Water, Water, Everywhere: California Desert Cadiz Aquifer Project
Posted: Monday, August 01, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
There is a proposal in the works in California to remove large quantities of underground water from aquifers in the Mojave Desert and sell it to water districts in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. Conveyance systems that have been built over the years will be used to “get water from where it is to where it is needed.” The water will be removed from beneath Bristol and Cadiz Dry Lakes that are located north and east of the city of Twenty-nine Palms. Proponents of the project claim that it will provide a more reliable supply for the costal cities by utilizing water that would normally be lost. Those opposed to the project claim there may be unforeseen environmental impacts and have requested additional studies.
Courtney Degener, vice president of investor relations for Cadiz Inc. in Los Angeles said: “Southern California is faced with a lot of water-supply challenges. We’ve seen over the past number of years there is a lot of hydrologic variability. Boom and bust. Basically we have dry years and wet years.” Degener said, “Cadiz land is situated over a prolific aquifer system. We believe the water supplies beneath our property can sustainably supply a reliable water supply to Southern California....that would otherwise be lost to evaporation.”
Cadiz Inc. has formed partnerships with regional water providers to study the aquifer and other available resources then begin pumping the water to the Colorado River Aqueduct. The 50,000 acre feet a year is a substantial volume. It is ten times the amount of water currently produced by the water districts that service the local, Morongo Basin area which includes the cities of 29 Palms, Yucca Valley, and Joshua Tree.
John Schatz, general manager of the Santa Margarita Water District in Orange County, that would benefit from the project said, “By increasing the supply, it makes water available in the system in which we’re all connected. When you look at this type of project, it increases supply reliability, it helps the entire area…Reliability is a key issue.”
Seth Shteir, California desert field representative for the National Parks Conservation Association activist group gives a different point of view. The project is being billed as sustainable, but the NPCA is concerned over that assumption. They question the projected recharge rate of the aquifers. In addition they are concerned about how the water diversion might affect the nearby Mojave National Preserve.
The NPCA wrote: “The Mojave National Preserve has outstanding natural features like singing sand dunes, the largest and densest Joshua tree forests in the world and alpine fir communities high atop New York Mountains.” More than 600,000 people visited the preserve in 2010. It contributes up to $10 million yearly to the local economy and supports more than 100 jobs.”
Shteir also cites the California Climate Adaptation Strategies 2009 report that was authorized by Governor Schwarzenegger to look at the effects of climate change. The report predicts that by 2050, the expected lifespan of the Cadiz project, there will be a 12 to 35% reduction in precipitation statewide. “What this happens when these areas dry out?” Shteir asked. “How is that dust going to affect air quality of the surrounding regions?”
In addition to the water project there are other activities planned in the area. The 29 Palms Marine Base wants to expand to have more areas for maneuvers. A large solar energy project is in the works. An iron mining company has acquired permits and is almost ready to begin production. There are several gas pipelines crisscrossing the area. All use water and all can affect the fragile desert ecosystems.
Battle lines appear to have been formed. Few states have a stronger environmental lobby than California. Few states have as big a problem providing water to its population.
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