• EMWD to launch and enforce "Stop Runoff" program! Water efficient landscapes required in new developments and assessing penalties for water waste (Press Release, 05-16-08)
  
• Santa Ana River Trail: Hole Lake segment west of Van Buren completed and Hidden Valley Wildlife Area segment completed! (San Bernardino Sun, 05-19-2008)
  
• Predictions for Mystic Lake in summer, 2008 - will it dry up? February, 2008 Press Enterprise article. HERE.
  
• Rancho California Water District introduces third tier to water rates for residential properties who choose to overwater their landscaping. December, 2007 Californian article HERE.
  
• Santa Ana River Trail One Step Closer to Completion! Read December, 2007 Press Enterprise article HERE.

On May 20, 2006, volunteers of Inland Empire Waterkeeper and the Riverside/Corona Resource Conservation District participated in California’s fourth coast wide water quality monitoring event this year. Fourteen Inland Empire sites were tested, creating a “snapshot” of water quality in our area. The volunteers included non-profit environmental groups, as well as interested citizens. The samplers were trained in collecting samples and used analytical methods approved by the state to assure data accuracy.

As expected, the results of the water quality tests came back poor. All streams suffer from excess nutrients, and many from high bacteria counts as well. Although poor results were expected, poor water quality is a concern for all inland residents.

The data gathered during this monitoring event will be used to increase public awareness of the water quality issues affecting our watersheds and the ocean, to emphasize the importance of water quality monitoring, and to demonstrate the key role volunteer monitors play. This test demonstrates that, overall, Inland Empire water quality is poor and is in continuing need of improvement.

If you are interested in obtaining the test results from Snapshot Day 2006, or participating in future water quality events, please contact IEWK.

On October 28, 2006 a crew of 80 community volunteers cleaned up 34 TONS of garbage from an open space around Mill Creek near Prado Wetlands in Chino Saturday, October 28th. Volunteers, with the assistance of 3 tractors, removed 34 tons of garbage and 600 lbs of recycling, including a treadmill, furniture, construction materials, a bathtub, and a recreational boat. The site, used as an illegal dumping ground, drains rainwater from the area into Mill Creek, which flows into the Santa Ana River, providing drinking water for Orange County residents and habitat for native wildlife.  The Mill Creek area has long been used as a dumpsite by trespassers. Previous attempts to thwart dumping have included installing a chain link fence, but trespassers have knocked down the fences and the dumping continues. Much of the problem at this site is due to illegal dumping. This service project is designed to promote citizen involvement in protecting local water supplies and provide information about alternatives to dumping. Litter on the ground is not only an eyesore, but it also invites people to add more.

Inland Empire Waterkeeper promoted Proposition 84 for Clean Water, Parks, and Coastal Protection at the event. In addition to the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, the cleanup was assisted and co-sponsored by the following organizations: REI, California Coastal Commission, Viramontes Express Inland Empire Waterkeeper, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Orange County Water District, San Bernardino County Regional Parks, Starbucks, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery, the City of Chino, San Bernardino County, US Army Corps of Engineers, Waste Management of the Inland Empire, Inland Valley Humane Society, Henry’s Farmers Market of Chino Hills, the Regional Water Board, Santa Ana Watershed Association, Hands On Inland Empire the Chino High School Key Club, Chino High School Interact Club, and Rancho Cucamonga High School Key Club. Plans are underway to install gates and create boulder and earthen berms to discourage future dumping at Mill Creek.