Oral Histories

Interview of James Mima

Engineer for the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power and water director for the city of Oxnard. Assistant director of the Public Works Department for the city of Oxnard.
Subtitle:
James Mima: Municipal Water Director
Series:
Oral History of California Water Resources Development
Topic:
Urban Planning and Land Use
Water Resources
Biographical Note:
Engineer for the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power and water director for the city of Oxnard. Assistant director of the Public Works Department for the city of Oxnard.
Interviewer:
Schippers, Donald J.
Interviewee:
Mima, James
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Length:
1.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Series Statement:
This series had its origin in a grant from the University of California Water resources Center in 1965. The project was a joint effort by the UCLA Oral History Program and the Regional Oral History Office, University of California, Berkeley. For some years after the close of the grant period, limited interviewing in this area continued.
Abstract:
Engineering studies at University of Pittsburgh; early work experiences; stress analysis at North American Aviation; engineering position with Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power, 1954; assistant water director for city of Inglewood, 1955; active in Junior Chamber of Commerce; building Dennis the Menace Playground; appointed water director for city of Oxnard, 1961; Oxnard's water problems; United Water Conservation District; attempts to join Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; farmers and water problems; agricultural water use; water reclamation; Sespe Creek Project; establishing water rights; importation of water; desalinization of water; future control of weather.