press release

June 24, 2002

MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR LONG-AWAITED RECREATION PROJECT:
SWEETWATER AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE ONE-HALF-MILLION DOLLARS

Sweetwater Authority, a local drinking water provider, will receive nearly half a million dollars to open Sweetwater Reservoir to public fishing and enhance access at Loveland Reservoir, located 17 miles upstream on the Sweetwater River. Sweetwater Authority officials announced today the formal application for the $490,000, which was obtained in Federal legislation last year by Congressman Duncan Hunter.

“This funding provides significant support for public recreation at Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs,” said Al Sorensen, General Manager of Sweetwater Authority. “Congressman Hunter’s support for this project has been critical to this success. We are continuing to work with him to obtain additional funding in this year’s legislation, which would complete the effort. It will be great to have these improvements fully in place to better serve the local demand for fishing opportunities.”

Improvements scheduled for construction with this funding include an entrance road, trails, viewpoints, a parking lot, utilities, landscaping, sanitation, environmental mitigation, and permitting. Sweetwater Authority also plans to construct an access bridge across Loveland Reservoir with money that has been requested through Congressman Hunter’s office this year. Initial improvements previously funded through State and local resources are nearing completion and will allow Sweetwater Reservoir to be opened for fishing by the end of the year pending environmental clearance.

Congressman Hunter noted the importance of the improvements. “The Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoir projects are great for our community," said Congressman Hunter. "These upgrades will give families from all over San Diego County the opportunity to spend time together enjoying the outdoors. Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs teach our kids about nature through fishing, hiking and a number of other recreational activities. I am very excited about the potential of these projects, and I will keep working to ensure that Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs have the funding they need to continue serving our community."

The new fishing access is also expected to provide a boost to the local economy. Planners expect 20,000 patrons at Sweetwater Reservoir each year. Loveland currently experiences 7,000 annual visitors, and planners expect more visitors with the installation of an access bridge across the lake.

Sweetwater Authority is a publicly owned water agency providing drinking water to approximately 175,500 people in Chula Vista, National City and Bonita. Sweetwater and Loveland Reservoirs are used to store up to 55,000 acre-feet of captured local runoff, which reduces the dependence on water imported from Northern California and the Colorado River. An acre-foot of water (326,000 gallons) is roughly the amount needed to serve the residential needs of a family of four for two years.

“Our top priority is to provide a safe and dependable water supply in an environmentally sensitive way,” said Sorensen. “This funding will help us improve the quality of life through recreational opportunities without undermining our most important mission.”

The grant will be provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) economic development programs, and was included in the agency’s funding bill enacted last November.

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