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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/86 CALIFORNIA PAUL DOW, Manager GENE BOGART, Director of Water Resources FLORN CORE, Assistant Director of Water Resources FRANK FABBRI, Parks Superintendent, 326-3781 JIM LEDOUX, Recreation Superintendent, 326-3701 ROBERT HART, Sanitation Superintendent, 326-3781 MEETING NOTICE A Special Meeting of the City of Bakersfield Water Board will be held on Thursday, January.23, 1986, at 12:00 Noon, in the Department of Community Services Conference Room, 4101 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California. The following items will be discussed: 1. Approve minutes of meeting held .October 2, 1985. 2. Election of Vice-Chairman. FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 3. Acquisition of water well site in Fairhaven Service Area on Standard Street. FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 4. Relinquishment of unused water line easement in Fairhaven DistriCt. FOR BOARD ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL. 5. Adjournment. Community Services Manager Posted: January 21, 1986 4101 TRUXTUN AVENUE · BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA 93309 · (805) 326-3715 AGENDA SPECIAL MEETING WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1986 12: 00 NOON Call meeting to order. Roll Call - Board Members: Moore, Chairman, ~, Salvaggio 1. Approve minutes of meeting held October 2, 1985. 2. Election of Vice-Chairman. FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 3. Acquisition of wa%er well site in Fairhaven Service Area on Standard Street. FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 4. Relinquishment of unused water line easement in Fairhaven District. FOR BOARD ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL. 5. Adjournment. The Water Resources Committee Meeting will immediately follow the Water Board Meeting. WATER BOARD - CITY OF BAKERSFIELD WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1985 12.'00 P.M. - NOON The meeting was called to order by Chairman Moore in the Community Services Department Conference Room. The secretary called the roll, as follows: Present: ~Moore (Chairman), Barton, Ratty (seated at 12:08p.m.) The minutes of the regular meeting held ·September 11,·1985 were approved as presented. There were no public statements. Correspondence regarding the Metropolitan Water·District report from the Optimization Steering Committee was brought before the Board by Mr. Bogart. Mr. Moore recommended it be put on the agenda for discussion at the neXt Water Board meeting. Mr.· Dow presented and recommended to the Board that the City apply for membership ~to the Water Association of· Kern County under the name of Mr. Moo're, Chairman of the Water Board. Mr. Barton made ·a motion for approval. The motion passed. The billboard lease agreements 'with Kunz and Company and National Advertising Company (3M) were presented before the Board by Mr. Daniel (City Attorney's Office). ·Mr. Daniel explained to the Board the 'problems of the present lease agreements, and recom- mended that the new lease agreements· be for a period of 5 years. A motion was made by Dr. Ratty to recommend approval by the City Council. The motion passed. The proposed Weather Modification Agreement was presented before the Board by Mr. Bogart. Mr.· Moore raised a question concerning cloud seeding flight time, he thought there were times when conditions seemed favorable and cloud seeding was not done. After discussion, the Board reqUested staff to provide an inde- pendent, third party evaluation of the 1985-86 cloud seeding pro- gram, and to continue discussions with the Watermasters of the Tule, Kaweah and Kings rivers· to possibly include these basins in future weather modification programs. A motion was then made by Dr. Ratty to participate in the 1985 86 cloud seeding program. The motion passed. Mr. Core and Mr. Daniel presented before the Board the Domestic Water Urban Management Plan. Mr. ~Daniel said legislative bill AB797 requires all water purveyors with over 3,000 customers to prepare a water conservation plan and file the plan with the State. Mr. Core said the report relates to the City's Domestic Service area, and included in the report is a plan for future water conservation efforts. A tiered rate to discourage un- limited use of water would be studied. Mr. Core asked the Board to adopt the report. Mr. Barton made a motion to adopt the report. The motion passed. The proposed western Water ~World development to be located at Hart Park was presented before the Board by Mr. Daniel. Mr. Daniel was concerned with what right they had to the water, and if the water would be pollUted when returned to the river. The present service agreement limits their use to 'irrigation only. The E.I.R. did ·not address the water rights or pollution issue. Mr. Daniel will discuss this issue with the other attorney's representing the Kern River Interests and will· keep the Water Board informed on this issue. The King Water Company development~ and Kern River water .use near Lake Ming was presented before the Board by' Mr. Daniel and Mr. Bogart. The discussion was with regard to whether or not Mr. King was taking water from the Kern River and, if so, by what right. Staff will continue to mOnitor any Kern River water use by Mr. King. Mr. Core brought before the Board the proposed Tenneco Property Corporation annexation to Domestic Water Service area. Mr~~,Core stated that Tenneco has requested the Ci.ty.to furnish water in this area and asked that the Board ~ recommend to City Council a resolution be adopted to annex the property into the Ashe Water Service area. Mr. Core also said that the water would' be sUpplied as the area is developed. A motion for approval was made by Dr. Ratty. The motion passed. A comment was made by Mr. Daniel' regarding.a lawsuit filed against the City bY. Rag Gulch Water District pertaining to a breach of contract regarding the sale of water in February 1983. Mr. Daniel said 'that he has a draft, of the answer to the lawsuit and would.keep the Board apprised of the lawsuit. The meeting adjourned at 12:.53p.m. C±ty of Bal~ersf±ela~5~a.txer Board Carol Pagan, Secb~etary City of Bakersfield Water Board 2 CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PAUL DOW, Manager GENE BOGART, Director of Water Resources FLORN CORE, Assistant Director of Water Resources FRANK FABBRI, Parks Superintendent, 326-3781 JIM LEDOUX, Recreation Superintendent, 326-3701 ' ROBERT HART, Sanitation Superintendent, 326-3781 MEETING NOTICE A Special Meeting of the City of Bakersfield Water Board will be held on Thursday, January' 23, 1986, at 12:00 Noon, in the Department of Community Services Conference Room, 4101 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California. The following items will be discussed: 1. Approve minutes of meeting held October 2, 1985. 2. Election of Vice-Chairman. 'FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 3. Acquisition of water well site in Fairhaven Service Area on Standard Street. FOR DISCUSSION AND BOARD ACTION. 4. Relinquishment of unused water'line easement in Fairhaven District. FOR BOARD ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL. 5. Adjournment. Community Services Manager Posted: January 21, 1986 4101 TRUXTUN AVENUE · BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA 93309 · (805) 326-3715 A G E N D A WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1986 WILL FOLLOW THE 12:00p.m. WATER BOARD MEETING COMMUNITY SERVICES CONFERENCE ROOM Councilman Rollie Moore - Chairman Councilman Donald K. Ratty Councilman Mark Salvaggio Call meeting to order - 1. Presentation by Bakersfield Riparian and Mesquite Wildlife Area Committee regarding proposed co- operative agreement to establish the Riparian and Mesquite Wildlife area in City's 2800 Acre Rechar.ge Area. 2. Adjournment. Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area Committee c/o P.O.Box 1662 Weldon, CA 93283 (619)378-2531 December 11, 1985 Honorable Tom Payne DiG '[ 2 1985. Mayor, City of Bakersfield 1501 Truxtun Ave. O~':, ..~i: B,\!..'.l::FiSFIa[t) Baker sfield, CA 93301 Cuatrnunlty S0~vi:es ~cpa~l~,ml Dear Mayor Payne: Enclosed you will find the Management Proposal submitted by this Com- mittee. It represents a concerted effort by many interested organizations and individuals. We are excited about the possibilities for cooperative management of the proposed Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area. We have already had good discussions with Paul Dow, Gene Bogart and others from the Dept. of Community Services and look forward to meeting with others. Considering the commitment of time, energy, and materials being pledged by the Committee, and similar long-range involvement of the City in this project, we would like to propose that we jointly enter into a Cooperative Management Agreement. This document would formalize our agreements and give us the solid footing needed to proceed with confidence. The Nature Conservancy (one of the Committee members) has had considerable exper- ience with drafting and negotiating Cooperative Management Agreements with public agencies. They would be delighted to offer their e~ertise in this matter. We are confident that the City of Bakersfield and the public-at-large would greatly benefit by this project. We are excited and ready to begin the job. Yours sincerely, Rick Hewett (for) Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area Committee cc: Ge~orge Caravalho, City Manager ~ul Dow, Community Services Director 'Steve Johnson, The Nature Conservancy All Committee Members Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area Committee c/o P.O.Box 1662 Weldon, CA 93283 (619) 378-2531 TO: Honorable Tom Payne, Mayor City of Bakersfield cc: George Caravalho, City Manager Paul Dow, Community Services Manager SUBJECT: Establishment and management of the Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area, .located between Coffee Road and Enos Lane along the Kern River, consisting of the City's 2800 acre Groundwater Recharge Facility and the 380 acres im- mediately downstream from the proposed golfcourse. This proposal p.uts forth the management recommendations of the Bakersfield Riaprian & Mesquite Wildlife Area Committee. PREPARED BY: Bakersfield Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area Com- mittee, consisting of representatives from the following agencies and organizations: The Nature Conservancy Kern Audubon Society Kern County Chapter Of the Calif. Native Plant Society Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club Bakersfield College California State University at Bakersfield Kern County Superintendent of Schools Kern River Committee Kern County Field Ornithologists BACKGROUND: The City of Bakersfield owns over 3000 acres of land west of Coffee Road along the Kern River. This area contains some of the finest natural habitat remaining in the southern San Joaquin Valley, including two critically endangered California ecosystems: riparian woodland and mesquite-saltbush savannah. Part of this area has been earmarked to be developed as a Groundwater Recharge Facility and is currently in the final, stages of construction. Another, smaller portion is located upstream from the Stockdale Hwy. bridge and is to be in- cluded in the Channel Maintenance Program. Even with the changes brought about by these programs {i.e., w~irs, levees, control facilities, sand removal, etc.), the proposed Wildlife Area contains portions of several natural commun- ities, with a high percentage of native plan,ts and wildlife species. The City of Bakersfield, in an effort to protect and preserve the natural ecosystems as much as possible within the limits of a groundwater recharge plan and a channel maintenance program, has requested input and suggestions from local groups and organizations knowledgeable in the fields of natural science and public use as they apply to the proposed Wildlife Area. A committee of representatives from interested and concerned groups in the Bakersfield area has been formed to prepare a management proposal for the City. The following proposal is respectfully submitted by the Committee. .' MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL The Committee would like to make the following proposal to the City of Bakersfield for the establishment and management of the Bakers- field Riparian & Mesquite Wildlife Area. This proposal is comprised of five sections: protect[on, public use, Scientific, education, and "other". 1. PROTECTION The Wildlife Area is situated on the edge of a metropolitan area. Many people from this area have utilized the Kern River for a variety of purposes, a number of which have resulted in significant ecological de- gradation. Many of these consumptive and destructive activities continue at present. Construction improvements made by the City and ecological features, both, have been impacted. The Committee intends to work closely with the City to protect the natural integrity of the Wildlife Area from future unauthorized impacts. A.- The Committee affirms the City's requirement to keep the Area fenced, signed, and available only to those groups making advance arrangements with the City. The Committee offers to assist the City in the construction and maintenance of the fences and signs. New sites can be identified and included. B. The Committee affirms the City's requirement to prohibit hunting~ fishing, woodcutting, ORV use, dumping of trash, and other damaging activities in the Wildlife Area. C. The Committee intends to identify and fence several key ecological areas harboring sensitive plant and wildlife species. All work would be subject to approval by the City. D. Numerous rubbish heaps dot the Area and would be best removed to a proper site. This action would benefit the restoration of the Area, as well as improving the aesthetics. It is suggested that the' City take the lead in this project, considering its access to heavy equipment. The Committee would be willing to provide volunteers to assist in this on-going project. Long-range moni- toring of the clean-up and disposal efforts would be carried out by the Committee. E. The Committee affirms the need and use of a security guard in the ZS00 acre Groundwater Recharge F'acility. The Committee recommends additional security guards be hired to increase the protection of the City's improvements and the natural features. 2. PUBLIC USE In view of the size and natural diversity of the proposed Wildlife Area, it i's well-suited to daily use by authorized local groups. Field trips, outings, and natural history tours are excellent examples of the type of uses the Area could easily provide. Year around usage, especially during the September- June period, is possible. The changing seasons and habitats would offer a varied experience. A. Tours available to the general public. The Area would be open to the general public by means of pre-scheduled, docent-led tours. These could be 2 hour, family-oriented natural history outings offered every 3-4 weeks. Topics could include native plants, winter waterfowl, wild animals and their signs, birds, and Indian'uses of the Area. 1. All tours would be led by trained docents provided by the Committee. 2. News media could handle publicity via announcements and notices. '3. A set schedule could be made well in advance, indicating the times, dates, meeting locations, topic of trip, and what to bring. A suggestion to begin with would be to start the trips on the first Saturday of each' month from 10 am to 12 noon. B. Field trips for organi~zed group~. The Area is a natural site for organized fiefd trips. Groups and organizations that could easily use the Area include: Audubon Society chapters California Native Plant Society chapters Sierra Club chapters Scout groups of all ages Universities and colleges 4-H Clubs Photo Clubs Art Associations' 'Church youth groups 1. All groups would be allowed to visit the Wildlife Area by permit only. Advance arrangements with the City would be required. 'One person from the Committee would be designated as the ~contact person~ with the City. This person would clear and arrange all pbulic use at the Area, taking care of the keys, maps, and rules. 3. SCIENTIFIC The Wildlife Area contains one of the last and largest tracts of native habitat left in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Its ecological importance cannot be overstated. The Area offers opportunities for ~cientific study and re'search. A. Co!l.elge Us~: Staff from both Bakersfield.College and Cai State Bakersfield have expressed keen interest in the Wildlife Area. Expected use would include: * study sites for student projects * long-term research on ecological processes * natural history field trips by classes B. Private o~g~inization use. Representatives from both the Calif. Native Plant Society and The Nature Conservancy are excited about the availability of such a large and relatively undisturbed site. Both groups envision long-term studies of the native habitats. Specific examples include: * habitat restoration efforts * biological monitoring {would include photopoints) * biological surveys of plants and animals * mapping of sensitive elements 4. EDUCATIONAL USE Many natural habitats and preserve areas around the state and county are utilized by public and private schools as "outdoor classrooms." Environ- mental education, when conducted close to home by trained personnel, can be an integral component of students' overall education. The Wildlife Area could be developed into a major environmental education site by the Bakersfield and Kern County schools. Considerable planning and implementation would be needed, but the efforts would be well-spent in developing a sense of appreciation and pride in students. It is important to note that the Wildlife Area could become a natural extension of the educational efforts already occuring at the California Living Museum. Older students in particular would be able to use the Wildlife Area for on-going study sites, where emphasis on the observation of the natural ecosystems would be ·stressed. 5. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS A. Development of a brochure. In order to fully inform, educate, and create interest in the public it is suggested that the Committee produce ahigh quality, brochure on the Wildlife Area. This brochure could' include: * maps * rules and.regulations * description of the Area's natural history * ~lora and fauna lists· * access information * intended uses of the Area * Committee members This brochure could be distributed to interested community groups and organizations. B. Grant monies. As the Wildlife Area is utilized and enjoyed by the public, it is anticipated that a number of specific projects will be identified that would require funding for their accomplishment. The Committee would take the lead in applying for these grant monies, perhaps with the technical back-up of the City. Possible funds could be made available from: * Calif. State Dept. of Water Resources Urban Streams Restoration Program * Kern County Wildlife Resources Commission * Calif. Native Plant Society (has limited funds for research) -5- C. Reporting to the City: In view of the newness a'nd importance of the development of the Wildlife Area, the Committee suggests filing a semi-annual report to the City. Progress, improvements, projects, overall use, and problems could be reported on.