Jurupa Valley: Water district welcomes new manager
Posted by: Maven on May 11, 2012 at 6:55 amFrom the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
“The elected board of the Jurupa Community Services District didn’t have to look far for their newly hired general manager.
Director Bob Craig said he was looking for someone with administrative experience and a strong background in financial matters.
Todd Corbin, who served as assistant general manager at the Cucamonga Valley Water District in neighboring San Bernardino County, brought those attributes and more to the table, Craig said. … “
Continue reading from the Riverside Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
Global warming law and Metropolitan Water District rates: A followup
Posted by: Maven on May 11, 2012 at 6:54 amFrom the North County Times:
“My article about the potential $10 million to $50 million annual cost to Metropolitan Water District from California’s global warming law, AB 32, drew an aptly critical response from Larry Farwell of Santa Barbara. He wanted to know more about just how much the added cost would mean to the average ratepayer, information I did not include.
My guesstimate is a couple of percent at most. Please bear in mind that’s not the result of rigorous number-crunching, just a rough calculation. The actual increase depends on which retail water district the ratepayer belongs to. And there may be other factors I didn’t consider. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
Water Conservation Advisory Board talks on saving water continue
Posted by: Maven on May 11, 2012 at 6:52 amFrom the Imperial Valley Press:
“The Imperial Irrigation District is still looking for farmers who are willing to fallow as it looks to fill at least 170,000 acre-feet of water.
However, Water Conservation Advisory Board members are still working to make changes for future fallowing and the start of on-farm conservation. … “
Continue reading from the Imperial Valley Press by clicking here.
Thursday’s top of the scroll: Robots measure flow of Sacramento River
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:33 amFrom the San Francisco Chronicle:
“A fleet of 100 robots floated down the Sacramento River on Wednesday to demonstrate their ability to measure the pace of the river’s flow and to navigate the delta’s water.
The foot-long devices, 40 of them fitted with propellers, are designed to serve as unique water-borne sensors to detect pollutants in a river, measure changes in salinity, monitor fish life and signal downstream in emergencies to warn of levee breaks, oil spills or other hazards, said the fleet’s developers. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Check out this video of the robots entering the water:
MORE COVERAGE:
- Fleet of foot-long robots analyze Sacramento River, from the Fresno Bee
- UC Berkeley Tests Floating Robot Sensors to Track Water Flow, Environmental Concerns, from UC Berkeley Newsroom
Delta water update: Local interests ‘no longer losing’
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:26 amFrom the Stockton Record:
“Much of the push and pull over water in California centers on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a massive estuary that is the source for about 25 million water users in the state.
And since about two-thirds of the Delta is in San Joaquin County, officials long have been concerned that there might not be enough weight behind the interests of local residents, farmers and others in the estuary neighborhood.
In recent years, county officials have worked to better define their positions and alliances. They have edged into the ever-evolving discussion on how to slake the state’s thirst. … “
Continue reading from the Stockton Record by clicking here.
House approves Denham amendment to prohibit reintroduction of salmon into insufficient San Joaquin habitat
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:23 amFrom the website of Congressman Jeff Denham:
“U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) today introduced an amendment to H.R. 5326, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2013, to prohibit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from using any funds to reintroduce salmon into the San Joaquin River in the Central Valley of California, which currently does not have a complete system to provide a sufficient habitat for the reintroduction of salmon.
You can view Representative Denham’s remarks in support of his amendment here, and his remarks as prepared follow:
Thank you Mister Chair, the amendment that I am offering is intended to fortify the underlying Appropriations Bill.
The underlying bill funds the National Marine Fisheries Service, and this amendment seeks to ensure that funding doesn’t have a detrimental impact on my district. … “
Continue reading from Congressman Denham’s website by clicking here.
Rural counties bristle at septic regs
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:20 amFrom the Union Democrat:
“The state of California could move forward next month on new regulations for septic sewage systems, but not without some pushback from area agencies.
The State Water Resources Control Board recently released a final draft of its policy on septic systems, also known as onsite water treatment systems. The policy would set up new rules and procedures for installing, maintaining and replacing private septic systems around the state in an attempt to prevent contamination of surface and groundwater. … “
Continue reading from the Union Democrat by clicking here.
Giant SoCal water agency says global warming law will cost it $10 million to $50 million a year
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:19 amFrom the North County Times:
“Southern California’s biggest water wholesaler says it faces an extra $10 million to $50 million in annual expenses to comply with California’s global warming law.
Those costs will flow down to ratepayers already stressed by steeply rising bills, said the giant Metropolitan Water District, importer of most of the water used in Southern California.
To forestall this increase, Metropolitan is asking for an exemption from the “cap-and-trade” greenhouse emissions requirements of Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, said Jeff Kightlinger, Metropolitan’s general manager. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
California lawmakers push for fracking rules
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:13 amFrom the Los Angeles Times:
“California lawmakers on Wednesday took preliminary steps to increase the size of the state’s oil and gas agency — with the condition that regulators draft rules for hydraulic fracturing, a controversial form of oil extraction that some say can pose a hazard to drinking water.
The lack of “fracking” regulations has been a sore point for legislators who have said that rules are long overdue for California, the fourth-largest oil-producing state and the birthplace of the modern environmental movement.
On Wednesday, the Assembly Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation approved Gov. Jerry Brown’s request for an additional 18 positions in the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources to step up regulation of the booming oil industry and eliminate a backlog of drilling-permit applications. Lawmakers, however, also set guidelines for fracking rules, adopting budget language that gives regulators until 2014 to finalize regulations. … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
Commentary: Fracking our way to energy independence — in California?
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:12 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News, this commentary by Damon Nagami, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Los Angeles:
“Two years ago, the nation watched helplessly as 200 million gallons of oil spewed from a busted pipe a mile below the ocean’s surface in the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven men lost their lives in the BP disaster. Thousands of fishermen and shrimpers lost their livelihoods. We now know that the U.S. Minerals Management Service, the agency charged with overseeing oil drilling, was too cozy with the oil industry and may have considered profits over protections.
Are we poised to repeat history here in California?
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is emerging as a serious threat to California’s natural resources and communities. Oil companies pump water, sand, and sometimes toxic chemicals into the ground to break up rock and force hard-to-reach oil to the surface — despite the looming threats to water and air quality, a potential link to earthquakes and the production of enormous amounts of unregulated toxic waste. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Weather window: Winter wrap up
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:10 amFrom Sierra Sun:
“The 2012 water year for the Sierra Nevada won’t officially end until Sept. 30, but for all intents and purposes our lackluster winter is over. It should be no surprise by now that precipitation last season was significantly below normal. Despite an impressive battery of storms in March that dumped up to 9 feet of snow on Tahoe resorts, followed by a wet April, it would have taken something closer to the “Miracle March” of 1991 to raise this year’s disappointing snowpack values to near normal. … “
Continue reading from the Sierra Sun by clicking here.
Additional public scoping meeting planned on EIS for remanded BOs on the coordinated long-term operation of the CVP and SWP
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 7:02 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“The Bureau of Reclamation is holding an additional scoping meeting to solicit public input on issues and alternative development to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement EIS) for the Remanded Biological Opinions (BOs) on the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP). The Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the EIS and conduct public scoping meetings was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. The EIS will be developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA).
The additional scoping meeting will be held in Los Banos on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, from 6-8 p.m., at the Los Banos Community Center, 645 7th Street, Los Banos, CA, 93635. … “
Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
The price of water 2012: 18 percent rise since 2010, 7 percent over last year in 30 major U.S. cities
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 6:59 amFrom Circle of Blue Water News:
“Reflecting economic circumstances for water utilities in countless American cities and towns, single-family residential water prices in 30 major U.S. cities have gone up an average of 7.3 percent during the last year and 17.9 percent since 2010, when Circle of Blue began collecting pricing data. The median increase was 7.8 percent over the last year.
Circle of Blue began tracking water rates in 2010 for the same 30 U.S. cities: the 20 largest in the nation, plus 10 regionally representative cities. From 2010 to 2011, the first year an annual comparison was possible, prices rose an average of 9.4 percent, with a median increase of 8.6 percent. … “
Continue reading from the Circle of Blue Water News by clicking here.
Reclamation plans Trinity water export total
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 6:58 amFrom the Trinity Journal:
“The federal Bureau of Reclamation anticipates exporting 547,000 acre-feet of water that flows into Trinity Lake from April 2012 through March 2013 for Central Valley Project use.
“It could vary from that,” said Brian Person, area manager for the Northern California Bureau of Reclamation Office.
Inflow to the reservoir for the year is forecast to be 1,025,000 acre-feet. In addition to the 547,000 acre-feet of water anticipated to be exported for CVP use, 647,000 acre-feet is to be released to the Trinity River for fisheries. … “
Continue reading from the Trinity Journal by clicking here.
Peripheral Canal a greater threat to Trinity lake, river, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 6:56 amFrom the Trinity Journal, this commentary by Tom Stokely of the California Water Impact Network:
“Thank you for your editorial of May 2 “Water-year determinations need better flexibility.” I do not write to refute your opinion and that of Mr. McHugh that the five water year types are “coarse” and are not flexible for years like this when the water year determination is on the cusp between water years. However, I would like to take the opportunity to point out that there are some erroneous assumptions inferred in your editorial as well as in the April 18 article “A wet recovery: State upgrades water year to ‘normal;’ More Trinity Lake water to flow to Central Valley.”
First, your editorial and the April 18 article continue the myth that the Bureau of Reclamation will take more water out of Trinity Lake during a wet year than a dry or critically dry year. This is simply not true! A comparison of BOR’s wet and dry forecasts for April and February illustrates that Reclamation will take more water from Trinity Lake in a critically dry year than a dry year or a normal year. The February critically dry forecast called for April-December exports through the Clear Creek Tunnel to Whiskeytown of 576,000 acre-feet of water. The February dry forecast called for Clear Creek Tunnel exports during the same period at 567,000 AF, 9,000 AF less than a critically dry year! The same logic applies to the April forecast where the drier forecast would export 557,000 AF and the normal forecast calls for an export of 539,000 AF, 18,000 AF less. … “
Continue reading from the Trinity Journal by clicking here.
L.A. Creek Freak blog: Thoughts on a one-way Morro Bay watershed sign
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 6:53 amFrom the L.A. Creek Freak blog:
“I just returned from a very enjoyable vacation in San Luis Obispo, California. I stayed in downtown SLO and, a few times, bicycled out to the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve, about ten miles away. As I was bicycling west on Los Osos Valley Road a cresting a ridgeline, in the midst of agricultural fields, I saw this sign along the highway:
It reads “MORRO BAY ESTUARY WATERSHED / KEEP IT CLEAN / ENTERING.”
I initially thought it was this sign was good: a small indicator of watershed awareness… at least a tiny bit of awareness mostly targeted toward folks zooming past in their cars. Maybe a few drivers would toss a bit less trash out of their car windows. Maybe they’d look up the word “watershed” or “estuary.” As I pedaled on, I made a mental note to, on my return leg, photograph the eastbound sign, and write about it at Creek Freak. I thought about some random ideas I’ve had, but never acted on, that would use public art to build (primarily pedestrian and bicyclist) awareness of watershed boundaries in Southern California. … “
Continue reading from the L.A. Creek Freak blog by clicking here.
Job creator: Colorado River is basis of West’s economy
Posted by: Maven on May 10, 2012 at 6:49 amFrom the Salt Lake Tribune:
“The largest employer in the American Southwest isn’t a company, a military base, a government. When anyone talks about job creators in this part of the country, they should include the Colorado River.
Protect the Flows, a coalition of about 400 small businesses that depend on the river and work to protect it, commissioned a study of the Colorado’s economic impact across six Western states. Southwick Associates, Inc., a Florida-based research company that specializes in natural resource and environmental economics, conducted the study, “Colorado River, Inc.: The $26 Billion Recreation Resource Employing a Quarter Million Americans.” It was released this week. … “
Continue reading from the Salt Lake Tribune by clicking here.
Wednesday’s top of the scroll: Scientists find hundredfold increase in plastic trash in Pacific Ocean since 1970s
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:32 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“The amount of plastic in the ocean area known as the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” has increased a hundredfold since the early 1970s, according to a new study, and the alarming findings could pressure California and other coastal states to do more to reduce plastic trash.
“We were really surprised. It is a very large increase,” said Miriam Goldstein, a Ph.D. graduate student in biological oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and lead author of the study.
“Plastic had been detected in the open ocean in the early 1970s,” she said. “People were raising the alarm then. The fact it has gotten so much worse is really disappointing.” … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: Researchers: Ocean garbage gyre impacting sea life, from the AP via Silicon Valley Mercury News
Water bills already too high? They’re about to soar, says the Executive Director of the American Water Works Association
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:23 amFrom the North County Times:
“Think your water bills are already too high? Maintenance for aging pipelines, aqueducts, pumps and other infrastructure, along with new construction for an expanding population, will send bills soaring.
Nationwide, more than $1 trillion worth of infrastructure must be replaced or added over the next 25 years, said David LaFrance, executive director of the American Water Works Association. Water utilities need to plan now for the rising expense, and prepare to inform the public why rate hikes will be necessary.
LaFrance spoke at a Tuesday board meeting of the Metropolitan Water District, Southern California’s giant water wholesaler, which is facing its own mounting infrastructure costs. Along with replacing worn-out equipment, agencies must also install new equipment to meet demands of a rising population, he said. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
The desert Southwest: Oasis or mirage?
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:17 amFrom PhysOrg:
“Scientists say that to live sustainably, we should use no more than 40 percent of the water from the Colorado River Basin. As it is now, we use 76 percent, nearly double the sustainable benchmark.
The water supports the populations of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming, providing for agriculture and cities. With a changing climate and continued population growth, increasing demand for water may make this vital resource increasingly scarce.
There are some safeguards in place against water scarcity. The reservoir Lakes Mead and Powell can provide approximately five years of average annual stream flow at full capacity for insurance against low rainfall years. … “
Continue reading from PhysOrg by clicking here.
NOAA: A dry beginning for 2012 across much of U.S.
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:13 am
From NOAA Climate Services:
“Since the beginning of 2012, the contiguous United States has been experiencing drier than average conditions. This lack of precipitation is affecting water availability for agriculture and municipal use, as well as increasing concerns about soil quality and wildfires.
The map above shows the percent of average precipitation across the United States from January – April. Shades of brown indicate areas that received less than 100 percent of average precipitation while green indicates up to 200 percent of average.
While patches of brown cover both sides of the country, some areas did receive more rain than usual. Wetter than average conditions occurred across the central regions of the country and the Pacific Northwest. In the Pacific Northwest, above average precipitation contributed to higher than normal mountain snowpack at the end of the snow season. The amount of snowpack in the springtime is important in determining water supply for the region for the upcoming summer period. … “
Continue reading from the NOAA by clicking here.
Thomas Birmingham commentary: Legislation would restore water, balance to west-side Valley farmers
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:05 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this commentary by Thomas W. Birmingham, general manager of Westlands Water District:
“On April 29, Shasta Reservoir, the primary source of water supplies for the Central Valley Project, was full. And yet farms and communities south of the Delta are being allocated only 40 percent of their water supply. And that’s not expected to change this year, no matter how much water is sitting in Shasta. How can this be?
Before 1992, the Bureau of Reclamation was permitted to operate its south Delta CVP export pumping plant at capacity 12 months per year, enabling Reclamation to move enough water through that pumping plant to meet all demands for CVP water south of the Delta. But since 1992, more and more regulatory restrictions have been imposed on the operations of that pumping plant, so that today Reclamation is permitted to operate the plant at capacity only four months per year. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood blog: How the West(lands) was won, part two
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:00 amFrom Lloyd Carter at the Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood:
“If there are unwritten charter memberships in the Hydraulic Brotherhood, the Westlands Water District and the Denver, Colorado law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck undoubtedly have honored places. It’s not just that Westlands, a public agency, owns a $31 million world class trout fishing resort, which it makes available to its growers at $4,200 to $7,000 a week. It’s more the fact that Westlands, the largest (in acres not farmers) and most politically connected federal irrigation district in America, and Brownstein, one of the largest and most politically connected water law/lobbying firms in the nation, are partnering in Westlands’ billion dollar lawsuit against the government.
And that bodes ill for the American taxpayers and the environment.
In the Brotherhood, who you know and who you pay is more important than what you know. And the lawyers, like undertakers, always get paid, no matter which side they represent. Westlands’ 600 growers are hoping the legendary clout of Brownstein will lead them to the promised land of guaranteed water supplies, even if it overturns state water law and senior water rights, allows Westlands to shove its way to the front of the bucket line, and costs California its priceless San Francisco Bay-Delta. … “
Continue reading from the Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood blog by clicking here.
Link for today’s Department of Water Resources webcast on the winter season & water conditions
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 7:00 amThe Department of Water Resources will be holding a one-hour webcast this morning at 10AM to review this winter’s weather conditions and water supply implications. You can access the webcast by clicking here. Click “read more” below for more information and an agenda from Department of Water Resources.
Continue reading “Link for today’s Department of Water Resources webcast on the winter season & water conditions” »
The Delta Vision Foundation invites you to evaluate implementation progress for the Delta Vision Strategic Plan
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:56 amFrom the Delta Vision Foundation:
“The Delta Vision Foundation invites your perspectives on the progress and effectiveness of efforts to implement the Delta Vision Strategic Plan. Please take a few moments to help assess the actions of state agencies (Governor’s Administration), Legislature, federal agencies, and stakeholders in implementing the Delta Vision Strategic Plan and achieving the Two Co-Equal Goals of ecosystem restoration and water supply reliability, while preserving and protecting the unique values of the Delta as an evolving place.
Click here to start the online survey. Please feel free to forward the online survey link to others who may have valuable perspectives on progress. Your responses will be very valuable input for the 2012 Delta Vision Report Card. At the same time, DVF staff is gathering information from the Legislative leadership, state and federal agencies, and stakeholders to inform our report. We have asked each survey participant to provide name, organization, email address, and zip code to promote accountability. This information will assist DVF in evaluating the results, but will remain confidential.
In early 2009, the Delta Vision Foundation was formed by members of the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force to encourage implementation of the Delta Vision Strategic Plan and subsequent legislation by monitoring, evaluating and providing information to the public about the progress of the State of California in implementing the Delta Vision recommendations as a set of integrated and linked actions to achieve the co-equal goals: (1) restore the Delta ecosystem; and (2) ensure water supply reliability. The DVF conducts ongoing analysis, issues public comment on the State’s progress toward achieving the goals of the Delta Vision Strategic Plan, and presents information to policymakers, stakeholders and the public. For more background information, please visit the Delta Vision Foundation website.
Thank you in advance for your responses. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]”
Could water bring jobs back to the U.S.?
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:54 amFrom Pacific Standard:
“Have you gotten the memo yet? You can stop worrying about peak oil: the United States is sitting on centuries of natural gas and Canada is full of tar sands. But then there is water. No less than Morgan Stanley Smith Barney declared “peak water” the challenge of the century last December in a report upholstered with authoritative graphs showing the heating of the world and the shrinking of water resources. Words almost failed report writers as they declared, “Water may turn out to be the biggest commodity story of the 21st century, as declining supply and rising demand combine to create the proverbial perfect storm.”
The factors driving this “storm” include climate change (changing rainfall and drought patterns) and population growth, particularly in the world’s cities and among the middle class, creating increasing pressure to grow more (and more luxurious) food. Add to that the recent upswing in water-hungry energy sources such as fracked natural gas and tar sands, which has focused more attention on water. McKinsey estimates that by 2050 the world will need a 140-percent increase in its water supply—which, the management consultancy adds, is obviously impossible. Dickon Pinner, a partner at McKinsey, recently described this coming conflict as an opportunity for companies that figure out how to make industry, cities, and agriculture more water-efficient: “There’s a big prize out there.” The industrial titans of future “big water” are lining up: GE, Siemans, ITT, Dow, and others are developing water expertise. … “
Continue reading from Pacific Standard by clicking here.
Fired scientist says Klamath dam removal ‘extreme’
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:52 amFrom the Capital Press:
“The former U.S. Bureau of Reclamation senior science adviser who claims he was fired in February for speaking out about the Klamath River dam removal process said removing the dams should be an “extreme” last resort.
Paul Houser told about 200 people here May 7 that removing the four dams from the river is “an uncontrolled experiment” with impacts such as poor water quality that could have dire consequences for fisheries.
He said much further study is needed of alternatives such as fish passage, adding that scientists should truck in fish above the dams to see if they can find suitable habitat. … “
Continue reading from the Capital Press by clicking here.
Water deal sparks lawsuit in Butte County
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:51 amFrom the Appeal Democrat:
“Chico’s AquAlliance has sued to block Butte Water District’s transfer of water from Butte and Sutter counties to Kern County.
The water transfer doesn’t comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, according to the lawsuit filed in Butte County Superior Court.
“The project … fails to conduct comprehensive monitoring and denies the potential for project specific and cumulative impacts,” AquAlliance said in a statement. … “
Continue reading from the Appeal-Democrat by clicking here.
MORE: Water Transfer Challenged in Court, press release from AquAlliance at YubaNet.com
Earth Log: Salmon signal spring on San Joaquin
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:44 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“A rush of water and hundreds of juvenile salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River near Fresno are signs of spring once more, even if it’s just for practice.
As they did last year, federal and state agencies released fish last week in the experimental stage of reviving the river.
It’s been more than half a century since Friant Dam was completed and salmon runs died off in this part of the San Joaquin. Now government scientists need to understand how the fish will react to the river as the restoration continues. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Harsh words, lawsuit threats greet Modesto plan to sell water to San Francisco
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:43 amFrom the Merced Sun-Star:
“Critics let the rhetorical barbs fly Tuesday about the Modesto Irrigation District’s proposed water sale to San Francisco. And later Tuesday one member of the Modesto City Council raised the possibility of legal action.
“What you’re doing is an act of tyranny,” Modesto resident Linda Hodges told the district board, which could vote on the first small sale May 22.
She and other opponents said they do not believe assurances the sales would leave the MID with an adequate supply from the Tuolumne River during drought. … “
Continue reading from the Merced Sun-Star by clicking here.
MORE MID IN THE NEWS:
- MID water sale to San Francisco remains on track, from the Modesto Bee
- MID raises farmers’ water rates 10 percent, from the Modesto Bee
- Water sale to San Francisco on tap, from the Union Democrat
Owens Lake: State Air Board staff backs Great Basin Unified APCD clean-up order
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:29 amFrom the Sierra Wave:
“On June 10, the California Air Resources Board will hear the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s appeal of an order to do more clean up on the Owens Dry Lake dust. Meanwhile, the ARB staff has concluded that LADWP failed to prove that the clean-up order is wrong.
Ted Schade, Director of the Air Pollution Control District, has stated that he evaluated the status of the dry lake pollution as set out in the State Implementation Plan for Owens Lake and determined 2.9 square miles more needs clean-up. Schade explained that air quality standards are being violated by pollution from that area. LADWP made an appearance in one mediation session and then filed an appeal with the Air Resources Board. At first, DWP filed a suit against the Air Board itself over the appeal process they required. LA dropped that suit a couple of weeks ago. … “
Continue reading from the Sierra Wave by clicking here.
LA’s water use creeps upward: LADWP officials plea for conservation
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:27 amFrom Southern California Public Radio:
“L.A. officials have bragged mightily in the past few years about how much water we’re not using. Last year, Angelenos used less water per person than any other big city (1 million or more) in the country. But it seems the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is losing a little bit of its swagger where water conservation is concerned.
In a news release LADWP says that “water use…has risen sharply since January.” Senior assistant general manager for water, Jim McDaniel, is quoted:
In 2011, our customers reached a per capita water usage of 123 gallons daily – the lowest in Los Angeles in more than 40 years and currently the lowest among any U.S. city with a population over one million. Still, even with this remarkable achievement, recently we’ve noticed water use on the rise and with temperatures climbing and summer coming, we’re asking our customers to once again take a look at their water use and see how they can use less. … “
Continue reading from Southern California Public Radio by clicking here.
MORE: Read the press release from Los Angeles Department of Water & Power by clicking here.
LADWP trunk line project nears halfway completion point
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:17 amFrom the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power:
“Two years ago, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) began construction on a large water pipeline known as the River Supply Conduit Improvement Project – Unit 4 (RSC4) in the Silver Lake and Los Feliz communities of Los Angeles. RSC4 is one of several projects that will replace the 11-mile River Supply Conduit built in the 1940s that transports potable water from North Hollywood to Ivanhoe Reservoir.
With new water quality regulations requiring LADWP to remove open-air reservoirs from service by 2014, the new pipeline will reroute water from North Hollywood to Headworks Reservoir, which is under construction outside Griffith Park, making it possible for Ivanhoe and Silver Lake Reservoirs to be taken out of service by the compliance deadline. RSC4 also provides increased reliability to the water distribution system by addressing concerns regarding leaks on the aging pipeline.
As construction crews move through Silver Lake and Los Feliz, they are installing pipe large enough for a car to drive through, deep below ground along narrow residential and busy commercial streets. Given the close quarters of the construction areas, particularly along Rokeby Street, LADWP and construction general contractor Steve P. Rados, Inc. have taken several steps to mitigate dust, noise and traffic beyond those required by the project’s environmental impact report. … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power by clicking here.
Press release: California Senate committee takes major step toward protecting ratepayers
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:12 amFrom Market Watch, this press release from the Water Replenishment District of Southern California:
“Today, the Natural Resources & Water Committee of the California State Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1386, a bill aimed at clarifying the authority and roles of water agencies in southern Los Angeles County. The bill was introduced earlier this year by South Bay veteran lawmaker, Senator Alan Lowenthal.
“WRD is pleased to see this important senate bill move forward as southeast L.A. County, in particular, works to develop vital groundwater storage capacity to increase the future reliability of the water supply in this region,” said WRD General Manager Robb Whitaker. “Senator Lowenthal’s bill brings the clarification water districts need help them stay in their own lane to fulfill their core missions and avoid wasteful duplication of services.” … “
Continue reading from Market Watch by clicking here.
Cerritos council to consider payment for its portion of water pollution study
Posted by: Maven on May 9, 2012 at 6:11 amFrom the Contra Costa Times:
“The City Council will consider an agreement Thursday for the city’s $284,461 portion of a multiyear study looking at ways to control and reduce the amount of copper, lead and zinc draining into and polluting Coyote Creek and the San Gabriel River.
Cerritos is one of about a dozen cities (Artesia, Bellflower, Diamond Bar, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Long Beach, Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs) and the California Department of Transportation that contribute runoff polluting the two bodies of water, according to a City Council staff report.
In March 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency established the maximum amount of metal pollution runoff allowed into the creek and river. The study will determine, in part, whether the local waterways exceed those standards. … “
Continue reading from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
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Aquafornia's Mission
Aquafornia's mission is to educate readers about the complex and often controversial issues surrounding water in California.
Aquafornia is affiliated with the Water Education Foundation, an impartial, nonprofit organization, whose mission is to create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach.
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Web Resources
Agriculture
Climate Change & Water
Conservation
Current Conditions
Delta & SF Bay Resources
- Bay Delta Developments
- Bay Institute
- Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
- Delta Atlas
- Delta Protection Commission
- Delta Stewardship Council
- Delta Vision Foundation
- Delta WaterMaster
- Discover the Delta Foundation
- Restore the Delta
- San Francisco Bay and Delta (Access USGS)
- San Francisco Baykeeper
- San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science website
- San Francisco Estuary Partnership
Employment & Water
Environmental Organizations
Fishing Blogs/Organizations
Investing & Water
Landscaping
Legal Blogs
Legislative Committees - State & Federal
- California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
- California State Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Water
- House Natural Resource Committee, Water & Power Subcommittee
- New State Water Legislation Mandates (KMTG)
- Senate Commitee on Environment & Public Works, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee
- The California Channel
Los Angeles River
Maven's Other Websites
News
Public Policy Organizations
Regional Water Associations
Salton Sea
Stormwater & Flood Control
Water Agencies
- ACWA – Association of California Water Agencies
- Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
- Contra Costa Water District
- East Bay Municipal Utility District
- Imperial Irrigation District
- Kern County Water Agency
- Long Beach Water Department
- Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
- Metropolitan Water District
- Municipal Water District of Orange County
- San Diego County Water Authority
- Santa Clara Valley Water District
- Sonoma County Water Agencies
- South San Joaquin Irrigation District
- State Water Contractors
- West Basin Municipal Water District
- Westlands Water District
Water Agencies - State & Federal
Water Blogs
- ACWA's Voices in Water blog
- Aguanomics
- Alex Breitler's Blog
- American Water Resources Assn. Blog
- Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard
- Bay Delta Blog
- California Water Blog
- California Water Wars blog
- Chance of Rain
- Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood
- Delta National Park Blog
- EDF's On The Waterfront
- Greed, Green & Grains
- Green Roots Blog (PCL)
- GrokSurf's San Diego blog
- Inkstain – jfleck
- Klam Blog
- L. A. Creek Freak
- On the Public Record
- Peter Gleick’s City Brights blog
- Restore the Delta's blog
- Southern California Water Committee Blog
- Spouting Off – Mark Gold of Heal the Bay
- State of the Planet Blog
- The California Spigot
- Thirsty in Suburbia
- Tom Philp's Blog
- Valley Economy Blog
- Water Cooler Blog
- Water Librarian's Blog
- Water SISWEB
- Waterblogged (Shawn McKinnon)
- Watering the Desert
- WaterWired
Water Information
News Article Archives
- Agriculture
- Aquafornia News & Exclusives
- Central Valley Project
- Climate change & water supply
- Conservation
- Delta Issues
- Desalination
- Development & Population
- Drinking Water & Bottled Water
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Drought, Weather & Snowpack
- Energy & Water
- Events
- Flood Control/Stormwater
- General Water Issues
- Groundwater
- History
- Indian Water Rights
- Infrastructure
- Innovative Ideas
- International Water Issues
- Invasive Plants & Species
- Investing in water
- Legislation – State & Federal
- Levees
- National water news
- Oceans & Beaches
- People in the News
- Politics of Water
- Recycled Water
- Regional Water Issues
- San Joaquin River Restoration
- State Water Project (DWR)
- Storage and supply
- Transfers
- Uncategorized
- Water Agency News
- Water Banking
- Water Quality
- Water Rights
- Weird & Wacky Water News
- Wildlife & Endangered Species