I’m on the agenda for the quarterly meeting of the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA). The meeting is scheduled for March 12 in Sacramento. The theme for the meeting is “Low Impact Development (LID): Lessons Learned” and the title I’ve been given is “Integrating LID into the Planning Process and LID Site Design.” I thought… Continue reading On the Agenda
Category: Work Status
Gurgle and gush
It’s been a great experience being part of the Ohlone Greenway Rain Garden from first concept to completion of construction. Today, as the rain started, I got up from my desk and walked around the corner to see it christened by its first stormwater flow. To get runoff from the previously existing storm drain into… Continue reading Gurgle and gush
Milestone
Seven years ago, I was involved in a long battle with the staff of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board over Low Impact Development (LID). Back then, we (Contra Costa County municipal stormwater NPDES permittees) were the LID advocates. We wanted to disperse runoff to landscaping, infiltrate runoff, and use bioretention to… Continue reading Milestone
January 28, in Corona
Here are the Powerpoint slides from my presentation to land development professionals in Corona, CA on January 28. I’ll be down there again February 13th for a repeat. Later: Here is a .pdf of the slides as well.
Suddenly happy
Last Friday I rushed out a response to a Request for Qualifications, hitting the “send” button four minutes before the 5 pm deadline. At the time, it seemed like another chore to get done before starting the weekend. I was feeling deskbound and work-weary, and I was already ginning myself up for my Saturday ride.… Continue reading Suddenly happy
Training
A year ago last summer I helped Riverside County municipalities draft stormwater guidance for new development projects. After many subsequent revisions, the Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Santa Ana Region approved the municipalities’ Water Quality Management Plan on October 22. New permit requirements kick in for projects reviewed on or after December 6—tomorrow—so… Continue reading Training
Two More Years
Sending in my check to renew my Professional Engineer’s License, my 11th 2-year renewal. It’s like the best cereal box prize ever. Especially the secret decoder ring.
Cars out to get me
Not to be paranoid about it. Jack, from whom I sublease this storefront space on Solano Avenue, called me Saturday afternoon. I was at home, so I rode the single-speed over, just in time to take a few pictures as it was all being boarded up. There’s angle parking in front. Apparently an elderly driver… Continue reading Cars out to get me
Latest Training
I’ve posted the Powerpoint presentations from a recent half-day training, “How to Prepare Stormwater Control Plans for Development Projects,” on the Contra Costa Clean Water Program’s website.
Shaking my head
The current statewide stormwater Phase II NPDES permit was issued in 2003 and expired in 2008. It’s been extended administratively while State Water Resources Control Board staff drafts an update. This permit tells smaller California cities and towns what they must do to reduce the amount of pollutants discharged from their streets, gutters, and drainage… Continue reading Shaking my head