Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
February 4, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People
SACRAMENTO
Leaders push for speedy levee repairs; Sacramento's top officials worry building shutdown would be economic blow - Sacramento Bee
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER
Conservation urged at water summit; Coachella Valley among areas that could feel fallout from delta's woes - Desert Sun
Dwindling Water Supply;
WATER TRANSFERS:
County not only local agency that may sell water - Chico Enterprise Record
Editorial: Water sales getting ho-hum reaction -
FLOOD FIGHT DRILL:
Storm gives flood drill a touch of authenticity - Chico Enterprise Record
NEVADA IRRIGATION DISTRICT NOTES:
NID Proposes Mercury Removal Project on
CASTAIC
Bright Spot Seen in Water Future - Santa Clarita Signal
FOLSOM SPILLWAY PROJECT:
Temporary closures may start soon at Folsom Point - Sacramento Bee
SACRAMENTO
Leaders push for speedy levee repairs; Sacramento
Sacramento
By Deb Kollars, staff writer
The push to move faster follows the decision two weeks ago by the federal government to severely downgrade the area's flood safety level.
The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency currently plans to complete a new round of levee improvements in Natomas by 2010. Some have said it could take even longer.
But given the announcement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that building effectively would be halted in the area because levees there are so unsafe, City Manager Ray Kerridge and others now want to finish that work at least a year earlier.
"If this is such a big emergency, why are we even talking about 2010, 2011?" Kerridge said. "Why aren't we talking about getting it done by 2009, as quickly as we can?"
Kerridge ticked off a list of steps he and others are advocating at the local, state and federal levels: invest more cash, streamline reviews, hire extra contractors and work longer hours, maybe even seek a declaration of a state of emergency to expedite repairs.
"On the contractor side, we need all the C.C. Myers we can get," Kerridge said, referring to the Rancho Cordova contractor widely praised last year for completing two massive roadway projects, including one on the Bay Bridge, in advance of contract deadlines.
The planned project in Natomas is the biggest levee construction effort in modern
John Bassett, a director of engineering for SAFCA and Natomas levee project manager, said Thursday the work schedule was as compressed as it could be.
It would be difficult, Bassett said, to peel off a year because of environmental and permitting processes, the size of the job and the inability to work on levees during winter and spring for safety and weather reasons.
"We think our schedule of completion in 2010 is very realistic," Bassett said. "Some say it is too ambitious."
Bassett said that when the levee project's main components are halfway done, the city will be able to apply to the federal government for a less stringent flood zone designation that could lift some restrictions.
Two SAFCA board members – Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and Sacramento City Councilman Ray Tretheway, both of whom live in Natomas – said they supported speeding up the process if possible.
"Every winter we go without additional flood protection, we're leaving people in harm's way,"
Tretheway agreed: "It's worth an honest look."
Shortening the work schedule would require overtime and other costs, said James Sandner, chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District operations and readiness branch.
"If everyone agrees the acceleration in time is worth the cost, it would be possible," he said.
The campaign for faster levee fixes moved into high gear after FEMA said Jan. 15 that it would place the Natomas region in a flood hazard zone, likely final in December. The designation would mean all new construction or substantial remodeling would have to be elevated above potential flood levels – 20 feet in many places. That would be so expensive that it would create a de facto building moratorium.
The fast-growing Natomas area has 70,000 residents and vast tracts planned for development. City leaders said a building shutdown would be a severe economic blow.
Last week's news was the latest in a string of levee ups and downs for the Natomas community.
In 1998, an eight-year building moratorium was lifted when the corps certified the levees as meeting its minimal 100-year flood protection threshold, meaning the levees were expected to withstand a flood with a 1 percent chance of striking in any given year.
However, in July 2006, the corps said the levees did not meet that standard because of underseepage.
The following April,
On Jan. 15, the corps said new flood-predicting models indicated Natomas levees aren't strong enough to hold back even a 30-year storm.
Gregory Thatch, an attorney representing Natomas developers, said many property owners are skeptical of the corps' latest levee findings. But the question now, he said, is how to fix the problem as quickly as possible. He noted that the current housing downturn means plenty of construction crews are available.
"If lives are at stake, why aren't we out with the bulldozers right now?" Thatch asked. He suggested that some environmental regulations should be suspended to enable levee work to proceed more quickly.
James Pachl, legal counsel for Friends of the Swainson's Hawk, said he and others in the environmental community would object to such steps.
"They should not be setting aside environmental provisions, period," Pachl said.
Lester Snow, director of the state Department of Water Resources, called together city, state and federal officials on Jan. 17 to explore ways to bring safer levees to Natomas in the wake of the FEMA announcement.
Snow said Thursday the state is looking at ways to help, including contributing extra state bond funds to offset costs of a faster timeline.
"We are keeping the governor briefed and looking where our influence can be useful," he said.
Snow said he didn't believe an emergency declaration would be forthcoming. And he cautioned that engineers can't move so fast they put public safety in jeopardy.
"The worst thing we could do is hurry up and not fix all the problems and a big flood comes along," Snow said.
Kerridge said that in the next two weeks, city staff members hope to identify ways to shorten the time frame. #
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/679201.html
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER
Conservation urged at water summit;
Desert Sun – 2/2/08
By Keith Matheny, staff writer
A problem 500 miles away from the
“We have a long time under any set of circumstances where we've got to get by with whatever water we've got, or even less than we've got now," he said.
"The way we're going to get by involves conservation."
Robbins spoke to hundreds of government officials at a water crisis summit Friday at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.
Organized by Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley and five regional water agencies, officials outlined a growing, multi-faceted water crisis in the state and what can be done about it.
Water threats include:
Eight years of drought in the West that are the worst in recorded history.
Depleted supplies of
A judge's ruling to protect an endangered fish by cutting water deliveries from the Sacramento River Delta. That's reduced by up to 30 percent the water upon which most Californians rely.
Delivered by the massive State Water Project, it also indirectly provides the valley with supplies to replenish its main domestic water source, groundwater.
Failure to develop a ballot initiative or other means to begin solving the supply problems, Ashley said, could mean "25 million Californians' water supply, and our region in particular, is in peril."
"
The vast Metropolitan Water Agency of Southern California, which serves 18 million customers in the greater
The various crises now, however, have turned that upside-down, he said. The agency can't replenish its supplies in seven out of 10 years. Reserves are dropping to uncomfortable levels, into supplies that were meant for emergencies, he said.
"We have to be very careful about how we use it up, because we know we can't fill it back," he said.
Ashley and others believe a new system of delivering water from the delta that protects the endangered delta smelt and other fish must be created.
Bipartisan talks throughout 2007 came close to developing a bond measure for voters to consider, but ultimately stalled, said state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta.
A nearly $15 billion budget deficit is now taking up most of lawmakers' time and attention in
"We're going to be very, very hard-pressed to get the stars to align again on the water issue as they were this last October," he said.
Lowering the numbers
Robbins touted the Coachella Valley Water District's water conservation ordinance that has reduced by 37 percent water used in new development.
He also encouraged the use of smart irrigation timers as outdoor irrigation comprises about 70 percent of home water use in the desert.
Smart controllers can reduce water usage by 26 percent, according to the
The district is also encouraging customers - with money, in the case of a cooperative program in La Quinta - to replace all or part of water-guzzling lawns with desert-friendly landscaping.
"It's not appropriate for the landscape in the desert to look like you're in
Keeping lawns but reducing over-watering, a chronic problem in the Inland Empire, would equal a major water savings, said Celeste Cantú, general manager of the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority.
"We're really lousy farmers of grass," she said.
"Even if we just watered what we have appropriately, we save 35 percent of all treated water used in domestic use."
Other helpful solutions include increasing use of desalination, or removing the salt from ocean water; and increased use of recycled wastewater, particularly for outdoor irrigation, officials said.
Martha Davis, executive manager of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, pointed out that local governments and water agencies spend big money bringing high-quality water from
"We can use it for landscaping; we can use it in cooling towers; we can use it in industrial processes; for the economic industry that's going to grow in the
Some at Friday's meeting promoted tiered water rates. As is done with electricity, the costs would increase for users who exceed standard amounts of usage.
Many at Friday's meeting vowed to take back to their city councils and planning commissions the message of conserving water in both new construction and existing development.
"We need to be the model area that shows what can be done if we really work together," said Randy Record, a board member with the Eastern Municipal Water District in Perris. #
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802020326
Dwindling Water Supply;
ABC Channel 30 (
By Dale Yurong
Despite the recent storms we've had...water officials say the push to conserve remains a priority.
Developing a statewide water plan is easier said than done.
"I'm kind of concerned people will see the rain and say we've got no water problem. No we've got a big water problem."
The latest survey showed the Sierra Snowpack at 123-percent of normal.
But state officials say it's not enough to put them into a comfort zone.
Mike Chrisman, State Sec. For Resources: "We're ahead of average but we fell quite a bit behind last year because we had a significantly dryer than normal year not only here but in
The
Mario Santoyo, Friant Water Users: "Amazing as it may sound,
Friant Dam stores much of the water used by
When you look at the low levels of
Lester Snow, Water Resources Director: "Because of the growth of the state, because of environmental needs, our water system is less reliable now than it has ever been."
For that reason...the State is looking to improve its water management practices to provide for future generations.
"We need to see investment in wastewater recycling. We need to see investment in groundwater storage and surface water storage - building new reservoirs."
State Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman expects farmers to see water deliveries this year which will be close to average.
Similar forums will be held in the Bay Area and
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=5930299
WATER TRANSFERS:
County not only local agency that may sell water
By Heather Hacking, staff writer
Despite the rain and snow that has seen Californians bundling up this week, times are still considered dry in the state.
Many areas south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are finding themselves short on water and are putting into place conservation campaigns to urge residents to cut back on outdoor irrigation and to curb long showers.
Water deliveries have also been cut from the delta by a court decision to protect delta smelt, a fish there that has seen a dramatic decline in recent years.
Some of the pressure for limiting water may be washed away if winter water delivery increases, but Northern Sacramento Valley water agencies are currently negotiating deals to idle crop land and sell water outside the area.
The current price of those water deals appears to be around $200 an acre-foot. Three years ago the prices being negotiated were $125 an acre-foot.
The largest water deal in the works is with Glenn-Colusa Water District, which delivers water to growers in
Thad Bettner, general manager of Glenn-Colusa, said no deal is signed yet, and likely won't be for a few months.
Bettner said he hasn't asked his growers yet if they are interested in the deal.
The environmental studies that will be done soon would look at a maximum of about 80,000 acre-feet, or about 20 percent of the district's water.
Glenn-Colusa also does annual transfers to districts within the area that have consistent problems with water supply.
Western Canal Water District, which delivers water to growers in
They're working with the State Water Project Contractors Authority, a group of water contractors that formed a joint powers authority for the purpose of transfers.
It includes about 10 agencies including Metropolitan Water District in
Ted Trimble, general manager of
"We haven't even started drafting contract language," Trimble said.
Environmental documents will also be needed, as well as approval by the state Department of Water Resources.
"If it keeps raining like it is ... then we will probably have a water transfer in some form," Trimble said.
"If it dries up in the next week or two, we'll be pretty uncertain as to the water allocation" that
"If we are going to be curtailed, we probably would not do a transfer," he said.
Trimble said talks are also occurring with smaller water districts including Richvale Irrigation District and Biggs-West Gridley Water District.
Butte Water District and the Sutter Extension Water District have also been approached by the Semitropic Rosamond Water Bank for smaller water transfers.
Lynn Phillips, general manager of Sutter Extension Water District, said Semitropic Rosamond is looking for 25,000 acre-feet from the entire
His district is looking at selling a maximum of about 4,000 acre-feet. A letter went out to growers last week asking if there is interest in idling ground for the water sale.
The price of rice is looking fairly good this year, which no doubt has been driving up the price of water transfers.
Growers have to do the math and decide if its worth it to them not to grow.
Many take advantage of the down time to do work on their farms to increase crop yields in the future.
Palmdale Water District, 60 miles northeast of
The amount of water for that transfer will depend on how much water each State Water Contractor — of which
One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons of water, enough water for two average households' water needs for a year. #
http://www.chicoer.com//ci_8136747?IADID=Search-www.chicoer.com-www.chicoer.com
Editorial: Water sales getting ho-hum reaction
What a difference a few years makes.
Back in the early '90s, a couple of
There were predictions of environmental disaster, evoking the specter of the
There were predictions of economic disaster, with fallowed fields creating a ripple effect through the businesses that support agriculture, causing a local recession.
The rhetoric grew heated. Charges flew. Hyperbole rose like spring floodwaters. A couple of local ballot measures to control water sales were floated, debated and voted upon. Politicians took strong stands committing themselves to protecting the local resource.
But sales went forward, year after year, and now, our politicians are among those selling water to
The county hasn't been able to use the water locally, but up until this year the state hasn't pushed the use-it-or-lose-it policy that's the rule elsewhere.
For 2008, that changed (which doesn't, of course, have anything to do with the county's objections to the relicensing of Oroville Dam) and the county was told it would have to pay for the water if it wanted to keep the rights.
However the option of selling to a south state agency was allowed, and the county's moving, selling water in the short term to save it in the long term.
But the county's not alone. The mammoth Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District could move 80,000 acre-feet and a handful of smaller districts are negotiating smaller deals. All told, about the capacity of Black Butte Reservoir is on the block, although the actual amount sold could be far smaller.
And most everyone in these parts seems pretty calm about that possibility. Which is a little weird.
Sure, the predictions of disaster didn't come true. We've gotten used to the idea of northern water being traded for southern money. And environmental problems in the delta — coupled with a judge's rulings on those issues — have provided a natural governing mechanism on how much water can be exported, making the
However, there's still reason to be vigilant. Efforts to build a little slack into the system by increasing surface storage have been stymied, and one of the reasons is that south state interests are lukewarm in their support. Why shouldn't they be so? They've found a new source that requires a far smaller infrastructure investment. Offer enough cash, and farmers will become water merchants. You don't need to pay for a dam in the years you don't need it.
And the south has figured out how to get to that one big water reserve that everyone covets — the Tuscan aquifer.
They don't have to come up here and drill into it. We're doing it for them. Several local districts are pursuing "test wells" into that deep reservoir beneath the valley floor, supposedly just to see how the aquifer would respond to pumping.
We're curious what will happen if we keep putting off new reservoirs, and push comes to shove in the form of an extended drought. There is substance behind the fears of the '90s, and our failure as a state to provide alternatives makes us that much more vulnerable. The steps we have taken on our own weaken our position further, it seems.
But, there doesn't seem to be anything to worry about now.
Right? #
http://www.chicoer.com//ci_8136770?IADID=Search-www.chicoer.com-www.chicoer.com
FLOOD FIGHT DRILL:
Storm gives flood drill a touch of authenticity
By Roger Aylworth, staff writer
With blustery wind whipping frigid rain into their faces, 32 members of the California Conservation Corps gathered on a levee in
The crew members, all part of the CCC's Chico facility located at 2725 Highway 32, were learning and practicing the skills necessary to successfully build a sandbag wall as a flood barrier.
In the morning, the crews got classroom discussion and video training on how to fill and stack the bags, said Vanessa Phanor, CCC public information officer.
However, in the afternoon the corps members moved into unpleasantly realistic weather for the actual drill.
Keith Welch, conservation supervisor in charge of the unit, said the icy, foul weather made for exactly the right training backdrop.
"Rotten conditions is usually when it happens," Welch said.
Laying sandbags is not as straightforward a task as it might initially sound.
Laramie Griffith, a crew supervisor, explained that each of the bags are filled only about a third full. Then the bags are placed on top the empty flap of the adjacent bag. The flaps are folded so the open end of the bag faces away from the flood.
The bags are also arranged in different configurations depending on the specific problem being addressed. A "half pyramid" design is used to raise the top of a levee against the climbing flood. A circular stack of sandbags can be used to contain a "boil" where water is coming through a weak spot in a levee wall.
Over a period of hours the crew members built and tore down the various kinds of walls moving the sacks in a human chain, then stomping the sandbags tightly in place with their boots.
That point was underscored by a footnote attached to a CCC press release announcing Thursday's drill.
According to the release, since the CCC was organized in 1976, its members have been called upon to fill 3 million sandbags. #
http://www.chicoer.com//ci_8136741?IADID=Search-www.chicoer.com-www.chicoer.com
NEVADA IRRIGATION DISTRICT NOTES:
NID Proposes Mercury Removal Project on
YubaNet.com – 2/2/08
By Susan Snider, YubaNet
If CABY is awarded the $2.8 million grant it hopes to receive from Prop. 50 funding, NID could proceed with a pilot program to extract mercury from the
This news was announced by NID's Assistant Manager Tim Crough at the district's last board meeting on Jan. 23 in
District directors voted unanimously to proceed with the grant process.
CABY, an acronym for the Cosumnes, American, Bear, and Yuba rivers, is a regional watershed alliance made up of a diverse collection of government, recreation, and environmental groups, including NID, Placer County Water Agency, El Dorado Irrigation District, Friends of Deer Creek, National Heritage Institute, Nevada County Resource Conservation District, South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), Sierra Nevada Alliance, and the Northern California/Nevada Council Federation of Fly Fishers.
Among such goals as achieving sustainable surface and groundwater supplies, reducing impacts from catastrophic fire, protecting and improving watershed resources through land use practices, protecting and improving fisheries and aquatic biota through water resources management, CABY also seeks to reduce mercury contamination in these four waterways.
The upper stretches of
Chevreaux Aggregates, based in
According to Crough, upstream sediment deposited in Combie and along its banks has created sand bars which impede boat access to docks. These deposits also contain mercury.
Increasing storage capacity is not the impetus for NID's involvement in this project, Crough said.
Toxic Soup
Imbedded in sediment, mercury is typically anaerobic and does not become volatile unless it is disturbed. But once it becomes mobile due to erosion or man-made disturbances, it becomes toxic in the form of methyl mercury.
Crough indicated that methylation - the process whereby mercury becomes toxic - can also occur even when mercury in sediment is not disturbed.
It can become a time bomb when sediment heats up in shallower waters, such as those around the sand bars in Combie.
But to extract mercury from sediments, the polluted material must first be removed from where it is deposited. In this case, Combie Reservoir.
The process of dredging this sediment is inherently dangerous, cautions Steve Evans, Conservation Director at Friends of the River, because it suspends - and simultaneously methylizes - the mercury.
"I am not aware of any project that successfully remediates mercury pollution," observes Evans.
According to Crough, there will be measures taken to insure that mercury-laden slurry will be contained to prevent downstream impacts. In turn, the slurry that results from dredging Combie Reservoir will be processed to remove the suspended mercury.
"The Canadian company that created this technology has demonstrated 98% removal, but like to stay with over 90% as a general percentage," said Crough.
If approved, grant funds would be available for the pilot project by January 2009. Approval is contingent upon the successful completion of an environmental impact study in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
According to Crough, environmental studies should be ready for public review by mid 2008.
While NID is optimistic that the CABY grant proposal will be approved, only $1 million will be allocated to the
Crough indicates that there will be contributions from various partners, such as Chevreaux Aggregates.
Another question yet to be answered: Just how much will this project cost and will NID ratepayers be expected to bear some of the burden?
FERC Relicensing Update
In addition to providing water to consumers, NID is also in the business of generating power. Dating back to 1963, when NID completed its complex hydroelectric power network, NID has operated under a license issued by the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC).
Their FERC license is up for renewal in 2013.
Last week, board members heard an update on the status of this process by Jim Lynch of Devine Tarbell & Associates, the district's relicensing consultant.
With a planned March 3 filing of NID's pre-application (PAD) and a Notice of Intent (NOI), the formal process of relicensing begins, said Lynch.
FERC relicensing involves a strict matrix of timelines that include the opportunity for public review and input.
According to NID General Manager Ron Nelson, NID has already conducted many workshops with interested parties such as American Whitewater and the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) to address the need for field studies during the 2008 season.
Lynch added that NID is committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders like SYRCL.
River Scientist Katrina Schneider heads up SYRCL's FERC re-licensing efforts. "On the
We look forward to working with our local irrigation district, as well as PG&E, to ensure that the scientific questions we are developing today through cooperation translate to improved water quality and aquatic habitat, as well as better swimming and boating conditions in the Yuba when a new license is issued in 5 years," said Schneider.
When Director Scott Miller voiced concerns about storage capacity issues as early as 2010, General Manager Ron Nelson said there will be plenty of time to discuss consumption.
"The FERC process is not where we address capacity and supply issues," said Nelson.
In Spite of Busted Real Estate Bubble Water Progresses to
Housing construction slump. Climate change. Storage Capacity. All are key factors to consider when contemplating NID's commitment to bring water to what was, until last year,
Struggling with soaring foreclosure rates, tumbling real estate values, and a tiny school district mired in more than $190 million in debt, Lincoln today is far from the oasis that planners banked on when creating the community's general plan.
At Wednesday's meeting, Director
which detailed the grim financial woes that the
Building cost overruns for schools total tens of millions. And construction of an "eagerly awaited" high school has been postponed.
According to the article,
Weber again reminded the board and staff that there have been recent revisions to
"We need to know what revisions to their general plan affect us," Weber said. "We need to know the costs of studies conducted so far that we have incurred. We also need to know what the plan is for the future."
In fact,
During the Dec. 12 board meeting, NID directors heard that
Director John Drew raised the obvious question about whether the additional 6400 acres are located within NID's boundaries. General Manager Ron Nelson said he would "look into this."
This question remains unanswered as of last week's board meeting. On Wednesday, Director Drew once again asked staff to confirm whether or not the 6400 acres in question are located in the water district's boundaries.
In spite of
Some Changes in 2008 Recreation Rates
With much of Scotts Flat Reservoir surrounded by snow, camping and boating there or at Rollins Reservoir is the farthest thing from most people's minds.
But NID board members were definitely thinking about summer when they approved recreation rates for the 2008 season, which will see increases in some camping and boat mooring fees.
While day use and boat launch fees remain the same, overnight camping rates were raised $2 or less, depending on facilities. Seasonal rental for boat slips will increase $50, with fees ranging from $500 to $800, depending on location and available facilities.
According to Peggy Davidson, NID's recreation administrator, slip rentals in most areas range from $1000 to $1200. "Our rates are reasonable, even if not below some other areas," noted Davidson.
Director Drew expressed a desire to see NID encourage more use of non-motorized craft on the reservoirs. Water enthusiasts may bring in two kayaks for $9.25.
More on Rate Increases
State law mandates that special districts like NID must hold public hearings before formally issuing rate increases.
Those interested in hearing about NID's plans to increase or make adjustments to its current treated water rates can attend the public meeting at NID's district office in Grass Valley on Tuesday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. Director Nancy Weber will be present for discussion, comments, and questions.
A public meeting will also be held on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m.
at NID's district office to discuss NID's plans to increase or adjust its current raw water rates. Director John Drew will be present for discussion, comments, and questions.
NID Board meetings are normally scheduled at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month and are open to the public. Look for NID's meeting agendas published on YubaNet. #
http://yubanet.com/regional/NID-Proposes-Mercury-Removal-Project-on-Bear-River----But-Is-It-Safe.php
CASTAIC
Bright Spot Seen in Water Future
Santa Clarita Signal – 1/30/08
By Jim Holt, staff writer
A state lobbyist acting on behalf of the Castaic Lake Water Agency assured some members of the board this week that state politicians and, particularly the governor, remain committed to plans to store water and, at the same time, find ways to conserve it.
Lobbyist Ralph F. Simoni, in a report presented to the agency’s Governmental Relations and Outreach Committee, said the future for 2008 looks good for water infrastructure bonds set up to protect the state against diminishing resources.
Simoni prefaced his sentiments by referring to the State of the State speech delivered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier this month in which he called for
“Most importantly,” Simoni said in his report, “he specifically stated that he would continue to pursue a water infrastructure bond proposal to protect the state and plan for future population growth.
“He (Schwarzenegger) invited the Legislature to continue the dialogue to resolve what he described as the few remaining details — in reality, the tension between storage versus conservation measures.”
Despite a bleak economic picture painted by the governor, Simoni further assured local water officials that the state would not likely attempt to collect local government property tax revenues.
“The governor’s budget proposal does not include suspension of the Prop 1A protections against the state taking local government property tax revenues,” he reported. “In fact, he stated in his budget proposal that it is unfair to expect local governments to contribute to a fiscal problem caused by the state.”
The Water Infrastructure Bond Proposal introduced a year ago proposes improvements to
It authorizes the sale of nearly $4 billion in bonds, with $2 billion earmarked for surface water, storage projects, $500 million for groundwater and $1 billion to be spent on sustainability for the San Joaquin Delta.
Simoni tempered his optimism with a reminder to committee members that the governor did proclaim a state of fiscal emergency and introduced a budget that calls for a 10 percent cut of state expenditures.
Agency members closed out their meeting discussing ways of better informing Santa Clarita ratepayers about its role in supplying clean, affordable water.
Several members voiced concerns that Santa Clarita residents wouldn’t likely attend an information symposium to learn about the agency.
“They don’t know who we are and they don’t care as long as water comes out of the tap,” said member Jerry Gladbach, referring to indications made by focus groups.
“Conservation seems to be pretty high on the public’s list,” said member Bill Pecsi. “But, right now, they’re confident that when they turn on the tap the water’s going to be there.”
Dan Masnada, the agency’s general manager, said its also important that the agency continue to join other state water groups in reaching out to federal and state lawmakers.
“It’s important that we seize that opportunity to go to
It’s also important, he said, to go to
“For us, over the years, we’ve had success,” said Masnada. “There’s the $10.3 million check we received in 2001 for our perchlorate cleanup efforts.” #
http://www.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=53024&format=html
FOLSOM SPILLWAY PROJECT:
Temporary closures may start soon at Folsom Point
By Matt Weiser, staff writer
FOLSOM – Temporary closures may begin Monday at Folsom Point, a popular boating and water-access point at Folsom Lake.
The closures are related to construction of a flood-control spillway at Folsom Dam. The contractor, Kiewit Pacific, will start building a haul road Monday to move dirt and rock from the spillway to the lake's southern shore.
To keep Folsom Point open during the six-year construction period, an underpass will be built beneath Folsom Point Road. This will allow construction vehicles to pass under the road, and the public will use the overpass.
But temporary closures and detours will occur through the end of February while the underpass is constructed. The public should prepare for access controls during this time and heed the direction of construction crews.
Full access via the overpass should be in place by the end of March, in time for the spring and summer recreation season.
For more information, call the Bureau of Reclamation at (916) 988-1707. #
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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