Goats are noshing their way through tall weeds and grass at the base of the Chet Harritt Dam in Lakeside. Besides filling their stomachs, they’re helping the Helix Water District with fire protection, reduced labor and machinery costs and providing environmental services. The 70 goats are protected by an electric fence powered by a solar cell and an Anatolian Shepherd. Water district officials said that the environmentally friendly mowing services help protect the district’s water treatment and pumping station facilities. They also help reduce the district’s carbon footpring by eliminating most of the use of gasoline-powered, two-stroke engine weed-eaters and the gas consumption from tucking and hauling debris to a landfill. Goats can clear a 10-acre area for about the same amount as clearing four acres using commercial weed-abatement, officials said.
Anatolian Shepherd cools off in the watering trough while guarding the goats.
The goats are from Hire-a-Goat, a business run by Brad Woolf. The current phase concentrates on the lower areas around the Harold Ball Pump Station and the second will begin in September to protect sensitive habitat and will spread up the face of the dam and the steep hills leading up to the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant. This is an area that was part of the burn during the 2003 Cedar Fire, forcing the plant staff to fight the flames by hand as the destructive force approached.
A larger number of goats — between 150 and 200 — will be used in the second phase. Woolf may place a guard llama in the pen. The guard dog and llama protect the goats from coyotes and other predators. Water is provided and the goats are tended to daily by Woolf, who works out of his ranch in Ramona.
Legal Challenges to Desalination Project End
Legal challenges to Poseidon Resources’ Carlsbad Desalination Project may have come to an end with a Superior Court’s ruling upholding the San Diego Regional Water Control Board’s approval of the project. Thirteen legal challenges — eight lawsuits and five permit appeals — had been filed against the project between 2006 and 2009, most by the San Diego chapters of the Surfrider Foundation and Coastkeeper. Superior Court Judge Judith Hayes’ ruling resolves the last outstanding legal challenge against the Project. “The ruling is definitive and is the latest independent determination that the project complies with all applicable state and federal environmental laws,” said Peter MacLaggan, Poseidon Resources senior vice president. The Surfrider Foundation suit alleged that the project did not comply with state environmental laws. The judge said the regional water board properly applied state law.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• June 28 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• June 29 – Tax Considerations for Small Business – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• June 30 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 6 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door)
• July 7 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 8 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 8 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 11 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 12 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• July 13 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 15 – Women’s Networking Breakfast and Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club in Rancho Santa Fe (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; attendees: $30 by July 12, $40 after; exhibitors: $80 by July 12, $90 after).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
