|
SALMON PROTECTION AND WATERSHED NETWORK
|
|
Archive
Action Alerts
HELP SUPPORT MMWD CONSERVATION PRICING Support Water Conservation through MMWD's proposed Rate Adjustments Please join fellow community members to support the new proposed water conservation pricing structure developed by the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). MMWD's proposed conservation pricing will help to reduce overuse and misuse of water. The district's old inflexible pricing structure, which priced each Tier based on its source, ignored the fact that a gallon of water, regardless of its source, is worth more in the dry summer than in the wet winter. Consequently, for years, MMWD has provided inadequate incentives for customers to conserve in summer, when water use doubles. You can do 2 simple things to send a strong message to the MMWD Directors: 1) Attend one of the meetings listed
below and voice your support. Letters should arrive to MMWD no later than Tues September 30th. ………………
……………… Via Email: Jack Gibson: yojcg@msn.com Alex Forman: allaur@attbi.com Charles McGlashan: cmcglashan@earthlink.net Jared Huffman: jhuffman@nrdc.org Dick Hill: dickhill@well.com You can paste this into the 'To:' heading on your Email.. yojcg@msn.com, allaur@attbi.com, cmcglashan@earthlink.net, jhuffman@nrdc.org, dickhill@well.com Via US Mail: MMWD Directors The proposed conservation pricing continues to match MMWD's total billings to its total expenses, but Tier pricing would be based on multiples of Tier 1, so that Tier 2 would be twice the cost of Tier 1, Tier 3 four times the cost, and Tier 4 six times the cost of Tier 1. This steeply tiered pricing structure should send a strong message to conserve water during the summer when it is most precious. The proposed conservation structure also sets new year-round Tier breaks at 30, 50, and 80 ccf. This Tier structure focuses rate increases on the top 10% of users in Tiers 3 and 4. These top 10% of users consume 30% of MMWD's summer water, with bills ranging from several hundred to over a thousand dollars. The 90% of MMWD customer in Tiers 1 and 2 who have either native landscaping or average outdoor watering needs would see only a 6-8% rate increase. MMWD has increased rates only once in 8 years, by about 3%. However, the change to conservation pricing is not about the amount of revenue that MMWD needs, but rather about how that revenue is collected. Nor is the change in the rate structure about Desalination vs. the a pipeline to the Russian River, because staff has concluded that the difference in costs between the two sources is only about √% per year. Regardless of MMWD's revenue needs or whether it decides on Desalination vs. the a pipeline to the Russian River, the proposed conservation rate structure is good news. In addition, 75% of the water Marin consumes comes from the county's reservoirs which mostly feed into salmon bearing streams. The remaining 25% is from the Russian River and Eel Rivers (which is diverted into the Russian). Salmon populations are either extinct or a tiny fraction of historic numbers in both these systems. Conservation can reduce the demand on these water supplies and impact on these populations. You can view the MMWD staff report at: http://www.marinwater.org/BOD030917/Staff_Report.html There has been a vocal contingent expressing opposition to MMWD's proposal. Therefore we must make a strong showing in person or through letters in support of MMWD"S proposal. Thank you, (Thanks to Gordon Bennett for compiling an early version of this action alert!) Help Rescue Threatened Coho And Steelhead From Drying Creeks
WHAT: The public is invited to join the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) to help rescue baby salmon and steelhead from drying creeks and relocate them to safer habitat downstream. These tiny fish hatched this spring and are now stranded in small creeks in the San Geronimo Valley, within West Marin's Lagunitas Watershed. They face certain death if not netted and moved to sections of creek with water flow. Over 8,000 coho and steelhead have been rescued since 1999. You must RSVP to attend since space is limited. Call (415) 488-0370 x102 Volunteers rescuing coho and steelhead from dryuing creeks – summer 2003 Rescued coho to be released downstream WHEN:
**Snacks and Drinks will be provided.** WHO: All ages are welcome to attend.—You must RSVP to attend since space is limited. Call (415) 488-0370 x102 WHERE: Marin County , San Geronimo Valley Cultural Center (approximately 5 mi. west of Fairfax - call for directions) BACKGROUND: San Geronimo Valley spawning habitat is quite important to spawning salmon with the Lagunitas Watershed. The watershed supports one of the largest remaining runs of coho in California even though it has declined by 90% from historical numbers. Therefore every baby salmon rescued can help this population rebound from near extinction. SPAWN works to protect these populations and their habitat through education, outreach, research and restoration. ** If you join us for the Double Header Day on August 3rd, a lunch will be provided. Please call to reserve a space!!** New
House Development On Creek *New Appeal Filed to Board of Supervisors - Comments Needed By this Tuesday, April 1st!!* Environmental Group's Appeal to Planning Commission was Denied The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network needs you to write letters once again opposing this development. We argued our case before the Marin County Planning Commission. Unfortunately they denied our appeal (6 to 2) on March 10th. We have not given up however, and have appealed to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Unfortunately they scheduled an early hearing date of Tuesday, April 1st at 1:30 pm which gives us a short window of time. We need your help!!!! Please write a letter to the supervisors by the morning of Tuesday, April 1st urging them to not allow this development and properly address the issues below. We need you to attend the hearing and speak up as well. When: April 1st at 1:30 pm Where: Marin County Civic Center - Room 328 (Supervisors Chambers) Read the short summary below and write a letter as soon as you can. Time is of the essence! The proposed development is within the county mandated 100 foot Stream Conservation Area and is very near a creek which supports endangered coho salmon and steelhead trout - only 20 feet from top of the bank. This large 3649 square foot home, 768 square foot garage, 3 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms plus a living room, dining room, family room, study, den and rumpus room with an intermittent sand filter septic system and 4 leach lines will permanently eliminate riparian (creek side) habitat. We contend that this development is a violation of the County-wide Stream Conservation Area policy as well state and federal laws. Tell the Board of Supervisors to reconsider this development. Please write a letter NOW (before April 1st) and attend the hearing on the 1st at 1:30 pm to voice your concern. Issues to list in your letter and at the hearing are:
Plans can viewed by contacting Ben Berto at the Marin County Planning Department by calling 499-3658. Please send comments to the Board
of Supervisors via US mail, FAX or Email. County of Marin Board of Supervisors bos@co.marin.ca.us When writing a letter, please be
sure to list the following information: For majestic coho and all species dependent on a healthy watershed we urge you to act now. Emergency
Response To Dear Friends and Neighbors, Several of you called to report cloudy water in the creek in Forest Knolls on Wednesday morning (5/28/03). We investigated and discovered a broken water pipe running under Juarez Street in Forest Knolls that caused a section of roadway to collapse and send chlorinated water, dirt and roadway particles into the creek. MMWD (Marin Municipal Water District) has fixed the broken pipe, and the creek is running clear again. Surveys of the creek on Wednesday and Thursday of last week found no dead fish. We thank you for your vigilance in keeping our creek clean and clear. Your stewardship is helping keep our beautiful populations of endangered salmon and steelhead alive and healthy. Please call our SPAWN office at 488-0370 X102 with any questions or concerns about the watershed, and particularly if you see dead fish, murky water, or smell anything that could be toxic or appears to be a problem We depend on you, and we thank you!
Volunteer Position - Spawning Season Program Assistant Are you interested in helping protect the Lagunitas Watershed and its sensitive species like the 'threatened' coho salmon? The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network(SPAWN) is looking for a volunteer to help with our programs. At present we are looking for help during the spawning season. This would entail providing the public with information about the salmon populations in the watershed, answering calls, entering some simple data. Plus Reviewing videos of spawning salmon and other footage recorded by our crews Providing media outreach support and Many more activities. Our small staff will surely provide you with a great and positive experience for you! Get Your Feet Wet Be one of the many giving back to your community and the Earth. The Salmon Protection and Watershed Network is looking for enthusiastic and energetic volunteers to help in our critical work to protect coho and steelhead and the watershed where we all live. Potential projects include:
For more information, contact: Reuven Walder, Watershed Biologist, (415) 663-8590 ext. 102 or reuven@spawnusa.org
|
|
|
