Sweetwater Authority (SWA) claims when it drains Loveland Reservoir, it is using the reservoir “as intended”. They claim that when East County Residents hold SWA accountable for the reservoir’s full intended use, that we are generating a “debate”. To be clear, as stated several times to SWA’s board during public comments, East County residents understand that water transfers will take place for drinking water supplies to Sweetwater Reservoir. But SWA conveniently ignores the legal agreement of the other intended use of Loveland Reservoir: public fishing and recreational access.
Here is a reminder to Sweetwater Authority. By the way, the following has been taken from SWA’s own website: Loveland Reservoir. (Don’t worry, a time stamped screen shot was taken for posterity!)
“To protect and preserve water quality and natural habitat, Sweetwater Authority and the USDA Forest Service established a unique partnership to provide public fishing access along a portion of the shoreline. In exchange for a parcel of land near the reservoir, previously owned by the U.S. Government, Sweetwater Authority provided land near Descanso, California to the National Forest System. This exchange increases natural habitat and forest lands available to San Diego County and Southern California residents and wildlife.”
And above is a photo of the sign that was posted at the Loveland parking lot for many years by SWA, before the November 2022 draining of Loveland Reservoir. Notice the sign is for the “Loveland Reservoir Fishing Program” and indicated SWA’s intention of “…improved public fishing access at Loveland Reservoir.” And that the original intention for the fishing program at Loveland Reservoir was “…designed to protect public health and benefit the community.”
The General Manager and SWA board members of 1997, and those prior to the 2022 draining, understood that the way to protect a natural body of water and ensure there is water for years to come is to protect the environment surrounding it, and a good way to do that is through a healthy fishing program. When fish thrive, that means the ecology is healthy.
Sweetwater Authority…Stop your convenient omission of the intended recreational use of Loveland Reservoir. With proper management, the fishing program can support responsible water transfers.
