Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 7, 2009
3. Watersheds –
California
The
The
Future of Antelope Valley
The
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
California
The
By Julia Scott
The Pacific Fishery Management Council tentatively voted to close all waters south of
Historically low salmon returns prompted fishery officials to shut down all forms of salmon fishing off nearly the entire West Coast for the first time last year. That action led Congress to appropriate $170 million in federal disaster funds to compensate salmon fishermen and fishery-reliant coastal industries for their losses. Roughly $120 million of that was directed to
Scientists predict that only 122,000 salmon will return to the
Maria Vojkovich, who represents
"This is less emotional than last year, but it's not better at all. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have something else to say next year. It's the best we could do," Vojkovich said.
Half Moon Bay fisherman and salmon advisory council member Duncan MacLean said the closure was necessary given the numbers, but he is worried about the survival of the industry and his livelihood.
"I fear for my future in fishing," MacLean said. "I just hope I get to do it again in my lifetime."
MacLean is leading an effort to get another round of federal subsidies for small fishermen hard-hit by the closure. About $48 million may be left over in last year's fund.
Monday's decision allows for very limited commercial and recreational salmon fishing between
Scientists testified that Sacramento Chinook salmon runs were likely to rebound slightly in 2010 and 2011, at least enough to allow for some fishing. The current Central Valley salmon crisis is blamed on a combination of factors, including natural ocean variations and a host of problems in the
Fishermen and biologists advising the council lined up to criticize a report presented at Monday's meeting that mainly attributed the 2008 and 2009 Chinook mortality rate to unexplained ocean conditions that did not provide enough food for juvenile salmon and other species in 2005 and 2006. As a result, few salmon survived to adulthood to spawn upstream three years later.
Critics of the report said it discounted evidence of young salmon smolts dying in the Sacramento River system before they reach the
Fish hatcheries on the
The real question of the day was how to craft a salmon management policy that takes all these problems into account and highlights the interconnectedness of rivers, the Bay and the ocean for a species that spends parts of its life in each environment. The Pacific Fishery Management Council only has the power to regulate fishing, and only out at sea.
Everyone acknowledged that banning salmon fishing in
"We could do a lot more if we thought in a more holistic fashion," said Churchill Grimes, director of the Fisheries Ecology Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service. "The PFMC doesn't have control over what the Department of Water Resources and others do, and they have authority over the areas in which their other life stages occur."#
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_12085815?source=rss
Eight months after their surprising embrace of offshore oil drilling, the supervisors are set to resume their decades-old ban of the practice. An Interior Department hearing is planned for next week.
The
By Steve Chawkins
Eight months after their surprising embrace of offshore oil drilling,
Their 3-2 decision last August to request that the state allow expanded drilling was a startling about-face in eco-conscious
But now the board's majority has shifted from Republican to Democratic, the Obama administration has taken over in
"It's definitely a reversal," said Supervisor Janet Wolf. "It became politically charged to point to our county as a place that was willing to take another look at offshore drilling. Now we're saying no, that's not the case."
Wolf, with Supervisor Salud Carbajal, introduced the measure. Doreen Farr, who replaced pro-drilling Brooks Firestone on the five-member board after November's election, said she will support their measure.
"I feel strongly that we've been a national leader in conservation and alternative energy," Farr said. "That's the direction we need to go. We can't drill our way out of this."
As gas prices soared toward $5 a gallon last year, Congress and the Bush administration lifted long-standing bans on expanding offshore drilling. Two months ago, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar slowed the process for granting new offshore leases, criticizing the previous administration's "headlong rush."
But many
"It's irresponsible not to develop offshore drilling and production, with a serious eye to making certain it's safe -- which it can be," said Joni Gray, a supervisor who represents the
To some, the conflict mirrors a county split between its conservative, agricultural north and its liberal, more affluent south.
"It's two different worlds," Gray said. "A lot of people in the north came here because their parents or grandparents worked in the oil industry. That was a good job. If you weren't fortunate enough to have a master's or a Ph.D. or a large inheritance, it was a way of working yourself out of the fields or washing dishes."
Although the supervisors have no direct authority over offshore drilling, they issue permits for critical onshore processing facilities. And even though it's largely symbolic, their vote today will have an effect outside
"It'll make a big difference," said Linda Krop, an attorney for the
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oilvote7-2009apr07,0,1280817.story?track=rss
Future of Antelope Valley
The
By Troy
It was once named La Laguna de Diablo because early settlers thought a monster lurked inside its watery depths.
But
And now, many worry about its future, after its owner recently put much of the lake and its surrounding acreage up for sale at $19.5 million.
The owner, Ridgetop Ranch Properties Inc., would prefer to see the property preserved in its pristine state, said Jeff Johnson, the chief financial officer.
But at the same time, the Big Sky, Mont.-based company won't necessarily oppose development such as a fishing club or cabins — a prospect that worries environmentalists and local townsfolk.
The real estate development firm has owned the property for decades and would like to preserve it because the company believes it's a "unique and special property," Johnson said.
"We can't continue the whole responsibility of maintaining it on our own and are trying to get some financial support," Johnson added. "It's the largest natural lake in the
But some local officials remain concerned that a new owner would seek to develop the property.
The Lakes Town Council recently voted to form the Lakes and Valleys Conservancy to work with the county, state and federal governments and other agencies to raise funds to purchase the property at the headwaters of one of the nation's most endangered rivers.
"We're losing open space, habitat for our birds and wildlife corridors," said Jim Walker, a member of the newly formed conservancy and president of the Lakes Town Council. "This is a habitat that remains natural, but it's being proposed as a possible place for a fishing club, ski club or cabins and lodges, and those animals are not going to stick around if that happens."
The property, 19.5 miles northeast of Santa Clarita off
The lake, full or nearly-full year-round, is nearly two miles long with depths of 18 to 20 feet near its center. The
Forest Service, which manages the
The community of
The property for sale is zoned for resort or recreational use such as hunting, fishing, water and jet skiing.
It could also be used as a marina campground, resort, outdoor sporting venue, corporate retreat facility or a private club focused on boating and fishing, according to Prudential California Realty, which has listed the property along with Conservation Land Group, a Sausalito-based broker for resource properties.
"This is the largest naturally fed, privately owned lake in the county and it sits at the headwaters of the
The land is ideal for an environmental mitigation bank due to the significant wetlands and wildlife species, Simon said. Under the law, an environmental mitigation bank provides credits to companies whose developments have an impact on wetlands and wildlife habitat areas.
Norm Hickling, a deputy to county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, said his office is working with the community and setting up meetings with the owner to explore various options.
"The supervisor is very much committed to open space and wildlife refuges, especially when the community is committed to having these open spaces," Hickling said. "That's why we took on the task of bringing the parties together to see what options are available."
Paul Edelman, deputy director of natural resources and planning at the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, said the group has been "salivating" over the property and is trying to figure out a way to pay for its purchase.
"The main reason is any time you get a natural lake with the kind of ecological richness and that's next to public lands - that's pretty hot stuff," Edelman said. "That lake really is one of a kind."
The lake's modern history dates back to the early days of
In 1780, Father Junipero Serra named it La Laguna de Diablo because those who lived near the lake formed by the
In the late 1800s, Tiburcio Vasquez and other Banditos used the lake as a hideout for their stolen cattle and horses.
It was later named
And just in case the legend of the
"Of course, this is all legend and folklore,"
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_12069280
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
No comments:
Post a Comment