Friday’s top of the scroll: Tunnel under delta could be alternative to canal

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 9:12 am

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

“A possible answer to Southern California’s water-delivery woes has emerged right underfoot, literally.

The state Department of Water Resources is exploring the price and engineering challenges associated with digging a roughly 35-mile tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to bring more supplies to Southern California. “We don’t have the costs worked out,” said Lester Snow, California’s water chief. “We have to look at the trade-off between the extra costs of tunneling and how it compares to a canal.”

Although still in its early stages, the tunnel proposal intrigues water managers frustrated by the inability to secure sufficient supplies – especially during the state’s prolonged drought – and worried that they may never overcome fierce resistance to building a new above-ground canal. …”

Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Peripheral Canal

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Assemblymember Jared Huffman: “My Assembly Bill 39—in either its current form or the soon-to-be-released full form—does NOT authorize, “argue for” or “call for” construction of the peripheral canal”

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 9:08 am

From the website of Assemblymember Jared Huffman:

Today, Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Water Parks and Wildlife Chair, clarified that his Assembly Bill 39–in either its current form or the soon-to-be-released full form–does NOT authorize, “argue for” or “call for” construction of the Peripheral Canal.

Huffman’s legislation on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta requires an independent Delta Stewardship Council to develop a comprehensive plan to address California’s crisis in the Delta, but Huffman’s bill has been repeatedly mischaracterized as legislation to build a peripheral canal. In response, he sent the following statement to these sources to clear up any confusion regarding the intent of his legislation:

“In all the debate about the Delta, I want to make one fact clear at the outset: My Assembly Bill 39—in either its current form or the soon-to-be-released full form—does NOT authorize, “argue for” or “call for” construction of the Peripheral Canal.

Instead, my bill for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta requires an independent Delta Stewardship Council to develop a comprehensive plan to get California out of the crisis we face in the Delta. From the beginning, I have kept my focus on ecosystem restoration and how we save the fishery that depends on the Delta, particularly Central Valley salmon that migrate through the Delta between upstream spawning grounds and the Pacific Ocean, as well as water supply issues. AB 39 requires a comprehensive ecosystem restoration plan that aims at recovery of our fishery and improving reliability of our water supply. This bill would add protections for the Delta—not take them away. …

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Peripheral Canal

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Phil Isenberg harbors water-fix doubts: With budget issues resolved for now, legislature turns back to water

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 9:02 am

From the Capital Press:

“To hear Phil Isenberg tell it, California lawmakers stand as much chance of solving the state’s water issues as they do its fiscal ones. Isenberg, a Sacramento lobbyist and water-policy expert, chairs the Delta Vision Foundation, a group formed early this year by members of the dissolved Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force.

“If history is any guide, governors and legislators are going to be unable to solve issues of water” in California, Isenberg said.

Which doesn’t mean he has lost hope. With the state’s budget difficulties at least temporarily resolved, the legislature can finally turn its attention to water policy, an issue described by many lawmakers as the state’s most urgent priority.

The conventional approach to water policy needs to be changed, Isenberg says. That may seem an unreachable goal, but Isenberg and his fellow foundation members are focused on pushing lawmakers and stakeholders toward it. …”

Read more from the Capital Press by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Delta Issues

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Dan Bacher commentary: Legislation calling for a water council to be released today

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:59 am

From Dan Bacher, this commentary:

“Language for water bill legislation in the California Legislature will finally be released tomorrow [today], July 31, 2009, according to Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign director of Restore the Delta. Rather than authorizing a canal directly, the proposed legislation will authorize a “water council” that will try to bypass public input in order to build the canal through the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan and Delta Vision Process are thinly-veiled plans orchestrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the worst Governor for fish and the environment in California history, to build a peripheral canal and more dams. The advocates of both processes claim they are designed to attain the co-equal goals of “ecoystem restoration” and “water supply” – the failed goals of the CalFed process. However, in reality both processes are cynical attempts to push through a water grab for corporate agribusiness under the guise of “ecoystem restoration.”

“We are amazed that our knife- wielding Governor can gut education and healthcare for children, while at the same time continuing to push for water projects that the state clearly cannot afford,” said Barrigan-Parrilla.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Water Legislation

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Two Gates: another slick connivance from the cabal that brought fisheries to the brink of destruction, says Bill Jennings

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:48 am

From Bill Jennings of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, this commentary:

“Having spent much of the last week reviewing the draft Biological Assessment and draft Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Two Gates project, including several hours with Metropolitan Water District (MWD) technical staff reviewing the projects assumptions and modeling, I’m concerned that this project is another bullet speeding toward the Delta’s heart.

Two Gates is a project developed by MWD and other state water contractors to install operable barriers in Old River and Connection Slough. The stated purpose is to circumvent the export restrictions in the recent Biological Opinions (BiOp) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) by preventing Delta smelt from entering the south Delta where they are susceptible to entrainment in the massive export pumps of the state and federal projects. The project was hatched in secrecy but has now been handed to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation where it is on a breathtaking fast track to construction this fall.

Two Gates is being merchandised as a scientific experiment and admittedly seeks answers to a series of hypotheses that need to be verified (i.e., do Delta smelt “surf” the tide, can intermittent operation of the gates affect turbidity, will subtle changes in turbidity cause smelt to avoid certain areas, etc.). Unfortunately, the reality is that the project is an increased water export scheme masquerading as science. Suggestions that conveyance be decoupled from the actual scientific experiment and that any positive effects serve to restore smelt abundance have been rejected. The clear intent of the project is to increase water exports over limits imposed by Judge Wanger’s Delta smelt decision and the recent BiOp. …”

More of Bill Jenning’s commentary by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Delta Issues

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Aspen Institute dialogue identifies a sustainable path toward improving nation’s water infrastructure

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:40 am

From the Aspen Institute, this press release:

A milestone report published by the Aspen Institute’s Energy and Environment Program outlines how this country’s aging and ailing water infrastructure can be restored and managed in a way that is economically sustainable, that protects the nation’s natural watershed, and that will meet the challenges associated with climate change, such as droughts, heavy storms, and flooding events.

The report, Sustainable Water Systems: Step One – Redefining the Nation’s Infrastructure Challenge, published in early July 2009, is a result of the year-long Aspen Institute Dialogue on Sustainable Water Infrastructure in the United States, which examined the challenges that America’s drinking water and wastewater systems are now facing in maintaining and replacing their pipes, treatment plants, and other critical infrastructure in the context of a changing climate. By offering ten policy recommendations, three key principles of sustainable water infrastructure, and 20 guiding elements of water management, the report creates a sustainable path forward for the nation in delivering clean and safe drinking water for American communities while protecting the environment and the nation’s natural watershed.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Infrastructure

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Aspen Institute report: A bold new idea could change how we manage water

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:35 am

From Nancy Stoner at the NRDC Switchboard blog:

“This week the Aspen Institute released a groundbreaking report that should help transform the way America looks at our water system.

When most people hear the term “water infrastructure,” they tend to think of pipes, drains, and maybe a water main or two. But thanks to this new report, additional images may soon leap to mind: the wetlands, grassy plains, and other natural systems that are now being recognized as the most cost-effective way to recycle and filter our water.

This is a bold new idea, and that was the goal of the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue on Sustainable Water Infrastructure–to look at the big picture, long-term needs of our water resources and envision new ways of managing them.

I was fortunate to be a member of the dialogue, along with about 25 other people from various sewer authorities, private water companies, and other environmental groups. We gathered for four workshops and had the chance to rethink traditional approaches to water. …”

Read more of Nancy’s post at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Infrastructure

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Capitol event highlights ocean protection

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:28 am

Submitted to Aquafornia via email:

The world’s oceans are in crisis, but science has provided a solution. A broad group of 26 marine biologists, oceanographers, and ecologists who study California’s waters today called on the Fish and Game Commission to act swiftly next week to create a series of marine reserves along the state’s coast, citing a global body of evidence about their effectiveness.

Speaking at an event held at the state Capitol this morning, naturalist and former Fitzgerald Marine Reserve manager Bob Breen unveiled a scientific consensus statement that states, “Networks of marine reserves will be necessary for long-term fishery and conservation benefits;” adding that, “Current scientific evidence justifies the immediate implementation of marine reserves as a central ocean management tool.”

“We know enough now to dramatically improve the management of ocean resources.,” said Breen. “Marine reserves are one of the best tools available to ensure the long-term health of ocean ecosystems. And with threats like climate change and fishing pressure growing greater by the year, it is critical that we act on this knowledge today.”

More, including the consensus statement of the scientists: Read more

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Other Oceans & Beaches Stories

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California League of Conservation Voters launches SomethingsFishyAboutPSO.com

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:21 am

From YubaNet.com:

“The California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) today launched a statewide campaign and Web site (www.somethingsfishyaboutpso.com) that unmasks the “Partnership for Sustainable Oceans” (PSO), an industry front group that is raising more than $1 million from foreign and national fishing equipment manufacturers, boat makers, and Washington, D.C.-based trade associations to torpedo California’s efforts to protect depleted fisheries and marine life off the Pacific coast. CLCV is the non-partisan political arm of California’s environmental community.

“Like the now-defunct Tobacco Institute, the PSO, despite its eco-friendly name, is nothing more than a front group for the fishing industry and boat manufacturers that are more interested in its short-term profits than the long-term health of California’s fisheries and marine life,” said CLCV president Warner Chabot. “Its misinformation campaign about the science of marine protected areas, and hefty campaign contributions from its backers to anti-environment candidates in California show this industry group’s true colors.” …”

Having fish and eating it too: Imperiled fisheries make a comeback, study shows

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:15 am

From the New York Times:

“Can we have our fish and eat it too? An unusual collaboration of marine ecologists and fisheries management scientists says the answer may be yes.

In a research paper in Friday’s issue of the journal Science, the two groups, long at odds with each other, offer a global assessment of the world’s saltwater fish and their environments. Their conclusions are at once gloomy — overfishing continues to threaten many species — and upbeat: a combination of steps can turn things around. But because antagonism between ecologists and fisheries management experts has been intense, many familiar with the study say the most important factor is that it was done at all.

They say they hope the study will inspire similar collaborations between scientists whose focus is safely exploiting specific natural resources and those interested mainly in conserving them. “We need to merge those two communities,” said Steve Murawski, chief fisheries scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “This paper starts to bridge that gap.” …. “

More from the New York Times by clicking here.

From NPR’s All Things Considered:

“Worm says this new analysis relies on much more scientific data to assess the state of the world’s fisheries. And it is still not an upbeat report. “This trend in increasing species collapse that we found in the previous paper still persists,” he says. The researchers find that 14 percent of the 170 species they studied are now at less than 10 percent of their original numbers. That’s how they define a fishery “collapse.”

The study then goes a step further. “What this paper shows is there are solutions, and those solutions are beginning to work in a number of places,” Worm says.

Some of the good-news stories come from the United States. Strict federal fishing laws have cut back significantly on overfishing. And some stocks, such as haddock off New England, have rebounded so well, they are actually as healthy as they’ve ever been. Iceland, too, has rebuilt some of its fisheries. …”

More from NPR’s All Things Considered by clicking here.

EVEN MORE COVERAGE from Miller-McCune by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Water & Wildlife

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Feds grant funds to ease California water shortages

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 8:06 am

From the Sacramento Bee:

“Federal agencies pledged Thursday to send nearly $60 million in grants to help California communities, farms and dairies suffering from ongoing water shortages.

The money includes $40 million from President Obama’s stimulus package aimed at drought-relief projects, the bulk of which will go to the San Joaquin Valley, where three years of dry weather and irrigation cutbacks have crippled production and caused severe unemployment.

Most of the Department of Interior’s stimulus funds are intended to help growers dig new wells and install temporary pipelines and pumps to move water to farms that need it most, Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes said.

“The farming communities in the San Joaquin are central to our bread basket, to our prosperity and to our agricultural strength as a nation,” he said. …”

More from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.

Most of the money is headed to the drought-stricken San Joaquin Valley, reports the Central Valley Business Times:

“The Central Valley is getting more than $45 million this year from two pots of taxpayer dollars to improve water supplies, water use and water conservation. Some comes as stimulus funds. Other money comes as grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) that must have some level of local contribution that varies with the project. In addition, the AWEP grants have to be reported as income by the recipients.

Here’s how it breaks down: In all, 63 water projects in 21 states were approved by the USDA for $58 million in AWEP grants. Of those, 15 are in California, representing about $30 million, mostly in the Central Valley. The Valley’s drought conditions were a major factor in flowing the money to the region, says Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White. …”

The Central Valley Business Times drills it down to the extensive list of specific projects being funded. Check it out from the Central Valley Business Times by clicking here.

Although perhaps not the type of federal aid they were looking for, the news was welcomed by Westlands farmers & officials, reports the Fresno Bee:

“The Westlands Water District, where farmers have struggled because of a water shortage, is receiving a $9.5 million boost from the federal government to help it increase water efficiency and stretch its supply.

Some of the money is for new wells, and the rest is to help farmers install improved irrigation systems. Farmers would have to match some of the federal funds with their own money to qualify.

Westlands officials welcomed the money, even if it wasn’t the federal help they’ve been seeking. … “

More from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

MORE INFORMATION:

Read the press release from the USDA.
Read the press release from the Bureau of Reclamation/Department of the Interior (YubaNet.com).
Read the press release from Environmental Defense Fund.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack

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Lloyd Carter commentary: Thirsty down in “Nobama county”

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:37 am

From Lloyd Carter and his Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood blog, this commentary:

“Act One of the California Latino Water Coalition – six months of marches, rallies, lobbying of state and federal officials, an effort to halt traffic on Interstate 5, and a physical encounter by the Coalition leader with a dairy farmer spokesman caught on TV cameras – is over.

Act Two of the Coalition’s drive to suspend the Endangered Species Act, drain the Delta, and obtain $20 billion in publicly-funded water infrastructure for San Joaquin Valley agriculture is now underway and will focus, say Coalition leaders, on comedy. That’s right, comedy. Fortunately, the group is headed by comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, who owns some farmland near Orange Cove and was recruited into the 200-member Coalition more than two years ago by Orange Cove Mayor Victor P. Lopez. Coalition leaders admit Act One was a failure and contend they are now broke. But they are fired up for Act Two.

Now I personally find Rodriguez to be a very funny guy – hilarious in stand-up – but he’s been stretching the truth a lot when he speaks out on water issues. Whether he is doing this deliberately or is being fed bad information by the people orchestrating the water campaign is not clear. …”

Read more from Lloyd Carter and the Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood blog by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack, San Joaquin Valley

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U.S House of Representatives votes to help sea otters, marine turtles

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:32 am

From YubaNet.com:

“The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund praise the U.S. House of Representatives, which took steps to protect rare animals of the sea through legislation passed last night. The House approved H.R. 556, the Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act, which was introduced by longtime animal protection champion Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif. The bill passed by a vote of 316-107. The House also passed H.R. 509, the Marine Turtle Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2009, introduced by Rep. Henry E Brown, R-S.C., Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife. This measure was passed 354-72. …”

Find out how this legislation will help the sea otters and marine turtles from YubaNet.com by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Other Oceans & Beaches Stories

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House passes Matsui flood protection legislation: Matsui bill provides clarity of flood zone designations for Natomas, communities across the country

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:27 am

From the website of Congresswoman Doris Matsui:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation today introduced by Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) that provides technical changes to flood zone designations, which will help the Sacramento region move closer toward our goal of reaching 200-year flood protection.

“My legislation will ensure public safety remains our first and foremost goal, while assisting communities that are modernizing their existing flood protection systems by giving them definable milestones to meet,” said Rep. Matsui. “It provides a number of technical changes such as updating current law to take local, state and federal funding into account when determining flood zone designations. H.R. 1525 will give communities clarity to help them restore or improve their flood protection systems, and will make a tremendous difference for the people of Sacramento, and communities like ours across the country.”

After working for many months with local and state flood protection officials, Congresswoman Matsui introduced legislation, H.R. 1525, that would clarify the criteria for an A-99 flood zone designation. This legislation was added to H.R. 3139 on the House floor today and passed by unanimous consent. While ensuring public safety remains the first and foremost goal, this bill will assist communities that are in the midst of modernizing their existing flood protection systems by updating current law to take local, state and federal funding into account when determining designations, without removing the federal government’s responsibility to fund flood protection projects.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Flood Control

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Judge stops short of ruling for city in Calistoga water dispute

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:18 am

From the Weekly Calistogan:

“Napa County Superior Court Judge Ray Guadagni seemed poised Thursday to kill a lawsuit claiming the city of Calistoga has misused its municipal water supply, but instead agreed to study the issue further before issuing a ruling.

The judge now has more time to consider whether the city’s management of Kimball Creek water — including sales of municipal water for use by a winery — violated state rules and harmed resident Debbie O’Gorman, who inherited water rights first acquired by her ancestor, Calistoga pioneer Alfred Tubbs, in the 1860s.

The claims against the city include breach of contract, negligence, conversion and intent to impose a constructive trust. Two other claims, alleging Business Code violations, have been dropped because they cannot be applied to municipal agencies. …”

Read more from the Weekly Calistogan by clicking here. Related story with a lot more background on the case, also from the Weekly Calistogan by clicking here.

Photo of a Calistoga vineyard by flickr photographer jimg944.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Northern California

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Future of planned McCloud bottling plant in question

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:12 am

From redding.com, website of the Record Searchlight:

“Siskiyou County residents will know by Labor Day whether Nestle Waters North America will go ahead with a long-planned bottled water plant in McCloud.

When Nestle decided it would proceed with plans to build a water-bottling plant in Sacramento, the fate of the McCloud project became uncertain, and the company is now weighing whether to continue, said Dave Palais, the plant’s project manager.

“At this point, we don’t know how the new plant will affect the project in McCloud,” Palais said. …”

Read more from redding.com by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Bottled water, Northern California

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State lists local water systems vulnerable to drought

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:10 am

From the Lake County News:

“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released a list of small water systems that are vulnerable to drought which includes four systems in Lake County, as well as several systems in neighboring counties.

The water systems in Lake County that are listed as vulnerable to drought conditions include Lower Lake County Water District, Lake County CSA-2 Spring Valley, Lazy S Mobile Ranch in Middletown and the Bonanza Springs in Cobb. In Mendocino, vulnerable systems include Ukiah, Calpella, Redwood Valley, Mendocino, Manchester, Gualala, Hopland and Westport; in Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga, as well as the city of Napa and American Canyon are on the list.

As previously reported, in May the Lake County Board of Supervisors supervisors directed Special Districts staff to finalize a drought management plan for the county’s sewer and water service areas. That plan includes mandatory water conservation measures. …”

More from the Lake County News by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack, Northern California

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Judge refuses to stay Bidwell Marina eviction order

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:08 am

From the Oroville Mercury Register:

“Although a Superior Court judge denied a temporary restraining order Wednesday to halt the eviction of boats housed at Bidwell Marina, California State Parks officials and boat owners are still fighting to allow the boats to remain on Lake Oroville. State Parks, along with the Lake Oroville Boat Owners Association, are in strong opposition to eviction notices sent out by Frank Moothart and FunTime Full Time, Inc. in late June, requiring that all boats leave the marina by Saturday.

Wednesday’s court appearance was a chance to immediately halt the eviction notices and bring some resolution to the contentious battle between State Parks and Moothart, though the Sacramento Superior Court judge’s ruling did little to assuage the situation.

“We are disappointed the judge did not grant a TRO that could have led to an immediate resolution of this hardship for boat owners,” said Bob Foster, State Parks superintendent for Oroville. …”

Read more from the Oroville Mercury Register by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Northern California

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Stockton: Flood insurance a hard sell for Smith Canal residents

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 7:03 am

From Stockton’s Record:

“Buy flood insurance now or pay a heck of a lot more later, federal officials told a crowd of 225 people at a community meeting Thursday.

Smith Canal residents have heard that mantra time and again the past couple of years. But the message became more meaningful as they passed agents peddling insurance in the parking lot Thursday and later that night as they went to drive home and found advertisements on their windshields.

Starting Oct. 16, insurance will become mandatory for mortgage-holders who are being added to new high-risk flood zones by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. And yet, some people still seem unsure whether their properties are in the flood zone. Others are confused how much they will pay, while others say they won’t be able to pay at all. …”

Read more from the Record by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under San Joaquin Valley

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Water agency serving central Stockton seeks 18% rate hike

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:55 am

From Stockton’s Record:

“While admitting that times are hard for many of its customers, the California Water Service Co. is seeking a water rate increase that would boost average residential bills 18 percent in 2011. In dollar terms, an average bill would increase from $37.62 per month to $44.56 per month, the company said. Two smaller rate increases in 2012 and 2013 would boost that same bill to $49.22 per month.

“During this economic situation a rate increase is certainly not popular, and we understand that,” said Ross Moilan, Cal Water’s Stockton-based district manager. But Cal Water needs to keep the taps flowing while also strengthening programs to save water, in light of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s statewide goal of 20 percent additional conservation by 2020, Moilan said. …”

Read more from the Record by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under San Joaquin Valley

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Moorpark considers water desalination plant: With water rates rising, city hopes to curb future costs

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:53 am

From the Ventura County Star:

“A water agency serving Moorpark is looking into building a groundwater desalination plant to reduce the city’s dependence on imported water and stabilize water rates in the future.

Ventura County Waterworks District No. 1, which serves Moorpark and unincorporated areas north and west of the city, is looking to build the desalter to treat South Las Posas Basin groundwater for use by its customers.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last month, with Supervisor Linda Parks abstaining, to approve a $189,000 contract with Kennedy/Jenks, a local engineering and environmental sciences consulting firm, for a preliminary design report on the desalination plant.

Kennedy/Jenks recently helped the city of Oxnard complete its $100 million groundwater desalination plant. . ..”

Read more from the Ventura County Star by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Desalination, Southern California

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Malibu ‘sexy’ target for enviro lawsuits

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:51 am

From the Malibu Times:

“Malibu’s greatest asset-its natural beauty-has made it a world famous destination but, with its development, it has also become a prime target for environmental lawsuits.

The city since 1999 has spent a total of $9 million on legal battles, most of which are environmentally related. The majority, filed by environmental group Santa Monica Baykeeper, claim the city has not taken adequate measures to clean up its polluted beaches and creeks, which have been continually cited among the most contaminated in the state.

“Everyone knows Malibu, and everyone goes there because it’s so beautiful,” Santa Monica Baykeeper Attorney Tatiana Gaur said last week in a telephone interview. “But it has all these violations of water quality standards on beaches visited by tens of thousands of visitors each month.

“Malibu has never dealt with its storm- and wastewater issues,” Gaur continued. “It’s a public health violation. That’s clearly the driving force behind the lawsuits.” …”

Read more from the Malibu Times by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Southern California

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4 more acres of wetlands added to land-swap deal

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:49 am

From the Long Beach Press Telegram:

“The city’s proposed Los Cerritos Wetlands land-swap deal adds another four acres of wetlands to the deal, according to a staff report released Thursday. The land-swap deal – scheduled for a City Council vote Tuesday – has sparked considerable heat since the properties have not been appraised, and critics contend wetlands owner Tom Dean is benefiting from the deal.

The wetlands deal would exchange 37.7 acres, instead of the original 33.7 acres, of the Bixby Ranch portion of the wetlands in southeast Long Beach for the city’s 13.4-acre Public Service Yard by the Los Angeles River. The additional four acres are north of Second Street, just north of the original 33.7-acre section.

Proponents contend that this might be a rare opportunity to purchase the wetlands – in the 40-year effort to save the ecologically sensitive habitat from development. However, environmentalists want assurances – in the form of a deed restriction – that the wetlands acres will not be developed. They fear that without it, a different council could embrace development proposals. …”

Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Southern California

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Carrot is better than stick, says editorial

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:43 am

From the Pasadena Star News: The stick, says this editorial, is the higher rates, complex rules, and stiff fines to be levied for wasting water. Is there a better way?

But it turns out that the carrot of goodwill and merely doing the right thing may have been overlooked.

As staff writer Dan Abendschein reported earlier this month, over the last fiscal year ending in June, with no new restrictions in place, Pasadena water users had already voluntarily reduced usage by a whopping 7 percent over the prior year.

There was much hemming and hawing on this, and reference to much of the conservation occurring in June, which – big surprise! – was a cloudy period, as it always is, known since time immemorial here as June Gloom. People water their lawns less when it’s overcast and misty, naturally enough.

So the rate increase and the plans for penalties went forward.

We understand the need for water providers to be prudent, to cut back on outlay when they’re getting less from the MWD. We even understand that much of the rate increases will actually go into reserves to prepare for future problems rather than into current operating budgets.

But since consumers were so clearly willing to cut back on their usage simply because they knew the state is in a drought, isn’t it possible that more education and information about the problem, more atta-boys to residents from the city for conserving on their own, is a better solution than huge rate hikes and calling out the water police?

Read more from the Pasadena Star News by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Conservation

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Congressman Joe Baca secures $2 million for perchlorate treatment in defense spending bill; Federal appropriation will be used to clean contaminated wells in Inland Empire

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:38 am

From the website of Congressman Joe Baca:

Today, a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense appropriations bill, legislation that includes $2 million secured by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto), for the purpose of treating perchlorate contaminated wells in the Inland Empire. The bill includes funding secured by Rep. Baca to clean up wells operated by the cities of Rialto, Colton, the West Valley Water District, and the Fontana Water Company, and passed the House with a 400 to 30 vote.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a right all American families deserve – and eliminating perchlorate from our local water supplies has been a top priority of mine in Congress,” said Rep. Baca. “The funding request included in today’s legislation will help improve the safety of our drinking water, and is vital to public health in our Inland communities.”

The $2 million secured by Rep. Baca will be used by area water purveyors, working in conjunction with Department of Defense program managers, to demonstrate technologies for wellhead treatment, perhclorate source identification, and contamination containment.

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities. Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid function.

“Perchlorate has contaminated sources in my Congressional District and other areas, making the water unsafe if it is not treated,” concluded Rep. Baca. “I am proud to bring these federal dollars home to strengthen the long term water quality and stability of the Inland Empire. Any actions we in the federal government can take to improve water quality is important to ensuring our communities, neighborhoods, and families are free from the harmful effects of perchlorate.”

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Perchlorate

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L.A. River revitalization slowly flows forward: Community meeting in Cypress Park provides updates and design workshops as part of ongoing efforts to restore the concrete-lined river into a vibrant city centerpiece

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:32 am

From EGP News:

“Following several devastating floods along the Los Angeles River during the 1930’s that claimed 85 lives, the federal government lined the river with concrete for protection against future incidents. In addition to the safety features, the concrete massacre provided thousands of jobs for city residents. Today, city officials hope to create thousands of new jobs to rip the concrete out and restore the river back to its natural state.

That is part of what Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes (CD-1) envisions for the future of the river.

Today the river bears little resemblance to the one that attracted the Gabrielino-Tongva tribes back in 800 B.C.

As part of an ongoing effort to transform the river into a new environmental civic center, city officials invited community members for a series of meetings at the Los Angeles River Center and Garden in Cypress Park. The Los Angeles River Project Update and Design Workshop held on Tuesday allowed attendees to brainstorm on potential federal projects for the river. … “

Another Southern California desalination project receives final approval: West Basin Municipal Water District moves forward with demonstration facility

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:28 am

From Business Wire, this press release:

West Basin Municipal Water District’s Ocean-Water Desalination Demonstration Project has received all regulatory approvals needed to move forward with construction next year. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has recently approved the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit. The California Coastal Commission approved the coastal development permit application in April 2009. Once built, the Demonstration Project will operate for 2 years.

The project, to be built in Redondo Beach at the L.A. Conservation Corps’ SEA Lab aquarium and educational center, will provide full-scale testing of membrane technologies – either micro- or ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis – to be used in a future 20 million gallon a day desalination plant.

The Demonstration Project will test new intake technologies to evaluate impingement and entrainment and maximize protection to marine life. Wedgewire screen technology at the 1-2 millimeter level will be tested. Sub-ocean floor intake technology will also be tested at the piloting level to assess the feasibility of withdrawing and filtering seawater through the ocean floor.

“Ocean-water desalination is now cost effective and energy efficient enough to be part of West Basin’s future water portfolio,” said West Basin Board President Edward C. Little. “We need this high quality, reliable supply to meet future water shortfalls.”

As part of West Basin’s research, a special aquarium will be installed at SEA Lab to monitor and ensure that the concentrated salt water from the desalination process is safe for sea life in Santa Monica Bay. It will be adjacent a Santa Monica Bay natural environment aquarium. These aquariums are part of West Basin’s educational outreach program to share research findings with the public and educate the community about our fragile water supply.

West Basin is currently creating exhibit space at SEA Lab to share the Water Reliability 2020 Program with the community – with a goal to provide 10% of West Basin’s water supply from desalted seawater and the remainder to be supplied through water recycling, water conservation, groundwater, and imported water by 2020.

West Basin will additionally test an energy recovery system to recover and reuse energy that could otherwise be lost in the desalination process and to minimize energy consumption.

West Basin is committed to water reliability, water quality, sound financial and resource management, customer service, and environmental stewardship and its mission is to provide a safe and reliable supply of high-quality water to the communities it serves.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Desalination, Southern California

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Water, water everywhere: Panel addresses San Diego’s water problems

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:25 am

From The Daily Transcript:

“It’s true. San Diego is surrounded by water. “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” bemoaned the Ancient Mariner. This supply is called the Pacific Ocean. “Look out the window at the biggest reservoir right in our backyard,” suggested Scott Maloni of Poseidon Resources, one of the speakers at a June forum.

A panel of experts on water procurement and hydrology research addressed one of San Diego’s most critical problems impacting growth. A shortage of water resources has launched a rationing program that may develop into severe cut-backs in consumption.

The speakers’ forum at the University Club gave dismal predictions for the future of water resources for San Diego County. For instance, how can San Diego retain its share of water from the San Francisco Bay Delta system? Currently it is the principal source of our supply and is likely to be reduced. According to Thomas Wornham, a director of the San Diego County Water Authority, it will cost $1 billion to upgrade the Delta system of levees to meet the needs of the many communities it serves.

In today’s California fiscal crisis, such a costly project is unlikely. So, what are the other options? …”

More from The Daily Transcript by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under San Diego

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Meet who’s investigating San Diego’s water wasters

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:22 am

From the San Diego News Network:

“Julia Olson had only one request as we left her downtown office in search of water wasters. “Please, don’t call us ‘water cops,’” she asked. That’s a fair request from one of the 10 or so people recently picked by the City of San Diego Water Department to investigate complaints from the public about people wasting precious water.

Olson is not a “cop” in any sense of the word. She has no law enforcement training, nor does she have any law enforcement powers in the daily performance of her job. In fact, Olson came from some 15 years’ experience in the Water Department’s customer service section. She applied for the investigator’s position because it sounded interesting, and it gets her out of the office several times a day.

Armed only with maps printed out from a Thomas Brothers map book and her cell phone, Olson took SDNN along for the ride. …”

Read more from the San Diego News Network by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Conservation, San Diego

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Feds speeding up removal of Moab uranium tailings

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 31, 2009 at 6:20 am

From the Fresno Bee:

Work to remove 16 million tons of radioactive waste away from the tourist town of Moab is about to go a little faster. The U.S. Department of Energy plans to double the amount of uranium tailings removed each day from the shores of the Colorado River.

Right now, rail cars haul about 2,800 tons of tailings a day to a dump site 30 miles away, where they’re placed in specially designed cells. A second train will be added in mid-August, according to Don Metzler, the DOE’s manager for the project. Each shipment includes 22 rail cars – each capable of holding four containers full of 32 tons of waste each.

Metzler said additional rail cars and larger containers may also be added to each rail shipment later this year.

Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

July 31, 2009 · Filed Under Colorado River Basin

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Thursday’s top of the scroll: Water politics ripple through Capitol

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 30, 2009 at 8:53 am

From the Capitol Weekly:

“After months of budget wrangling, lawmakers are preparing to make water policy a central focus of the final month of this year’s legislative session.

How does the state get more water from the north to the south while protecting the delta east of San Francisco, the vast, fragile estuary through which most of California’s water flows? Can it do both? Can lawmakers satisfy farmers, environmentalists and water districts?

Apparently, they’re going to try.

In the background looms the possibility of a 2010 bond package or a system of fees to help finance the projects. And there is a growing sense among Capitol players that Gov. Schwarzenegger wants to build a canal – and dams- for his political legacy.

“We’re operating a system that was designed in the middle of the 20th century before we cared about fish, and we’re letting the fish drive the system. Our system can’t do for the environment what modern policy asks us to do,” said Timothy Quinn of the Association of California Water Agencies.

As the Legislature prepares to pull together a water plan, the political forces are taking shape, with the governor, farmers and many public water agencies favoring options up to and including the construction of reservoirs and a canal of historic proportions. Many – but not all – environmentalists oppose the canal. Massive new capital projects have drawn fierce opposition, and the closer to the delta the tougher the opposition. Indeed, the delta’s strongest supporters believe they are being blocked from participating in a key committee that will draft the new plan – a contention that others reject.

But however divergent the views, there is a sense that a climax approaches in California’s water debate. … “

Read more from the Capitol Weekly by clicking here.

July 30, 2009 · Filed Under Water Legislation

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Water agencies to be tapped in big money grab

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 30, 2009 at 8:49 am

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

Already pressured by tight supplies and sharply criticized for previous rate increases, several water districts in San Diego County are scrambling to replace millions of dollars that will be taken away by the state in the coming months.

Final decisions are expected to trickle out after water agencies analyze how much they will lose, probably about 8 percent of the total property taxes they collect. Managers say the choices will be difficult: Tap reserves, raise rates, delay projects, trim services or even take out loans.

“The local ratepayers end up paying one way or the other,” said Keith Lewinger, general manager of the Fallbrook Public Utility District. “All Sacramento did in my mind was shift the blame game from themselves to the local agencies that now have to pass through some sort of increased fee to make up for the money that Sacramento just stole.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week signed a comprehensive budget-balancing plan that relies on borrowing about $2 billion from property taxes used by cities, counties and special districts for local services.

“It’s fine for (state legislators) to say that they have passed a balanced budget without raising taxes,” said Gary Arant, general manager of the Valley Center Municipal Water District. “But the fact of the matter is that at some point that shortage of revenue either translates into lower services or increased of cost of services. There is no free lunch here.”

Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here.

July 30, 2009 · Filed Under Water Agency News (all)

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PLF’s “Save our Water” petition draws support from Rep. Radanovich, CalChamber, and key ag groups

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 30, 2009 at 8:47 am

From the Pacific Legal Foundation, this press release:

Key civic, business, and agricultural leaders have stepped up to support Pacific Legal Foundation’s “Save our Water, Save Our Jobs” petition campaign, an effort to avert an even more severe government-caused water shortage in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the southern part of the state.

The signature-gathering drive, which runs through August 19, urges President Barack Obama and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to act to convene a special federal panel, commonly known as the “God Squad,” to address California’s water emergency caused by harsh federal environmental restrictions. The petition can be accessed at PLF’s Web site: www.pacificlegal.org.

Among those who have added their support: Rep. George Radanovich (R-Fresno), an expert on water issues, who signed the petition personally, issued a statement in support, and sent a link to many of his constituents; the California Chamber of Commerce, which placed a link on its Web site, and reported on the petition in its Alert newsletter; the United Agribusiness League; and the Western Growers Association.

● “The CalChamber is encouraging California businesses to sign the petition to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to use his authority to ask the federal government to convene the Endangered Species Committee to exempt the operations of state and federal water delivery systems from measures that will inflict serious economic and social harm on millions of Californians,” says the California Chamber of Commerce in a news release.

● “Join me in signing Pacific Legal Foundation’s petition and send the radical environmentalists in Washington and Sacramento a message: when it comes to water policy, humans come before fish,” said Rep. Radanovich in a release on his Web site.

July 30, 2009 · Filed Under Water & Wildlife

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Dan Bacher commentary: Delta water wars will heat up when legislature returns

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 30, 2009 at 8:39 am

From Dan Bacher, this commentary:

“If you thought the summer budget battle was fierce and ugly, “just wait until you see the uproar that’s about to take place in Northern California over the resurrection of the old ‘Peripheral Canal’ water conveyance project,” advised Andrew Acosta for Restore the Delta. Once the legislature has returned from their summer recess on Monday, August 17, a package of water bills is set to be released and the debate will heat up.

The word from Alf Brandt, consultant to the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, is that the language in five bills regarding the Delta will emerge in the “pre print” version in the next couple of days.

“The Governor is working to rush this new version of the Peripheral Canal through the process without any meaningful public input,” said Acosta. “In fact, they have already started drilling even though the process is not completed and environmental effects are still unknown!”

Surveyors from the Department of Water Resources will be drilling holes in the river bottom at 16 locations on the Sacramento, Mokelumne and San Joaquin rivers next month to explore potential intake locations for this enormously costly government boondoggle. Much of the drilling will take place on the Sacramento River between Walnut Grove and Freeport, south of Sacramento. “

July 30, 2009 · Filed Under Peripheral Canal

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Commentary: Banning residential water softeners doesn’t ease water crisis

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 30, 2009 at 8:30 am

From Capitol Weekly, this commentary:

“This year, legislation has been introduced in Sacramento that would authorize local officials to ban residential water softeners, creating a “wrench police” that would allow officials to remove the water softener from your home without your permission. To avoid this a gross violation of your property rights, those of us in the water quality business have been trying to work with Governor and legislature to find a fair solution to the problem this bill is attempting to address.

AB 1366 was ostensibly introduced to address issues of salinity in California’s water supply and to avoid the need to improve water treatment facilities. Unfortunately, banning residential water softeners is not the answer. In fact, a similar ban was tried last year to address salinity issues in the Santa Clarita River, with no success.

In 2006, a law enacted allowing the citizens of Santa Clarita to vote to implement a ban on residential water softeners. Politicians there promised voters that if they accepted a ban on softeners, a major sewer rate increase (which would be used to improve the water treatment facilities) could be avoided. The voters agreed, and an ordinance banning softeners passed in 2008. Recently, the voters were informed that a 300 percent rate increase is necessary anyway because the removal of softeners is doing very little to address salinity levels in the sanitation system. The same result from AB1366 is inevitable. The only difference is that voters will have no involvement before their softeners are removed. …”

Read more from Capitol Weekly by clicking here.

July 30, 2009 · Filed Under Water Quality

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