[PCA] An update on Lagunitas Creek restoration work; free home garden visits from experts; work continues on water system resiliency projects

[Marin Water]

Marin Water's latest news, events and career opportunities.

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Home garden visit program offers landscape, water efficiency advice
Orange California poppies spread out from left to right, behind logos for UC Master Gardeners and Marin Water.

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Have you heard? Marin Friendly Garden Walks is a partnership between Marin Water and UC Master Gardeners that brings a trained Master Gardener to residents’ homes to provide advice on plant selection and give landscaping tips – with a special emphasis on sustainable outdoor water use. Since its inception in 2008, the free program has helped thousands of Marin County residents tap into expertise without having to step foot off their own property.

Here’s how it works: Residents request a visit via an online form on the UC Master Gardener website. A Marin Friendly Garden Walk is scheduled. A Master Gardener then travels to residents’ homes for a consultation lasting up to an hour. Finally, the expert provides written findings and recommendations – along with a packet of helpful resources.
** Schedule your visit (https://marinmg.ucanr.edu/ASK_US/GARDENWALKS/)
District News
Lagunitas Creek habitat restoration work nears start date
Graphic illustration shows the path of water around planned structures.

Boosted by state and federal grants, planning for the initial phase of habitat restoration work along Lagunitas Creek is nearing completion, with the project commencing as soon as next summer following final design work.

As stewards of the watershed, and in compliance with state water rules developed in 1995, Marin Water has a duty to take care of protected and endangered species in Lagunitas Creek.

The Lagunitas Creek Habitat Restoration project includes 13 restoration sites comprising nearly a mile of channel improvements via the placement of 278 logs and more than 12 tons of gravel below Peters Dam. Meant to mimic natural habitats, the project promises to enhance an important coldwater spawning and rearing site for key protected species, such as coho salmon, steelhead trout and California freshwater shrimp. ** ()
** Learn about our fisheries work (https://www.marinwater.org/fisheries)
WaterSmart Gardening Resource Center: 3 things to know

When it comes to thinking about sustainable water use, one of the most important places to look is outside. With as much as half of summertime water use going to irrigation, there’s plenty of room for residents to find water savings.

That’s why Marin Water works to curate the best resources for local homeowners and gardeners at our online WaterSmart Gardening Resource Center! Here are three things you don’t want to miss:
* Landscape design inspiration – Designs for beginners from the California Native Plant Society, a flower matching tool from Calscape, free scalable landscape design templates from the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and more.
* Plant selection assistance – Guidance on invasive plants to avoid authored by UC Davis and Marin Water, WaterSmart Plant Picker from the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and fire-safe plant selections from Fire Safe Marin.

* Educational resources – Webinars from UC Master Gardeners, Weekly Watering Schedules from Marin Water and resources for professional landscapers looking for training in irrigation, landscaping and rainwater harvesting.

** Discover more (https://www.marinwater.org/WaterSmartGardening)
Mt. Tam Watershed projects underway; plan ahead for road, trail closures

A flurry of activity has commenced on the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, kicking off a construction season that will result in repairs to important access points and lay the groundwork for a more resilient and reliable water supply for Ross Valley residents.

The projects, comprising repairs to Worn Spring Road and the installation of two water storage tanks, will result in changes to watershed access, with the most significant impacts occurring over the next six to eight weeks.

Pine Mountain Tanks Project

Rough grading and installation of a soil nail retaining wall in preparation for the installation of two, 2-million gallon concrete water tanks will require removal of soil from the watershed. To ensure visitor safety, heavy truck routes between Bolinas-Fairfax Road and Natalie Coffin Greene Park along Concrete Pipe Road and Shaver Grade will limit access to roadways and trails that interact with the truck hauling. Access to the truck hauling route and intersecting roads and trails will be closed weekdays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. through October.

Additionally, heavy truck traffic exiting the watershed past Natalie Coffin Greene Park may cause traffic impacts in the town of Ross. Visit ** marinwater.org/PMTTanks (https://www.marinwater.org/PMTtanks)
for a map and more details about localized impacts.

This grading activity will literally pave the way for installation of the two water storage tanks. The modern, pre-stressed concrete tanks are seismically resilient, and will increase storage for the Ross Valley and ensure emergency supply for firefighting efforts on the watershed.

Worn Spring Road Landslide Repair Project

During historic winter rainfall, a landslide took place on the south side of Worn Spring Road, about 400 feet from Phoenix Lake. Adjacent to the slide location, the District maintains an 18-inch welded steel water transmission main that supplies water to Ross Reservoir, a treated water reservoir that serves as the primary treated water storage facility for District customers in Ross Valley. Work to repair the rain-damaged roadway involves the installation of a 60-foot soldier pile retaining wall with concrete lagging, as well as a guardrail.
** Review projects (https://www.marinwater.org/CIP)
Resilient water infrastructure in progress with redwood tank removal project
Water drips from the cylindrical metal bands wrapped around the redwood planks of a water storage tank.

Work is underway to decommission and remove a redwood water storage tank in Mill Valley. Located off Greenwood Way near Mayor’s Lookout, the 200,000-gallon Bolsa Tank is one of just five redwood tanks remaining in the Marin Water system.

Instead of replacing the nearly 50-year-old tank, Marin Water will work to merge adjacent pressure zones by adjusting existing valves and regulators such that the tank will no longer be needed. The process will ultimately result in cost savings for the District as well, removing one of 130 water storage tanks that require regular monitoring and maintenance.

The aging, leak-prone tank was constructed in 1978, and decommissioning the tank will also allow for increased hydrant flows in the surrounding areas. As part of an over-arching redwood tank removal program, this project is an important step toward increasing the District’s overall water system resiliency.
** Learn more (https://www.marinwater.org/BolsaTank)
Events & Volunteer Opportunities

** Educational Opportunity: Gardening with a sense of place (https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation∫_class_id=5956)

Sept. 9

This College of Marin course gives home landscapers a firm foundation on the local environment - our watersheds, varied microclimates and the native plant communities and animal life they support. With this foundational knowledge, students will learn to create a garden that truly reflects a sense of place. Cost $69.

** Free webinar to cover Marin Water landscape incentive and education programs (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Sj_8l4DASgWhhy_RHOYZjA#/registration)
**   (https://sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/webinars/)

Sept. 13

Marin Water is partnering with Sloat Garden Center for a webinar covering all of the great incentive and education programs offered by the District. Water Efficiency Specialist Greg Plumb will discuss cash rebates for lawn replacement, discounts on smart irrigation controllers and much more!


** Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Workshops   (https://www.resilientneighborhoods.org/sign-up-for-a-team.html)

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 13, or Thursday, Sept. 21

The local climate action nonprofit is gearing up to host a series of five free online workshops to help community members reduce energy consumption, switch to renewable energy sources, cut down on waste and prepare for climate-related emergencies. Choose 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday meetings, starting Sept. 13, or 4-6 p.m. Thursday meetings, starting Sept. 21.

** Educational Opportunity: Designing your home landscape  (https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=course.classinformation&coursenumber=water02)

Sept. 16

Learn the basics of successful landscape design, including how to create a site plan and planting plan for your home garden that balances your vision while supporting our local environment in this second Watershed Approach to Landscaping offering at the College of Marin. Cost $69.


** Educational Opportunity: Design your garden as a mini ecosystem  (https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=course.classinformation&coursenumber=water03)

Sept. 23

Take your garden design skills to the next level with this third College of Marin Watershed Approach to Landscaping course, where you'll explore climate zones, hydrozones, microclimates and shade/sun patterns. You'll also learn the basics of mapping your yard as a sustainable mini-watershed system designed for rainwater capture and dispersement. Cost $69.


** Educational Opportunity: Irrigating Efficiently: How much water does your garden need?  (https://marincommunityed.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation∫_class_id=5962)

Sept. 30

Led by Kristine Loomis, Senior Programs Specialist in Water Use Efficiency at Sonoma Water, this College of Marin course covers the basic components of an irrigation system, and how you can tailor a system specifically for your landscape. Loomis brings 25 years of experience in landscape and agricultural irrigation, conservation and instruction. Cost $69.
District Board & Committee Meetings
Marin Water’s Board of Directors meets regularly for board and committee meetings, including the District’s Watershed, Finance, Operations, and Communications & Water Efficiency committees. All meetings allow for public attendance in person or remotely via computer/smart device or telephone. ** View meeting calendar (https://www.marinwater.org/calendar)
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Marin Water Careers
Current Job Openings

Join the District Team! Marin Water offers exciting career opportunities and the chance to work alongside dedicated professionals at California's first municipal water district.

Safety and Emergency Response Manager – Full time, ($143,088-$173,928 annually) ** ()
As a valuable member of the Water Resources Department, the Safety and Emergency Response Manager is responsible for the management, administration and coordination of the District’s health, safety and emergency management programs to assure an effective and coordinated response to emergency events and to protect the District from exposure to hazardous or unsafe conditions. Application window closes Sept. 14. ** Apply now (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/rgs/clientrecruit/jobs/4159181/safety-and-emergency-response-manager-for-marin-water?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)
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Financial Management Analyst Full time, ($10,703 - $13,012 hourly)
The Financial Management Analyst is a mid-manager position providing professional support to both the Finance Manager and the Finance Director. This position leads complex budgeting and financial reporting functions, performs financial forecasting and reconciliation of fund balances, conducts financial and Districtwide analytical studies and supports risk and treasury management functions. ** Apply now (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/marinwater/jobs/4144969/financial-management-analyst?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)
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Treatment Plant Trainee II/Treatment Plant-System Operator III – Full time, ($5,927-$7,157 monthly)

Under supervision, the Treatment Plant Trainee II assists in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility on an assigned shift and performs related work as required. The Treatment Plant System Operator III is a more advanced position under general supervision that operates, evaluates, inspects and maintains water treatment plant and control system facilities and performs related work as required. Application window closes Sept. 13. ** Apply now (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/marinwater/jobs/4173632/treatment-plant-trainee-ii-treatment-plant-system-operator-iii?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)
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** Explore all opportunities (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/marinwater)
Stay Connected
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Our mailing address is:
Marin Water | 220 Nellen Ave | Corte Madera CA 94925

Visit our website:
** marinwater.org (http://marinwater.org/)

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