DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: How Silicon Valley Industry polluted the Sylvan California dream; Fish friendly measures steer Central Valley salmon run near record; Storm onslaught to resume in Pacific Northwest; EPA, Army propose two-year delay of WOTUS; and more …

The American River at Paradise Beach
In California water news this weekend, How Silicon Valley Industry polluted the Sylvan California dream; Fish friendly measures steer Central Valley salmon run near record; Chinook salmon returns on Mokelumne River continue record streak; Sacramento Valley salmon recovery program hits its stride; Climate change threatens giant sequoias; Storm onslaught to resume in Pacific Northwest; What is Legionnaire’s disease and who’s at risk?; EPA, Army propose two-year delay of WOTUS; and more …

In the news this weekend …

How Silicon Valley Industry polluted the Sylvan California dream:  “On Labor Day 1956, a caravan of moving trucks wound their way into Santa Clara County, just south of San Francisco, carrying the possessions of 600 families and equipment for the missile and space labs of the Lockheed Corporation. One month later, Lockheed’s Sunnyvale campus opened for business. Many of the arriving families were relocating to Sunnyvale from the company’s facility in Burbank, in Southern California.  The draw included good jobs in the emerging businesses of electronics research and development, as well as manufacturing of semiconductors and other electronic components for machinery and computers. Affordable housing, a pastoral landscape and a pleasant environment proved very attractive for newcomers. Local boosters, corporate executives and new residents alike envisioned a modern future in stark contrast with the declining dirty urban industrial model of the Northeast and Midwest. ... ”  Read more from KQED here:  How Silicon Valley Industry polluted the Sylvan California dream

Fish friendly measures steer Central Valley salmon run near record:  “Salmon populations in a Central Valley river are on track for record highs after years of suffering through drought, thanks to some clever human intervention.  The new fish-friendly efforts by the state and an East Bay water district may shed light on how to increase California’s struggling salmon runs. Salmon suffered in the drought from 2011 to 2015 due to shriveled river flows, higher water temperatures and disrupted food supplies.  But salmon hatched in the drought three years ago are returning this fall to the Mokelumne River — the water supply for the East Bay Municipal Utility District — in big numbers. … ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here:  Fish friendly measures steer Central Valley salmon run near record

Chinook salmon returns on Mokelumne River continue record streak:  “East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)’s Mokelumne River partnership with state and federal natural resources agencies is paying off. With one month left in the fall-run season, over 14,000 Chinook salmon have migrated to the Mokelumne River, continuing a record streak of returns dating back to 2011. For the second consecutive year, the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery has record numbers of steelhead entering the ladder. Together, the high returns for these species indicate the health of the Mokelumne River, which also supplies water to 1.4 million East Bay customers. ... ”  Read more from the Sierra Sun Times here:  Chinook salmon returns on Mokelumne River continue record streak

Sacramento Valley salmon recovery program hits its stride:  “The successful work performed this past year to promote salmon recovery in the Sacramento Valley as part of the Sacramento Valley Salmon Recovery Program was celebrated by water managers and others in October at an event hosted by the Northern California Water Association (NCWA)and held at the City of Sacramento’s fish screen and diversion facility.  The event on the Sacramento River brought together water management entities, conservation organizations, and state and federal fishery agencies. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here:  Sacramento Valley salmon recovery program hits its stride

Climate change threatens giant sequoias:  “Scientists say a fixture inside California’s Sierra Nevada Forests for more than two million years, might be in jeopardy.  They have concerned drought and climate change are threatening giant sequoias.  The iconic trees only grow in about 70 groves scattered over an area of about 55 square miles on the western slopes of the Sierra. … ” Read more from KFSN here:  Climate change threatens giant sequoias

Storm onslaught to resume in Pacific Northwest:  “Following a brief reprieve from rain, snow and wind in the Northwest, another system will move onshore on Sunday night.  A storm diving into the region from the northwest late Sunday will be responsible for the next round of strong winds, heavy rain and mountain snow that will overtake the Northwest by Monday.  Those in the far northern Sacramento Valley can expect a drenching day to kick off Thanksgiving week. Meanwhile, wintry precipitation will overspread the interior Northwest. … ”  Read more from AccuWeather here:  Storm onslaught to resume in Pacific Northwest

What is Legionnaire’s disease and who’s at risk?  “A recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Anaheim has sickened 15 people, including 11 who visited Disneyland. In its search for the possible source of the disease, the Orange County Health Care Agency has targeted cooling towers in the theme park, as well those at nearby hotels, motels and other businesses along Harbor Boulevard.  The illnesses — and two deaths — have stoked concerns about Legionnaires’, how it spreads and who is most at risk.  Here’s what you need to know about the outbreak … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here:  What is Legionnaire’s disease and who’s at risk?

EPA, Army propose two-year delay of WOTUS:  “The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of the Army are proposing to delay the effective date of the Waters of the U.S. rule by two years.  “Today’s proposal shows our commitment to our state and tribal partners and to providing regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and businesses,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “This step will allow us to minimize confusion as we continue to receive input from across the country on how we should revise the definition of the ‘waters of the United States.’” … ”  Read more from the Western Farm Press here:  EPA, Army propose two-year delay of WOTUS

In commentary this weekend …

A new approach to protecting rivers: California’s native freshwater fish – salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and others – continue to decline, and regulations to reverse this trend have fanned controversy. A new approach to environmental stewardship is needed.  We should start by granting the environment a water right, as detailed in a new report we helped write for the Public Policy Institute of California.  The way California manages water for environmental purposes isn’t working for anyone. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  A new approach to protecting rivers

Worst engineering failure in history made us safer, say Laurene Weste and Lori Cannon Spragans: They write, “In recent months, disasters are unfortunately on the minds of too many Americans. The loss of life and infrastructure are overwhelming and we all pray that new lessons are learned to help prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.  That is why the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act is timely and significant. Almost 90 years ago, on March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam ruptured, sending a 180-foot tower of water hurtling down San Francisquito Canyon in northeastern Los Angeles County. ... ”  Continue reading from The Hill here:  Worst engineering failure in history made us safer

In regional news and commentary this weekend …

Sacramento River Preservation Trust gives updates on projects:  “The Sacramento River Preservation Trust hosted a State of the Sacramento River briefing on Saturday in the Sierra Nevada Big Room.  Lucas RossMerz, the executive director of the trust, led a conversation on projects and impacts on the Sacramento River in the past year. Topics discussed included the status of the salmon runs, an update on the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, the proposed Sites Reservoir, the Hamilton City “J Levee” project, the Central Valley Salmon partnership, and the Sacramento River Water Trail. … ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Sacramento River Preservation Trust gives updates on projects

Humboldt Waste Management Authority settles with Humboldt Baykeeper in bay pollution lawsuit:  “Humboldt Baykeeper and the Humboldt Waste Management Authority recently reached a settlement agreement in a federal lawsuit that claimed the waste company was allowing polluted stormwater to enter Humboldt Bay and the Palco Marsh.  “We are satisfied that HWMA agreed to take steps toward minimizing polluted runoff before the end of another rainy season, and that they’ve committed to major improvements to their operations that will protect Humboldt Bay,” Humboldt Baykeeper Director Jennifer Kalt said in a statement.  The waste management authority issued its own statement this week on the settlement. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here:  Humboldt Waste Management Authority settles with Humboldt Baykeeper in bay pollution lawsuit

Along the Colorado River …

To save their water supply, Colorado farmers taxed themselves:  “The Western U.S. is just starting to recover after a prolonged, 16-year drought. A lack of water can force people to take a hard look at how they use it, and make big changes. That’s what happened in southern Colorado, where farmers have tried a bold experiment: They’re taxing themselves to boost conservation.  Colorado’s San Luis Valley is a desperately dry stretch of land, about the same size as New Jersey.  Doug Messick manages potato farms for the valley’s Spud Grower Farms. This fall, his fields were full of Russets — the kind you’d use for a loaded baked potato. Hanging from a metal arm above the plants, dozens of nozzles spray down perfect little water droplets. ... ”  Read more from KPCC here:  To save their water supply, Colorado farmers taxed themselves

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.

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