[From nobody Sun Oct 7 19:23:46 2018 Return-Path: <greenparty-bounces@lists.stanford.edu> Received: from rly-yj04.mx.aol.com (rly-yj04.mail.aol.com [172.18.180.142]) by air-yj01.mail.aol.com (v119.9) with ESMTP id MAILINYJ13-80c46f80f3d305; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:26:32 -0400 Received: from mailman.stanford.edu (mailman.stanford.edu [171.67.22.51]) by rly-yj04.mx.aol.com (v119.9) with ESMTP id MAILRELAYINYJ42-80c46f80f3d305; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:25:50 -0400 Received: from mailman.stanford.edu (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by mailman.stanford.edu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 160A8287295; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:21:32 -0700 (PDT) X-Original-To: greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU Delivered-To: greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU Received: from mailman.stanford.edu (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by mailman.stanford.edu (Postfix) with SMTP id 5D9D6287337 for <greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU>; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:20:29 -0700 (PDT) Received: from elasmtp-spurfowl.atl.sa.earthlink.net (elasmtp-spurfowl.atl.sa.earthlink.net [209.86.89.66]) by mailman.stanford.edu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 6BDD0286D5E for <greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU>; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:16:54 -0700 (PDT) Received: from [171.66.155.101] (helo=[192.168.0.104]) by elasmtp-spurfowl.atl.sa.earthlink.net with asmtp (Exim 4.34) id 1IZtQL-0003af-6X for greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU; Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:16:53 -0400 Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v752.3) To: greenparty@lists.Stanford.EDU Message-Id: <C0C27CC1-5AB8-4700-BA89-7E708382CA22@earthlink.net> From: Peter Drekmeier <pdrekmeier@earthlink.net> Subject: Tuolumne River Update Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:18:17 -0700 X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.752.3) X-ELNK-Trace: 113cbfb8b2a348d1c8ad50643b1069f8239a348a220c260991423a6f0c6061ab6c4e009328d36578387f7b89c61deb1d350badd9bab72f9c350badd9bab72f9c X-Originating-IP: 171.66.155.101 X-BeenThere: greenparty@lists.stanford.edu X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.9 Precedence: list List-Id: <greenparty.lists.stanford.edu> List-Unsubscribe: <https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/greenparty>, <mailto:greenparty-request@lists.stanford.edu?subject=unsubscribe> List-Post: <mailto:greenparty@lists.stanford.edu> List-Help: <mailto:greenparty-request@lists.stanford.edu?subject=help> List-Subscribe: <https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/greenparty>, <mailto:greenparty-request@lists.stanford.edu?subject=subscribe> Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="===============6543687518309188865==" Mime-version: 1.0 Sender: greenparty-bounces@lists.stanford.edu Errors-To: greenparty-bounces@lists.stanford.edu X-AOL-IP: 171.67.22.51 X-AOL-SCOLL-AUTHENTICATION: listenair ; SPF_helo : X-AOL-SCOLL-AUTHENTICATION: listenair ; SPF_822_from : --===============6543687518309188865== Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=Apple-Mail-43--246583491 --Apple-Mail-43--246583491 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; delsp=yes; format=flowed Dear Friends, Many thanks to all of you who attended the SFPUC hearings on the =20 draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Water System =20 Improvement Program (WSIP). The vast majority of those who spoke =96 =20 more than 90% =96 favored the $4.3 billion seismic upgrades to the =20 Hetch Hetchy water system, but expressed serious concerns about the =20 proposal to divert an additional 25 million gallons of water per day =20 from the Tuolumne River. The public has until October 1 to submit written comments, and it =20 would be great if you could participate. I've attached a sample =20 letter and some talking points for your review. Also, please consider making a donation to the Tuolumne River Trust =20 at http://www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php/donate Write a Letter Please write a letter encouraging San Francisco to protect the =20 Tuolumne River by pursuing water conservation and recycling rather =20 than increasing water diversion. Insist on a sustainable water plan =20 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@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 =20 Commission's plan to take more water from the Tuolumne River fails to =20 adequately identify and address all of the environmental impacts to =20 the River. I urge you to undertake additional studies before =20 finalizing this document. I support the alternatives identified in your draft document that =20 protect the Tuolumne River from new diversions. Requiring more water =20 conservation, efficiency, and recycling is the best way to lessen =20 impacts on the Tuolumne River while promoting a sustainable water =20 plan for the Bay Area. Only by ensuring that healthy amounts of water continue to flow into =20 the Tuolumne River can we protect this irreplaceable natural treasure. Sincerely, (Your name and address) Tuolumne River Talking Points Background =95 From its headwaters in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne River =20 cascades 162 miles before joining the San Joaquin River and flowing =20 into the San Francisco Bay-Delta. =95 The Tuolumne River supports a diverse biological community, =20 including migratory waterfowl, raptors (including peregrine falcons =20 and bald eagles), mule deer, black bears, foothill yellow-legged =20 frogs, Sierra Nevada red fox, rainbow trout, steelhead and Chinook =20 salmon. =95 As the largest of three major tributaries to the San Joaquin =20 River, the Tuolumne River contributes much-needed freshwater to the =20 San Francisco Bay-Delta. =95 The Tuolumne River offers unparalleled outdoor recreation =20 opportunities, hosting thousands of hikers, whitewater boaters, =20 anglers, and family campers each year. =95 The Tuolumne was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1984. The Threat =95 In total, about 60% of the Tuolumne River is already diverted for =20 urban and rural uses, and increasing diversion will do further harm =20 to the River. =95 As part of its Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), the San =20 Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has proposed diverting =20 an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne =20 River. =95 The SFPUC already diverts one-third of the Tuolumne River as it =20 flows through Yosemite National Park. =95 Outdoor water use alone is driving 60% of the anticipated increase =20 in water demand. Inadequate Studies/Flawed Analysis =95 The Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) used flawed =20 modeling to determine the anticipated increase in water demand, thus =20 inflating projected future needs. =95 In contrast to other metropolitan areas that have managed to =20 reduce water demand in the face of growth, the anticipated 14% =20 increase in demand projected by the SFPUC is large and out of step =20 for the Bay Area. =95 The PEIR fails to properly identify and address all of the impacts =20 of taking more water from the Tuolumne River. This failure largely =20 stems from the lack of an adequate baseline study of the Upper =20 Tuolumne River =96 a comprehensive study has not been conducted in over =20 15 years. A new study was initiated in 2006, but will not be =20 completed in time to inform the environmental review process. =95 The PEIR does not take into consideration the impact of climate =20 change on precipitation in the Tuolumne River watershed. The State =20 of California predicts that global warming could reduce the Sierra =20 snowpack by 5% by 2030 and as much as 33% by 2060. Conservation, Efficiency and Recycling =95 Water conservation and efficiency measures are the cheapest, =20 easiest, and least destructive ways to meet demand and extend supply. =95 The SFPUC=92s =93preferred alternative=94 ignores conservation, =20 efficiency, and recycling measures that their own studies found could =20 eliminate the need to divert more water from the Tuolumne by at least =20 74%. =95 Per capita water use is projected to increase for wholesale =20 customers, indicating they lack effective conservation programs. =95 When it comes to water conservation, the Bay Area lags far behind =20 other metropolitan areas such as Seattle and Los Angeles that are =20 reducing water consumption even in the face of growth. As a region =20 known for a strong environmental ethic, the Bay Area should be a =20 leader in water efficiency and conservation. Other Points =95 Decreasing reliance on the Tuolumne is critical not only for =20 protecting the health of the River, but also for preparing for the =20 future uncertainty of the Sierra snowpack as a result of global warming. =95 By pursuing a plan to divert additional water from the Tuolumne =20 River, the SFPUC risks delaying their capital program, causing cost =20 overruns and failing to increase the reliability of the water supply. Recommendations =95 The SFPUC should re-evaluate its projections for future water =20 demand and conservation potential in light of flaws and inaccuracies =20 in their studies. =95 The SFPUC should conduct a study to determine the maximum =20 technical potential for conservation and efficiency savings within =20 the SFPUC service territory. =95 Any additional demand should be met through increased investment =20 in conservation, efficiency, and recycling. =95 The SFPUC should adopt a policy of reducing diversions from the =20 Tuolumne River over time. =95 A comprehensive watershed study should be completed to adequately =20 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?=20 id=3D37672 (Scroll down to =93Public Utility Commission (PUC) Projects: SF PUC =20 Water System Improvement Program DPEIR.=94) For more information, contact the Tuolumne River Trust at =20 peter@tuolumne.org or (415) 292-3531 x301. Thank you for your interest in this vital campaign. We look forward =20 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@tuolumne.org www.tuolumne.org --Apple-Mail-43--246583491 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=WINDOWS-1252 <HTML><BODY style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-= line-break: after-white-space; "><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right= : 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dear Friends,</DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR>= </DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;=20= margin-left: 0px; ">Many thanks to all of you who attended the SFPUC hearing= s on the draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the Water Syst= em Improvement Program (WSIP).=A0=A0The vast majority of those who spoke=20= =96 more than 90% =96 favored the $4.3 billion seismic upgrades to the Hetch= Hetchy water system, but expressed serious concerns about the proposal to d= ivert an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuolumne Ri= ver.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0= px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-= height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px;=20= margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The public has until October 1 to su= bmit written comments, and it would be great if you could participate.=A0= =A0I've attached a sample letter and some talking points for your review.</D= IV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; mar= gin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height:= 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-= bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Also, please consider making a donation to=20= the Tuolumne River Trust at <A href=3D"http://www.tuolumne.org/content/artic= le.php/donate"><FONT class=3D"Apple-style-span" color=3D"#001EE6">http://www= .tuolumne.org/content/article.php/donate</FONT></A></DIV><DIV style=3D"margi= n-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: n= ormal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DI= V style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-le= ft: 0px; "><B>Write a Letter</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-= right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal= 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-t= op: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Please w= rite a letter encouraging San Francisco to protect the Tuolumne River by pur= suing water conservation and recycling rather than increasing water diversio= n. Insist on a sustainable water plan that will protect our watersheds in th= e Bay Area and Sierras.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0p= x; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/nor= mal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px;=20= margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Submit letters to= :</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;= margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-hei= ght: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; mar= gin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Offi= cer</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0p= x; margin-left: 0px; ">San Francisco Planning Department</DIV><DIV style=3D"= margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">= 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-ri= ght: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">San Francisco, CA 94103</D= IV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; mar= gin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height:= 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-= bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Send emails to: <A href=3D"mailto:wsip.peir= .comments@gmail.com"><FONT class=3D"Apple-style-span" color=3D"#001EE6">wsip= .peir.comments@gmail.com</FONT></A></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; marg= in-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal nor= mal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><P style=3D"margin:= 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px"><B>Sample Letter</B></P><DIV style=3D"margin-top:= 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">(Date)</DIV= ><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margi= n-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 1= 4px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bo= ttom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Paul Maltzer, Environmental Review Officer</D= IV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; mar= gin-left: 0px; ">San Francisco Planning Department</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin= -top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">1650 M= ission Street, Suite 400</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0= px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">San Francisco, CA 94103</DIV><DI= V style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-le= ft: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px;= "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom= : 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dear Mr. Maltzer:</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top:=20= 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal n= ormal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; ">Your environmental review of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commissi= on's plan to take more water from the Tuolumne River fails to adequately ide= ntify and address all of the environmental impacts to the River.=A0=A0I urge= you to undertake additional studies before finalizing this document.</DIV><= P style=3D"margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px">=A0=A0</P><DIV style=3D"margin-t= op: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">I suppor= t the alternatives identified in your draft document that protect the Tuolum= ne River from new diversions.=A0=A0Requiring more water conservation, effici= ency, and recycling is the best way to lessen impacts on the Tuolumne River=20= while promoting a sustainable water plan for the Bay Area.=A0=A0</DIV><DIV s= tyle=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left:= 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; ">= <BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0= px; margin-left: 0px; ">Only by ensuring that healthy amounts of water conti= nue to flow into the Tuolumne River can we protect this irreplaceable natura= l treasure.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bo= ttom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetic= a; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right= : 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Sincerely,</DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR>= </DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;=20= margin-left: 0px; ">(Your name and address)</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0= px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal no= rmal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; "><B>Tuolumne River Talking Points</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px;= margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal norma= l normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"= margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">= <B>Background</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; mar= gin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal He= lvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin= -right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 From its headwat= ers in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne River cascades 162 miles before=20= joining the San Joaquin River and flowing into the San Francisco Bay-Delta.<= /DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; m= argin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The Tuolumne River supports a diverse biological c= ommunity, including migratory waterfowl, raptors (including peregrine falcon= s and bald eagles), mule deer, black bears, foothill yellow-legged frogs, Si= erra Nevada red fox, rainbow trout, steelhead and Chinook salmon.</DIV><DIV=20= style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left= : 0px; ">=95=A0 As the largest of three major tributaries to the San Joaquin= River, the Tuolumne River contributes much-needed freshwater to the San Fra= ncisco Bay-Delta.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; mar= gin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The Tuolumne River offers unpara= lleled outdoor recreation opportunities, hosting thousands of hikers, whitew= ater boaters, anglers, and family campers each year.=A0</DIV><DIV style=3D"m= argin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">= =95=A0 The Tuolumne was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1984.</DIV><DI= V style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-le= ft: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px;= "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom= : 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>The Threat</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top:=20= 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal n= ormal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; ">=95=A0 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=20= River.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:= 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 As part of its Water System Improvement Pro= gram (WSIP), the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has propo= sed diverting an additional 25 million gallons of water per day from the Tuo= lumne River.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-b= ottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The SFPUC already diverts one-third o= f the Tuolumne River as it flows through Yosemite National Park.</DIV><DIV s= tyle=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left:= 0px; ">=95=A0 Outdoor water use alone is driving 60% of the anticipated inc= rease in water demand.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px= ; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/norm= al Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; m= argin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>Inadequate Stud= ies/Flawed Analysis</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0p= x; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/nor= mal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px;=20= margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The Draft=20= Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) used flawed modeling to determine= the anticipated increase in water demand, thus inflating projected future n= eeds.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:=20= 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 In contrast to other metropolitan areas that= have managed to reduce water demand in the face of growth, the anticipated=20= 14% increase in demand projected by the SFPUC is large and out of step for t= he Bay Area.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-b= ottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The PEIR fails to properly identify a= nd address all of the impacts of taking more water from the Tuolumne River.= =A0 This failure largely stems from the lack of an adequate baseline study o= f the Upper Tuolumne River =96 a comprehensive study has not been conducted=20= in over 15 years.=A0 A new study was initiated in 2006, but will not be comp= leted in time to inform the environmental review process.</DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; ">=95=A0 The PEIR does not take into consideration the impact of climate c= hange on precipitation in the Tuolumne River watershed.=A0 The State of Cali= fornia predicts that global warming could reduce the Sierra snowpack by 5% b= y 2030 and as much as 33% by 2060.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margi= n-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal norm= al 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin= -top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>Con= servation, Efficiency and Recycling</B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px;=20= margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal= normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"m= argin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">= =95=A0 Water conservation and efficiency measures are the cheapest, easiest,= and least destructive ways to meet demand and extend supply.</DIV><DIV styl= e=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0p= x; ">=95=A0 The SFPUC=92s =93preferred alternative=94 ignores conservation,=20= efficiency, and recycling measures that their own studies found could elimin= ate the need to divert more water from the Tuolumne by at least 74%.</DIV><D= IV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-l= eft: 0px; ">=95=A0 Per capita water use is projected to increase for wholesa= le customers, indicating they lack effective conservation programs.</DIV><DI= V style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-le= ft: 0px; ">=95=A0 When it comes to water conservation, the Bay Area lags far= behind other metropolitan areas such as Seattle and Los Angeles that are re= ducing water consumption even in the face of growth.=A0 As a region known fo= r a strong environmental ethic, the Bay Area should be a leader in water eff= iciency and conservation.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right:=20= 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/n= ormal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px= ; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>Other Points= </B></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0= px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-= height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px;=20= margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 Decreasing reliance on the Tu= olumne 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.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; m= argin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 By pursuing a plan to divert a= dditional water from the Tuolumne River, the SFPUC risks delaying their capi= tal program, causing cost overruns and failing to increase the reliability o= f the water supply.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; m= argin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal=20= Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; marg= in-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>Recommendations</B= ></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;= margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-hei= ght: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; mar= gin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The SFPUC should re-evaluate its= projections for future water demand and conservation potential in light of=20= flaws and inaccuracies in their studies.=A0</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0= px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 The SF= PUC should conduct a study to determine the maximum technical potential for=20= conservation and efficiency savings within the SFPUC service territory.=A0</= DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; ma= rgin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 Any additional demand should be met through increas= ed investment in conservation, efficiency, and recycling.=A0</DIV><DIV style= =3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px= ; ">=95=A0 The SFPUC should adopt a policy of reducing diversions from the T= uolumne River over time.=A0</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right= : 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">=95=A0 A comprehensive waters= hed study should be completed to adequately assess the environmental impacts= of the WSIP.</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-= bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvet= ica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-rig= ht: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><B>Learn More</B></DIV><DIV= style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-lef= t: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px;=20= "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:= 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Visit the Tuolumne River Trust website at=A0<A hre= f=3D"http://www.Tuolumne.org/"><FONT class=3D"Apple-style-span" color=3D"#33= 4ABD">www.Tuolumne.org</FONT></A></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin= -right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Our report is available= at=A0<A href=3D"http://www.tuolumne.org/content/article.php/sfreport"><FONT= class=3D"Apple-style-span" color=3D"#334ABD">www.tuolumne.org/content/artic= le.php/sfreport</FONT></A></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right:= 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/= normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0p= x; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The Draft EIR=20= is available at=A0<A href=3D"http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp?id= =3D37672"><FONT class=3D"Apple-style-span" color=3D"#334ABD">www.sfgov.org/s= ite/planning_index.asp?id=3D37672</FONT></A></DIV><P style=3D"margin: 0.0px=20= 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px">(Scroll down to =93Public Utility Commission (PUC) Proje= cts: SF PUC Water System Improvement Program DPEIR.=94)</P><P style=3D"margi= n: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px">For more information, contact the Tuolumne Rive= r Trust at=A0<A href=3D"mailto:peter@tuolumne.org"><FONT class=3D"Apple-styl= e-span" color=3D"#334ABD">peter@tuolumne.org</FONT></A>=A0or (415) 292-3531=20= x301.</P><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0p= x; margin-left: 0px; ">Thank you for your interest in this vital campaign. W= e look forward to working with you to protect the Tuolumne River!</DIV><DIV=20= style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left= : 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "= ><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom:=20= 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">-Peter</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-r= ight: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal=20= 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-to= p: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">---------= --------------------</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px;=20= margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Peter Drekmeier</DIV><DIV style=3D"m= argin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">B= ay Area Program Director</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0= px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Tuolumne River Trust</DIV><DIV s= tyle=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left:= 0px; ">Fort Mason Center, Building C</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; ma= rgin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">San Francisco, CA 9= 4123</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0= px; margin-left: 0px; ">(415) 292-3531 x301</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0= px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><A href=3D"ma= ilto:peter@tuolumne.org">peter@tuolumne.org</A></DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-to= p: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">www.tuolu= mne.org</DIV><DIV style=3D"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom= : 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><BR class=3D"khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV></BOD= Y></HTML>=3D --Apple-Mail-43--246583491-- --===============6543687518309188865== Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline --++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**==--++**== greenparty mailing list greenparty@lists.stanford.edu https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/greenparty --===============6543687518309188865==-- ]