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By 07/21/2021
The Marin County Board of Supervisors denied an appeal of the permit for North Marin Water District’s proposed second well on the Gallagher ranch, largely on the grounds that the board didn’t have jurisdiction over the issues at hand.
“I think this is a simple case of where our jurisdiction lies and where it doesn’t lie,” board president Dennis Rodoni said. “I don’t disagree with Gordon Bennett or the water district in this case. I think everyone’s interested in protecting the fish, and there’s certainly different perspectives [on] how to do that. And what Mr. Bennett is proposing may be quite logical, but it needs to be taken to Fish and Wildlife and the regional agencies to implement that, should they agree with him.”
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By 06/30/2021
Marin Water is studying whether it can release less water from its reservoirs into Lagunitas Creek without harming aquatic species, allowing the district to hold onto more water this winter amid a historic drought.
The flow reductions would occur from November to March, when the changes could affect spawning and the rearing of fish eggs. Hydrologists chose four stretches of the creek that are typical habitat and will complete a detailed topographic survey there, then use modeling to determine the conditions at a range of flows, from 20 to 10 cubic feet per second.
The models show the water depth, velocity and temperature at thousands of points on the creek, and score them based on habitat suitability. If the study shows that a reduction in flows would have a minimal impact on the ecosystem, the water district will use it to apply for a petition to reduce its required releases during winter.
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By 06/16/2021
Plans for a new home have prompted the Inverness Public Utility District to update its rules for new water connections during a drought. If the latest version of regulation 117 is approved, property owners would be allowed to connect to the water system only if they agree to defer landscaping.
The change is one of many that water districts are making these days as suppliers grapple with how best to conserve water amid a historic drought. Banning new connections is one way, but it is largely symbolic when compared to conservation measures by existing customers.
“We know the big draw in our usage is outdoor watering, not toilets, so why not make it easier for the handful of folks that are affected?” said Wade Holland, the district’s customer services manager.
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By 06/09/2021
West Marin customers should vote no on North Marin Water District’s proposed water rate increase and urge the district to revisit its drought plan. The rate increase, which will be considered at a June 22 hearing, hinges on a structure that encourages excessive landscape use that draws salt into the lower wells. By failing to create conservation tiers that reflect a sustainable yield, the district is able to use salt intrusion as a false justification for rushing to build another well one whose potential impacts have not been adequately studied.
The drought plan discriminates against those already conserving and growing families by mandating a universal 25 percent reduction from 2013 levels that year being the last so-called normal year. Has your household size increased since 2013? If we have to go back eight years to find a “normal” year, how can that be normal? Drought is the new normal.
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