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California’s Roads, Dams And Other Infrastructure Get ‘C-‘ From America’s Civil Engineers

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein

California’s infrastructure, from highways to levees to water systems, received an overall grade of “C-” from the American Society of Civil Engineers in its annual evaluation. The Golden State’s airports, wastewater systems and ports received the highest grade at “C+,” while energy came in at a near-failing “D-” in the report released last week. “Recent investments have been made across all 17 categories that comprise the state’s infrastructure network,” the ASCE noted. “However California is playing catch-up after years of under-investment and must identify investment needs for resilient infrastructure in preparation for future natural and man-made disasters.”

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Water Authority Sponsors Photo Contest To Highlight San Diego’s Agricultural Bounty

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

If you’re an amateur photographer with an eye for nature’s agricultural bounty, the San Diego County Water Authority has a contest for you. The water authority is marking Water Awareness Month with a contest on Instagram and Twitter that runs through the end of May. Take a photo of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers or nursery plants and tag it with #B2UbyH2O when you post on social media. Winners will be drawn randomly each week. The contest is intended to highlight the significance of agriculture to the regional economy.

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Plunging Into San Diego River Days — Even At Creek Behind El Cajon Mall

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Ken Stone

San Diego River Days isn’t all about the namesake waterway. It’s also about a creek behind an El Cajon mall. On Saturday, the annual civic celebration kicked off with events including ones at Parkway Plaza — which gave a tributary some TLC. “We’re targeting a project in Forester Creek because in particular it’s very polluted and we see a lot of trash,” said Marina Varano, outreach and engagement coordinator for the San Diego River Park Foundation. When it rains, the waste flows enters the San Diego River, she said, “so we want to engage the community in environmental stewardship.”

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Permit Issued To Build Permanent Seawater Intake At Carlsbad Desalination Plant

/in , /by /Times of San Diego

The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board issued a permit Wednesday to develop and install permanent seawater intake and discharge facilities at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Desalination Plantin Carlsbad. The plant currently produces roughly 50 million gallons of potable water each day for use across San Diego County, but draws most of its water from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, which is then circulated to the plant by the Encina Power Station.

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Supervisors OK $14 Million In Improvements To Lindo Lake Park In Lakeside

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Debbie L. Sklar

The project at Lindo Lake Park is designed to improve the health of the lake, deepening it to 10 feet and improving the aquatic ecosystem, county officials said. The project will also add a fishing pier, birdwatching stations, picnic tables and landscaping, while also restoring wetland and native habitats and improving trails. “This project will restore the health and beauty to Lindo Lake, the heart of the Lakeside community,” said Jill Bankston, county chief of development.

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Years Into Tijuana Sewage Crisis, California Senators Call for Federal Help

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Ken Stone

A group of Democratic senators and San Diego County-based congressional representatives sent a letter to multiple federal agencies Tuesday urging them to address sewage runoff in the Tijuana River, which then flows into the Pacific Ocean. California Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein and Reps. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, Scott Peters, D-San Diego, Susan Davis, D-San Diego, and Mike Levin, D-Dana Point, co-signed the letter addressed to the directors of the U.S. Department of State, Environmental Protection Agency, Customs and Border Protection, Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, which oversees bodies of water that traverse the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Feast For Eyes And Palate: Dining Amid The Flower Fields At Carlsbad Ranch

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Stone

The abundance of winter rain produced bigger, earlier blooms at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Starting Thursday, an event will try to make the most of the 13 colors of ranunculus and area businesses. Organized by Visit Carlsbad, the third annual Petal to Plate runs through Sunday, April 14, partnering with area resorts, spas, restaurants and breweries. Guests are invited to tour the fields and taste the delights of spring back in town with participating bars and restaurants, including Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Barrel Republic and Park 101.

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Water Authority Projects Pinched By Labor Shortage, Rising Cost Of Construction Materials

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Toni McAllister Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

A shortage of construction workers coupled with higher prices for materials used in construction are driving up costs for San Diego County Water Authority’s infrastructure and maintenance projects, the agency is warning. During a Water Authority Board of Directors’ Engineering and Operations Committee meeting held earlier this month, Gary Bousquet, the agency’s deputy director of engineering, told attendees: “The Water Authority will monitor market trends and adjust individual project budgets as required. Our planning process includes prioritizing projects and evaluating the timing or need and scope of projects. We will adjust our project cost estimates to meet changing market conditions.”

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Maureen Stapleton Retiring; County Water Authority ‘Iron Lady’ Since 1995

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Ken Stone Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Maureen A. Stapleton, general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority since 1995, is planning to retire, the agency said Wednesday. “The positive impact of Maureen’s leadership of the Water Authority and management of this region’s water supply cannot be overstated,” said Jim Madaffer, chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. “She has also been an important leader in our civic affairs for three decades and has dedicated countless hours to the betterment of our entire region. She will be greatly missed.”

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Gov. Newsom Seeks To Scale Back Bullet Train, Delta Tunnels Projects

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday called for scaling back California’s two largest public works projects — the bullet train and delta water tunnels. In his first State of the State address in Sacramento, Newsom said the $77 billion bullet train project approved by voters should be canceled after the segment from Merced to Bakersfield is completed. “Right now, there simply isn’t a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to L.A.,” he said. “I wish there were.” Newsom also called for only one of two massive tunnels to be built to connect the water systems in northern and southern California.

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