Post by Okwes on Feb 27, 2008 15:26:22 GMT -5
The California Water Company has been working for the last two and a half years to improve the water supply to 85 residences located on Old State Rd. in Wofford Heights. The reason they needed to do so was because the four wells that have been the source of the water supply have deteriorated to a degree where the wells are losing their ability to keep up with the demand placed on them. Of the four wells in question two have dropped their output of water down to 7GPM (Gallons per Minute) and another has been taken off line completely. The areas affected by this system of wells is known as the Ponderosa Pine and Mountain Shadow system and when the final pipeline is built and connected, the system will get water from the new California Water facility located in Kernville.
However, when projects of this type are undertaken there is always a possibility of something occurring that either slows the project down, or in some cases brings the project to a screaming halt.
Such is the case with this project. Everything was going smoothly and Valley Excavating, a contractor working for California Water, was working on 2,600 feet of road at the lower end of Old State Rd. and the junction of State Rd 155. Because these 2600 feet of road pass across part of the Live Oak Campground, which is USFS (Forest Service) land, California Water was informed they needed to apply for, and get, a conditional use permit before proceeding. California Water had never been required to obtain such a permit in the past, but agreed to do so in order to keep the project moving. Once the permit was applied for and California Water expecting no problems in obtaining a permit, were surprised when the USFS told them they had to stop work because the USFS had discovered that Native American artifacts had been located at the site and the work being done may disturb the artifacts in question. The archeological site, according to the Forest Service, is a significant one
and may be of such significance to warrant inclusion in the National Historical Register. If this is the case, then the water project could face further delays.
This means that the permit has been put on hold until the Forest Service can conduct a full survey of the site in question to determine the extent of the artifact field. It also means that a stop-work order has been issued to California Water and their contractor, Valley Excavating, while this survey is undertaken.
Chris Whitley manager of California Water Company located in Lake Isabella, is very concerned with the situation. 'This project is part of a three € ¦’²Ĭ year water system upgrade to ensure adequate supplies. It will be crucial in meeting summer demands for the 85 existing homes up Old State Rd.,' says Whitley. He went on to state, 'Our highest priority is serving our customers and we will do everything we can to secure approval for this critical water supply project.'
When questioned as to what steps have been taken to resolve the issue, Whitley indicated he has been meeting with the USFS as well as meeting with local legislators to solicit all the help possible in getting an equitable solution. The upper management of the company has been made aware of the situation and is standing by to assist in any manner required to reach a solution.
When asked what options are available to the 85 residences should resolution not be reached in time to meet the summer demand, Whitley said California Water Company will do whatever it takes to ensure that the residences had an adequate supply of good quality water, even if it meant trucking in water to do so. When told that this option is very costly, but should it be required California Water will bite the bullet and do it. I asked who would bear the cost and was told the residences would not see any form of surcharge should this option be needed. 'Our primary responsibility is ensuring that our customers have a reliable supply of good quality water and that€ ¦’²s what we are going to do,' said Whitley.
The local USFS Ranger Rick Larson when contacted stated that he was very much aware of the issue and was diligently working with California Water Company and others to solve the problem as quickly as possible. 'I have several other high priority issues on my plate and I have placed them on the back burner, making this issue my top priority,' said Larson. 'However, I have laws that I have to abide by and these laws are slowing the process,' continued Larson.
So it appears that if California Water can keep the promise to meet their customers needs, the 85 residences on Old State Road should have water this summer after all, but the issue of the Native American artifact field may take considerable more time to get resolution.
<http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2008/02/20/news/022008-5-water.txt>
Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monitory gain to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the material for research and educational purposes. This is in accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. section 107.
www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
However, when projects of this type are undertaken there is always a possibility of something occurring that either slows the project down, or in some cases brings the project to a screaming halt.
Such is the case with this project. Everything was going smoothly and Valley Excavating, a contractor working for California Water, was working on 2,600 feet of road at the lower end of Old State Rd. and the junction of State Rd 155. Because these 2600 feet of road pass across part of the Live Oak Campground, which is USFS (Forest Service) land, California Water was informed they needed to apply for, and get, a conditional use permit before proceeding. California Water had never been required to obtain such a permit in the past, but agreed to do so in order to keep the project moving. Once the permit was applied for and California Water expecting no problems in obtaining a permit, were surprised when the USFS told them they had to stop work because the USFS had discovered that Native American artifacts had been located at the site and the work being done may disturb the artifacts in question. The archeological site, according to the Forest Service, is a significant one
and may be of such significance to warrant inclusion in the National Historical Register. If this is the case, then the water project could face further delays.
This means that the permit has been put on hold until the Forest Service can conduct a full survey of the site in question to determine the extent of the artifact field. It also means that a stop-work order has been issued to California Water and their contractor, Valley Excavating, while this survey is undertaken.
Chris Whitley manager of California Water Company located in Lake Isabella, is very concerned with the situation. 'This project is part of a three € ¦’²Ĭ year water system upgrade to ensure adequate supplies. It will be crucial in meeting summer demands for the 85 existing homes up Old State Rd.,' says Whitley. He went on to state, 'Our highest priority is serving our customers and we will do everything we can to secure approval for this critical water supply project.'
When questioned as to what steps have been taken to resolve the issue, Whitley indicated he has been meeting with the USFS as well as meeting with local legislators to solicit all the help possible in getting an equitable solution. The upper management of the company has been made aware of the situation and is standing by to assist in any manner required to reach a solution.
When asked what options are available to the 85 residences should resolution not be reached in time to meet the summer demand, Whitley said California Water Company will do whatever it takes to ensure that the residences had an adequate supply of good quality water, even if it meant trucking in water to do so. When told that this option is very costly, but should it be required California Water will bite the bullet and do it. I asked who would bear the cost and was told the residences would not see any form of surcharge should this option be needed. 'Our primary responsibility is ensuring that our customers have a reliable supply of good quality water and that€ ¦’²s what we are going to do,' said Whitley.
The local USFS Ranger Rick Larson when contacted stated that he was very much aware of the issue and was diligently working with California Water Company and others to solve the problem as quickly as possible. 'I have several other high priority issues on my plate and I have placed them on the back burner, making this issue my top priority,' said Larson. 'However, I have laws that I have to abide by and these laws are slowing the process,' continued Larson.
So it appears that if California Water can keep the promise to meet their customers needs, the 85 residences on Old State Road should have water this summer after all, but the issue of the Native American artifact field may take considerable more time to get resolution.
<http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2008/02/20/news/022008-5-water.txt>
Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monitory gain to those who have expressed an interest in receiving the material for research and educational purposes. This is in accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. section 107.
www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html