In California water news today, Senators insist on judicial review of water tunnels project; DWR expands on response to forensics report; DWR may appeal ruling on Butte DA’s lawsuit; Martins Beach: Surfers tell Supreme Court billionaire Vinod Khosla has no right to block public from shoreline; Scott Pruitt, under fire, plans to initiate a big environmental rollback; Trump’s move to redefine water rule threatens wetland banks; Lawsuit challenges Trump administration push to slash protections for waterways, wetlands; What will be the leading edge water solutions of the 21st century?; and more …
In the news today …
Senators insist on judicial review of water tunnels project: “California’s two Democratic senators have committed themselves to opposing a controversial House provision that would block judicial review of the state’s WaterFix tunnel project, reprising a familiar Capitol Hill plot. These California water narratives start bubbling up in the House, and then they often, although not always, dry out in the Senate. So it appears to be with the WaterFix. While backstage discussions have occurred, opponents of the $17 billion tunnel project recognize the judicial review ban is all but certain to pass the House as part of a fiscal 2019 Interior and EPA appropriations bill. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: Senators insist on judicial review of water tunnels project
DWR expands on response to forensics report: “The state Department of Water Resources has beefed up its response to the independent forensic report on what caused the Oroville Dam spillway failure last year. The report, released on Jan. 5, described how insufficient maintenance and repairs and faulty original design allowed water to seep through the spillway’s cracks and joints. It also blamed “long-term systemic failure” on the part of DWR, regulators and the dam safety industry at large. The department first submitted a preliminary plan to address findings that insufficient maintenance and repairs contributed to the disaster to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as required by the federal government, on March 13. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: DWR expands on response to forensics report
DWR may appeal ruling on Butte DA’s lawsuit: “The state Department of Water Resources says it may appeal a Butte County Superior Court judge’s ruling that allows the Butte County District Attorney’s environmental lawsuit to continue. This comes as Judge Stephen Benson overruled DWR’s demurrer, or objection to the lawsuit, on May 31. District Attorney Mike Ramsey is suing the department under a law that dates back to 1875, Fish and Game Code Section 5650, for environmental damages to the Feather River as a result of the Oroville Dam crisis of February 2017. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: DWR may appeal ruling on Butte DA’s lawsuit
Martins Beach: Surfers tell Supreme Court billionaire Vinod Khosla has no right to block public from shoreline: “Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla knew California’s laws when he bought property on the San Mateo County coastline 10 years ago, and he shouldn’t be allowed to block public access to the beach now, after families have visited it for nearly 100 years. That’s the core argument that surfers are making in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court this week as part of a case that could potentially rewrite California’s laws guaranteeing public access to beaches if the Supreme Court takes up the case this fall and rules in Khosla’s favor. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Martins Beach: Surfers tell Supreme Court billionaire Vinod Khosla has no right to block public from shoreline
Scott Pruitt, under fire, plans to initiate a big environmental rollback: “Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, is expected on Friday to send President Trump a detailed legal proposal to dramatically scale back an Obama-era regulation on water pollution, according to a senior E.P.A. official familiar with the plan. It is widely expected to be one of his agency’s most significant regulatory rollback efforts. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: Scott Pruitt, under fire, plans to initiate a big environmental rollback
Trump’s move to redefine water rule threatens wetland banks: “A private firm is making big money selling promises about some gator-infested Florida swampland. The Panther Island Mitigation Bank isn’t another land boondoggle, but part of a federal system designed to restore wetlands across the United States. Panther Island’s owners preserved one of the nation’s last stands of virgin bald Cyprus, 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) on the western edge of the Everglades where they cleared away invasive plants and welcomed back wood storks, otters and other native flora and fauna. … ” Read more from the AP here: Trump’s move to redefine water rule threatens wetland banks
Lawsuit challenges Trump administration push to slash protections for waterways, wetlands: “A coalition of nine conservation groups filed a lawsuit on June 13 supporting US federal protections of US waterways and wetlands. The suit, file in the Northern District of California, is prompted by alleged failure of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) to comply with the country’s Clean Water Act. … ” Read more from OOSAKA News here: Lawsuit challenges Trump administration push to slash protections for waterways, wetlands
What will be the leading edge water solutions of the 21st century? “Throughout history, securing a reliable and safe water supply, and dealing with wastewater, have been two of the driving forces behind the development of human populations. Entire civilizations have grown and vanished in response to water availability and their environmental impact on water resources. What was true for ancient Babylonians and Maya continues to be true today: water management remains one of the greatest human challenges. The technologies and science we apply today would be alien to our forebears, but scientists and engineers continue to respond to water challenges through the research and development of new water and wastewater treatment technologies; find new ways to extract value from wastewater through resource recovery; and implement sanitation treatment systems and technologies that improve both human and environmental health. … ” Read more from Source here: What will be the leading edge water solutions of the 21st century?
In commentary today …
State Water Board plan would help restore the Tuolumne, says Peter Drekmeier: He writes, “To improve the quality of our water and the health of our rivers and the San Francisco Bay-Delta, the State Water Resources Control Board is updating the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan as required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The board is considering requiring higher in-stream flows between February and June, which are critical months for baby salmon growth and migration. For the Tuolumne River, this would increase flows from an anemic 21 percent to a modest 40 percent of unimpaired flow. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: State Water Board plan would help restore the Tuolumne
The only thing certain about breaking up California is that it will cause chaos and cost a bundle, says the LA Times: “Breaking California into three states is no longer just a kooky idea being pushed by one rich guy. Now it’s a kooky idea that millions of Californians will face on the ballot in November, with less than five months to study how such a profound change might fundamentally change their lives and fortunes. The so-called Cal 3 proposition, authored and funded by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, qualified Tuesday for the November ballot. While not quite as extreme as Draper’s earlier Six Californias proposal (which failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the 2014 ballot), it still sounds like it must surely be a long shot. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: The only thing certain about breaking up California is that it will cause chaos and cost a bundle
Western water strategy shifting from ‘use it or lose it’ to ‘waste not, want not’: Sandra Postel and Lesli Allison write, “In recent weeks, federal officials have warned residents of the southwestern United States that their two major lifelines — the Colorado River and the Rio Grande — will deliver alarmingly low water supplies in the coming months. This summer, the Rio Grande may actually run dry through Albuquerque, New Mexico, a rarity. Meanwhile by 2020 the Colorado’s biggest reservoir, Lake Mead, stands a 52 percent chance of dropping to the level at which an official shortage is declared, requiring cuts in water deliveries to Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. ... ” Read more from The Hill here: Western water strategy shifting from ‘use it or lose it’ to ‘waste not, want not’
In regional news and commentary today …
$3 million available for Russian River blueprint in voter-approved Prop 68: “Sonoma County is poised to benefit from millions of dollars in parks, water and land conservation funding from the new $4.1 billion state bond measure approved by California voters last week. Proposition 68 will generate at least $400,000 for the county’s Regional Parks system and half that amount for each municipal park district in the county. Up to $20 million has been promised for tidal marsh restoration in San Francisco and San Pablo bays, and hundreds of millions of dollars has been committed to bolster projects that range from trail development and groundwater treatment to preservation of wildlife corridors. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: $3 million available for Russian River blueprint in voter-approved Prop 68
J Levee replacement gets $8 million more from feds: “With the awarding of another $8.1 million in federal money, work on another stretch of the levee protecting Hamilton City should begin very soon. The Army Corps of Engineers announced Monday that the additional money would be available to the Hamilton City Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project in the current fiscal year. That’s on top of another $8.325 million appropriated in March. “I think it’s the most money we’ve ever gotten,” said Lee Ann Grigsby-Puente, president of the board of Reclamation District 2140. ... ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: J Levee replacement gets $8 million more from feds
They are building 11,000 homes in Folsom, but will there be enough water? “It’s like a new city springing to life: 11,000 homes and apartments, three public schools, a pair of fire stations, a police station, a slew of office and commercial buildings and 1,000 acres of parks, trails and other open space. Expected population: 25,000. But will it have enough water? As construction begins this month on the first model homes at Folsom Ranch, a 3,300-acre development in the city of Folsom south of Highway 50, state regulators continue to have questions about the project’s water supply. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: They are building 11,000 homes in Folsom, but will there be enough water?
Antioch looks to use project stabilizing agreement for $60 million desalination project: “The city has a $60 million desalination plant project about to hit the pipelines and is working on agreements to ensure it gets workers in a county bursting at the seams with large, ongoing construction. City Council members voted 5 to 0 on Tuesday night to pursue a project stabilization agreement (PSA) for the city’s future brackish water desalination plant. A PSA is a pre-hire umbrella contract that consolidates wages, rules and disputes for a number of different contractors or unions on a large project. … ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Antioch looks to use project stabilizing agreement for $60 million desalination project
Work to begin on Hayward recycled water project: “Construction is set to start on a $30 million project to provide recycled water to some of the city’s schools, parks and businesses within about three miles of its water pollution control facility. The work, which the city announced Thursday, includes the installation of pipelines, a pump station and a storage tank so that where drinkable water is now used for irrigation and industrial uses, recycled water instead will be used. ... ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Work to begin on Hayward recycled water project
Projects to improve flow creating traffic problems in the process on the Monterey peninsula: “On the road to completing projects to make it easier to get around the Monterey Peninsula or deliver services to the community, such as the California American Water Monterey pipeline project, motorists are becoming increasingly frustrated as traffic snarls and detours become the norm. “Paving work will occur on Mark Thomas Drive between Aguajito Road and the Fairground Road Bridge,” Cal Am spokeswoman Catherine Stedman said in an email, adding that Mark Thomas Drive will be closed Friday during daytime hours causing delays, but detours will be in place. ... ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Projects to improve flow creating traffic problems in the process on the Monterey peninsula
Morro Bay could save $39 million on new wastewater plant: “Morro Bay’s Wastewater Reclamation Facility project will cost nearly $39 million less than initially projected, according to a statement from the city of Morro Bay. The Morro Bay City Council faced significant public outcry in April 2017 when the city released an estimate that the project would cost a total of $167 million. This prompted Morro Bay to request a peer review from area public works professionals, which managed to reduce the estimated price tag to $150 million. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Morro Bay could save $39 million on new wastewater plant
City, residents at odds over Morro Bay wastewater plant: “The City of Morro Bay is closing in on a final plan for its water reclamation facility project. Right now, most of Morro Bay’s water is from the state water project, but when that temporarily shuts down, Morro Bay turns on its secondary source. “At this point, it’s aging and needs upgrades and is not reliable for the long term,” said Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins. Many residents have expressed support for the new water reclamation facility concept but some, who have formed a group called Citizens for Affordable Living, have a problem with how the project is being managed. The first part of that problem, they say, is the cost. ... ” Read more from KSBY here: City, residents at odds over Morro Bay wastewater plant
Legislation advances in support of Lake McClure storage increase: “Bipartisan legislation intended to support the Lake McClure Storage Enhancement Project has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, Merced Irrigation District officials said Thursday. “This first step is crucial to the ongoing effort to increase end-of-year carry-over storage capacity at Lake McClure,” said Hicham ElTal, MID Deputy General Manager of Water Supply and Rights. Similar legislation must also pass in the U.S. Senate. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: Legislation advances in support of Lake McClure storage increase
Santa Margarita: Private well owners reject any new metering fee: “Private well owners made their interests clear at a “stakeholders” meeting for the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency. In a standing-room only meeting on May 31, nearly all of the 60 people at the meeting raised their hands when asked if they were representing private well owners. Nick Vrolyk, private well owner representative on the board of this new groundwater planning agency, said that because most private wells are on parcels exceeding one acre, those acres add more water to the aquifer through rain water re-charge than is normally pumped out. … ” Read more from Golden State Newspapers here: Private well owners reject any new metering fee
Along the Colorado River …
As Colorado River Levels Drop, Pressure Grows On Arizona To Complete A Plan For Water Shortages: “It’s high-stakes time in Arizona. The state that is first in line to absorb a shortage along the Colorado River is seeking a unified plan for water supply management to join its Lower Basin neighbors, California and Nevada, in a coordinated plan to preserve water levels in Lake Mead before they run too low. But charting a path around shortage hasn’t been easy. The state’s main water agencies have been unable to agree on who should speak for Arizona before committing to a proposed Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan. Still, there is an increased sense of urgency to get something done, with a record-low snowpack in the Colorado River Basin contributing to the driest 19-year period on record.” Read more from Western Water here: As Colorado River Levels Drop, Pressure Grows On Arizona To Complete A Plan For Water Shortages
Long-term solutions needed to keep Arizona’s water flowing, says Ted Kowalski: He writes, “Earlier in May, Brenda Burman, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior, urged water managers in the Colorado River Basin to adopt Drought Contingency Plans (DCPs) in light of the very dry year we have experienced in 2018, and some new projections, which paint a discouraging future for the Colorado River Basin. These new projections — which represent the most accurate and up-to-date look at the hydrology of the Colorado River — largely confirm what we already knew: Lake Mead, the reservoir that supplies water to Nevada, California and Arizona, is vulnerable to shortages in the next five years. ... ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star here: Long-term solutions needed to keep Arizona’s water flowing
Legal challenge could stop construction plans for new Colorado dam: “In western Larimer County a sedimentary rock ridge runs parallel to the gradual beginnings of the Rocky Mountain foothills, forming a large valley known as Chimney Hollow. In May 2017, federal agencies approved plans to flood the valley – which is between Longmont, to the south, and Loveland, to the north – to create a 90,000 acre-foot reservoir. But while the 14-year federal permitting process has now come to an end and construction is slated to begin early next year, a federal lawsuit from six environmental groups could stop the project from moving forward. … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: Legal challenge could stop construction plans for new Colorado dam
Sign up for daily email service and you’ll never miss a post …
Sign up for free daily email service and you’ll get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. And with breaking news alerts, you’ll always be one of the first to know …
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.
