2009 2009 Report Card Report Card for Kern County’s Infrastructure Atmospheric Quality D Energy B Solid Waste A Waste Water B- Domestic Water B- Northern Calif. Delta D Schools B- Parks C- Kern County’s Infrastructure Transportation D+ A County at the Crossroads Airports B Roads D Highways D Transit C- Bridges C+ Rail C+ Flood Control D+ Kern County’s Infrastructure C- A Citizen’s Guide Leadership Messages on Restoring America’s Infrastructure: “We will rebuild and retrofit America to meet the demands of the Twenty-First Century. That means repairing and modernizing thousands of miles of America’s roadways and providing new mass transit options for millions of Americans. If we act boldly, A Few Words of Special Appreciation: we will emerge stronger and more prosperous than we were before.” The IRCC members are, of course, deeply indebted to the members of the local ASCE, ACEC and APWA organizations for Barack H. Obama their support of this Report Card project. Even though those organizations were the originators of the project, the continuing 44th President of the United States commitment of their memberships to it is still deserving of recognition as an important public service. Much volunteer time (Excerpted from ASCE's video, “2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure”) has been spent, as well as considerable funding from lean organizational budgets. It is to be hoped that those citizens of Kern County who review this document will understand and appreciate such commitment, as well as the sense of genuine concern “Crumbling infrastructure has a direct impact on our personal and economic health, and the nation’s infrastructure crisis is underlying the efforts reported in these pages. endangering our future prosperity. Our leaders are looking for solutions to the nation’s current economic crisis. Not only could investment in these critical (infrastructure) foundations have a positive impact, but if done responsibly, it would also Particular thanks are due to a few individuals and organizations that made special contributions to assure that this publication provide tangible benefits to the American people, such as reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, clean and could be completed and made available as an information resource on the status of Kern’s public infrastructure: abundant water supplies and protection against natural hazards.” Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE Scott Johnson and his small staff at Calforms printing service have remained remarkably patient and helpful 2009 National President throughout an extremely extended editorial period as this document was being finalized, and Scott has maintained American Society of Civil Engineers his already modest pricing over that same period. (January 2009 release of ASCE's 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure) Several contributors have provided funding for mailing costs to assure that copies of the report document could be “…about ASCE’s efforts to inform the public of concerns regarding our infrastructure. We have been preparing report cards sent to key leaders at the local, state and national levels. Among those contributors were— on the topic for several years. Unfortunately, it took the Katrina disaster and the collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minnesota to really bring this to the forefront. With few exceptions, the mainstream news has been remarkably silent on the state of the • On Man Lau, P.E., G.E. (personal donation) infrastructure. Over the past couple of years, our efforts to inform our elected leaders about…(the subject)…have been • Granite Construction Company successful, but the economy has stifled some of the efforts for additional funding to make the necessary improvements or • Parsons upgrades...” Don Sepulveda, P.E., F.ASCE An Important Note: 2009 President, Los Angeles Section American Society of Civil Engineers As this document has emphasized, Kern County's citizens and its business community will require progressive infrastructure “Unprecedented growth in the Southern San Joaquin Valley over the last decade has revealed the vulnerability of our systems if they are to thrive in the years to come. Additionally, many critical functional improvements will be needed to infrastructure. Identifying specific infrastructure needs for Kern County and educating our local communities (and legislators) protect the county's environment. The letter grades assigned in this report identify Kern's infrastructure systems judged by on these findings is vital in order to gain support and leverage funding for infrastructure improvements. Our quality of life the local ASCE Infrastructure Report Card Committee to be doing well and those in need of upgrading, in the context of depends on it.” perceived future needs. However, it is extremely important to emphasize that this Report Card is not an evaluation of the performance or efficiency of the local public agencies responsible for those systems, as they must operate within their Mark Evans, P.E., M.ASCE available resources and the many other constraints that regulate their services. In fact, agency representatives contacted for 2009 President, Southern San Joaquin Branch information during the assessment process were generally most cooperative and frank in responding to IRCC requests for American Society of Civil Engineers assistance. About the Cover: Resources for Additional Information The background photograph employed in creating this report’s cover was chosen because it illustrates several significant Readers seeking additional information or having questions about this2009 Report Card for Kern County’s Infrastructure may features of the Kern County infrastructure environment. It was taken from Interstate 5 as that highway descends north from contact Anthony N. Lusich, P.E., Chairman of the Infrastructure Report Card Committee. His e-mail address is Frazier Park into the San Joaquin Valley. The resulting panoramic view provides some feeling for the county’s huge size, [email protected]. The full text of this report can be found on ASCE’s Los Angeles Section website at varying topography, agrarian orientation and light population density—all factors of significance in the discussion presented http://www.ascelasection.org/. in these pages. Closer study of an enlarged view of the photograph would also display a haze indicating Kern’s poor air quality, emphasize the large through traffic volumes using its roadways, suggest the importance of water supply to its farming For information about the American Society of Civil Engineers’ national report card initiative and related subjects, readers industry, and reveal examples of the oil fields that are an important feature of the state and nation's energy supply. The smaller are encouraged to consult the extensive materials on that subject available on the Society’s website at inset photos are provided as reminders of the diverse infrastructure that must be developed, operated and maintained to http://www.asce.org/. assure a robust economy and good quality of life for the county’s growing population. Although their websites do not contain additional information about infrastructure report cards, readers interested in knowing more about the American Council of Engineering Companies, California or the American Public Works Association may wish to view their respective websites athttp://www.celsoc.org/ and http://www.apwa.net/. Kern County Infrastructure Report Card 2009 June 2009 Kern County Infrastructure Report Card 2009 June 2009 Southern San Joaquin Branch ASCE & Affiliates Southern San Joaquin Branch ASCE & Affiliates TABLE of CONTENTS 1 ACEC California is a more than 50-year-old, nonprofit association of private consulting engineering and land surveying firms. ASCE Message from the Report Card Chair As a statewide organization, the association is dedicated to enhancing the consulting engineering and land surveying Introduction 3 professions, protecting the general public and promoting use of the private sector in California’s growth and development. 3 The particular emphasis of the organization is participating in coalitions to affect State legislation and regulation. Its members What is Infrastructure, and Why is It so Important? provide services for all phases of planning, designing and constructing projects. Member services include civil, structural, What is the Status of Kern County’s Infrastructure? 4 geotechnical, electrical and mechanical engineering and land surveying for all types of public works, residential, commercial 5 and industrial projects. What Needs to be Done, and Who Needs to Do It? Grading Our Infrastructure 6 The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) represents America’s engineering industry on a national basis. 11 Council members—numbering more than 5,500 firms throughout the country—are engaged in a wide range of engineering Atmospheric Quality works that propel the nation’s economy, and enhance and safeguard America’s quality of life. These works allow Americans Energy 14 to drink clean water, enjoy a healthy life, take advantage of new technologies, and travel safely and efficiently. The Council’s 17 mission is to contribute to America’s prosperity and welfare by advancing the business interests of member firms. Solid Waste Waste Water 19 ACEC California is the country’s largest member organization in the ACEC national body, and membership at the state level 20 therefore includes automatic membership and representation nationally. The Kern Chapter includes some 22 of the region’s Domestic Water most prominent and respected