Powerful figure in water wars steps down
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:52 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“One of the most powerful forces in California’s water wars is stepping down after two decades on the federal bench.
More than anyone else in recent years, U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger has decided how much of the state’s most precious resource goes to farms and cities and how much to the environment. He’s done so reluctantly, he said, grabbing the water policy reins because elected leaders failed to do so.
He’s rejected the work of government scientists when they failed to do enough to protect Delta smelt and Chinook salmon from extinction, earning environmentalists’ cheers and farmers’ boos.
However, he’s also preserved water for farmers, making water agencies ecstatic and environmentalists glum.
“At this point, I have no friends in California. That’s the fact,” Wanger said. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association invites mixed panel to speak at forum, “The Future of the Sierra Nevada Watershed”
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:50 amFrom the Mountain Democrat, a report from a forum held in Placerville, “The Future of the Sierra Nevada Watershed”:
” … There is some urgency to the topic as the Delta Stewardship Council, created by state legislation in 2009, is in the final stages of developing its environmental impact report/environmental impact statement for the Delta Plan. The Delta Plan is due to be adopted by Dec. 31.
The two co-equal goals of the Delta Plan: Restoration of the Delta ecosystem and statewide water reliability, harbor serious concerns for upstream users in the mountain counties. They are worried about the risk of losing their senior water rights that would have negative consequences for local economies, including agriculture. They are also anxious about the prospect of having to raise water rates for their customers to fund ecosystem repair in the Delta and transfer water to the Central Valley and Southern California.
In a nutshell, mountain counties water resource managers are fearful that they will lose control of their future. … “
Continue reading from the Mountain Democrat by clicking here.
Agencies to assist in Tuolomne Utilities District effort to push for foothill water rights
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:43 amFrom the Union Democrat:
“Two foothill water agencies will team up with Tuolumne Utilities District to push for foothill water rights in advance of a plan intended to address competing water needs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
The TUD Board of Directors unanimously voted Tuesday to share consultant John Mills’ services with the Calaveras County Water District and El Dorado County Water Agency. … “
Continue reading from the Union Democrat by clicking here.
Industrial solvent TCE even more dangerous to people
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:39 amFrom the Los Angeles Times:
“One of the most widespread groundwater contaminants in the nation is more dangerous to humans than earlier thought, a federal agency has determined, in a decision that could raise the cost of cleanups nationwide, including large areas of the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
The final risk assessment for trichloroethylene by the Environmental Protection Agency found that the widely used industrial solvent causes kidney and liver cancer, lymphoma and other health problems. That lays the groundwork to reevaluate the federal drinking-water standard for the contaminant: 5 parts per billion in water, and 1 microgram per cubic meter in air, officials said. … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
Tom Philp: Water tunnels, airports, stadiums, bridges… and jobs
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:38 amFrom Tom Philp at the City Brights blog:
“An idea under intense discussion inside water circles is whether to construct a new conveyance facility that would physically separate water supplies through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from the tidal pulses of the estuary. I’ve written about this a time or two or three. This idea would require a canal or tunnel that would transport water from the Sacramento River to the existing aqueducts of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project in the southern Delta. Although construction of a tunnel would be more expensive than a canal, the tunnel has considerable appeal because of its smaller footprint.
The state and federal process looking at a variety of Delta water system and ecosystem improvements is still months from selecting a preferred alternative. Yet given the economic times, there understandably is interest in a side effect – the jobs created by the construction project. … “
Continue reading from Tom Philp at the City Brights blog by clicking here.
Congress can’t walk away from flood control, says Sac Bee editorial
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:36 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this editorial:
“Sacramento can’t afford to have its flood-control work grind to a halt because of intransigence in Washington.
And neither can every flood-prone community in the Central Valley, from Yuba County to Bakersfield.
Up and down the Valley, cities and flood control districts are making plans to upgrade levees so they can dodge a disaster and avoid being remapped into zones requiring costly flood insurance. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
It didn’t pass the smelt test, says O.C. Register editorial: Judge pushes back on environmental extremism that has cut water to California farmers
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:31 amFrom the O.C. Register:
“It’s hard to fathom the ideology that would cause seemingly intelligent people to sacrifice the livelihoods of many of California’s Central Valley farmers, and reduce the production of much-needed crops, in order to extend to a small bait fish protection that doesn’t seem to be working.
Yet federal officials have drastically cut back water supplies in the valley for just that reason, although a court decision this month has been a welcome voice of sanity that promises to restore some semblance of common sense to a situation distorted by out-of-control environmentalism. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the O.C. Register by clicking here.
Dan Bacher: Delta gates will close for 10 days to help Mokelumne salmon
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:30 amFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org:
“Angling and conservation groups won a big victory for the future of Central Valley chinook salmon populations with Thursday’s announcement of 10-day closure of the Delta cross channel gates that connect the Sacramento and Mokelumne rivers.
The Bureau will close the Cross Channel Gates on October 4, 2011 at approximately 10:00 am and will reopen the gates on October 14, 2011 at approximately 10:00 am for the Mokelumne River “salmon fish attraction experiment,” according to Thuy Washburn, Chief Operations Manager at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
“During this closure, the salmon will be able to find their way to the main stem Mokelumne River,” said Dick Pool, Administrator of Water for Fish and Secretary-Treasurer of the Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA). “The river and hatchery will almost assuredly reach capacity.” … “
Continue reading from Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org by clicking here.
Legislators to address the reality of funding for Delta projects at upcoming Delta forum
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:24 amFrom the Water Education Foundation:
Three California legislators will talk candidly about the realities and challenges regarding funding for future projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during the Oct. 18 forum “Changing Our Perspective: New Ways of Thinking about the Delta.”
State Senators Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) will be joined by Assembly Member Bill Berryhill (R-Stockton) for a panel discussion entitled “Reality Check: Status of Public Financing for Large-Scale Ecosystem and Economic Development Programs.” This will include questions regarding a multi-billion dollar water bond scheduled to be on the November 2012 ballet.
The Delta forum is sponsored by the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and the Water Education Foundation. The event will be held from 8 am – 4:30 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 18 2011 at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, 3645 Fulton Ave. in Sacramento.
The three legislators will provide candid and diverse perspectives about funding for large-scale programs in the Delta. One of the biggest financial concerns is related to future water policy regarding water conveyance or changes in infrastructure that affects the Delta and the State.
Department of Fish & Game debuts new MPA mobile website
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:21 amFrom the California Department of Fish & Game:
“The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is excited to announce its new Marine Protected Area (MPA) mobile website. Now anglers, divers and other ocean users can look up current information about restricted areas and boundaries from smartphones and other portable Internet-enabled devices. This tool will be invaluable to marine enthusiasts of all kinds while they are on California’s ocean waters or shores.
“We think this site is a thing of genius,” said DFG Director Charlton H. Bonham. “This site will help immensely in our outreach efforts regarding the MPAs. And, it was created in-house, without any additional resources provided to our Information Technology Branch. This site is testament to the caliber and commitment of DFG employees.”
Located at www.dfg.ca.gov/m/MPA, the MPA mobile website allows the public to: … “
Continue reading from the Department of Fish and Game by clicking here.
Crane Creek fish passage work starts monday; Small tributary in Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg to be restored as coho passage
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:18 amFrom the Healdsburg Patch:
“Construction will begin Oct. 3 on a project aimed at restoring fish passage in Crane Creek, a key coho stream located in the Dry Creek Valley.
Crane Creek is a Dry Creek tributary with good quality habitat for spawning and rearing young coho and steelhead, but access to much of the stream has been limited by a bedrock waterfall that makes it difficult for fish to swim upstream. … “
Continue reading from the Healdsburg Patch by clicking here.
Napa dedicates $43.6 million in treatment plant upgrades
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:16 amFrom the Napa Valley Register:
“Napa leaders past and present raised their glasses Thursday morning to the recently renovated and improved Edward I. Barwick Jamieson Canyon Water Treatment Plant and the man for whom it was named.
The city dedicated the treatment plant that received more than $40 million worth of improvements and expansion over the past three years. It’s named in honor of former Councilman Barwick whom officials called a water visionary. … “
Continue reading from the Napa Valley Register by clicking here.
Controversial plan would move golf course to reduce erosion into Lake Tahoe
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:15 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“For most visitors to Lake Tahoe, it’s all about that lake: so huge and blue that it is easy to forget where all that water came from.
The biggest single source is the Upper Truckee River, which flows from south to north on its tumble through South Lake Tahoe, draining snowy peaks that ring Tahoe’s southern end all the way into Alpine County. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Placer Fish & Game panel asking supes to join Garden Bar dam opposition
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:13 amFrom the Auburn Journal:
“Placer County’s Fish & Game Commission is adding its voice in opposition to a dam on the Bear River north of Auburn.
And it wants the Board of Supervisor to oppose the project too.
Sutter County’s South Sutter Water District has partnered with three Southern California water districts on a preliminary study on a dam between Lake Combie and Camp Far West Reservoir that could have a reservoir storage of from 245,000 to 400,000 acre-feet. … “
Continue reading from the Auburn Journal by clicking here.
Woodland-Davis water agency hires new general manager
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:11 amFrom the Woodland Daily Democrat:
“Officials at the Woodland-Davis Clean Water Agency are looking to former East Bay leadership to help guide them through an unprecedented, $325 million plan to siphon water from the Sacramento River.
Agency directors announced Thursday the hiring of Dennis Diemer, who brings 36 years of experience to the post, including more than 15 years as the general manager of East Bay Municipal Utility District.
He replaces Dr. Eric Mische, the agency’s first general manager, who is leaving to manage a $7 billion wastewater project on behalf of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. … “
Continue reading from the Woodland Daily Democrat by clicking here.
Officials, locals celebrate Patterson Irrigation District’s fish screen project
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 8:00 amFrom the Patterson Irrigator:
“If persistence in adversity is any indicator of success, then all bodes well for a new $13.8 million fish screen system that diverts threatened fish from the Patterson Irrigation District’s pumps.
Irrigation district officials contended with two floods and a temporary funding shortfall while the project on Old Las Palmas Avenue was under construction during the past year, and it spent close to a decade on studies and other preparatory work beforehand. … “
Continue reading from the Patterson Irrigator by clicking here.
Cupertino: Restoration of Stevens Creek gets environmental clearance
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:53 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“The Cupertino City Council has given environmental clearance to an ambitious restoration of Stevens Creek, unanimously voting at its Sept. 20 meeting to clear another hurdle toward beginning a project that has been in the works for years.
Restoration of the trail and creek is the second phase of a long-term Stevens Creek corridor restoration project. The city plans to extend a trail that begins on McClellan Road and dead-ends near the Blackberry Farm parking lot. The new trail will follow the path of Stevens Creek and end near the Blue Pheasant Restaurant and Nathan Hall Tank House on Stevens Creek Boulevard. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Palo Alto: San Francisquito Creek project close to securing state funds
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:51 amFrom Palo Alto Online:
“An ambitious effort by Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park to calm the flood-prone San Francisquito Creek could get a major boost next month when the California Department of Water Resources is expected to release $8 million for the project.
The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA), an agency charged with improving flood control around the volatile creek, learned last week that its grant application is one of 18 the state department recommended approving out of a field of 41. The authority includes elected officials from the three cities, the Santa Clara Valley Water District and the San Mateo County Flood Control District. … “
Continue reading from Palo Alto Online by clicking here.
Public Utilities Commission group seeks desalination mediation disclosure
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:50 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“A ratepayer advocacy group at the state Public Utilities Commission is calling for full public disclosure regarding the commission’s involvement in the Regional Desalination Project mediation process, and could also seek to invalidate the project agreements.
According to Max Gomberg of the PUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates, desal project partners California American Water, the county Water Resources Agency and the Marina Coast Water District have engaged PUC administrative law judge Peter Allen to serve as mediator in an effort to resolve issues associated with the proposed project. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power begins shift away from ocean cooling at power plants
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:47 amFrom the Los Angeles Daily News:
“The Department of Water and Power broke ground today on a coastal power project in Long Beach that marks the beginning of an ambitious effort to completely eliminate the use of ocean water to cool its coastal power plants by 2029.
The project will replace two of six power generators at the 1960s-era Haynes Generating Station with six 100-megawatt natural gas combustion turbines. Instead of cooling steam turbines with ocean water, the department will use a process known as “dry cooling,” which uses giant radiators similar to the way a car engine is cooled. … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Daily News by clicking here.
MORE: LADWP Breaks Ground on Modernization of Haynes Generating Station, press release from DWP
Old-timey movies tell half the story about LA’s water
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:43 amFrom Southern California Public Radio:
“Alex Cohen talked to film curator Scott Simmon this week, a conversation about the preservation of rare old timey movies about the west. Clara Bow (“Mantrap”) was great and all, but what I loved about it were, of course, the ones about water. (Infrastructure!)
I never want to forget how we got here. And by we, I mean the white men who established the infrastructure for “Loss Angle-eez” (that’s how they say it in the old movies) and by here, I mean, a dry basin we’ve made into a megalopolis.
The language in the LADWP film and in the Hearst Newsreel is incredible. … “
Continue reading from Southern California Public Radio by clicking here.
REMINDER: If you’re into Los Angeles’ water history, be sure to check out the Catherine Mulholland exhibit now open at CSUN’s Oviatt Library. (I haven’t been there yet, but definitely plan to!)
Los Angeles River revitalization plan seeking the necessary funds
Posted by: Maven on September 30, 2011 at 7:39 amFrom the Los Angeles Daily News:
“Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa climbed into a backhoe Thursday to demolish the last remnant of an old dairy in Lincoln Heights that will one day be developed into a park fronting the Los Angeles River.
But with no money – yet – to build the project, the neighborhood will have to wait for the envisioned baseball field, landscaping and underground irrigation system.
“In times of no money, you plan,” said Lewis McAdams, co-founder of the nonprofit Friends of L.A. River, which is helping overhaul the river. “When you get money, you start the plans.” … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Daily News by clicking here.
RELATED: State Senator Fran Pavley and Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes will be holding a hearing on October 12: Progress & Opportunity: The Future of the Los Angeles River and its San Fernando Valley Tributaries. Click here for more information.
This just in … Los Angeles Times publishes corrections regarding Central Basin Municipal Water District story
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 9:25 amFrom the Los Angeles Times:
“An article in the Sept. 14 LATExtra section about Google News delisting a website that had published stories “written in the image of real news” paid for by the Central Basin Municipal Water District incorrectly stated that the agency contracted with the website, NewsHawksReview.com, to create the promotional stories. The agency contracted with a public relations consultant, Coghlan Consulting Group, for the stories and other public relations efforts.
Also, the article misstated that the agency paid the consultant nearly $200,000 under the contract. While the district approved paying that amount, it has paid only $70,000 so far, according to public records.
The online and print headlines for the article also incorrectly said that the consultant created the website to tout the water agency and that it was financed by the agency. Although consultant Ed Coghlan stated that News Hawks Review was a part of his company and he was listed as a reporter on the website, he did not create the site for the agency and it was not directly financed by the agency. “
Thursday’s top of the scroll: Delta tunnel could bring 129K jobs
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:57 amFrom the Stockton Record:
“Drilling large tunnels to divert water around the Delta would create more than 129,000 jobs, almost all of them during the seven-year construction period, according to a recent analysis.
The report by a University of California, Berkeley, economist does not examine how the peripheral canal or tunnel plan might create or destroy jobs in other ways, such as the proposed conversion of tens of thousands of acres of Delta farmland to wetland habitat.
It is not the full cost-benefit analysis that some observers have called for before the Bay Delta Conservation Plan is put into action. … “
Continue reading from the Stockton Record by clicking here. Note: This article is behind the paywall at the Stockton Record. Login or registration required to read it. A free registration will give you 10 article reads per month.
Valley Economy blog: Does Water efficiency create more jobs than conveyance?
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:57 amFrom the Valley Economy blog:
“From Tranforming Water: Water Efficiency as Stimulus and Long-Term Investment, a report done by David Mitchell at M.Cubed (with co-authors) who has done consulting work with David Sunding and the water contractors in the past.
Our consultant team modeled a wide range of water/energy efficiency program possibilities, across all water‐using sectors and involving indoor, outdoor, and water system efficiencies. This modeling clearly confirms that economic stimulus benefits could be broadly distributed throughout the national economy:
1. The economic output benefits range between $2.5 and $2.8 million per million dollars of direct investment.
2. GDP benefits range between $1.3 and $1.5 million per million dollars of direct investment.
3. Employment potential ranges between 15 and 22 jobs per million dollars of direct investment.
Thus, direct investment on the order of $10 billion in water/energy efficiency programs can boost U.S. GDP by $13 to $15 billion and employment by 150,000 to 220,000 jobs and could save between 6.5 and 10 trillion gallons of water, with resulting energy reductions as well.
Yesterday, David Sunding presented the employment effects of conveyance, about 10 jobs per $1 million invested, and estimated operations and maintenance of conveyance would create about 7 jobs per million spent. … “
Continue reading from the Valley Economy blog by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: BDCP Planning Creates 3,550 jobs in California, from the Valley Economy blog
California’s water rights dispute rages on
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:42 amFrom the Western Farm Press:
“This case involved a dispute over water rights to California’s two largest rivers. An association of 16 water contracting agencies from north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta sought to establish superior water rights under water service contracts that would limit and exclude the export of water south of the Delta until its members received 100 percent of their contractually-allocated water supply. The plaintiff, Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority (TCCA) filed suit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and it’s Bureau of Reclamation, among others, asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California to provide injunctive and declaratory relief.
The water system involved in this dispute – the Central Valley Project (CVP) – is a federally-funded project established to pump water from the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers into canals that carry it to the southern San Joaquin River Valley. In the 1930’s, California recognized the need to set-up a canal system to carry water into important farming regions, but couldn’t afford to fund the entire project. … “
Continue reading from the Western Farm Press by clicking here.
Sonora: Locals leery of proposed Delta fix
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:40 amFrom the Union Democrat:
“Representatives with local utilities districts are concerned with the latest draft of the Delta Plan, and say the final plan could have a negative impact locally if more changes aren’t made.
Both Joone Lopez with the Calaveras County Water District and Pete Kampa with the Tuolumne Utilities District said on Monday the Delta Stewardship Council’s fifth draft of a comprehensive plan for management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta does not fully deal with the potential economic harm that could result if the plan becomes law. … “
Continue reading from the Union Democrat by clicking here.
Like water for schemers: Think twice before you re-engineer a river, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:35 amFrom the Missoula Independent, this commentary:
“The West’s history of developing water sources, occasionally stained with instances of outright theft, is probably best described as “complicated.”
Our decisions about who should get what water—and how, and from which source—usually teetered to the side of whatever person in power had the least tolerance for ethical behavior. We built dams, carved canals, bullied people. Sometimes we lied outright, and no matter how many times a poorly engineered dam flooded out a community or tribe, depriving them of their farm land, we marched ahead with a hostile takeover of nature’s most precious asset.
Today’s methods for collecting water and sending it elsewhere aren’t much more sophisticated. … “
Continue reading this commentary by clicking here.
BDCP Update: Webcast link for yesterday’s public meeting, plus schedule of upcoming meetings
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:26 amFrom the Bay Delta Conservation Plan:
Webcast from Yesterday’s Public Meeting Now Available:
Yesterday, a public meeting was held to provide updates on the BDCP and issues being addressed by active working groups, and facilitate discussion on outstanding BDCP issues, including conveyance facilities.
We were notified that people may have had problems accessing the live webcast of yesterday’s BDCP Public Meeting. The entire recorded webcast can now be viewed online at
http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=82184. Additionally, meeting materials are available on the BDCP website.
Upcoming Meetings:
Thank you for your continued interest in BDCP. The following meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks.
Week of October 3:
- CANCELED: The Governance working group meeting, scheduled for Thursday, October 6 has been canceled to allow time to review the current draft of Chapter 7. The next meeting is scheduled for November 2.
- South Delta Habitat working group meeting: Friday, October 7 at 9 a.m. in Lathrop.
Week of October 10:
- CANCELED: The Adaptive Limits working group meeting, scheduled for October 12 has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for October 26.
- Biological Goals & Objectives working group meeting: Thursday, October 13 at 1 p.m. in Sacramento.
- Yolo Bypass Fishery Enhancement working group meeting: Friday, October 14 at 9 a.m. in Sacramento.
All meetings are open to the public. Visit the BDCP website for meeting details and a calendar of upcoming meetings.
SEE ALSO: Assembly Committee Schedules Oversight Hearing on BDCP , from ACWA’s Water News
New USGS science: Groundwater study of the eastern Great Basin
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:21 amFrom the USGS:
“Groundwater pumping, which has been increasing since the 1940s, now accounts for about one third of the estimated annual flow from the aquifers of the eastern Great Basin. In parts of this region, groundwater pumping exceeds the rate of natural discharge, leading to land subsidence and declines in water levels and spring flow.
U.S. Geological Survey scientists recently published a report examining groundwater recharge (replenishment) and discharge for the eastern Great Basin. The study examined 110,000 square miles across Utah, Nevada, California and Idaho, and the report covers groundwater conditions from Death Valley in the southwest to Cache Valley in the northeast.
“Groundwater resources are not only a critical part of present water supplies in this area, but are likely to increase in importance in the future because the region is facing population growth and limited surface water supplies,” said Kevin Dennehy, coordinator for the USGS Groundwater Resources Program. “The results of the study have the potential to aid state and local agencies to better manage their future water supplies.” … “
Continue reading from the USGS by clicking here.
Salmon spawning runs under way on the Russian River
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:10 amFrom the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
“The first chinook salmon of the year has passed through the Sonoma County Water Agency’s fish ladder in the Russian River near Forestville, the beginning of what is expected to be a good salmon run.
The chinook, a threatened species, was photographed at 8:39 p.m Sunday and was estimated to be about two feet in length. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat by clicking here.
Sacramento: EPA orders $60 million clean-up of toxic groundwater at Aerojet Superfund Site
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 7:05 amFrom the Western Farm Press:
“The U.S. Environmental Protection is ordering a $60 million clean-up of rocket fuel-polluted groundwater at the Aerojet Superfund Site in Sacramento County, Calif., the latest phase of a long-term decontamination project at the site. The extent of toxic pollution at the site makes it one of the largest and most comprehensive Superfund groundwater clean-ups in California.
A 27-square mile swath of groundwater underneath and around the former aerospace facility is polluted with several compounds, including very high levels of perchlorate — a main component of rocket fuel — and a known developmental toxin. Aerojet, under the direction of the EPA, will contain the underground plume to prevent it from spreading into nearby rivers and streams. Future plans will also treat groundwater within the site’s boundaries. … “
Continue reading from the Western Farm Press by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: EPA orders next stage of Aerojet water cleanup, from the Sacramento Business Journal
Lodi: New requirements may raise storm water costs
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:24 amFrom the Lodi News-Sentinel:
“Ratepayers could soon see an increase in their stormwater fees because of stricter California requirements in the city’s storm water discharge permit. Businesses could also be burdened with additional costs.
Under the proposed new permit, the city would have to pay an additional $1 million a year to comply with the requirements, city spokesman Jeff Hood said. The city currently spends $650,000 a year to comply with the permit, so the increase would almost triple the budget, Hood said. … “
Continue reading from the Lodi News-Sentinel by clicking here.
Stanislaus River rising again: SSJID flowing excess water thru canals as Bureau prepares for flood season
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:22 amFrom the Manteca Bulletin:
“Federal water purveyors scrambling to reduce the potential of flooding this winter are about to send water flowing through South San Joaquin Irrigation District canals that normally dry up in October.
The water will flow all the way through district canals and spill out into the San Joaquin River at French Camp and Little John Creek north of Manteca.
Water levels on the Stanislaus River will continue to run unseasonably high with flows increasing even more at times over the next 33 days. … “
Continue reading from the Manteca Bulletin by clicking here.
Marin Municipal Water District board OKs lean budget
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:15 amFrom Marinscope:
“The Marin Municipal Water District board of directors announced it has adopted a reduced budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, 3 percent lower than the previous year’s budget, which itself was slashed by more than 16 percent.
The operating budget is $66.4 million (down from $68.2 million) and the capital improvement program budget is $14.9 million.
“We are trying very hard not to affect customer service levels,” MMWD Pubic Information Officer Libby Pischel wrote in an e-mail to Marinscope. “Certainly, water will still come out of the tap 24/7. Our concern, and what we want to prevent, is a reduction in service levels over time as a result of deferred maintenance and/or delayed projects. For example, if we don’t replace pipe on a regular schedule, there could be an increase in pipe breaks in the future.” … “
Continue reading from Marinscope by clicking here.
Feinstein rips National Park Service report addressing West Marin oyster operations
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:13 amFrom the Marin Independent Journal:
“Sen. Dianne Feinstein is criticizing the scientific analysis in a preliminary environmental impact statement report that evaluates the impact of commercial shellfish operations in Drakes Estero in the Point Reyes National Seashore.
The Drakes Bay Oyster Co.’s lease allowing it to grow and harvest oysters in Drakes Estero ends on Nov. 30, 2012, and the Point Reyes National Seashore has indicated it wants to return it to a wilderness area thereafter. The National Park Service issued its environmental report Friday, but it doesn’t identify a preferred alternative for oyster operations. … “
Continue reading from the Marin Independent Journal by clicking here.
Coastside water district approves multimillion-dollar project
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:07 amFrom the Half Moon Bay Review:
“Elected leaders for the Coastside County Water District on Tuesday unanimously approved a long-term strategy to borrow $6.75 million for infrastructure improvements designed to draw more water locally.
The upgrades, which would be the most expensive infrastructure project in the district’s history, would bring in new equipment and improved sedimentation ponds to allow the district to greatly increase the amount of clean water produced from Denniston and San Vicente creeks, located in the hills east of the Midcoast. … “
Continue reading from the Half Moon Bay Review by clicking here.
Monterey: Regional desal project contractor wants to get paid
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:06 amFrom Monterey County Weekly:
“RMC Water and Environment is on strike.
The Walnut Creek-based contractor managing the $400 million Regional Desalination Project says it won’t do any more work for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency until it collects the money it’s owed.
In a series of letters obtained by the Weekly, RMC Project Manager Lyndel Melton complains MCWRA hasn’t paid his firm a penny for the services it’s provided since landing the $28 million project management contract. … “
Continue reading from Monterey County Weekly by clicking here.
Ojai water meeting strays off topic
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:03 amFrom the Ventura County Star:
“Golden State Water Co. held a public meeting Tuesday night at Nordhoff High School to make a presentation on the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan for Ojai, but the small group that turned out focused on complaining about water rates and other issues.
Ernie Gisler, engineering and planning manager for Golden State, said the plan is required by the California Department of Water Resources, dealing with such issues as water supply reliability. He explained that the Water Conservation Act of 2009 mandates a reduction in water consumption of 20 percent by 2020. … “
Continue reading from the Ventura County Star by clicking here.
L.A. Creek Freak: Symposium explores the complexities of sediment management
Posted by: Maven on September 29, 2011 at 6:01 amFrom the L.A. Creek Freak blog:
“Last Tuesday (9/20), the Council for Watershed Health (formerly the Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council) hosted a creek-freaky event entitled Shifting Soil: Sediment Management Policies in Los Angeles. While I was fortunate enough to be in attendance, it has taken some time to digest all that was discussed and to place in context all of the remarks that were made. The following is my best attempt at a summary including a few thoughts on the topic. …
Before diving into the detailed summary, a few general notes:
Symposium in context: While the ultimate catalyst for the event was almost certainly the Station Fire of 2009 (the largest L.A. County wildfire in recorded history at 160,557 acres and the reason so much sediment is now clogging debris basins and reservoirs), the subsequent related destruction of the Arcadia Woodlands this past January undoubtedly influenced the organization of the symposium as well. … “
Continue reading at the L.A. Creek Freak blog by clicking here.
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