PROBLEMS? WHAT WATER PROBLEMS?
Printer-friendly versionWater, water everywhere: How San Diego Can Become Water Self-Sufficient—And Even Be a Water Exporter A Commentary By Jim Bell May 10, 2009 (San Diego)–Many experts are projecting doom and gloom, scenarios of decreasing water supplies and increasing cost, yet the San Diego/Tijuana Region can easily become renewable water self-sufficient and even become a net water exporter. Yes, that’s right. We can have plenty of water for drinking, showering, growing food and even swimming—with liquid assets to spare. Even if we assume the worst case scenario of zero precipitation and the complete cutoff of all imported water, the San Diego/Tijuana Region could completely replace all the freshwater it currently uses by installing PV panels over 4.3% of its roofs and parking lots. In 2015, 4.3% of our region’s roofs and parking lots will be about 9 sq. miles, or as shown in the graphic, 4.5 sq. miles on each side of the border. The above statement is based on the following assumptions: 1. A yearly average of 5-hr. of sunlight per day, 2. 1,000 sq. feet of roof and parking lot per capita, 3. An average potable water consumption level of 180 gallons per capita per day, 4. A 2015 regional population of 6 million people, 5. That 70 gallons of freshwater can be extracted from seawater per kWh of electricity consumed through reverse osmosis (RO) 6. PV (photovoltaic panels) 15% efficient at converting sunlight into electricity, (Commercially available panels are already pushing efficiencies of 20% or better). The electricity produced by this system would be used to power large scale reverse osmosis (RO) pumps to convert seawater into freshwater. The pumps push seawater through filters that let freshwater through while excluding salt, other minerals and contaminants in general. The issue of sucking marine life into reverse osmosis (RO) system can be solved if seawater to be processed into freshwater is extracted from wells close to the ocean above high tide instead of direct ocean extraction. Since seawater coming into such wells would be sand filtered, marine organisms will be eliminated from the process. Similarly, since “waste water” from the RO process will be twice as salty as seawater, it will have to be diluted by mixing it with seawater, also extracted from the near ocean wells, until the water to be returned to the ocean is no more than 20% saltier than seawater. Once diluted, its release into the ocean would be defused as an additional precaution against negative ecological consequences. Mining RO waste water for salt and other minerals opens up other local business and employment opportunities for the region and could potentially eliminate the need to return RO wastewater to the ocean at all. The size of the “worst case scenario” RO system discussed above could be cut in half, if recycled sewage water was filtered and disinfected, then used for irrigation. Using graywater at home would also be a plus for efficient water use. This is because half of the potable water currently used in our region is used for irrigating landscaping and crops. Water-use efficiency improvements could reduce the role of renewable-energy-powered RO as well. Combining water recycling and efficient water use with better rainwater runoff collection and storage systems, our region would only need to install 15% efficient PV panels on 2% of its roofs and parking lots to provide equal or superior water use services in the future, compared with what we have today. Plus, if we want more freshwater, we can cover more roofs and parking lots with PV panels to power expanded RO capacity and create all the freshwater we want. Jim Bell is an ecological, designer, author and lecturer who is an nternationally recognized expert on life-support-sustaining development. His projects include the design and construction of the San Diego Center for Appropriate Technology and Ecoparque, a prototype wastewater recycling plant in Tijuana, Mexico that converts sewage into irrigation water and compost. He also worked as a consultant for the Otay Ranch Joint Planning Project and the East Lake Development Company. He has also served as the ecological designer for a life-support-friendly hotel for Terra Vista Management and for the Ocean Beach People’s Food Cooperative’s new “green” store. Jim has more than 40 years experience in the design and construction industry. As a lecturer, Jim speaks to many groups each year. His lecture credits include the AIA California State Conference, the Society for International Development’s World Conference in Mexico City, and keynote addresses at the University of Oregon’s first “Visions for a Sustainable Future” conference and the State of Oregon’s Solar Energy Association Conference. Jim is often interviewed on television, radio, and by the written press and has been a guest on National Public Radio and the Art Bell Show. Jim has served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Ecology Center, I Love a Clean San Diego, Environmental Health Coalition, and the California Association of Cooperatives. Currently, he serves as Director of the Ecological Life Systems Institute and the San Diego Center for Appropriate Technology. He’s also a Board Member of Ocean Beach People’s Food Coop and is a member of the San Diego Regional Apollo Alliance. This editorial reflects the views of its author and does not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. If you wish to submit an editorial, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD
Printer-friendly versionLA MESA, CA (May 8, 2009) – Concerts in the Courtyard will feature free live entertainment produced by Grossmont Center in Macy’s Courtyard every first and third Thursday now through July 2ND from 6p.m. – 8p.m. The family-oriented concerts will feature sounds of diverse artists who will perform a variety of music genres from oldies and Jazz to Motown and American Classics. San Diego’s own The Cat-illacs kicked off the 2009 season and will be followed by returning artists Breez’n, Calico Ridge and new this year, Luis Max and Blue Moon and Jazz 88 All-Stars. Visitors can also enter a free raffle at each concert. Grossmont Center located at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive has over 100 unique shops and restaurants and is the best shopping destination for families in La Mesa. The center is open Monday – Saturday 10a.m. – 8p.m. and Sunday 11a.m. – 6p.m. For more information, visit grossmontcenter.com. Printer-friendly version
OLÉ! DUAL GRAND OPENING ON CINCO DE MAYO DRAWS A CROWD
Printer-friendly versionMay 9, 2009 (Rancho San Diego)—Two new businesses, Savanna Grill and Realty Executives, teamed up to co-host a grand opening Cinco De Mayo celebration that proved both festive and successful. “We had over 500 people attend,” said Valerie Harrison, president of the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, organizer of the event. Guests feasted on tri-tip and sipped dollar margaritas as a strolling mariachi band serenaded. Costumed dancers from Ballet Folklorico also entertained guests. Supervisor Dianne Jacob welcomed the new businesses to the community during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It takes courage in these tough times to have the confidence to open a new business,” she said, then praised the Rancho San Diego location. She also expressed appreciation at having a “fine dining restaurant finally” in East County. Joe Kasper, representing Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, was also present. Firefighters from the San Miguel Fire Department brought a fire engine to fire up the crowd and delight youngsters. Business proprietors and their families—including young Savanna, namesake of the new restaurant and daughter of the owners–were also on hand to greet visitors. Inside Savanna, guests mingled at an upscale bar and enjoyed music from a live band on an outdoor patio overlooking the fifth hole at Cottonwood Golf Course. Many lingering long after the official grand opening closed to savor wining and dining well into the evening hours. Savanna Grill is located at 3773 Willowglen Road, next door to Realty Executives in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon. Printer-friendly version
ANDERSON FIGHTS TO HALT NEW SEPTIC FEE: ASSEMBLY BILL WOULD REPEAL COSTLY NEW RULES
Printer-friendly versionMay 11, 2009 (Sacramento)–Gerry Giguere and his wife Kit live on a fixed income and don’t want to lose their home over a new septic regulation. “This is big-government insanity,” said Gerry Giguere, whose home in rural east county requires a septic system and well. California will soon impose a new fee of up to $650 for all septic tank owners. The fees would pay for mandatory inspections of all septic tanks and could force many to pay for costly upgrades, angering rural property owners who rely on septic systems. The new regulations provide no assistance for fixed income or low income families dependent on septic systems. The Gigueres worry that they will not be able to afford essential living expenses. “Just paying the inspection fee for my tank and well is going to cost $650. That’s not including the cost to drain the tank before inspection, and if they tell us to upgrade… it’s going to be thousands. We can’t afford that,” said Giguere. The Gigueres and other septic owners in rural areas of San Diego County question the necessity of the mandatory inspections. “We’ve been drinking water from the well on our property for 23 years,” said Kit Giguere. “We’ve had it tested and it’s safe. I don’t see why I have to pay to prove that to some state agency.” Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) wasted no time co-authoring a solution to this costly and unnecessary law. Assembly Bill 268 would repeal the onerous regulation signed into law by Governor Gray Davis in 2000. “This is a classic example of bloated government run amok with a suffocating regulatory scheme,” said Anderson. “With 11% unemployment, and families struggling to get by, the last thing anyone needs is another costly, redundant regulation from big state government.” The San Diego County Environmental Health Department estimates that there are between 80,000 and 100,000 septic systems in the county. Anderson also points out that local water boards already monitor ground water quality and regulate when necessary. “I served on a local water district. I can tell you that locally controlled agencies already protect water quality effectively,” he said. The new septic tank regulations, which stem from a law passed in 2000, are expected to affect over a million California homes by July, 2010. The proposed regulations will require septic system inspections to be performed every five years. Other provisions may require many California homeowners and businesses with onsite wastewater disposal to entirely replace their septic tank systems, SepticTankInfo.com reports. The regulations, crafted by the California State Water Resoruces Control Board, are intended to protect surface and sub-surface waters from contamination. An environmental impact report estimates that 1.2 million California households will be affected, some at substantial cost to property owners, particularly those in rural areas far from septic tank service companies.(http://septictankinfo.com/california-septic-tank-news.shtml) According to Jim Hemminger, with the Regional Council of Rural Counties, the 2000 state law originated with a pollution situation in Santa Monica Bay, apparently caused by septic tanks located close to the beach. But the new regulations will cover the entire state, with little or no flexibility to account for the widely different geological and soil conditions to be found in California’s 163,000+ square miles. Printer-friendly version
BILL TO EXPAND HATE CRIMES DEFINITION PASSES HOUSE; LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL VOTES SPLIT
Printer-friendly versionMay 9, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed H.R. 1913 by a vote of 249 to 175 on April 29. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate on April 28. If enacted, the bill would close gaps in a current law that authorizes federal aid in cases of hate crimes committed because of a person’s race, color, religion or national origin. The new legislation would extend protection against violence to Americans targeted because of their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The bill applies only to bias-motivated crimes of violence. Although some opponents of the measure have called it a “hate crime against the First Amendment,” that argument is false. In fact, the measure does nothing to impact freedom of speech or religious expression. It would, however, enable prosecutors to bring hate crimes charges if attackers target women, gays, or disabled people. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is supported by more than 300 organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, National District Attorneys Association, NAACP, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Anti-Defamation League, Human Rights Campaign, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, American Association of People with Disabilities, People for the American Way, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ- Justice and Witness Ministries, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Conference, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and American Association of University Women. Violent hatred and discrimination will not be tolerated in our society, plain and simple,” said Congressman Filner (D-San Diego), who voted for the measure. Among other San Diego-area Congressional members, Democrat Susan Davis also voted in favor, while Republican Congressmen Brian Bilbray, Duncan D. Hunter and Daryl Issa voted no. “This bill will finally give our local law enforcement officers the tools they have sought to fully prosecute these terrible crimes and deter them in the future,” Filner said.”It’s long overdue.” Hate crimes are on the rise nationally, as well as the number of hate groups. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports 926 hate groups in the U.S., including 84 in California. Under current law, the federal government can investigate hate crimes only if they are motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act extends federal jurisdiction to hate crimes motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability, and provides assistance to state and local law enforcement to streamline the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. A similar bill passed the last Congress, but faced a veto from President George W. Bush. Now, with President Barack Obama in the White House, the measure is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law, giving law enforcement officers more tools to combat hate crimes, which are on the rise nationally. The current bi-partisan legislation is supported by a broad coalition, including more than 300 law enforcement, religious, women’s advocacy, civil rights and disability rights organizations. This legislation was inspired in part by the brutal 1998 murder of teenager Matthew Shepard near Laramie, Wyoming. Prosecutors argued that Shepard was targeted because he was gay. He was picked up by two men who robbed, pistol-whipped, tortured, and tied him to a fence in a remote,rural area. Found in a coma some 18 hours later, he died in a hospital without regaining consciousness. Since his death, Shepard’s mother and others have lobbied Congress to expand the 1968 federal hate crimes law in honor of her son. “It’s imperative that we listen to the calls from law enforcement that all victims must be treated equally, and send a clear message to the victims of hate crimes and their families: we are standing with you,” said Congressman Filner. “We simply cannot let tragedies like that of Matthew Shepard repeat themselves.” Printer-friendly version
LA MESA COUNCIL TO CONSIDER HATE-FREE DECLARATION
Printer-friendly versionMay 10, 2009 (La Mesa) La Mesa’s City Council will consider adopting a “Hate Free La Mesa” Declaration at its meeting on Tuesday, May 12th at 4 p.m.The measure has been presented by a member of United for Hate Free San Diego, a coalition of 52 faith-based and community organizations county-wide. United for a Hate Free San Diego seeks to decrease hate-motivated behavior by engaging elected officials and other civic leaders in educating the public while using reason and moral persuasion to counter the dehumanizing rhetoric of hate groups and their followers, according to an editorial published in the San Diego Union-Tribune by Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, San Diego City Councilman Tony Young, and Asheley Walker, director of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission. The coalition aims to refute “falsehood with facts and countering an ethos of hatred with a faith-and community-based message of compassion,” they wrote. At a summit last June, more than 200 people, including the authors, signed a declaration committing themselves to this mission. La Mesa’s Council meets at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue in La Mesa. Full text of the proposed resolution: A DECLARATION ABOUT HATE-MOTIVATED BEHAVIOR By the City of La Mesa California We honor and respect the diversity that makes La Mesa and San Diego County one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. This diversity boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage that must be protected. Therefore, when an act of hate is committed against any person, it is considered an act against the entire community. We declare that all people should be treated with courtesy and respect, regardless of their real or perceived racial background, language, national origin, religious practice, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability. All people have the right to pursue their daily lives without verbal abuse, intimidation or physical harm. A hate crime is defined as any criminal or attempted criminal act which is motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability and accompanied by a verbal, written or physical action intended to create emotional suffering, physical harm or property damage. We also state in the strongest terms that we vigilantly oppose all hate-motivated behavior and all other forms of discrimination. We also respond to incidents of slurs, bias and discrimination because these behaviors nurture future antisocial behavior. We caution those who advocate or perpetrate hate not to challenge the community’s resolve to oppose acts of Hate. We insist that law enforcement vigorously investigate, apprehend and prosecute those who perpetrate hate crimes and that we stand united to educate and model acceptance and respect for differences. In support of this declaration, we, send these messages: TO THE COMMUNITY we say, “Lend your voice in opposing hate! Actively participate, at home, at work, and in the community, in groups and activities that seek to create an inclusive environment where differences are respected and collaboration is encouraged. Start in your own neighborhood and family.” TO THE PARENTS we say, “Act as positive role models for your children by demonstrating acceptance of those whose race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability is different from your own. You are the most powerful influence on your children’s behavior.” TO THE SCHOOLS we say, “Because the majority of hate crimes in this region are committed by youth under 21, it is important to confront and educate students, at all levels, about the benefits of a diverse society. Develop and enrich programs and curricula which promote respect toward and understanding about those who are different.” TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY we say,”You are stewards of the marketplace. You have the opportunity to promote justice and fairness through business ethics that reject hate and discrimination in the corporate arena, public advertising, and employment practices. Develop criteria for promoting business practices that foster respect rather than discrimination and exploitation. Withdraw business support/advertising dollars and endorsements from activities and persons that foster hate mongering.” TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE we say, “You have an opportunity to create a community and a world that demands and expects the humane treatment of all people regardless of their differences. Develop sensitivity toward the beliefs, values and feelings of others and learn to view differences as positive.” TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY we say, “Use your pulpit to encourage your congregations to recognize and confront prejudice and bigotry in themselves, their loved ones, and the people they work with daily. Bias must be confronted. Make where we live, learn, worship and work inhospitable places for hate.” Silence and apathy are the greatest allies of those who engage in hate-motivated behaviors. Hate crimes and hate-motivated behaviors are extraordinarily debilitating to the victims and their families and are destabilizing to neighborhoods and communities. It is incumbent upon our community to ensure that no victim is left invisible; that each individual’s worth as a human being is reaffirmed. Those who engage in hate-motivated behaviors denigrate our democratic way of life, our heritage and the strength that comprises the foundation of our community and our nation. As the community of La Mesa, we declare that we will not silently accept or tolerate any hate-motivated behavior in our community without response. For more information, visit www.HateFreeSanDiego.Org. Printer-friendly version
WITNESSES SOUGHT IN DEERHORN VALLEY HATE CRIME INVESTIGATION
Printer-friendly version May 8, 2009 (Dulzura)–The San Diego Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying any witnesses to an alleged assault on seven people attending a party in Deerhorn Valley on April 11, 2009 in the 20800 block of Cinnamon Drive in Dulzura. The initial call was a hit-and-run report; but allegations have surfaced that an assault initiated as a hate crime, may have occurred. Seven victims were identified; however, they had left the scene in this remote area when the first deputies arrived. All have been subsequently located and interviewed. Three additional victims of vandalism were identified and have been interviewed. To date, the investigation has revealed more than 150 people may have been in attendance at a party where an assault is alleged to have occurred. The Sheriff’s Department did not provide details, however the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that several black teens from Spring Valley attending the party said they were subjected to racial slurs and beaten, then later attacked by a group of about eight white men as they tried to drive away. Three of the teens said they ran from the attackers, but came back to find their car heavily vandalized. Friends drove them to a hospital in La Mesa, where they received treatment for minor to moderate injuries. The Sheriff’s Department has identified 56 witnesses, of which 43 have been interviewed. There are 12 interviews pending, and the investigation has determined that a possible 25-30 additional witnesses need to be identified and interviewed. Twenty-two Sheriff’s personnel, including investigators from the Alpine, Lemon Grove, Santee and Rural Stations have expended over 350 hours working on this case in order to ensure a complete and thorough investigation. The lead detectives, as well as representatives from the Sheriff’s Command Staff, have spoken with family members and other members and leaders of the community, who have expressed concern. Investigators are also working with the District Attorney’s Office and providing information to them on a regular basis. With such a large crowd in attendance at the party, it is believed there may be additional witnesses who could aid in the investigation. The Sheriff’s Department strongly encourages those witnesses who have not been interviewed to call the assigned detective at (858) 694-3306. Printer-friendly version