Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
May 30, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People –
Quaggas could lead to money for sewer
Today’s News Herald
Residents chastise
Editorial:
Water conservation bills face opposing interests
Boaters in life jackets to be rewarded
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Quaggas could lead to money for sewer
Today’s News Herald – 5/29/08
By David Bell
During Thursday’s meeting of the Colorado River Regional Sewer Coalition, CRRSCo lobbyist Terry Bracy said Congress has heard information about how the two water issues relate.
“Rep. (Grace) Napolitano, D-Calif., chaired a meeting of the Water and Power Subcommittee where Metropolitan Water District talked about the quagga muscle,” Bracy said via phone. “During that meeting we explained what we’re doing and we raised the question if the quagga food chain is influenced by nitrates.”
Bracy said Bureau of Reclamation scientists confirmed that nitrates play a factor in the food chain of the invasive muscle. And that means CRSSCO is on the radar of more members of Congress, especially those whose districts are served by the
“The quagga is a hot issue and our relationship makes us a little hotter,” Bracy said.
The quagga muscle is small — about 20centimeters — and with six breeding seasons per year can generate up to a million microscopic larvae in a year. The quagga has no dormant period and feeds all year long, using up food sources for native fish and affecting the natural food chain, often creating an overgrowth of algae.
The quagga mussel also is believed to be the culprit that caused the “dead zone” in
The quagga mussel has been discovered in Lakes Mead, Mohave and Havasu and has been found in intake pipes for both Metropolitan Water District and Central Arizona Project, both of which draw water from
Meanwhile CRSSCo officials – led by Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen and Bullhead City Mayor Jack Hakim – will be making a trip to
“We’re hoping to come away with sponsors for the bill,” Nexsen said. “Getting the Interior Department on board is one hurdle and the three water agencies have been very helpful in that regard.”
The proposed bill is the Southern Colorado River Quality Protection Act, which would require cooperative planning for water and wastewater systems along the lower
With the various contaminants suspected along the river, and identified by the Bureau of Reclamation in a 2007 report, total cost for a river cleanup is expected to exceed $2 billion.
The Central Arizona Project,
Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., visited Nexsen on the issue about two months ago and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., has been CRRSCo’s chief supporter on Capital Hill.
“We also had a good meeting with Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. He’s warming up, he understands,” Bracy said.
However, the
In the two previous budget cycles, Franks requested earmarks – one-time federal funding – for both
In addition to meeting with staff and members of congress in
Nexsen, Hakim and others with CRSSCo will be in
http://www.havasunews.com/articles/2008/05/30/news/doc483f941290cb1970086424.txt
Residents chastise
By Paul Burgarino
Nearly a hundred impassioned residents attended a town hall meeting Thursday night to grill city leaders on the status of a potential port development project and possible impacts caused by developing
The meeting was hosted by community group Association of Community Organization for Reform Now.
ACORN officials say the city has been working on a waterfront development plan with little to no input.
They also contend answers to their questions are vague and ambiguous.
City Manager Marc Grisham said any future project or development would include the same "citizen involvement as any other project since I've been here." He also said city staff is always open to answering questions.
In July 2006, the Pittsburg City Council created a Unified Development Area along the waterfront between Harbor and
ACORN officials also say city officials traveling to China and South Korea, studying the feasibility of a port and choosing a investor for developing within the development area show missed opportunity for public comment.#
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_9426424?nclick_check=1
Editorial:
Water conservation bills face opposing interests
Take a walk beside the Capitol grounds at night and you can often see sprinkler water running off sidewalks and into storm drains.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Then go into the Capitol and watch lawmakers tackle the state's water challenges.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Water is one of those
Such is the backdrop for two water conservation bills the Assembly will likely debate today.
One, Assembly Bill 2175, would establish a statewide target of reducing per capita water use in cities and suburbs by 20% by 2020. It also calls for statewide agricultural conservation of 500,000 acre feet -- enough water to supply about 1 million households each year.
As amended, this bill by John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, provides flexibility for agencies that have already invested in conservation. Thus, it deserves to pass, but faces opposition from interests who want a larger deal that includes new dams and canals.
The other conservation bill in play is Assembly Bill 2153, by Paul Kregorian, D-Burbank, which aims to make new development in
Developers could achieve this goal by making their projects highly water efficient and by reducing water usage elsewhere -- such as by helping farmers with new irrigation techniques.
The goal of this bill is worthwhile. But, as written, it could unintentionally add to the burdens of encouraging more housing, hospitals and other projects in inner cities.
Opponents have used the California Environmental Quality Act to block or slow these projects. Kregorian's bill, in its current form, would give them more ammunition under CEQA.
It's too late to fix this bill in the Assembly. But if it passes, the Senate should tackle this issue. Otherwise, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be tempted to veto it. We can understand why. #
http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/634821.html
Boaters in life jackets to be rewarded
Law enforcement officials patrolling the Sacramento River and the Delta this summer will have about 750
The coupons are good for 6-inch sandwiches and can be redeemed at any of the company's 257 West Coast locations.#
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/976277.html
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