DAILY DIGEST: Garamendi and LaMalfa want additional safety review of Oroville Dam; Local group looks to intervene in FERC’s Klamath Dam process; New policy sets rules for marijuana growers to protect California water; and more …

In California water news today, Oroville Dam: Reps. Garamendi and LaMalfa want additional safety review; Local group looks to intervene in FERC’s Klamath Dam process; New policy sets rules for marijuana growers to protect California water; Environment report: In defense of shrubs; Study: Latinos more likely to distrust tap water, seek other sources; and more …

On the calendar today …

  • The State Water Resources Control Board will meet at 9:30 am at Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles.  Agenda items include a information item on LA DWP’s groundwater remediation program in San Fernando Valley; and a public hearing on a draft order regarding the Salton Sea.  Click here for full agendaClick here to watch on webcast.
  • The California Board of Food and Agriculture will meet from 10am to 2:30pm at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium in Sacramento. The Board will discuss wildfires and the California Water Fix. Click here for more information.
  • Brown Bag Seminar:  Modeling Fish Guidance Structures in the Delta: Evaluating Likely Animal Movement (ELAM) from 12pm to 1pm.   Click here for more information.

In the news today …

Oroville Dam: Reps. Garamendi and LaMalfa want additional safety review:  “Reps. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, Monday introduced to a bill that would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct an additional environmental review of the Oroville Dam.  The congressmen would like to see a review done before the commission approves the relicensing of the dam under state Department of Water Resources’ management.  Garamendi is advocating for another environmental review since the Oroville Dam has undergone major structural changes in the aftermath of February’s crisis, sending over 180,000 downstream residents fleeing from their homes, he stated in a press release. … ”  Read more from the Oroville Mercury-Register here:  Oroville Dam: Reps. Garamendi and LaMalfa want additional safety review

Oroville Dam coalition, local politicians head to Washington for federal assistance:  “State Sen. Jim Nielsen, Assemblyman James Gallagher and Oroville Dam Coalition members are heading to Washington, D.C., this week to address what they say are outstanding issues following the spillway crisis.  The group will attend meetings with commissioners and staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and attend briefings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. … ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Oroville Dam coalition, local politicians head to Washington for federal assistance

Local group looks to intervene in FERC’s Klamath Dam process:  “With the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission considering applications to transfer dams on the Klamath River and allow for them to be removed, one local group has petitioned the agency to intervene in the process on behalf of dam removal opponents.  FERC has been petitioned by PacifiCorp – which owns the dams in question – and a nonprofit entity called the Klamath River Renewal Corporation to have the J.C. Boyle, Iron Gate, and Copco 1 and 2 dams transferred to KRRC and then have the dams decommissioned for removal, with a target date of 2020 for the completion of demolition. … ”  Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here:  Local group looks to intervene in FERC’s dam process

New policy sets rules for marijuana growers to protect California water:  “On October 17, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted new environmental policies to regulate how marijuana growing operations will impact California’s already limited water resources. The new regulations are in response to voters’ approval of Proposition 64 in 2016 to legalize recreational marijuana.  Cannabis cultivation can impact local water by reducing flows in streams and creeks or polluting waterways with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. Even the construction of roads and buildings for cannabis farming causes sediment runoff and erosion that damages nearby streams and rivers. Until recently, this was difficult to address because many growing operations were illegal. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  New policy sets rules for marijuana growers to protect California water

Environment report:  In defense of shrubs:  “As California copes with major wildfire after major wildfire, several local environmentalists want to make sure the public doesn’t blame the wild for the fires.  The Escondido-based California Chaparral Institute is worried that chaparral – an ecosystem of shrubs – is getting a bad rap for being tied to big fires, like the Tubbs Fire, one of the recent Wine Country fires.  In a pointed blog post, the institute’s director, Richard Halsey, says people need to spend less time blaming burning bushes and more time blaming themselves. In particular, the institute is pushing back against the idea that fire agencies should go around removing chaparral in order to reduce fire risk in the backcountry. The institute says it doesn’t make sense to tear up an ecosystem when the ecosystem isn’t the major problem – the people moving into it are … ”  Read more from the Voice of San Diego here:  Environment report:  In defense of shrubs

Study:  Latinos more likely to distrust tap water, seek other sources:  “Dolores Escobar takes a 30-minute bus ride every Sunday from her house to the closest water-vending machine and carries eight empty gallon jugs with her to refill them.  During hot seasons, she travels twice a week. She spends nearly $50 a month on the water, plus her bus tickets. The Phoenix resident said she didn’t like the taste of the tap water at her home, which she said has as a “metallic taste.”  Numerous studies have found that Latinos’ consumption of tap water is significantly lower than non-Latinos’ consumption in places with predominant or growing Latino populations such as Northern California, Denver, Salt Lake City and Milwaukee. … ” Read more from Cronkite News here:  Study:  Latinos more likely to distrust tap water, seek other sources

In commentary today …

Discouraging farmers from flood irrigation will harm Modesto in the long run, says Vance Kennedy:  He writes, “The potential class-action lawsuit against Modesto Irrigation District claiming an unfair subsidy for water users at the expense of electricity customers might cost local farmers a lot of money. But the real cost could be to the water stored underground that we all rely on and to our region’s economy.  The Bee reported in September that the lawsuit is on hold until the California Supreme Court decides on a similar case out of Redding. If the suit is successful the price of water could rise significantly. That will encourage farmers to use drip irrigation instead of flooding their fields due to rising costs, reducing water that replenishes the aquifer. … ”  Read more from the Modesto Bee here:  Discouraging farmers from flood irrigation will harm Modesto in the long run, says Vance Kennedy

In regional news and commentary today …

Dog and cat flea treatments suspected of polluting San Francisco Bay:  “Next time you spray Rover or Fluffy for fleas, you may be harming San Francisco Bay.  An insecticide found in commonly used over-the-counter flea treatments like Frontline Plus and Pet Armor appears to be washing down pet owners’ drains and flowing through sewage treatment plants into the bay, new research shows.  While the chemical, called Fipronil, is effective in wiping out annoying fleas, it also is entering the bay in levels that can kill aquatic insects that are a key part of the food chain, providing nourishment to fish and birds. ... ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here:  Dog and cat flea treatments suspected of polluting San Francisco Bay

Cosco Busan spill leads to Richardson Bay islands’ revival: “Ten years ago one of the worst environmental marine disasters in the Bay Area devastated miles of shoreline when the Cosco Busan container ship spilled 54,000 gallons of bunker fuel, forcing authorities to close Fort Baker, Rodeo Beach, Kirby Cove, Black Sand, Tennessee Valley and Angel Island beaches.  In all, the Nov. 7, 2007 accident — which occurred when the 902-foot ship hit a Bay Bridge support tower — oiled 69 miles of shoreline around the Bay Area, closed fisheries and killed more than 6,800 birds, while soiling wildlife habitat. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here:  Cosco Busan spill leads to Richardson Bay islands’ revival

Tests show that lead levels in Bay Area drinking water are not dangerous:  “Despite recent alarming revelations that children in 10 San Francisco and Oakland schools had been exposed to lead contamination well above federal safety standards, data from household water quality tests performed this year by the Bay Area’s two major utilities indicate that lead levels remain well below dangerous thresholds in the vast majority of the region’s homes.  In addition to routine systemwide inspections for lead and other toxic materials in their drinking water, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the East Bay Municipal Utility District, which together deliver water to more than 4 million Bay Area residents, also conduct lead tests for individual households, upon request. ... ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Tests show that lead levels in Bay Area drinking water are not dangerous

San Luis Reservoir algal bloom warning now at ‘caution’:  “The Department of Water Resources (DWR) changed the algal bloom advisory for San Luis Reservoir from Warning to Caution today based on two consecutive weeks of tests that revealed lower toxicity levels at Basalt Boat Launch. Caution signs are being posted at the reservoir in Merced County. A Warning advisory had been in effect since September 15. O’Neill Forebay remains free of algal bloom advisories. … ”  Read more from the Patterson Irrigator here:  San Luis Reservoir algal bloom warning now at ‘caution’

San Diego:  Lake Wohlford Dam replacement could start as early as next year:  “Escondido officials are hopeful that the long-delayed Lake Wohlford Dam replacement project will begin next year, though nearly $45 million to $50 million job is woefully shy of being fully funded.  “The last I checked,” City Manager Jeff Epp said, “(utilities director Chris McKinney) was collecting aluminum cans and bottles from Lake Wohlford Road in an attempt to raise the necessary funding for the project. He still has $27,999,996.80 left to raise.”  Joking aside, McKinney said it’s more like between $22 million to $25 million that remains unfunded but he is confident the city will be allowed to borrow that money from the state at low interest rates next year. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here:  Lake Wohlford Dam replacement could start as early as next year

U.S. ‘doesn’t give a crap’ about Mexico sewage spills sickening California beachgoers, critics say:  “Up to 200 days a year, this otherwise pristine beach in Southern California is closed because of raw sewage and industrial waste from Mexico, a treaty violation for which Washington has shown little interest in enforcing.  “Unfortunately, the U.S. government seems to be in the mode that everything’s fine and don’t worry about it,” says Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, who got sick last week after surfing in the contaminated water. “That doesn’t fly anymore.”  The Port of San Diego and several other cities are joining Imperial Beach to sue the U.S. government and, more specifically, the State Department for failing to enforce a treaty that obligates Mexico to treat its sewage before sending it to the U.S. … ”  Read more from Fox News here:  U.S. ‘doesn’t give a crap’ about Mexico sewage spills sickening California beachgoers, critics say

Precipitation watch …

Occasional NorCal rain, but dry autumn continues across Southern California:  “A mere week before the calendar flips to November, temperatures in cities and towns across Southern California surged to unthinkable levels — on the verge of 110 degrees.  Not one but two locations hit 108 on Tuesday — matching the hottest weather observed on record in the United States so late in the calendar year.  According to the National Weather Service, both Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (formerly known as Miramar Naval Air Station, about 15 miles northeast of San Diego) and San Luis Obispo topped out at 108 degrees. … ”  Read more from the Weather West here:  Occasional NorCal rain, but dry autumn continues across Southern California

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

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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.

 

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