Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 20, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
SACRAMENTO
Voting closes on flood-control property tax; The assessment would match federal funds for Folsom Dam, levees - Sacramento
SNOW SURVEY:
DWR Sets Final Snow Survey of Season - News Release, Department of Water Resources
RETIREMENT:
County water, resources chief leaving - Oroville Mercury Register
SACRAMENTO
Voting closes on flood-control property tax; The assessment would match federal funds for Folsom Dam, levees
Sacramento
By Matt Weiser, staff writer
Results from the election won't be known until next Thursday. Supporters have high hopes the tax will pass.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed until then," said Heather Fargo,
The document included only minor changes: 431 properties out of about 140,000 were removed from the assessment because they were found to receive no benefit; and 599 school and park parcels were reclassified from commercial to agricultural, reflecting the fact that they cannot be developed in the future.
These changes reduced the total assessment by $6,557, an amount considered insignificant relative to the $18.1 million in receipts expected annually for 30 years if the tax is approved. The new tax would replace two existing SAFCA assessment districts. The average property tax increase under the new district is estimated at $35 per year.
The money would provide a local match for state and federal funds which, combined, would build projects costing $2.68 billion.
Some of this money would come from Proposition 1E, the flood-safety bond statewide voters approved in November.
The assessment ballot was driven, in part, by revelations last year that Natomas levees no longer meet a minimum 100-year level of flood protection. But the money would pay for projects throughout the city, including upgrades to Folsom Dam and levee strengthening along the American and
If approved, the new tax is expected to restore 100-year protection to Natomas in three to five years, and provide 200-year protection citywide within a decade. The biggest step is a $1.3 billion spillway at Folsom Dam -- with $146 million required from local sources.
The election was controlled by Proposition 218, which requires ballots to be weighted according to the benefit received. This means a large parcel effectively gets more votes than a small one. There is no organized opposition to the tax.
"We've worked very hard to ensure fidelity with the intent of Proposition 218," said Stein Buer, SAFCA's executive director.
"What we have here is ... a very robust proposal for achieving 200-year flood protection."
The results will be tallied by Perry Smith LLP, an accounting firm under contract with SAFCA. The public may observe this process at the firm's offices at 400 Capitol Mall,
Results will be revealed to the SAFCA board at a special meeting next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers, 915 I St.
On Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act. It includes authorization for the Folsom Dam project. If approved in the Senate, it will smooth the way toward annual construction appropriations.
"It's really so important that we have a local partner here," said Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento. "... It's really a better project than we've ever conceived before." #
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/158247.html
SNOW SURVEY:
DWR Sets Final Snow Survey of Season
News Release, Department of Water Resources – 4/19/07
Contacts: Don Strickland, Information Officer, (916) 653-9515, Ted Thomas, Information Officer, (916) 653-9712, Frank Gehrke, Snow Surveys Office, (916) 952-4044 (on-site cell phone number on day of survey)
Monthly measurements are made from January to May to help forecast the amount of spring runoff into reservoirs. The fifth survey, normally conducted during the last week of April or the first week of May, does not normally provide a particularly significant snowpack reading. This year, however, the last check of snow conditions has particular relevance because the snowpack is at its lowest water content level in 20-years.
Historic Phillips Station, Highway 50 and Sierra at
Media representatives are advised to bring snowshoes or cross-country skis and to park only in the permitted area along Highway 50…not along Sierra at
In addition to this single manually measured site, reporters can find real-time electronic readings of statewide water content posted on the Internet in date order (newest at the bottom) at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/lsreports/DLYSWEQ.
Importance of Snow Surveying
Snow-water content is important in determining the coming year's water supply. The measurements help hydrologists prepare water supply forecasts as well as provide others, such as hydroelectric power companies and the recreation industry, with much needed data.
Monitoring is coordinated by the Department of Water Resources as part of the multi-agency California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program. Surveyors from more than 50 agencies and utilities visit hundreds of snow measurement courses each month to monitor the amount of water in the state’s snowpack.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.
RETIREMENT:
County water, resources chief leaving
Oroville Mercury Register – 4/19/07
By Heather Hacking,
After dedicating his adult life to water, Toccoy Dudley, director of the county's Department of Water and Resource Conservation, is taking a break.
Technically his last day will be June 30. However, he'll vacate his office chair a month before that because he has vacation time accrued.
"Water will be huge in the next few years," he said. "There will be another drought and it will be worse than the last drought."
Demand is bigger than the last drought in the early 1990s, he said, and that demand has "hardened."
What he means is that agriculture has made some shifts away from field crops into permanent crops such as orchards. Farmers with trees can't fallow land when water gets tight, because the trees are a long-term investment. This will mean there will be less room for short-term sacrifices when its dry.
Dudley, who lives in Red Bluff, said he needs to be closer to home and spend time with his wife.
It's been a tough year and a half, with a controversial regional water plan in the works and many heated discussions at the Water Commission.
That topic appears to be quieting down.
A Proposition 50 grant application appears likely to be funded on the $3 million level. He also completed work started by his predecessor Ed Craddock — a groundwater management plan. This makes
His department also recently finished a Web-based ground water information system.
The county has also identified alternatives for the long-term planning process.
"All of these were no small tasks to complete successfully, and are all a testament to my outstanding and dedicated staff."
He said he might decide later to find a part-time job and do some community service.
"I'll hang out in Red Bluff. Hunt in the desert in the winter and hunt in
Dudley, who is 56, said he's thankful to his father who taught him that it's important to invest on a regular basis for retirement, giving him the chance to be able to enjoy time off sooner than some.
Prior to coming to work for the county,
Working for the county, especially during a time when there was controversy, "was much more being under a magnifying glass than when working for the state," he noted.
However, he said "it's been a great year and a half and I learned a lot."
When he was hired, he interviewed with both the Water Commissioners and then the Board of Supervisors. He anticipated the same process would occur to pick his replacement.
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_5699915
DWR's California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff, for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader's services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost2.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news. DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of
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