Department of Water Resources
California Water News
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 13, 2009
5. Agencies, Programs, People –
Stanislaus County drops pumping contract
Modesto Bee
Cucamonga Valley customers to get hike in their water bills
San Bernardino County Sun
Residents want water-rates plan revised
San Diego Union-Tribune
Water rates, budget still in progress for Blue Lake
Eureka Times-Standard
Oxnard homeowners dispute flood maps
Ventura County Star
Upland working toward water conservation education
San Bernardino County Sun
Water district to replace old cast iron pipes
Marin Independent Journal
Former mayor, mill owner dies at 93
Crescent City Triplicate
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Stanislaus County drops pumping contract
Modesto Bee-8/12/09
By Garth Stapley
Tired of paying an inflated share to keep some farms from flooding, Stanislaus County leaders said Tuesday they will terminate a joint powers agreement in hopes of forcing new negotiations with landowners and state officials.
Taxpayers throughout the county shouldn't foot the bill to keep a few dozen farmers dry along the San Joaquin River, some county supervisors said, when the farmers pay nothing.
Nor does state government, which about five decades ago built the levees that created the problem. The county's exit might put enough pressure on the state to force a return to the bargaining table, supervisors reasoned.
Stanislaus County supes watch
Protection for 10,000 acres
At issue is Gomes Lake, a dry-to-marshy area along the river north of Crows Landing Road and west of Carpenter Road that swells into a larger body of water during wet winters. Turlock Irrigation District canals used to drain water flowing from Turlock into the river through that area until farmers in 1959 persuaded the state to build levees.
But gates close when the river rises, forcing water to back up. So the TID, Turlock and the county formed a joint powers authority in 1972 to pump the water over a levee and into the river. That provides critical protection to about 10,000 mostly rural acres.
Farmers pay nominal assessments to Reclamation Districts 2063 and 2091, but they contribute nothing for expensive pumping costs during wet winters. Some growers pleaded Tuesday with county officials not to walk away from the partnership.
"It's not very pretty when you've got miles and miles underwater," said Joe Sallaberry of Reclamation District 2063. He estimated 20 miles are in jeopardy in his district.
Dan Lamb of District 2091 said he lost a rental house and several hundred acres of alfalfa in the 1997 flood. The county's exit will create a leadership vacuum, he predicted, setting "in motion a process with unpredictable consequences."
Supervisor Vito Chiesa, who represents much of the land at risk, asked how fair it is for people from Salida, Oakdale or elsewhere in the county to solve those farmers' problem.
The county pays 45 percent of the authority's bills, Turlock pays 35 percent and the TID, which operates the pumps, is responsible for 20 percent. Farmers and the state pay nothing.
Recent pump repairs cost $404,216 over three years, though the county expects to pay only $10,000 this year for routine maintenance.
Termination in 1 year
Supervisors voted unanimously to terminate the agreement as of August 2010. That move should "bring some acuity to negotiations" with farmers and the state in the coming year, Supervisor Jeff Grover said.
Chiesa said Turlock intends to pull out of the authority permanently by using its own drains.
Supervisor Jim DeMartini said, "In my opinion, TID has a large liability and should pay more."
But the TID is not inclined to increase its 20 percent share, said Jeff Barton, assistant general manager.
A study would pinpoint benefits accruing to each agency, said Matt Machado, the county's public works director. State officials seem willing but could take years to conduct the study, Machado said.
"It's obvious the percentage split is completely unfair to the county," said Supervisor Bill O'Brien. "That sounds like another reason to cancel the contract, and that's to get the state of California to the table."#
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/813936.html
Cucamonga Valley customers to get hike in their water bills
San Bernardino County Sun-8/12/09
By Wendy Leung
Cucamonga Valley Water District customers will see their water bill increase by an average of $4.16 starting Sept. 1.
Board members approved the rate hike on Tuesday after receiving five letters of protest and one letter of support.
Under Proposition 218, also known as the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, a majority of district customers, more than 28,000 property owners, need to submit a protest letter in order to strike down the rate hike.
Board members voted unanimously for the increase, calling the move a direct result of a major increase by the Metropolitan Water District, which sells imported water to Cucamonga Valley.
"I realize the time couldn't be worse with the housing market and so many people losing their jobs," said board member Hank Stoy. "We have no choice."
An average household that pays $97.66 every two months will now pay $4.16 more.
This year, the local water agency reduced its operating budget by $2.5 million and laid off 13 employees. But the cuts weren't enough to absorb the higher rates by Metropolitan, officials say.
Since 2004, MWD rates have remained either stagnate or increased by less than 6 percent. But in January, Metropolitan raised rates by about 17 percent and is raising it by another 17 percent next month.
"I'm disappointed that Metropolitan went a number of years without raising," said board member Kathy Tiegs. "They're raising it at one time rather than over a period of time which would've been more palatable."#
http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_13047540?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com
Residents want water-rates plan revised
Council set to vote Tuesday on proposed tiered system
San Diego Union-Tribune-8/13/09
By J. Harry Jones
Members of a civic organization in northern Poway are asking the City Council to junk its all-but-approved, tiered water-rate system for one they say is more equitable.
The council is scheduled Tuesday to give final approval to a rate structure that's weighted toward financially penalizing large consumers of water. The more water that is used, the higher the rates will be. The structure is similar to the way San Diego Gas & Electric Co. charges for electricity.
The second reading of the ordinance, approved last month, was delayed last week, but only because two members of the council had to miss the meeting.
At a public hearing July 21, hundreds of angry residents — almost all of them from northern Poway, where lots and homes are large — urged the council to reconsider the plan, which had been in the works all year.
The council indicated it was unwilling to do so, with only Councilman Carl Kruse saying he would vote against the plan in lieu of further study.
Because of legal requirements, if the City Council doesn't approve the new structure Tuesday, the city will lose about $3 million because of increases in the cost of wholesale water, the council has been told by city accountants.
In a letter sent to the council July 28, the Green Valley Civic Association says the new structure will unfairly penalize people who own big lots and who must use a great deal of water to keep those lots properly landscaped. They say that in some cases, city code requires them to keep slopes vegetated to avoid erosion.
The association represents about 750 dues-paying families who live in various developments in northern Poway.
"The existing schedule is unfair and doesn't encourage much conservation," association member Jerry Hargarten said.
Hargarten said the association realizes the council needs to approve the new tiered system Tuesday because of the severe financial problems that will result if it doesn't, but that it should then reconsider its decision immediately and adopt a different rate-collection method later.
The association says the new structure will lead to a decrease in property values, as well as unfair increases in the bills of large water consumers, even if they manage to conserve a large amount of water.
In comparison, the letter says, residents who use far less water might actually save on their bills because of the way the rates are structured. A common refrain at the public hearing was the idea that the wealthiest of Poway were subsidizing the rest of the city's water users.
The letter advocates a different system that would reward large users if they're able to reduce their consumption dramatically compared with previous years.
In a report prepared for the council meeting next week, city staffers blast the association's plan.
"The general type of water allocation rate model the (association) proposes was presented and fully considered by the City's project team and the Council at the prior workshops and meetings. It was ultimately identified as the least desirable alternative. Specifically, this type of allocation model penalizes customers who have already conserved; rewards customers for high historical water use; is backwards looking and doesn't account for current conditions . . . " it says in part.
Per capita, Poway residents use far more water than the average county resident. But those numbers are skewed because the top 10 percent of residential water customers in Poway use roughly 40 percent of all water in the city, and the top 5 percent use about 25 percent.
The average residential customer in the city uses 34 units of water — one unit equals about 748 gallons — during a two-month billing period.
Under the tiered structure, which would start Sept. 1, the cost of water will vary.
The first 15 units used by all residential customers during a two-month billing period will cost $2.64 per unit. Units 16 through 40 will cost $2.97 per unit. Units 41 through 80 will cost $3.30. Units 81 through 120 will cost $3.96. Units 121 and above will cost $4.62 each#
Water rates, budget still in progress for Blue Lake
Eureka Times-Standard-8/13/09
By Donna Tam
Both a potential water rate increase and the budget for next fiscal year are still up in the air after Tuesday's Blue Lake City Council meeting.
Mayor Marlene Smith said the water rate increases and the budget are still being evaluated. Although no rate has been determined yet, the council did receive a water-user rate analysis and recommendations.
Staff also presented an initial draft budget, but Smith said the numbers are still being finalized.
As it looks into adding Blue Lake to a Humboldt Transit Authority route that goes from Arcata through U.S. Route 299 to Willow Creek, the Humboldt Transit Authority presented the council with an estimate of what it would cost the city. According to a letter from the HTA, the city would have to pay more than $18,000 for three eastbound trips and four westbound trips.
Smith said the council decided that the city could use the extra service since many residents travel out of the city on a regular basis. Blue Lake is currently being partially serviced by the Blue Lake Rancheria Transit.
"The Blue Lake Rancheria Transit has served us well, but there's no weekend service and it is limited to their resources," Smith said.
The council plans to wait for Humboldt County Association of Governments' next funding cycle to see if the city can make a request for the service.
The council also approved an agreement that defines Blue Lake's commitment to Blue Lake Power and vice versa. Smith said
the agreement was made to give confidence to a lender that is planning on investing in the power plant.
While the Rio Dell Police Department has expressed interest in Blue Lake's leftover police cars, Smith said the council decided to hold off until after its public meeting on public safety to make a decision.
"We're trying to figure out if it's surplus for us," she said.
During closed session, the council discussed possible city manager candidates, but did not choose one. They will be interviewing another candidate this week.
"No timeline was determined, but we're trying to move on this as quickly as possible," Smith said.#
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_13051488?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com
Oxnard homeowners dispute flood maps
Ventura County Star-8/12/09
By Scott Hadly
Several hundred homeowners in Oxnard are trying to stop the federal government from including their properties in a new flood-zone map.
More than 280 have signed a letter urging Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, to delay the issuance of a new flood-zone map and give them more time to comment on affected properties.
"There's been a lot of talk about the flood map, and we just want to slow the process down and take a look at the numbers," said Michael Bisnett, a homeowner in the affected area and an engineer.
Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency closed the public comment period on the new maps that draw in about 1,700 properties in Oxnard.
The change is significant because homeowners with federally backed mortgages — more than 90 percent of those affected in Oxnard — will have to purchase expensive flood insurance. Under the federal program, property owners have until January to buy flood insurance at a reduced rate.
Bisnett said the designation is going to hurt homeowners already hit hard by the economy. He questions the computer models FEMA used to determine the location of flood risks, and new estimates of how much water would course down the Santa Clara River in a 100-year flood. A 100-year flood is considered a storm event with a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year, or once every century.
"It isn't grounded in reality," Bisnett said, pointing to the floods of 1969, considered a sort of benchmark by some. Bisnett said the peak water flow then was about 165,000 cubic feet per second. The new maps are based on a predicted peak flow of more than 226,000 cubic feet a second.
Gerard Kapuscik, program manager for the county's levee certification program, said he met with some of the property owners, including Bisnett. Kapuscik said that while the county has some significant questions concerning FEMA's modeling of where flood waters would flow, the predicted peak flow is based on statistical analysis of historical data.
"We have some of the best flow data over the last 25 years," said Kapuscik.
Bruce Rindahl, manager of the hydrology section of the county's Watershed Protection District, said the data goes back even farther, to the 1930s. It shows the 1969 flood was not as unprecedented as once thought.
All of the information will be incorporated into a study FEMA is doing on the flow of water in the river and where it would go during a flood.
In response to the homeowners' request, Capps wrote to FEMA administrator R. David Paulson and asked him to give the residents an additional year to buy the reduced-rate insurance. The agency has done this before in other communities, including San Mateo and areas near Sacramento.
"I sincerely hope the Federal Emergency Management Agency will hear my concerns about raising some Oxnard residents' flood insurance rates, particularly while we are still recovering from a serious recession," Capps said in a prepared statement Wednesday. "I believe that allowing residents to purchase the less expensive Preferred Risk Policy for an additional year is an acceptable means of protecting homeowners in our community in the event of a flood, while shielding these hard-working families and the businesses that depend on them."
But many in the affected neighborhoods, particularly South Bank, River Ridge and Victoria Estates, believe they shouldn't have to buy flood insurance at all, because their homes should not be in the flood zone.
"Calculations are being completed using assumptions that are subjective and are thus subject to error," says their letter to Capps. "The majority of the homes now included in the flood zone were built on land that has been built up, and no floods have occurred in these built-up areas in the 75 years that data has been kept."
Instead of spending it on insurance, the money should go toward filling a 3,000-foot-long gap in the levee system that starts near the Wagon Wheel Road area and extends along the river to the River Ridge Golf Course, the letter says.
It could cost an estimated $30 million to complete, but according to the letter, "the levee would totally eliminate any flood threat to the entire flood zone area and protect not only the 1,600-plus homes but future commercial development planned for the Wagon Wheel Road complex."#
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/aug/12/oxnard-homeowners-want-their-property-kept-out/
Upland working toward water conservation education
San Bernardino County Sun-8/12/09
By Sandra Emerson
Alison Loukeh knows the water business.
Loukeh, a water conservation and education specialist, was hired by the city in May to lead the way for some of the city's water conservation efforts.
"What I've started on is not only watching legislation, what's coming up with the drought, what's going on with the state, but also how to make Upland more aware that we actually are in a drought and everybody needs to do their part," Loukeh said.
To enforce a water conservation ordinance implemented in the 1990s, Loukeh intends educate through public outreach.
Starting tonight, a booth will be set up during the Upland Farmer's Market at least twice a month. Loukeh will be there sharing conservation tips and regulations the city is enforcing.
"Our focus is to reduce water use, not penalize people," Loukeh said.
The city's youth certainly won't be left out of any conservation education within the city. Loukeh will be working with the high schools in order to educate teens on water usage.
Homeowners associations, which are big water users, will be part of the education programs as well, Loukeh said.
State legislation is also a concern of the city's Public Works Department. Loukeh will be keeping an eye out for any new legislation that would affect the city's water.
The governor has called for water usage in the state to be reduced by 20 percent by 2020.
"We have looked at legislation, making sure we're in compliance with any law that comes up and we're ready," she said. "There's always legislation at the state level, so I watch that pretty closely to see how that effects us in the future."
The city has its own water rights, but gets a portion of its water from the San Antonio Water Company and West End Consolidated Water Co.
Some water is imported in through the Metropolitan Water District, which is at a low due to restrictions in the Sacramento Delta area due to threated to the Delta smelt fish population there.
The city is working on implementing a recycled water program, which will be used for golf courses, public right of way, schools and other public landscaping.
"It will be like adding tons of water to what is available to our community and it will be vital for the long term and that means decades into the future," said Councilman Ken Willis. "The sooner it can be accomplished the better, and I am certain that if we can get this up and running on schedule, it will be a huge benefit to our citizens."
The program is expected to be designed and ready to implement in a couple years.#
http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_13046928?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com
Water district to replace old cast iron pipes
Marin Independent Journal-8/12/09
The Marin Municipal Water District this week will begin replacing more than a quarter-mile of water mains in Belvedere as part of the district's capital improvement program.
The project involves the replacement of 4-, 6- and 8-inch cast iron pipe with approximately 1,750 feet of welded steel pipe on Beach Road and San Rafael Avenue.
The cast iron pipe dates to the 1920s and 1950s. The sections slated for replacement have had numerous leaks in recent years resulting in significant damage and disruption to adjacent residents and businesses.
The district received six bids for the project and awarded the contract to Ghilotti Brothers Inc. of San Rafael, which submitted a bid of $197,000. Construction is scheduled for completion in early October.#
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_13050460?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com
Former mayor, mill owner dies at 93
Responsible for new water system
Crescent City Triplicate-8/12/09
By Kurt Madar
Bill Peepe, Crescent City's mayor during the 1964 tsunami and the longtime co-owner of a local lumber mill, died Sunday.
During his 93 years of life, Peepe spent 44 months as a prisoner of war, eight years as mayor and 36 years as a mill owner.
He spent the last 20 years living in Gasquet.
Peepe made a lasting impact on Del Norte County, where he was a lifelong resident.
When tidal waves destroyed much of downtown Crescent City, he spent the next four years helping to rebuild the community.
In an interview with The Triplicate this year, Peepe said that his most valued achievement was helping with projects that modernized the city's infrastructure.
"One of the biggest things he was responsible for was the new water system," his wife, Eleanor White, said earlier this year. "It no longer came brown."
According to Peepe's family, contributions during his time as mayor included substantial completion of street paving, sidewalk and gutter installations, the first Fred Endert Municipal Swimming Pool, and expansion and improvement of the city's sewer and drainage program.
Despite never serving in the military, Peepe is considered a Navy veteran.
As a civilian he went to work in 1941 building naval bases on Wake Island, a coral atoll in the Northern Pacific. He was captured by the Japanese in December 1941 after fighting for two weeks to repel an attack that was launched at almost the same time as the assault on Pearl Harbor.
In China and Japan, Peepe spent 44 months doing hard labor in everything from steel mills to ore mines. It wasn't until the 1970s that civilians like Peepe were recognized for their bravery and were given military status.
Peepe also saw Crescent City go from being a lumber and fishing town to a prison and fishing town.
"It was a booming lumber town at one time with lots of bars," Peepe told the Los Angeles Times in 2000.
Peepe opened the McNamara and Peepe Lumber Company with his childhood friend, Thomas F. "Spud" McNamara, in 1946 and the mill's doors didn't close until 1982.
In 2000, Peepe estimated that only about six of the 55 sawmills that once operated in the area were still open.#
http://www.triplicate.com/20090812106680/News/Local-News/Former-mayor-mill-owner-dies-at-93
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