A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 20, 2007
3. Watersheds
Resources secretary pitches plan to restore Salton Sea - Riverside Press Enterprise
Officials say the Salton Sea headed for disaster without a plan and money - Desert Sun
Bono pushes for $26 million to help jump start sea; She says before the House 'status quo is simply not an option' - Desert Sun
Tahoe water clarity stabilizing; REPORT SAYS EFFORTS TO KEEP LAKE CLEAN ARE ON RIGHT TRACK - San Jose Mercury News
Resources secretary pitches plan to restore Salton Sea
Riverside Press
By Ben Goad, staff writer
State Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman pitched a nearly $7 billion, 75-year plan to restore the ailing Salton Sea to members of
The project's magnitude can be staggering to those digesting it for the first time, Chrisman said between meetings on Capitol Hill.
"When you talk about $7 billion, they all choke," Chrisman said.
But with help from some congressional members who have been involved with the issue for years, including Rep. Mary Bono, R-Palm Springs, and Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, he was able to show that the plan will be implemented in many smaller, more manageable projects over the course of three-quarters of a century, he said.
At 376 square miles, the Salton Sea is
Without it, scientists fear the
"There's no debate that the
Tasked with finding the best solution in 2003, state officials led by Chrisman formulated eight alternative solutions. Eventually, after weighing the plans and hearing from outside agencies, officials and the public, a single plan drawing elements from several of the alternatives was formulated.
The
The group is now modifying the draft, based on additional feedback from officials in
Chrisman said the plan, which he expects to release April 30, would feature some differences from the draft -- potentially including the cost -- but it is expected to follow the same basic principles.
"There will not be any surprises," Chrisman said, though he declined to discuss the changes.
Bono expressed confidence that her colleagues understood the importance of restoring the lake. She said the cost, while hefty, pales in comparison with the money being spent to protect the Florida Everglades.
"
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_salton20.3bae623.html
Officials say the
Desert Sun – 4/20/07
The last gasp?
The
The
Later this month, California Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman will announce a formal plan to restore the state's largest lake. The $6 billion plan's expected to include a much smaller lake - there will be less water for it in the future - wildlife habitat and a lot of dry land.
The land is expected to worsen air quality problems in the Coachella and Imperial valleys unless the state and other agencies are able to come up with realistic solutions.
In advance of a 3-day series on the Salton Sea's future and what happens if nothing is done to help it, The Desert Sun asked the Coachella Valley's four legislators their opinion on several sea-related issues.
Have you had a chance to review the
Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta: Yes, I have reviewed the proposal. My local legislative colleagues and I are in agreement that there are many good elements, but it doesn't address some of the local concerns that are extremely important such as a recreational lake in the south end of the Sea in Imperial County, building more wildlife habitat in the north end of the Sea in Riverside County, and solving the outstanding issues with the Torres Martinez Tribe. It is also critical we have a water treatment plan to clean up the water to reduce the odor - the law mandates this. Most of the constituents who contact my office love the
Assemblyman
Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego (covers
She said the preliminary alternative presented then needs to be revised to include three other elements:
a) Small lake in the south end of the sea.
''The idea is to create a small lake at the south end, not just wetlands . . . at the southwest corner between Westmoreland and
''
b) Wetland at the north end.
She said this should be in the area where the Torres Martinez Tribe is doing some work, maybe on a wetland.
c) Geothermal.
She said there's an area that is good for geothermal work at the southeast corner of the lake and that the saline habitat that is planned for there should be adopted to accommodate it.
''You want to make sure you design the habitat in a way that you don't hurt the habitat when you go in for the geothermal, so the geothermal is part of the habitat.
''I think a lot of folks think those all need to be added in now rather than waiting, particularly in (the view of)
''With them you'd have a product that would have substantial local consensus.''
Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia,
I've heard from various constituents and local organizations and governments on the proposed alternative and ways in which it does and doesn't fit the needs of the district. Some of the biggest concerns that have been raised are the bodies of water in the proposal and the amount of exposed seabed.
One of the key components of a plan most local residents would like to see is a recreational body of water in the southern portion of the sea. Not only would this provide needed wildlife habitat, but would provide recreational and economic benefits for the
Another concern I have is limiting the amount of seabed exposed with a final plan. As we've all seen with the
With the state's highest level of childhood asthma cases, my district does not need the problem of an enormous amount of this seabed being blown by the wind into populated areas.
Also key to a sound alternative will be to ensure the opportunity for additional geothermal development is planned for. The
What's the most likely modification to the plan you expect as it's hashed out in the Legislature?
Battin: I am hopeful the Secretary will agree with the Salton Sea Authority and federal, state and local lawmakers that represent our area and modify the final plan accommodating our recommendations and concerns.
Benoit: Addition of a recreational lake in the southern section and any possible modifications that might result in less government costs and more private investment as a means to fund the project.
Garcia: My feeling is that the local concerns I've heard expressed will be considered by the Secretary in developing the final plan. I'm confident that most of those concerns will be adequately addressed in that process.
I think the last thing needed is for the negotiation on a final plan to be dropped into the hands of the Legislature.
How will you be able to convince skeptical colleagues in the Legislature of the importance of saving the
Battin: Make no mistake - the Salton Sea is one of the most important environmental issues facing
The financial and practical cost to the state of doing nothing will far exceed the cost of moving forward with solutions - it will cost billions of dollars to deal with air quality if we allow the Sea to die.
Recent studies by the Salton Sea Authority indicate that there is a $5 billion a year economic benefit to restoring the Sea.
Additionally the Sea restoration will create thousands of new jobs and new economic development around the Sea.
Environmentally, the value of the Pacific Flyway and the millions of migrating birds moving up and down the
The coalition to save the Sea is a multifaceted, multi-jurisdictional, bipartisan collection of many interests. All of this will help in convincing the members of the legislature of the gravity of this situation and the importance of acting.
Benoit: It may be a tough sell for the rest of
However, as we continue to move into a serious drought condition, if there is a willingness to balance the water needs throughout the region, that may provide incentive for other areas to support the plan.
Ducheny: She said the costs are spread over a long period. The key for her is to get in law a commitment by the state to a restoration project, hopefully this year, and then start both getting some money now and laying groundwork for the future, maybe as part of a bond.
She also emphasized that it's going to be a joint venture of feds and locals as well as state.
''It's a lot of money but it's over a long period of time.
''It sounds like a lot of money, but you've got to remember it's over 30 or 40 years.
''You make a commitment to do these things that are necessary and then once you do that, then you fund it as you go. You do what you can today and then start to make the case for further bonds and other resources.
''You work with everybody. It's not like any one entity has to carry all the weight.''
She noted that they expect to get some money from previously approved bond for the Early Start Habitat program and from existing funds for some environmental work.
Garcia: The bottom line is that funding will have to be a priority of the federal government. The Sea must remain at the top of the agenda of not only Congresswoman (Mary) Bono, but especially the agendas of Sens. (Dianne) Feinstein and (Barbara) Boxer. Boxer has a vested interested in the
The state will share in these costs - costs that will extend over a couple of decades. Of course, as opportunities for economic development begin to increase, we will see private funding assuming a larger role.
Recent scientific studies have indicated both
Battin: The low levels of water and the snow melt are only reflective of current conditions. A year or two ago, we were worrying about floods because it was raining too much and the snow pack was too high in the mountains.
It is essential to look at the long-term view for the Sea and the sources of water as well. Preservation of the
The State knew what would be required when it approved the Quantitative Settlement Agreement (QSA) and the water transfer to
Benoit: Yes, see above comment.
Garcia: Of course it's a concern. During the water transfer debates several years ago, the consensus was that the Sea was a priority for restoration. The parties all agreed to it - the government agencies, the environmentalists, the farmers.
Based on that consensus, and the fact that
But at the same time, water shortage in
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has shown his concern over the state's water supply and proposing $6 billion in investments largely centered around adding increased water storage capabilities. What's your stance on that proposal? Is there more that the state can or needs to do?
Battin: Water is one of the most valuable commodities in our society. When water is in short supply, our quality of life and economic prosperity suffers.
I absolutely support water storage - which includes "off-stream" storage, reservoirs and underground storage.
It is irresponsible of the Legislature to ignore this issue as it has been doing for over a decade. If we continue to delay, we will allow a future crisis that is completely preventable.
I support the governor's efforts and the legislation by Sen. Cogdill (SB 59) that implements the funding for water supply and storage.
Benoit:
Republicans fought hard to get these things done during the last water bond negotiations, however the majority party wouldn't budge.
Garcia: There's always more that can be done - increasing conservation efforts and holding people accountable, desalination technologies - but I agree with the governor's stance on water storage capability in
Despite a slowdown in the housing market, we are still seeing enormous numbers of homes being built and new residents to the state keep coming.
Above ground storage of water will be one of a number of measures needed to provide a safe and reliable water supply.
The Quantitative Settlement Agreement, the largest agricultural-to-urban water transfer in
Why or why not?
Battin: Fallowing is a very sensitive issue, especially in
There are both philosophical considerations to fallowing - the adverse economic impact to the community if farms stop producing crops - and also legal considerations. If the farmer has direct rights to the water as they do in Blythe.
To make an overall statement of support or opposition on such a complex issue is impossible because there are so many details that differ from situation to situation depending on the geographic location of where the fallowing was being suggested, the economic health of the surrounding community, and who controls the water rights.
Benoit: Given Commissioner
Garcia: Areas such as the Imperial and Coachella valleys have historically served as the nation's "salad bowl." As such, water is required to turn the desert into one of the most fertile areas in the world. The same holds true for other areas in the western states that are large users of water but produce a significant amount of the country's agricultural products.
As the demands for water grow, agricultural areas will be among the first turned to for additional water. The key will be how best to balance the urban thirst for water with the need for a safe, domestic food supply.
We've already seen the effects of fallowing on not only farms in
More than 70 percent of
Imperial Irrigation District gets 10 times more river water than does the state of
Does the area's agricultural importance render that water largely untransferable, or is it possible that increasing demands in places such as
Battin: The
I don't think the federal government would be able to easily change it. It would become an issue of state's rights, and I am absolutely opposed to decreasing any of
The water that is used in the
Benoit: Water transfers work best if all parties can reach equitable agreements.
Ducheny: Like Chrisman, she emphasized that the whole
(a) interstate deal on the Colorado River by which
(b) the QSA, which was a key part of the in-state adjustment to the interstate deal.
But she also stressed a restoration plan is for a long time and it will evolve as things happen beyond what anyone can foresee now.
''How we reduce our dependence on the (
She mentioned things such as droughts as well as changes in
''We have to try to design a plan that acknowledges those variables and risks.
''We'll start this effort to do restoration and it will go on for a while and evolve as conditions evolve.''
Garcia: As we've seen with the QSA, transfers have been and will be key pieces of providing a stable water supply for
Only a small percentage of the water flowing into the
It's extremely important for everyone to realize that the water flowing into the Imperial and Coachella valleys is used efficiently for producing food that feeds millions of people. Any future transfers must be negotiated keeping this in mind. #
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070420/UPDATE02/704200389
Bono pushes for $26 million to help jump start sea; She says before the House 'status quo is simply not an option'
Desert Sun – 4/20/07
By Erica Solvig, staff writer
Rep. Mary Bono took the effort to restore the
"This body of water is significant not only because of its role in becoming an economic engine for the future but also because of the impacts that will be felt in our local economy and environment if action is not taken," Bono said.
Bono, R-Palm Springs, asked for $26 million for pilot projects to begin restoring the dying sea -
"The status quo is simply not an option. Massive yearly fish dies, and the potential for the deterioration in local air quality due to blowing sediments are a very serious reality," she continued. "These problems will likely only worsen in the future depending on the actions the state of
Rep.
California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman joined Bono in
The state's plan so far does not maintain the current shoreline but instead creates a new shoreline about 2 feet lower in elevation.
The draft plan doesn't have any recreation lake in the south part of the
Tahoe water clarity stabilizing; REPORT SAYS EFFORTS TO KEEP LAKE CLEAN ARE ON RIGHT TRACK
By Mike Taugher, MediaNews
People have gazed into the mesmerizing blue waters of
But now lake clarity, a key indicator of the region's overall health, appears to be stabilizing and perhaps getting better.
The lake still suffers from murky runoff from roads, building and other development around its shores, but the
Half of the goals used to measure the quality of Tahoe's air and water, its forests, wildlife, fisheries, recreation and scenery, among other assets, have been met or nearly met.
But some of the other goals could take decades to achieve, including the most anxiously watched indicator of the lake's health: its clarity.
"It's basically saying we have a long way to go," said Julie Regan of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, which produced the report. "But I think the real story is we're heading in the right direction."
Since 1991, the Tahoe agency has produced reports every five years to track progress toward goals set in 1987.
The report released this month is the last one under the 1987 plan. Later this year, the agency is expected to draft a new plan to guide the region for the next two decades.
It probably will not be in effect until next year.
Already, however, the plan taking shape is raising concern among some environmentalists who see regulators shifting from a strict focus on protecting and restoring natural resources to putting more emphasis on economic and social issues.
"They're really putting the local economy and local social needs ahead of environmental protection," said Rochelle Nason, executive director of the League to Save Lake Tahoe. "That's contrary to the understanding that has prevailed in the area for many years."
Regan said that despite progress on improving natural resources, schools are closing and the social fabric is fraying.
At the same time, Regan said, it is widely accepted that the foundation of a healthy economy at
"You can't ignore the relationship between the economy, the environment and the social fabric of the community," she said.
Scientists now believe lake clarity can be fully restored in 20 years if about one third of the nitrogen, phosphorous and fine sediment entering the lake can be blocked. #
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_5711246?nclick_check=1
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