Whelan Lake to get "free" water through 2031

UPDATE  03-August-2012:  The Oceanside City Council approved, on 01-August-2012 by 5-0 vote, Amendment 3 to the Water Supply Agreement between the City of Oceanside and Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary, Inc.  The City will now provide recycled water to Whelan Lake from the San Luis Rey Wastewater Treatment Plant at no charge through June 30, 2031, in "exchange for use of habitat at the Sanctuary for future mitigation purposes for Water Utilities Department projects."

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The North County Times reports that bird lovers can rejoice -- a compromise is in the offing that would allow Whelan Lake to continue receiving reclaimed water from the city.

The Oceanside City Council is set to vote Wednesday on a new agreement with the Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary that would allow the city to continue providing free recycled water to the man-made lake through 2031 in exchange for the right to conduct future environmental mitigation projects at the property.

The agreement, if approved, removes a concern that the lake, on the northeastern edge of Oceanside near the city's wastewater treatment plant, might eventually run dry.

In 2011, the city put the nonprofit that runs the sanctuary on notice that it would have to start paying fair market value for the reclaimed water it was receiving for free from the city.

Without a long-term source of cash, sanctuary officials said they were not sure what they were going to do to keep Whelan Lake full.

Brent Jobe, president of the group, said Friday that everyone connected with the sanctuary is ecstatic about the compromise that has been worked out.

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It took some sleuthing, but it appears that Brent Jobe is Director of Whelan Lake Bird Sanctuary, Inc.  This corporation is apparently the organization established to comply with the wishes of Ellen Whelan, who donated her family's entire 305-acre former dairy farm with the understanding that the land was to remain protected and used as a sanctuary for migratory and resident waterfowl.

Water would seem a crucial ingredient to fulfilling Ms. Whelan's wishes.  We here at SDVO wish the current owners well.

However, handing over use of the property to the City of Oceanside for "future environmental mitigation projects" could be fraught with grave danger if it's not absolutely clear who is in charge at the end of the day.  Be careful out there!

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As an aside, we here at SDVO wish there were better access to Whelan Lake for birding.  But if the trust's mission is to provide a bird sanctuary rather than education or recreation, we understand completely that resources must be applied appropriately.  And we do appreciate all the infrastructure improvements made recently, as well as installation of a much more personable caretaker.