Inside this edition:
September CRC meeting
No Dumping Allowed, the Vance Creek Story
Reader's Report, Creed of the Soil and Water Conservationist
Newsletter Insert
CWC meeting schedule
Information Numbers
Often we read the news or watch television and see our local issues but know little of what is happening elsewhere.
Here are a few items of interest that have been distributed among people dealing with water quality and water quantity related topics.
The following are summaries of information pertaining to groundwater issues in the United States, gathered from published research, comments from list members, and other individuals not on this list. This information is part of ongoing research for a book titled "Surviving in the 21st Century" that is being written on a grant from the MacAuthur Foundation. Margaret Puckette Mater Research Institute 101 SW Western Blvd. Corvallis, Oregon 97330, USA (541) 753-7335
General
Changing people's habits is not as effective as changing people's fixtures. Conservation programs are moving away from an emphasis on changing habits (e.g. watering lawns at night) towards technology and hardware that reduces water usage (e.g. low-flow toilets and shower heads). Many of these fixtures are now being required by regulation. Darilek, A., "Water conservation trends and their effect on western water policy", proceedings of the American Water Resources Association, April 1995
California
Due to drought conditions beginning in 1986 in the San Joaquin Valley, exported surface water captured by the Central Valley Project was reduced 75%, forcing irrigators to increase withdrawals of groundwater. The amount of unconfined groundwater storage has since decreased in every subbasin. From 1986 to 1993, the water level has dropped: 10 feet in the northern subbasin; 4.5 feet in the central subbasin; 4.5 feet in the southern subbasin. This represents a total loss in the volume of water for the three subbasins of 374,000 acre/feet. Munir, H., Stoddard R., "Groundwater trends in the DMC (Delta-mendota Canal) service area of the San Joaquin Valley, California", proceedings of the American Water Resources Association, April 1995
Florida
The state of Florida has created a water management system that is cited as a national and international model. It includes 5 regional districts established along surface watershed boundaries that hold broad regulatory powers, including ad valorem taxing capabilities: all real property is taxed by the water district as a % of assessed value. Tax revenue is used to fund essential resource management programs. Water districts supply maps and technical assistance to land development requiring water, urban or rural. However, rapid population growth, increasing demands from agriculture, industry, commercial, and recreational users are expected to pose significant challenges. "Swihart, T., Owen, R., "Will Florida's water management system be able to meet future challenges?", proceedings op. cit. 1995
Utah
Groundwater withdrawals have increased 138% since 1964; between the years 1964 to 1993, with withdrawn for irrigation has increased 116% and water for public works has increased 250%. This has caused declines in water levels (from 60 feet to 80 feet in some areas) and local deterioration of groundwater quality. Salinity and minor land subsidence has also increased. Gates, J., Allen, D. "Groundwater development in Utah and effects on groundwater levels and quality", proceedings op.cit. 1995
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The September CRC seminar will be in Montesano. The Commissioner's meeting room in the Grays Harbor County Courthouse has been reserved for this event. At this seminar, Carol Bordin, CRC Watershed Coordinator, will present a slide presentation on "The Chehalis River Watershed: A Wealth of Rivers".
This is a great opportunity to learn about the natural history of the watershed, the water, wildlife and people who share the resource.
This should be an interesting meeting, especially for those who need to learn about this large watershed. Invite a friend or neighbor!
What impact do we have on the watershed? During June a crew of 5, led by Ron Wisner from Grays Harbor Conservation District, found out. They were contracted to remove over 4 tons of trash that had accumulated in and along Vance Creek. The junk picked up included 1500 pounds of scrap lumber, 3 vehicles, bicycles, road signs, reflectors, a plastic swimming pool, 2 washing machines, 1 dryer, a couch and household garbage. All this was found at the upper end of Vance Creek. Thanks to this crew the area is cleaned up. We need your help preventing dump sites like this from ever getting started. The total bill to clean up this mess was close to $7,000. During September - December of 1996 the Drops of Water will coexist with the new newspaper insert. Today over 800 people receive this edition. Through the newspaper over 43,000 households will receive the insert. During this time we will use both types of media and by January 1997 the mailed version is scheduled to end. In October we will use this newsletter to sample your response to the newspaper insert and to solicit feedback and information to improve the newspaper insert and check on timeliness and distribution of the insert. The newspaper insert is target exclusively at residents in the watershed. People who live in communities outside of southwest Washington will not receive the newspaper insert and we are considering other alternatives to keep those readers involved and informed. If you live outside the newspaper distribution area and want to get a copy we would appreciate hearing from you. Contributions are always welcome. The CRC recently received the following from Ramon (Ray) Kent who lives in Lacey and operates a 56 acre Stewardship Farm in the upper reaches of the South Fork of the Chehalis. This was adapted and revised by Mr. Kent, 10-22-91, from the original "Creed of the Soil Conservationist" by C.W. Gee. Creed of the Soil and Water
Conservationist
"As a soil and water conservationist, I believe God created the earth by His divine processes for the benefit of humanity - - not one man or woman, not one race or generation - - but all mankind, for all time. "I believe the Almighty gave us an inheritance of the earth, not to be hoarded as misers guard their treasures, but to be used by us with wisdom and care, in the fullest manner for perpetual benefit to all. "I believe that regardless of race, sex or creed, we all are entitled to a fair and equitable share of the earth's bounty commensurate with our own efforts. But in so believing, I hold the irrevocable conviction that we ourselves owe the earth a debt of respect and fealty. "I believe that whatsoever we sow, that shall we also reap: that they who manage their fields, pastures, streams and woodlands with wisdom, and with respect for fish and wildlife, will reap bountiful harvests, as will their descendants. But they who use the earth's gifts selfishly, thinking only of their immediate gains will bring to grief their lands, them selves, and their posterity. "Holding these beliefs, I dedicate myself to the task of helping others to realize their personal responsibilities in conserving the earth and its resources for those who will follow us in the years ahead. To this end I shall devote my best knowledge in guiding the efforts of those who till the soil and manage our forests, so that the land which nurtures us may be fruitful without end. "For truly, "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof," but the responsibility for its stewardship is vested in us, His children." On the ground
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