http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/Energy-Voices/2014/0411/Is-Califo
Showing posts with label Water Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water Resources. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Friday, March 2, 2012
House Vote Today on San Joaquin Valley Water Bill Sets Bad Precedent
California Congressman's Bill Would Preempt State's Water Laws, Groups Says
(Washington, DC - Feb. 29, 2012) The House of Representatives' scheduled vote today on California Congressman Devin Nunes' "San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act" (H.R. 1837) would set a bad legal precedent of Congress preempting state water laws, according to Environmental Defense Fund. The White House issued a statement yesterday warning that if the Congress passed H.R. 1837, "the President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill."
"It is long standing federal policy to defer to states on water rights," said David Festa, EDF's vice president of West Coast operations and Land, Water, Wildlife program, who is a former Director of Policy and Strategic Planning for the U.S. Department of Commerce. "Making an exception in this case wouldn't help forge a long term solution, but it would create a bad precedent for all western states."
"The best decisions are made locally," said Cynthia Koehler, an attorney who is EDF's California water legislative director. "The Administration is right when it says that a congressional end run would ultimately create more delays and lawsuits as parties sift through the many decisions that would have to be made in order to implement the proposed law. This bill threatens the quality of the water pumped out of the Bay Delta estuary, thousands of West Coast jobs, and our economy."
The flaws in H.R. 1837 include that it:
"This bill threatens senior water rights holders throughout the state," added Koehler. "It also would disrupt collaborative, comprehensive programs, like the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, designed to protect endangered species, restore the delta ecosystem, and improve the reliability of California's water supply for farms and cities."
Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Visit us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund and @EDF_CA, on our California blog On the Water Front and California Dream 2.0, and on Facebookfacebook.com/EnvDefenseFund.
Contacts:
Jennifer Witherspoon, (415) 293-6067, jwitherspoon@edf.org
Sean Crowley, (202) 550-6524-c, scrowley@edf.org
SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund
(Washington, DC - Feb. 29, 2012) The House of Representatives' scheduled vote today on California Congressman Devin Nunes' "San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act" (H.R. 1837) would set a bad legal precedent of Congress preempting state water laws, according to Environmental Defense Fund. The White House issued a statement yesterday warning that if the Congress passed H.R. 1837, "the President's senior advisors would recommend that he veto the bill."
"It is long standing federal policy to defer to states on water rights," said David Festa, EDF's vice president of West Coast operations and Land, Water, Wildlife program, who is a former Director of Policy and Strategic Planning for the U.S. Department of Commerce. "Making an exception in this case wouldn't help forge a long term solution, but it would create a bad precedent for all western states."
"The best decisions are made locally," said Cynthia Koehler, an attorney who is EDF's California water legislative director. "The Administration is right when it says that a congressional end run would ultimately create more delays and lawsuits as parties sift through the many decisions that would have to be made in order to implement the proposed law. This bill threatens the quality of the water pumped out of the Bay Delta estuary, thousands of West Coast jobs, and our economy."
The flaws in H.R. 1837 include that it:
- Preempts state law and interferes with state water rights;
- Overturns the court approved settlement, reached through negotiations among the parties, to restore the San Joaquin River; and
- Undermines environmental protections for the Bay Delta estuary, salmon and other wildlife.
"This bill threatens senior water rights holders throughout the state," added Koehler. "It also would disrupt collaborative, comprehensive programs, like the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, designed to protect endangered species, restore the delta ecosystem, and improve the reliability of California's water supply for farms and cities."
Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Visit us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund and @EDF_CA, on our California blog On the Water Front and California Dream 2.0, and on Facebookfacebook.com/EnvDefenseFund.
Contacts:
Jennifer Witherspoon, (415) 293-6067, jwitherspoon@edf.org
Sean Crowley, (202) 550-6524-c, scrowley@edf.org
SOURCE Environmental Defense Fund
Web Site: http://www.edf.org
Restore Hetch Hetchy Announces Ballot Initiative seeking sustainable water use
San Francisco proposition calls for water reform plan
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Yosemite Restoration Campaign (YRC), sponsored by Restore Hetch Hetchy (RHH), today files papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections, beginning the process of qualifying an initiative for the November 2012 San Francisco ballot. The initiative requires the city to develop a long-term plan for the improved use of local water supplies and the reduction of harm to Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne River and the San Francisco Bay. The draft title of the initiative is "Water Sustainability and Environmental Restoration Planning Act of 2012." The resulting plan would be placed before voters for approval in 2016.
"San Francisco's antiquated, 19th-century water system endangers the San Francisco water supply, harms the environment and is unsustainable," said Mike Marshall, executive director of YRC and RHH, both of which are non-profit organizations. "This water reform planning process will put San Francisco on a path to dramatically reduce the environmental damage caused by our current system and to lead the nation in creating a 21st century model for water sustainability."
Since the 1923 damming of the Tuolumne River to create a reservoir for San Francisco in Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, San Francisco's water system has destroyed habitat, decimated the river's salmon population, and polluted the San Francisco Bay.
The system also leaves San Francisco residents vulnerable. The city currently imports 99% of its water supply from outside city limits; most of it comes from the Tuolumne River and is transported across three major earthquake faults. Natural and unnatural catastrophes could disrupt the supply of this water to San Francisco.
Currently, San Francisco does not recycle any water, whereas Orange County recycles 92 million gallons a day. By capturing more rainfall, recycling water, and recharging and drawing water from its groundwater basin, the city can reduce its reliance on imported water and better prepare for droughts and other threats.
"Unlike our neighbors in Southern California, we San Franciscans don't recycle one drop of water, yet we use pristine Tuolumne River water from Yosemite National Park to flush our toilets, wash our dogs and clean our streets," Marshall said. "It's time for us to become more responsible stewards of this precious natural resource."
Local environmentalists have long sought reforms in San Francisco's water system, but have encountered resistance from elected leaders and bureaucrats at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Marshall believes such resistance places San Francisco's water rights at risk.
If the water reform ballot initiative qualifies and is passed by voters, it will result in the creation of a five-member board, including one representative each from the SFPUC and the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, and three people with relevant expertise to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. This board will hold regular, public meetings, culminating in the submission of a plan by November 1, 2015 to the City Attorney, who will prepare a charter amendment for implementation of the plan. Voters will then decide whether to pass the charter amendment in the November, 2016 election.
ABOUT RESTORE HETCH HETCHY: The mission of Restore Hetch Hetchy is to return the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park to its natural splendor while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the Tuolumne River. It is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
ABOUT THE YOSEMITE RESTORATION CAMPAIGN: The mission of the Yosemite Restoration Campaign is to advocate for policies that lead to the restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. It is a non-profit, 501(c)(4) organization.
IMAGES: High-resolution digital photographs of the Hetch Hetchy Valley, both before and after its flooding, and broadcast-quality video footage of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir are available upon request.
Contact Media Relations:
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com
SOURCE Restore Hetch Hetchy
Restore Hetch Hetchy
Web Site: www.hetchhetchy.org
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Yosemite Restoration Campaign (YRC), sponsored by Restore Hetch Hetchy (RHH), today files papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections, beginning the process of qualifying an initiative for the November 2012 San Francisco ballot. The initiative requires the city to develop a long-term plan for the improved use of local water supplies and the reduction of harm to Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne River and the San Francisco Bay. The draft title of the initiative is "Water Sustainability and Environmental Restoration Planning Act of 2012." The resulting plan would be placed before voters for approval in 2016.
"San Francisco's antiquated, 19th-century water system endangers the San Francisco water supply, harms the environment and is unsustainable," said Mike Marshall, executive director of YRC and RHH, both of which are non-profit organizations. "This water reform planning process will put San Francisco on a path to dramatically reduce the environmental damage caused by our current system and to lead the nation in creating a 21st century model for water sustainability."
Since the 1923 damming of the Tuolumne River to create a reservoir for San Francisco in Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, San Francisco's water system has destroyed habitat, decimated the river's salmon population, and polluted the San Francisco Bay.
The system also leaves San Francisco residents vulnerable. The city currently imports 99% of its water supply from outside city limits; most of it comes from the Tuolumne River and is transported across three major earthquake faults. Natural and unnatural catastrophes could disrupt the supply of this water to San Francisco.
Currently, San Francisco does not recycle any water, whereas Orange County recycles 92 million gallons a day. By capturing more rainfall, recycling water, and recharging and drawing water from its groundwater basin, the city can reduce its reliance on imported water and better prepare for droughts and other threats.
"Unlike our neighbors in Southern California, we San Franciscans don't recycle one drop of water, yet we use pristine Tuolumne River water from Yosemite National Park to flush our toilets, wash our dogs and clean our streets," Marshall said. "It's time for us to become more responsible stewards of this precious natural resource."
Local environmentalists have long sought reforms in San Francisco's water system, but have encountered resistance from elected leaders and bureaucrats at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). Marshall believes such resistance places San Francisco's water rights at risk.
If the water reform ballot initiative qualifies and is passed by voters, it will result in the creation of a five-member board, including one representative each from the SFPUC and the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, and three people with relevant expertise to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors. This board will hold regular, public meetings, culminating in the submission of a plan by November 1, 2015 to the City Attorney, who will prepare a charter amendment for implementation of the plan. Voters will then decide whether to pass the charter amendment in the November, 2016 election.
ABOUT RESTORE HETCH HETCHY: The mission of Restore Hetch Hetchy is to return the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park to its natural splendor while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the Tuolumne River. It is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization.
ABOUT THE YOSEMITE RESTORATION CAMPAIGN: The mission of the Yosemite Restoration Campaign is to advocate for policies that lead to the restoration of the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. It is a non-profit, 501(c)(4) organization.
Contact Media Relations:
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela@mwebbcom.com
SOURCE Restore Hetch Hetchy
Restore Hetch Hetchy
Web Site: www.hetchhetchy.org
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Rain Garden Network
URL:
Description:
Rain gardens are an old idea, a simple idea ... Rain gardens are positioned so they catch rainwater coming from any hard surface (roof, driveway, etc.), they need to be dug to create a shallow depression (to hold that water) and they need to be planted with plants that will survive periodic flooding and often long periods of dry weather. Rain Garden Network supplies information and educational resources to homeowners and others to help them do what they can on their property and in their lives to protect the water quality of our lakes, rivers and streams from pollution and the damage done by stormwater runoff.
U.S. EPA Water Sense / Efficiency
Description:
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Look for the WaterSense label to choose quality, water-efficient products. Many products are available, and don't require a change in your lifestyle. Explore the links below to learn about WaterSense labeled products, saving water, and how businesses and organizations can partner with WaterSense.
U.S. EPA Office of Wastewater Management
Description:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Wastewater Management (OWM) oversees a range of programs contributing to the well-being of the nation's waters and watersheds. Through its programs and initiatives, OWM promotes compliance with the requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
The Community Clean Water Institute
Description:
Community Clean Water Institute (CCWI) protects water resources and public health, identifies pollution sources through research, education and water quality testing, and prevents water pollution throughout Northern California. CCWI collects and analyzes existing water and air test data, engages in education and community outreach activities, and shares information with government regulatory agencies and the public.
Community Clean Water Institute has developed a water quality testing program and laboratory to test ground, surface, and drinking water sources for a variety of pollutants and to make all of the findings available to the public. Community Clean Water Institute works with grassroots watershed groups and other non-profit organizations to address issues of clean water and public health. CCWI responds to reports from the public concerning suspected pollution and upon research and analysis decides whether or not the area needs to be tested.
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