Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 17, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
FLOOD ISSUES:
Experts Warn of
Officials praise efforts to control Truckee River flooding - Reno Gazette Journal
NORTH STATE ISSUES
SOSS reviews water issues - Siskiyou Daily News
Questions loom in Aqueduct death; Officials offer safety tips to avoid drowning - Victorville Daily Press
RETIREMENT:
Stroud retiring from top post of SSJID - Manteca Bulletin
NEW MANAGER HIRED:
Rainbow Water District hires new general manager - Village News
BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION:
Three throw hats into bid for water agency's board - Desert Sun
FLOOD ISSUES:
Experts Warn of
KCBS 740 AM (Bay Area) – 8/16/07
The Delta and the Central Valley are at grave risk for calamity, and
"
The recently approved bond measures to improve the water infrastructure will help, but they’re not enough, said Les Harder, deputy director of the state Department of Water Resources. "We're not going to get out of this crisis tomorrow or the next decade. This will be continuing with us because our population is growing and we're putting them in the flood plain," he said.
The experts spoke as part of the Commonwealth Club’s special month-long series on water issues.
http://www.kcbs.com/pages/820256.php?contentType=4&contentId=807616
Officials praise efforts to control
By Jeff DeLong, staff writer
From securing needed money from the Nevada Legislature to the expected startup of key stand-alone projects, efforts to control flooding along the Truckee River has made progress over the last year, officials said Thursday.
Recent achievements in building a major flood control project designed to prevent events such as the flood of January 1997 were recognized during a "Celebrate the
"Now is the time to put our plan into action," said Arlan Melendez, chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. In the fall, the tribe is expected to begin construction of a $1.7 million levee on tribal land, the first of four high-priority flood projects being pursued in advance of the overall$800 million flood control plan.
Feasibility studies are being prepared on the other three:
- Moving the North Truckee Drain in
- Potential replacement of six
- Construction of a levee in
Progress also was made this year on acquiring land for the flood project, including $5.3 million for the Ferrari Ranch and $8 million for the Excel building on
Another achievement lauded by officials Thursday was the last-minute approval by the 2007 Legislature of $5 million for river restoration along the lower
"The $5 million is a start. Hopefully we can dislodge some more," said state Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno. "Let's get this job done."
The Army Corps of Engineers is reviewing several costly options to control
The "living river" project preferred by a coalition of local governments would rely less on unsightly levees and floodwalls and instead terrace the riverbank, allowing floodwaters to slow and spread naturally over undeveloped land. #
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070817/NEWS04/708170431/1321/NEWS
NORTH STATE ISSUES
SOSS reviews water issues
Siskiyou Daily News – 8/16/07
By Jamie Gentner, staff writer
YREKA – Farmers, board members and other concerned residents gathered for the monthly Save Our Shasta and Scott Valleys Coalition (SOSS) meeting on Monday, Aug. 13.
On the agenda for the night were several water issues to discuss.
SOSS was organized in October 2001 amidst the fight to list the coho salmon as a threatened species. According to their Web site, the coalition is “dedicated to preserving and strengthening
The first issue discussed Monday was a letter dating back to 1984 in which then-Attorney General John Van de Kamp addressed section 5937 of the Department of Fish and Game regulation. The regulation requires those with water rights to leave ample room below dams for fish in order to keep them in good condition.
Because of its ambiguous nature, the regulation hasn’t been enforced despite its importance, SOSS Executive Director Ernie Wilkinson said.
“In every single document we deal with, this seems to be the underlying problem,” board member Jim Wilson said. “It’s important for us to get as much knowledge as we can about it so we can share the information with the people who need to know.”
In response, about three years ago, local Resource Conservation Districts and members of SOSS entered into negotiations with Fish and Game to create a special pilot project for the Shasta and
The Shasta and Scott Recovery Team was formed, and they have met periodically to develop such a plan, which has merged with the state recovery plan. One condition of the plan is that landowners are given reprieve from penalties that may be incurred from incidental take, where possible damage may be done when farmers engaged in otherwise legal activities.
Under the plan, the local RCDs have applied for Incidental Take Permits (ITP) on a programmatic basis, which allows individual parties to simply sign onto one permit under the RCD rather than apply for their own.
In order for the RCDs to do that, an environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared, and the progress of both the ITP and EIR were also given at the meeting.
Board member Bill Krum reported that a draft of the EIR is nearing completion. The document is expected by Sept. 15. At that time, the draft would be posted for public comment, which the Department of Water Resources will respond to. After 60 days, a final draft will be published and remain open for comment for 30 days. The final EIR may change the permit as needed.
“The things we’re trying to do here have never been done before,” Krum said. “It would be making new law, a new regulation.”
Board members also reported on the meeting and bus tour with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board during their visit to Yreka from Wednesday, July 25 to Friday, July 27.
Several board members attended the Water Board meeting on Wednesday and sat on the bus that toured several waterways in
“The meetings were very positive. The board seemed really tuned in to what residents were saying,” Krum said. “It was very encouraging to have the board members sit there and be impressed by what we’re doing, what they saw and what they heard. It seemed balanced and as positive as it could be.”
Wilkinson also told those in attendance about a meeting hosted by SOSS board members and attended by three Water Board members and representatives of other entities on Friday. At that meeting, the issue of landowners being required to obtain three different permits to do embankment work on their own property was discussed.
“In that process, I got a strong feeling that the Water Board members agreed that there needed to be cooperation with other agencies to make the permitting process much simpler – that it needs to be a one-shot deal,” Wilkinson said. “If we got nothing else accomplished at those meetings, I certainly got a positive impression on Friday that they are willing to work with us.”
Wilkinson also gave a status report on the Watermaster legislation that is making its way through the
The bill, 1580, is being sponsored by assemblyman Doug La Malfa and proposes the creation of a watermaster district to be known as the
“The bill would generally specify the powers and purposes, as well as the boundaries, of the district,” the bill introduction says. “The bill would require the district to provide watermaster service on behalf of water right holders whose place of use under an appointed decree, as define, is a parcel of real property within the district.”
The bill was pursued by SOSS and the Farm Bureau after a number of years of proposed increases in fees for watermaster service, which ensures each water user takes only the amount of water dedicated to them as an adjudicated right. At times, the Department of Water Resources has proposed fee increases of about 700 percent.
“The benefit of such a special district is that we would be able to control our own destiny in respect to cost,” Wilkinson said. “We would be in control of our costs, which would just cover own contract cost.”
One of the last business items discussed at the meeting was the approaching date of the SOSS annual fundraiser. A tri-tip dinner and auction will take place at the fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 13. A custom-made saddle will be raffled off, and auction items will include tickets to the National rodeo in Vegas, hay, quilts, gift baskets and more. Saddle tickets can be purchased - but only 500 will be sold - for $20 from SOSS board members, and dinner tickets are $25.
The board is still looking for more donations of auction items.
The next SOSS meeting will be held at the
To donate auction items, get more information about the fundraiser or find out more about SOSS, call Wilkinson at 468-2896.
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/articles/2007/08/16/news/doc46c46b060f0e4110824871.txt
Questions loom in Aqueduct death; Officials offer safety tips to avoid drowning
Victorville Daily Press – 8/15/07
By Katherine Rosenberg, staff writer
HESPERIA — It remains unclear whether the man found dead Tuesday in the California Aqueduct was killed or died accidentally, but in the aftermath, officials warn that the aqueduct remains a danger to the general public.
The 50-year-old man has not yet been identified by the Coroner’s office, but that office said “there was no evidence of foul play” at the scene.
“It’s all leaning more and more towards probably an accidental drowning,” said Officer Jeff Perez of the California Highway Patrol Victorville station.
CHP officers followed up in the
Although a pit bull was found in the water near the man, officials said the man’s dog was found at his
“We’re still not sure how this other dog ties in, if at all,” Perez said.
But CHP officers and Department of Water Resource personnel maintain that visiting the aqueduct is not the best idea because of the number of drownings that occur there each year statewide.
“There are far more that drown in it than are dumped in it,” said Michael Miller, a Sacramento-based spokesman for the DWR.
The California Aqueduct is 442 miles long, and there are ladders every 500 feet to help anyone who has fallen in to rescue themselves.
The ladders are staggered so that there is one ladder on each side of the aqueduct every 1,000 feet, Miller said.
And while the ladders are there to help, Miller said people often make poor choices in trying to use them.
“If you find yourself having fallen in, don’t panic,” Miller said. “Stay on the side you fell in onto and get to the next available ladder. Many people make the mistake of trying to cross to the next ladder they see and they get tired. There will be another ladder on the side you fell in on.”
Miller also said that if a person is getting close to one of the many structures on the aqueduct, he or she can use buoy lines anchored to the side that are there so people to pull themselves out.
Both Perez and Miller said that many people mistakenly believe the current is not very strong and that it will be easy to get out. Miller said there are times when the water isn’t flowing and it acts like a lake, but most of the time there is a strong flow that can move someone 10 to 15 yards downstream before they even resurface from jumping in.
“It becomes extremely dangerous because the water actually moves faster below the surface,” Miller said. “Hypothermia and getting too tired can also be issues, but they have to remember not to panic,” Miller said. #
http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/miller_2360___article.html/aqueduct_people.html
RETIREMENT:
Stroud retiring from top post of SSJID
By Dennis Wyatt, Managing Editor
Steve Stroud - who oversaw South San Joaquin Irrigation District's efforts to bring treated surface water to
"It seems like a good time to retire," Stroud said Thursday. "There are a lot of capable people on staff that will allow the district to go forward without a hitch."
Stroud's retirement is effective Nov. 5. He noted that he "will still be around" to help if his replacement isn't on board by then.
Stroud, 61, took the job six years ago after a 27-year stint with the City of
Stroud indicated Thursday the time has come to spend more time with his family. Stroud and his wife have already scheduled several upcoming trips including a Mississippi River Cruise and fall color tour, a trip to
"Over the years, my family has sacrificed a lot due to my heavy work schedule," Stroud noted. "It's time to re-balance those aspects of my life."
"I asked myself how critical I was as an individual to the future progress of the District, and I have every confidence that our current management is capable of leading the organization forward in the right direction," Stroud continued. "I believe I have addressed the issues the Board had when they hired me. There is never a perfect time to retire, but I'm very pleased with the condition the District is in, so now is as good a time as any."
Among the many objectives Stroud has met over his years with SSJID include:
• helping the board determine whether to fully commit themselves to a retail electric service for 38,000 customers in Manteca, Ripon and Escalon and surrounding rural areas.
• construction of the Nick C. DeGroot Water Treatment Plant with a state-of-the-art membrane filtration system to provide quality drinking water to the cities of Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy, with Escalon scheduled to be on line in 2010.
The board will begin the process for plans to choose Stroud's successor during a closed session at SSJID's next meeting on Tuesday, Aug, 28.
Stroud's journey to the SSJID started following his graduation from the
He took his first job out of college in the engineering division with the City of
His stay in
After being discharged, he worked for three years in
>From there, it was on to
It was then that he learned the value and impact of irrigation districts. Merced Irrigation District was working closely with the city to provide treated urban water as well as electrical power.
A desire to be closer to family in
"I wasn't ready to retire," Stroud said. "But I wasn't looking forward to doing my third wastewater treatment plant expansion project." #
http://mantecabulletin.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=53988&SectionID=28&SubSectionID=58
NEW MANAGER HIRED:
Rainbow Water District hires new general manager
Village News – 8/16/07
FALLBROOK — A recruitment effort that reached as far as
At a special meeting, directors unanimously approved a five-year contract with new General Manager Dave Seymour, a three-year Fallbrook resident.
By accepting the Rainbow position,
Rainbow directors said they were pleased with their choice and picked
“We don’t have a rookie here,” board president Rua Petty told district employees in a brief introduction and question-and-answer session. “The quality of applicants was excellent and, at the end, Dave filtered to the top and I think it will be a positive new era for the district.”
“I like to work on a variety of projects,” he said after the board vote. “I like challenges and I think this position gives me an opportunity to be involved in a lot of interesting projects. That and being six minutes from home is nice, too.”
Among
http://www.thevillagenews.com/story.asp?story_ID=24686
BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION:
Three throw hats into bid for water agency's board
Desert Sun – 8/17/07
By Katie Ruark, staff writer
Three men are running for two spots on the Desert Water Agency board of directors. 
Palm Springs Director of Planning Services Craig Ewing, and board members Tom Kieley and Bill Byrne filed for candidacy by the Aug. 10 deadline.
The water agency provides water for
Kieley is the board president. He has been re-elected five times since 1985. "There's still a lot more to do," he said.
Kieley said he wants to continue his work with the State Water Project, especially since it's getting more attention now from the governor's office. He also said he wants to continue projects to promote conservation.
Byrne has been on the board since 1989. He's serving his fourth term.
Byrne said he's running to continue his work removing Salt Cedar plants along the
Ewing has been in
"I was surprised when I bought my house there was no pricing to encourage conservation," he said.
The election is Nov. 6. #
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://listhost1.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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