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DAILY DIGEST: Making sense of impact reports on the Cal Water Fix; Santa Clara Valley Water District looking to buy land to construct largest Bay Area reservoir in 20 years; State Water Board adopts MCL for 1,2,3-TCP; GOP push to shift state water policy away from conservation; and much more …

Maven
Daily Digest
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In California water news today, Making sense of impact reports on the California Water Fix; Santa Clara Valley Water District looking to buy land to construct largest Bay Area reservoir in 20 years; Flood risk begins to ease along California rivers after six-month surge in water levels; Oroville dam repairs would benefit from multi-billion dollar ballot measure; State Water Board adopts MCL for 1,2,3-TCP, rejects calls to establish compliance period; Feds okay new mercury protections in California waters; GOP push to shift state water policy away from conservation; Interior Department nominee David Bernhardt still advising Westlands; Fact check on Devin Nunes; PolitiFact: Kevin McCarthy ignores key facts in claim on water storage; NRCC uses digital ads to target California Democrats who opposed Water Act bill; and more …

In the news today …

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

Making sense of impact reports on the California Water Fix (Q&A with Jay Lund):  “On June 23, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declared that California’s plan to build two massive underground tunnels to transport water from the Delta to Southern California, known as California WaterFix, would not adversely impact the Delta’s already threatened fish species, such as the Delta smelt and Chinook salmon.  While the service’s announcement was lauded by WaterFix proponents, environmental groups such as Restore the Delta and the Sierra Club are arguing against the finding and vowing to continue to fight the project in court.  The confusion over what exactly the science says may come in part from a lack of clear communication. … ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Making sense of impact reports on the California Water Fix (Q&A with Jay Lund)

Santa Clara Valley Water District looking to buy land to construct largest Bay Area reservoir in years:  “In a significant step toward construction of the Bay Area’s first major new reservoir in nearly two decades, Silicon Valley’s largest water provider has begun negotiations to buy more than 12,000 acres of rural ranch land — an area nearly half the size of San Francisco.  The Santa Clara Valley Water District is hoping to build an $800 million reservoir in southern Santa Clara County near Pacheco Pass, along with a dam up to 300 feet high. The reservoir would hold 130,000 acre-feet of water — enough to meet the water needs of 650,000 people for a year. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  Santa Clara Valley Water District looking to buy land to construct largest Bay Area reservoir in years

Flood risk begins to ease along California rivers after six-month surge in water levels: “For the first time in 193 days, no federally monitored rivers in California or Nevada are flooding or at risk of flooding, according to climate scientists.  From Jan. 4 to July 15, at least one California or Nevada river fed by the Sierra Nevada was at, or above flood monitoring stage, following an historically wet winter.  … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Flood risk begins to ease along California rivers after six-month surge in water levels

Oroville dam repairs would benefit from multi-billion dollar ballot measure:  “With California’s drought fresh on voters’ minds, a longtime water activist is asking their approval for a veritable wish list of water and other environmental projects costing billions – from fixing Oroville Dam’s cratered spillway to improving the watershed of the Tijuana River.  As is the case with many borrowing measures that go before voters, interests that stand to benefit from some of the projects will be asked to underwrite campaign costs – a situation one expert said poses an “inherent conflict.” … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Oroville dam repairs would benefit from multi-billion dollar ballot measure

State Water Board adopts MCL for 1,2,3-TCP, rejects calls to establish compliance period:  “The State Water Resources Control Board on July 18 adopted a regulation establishing a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for 1,2,3,-Trichloropropane (TCP) of 5 parts per trillion. The regulation will take effect on Oct. 1, 2017, and public water systems will be required to meet the new standard beginning in January 2018.  During Tuesday’s hearing, State Water Board staff provided information about the development of the MCL and noted that granular activated carbon (GAC) has been identified as the best treatment technology for 1,2,3-TCP. Staff also asserted that because GAC is a known treatment technology, a compliance period is not warranted and that water systems have had plenty of time to prepare for the MCL in advance of its adoption. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here:  State Water Board adopts MCL for 1,2,3-TCP, rejects calls to establish compliance period

Feds okay new mercury protections in California waters:  “The federal government has approved new rules on mercury in California waterways.The rules were approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They’re intended to help inform people about levels of mercury in salmon, bass, sturgeon, trout and other fish.  Environmentalists like Alex Keeble-Toll with The Sierra Fund in Nevada City are applauding the decision. … ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here:  Feds okay new mercury protections in California waters

GOP push to shift state water policy away from conservation:  “With a friend in the White House and their party in control of both chambers of Congress, House Republicans have embarked on their most ambitious effort yet to change the way water flows in California.  Legislation that the House sent to the Senate last week outlines a bold effort to build big new dams and shift water from fish, birds and other wildlife to farms in the San Joaquin Valley.  The legislation would dry up long stretches of the state’s second-longest river, the San Joaquin, and end efforts to restore its obliterated salmon runs. It would downgrade the water rights of the wildlife refuges that make up the last patches of California’s interior wetlands. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  GOP push to shift state water policy away from conservation

Interior Department nominee David Bernhardt still advising Westlands:  “Interior Department nominee David Bernhardt has kept advising California’s politically active Westlands Water District even after he withdrew his formal registration as a lobbyist last year.  The consultations have involved California water legislation and other issues potentially under the jurisdiction of the Interior Department that Bernhardt might soon be helping lead. The work has not, however, entailed leaning directly on lawmakers or agency officials.  “The moment he deregistered as a lobbyist, he ceased all lobbying activities on our behalf,” said Johnny Amaral, Westlands’ deputy general manager. “He does, however, still consult for us and give us legal advice.” … ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Bernhardt still advising Westlands

Fact check on Devin Nunes:  “On the floor of the House of Representatives last week, south valley Rep. Devin Nunes was calling attention to all of the “wasted” water that flowed out to the ocean this year when he made an interesting comment:  “Some on the other side of the aisle, they continually talk about global warming, and they continually talk about how the oceans are rising,” said Nunes, a Republican. “If you believe the oceans are rising, why would you want more water to flow out to the ocean? I don’t understand that.”  The implication was that the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, and their tributaries, were running so strong and so full this year that they might have worsened the danger posed by global sea level rise. … ”  Read more from Alex Breitler here:  Fact check on Devin Nunes

PolitiFact: Kevin McCarthy ignores key facts in claim on water storage:  “One of the biggest backers for building new dams and reservoirs in California is House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.  The Republican, who’s been described as the most powerful Californian in Washington D.C., recently spoke on the House floor in favor of a bill to speed up studies on five water storage projects in the state.  “Water is not optional. Not in my district. Not in California. Not anywhere,” McCarthy told his colleagues. “But over the past five years my constituents have struggled to survive without life-giving water in the face of a catastrophic drought.” ... ”  Read more from PolitiFact here:  Kevin McCarthy ignores key facts in claim on water storage

NRCC uses digital ads to target California Democrats who opposed Water Act bill:  “The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is going after six Democratic lawmakers for their opposition to a water-related bill that the House passed Wednesday by using digital ads that will run on Facebook next week.  The Republican committee’s ads will target moderate swing voters in districts represented by five California lawmakers as well as one from Arizona including Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.) and Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.).  ... ” Read more from The Hill here:  NRCC uses digital ads to target California Democrats who opposed Water Act bill

In commentary today …

Silicon Valley: Water Fix twin tunnels for the Delta is needed to secure our water supply, says Dan Gordon: He writes, “In Santa Clara County, 40 percent of the water we need for our families, businesses and to grow our local food comes from the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta. But the infrastructure that delivers this water is aging, at risk of collapse and subject to continual supply cutbacks due to the deteriorating condition of the Delta.  Without upgrades to improve our water delivery infrastructure and to better protect the Delta environment, our region’s water supply is at risk. ... ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  Water Fix twin tunnels for the Delta is needed to secure our water supply

In regional news and commentary today …

Napa: Upvalley winery hit with water agency violation:  “Bremer Family Winery’s efforts to create a vineyard in the mountains east of St. Helena have run afoul of a state agency that claims the winery improperly placed fill in a creek.  The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on July 6 issued a cleanup and abatement order. It is requiring Bremer to restore the creek to prevent sediments from entering waterways that ultimately drain into the Napa River.  “Fine sediment clogs spawning and gravels and degrades rearing habitat, contributing to the decline of salmon and steelhead in the Napa River watershed,” the order says. ... ”  Read more from the Napa Valley Register here:  Upvalley winery hit with water agency violation

Water board passes new regulations for Napa grape growers:  “Grape growers in the Napa River and Sonoma Creek watersheds face new regulations designed to help reduce sediment eroding into waterways where it can hurt fish.  The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board on Wednesday July 12 passed the new regulations. Growers will have to prepare farm plans to control sediment, nutrients and other materials that can run off during storms from vineyards and dirt roads. … ”  Read more from the Napa Valley Register here:  Water board passes new regulations for Napa grape growers

Tomales Bay aquaculture focus of state hearing:  “Keeping Tomales Bay clean as it hosts shellfish aquaculture operations was the focus of a state-sponsored hearing Monday at the Marconi Conference Center.  In the past few years there has been increased attention on aquaculture practices and stewardship on state-licensed operations around California, particularly related to marine debris, according to Department of Fish and Wildlife officials. On Tomales Bay, there have been oyster operations since 1907, state officials said. Today, larger growers on the bay include Hog Island Oyster Co. and the Tomales Bay Oyster Co. ... ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here:  Tomales Bay aquaculture focus of state hearing

Environmentalists ask court to block EIR for Putah Creek project:  “A new environmental group wants a court order setting aside the Solano County Water Agency’s adoption of the environmental impact report for the Lower Putah Creek restoration project.  In its Friday filing in Solano Superior Court, Friends of Putah Creek contends the EIR is inadequate because it fails to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act.  The EIR doesn’t deal with the restoration’s impacts to groundwater, biological resources and recreation, the Friends of Putah Creek group contends. … ”  Read more from the Davis Enterprise here:  Environmentalists ask court to block EIR for Putah Creek project

Navigating the Delta: Meeting the people who live in California’s water hub:  “Pretend you’re looking at a map of the Bay Area, then scroll out a bit.  Find Martinez and Benicia, and draw a line east to Stockton.  From there, go north to Sacramento, then back to Martinez.  Look closely at that triangle and you’ll see a puzzle of waterways and islands that make up the California Delta.  The Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers drain into the Delta, and with a system of dams and pumps built over decades, it’s become the center of California’s water distribution system.  Millions of acres of California farmland depend on the Delta, and nearly two-thirds of all Californians — including many in the Bay Area — get their water from it.  It’s also an important ecosystem, home to some threatened and endangered species of fish, like smelt and salmon. … ”  Read more from KALW here:  Navigating the Delta: Meeting the people who live in California’s water hub

Pasadena:  Why a judge isn’t keen on a plan to divert water from Arroyo Seco to your tap:  “Environmental activists have stalled Pasadena’s plans to divert more water from the Arroyo Seco to spreading basins near the Jet Propulsion Laboratory after a Superior Court judge agreed the proposal could threaten downstream habitats where protected turtles and birds might live.  By using more runoff to refill the Raymond Basin, Pasadena Water and Power could increase the local supply of drinking water and decrease the percentage purchased at a higher cost from the Metropolitan Water District. … ”  Read more from the Pasadena Star News here:  Why a judge isn’t keen on a plan to divert water from Arroyo Seco to your tap

Integrated solutions for LA’s urban water future:  “At the recent Asia Society Imagine 2060: Delivering Tomorrow’s City Together event, Los Angeles water experts convened to discuss how integrated solutions could provide resilient and clean local water supply in an era of climate change.  In a panel discussion moderated by Richard Drobnick (USC Marshall School of Business), Andy Lipkis (Founder &President, TreePeople) and Mark Gold (Vice Chancellor, UCLA) discuss the management of water and green infrastructure for the Southern California region. Lipkis opines on the Australian examples of increasing tree canopy and conserving water, while Gold discusses the potential of capturing more stormwater and aligning water governance.  Richard Drobnick: Share TreePeople’s approach to facilitating regional collaboration among the first public agencies to actually design and implement green infrastructure systems that cost-effectively deliver their respective services.  Andy Lipkis:  It was a privilege to bring together LA’s flood control, water, and sanitation agencies to plan a hybrid system that produced flood control, local water supply, and water quality protection to support an evaporative cooling machine for Los Angeles. … ”  Read more from The Planning Report here:  Integrated solutions for LA’s urban water future

When the desert pushes back against human engineering:  “The American West is a testament to hubris. We beat back the desert with a complex plumbing system of dams, canals, and pumps to create a thriving civilization in the hottest and driest region of the country. But today it’s becoming clear that many of the structures built to prevent a shortage of water have ultimately contributed to its scarcity. And, now, even as we try to come up with new ways to engineer the environment in our favor, the desert is pushing back into its former territory. ... ”  Read more from Pacific Standard here:  When the desert pushes back against human engineering

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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