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press releaseWednesday, November 28, 2007 Sweetwater Authority Recognized for Environmental Efforts Indio, CA – At the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Fall Conference, Sweetwater Authority was the proud recipient of a Theodore Roosevelt Award for its burrowing owl habitat restoration project. Board Chair Mitch Beauchamp accepted the award on behalf of Sweetwater Authority at today’s awards luncheon. Since 1993, the Theodore Roosevelt Award for Environmental Excellence has been given to water agencies for programs that protect natural resources while meeting the needs of the public. Winners were selected in three different categories based on budget categories.
The burrowing owl recovery project at Sweetwater Authority was
initiated in an attempt to restore the species to its former occupied
habitat. Although the California Burrowing Owl is not listed as an
endangered species, the western subspecies is considered a federal and
state Species of Concern. Statewide, burrowing owl populations are
experiencing a high rate of decline. Sweetwater Authority provides public water service to 180,000 residents of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita. -END- Contact: Leslie Filippi, 619-409-6723
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Sweetwater Authority’s plans for the burrowing owl habitat were
designed to exist with environmental mitigation for grassland and vernal
pool areas around Sweetwater Reservoir. Fifteen artificial burrows were
designed and constructed to fit in with the surrounding natural
landscape. Within eight months of providing habitat, the site was
occupied by six adults and two fledgling owls.