Alex Breitler's Environment Blog

Pelicans and property values

Alex Breitler — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:54:32 +0000

Could the controversial expansion of the San Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge provide a much-needed boost for property values in San Joaquin County?

According to a new study, homes located within a half-mile of a wildlife refuge and within 8 miles of an urban center are likely to see anywhere from a 4 percent to 9 percent increase in value, depending on the region.

More demand for science classes

Alex Breitler — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:14:01 +0000

Today’s news about the possible closure of Stockton’s Clever Planetarium comes just a few days after a new report revealed, among other things, that more high school students are enrolling in science classes.

That’s significant, because the planetarium is one way to draw high school students to the Delta College campus and, perhaps, keep them there.

The planetarium’s future may hinge, in fact, on whether college trustees view it as having broad academic impact on campus, rather than being a niche luxury.

Read the new report, “Condition of Education 2012,” here. (See pages 78-79 of the pdf for details on the increase in science enrollment.)

And don’t forget to watch Record videographer Katie Combs’ piece on the planetarium.

What’s on tap — weekend of May 26-27 and beyond

Alex Breitler — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:41:59 +0000

Here’s your weekly calendar of upcoming environment/outdoors-related meetings, events and activities.

Friday, May 25: Sky Tours astronomy event hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. 9 p.m., San Joaquin Delta College Shima 2 parking lot. More details here.

Saturday, May 26: Guided hike, Calaveras Big Trees State Park North Grove. 1 p.m. Free with $8 park admission (per vehicle). More details here.

Saturday, May 26: Public Star Party at Oak Grove Regional Park. Hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. Starts at sunset. More details here.

Saturday, May 26: Cosumnes River Preserve guided photo walk. Explore wetlands and riparian forest. Meet at 9 a.m. at the visitor center. More details here.

Saturday, May 26: Answer: The largest reservoir in Central California. Question: What is New Melones Lake? Come to the New Melones glory hole amphitheater for a friendly game of JEOPARDY! focusing on the history and wildlife of the New Melones area. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 27: Program, “Bats are your Buddies.” 7 p.m., New Melones Lake amphitheater. Arts and crafts at 7 p.m., presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, May 29: Class, “Cycling Destinations.” 7 p.m., Stockton REI. Learn where to go for the best views and vistas. More details here.

Tuesday, May 29: Presentation, “Bears in California: Past & Present.” 7 p.m., Oak Grove Regional Park nature center. San Joaquin Delta College instructor Paul Ustach will talk about the grizzly bear and American black bear. More details here.

Thursday, May 31: Friends of the Lower Calaveras River meeting. Details to come.

Friday, June 1: Presentation, “Butterflies.” 7 p.m., Oak Grove Regional Park nature center. Kathy Schick shares fascinating facts about butterflies in our area. More details here.

Saturday, June 2: 28th annual Catfish Derby. 6:30 a.m., Oak Grove Regional Park. 2,500 pounds of catfish planted. More details here.

Saturday, June 2: California Trail Days celebration, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail. “Celebrate” trails by helping build this one. More details here (page 9). Trails day events also planned at New Hogan Dam and Twain Harte.

Saturday, June 2: Audubon Society introductory birding field trip. 8 a.m., Lodi Lake. Meet at the north end of Laurel Avenue. All skill levels welcome; binoculars and field guides available.

Saturday, June 2: Program, “Gold Rush Reminiscing.” 7 p.m., New Melones Lake gloryhole amphitheater. A park ranger will talk about Gold Rush miners and teach the public how to pan for gold.

Sunday, June 3: California Native Plant Society field trip to view spring wildflowers at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the picnic area on the creek behind Jack Knight Hall. To learn more call (209) 754-9029 or emailsnlsox@earthlink.org.

Monday, June 4: Campaign for Common Ground meeting. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, June 5: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Wednesday, June 6: California Fish and Game Commission meeting in Eureka. More details here.

Thursday, June 7: Bay Delta Conservation Plan update. Updates on several chapters to be released. Noon to 3 p.m., The Pagoda Building, City View Room, 429 J St. in Sacramento. Phone line also available. More details here.

Saturday, June 9: Audubon Society field trip, Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Meet in the North Grove parking lot at 8:30 a.m. For more details email k1mize@aol.com.

Saturday, June 9: River walk bird count at Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 5:15 a.m. at the visitor center. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Saturday, June 9: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 9 a.m. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Saturday, June 9: Program, “Flying Rainbows.” 7 p.m., New Melones gloryhole amphitheater. Learn about butterflies, their importance, and how to entice them into your own back yard.

Sunday, June 10: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 7 a.m. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Sunday, June 10: Audubon Society field trip, Cosumnes River Preserve. For meeting time and more details email rowoth@sbcglobal.net.

Tuesday, June 12: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, June 12: Presentation, “Thru Hiking with Francis Tapon.” 7 p.m., Stockton REI. Tapon has hiked the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails, and in 2007 became the first hiker to do a 5,600-mile round-trip on the Continental Divide Trail. More details here.

Wednesday, June 13: Green Team San Joaquin meeting, hosted by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. 9 a.m.

Thursday, June 14: Tribute to Delta farmer Alex Hildebrand, who died in January. 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (program at 6 p.m.), Robert J. Cabral Ag Center, 2101 E. Earhart Avenue, Stockton. Sponsored by the South Delta Water Agency and San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. Donations accepted in Hildebrand’s memory. RSVP at (209) 931-4931.

Friday, June 15: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 6 p.m.. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Saturday, June 16: Audubon Society field trip, Woodbridge Wilderness Area. Meet at 8 a.m. at the north end of Meadowlark Lane in Woodbridge.

Saturday, June 16: Fourth annual Bike (or Hike) to Feed the Hungry. 8:30 a.m., starting at the DeRosa University Center at the University of the Pacific. Event offers three bicycle courses and a walking route. More details here.

Saturday, June 16: Tall forest bird count and guided paddle trip, Cosumnes River Preserve. For the bird count meet at 5:15 a.m. at the farm center gate. For the paddle, meet at 8:30 a.m. in the visitor parking area. Bring your own gear including life jacket. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Saturday, June 16: Presentation, “Reptilian Encounters.” 7:30 p.m., New Melones gloryhole amphitheater. Join Mike Sutton and his entourage of snakes, lizards and toads. His collection of over 65 different species may be the most comprehensive available for public viewing.

Sunday, June 17: Audubon Society field trip, Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery. Meet at the fish hatchery parking lot at 8 a.m.

Tuesday, June 19: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, June 19: Class, “Family Camping Basics.” 7 p.m., Stockton REI. Learn the basics of comfortable and fun family camping. More details here.

Wednesday, June 20: California Water Commission meeting. Details to be posted here.

Thursday, June 21: San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District meeting. 9 a.m., Fresno. Webcast available. Details to be posted here.

Friday, June 22: Central Valley Flood Protection Board meeting. Sacramento. Details to be posted here.

Friday, June 22: Sky Tours astronomy event hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. 9 p.m., San Joaquin Delta College Shima 2 parking lot. More details here.

Saturday, June 23: Great American Backyard Campout at Oak Grove Regional Park. Hosted by Stockton REI. Free. Activities include geocaching, map and compass, how to ride a bike, how to fix a flat, crafts, solar cooking and night-sky viewing. More details here.

Saturday, June 23: Public Star Party at Oak Grove Regional Park. Hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. Starts at sunset. More details here.

Saturday, June 23: Guided photo walk, Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 9 a.m. at the visitor center. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Saturday, June 23: Presentation, “Nature Photography.” 7:30 p.m., New Melones gloryhole amphitheater. Bring your own camera, owner’s manual, tripod — and all those unanswered questions about technique and style.

Tuesday, June 26: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, June 26: Class, “Using Poles for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise.” 7 p.m., Stockton REI. Learn how to use poles to engage your whole body while hiking or walking. More details here.

Saturday, June 30: Presentation, “Hardluck Lin.” 7:30 p.m., New Melones gloryhole amphitheater. Join living history persona Linda Teigland Clark as she shares her authentic tales of gold rush characters, places and events.

Sunday, July 1: Presentation, “Dangerous Creatures.” 7 p.m., New Melones gloryhole amphitheater. Learn about the creepy creatures at New Melones, and how to avoid being injured by them.

Saturday, July 14: River walk bird count, Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 5:30 a.m. at the visitor center. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Saturday, July 14: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 9 a.m. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Saturday, July 14: Historic Wildermuth House hike. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Campo Seco staging area. More detailshere (see page 10).

Sunday, July 15: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 7 a.m. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Wednesday, July 18: California Water Commission meeting. Details to be posted here.

Friday, July 20: Guided paddle trip, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Elk Grove. 6 p.m. Free. Bring canoe or kayak and gear. More details here.

Saturday, July 21: Tall forest bird count, Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 5:30 a.m. at the farm center gate. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Sunday, July 22: Guided paddle at Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor parking area. Bring your own gear and life jacket. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Thursday, July 26: Delta Protection Commission meeting. Details to be posted here.

Friday, July 27: Sky Tours astronomy event hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. 9 p.m., San Joaquin Delta College Shima 2 parking lot. More details here.

Saturday, July 28: Public Star Party at Oak Grove Regional Park. Hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. Starts at sunset. More details here.

Saturday, July 28: Guided photo walk, Cosumnes River Preserve. Meet at 9 a.m. at the visitor center deck. For more details email info@cosumnes.org or call (916) 684-2816.

Saturday, Aug. 11: Bat viewing event. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Pardee Reservoir. View bats as they exit their artificial cave at dusk. More details here (see page 11).

Friday, Aug. 24: Sky Tours astronomy event hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. 9 p.m., San Joaquin Delta College Shima 2 parking lot. More details here.

Monday, Aug. 25: Sierra Club meeting. 7 p.m., Central United Methodist Church, Stockton. Agenda includes discussion of Coastal Cleanup Day in September. More details on local Sierra Club happenings here.

Saturday, Aug. 25: Public Star Party at Oak Grove Regional Park. Hosted by the Stockton Astronomical Society. Starts at sunset. More details here.

The growth-chilling effect of the Delta Plan

Alex Breitler — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:39:35 +0000

Local agencies haven’t yet filed formal comments on the much-anticipated sixth draft of the Delta Plan.

But Mike Niblock, a planning consultant for the city of Stockton, offered his early take at a Delta Coalition meeting this morning.

“There are some improvements,” he said, “but there are some things that are still unclear and some things that are downright unacceptable.”

The city is concerned that the plan takes away its local authority to make decisions about future growth, by requiring the city to first prove that projects are consistent with the Delta Plan.

The state authors of the Delta Plan offered reassurances when the draft came out last week, saying that there will be no impact on development projects that are already approved, and that almost everything Stockton does as a city within its own sphere of influence will not be considered a “covered action.”

Niblock said he’s worried, however, that there is still no specific language in the draft plan clarifying that cities are not going to have to go through the burdensome certification process.

That process alone is enough to hinder growth, said San Joaquin County Supervisor Larry Ruhstaller.

“It’s not so much that you’re going to get nailed… it’s that you might be,” he said. “By anybody, anytime. The more uncertainty you build in, the (more) likely any businessperson is going to say, ‘Well, I’ve got to jump through 342 hoops here, it’s just not economically worth it. I’ll take my money and go do a project someplace else.’

“Growth is killed,” Ruhstaller said, “just before it rises to the level of even being a project.”

Stockton mayor talks water

Alex Breitler — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:29:44 +0000

Among the many other things to talk about, Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston touched on water and the Delta during her State of the City address last week.

First she touted the success of the city’s Delta Water Supply Project, which will — in a matter of days — allow Stockton residents to drink from the Delta for the first time, helping to correct years of over-reliance on precious groundwater.

“Many communities would be envious of the water we have and the supplies that we have,” she said.

Like, say, L.A.

Johnston then praised the work of the new Delta Coalition in fighting a peripheral canal or tunnel to send more water to farms and, yes, cities south of the Delta.

“We’re working to prevent a true economic disaster from happening should a peripheral canal, should a tunnel, should something called a ‘conveyance,’ take water around our Delta rather than through our Delta,” the mayor said.

Feeling cool out there?

Alex Breitler — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:05:12 +0000

Thank you, Clifford Oto, for this flattering photo of me.

Nice turnout at today’s eclipse viewing event on the Stockton waterfront.

Lots of people commented on how much cooler it felt once the moon had blotted out most of the sun. But was this wishful thinking? Some kind of psychological trick?

I called the National Weather Service.

The Stockton Metropolitan Airport topped out at 93 degrees at 3:57 p.m., before the celestial event had even started. Two hours later it was still 91 degrees. By 7 p.m., a half-hour after the deepest part of the eclipse, it was 83 degrees.

An 8-degree drop.

Then again, that Delta breeze was a tad stronger today, said NWS forecaster Jim Mathews. And we were nearing the end of the day — temperatures surely would have been dropping anyway.

So how much of that 8-degree drop was really because of the eclipse?

Consider this: Temperatures on Saturday dropped only 4 degrees during that same 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. hour.

“It (the eclipse) might have accounted for a couple of degrees,” Mathews said. “There might be something to it, but it’s awfully hard to say. You could get different opinions depending on who you ask.”

Well, I was out there from 5:15 p.m. until 7 p.m. and I’d say there was a rapid, noticeable decline in temperature just before 6:30 p.m.

So if you ask me — yes, the eclipse had lots to do with it.

That’s the more enjoyable answer, anyhow, don’t you think?

What’s on tap — weekend of May 19-20 and beyond

Alex Breitler — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:16:59 +0000

Here’s your weekly calendar of upcoming environment/outdoors-related meetings, events and activities.

Saturday, May 19: Butterfly presentation at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Jim Mori of Sonora will share his expertise and interest. 10 a.m. to noon, Jack Knight Hall at Calaveras Big Trees east of Arnold. The program is free but admission to the park costs $8 per car. More details here.

Saturday, May 19: Guided hike, Calaveras Big Trees State Park North Grove. 1 p.m. Free with $8 park admission (per vehicle). More details here.

Saturday, May 19: ”Walk on the Wildside” festival, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Beach Lake Picnic Area, near Freeport. Hosted by the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Free. More details here.

Saturday, May 19: Audubon Society field trip, Woodbridge Wilderness Area. Meet at 8 a.m. at the north end of Meadowlark Lane, off Woodbridge Road.

Saturday, May 19: San Joaquin Master Gardeners workshop on beneficial insects. 10:30 a.m., Manteca Public Library. RSVP at (209) 953-6100. More details here.

Sunday, May 20: Partial solar eclipse, visible from Stockton! “Deepest eclipse Stockton has encountered in decades.” Public viewing event planned along the waterfront on the west side of Weber Point. Peak of the eclipse occurs at 6:32 p.m. in Stockton. More details on event and safe viewing tips here.

Sunday, May 20: Audubon Society field trip, White Slough Wildlife Area. Meet at the entrance at 8 a.m.

Sunday, May 20: Cosumnes River Preserve guided paddle trip. Arrive with your canoe/kayak and life jacket at 8:30 a.m. in the visitor parking area. More details here.

Monday, May 21: Sierra Club meeting. 7 p.m., Central United Methodist Church in Stockton. Advocacy group Restore the Delta will talk about issues facing the estuary.

Tuesday, May 22: Stockton East Water District board meeting. Noon. 6767 E. Main St. Details to be posted here.

Tuesday, May 22: Class, “Intro to Bike Safety.” 7 p.m., Stockton REI. Learn how to prepare and feel safe while bicycling. More details here.

Wednesday, May 23: Delta Coalition meeting. 8:30 a.m., 555 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton. Agenda includes discussion of sixth draft of the Delta Plan.

Wednesday, May 23: California Fish and Game Commission meeting. Details to be posted here.

Wednesday, May 23: Stanislaus River stakeholder group meeting. 6:30 p.m., Ripon City Hall, 259 N. Wilma Avenue. Discussion includes how to implement a river cleanup program on the Stanislaus.

Thursday, May 24: Delta Stewardship Council meeting, 9 a.m., West Sacramento. Discussion of newly released final staff draft of the Delta Plan.

Thursday, May 24: Delta Protection Commission meeting. Details to be available here.

Thursday, May 24-Friday, May 25: Flood management tour hosted by the Water Education Foundation. The two-day tour will explore flood threats on the lower San Joaquin River near Stockton. More details and registration informationhere.