DAILY DIGEST: Does California’s environment deserve its own water right?; Deadline is Friday to appeal state’s assessment of Prop 1 water storage proposals; DWR: Work on emergency spillway nearing completion; Utility dodges suit over California dam, tunnel system; and more …

In California water news today, Does California’s environment deserve its own water right?; Deadline is Friday to appeal state’s assessment of Prop 1 water storage proposals; DWR: Work on emergency spillway nearing completion; DWR: Crews will be ready to work on Oroville main spillway on May 1st; Utility dodges suit over California dam, tunnel system; Alarming dry conditions in California setting new records; California’s recurring nightmare: Nearly half the state is back in drought; Drought area triples in 3 months; and more …

On the calendar today …

  • The Central Valley Flood Protection Board meets at 9am. Agenda items include a presentation from the Army Corps on 408 guidance review and an update on the Sacramento General Reevaluation Report; and an update on Central Valley Flood Protection Plan implementation.  Click here for full agenda and webcast link.

In the news today …

Does California’s environment deserve its own water right?  “Does California need to revamp the way in which water is dedicated to the environment to better protect fish and ecosystems? One recent proposal would set aside water for the environment in a way that’s akin to, and have the same stature as, other water rights. But in the hypersensitive world of California water, where differences over who gets what can result in epic legislative and legal battles, the idea sparks fear, uncertainty and promise. … ”  Read more from Western Water here:  Does California’s environment deserve its own water right?

Deadline is Friday to appeal state’s assessment of Prop 1 water storage proposals:  “Friday is the deadline for agencies seeking water storage money from the Proposition 1 bond measure to respond to the critiques of their proposals by the California Water Commission staff.  It’s the third leg of the back-and-forth between the applicants and the state. The applicants first provided their estimates of the public benefits of their projects, and the Water Commission staff responded with its estimates of those benefits, which were much lower.  At stake is $2.7 billion in bond money dedicated to increasing water storage, which was included in the broader $7.5 billion water bond approved by voters in November 2014. ... ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Deadline is Friday to appeal state’s assessment of Prop 1 water storage proposals

DWR: Work on emergency spillway nearing completion:  “Though the final phase of repair work on the main spillway at Lake Oroville is now on the back burner until spring, Department of Water Resources officials said crews are making significant progress on repairing the emergency spillway.  Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., the company in charge of repairing the reservoir’s damaged spillways by January 2019, stopped heavy construction on the main chute over the winter months.  “Our crews will be ready to go May 1, weather permitting,” said Jeff Petersen, project director for Kiewit. … ”  Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here:  DWR: Work on emergency spillway nearing completion

DWR: Crews will be ready to work on Oroville main spillway on May 1st:  “The Department of Water Resources is expecting to resume work on the main Oroville Dam Spillway chute in the beginning of May as long as the weather allows.  In terms of the dollar amount, that number remains at $870 million, and the DWR is operating as if FEMA will reimburse about 75% of that cost.  Most of the work this year has been focused on the emergency spillway. ... ”  Read more from Action News Now here:  DWR: Crews will be ready to work on Oroville main spillway on May 1st

Utility dodges suit over California dam, tunnel system:  “Pacific Gas and Electric has for now dodged a lawsuit claiming its operation of an irrigation and hydropower system in Northern California harms endangered fish.  U.S. District Judge William Alsup dismissed the suit with leave to amend on Wednesday, finding two conservation groups failed to adequately allege how PG&E’s management of the Potter Valley Project in Mendocino County violates the Endangered Species Act.  California River Watch and Coast Action Group sued the utility giant in October 2017, claiming its operation of dams, tunnels and a 109-year-old power plant on the Eel River has killed too many threatened Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and Steelhead trout. ... ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service:  Utility dodges suit over California dam, tunnel system

Alarming dry conditions in California setting new records:  “California is headed to a dry finish to February, historically one of the state’s wettest months.  The state has been getting cold storms in recent days, which have been responsible for plunging temperatures, but the systems have been dry because they’ve been coming inland, north from Canada, instead of over the Pacific Ocean, where they can soak up moisture. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Alarming dry conditions in California setting new records

California’s recurring nightmare: Nearly half the state is back in drought:  “After an all-too-brief reprieve, the Golden State is once again starting to brown up — at least on government drought maps.  The U.S. Drought Monitor now has nearly 48 percent of the state categorized as being in at least “moderate drought.” More than 91 percent of the state is listed as at least “abnormally dry,” the precursor stage to drought. … ”  Read more from KQED here:  California’s recurring nightmare: Nearly half the state is back in drought

Drought area triples in 3 months:  “About 92 percent of California is under some level of drought, according to a report released by the National Drought Migration Center on Thursday.  That’s a three-fold increase from conditions just three months ago, when only 26 percent of the state was experiencing drought.  ... ”  Read more from SF Gate here:  Drought area triples in 3 months

Invasive swamp rodent has California scrambling to come up with a plan:  “About the size of a beagle, they can quickly turn a lush green marsh to a wasteland. They use their long orange teeth to gnaw through vegetation and reach the succulent bits they crave.  Females can have litters of a dozen or more and become pregnant within 48 hours after giving birth, their fertility adding to the speed with which this South American rodent can fan across a landscape, burrowing into levees and and destroying wetlands along the way. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Invasive swamp rodent has California scrambling to come up with a plan

California AG launches environmental justice unit focused on disadvantaged communities:  “Frustrated by declining federal regulation of the environment and health disparities between poorer and wealthier communities, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Thursday appointed a team of lawyers to fight pollution.  The four attorneys assigned to the new Bureau of Environmental Justice will focus on low-income Californians and people of color who suffer a “disproportionate share of environmental pollution and public health hazards,” according to Becerra’s office. … ”  Read more from the SF Chronicle here:  California AG launches environmental justice unit focused on disadvantaged communities

California water agency officials charged with burying hazardous waste and corruption:  “California’s attorney general has charged five former and current employees of the Panoche Water District in central California with felonies, including using public funds for personal items and illegally burying barrels of hazardous waste.  The Department of Toxic Substances Control at California’s Environmental Protection Agency says it found 86 drums, each holding between 35 and 55 gallons of “chlorine, caustic soda, iron chloride and a mixture of used antifreeze, used solvents, and used oil.” ... ”  Read more from NPR here:  California water agency officials charged with burying hazardous waste and corruption

Farmers Convergence panelists discuss sustainable practices for California agriculture:  “As climate change continues to affect California, local farmers are moving toward sustainable practices to help the environment.  The Farmers Convergence at Ridgewood Ranch near Willits held a Climate Change session on Tuesday featuring local farmers Adam Gaska, Gowan Batist and Paul Kaiser, who talked about the benefits and challenges of trying to run farms that address climate change. … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here:  Farmers Convergence panelists discuss sustainable practices for California agriculture

Westlands receives only 20% allocation:  “The Bureau of Reclamation announced the initial 2018 water supply allocation for many Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors on Tuesday, and left western Kings County farmers in Westlands Water District with very little to work with.  Westlands and other agricultural districts south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta will get 20 percent of their contracted supply, the Bureau announced in a written statement.  “It’s not enough, we need 100 percent,” Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon said. “You can’t live off of 20 percent of your paycheck. You can’t live off of 20 percent of anything.” … ”  Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here:  Westlands receives only 20% allocation

Friant-Kern users to get 30% allocation:  “What a difference a year makes. Central Valley water users were likely bracing for bad news regarding water supply in the Friant-Kern Canal this year, and Tuesday’s announcement by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, which manages how much water flows through a large part of California, did not fail to deliver. ... ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here:  Friant-Kern users to get 30% allocation

Judge rejects state board ruling on water rights:  “A decision issued this week by a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge reaffirms senior water rights held by Tracy and Delta farmers — and those throughout California.  In his ruling, Judge Brian Walsh determined that the State Water Resources Control Board lacks jurisdiction over pre-1914 and reparian water rights in a suit filed by the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District and supported by other Tracy water agencies.  Walsh also ruled that the board, in addition to having lack of jurisdiction, had violated due process in issuing water-pumping curtailment notices in 2015 to BBID and Tracy-based West Side Irrigation District without giving the districts an opportunity to challenge the notices, which were issued in response to drought conditions. ... ”  Read more from the Tracy Press here:  Judge rejects state board ruling on water rights

Climate change could take $1B bite from winter sports, report finds:  “It’s been a painfully slow start to the ski season in the Western U.S. Some places have seen record warm temperatures and record low snowfall, prompting resorts to open late. Those that cranked out fake snow had trouble attracting avid skiers who prefer the real stuff. And all this means an economic hit.  A new report finds that a low-snow year can cost the U.S. winter sports industry up to $1 billion. Protect Our Winters, a climate advocacy nonprofit, says as the climate warms, winter activities like skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling could end up contributing less to the overall economy. … ”  Read more from KPCC here:  Climate change could take $1B bite from winter sports, report finds

How mussels cope with ocean acidification sheds light on the effects of climate change:  “New research reveals that accelerating ocean acidification may be forcing the California mussel to adapt, transforming its fundamental shell structure. Although the mineralogical makeup of this mussel’s shell has remained stable for millennia, comprised of neatly ordered, geometrically regular vertical rows of long, cylindrical crystals of calcite, recent samples exhibit structural changes that appear to be the result of escalating ocean acidification. ... ”  Read more from Environmental Monitor here:  How mussels cope with ocean acidification sheds light on the effects of climate change

White House’s “Jump Ball” Infrastructure Financing Plan: Unpacking Its Impact on Water Projects: Last week, the White House unveiled its long-awaited plan for addressing the nation’s $1.5 trillion in pressing infrastructure needs. In this TPR interview, National Association of Clean Water Agencies CEO Adam Krantz unpacks how the administration’s proposal would impact water infrastructure projects around the country, especially in contrast to other Congressional proposals under consideration. Question: The White House’s long-awaited proposed national infrastructure financing plan was unveiled earlier this month. Given the country’s substantial water infrastructure needs that NACWA has identified over the years, please share your reactions.  Adam Krantz: There are two ways we evaluate proposals like this. First: Is water included in the proposal in a serious way? In many infrastructure bills and stimulus packages, water is not considered on an equal basis with highways, transportation, ports, bridges, schools, etc. The good news is that in this particular bill, water is a critical focus—at times, even the majority focus. … ” Read more from The Planning Report here:  White House’s “Jump Ball” Infrastructure Financing Plan: Unpacking Its Impact on Water Projects

In commentary today …

Make farmers do their part to conserve water, says the San Jose Mercury News:  They write, “The Bay Area should embrace the state’s call Tuesday to make permanent water-wasting rules that were in effect during the last drought. It’s the responsible thing for urban water users to do when the Sierra Nevada snowpack stands at only 20 percent of normal.  But farmers should be required to do their part, too.  Agriculture is the state’s largest water user, gulping down 80 percent of California’s usable supply. With urban users facing $500 fines for allowing water from sprinklers to run onto sidewalks, shouldn’t Big Ag pay a proportionate fine for allowing sprinklers to water roads and highways when irrigating fields? Nearly 60 percent of California farmers still don’t have drip or other efficient irrigation capable of producing crops with 40 percent less water. ... ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  Make farmers do their part to conserve water

How cap-and-trade could help water districts meet conservation goals:  Newsha Ajami writes,Cap-and-trade systems are most notably used for controlling pollution, particularly related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The idea has never yet been implemented when it comes to water conservation. But that could change.  Cap-and-trade refers to a system in which a legislature sets goals, or caps, of how much pollution can be emitted by companies or local governments, and those entities can either meet those goals themselves, or they can buy credits from other entities that have reduced their emissions. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  How cap-and-trade could help water districts meet conservation goals

What is really scarce in a water drought:  The Christian Science Monitor writes,Earlier this year, the South African city of Cape Town was told that it would make history by April 16. On that date, dubbed Day Zero, it was expected to become the world’s first major city to run out of water because of an extended drought. More than 1 million households would face extreme rationing or no water at all as reservoirs went dry.  But then something happened. The date was pushed back to June 4. And this week, Day Zero was set for July 9.  It was not rain that helped delay the threatened cutoff. Rather, the people of Cape Town have cut their water consumption. … ”  Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here:  What is really scarce in a water drought

In regional news and commentary today …

Mt. Shasta: Grant helps fund Regional Water Management Plan update:  “The public is invited to attend the next Regional Water Action Group meeting and learn more about the Upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Lower Pit Integrated Regional Water Management Plan update that is being prepared to meet state standards. … The following information was distributed in a press release last week: In October 2017, The River Exchange was awarded an $86,500 grant by the California Department of Water Resources to update the Upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Lower Pit Integrated Regional Water Management Plan consistent with revised state funding guidelines. … ”  Read more from the Mt. Shasta Herald here:  Grant helps fund Regional Water Management Plan update

Stockton: Not much snow, but a full water supply:  “The Sierra snowpack may be next to nothing, but the Stockton area is set to receive another full supply of water from New Melones Lake, and there’s no reason to expect a shortage here this year, officials said.  While the lack of snow is a big concern for the state as a whole, most reservoirs still are in healthy shape for the moment thanks to last winter’s floods. New Melones probably is in the best condition of the major reservoirs, at 134 percent of normal.  That means a full supply for eastside farmers and for portions of the city of Stockton. The surface water should allow farmers to pump less groundwater, helping to preserve the fragile aquifer, said Paul Sanguinetti, a farmer and board member of the Stockton East Water District. … ”  Read more from the Stockton Record here:  Stockton: Not much snow, but a full water supply

Mid-Kaweah GSA unique:  “California Ag Today recently spoke with Paul Hendrix, manager of the Mid-Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), about the members they serve and how unique the GSA is.  “The Mid-Kaweah GSA has got three members: the Tulare Irrigation District with large surface supplies and the two growing and larger cities here in Tulare county,Tulare and Visalia,” Hendrix explained. “So we are one of the more unique GSAs in that we have both, and urban and ag partnership on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Area (SGMA) compliance. Other GSAs have a larger number of members. … ”  Read more from California Ag Today here:  Mid-Kaweah GSA unique

Santa Cruz: SMGWA aims to maintain water flow:  “The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency (SMGWA) was formed about a year ago to ensure a healthy flow of ground water year round.  Groundwater management agencies — composed of the Scotts Valley Water District, San Lorenzo Valley Water District and the County of Santa Cruz — oversee the groundwater management activities of the Santa Margarita Basin Area in Santa Cruz County, California. … ” Read more from the Press Banner here:  Santa Cruz: SMGWA aims to maintain water flow

San Lorenzo: How a water district prepares for drought:  “After last year’s heavy rainfall and severe flooding, it is appearing that the state is heading towards another period of drought.  “Right now, we are at about 50 percent of what we would have expected to have gotten at this time of year,” said Jen Michelsen, environmental programs manager for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, regarding rainfall this season.  The San Lorenzo Valley Water District gets its water about 50/50 between ground and surface water. According to Michelsen, after the last major drought in 2015, the district started to look for the bigger picture and plan accordingly for drier periods. … ”  Read more from the Press Banner here:  San Lorenzo: How a water district prepares for drought

Water crunch hitting Kern County farmers:  “You’ve probably seen the signs along the road, “Food grows where water flows.” The problem, this year the water isn’t flowing the same way as last year.  Catalino “Tino” Martinez of Valpredo Farms said his wish for the rest of the spring is, “We would obviously like to see Mother Nature bless us with more rain and snow pack in the mountain.” … ”  Read more from KERO here:  Water crunch hitting Kern County farmers

Precipitation watch …

Active weather pattern continues into next week. First system arrives Saturday and will bring light snow showers to the mountains. Next system arrives Monday with more widespread precipitation possible. Below normal temperatures will continue.

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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