Wednesday, May 30, 2012

News articles and links from May 30, 2012


Water quality

Story
From Bilingual Weekly - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Coalition response...The author does a credible job with a very complex issue. As explained in the article, selenium and salt are naturally occurring minerals in the soil and irrigating the lands along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley has created water runoff that transports the selenium and salt to the San Joaquin River. Everyone involved with this issue have recognized that the amount of runoff water reaching the river has declined in recent years, even critics of farming in the region.

"Most of the contamination now comes from the Grassland Drainage Area (GDA)," according to the author. A project undertaken in the GDA by farmers, local water districts, State/federal agencies and some environmental organizations has achieved remarkable results in stemming the flow of water runoff. More than 57,500 acre-feet of runoff water was discharged through drainage channels in 1995 before the establishment of the Grasslands Bypass Project. That number dropped to 14,500 acre-feet, a 75% reduction, by 2010. In addition, the amount of selenium, salt and boron have also been reduced by 87%, 72% and 64%, respectively. These results should give hope to those concerned with the runoff levels, especially if most of the remaining runoff is within the GDA, as suggested by the author.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has closely monitored the results of the project and has continued its Use Permit to continue its efforts through 2019. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has labeled the projects efforts as a "success story." Read their declaration at http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/ca_san.cfm.

WATER SUPPLY

Blog
By Thad Bettner
From Calrice - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Blog
By John Fleck
From Inkstain - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Letter
From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Letter
From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Story
From Capital Press - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

DELTA

Story
From ACWA - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Story
From ACWA - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

LEVEES

Editorial
From Fresno Bee - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

No comments:

Post a Comment