DAILY DIGEST: Sacramento County alleges secret meetings over Delta tunnels, files lawsuit; Why new drought regulations have caused an uproar; Sites Authority officials appeal project’s initial score; 10 things to know about the big, snowy storm hitting CA; and more …

In California water news today, Sacramento County alleges secret meetings over Delta tunnels, files lawsuit; California Cities Sue State, Allege Secret Discussions of Cal Water Fix; Tunnel foes ask for delay; Why new California drought regulations have caused an uproar; Sites Authority officials appeal project’s initial score; 10 things to know about the big, snowy storm hitting California; Study finds ‘rock moisture’ spared California forest from drought; and more …

In the news today …

Sacramento County alleges secret meetings over Delta tunnels, files lawsuit: “Sacramento County is leading a lawsuit accusing state officials of holding illegal secret meetings about the controversial Delta tunnels project.  The county, joined by the city of Stockton, several Delta water agencies and a group of environmental organizations, sued the State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday. The suit claims officials with the state water board met privately and illegally as far back as 2015 with representatives of the California Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the lead agencies planning the tunnels. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Sacramento County alleges secret meetings over Delta tunnels, files lawsuit

California Cities Sue State, Allege Secret Discussions of Cal Water Fix: “Over a dozen California cities, water agencies and environmentalists sued the state late Tuesday, alleging that state regulators have been secretly plotting and discussing a contentious $16 billion water project.  The petitioners, led by Sacramento and San Joaquin counties, have uncovered public records that they claim prove that State Water Resources Board staffers discussed technical reviews and other documents regarding the California WaterFix with the project’s lead agencies.  “Evidence revealed in response to a recent request under the Public Records Act demonstrates deliberate obstruction, and possible collusion by the Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and [water board staff],” the complaint filed in Sacramento Superior Court states. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here:  California Cities Sue State, Allege Secret Discussions of Cal Water Fix.

Tunnel foes ask for delay:  “Delta interests will ask a judge Friday to put a stop to the ongoing twin tunnels hearings in Sacramento, alleging that improper communication has taken place between project proponents and evaluators.  The city of Stockton, San Joaquin County, other Delta government agencies and environmental groups are asking for a temporary restraining order to stop the hearing until their claims can be investigated in greater detail. ... ”  Read more from the Stockton Record here:  Tunnel foes ask for delay

Why new California drought regulations have caused an uproar:  “On February 20, California’s State Water Resources Control Board postponed a decision on the adoption of new statewide regulations meant to curb wasteful water practices. The regulations would make permanent some rules California enacted temporarily during the recent drought, which ended last year.  After several public comment periods this winter, water board staff tweaked the regulations to address concerns and recommendations from water users and other groups, but the postponement came after a large number of water agencies claimed the regulations are a violation of water rights. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Why new California drought regulations have caused an uproar

Sites Authority officials appeal project’s initial score:  “Sites Project Authority officials recently appealed the California Water Commission’s initial public benefit score in hopes of improving their pitch for a chunk of the $2.7 billion in available Proposition 1 funding for state water storage projects.  The commission was looking for the authority to further explain how the proposed reservoir in Colusa and Glenn counties would provide enough environmental benefits to match, or exceed, the state’s investment. Jim Watson, general manager for the Sites Project Authority, is confident those questions were answered.  “We provided additional information, or supporting information, addressing concerns raised by some of the technical reviewers, primarily regarding the environmental benefits for salmon and Delta smelt,” Watson said. “We are confident the information we provided was responsive to their questions.” ... ”  Read more from the Appeal Democrat here:  Sites Authority officials appeal project’s initial score

10 things to know about the big, snowy storm hitting California:  “1. What’s different about this storm? Unlike most of the storms we’ve seen this winter, which have been either warm and wet or cold but dry, this is a cold weather system that will pull in a decent amount of moisture from the Pacific and dump lots of snow — 5 feet or more at the highest elevations — throughout California’s mountains from late Wednesday through late Saturday. As much as a foot may fall in the northern Sierra foothills, and snow may even accumulate at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley. High winds will create blizzard conditions. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento says “travel over the mountains is highly discouraged” during the storm. … ”  Read more from KQED here:  10 things to know about the big, snowy storm hitting California

Study finds ‘rock moisture’ spared California forest from drought: “The recent drought left record numbers of trees dead and dying and vulnerable to fire in virtually every corner of California, but a dense tract of evergreen forest in northern Mendocino County remained wet and healthy.  The reason, say the authors of a study published Monday, is that the trees are hydrating from the rock deep beneath them.  Scientists have long known that tree roots push their way through soil to the weathered bedrock. But the new study, conducted by researchers at UC Berkeley and the University of Texas at Austin, suggests the roots sometimes drop 50 feet or more, to a place where there’s a lot more water than previously thought. … ”  Read more from the SF Chronicle here:  Study finds ‘rock moisture’ spared California forest from drought

In regional news and commentary today …

Two major questions in Weed water lease lawsuit:  “The legal battle over what will happen with the City of Weed’s water supply continued on Thursday in Yreka, with attorneys for the city and the Weed Area Water Alliance making oral arguments on the merits of one aspect of the complex litigation.  In April of 2016, the Weed City Council approved a Water Lease Agreement with Roseburg Forest Products for the continued use of water from an area known as the Beaughan Springs – which had supplied 2.0 cubic feet per second of water to the city for over a century. ... ”  Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here:  Two major questions in Weed water lease lawsuit

Yurok Tribe to regain ownership of Blue Creek salmon habitat:  “While federal officials consider granting protected status to Chinook salmon along the Klamath river, the Yurok Tribe of the Klamath River delta in California have succeeded in their bid to obtain 9,000 acres around the Blue Creek watershed. The Tribe hopes to aid in salmon conservation efforts there.  … ”  Read more from KDRV here:  Yurok Tribe to regain ownership of Blue Creek salmon habitat

Shasta County voter’s signatures submitted for water bond measure:  “Shasta County voters’ signatures were collected and turned into the Shasta County Election office Wednesday morning, in support of a statewide water supply bond measure for the November ballot, which includes funding for a portion of the Oroville Dam spillway.  The measure is called the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018, a citizen’s initiative water bond that would provide funding for programs that will support water for agriculture, wildlife, and people throughout California. It will invest $8.88 billion dollars in California water infrastructure. ... ”  Read more from KRCR here:  Shasta County voter’s signatures submitted for water bond measure

North state growers focus on best ways to save water:  “Related to ongoing efforts to improve the state’s water supply and benefit species, Sacramento Valley rice grower Don Bransford of Colusa described various environmental projects that target different stages of the life cycle of salmon, as opposed to the single approach of large water releases.  “We obviously are spending a lot of time on salmon. There’s obviously differences of opinion about what is best for the fish, but we believe that functional flows that target a desired effect is much better than just releasing a bunch of water into the system in the hopes that you see some results,” said Bransford, who is also president of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District. ... ”  Read more from the Daily Democrat here:  North state growers focus on best ways to save water

Sonoma County braces for upcoming rainfall, possible mudslides, flooding:  “The Santa Rosa Fire Department issued a weather warning for burned regions of Sonoma County, citing concerns over potential flooding and mudslides.  Heavy rainfall is expected to begin Wednesday night and last through Friday. The heaviest rain will fall between Thursday 5 a.m. to noon, according to the National Weather Service. ... ”  Read more from KQED here:  Sonoma County braces for upcoming rainfall, possible mudslides, flooding

Lodi: County groundwater project rejected; follow-up meeting scheduled for today:  “After Lodi voters rejected a proposed irrigation plan on Monday, the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District will explore other options during a meeting today.  The South System Groundwater Improvement Project was defeated by a narrow margin, according to Joe Valente, NSJWCD president Joe Valente. Valente added that a significant number of landowners in the project’s proposed area did not vote, although ballots were mailed out more than a month ago. … ”  Read more from the Lodi News-Sentinel here:  Lodi: County groundwater project rejected; follow-up meeting scheduled for today

Turlock Irrigation District providing plenty of water, despite lack of rain:  “Despite a winter that’s provided disappointing rainfall numbers, Turlock Irrigation District customers are still enjoying the benefits of last year’s record-setting rainfall with a 48-inch irrigation cap for the 2018 season set to begin Thursday.  Growers took advantage of a 48-inch allotment last year as the 2017 irrigation season began in the midst of a historic precipitation year, which at the time had received over 200 percent of the region’s historical average for rainfall with 51.4 inches. It was declared the wettest year on record, followed by 1983 and 1969. ... ”  Read more from the Turlock Journal here:  Turlock Irrigation District providing plenty of water, despite lack of rain

San Luis Obispo County groundwater agencies awarded $5.9 million in grants:  “Groundwater management is about to get a lot easier on local taxpayers’ pockets, as the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) tentatively awarded a combined $5.9 million in grants to San Luis Obispo County water agencies.  The grants will help curb costs for the many local agencies working to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), a 2014 state law that requires “sustainability plans” be written for five local basins. The plans, which must be complete by 2020, involve expenses for consultant services and scientific studies, among other costs. ... ”  Read more from New Times SLO here:  San Luis Obispo County groundwater agencies awarded $5.9 million in grants

Montecito is warned to evacuate ahead of storm, and jittery residents are ready to go:  “Still reeling from the deadly deluge that struck their coastal town almost two months ago, Montecito residents aren’t taking any chances this time around.  Healy Young, with her clothes and important possessions packed, booked a two-day hotel stay in downtown Santa Barbara. John Beck can’t take his eyes off the news, while Marco Farrell has been shoveling mud and dropping sandbags around his home all week. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Montecito is warned to evacuate ahead of storm, and jittery residents are ready to go

UCLA study presents LA with a path to independence from imported water:  “During the height of the California drought that began in late 2011, Los Angeles imported 89 percent of its water from more than 200 miles away — an energy-intensive process. After a yearlong reprieve, Southern California is again under severe water scarcity conditions: Only 2 1/2 inches of rain have fallen in Los Angeles during the past 12 months.  This time around, could Los Angeles shift its dependence from imported water to local water? A new report by UCLA researchers says the city could, eventually — if it does a better job of capturing local stormwater, increases the use of recycled water, cleans up groundwater and steps up conservation measures. … ”  Read more from the UCLA Newsroom here:  UCLA study presents LA with a path to independence from imported water

New plan looks to close LA River when bacteria spikes:  “Ever since kayakers began paddling down the Los Angeles River in 2010, public officials have faced a problem: how to encourage the revitalization of the river while also protecting the health of people who boat and fish in its waters?  On Wednesday, an L.A. city council committee got closer to finding a solution when it voted to adopt a protocol of how to close the river and notify the public when when fecal bacteria levels exceed safety standards. … ”  Read more from KPCC here:  New plan looks to close LA River when bacteria spikes

Precipitation watch …

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• NEWS WORTH NOTING: Public Benefit Ratios for water storage projects appealed; Inland Empire: New council to address historic low groundwater water storage
• SCIENCE NEWS: Study: The effects of Cal Water Fix North Delta Diversion on juvenile salmon entrainment; Hidden ‘rock moisture’ possible key to forest response to drought; Largest Chinook salmon disappearing from West Coast; and more …

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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.