What Doug Ose has been able to accomplish at Gibson Ranch Park is exactly the type of innovation needed to be part of any discussion around other regional parks, including the American River Parkway.
His recent article in the Sacramento Bee is a must read.
An excerpt.
“For the past year, observers from the Grassroots Working Group to the editorial board of The Bee have consistently suggested that there are significant operational problems within the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks and Open Space. I couldn't agree more.
“The primary argument has been that there is inadequate funding being allocated by the Board of Supervisors to the parks department to properly maintain the parklands under their control, and voters should therefore pass an increase in local sales taxes dedicated to parks. I couldn't agree less.
“In my view, the essential problem is that the world has changed and the parks department hasn't. Years ago, the department's charter was to acquire land and provide services funded by the county's general fund. In the last few years, it has become apparent that such an approach is not sustainable. The department has been slow to change – or actively resisted it – and now is in a financial corner. On top of that fiscal challenge, the department is saddled with work rules that constrain how it can respond to changing conditions.
“Here are the basic facts. The department controls more than 15,000 acres. Some years ago, a policy decision was made that county parklands shall not be allowed to have any commercial activities within their boundaries. Subsequent public outcry in favor of golf courses and raft rentals and the like has caused that policy to evolve over time, so we now have a hybrid policy where certain commercial activities are allowed but others aren't.
“Why are some commercial activities allowed and others not? If a proposal to develop a portion of the 15,000 acres noted above were to generate significant net revenue to Sacramento County, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?
“This is the crux of the problem.
"Somebody" determined that accumulating vast acreages of land is a good thing.
"Somebody" determined that revenue-generating enterprises located within publicly owned parklands is a bad thing.
“Now, "somebody" is struggling with how to fund the maintenance and operations of these vast acreages.
“Fortunately, there is a path out of this morass.
“First, stop making the problem larger. Place an immediate moratorium on further parkland acquisition/development or acceptances of parkland donations, which cost the county money.
“Second, decide what you want to be as a parks department. Given the long-term challenges of funding for collective bargaining agreements, health care and pensions, the department should evolve into a contract manager of partnerships with third-party operators that meet defined operating standards.
“Third, determine on a case-by-case basis which currently owned parklands are meeting a minimum level of active and passive recreational use by the public. Use actual numbers rather than estimates. Don't game the system to favor "treasured icons." Categorize each property as high-cost/low-use, low-cost/low-use, high-cost/high-use or low-cost/high-use. Keep the low-cost/high-use properties. If you have a property that is not meeting expectations, then get rid of it.
“Fourth, use proceeds from the sale of underutilized properties to fund the necessary repairs and/or maintenance for the retained properties. Concurrently, seek out a partner or partners who can operate the properties more efficiently – the agreement covering Effie Yeaw can serve as a model for such partnerships – and make a business deal with those partners.”
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
River Bridges
As a major two-river city, Sacramento is woefully lacking in bridges, and while this editorial from the Sacramento Bee is focused on bridges over the Sacramento River—which are sorely needed—there is also a need for more bridges over the American.
An excerpt.
“For more than a decade, there has been lots of talk, but precious little action, on another bridge across the Sacramento River.
“The time for dilly-dallying is over.
“The city councils in Sacramento (on Tuesday) and West Sacramento (on Wednesday) need to take the next step – and not just toward one new bridge, but two.
“The need for two additional spans – one north of the existing I Street, Tower and Pioneer bridges and one south of them – is the headline from both the most comprehensive study to date and a new regional transportation draft that the Sacramento Area Council of Governments board approved last month.
“The study, completed in February, identifies the most promising alternative in the north as a span from the Washington area in West Sacramento to the railyard in downtown Sacramento. Another possibility is upgrading or replacing the I Street Bridge with a wider span that includes bicycle and pedestrian lanes.
“City transportation officials also want to look further at a crossing from The Rivers in West Sacramento to the River District and Richards Boulevard area in Sacramento. There's already a pedestrian-bicycle bridge proposed at this site, near the planned California Indian Heritage Center.
“In the south, the study says two options are best. One is a bridge between Pioneer Bluff on the West Sacramento riverfront at 15th Street and the Broadway district in Sacramento at either Broadway or W and X streets. The second is a crossing linking Southport in West Sacramento at Linden Road and Land Park in Sacramento at Sutterville Road.”
An excerpt.
“For more than a decade, there has been lots of talk, but precious little action, on another bridge across the Sacramento River.
“The time for dilly-dallying is over.
“The city councils in Sacramento (on Tuesday) and West Sacramento (on Wednesday) need to take the next step – and not just toward one new bridge, but two.
“The need for two additional spans – one north of the existing I Street, Tower and Pioneer bridges and one south of them – is the headline from both the most comprehensive study to date and a new regional transportation draft that the Sacramento Area Council of Governments board approved last month.
“The study, completed in February, identifies the most promising alternative in the north as a span from the Washington area in West Sacramento to the railyard in downtown Sacramento. Another possibility is upgrading or replacing the I Street Bridge with a wider span that includes bicycle and pedestrian lanes.
“City transportation officials also want to look further at a crossing from The Rivers in West Sacramento to the River District and Richards Boulevard area in Sacramento. There's already a pedestrian-bicycle bridge proposed at this site, near the planned California Indian Heritage Center.
“In the south, the study says two options are best. One is a bridge between Pioneer Bluff on the West Sacramento riverfront at 15th Street and the Broadway district in Sacramento at either Broadway or W and X streets. The second is a crossing linking Southport in West Sacramento at Linden Road and Land Park in Sacramento at Sutterville Road.”
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Local Governments, Parks, & Taxes
We referenced this article from City Journal yesterday and the issues it raises are crucial to understand regarding the move by many—including Sacramento—to increase taxes to pay for those services, including parks, which have literally been pushed out due to over-generous salary and pension benefits awarded to public employee unions by elected local leadership.
It may not be strictly a problem of not having enough money, but where the available money has been directed.
An excerpt.
“New Haven mayor John DeStefano has had a good relationship with his city’s municipal unions through most of his 17 years in office. But lately, those ties have frayed, thanks to the Democratic mayor’s claim that city workers’ wages and benefits—many granted by DeStefano himself in plusher years—have become dangerously unaffordable. DeStefano describes New Haven’s rising worker costs as “the Pac-Man of our budget, consuming everything in sight,” and he is laying off employees and exploring outsourcing to reduce expenses. The mayor’s actions brought angry police into the streets, blocking traffic and blaring sirens in protest. Members of a custodians’ union stormed out of a recent arbitration meeting, outraged by a mayoral proposal to save money. City unions even imported celebrity demagogue Al Sharpton to agitate for their cause.
“DeStefano’s plight will be familiar to mayors, city managers, city councils, and boards of education across America. The national media (as well as many policy experts) have focused on state budget battles, like the one in Wisconsin between Governor Scott Walker and public-employee unions. But the truth is that America’s problem with government-worker costs is disproportionately a local issue. Compensation, including wages and benefits, accounts for just 30 percent of state general-fund expenditures, the National Governors Association reports—which makes sense, since states also spend money on programs in which worker pay isn’t the main expense, such as Medicaid. In the typical city, town, or school district, by contrast, compensation costs generally range from 70 to 80 percent of the budget.
“Those compensation costs have soared over the years, as politicians made overgenerous promises to local government workers—not just pay but also the right to retire on full pensions at age 50 or 55, annual cost-of-living increases to those pensions, and full health care for life. These concessions haven’t merely resulted in big deficits; they have pushed many localities to the edge of fiscal ruin. Without substantial reform—soon—local taxpayers are likely to face a lethal combination of major tax increases and crumbling services.
“Pensions are an enormous part of the problem. New Haven’s $475 million budget, for instance, is projected to grow by just $4 million this fiscal year, but the city’s pension and health-care costs will rise $12 million, forcing cuts elsewhere. In San Francisco, pensions consume about 14 percent of the budget, and rising retirement bills for city workers accounted for one-third of this year’s $306 million deficit. Pension and health benefits account for 20 percent of the $500 billion that the nation’s nearly 14,000 public school districts spend annually. In a recent National League of Cities survey, nearly 80 percent of municipal finance officers listed rising pension payments as one of their most significant budgetary problems.
“Here again, the problem is disproportionately local. Yes, state-sponsored pension funds have accumulated anywhere from $750 billion to $3 trillion in unfunded pension and retiree health-care liabilities, depending on how the calculations are made. A huge portion of those liabilities, however, is actually owed by cities, towns, and school districts. States employ just 5.2 million of the 13 million active workers participating in state-sponsored pension funds; the rest are local employees, often teachers, who work for districts too small to manage their own pensions. Experts agree that pension costs for both states and localities are going to skyrocket. But states currently spend just 4 percent of their budgets on pensions, while many municipalities already spend 15 to 20 percent.
“Pensions are certainly at the heart of the budget crisis in Costa Mesa, California, a city of 110,000 residents that made news earlier this year when it decided to contract out more than a dozen city services and send pink slips to 43 percent of its employees. Costa Mesa’s workers, like those in many California municipalities, participate in the statewide CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System). Ten years ago, the city’s annual pension bill from CalPERS was $5 million. Since then, it has tripled to $15 million—16 percent of the city’s $93 million budget—and Mayor Jim Righeimer has warned that it could reach a staggering $25 million by 2015. Since these bills are for services already delivered, there’s no clear way to cut them; even the radical steps that Costa Mesa has taken will limit only future costs.
“What’s happening to Costa Mesa is no exception in the Golden State. Earlier this year, California’s Little Hoover Commission, a government oversight agency, observed: “Barring a miraculous market advance and sustained economic expansion, no government entity—especially at the local level—will be able to absorb the blow [from rising pensions] without severe cuts to services.” Los Angeles’s retiree costs currently make up an already troubling 18 percent of its budget, for instance, but the commission estimated that the percentage would swell to 37 percent by 2015. Retiree costs just for L.A.’s public-safety workers could double to $700 million annually, “enough . . . to fund a second police department in a major city.”
“The pension situation is even graver elsewhere in California. Anaheim is already spending 22 percent of its $252 million budget on pensions, and its mayor estimates that pension contributions could increase by 50 percent, or about $27 million, in four years. San Francisco’s comptroller has estimated that his city’s pension bill will rise from $357 million this year to $422 million next year and then to $800 million in just a few years. San Jose’s pension costs for police and firefighters have already quadrupled over the past decade. Without reform, the city estimates that its yearly pension costs, $63 million in 2000, will swell to $650 million in 2015.”
It may not be strictly a problem of not having enough money, but where the available money has been directed.
An excerpt.
“New Haven mayor John DeStefano has had a good relationship with his city’s municipal unions through most of his 17 years in office. But lately, those ties have frayed, thanks to the Democratic mayor’s claim that city workers’ wages and benefits—many granted by DeStefano himself in plusher years—have become dangerously unaffordable. DeStefano describes New Haven’s rising worker costs as “the Pac-Man of our budget, consuming everything in sight,” and he is laying off employees and exploring outsourcing to reduce expenses. The mayor’s actions brought angry police into the streets, blocking traffic and blaring sirens in protest. Members of a custodians’ union stormed out of a recent arbitration meeting, outraged by a mayoral proposal to save money. City unions even imported celebrity demagogue Al Sharpton to agitate for their cause.
“DeStefano’s plight will be familiar to mayors, city managers, city councils, and boards of education across America. The national media (as well as many policy experts) have focused on state budget battles, like the one in Wisconsin between Governor Scott Walker and public-employee unions. But the truth is that America’s problem with government-worker costs is disproportionately a local issue. Compensation, including wages and benefits, accounts for just 30 percent of state general-fund expenditures, the National Governors Association reports—which makes sense, since states also spend money on programs in which worker pay isn’t the main expense, such as Medicaid. In the typical city, town, or school district, by contrast, compensation costs generally range from 70 to 80 percent of the budget.
“Those compensation costs have soared over the years, as politicians made overgenerous promises to local government workers—not just pay but also the right to retire on full pensions at age 50 or 55, annual cost-of-living increases to those pensions, and full health care for life. These concessions haven’t merely resulted in big deficits; they have pushed many localities to the edge of fiscal ruin. Without substantial reform—soon—local taxpayers are likely to face a lethal combination of major tax increases and crumbling services.
“Pensions are an enormous part of the problem. New Haven’s $475 million budget, for instance, is projected to grow by just $4 million this fiscal year, but the city’s pension and health-care costs will rise $12 million, forcing cuts elsewhere. In San Francisco, pensions consume about 14 percent of the budget, and rising retirement bills for city workers accounted for one-third of this year’s $306 million deficit. Pension and health benefits account for 20 percent of the $500 billion that the nation’s nearly 14,000 public school districts spend annually. In a recent National League of Cities survey, nearly 80 percent of municipal finance officers listed rising pension payments as one of their most significant budgetary problems.
“Here again, the problem is disproportionately local. Yes, state-sponsored pension funds have accumulated anywhere from $750 billion to $3 trillion in unfunded pension and retiree health-care liabilities, depending on how the calculations are made. A huge portion of those liabilities, however, is actually owed by cities, towns, and school districts. States employ just 5.2 million of the 13 million active workers participating in state-sponsored pension funds; the rest are local employees, often teachers, who work for districts too small to manage their own pensions. Experts agree that pension costs for both states and localities are going to skyrocket. But states currently spend just 4 percent of their budgets on pensions, while many municipalities already spend 15 to 20 percent.
“Pensions are certainly at the heart of the budget crisis in Costa Mesa, California, a city of 110,000 residents that made news earlier this year when it decided to contract out more than a dozen city services and send pink slips to 43 percent of its employees. Costa Mesa’s workers, like those in many California municipalities, participate in the statewide CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System). Ten years ago, the city’s annual pension bill from CalPERS was $5 million. Since then, it has tripled to $15 million—16 percent of the city’s $93 million budget—and Mayor Jim Righeimer has warned that it could reach a staggering $25 million by 2015. Since these bills are for services already delivered, there’s no clear way to cut them; even the radical steps that Costa Mesa has taken will limit only future costs.
“What’s happening to Costa Mesa is no exception in the Golden State. Earlier this year, California’s Little Hoover Commission, a government oversight agency, observed: “Barring a miraculous market advance and sustained economic expansion, no government entity—especially at the local level—will be able to absorb the blow [from rising pensions] without severe cuts to services.” Los Angeles’s retiree costs currently make up an already troubling 18 percent of its budget, for instance, but the commission estimated that the percentage would swell to 37 percent by 2015. Retiree costs just for L.A.’s public-safety workers could double to $700 million annually, “enough . . . to fund a second police department in a major city.”
“The pension situation is even graver elsewhere in California. Anaheim is already spending 22 percent of its $252 million budget on pensions, and its mayor estimates that pension contributions could increase by 50 percent, or about $27 million, in four years. San Francisco’s comptroller has estimated that his city’s pension bill will rise from $357 million this year to $422 million next year and then to $800 million in just a few years. San Jose’s pension costs for police and firefighters have already quadrupled over the past decade. Without reform, the city estimates that its yearly pension costs, $63 million in 2000, will swell to $650 million in 2015.”
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Park Tax Increase Support Perplexing
I am always somewhat perplexed when a private enterprise, which I assume the Sacramento Bee still is, insist the only answer to helping parks is more taxes rather than exploring other options, like the public/private partnerships which have been done with Gibson Ranch Park and the Effie Yeaw Nature Center recently, and the Sacramento Zoo sometime ago; but that is what the Bee, in this editorial is insisting, increasing taxes.
Increasing taxes was appropriate decades ago when local, state, and national governments were growing to serve the basic public priorities of public safety, transportation infrastructure, public safety nets, etc.; but as has been all too well documented—by the Sacramento Bee about the number of county retirees with six figure retirements while still young enough to take on new jobs while drawing their retirement benefits, and by City Journal about the retirement benefits problem nationally—government has gotten so bloated that feeding it any more taxes has become counter productive.
An excerpt from the editorial.
“Over a period of years, the elected Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has allowed the regional park system, including the American River Parkway, to undergo a slow, steady decline.
“Finally, supervisors reached the point where they were considering zeroing out parks from the county budget. The county could not guarantee safe, clean and properly maintained parks. It could not develop long-held parklands, which have limited or no public access. It could not prepare a park and trail system for the population of the future.
“Per-resident general fund spending on regional parks dropped from $5.44 per year a decade ago to a paltry $1.33 in 2009-10. Today, the general fund provides just 19 percent of the regional parks budget, with fees providing 41 percent and other sources providing the balance.
“Supervisors did the right thing last May, committing to study governing and financing alternatives with the aim of placing a measure on the ballot in November 2012. They vowed to keep the parks budget at bare bones until then. So now comes decision time.
“The Grassroots Working Group charged with studying alternatives met once a week for a year. It raised private funds to hire the Trust for Public Land to study five options and commissioned a firm to do scientific polling of likely voters.
“At the backdrop were two major failures: An unsuccessful effort in 2007 to create a joint powers authority for the American River Parkway and an unsuccessful effort in 1994 to create a dependent parks district with county supervisors as the governing board and funding from $10 a year in property taxes.
“Voters clearly indicated they want something other than the current failed model, with county supervisors running the show, and they don't want property owners alone sharing the burden for parks.
“So the Grassroots Working Group recommended an independent parks district, based on the East Bay Regional Parks model, to run the parks, with its own elected board.
“It would be funded by a sales tax, so people outside the county who visit parks would pay, too. Twenty-five percent of the funds would go to the 17 special parks districts and four city park systems, including Sacramento, Folsom, Galt and Isleton, and not just to the county's regional park system.”
Increasing taxes was appropriate decades ago when local, state, and national governments were growing to serve the basic public priorities of public safety, transportation infrastructure, public safety nets, etc.; but as has been all too well documented—by the Sacramento Bee about the number of county retirees with six figure retirements while still young enough to take on new jobs while drawing their retirement benefits, and by City Journal about the retirement benefits problem nationally—government has gotten so bloated that feeding it any more taxes has become counter productive.
An excerpt from the editorial.
“Over a period of years, the elected Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has allowed the regional park system, including the American River Parkway, to undergo a slow, steady decline.
“Finally, supervisors reached the point where they were considering zeroing out parks from the county budget. The county could not guarantee safe, clean and properly maintained parks. It could not develop long-held parklands, which have limited or no public access. It could not prepare a park and trail system for the population of the future.
“Per-resident general fund spending on regional parks dropped from $5.44 per year a decade ago to a paltry $1.33 in 2009-10. Today, the general fund provides just 19 percent of the regional parks budget, with fees providing 41 percent and other sources providing the balance.
“Supervisors did the right thing last May, committing to study governing and financing alternatives with the aim of placing a measure on the ballot in November 2012. They vowed to keep the parks budget at bare bones until then. So now comes decision time.
“The Grassroots Working Group charged with studying alternatives met once a week for a year. It raised private funds to hire the Trust for Public Land to study five options and commissioned a firm to do scientific polling of likely voters.
“At the backdrop were two major failures: An unsuccessful effort in 2007 to create a joint powers authority for the American River Parkway and an unsuccessful effort in 1994 to create a dependent parks district with county supervisors as the governing board and funding from $10 a year in property taxes.
“Voters clearly indicated they want something other than the current failed model, with county supervisors running the show, and they don't want property owners alone sharing the burden for parks.
“So the Grassroots Working Group recommended an independent parks district, based on the East Bay Regional Parks model, to run the parks, with its own elected board.
“It would be funded by a sales tax, so people outside the county who visit parks would pay, too. Twenty-five percent of the funds would go to the 17 special parks districts and four city park systems, including Sacramento, Folsom, Galt and Isleton, and not just to the county's regional park system.”
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunflower Valley
I did not know we were at the world center of sunflower growing, as reported by the Sacramento Bee, and how cool is that!
Sunflower seeds are the primary food we feed the wild birds and squirrels that visit us daily, so it is nice to know there is an endless supply close by.
An excerpt.
“Maine has blueberries. Iowa has corn. Midsummer in the Sacramento Valley arrives with a splash of gold across the valley floor.
“Sunflowers are in bloom.
"It's just a sea of yellow out there," said Ken Scarlett, president of Woodland-based Eureka Seeds. "They're beautiful."
“Scarlett stood on the edge of a 100-acre field of sunflowers south of UC Davis' Mondavi Center, along Interstate 80.
“The sun was setting toward the Vaca Mountains, and the Delta breeze stirred the green stalks. The flowers, taller than a man, all faced east.
“Earlier in their life cycles, they would have turned in unison to face the sun as it traveled through the sky, a trait known as heliotropism that is particularly associated with sunflowers.
“Thousands of bees swarmed around the foot-wide blossoms in a pollinating frenzy. They carried pollen from the male flowers to stigmas in the females, which produce seeds.
“After their job is done, the male flowers are plowed under.
“Adults find the huge golden blooms uplifting. Children draw them to depict the sun.
"Everyone likes the look of the sunflower," Scarlett said.
“The Sacramento region is the world's center of sunflower seed production. It's at least a $50 million crop in this area, Scarlett said.
“Dry summers, good soils and a relative lack of pests and diseases create ideal conditions, experts said.
“About 40,000 acres across the Sacramento region – mainly in Yolo, Solano, Colusa and Sutter counties – are planted in sunflowers, Scarlett said.
“Virtually all the sunflowers in this area are grown for their seeds.”
Sunflower seeds are the primary food we feed the wild birds and squirrels that visit us daily, so it is nice to know there is an endless supply close by.
An excerpt.
“Maine has blueberries. Iowa has corn. Midsummer in the Sacramento Valley arrives with a splash of gold across the valley floor.
“Sunflowers are in bloom.
"It's just a sea of yellow out there," said Ken Scarlett, president of Woodland-based Eureka Seeds. "They're beautiful."
“Scarlett stood on the edge of a 100-acre field of sunflowers south of UC Davis' Mondavi Center, along Interstate 80.
“The sun was setting toward the Vaca Mountains, and the Delta breeze stirred the green stalks. The flowers, taller than a man, all faced east.
“Earlier in their life cycles, they would have turned in unison to face the sun as it traveled through the sky, a trait known as heliotropism that is particularly associated with sunflowers.
“Thousands of bees swarmed around the foot-wide blossoms in a pollinating frenzy. They carried pollen from the male flowers to stigmas in the females, which produce seeds.
“After their job is done, the male flowers are plowed under.
“Adults find the huge golden blooms uplifting. Children draw them to depict the sun.
"Everyone likes the look of the sunflower," Scarlett said.
“The Sacramento region is the world's center of sunflower seed production. It's at least a $50 million crop in this area, Scarlett said.
“Dry summers, good soils and a relative lack of pests and diseases create ideal conditions, experts said.
“About 40,000 acres across the Sacramento region – mainly in Yolo, Solano, Colusa and Sutter counties – are planted in sunflowers, Scarlett said.
“Virtually all the sunflowers in this area are grown for their seeds.”
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fish Farming
It is the wave of the future and but another sign of human technology improving natural resources, putting more—and improved—fish on the table and compensating for species-in-the-wild depletion from commercial fishing, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune.
An excerpt.
“The leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration visited Carlsbad Monday to launch a national initiative for creating jobs and increasing seafood production by fostering public-private partnerships in fish farming.
“Agency officials said the so-called Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will support projects that show promise for creating jobs while maintaining environmental protections.
“It’s a tricky balance for NOAA, which didn’t announce any money for the project and faces opposition from some environmental groups that oppose aquaculture as a source of ocean pollution.
“NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco is in San Diego this week for an international convention about managing tuna and other far-ranging species. On Monday, she toured a fish farm in Carlsbad that is run by the nonprofit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to augment the wild population of white sea bass.
“This facility really shows what potential exists in expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in the U.S,” Lubchenco said. “As we turn the corner to ending overfishing with wild-caught fisheries, I think it’s particularly important to simultaneously build a sustainable aquaculture industry here in the United States.”
“Lubchenco said the national initiative was part of an attempt to grow aquaculture by helping to develop technologies that advance the science, prioritizing grant money for innovative work, offering guidance for projects in the regulatory process and other measures. She said the agency was looking to leverage outside funding to support up to six cutting-edge efforts.
“While there are no commercial fish farms in federal waters on the West Coast, Hubbs-SeaWorld in 2009 tried to get permission for a large-scale research project using tens of thousands of striped bass off Mission Beach. Those plans were tangled in regulations and never materialized — but the Obama administration’s increasingly vocal support of aquaculture is raising hopes that the project could be revived.
“Don Kent, president and chief executive of the research institute, compared developing aquaculture techniques to building an aircraft. After years of growing fish at the Carlsbad facility, he said, “It’s time to take that technology and fly it.”
“Lubchenco said it’s too early for that.
“There are still a lot of questions to be answered,” she said. “What we are signaling with this announcement is our desire to work together to get the answers.”
“In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released broad national policies they said supported sustainable marine aquaculture. Lubchenco called fish farming “a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood.”
“Americans import about 84 percent of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The U.S. trade deficit in seafood tops $10 billion and continues to grow, while domestic fish farming supplies about 5 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States. Domestic production is largely on land-based waterways, ponds and coastal state waters, not federal waters that start 3 miles offshore.”
An excerpt.
“The leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration visited Carlsbad Monday to launch a national initiative for creating jobs and increasing seafood production by fostering public-private partnerships in fish farming.
“Agency officials said the so-called Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will support projects that show promise for creating jobs while maintaining environmental protections.
“It’s a tricky balance for NOAA, which didn’t announce any money for the project and faces opposition from some environmental groups that oppose aquaculture as a source of ocean pollution.
“NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco is in San Diego this week for an international convention about managing tuna and other far-ranging species. On Monday, she toured a fish farm in Carlsbad that is run by the nonprofit Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute to augment the wild population of white sea bass.
“This facility really shows what potential exists in expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in the U.S,” Lubchenco said. “As we turn the corner to ending overfishing with wild-caught fisheries, I think it’s particularly important to simultaneously build a sustainable aquaculture industry here in the United States.”
“Lubchenco said the national initiative was part of an attempt to grow aquaculture by helping to develop technologies that advance the science, prioritizing grant money for innovative work, offering guidance for projects in the regulatory process and other measures. She said the agency was looking to leverage outside funding to support up to six cutting-edge efforts.
“While there are no commercial fish farms in federal waters on the West Coast, Hubbs-SeaWorld in 2009 tried to get permission for a large-scale research project using tens of thousands of striped bass off Mission Beach. Those plans were tangled in regulations and never materialized — but the Obama administration’s increasingly vocal support of aquaculture is raising hopes that the project could be revived.
“Don Kent, president and chief executive of the research institute, compared developing aquaculture techniques to building an aircraft. After years of growing fish at the Carlsbad facility, he said, “It’s time to take that technology and fly it.”
“Lubchenco said it’s too early for that.
“There are still a lot of questions to be answered,” she said. “What we are signaling with this announcement is our desire to work together to get the answers.”
“In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released broad national policies they said supported sustainable marine aquaculture. Lubchenco called fish farming “a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood.”
“Americans import about 84 percent of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The U.S. trade deficit in seafood tops $10 billion and continues to grow, while domestic fish farming supplies about 5 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States. Domestic production is largely on land-based waterways, ponds and coastal state waters, not federal waters that start 3 miles offshore.”
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sacramento Flooding
Sacramento is easily the most flood prone major river city in the country, but, had the initial plans to build Shasta Dam to its originally engineered height (as reported by the Los Angeles Times) and build Auburn Dam (which Congressman McClintock supports) that would no longer be the case, and the inevitability of major floods in the Valley would have been substantially reduced.
A recent article in the Sacramento Bee failed to note those two important facts.
An excerpt from the Los Angeles Times article.
“Raising Shasta Dam has been under on-again, off-again consideration for at least two decades. Some of the most detailed studies date back to the 1980s, when Don Hodel, who served as energy secretary and then Interior secretary under President Reagan, proposed the project as an alternative source of water for San Francisco if Hetch Hetchy Dam in Yosemite National Park were knocked down.
“From an engineering standpoint, it's a piece of cake. The dam, built between 1938 and 1945, was originally planned to be 200 feet taller. At 800 feet, it would have been the highest and biggest in the world.
“Sheri Harral, public affairs officer at the dam, said World War II and materials shortages associated with the war effort led to a decision to stop construction at 602 feet.
"The thinking was to come back and add on to it if ever there was a need to," Harral said. "They started looking at raising it in 1978."
“If Shasta Dam had been built up to its engineering limit in 1945, it is arguable that Northern and Central California would not be facing a critical water shortage now.
“According to a 1999 Bureau of Reclamation study, a dam 200 feet taller would be able to triple storage to 13.89 million acre-feet of water.
“Still, tripling the size of Shasta Lake, on paper at least, would store nine times the projected 2020 water deficit for the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Tulare Lake basins during normal water years.”
A recent article in the Sacramento Bee failed to note those two important facts.
An excerpt from the Los Angeles Times article.
“Raising Shasta Dam has been under on-again, off-again consideration for at least two decades. Some of the most detailed studies date back to the 1980s, when Don Hodel, who served as energy secretary and then Interior secretary under President Reagan, proposed the project as an alternative source of water for San Francisco if Hetch Hetchy Dam in Yosemite National Park were knocked down.
“From an engineering standpoint, it's a piece of cake. The dam, built between 1938 and 1945, was originally planned to be 200 feet taller. At 800 feet, it would have been the highest and biggest in the world.
“Sheri Harral, public affairs officer at the dam, said World War II and materials shortages associated with the war effort led to a decision to stop construction at 602 feet.
"The thinking was to come back and add on to it if ever there was a need to," Harral said. "They started looking at raising it in 1978."
“If Shasta Dam had been built up to its engineering limit in 1945, it is arguable that Northern and Central California would not be facing a critical water shortage now.
“According to a 1999 Bureau of Reclamation study, a dam 200 feet taller would be able to triple storage to 13.89 million acre-feet of water.
“Still, tripling the size of Shasta Lake, on paper at least, would store nine times the projected 2020 water deficit for the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Tulare Lake basins during normal water years.”
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sacramento Ranking Higher than San Francisco
That’s what this article from New Geography says, ranking the next future boom towns, with Sacramento coming in at 29th and San Francisco at 42nd and San Jose at 45th , very cool.
An excerpt.
“What cities are best positioned to grow and prosper in the coming decade?
“To determine the next boom towns in the U.S., with the help of Mark Schill at the Praxis Strategy Group, we took the 52 largest metro areas in the country (those with populations exceeding 1 million) and ranked them based on various data indicating past, present and future vitality.
“We started with job growth, not only looking at performance over the past decade but also focusing on growth in the past two years, to account for the possible long-term effects of the Great Recession. That accounted for roughly one-third of the score. The other two-thirds were made up of a broad range of demographic factors, all weighted equally. These included rates of family formation (percentage growth in children 5-17), growth in educated migration, population growth and, finally, a broad measurement of attractiveness to immigrants — as places to settle, make money and start businesses.
“We focused on these demographic factors because college-educated migrants (who also tend to be under 30), new families and immigrants will be critical in shaping the future. Areas that are rapidly losing young families and low rates of migration among educated migrants are the American equivalents of rapidly aging countries like Japan; those with more sprightly demographics are akin to up and coming countries such as Vietnam.
“Many of our top performers are not surprising. No. 1 Austin, Texas, and No. 2 Raleigh, N.C., have it all demographically: high rates of immigration and migration of educated workers and healthy increases in population and number of children. They are also economic superstars, with job-creation records among the best in the nation.
“Perhaps less expected is the No. 3 ranking for Nashville, Tenn. The country music capital, with its low housing prices and pro-business environment, has experienced rapid growth in educated migrants, where it ranks an impressive fourth in terms of percentage growth. New ethnic groups, such as Latinos and Asians, have doubled in size over the past decade.”
An excerpt.
“What cities are best positioned to grow and prosper in the coming decade?
“To determine the next boom towns in the U.S., with the help of Mark Schill at the Praxis Strategy Group, we took the 52 largest metro areas in the country (those with populations exceeding 1 million) and ranked them based on various data indicating past, present and future vitality.
“We started with job growth, not only looking at performance over the past decade but also focusing on growth in the past two years, to account for the possible long-term effects of the Great Recession. That accounted for roughly one-third of the score. The other two-thirds were made up of a broad range of demographic factors, all weighted equally. These included rates of family formation (percentage growth in children 5-17), growth in educated migration, population growth and, finally, a broad measurement of attractiveness to immigrants — as places to settle, make money and start businesses.
“We focused on these demographic factors because college-educated migrants (who also tend to be under 30), new families and immigrants will be critical in shaping the future. Areas that are rapidly losing young families and low rates of migration among educated migrants are the American equivalents of rapidly aging countries like Japan; those with more sprightly demographics are akin to up and coming countries such as Vietnam.
“Many of our top performers are not surprising. No. 1 Austin, Texas, and No. 2 Raleigh, N.C., have it all demographically: high rates of immigration and migration of educated workers and healthy increases in population and number of children. They are also economic superstars, with job-creation records among the best in the nation.
“Perhaps less expected is the No. 3 ranking for Nashville, Tenn. The country music capital, with its low housing prices and pro-business environment, has experienced rapid growth in educated migrants, where it ranks an impressive fourth in terms of percentage growth. New ethnic groups, such as Latinos and Asians, have doubled in size over the past decade.”
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Funding for Parks
Volunteers and nonprofit groups able to tap into philanthropic funding, is exactly the type of approach signature parks facing funding problems, like Land Park, can do, and they are taking the appropriate steps, as reported in the Sacramento Bee.
An excerpt.
“As City Hall steadily cuts back its funding for parks maintenance, many of Sacramento's neighborhoods have mobilized armies of volunteers to prune, weed and pick up trash.
“Along with neighborhood watches and community center programming, it's another case of neighborhoods shouldering the load for a city government that no longer provides the services it once did.
“Over the past four years, the budget for parks maintenance in the city has been cut by more than 50 percent. With so little remaining, city officials have come to rely on volunteers.
“As a result, the number of organized volunteer groups helping with park maintenance has exploded, from five to more than 40 in the past five years. Several more groups are expected to debut in the coming months, city officials said.
"Without them," said Dave Mitchell, the operations manager for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, "you might see the lawn get mowed, but that's basically it."
“Before budget cuts hammered park funding, the city could get by with its own workers and the help of service organizations such as Kiwanis and the Boy Scouts. Soon, that wasn't enough.
“Mitchell said the influx of volunteers began with people living across from parks and a handful of neighborhood associations. It eventually became much more organized.
“Nowhere is the reliance upon a structured volunteer group more evident than in William Land Park, the city's largest.
“Neighborhood residents organized a volunteer corps last May after the number of full-time parks workers dedicated to the park fell from more than 50 to six. Now, the Land Park Volunteer Corps has a roster of 300 workers and has taken in nearly $25,000 in donations, sponsorships and grants from local elected officials.
"When you look at Sacramento, you will see that parks are the focal points of so many of our neighborhoods," said Craig Powell, the president of the Land Park Volunteer Corps. "They really are our community centers and the center of our neighborhood identities."
“The Land Park Volunteer Corps, which is applying for 501(c)3 status, works once a month. Volunteers prune, weed and provide fresh planting – chores the city no longer can afford to do itself.”
An excerpt.
“As City Hall steadily cuts back its funding for parks maintenance, many of Sacramento's neighborhoods have mobilized armies of volunteers to prune, weed and pick up trash.
“Along with neighborhood watches and community center programming, it's another case of neighborhoods shouldering the load for a city government that no longer provides the services it once did.
“Over the past four years, the budget for parks maintenance in the city has been cut by more than 50 percent. With so little remaining, city officials have come to rely on volunteers.
“As a result, the number of organized volunteer groups helping with park maintenance has exploded, from five to more than 40 in the past five years. Several more groups are expected to debut in the coming months, city officials said.
"Without them," said Dave Mitchell, the operations manager for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, "you might see the lawn get mowed, but that's basically it."
“Before budget cuts hammered park funding, the city could get by with its own workers and the help of service organizations such as Kiwanis and the Boy Scouts. Soon, that wasn't enough.
“Mitchell said the influx of volunteers began with people living across from parks and a handful of neighborhood associations. It eventually became much more organized.
“Nowhere is the reliance upon a structured volunteer group more evident than in William Land Park, the city's largest.
“Neighborhood residents organized a volunteer corps last May after the number of full-time parks workers dedicated to the park fell from more than 50 to six. Now, the Land Park Volunteer Corps has a roster of 300 workers and has taken in nearly $25,000 in donations, sponsorships and grants from local elected officials.
"When you look at Sacramento, you will see that parks are the focal points of so many of our neighborhoods," said Craig Powell, the president of the Land Park Volunteer Corps. "They really are our community centers and the center of our neighborhood identities."
“The Land Park Volunteer Corps, which is applying for 501(c)3 status, works once a month. Volunteers prune, weed and provide fresh planting – chores the city no longer can afford to do itself.”
Monday, July 11, 2011
Levees & Trees
We recently posted on this, and, in an excellent article from the Sacramento Bee, by UCD Environmental Engineering Professor Jay Lund, the case is presented with balance and insight.
An excerpt.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to enforce a policy of removing large vegetation from many miles of Central Valley levees has caused quite a stir.
“Both sides assert noble and worthy causes – environmental and recreation interests want to protect trees and bushes on levees, and public safety demands vegetation removal. Both sides are right.
“Sadly, California has set aside little room for both the environment and flood safety, so these important causes must fight over thin strips of levee that currently provide poor habitat and poor flood protection.
“Authorities can more effectively inspect levees when they are free of trees. Most levees fail before over-topping, and usually give warning (through slumping, animal burrows, or seeping water) before collapsing. That allows some time for repair and evacuation. Emergency repairs also proceed faster without vegetation. Limiting vegetation also might introduce fewer potential problems from decaying roots or uprooted falling trees.
“Worldwide, in countries such as the Netherlands and China, serious levee systems are cleared of trees.
“Nevertheless, the dilemma is real.
“Most levees prevent flooding for only a few days or weeks in the few years when major floods occur. More than 99 percent of the time, levees are used primarily for recreation and habitat. They are places where people can go up and see their rivers.
“Levees with trees are clearly more attractive, except when they need to be inspected. If the levee protects little of value, then perhaps a case can be made that reliability can be sacrificed for protecting a levee's habitat and aesthetics. Alas, urban levees, protecting homes and businesses from floods, are the ones that are the most valued for recreation and cooling shade.
“Levees can be built for both flood and non-flood purposes by widening, sheet-piling levee cores, improving drains, and other means, to allow vegetation without hindering flood protection. However, building multi-functional levees has financial costs.
“In urban areas, where multiple purposes are most valuable, land for widening levees is awkward and expensive to acquire.”
An excerpt.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to enforce a policy of removing large vegetation from many miles of Central Valley levees has caused quite a stir.
“Both sides assert noble and worthy causes – environmental and recreation interests want to protect trees and bushes on levees, and public safety demands vegetation removal. Both sides are right.
“Sadly, California has set aside little room for both the environment and flood safety, so these important causes must fight over thin strips of levee that currently provide poor habitat and poor flood protection.
“Authorities can more effectively inspect levees when they are free of trees. Most levees fail before over-topping, and usually give warning (through slumping, animal burrows, or seeping water) before collapsing. That allows some time for repair and evacuation. Emergency repairs also proceed faster without vegetation. Limiting vegetation also might introduce fewer potential problems from decaying roots or uprooted falling trees.
“Worldwide, in countries such as the Netherlands and China, serious levee systems are cleared of trees.
“Nevertheless, the dilemma is real.
“Most levees prevent flooding for only a few days or weeks in the few years when major floods occur. More than 99 percent of the time, levees are used primarily for recreation and habitat. They are places where people can go up and see their rivers.
“Levees with trees are clearly more attractive, except when they need to be inspected. If the levee protects little of value, then perhaps a case can be made that reliability can be sacrificed for protecting a levee's habitat and aesthetics. Alas, urban levees, protecting homes and businesses from floods, are the ones that are the most valued for recreation and cooling shade.
“Levees can be built for both flood and non-flood purposes by widening, sheet-piling levee cores, improving drains, and other means, to allow vegetation without hindering flood protection. However, building multi-functional levees has financial costs.
“In urban areas, where multiple purposes are most valuable, land for widening levees is awkward and expensive to acquire.”
Friday, July 08, 2011
Environmentalist Religion Grows
In our 2006 report on the Auburn Dam Policy Environment, we examined the history of the environmentalist movement and how it has become a religion, which, according to this article in the New York Times, is still growing.
An excerpt.
“WHEN the anchorman Howard Beale uttered his famous vituperations in the 1976 film “Network” (“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”), he was a grizzled, alcoholic veteran of the television rat race, at the climax of a long, slow boil.
“Rachael Kleinberger was luckier (or smarter): she already knew she wanted out at age 25, quitting her job at a reality-TV production company for a position at a nonprofit organization focused on the environment.
“I want to do something helpful,” she said, “or do something at the end of the day that’s like, ‘This makes me feel good that I spent this much time doing it.’ ”
“One doesn’t leave a promising media job for just anything these days. Ms. Kleinberger is one of a new wave of recent college graduates entering a career field that, like blogging and social media strategy, hardly existed a decade ago: environmental sustainability.
“Suddenly, “sustainability” seems to resonate with the sex appeal of “dot com” or “start-up,” appealing to droves of ambitious young innovators. Amelia Byers, operations director for Idealist.org, a Web site that lists paid and unpaid opportunities for nonprofit groups and social enterprise companies — some 5,000 of which are environmental organizations — said the number of jobs related to environmental work has roughly tripled in the last three years. “A lot of new graduates are coming out of a world where volunteerism and service has been something that has helped define their generation,” she said. “Finding a job with meaning is an important value to them.”
“The rapid expansion of green jobs isn’t confined to the nonprofit sector. There is money to be made here as well. Ivan Kerbel, director of career development for the Yale School of Management, a graduate-level business program, noted that environmental issues like reducing waste and carbon footprints were increasingly important to corporations of all kinds, something business students are recognizing. Even ultra-ambitious M.B.A. candidates with C-suite aspirations are integrating issues like sustainability into their education, he said.”
An excerpt.
“WHEN the anchorman Howard Beale uttered his famous vituperations in the 1976 film “Network” (“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”), he was a grizzled, alcoholic veteran of the television rat race, at the climax of a long, slow boil.
“Rachael Kleinberger was luckier (or smarter): she already knew she wanted out at age 25, quitting her job at a reality-TV production company for a position at a nonprofit organization focused on the environment.
“I want to do something helpful,” she said, “or do something at the end of the day that’s like, ‘This makes me feel good that I spent this much time doing it.’ ”
“One doesn’t leave a promising media job for just anything these days. Ms. Kleinberger is one of a new wave of recent college graduates entering a career field that, like blogging and social media strategy, hardly existed a decade ago: environmental sustainability.
“Suddenly, “sustainability” seems to resonate with the sex appeal of “dot com” or “start-up,” appealing to droves of ambitious young innovators. Amelia Byers, operations director for Idealist.org, a Web site that lists paid and unpaid opportunities for nonprofit groups and social enterprise companies — some 5,000 of which are environmental organizations — said the number of jobs related to environmental work has roughly tripled in the last three years. “A lot of new graduates are coming out of a world where volunteerism and service has been something that has helped define their generation,” she said. “Finding a job with meaning is an important value to them.”
“The rapid expansion of green jobs isn’t confined to the nonprofit sector. There is money to be made here as well. Ivan Kerbel, director of career development for the Yale School of Management, a graduate-level business program, noted that environmental issues like reducing waste and carbon footprints were increasingly important to corporations of all kinds, something business students are recognizing. Even ultra-ambitious M.B.A. candidates with C-suite aspirations are integrating issues like sustainability into their education, he said.”
Thursday, July 07, 2011
H Street Bridge Redo
As reported by the River Park Association News, page 5, the bridge, which is the one in the photo gracing our website, is being renovated and resurfaced by the Department of Transportation, and should be done by the end of the year.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Government Funding & Pension Fund Returns
Following up on yesterday’s post, a large part of the lack of government funding—especially at the local level—is the unrealistic rate of return on pension fund investments used to calculate set asides, as this article from the Sacramento Bee explains.
What leaps out as a solution, is legislation, limiting projected investment returns on pension funds to the historical rate of return (fourth graph down at the jump) which, from 1950-2009 is about 7%.
An excerpt from the Bee article.
“Recently I wrote that culpability for rising pension costs lies with pension fund officials and politicians, not public employees or Wall Street. That conclusion surprised some because conventional wisdom is that pension problems started only after pensions were increased and the stock market crashed in 2008.
“But pension costs started rising before 2008 and would have risen even without those increases.
“Here's why.
“For pensions to work right, enough money must be set aside when the promises are made so that the combination of those set-asides and investment earnings on those set-asides will yield enough money when the promises come due. The key is to set aside enough. If too little is set aside, there will be make-up payments.
“Establishing the level of set-asides is the responsibility of pension funds and politicians and is a function of how well they expect investments to perform over the extremely long period between promise and payment. The higher the expected return, the lower the set-aside. This is where the pension problem is created.
“In order to keep set-asides artificially low in the short term, pension funds have been basing set-asides on the assumption that equity markets in the 21st century will grow 40 percent faster than equity markets grew in the 20th century. That means pension funds are assuming that the stock market, which grew 175 times in a very successful 20th century, will grow more than 1,750 times in the 21st century, or 10 times as much. That's not a typo – that's the power of compounding.”
What leaps out as a solution, is legislation, limiting projected investment returns on pension funds to the historical rate of return (fourth graph down at the jump) which, from 1950-2009 is about 7%.
An excerpt from the Bee article.
“Recently I wrote that culpability for rising pension costs lies with pension fund officials and politicians, not public employees or Wall Street. That conclusion surprised some because conventional wisdom is that pension problems started only after pensions were increased and the stock market crashed in 2008.
“But pension costs started rising before 2008 and would have risen even without those increases.
“Here's why.
“For pensions to work right, enough money must be set aside when the promises are made so that the combination of those set-asides and investment earnings on those set-asides will yield enough money when the promises come due. The key is to set aside enough. If too little is set aside, there will be make-up payments.
“Establishing the level of set-asides is the responsibility of pension funds and politicians and is a function of how well they expect investments to perform over the extremely long period between promise and payment. The higher the expected return, the lower the set-aside. This is where the pension problem is created.
“In order to keep set-asides artificially low in the short term, pension funds have been basing set-asides on the assumption that equity markets in the 21st century will grow 40 percent faster than equity markets grew in the 20th century. That means pension funds are assuming that the stock market, which grew 175 times in a very successful 20th century, will grow more than 1,750 times in the 21st century, or 10 times as much. That's not a typo – that's the power of compounding.”
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Government Funding
The ongoing tragedy that keeps coming back to out-of-control public unions rewarding members way beyond the ability of local governments to pay, which is having huge impacts on funding for other priorities such as parks—with the willing support of those same local governments, including our hometown—is a malady that stretches across the country, as this article from the Wall Street Journal notes.
An excerpt.
“Although Democratic Mayor John DeStefano has enjoyed a good relationship with the New Haven, Conn., municipal unions through most of his 17 years in office, lately those ties have frayed. He says that workers' wages and benefits have become "the Pac-Man of our budget, consuming everything in sight," and must be cut. His budget-trimming proposals, including calls to privatize some jobs, have brought angry city workers into the streets in protest, and celebrity protester Al Sharpton to agitate for their cause.
“While the national media has focused on state budget face-offs between government unions and governors such as Wisconsin's Scott Walker, municipal officials like Mr. DeStefano are engaged in their own budget warfare. Wages and benefits account for 30% of state general fund expenditures, according to data from the National Governors Association. But U.S. Census surveys show that in the typical town or school district, employee pay and benefits can consume from 70% to 80% of the budget.
“Pensions are an enormous part of the problem. While pension payments now consume about 4% of state budgets, many municipalities are already spending 15% to 20% of their finances on pension costs. Earlier this year, California's Little Hoover Commission, a government oversight agency, observed: "Barring a miraculous market advance and sustained economic expansion, no government entity—especially at the local level—will be able to absorb the blow [from rising pensions] without severe cuts to services."
“Costa Mesa, Calif. (population 110,000) made news earlier this year when it sent layoff notices to 43% of its employees. In 10 years, the city's annual pension bill increased to $15 million from $5 million and now consumes 16% of the city's $93 million budget. In nearby Anaheim, pensions already account for 22% of its $252 million budget. San Jose's pension costs for police and firefighters have quadrupled in a past decade. Without reform, the city estimates that its yearly pension costs, $63 million in 2000, will swell to $650 million in 2015.
“Elsewhere the numbers are even scarier. Chicago's unfunded public pension fund liabilities are estimated by Joshua Rauh of Northwestern University and Robert Novy-Marx of the University of Rochester at $44 billion—nearly eight times annual city tax revenues. New York City's annual pension contributions were $1.5 billion (6% of city revenues) in 2002. They've exploded to an estimated $8.4 billion (18% of city revenues) in 2012.”
An excerpt.
“Although Democratic Mayor John DeStefano has enjoyed a good relationship with the New Haven, Conn., municipal unions through most of his 17 years in office, lately those ties have frayed. He says that workers' wages and benefits have become "the Pac-Man of our budget, consuming everything in sight," and must be cut. His budget-trimming proposals, including calls to privatize some jobs, have brought angry city workers into the streets in protest, and celebrity protester Al Sharpton to agitate for their cause.
“While the national media has focused on state budget face-offs between government unions and governors such as Wisconsin's Scott Walker, municipal officials like Mr. DeStefano are engaged in their own budget warfare. Wages and benefits account for 30% of state general fund expenditures, according to data from the National Governors Association. But U.S. Census surveys show that in the typical town or school district, employee pay and benefits can consume from 70% to 80% of the budget.
“Pensions are an enormous part of the problem. While pension payments now consume about 4% of state budgets, many municipalities are already spending 15% to 20% of their finances on pension costs. Earlier this year, California's Little Hoover Commission, a government oversight agency, observed: "Barring a miraculous market advance and sustained economic expansion, no government entity—especially at the local level—will be able to absorb the blow [from rising pensions] without severe cuts to services."
“Costa Mesa, Calif. (population 110,000) made news earlier this year when it sent layoff notices to 43% of its employees. In 10 years, the city's annual pension bill increased to $15 million from $5 million and now consumes 16% of the city's $93 million budget. In nearby Anaheim, pensions already account for 22% of its $252 million budget. San Jose's pension costs for police and firefighters have quadrupled in a past decade. Without reform, the city estimates that its yearly pension costs, $63 million in 2000, will swell to $650 million in 2015.
“Elsewhere the numbers are even scarier. Chicago's unfunded public pension fund liabilities are estimated by Joshua Rauh of Northwestern University and Robert Novy-Marx of the University of Rochester at $44 billion—nearly eight times annual city tax revenues. New York City's annual pension contributions were $1.5 billion (6% of city revenues) in 2002. They've exploded to an estimated $8.4 billion (18% of city revenues) in 2012.”
Monday, July 04, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011
Environmentalism & Fracking
Environmentalists—beyond the early years when much of their work was very good, and still sometimes is—who are driven by the ideology of the Deep Ecology Platform which defines virtually all technology, especially that which extracts resources from disturbing the earth, as evil; are now doing all they can to stop fracking.
Fortunately, this Wall Street Journal article reports the facts.
An excerpt.
“The U.S. is in the midst of an energy revolution, and we don't mean solar panels or wind turbines. A new gusher of natural gas from shale has the potential to transform U.S. energy production—that is, unless politicians, greens and the industry mess it up.
“Only a decade ago Texas oil engineers hit upon the idea of combining two established technologies to release natural gas trapped in shale formations. Horizontal drilling—in which wells turn sideways after a certain depth—opens up big new production areas. Producers then use a 60-year-old technique called hydraulic fracturing—in which water, sand and chemicals are injected into the well at high pressure—to loosen the shale and release gas (and increasingly, oil).
“The resulting boom is transforming America's energy landscape. As recently as 2000, shale gas was 1% of America's gas supplies; today it is 25%. Prior to the shale breakthrough, U.S. natural gas reserves were in decline, prices exceeded $15 per million British thermal units, and investors were building ports to import liquid natural gas. Today, proven reserves are the highest since 1971, prices have fallen close to $4 and ports are being retrofitted for LNG exports.
“The shale boom is also reviving economically suffering parts of the country, while offering a new incentive for manufacturers to stay in the U.S. Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry estimates fracking in the Marcellus shale formation, which stretches from upstate New York through West Virginia, has created 72,000 jobs in the Keystone State between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2011.
“The Bakken formation, along the Montana-North Dakota border, is thought to hold four billion barrels of oil (the biggest proven estimate outside Alaska), and the drilling boom helps explain North Dakota's unemployment rate of 3.2%, the nation's lowest.
“All of this growth has inevitably attracted critics, notably environmentalists and their allies. They've launched a media and political assault on hydraulic fracturing, and their claims are raising public anxiety. So it's a useful moment to separate truth from fiction in the main allegations against the shale revolution.
“• Fracking contaminates drinking water. One claim is that fracking creates cracks in rock formations that allow chemicals to leach into sources of fresh water. The problem with this argument is that the average shale formation is thousands of feet underground, while the average drinking well or aquifer is a few hundred feet deep. Separating the two is solid rock. This geological reality explains why EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, a determined enemy of fossil fuels, recently told Congress that there have been no "proven cases where the fracking process itself has affected water."
Fortunately, this Wall Street Journal article reports the facts.
An excerpt.
“The U.S. is in the midst of an energy revolution, and we don't mean solar panels or wind turbines. A new gusher of natural gas from shale has the potential to transform U.S. energy production—that is, unless politicians, greens and the industry mess it up.
“Only a decade ago Texas oil engineers hit upon the idea of combining two established technologies to release natural gas trapped in shale formations. Horizontal drilling—in which wells turn sideways after a certain depth—opens up big new production areas. Producers then use a 60-year-old technique called hydraulic fracturing—in which water, sand and chemicals are injected into the well at high pressure—to loosen the shale and release gas (and increasingly, oil).
“The resulting boom is transforming America's energy landscape. As recently as 2000, shale gas was 1% of America's gas supplies; today it is 25%. Prior to the shale breakthrough, U.S. natural gas reserves were in decline, prices exceeded $15 per million British thermal units, and investors were building ports to import liquid natural gas. Today, proven reserves are the highest since 1971, prices have fallen close to $4 and ports are being retrofitted for LNG exports.
“The shale boom is also reviving economically suffering parts of the country, while offering a new incentive for manufacturers to stay in the U.S. Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry estimates fracking in the Marcellus shale formation, which stretches from upstate New York through West Virginia, has created 72,000 jobs in the Keystone State between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2011.
“The Bakken formation, along the Montana-North Dakota border, is thought to hold four billion barrels of oil (the biggest proven estimate outside Alaska), and the drilling boom helps explain North Dakota's unemployment rate of 3.2%, the nation's lowest.
“All of this growth has inevitably attracted critics, notably environmentalists and their allies. They've launched a media and political assault on hydraulic fracturing, and their claims are raising public anxiety. So it's a useful moment to separate truth from fiction in the main allegations against the shale revolution.
“• Fracking contaminates drinking water. One claim is that fracking creates cracks in rock formations that allow chemicals to leach into sources of fresh water. The problem with this argument is that the average shale formation is thousands of feet underground, while the average drinking well or aquifer is a few hundred feet deep. Separating the two is solid rock. This geological reality explains why EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, a determined enemy of fossil fuels, recently told Congress that there have been no "proven cases where the fracking process itself has affected water."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Congressman McClintock & the Abundance of Water
If the Sacramento Bee editorial writers (before they wrote this editorial) would do some research on the Congressman’s perspective on water issues—so welcomed by our organization—outlined in his opening remarks on March 2, 2011 as he assumed the chair of the House Water and Power Subcommittee, they would know why he is taking the position he is.
An excerpt from the Congressman’s opening statement.
“With today’s hearing, the Water and Power Sub-Committee will begin the process of restoring abundance as the principal objective of America’s Federal water and power policy. We meet today to receive testimony from the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Service on their plans for the coming year. We do so in conjunction with our responsibility under the Federal Budget Act to provide guidance to the House Budget Committee as it prepares the 2012 budget and with our responsibility under House Resolution 72 to identify regulations and practices of the government that are impeding job creation and burdening economic growth.
“In my opinion, all of these hearings and all of the actions stemming from them must be focused on developing the vast water and hydro-electric resources in our nation. The failure of the last generation to keep pace with our water and power needs has caused chronic water shortages and skyrocketing electricity prices that are causing serious economic harm.
“In addition, willful policies that have deliberately misallocated our resources must be reversed.
“California’s Central Valley, where 200 billion gallons of water were deliberately diverted away from vital agriculture for the enjoyment and amusement of the 2-inch Delta Smelt is a case in point. These water diversions have destroyed a quarter million acres of the most fertile farmland in America, thrown tens of thousands of farm families into unemployment and impacted fruit, vegetable and nut prices in grocery stores across America.
“In Northern Arizona, 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity – enough to power a million homes – has been lost due to environmental mandates for the humpback chub.
“In the Klamath, the federal government is seeking to destroy four perfectly good hydroelectric dams at the cost of more than a half billion dollars at a time when we can’t guarantee enough electricity to keep refrigerators running this summer. The rationale is to save the salmon, but the same proposal would close the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery that produces 5 million salmon smolt each year.
“Meanwhile, funds that ought to be going to water and power development are instead being squandered on subsidizing low-flow toilets, salmon festivals, tiger salamander studies and grants to private associations whose principal activity is to sue the federal government.
“We have also thrown hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into wildly expensive conservation programs that do little or nothing to develop new water and power resources.
“Those days are over.
“It is the objective of this sub-committee to restore the original – and as yet unfulfilled -- mission of the Bureau of Reclamation – to develop and utilize our nation’s vast water and hydroelectric resources to build a new era of abundance and prosperity for our nation.”
An excerpt from the Congressman’s opening statement.
“With today’s hearing, the Water and Power Sub-Committee will begin the process of restoring abundance as the principal objective of America’s Federal water and power policy. We meet today to receive testimony from the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Service on their plans for the coming year. We do so in conjunction with our responsibility under the Federal Budget Act to provide guidance to the House Budget Committee as it prepares the 2012 budget and with our responsibility under House Resolution 72 to identify regulations and practices of the government that are impeding job creation and burdening economic growth.
“In my opinion, all of these hearings and all of the actions stemming from them must be focused on developing the vast water and hydro-electric resources in our nation. The failure of the last generation to keep pace with our water and power needs has caused chronic water shortages and skyrocketing electricity prices that are causing serious economic harm.
“In addition, willful policies that have deliberately misallocated our resources must be reversed.
“California’s Central Valley, where 200 billion gallons of water were deliberately diverted away from vital agriculture for the enjoyment and amusement of the 2-inch Delta Smelt is a case in point. These water diversions have destroyed a quarter million acres of the most fertile farmland in America, thrown tens of thousands of farm families into unemployment and impacted fruit, vegetable and nut prices in grocery stores across America.
“In Northern Arizona, 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity – enough to power a million homes – has been lost due to environmental mandates for the humpback chub.
“In the Klamath, the federal government is seeking to destroy four perfectly good hydroelectric dams at the cost of more than a half billion dollars at a time when we can’t guarantee enough electricity to keep refrigerators running this summer. The rationale is to save the salmon, but the same proposal would close the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery that produces 5 million salmon smolt each year.
“Meanwhile, funds that ought to be going to water and power development are instead being squandered on subsidizing low-flow toilets, salmon festivals, tiger salamander studies and grants to private associations whose principal activity is to sue the federal government.
“We have also thrown hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars into wildly expensive conservation programs that do little or nothing to develop new water and power resources.
“Those days are over.
“It is the objective of this sub-committee to restore the original – and as yet unfulfilled -- mission of the Bureau of Reclamation – to develop and utilize our nation’s vast water and hydroelectric resources to build a new era of abundance and prosperity for our nation.”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sacramento Explores More Contracting
As well it should, and the benefits are obvious, as this article from the Sacramento Bee reports.
A related article from Governing Magazine looks at the issues involved in ensuring diversity in contracting out.
An excerpt from the Bee article.
“For 23 years Frank Acosta has tended the grass on Sacramento's public golf courses. He earns about $60,000 a year, plus a city pension and health benefits.
“It's a good living, but it's one that officials say the city can no longer afford. As part of their effort to cut costs and plug a $39 million budget deficit, the Sacramento City Council voted last month to outsource maintenance jobs at city-owned golf courses.
“If finalized this fall, the move will result in 38 city workers losing their jobs, but will save the city an estimated $500,000 a year, according to city budget officials.
"I sit at home and think, 'Man, I have to look for another job after 23 years,' " Acosta said. "I never thought of that, but I guess I should have."
“The agreement would mark the first time the city has laid off workers to hire a private contractor, according to labor union officials.
“It was a decision watched closely by many.
“There was a sense among city officials that golf maintenance would serve as a good barometer of the City Council's appetite for contracting out jobs historically held by public employees. If the council wouldn't outsource a service for a so-called elite sport, there was no sense trying to expand the concept.
“But now that the council has approved the move, city officials say privately that it could open the door to other contract proposals. Solid waste collection and park maintenance could be next.
“That has the city's labor unions concerned.
"We're all nervous, and we should be," said Marcia Mooney, a business representative with Local 39, City Hall's largest labor union. "Private contractors are not in it to be nonprofits. Eventually they will have to raise their fees, and the city is at the mercy of that contract."
“Political patronage
“With budget deficits dogging cities across California and the nation, more are trying to save money by hiring private companies to perform work traditionally done by public employees. While many local governments already outsource garbage collection and water treatment, more are looking at expanding the concept.
“Budget officials argue that contracting with private firms greatly reduces labor costs and, in some cases, can increase the quality of services by using expert firms.”
A related article from Governing Magazine looks at the issues involved in ensuring diversity in contracting out.
An excerpt from the Bee article.
“For 23 years Frank Acosta has tended the grass on Sacramento's public golf courses. He earns about $60,000 a year, plus a city pension and health benefits.
“It's a good living, but it's one that officials say the city can no longer afford. As part of their effort to cut costs and plug a $39 million budget deficit, the Sacramento City Council voted last month to outsource maintenance jobs at city-owned golf courses.
“If finalized this fall, the move will result in 38 city workers losing their jobs, but will save the city an estimated $500,000 a year, according to city budget officials.
"I sit at home and think, 'Man, I have to look for another job after 23 years,' " Acosta said. "I never thought of that, but I guess I should have."
“The agreement would mark the first time the city has laid off workers to hire a private contractor, according to labor union officials.
“It was a decision watched closely by many.
“There was a sense among city officials that golf maintenance would serve as a good barometer of the City Council's appetite for contracting out jobs historically held by public employees. If the council wouldn't outsource a service for a so-called elite sport, there was no sense trying to expand the concept.
“But now that the council has approved the move, city officials say privately that it could open the door to other contract proposals. Solid waste collection and park maintenance could be next.
“That has the city's labor unions concerned.
"We're all nervous, and we should be," said Marcia Mooney, a business representative with Local 39, City Hall's largest labor union. "Private contractors are not in it to be nonprofits. Eventually they will have to raise their fees, and the city is at the mercy of that contract."
“Political patronage
“With budget deficits dogging cities across California and the nation, more are trying to save money by hiring private companies to perform work traditionally done by public employees. While many local governments already outsource garbage collection and water treatment, more are looking at expanding the concept.
“Budget officials argue that contracting with private firms greatly reduces labor costs and, in some cases, can increase the quality of services by using expert firms.”
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Climate Warming & Economic Battles
One battle appears to be shaping up as the Arctic warms, reported by Fast Company.
An excerpt.
“In this installment of the Butterfly Effect, climate change is creating incredible economic opportunity in the Arctic, leading to saber rattling from Canada and Russia. Whichever region benefits the most will have enormous geopolitical consequences.
“1. The Great Melt.
“In August 2007, a robotic Russian sub planted a titanium flag on the seabed at the North Pole, an act dismissed as a PR stunt by diplomats in Ottawa and Washington until Russian bombers promptly resumed Arctic patrols for the first time since the Cold War. A few weeks later, the U.S. National Ice Center reported that the fabled Northwest Passage was open and ice-free for the first time in history, theoretically shrinking the distance (and costs) between Asia and Europe by as much as 25%, presuming Canada was willing to let ships use it. The prospect of a Northwest Passage open to commercial traffic could cause a massive shift in the world’s trading lanes, drive sovereignty-obsessed nations to militarize the Arctic, and eventually watch in horror as resource-rich Greenland and Quebec raise the cash (and armed forces) to become the North’s breakaway republics.
“The Arctic lost nearly half its icepack in summer 2007, alarming climatologists while causing the North’s governments to salivate. The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources calculates the Arctic might contain twice the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. The contours of the race to “carve up” the Arctic were revealed in the latest batch of leaked WikiLeaks cables released last month. “The twenty-first century will see a fight for resources, and Russia should not be defeated in this fight,” Russian Ambassador to NATO Dimitry Rogozin was quoted as saying in a 2010 cable. “NATO has sensed where the wind comes from. It comes from the North.”
“2. Navigating the Northwest Passage
“The dream of a Northwest Passage up Baffin Bay, through the Arctic Archipelago and into the Beaufort and then Bering Seas is as old as Captain Cook or Henry Hudson. But many ships and many more men have been lost trying to navigate the route. Climate change has done the work that explorers could not. It is may be a matter of time before the Arctic Ocean is completely ice-free in the summer, whether it’s 2100 or 2030 (depending on which model you believe).
“A shorter route between Europe and Asia minus the geopolitical headaches makes as much sense as ever. A container ship leaving Yokohama bound for Rotterdam takes currently takes 29 days to round the Cape of Good Hope, or 22 days via Singapore, the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal. An Arctic route could cut that to 15 days, bypassing a saber-rattling Chinese navy, Malay and Somali pirates, and the burden of paying canal fees.
“The Northwest Passage could save a ship as much as $3.5 million per trip, according to Scott G. Borgerson, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The passage would accelerate the movement toward “Post Panamax” ships like the Emma Maersk, which can carry 15,000 shipping containers--three times the size of what can now squeeze through the Panama Canal. “In an age of just-in-time delivery, and with increasing fuel costs eating into the profits of shipping companies, reducing long-haul sailing distances by as much as 40 percent could usher in a new phase of globalization,” Borgerson wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs. World-spanning supply chains would preserve their fossil-fuel-dependent cost advantage a little while longer, thanks in no small part to the oil being pumped out of the Arctic.”
An excerpt.
“In this installment of the Butterfly Effect, climate change is creating incredible economic opportunity in the Arctic, leading to saber rattling from Canada and Russia. Whichever region benefits the most will have enormous geopolitical consequences.
“1. The Great Melt.
“In August 2007, a robotic Russian sub planted a titanium flag on the seabed at the North Pole, an act dismissed as a PR stunt by diplomats in Ottawa and Washington until Russian bombers promptly resumed Arctic patrols for the first time since the Cold War. A few weeks later, the U.S. National Ice Center reported that the fabled Northwest Passage was open and ice-free for the first time in history, theoretically shrinking the distance (and costs) between Asia and Europe by as much as 25%, presuming Canada was willing to let ships use it. The prospect of a Northwest Passage open to commercial traffic could cause a massive shift in the world’s trading lanes, drive sovereignty-obsessed nations to militarize the Arctic, and eventually watch in horror as resource-rich Greenland and Quebec raise the cash (and armed forces) to become the North’s breakaway republics.
“The Arctic lost nearly half its icepack in summer 2007, alarming climatologists while causing the North’s governments to salivate. The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources calculates the Arctic might contain twice the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia. The contours of the race to “carve up” the Arctic were revealed in the latest batch of leaked WikiLeaks cables released last month. “The twenty-first century will see a fight for resources, and Russia should not be defeated in this fight,” Russian Ambassador to NATO Dimitry Rogozin was quoted as saying in a 2010 cable. “NATO has sensed where the wind comes from. It comes from the North.”
“2. Navigating the Northwest Passage
“The dream of a Northwest Passage up Baffin Bay, through the Arctic Archipelago and into the Beaufort and then Bering Seas is as old as Captain Cook or Henry Hudson. But many ships and many more men have been lost trying to navigate the route. Climate change has done the work that explorers could not. It is may be a matter of time before the Arctic Ocean is completely ice-free in the summer, whether it’s 2100 or 2030 (depending on which model you believe).
“A shorter route between Europe and Asia minus the geopolitical headaches makes as much sense as ever. A container ship leaving Yokohama bound for Rotterdam takes currently takes 29 days to round the Cape of Good Hope, or 22 days via Singapore, the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal. An Arctic route could cut that to 15 days, bypassing a saber-rattling Chinese navy, Malay and Somali pirates, and the burden of paying canal fees.
“The Northwest Passage could save a ship as much as $3.5 million per trip, according to Scott G. Borgerson, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The passage would accelerate the movement toward “Post Panamax” ships like the Emma Maersk, which can carry 15,000 shipping containers--three times the size of what can now squeeze through the Panama Canal. “In an age of just-in-time delivery, and with increasing fuel costs eating into the profits of shipping companies, reducing long-haul sailing distances by as much as 40 percent could usher in a new phase of globalization,” Borgerson wrote in an article for Foreign Affairs. World-spanning supply chains would preserve their fossil-fuel-dependent cost advantage a little while longer, thanks in no small part to the oil being pumped out of the Arctic.”
Monday, June 27, 2011
Paths Across the Sea
Science often does really wonderful things, discovering exquisite facts, as this story from the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
An excerpt.
“SAN FRANCISCO -- Two broad ocean highways where countless sea creatures migrate, feed, mate and reproduce have been discovered running across the Pacific by scientists tuning in to thousands of radio signals.
“The calls have come from electronic tags fitted to the Pacific's top predators - sharks and whales and the wandering albatross, for example. In all, the 23 most important of those creatures - in the water and the air - have revealed a far more complete picture of the behavior patterns and environments of the ocean's animals than the fragmentary information known before to science.
“The discovery of the two highways is the culmination of a wide-ranging 10-year project involving more than 75 scientists from five nations, including the project's leaders, Barbara Block of Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station and Daniel Costa of UC Santa Cruz.
“The scientists call the highways "the corridors of life" and "the grasslands of the sea," and likened them to Africa's vast Serengeti Plain, where countless species of African land animals live and migrate. The ocean regions are major habitats for the Pacific's predators and their victims lower on the food chain - indeed for everything down to the krill and plankton of the ocean's depths.
“One is the huge area where the cool, nutrient-rich California Current flows southward from the Arctic along the California and Mexican coast and outward from the near-shore into the deep sea beyond. The other is the broad region known as the North Pacific Transition Zone that crosses from Japan to the coast of Washington.
“Twenty-one of the project's leading researchers are reporting their combined results today in the online edition of the journal Nature.”
An excerpt.
“SAN FRANCISCO -- Two broad ocean highways where countless sea creatures migrate, feed, mate and reproduce have been discovered running across the Pacific by scientists tuning in to thousands of radio signals.
“The calls have come from electronic tags fitted to the Pacific's top predators - sharks and whales and the wandering albatross, for example. In all, the 23 most important of those creatures - in the water and the air - have revealed a far more complete picture of the behavior patterns and environments of the ocean's animals than the fragmentary information known before to science.
“The discovery of the two highways is the culmination of a wide-ranging 10-year project involving more than 75 scientists from five nations, including the project's leaders, Barbara Block of Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station and Daniel Costa of UC Santa Cruz.
“The scientists call the highways "the corridors of life" and "the grasslands of the sea," and likened them to Africa's vast Serengeti Plain, where countless species of African land animals live and migrate. The ocean regions are major habitats for the Pacific's predators and their victims lower on the food chain - indeed for everything down to the krill and plankton of the ocean's depths.
“One is the huge area where the cool, nutrient-rich California Current flows southward from the Arctic along the California and Mexican coast and outward from the near-shore into the deep sea beyond. The other is the broad region known as the North Pacific Transition Zone that crosses from Japan to the coast of Washington.
“Twenty-one of the project's leading researchers are reporting their combined results today in the online edition of the journal Nature.”
Friday, June 24, 2011
K Street Drama, Act 1345
The plans continue, and though these look very promising, we have been here before; but still, hope does spring eternal.
This article from the Sacramento Bee reports on the latest efforts.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento took a big step Tuesday toward remaking K Street's bleakest stretch into a hub of city life.
“By a unanimous vote, the Sacramento City Council approved the development agreement and financing plan for a $47.7 million project that will bring housing, restaurants, boutiques and live music to the 700 block of the K Street Mall.
“If all goes smoothly, the developer behind the project said he hopes to break ground by the end of the year – and finish by 2014.
"This is going to change the look and feel of K Street," Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said. "It's something the city of Sacramento has been working really hard to get and we're stepping across the threshold."
“City Hall spent years – and $42 million – acquiring 19 properties along the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street. The City Council voted in July to hand over those properties and millions of dollars in redevelopment subsidies to two development teams.
“The financing plan for a project on the 800 block led by downtown developer David Taylor is still being ironed out, and city officials are hoping to present a plan to the council by the end of the summer.
“For now, City Hall's attention will turn to the 700 block – the stretch of mostly empty storefronts bordering Westfield Downtown Plaza.
"We think this project will be a huge catalyst for that area," said developer Bay Miry, who is best known for his red brick restaurant and residential project at 14th and R streets in midtown.
“Miry's D&S Development and CFY Development are proposing 137 moderate-income and market-rate housing units facing both the K Street Mall and the alley between K and L streets.”
This article from the Sacramento Bee reports on the latest efforts.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento took a big step Tuesday toward remaking K Street's bleakest stretch into a hub of city life.
“By a unanimous vote, the Sacramento City Council approved the development agreement and financing plan for a $47.7 million project that will bring housing, restaurants, boutiques and live music to the 700 block of the K Street Mall.
“If all goes smoothly, the developer behind the project said he hopes to break ground by the end of the year – and finish by 2014.
"This is going to change the look and feel of K Street," Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said. "It's something the city of Sacramento has been working really hard to get and we're stepping across the threshold."
“City Hall spent years – and $42 million – acquiring 19 properties along the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street. The City Council voted in July to hand over those properties and millions of dollars in redevelopment subsidies to two development teams.
“The financing plan for a project on the 800 block led by downtown developer David Taylor is still being ironed out, and city officials are hoping to present a plan to the council by the end of the summer.
“For now, City Hall's attention will turn to the 700 block – the stretch of mostly empty storefronts bordering Westfield Downtown Plaza.
"We think this project will be a huge catalyst for that area," said developer Bay Miry, who is best known for his red brick restaurant and residential project at 14th and R streets in midtown.
“Miry's D&S Development and CFY Development are proposing 137 moderate-income and market-rate housing units facing both the K Street Mall and the alley between K and L streets.”
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Nature & Capitalism
The wooden stake that has always been lodged in the heart of the environmentalist movement is the creativity of capitalism, which, along with the social entrepreneurism of the nonprofit (and even sometimes the government) sector, to address stewardship problems arising in the continuance of nature’s riches to benefit humanity, whether it is the development of hatchery technology to enhance the salmon's productivity or cattle breeding and feeding technology to enhance the beef on the table.
That is the case with the recent situation with bees, as written about in the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“The last week of June is National Pollinator Week. Birds, bats and wild insects all pollinate the flowering plants around us. The most celebrated pollinator is the honeybee—and for good reason. Close to 2.5 million hives of bees are managed by fewer than 2,000 commercial beekeepers, who take their bees on the road each year to pollinate blueberries, almonds, cranberries and a cornucopia of other fruits and vegetables. Without this cooperation of beekeeper, bee and farmer, our national diet would be less nutritious and less tasty.
“As even casual observers now know, however, all is not perfect in the world of bees. Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, is their most recent scourge. Over the past four years, approximately 30% of U.S. honeybees alive in the fall failed to survive to pollinate blossoms in the spring. While widespread die-offs due to disease are as old as beekeeping, dating back to the 17th century at least, this one appears worse than most.
“What is truly remarkable, then, is that the pollinating services of bees, and the fruits and vegetables of their labors, have remained steady in the face of CCD. In light of this fact, we propose a celebration—to pay homage to the resilience of honeybees and to the business acumen and perseverance of commercial beekeepers.”
That is the case with the recent situation with bees, as written about in the Wall Street Journal.
An excerpt.
“The last week of June is National Pollinator Week. Birds, bats and wild insects all pollinate the flowering plants around us. The most celebrated pollinator is the honeybee—and for good reason. Close to 2.5 million hives of bees are managed by fewer than 2,000 commercial beekeepers, who take their bees on the road each year to pollinate blueberries, almonds, cranberries and a cornucopia of other fruits and vegetables. Without this cooperation of beekeeper, bee and farmer, our national diet would be less nutritious and less tasty.
“As even casual observers now know, however, all is not perfect in the world of bees. Colony collapse disorder, or CCD, is their most recent scourge. Over the past four years, approximately 30% of U.S. honeybees alive in the fall failed to survive to pollinate blossoms in the spring. While widespread die-offs due to disease are as old as beekeeping, dating back to the 17th century at least, this one appears worse than most.
“What is truly remarkable, then, is that the pollinating services of bees, and the fruits and vegetables of their labors, have remained steady in the face of CCD. In light of this fact, we propose a celebration—to pay homage to the resilience of honeybees and to the business acumen and perseverance of commercial beekeepers.”
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Parkway Trees & the Levees
Though the new policy from the Army Corps of Engineers about allowing no trees on levees, will, once implemented, harm the familiar aesthetics of the Parkway experience—until the eye adjusts to the grassy levees and the expanded view shed—the reasoning behind the decision appears sound.
While both arguments about trees and levees appear right—healthy trees on the levees strengthen them and unhealthy trees on the levees weaken them—the appropriate course to take is to protect the public’s safety (as healthy trees invariably become unhealthy trees) and that does call for a policy of no trees.
This article from the Sacramento Bee examines the current situation.
An excerpt.
“A controversial federal policy that could require millions of trees to be cut down on Central Valley levees is the target of a lawsuit.
“Three environmental groups filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday in federal court in Sacramento.
“The Army Corps sets national standards for levee safety. In 2007 it unveiled a revised maintenance policy that forbids trees or shrubs on levees. Instead, only short grass is allowed on levees and within 15 feet on either side.
“The policy raises significant concerns in California, where levee vegetation composes much of the remaining 5 percent of the Central Valley's historic riparian forest. As such, it is crucial shade and habitat for migrating endangered fish, as well as nesting habitat for many endangered birds.
"This would be the most massive intentional infliction of environmental damage on our rivers that we've seen in modern times," said Bob Wright, senior counsel at Friends of the River in Sacramento. "It's mind-boggling."
“Other plaintiffs are Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“The plaintiffs allege the Army Corps policy violates the Endangered Species Act, because the agency did not consult with federal wildlife agencies; and the National Environmental Policy Act, because it didn't prepare an environmental study. Army Corps spokesman Pete Pierce declined to comment on the lawsuit.
“The policy has not yet been carried out in the Central Valley. State and local agencies struck a deal with the Army Corps to delay it until next year while they work out a compromise.
“The Corps also created a process for local agencies to obtain exemptions so trees can remain. However, this may require costly levee redesigns.
“The potential removal of thousands of trees in the Sacramento area alarms many residents who value their shade and scenery, particularly along the American River Parkway.”
While both arguments about trees and levees appear right—healthy trees on the levees strengthen them and unhealthy trees on the levees weaken them—the appropriate course to take is to protect the public’s safety (as healthy trees invariably become unhealthy trees) and that does call for a policy of no trees.
This article from the Sacramento Bee examines the current situation.
An excerpt.
“A controversial federal policy that could require millions of trees to be cut down on Central Valley levees is the target of a lawsuit.
“Three environmental groups filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Monday in federal court in Sacramento.
“The Army Corps sets national standards for levee safety. In 2007 it unveiled a revised maintenance policy that forbids trees or shrubs on levees. Instead, only short grass is allowed on levees and within 15 feet on either side.
“The policy raises significant concerns in California, where levee vegetation composes much of the remaining 5 percent of the Central Valley's historic riparian forest. As such, it is crucial shade and habitat for migrating endangered fish, as well as nesting habitat for many endangered birds.
"This would be the most massive intentional infliction of environmental damage on our rivers that we've seen in modern times," said Bob Wright, senior counsel at Friends of the River in Sacramento. "It's mind-boggling."
“Other plaintiffs are Defenders of Wildlife and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“The plaintiffs allege the Army Corps policy violates the Endangered Species Act, because the agency did not consult with federal wildlife agencies; and the National Environmental Policy Act, because it didn't prepare an environmental study. Army Corps spokesman Pete Pierce declined to comment on the lawsuit.
“The policy has not yet been carried out in the Central Valley. State and local agencies struck a deal with the Army Corps to delay it until next year while they work out a compromise.
“The Corps also created a process for local agencies to obtain exemptions so trees can remain. However, this may require costly levee redesigns.
“The potential removal of thousands of trees in the Sacramento area alarms many residents who value their shade and scenery, particularly along the American River Parkway.”
Monday, June 20, 2011
Parks Funding
It is, in the larger world, at the lower end of funding priorities, but the inability of the higher level leadership to get its act together, will ultimately impact it even more corrosively than normal, even during tough times.
This article from the Wall Street Journal looks at state leadership here in Sacramento.
An excerpt.
“'All My Children" may be off the air, but the soap opera is still running in Sacramento. In the latest installment, Governor Jerry Brown divorced his fellow Democrats by vetoing their budget. Democrats and unions are furious and plotting revenge, while both sides blame the evil Republicans for refusing to sanction a referendum that would give voters a chance to endorse a tax increase.
“Where's Susan Lucci when you need her?
“Mr. Brown deserves credit for vetoing the Democratic budget that reverted to Sacramento form to close a $9.6 billion deficit, deferring several billion dollars of bills into the future, borrowing from special funds, and raising the state's sales tax and vehicle registration fee without the constitutionally required supermajority vote. Even the Democratic treasurer warned that the state couldn't finance its short-term debt with such a risky plan, and Mr. Brown cashiered it.
“Democrats are now blasting him for suggesting that an "all cuts" budget is the only alternative if Republicans won't agree to allow a vote on a five-year extension of what was supposed to be a temporary income tax surcharge, among other tax hikes. Democrats are frustrated because they expected Republicans to cave months ago. But Republicans have shown laudable discipline, and they know that their relevance in state politics hinges on extracting concessions from employee unions that will reduce the future cost of government.
“Mr. Brown needs at least two GOP votes in each chamber to put the tax increases on the ballot. And Republican lawmakers have said for months that they're willing to do so in return for modest pension and regulatory reforms and a hard spending cap.
“For instance, they want to cap annual pension benefits at $106,000 per employee. Yup, state workers could still earn a six-figure annual pension from retirement to death. Republicans also want new state workers—not current employees—to have the option of a hybrid pension that includes a less generous defined benefit portion as well as an employer-matched defined contribution plan. That proposal is scaled back from the recommendation of the state independent oversight commission to freeze benefits for current workers and to move everyone into hybrid plans.”
This article from the Wall Street Journal looks at state leadership here in Sacramento.
An excerpt.
“'All My Children" may be off the air, but the soap opera is still running in Sacramento. In the latest installment, Governor Jerry Brown divorced his fellow Democrats by vetoing their budget. Democrats and unions are furious and plotting revenge, while both sides blame the evil Republicans for refusing to sanction a referendum that would give voters a chance to endorse a tax increase.
“Where's Susan Lucci when you need her?
“Mr. Brown deserves credit for vetoing the Democratic budget that reverted to Sacramento form to close a $9.6 billion deficit, deferring several billion dollars of bills into the future, borrowing from special funds, and raising the state's sales tax and vehicle registration fee without the constitutionally required supermajority vote. Even the Democratic treasurer warned that the state couldn't finance its short-term debt with such a risky plan, and Mr. Brown cashiered it.
“Democrats are now blasting him for suggesting that an "all cuts" budget is the only alternative if Republicans won't agree to allow a vote on a five-year extension of what was supposed to be a temporary income tax surcharge, among other tax hikes. Democrats are frustrated because they expected Republicans to cave months ago. But Republicans have shown laudable discipline, and they know that their relevance in state politics hinges on extracting concessions from employee unions that will reduce the future cost of government.
“Mr. Brown needs at least two GOP votes in each chamber to put the tax increases on the ballot. And Republican lawmakers have said for months that they're willing to do so in return for modest pension and regulatory reforms and a hard spending cap.
“For instance, they want to cap annual pension benefits at $106,000 per employee. Yup, state workers could still earn a six-figure annual pension from retirement to death. Republicans also want new state workers—not current employees—to have the option of a hybrid pension that includes a less generous defined benefit portion as well as an employer-matched defined contribution plan. That proposal is scaled back from the recommendation of the state independent oversight commission to freeze benefits for current workers and to move everyone into hybrid plans.”
Friday, June 17, 2011
Nonprofit Management of Parkway
The model used by us and many others (San Francisco & Pittsburgh for instance) in their strategic planning discussions and implementations, for having a nonprofit manage their signature parks, is the Central Park Conservancy, which has been managing Central Park in New York City for years—raising 85% of the money the park needs—under contract with New York City.
In this recent article from the New York Times, the strategy to renew their fund raising presence is unveiled (and it gives a sense of what could be done here for the Parkway if our strategy was implemented) as our Parkway is surely as loved by us as is Central Park by New Yorkers.
An excerpt from the Times article.
“The nonprofit organization that manages, maintains and raises money for Central Park is using a new campaign to embrace a new identity.
“The campaign got under way early this month. The theme declares that the organization, the Central Park Conservancy, is “Central to the park.”
“The campaign seeks to rebrand the organization, which was founded in 1980, by spotlighting a new logo. Echoing the word play in the theme, the logo is being called a “park mark”; it is a bright-green rectangle, in the shape of Central Park, set against a white background.
“The campaign is being created by a team at the conservancy working with McGarryBowen in New York, part of the Dentsu West unit of Dentsu. McGarryBowen, which creates ads for marketers like Kraft Foods and Verizon Communications, is volunteering its services for the campaign.
“The media agency for the campaign — Zenith Media, part of the ZenithOptimedia Group division of the Publicis Groupe — is also donating its services.
“The campaign is extensive, appearing in both traditional and nontraditional media.
“On the traditional side, there are print advertisements, direct mail and posters for bus shelters and subway platforms.
“On the nontraditional front, there are ads online; apps for the iPhone and Android; a presence on the conservancy’s Web site, centralparknyc.org; and social media like Facebook (facebook.com/centralparknyc) and Twitter (twitter.com/CentralParkBuzz).
“The campaign is indicative of efforts by nonprofit organizations to stand out amid all the ads from profit-making marketers.
“Once, appealing to the altruistic side of the public was often enough for them to elicit a response. Now, organizations, associations, charities and causes need to do more to get the attention of busy, distracted consumers.
“For the conservancy, the emphasis is on conveying the unusual nature of its mission: keeping up Central Park under the terms of a contract with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It’s a challenge,” says Douglas Blonsky, president of the conservancy and the Central Park administrator, because “people are not used to understanding that a private organization could be managing a public park.”
“Of the $37 million annual budget for Central Park, he adds, 85 percent comes from the conservancy.”
In this recent article from the New York Times, the strategy to renew their fund raising presence is unveiled (and it gives a sense of what could be done here for the Parkway if our strategy was implemented) as our Parkway is surely as loved by us as is Central Park by New Yorkers.
An excerpt from the Times article.
“The nonprofit organization that manages, maintains and raises money for Central Park is using a new campaign to embrace a new identity.
“The campaign got under way early this month. The theme declares that the organization, the Central Park Conservancy, is “Central to the park.”
“The campaign seeks to rebrand the organization, which was founded in 1980, by spotlighting a new logo. Echoing the word play in the theme, the logo is being called a “park mark”; it is a bright-green rectangle, in the shape of Central Park, set against a white background.
“The campaign is being created by a team at the conservancy working with McGarryBowen in New York, part of the Dentsu West unit of Dentsu. McGarryBowen, which creates ads for marketers like Kraft Foods and Verizon Communications, is volunteering its services for the campaign.
“The media agency for the campaign — Zenith Media, part of the ZenithOptimedia Group division of the Publicis Groupe — is also donating its services.
“The campaign is extensive, appearing in both traditional and nontraditional media.
“On the traditional side, there are print advertisements, direct mail and posters for bus shelters and subway platforms.
“On the nontraditional front, there are ads online; apps for the iPhone and Android; a presence on the conservancy’s Web site, centralparknyc.org; and social media like Facebook (facebook.com/centralparknyc) and Twitter (twitter.com/CentralParkBuzz).
“The campaign is indicative of efforts by nonprofit organizations to stand out amid all the ads from profit-making marketers.
“Once, appealing to the altruistic side of the public was often enough for them to elicit a response. Now, organizations, associations, charities and causes need to do more to get the attention of busy, distracted consumers.
“For the conservancy, the emphasis is on conveying the unusual nature of its mission: keeping up Central Park under the terms of a contract with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It’s a challenge,” says Douglas Blonsky, president of the conservancy and the Central Park administrator, because “people are not used to understanding that a private organization could be managing a public park.”
“Of the $37 million annual budget for Central Park, he adds, 85 percent comes from the conservancy.”
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Park Bridging
Anytime you can connect parks with walkways/bikeways that avoid the danger of being on fast traffic streets, it is very good public policy—something we wrote about, on a much larger scale (connecting Coloma to Sacramento by bike/pedestrian/horse trails) in our 2007 report in the Ecoregionalism section starting on page 17—as this pending project connecting Curtis Park with Land Park certainly is, as reported by Sacramento Press.
An excerpt.
“Residents will get a chance to see the design of a planned pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the railroad between Curtis Park and Land Park Wednesday night.
“The city’s project team will give a construction update at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, 2791 24th St., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
“The bridge is designed to give pedestrians and cyclists safe access over the railroad tracks from the light rail stop at Sacramento City College near the intersection of 24th Street and Sutterville Road.
“Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists must use Sutterville Road to travel between Curtis Park and the light rail station,” according to a Department of Transportation newsletter. “This multi-lane, high-speed roadway makes walking and bike riding a risky and inconvenient way to travel.”
An excerpt.
“Residents will get a chance to see the design of a planned pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the railroad between Curtis Park and Land Park Wednesday night.
“The city’s project team will give a construction update at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, 2791 24th St., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday
“The bridge is designed to give pedestrians and cyclists safe access over the railroad tracks from the light rail stop at Sacramento City College near the intersection of 24th Street and Sutterville Road.
“Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists must use Sutterville Road to travel between Curtis Park and the light rail station,” according to a Department of Transportation newsletter. “This multi-lane, high-speed roadway makes walking and bike riding a risky and inconvenient way to travel.”
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Water Storage/Water Shortage
At some point, editorial writers, including those writing for the Sacramento Bee, will wake up to the fact that there isn’t a water shortage problem—Northern California produces plenty of water—but a water storage problem.
Fortunately, some public leaders, like Congressman Tom McClintock, realize this and are beginning to shape water policy on an abundance approach rather than restricting its use approach—as we posted on earlier.
A common sense approach will take into account the abundance of water we do have and work to store more of it during wet years for use during dry, and for supporting solid economic growth of local communities that will benefit the whole region, rather than continuing to rely on tired arguments driving too many editorial writers.
An excerpt.
“Folsom's elected leaders probably didn't realize the mistake they were making in 2004 when they persuaded voters to approve a charter measure that was pure politics. The measure, among other things, smoothed the way for development south of Highway 50 by promising existing residents that the city's existing water supply wouldn't be tapped for the expansion.
“At the time, city leaders feared that slow-growth forces might pass a competing measure - later disqualified for the ballot - aimed at stifling any new development. Yet by attempting to appease citizens with Measure W, they placed the city in a costly and untenable position. The bill for that decision has now come due.
“On Tuesday, the Folsom City Council is slated to consider permits for development south of 50. The permits will allow construction of more than 10,000 homes and 7.2 million square feet of commercial, retail and office space over a 25-year period.
“In many respects, Folsom has done a reasonable job of planning this project. You could argue it is too light on housing and too heavy on retail. But it includes thoughtful provisions for schools, open space, transit, bikeways and neighborhood design.
“Yet there's one major problem with this project - its water supply. To comply with the provisions of Measure W, Folsom is banking on a "reassignment" of water from a Natomas agricultural district that could cost nearly $250 million.
“We have no problem with water transfers, as we noted in 2007. But $250 million for 10,000 homes and other development? According to Folsom's own analysis, that will add $38,882 to each new unit of single family housing. And that is just part of the $1 billion in infrastructure needed for this development.
“By taking this route, Folsom faces two different sets of risks.
“First off, water transfers are notoriously difficult to pull off - particularly ones that would shift supplies from farms to cities. Water contractors across California will want proof that Folsom is buying "real water" from Natomas - supplies freed up through conservation or fallowing of crops, as opposed to Sacramento River water that others might claim.”
Fortunately, some public leaders, like Congressman Tom McClintock, realize this and are beginning to shape water policy on an abundance approach rather than restricting its use approach—as we posted on earlier.
A common sense approach will take into account the abundance of water we do have and work to store more of it during wet years for use during dry, and for supporting solid economic growth of local communities that will benefit the whole region, rather than continuing to rely on tired arguments driving too many editorial writers.
An excerpt.
“Folsom's elected leaders probably didn't realize the mistake they were making in 2004 when they persuaded voters to approve a charter measure that was pure politics. The measure, among other things, smoothed the way for development south of Highway 50 by promising existing residents that the city's existing water supply wouldn't be tapped for the expansion.
“At the time, city leaders feared that slow-growth forces might pass a competing measure - later disqualified for the ballot - aimed at stifling any new development. Yet by attempting to appease citizens with Measure W, they placed the city in a costly and untenable position. The bill for that decision has now come due.
“On Tuesday, the Folsom City Council is slated to consider permits for development south of 50. The permits will allow construction of more than 10,000 homes and 7.2 million square feet of commercial, retail and office space over a 25-year period.
“In many respects, Folsom has done a reasonable job of planning this project. You could argue it is too light on housing and too heavy on retail. But it includes thoughtful provisions for schools, open space, transit, bikeways and neighborhood design.
“Yet there's one major problem with this project - its water supply. To comply with the provisions of Measure W, Folsom is banking on a "reassignment" of water from a Natomas agricultural district that could cost nearly $250 million.
“We have no problem with water transfers, as we noted in 2007. But $250 million for 10,000 homes and other development? According to Folsom's own analysis, that will add $38,882 to each new unit of single family housing. And that is just part of the $1 billion in infrastructure needed for this development.
“By taking this route, Folsom faces two different sets of risks.
“First off, water transfers are notoriously difficult to pull off - particularly ones that would shift supplies from farms to cities. Water contractors across California will want proof that Folsom is buying "real water" from Natomas - supplies freed up through conservation or fallowing of crops, as opposed to Sacramento River water that others might claim.”
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
California Nightmare
It continues, as this article from New Geography notes.
An excerpt.
“Ideas matter, particularly when colored by religious fanaticism, wreaking havoc even in the most favored of places. Take, for instance, Iran, a country blessed with a rich heritage and enormous physical and human resources, but which, thanks to its theocratic regime, is largely an economic basket case and rogue state.
“Then there’s California, rich in everything from oil and food to international trade and technology, but still skimming along the bottom of the national economy. The state’s unemployment rate is now worse than Michigan’s and ahead only of neighboring Nevada. Among the nation’s 20 largest metropolitan regions, four of the six with the highest unemployment numbers are located in the Golden State: Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. In a recent Forbes survey, California was home to six of the ten regions where the economy is poised to get worse.
“One would think, given these gory details, California officials would be focused on reversing the state’s performance. But here, as in Iran, officialdom focuses more on theology than on actuality. Of course, California’s religion rests not on conventional divinity but on a secular environmental faith that nevertheless exhibits the intrusive and unbending character of radical religion.
“As with its Iranian counterpart, California’s green theology often leads to illogical economic and political decisions. California has decided, for example, to impose a rigid regime of state-directed planning related to global warming, making a difficult approval process for new development even more onerous. It has doubled-down on climate change as other surrounding western states — such as Nevada, Utah and Arizona — have opted out of regional greenhouse gas agreements.
“The notion that a state economy — particularly one that has lost over 1.15 million jobs in the past decade — can impose draconian regulations beyond those of their more affluent neighbors, or the country, would seem almost absurd.
“Californians are learning what ideological extremism can do to an economy. In the Islamic Republic, crazy theology leads to misallocating resources to support repression at home and terrorism abroad. In California green zealots compel companies to shift their operations to states that are still interested in growing their economy — like Texas. The green regime is one reason why CEO Magazine has ranked California the worst business climate in the nation.
“Some of these green policies often offer dubious benefits for the environment. For one thing, forcing California businesses to move to less energy-efficient states, or to developing countries like China, could have a negative impact overall since shifting production to Texas or China might lead to higher greenhouse gas production given California’s generally milder climate. A depressed economy also threatens many worthy environmental programs, delaying necessary purchases of open space and forcing the closure of parks. These programs enhance life for the middle and working classes without damaging the overall economy.”
An excerpt.
“Ideas matter, particularly when colored by religious fanaticism, wreaking havoc even in the most favored of places. Take, for instance, Iran, a country blessed with a rich heritage and enormous physical and human resources, but which, thanks to its theocratic regime, is largely an economic basket case and rogue state.
“Then there’s California, rich in everything from oil and food to international trade and technology, but still skimming along the bottom of the national economy. The state’s unemployment rate is now worse than Michigan’s and ahead only of neighboring Nevada. Among the nation’s 20 largest metropolitan regions, four of the six with the highest unemployment numbers are located in the Golden State: Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. In a recent Forbes survey, California was home to six of the ten regions where the economy is poised to get worse.
“One would think, given these gory details, California officials would be focused on reversing the state’s performance. But here, as in Iran, officialdom focuses more on theology than on actuality. Of course, California’s religion rests not on conventional divinity but on a secular environmental faith that nevertheless exhibits the intrusive and unbending character of radical religion.
“As with its Iranian counterpart, California’s green theology often leads to illogical economic and political decisions. California has decided, for example, to impose a rigid regime of state-directed planning related to global warming, making a difficult approval process for new development even more onerous. It has doubled-down on climate change as other surrounding western states — such as Nevada, Utah and Arizona — have opted out of regional greenhouse gas agreements.
“The notion that a state economy — particularly one that has lost over 1.15 million jobs in the past decade — can impose draconian regulations beyond those of their more affluent neighbors, or the country, would seem almost absurd.
“Californians are learning what ideological extremism can do to an economy. In the Islamic Republic, crazy theology leads to misallocating resources to support repression at home and terrorism abroad. In California green zealots compel companies to shift their operations to states that are still interested in growing their economy — like Texas. The green regime is one reason why CEO Magazine has ranked California the worst business climate in the nation.
“Some of these green policies often offer dubious benefits for the environment. For one thing, forcing California businesses to move to less energy-efficient states, or to developing countries like China, could have a negative impact overall since shifting production to Texas or China might lead to higher greenhouse gas production given California’s generally milder climate. A depressed economy also threatens many worthy environmental programs, delaying necessary purchases of open space and forcing the closure of parks. These programs enhance life for the middle and working classes without damaging the overall economy.”
Monday, June 13, 2011
High Speed Rail
It makes great sense for California and will enable people to travel the long commute from the southland to the Bay Area and Sacramento in record time, adding another option along with flying and the long drive.
The rationale for doing it, as reported in the Sacramento Bee, even in tough economic times, is similar to the rationale that should be adopted to build another vital public facility, the Auburn Dam.
An excerpt.
“The last time many Californians thought about high-speed rail was in the voting booth. On that day, Nov. 4, 2008, more than 6 million of us voted to tell the state to get going, to build high-speed rail in California.
“Now, 2 1/2 years later, the second guessing is in full swing. In recent weeks some have suggested that we should put the project on hold.
“We couldn't disagree more.
“California will need high-speed rail in the coming years to do something about the gridlock on our roads and at our airports. Building it is a major investment, but the most recent estimates say it would cost twice as much over the next generation to build new highways and runways just to move the same number of people. With California expected to grow by 12 million people in the next 25 years, investment in the state's transportation system is inevitable, and high-speed rail is a cost-effective alternative.
“In the last 2 1/2 years the case for high-speed rail has gotten stronger, not weaker. When voters approved the plan, a barrel of oil cost about $55; today the price is almost $100. Unemployment was around 8 percent back then, and it is now over 12 percent statewide and even higher in many areas. Californians need the jobs.
“There are bound to be questions with any project of this size. We welcome the dialogue. Last month the Legislative Analyst's Office published a report calling for at least a temporary halt to the project. The report alluded to a number of concerns about the project:
• The amount and timing of future federal funding are unclear.
• Spending state funds on rail will mean there is less money for other things.
• We do not yet know how much private investment the system can attract, or when it will come.
• Starting construction in the Central Valley is "a gamble."
“Let's take the criticisms one at a time.
“First is federal funding. While we don't know precisely how much we will get in future years, we've competed well up to this point. California's project has received the largest slice of federal high-speed rail funds to date – $3.6 billion out of $10.2 billion. This is in large part due to the extensive planning already under way at the state level and the ability to leverage voter-approved Proposition 1A funds. There is no other program where California competes so well for federal funding. We will continue to encourage additional investment – both public and private – while promoting efficiencies that allow us to stretch every dollar in creating jobs and planning for the future growth of this great state.
“Second is state funding. The voters said high-speed rail was a priority and authorized spending $9 billion in state funds. The state continues to experience fiscal constraint due to diminishing revenues, but because construction is ramping up slowly we will only need 2 percent of these funds in the coming year to keep the project on track. The amount approved by voters will be spent over many years, keeping the impact on our state's budget low in any given year.”
The rationale for doing it, as reported in the Sacramento Bee, even in tough economic times, is similar to the rationale that should be adopted to build another vital public facility, the Auburn Dam.
An excerpt.
“The last time many Californians thought about high-speed rail was in the voting booth. On that day, Nov. 4, 2008, more than 6 million of us voted to tell the state to get going, to build high-speed rail in California.
“Now, 2 1/2 years later, the second guessing is in full swing. In recent weeks some have suggested that we should put the project on hold.
“We couldn't disagree more.
“California will need high-speed rail in the coming years to do something about the gridlock on our roads and at our airports. Building it is a major investment, but the most recent estimates say it would cost twice as much over the next generation to build new highways and runways just to move the same number of people. With California expected to grow by 12 million people in the next 25 years, investment in the state's transportation system is inevitable, and high-speed rail is a cost-effective alternative.
“In the last 2 1/2 years the case for high-speed rail has gotten stronger, not weaker. When voters approved the plan, a barrel of oil cost about $55; today the price is almost $100. Unemployment was around 8 percent back then, and it is now over 12 percent statewide and even higher in many areas. Californians need the jobs.
“There are bound to be questions with any project of this size. We welcome the dialogue. Last month the Legislative Analyst's Office published a report calling for at least a temporary halt to the project. The report alluded to a number of concerns about the project:
• The amount and timing of future federal funding are unclear.
• Spending state funds on rail will mean there is less money for other things.
• We do not yet know how much private investment the system can attract, or when it will come.
• Starting construction in the Central Valley is "a gamble."
“Let's take the criticisms one at a time.
“First is federal funding. While we don't know precisely how much we will get in future years, we've competed well up to this point. California's project has received the largest slice of federal high-speed rail funds to date – $3.6 billion out of $10.2 billion. This is in large part due to the extensive planning already under way at the state level and the ability to leverage voter-approved Proposition 1A funds. There is no other program where California competes so well for federal funding. We will continue to encourage additional investment – both public and private – while promoting efficiencies that allow us to stretch every dollar in creating jobs and planning for the future growth of this great state.
“Second is state funding. The voters said high-speed rail was a priority and authorized spending $9 billion in state funds. The state continues to experience fiscal constraint due to diminishing revenues, but because construction is ramping up slowly we will only need 2 percent of these funds in the coming year to keep the project on track. The amount approved by voters will be spent over many years, keeping the impact on our state's budget low in any given year.”
Friday, June 10, 2011
River Warning
As reported by the Sacramento Bee yesterday.
An excerpt.
“With sunshine and temperatures in the 80s forecast for this weekend, the Sacramento region's rivers and waterways beckon.
“But public safety officials recommend steering clear of the water, particularly the rivers, for at least one more week.
“The flow in the Sacramento River at Freeport on Wednesday was 46,000 cubic feet per second, about 2 1/2 times the historical average of 18,000 cfs for the date, said Maury Roos, chief hydrologist with the California Department of Water Resources.
"We've posted signs at launch points warning of cold water and high flows," said Randy Lewis, park ranger supervisor for Sacramento County Regional Parks.
“Parks officials issued an advisory Tuesday urging people to avoid recreational activities on the lower American River after the Bureau of Reclamation increased releases from Folsom Dam to 9,000 cubic feet per second. The bureau said flows are likely to increase to 15,000 cfs in coming days.
“Roos said 64 percent of the expected runoff into the American River from this year's snowpack has already occurred and much of the remaining 36 percent is likely to come down the river next week, generating some of the highest flows before tapering off for the summer.
"We're playing it one day at a time," said Kent Hansen, manager of American River Raft Rentals in Rancho Cordova. "We will be closed this weekend. The water is just too fast and too cold."
An excerpt.
“With sunshine and temperatures in the 80s forecast for this weekend, the Sacramento region's rivers and waterways beckon.
“But public safety officials recommend steering clear of the water, particularly the rivers, for at least one more week.
“The flow in the Sacramento River at Freeport on Wednesday was 46,000 cubic feet per second, about 2 1/2 times the historical average of 18,000 cfs for the date, said Maury Roos, chief hydrologist with the California Department of Water Resources.
"We've posted signs at launch points warning of cold water and high flows," said Randy Lewis, park ranger supervisor for Sacramento County Regional Parks.
“Parks officials issued an advisory Tuesday urging people to avoid recreational activities on the lower American River after the Bureau of Reclamation increased releases from Folsom Dam to 9,000 cubic feet per second. The bureau said flows are likely to increase to 15,000 cfs in coming days.
“Roos said 64 percent of the expected runoff into the American River from this year's snowpack has already occurred and much of the remaining 36 percent is likely to come down the river next week, generating some of the highest flows before tapering off for the summer.
"We're playing it one day at a time," said Kent Hansen, manager of American River Raft Rentals in Rancho Cordova. "We will be closed this weekend. The water is just too fast and too cold."
Thursday, June 09, 2011
California Competitive
Great article in the Wall Street Journal’s book review about the methods to increase competitiveness—and the economy—in California and America.
An excerpt.
“The prophets of American decline are on the march in numbers not seen since the days of Jimmy Carter and stagflation. Who knows, maybe this time they'll be right—a sclerotic political system, enterprise-stifling regulations, a foolish tax structure and shortsighted public policy may finally send the U.S. economy into the permanent tailspin long predicted by experts with a grim turn of mind.
“Henry Nothhaft is not one of these professional declinists. His first-hand experience with the way America does business nowadays has prompted him to raise an alarm with "Great Again"—and to propose several ways to restore American dynamism and creative vigor.
“Mr. Nothhart, a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur who is the CEO of the technology-miniaturization company Tessera, chronicles how difficult it has become, particularly in California, to start capital-intensive enterprises. Excessive regulation and Washington policies, he argues, undermine initial public offerings and discourage the launch of businesses that provide jobs and drive productivity.
“Another disincentive to start a business in the United States: corporate taxes. As Mr. Nothhaft notes: "America now has the highest corporate tax rate in the world," with the exception of Japan—and if state taxes are figured in, we beat the Japanese too. The federal 39.2% corporate rate is higher by half than the 25.2% average among the nations, most of them European, in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
“Mr. Nothhaft profiles Conrad Burke, a 44-year-old, Irish-born physicist and technology entrepreneur who heads Innovalight, a Silicon Valley company that has succeeded in producing liquid silicon semiconductor material, which may prove vital to the solar-power industry. "It's probably harder for a start-up to raise money than it's ever been." Mr. Burke says. "Especially for any sort of manufacturing. Yes, Silicon Valley is still innovating. But it's mostly the Twitters and Diggs and other software start-ups that don't need much capital."
]
“Money for companies that require capital to produce tangible products is much harder to come by. Why? Mr. Burke recites the environmental, safety and other bureaucratic regulations that raise costs and slow creative ferment. He also highlights the tax burden beyond the corporate rates. When his company paid $10 million for German manufacturing equipment, California levied a "use" tax—Innovalight was using equipment purchased outside the state—of nearly a million dollars. "That's not a tax on our income," Mr. Burke says, "it's a tax on growing our business."
“It might be tempting to dismiss these gripes as the usual complaints of the business class, but consider the consequences of such a tax and regulatory environment. Venture capitalist David Ladd's bluntness is startling: "We would not fund a company that was building hardware or semiconductors, nor any of the tough physical sciences," he tells Mr. Nothhaft. "We'll invest in China instead and let them do it."
An excerpt.
“The prophets of American decline are on the march in numbers not seen since the days of Jimmy Carter and stagflation. Who knows, maybe this time they'll be right—a sclerotic political system, enterprise-stifling regulations, a foolish tax structure and shortsighted public policy may finally send the U.S. economy into the permanent tailspin long predicted by experts with a grim turn of mind.
“Henry Nothhaft is not one of these professional declinists. His first-hand experience with the way America does business nowadays has prompted him to raise an alarm with "Great Again"—and to propose several ways to restore American dynamism and creative vigor.
“Mr. Nothhart, a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur who is the CEO of the technology-miniaturization company Tessera, chronicles how difficult it has become, particularly in California, to start capital-intensive enterprises. Excessive regulation and Washington policies, he argues, undermine initial public offerings and discourage the launch of businesses that provide jobs and drive productivity.
“Another disincentive to start a business in the United States: corporate taxes. As Mr. Nothhaft notes: "America now has the highest corporate tax rate in the world," with the exception of Japan—and if state taxes are figured in, we beat the Japanese too. The federal 39.2% corporate rate is higher by half than the 25.2% average among the nations, most of them European, in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
“Mr. Nothhaft profiles Conrad Burke, a 44-year-old, Irish-born physicist and technology entrepreneur who heads Innovalight, a Silicon Valley company that has succeeded in producing liquid silicon semiconductor material, which may prove vital to the solar-power industry. "It's probably harder for a start-up to raise money than it's ever been." Mr. Burke says. "Especially for any sort of manufacturing. Yes, Silicon Valley is still innovating. But it's mostly the Twitters and Diggs and other software start-ups that don't need much capital."
]
“Money for companies that require capital to produce tangible products is much harder to come by. Why? Mr. Burke recites the environmental, safety and other bureaucratic regulations that raise costs and slow creative ferment. He also highlights the tax burden beyond the corporate rates. When his company paid $10 million for German manufacturing equipment, California levied a "use" tax—Innovalight was using equipment purchased outside the state—of nearly a million dollars. "That's not a tax on our income," Mr. Burke says, "it's a tax on growing our business."
“It might be tempting to dismiss these gripes as the usual complaints of the business class, but consider the consequences of such a tax and regulatory environment. Venture capitalist David Ladd's bluntness is startling: "We would not fund a company that was building hardware or semiconductors, nor any of the tough physical sciences," he tells Mr. Nothhaft. "We'll invest in China instead and let them do it."
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
K Street Drama: Act 2399
The problems with the Westfield Mall anchor to K Street is a reflection of the problems with K Street, and this latest angst-ridden lack-of-causation (it’s unsafe and unsightly) article from the Sacramento Bee keeps their normative anti-business-society’s-fault narrative going.
An excerpt.
“Undermined by the economy and suburban competition, Sacramento's Downtown Plaza shopping mall has been losing luster and customers for years.
“Now, news that owner Westfield Group has put the mall up for sale has launched a fresh round of hope and concern – and has prompted some local leaders to say it may be time for a complete knockdown and do-over at the site.
“Among the key questions: Who will buy Sacramento's "forgotten mall," and will that company have the resources, creativity and political chops to reinvent the plaza, or at least to stop the downhill slide?
“Westfield, a mammoth international company, is offering little public information about its sales plan. Retail analysts say Downtown Plaza is one of 17 poorer-performing U.S. shopping centers the Australia-based company wants to unload to raise cash for expansions at more successful malls, including four in California.
"They're pruning the lower end of their portfolio," said Benjamin Yang, a retail analyst who tracks Westfield for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, a securities brokerage firm.
“Whoever buys the 18-year-old mall will get it cheap.
“When Downtown Plaza reopened in 1993 after a $157 million revamp, Sacramentans flocked to the urban amenity and upscale stores such as J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Z Gallerie, Banana Republic and the Museum Co. Today, most of those tenants are gone. And so are the shoppers.
“Westfield's holdings at the downtown site, which do not include the two Macy's stores, have plummeted in value from $207 million to $55 million in four years, company reports show. Downtown Plaza is now worth one-tenth the value of Westfield's other local mall, Roseville Galleria.”
An excerpt.
“Undermined by the economy and suburban competition, Sacramento's Downtown Plaza shopping mall has been losing luster and customers for years.
“Now, news that owner Westfield Group has put the mall up for sale has launched a fresh round of hope and concern – and has prompted some local leaders to say it may be time for a complete knockdown and do-over at the site.
“Among the key questions: Who will buy Sacramento's "forgotten mall," and will that company have the resources, creativity and political chops to reinvent the plaza, or at least to stop the downhill slide?
“Westfield, a mammoth international company, is offering little public information about its sales plan. Retail analysts say Downtown Plaza is one of 17 poorer-performing U.S. shopping centers the Australia-based company wants to unload to raise cash for expansions at more successful malls, including four in California.
"They're pruning the lower end of their portfolio," said Benjamin Yang, a retail analyst who tracks Westfield for Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, a securities brokerage firm.
“Whoever buys the 18-year-old mall will get it cheap.
“When Downtown Plaza reopened in 1993 after a $157 million revamp, Sacramentans flocked to the urban amenity and upscale stores such as J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Z Gallerie, Banana Republic and the Museum Co. Today, most of those tenants are gone. And so are the shoppers.
“Westfield's holdings at the downtown site, which do not include the two Macy's stores, have plummeted in value from $207 million to $55 million in four years, company reports show. Downtown Plaza is now worth one-tenth the value of Westfield's other local mall, Roseville Galleria.”
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Tax Increase for Parks is a Bad Idea
The Sacramento Bee continues to tout this as the solution to County Park’s problems, in the Sunday editorial and an article from Saturday.
Fortunately, the County Board of Supervisors has turned one park over to a forprofit—Gibson Ranch—and another facility over to a nonprofit—Effie Yeaw Nature Center—both of which were excellent strategic ideas.
We hope they will therefore look askew at asking residents to increase taxes during such horrible economic times without exploring more innovative strategies instead.
Fortunately, the County Board of Supervisors has turned one park over to a forprofit—Gibson Ranch—and another facility over to a nonprofit—Effie Yeaw Nature Center—both of which were excellent strategic ideas.
We hope they will therefore look askew at asking residents to increase taxes during such horrible economic times without exploring more innovative strategies instead.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Working Together
We agree with the concept expressed in this recent editorial from the Sacramento Bee, that local governments, working together, can resolve some of the current funding issues impacting valuable public works.
Though the editorial focused on animal shelters, it is also a valuable strategy for parks, and from our point of view, most easily adapted for the region’s signature park, the American River Parkway.
A Joint Powers Authority, which has been discussed by the County, to manage and help fund the Parkway—through philanthropy rather than tax increases—is an excellent idea, and more details can be found on our website's strategy page.
An excerpt from the editorial.
“Can Sacramento city and county leaders actually make good on a common-sense move to save money and offer better service?
“We're about to find out, and the answer will set an important precedent.
“Officials from the city, county and Sacramento SPCA plan to start detailed talks this week about the nonprofit taking over the city and county animal shelters.
“The potential payoff to all three could be significant.
“SPCA leaders are interested after a consultant told them that such a merger could "dramatically enhance" care for animals in the county. Fewer dogs, cats and other animals would be euthanized, and more would be adopted.
“Meanwhile, city and county officials are trying to escape from a downward spiral in their animal care agencies. Budget and staffing cuts during the recession have forced shorter hours and fewer services, and there's little reason to expect much improvement soon.
“After slashing $1 million and 10 positions since 2007-08, the city's proposed 2011-12 budget calls for trimming another $157,000 (to $2.9 million) and 1.5 positions (to 31.5). The county's proposed 2011-12 spending plan would keep animal care stable at $3.7 million and 29 positions, but that's down from $5.1 million and 33 positions two years ago.
“Consolidation wouldn't end government's duties altogether; the city and county would continue picking up stray and injured animals, for instance. Now, about 45,000 animals come into the three shelters combined each year.
“The county boasts a state-of-the-art, $23 million shelter that opened in October 2009, while the city shelter has a very nice cat adoption area.
“It's possible that one of the three shelters might be closed eventually, or turned into a holding facility while the others focus on adoptions.
“All those sorts of details need to be worked out. The transition would be complicated – far more so than the SPCA's contracts with Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom and Rancho Cordova.”
Though the editorial focused on animal shelters, it is also a valuable strategy for parks, and from our point of view, most easily adapted for the region’s signature park, the American River Parkway.
A Joint Powers Authority, which has been discussed by the County, to manage and help fund the Parkway—through philanthropy rather than tax increases—is an excellent idea, and more details can be found on our website's strategy page.
An excerpt from the editorial.
“Can Sacramento city and county leaders actually make good on a common-sense move to save money and offer better service?
“We're about to find out, and the answer will set an important precedent.
“Officials from the city, county and Sacramento SPCA plan to start detailed talks this week about the nonprofit taking over the city and county animal shelters.
“The potential payoff to all three could be significant.
“SPCA leaders are interested after a consultant told them that such a merger could "dramatically enhance" care for animals in the county. Fewer dogs, cats and other animals would be euthanized, and more would be adopted.
“Meanwhile, city and county officials are trying to escape from a downward spiral in their animal care agencies. Budget and staffing cuts during the recession have forced shorter hours and fewer services, and there's little reason to expect much improvement soon.
“After slashing $1 million and 10 positions since 2007-08, the city's proposed 2011-12 budget calls for trimming another $157,000 (to $2.9 million) and 1.5 positions (to 31.5). The county's proposed 2011-12 spending plan would keep animal care stable at $3.7 million and 29 positions, but that's down from $5.1 million and 33 positions two years ago.
“Consolidation wouldn't end government's duties altogether; the city and county would continue picking up stray and injured animals, for instance. Now, about 45,000 animals come into the three shelters combined each year.
“The county boasts a state-of-the-art, $23 million shelter that opened in October 2009, while the city shelter has a very nice cat adoption area.
“It's possible that one of the three shelters might be closed eventually, or turned into a holding facility while the others focus on adoptions.
“All those sorts of details need to be worked out. The transition would be complicated – far more so than the SPCA's contracts with Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom and Rancho Cordova.”
Friday, June 03, 2011
County Parks Director Resigns
As reported in the Sacramento Bee.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento County's regional parks director announced her resignation Tuesday in an email to employees that expressed displeasure with the county's recent handling of her agency, which has had its budget repeatedly cut.
“In the email, a copy of which was obtained by The Bee, Janet Baker said her resignation was made "with sadness and a sense of relief."
"As many of you know, it's become increasingly challenging to lead this organization," she wrote. "On many issues, I no longer agree with decisions being made that have been taken out of my control."
“The Regional Parks Department manages about two dozen parks, including the busy and popular American River Parkway. Baker has led the department for three years – a time of deep budget and staffing cuts.
“The department has been cut from 69 employees two years ago to a projected 43 in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
“The Board of Supervisors is set to finalize a new budget next week to address a $90 million deficit – the fourth straight year of deficits.
“It includes $800,000 in cuts to parks, including a loss of eight jobs. This includes eliminating two of the 11 current park rangers, and one of 14 maintenance workers – all at a time when park visitors are already concerned about maintenance and safety.
“Baker, 61, said her resignation would be effective July 1.”
An excerpt.
“Sacramento County's regional parks director announced her resignation Tuesday in an email to employees that expressed displeasure with the county's recent handling of her agency, which has had its budget repeatedly cut.
“In the email, a copy of which was obtained by The Bee, Janet Baker said her resignation was made "with sadness and a sense of relief."
"As many of you know, it's become increasingly challenging to lead this organization," she wrote. "On many issues, I no longer agree with decisions being made that have been taken out of my control."
“The Regional Parks Department manages about two dozen parks, including the busy and popular American River Parkway. Baker has led the department for three years – a time of deep budget and staffing cuts.
“The department has been cut from 69 employees two years ago to a projected 43 in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
“The Board of Supervisors is set to finalize a new budget next week to address a $90 million deficit – the fourth straight year of deficits.
“It includes $800,000 in cuts to parks, including a loss of eight jobs. This includes eliminating two of the 11 current park rangers, and one of 14 maintenance workers – all at a time when park visitors are already concerned about maintenance and safety.
“Baker, 61, said her resignation would be effective July 1.”
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Parkway Murder Announcement
From the Sacramento Bee.
“A man was found stabbed to death along the American River Parkway late last night, Sacramento police said.
“The man, only described as being in his 30s, was found in an area frequented by the homeless near Northgate Boulevard and Del Paso Boulevard. Reports came into the police department about 11:20 p.m. about some kind of noisy disturbance in the wooded area, police said.
“A police sergeant who happened to be patrolling nearby, quickly responded to the scene but it was too late. The man, who has not been identified, died from at least one stab wound.”
“A man was found stabbed to death along the American River Parkway late last night, Sacramento police said.
“The man, only described as being in his 30s, was found in an area frequented by the homeless near Northgate Boulevard and Del Paso Boulevard. Reports came into the police department about 11:20 p.m. about some kind of noisy disturbance in the wooded area, police said.
“A police sergeant who happened to be patrolling nearby, quickly responded to the scene but it was too late. The man, who has not been identified, died from at least one stab wound.”
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Folsom Dam Modifications
They are proceeding along, as reported by Sacramento Press, and will eventually increase our flood protection level to 200 years from the current 100, though we really need the 500 year level, which only an Auburn Dam can provide, as we've posted previously.
An excerpt.
“Floods in 1986 and 1997, as well as a levee break in 2004, costing lives and billions in damage, contributed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declaring a state of emergency due to the threat of major flooding in northern California and San Joaquin Valley in 2006, and current work on Folsom Dam is helping alleviate that threat.
“The construction of an auxiliary spillway at the Folsom Dam will provide the Sacramento region a greater level of flood protection than it has now. More specifically, it will provide a 200-year level of protection, meaning a one-in-200 chance for flooding in any given year.
“Friday morning, 25 state and federal workers and even a few spectators gathered at the Folsom Dam for a presentation and tour of the ongoing work known as the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project (JFP).
“The JFP is a cooperative effort between the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), Department of Water Resources (DWR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
“The $962 million project involves the construction of an auxiliary spillway consisting of a control structure, spillway chute, stilling basin and approaching channel. Beth Salyers, lead project manager on JFP for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the new control structure will operate in conjunction with existing spillway gates on Folsom Dam to manage flood flows from the Folsom Reservoir.
“The solicitation on the original modifications to the dam had been canceled in January 2006 due to funding issues. At the same time, the Bureau of Reclamation recognized that there were some dam safety issues, such as to prevent overtopping, that needed to be addressed,” said David L. Neff, the technical lead on the JFP for phase three from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “That served as the impetus to combine the two single-purpose projects into one.”
“Salyers said the JFP consisted of five phases. The first two phases included extensive excavation at the site, which was recently completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Phase three is the construction of the control structure, and phase four is construction of the chute and stilling basin. Phase five involves construction of the approach channel. The project is currently in phase three.
“The new control structure will be similar to the current dam, but built with the gates built 50 feet lower than the existing gates.
“What this means is that now we don’t have to wait for the reservoir to fill up in order to release water. Water can be released sooner to provide more efficient use of the storage space and, consequently, free up capacity in the reservoir,” Neff said.”
An excerpt.
“Floods in 1986 and 1997, as well as a levee break in 2004, costing lives and billions in damage, contributed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declaring a state of emergency due to the threat of major flooding in northern California and San Joaquin Valley in 2006, and current work on Folsom Dam is helping alleviate that threat.
“The construction of an auxiliary spillway at the Folsom Dam will provide the Sacramento region a greater level of flood protection than it has now. More specifically, it will provide a 200-year level of protection, meaning a one-in-200 chance for flooding in any given year.
“Friday morning, 25 state and federal workers and even a few spectators gathered at the Folsom Dam for a presentation and tour of the ongoing work known as the Folsom Dam Joint Federal Project (JFP).
“The JFP is a cooperative effort between the Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB), Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), Department of Water Resources (DWR), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
“The $962 million project involves the construction of an auxiliary spillway consisting of a control structure, spillway chute, stilling basin and approaching channel. Beth Salyers, lead project manager on JFP for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the new control structure will operate in conjunction with existing spillway gates on Folsom Dam to manage flood flows from the Folsom Reservoir.
“The solicitation on the original modifications to the dam had been canceled in January 2006 due to funding issues. At the same time, the Bureau of Reclamation recognized that there were some dam safety issues, such as to prevent overtopping, that needed to be addressed,” said David L. Neff, the technical lead on the JFP for phase three from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “That served as the impetus to combine the two single-purpose projects into one.”
“Salyers said the JFP consisted of five phases. The first two phases included extensive excavation at the site, which was recently completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Phase three is the construction of the control structure, and phase four is construction of the chute and stilling basin. Phase five involves construction of the approach channel. The project is currently in phase three.
“The new control structure will be similar to the current dam, but built with the gates built 50 feet lower than the existing gates.
“What this means is that now we don’t have to wait for the reservoir to fill up in order to release water. Water can be released sooner to provide more efficient use of the storage space and, consequently, free up capacity in the reservoir,” Neff said.”
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