WATER RATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE NARROWING RATE STRUCTURE IDEAS
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The MMWD Water Rate Advisory Committee, a citizens' committee formed earlier this year to advise the Board of Directors on potential changes to the rate structure, is continuing to review various water rate structure alternatives. The district's goal for any new rate structure is one that secures a more consistent base revenue stream for the district and allocates costs fairly and accurately across all customer categories.
The advisory committee's next step is to take a closer look at six potential rate structure options and evaluate how well each one meets the district's goal and how each option impacts MMWD's different customer types: residential, commercial, institutional and irrigation only.
The citizens' committee will continue to meet through November and then make a recommendation to the MMWD Board of Directors regarding possible changes to MMWD's current rate structure. The current rate structure has a basic meter charge for all customers and a water use charge with four inclining tiers based on water use.
Background materials provided to the committee are available here.
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CURRENT AND UPCOMING TRAIL AND ROAD CLOSURES IMPACT ACCESS ON PUBLIC LANDS
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Two current closures along Lagunitas Creek in West Marin are currently limiting access to public lands, while three new closures on Mt. Tamalpais will begin in October and continue into the winter months.
Currently Shafter Grade Road at Dog Creek in West Marin is closed for the installation of a new culvert and the Cross Marin Trail in Samuel P. Taylor State Park is closed for multiple trail improvements. Both are grant-funded projects that will help control erosion and improve water quality and habitat for the benefit of threatened and endangered coho salmon, steelhead trout and California freshwater shrimp in Lagunitas Creek. Both trails are scheduled to reopen in mid-October. On the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed three popular roads are scheduled to be closed starting in October for slide repairs, a result of heavy rains last spring. The routes include:
- Sky Oaks Road - Traffic control and closures are planned during regular work hours Monday-Friday, October-November.
- Concrete Pipe Road - Closed from Bolinas Road to Five Corners during regular work hours Monday-Friday, October-January.
- Shaver Grade - Closed from Concrete Pipe Road to the bottom of Fish Grade also during regular work hours Monday-Friday, October-January.
Every effort will be made to open the roads to visitors after work hours and on weekends. Visit marinwater.org for updates.
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FREE TRAINING IN SPANISH FOR LANDSCAPERS BEGINS OCTOBER 11
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MMWD is co-sponsoring a FREE Spanish-language Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) 20-hour certification course beginning October 11. The three-week, seven-session course includes instruction in irrigation systems, water management, soil science and new technology. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion with the QWEL designation, which has been approved by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Spanish QWEL 2011 Class Schedule - Week 1: Tuesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 13, 6-9 pm
- Week 2: Tuesday, October 18, 6-9 pm; Saturday, October 22, 9 am-1 pm
- Week 3: Tuesday, October 25 and Thursday, October 27, 6-9 pm; Saturday, October 29, 9 am-1 pm
All classes will be held at Pickleweed Community Center, 50 Canal Street, San Rafael. For more information and to register, call (877) 689-7721 or visit www.qweltraining.com. QWEL was developed in 2007 through a partnership of landscape contractors, educators and North Bay water agencies with the goal of reducing landscape water demand. It is one of the first irrigation auditor certification programs in the nation to carry the U.S. EPA's WaterSense label. The course is sponsored by Marin Municipal Water District and Sonoma County Water Agency.
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NEW FROM THE MMWD BLOG |
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
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We welcome your comments and need your help raising awareness about water in Marin. Please share this information with your members and constituents. Thank you!
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Libby Pischel, Public Information OfficerMarin Municipal Water District[email protected](415) 945-1421 |