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David Dawdy
Consulting Hydrologist
3055 -- 23rd Avenue
San Francisco, California 94132


July 8, 2002

Supervisor Tony Hall
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102

Dear Tony:

I am a consulting hydrologist, specializing in the study of and modeling surface water bodies, including lakes and rivers. I spent twenty-five years as a Senior Scientist with the United States Geologic Survey, and for another twenty-five years have operated as an independent consultant. I reside in the area of homes just north of Stonestown, and as you know have a personal interest in restoring Lake Merced.

I feel that recent developments are most constructive, particularly the agreement between San Francisco, Daly City and the three area golf clubs that will lead to their use of recycled water for irrigation of their courses. Other developments, the conjunctive use agreement with Daly City and the potential redirection of storm water from the Vista Grande Canal into Lake Merced, also offer promise. I appreciate the leadership you have provided in making these programs a reality.

There remains, however, much to be done, and I am very pleased that you are maintaining your active support for Lake Merced. Moving forward from here with an effective program depends upon improved ability to evaluate alternatives, and that requires a better understanding of the fundamental hydrology of the Westside Basin and its interaction with Lake Merced. I have offered my services to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on a pro bono basis. I believe that I could assist in addressing the following issues:

  • The recently prepared report from the consulting firm Luhdorff and Scalmanini contains a 'conceptual model' that is not supported with scientific data.
  • That same firm has issued an assessment of the amount of water needed to achieve and sustain various lake levels. Again, without improved understanding of the permeability of the lake bottom such estimates are not valid.
  • A non-permeable vertical clay layer, preventing saltwater intrusion of the aquifer, has been postulated. Yet the existence of outfall springs along the shoreline of Fort Funston demonstrate that this layer, if it exists at all, is at best only partially effective as a barrier.
    • I believe that I, as well as other members of the community, can make a meaningful contribution to the assessment of these issues.

    Instead of accepting my offer, Michael Carlin, of the PUC staff, has made me feel like Public Enemy Number One. Michael seems not to understand that part of his job is to garner community resources; instead he seems to make his best effort, with the able assistance of Assistant City Attorney Josh Milstein, to drive these resources asunder. Cooperation with other city departments, for example with the Natural Areas Program of the Recreation and Park Department, is also not on Mr. Carlin's agenda.

    Michael Carlin is supported in this attitude by Pat Martel, the recently appointed General Manager of the PUC. Earlier this week Ms. Martel had scheduled a meeting with a number of community representatives, including the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Lake Merced Task Force and Friends of Lake Merced, to discuss short term approaches to stemming the reduction of lake level. Ms. Martel chose not to attend this meeting. When she did arrive, one and one-half hours late, she demonstrated no regret, even failing to apologize.

    It seems clear that full progress toward finding solutions at Lake Merced can not be made without the fullest possible cooperation of all agencies, city departments, non-profit interest groups, and skilled individuals. It seems equally clear that that cooperation can not be achieved without the infusion of a political leadership.

    I hope that you will provide this leadership, and assure that progress continues in the restoration of Lake Merced.

    Sincerely,

    (signed)

    David Dawdy

    c.c.:
    Dennis Normandy, Vice President, PUC
    Pat Martel, General Manager, PUC
    Dick Allen, Tim Colen, Lake Merced Task Force Water Committee
    John Plummer, Friends of Lake Merced