In this District’s Weekly Press: Imperial Irrigation District, California’s third largest public power provider and the largest irrigation district in the nation, will be extending its voluntary on-site shelter-in-place program at designated critical facilities for a core group of employees. A new article by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) calls efforts to mitigate land subsidence in the Coachella Valley "an emerging success story," a finding that is echoed by analysis completed by local water agencies, including the Coachella Valley Water District. In the wake of an unprecedented global health and economic crisis, West Valley Water District (WVWD) staff introduced a proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 operating budget that maintains water safety, protects ratepayers and reflects the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability.
<< COVID-19 >>
Half Moon Bay Review Libby Leydon US May 21
Harbor officials plot course to reopening
RMS: San Mateo County Harbor District
Assembly District(s): 19, 22, 24, 29
Senate District(s): 11, 13, 17
Bay Area Network
Businesses are beginning to get the approval to reopen under the San Mateo County Health Office’s guidelines. In anticipation of Pillar Point Harbor welcoming back visitors and customers, the San Mateo County Harbor District released a plan setting its expectations on when activities can resume safely. When the state issued its stay-at-home orders, the district followed suit by closing parking lots, restrooms, the boat launch ramp and prohibiting off-the-dock fish sales at Pillar Point Harbor. Now, as restrictions start to ease elsewhere, people who rely on the harbor for their livelihood are begging the question: when can business resume as normal? At Wednesday's Harbor Commission meeting, staff outlined a “three-phase” approach to reopening the two harbors.
The Union US May 19
NID awards internship scholarships to graduating high school students
RMS: Nevada Irrigation District
Assembly District(s): 01, 05, 06
Senate District(s): 01, 04
Sierra Network
In keeping with its commitment to the community and support of Nevada County youth, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) has awarded two scholarships to Nevada Union High School graduating seniors, Coal Barker and Logan Vanderhoof, for paid internships with the district. These internship scholarships include a six-month temporary assignment at the District, are valued at up to $15,000 each, in addition to the opportunity to study and take the California Water Distribution or Operator Certification exam. This is the second year of NID’s scholarship program to support and promote area students. The program offers hands-on, vocational work experience and an introduction to careers in the water and hydroelectric industries.
NBC Palm Springs US May 18
IID Begins Second Wave of Sheltering Employees at Work
RM: Imperial Irrigation District
Assembly District(s): 56
Senate District(s): 40
Southern Network
Imperial Irrigation District, California’s third largest public power provider and the largest irrigation district in the nation, will be extending its voluntary on-site shelter-in-place program at designated critical facilities for a core group of employees. To keep employees safe and to ensure that the district’s water and energy systems remain operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, 32 district employees have been living and working at their job sites since April 25. Employees in the initial group will be heading home for the first time in three weeks when their shifts end this weekend. Those shelter-in-place positions will be filled by a second wave of district employees starting Saturday, May 16. The sheltered employees will continue to maintain the district’s essential water and energy operations, which are important to customers who rely on these services in the harsh desert climate of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys.
Inland Empire Community Newspapers News US May 21
During unprecedented crisis, Water District budget proposal protects ratepayers, commits to fiscal responsibility
RM: West Valley Water District
Assembly District(s): 47
Senate District(s): 20
Southern Network
In the wake of an unprecedented global health and economic crisis, West Valley Water District (WVWD) staff introduced a proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020-2021 operating budget that maintains water safety, protects ratepayers and reflects the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability. The proposed WVWD FY2020-2021 budget prepares for revenue decline due to the negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Public utilities, like WVWD, are hit especially hard as they must continue to provide essential services even when many ratepayers may not be able to make payments.
Turnto23.com Victoria Morely US May 20
NOR reopening their tennis and pickleball courts for singles play only Thursday
RMS: North of the River Recreation and Park District
Assembly District(s): 32, 34
Senate District(s): 14, 16
Central Network
North of the River Recreation and Park District announced it will be reopening their tennis and pickleball courts for singles play only on Thursday at noon. “NOR is pleased to be able to reopen the tennis and pickleball courts to allow the public to once again enjoy these sports,” says Lisa Plank, NOR Marketing Director. “We ask everyone to be mindful of the guidelines and continue to follow social distancing guidelines and gathering limit restrictions.”
<< OTHER NEWS >>
California Patch.com US May 21
Increasing Groundwater Levels In The Coachella Valley
TM: Coachella Valley Water District
Assembly District(s): 42, 56, 71
Senate District(s): 28, 38
Southern Network
A new article by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) calls efforts to mitigate land subsidence in the Coachella Valley "an emerging success story," a finding that is echoed by analysis completed by local water agencies. The USGS article, published in the Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Studies, notes Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) has been concerned about land subsidence due to groundwater use since the mid-1990s. The USGS found that three projects in particular – replacing groundwater extraction with surface water from the Colorado River and recycled water (Mid-Valley Pipeline project), reducing water usage by tiered-rate costs, and increasing groundwater recharge at the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Replenishment Facility – are potentially linked to markedly improved groundwater levels and subsidence conditions. The improvement includes some of the historically most overdrafted areas in the southern Coachella Valley.
Village News Will Fritz US May 21
North County Fire extends weed abatement deadline
RMS: North County Fire Protection District
Assembly District(s): 75, 76
Senate District(s): 36, 38
Southern Network
The North County Fire Protection District has extended its weed abatement deadline from May 15 to June 1, the fire district announced last week. The fire district requires local property owners to remove excessive weeds from their land and create "defensible space" in case of a wildfire. The original deadline was a full month ahead of 2019's weed abatement deadline, in anticipation of dry weather leading to high levels of fire fuel. However, higher-than-expected rainfall has mitigated some of this risk, allowing the fire district to feel comfortable moving back the weed abatement deadline by two weeks. "We made (the original deadline) in January and February when not a lot of rain was coming in and we were thinking it was gonna be drier," North County Fire Marshall Dominic Fieri said. "Once the season did come about with more rain, we were able to change."