Cup Runneth Over
“We are exercising due diligence, with respect to the water rights and the water resources, to protect and look after our interests, and the ratepayers interests and our communities’ interests,” Rische said. “If an opportunity presents itself for an out-of-area sale, that would be considered.”
In due time, of course. And Spragg, reached last Friday, said he doesn’t think there’s any great pressure from the outside for Humboldt’s water “at this time.”
He has been contacting municipalities in southern California and along the coast for a long time, however. Some haven’t responded. But last May he did get a letter back from the Metropolitan Water District’s general manager, Jeffrey Kightlinger, who wrote: “We have reviewed your proposal to the Governor’s Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force regarding a test of waterbag technology emergency applications in the Delta. Please feel free to inform the Task Force that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has reviewed your proposed waterbag technology and concluded that it is feasible and could potentially be applied for either emergency use or regular water supply.”
Other than a demo he did in Washington state some time back, Spragg hasn’t secured a contract to transport water in bags from A to B. Although, he said he chatted last week with Security National’s Randy Gans about the possibility of using the company’s dock to load and ship the waterbags if he does a demonstration here.
He doesn’t see why people aren’t leaping at his proposal. Desalination costs up to $1,500 an acre-foot, he said, whereas he believes water transported from Humboldt in bags could cost less than $1,000 an acre-foot. And he’s not, Spragg insists, like that other guy who came here and wanted to buy the extra water and then turn around and sell it to the highest bidder. The only thing they had in common was waterbags.
“I’m trying to work with the local community,” he said. “I’m in the transportation business. My goal is to get at least one California water district to make contact with Carol Rische.”
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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FOUR Comments
Comment / By Terry Spragg / Oct. 22, 2009, 9:34 a.m.
This story is a fair representation of what our group is trying to accomplish. We are proposing a demonstration of our waterbag technology in California so that the people of Humboldt County can see what we are suggesting, and continue to control their water supply. We hope to create jobs in the process. To see a video of our demonstration in Washington State link to YouTube and insert the words, “Spragg Bag” in the selection box. Visit www.waterbag.com to see photos and other information. Terry Spragg
Comment / By Local Fish Bio / Oct. 27, 2009, 12:51 p.m.
As a local fisheries consultant I take exception to this statement in the article “few tribs useful to fish, except Lindsay CK”. What about Warren Creek, the North Fork of the Mad, Canyon Creek, Maple Creek? Your statement undercuts the importance of these other tribs in supporting salmon and steelhead populations within the Mad River watershed.
Comment / By Heidi Walters / Oct. 28, 2009, 12:19 p.m.
You know, Local Fish Bio, you’re right: I could have worded that better. The HBMWD’s habitat conservation plan says, “Lindsay Creek and its tributaries are regarded as the most important coho salmon watershed in the Mad River system. Coho have been observed in Mill Creek, Warren Creek, Hall Creek, Leggit Creek, Powers Creek, Quarry Creek, the North Fork Mad River, Maple Creek, and the Mad River main stem.”
The hcp mentions in several places that Lindsay is the primary spawning and rearing creek for cutthroat and coho. And one of my sources had noted, in sort of the more casual toss-off way that I put it, that it was the main game for the fish. But, yeah, that makes it sound like fish shun the other tribs. So, nice call.
Comment / By Local Fish Bio / Oct. 29, 2009, 12:13 p.m.
Heidi:
Thanks for the response. I would agree with the HCP and one of your sources that Lindsay Creek is the best Mad River trib for salmon, steelhead and cutthroat. The North Fork Mad has a larger drainage area, but the bedrock/boulder falls about 1/2 mile above Camp Bauer are probably the upper limit for salmon……and most steelhead too….too bad since there’s miles and miles of suitable habitat above the falls. Overall, I thought this was a very good article. Keep up the good work.