[Sosfbay-discuss] Fwd: Tuolumne River Update

[MARKETPOIN at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/24/2007 12:26:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
pdrekmeier at earthlink.net writes:


> Dear Friends,
> 
> 
> Many thanks to all of you who attended the SFPUC hearings on the draft 
> Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Water System Improvement 
> Program (WSIP).  The vast majority of those who spoke – more than 90% – favored 
> the $4.3 billion seismic upgrades to the Hetch Hetchy water system, but 
> expressed serious concerns about the proposal to divert an additional 25 million 
> gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne River.
> 
> 
> The public has until October 1 to submit written comments, and it would be 
> great if you could participate.  I've attached a sample letter and some 
> talking points for your review.
> 
> 
> Also, please consider making a donation to the Tuolumne River Trust at 
> http://www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php/donate
> 
> 
> Write a Letter
> 
> 
> Please write a letter encouraging San Francisco to protect the Tuolumne 
> River by pursuing water conservation and recycling rather than increasing water 
> diversion. Insist on a sustainable water plan that will protect our watersheds 
> in the Bay Area and Sierras.
> 
> 
> Submit letters to:
> 
> 
> Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Officer
> San Francisco Planning Department
> 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400
> San Francisco, CA 94103
> 
> 
> Send emails to: wsip.peir.comments at gmail.com
> 
> 
> Sample Letter
> 
> (Date)
> 
> 
> Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Officer
> San Francisco Planning Department
> 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400
> San Francisco, CA 94103
> 
> 
> Dear Mr. Maltzer:
> 
> 
> Your environmental review of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's 
> plan to take more water from the Tuolumne River fails to adequately identify 
> and address all of the environmental impacts to the River.  I urge you to 
> undertake additional studies before finalizing this document.
>   
> 
> I support the alternatives identified in your draft document that protect 
> the Tuolumne River from new diversions.  Requiring more water conservation, 
> efficiency, and recycling is the best way to lessen impacts on the Tuolumne 
> River while promoting a sustainable water plan for the Bay Area.  
> 
> 
> Only by ensuring that healthy amounts of water continue to flow into the 
> Tuolumne River can we protect this irreplaceable natural treasure.
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> (Your name and address)
> 
> 
> Tuolumne River Talking Points
> 
> 
> Background
> 
> 
> •  From its headwaters in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne River 
> cascades 162 miles before joining the San Joaquin River and flowing into the San 
> Francisco Bay-Delta.
> •  The Tuolumne River supports a diverse biological community, including 
> migratory waterfowl, raptors (including peregrine falcons and bald eagles), mule 
> deer, black bears, foothill yellow-legged frogs, Sierra Nevada red fox, 
> rainbow trout, steelhead and Chinook salmon.
> •  As the largest of three major tributaries to the San Joaquin River, the 
> Tuolumne River contributes much-needed freshwater to the San Francisco 
> Bay-Delta.
> •  The Tuolumne River offers unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities, 
> hosting thousands of hikers, whitewater boaters, anglers, and family campers 
> each year. 
> •  The Tuolumne was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1984.
> 
> 
> The Threat
> 
> 
> •  In total, about 60% of the Tuolumne River is already diverted for urban 
> and rural uses, and increasing diversion will do further harm to the River.
> •  As part of its Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), the San Francisco 
> Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has proposed diverting an additional 25 
> million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne River.
> •  The SFPUC already diverts one-third of the Tuolumne River as it flows 
> through Yosemite National Park.
> •  Outdoor water use alone is driving 60% of the anticipated increase in 
> water demand.
> 
> 
> Inadequate Studies/Flawed Analysis
> 
> 
> •  The Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) used flawed modeling 
> to determine the anticipated increase in water demand, thus inflating 
> projected future needs.
> •  In contrast to other metropolitan areas that have managed to reduce water 
> demand in the face of growth, the anticipated 14% increase in demand 
> projected by the SFPUC is large and out of step for the Bay Area.
> •  The PEIR fails to properly identify and address all of the impacts of 
> taking more water from the Tuolumne River.  This failure largely stems from the 
> lack of an adequate baseline study of the Upper Tuolumne River – a 
> comprehensive study has not been conducted in over 15 years.  A new study was initiated 
> in 2006, but will not be completed in time to inform the environmental 
> review process.
> •  The PEIR does not take into consideration the impact of climate change on 
> precipitation in the Tuolumne River watershed.  The State of California 
> predicts that global warming could reduce the Sierra snowpack by 5% by 2030 and 
> as much as 33% by 2060.
> 
> 
> Conservation, Efficiency and Recycling
> 
> 
> •  Water conservation and efficiency measures are the cheapest, easiest, and 
> least destructive ways to meet demand and extend supply.
> •  The SFPUC’s “preferred alternative” ignores conservation, efficiency, 
> and recycling measures that their own studies found could eliminate the need 
> to divert more water from the Tuolumne by at least 74%.
> •  Per capita water use is projected to increase for wholesale customers, 
> indicating they lack effective conservation programs.
> •  When it comes to water conservation, the Bay Area lags far behind other 
> metropolitan areas such as Seattle and Los Angeles that are reducing water 
> consumption even in the face of growth.  As a region known for a strong 
> environmental ethic, the Bay Area should be a leader in water efficiency and 
> conservation.
> 
> 
> Other Points
> 
> 
> •  Decreasing reliance on the Tuolumne is critical not only for protecting 
> the health of the River, but also for preparing for the future uncertainty of 
> the Sierra snowpack as a result of global warming.
> •  By pursuing a plan to divert additional water from the Tuolumne River, 
> the SFPUC risks delaying their capital program, causing cost overruns and 
> failing to increase the reliability of the water supply.
> 
> 
> Recommendations
> 
> 
> •  The SFPUC should re-evaluate its projections for future water demand and 
> conservation potential in light of flaws and inaccuracies in their studies. 
> •  The SFPUC should conduct a study to determine the maximum technical 
> potential for conservation and efficiency savings within the SFPUC service 
> territory. 
> •  Any additional demand should be met through increased investment in 
> conservation, efficiency, and recycling. 
> •  The SFPUC should adopt a policy of reducing diversions from the Tuolumne 
> River over time. 
> •  A comprehensive watershed study should be completed to adequately assess 
> the environmental impacts of the WSIP.
> 
> 
> Learn More
> 
> 
> Visit the Tuolumne River Trust website at www.Tuolumne.org
> Our report is available at www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php/sfreport
> 
> 
> The Draft EIR is available at www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp?id=37672
> (Scroll down to “Public Utility Commission (PUC) Projects: SF PUC Water 
> System Improvement Program DPEIR.”)
> 
> For more information, contact the Tuolumne River Trust at peter at tuolumne.org 
> or (415) 292-3531 x301.
> 
> Thank you for your interest in this vital campaign. We look forward to 
> working with you to protect the Tuolumne River!
> 
> 
> -Peter
> 
> 
> -----------------------------
> Peter Drekmeier
> Bay Area Program Director
> Tuolumne River Trust
> Fort Mason Center, Building C
> San Francisco, CA 94123
> (415) 292-3531 x301
> peter at tuolumne.org
> www.tuolumne.org
> 
> 
> =
> 
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> 




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From: Peter Drekmeier <pdrekmeier at earthlink.net>
Subject: Tuolumne River Update
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:18:17 -0700
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