Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
January 30, 2009
3. Watersheds –
'Threatened' status urged for longfin smelt
The
No fishing zones off OC? Discussion begins
The Orange
Plan envisions Sacramento
The
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'Threatened' status urged for longfin smelt
The
By Matt Weiser
Wildlife officials have recommended adding the longfin smelt to the state's list of endangered species.
In a report filed Tuesday, the Department of Fish and Game proposes "threatened" status for the 5-inch fish under the state Endangered Species Act, citing threats from water diversions, pollution and predation by foreign fish species. The longfin is one of nine fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that have declined sharply in recent years. A fall survey concluded in December found one of the smallest populations of longfin in 42 years of monitoring. Its cousin, the Delta smelt, set a new low.
"This is acknowledging that yet another species in the Delta is at risk of extinction, and it's going to help drive improvements in the way we're managing the ecosystem," said Tina Swanson, executive director of The Bay Institute. The state Fish and Game Commission must vote to list the longfin, probably at its March meeting. It imposed new Delta pumping limits to protect the fish during the review, which may now become permanent.
A federal listing proposal is under review.#
http://www.sacbee.com/politics/story/1585126.html?mi_rss=State+Politics
No fishing zones off OC? Discussion begins
The Orange County
By Pat Brennan
A months-long effort that could result in no-fishing zones off the Southern California coast, including
The "stakeholders" group, which includes recreational and commercial fishing advocates, environmental activists and government regulators, had previously identified important sites up and down the coast.
But it is not a list of likely locations for Marine Protected Areas, which are limited or no-fishing zones being created as part of a state effort to address concerns about declines in marine habitat and species. Preliminary ideas for such zones will likely be released in March.
Instead, the areas discussed Thursday are important to one or more of the stakeholders. In some cases, for example, they are areas considered important for recreational fishing, which fishing advocates are urging the state not to designate as Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs.
"Today was an important first step to ultimately redesigning
In each case, the reasons for the area's importance are listed, as well as, in some cases, suggestions by one or more of the 64 stakeholders on how the area should be treated (should be considered, not recommended etc.).
Here is a sampling of references to
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to
San Mateo Point to
Palos Verdes to
http://greenoc.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/29/no-fishing-zones-off-oc-discussion-begins/4010/
Plan envisions Sacramento
The
By
With its vast stretches of tomato fields,
But that could change.
A plan to replace acres of large fuel storage tanks on the Yolo side of the
The idea focuses on tanks south of the
In their place would be promenades and parks – creating instant new playgrounds for residents and visitors. And housing with picture-perfect views of the
It's all envisioned under a document called the Sacramento Riverfront Master Plan. It describes the river's transformation from industrial corridor to center of urban life.
Making it happen requires patience: It's taking a long time – piece by piece – and involves local governments and private enterprise.
A current proposal focuses on the fuel tanks that are the major distribution point for gasoline in the region. All the tanks on both sides of the river would be moved to a new location at the
"It gets the tanks off the incredibly valuable riverfront and moves them to a better industrial site," said Mike McGowan, chairman of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and a
McGowan also heads the Sacramento Yolo Port Commission.
The plan took a big step forward Jan. 15 when West Sacramento's planning commissioners unanimously approved a private company's proposal to build a large, state-of-the art fuel storage facility at the port.
The proposed 1.2 million barrel facility, with 17 large tanks on 20 acres, would replace the approximately 50 white circular tanks that now dot both riverbanks.
Major hurdles remain, however.
West Sacramento City Councilman William Kristoff has appealed the Planning Commission's decision, meaning it now must face review by the City Council.
Kristoff said he's concerned about increased rail and truck traffic along already congested
There's also the question of money to mitigate the project's impact on the city. "I would like to see all the parties that will benefit contribute," Kristoff said.
Perhaps more importantly, no one is sure if the oil companies that own the tanks by the river – Chevron, BP/Arco, Shell and ConocoPhillips – will think it's worth moving. Serious negotiations have yet to start, according to those involved.
Roy Wickland, who heads SacPort Regional Terminal, the private company that wants to build at the port, said it was difficult to "keep up the momentum" of talks with the oil companies while the project was awaiting approval by West Sacramento officials.
The planning process took three years, he said.
"It's been hard to get (the oil companies') attention," Wickland said. "We're hopeful that we can sit down and begin the process of serious discussions." Wickland said that to start construction at the port, his firm would need commitments from at least two of the oil companies.
The tank farms have been in their current location for decades. Pipelines connect them to refineries in the Bay Area.
One major pipeline already travels through the port area, making the project more feasible, according to proponents.
Still, the oil giants would have to be convinced that leasing space from Wickland's company at the port made economic sense.
Sooner or later the tanks will have to go as part of riverfront master plan, but that doesn't mean they'll move in the immediate future, McGowan said.
McGowan said he's optimistic that the oil companies will realize their land is worth much more if it's developed for mixed residential and commercial uses.
The companies could take advantage of new tanks, better vapor-recovery systems and other environmental protections at the port, proponents contend.
http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1584943.html?mi_rss=Our+Region
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