In California water news this weekend, New radar system being developed to help pinpoint flooding; ‘Fish in the fields’ study to monitor the effects of methane emissions; At the Mexican border, a battle over beer, water, and way of life; El Nino might speed up climate change; Environmental lawyers seek legal rights for the natural world; and more …
In the news this weekend …
New radar system being developed to help pinpoint flooding: “On the heels of northern California’s wettest year on record — with nearly 90 inches of rain — a team of water agencies and weather researchers is installing a new radar system to upgrade flood prediction in the San Francisco Bay Area. For many, it can’t come soon enough. Take last February, an extremely wet month in an extremely wet winter. Flooding closed Highway 37, which runs along the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, and shrank westbound I-80 to barely a lane in Fairfield, which adjoins the Suisun Marsh. And in San Jose, Coyote Creek over-topped its banks. Fourteen thousand people were ordered to evacuate, and 582 residences, 118 businesses, and about 300 vehicles were damaged or destroyed. Initial estimates put the cost of Coyote Creek flooding at $73 million. … ” Read more from the Bay Area Monitor here: New radar system being developed to help pinpoint flooding
‘Fish in the fields’ study to monitor the effects of methane emissions: “A team of researchers and Marysville rice farmers initiated a study this week in Yuba County to see if introducing fish to a flooded rice field could both reduce methane emissions and allow for a new reliable protein source. Those involved say that, if successful, the study could provide a new way of decreasing the environmental footprint of rice production, mitigate the potential of forage fish extinction and potentially help California rice farmers receive additional water allocations on a yearly basis. “The idea is that flooded rice fields are similar to what conditions are like in floodplains,” said Deborah Moskowitz, president of the Resource Renewal Institute. “Those conditions are teeming with microorganisms to feed on. It’s like a banquet for fish to fatten up on.” ... ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here: ‘Fish in the fields’ study to monitor the effects of methane emissions
At the Mexican border, a battle over beer, water, and way of life: “It was around 3 a.m. when Filiberto Sanchez snuck onto the property of a huge brewery under construction, hopped three fences and scaled a construction crane. At the top, he hung a Mexican flag and a sign that read in Spanish: “Get out of here, Constellation!” He remained there for three days in November with no food, he said, in protest of United States-based Constellation Brands’ new facility, which will produce popular Mexican beers like Corona, Negra Modelo and Pacifico. “We’re not opposed to businesses coming here and providing jobs,” Sanchez said in Spanish, a few weeks after the hunger strike. “This business is going to dry up this state and city.” … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: At the Mexican border, a battle over beer, water, and way of life
El Nino might speed up climate change: “Every two to seven years, abnormally warm water in the Pacific Ocean causes an atmospheric disturbance called El Niño. It often makes extreme weather worse in various places around the world: greater floods, tougher droughts, more wildfires. Now scientists have new evidence indicating El Niño conditions might also add extra carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as well as lessen the ability of trees to absorb the greenhouse gas. By certain measures, the most recent El Niño, which held sway in 2015 and 2016, was one of the three strongest on record, along with episodes in 1982–1983 and 1997–1998. Although its impacts on land were not clearly stronger than those of the other events, it appears it was the major culprit for a record increase in CO2 during its reign. ... ” Read more from Scientific American here: El Nino might speed up climate change
Environmental lawyers seek legal rights for the natural world: “Environmental lawyers are claiming in court that land, rivers and other natural features have intrinsic rights and should own themselves, rather than being considered property — similar to how the law treats corporations as “persons.” In his book, “The Rights of Nature: A Legal Revolution That Could Save the World,” environmental lawyer David Boyd makes the case that natural ecosystems and all the elements within them have basic rights that we, as a part of nature ourselves, are morally bound to honor. Boyd teaches law at the University of British Columbia. … ” Read more from PRI here: Environmental lawyers seek legal rights for the natural world
In commentary this weekend …
California is losing its prized rural forestland, one luxury home, one ski run at a time, says Jane Braxton Little: She writes, “California values forests. From coastal stands of iconic redwoods to high-elevation pines, trees cover 33 million acres, nearly one-third of the state. Private owners manage around 40 percent of these forests, an area more than twice the size of Alaska’s Denali National Park. Today California is losing these prized forestlands incrementally – one luxury home, one ski run at a time. Lawmakers have historically recognized the critical role private forests play in the state’s economy and beyond: providing water and wildlife habitat, storing carbon, creating and retaining soil. Among the steps they have taken to protect timberlands is the Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976, the cornerstone of California forest policy. It establishes Timber Production Zoning (TPZ) designed to promote the long-term growth of timber on private lands by offering tax incentives that encourage protection of young trees and restrict other land uses. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California is losing its prized rural forestland, one luxury home, one ski run at a time
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Closed Russian River threatens low-level flooding in Jenner: “High tides and heavy surf that closed Goat Rock State Beach for several hours Thursday and Friday mornings have delayed efforts by the Sonoma County Water Agency to open the mouth of the Russian River, potentially causing low-level flooding on Highway 1 in Jenner this weekend, the agency said. Between the surging ocean surf and the rising river level, the band of beach across the river mouth has been reduced to a strip of land washed over by morning waves — conditions expected to persist until Monday, water agency spokeswoman Ann DuBay said. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Closed Russian River threatens low-level flooding in Jenner
Fountaingrove a battleground for keeping fire waste out of Laguna de Santa Rosa: “Far from the grapevines he usually tends, vineyard worker Ruben Garcia used a four-pound sledgehammer to drive wooden stakes through a roll of rice straw stretched along a street curb this week in fire-ravaged Fountaingrove. “That works,” said Garcia, wearing jeans, a blue jacket and baseball cap. He offered a few pointers on technique to Suzi Redlich, kneeling next to him on the asphalt amid the incinerated homes and a Santa Rosa fire station on Newgate Court. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Fountaingrove a battleground for keeping fire waste out of Laguna de Santa Rosa
Lawsuit filed to block logging project near Healdsburg: “Neighbors and other opponents of a plan to log a wooded 160-acre parcel outside Healdsburg in a small watershed that provides refuge for endangered coho salmon are suing Cal Fire over the agency’s recent approval of the planned timber harvest. The state agency improperly green-lighted the plan for remote Felta Creek canyon, logging opponents claim, despite a range of potential impacts for threatened fish species, water quality, traffic congestion and safety on winding Felta Creek Road. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Lawsuit filed to block logging project near Healdsburg
Stinson well goes forward despite takings claim: “After postponing a decision for two months to field concerns from a property owner who will be affected by the project, the county approved on Nov. 16 a coastal development permit for a new Stinson Beach Water District well. The well will provide up to 25 percent of the district’s current peak demand, offering additional flexibility during dry seasons and drought periods. Despite strong community support for the well, one resident has filed numerous complaints since May 2016 over a concern that the well encroaches onto her land, constituting a “taking.” … ” Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Stinson well goes forward despite takings claim
Hillside berry farms trigger erosion, speed flooding on the Central Coast: ““Plastic!” said Dale Huss, gesturing in frustration out the window of his pickup truck at the berry fields sprawling over rolling hills, as strawberry plants peeped out from plastic tarps stretched over raised earthen rows. Strawberries are one of California’s most profitable crops, especially in the Monterey Bay area. But the plastic row covers that protect berries from cold and pests also increase water runoff and erosion on hillside fields. Huss, vice president of artichoke production for Ocean Mist Farms, a major produce company in Castroville, is tired of all the plastic and the runoff. “All this water goes toward Castroville,” Huss said. “We inherit everyone’s problems.” ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Hillside berry farms trigger erosion, speed flooding on the Central Coast
High flows despite dry skies: Reservoir releases push river levels higher: “This has been the driest fall in Stockton in more than a decade. With that in mind, one might ask, why are our rivers so full? Low-lying portions of the Calaveras River bike path were underwater this week. Farther south, on the Stanislaus River, the modest flows out of New Melones Lake are expected to periodically quadruple over the next couple of weeks. The explanation for all of this is that upstream reservoirs are fuller than normal due to last year’s deluges. Despite the dry weather so far, and the likelihood that it will stay dry into mid-December, officials are releasing water from reservoirs to make sure there’s room to capture runoff from future storms. ... ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: High flows despite dry skies: Reservoir releases push river levels higher
Los Banos dairyman facing fines for dumping waste gives his side of the story: “Re “Dairyman faces cow waste dumping charges” (Front Page, Nov. 24): In regards to your recent article and the ensuing letter to the editor, there is misinformation that needs to be clarified. I had an emergency situation with animals sick and dying (I lost 4 heifers) during the historic rains and flooding last winter. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: Los Banos dairyman gives his side of the storage
Farmers, others needed to rally support for Temperance Flat Dam: “The San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority is urging farmers and other people in the Valley to attend the Dec. 13 California Water Commission meeting in Sacramento to help rally support for construction of the Temperance Flat Dam. “The Valley’s quest to develop Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River near Fresno has reached a critical point,” states press release from the authority. The state water commission likely will decide next year whether to earmark up to $1.3 billion to help pay for the dam from the $7.5 billion raised through the Prop. 1 water bond passed by California voters in 2014. … ” Read more from the Fresno Business Journal here: Farmers, others needed to rally support for Temperance Flat Dam
Councilman Mitch O’Farrell criticizes policy to close LA River when E. coli levels get too high: “A Los Angeles city councilmember says the city’s new protocol to protect the health of people recreating in the L.A. River was developed too hastily and didn’t include input from kayaking outfitters, who stand to lose business if the river is closed due to high levels of the harmful bacteria E. coli. At a city committee meeting this week, Councilman Mitch O’Farrell rejected L.A. Sanitation’s protocol, which the department released to the public in October and had previously said was final. The protocol calls for temporary closures of the river when E. coli levels are too high. If ingested, the fecal bacteria can cause vomiting and diarrhea. … ” Read more from KPCC here: Councilman Mitch O’Farrell criticizes policy to close LA River when E. coli levels get too high
A fast-growing Utah desert county plans a massive water pipeline. But is it really needed? “Sun-scorched desert mesa, 140 miles of it, lies between Lake Powell, the nation’s second-largest reservoir, and Utah’s Washington County, one of America’s driest metropolitan regions. It’s a long way in miles — but not insurmountable to the Washington County Water Conservancy District, which is charged with ensuring a rapidly growing desert community has water. The district plans to link the reservoir and the county with one of the longest and most expensive water pipelines ever proposed in the West. Ample sunshine and less than 8 inches of rain a year have proved so attractive that a seemingly ceaseless wave of residential and retail construction blankets the desert near here and climbs to the summits of the region’s red rock buttes. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: A fast-growing Utah desert county plans a massive water pipeline
Precipitation watch …
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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
