Region
Grim outlook for San Diego’s imported water supply
San Diego County residents should prepare for a serious water crunch come next summer, after an August court ruling imposed significant cutbacks in Northern California water supplies beginning in 2008.
To protect the endangered Delta smelt fish, a U.S. District Court Judge ordered restrictions on pump operations that supply water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to 25 million Californians, including the 3 million in San Diego County.
The exact figures are still to be determined, but worst case scenario, Southern California could lose as much as 30 percent of their Delta water supply, which supplies over one-third of the region’s water needs.
 |
“We know it’s going to be very challenging,” said Dennis Cushman, deputy general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority. “The need for each of us to conserve has never been more urgent.”
The Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles is in the process of determining how the shortfall will be allocated among its 26 agencies, including the San Diego water authority.
The water authority has a 3-stage drought management plan in place, which starts with voluntary conservation, moves to acquiring short-term sources of water, and finally, mandatory restrictions. San Diego is in stage one, encouraging residents to take “The 20 Gallon Challenge” to reduce water consumption by 20 gallons per person, per day. If everyone met that goal, it would save enough water for 500,000 people next year.
However, if that doesn’t cut it, mandatory restrictions could very well be a possibility.
“We are working with our 24 retail agencies,” Cushman said, “dusting off old ordinances and trying to determine which ones would work today, what additional ideas there are, so we have a menu of options.”
That does not mean shutting off the water faucets.
Rather, local ordinances could limit outdoor landscape watering, filling of pools and fountains, or washing cars. Each water retail agency, which purchases water from the county water authority, will tailor restrictions to their service area.
California is perpetually on the brink of a water crisis with a very fragile levee system controlling the delta waterways. San Diego is especially vulnerable, with 90 percent of its drinking water imported from the Colorado River and Northern California.
“I’m not sure people realize how sensitive our region is,” said Solana Beach Councilman Dave Roberts. “One little change and our quality of life in Southern California could be greatly affected.”
The water authority is working to diversify the region’s water supply in numerous ways, including importing more water from Imperial Valley, improving alternative canals to Coachella and along the U.S.-Mexican border, and building infrastructure to increase storage.
The water authority also plans to step up efforts with desalinization, recycled water, conservation and storage of local groundwater.
Solana Beach and Del Mar get a majority of their water from traditional supplies, but are also taking advantage of alternative sources.
The Santa Fe Irrigation District supplies water to 21,000 people in Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch. While 70 percent of the water comes from the water authority, 30 percent comes from Lake Hodges, a reservoir that catches rainwater and runoff.
“We feel very lucky we have an additional source,” said Jeanne Deaver, administrative manager for the district. “That does help us if it rains. We’re all praying for rain at this point.”
Solana Beach and Del Mar also benefit from the San Elijo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which provides recycled water to the region. The small plant sold 423 million gallons of recycled water last year — accounting for 10 percent of the county’s usage. Recycled water is used for outdoor landscaping at the local golf courses, schools and Del Mar Fairgrounds.
While recycled water is currently only geared towards larger customers because of steep connection costs, in the event of serious water restrictions, homeowners may consider recycled water as a feasible option to maintain their yards, said plant manager Michael Thornton.
The plant anticipates increasing their recycled water supply by almost half over the next several years, and are investigating expansion plans to accommodate more recycled water and desalinization of brackish water.
While water prices are on their way up, rate increases could go higher still with the Northern California cutback, water officials said.
“That’s definitely a possibility,” said Deaver, at the Santa Fe Irrigation District. “The water authority will be selling less water, but there are still fixed costs. So they will have to spread the same amount of costs across fewer number of units.”
The full extent of the Northern Californian restrictions will not be known until final order is drafted within the next two months, and Mother Nature runs her course this winter, filling the rivers, reservoirs and ground with much-needed water— or not.
The road to citizenship
An international group clusters around the circular tables in a corner of the Solana Beach Library, notebooks and pencils at the ready. A small white board stands in front of the tables. An American flag hangs from the bookshelves.
Welcome to Citizenship Class, a free adult education class offered every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Adults living in the San Dieguito region come to learn the ins and outs of American history and government in preparation for the interview and test administered to become a naturalized citizen.
“I help them not just to memorize questions,” said teacher Ann Dempsey, “but try to give a little feel for how US government is organized.”
Instead of just writing on the white board that Nancy Pelosi is the current Speaker of the House, Dempsey shares a brief story about the top Democrat in Washington D.C. Nancy has five children, and raising them was excellent training for having to project her voice in politics, Dempsey said.
Several of the women in the class nod in understanding. Many of the applicants’ children were born in the United States with automatic citizenship.
While Mexicans make up a slight majority of the class as might be expected so close to the international border, students also come from Spain, France, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan. Many have lived here on permanent resident cards for 10, 15, 20 years. Now, they must apply for citizenship before that card expires in order to stay. Others are applying as soon as they are allowed, after 5 years of residency.
For some, the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen is not especially worrisome, but the class is still helpful.
“There are little things in the government you don’t realize,” said Corinne Bordi, who emigrated from France nine years ago. “So it’s better to have someone explain to you how it works.”
Francisco Piedrafita emigrated from Spain with his wife 15 years ago. An attorney helped them apply for their green cards, but the couple completed the citizenship application on their own.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a big deal,” Piedrafita said. “I think the class is going to be helpful. I’m learning lots of things I didn’t know before.”
For others, especially those who have difficulty speaking English, it can be very intimidating and costly.
One Spanish-speaking woman and her husband paid $130 each to have someone fill out their application for them. Instances of charging $400 to use a computer or assist with the application happen all too often, Dempsey said.
This is on top of the regular application fee, which is $675.
Dempsey hopes the free class will empower the applicants to seek help in safe places.
Instruction is loosely structured, so students can join anytime, and leave when they feel they are sufficiently prepared.
Each session covers the application, interview and test, and draws 10 to 15 students.
The application is lengthy and detailed, investigating family history, travel patterns and moral character. Applicants must answer questions like “Are you a habitual drunkard?” and “Have you ever been a prostitute?”
“There are a lot of words in there that are difficult for beginner English speakers,” Dempsey said, who also teaches English as a second language classes at the library.
The interview and civics tests requires the applicant to answer questions about their history, as well as read, write and speak in English. Applicants are usually asked up to 10 questions about American history or government structure, which are taken from a published list.
Many seem simple enough to a native 4th grader: How many stars are on the American flag? What do they represent?
But others pose a challenge to too many American adults: How many representatives are in the House of Representatives? Which states are the original 13 colonies?
The application process can take up to six months, from when the application is filed to the interview and swearing-in ceremony. The class provides a support group for applicants waiting for an interview date, and review for lucky ones with an interview later this month.
Citizenship means different things to different people.
“I want to be able to vote next year, that’s my big issue,” Bordi, from France, said.
For others, staying with family is paramount, as was the case with Haw J. Lin, an elderly man from Taiwan seeking citizenship to be close to his two sons. He found the class to be especially helpful with improving his English.
“I like America, it’s more democratic,” Lin said.
For others it’s a decision to stay for opportunity, rather than return to family living in their home country.
“If you can adapt to living here, the number of opportunities are greater,” Piedrafita, a scientist, said.
While the adult citizenship class has been offered for many, many years, Dempsey has been teaching it for two. During that time, she estimates about 30 of her students have become naturalized citizens. She invites each one to come back, share their interview and swearing in experience, and take a picture with the class.
“I want them to be good citizens,” Dempsey said. “I want them to vote, to see what it means to be a part of a government.”
Tonight, Clamencia Rubio-Zarzua is the hero of the hour as one of America’s newest citizens.
She has lived in Solana Beach for close to 20 years. Struggling with English, she failed her first test, but just passed on her second try.
Overcome with emotion, she tries to explain how it feels to be a U.S. citizen. It comes down to just one word: “Happy.”
Rotary Club project to bring water to parched land
 |
|
Sudanese villagers who have no access to fresh water will be helped by the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club’s drive for funds to build water wells. |
staff writer
While Ulang and Maiwut counties in Southern Sudan are a long way from Rancho Santa Fe, they are very near to the hearts of many in the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club.
“Sometimes you choose projects,” said Don Meredith, immediate past president of the 92-member club that meets at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. “Sometimes they choose you.”
Rotary Club members are known for their public service projects. Knowing this, and trying ever so hard to provide some relief for countrymen returning home after 21 years of civil war that ended in 2005, Dep Tuany, executive director of the Southern Sudanese Community Center, approached Meredith last December. Tuany, 42, now a United States citizen, was a former oil company worker and war refugee relocated to San Diego along with about 4,000 Sudanese refugees.
“We have 150,000 people in this region, many of them refugees going back,” Tuany said. “They need food, shelter, but most of all they need water. The water was contaminated during the war and is so deadly due to so many reasons. People are dying because of this.”
While laid waste by war, famine and drought, the region also possesses many natural resources. Oil production has become a huge industry. However, the oil goes north to Khartoum and a government arrangement with the Chinese that doesn’t benefit local residents, Tuany said.
Yet, large quantities of water lay just below the surface, in pure underground streams — an abundance of water in an area so parched and dry that an estimated 80 percent of newborns do not survive past early childhood.
“We need 12 wells in the beginning,” Tuany said. “We are working with the tribal leaders and government in Southern Sudan to put the security in place as well as management of the wells. It will cost a huge amount of money.”
A smaller Rotary Club in Penfield, near Rochester, N.Y., initially raised $300,000 for fresh water wells in the region working through a non-profit group called Water for Sudan. After Tuany’s contact with Meredith, fellow Rancho Santa Fe Rotarian Burl Jordan researched the group’s efforts and joined in the effort.
“We want to mobilize people to get this project in place,” Jordan said. “Water is the basis for life. Once you provide the water, their health will start to improve and they can farm and develop their country.”
Meredith added, “People said never again after the Holocaust, but look at Bosnia, Rwanda, Sudan. You see the women and children dying from no water, or bad water, and it rips your guts out. This is not political. This is the time for us to do our part.”
Meredith, Jordan and Tuany have been named board members for Water for Sudan. The group’s leadership will be on hand at the Rotary Club’s Sept. 17 meeting to announce formally the induction and speak with Rotarians about the project.
For its part, the Rancho Santa Fe group intends to raise $310,000 through fund-raising, grants, sponsorships and cooperation from other Rotary groups. The money will go towards purchasing a drilling rig and compressor, exporting the units to Southern Sudan, training Sudanese to run the water operation and drilling 12 wells initially. Funds will be kept with The San Diego Foundation.
Tuany and Jordan will take the equipment to the region. Jordan, who owns a landscaping company, hopes to stay a month to help get the equipment running. Tuany will do whatever is necessary, probably staying for the long term to ensure the wells continue working, and adequate safety and distribution arrangements work effectively.
The rainy season in Southern Sudan is April to October, so construction options are limited then. Rotary Club members hope to raise the money through early next year and begin drilling next fall.
“We’ve gotten to know some of the Sudanese people,” Meredith said. “They are so kind and disarm you with their smiles. But underneath, there are layers and layers of anger and despair. This is the least we can do.”
Added Tuany, “Knowing my people are in a dangerous condition, I could not keep quiet. Nothing will work without the Americans. Health care and infrastructure are gone. This is a beginning in building resources that will help our community, so we can work toward democracy and human rights.”
For more information on helping, contact Meredith at 1 (800) 479-9299 or e-mail meredith1@san.rr.com
Arts Policy to go before Solana council
After years of debate, the city may soon have an approved Master Arts Policy.
“As we grow into a more renowned artistic community, we’ve got to make sure public art is keeping up,” said Alli Dixon, a member of the city’s Public Arts Advisory Commissioner. “This is a road map for the future of art in the city.”
The Master Arts Policy, developed by the arts commission and city staff, will be presented to the City Council for approval at the Sept. 19 meeting.
The policy identifies the goal for Solana Beach to be a “destination city for public art” by enhancing our aesthetic quality and nurturing a wide range of artistic styles and disciplines, including visual art, performance art and cultural events. The policy clearly lays out the policies and procedures for achieving that goal, from potential art selection and location to funding sources.
“It encompasses everything about arts in the city,” Dixon said. “And does it with a lot of flexibility and room to grow. You can’t make hard and fast rules in art, it doesn’t work.”
One of the key obstacles to providing public art is funding sources.
This time last year, the commission proposed assessing a 1.5 percent fee on commercial development, which could be refunded if public art was incorporated into the project.
Other cities, including San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, assess a similar fee, ranging from 1 to 2 percent of construction costs.
However, local property owners cried foul, saying the fee was unfairly placed on a small segment of the community. The majority of the council agreed and sent the proposal back to the commission.
The revised plan still includes a fee, but dramatically diversifies funding sources.
The developer fee is reduced to .5 percent of total construction costs of development projects totaling $500,000 or more, but excluding single-family residences. The fee must be paid up front, but will be refunded if the developer purchases a piece of Council-approved art to be placed at an approved location, or if public art is incorporated into the project. The price tag of the purchased piece or incorporated art can be less than the art fee.
The refund aims to encourage artistic design in development, without dictating specifics. Examples of artistic elements include sculptures, water fountains or murals, but are by no means limited to these options.
The fleshed out arts policy is not very long, but does clarify many concerns or questions raised during the last year about public art.
For example, the question if architecture qualifies as art for the developer fee has been answered. The building itself, its use and landscaping does not count towards the fee.
Several other funding sources are also identified, including a steady contribution from the transient occupancy tax. Each year, one percent of revenues from the tax are funneled into a business and visitor assistance and enhancement fund. The policy proposes to dedicate 30 percent of that fund to public art and 20 percent to promoting cultural tourism, be it art walks, events or performances. This will provide $24,000 to art and $15,000 to cultural tourism every year.
Consignment is another method to display and fund public art. Artists can display their work at designated locations for a minimum of six months, and up to two years. A discrete sign would provide sale information. When a piece is sold, the city would manage the transaction and take 25 percent for the public art fund.
“It’s a very unique thing,” said city staff Steve Didier. “I don’t think anybody is doing anything like that.”
