In California water news today, California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping?; Almond industry involved in discussions on unimpaired flows; State officials ‘racing’ to prevent Carr Fire erosion before it rains; NOAA predicts a warmer, wetter California winter due to weak El Niño; Persistent Alaska warmth this fall has brought back ‘the blob.’ If it lasts, it could mean a wild winter in the Lower 48; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping? “In 1983, a landmark California Supreme Court ruling forced Los Angeles to cut back its take of water from Eastern Sierra creeks that fed Mono Lake. Some 35 years later, an appellate court concluded the same public trust doctrine that applied in the Mono Lake case also applies to groundwater that feeds a navigable river in a picturesque corner of far Northern California. But will this latest ruling have the same impact on California water resources as the historic Mono Lake decision?” Read more from Western Water here: California Leans Heavily on its Groundwater, But Will a Court Decision Tip the Scales Against More Pumping?
Almond industry involved in discussions on unimpaired flows: ” … [November 7] is the date the State Water Resources Control Board is set to reconvene on one of its most controversial topics in recent years: a plan to protect fish by limiting how much water farmers draw from the Lower San Joaquin River and its tributaries, including the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced rivers. Plans to limit withdrawals from the Sacramento River and its tributaries are also expected to be announced in coming months. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Almond industry involved in discussions on unimpaired flows
State officials ‘racing’ to prevent Carr Fire erosion before it rains: “State officials said today they are “racing” to implement erosion control measures before the start of the rainy season on hills left bare by the Carr Fire. The State Water Board plans to target five creeks in the Redding area that are susceptible to erosion. The agency has obtained $2.3 million to put in erosion control measures and plan to seek another $6.4 million in federal funds, according to the state. State officials said they are focusing on where the funding is needed most by placing erosion control measures near Rock Creek, Middle Creek, Salt Creek, Jenny Creek and Carter Creek. … ” Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight here: State officials ‘racing’ to prevent Carr Fire erosion before it rains
Persistent Alaska warmth this fall has brought back ‘the blob.’ If it lasts, it could mean a wild winter in the Lower 48: “Throughout early fall, Alaska has been oddly warm and pleasant. The cause of the freakishly nice weather has been massive high pressure anchored over and around the state. One of the strongest on record for fall, this sprawling dome of warm air has helped keep the usual transition to cold stunted. Since days are still long in early fall across Alaska, the sunny September (and into October) skies have also allowed ocean temperatures in the Northeast Pacific to rise significantly, as well. This has led to a return pool of abnormally warm ocean water in the Northeast Pacific known as “the blob,” and just in time for Halloween! ... ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Persistent Alaska warmth this fall has brought back ‘the blob.’ If it lasts, it could mean a wild winter in the Lower 48
NOAA predicts a warmer, wetter California winter due to weak El Niño: “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted Thursday a mild winter with warmer, wetter weather likely for much of the country from December through February due to a developing El Niño. California is likely to see hotter-than-average winter temperatures, while parts of Southern California could also get greater precipitation, according to NOAA. Drought conditions may worsen in much of Southern and Central California, although the north coast of California may see some relief, according to NOAA. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: NOAA predicts a warmer, wetter California winter due to weak El Niño
In commentary today …
Big food brands commit to conserve water, soil – and the climate: “Holstein cows eat lunch at the Dairy Cattle Facility at U.C. Davis. Target stores has committed to work with suppliers to incorporate small grains into livestock feed – in addition to traditional corn and soybean feeds – as a measure to improve water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Not long ago, the United Nations warned that water scarcity could be experienced by 40 percent of the world’s population by 2030. Last week, top U.N. scientists reported that problems associated with a warming climate, including drought, water scarcity and pollution, are likely to be worse than previously thought unless we work to hold the average global temperature rise to no more than 3.6F (1.5C). … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: Big food brands commit to conserve water, soil – and the climate
First response to climate change in California: Build more storage, says Leticia Vasquez-Wilson: “No matter your thoughts on climate change, historical records show California is a land where droughts and floods are regular occurrences. The only thing normal about precipitation in California is that it has wild swings between drought and floods. From the governor on down, California’s leadership regularly claims that climate change is responsible for everything from droughts, floods, and wildfires to hot summer days, and the occasional cold snap. With all this preparation for a changing climate underway, we need to do something to make sure we’ll have a safe, reliable and ample supply of water, the one thing none of us can live without. … ” Read more from the Compton Herald here: First response to climate change in California: Build more storage
In regional news and commentary today …
Humboldt Bay: Fishing groups sue harbor district: “A lawsuit was filed against the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District by the Humboldt Fishermen’s Marketing Association and Trinidad Bay Fishermen’s Association. The two fishing groups are suing over a long list of allegations that include alleged dredging failures and money management issues among other things. The lawsuit was filed in September. “Our objection is that the harbor district has essentially abandoned their mandated duty to maintain and protect the Woodley Island Marina for the benefit of the fishing fleet,” said Ken Bates, vice president of HFMA, who emailed a news release announcing the lawsuit. ... ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Humboldt Bay: Fishing groups sue harbor district
Congressman lauds reactivation of lower Cache Creek flood study: “Congressman John Garamendi is hailing the the reactivation of the Lower Cache Creek Feasibility Study by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The study, which was suspended in 2015, will help determine the most fiscally and environmentally responsible method of protecting against the risk of flooding from the Lower Cache Creek. Funding to conduct the study was secured by Garamendi in conjunction with Woodland city officials as a part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (Water Resources Development Act) expected to be signed into law soon. ... ” Read more from the Daily Democrat here: Congressman lauds reactivation of lower Cache Creek flood study
Marin moves to upgrade Santa Venetia flood berm: “The county has assembled a prospective plan to upgrade the timber-reinforced berm that protects some 900 homes in Santa Venetia from flooding. The Board of Supervisors set aside $840,000 from the county’s general fund on Tuesday for possible use in helping to fund the $5 million project. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin moves to upgrade Santa Venetia flood berm
San Francisco water safe to drink – tests after scare in Sunset show no pesticides: “Independent lab tests ordered by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission found no evidence of pesticides in San Francisco’s drinking water, the agency announced Thursday. The SFPUC collected and analyzed 21 water samples following a minor panic last week after several residents in the Sunset District complained that their store-bought water-testing kits yielded positive results for the herbicides Atrazine and Simazine. Their concerns were amplified over social media. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco water safe to drink – tests after scare in Sunset show no pesticides
Davenport launches new coastal recycled water project: “In the shadows of the recent four-year drought, Davenport is finding a new way to put its wastewater to use. Davenport County Sanitation District unveiled Thursday its new nearly 3-million-gallon recycled water retention pond, a major component of a new recycled water project. Prior to the 2010 closure of Davenport’s cement plant, the sanitation district sent all of its treated effluent to cooling towers, said Santa Cruz County Assistant Director of Public Works Kent Edler. Then, it moved to spreading the water out over nearby fields — a poor solution during the winter, when rain-saturated ground forced the water to run off the land. After eight years and nearly $5 million in grants, a new option has come online. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Davenport launches new coastal recycled water project
Community leaders celebrate removal of deadly, ugly Dennett Dam in Modesto: “Community leaders on Thursday gathered along the shore of the Tuolumne River in Modesto to celebrate the removal of Dennett Dam, an eyesore that created blight, damaged the ecosystem and presented a safety hazard for decades. The water that flowed over the dam created a whirlpool that pulled swimmers down into a hole created by the falling water. Tuolumne River Trust Executive Director Patrick Koepele said the dam’s removal allows the river to flow smoothly through Modesto, improving the safety for those who want to use it for recreation. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Community leaders celebrate removal of deadly, ugly Dennett Dam in Modesto
How does San Luis Obispo get its water? This engineering marvel carries 7 million gallons a day: “How do you move up to 7 million gallons of water a day? Santa Margarita Lake stores water in one of the best places in San Luis Obispo County to catch rainfall. It is less than 10 miles from San Luis Obispo as the crow flies, but the 2,500-foot-high ridge top of the Santa Lucia Range stands astride the path. The terrain is so folded and creased that a canyon between ridge lines actually drains south east into another watershed — Lopez Lake above Arroyo Grande — rather than into the Salinas River. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: How does San Luis Obispo get its water? This engineering marvel carries 7 million gallons a day
Paso Robles: Defending pumping: “A Santa Clara County jury served four Paso Robles-area government agencies a victory in court on Sept. 24, concluding in a unanimous ruling that those public water purveyors had established a right to pump from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin—even in adverse conditions, like a drought. After a month-long trial stemming from a 2013 lawsuit filed by private landowners, the jury ruled that the agencies—San Luis Obispo County, the city of Paso Robles, Templeton Community Services District (CSD), and San Miguel CSD—successfully proved that they’d established overriding rights to basin water between 1981 and 1990, when the aquifer was in a state of overdraft. … ” Read more from New Times SLO here: Defending pumping
Santa Barbara: Newly restored wetlands opens public trails: “This week marked the opening of public trails at UCSB’s North Campus Open Space after more than five years of restoration planning to protect the land and wildlife. Although the restoration construction began 18 months ago and the project is only nearing completion, several changes in the ecosystem have already been observed. Wildlife species are returning to the several locations, and migratory birds are hunting at the site regularly. … ” Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here: Santa Barbara: Newly restored wetlands opens public trails
A tour of the Lower Owens River Project, ending at ‘The Islands’: “Nearly 12 years have passed since then Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa performed the ceremonial re-watering of the Lower Owens River, declaring “This is a new chapter in our relationship with the Owens Valley.” He may have been overly optimistic, but the Lower Owens River Project is still a work in progress with wins, loses and some unintended consequences. The Water Commission hosted a tour last Wednesday, drawing roughly two dozen interested locals and out-of-towners to the southern portion of the most ambitious river restoration project in the States. ... ” Read more from the Sierra Wave here: A tour of the Lower Owens River Project, ending at ‘The Islands’
San Bernardino: Recycled water tapped to cut imports: “A plan to pay the East Valley Water District $173 per acre-foot of recycled wastewater used to recharge San Bernardino groundwater basins was approved Tuesday by the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. The decision comes five days before the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sterling Natural Resource Center in west Highland, which is expected to recharge San Bernardino groundwater basins with up to 11 million gallons of recycled water a day after its completion in 2021. … ” Read more from the Highland Community News here: San Bernardino: Recycled water tapped to cut imports
For Southern California wetlands threatened by sea level rise, a new survival strategy: “The 2-foot sea-level rise predicted by 2050 threatens to swallow huge chunks of Southern California’s wetlands, resulting not only in the loss of endangered wildlife habitat and popular recreation areas but also key buffers protecting homes and other buildings from the rising and increasingly volatile Pacific Ocean. In response, a coalition of the 18 state and federal environmental agencies on Thursday approved an ambitious strategy to preserve, restore and expand the region’s marshes, salt flats, lagoons and estuaries. The plan aims to more than double the 1,600 acres of inter-tidal wetlands in Orange and Los Angeles counties. … ” Read more from the San Bernardino Sun here: For Southern California wetlands threatened by sea level rise, a new survival strategy
Chula Vista bayfront project gets a boost as port prepares for climate change: “Chula Vista is rising. Literally. To account for potential sea level rise, the Port of San Diego is elevating a portion of the city’s Bayfront by as much as 8 feet in preparation for a $1 billion hotel and convention center. The soil will also improve drainage and prepare the area for roads, utilities and other infrastructure required for the long-awaited development that will be key to Chula Vista’s economic development by generating thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. When all of the soil is moved, the area will be 14 feet above sea level. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here: Chula Vista bayfront project gets a boost as port prepares for climate change
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.
