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Fourth Town Hall Event a Success A standing-room-only crowd packed the fourth California’s Water Town Hall in Fresno Oct. 2, where a lively debate of California’s water issues took center stage.With topics ranging from legislative action and water use efficiency to drought and urban land use management, the event had audience members engaged with a panel of four experts during a question-and-answer session. ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn also provided an overview of the state’s water delivery system, and California Water Institute Director Dave Zoldoske gave a report on regional water issues. Other panelists included Mark Grossi, environmental and water reporter for the Fresno Bee, and Chris Campbell, representative from the Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Huell Howser, producer of the ACWA-sponsored PBS series California’s Water, emceed the event. “At the end of the day we need to look at mutual sustainability across the board,” Zodolske said during the Town Hall.  State Budget Already Awash in Red Ink The state budget signed two weeks ago may already be $4.5 billion out of balance, Treasurer Bill Lockyer reported today as legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met at the Capitol to discuss a potential special legislative session to make adjustments. Lockyer’s assessment was included a lengthy document prepared as part of the state’s effort to borrow $4 billion in short-term notes to cover an immediate cash crunch. The document cites projected revenue shortfalls and a potential court order to give federal prison receiver J. Clark Kelso $250 million to correct problems in the prison healthcare system. The cash crisis could set off a new scramble to borrow revenues from local government and other pots to address the budget shortfall. The treasurer’s document is available here. Fifth Draft of Delta Vision Strategic Plan Out this Week The fifth and final staff draft of a strategic plan for the Delta is expected to be released Friday by the Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force. The plan is scheduled to be discussed by the task force at its Oct. 16-17 meeting, and once finalized will be sent to a cabinet-level Delta Vision Committee charged with making recommendations to the governor and the Legislature. ACWA submitted formal comments last month on the fourth draft of the plan. ACWA’s comments are available here. The fifth staff draft will be available here. EPA Confirms It Will Not Regulate Perchlorate  The EPA confirmed last week earlier news reports that it will not set a drinking water safety standard for perchlorate, a chemical in rocket fuel and fireworks that has been found in California groundwater.The agency determined that in 99% of public drinking water systems, perchlorate was "not at levels of public concern" and deferred perchlorate regulation to states. California and Massachusetts are the only two states that require the removal of the chemical from water. The environmental group Earthjustice is threatening to sue the EPA if it finalizes its decision not to regulate perchlorate contamination in drinking water. The agency will make a final ruling in December. The EPA’s statement may be viewed here. Court Holds Government-Mandated Diversions Under ESA a Physical Taking In a decision that could have ramifications for other cases involving the Endangered Species Act, a federal appeals court held recently that the United States physically appropriated water to which a water district had a right when it required the district to divert water for protection of steelhead. The court remanded the case, Casitas Municipal Water District v. United States, back to the Court of Federal Claims for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. The case involves a claim by Casitas that the Bureau of Reclamation’s requirement that the district construct a fish ladder and divert water to it to protect steelhead, subject to a biological opinion related to the operation of the Ventura River Project, was a taking under the Fifth Amendment and therefore compensable. The government argued that because it did not appropriate the water for its own use or use by a third party, no physical appropriation occurred. See the next ACWA News for a more complete story. The opinion is available here. Invasive Mussels Found in Colorado Lakes  Quagga and zebra mussel larvae were discovered at Colorado’s Lake Granby this summer and recently in two other reservoirs connected to that lake, causing scientists to worry that the invasive species could make their way to Lake Tahoe as well.The mussels are native to Eurasia and were first discovered in the Great Lakes in the 1980s. They reproduce rapidly, forming colonies which clog water intakes and take over ecosystems. The potential threat to Tahoe has prompted emergency action to inspect boats launching into the lake. One boat attempted to launch at the lake in August was found to have quagga mussels attached to its stern. Quagga mussels were found in the Russian River in September, 250 miles west of Lake Tahoe. |
L.A. Supervisors Go Green and Blue The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted three new ordinances requiring new homes and businesses to use drought-tolerant plants, retain storm water on site and use power more efficiently. The new rules apply only to unincorporated areas. Under the ordinances, 75% of the landscaped areas in front of homes and businesses must use drought-tolerant plants and landscaped areas must use "smart controllers" that modify water sprinkling systems based on the temperature. Developments and certain redevelopment projects will be required to capture storm water runoff and infiltrate it on site, allowing it to percolate into groundwater aquifers. Delta Vision Meets Oct. 16-17 The Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force will meet 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct.16, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the West Sacramento City Hall Galleria, 1110 West Capitol Avenue, West Sacramento.Visit www.deltavision.ca.gov for more information. EPA Report Focuses on Climate Change A new report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes 44 actions EPA will take to respond to climate change. The document, “National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change,” identifies potential impacts on water resources, including increases in some water pollution problems, changes in the availability of drinking water supplies and significant issues for coastal areas. The report is available here. DWR Hosts Santa Rosa Workshop on Dry Conditions  The state Department of Water Resources will hold a workshop in Santa Rosa on Oct. 9 to summarize current water conditions and preparations for the possibility that 2009 may be a dry year. Topics to be covered include meteorological conditions and outlook; preparing for a dry 2009; long-term comparison to past droughts; droughts and the California Emergency Services Act; and plans for 2009 at the local level. The workshop begins at 10 a.m. in the Santa Rosa State Building, 50 D Street, Room 410, Santa Rosa. E-mail DWR Information Officer Amy Norris if you plan to attend this event. Deadline Extended for ‘Flex Your Power’ Awards  Entries are being accepted for the 6th Annual “Flex Your Power” Awards program. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, Oct. 17. Apply online now at www.fypower.org. Award categories are energy efficiency, media and education, innovative products and / or services, peak demand response, and water conservation / efficiency. Winners and Honorable Mentions will receive congratulatory advertising on relevant Web sites and online publications, in addition to receiving their awards at an awards ceremony. DWR, Bureau Host Urban Drought Workshops The state Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will host several Urban Drought Workshops statewide in October. The workshops will provide the most current information about the water supply situation and how to review, update, and implement Water Shortage Contingency Plans. General managers, elected officials, conservation staff and drought team leaders are encouraged to attend. The free workshops are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in Los Angeles, Oct. 22 in Concord and Oct. 29 in Sacramento. Visit www.owue.water.ca.gov for more information. “Liquid Assets” Hits PBS “Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure” is now airing on PBS stations nationwide. The 90-minute documentary produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting explores the history, engineering, and political and economic challenges of our water infrastructure, and engages communities in local discussion about public water and wastewater issues. For more information, and to contact your local PBS station to urge them to air "Liquid Assets," click here. “Flow” Hits Theaters in L.A., New York A Sundance Film Festival documentary about the worldwide water shortage is now hitting theaters in Los Angeles and New York. Described as water’s “Inconvenient Truth,” the recently released documentary For Love of Water (FLOW) is provoking public discussion on the world’s water crisis. It chronicles the stories of people across the world as they fight for their right to water. The film was an official selection at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. For more information and to view the trailer, visit www.flowthefilm.com.  Written and Designed by Association of California Water Agencies. ACWA eNews is a free, weekly email publication. 916.441.4545 • Fax 916.325.4849 910 K Street, Suite 100 • Sacramento, CA 95814 www.acwa.com | |||
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