A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
June 11, 2007
2. Supply -
Resource worries follow casino
Water and traffic top the lists of locals who are concerned about a larger complex. -
Woodland Daily Democrat
Opinion:
Waterbanking wins important support -
Water use on board agenda -
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Resource worries follow casino
Water and traffic top the lists of locals who are concerned about a larger complex.
Woodland Daily Democrat – 6/11/07
By LUKE GIANNI/Democrat staff Writer
Traffic accidents and water shortages occupied the largest portion of criticism around the Casino's enlargement. Local residents were worried about even more cars coming down the already-crowded State Route 16, which sees more than 18,000 vehicles a day, according to CalTrans. That number is expected to rise to more than 20,000 by 2009.
In addition to traffic congestion, some local farmers are concerned about the casino expansion's impact on the valley's tenuous water supply.
"My biggest concern is to get this road fixed," said Duane Chamberlain, county supervisor for District 5, where the casino resides. "And we can't keep using the water."
The proposed $20 million expansion includes 467 additional hotel rooms and 27 hillside casistas, a host of new restaurants and retails stores as well as a new conference center and spa and swimming facilities.
* * * *
Traffic mitigation
Traffic accidents along the highway have increased since the casino's last expansion in 2004, Esparto Fire Chief Barry Burns said. However, the number of casino-related accidents have decreased recently, falling from 33 in 2005 to 15 in 2006, Burns said.
"I think people have gotten used to the conditions," said Charley Gordon, a life-long orchard farmer in the area. "The locals have become more defensive and alert."
The increased room occupancy at the casino might actually serve to reduce accidents, as more casino patrons will be able to stay overnight instead of having to drive back home fatigued, Burns said.
In response to the traffic concerns, the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, which owns the casino, gave $10 million to CalTrans to help fund a safety renovation project planned for the highway.
The $60 million project will widen the highway's shoulders to mitigate the effects of drifting motorists, as well as straightening sections of sharp curves to improve obstructed views.
"(SR-16) is way back from the wagon-wheel days," said Cassandra Pitts, spokesperson for CalTrans. "We're going to fix the curves so drivers have a better view."
The project, barring any setbacks, is scheduled for construction to begin in spring 2009, about the same time the casino expansion is expected to be completed.
"We fully support the safety improvement project," said Randy Takemoto, the casino's general manager. "We want everyone's input and we will try (and) see if their comments can be worked into the design."
In addition to highway funds, the tribe signed an agreement in 2002 to pay the county $100 million over 18 years in order to assist in mitigating impacts the growing casino has on county services.
"This is a new endeavor, but this isn't a new relationship," said Mariko Yamada, District 4 supervisor and chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors. "The tribe has been a very good neighbor in the past. We see no reason why they won't continue being good neighbors."
Yamada said the county will work very closely with the tribe as the expansion process unfolds.
* * * *
Water usage
Farmers in the
Farms in the valley obtain their irrigation water from the Cache Creek system which they pay for through a flat rate system with the water district. Drinking water, however, is typically supplied by wells which must be drilled by the landowner. Drilling for water in the valley can yield very inconsistent results, said Max Stevenson, water resources associate for the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.
The valley rests upon a foundation filled with collapsed rock and sediment eroded from the valley walls. In such a varied geographical orientation, drilling enough wells for an adequate water supply can be more difficult than in other areas of the county.
In addition, there is no managing authority in the area that oversees the well system to ensure the solvency of the water table, Stevenson said.
The casino utilizes irrigation water for its golf course and has drilled a number of wells for its potable water.
Some local farmers are worried the casino could overwhelm the system with its expanding intake, especially during a drought.
"Water is of minimal availability out here," said Tom Frederick, owner of Capay Valley Vineyards, a winery located next to the casino. "The difference between a farm and the casino is if (the casino is) consuming it, they're consuming it 360 days a year."
Chamberlain said he was concerned about the water supply and insisted a plan be drawn up to ensure its viability.
"I don't want the water wells to dry up on all the farmers out there. If that happens, I am going to be really upset," Chamberlain said.
The scenario of dried-up wells and ruined farms might be exaggerated, Stevenson said. Water tables were found to be high and holding steady in the area, according to a February 2007 monitoring report by the water district involving the local aquifer,
Stevenson did concede, however, those figures come on the heels of a series of strong rainy seasons and could drop significantly during a drought.
If a drought were to ensue and the water table to drop, the casino would be no more to blame than other large properties, Stevenson said.
"Farms use water, too - a lot of water," Stevenson said. "People want someone to blame, so they blame the casino."
The casino has taken steps to minimize its impact on water resources through a variety of methods, including water recycling and converting the surrounding farms to dry crops. By switching its surrounding land stocks to dry farming, the casino might have successfully negated its water-use impact by achieving an "in-kind" replacement.
The amount of water required to irrigate farmland is nearly equal to the amount of water needed to supply an urban location of similar size, Stevenson said.
The casino has commissioned studies aimed at further minimizing its water usage and impact on the surrounding environment, Takemoto said.
"We are very aware of the impact we have on the environment today and are certainly concerned for the impact in the future," Takemoto said. "We believe these issues and concerns have been successfully mitigated."
"The considerations for the impacts have to be here, because that's where the impacts are, and not disappear into the county coffers,"
The casino will file its Notice of Preparation for its expansion within the next month and the project will then undergo a nine-month environmental review process. It is scheduled to be completed in late 2009 or early 2010, Takemoto said.#
http://dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_6114316
Opinion:
Waterbanking wins important support
Groundwater banking planned in
Sen. Dianne Feinstein has introduced a measure that would augment state and local efforts to build and operate an underground storage facility under the auspices of the Madera Irrigation District. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Rep. George Radanovich.
The idea is to have the Bureau of Reclamation participate in the design and construction of the project, and support that with federal dollars, to a maximum of 25% of the cost, or $22.5 million, whichever is less. Such federal participation is essential if this much-needed project is to become a reality.
Groundwater banking is one of the important elements -- along with new surface storage and dramatically increased conservation efforts -- that are essential if we are to meet the demand for water in a region growing faster than the rest of the state.
In addition, the groundwater storage could be used to offset losses of water for farmers under the San Joaquin River Settlement, which seeks to restore a year-round flow, as well as historic salmon runs, in the river. Feinstein's bill would also mandate that 10% of the water placed in the underground facility would be left there to percolate into the Valley's aquifer. That's important because for years we've been drawing down the aquifer at a faster pace than nature is able to restore it.
The underground project in
This is good news for all Valley water users -- and who among us isn't a member of that group? #
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/55613.html
Water use on board agenda
By Darren Simon, Staff Writer
| |
Heading off a demand for water that is outpacing supplies will be a key topic of discussion when the Imperial Irrigation District board meets Tuesday.
Discussion will focus on the likelihood the district board will soon declare an imbalance in the water supply versus demand and that imbalance could affect all water users from farmers to cities and industrial users.
While no action will be taken Tuesday, as it is solely an informational meeting, the board could vote as early as next week to declare the imbalance.
Once the board makes that declaration, the next step is to develop a plan to cut water use, which likely will mean some form of water rationing.
Months earlier the district approved what officials are calling a methodology for water rationing called equitable distribution.
Such a plan was designed to impact both agricultural water users, who use more than 90 percent of the Valley’s water supply, and city and industrial users.
But it is unclear at this point, should the board implement any equitable distribution program, whether it would have an impact for all water users.
The move toward water rationing comes as the Valley is moving into its second year of using more than its share of
In 2003 the district adopted a water pact meant to prevent future water wars between states that depend on the
That cap mixes with water transfers approved as part of the water pact and a growing demand in the Valley has led the Valley down a dangerous path.
If there is a third year of water overruns, the Valley could face federal sanctions, IID officials have said.
As the IID wrestles with the issue of water conservation, there are farmers in the Valley, like Jon Vessey, who say they have been trying to get the district to agree to water conservation methods for years.
Those farmers say three years ago member of the farming community came together and drafted an equitable distribution plan and they have presented it to the district.
They say they have received little in the way of response.#
http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2007/06/11/news/news03.txt
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