Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
May 21, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
Water bond may be tapped for many uses
Proposals floated by lawmakers include funding for an aquarium in
Governor acquires unlikely ally in regional global warming fight -
Water meter feud risks development
City of
The Desert Sun
__________________________________________
Water bond may be tapped for many uses
Proposals floated by lawmakers include funding for an aquarium in
By Evan Halper, Times Staff Writer
So it may come as a surprise that some of the debt they authorized could be headed toward a bike path through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, or "water-accessible overnight accommodations" on
Proposition 84 was a $5.3-billion bond measure that the official voter guide said would provide borrowing for "Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements." Less visible was the fine print that allowed state officials to authorize millions of dollars in spending with limited constraints.
Lawmakers are now debating how to allocate the pot of money generated by the measure. Some are proposing bills to finance projects that may please constituents or, in some cases, campaign contributors.
Though most of the projects serve a public purpose, they also would add hundreds of millions of dollars to the state's indebtedness. And for every $1 million spent, taxpayers fork out nearly an additional $1 million in interest over 30 years.
"This was supposed to be about strengthening the levees and water safety issues. That was the context under which people voted for it," said Bruce Cain, director of the
Voters are usually asked to pass bond issues for huge public-works projects too costly to be absorbed in the state budget. But promoters of bond initiatives often tuck in provisions that allow spending for unrelated projects.
"An initiative has to address a range of issues that appeal to a range of voters out there," he said. "Otherwise it doesn't have broad-based support."
Lew Uhler, president of the National Tax Limitation Committee, says he doubts that voters had any idea the money was going anywhere but big water projects.
"I think the people have been hoodwinked," he said.
It is up to state environmental and parks agencies to parcel out most of the bond money. But lawmakers have been working to ensure that certain organizations get a share.
Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) drafted a bill that would give the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Huntington Botanical Gardens — two projects supported by the senator — an edge in grant applications. Those institutions could use bond money to fund construction and exhibits.
Ridley-Thomas said he believes that voters were "quite conscious" that millions of dollars would "be aimed at these sort of projects" when they approved the borrowing in November.
"Culture is important," he said. "Why do we have to view this as levees versus parks? In a state such as
Central Valley lawmakers demanded that a
Biologists would raise marine fish and coral at the aquarium, and visitors could stroll through a rooftop garden with a panoramic view of the
Ground has been broken for construction, but millions of dollars are needed to construct all the buildings supporters envision. Ridley-Thomas amended his bill to include the aquarium, and backers of the project are confident they will get $5 million.
"People say, 'An aquarium in
Other lawmakers besides Ridley-Thomas have drafted bills that would guarantee cash for their pet projects.
Assembly members Ted Gaines (R-Roseville) and Lois Wolk (D-Davis) propose using bond money to establish a "Lake Tahoe water trail to link access to the waters of
The idea, being promoted by tour companies, environmentalists and paddling enthusiasts, is to create a network of boater-friendly facilities around the lake's 72-mile shoreline to draw kayakers, canoeists and sailors.
Another proposal, by Sen. Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), an avid cyclist, would fund "The Great California Delta Trail," a network of biking and hiking trails "that would extend around the delta and would link the San Francisco Bay Trail system to the planned
A staff analysis of the delta trail idea by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water questioned whether "planning for a recreation corridor" is an appropriate use of water bond funds. The committee approved the bill nevertheless.
Some groups may not need a backer in the Legislature, because language in the proposition appears to carve out money for them. Many of those organizations played a big role in financing the campaign to get the measure passed.
Among them is the Big Sur Land Trust, one of several modest-size nonprofits that spent $100,000 or more on the Proposition 84 campaign. Executive Director Bill Leahy called the contribution an "investment." He believes that his group will get $10 million to $15 million in bond proceeds to purchase land.
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, another $100,000 donor, is now raising money to build an 88,000-square-foot museum in
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pork21may21,1,1284207.story?coll=la-headlines-california
Governor acquires unlikely ally in regional global warming fight
By Michael Gardner, COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is expected to commit to working with
Significantly, Huntsman will join Schwarzenegger as the only Republican governors to sign a six-state pledge on global warming. The agreement is a major coup for Schwarzenegger and provides him with a conservative ally who could win more converts nationally.
“We are sending a powerful message to the federal government that we will not wait to protect our environment and our future,” according to Schwarzenegger's prepared remarks.
“This is above politics,” said Lisa Roskelly, a Huntsman spokeswoman. “This is a legacy we are leaving. If we don't address it now, generations to come will have to pay the consequences.”
But
“The governor of
“When you have a state like
“It's one thing to convince people in
Twelve coal-to-electricity plants operate in
“This is fantastic because
The California Energy Commission doesn't keep state-by-state statistics on power imports. However, 7 percent of the electricity
The agreement suggests that businesses unable to comply with still-to-be determined pollution limits could eventually buy credits from industries operating below the threshold – potentially minimizing economic losses and encouraging investment in cleaner technology.
Schwarzenegger's aggressive push for market incentives irritates some Democrats and environmentalists who want the state to emphasize regulations they say could cut emissions more quickly.
Huntsman is certainly no Schwarzenegger when it comes to the environment – a point that actually could work in the
In 2006, Huntsman signed legislation to promote in-state resources, from renewable fuels to some of the most environmentally troublesome, such as oil shale and tar sands. Huntsman's father is Jon Meade Huntsman, a billionaire with interests in manufacturing and chemicals.
Roskelly, his spokesman, said the
“All industries need to rapidly innovate so we can be part of the solution,” she said. “We're not talking about taking away coal-fired plants. We're talking about finding new technologies.”
Many scientists believe greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from burning fossil fuels like coal, are a leading contributor to global warming. Failure to act could lead to climatic disruptions threatening water and food supplies, as well as imperiling the environment. Global warming also could increase the risk of catastrophic forest fires, a major worry in the West.
Schwarzenegger first pitched the alliance to Huntsman at a meeting of the Western Governors Association in February. The pact, initially signed by Schwarzenegger and the Democratic governors of
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070520/news_1n20utah.html
Above the dry slopes surrounding the 49-acre graduate campus in
"Our goal is to insert this campus into the natural, beautiful
Landscapers plan to replant the slopes of the seaside campus with seeds and soil, collected by hand from the site seven years ago, before grading began. The method also allowed landscapers to eliminate any nonnative plant species that had invaded the site.
"A lot of work was done before development to see what was here," Leach said. "We wanted to maintain the purity of what was here, to keep the exact same plants in the area, all of them
Biologists say the use of native soil is necessary to re-establish the native plants.
The soil contains fungal and nitrogen-fixing organisms that work well with the local native plants, said Stephen Davis, distinguished professor of biology at Pepperdine.
Peigi Duvall of the California Native Plant Society, said the trend toward drought-resistant native plants has become a "big groundswell."
"People know you can't just water endlessly," she said. #
http://www.fresnobee.com/384/story/48903.html
Water meter feud risks development
City of Palm Springs readyingsuit against Desert Water Agency
The Desert Sun – 5/21/07
Stefanie Frith, Staff Writer
The future of development and the economic vitality of
For months, the two agencies have squabbled over an interpretation of state fire and building codes, leading to a stalemate that has caused more than 300 homes and condos to sit undeveloped behind green construction fencing.
Today, the city plans to file a lawsuit against Desert Water Agency to solve the disagreement in Riverside County Superior Court. The court's decision could have a ripple effect on how water meters are used statewide as
"We don't care; just solve the problem," said Candace Casey, senior vice president of California Enterprises, Inc., which has nearly 100 homes on hold.
Fire Chief Blake Goetz said the state fire code requires that water meters and valves serving fire sprinkler systems meet standards ensuring water flow will not be obstructed during an emergency. The meters the water agency uses could be blocked by sand or other components and therefore are "useless" according to state fire codes, Goetz said.
"This is a safety issue," he said.
The National Fire Sprinkler Association says about 300,000 fires occur in homes in the
Tell that to the Desert Water Agency and General Manager Dave Luker heaves a huge sigh.
"Show me where there has been a loss (of life or property because of the meters DWA uses)," Luker said.
The DWA has never had a problem with the meters it has used, Luker said. It makes sense to keep the meters they have been using because then both water for people's taps and fire sprinklers come from the same place, he said. It's clear then if there is a problem with the water system if your sink doesn't flow, he said.
Both the Coachella Valley Water District and the Desert Water Agency serve
If the Fire Department takes responsibility for the meters, then they are the ones responsible, Hatfield said.
"I am not sure we want to take on the liability for something that hasn't created a problem for us yet," he said .
Hatfield is watching the issue in
"I think this has implications for everyone in the state," he said.
The Desert Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California is also keeping an eye on
"They are 100 percent at risk of not getting projects completed,"
Mayor Ron Oden agreed that this issue is "crazy-making for developers."
This is why the city has agreed to allow the seven to 10 most at-risk projects to move forward with construction. They can even get a certificate of occupancy at the end, City Manager David Ready aid.
But the court's decision could require water meter changes in the end, adding extra expense.
"I feel sorry (because) there are a number of developers caught in the middle," Parks said.#
http://www.desertsunonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070521/NEWS05/705210307/1006/news01
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