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CSPA's Daily Digital Newspaper -- Last Edited 03/13/2010 01:19 PM

 

CSPA is proud to publish a diverse spread of news on California's fisheries but does not necessarily agree with the position of every story published. Look for the CSPA Seal for CSPA news.

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CSPA Action Alert 3-8-10

 

Legislation to Eradicate the
Striped Bass Fishery Re-Introduced!

 

By John Beuttler, CSPA Conservation Director

March 8, 2010 -- Assemblymember Fuller has introduced AB 2336 to terminate the management and protection of the public’s striped bass fishery that inhabits the Bay-Delta estuary. The bill mandates the elimination of all... (Continued)

 

Fishermen likely to see limited salmon season

 

Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer
March 12, 2010 --  SAN FRANCISCO --
Salmon fishermen can dust off their poles, sponge off their boats and get ready to hook some chinook for the first time in three years. (Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)

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The Human Cost of the Salmon Crisis

 

By Dick Pool
It’s not exaggerating to say that salmon are my life. As an engineer, I hold numerous patents for salmon tackle. My company, Pro-Troll Products in Concord, specializes in equipment designed especially for salmon angling. I’ve... (Continued on-line at the California Progress Report)
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Fair play for California's salmon and fishermen

 

by Zeke Grader, Director, PCFFA

March 11, 2010 -- I grew up in Ft. Bragg, a small fishing town on California's North Coast. More accurately, Ft. Bragg was a salmon fishing town -- the fishermen would bring in Dungeness crab, albacore and rock cod as the... (Continued on line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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Mono Lake's unhealthy dust linked to L.A. water diversion

 

March 11, 2010 -- Some of the highest concentrations of dust ever recorded in North America occurred last fall at Mono Lake, one of the most scenic landscapes in California. (Continued on-line at the Sacramento Bee)

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Right-wing media eagerly spread absurd claim that Obama plans to "ban sport fishing"

 

March 10, 2010 -- Following the lead of an ESPNOutdoors.com opinion writer, who provided no evidence for his claim that a federal strategy "could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing," right-wing blogs have advanced the... (Continued on-line at MediaMatters)

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Water infrastructure, but for whose benefit

 

by Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute

March 10, 2010 -- Part of the debate about water in the Western US, and California in particular, always revolves around whether, where, and how to build new dams. After all, that's how we tried to solve our past water problems -- just build another dam. (Continued on-line at the San Francisco Chronicle)
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Who’s running the Delta Stewardship Council?

 

By KATY GRIMES
March 10, 2010 -- With the five major component bills of the 2009 water package representing a massive undertaking for the State of California, it appears that the Delta Stewardship Council — which will oversee the whole deal — has become operational despite the fact that no councilmembers have yet been appointed. (Continued on-line at Cal Watchdog)
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Delta oversight panel already being undermined, lawmakers fear

 

By Alex Breitler

March 10, 2010 -- Appointments to a new council overseeing the Delta are coming "very, very soon," the Schwarzenegger administration said Tuesday. (Continued on-line at the Stockton Record)

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Editorial: Water policy should be comprehensive

 

March 10, 2010 -- Sacramento lawmakers are preparing to take action to prevent water transfers from agriculture users to urban users. A bill in the Legislature would prevent sale of water from an ag user to an urban user for a contract that lasts more than 10 years. (Continued on-line at the Visalia Times-Delta)

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Long way to go for water bond until November ballot

 

By Rose Creasman

March 9, 2010 -- Some of the most heated debates in California's water wars revolve around the Bay Delta.California might need to find a different solution to its water problems, if poll results showing voter support of the proposed $11 billion water bond are any indication. (Continued on-line at the San Diego News)

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More Kettleman birth defect cases revealed

 

March 9, 2010 -- After being pressured by activists, state health officials are now acknowledging that more birth-defect cases have come to light for Kettleman City, reporting at least three cases from 2009 and one case this year. (Continued on-line at the Hanford Sentinel)

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Water Talks to cover Klamath Settlement Agreements

 

March 9, 2010 -- California Trout will host a panel titled “Water Talks: The Basics of the Klamath Settlement Agreements” on Thursday, March 24 at 7  p.m. at Lalo’s restaurant banquet room, 520 North Mount Shasta Blvd. in Mount Shasta. (Continued on-line at the Siskiyou Daily News)

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Wolk slams business as usual Delta management

 

by Dan Bacher

March 9, 2010 -- State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) strongly criticized the Department of Water Resources and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Bay Delta Conservation Plan for moving "full speed ahead" on the path to the construction of a peripheral... (Continued)

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Southern California water company official appointed to new Delta water agency

 

By Mike Taugher

March 9, 2010 -- A member of the board of directors of Southern California's largest water wholesaler is the first person appointed to a new agency in charge of the Delta ecosystem and water. (Continued on-line at the Contra Costa Times)
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Another water project could divide the state

 

by Bettina Boxall

March 9, 2010 -- San Joaquin Valley farmers hope for $3.3-billion dam and reservoir at Temperance Flat, but they need help paying for it. (Continued on-line at the L.A. Times)
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Science and Policymaking: Spin on science can lead to mischief and extinction

 

by Rod Fujita in Bay Delta, Fisheries, Legal Issues, Rod Fujita is Senior Scientist and Director, Ocean Innovations, for EDF.

The National Research Council Reviews Biological Opinions Designed to Protect Endangered Fish Species

March 8, 2010 -- On March 15th, the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences will issue an important report. It will detail the NRC’s evaluation of the science that has been used to determine how...(Continued on-line at EDF)
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Wildlife officials haze, kill sea lions feasting on endangered salmon in Pacific Northwest

 

By Abby Haight (Associated Press)

March 8, 2010 -- Wildlife officials have tried everything to keep sea lions from eating endangered salmon, dropping bombs that explode under water and firing rubber bullets and bean bags from shotguns and boats. Now they... (Continued on-line at the L.A. Times)

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Delta water plan forum Wednesday

 

March 8, 2010 -- The Delta Water Plan and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will be the topic of discussion during a forum hosted by the Northern Sacramento Valley Water Forum. (Continued on-line at the Red Bluff Daily News)

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Corporate Agribusiness Giant Goes Rogue

 

by Dan Bacher

March 8, 2010 -- Westlands Water District, the largest water district in the nation, has "gone rogue," quitting the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), according to the Planning and Conservation League's "PCL Insider" published on March... (Continued)

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Feinstein and Westlands – who’s running whom?

 

By Felice Pace

March 7, 2010 -- There has been an interesting development in the ongoing story of Big Ag v fish in the Great Central Valley of California. Back in January HCN featured an article by Matt Jenkins on that conflict and in particular... (Continued on-line at High Country News)

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Delta property survey cases will stay in S.J.

 

By Alex Breitler

March 7, 2010 -- Delta landowners who refuse to let the state survey for a peripheral canal or tunnel will have their cases bundled together and heard in San Joaquin County, a judge ruled Friday. (Continued on-line at the Stockton Record)

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Water forums kick off

 

By Jennie Rodriguez

March 7, 2010 -- The state's plan to preserve fish species in the Delta and convey water southbound from Northern California were hot topics at the first in a series of water forums geared to reach San Joaquin County Latinos. (Continued on-line at the Stockton Record)

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Editorial: The tale of two rivers

 

March 7, 2010 -- It seems like the most absurd of situations -- especially considering that water wars have been a part of the Californian political landscape since its earliest days as a state. (Continued on-line at the Eureka Times-Standard)

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Klamath RiverKeeper asks for your help in saving California's Coho salmon from extinction

 

March 7, 2010 -- An alarming new report from the California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG) states that if restoration actions are not taken "quickly" on the Shasta River, the Shasta's coho salmon could go extinct. (Continued)

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Stuart Leavenworth: Feinstein says she's no Westlands 'shill,' but ...

 

By Stuart Leavenworth, Editorial page editor sleavenworth@sacbee.com

Sunday, Mar.ch 7, 2010 - You know you've struck a nerve with an editorial when, on the very next business day, California's senior senator rings you on the telephone. (Continued on-line at the Sacramento Bee)
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Snow Water Content 107% of Normal - But the "Drought" Continues?

 

by Dan Bacher

March 7, 2010 -- The snow survey conducted by the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) on March 3 indicated that water content in California's mountain snowpack is 107 percent of normal for the date, making the state water supply outlook much... (Continued)

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New visions for the Delta: A national park, perhaps?

 

By Matt Weiser mweiser@sacbee.com

Saturday, March 6, 2010 -  The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is one of the world's unique landscapes, but unless you own a boat or part of an island, its natural wonders are simply hard to access...(Continued on line at the Sacramento Bee)
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North Coast Enviros Blast MLPA as Evidence of Corruption Emerges

 

by Dan Bacher
March 6, 2010 -- John and Barbara Stephens-Lewallen, Mendocino County's leading environmental activist couple, demanded that the Schwarzenegger administration stop the corrupt, fast-track Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative in a letter they presented to the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force... (Continued)

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Regulators to monitor Russian River frost diversions

 

By Bob Norberg

March 5, 2010 -- With bud break expected next week and the need for frost protection looming, state and federal regulators will be closely watching North Coast grapegrowers to make sure there is no repeat of previous fish kills. (Continued on-line at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

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Conservation group challenges PG&E, seeks more water for Eel River

 

By John Driscoll

March 4, 2010 -- A conservation group is looking to the state to significantly cut back on the diversion of Eel River water to the Russian River in what it says is a last-ditch effort to save crashing salmon and steelhead runs. (Continued on-line at the Eurkea Times-Standard)

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Opinion: Arguments against a river don't hold water

 

By Lois Henry
March 3, 2010 -- It’s been more than a few years since I was called to the principal’s office. But the feeling came right back when the Buena Vista Water Storage District general manager emailed to say he and his board would like... (Continued on-line at the Bakersfield Californian)

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BayNature magazine offers organizations free copies of its new publication on the past and future of the Delta

 

March 4, 2010 -- It’s the subject of countless white papers, editorials, and legislative debates; it’s at the heart of California’s endless water wars; and its future depends in part on the outcome of a measure on the November 2010 state ballot. But how well do... (Continued)

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Westlands Seeks Permit to Use California Aqueduct As A Sewer!

 

by Dan Bacher

March 3, 2010 -- Every time that you think that corporate agribusiness can't stoop any lower than they have already in their campaign to destroy imperiled fish populations and fishing jobs, they always manage to reach a new low in their race to the bottom. (Continued)

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Warden/K9 Teams to Patrol Bassmaster Tournament

 

March 3, 2010 -- California Department of Fish and Game warden/K-9 teams will help inspect incoming boats for Quagga/Zebra mussels for an upcoming bass tournament in Stockton.

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Delta residents told to ready for water war

 

March 2, 2010 -- Residents of the Discovery Bay area of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were warned Monday night that powerful, unnamed, forces from Southern California are waiting to spring a massive peripheral canal on them. (Continued on-line at the Central Valley Business Times)

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Opinion: Quickest way to save salmon: Limit their predators

 

"Limit their predators" includes humans, orcas, bears, bass, steelhead, sea lions, etc., all for cheap water for crops.  That doesn't sound very balanced.  Have Resnick and Short just discovered that fish eat fish, and that there are plenty of other customers for salmon smolts?
    How long have the Shorts been "native" in California?  The striped bass got here before 1880.  It thrived with the salmon and has suffered from over-pumping right along side the salmon.  The root cause of the collapse of the estuary is over-appropriation of the source.

M. Jackson, CSPA Director

 

By Allen Short, General Manager., MID
March 2, 2010 -- "One fish. Two fish...Some are red. And some are blue. Some are old. And some are new. Some are sad. And some are glad. And some are very, very bad." (Continued on-line at the Modesto Bee)

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Mammoth Flyrodders ask your help to move Rush Creek restoration forward

 

 By Richard Dahlgren, past president, Mammoth Flyrodders

March 1, 2020 -- Clearly, the restoration of the Rush Creek trophy trout fishery as it existed before the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 1941 water diversions… has not taken place. (Continued)

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Bill aims to stop farmers from selling water pacts

 

By E.J. Schultz

March 1, 2010 -- How can Valley farmers ask for more water if they are making money selling what they already have to cities outside the region? (Continued on-line at the Fresno Bee)

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Delta water forum coming to Chico

 

March 1, 2010 -- The Northern Sacramento Valley Water Forum will present views and information on the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan from 2-4 p.m. March 10 at the Chico Masonic Family Center. (Continued on-line at the Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Salmon season to undergo scrutiny

 

John Driscoll

March 1, 2010 -- There is hope for a decent salmon season after several years of crushing closures driven by troubling returns of spawning chinook salmon to the Sacramento and Klamath rivers. (continued on-line at the Eureka Times Standard)
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CSPA settles lawsuit against Tri City Rock Inc., for illegal pollution of Coyote Creek, Mowry Slough and San Francisco Bay

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 7. 2010 -- CSPA has settled a Clean Water Act lawsuit against Tri City Rock Inc. regarding serious violations of the California General Industrial Stormwater Permit.  Tri City Rock operates a ready-mix concrete, building materials, and landscaping... (Continued)

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CSPA settles lawsuit against Syar Industries for illegal pollution of Napa River and Suisun Bay

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 7, 2010 -- CSPA has settled a Clean Water Act lawsuit against Syar Industries Inc. regarding serious violations of the California General Industrial Stormwater Permit.  Syar Industries operates a quarry, asphalt mixing, ready-mix concrete and stone crushing... (Continued)

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CSPA serves notice on USA Waste

 

By Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 7, 2010 -- CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Sue for violations of the federal Clean Water Act to USA Waste of California, Inc., in Chico California (attached).  The notice letter alleges that the 3.75-acre waste transfer, recycling and trucking facility is illegally... (Continued)

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State Board to Hold Hearing to Consider Delta Fish Needs

 

CSPA and PCFFA only fishery groups participating

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 4, 2010 -- The California Legislature enacted SB1 in November 2009 requiring the State Water Board to develop new flow criteria for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem within nine months.  Pursuant to that mandate, a hearing to receive scientific... (Continued)

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CSPA protests Bureau plans to expand CVP exports

 

by Chris Shutes, CSPA Water Rights Advocate
March 4, 2010 --  CSPA has reaffirmed its protest of 32 water rights petitions that seek 20 more years for the Bureau of Reclamation to use more water in the Central Valley Project. In a letter to the State Water Board, CSPA states that the Bureau’s effort represents “speculation with no substantive basis. It not only perpetuates a system where more water is promised that can be delivered, it proposes to expand it.”
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CSPA settles Melrose Metals pollution suit

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 4, 2010 -- CSPA has settled a Clean Water Act lawsuit against Melrose Metal Products, Inc. regarding serious violations of the California General Industrial Stormwater Permit (attached).  Melrose Metal Products operates a metal work manufacturing... (Continued)

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Westlands seeks permit to use aqueduct as sewer

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- Attached are coalition scoping comments that CSPA and other organizations (including California Water Impact Network, Sierra Club, PCFFA, AquAlliance, Restore the Delta, Planning and Conservation League, Friends... (Continued)

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CSPA serves notice on Cook Concrete Products

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- On 2 March 2010, CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Cook Concrete Products, Inc., in Redding California, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act (attached).  The notice letter alleges that the five-acre industrial site is illegally... (Continued)

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CSPA serves notice on Baldwin Contracting

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- On 12 February 2010, CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Sue Baldwin Contracting Co., Inc., in Oroville California, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act (attached).  The notice letter alleges that the 60-acre sand and gravel mining and... (Continued)

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CSPA serves notice on Anderson Landfill

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- On 5 February 2010, CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Sue Anderson Landfill, Inc., in Anderson California, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act (attached).  The notice letter alleges that the 246-acre landfill is illegally discharging... (Continued)

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CSPA serves notice on Republic Services/Allied Waste Services

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- On 22 January 2010, CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Sue Republic Services, Inc./Allied Waste Services of Sacramento, in Rancho Cordova California, for violations of the federal... (continued)

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CSPA serves notice on Air Liquide Industrial

 

by Bill Jennings, CSPA Executive Director

March 2, 2010 -- On 25 January 2010, CSPA sent a Notice of Intent to Sue Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP, in Martinez California, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act (attached).  The notice letter alleges that the 5-acre industrial site is illegally discharging... (Continued)

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CSPA asks for Hilmar Cheese NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2010-0008 and Time Schedule Order No. R5-2010-0009, Hilmar Cheese Company, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 29 January 2010.

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CSPA asks for City of Sacramento NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2010-0004, Waste Discharge Requirements for the City of Sacramento Combined Wastewater Collection and Treatment System, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 28 January 2010.

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CSPA asks for Thunder Valley NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2010-0005, Waste Discharge Requirements for United Auburn Indian Community Thunder Valley Casino, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 28 January 2010.

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CSPA asks for Colfax NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2010-0001, Cease & Desist Order for the City of Colfax, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 28 January 2010.

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CSPA asks for Yuba City NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2007-0134-01 as amended by R5-2010-0007, Waste Discharge Requirements for Yuba City Wastewater Treatment Plant, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 29 January 2010.

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CSPA asks for Turlock NPDES review

 

February 26, 2010 -- The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) respectfully submits the attached Petition for Review in the Matter of Order No. R5-2010-0002, Waste Discharge Requirements for City of Turlock Wastewater Treatment Plant, California Regional Water Quality Control Board - Central Valley Region.  The hearing in this matter was conducted on 28 January 2010.

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