton-Codora-Glenn Irrigation District, Provident Irrigation District, Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District, city of Redding, M&T Chico Ranch, and others.

Also named in the suit are 25-year contracts with water districts in the San Joaquin Valley, which get water from the delta.

The water agencies are known as “settlement contractors,” who had water rights before the Central Valley Project was completed, with some water rights dating back to the 1880s. … “

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under Central Valley Project, Water & Wildlife

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Water agencies recognized for environmental excellence

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:18 am

From Marketwire, this press release from ACWA:

“SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwire – December 2, 2009) – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented the City of Santa Rosa, El Dorado Irrigation District and Sonoma County Water Agency with the 2009 Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award during ACWA’s Fall Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

“ACWA’s member agencies are making significant strides in resource management,” said ACWA President Glen Peterson. “The Theodore Roosevelt award honors these innovative projects that encourage responsible resource management and protection. The winners are among the best of the best.”

The winner in Category One (projects under $100,000) was the City of Santa Rosa for its Aquatic Biomass-to-Fuel Project. The city, in collaboration with Sonoma State University, built two channelized aquatic scrubbers that use vegetation to remove nitrates and other nutrients from wastewater that can clog waterways and compete with native plants. The plants also create biomass, which can be harvested for anaerobic energy production.

The winner in Category Two (projects between $100,000 and $1 million) was El Dorado Irrigation District for its Caples Lake Fisheries and Habitat Preservation Program. When the lake needed to be drawn down in order to repair corroded dam gates, the district helped relocate more than 26,000 fish and released an additional 256,500 into the lake after the repairs were completed. Drinking water was delivered without interruption and flows for downstream habitat were maintained.

The winner in Category Three (projects over $1 million) was the Sonoma County Water Agency for its Summer Youth Ecology Corps. Working with 32 county agencies and community groups, the agency created a program that employed more than 300 teens and young adults in clearing invasive species and planting native plants on creeks and flood control channels. With channel-choking species removed, 10 miles of streambed flood control was improved, and the youths received valuable work experience and watershed stewardship education.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. “

December 3, 2009 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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