From the San Francisco Chronicle, in a commentary by Chip
Johnson:
“When it comes to paying utility bills, I usually don’t give it a
second thought, but some of the recent changes in the cost of the
most basic residential services in Oakland have caught my eye.”
“Customers in the East Bay’s largest water district will pay 9.5
percent more for water starting next month, the second large rate
increase in two years.”
“President Obama on Tuesday signed authorization for 34 Army
Corps of Engineers water-related projects nationwide, including a
long-sought green light for restoration projects in Dry Creek,
allowing badly needed reservoir water to continue to flow
sufficiently to meet the needs in Sonoma and northern Marin
counties without an estimated $300 million bypass pipeline.”
“For the first time since it has been under a state order, the
Marin Municipal Water District will release less water into
Lagunitas Creek this summer because of drought conditions seen
last winter.”
“City officials are exploring whether Antioch can turn the salty
Delta water off its shoreline into a true liquid asset by
building a desalination plant.”
“Nearly five months after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought
emergency and asked Californians to use 20 percent less water,
almost everyone believes they’re doing their part.”
“On Sunday, San Rafael reached a high of 100 degrees while
Kentfield saw a high of 95 degrees. Novato reached 85 degrees and
Point Reyes reached 66 degrees.”
“Environmental Biologist Dr. Donald Weston worries about Hyalella
azteca, the tiny shrimp-like crustaceans that live — and
increasingly, die — in Contra Costa County creeks.”
“The decision on whether Healdsburg should end its more than
60-year practice of adding fluoride to the water supply will go
to the voters in November.
“The Healdsburg City Council voted unanimously to place the
controversial measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. If approved, it
would end the only government fluoridation program in Sonoma
County.”
“Tuesday marked the end of the line for the Patterson family’s
150-year reign as Bay Area land barons, but it was a $10 million
day for the East Bay Regional Park District.”
From the Marin Independent Journal, in a commentary by Todd
Steiner:
“Coho salmon are an incredibly unique species. They begin their
lives in California’s freshwater streams, mature in the Pacific
Ocean, and then return to their natal creeks to spawn and finally
die. They once flooded streams and sent fishers home with
millions of fish each season, but today California’s streams no
longer support these iconic wild fish.”
“Milpitas City Council voted unanimously May 20 to accept Santa
Clara Valley Water District’s plan to reduce the amount of
treated, potable water the city receives from its wholesaler by
20 percent due to the statewide drought.”
“Regional water officials have shaped a plan to improve water
quality in the Lagunitas Creek watershed, which provides habitat
for coho salmon, steelhead trout and California freshwater
shrimp, all listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.”
“State authorities Thursday began notifying hundreds of water
rights holders on the upper Russian River to stop diverting water
from the drought-stricken watershed because there isn’t enough
supply to go around.”
“Concerned about plans to develop a former sewer treatment site
and the capacity of the current treatment plant, Marin residents
urged the Ross Valley Sanitary District on Wednesday to oppose
Larkspur’s draft housing and business development proposal.”
“The Marin Municipal Water District is looking at the idea of
putting a $45 million pipeline on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
to keep Marin wet in dry years. If that sounds familiar, the
water district did just that in the 1970s.”
“The Marin Municipal Water District board this week balked at
reducing the percentage of water it is asking customers to
voluntary conserve even though water supplies are approaching
normal levels.”
