In California water news today, Ventura countersues hundreds of Ventura River water users; Pacific blob returns, bringing warm days and fear of drought; Klamath Basin water issues take national stage; Placer County eyes flood protection; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Ventura countersues hundreds of Ventura River water users: “The city of Ventura is suing hundreds of users that extract or divert water from the Ventura River Watershed, court documents show. The action comes as the legal battle continues between Ventura and Santa Barbara Channelkeepers over how much water the city should take out of the river. In a normal, non-drought year, Ventura gets about 20 percent of its water from the Ventura River, according to the city. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Ventura countersues hundreds of Ventura River water users
Pacific blob returns, bringing warm days and fear of drought: “The Pacific blob is back, and that could spell bad news for the west coasts of the United States and Canada. That’s because in the past, the blob of warm ocean water has brought with it poor feeding for salmon. It’s been connected to whale deaths and warmer temperatures in western North America. It’s also been connected to a phenomenon California meteorologists dubbed the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, believed to have played a large role in the drought that plagued the state from 2011 to 2016. ... ” Read more from Earth.com here: Pacific blob returns, bringing warm days and fear of drought
No joke, Trump administration to hire five climate scientists: “The Interior Department is seeking senior scientists to lead five regional hubs of the Climate Adaptation Science Centers program. But who wants to work for a Trump administration known for denying or downplaying climate science? And why is it filling the positions? Sharpen your pencils, applicants. Resumes are due tomorrow. According to a posting from the U.S. Geological Survey, Interior plans to fill top slots at five of eight regional climate adaptation centers housed at research universities from Hawaii to Massachusetts. … ” Read more from E&E News here: No joke, Trump administration to hire five climate scientists
In regional news and commentary today …
Klamath Basin water issues take national stage: “President Donald Trump mentioned the Klamath Reclamation Project on Friday during a signing of an executive memo slated to expedite a joint-biological opinion, integral to water availability in the Klamath Basin. A joint-biological opinion that acts as a guiding document for environmental regulations in the Klamath Basin will likely be expedited for completion by August 2019, as result of an executive memo signed by President Trump in Scottsdale, Ariz. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Klamath Basin water issues take national stage
Public workshop to discuss sustainable groundwater management in Sierra Valley: “The public will have an opportunity to learn about local implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in the Sierra Valley Basin at a workshop Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Sierra Christian Church, 81059 Highway 70, in Beckwourth. … ” Continue reading at Plumas County News here: Public workshop to discuss sustainable groundwater management in Sierra Valley
Placer County eyes flood protection: “At the October 18 meeting of the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors, the Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement ) between PCWA and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) to explore the feasibility of utilizing PCWA’s Hell Hole Reservoir to mitigate the negative effects of extreme flood events in the region. The Agreement, while non-binding, establishes a more formal cooperative effort to study matters of mutual interest. Specifically, PCWA and SAFCA will explore modifications to the spillway and low level outlet at Hell Hole Reservoir. … ” Read more from Roseville Today here: Placer County eyes flood protection
When it comes to propping up SF’s crumbling seawall, no one’s resisting: “In a city where it is difficult for middle-income families to find housing, and people shooting up drugs is a too-common sight on downtown streets, the fate of a largely hidden piece of infrastructure might seem like a low priority. Despite this, San Francisco voters are being asked to approve Proposition A, a bond on the Nov. 6 ballot that would generate $425 million to begin strengthening the 3-mile-long seawall along the city’s downtown edge. Upgrades to the century-old structure eventually could cost well over $2 billion — but proponents say the costs of not doing anything could be far, far worse. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: When it comes to propping up SF’s crumbling seawall, no one’s resisting
At Hollister Ranch, homeowners enjoy private beaches – and hefty tax breaks, too: “For those lucky enough to live at the exclusive Central Coast property known as Hollister Ranch, the benefits are many. For starters, that stretch of the Gaviota coast — 30 miles from Santa Barbara — is so beautiful, the postcards would look Photoshopped. And residents have eight miles of dreamy beaches and fantastic surf breaks mostly to themselves after years of doing everything in their power — lawyers, lobbyists, gates and guards — to keep the public out. But there’s another bonus to life on the ranch, and you might not have heard about this one. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: At Hollister Ranch, homeowners enjoy private beaches – and hefty tax breaks, too
Orange County poised to capture more stormwater, thanks to Army Corps of Engineers: “Historically the Orange County Water District (OCWD) has had to rely on Mother Nature for water. Although, due to climate change, that is no longer a realistic water strategy for OCWD. The agency has instead made significant investments in cutting-edge technology, such as water reuse, to help the region weather droughts. However, not taking advantage when large rain events take place is not something OCWD wants to miss out on and has found a way to capture more stormwater without having to spend tens of millions of dollars in new infrastructure. ... ” Read more from California Water News Daily here: Orange County poised to capture more stormwater, thanks to Army Corps of Engineers
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River Crisis Demands Focus on Farm Conservation Programs: Hannah Holms writes, “If it hadn’t been for the salt in the soils beneath his farm near Hotchkiss, Colorado, Tom Kay likely would not have been able to fully irrigate his corn field this past summer. Because he has salty soils, Kay was able to get government assistance to replace an old flood irrigation system with a center-pivot sprinkler system several years ago. Sprinklers place water more precisely where the crop needs it, so less water soaks below the root zone or runs off the fields. That means less salt from the soil gets carried into the Gunnison River and, subsequently, the Colorado River. Salty irrigation water causes crop losses downstream, which is why government money is available to do things like help Kay buy sprinklers. ... ” Read more from Water Deeply here: Colorado River Crisis Demands Focus on Farm Conservation Programs
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- RESERVOIR AND WATER CONDITIONS for October 22, 2018
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Recycled water pilot projects
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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.
