Sycuan expands with hotel resort
by Debbie Norman
Sycuan Casino broke ground on their new expansion project Tuesday, March 28 in a standing room only tent placed on the west side of the Casino.
The expansion is 500,000 square feet, including 60,000 in new gaming space; a 12-story hotel tower, which will feature 300 guest rooms, with 50 suites ranging from 376 to 1,150 square feet; 8,451 square-foot spa and fitness area that will provide a full-service experience comprising of treatment rooms, steam and sauna and a variety of exercise equipment.
Conference and events will be supported through an 11,401 square-foot ballroom with a concert seating capacity of 1,200 and a banquet seating capacity of 700.
This $226 million development will also have a pool and garden area, which will feature a resort style adult pool experience with cabanas and open pool deck along with a bar and grill, lazy river and a dedicated family pool.
Dining will include a 7,363 square-foot Fresh Market of fast casual options, a 4,940 square-foot raw bar and exterior lounge, a new contemporary 6,144 square-foot three meal restaurant and an 8,166 square-foot destination with chef-driven, fine dining experience. Improvements will be made to a number of the existing food and beverage venues, incorporating a conversion of the existing GameDay Sports Bar & Grill to a brew house focused on local craft beer.
Sycuan opened their first bingo hall in November of 1983. They are the oldest continually running casino in San Diego County. Their 33-year-old casino is currently 90,000 square feet with 200 slot machines, 40 gaming tables, a poker room, five restaurants and a concert venue “Live and Up Close.”
But all this progress doesn’t just happen. “Indian Gaming wasn’t created overnight, it was forged forward by the hard work of Tribal members and non-tribal supporters,” said Sycuan Tribal Chair Cody Martinez. “We were not looking to line our stockholders’ pockets, but to put local people to work — first and foremost, our tribal members and our community.
We were looking to put asphalt on our streets and braces on or children’s teeth and heaven forbid we put a new Cadillac in our Grandmother’s driveway.”
Indian Gaming employs over 12,000 people in San Diego alone. “We are proud of our workforce at Sycuan — 63 percent of our employees have been with us five years or more and 42 percent have been with us 10 years or more,” said Chairman Martinez.
Nick Hardwick, former San Diego Charger center and current announcer on Xtra 1360 radio, opened Tuesday’s ceremony speaking on progress. He stated in order to achieve progress one must have vision, leadership, transparency and trust. “Sycuan has these qualities. They are all about their community. They give to over 7,000 non-profit organizations every year. Sycuan is also big on Sports clubs, big and small. They consider it investments in their community,” said Hardwick.
Sycuan is a family business. The tribe consists of five families that worked hard to get to where they are today. The addition of this new expansion will create 1,700 new jobs in construction and 2,100 new jobs when the construction is finished.
Special guests at the event included: Nick Hardwick, former San Diego Chargers Center; Trevor Hoffman, retired SD Padres Pitcher; Clint August 101.5 radio; Scott Kapkin and Billy Ray Smith, Mighty 1090 AM; Javier the X-Man, Magic 92.5; Susan DeVincent, KYXY 96.5 and Alexa, 103.7.
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob graced the stage to say she’s proud of the partnership the County has had with Sycuan and “I’m just here to say congratulations, this is a great day!”
Sycuan Casino broke ground on their new expansion project Tuesday, March 28 in a standing room only tent placed on the west side of the Casino.
The expansion is 500,000 square feet, including 60,000 in new gaming space; a 12-story hotel tower, which will feature 300 guest rooms, with 50 suites ranging from 376 to 1,150 square feet; 8,451 square-foot spa and fitness area that will provide a full-service experience comprising of treatment rooms, steam and sauna and a variety of exercise equipment.
Conference and events will be supported through an 11,401 square-foot ballroom with a concert seating capacity of 1,200 and a banquet seating capacity of 700.
This $226 million development will also have a pool and garden area, which will feature a resort style adult pool experience with cabanas and open pool deck along with a bar and grill, lazy river and a dedicated family pool.
Dining will include a 7,363 square-foot Fresh Market of fast casual options, a 4,940 square-foot raw bar and exterior lounge, a new contemporary 6,144 square-foot three meal restaurant and an 8,166 square-foot destination with chef-driven, fine dining experience. Improvements will be made to a number of the existing food and beverage venues, incorporating a conversion of the existing GameDay Sports Bar & Grill to a brew house focused on local craft beer.
Sycuan opened their first bingo hall in November of 1983. They are the oldest continually running casino in San Diego County. Their 33-year-old casino is currently 90,000 square feet with 200 slot machines, 40 gaming tables, a poker room, five restaurants and a concert venue “Live and Up Close.”
But all this progress doesn’t just happen. “Indian Gaming wasn’t created overnight, it was forged forward by the hard work of Tribal members and non-tribal supporters,” said Sycuan Tribal Chair Cody Martinez. “We were not looking to line our stockholders’ pockets, but to put local people to work — first and foremost, our tribal members and our community.
We were looking to put asphalt on our streets and braces on or children’s teeth and heaven forbid we put a new Cadillac in our Grandmother’s driveway.”
Indian Gaming employs over 12,000 people in San Diego alone. “We are proud of our workforce at Sycuan — 63 percent of our employees have been with us five years or more and 42 percent have been with us 10 years or more,” said Chairman Martinez.
Nick Hardwick, former San Diego Charger center and current announcer on Xtra 1360 radio, opened Tuesday’s ceremony speaking on progress. He stated in order to achieve progress one must have vision, leadership, transparency and trust. “Sycuan has these qualities. They are all about their community. They give to over 7,000 non-profit organizations every year. Sycuan is also big on Sports clubs, big and small. They consider it investments in their community,” said Hardwick.
Sycuan is a family business. The tribe consists of five families that worked hard to get to where they are today. The addition of this new expansion will create 1,700 new jobs in construction and 2,100 new jobs when the construction is finished.
Special guests at the event included: Nick Hardwick, former San Diego Chargers Center; Trevor Hoffman, retired SD Padres Pitcher; Clint August 101.5 radio; Scott Kapkin and Billy Ray Smith, Mighty 1090 AM; Javier the X-Man, Magic 92.5; Susan DeVincent, KYXY 96.5 and Alexa, 103.7.
San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob graced the stage to say she’s proud of the partnership the County has had with Sycuan and “I’m just here to say congratulations, this is a great day!”
FAA authorizes SDG&E to fly unmanned aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) a Section 333 approval for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), allowing the utility to conduct aerial inspections of its electric and gas facilities, including emergency response damage assessments throughout its service territory. SDG&E is the second utility in the nation to be granted the Section 333 approval.
“The utility industry is rapidly changing and this new FAA approval is another milestone that will improve the way SDG&E conducts its operations,” said John Sowers, SDG&E’s vice president of electric distribution operations. “The new UAS technology will enable us to improve response times to emergency situations, inspect our electric and gas facilities in remote areas that are otherwise difficult to access, reduce the use of manned helicopters, enhance overall employee and public safety, and locate the cause of power outages faster.” In 2014, SDG&E was granted approval by the FAA to fly a small UAS for the purpose of research, development and flight crew training in a sparsely populated airspace in eastern San Diego County. Through research and development, SDG&E began testing small UASs in day-to-day operations to improve inspections of electric lines. SDG&E plans to use UASs in several situations which provide a variety of key benefits. In addition to locating the cause of power outages, the UASs improve situational awareness during emergencies through monitoring of fires; and will achieve cost savings, noise reductions and environmental protection by reducing the use of helicopters and other heavy machinery. Measuring 16 inches in diameter and weighing less than a pound, these small devices use a camera to inspect utility equipment and relay live images back to the controller. The UAS can access infrastructure that is difficult to reach for utility crews and alert them if repairs are needed. In order to maintain reliability, SDG&E inspects more than 26,000 miles of transmission and distribution power lines for safety and compliance purposes and to ensure the grid is continuously running smoothly and effectively. SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 868,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy(NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook. Viejas celebrates second hotel with topping off ceremonyChairman Welch signs the ‘Topping Off’ beam. Photo credit: Kathy Foster
by Diana Saenger
A large crowd of Viejas tribal members, Viejas employees, invited guests and news media arrived early on March 20 for a topping off ceremony about the new second hotel under construction at the Resort. Under warm skies and a gentle breeze, the crowd faced the massive five-story second luxury hotel tower. The new $50 million Viejas hotel plans include 104 deluxe rooms and five luxury suites, including a 2,000 square foot Entertainment Suite. Underway is also an expansion of the casino floor with more than 1,000 new slot machines. Viejas General Manager Chris Kelley is excited about the new Hotel addition. “This hotel does quite a bit for us,” said Kelley, who thanked the leadership and team members of Viejas, community supporters, partners and San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. “It allows us to bring another luxury tower to East County. It will have meeting space for events and a ballroom area to a market that doesn’t have a lot of that available. I’m very excited about how we can deliver that to the guests who will have an opportunity to see something new from us.” Anthony San Pietro, Viejas Vice President Entertainment & Advertising, began the ceremony with a welcome to everyone. “We are excited about all that we do for our community, and it shows in the pride we take in our service and how we present our property and our drive for excellence. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. It’s through the innovation and leadership of the Tribal Council that we are able to celebrate today’s accomplishments.” San Pietro introduced Viejas Tribal Chairman Robert J. Welch, Jr.; Vice Chairman Victor Woods; Tribal Secretary Rene Curo; and Tribal Councilmen Kevin M. Carrizosa. San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer congratulated everyone for their remarkable new addition. “I thank Chris for inviting me here and chairman Welch for the tremendous work you continue to do for the entire community of the San Diego region,” he said. “This tower looks fantastic and offers lots of opportunities for the community to get involved. When we look at how this hotel will continue to create economic self-sufficiency, with good jobs. I say congratulations on a job well done and look forward to coming back for the Grand Opening. I also want to thank Viejas for the work you do with incredible organizations that benefit from your generosity; the USO, Salvation Army, San Diego Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego, and Make-a-Wish Foundation just to name a few. You are making a difference in the lives of San Diegans across the region and across the county.” Viejas Tribal Chairman Robert J. Welch, Jr took the podium and thanked the Mayor for his presence and recognition of Viejas’s successes since opening the doors in 1991. He congratulated the Mayor for all he has done for San Diego. “We look forward to maintaining strong government relations,” Welch said. “I thank everyone for joining us today as we celebrate another great milestone. When we look to the future and begin to think of new ideas we are mindful of our community and our neighbors and how it will benefit everyone as a whole. From offering employment opportunities to local families; to partnering with local businesses, vendors and agencies like the Fire Department and schools so that we may work together to offer service to our community. At the end of the day we share in this millstone with our guests and community. We think you will be wowed and encourage you to continue this journey for the grand opening of the second hotel later this year.” Fireworks then lit up the sky and everyone was invited to sign their name on a beam that will be part of the building. The hotel General Contractor was Swinerton and JCJ the Architect. The new hotel will open at the end of the year. New County Library to open in Alpine in 2016
Ground breaking Ceremony of new Alpine Library. Photo credit: Kathy Foster
by Diana Saenger
March 6, 2015, became one of the happiest days for residents of Alpine, CA, nearly 250 community members in attendance, and everyone who participated in the planning for the new San Diego County Library. Several community leaders, Friends of the Library and children eager to enjoy the new state-of the art library took turns with shovels breaking the ground and tossing the dirt aside. As a wild wind danced through canopy tops and blew yellow plastic hard hats off of heads, San Diego County Library Director José Aponte took the podium and could not contain his enthusiasm. "I have two sons, a wife of 34 years and now the birth of my 10th San Diego County Library; you bet I’m excited," Aponte said. "It is four times bigger and the first Zero Net Energy building that the County of San Diego has built, meaning that the energy used to run the building will be completely offset by the solar panels on the roof." County Supervisor Dianne Jacob opened her talk with a fun reminder that she promised a new library and now it was really going to happen. "Since I joined the County Board of Supervisors the county has remodeled eight County Libraries in the second district and built a dozen," Jacob said. "So the Alpine Library will be # 13, and to me that’s a lucky number." Jacob expounded on some of the things the new library will contain including an expanded materials collection, large children’s area, tween and teen spaces, wireless internet, computer lab, outdoor patio, a Resource Room and feature permanent art installations that reflect the spirit and culture of Alpine. "The Library has always supported our Veterans and how wonderful that it will now be located right next to the lovely Alpine Wall of Honor," said Supervisor Jacob. "The folks in Alpine are getting the bigger, better library they deserve, and I think they’re going to love it. It will not only include the latest technology, but will serve as a vital hub for the entire community." The design-build team of C.W. Driver, Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, and Architect Manuel Oncina, were introduced and spoke about the project. Carlotte Anderson, Building Supervisor and Past President of the Alpine Women’s Club, joined the enthusiasm of Christine Connell, President of the Alpine Friends of the Library and Alpine’s 2015 Honorary Mayor Elect, about the project. "Now we are finally going to have a state-of-the-art library," Anderson said. "We’re so excited. Thank you Dianne Jacob and the other supervisors and supporters from the county." A Band of Viejas Bird Singers was introduced by Councilmember, Raymond "Bear" Cuero to do a native dance and singing of dedication and blessing. The Alpine Friends of the Library is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The Association helped raise nearly $350,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment. But they still need another $700,000 to outfit the library. "The new Alpine Library will be a one-of-a-kind gathering place for the community," said Library Director José Aponte. "Our buildings reflect the unique communities we serve and are all built to the highest standards in terms of sustainability and technological advancement." For more information regarding San Diego County Library, visit www.sdcl.org. 'Remembering Our Fallen'by Diana Saenger
Alpine’s "Remembering Our Fallen" Memorial Photo Exhibit of the sacrifice made by 710 from California (77 from local area) who were killed in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan welcomed more than 300 visitors on February 28 for the special celebration. In addition to adding 18 new titles to the 600 on the Alpine Wall of Honor (directly outside the Alpine Community Center), it was also a time for families and visitors to walk through the 710 photo exhibit in the Community Center. Families were allowed private time to visit their Fallen and leave notes on their photos. More than 100 school children walked through the exhibit as Wall Founder Dan Foster talked to them about the exhibit. People from all over the state came to visit the exhibit. Vets reunited with their fellow Vets who they had not seen since Vietnam. Major news coverage/interviews from seven news channels, and many newspapers repeated visits to Alpine’s "Remembering Our Fallen" Memorial Photo Exhibit. One 15-year news reporter said, "This is one of the most worthy events I have covered; thank you." The Display will remain open to the public at no cost through – Friday, March 6 at 8 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center 1830 Alpine Blvd, Alpine. For more information call the Alpine Community Center at (619) 445-7330 Photos by Kathy Foster East County Chambers' 2014 WILL Award recipientsSan Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership 2014 recipients; Lee Ann Kim, Sue Schaffner, Lori Steele Contorer, Peggy Buffo, Beth Morgante, Pam Meisner and Odie Goward. Photo credit: Kathy Foster
By Diana Saenger
The annual San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) awards is both a vital and inspirational event attended by 100s of Chamber members, local media, sponsors and guests. Nominees for the yearly Woman in Leadership are solicited months before the event and sent in by Chamber Members and business leaders. A lovely luncheon event at the Resort Hotel in Mission Valley for the 12th Women in Leadership Luncheon was moderated by a lively and terrific Carol LeBeau. The keynote speaker was Patricia Perez, founder and president of Puente Consulting. The women in seven categories were considered for their outstanding leadership, exemplary character and integrity in the community, as well as their efforts to empower women to succeed and prosper. Women selected as a leader in their category included: Arts/Culture/Media - Lee Ann Kim; Business - Odie Goward; Government/Defense - Lori Steele Contorer; Michele Tarbet Healthcare Award - Beth Morgante; Non-Profit - Peggy Buffo; Hospitality - Sue Schaffner; Education/Academia - Pam Meisner. Lee Ann Kim, once an assignment reporter for KGTV Channel 10, an ABC television affiliate, is the executive director and founder of Pacific Arts Movement which presents the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival. In her acceptance speech Kim said, “Thank you. I do this work because it gives our organization meaning, and furthers our mission to bridge communities and share stories.” Odie Goward, El Cajon’s Citizen of the Year for 2012, Vice President of California Bank & Trust at Grossmont Center, is a board member of Stoney’s Kids, volunteer for St. Madeleine’s Sophie Center; the Mother Goose Parade; East County Toy Drive; rescue Task Force; Home of the Guiding Hands, Boys & Girls Club; Girl Scouts, United Way and more. In her acceptance speech Goward said, “It takes a village and I’m blessed to have so many of you to work with and know. Thank you.” Lori Steele Contorer is the founder and CEO of Everyone Counts, Inc. that provides Software as a Service-based election and voting systems to voters, election officials, and poll workers. Her company’s secure Internet system has been used by the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and voters in America and other countries. She served for 15 years as a Director of the Greater San Diego Boys and Girls Clubs, as a founding partner with San Diego Social Venture Partners and helped other San Diego organizations including Voices for Children, the Door of Hope and Excellence and Justice in Education. She has participated in the World Forum on e-Democracy in Paris, France, and was a panelist at the United Nation's ITU (International Telecommunications Union) World 2003 Forum on Technology and Telecommunications in Geneva, Switzerland. Contorer said in her acceptance speech, “Thank you for this honor. I left an investment career to insure everyone has the right to vote.” Beth Morgante, has worked for the past 20 years with the Grossmont Hospital Foundation, a not-for-profit, philanthropic organization that raises funds for Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. She is the Vice President of Sharp Grossmont Hospital, Past President of the La Mesa Lions Club, and the VP of Philanthropy for Sharp HealthCare. Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has raised more than $50 million for the hospital. This year’s award in the healthcare category was renamed the Michele Tarbet Healthcare Award, in honor of the former CEO of Sharp Grossmont Hospital who passed away in July. In her acceptance speech Morgante thanked the Chamber and said, “It’s my passion to improve healthcare in the community and see lives saved because of the work through this foundation and the donations.” Peggy Buffo is a founding member and current chair of the, El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services (ACES) Foundation, which raises money that benefits the El Cajon Animal Shelter. Founded in 2005, the nonprofit organizes such fundraisers as Putt for Pets, Cookout for Critters, Jingle Paws Walk and Barkitecture. She is a broker for Aztec Baron Insurance, and volunteers for many local fundraisers for animals. After thanking the Chamber, for her selection Buffo said, “There are three types of people; those who make things happen, those who watch it happen, and those who don’t know it’s happening.” Sue Schaffner joined Hostelling International as executive director in 2002, and this year was promoted to VP of the Southwest region overseeing hostels and programs in seven states. She is credited with improving HI’s hostels in Point Loma and Downtown San Diego, resulting in revenue to the city of San Diego since 2004 of more than $500,000 in transient occupancy taxes -- a surcharge paid by San Diego tourists. She was a Non Profit Executive Coach for the Fieldstone Foundation, a managing director for the North Coast Repertory Theatre, and Deputy Director of Finance for the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council. In her acceptance speech Schaffner said, “Thank you Chamber members. I’m very passionate about the travel industry, as it helps all of us to gain self-awareness and see diversity in the world.” Pam Meisner is the education director at The Water Conservation Garden, located near Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. Since 2008, she has presented educational programs on gardening, nature and conservation dressed as “Ms. Smarty-Plants.” She presented to more than 55,000 students -- pre-school through high school -- during the 2013-2014 school year. She also volunteers to several local non-profits. In her acceptance speech Meisner said about her job, “I get to look in the eyes of children with pleasure as I bring nature into their lives. It’s a wonderful palette to be able to do what I do.” Sharp Grossmont Hospital was the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors included the Grossmont Healthcare District, East County Herald newspaper, Barona Resort & Casino, Walmart, San Diego Gas & Electric, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center, Sycuan Casino, Jasmine Creek Florist, Mail Management Group Inc., Carothers DiSante & Freudenberger LLP, Image One Marketing Group, KyXy 96.5-FM, AFLAC, Foothills Christian Church, The Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, California Bank & Trust, Anderson Plumbing Heating & Air and Dave Steele-East County Solar Guy. Carlsbad Desalination Project
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Largest Seawater Desalination Plant in Western Hemisphere on Schedule for Delivering Drought-Proof Supplies to San Diego County Water Authority
At the start of the 2015 “water year,” the largest seawater desalination project in the Western Hemisphere is 65 percent complete and on schedule for delivering drought-proof water supplies to the San Diego County Water Authority next fall. The $1 billion project will produce 50 million gallons of water a day for use across the San Diego region, providing a major resource that will meet about 7 percent of the county’s need for water in 2020 and account for about one-third of all locally generated water. This new water supply and its cost will be combined with the Water Authority’s other supplies serving 24 local water agencies, 3.2 million people and a $206 billion economy. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the progress on this world-class project, and we are eager to show the world what it can do,” said Peter MacLaggan, Vice President of Poseidon Water, the project’s private developer. “Our contractors and our host communities of Carlsbad, San Marcos and Vista have set a new standard for cooperation and efficiency, and that has allowed us to make fantastic progress during nearly two years of construction.” The first day of October begins the “water year” for resource managers – the start of the season when snow and rain collects for use the following calendar year. After three dry winters, the next several months are pivotal for California; below-average precipitation could lead to more mandatory water-use restrictions statewide. The Water Authority’s Board declared a Drought Watch condition in February to encourage increased voluntary water conservation. In July, the Board moved to a Drought Alert condition, making Drought Watch conservation measures mandatory and adding outdoor watering restrictions. Local rules vary based on regulations adopted by the Water Authority’s member agencies. “As drought conditions deepen statewide, the value of the Carlsbad Desalination Project continues to grow for San Diego County,” said Mark Weston, Chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. “But it’s important to remember that the purpose of the Carlsbad Desalination Project isn’t only to help during the current drought. It will be a core, high-quality water source for decades, and it is a key part of the Water Authority’s strategy to improve the reliability of our region’s water supply by diversifying our water resources.”The desalination plant, which sits on about six acres of public utility zoned land next to the Encina Power Station and Agua Hedionda Lagoon, will produce up to 56,000 acre-feet of water annually – enough to serve approximately 112,000 typical homes. A 10-mile pipeline will connect the plant to the Water Authority’s regional delivery system. Approximately 7.25 miles – or 39,000 linear feet – of the large-diameter pipe has been installed through San Marcos, Vista and Carlsbad. In addition, the Water Authority is making about $80 million in upgrades to its facilities to accommodate the addition of desalinated seawater. These facilities include Pipeline 3 and the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant near San Marcos, where desalinated water will be mixed with water from other sources. The Water Authority signed a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement with Poseidon in 2012, launching construction of the Carlsbad project. During the three-year building process, the desalination project is supporting an estimated 2,500 jobs and infusing $350 million into the local economy. A joint venture of Kiewit Infrastructure West and J.F. Shea Construction, Inc. is designing and building the desalination plant and pipeline. IDE Technologies, a world leader in desalination technology and operations, is engineering the plant’s desalination process and related equipment. IDE also will operate the plant. The Carlsbad project was developed through a rigorous environmental permitting process. It will deliver several environmental benefits by adopting cutting-edge technology to recapture energy used in the desalination process, offsetting carbon emissions and developing extensive wetlands that will enhance fish populations along the San Diego County coastline. When construction is complete, Poseidon will seek a drinking water permit for commercial operations from the State Water Resources Control Board and perform start-up testing for water delivery starting as soon as fall 2015. For more information about the Carlsbad Desalination Project, visit the project website at www.carlsbaddesal.com, or the Water Authority’s website, www.sdcwa.org. |
SDG&E warns customers about imposters
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is alerting customers to be aware of a person or persons who have recently posed as utility employees asking to enter a customer’s home. It has been reported that the imposter will distract unsuspecting customers while performing “routine inspections,” while another imposter burglarizes the home.
SDG&E wants to assure all customers that SDG&E employees carry proper identification when called out to any job and is warning customers to verify the employee is wearing the proper uniform and identification badge before letting anyone in their home. If you are suspicious, please call SDG&E at 800-411-7343 to ensure that work is currently being conducted in your area.
Customer safety is a top priority and SDG&E is working to make sure customers are equipped with the tips to help them properly identify a SDG&E employee or contractor at any time.
Here are some tips to help customers identify a SDG&E employee:
• Make sure that everyone in question is wearing a SDG&E-marked uniform.
• Ask any SDG&E employee to display a company identification card.
• Ensure that they have arrived in a SDG&E-marked company vehicle.
• Never leave the house if asked; SDG&E does not ask customers to leave your house unattended.
• Note: SDG&E often hires contractors to complete smart meter work or provide information on energy efficiency programs; however contractors will never ask customers to leave their home for any reason and also carry proper identification.
• If you have not called to request service or are not expecting a visit from SDG&E, please make sure proper identification is requested.
• If you are suspicious, please call SDG&E at 800-411-7343 to ensure that work is currently being conducted in your area.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind should you receive a phone call from someone posing as a SDG&E representative. Although there have not been recent reports of this fraudulent activity, SDG&E wants to alert individuals and businesses of this type of fraud through all communications channels, including direct mailers, in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims.
• SDG&E does not proactively contact customers and ask for credit card information over the phone.
• SDG&E customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. SDG&E provides past due notices in writing before service is shut-off for non-payment.
• If customers receive a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 800-411-7343.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 868,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, onTwitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
SDG&E wants to assure all customers that SDG&E employees carry proper identification when called out to any job and is warning customers to verify the employee is wearing the proper uniform and identification badge before letting anyone in their home. If you are suspicious, please call SDG&E at 800-411-7343 to ensure that work is currently being conducted in your area.
Customer safety is a top priority and SDG&E is working to make sure customers are equipped with the tips to help them properly identify a SDG&E employee or contractor at any time.
Here are some tips to help customers identify a SDG&E employee:
• Make sure that everyone in question is wearing a SDG&E-marked uniform.
• Ask any SDG&E employee to display a company identification card.
• Ensure that they have arrived in a SDG&E-marked company vehicle.
• Never leave the house if asked; SDG&E does not ask customers to leave your house unattended.
• Note: SDG&E often hires contractors to complete smart meter work or provide information on energy efficiency programs; however contractors will never ask customers to leave their home for any reason and also carry proper identification.
• If you have not called to request service or are not expecting a visit from SDG&E, please make sure proper identification is requested.
• If you are suspicious, please call SDG&E at 800-411-7343 to ensure that work is currently being conducted in your area.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind should you receive a phone call from someone posing as a SDG&E representative. Although there have not been recent reports of this fraudulent activity, SDG&E wants to alert individuals and businesses of this type of fraud through all communications channels, including direct mailers, in an effort to prevent them from becoming potential victims.
• SDG&E does not proactively contact customers and ask for credit card information over the phone.
• SDG&E customers should not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. SDG&E provides past due notices in writing before service is shut-off for non-payment.
• If customers receive a phone call that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call SDG&E directly at 800-411-7343.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and 868,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, onTwitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
Partners With Industry celebrates 30th Anniversary
Quinnton Moore, Lisa Burkett and Ty Reynolds enjoy their job keeping the Grossmont College Student Center clean and tidy.
Partnerships With Industry (PWI), a San Diego County-based nonprofit which specializes in delivering job opportunities to individuals with disabilities and quality staffing solutions to local businesses, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2015. PWI has four offices conveniently located throughout the County. The PWI office in East County is located at 9560 Pathway Street in Santee and provides support to 181 individuals each day.
“Partnerships With Industry (PWI) plays an important role in the East County,” said David Cuevas, director of the Santee office. “We offer adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities the choice of ‘supported employment’ opportunities in the community, where they are provided job coaches and placed in companies in a variety of industries, or they can work in our Work & Training Centers located in each of our four offices. Our vocational programs help them to maximize their independence and increase their self-confidence and we are most proud of their accomplishments as they succeed in the workforce. ”
PWI East County clients can be found working at Grossmont College, Le Caramel, Petco, One Earth Recycling, COSTCO and Vons, just to name a few of our local businesses.
Overall, Partnerships With Industry has placed more than 12,000 individuals in jobs since it was founded in 1985. Referred by the San Diego Regional Center, Department of Rehabilitation, or school districts, a PWI client can work at one of four work and training centers, in a group of three to four people with a job coach at a local business, or individually at a worksite. In a time when employers encounter high turnover, PWI clients remain in positions on average for 4.5 years as compared to six months for many entry-level positions. Remarkably, nine clients have been with the same employer for more than 20 years and 47 have been in the same job for 15 or more years. Long-term employers include Viejas Casino & Resort, Home Depot, and Target, among many others.
“PWI’s theme for their anniversary year is ‘Working Wonders for 30 Years,’” said Mark Berger, President and CEO of Partnerships With Industry. “It’s a ‘win-win’ for both the worker and the employer who gains an eager, reliable and capable employee. This is a very exciting time for PWI as we celebrate our 30thanniversary and continue to focus our efforts on the premise that every adult with disabilities who is willing to work has the ability to be an active part of the workforce and society. We look forward to a bright future with many opportunities for our clients.”
“Partnerships With Industry (PWI) plays an important role in the East County,” said David Cuevas, director of the Santee office. “We offer adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities the choice of ‘supported employment’ opportunities in the community, where they are provided job coaches and placed in companies in a variety of industries, or they can work in our Work & Training Centers located in each of our four offices. Our vocational programs help them to maximize their independence and increase their self-confidence and we are most proud of their accomplishments as they succeed in the workforce. ”
PWI East County clients can be found working at Grossmont College, Le Caramel, Petco, One Earth Recycling, COSTCO and Vons, just to name a few of our local businesses.
Overall, Partnerships With Industry has placed more than 12,000 individuals in jobs since it was founded in 1985. Referred by the San Diego Regional Center, Department of Rehabilitation, or school districts, a PWI client can work at one of four work and training centers, in a group of three to four people with a job coach at a local business, or individually at a worksite. In a time when employers encounter high turnover, PWI clients remain in positions on average for 4.5 years as compared to six months for many entry-level positions. Remarkably, nine clients have been with the same employer for more than 20 years and 47 have been in the same job for 15 or more years. Long-term employers include Viejas Casino & Resort, Home Depot, and Target, among many others.
“PWI’s theme for their anniversary year is ‘Working Wonders for 30 Years,’” said Mark Berger, President and CEO of Partnerships With Industry. “It’s a ‘win-win’ for both the worker and the employer who gains an eager, reliable and capable employee. This is a very exciting time for PWI as we celebrate our 30thanniversary and continue to focus our efforts on the premise that every adult with disabilities who is willing to work has the ability to be an active part of the workforce and society. We look forward to a bright future with many opportunities for our clients.”
Caltrans' study reveals economic growth potential at Gillespie Field
Gillespie Field in El Cajon ranks high among airports in California in potential for sustainable economic growth and job creation, according to a recent study by the California Dept. of Transportation (Caltrans), Division of Aeronautics.
According to officials with the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), a regional non-profit, business-growth organization, the Caltrans study represents an important step toward obtaining additional funding to support efforts for what is called the "aerotropolis" initiative.
The term "aerotropolis," refers to a business cluster where a community’s infrastructure and economy are tied closely to its airport. ECEDC officials say funding is needed for aerotropolis-related efforts at Gillespie Field such as coordinating smart-growth planning between business interests and local governments and attracting industries that could enhance economic development, increase investment and create high-paying jobs.
"We are gratified that Caltrans confirmed what we already know about Gillespie Field’s tremendous potential for stimulating employment growth and positive economic impact in the region," said Jo Marie Diamond, ECEDC president and CEO. "The Caltrans study underscored the vision of how Gillespie can serve as an economic hub, both inside and outside the runway fence line."
The Caltrans study, called the 2014 Caltrans Airport Forecasting Study, surveyed the economic potential at each of the state’s 245 airports, ranging in size from the large international sites with passenger jets to the smallest, single runway airports in backcountry locations. The study ranked Gillespie Field, a general aviation airport operated by the County of San Diego, as one of the best in the state for its class of airport for several reasons:
• Gillespie Field is one of seven California airports that are highly suitable for sustainable economic growth. The others were Buchanan Field in Contra Costa County, Fresno Yosemite International, Haywood Executive in Alameda County, San Diego International, Santa Monica Municipal and Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley.
• Gillespie Field’s region, totaling of 890 acres, includes 123 acres of undeveloped land suitable for business parks and manufacturing facilities, along with approximately 7.6 million square feet of existing industrial and general commercial space.
• Gillespie Field’s economic potential is supported by access to public transportation and rail links, as well as nearby freeways, including State Route 52 on the north, Interstate 8 on the south, State Route 67 on the east and State Route 125 on the west.
• Gillespie Field leads all San Diego County airports in number of operations with 183,911 operations in 2013. An operation is the arrival or departure of an aircraft to or from the airport.
• While Gillespie Field’s two 5,000-foot-long runways cannot support jumbo jets or large cargo aircraft, the runways can serve certain Gulfstream jet aircraft with a range of 7,000 nautical miles, which means a nonstop trip is possible from El Cajon to Russia or Venezuela without refueling.
• The Caltrans study said the area surrounding the airport currently supports 11,807 jobs with the capacity to add 1.8 million square feet of new business pace and support 20,800 jobs by 2040. Currently, the airport and nearby business parks contribute more than $403 million per year to the economy and accounts for nearly 3,200 jobs, said the ECEDC.
The study’s findings prompted a recent visit to Gillespie Field by Caltrans officials, including Derek Kantar, Caltrans aviation planner.
"When it comes to urban planning and sustainable communities, general aviation airports, like Gillespie, can play a vital role as efficient logistical hubs in an economically sustainable transportation system," said Kantar. "Gillespie has all the pieces in place for exponential business growth and sustainability. But it’s up to the local community to decide what’s best for them and how to take advantage of a runway that’s in their backyard."
The ECEDC recently announced it has established the Aerotropolis Vision Fund, a dedicated funding within its non-profit, charitable East County EDC Foundation, which can accept tax-deductible donations for funding aerotropolis-related projects.
According to officials with the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), a regional non-profit, business-growth organization, the Caltrans study represents an important step toward obtaining additional funding to support efforts for what is called the "aerotropolis" initiative.
The term "aerotropolis," refers to a business cluster where a community’s infrastructure and economy are tied closely to its airport. ECEDC officials say funding is needed for aerotropolis-related efforts at Gillespie Field such as coordinating smart-growth planning between business interests and local governments and attracting industries that could enhance economic development, increase investment and create high-paying jobs.
"We are gratified that Caltrans confirmed what we already know about Gillespie Field’s tremendous potential for stimulating employment growth and positive economic impact in the region," said Jo Marie Diamond, ECEDC president and CEO. "The Caltrans study underscored the vision of how Gillespie can serve as an economic hub, both inside and outside the runway fence line."
The Caltrans study, called the 2014 Caltrans Airport Forecasting Study, surveyed the economic potential at each of the state’s 245 airports, ranging in size from the large international sites with passenger jets to the smallest, single runway airports in backcountry locations. The study ranked Gillespie Field, a general aviation airport operated by the County of San Diego, as one of the best in the state for its class of airport for several reasons:
• Gillespie Field is one of seven California airports that are highly suitable for sustainable economic growth. The others were Buchanan Field in Contra Costa County, Fresno Yosemite International, Haywood Executive in Alameda County, San Diego International, Santa Monica Municipal and Van Nuys Airport in the San Fernando Valley.
• Gillespie Field’s region, totaling of 890 acres, includes 123 acres of undeveloped land suitable for business parks and manufacturing facilities, along with approximately 7.6 million square feet of existing industrial and general commercial space.
• Gillespie Field’s economic potential is supported by access to public transportation and rail links, as well as nearby freeways, including State Route 52 on the north, Interstate 8 on the south, State Route 67 on the east and State Route 125 on the west.
• Gillespie Field leads all San Diego County airports in number of operations with 183,911 operations in 2013. An operation is the arrival or departure of an aircraft to or from the airport.
• While Gillespie Field’s two 5,000-foot-long runways cannot support jumbo jets or large cargo aircraft, the runways can serve certain Gulfstream jet aircraft with a range of 7,000 nautical miles, which means a nonstop trip is possible from El Cajon to Russia or Venezuela without refueling.
• The Caltrans study said the area surrounding the airport currently supports 11,807 jobs with the capacity to add 1.8 million square feet of new business pace and support 20,800 jobs by 2040. Currently, the airport and nearby business parks contribute more than $403 million per year to the economy and accounts for nearly 3,200 jobs, said the ECEDC.
The study’s findings prompted a recent visit to Gillespie Field by Caltrans officials, including Derek Kantar, Caltrans aviation planner.
"When it comes to urban planning and sustainable communities, general aviation airports, like Gillespie, can play a vital role as efficient logistical hubs in an economically sustainable transportation system," said Kantar. "Gillespie has all the pieces in place for exponential business growth and sustainability. But it’s up to the local community to decide what’s best for them and how to take advantage of a runway that’s in their backyard."
The ECEDC recently announced it has established the Aerotropolis Vision Fund, a dedicated funding within its non-profit, charitable East County EDC Foundation, which can accept tax-deductible donations for funding aerotropolis-related projects.
Junior Achievement Day at Anza Elementary School
Alyssa Thompson, Executive Legislative Intern at Sen. Joel Anderson Office, share a proud moment with Kindergarten students at Anza Elementary during a Junior Achievement Day. Photo Courtesy of JA
by Oscar A. Dueñas
Legislative Intern Office of Senator Anderson
Junior Achievement of San Diego County hosted Junior Achievement (JA) day at Anza Elementary School in El Cajon on February 20. Established in 1950, the non-profit organization encourages students to be aware of their economic surroundings by educating children K-12 in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.
Volunteer teachers, from various backgrounds, taught students at the elementary level about the local economy, how money flows, job creation and how taxes are generated to pay for public services.
Alyssa Thompson, the Executive Legislative Intern for State Senator Joel Anderson, was one of the volunteers at JA Day. Thompson and the rest of the volunteers received proper training before working with the students.
"I loved seeing the excitement on the students’ faces every time I would ask if they were ready for another story or activity," said Thompson. "They are so enthusiastic about learning the materials. You know that even though you are only with them for a day, you are making an impact on their lives."
Anderson provided volunteer teachers with certificates of recognition and said, "I am grateful for these volunteers who share their knowledge and help these students build toward financial literacy for a lifetime."
National surveys indicate that only 21 percent of children believe it is important to keep track of money or open a savings account. Junior Achievement teaches students about the importance of saving money and encourages them to do so.
"San Diego’s greatest resource is the next generation of young people," said Joanne Pastula, president and CEO of Junior Achievement. "We must make sure they are ready."
Do you want to be a volunteer teacher at the next JA Day? Contact Laura Keller at (619) 906-4917 regarding JA Days at Chase Elementary, on March 20, or at Naranca Elementary on March 27.
by Oscar A. Dueñas
Legislative Intern Office of Senator Anderson
Junior Achievement of San Diego County hosted Junior Achievement (JA) day at Anza Elementary School in El Cajon on February 20. Established in 1950, the non-profit organization encourages students to be aware of their economic surroundings by educating children K-12 in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.
Volunteer teachers, from various backgrounds, taught students at the elementary level about the local economy, how money flows, job creation and how taxes are generated to pay for public services.
Alyssa Thompson, the Executive Legislative Intern for State Senator Joel Anderson, was one of the volunteers at JA Day. Thompson and the rest of the volunteers received proper training before working with the students.
"I loved seeing the excitement on the students’ faces every time I would ask if they were ready for another story or activity," said Thompson. "They are so enthusiastic about learning the materials. You know that even though you are only with them for a day, you are making an impact on their lives."
Anderson provided volunteer teachers with certificates of recognition and said, "I am grateful for these volunteers who share their knowledge and help these students build toward financial literacy for a lifetime."
National surveys indicate that only 21 percent of children believe it is important to keep track of money or open a savings account. Junior Achievement teaches students about the importance of saving money and encourages them to do so.
"San Diego’s greatest resource is the next generation of young people," said Joanne Pastula, president and CEO of Junior Achievement. "We must make sure they are ready."
Do you want to be a volunteer teacher at the next JA Day? Contact Laura Keller at (619) 906-4917 regarding JA Days at Chase Elementary, on March 20, or at Naranca Elementary on March 27.
New source of clean, safe water in the works for East County
Padre Dam officials, dignitaries and friends joined in the celebration of the ground breaking ceremony for the Advanced Water Purification Project. See story on page 2. Photo credit: Debbie Norman
by Debbie Norman
Under beautiful blue skies, without a trace of rain insight, Padre Dam Municipal Water District broke ground Monday on its new Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project. The project has the potential to put back 3 million gallons of water a day to East County.
The Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project has been funded through a three million dollar Proposition 50 grant from the Department of Water Resources. This project will use advanced water purificaton technologies to potentially diversify East County’s water .
With California’s ongoing drought and the cost of imported water continuing to rise, projects like this will help give East County a new source of water that is safe, reliable, locally controlled and drought-proof. "This will give East County independence from the City of San Diego and from the Water Authority. We will be no longer be under the thumb of the Metrosystem," said County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
"San Diego is at the end of the line of State Water District and there are a lot of cities feeding off it before it gets to us. This gives East County huge control over our own water," said El Cajon City Councilman Tony Ambrose.
Padre Dam’s Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project will take wastewater through four advanced water treatment steps - free chlorine disinfection, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis and ultra violet/advanced oxidation. The demonstration project will operate for at least 12 months. During this time, the demonstration project will produce approximately 100,000 gallons of purified water per day. The water will be tested daily to ensure it meets the public health objectives for California Health Department approval.
"Living in sunny San Diego County, our weather is beautiful, but with limited rainfall and local water sources, we continue to be susceptible to drought conditions and the continually rising cost to imported water," said Allen Carlisle, CEO and general manager of Padre Dam. "That’s why it is important for Padre Dam to explore opportunities to diversify our water supply and reduce our reliance on imported water."
If the demonstration project is deemed successful and the project moves forward, the water would be injected into the Santee groundwater basin where it would be naturally filtered, then withdrawn and treated again prior to distribution as drinking water. The project would have the potential to provide up to three million gallons of water per day.
"Orange County has been doing this for years," said Santee City Councilman John Minto. "If it works for the astronauts, why isn’t it good for us?"
"Viejas has a strong, positive relationship with the Padre Water District and we share their committment to water management and conservation," said Robert Scheid, Vice President of Community Relations. "Viejas was awarded Best Small Municipal Water System by the California Water Journal, and we have been recycling our water for landscaping on the reservation and the casino property for many years. So we support the water district’s vision behind this demonstration project, and we will be interested in the results. It stands to benefit the entire region."
Additionally, Padre Dam is working with Helix Water District, the City of El Cajon and the County of San Diego to study the feasibility of developing an expanded East County Advanced Water Purification Program. The study will focus on the possibility of expanding Padre Dam’s proposed Advanced Water Purification Project to accommodate and treat wastewater from the other agencies’ service areas in order to provide a recycled water supply for local and regional groundwater recharge, reservoir augmentation and other potable reuse opportunities. This expanded program could produce up to an additional10 million gallons of water per day.
"I am confident and hopeful that the demonstration project will be successful," said Carlisle. "If it is, this will open up a whole new source of water for many East County residents."
The project is scheduled to begin operation in March 2015. For more information on the Advanced Water Purification Project and all of Padre Dams’ projects and programs, see www.padredam.org or www.padresdam.org/AWP.
Under beautiful blue skies, without a trace of rain insight, Padre Dam Municipal Water District broke ground Monday on its new Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project. The project has the potential to put back 3 million gallons of water a day to East County.
The Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project has been funded through a three million dollar Proposition 50 grant from the Department of Water Resources. This project will use advanced water purificaton technologies to potentially diversify East County’s water .
With California’s ongoing drought and the cost of imported water continuing to rise, projects like this will help give East County a new source of water that is safe, reliable, locally controlled and drought-proof. "This will give East County independence from the City of San Diego and from the Water Authority. We will be no longer be under the thumb of the Metrosystem," said County Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
"San Diego is at the end of the line of State Water District and there are a lot of cities feeding off it before it gets to us. This gives East County huge control over our own water," said El Cajon City Councilman Tony Ambrose.
Padre Dam’s Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project will take wastewater through four advanced water treatment steps - free chlorine disinfection, membrane filtration, reverse osmosis and ultra violet/advanced oxidation. The demonstration project will operate for at least 12 months. During this time, the demonstration project will produce approximately 100,000 gallons of purified water per day. The water will be tested daily to ensure it meets the public health objectives for California Health Department approval.
"Living in sunny San Diego County, our weather is beautiful, but with limited rainfall and local water sources, we continue to be susceptible to drought conditions and the continually rising cost to imported water," said Allen Carlisle, CEO and general manager of Padre Dam. "That’s why it is important for Padre Dam to explore opportunities to diversify our water supply and reduce our reliance on imported water."
If the demonstration project is deemed successful and the project moves forward, the water would be injected into the Santee groundwater basin where it would be naturally filtered, then withdrawn and treated again prior to distribution as drinking water. The project would have the potential to provide up to three million gallons of water per day.
"Orange County has been doing this for years," said Santee City Councilman John Minto. "If it works for the astronauts, why isn’t it good for us?"
"Viejas has a strong, positive relationship with the Padre Water District and we share their committment to water management and conservation," said Robert Scheid, Vice President of Community Relations. "Viejas was awarded Best Small Municipal Water System by the California Water Journal, and we have been recycling our water for landscaping on the reservation and the casino property for many years. So we support the water district’s vision behind this demonstration project, and we will be interested in the results. It stands to benefit the entire region."
Additionally, Padre Dam is working with Helix Water District, the City of El Cajon and the County of San Diego to study the feasibility of developing an expanded East County Advanced Water Purification Program. The study will focus on the possibility of expanding Padre Dam’s proposed Advanced Water Purification Project to accommodate and treat wastewater from the other agencies’ service areas in order to provide a recycled water supply for local and regional groundwater recharge, reservoir augmentation and other potable reuse opportunities. This expanded program could produce up to an additional10 million gallons of water per day.
"I am confident and hopeful that the demonstration project will be successful," said Carlisle. "If it is, this will open up a whole new source of water for many East County residents."
The project is scheduled to begin operation in March 2015. For more information on the Advanced Water Purification Project and all of Padre Dams’ projects and programs, see www.padredam.org or www.padresdam.org/AWP.
Historic San Vicente Dam Raise project completed
The largest water storage project in San Diego County history is complete, providing the region with a critical hedge against future water shortages.
The San Vicente Dam Raise project adds 152,000 acre-feet of water storage capacity to the reservoir, enough to serve more than 300,000 homes for a year. Filling the reservoir will take two to five years, depending on water supply and demand conditions statewide. The newly added storage volume is greater than any reservoir in the county.
The San Vicente Dam Raise Project is the largest piece and final major element of the Water Authority’s $1.5 billion Emergency Storage Project, a system of reservoirs, interconnected pipelines, and pumping stations designed to ensure a six-month supply of water for the San Diego region in case imported water deliveries are interrupted – for instance, by an earthquake. About one-third of the reservoir’s new capacity – 52,000 acre-feet – is for emergency use. The project also provides 100,000 acre-feet of "carryover" storage that is designed to be filled during wet years and tapped in dry years.
The dam raise project cost $416 million. Related projects that include a surge tank, a pump station and 11 miles of large-diameter underground pipeline brought the overall cost to $838 million.
Approximately 200 state and local water leaders, elected officials, civic and business leaders, and community stakeholders attended a dam raise dedication celebration at the project site on Wednesday.
"This vital enhancement to the region’s water storage system will protect our economy and quality of life during future droughts and water supply emergencies," said Thomas V. Wornham, Chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. "It proves once again that our region’s water agencies, civic leaders and ratepayers are committed to doing what it takes to maintain a reliable supply of water, not only for today but for generations to come."
San Vicente Dam has been owned and operated by the city of San Diego since it was built in 1943 to hold 90,000 acre-feet of water for city customers. Capacity in the enlarged reservoir is shared by the city (90,000 acre-feet) and the Water Authority (152,000 acre-feet). The Water Authority and the city will share the cost of operating the expanded reservoir.
"This project improves water security for everyone living in the San Diego region as well as thousands of businesses that depend on a reliable water source to thrive," said San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. "I’m proud the city helped make this happen with our great partners at the San Diego County Water Authority. This project provides a template for how we can complete bold and visionary projects by working together."
John Laird, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, also attended Wednesday’s ceremony. "Ongoing statewide drought conditions highlight the need for forward-thinking projects like the San Vicente Dam Raise," Laird said. "The Water Authority should be congratulated for starting this project well before the current drought hit, and all Californians should see this as an example of what’s possible with good planning and strong financial commitment to water supply reliability."
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders praised the Water Authority’s efforts to diversify its water supplies so that the region is no longer dependent on a single supplier for almost all of its water. "This has been a top public policy priority at the Chamber for years," Sanders said. "By combining a diversified set of water supply sources with greatly enhanced storage capacity, we are developing a more robust safety net for San Diego County."
"A reliable water supply is critical for economic growth and maintaining a competitive business climate," said Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. "The raised dam will enhance San Diego County’s position as a prime spot for starting or growing a company because it provides greater assurance that we can weather future droughts and emergencies."
Construction started in 2000 on the comprehensive set of water storage and delivery enhancements that are part of the Water Authority’s Emergency Storage Project. The project included building Olivenhain Dam in North County along with a pipeline connecting Olivenhain Reservoir to the Water Authority’s Second Aqueduct, an 11-mile pipeline connecting San Vicente Reservoir to the Water Authority’s Second Aqueduct, and pumping facilities at Lake Hodges and San Vicente Reservoir. The expanded pipeline system allows for regional distribution of water during emergencies.
Expanding San Vicente Reservoir started as a part of the Emergency Storage Project. After Water Authority studies showed the need for more carryover storage in the region, the dam raise was "super-sized" to also include dry-year storage in the reservoir.
"By combining two projects into one, we were able to make a huge addition to our water reserves more quickly and continue our legacy of optimizing our assets for regional benefit," said Maureen Stapleton, general manager of the Water Authority. "Super-sizing the dam raise proved to be the best way to realize the water supply benefits the region needed at the best value for ratepayers."
Preparatory work on the foundation for the enlarged San Vicente Dam began in June 2009, and construction concluded in June 2014. The dam now stands 337 feet tall, an increase of 117 feet. It was the tallest dam raise in the nation and the tallest in the world using a construction technique called roller-compacted concrete. Roller-compacted concrete is just as strong as conventional concrete but takes less time and water. It is placed in layers, one on top of the other, in a process that resembles road construction.
Concrete for the San Vicente project was custom-designed to match the strength of the original dam, allowing the two sections of concrete to function as one unit. Almost all of the concrete was produced on site with material mined from the hillsides near the old marina, avoiding 100,000 delivery truck trips through the local community.
The Water Authority also conducted a comprehensive environmental mitigation program for the project. The program met all wildlife agency permit requirements and created, enhanced, restored or preserved more than 670 acres of sensitive upland and wetland habitats from Oceanside to Imperial Beach. In many locations, the mitigation program resulted in multiple public benefits, such as watershed protection and preserving existing trail systems.
Now that work is finished on the dam, remaining construction projects in the area include the completion of a new, improved marina that will feature twice as many boat launch lanes, a longer boat ramp and more parking spaces. In addition, a new pipeline will be built for the city of San Diego to replace a section that will be under water when the expanded reservoir is full. The ancillary projects are expected to be completed in 2015.
The city of San Diego plans to reopen the reservoir to the public as soon as the water level reaches the new boat ramp, which will depend on the availability of imported water and local rainfall along with local water demand.
More information about the San Vicente Dam Raise is at www.sdcwa.org/san-vicente-dam-raise. Details about the Emergency Storage Project are at www.sdcwa.org/emergency-storage-project.
The San Vicente Dam Raise project adds 152,000 acre-feet of water storage capacity to the reservoir, enough to serve more than 300,000 homes for a year. Filling the reservoir will take two to five years, depending on water supply and demand conditions statewide. The newly added storage volume is greater than any reservoir in the county.
The San Vicente Dam Raise Project is the largest piece and final major element of the Water Authority’s $1.5 billion Emergency Storage Project, a system of reservoirs, interconnected pipelines, and pumping stations designed to ensure a six-month supply of water for the San Diego region in case imported water deliveries are interrupted – for instance, by an earthquake. About one-third of the reservoir’s new capacity – 52,000 acre-feet – is for emergency use. The project also provides 100,000 acre-feet of "carryover" storage that is designed to be filled during wet years and tapped in dry years.
The dam raise project cost $416 million. Related projects that include a surge tank, a pump station and 11 miles of large-diameter underground pipeline brought the overall cost to $838 million.
Approximately 200 state and local water leaders, elected officials, civic and business leaders, and community stakeholders attended a dam raise dedication celebration at the project site on Wednesday.
"This vital enhancement to the region’s water storage system will protect our economy and quality of life during future droughts and water supply emergencies," said Thomas V. Wornham, Chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. "It proves once again that our region’s water agencies, civic leaders and ratepayers are committed to doing what it takes to maintain a reliable supply of water, not only for today but for generations to come."
San Vicente Dam has been owned and operated by the city of San Diego since it was built in 1943 to hold 90,000 acre-feet of water for city customers. Capacity in the enlarged reservoir is shared by the city (90,000 acre-feet) and the Water Authority (152,000 acre-feet). The Water Authority and the city will share the cost of operating the expanded reservoir.
"This project improves water security for everyone living in the San Diego region as well as thousands of businesses that depend on a reliable water source to thrive," said San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer. "I’m proud the city helped make this happen with our great partners at the San Diego County Water Authority. This project provides a template for how we can complete bold and visionary projects by working together."
John Laird, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, also attended Wednesday’s ceremony. "Ongoing statewide drought conditions highlight the need for forward-thinking projects like the San Vicente Dam Raise," Laird said. "The Water Authority should be congratulated for starting this project well before the current drought hit, and all Californians should see this as an example of what’s possible with good planning and strong financial commitment to water supply reliability."
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders praised the Water Authority’s efforts to diversify its water supplies so that the region is no longer dependent on a single supplier for almost all of its water. "This has been a top public policy priority at the Chamber for years," Sanders said. "By combining a diversified set of water supply sources with greatly enhanced storage capacity, we are developing a more robust safety net for San Diego County."
"A reliable water supply is critical for economic growth and maintaining a competitive business climate," said Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. "The raised dam will enhance San Diego County’s position as a prime spot for starting or growing a company because it provides greater assurance that we can weather future droughts and emergencies."
Construction started in 2000 on the comprehensive set of water storage and delivery enhancements that are part of the Water Authority’s Emergency Storage Project. The project included building Olivenhain Dam in North County along with a pipeline connecting Olivenhain Reservoir to the Water Authority’s Second Aqueduct, an 11-mile pipeline connecting San Vicente Reservoir to the Water Authority’s Second Aqueduct, and pumping facilities at Lake Hodges and San Vicente Reservoir. The expanded pipeline system allows for regional distribution of water during emergencies.
Expanding San Vicente Reservoir started as a part of the Emergency Storage Project. After Water Authority studies showed the need for more carryover storage in the region, the dam raise was "super-sized" to also include dry-year storage in the reservoir.
"By combining two projects into one, we were able to make a huge addition to our water reserves more quickly and continue our legacy of optimizing our assets for regional benefit," said Maureen Stapleton, general manager of the Water Authority. "Super-sizing the dam raise proved to be the best way to realize the water supply benefits the region needed at the best value for ratepayers."
Preparatory work on the foundation for the enlarged San Vicente Dam began in June 2009, and construction concluded in June 2014. The dam now stands 337 feet tall, an increase of 117 feet. It was the tallest dam raise in the nation and the tallest in the world using a construction technique called roller-compacted concrete. Roller-compacted concrete is just as strong as conventional concrete but takes less time and water. It is placed in layers, one on top of the other, in a process that resembles road construction.
Concrete for the San Vicente project was custom-designed to match the strength of the original dam, allowing the two sections of concrete to function as one unit. Almost all of the concrete was produced on site with material mined from the hillsides near the old marina, avoiding 100,000 delivery truck trips through the local community.
The Water Authority also conducted a comprehensive environmental mitigation program for the project. The program met all wildlife agency permit requirements and created, enhanced, restored or preserved more than 670 acres of sensitive upland and wetland habitats from Oceanside to Imperial Beach. In many locations, the mitigation program resulted in multiple public benefits, such as watershed protection and preserving existing trail systems.
Now that work is finished on the dam, remaining construction projects in the area include the completion of a new, improved marina that will feature twice as many boat launch lanes, a longer boat ramp and more parking spaces. In addition, a new pipeline will be built for the city of San Diego to replace a section that will be under water when the expanded reservoir is full. The ancillary projects are expected to be completed in 2015.
The city of San Diego plans to reopen the reservoir to the public as soon as the water level reaches the new boat ramp, which will depend on the availability of imported water and local rainfall along with local water demand.
More information about the San Vicente Dam Raise is at www.sdcwa.org/san-vicente-dam-raise. Details about the Emergency Storage Project are at www.sdcwa.org/emergency-storage-project.