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Water level and habitat
For several years we have asked that a comprehensive study of the impact
on habitat of rising lake levels be conducted. As programs are implemented
to restore the Westside Basin aquifer the water level at Lake Merced will
gradually increase. What will be the impact on shoreline habitat?
And what, if any, mitigating actions are needed?
A study of the
effect of adding as much as 8' of water to the lake is now being conducted
by the consulting firm EDAW. This study was commissioned by the City
Attorney's office on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission, with little
if any input from the Recreation and Park Department, the group responsible
for this shoreline. There has also been little if any input from
the community.
We have written to Pat Martel, asking
for greater public input.
This
effort has taken some time. In July,
2001 Supervisor Mabel Teng wrote to tell us that the
Board of Supervisors allocated $150,000 in the San Francisco PUC budget
to resolve lake level and habitat issues. To date that money hasn't
been spent, nor are there any plans to use these funds as intended. We've
written to Tony Hall (2/6/01) asking that he act to free up that money.
You
can read a copy of the original resolution here.
Together
with representatives of the Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, SPUR and
a number of neighborhood organizations
we
put together a proposal as to how that money can be best used.
Friends of Lake Merced, together with members of the
Lake Merced Task Force Water Committee, has pointed out the urgency of
halting the decline in lake level. Short-term measures are needed
to 'stabilize the patient' while longer-term programs, such as the use
of recycled water for golf course irrigation, have time to take effect.
In an amazing piece of over-reaction, the PUC has proposed adding enough
water to Lake Merced to raise lake levels by 8 feet this summer (2003),
an action that could have dire environmental consequences.
We do not believe that this is a serious threat, as the availability
of that much water is quite doubtful. However, we do not want to
ignore a proposal that could seriously divide the water restoration and
habitat protection communities. We have requested a meeting to discuss
a more rational approach; you can read our correspondence here.
e-mail
from Dick Morten, Lake Merced Task Force, to Michael Carlin, Planning
Manger PUC, requesting information. (3/31/02)
Letter
of reply from Michael to Dick Morten. Note that the prospect
of adding as much as 8 ft. of water to Lake Merced is being considered.
(05/13/02)
Letter
to Pat Martel, General Manager PUC, requesting a meeting to discuss
appropriate immediate actions designed to halt the decline of lake level.
(05/20/02)
Discussion
matrix, prepared by hydrologists Gus Yates and John Fio (with a little
help!) outlining alternative approaches to restoring lake levels at Lake
Merced. (Excel file)
