In California water news this weekend, PG&E project blamed for harming endangered fish in the Eel River; California’s multi-million pot farms going up in smoke; As California grows, so does the risk of living next to wildfire-prone areas; John T. Racanelli, pro-environment California justice, dies at 91; Environmental groups to Humboldt County: No new cannabis grows; North Bay open space managers wait to survey damage; Carmel River lagoon steelhead habitat project delayed again by wildfires response; Western Arizona tribes could lease Colorado River water to areas thirsty for development; and more …
In the news this weekend …
PG&E project blamed for harming endangered fish in the Eel River: “Pacific Gas and Electric’s operation of dams, tunnels and a 109-year-old power plant on Northern California’s Eel River harms endangered salmon and steelhead, two conservation groups claim in a new lawsuit. California River Watch and Coast Action Group sued the utility giant in federal court Friday, claiming its management of the Potter Valley Project in Mendocino County threatens endangered Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead trout in violation of the Endangered Species Act. “The project water diversions have reduced flows and increased water temperatures in various parts of the Eel River, in addition to altering important environmental cues that, for example, tell fish when to spawn or begin their outmigration,” the 12-page complaint states. ... ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: PG&E project blamed for harming endangered fish in the Eel River
California’s multi-million pot farms going up in smoke: “Talk about a buzz kill: In addition to charring acres of wine country north of San Francisco, California’s sweeping wildfires are also destroying cannabis farms in and around the state’s Emerald Triangle. For many producers, the financial losses include not just harvest-ready crops, but recent investments in infrastructure to comply with licensing regulations in preparation for recreational marijuana legalization next year. … ” Read more from NBC here: California’s multi-million pot farms going up in smoke
As California grows, so does the risk of living next to wildfire-prone areas: “Iver Larson and his wife were halfway up the road to their home near Kenwood, California, when a fire truck coming down the hill stopped them. “The fire’s just over the ridge, it’s close. You need to turn back. Now,” Larson was told by the captain in the truck, because the trees further up the road were in danger of coming down. Commander Chris Childs of the California Highway Patrol in Napa county said that at least 50 people had been rescued from Napa hilltops by CHP officers flying in helicopters as multiple fires continue to rage. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: As California grows, so does the risk of living next to wildfire-prone areas
John T. Racanelli, pro-environment California justice, dies at 91: “John T. Racanelli, a retired California justice whose pioneering opinions had a profound impact on disability rights and the environment, died Thursday at his home in Manhattan. His wife, journalist Betty Medsger, confirmed the death and said he had congestive heart failure and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Racanelli was a trial judge in Santa Clara County Superior Court for 13 years, starting in 1964 when he was appointed by Gov. Pat Brown. He became what he liked to call a “double brownie,” Medsger said, when Pat Brown’s son, Gov. Jerry Brown, then appointed him in 1977 to the state appellate court. He served for 14 years before retiring in 1991. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: John T. Racanelli, pro-environment California justice, dies at 91
In commentary this weekend …
WaterFix is Santa Clara County’s best solution: “Many people in Santa Clara County don’t realize that over half the water they use is imported. Even with local dams and percolation ponds to keep groundwater at sustainable levels, the county must import 55 percent of its water to meet the needs of residents, businesses and growers. Fully 40 percent of the Santa Clara Valley’s water now comes from the State Water Project, through Delta conveyance infrastructure that is increasingly vulnerable to disruption. Without a system upgrade, this source will deteriorate over time with severe impacts on the valley’s water supply and economy. The valley can protect itself from those impacts by investing in California WaterFix ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: WaterFix is Santa Clara County’s best solution
Milpitas Post editorial on Santa Clara Valley Water District and Cal Water Fix: The Milpitas Post writes, “Milpitas needs Richard Santos, its representative on the board of the Santa Clara Valley Water District, to help put the brakes on a local billion dollar decision to join the state’s plan for a massive $16 billion twin-tunnel project underneath the Delta upstream from San Francisco Bay. A vote by the board is now scheduled for next week. The costly plan to move vast amounts of water from Northern California south is called the WaterFix. It is clear that potentially it can turn into a giant boondoggle that will take more water out of the Delta to feed growth in the Los Angeles area as well as greatly benefit big agricultural interests in the Central Valley. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Milpitas Post editorial on Santa Clara Valley Water District and Cal Water Fix
Trust is dubious in the Delta tunnels project, says the Stockton Record: They write, “Trust. That is the essence of the $17 billion Delta tunnels project. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted 28-6 Tuesday to move forward with the project, known as the California WaterFix, which would re-engineer the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to send water south to cities and farms. Three out of five representatives from the city of Los Angeles voted no. Representatives from San Diego either voted no or abstained. And some board members who ultimately voted yes expressed concern about the affordability of the tunnels. Trust. ... ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: Trust is dubious in the Delta tunnels project
When is it a wetland? When a state board says so, says Aubrey Bettencourt: She writes, “A single word, in the right context, has power. The State Water Resources Control Board is engaged in a wholesale reclassification of millions of acres of public and private lands by choosing a new definition for the word “wetland.” Whether out of fear of their admitted failure to preserve wetlands or due to budget pressures or for purely political reasons, the board is bucking the federal Clean Water Act, numerous court decisions and science itself. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: When is it a wetland? When a state board says so
California forests are too dense and dying – they need better care, says Van Butsic, Henry McCann, and Jeffrey Mount: They write, “California’s forests are on fire, with tragic consequences for communities around the state. While the firestorm in the Wine Country has made international headlines, many small mountain communities also were aflame or on high alert. The focus now is on saving lives and protecting property, but when the fires are out, the state will have to face up to a major problem: Our forests are too dense and dry, and, in some areas, dying. We need a new way to manage this vital natural resource. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California forests are too dense and dying – they need better care
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Environmental groups to Humboldt County: No new cannabis grows: “The heads of five environmental organizations are calling on Humboldt County officials to focus their attention on combatting illegal cannabis grows before permitting new farms. The Thursday letter signed by the Environmental Protection Information Center, the North Coast Environmental Center, Redwood Region Audubon Society, Humboldt Baykeeper and the California Native Plant Society’s North Coast chapter comes during the county’s environmental review of an ordinance seeking to expand the scope of the cannabis industry. ... ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Environmental groups to Humboldt County: No new cannabis grows
North Bay open space managers wait to survey damage: “The massive wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties continued to burn unabated into a fourth day as flames lit up new areas of the North Bay while an uptick in fire-stoking winds last night dashed hopes of containing the burn anytime soon. With at least 3,500 structures destroyed, 50,000 people evacuated, 24 confirmed dead and 463 missing people, according to the latest reports, emergency responders have been erecting fire lines and other protective measures along urban boundaries as the human tragedy unfolds. Little is known about the impacts of the 120,000-acre burn on Sonoma and Napa county parks, open spaces, research reserves, and sensitive habitats as resource managers work to evacuate staff, animals, and artifacts. ... ” Read more from Bay Nature here: North Bay open space managers wait to survey damage
Carmel River lagoon steelhead habitat project delayed again by wildfires response: “Continued wildfires across California has again postponed a plan to drop large woody debris and boulders into the Carmel River lagoon in an effort to enhance steelhead habitat, and may delay the project until next year. According to Carmel River Steelhead Association president Brian LeNeve, the project will be postponed Wednesday next week until Oct. 25 because the helicopter contractor – Siller Helicopters of Yuba City – continues to be busy working on fire response. The project, managed by the steelhead association with a $360,000 grant from the state Coastal Conservancy, was originally slated for June 17, but has been delayed until September and October due to fire response. ... ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Carmel River lagoon steelhead habitat project delayed again by wildfires response
Tulare will hoard water after drought fears: “Tulare will become the latest local city to install above-ground water storage tanks to boost municipal delivery service, joining Visalia, Dinuba, Porterville, and Hanford. The two 2 million-gallon cement water tanks and two new pumps are also the first system improvements built in nearly a decade. Tulare’s newest well was installed in 2009. “We need the capacity for pressure and to meet the need for fire protection,” said Trisha Whitfield, Tulare Public Works director. City administrators also need to account for the city’s potential growth, Whitfield said. ... ” Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here: Tulare will hoard water after drought fears
Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority committees squish together for joint meeting: “The IWV Groundwater Authority’s (IWVGA) two standing committees, the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), came together for a rare joint meeting on Thursday evening in a small back room of the Kerr McGee Community Center. IWVGA general manager Alan Christensen said, “This is a unique meeting. This is not going to be the norm, the TAC and PAC will usually meet separately.” … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority committees squish together for joint meeting
New obstacle in the Cadiz water project? The company says no: “The state of California is asserting landownership rights along a proposed pipeline’s path that would help carry groundwater from a remote part of the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County to Orange County and other communities. The California Lands Commission has asked Los Angeles-based Cadiz Inc. to fill out an application for a lease permit on a 200-foot-wide by one-mile-long slice along the project’s proposed 43-mile pipeline. Environmentalists say this is a major development that could derail, or at least slow down, a project that has gained steam during the Trump Administration. Cadiz says that it “is confident we will ultimately receive validation of our position that the project is within the scope of the right-of-way.” … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun here: New obstacle in the Cadiz water project? The company says no
Along the Colorado River …
Western Arizona tribes could lease Colorado River water to areas thirsty for development: “The clear waters of the Colorado River flow gently through the Headgate Rock diversion dam while boaters and Jet Skiers play upstream in front of the Blue Water Resort and Casino. The dam quietly siphons off almost one fourth of Arizona’s share of Colorado River water and sends it to nearby fields of alfalfa and cotton on the reservation of the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The 4,500 people of the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Navajo and Hopi tribes who belong to the Colorado River Indian Tribes, or CRIT, are hoping to profit by leasing some of that water to the rest of Arizona for the first time. The plan is filled with complications, legal and logistical. … ” Read more from the Arizona Central here: Western Arizona tribes could lease Colorado River water to areas thirsty for development
The end of the monsoon as we know it? Climate change may slash our rainfall: “Continued climate change will likely slash the Southwest’s summer monsoon rains, a new study says. The strong possibility that annual monsoon rainfall totals will drop 30 to 40 percent in this region by the end of the century if major steps aren’t taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the take-home message of the study, written by researchers from Princeton and a federal weather agency among others. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star here: The end of the monsoon as we know it? Climate change may slash our rainfall
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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
Maven’s Notebook
where California water news never goes home for the weekend
