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Mystic Lake by Tom Paulek

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Mystic Lake by Tom Paulek Newsletter • February 2014 SJWA Reclaimed Water – Going Down the Drain Mystic Lake By Tom Paulek he Friends October, 2013 Newslet- ter [Lifeblood of SJWA Circling the TDrain] sought to sound the alarm that the newly named Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) were negotiating the renewal of the 1987 Reclaimed Water contract for the San Jacinto Wildlife Area (SJWA). When the wildlife area was in its early development, back in 1987, the then Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and EMWD entered into a 25-year contract to bring reclaimed water to the SJWA to be Photo by Rosedith Marx used for the management and develop- ment of the wildlife habitats that have By Jenny Gagnon popular birding area for bird watchers. since been realized at this important wild- Some of the wetland species sighted in- life conservation area. ystic Lake is a seasonal lake locat- clude grebes, ducks, ibis, bitterns, egrets, Both DFG and EMWD recognized M ed within the San Jacinto Wildlife herons, and coots. Birds of prey are also that while the term of the 1987 Agree- Area. Currently dry, it reappears with the abundant with sightings of hawks, fal- ment was twenty-five (25) years, provid- winter rains, and may sometimes remain cons, osprey, and white-tailed kites. Be- ing water for the San Jacinto Wildlife for several years depending on rainfall tween 1990 and 2003, the abundance of Area was a long-term mutually beneficial amounts. birds made Mystic Lake area a top U.S. program for both of these public agen- The first recorded sighting of Mys- monitoring site by the Audubon Society. cies. The 1987 contract recognized re- tic Lake is found in the journals of Juan Continued on page 3 claimed water would result in the pro- Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, duction of valuable wildlife habitat that who traveled through the area in 1774. would support resident and migratory He noted the abundance of waterfowl. In this issue populations of wildlife and provide long Mystic Lake is located within the term benefits to the public. DFG and Pacific flyway and attracts upwards of LEGAL EAGLE .........................3 EMWD also recognized that wildlife 150 species of birds. As a result, it is a Sue’s News: Birding App, populations and public benefits would be- Books & Pamphlets .................4 come dependent upon habitat supported IF YOU GOT A HARD COPY OF Get the Lead Out ......................5 by the reclaimed water delivery program. THIS NEWSLETTER IN THE The Allusive Sora ....................5 In recognition thereof, the DFG and MAIL AND HAVE AN EMAIL Calendar of Friends’ Meetings EMWD considered the program to be a ADDRESS, PLEASE EMAIL and Wildlife Walks ...................6 long-term commitment to be extended [email protected] Bird Checklist for Beginners ..6 beyond the initial term of the agreement. ASAP. If you do not give us an email, In good faith, and consistent with their re- we will continue to send you a hard Directions to the SJWA ...........7 spective legal authority, the DFG and the copy. Info About the SJWA ...............7 Continued on next page Friends of the Northern San Jacinto Valley Newsletter February 2014 • Page 1 Down the Drain copy of the February, 2014 Draft Recycled Water Agreement as Continued from previous page negotiated thus far between the EMWD and the DFW. Respec- tive electronic links to a copy of the original 1987 Reclaimed EMWD intent was to periodically extend the agreement with Water Agreement between the EMWD/DFG and the current such amendments as are at the time deemed necessary. EMWD Draft Recycled Water Agreement [February, 2014 - Every year at least a billion birds migrate along the Pacific INTERAGENCY RECYCLED WATER AGREEMENT] Flyway that stretches from the North Slope of Alaska to Central are provided herein for public inspection. [Click on the docu- and South America. At the present time, these migratory birds ment name to open the file online. If you received this newsletter are only a fraction of those that used the Pacific flyway a mere in the mail, visit northfriends.org to view the documents.] century ago. Habitat destruction, water shortages and diversions, The Friends comparison/contrast of the 1987 agreement with diminishing food sources and now climate change all threaten the the February, 2014 Draft Recycled Water Agreement clearly birds of the Pacific Flyway. The 1987 DFG/ foretells reclaimed water at the SJWA is go- EMWD agreement recognized the Depart- ing down the drain. The clear intent of the ment undertook the development and man- original 1987 agreement was to insure re- agement of the SJWA as a mitigation site for claimed water remains available to SJWA as wildlife losses due to the construction of the a long-term benefit to the public. The 1987 State Water Project in Southern California. agreement recognized wildlife populations DFG assumed additional wildlife mitigation and public benefits would become dependent obligations in 2006, especially for wetland upon habitats supported by the reclaimed wa- dependent plants and animals, when it des- ter delivery. In contrast, the current EMWD ignated the SJWA a conservation reserve in draft agreement allows the EMWD to termi- the western Riverside County Multiple Spe- nate the contract within (10) days after writ- cies Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) ten notice of default. The 1987 Agreement pursuant to the Federal Endangered Species allots 4,500 acre feet of reclaimed water to Act (FESA) and a State Natural Community Conservation Plan SJWA for wildlife management and habitat development. EM- (NCCP Act). The now DFW [former DFG] has an ongoing ob- WD’s proposed new Agreement limits reclaimed water delivery ligation/duty at SJWA to provide wetland habitat resources for to 2,200 acre-feet per year. Equally harmful to wildlife conser- a multitude of wetland-dependent plants and animals and could vation, the present draft of the EMWD contract restricts flow actually realize more wetland habitat development if provided requirements to SJWA for different months of the year. This ef- the full 1987 contract allotment of reclaimed water. fectively curtails the DFW capability to provide wetland habitat In November 2012, the Friends first requested EMWD inform for migratory birds and numerous MSHCP plants and animals. us as to the status of the Reclaimed Water Contract renewal. In From the Friends perspective, the February 5, 2014 meeting our subsequent December, 2013 email communications with the with EMWD General Manager, Paul Jones and the District legal EMWD Public Affairs Office, we reiterated the Friends desire counsel was not productive or informative. EMWD continues to participate in the necessary California Environmental Quality to show little enthusiasm for public input to the largely furtive Act (CEQA) review of this important public contract. We stated negotiations for the renewal of the SJWA reclaimed water con- that, without question, this CEQA action has the potential to sig- tract. EMWD remains evasive as to public participation and the nificantly impact the environment due to the project potential to need for environmental review [CEQA review] of this impor- adversely impact endangered or threatened species and numer- tant public interest project. The Friends will continue to shine ous MSHCP plants and animals. the light of public scrutiny on this project. We will also continue Our persistent inquiries on this issue resulted in the Tom to encourage both EMWD and the newly named Department of Paulek and Susan Nash meeting with Paul Jones, General Man- Fish and Wildlife to proceed to the approval of the renewal of the ager and the EMWD legal counsel on February 5, 2014. The day Reclaimed Water Agreement for the SJWA in the manner pre- before the meeting, the EMWD Public Affairs Office provided a scribed by law. riends is now on Facebook! Go to our page Wanted: Submissions For Future (http://www.facebookcom/FriendsOfThe NorthernSanJacintoValley) and hit “like” to Newsletters follow us and learn about our nature walks, rare bird alerts, Friends welcome articles for the newsletter, subject to the and other happenings in the San Jacinto Valley. Board’s approval, regarding any and all issues relating to We also have maps of SJWA & surrounding areas and the SJWA. We want to know your concerns, a great birding love to see your nature photos taken in the area. You can day, book or movie reviews about the environment, poems, upload photos directly on our page or “tag” us in your photo. photos, etc. Submit to [email protected]. Friends of the Northern San Jacinto Valley Newsletter February 2014 • Page 2 Mystic Lake Continued from page 1 An article written in 1911 by G. Willett and An- tonin Jay, for the Ornithol- ogy Journal “The Condor,” describes finding many species of birds. They also mention a luxurious growth of marsh grass and extensive tule beds at the east end with many nest- ing colonies of birds. The abundance and variety of breeding birds made the location one of the most interesting of its kind in southern California. The article mentions orni- thologists visiting the lake in 1897, also detailing the variety of birds. At different times in its history, claims have been made on Mystic Lake and the San Jacinto Wildlife Area are frequently Mystic Lake’s water or land. In 1913, during a dry year, Frank visited by a vast variety of birds. Pictured here are a Common Brown, started a development called “Brownlands” along the Yellowthroat and a Prairie Falcon. Photos by Rosedith Marx banks of the lake. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by flooding during the next wet year. Farmers later created levees along the San Jacinto River to divert the water to irrigate crops, but As a result, there is less surface water flowing through the San the levees have since burst and the river reclaimed most of its Jacinto River and into Mystic Lake.
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