Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
March 7, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People
WATER LEGISLATION:
New water bill could surface; Sens. Machado, Cogdill focus on Delta protection - Stockton Record
WATER PROJECT FUNDING:
Board members hopeful on water projects after D.C. trip -
REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING:
Desert Water Agency backs regional water management plan - Desert Sun
MOVING ON:
Longtime Zone 7 board member decides to bow out - Contra Costa Times
NEW POSITION:
Monterey Peninsula water district chief moving to Cal Am; David Berger to oversee desalination, dam projects - Monterey Herald
WATER POLICY:
Another dam water bond; DiFi rips Dems -
WATER LEGISLATION:
New water bill could surface; Sens. Machado, Cogdill focus on Delta protection
By Hank Shaw, Capitol Bureau Chief
"Our new proposal is built on recognized water resource priorities but adds important new provisions outlined by the administration and our Senate Republican colleagues on water storage and Delta protection," Machado said. "We're going to use this as a reference point for discussion."
Machado's GOP counterpart,
The two plan to hold weekly meetings to hash out a deal, Machado said.
All involved in the yearlong talks over how to increase
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, pulled his version of a water bond late last year, and a coalition of business groups announced last week they planned to back off their own proposals.
Machado's new bill incorporates elements of Perata's proposal and the latest plans of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, which the governor outlined in a letter to Machado and Perata last week. Details of the governor's plans are expected to emerge at a hearing Tuesday.
All told, Machado's bill would ask voters for permission to borrow $6.85 billion to increase water supply by:
» Promoting more efficient water use, by farmers and urban water users.
» Cleaning up polluted groundwater basins.
» Expanding underground water storage projects, such as the one in
» Restoring the Delta's water supply so the water shipped through the estuary remains stable and clean.
» Building some kind of new reservoirs.
This last point remains foggy for the moment.
"We aren't explicit on surface storage. We are not explicit on conveyance or on Delta restoration," said Machado, noting that these will be the primary points of debate.
He said he hopes that some kind of Cogdill-Machado bill could emerge from their talks that they could then persuade the rest of the Senate, the governor and the Assembly to accept.
"Dave and I have the ability to try to sort things out from the perspectives of our districts," Machado said. "We can then propose that to our colleagues to go further." #
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/A_NEWS/803070322/-1/A_NEWS
WATER PROJECT FUNDING:
Board members hopeful on water projects after D.C. trip
By Liset Marquez, staff writer
GLEN AVON - Two Jurupa Community Services District board members believe a recent trip to secure federal funding for three proposed water projects found receptive ears in
"We felt we needed to make a strong statement," said board President R.M. "Cook" Barela about the meeting with Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Riverside. "He seemed really interested in helping us with our projects."
Barela and board member Kenneth McLaughlin were in
The district has been self-reliant in funding projects and services but as the area has grown in population, district officials have started seeking federal funding for major projects, Barela said.
The district provides water, sewer and streetlight service in a 48-square-mile area in the unincorporated areas of west
Barela said he and McLaughlin presented two water-related projects that are the district's main concerns.
Funding is being sought for emergency-service generators for the district's well pumps for its ion-exchange plant expansion project, which will improve groundwater treatment.
The district also is asking for money to turn an inoperable well into a water producer.
Both projects are in Mira Loma and would total $1.8million, Barela said.
"I have a feeling we'll able to do this. It just takes some time," Barela said.
Calvert is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Appropriations committees in Congress control 40 percent of the federal funding provided each year to the public.
The district is also seeking funding for its 100-year flood-protection project to provide bank reinforcement at one of the district's plants in Mira Loma.
District officials are concerned that the flow of the
Horst said that if the river reaches a high level, the facility could be flooded.
Barela and McLaughlin received a special invitation to meet John Paul Woodley, assistant secretary of the Army Corps of Engineers, at the Pentagon, about the situation.
Barela and McLaughlin first met Woodley at the water agencies conference. where they explained their worries about the
"He was really interested in seeing what he can do to help us," Barela said. "He was very receptive. We're making contacts to see who can help us. ... We laid the groundwork that was needed." #
REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING:
Desert Water Agency backs regional water management plan
Desert Sun – 3/7/08
By Katie Ruark, staff writer
The Desert Water Agency board of directors unanimously voted at its meeting Tuesday to support an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan of the
The agency will work with other public agencies to create a plan as requested by the state.
Four other agencies have been asked to participate in the plan: Coachella Valley Water District, the city of
In other news, the board took the following action:
Staff members were given unanimous support to proceed in talks with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians about a possible land exchange that would enable the agency to build a reservoir in the
Staff members were given the go-ahead on phase II of a study they're conducting with Coachella Valley Water District, the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency and Metropolitan Water District regarding water in the valley.
The board will spend $308,400 on the study, which will determine alternative aqueduct connections and investigate groundwater storage, cooperative banking, water quality protection and other cooperative opportunities.
"I think this is a study worth pursing," said Craig Ewing, director. "It's not cheap."
The board is prepared to take legal action regarding the Lake Perris Dam Remediation Project, in which water agencies and the California Department of Parks and Recreation are at odds over the costs of dam remediation at the lake. #
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803060351
MOVING ON:
Longtime Zone 7 board member decides to bow out
Contra Costa Times – 3/7/08
By Eric Kurhi, staff writer
After serving on the Zone 7 board for nearly half of its 50-year existence,
"It's been a nice ride, but it's time to leave," he said.
Concannon, 76, said he is proud of the board's accomplishments, but he stressed that he is not taking all the credit for anything -- and that he is confident the board will continue to do a good job in his absence.
"We have so many good people on there now, and it's a very stable board," he said.
Zone 7 is the water wholesaler for the Tri-Valley. It serves the Dublin-San Ramon Services District, the cities of
Former general manager Dale Myers has filed all the necessary papers to run for a seat on the board.
Including Concannon's, three positions on the board will be up for grabs in the June 3 election.
Incumbents Dick Quigley and Chris Moore have taken out papers, as have challengers Robert Warnick, Steve Mattos and Sandy Figuers.
Today is the filing deadline for the incumbents. Because an incumbent, Concannon, is not running, the deadline for challengers is extended until Wednesday.
Concannon said that the board members will face some challenges in the near future, particularly that of working with state agencies to ensure the availability of water from the Delta.
"I've been disappointed with some decisions made in
We have groundwater (in the Tri-Valley), and it comes from the Delta. That water is like a bank account -- what you take out, you have to put back in."
Concannon said that water woes could be a looming problem.
"I've heard it said that communities and the country will rally when there's a real disaster like
Concannon will continue to work at the vineyard that his grandfather founded in
"I think they kept voting for me because they liked my wine, but I thank them anyway," he said.
Directors must live within the boundaries of Zone 7, which includes
Candidacy papers are available at Zone 7 offices,
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_8487746
NEW POSITION:
Monterey Peninsula water district chief moving to Cal Am; David Berger to oversee desalination, dam projects
By Kevin Howe, staff writer
The head of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District is leaving the public sector to join California American Water as the man in charge of its coastal water programs.
David Berger, general manager of the district since 2004, will assume his duties as manager for coastal water supply projects March 24.
The projects include development of Cal Am's proposed seawater desalination facility at Moss Landing and coordinating with local agencies that are analyzing a regional water solution program alternative for consideration by the state Public Utilities Commission.
He will also manage the company's efforts to comply with the seismic safety upgrade for San Clemente Dam, either by buttressing it or removing it.
As manager of the water district, Berger was responsible for overseeing the district's responsibilities, to improve water supplies, promote water conservation, promote water reuse and protect the
Cal Am is the primary provider of water to residents within the district.
The district does not have much direct regulatory power over Cal Am, but the goals of the company and the district sometimes put the two entities at odds.
Berger said he will be involved in aquifer storage and recovery projects related to the regional desalination project.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I've been involved in those projects from the perspective of the water management district, and this intrigues me."
Berger said he was offered the position following talks with Cal Am President Kent Turner.
"Dave Berger will be a valuable asset to the California American Water team," Turner said.
"I can think of no one more knowledgeable or involved in local water issues, or better able to assist us in meeting our mandate to create an adequate, drought-proof water supply for our
Before coming to the Peninsula, Berger spent 27 years as a city manager in five
He also oversaw the funding, design and construction of large-scale public transportation, water and wastewater utility infrastructure projects and spent five years as regional business manager and vice president for
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_8486507?nclick_check=1
WATER POLICY:
Another dam water bond; DiFi rips Dems
Posted by Michael Gardner, staff writer
Good thing too. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, an influential Democrat, has sent a letter accusing Democrat leaders of blocking progress on negotiations over how to respond to
State Sen. Mike Machado, a Linden Democrat who has been actively pursuing a deal and working with Republicans regularly, submitted a $6.8 billion compromise Thursday.
Significantly, Machado's announcement included words of encouragement from Sen. Dave Cogdill, a Modesto Republican who has been the governor's go-to guy for a more controversial $11 billion bond measure.
The ongoing, (never-ending?) talks on a water bond are important to the future of water supplies in
Feinstein's letter was addressed to Senate leader Don Perata of
Feinstein had met with Democrats and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in late February to help broker a deal. The session ended with promises from all sides to pursue compromise, but talks collapsed almost as soon as her plane departed.
"I left the meeting with high hopes, feeling that there was goodwill and general agreement to try to work out a bipartisan legislative proposal ..." Feinstein wrote in a letter dated Wednesday.
"I am deeply disappointed," she continued. "This is not in keeping with the spirit of our agreement to try to find a way forward."
Strong language, particularly when aimed at her usual allies. But, the worst for Democrats and their environmental friends, came in the closing paragraph.
Feinstein warned "time is running out on a legislative solution." Translation: she could support a Chamber of Commerce proposal that includes dams and a new north-to-south delivery system criticized by many Democrats and environmentalists. The chamber is waiting for the outcome of talks in the Legislature, but has an initiative ready for signature gathering if the governor gives the green light.
Machado is hoping that won't be necessary. His proposal is patterned after the others that have stalled but excludes funding for a new north-to-south channel. He also proposes a competitive grant system for funding storage projects.
In a statement, he said the proposal "is a reasonable place to restart discussions on a legislatively approved bond measure."
Cogdill, his GOP counterpart, agreed. "We're ready to roll up our sleeves and work across the aisle with the goal of passing a comprehensive water bond," he said in a statement included in Machado's release.
Representatives for Perata and Machado may want to forward the Machado-Cogdill peace offering to Feinstein.
Said Steve Maviglio, Nunez's spokesman: "Apparently word travels slow to Capitol Hill. We are --and have been -- at the table." Lynda Gledhill, Perata's spokeswoman, said: "The Senate is working very hard in a bipartisan manner on a bipartisan agreement."
But if they eventually gather around a round table to once again talk, who will be invited?
Both sides have issues with two chief negotiators, which threaten to keep them apart. Some members want the governor to bench his chief of staff, Susan Kennedy, and call in water czar Lester Snow to bring a deal home. On the other hand, some have grown frustrated with Perata's advisor, Kip Lipper, who they see as on the side of environmentalists opposed to a deal. #
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