DAILY DIGEST: Can CA embrace Israeli Water Technology?; As wet season approaches, mudslide threat looms once again; Trump’s water memo garners attention in Siskiyou; Negotiations in AZ heating up over drought; and more …

In California water news today, Can California embrace Israeli Water Technology?; As wet season approaches, mudslide threat looms once again over Montecito and other communities; Radio show: Twenty-pound swamp rodents threaten the Delta; A look at the climate science sent to Trump; Siskiyou County: Trump’s water memo garners local attention; Environmental group files a lawsuit to stop Napa mountain vineyard; Merced’s not using water efficiently, hurting the environment and wallets, lawsuit claims; Montecito wastewater wars escalate; Arizona: Negotiations heating up over drought plan; and more …

On the calendar today …

• The Delta Stewardship Council will continue the appeal hearing on the consistency determination of the Cal Water Fix beginning at 9am.  Public comment expected to begin after noon today.  The hearing will continue on Friday (if necessary).  Click here for more information.  Click here to watch on webcast.

In the news today …

Can California embrace Israeli Water Technology? “Even on the heels of California’s historic drought, water use has steadily returned to pre-drought levels, particularly in affluent Southern California communities. In response, Gov. Jerry Brown signed two bills into law — SB 606 and AB 1668 — earlier this year, requiring cities and water districts to set permanent water conservation rules. Cities, water districts and large agricultural water districts now must meet strict annual water budgets, facing fines of $1,000 per day if they don’t meet them, and $10,000 a day during drought emergencies.  Cultural differences aside, Israel and California have many similarities — chief among them an arid Mediterranean climate, topography, seawater access and a wetter north supplying a drier south. Aided by strong trade relations, Sacramento has turned to Jerusalem for drought-management solutions, and private-sector partnerships continue to materialize. ... ”  Read more from the Jewish Journal here:  Can California embrace Israeli Water Technology?

As wet season approaches, mudslide threat looms once again over Montecito and other communities:  “On the coastal highway leading into Santa Barbara, the signs of last year’s Thomas fire are starting to disappear: Scorched hillsides are no longer covered in black ash, and the palm trees that ignited like torches are sprouting new fronds.  Yet reminders of the mudslide that roared through Montecito a month later and killed at least 21 people are far more visible. The foothills that turned into rivers of mud and rock during a January storm remain brown, with only small patches of dried vegetation. Fallen trees still lie across shattered homes, and bulldozers busily scrape debris into ordered piles. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  As wet season approaches, mudslide threat looms once again over Montecito and other communities

Post-wildfire flooding: Why ‘every person needs to have a plan’:  “Authorities say Californians are now at greater risk of flooding and debris flows during this winter’s storms because of the many wildfires that have scorched vast areas of land.  Federal, state and local officials issued the warning Wednesday at a news conference outside the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management in Santa Barbara, adjacent to Montecito, where a January debris flow from the Thomas Fire burn scar devastated homes, killed 21 people and left two missing.  The announcement was part of California Flood Preparedness Week. … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here:  Post-wildfire flooding: Why ‘every person needs to have a plan’

Radio show: Twenty-pound swamp rodents threaten the Delta:  “One of the biggest threats to California’s water and agriculture infrastructure isn’t a future drought. It isn’t the big twin tunnels project, either. It’s a huge, 20-pound swamp rat with bright yellow teeth — nutria.  These rodents have destroyed levees in Louisiana, converted wetlands to open water in the Chesapeake Bay. And, earlier this spring they were detected in California, in the Central Valley. Over the past few months, they’ve been multiplying and making their way to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta Delta. And, the Delta — with its thousands of miles of waterways and levees — is essential to California’s water supply. Nutria could put all of that at risk.  So, as KALW’s environment reporter Angela Johnston found out, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife quickly formed a team to stop the nutria in their tracks.”  Listen to the story from KALW here: Radio show: Twenty-pound swamp rodents threaten the Delta

Prop 3 Would Provide Funds For California Water Projects, But Opponents Argue Few Will See The Benefits: “Should a bond for both habitat restoration and water-infrastructure projects be paid for by all Californians or just the groups that would directly benefit? That’s up for voters to decide.  Proposition 3 would authorize $8.9 billion in state bonds for water-related infrastructure and environmental projects, including $30 million for repairs along the American River. But with interest it could cost Californians more than $17 billion.  The measure is packed full of funds for restoring parkways along rivers, wetlands and the coast. It could also improve infrastructure to failing water projects, including dam repairs. The bonds would be paid for with General Fund revenues. … ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here:  Prop 3 Would Provide Funds For California Water Projects, But Opponents Argue Few Will See The Benefits

Fact check:  Trump thinks California fires cost taxpayers ‘hundreds of billions.’ Here’s the real number: “President Donald Trump, pointing a finger at a persistent political nemesis, said this week that California’s wildfires are costing American taxpayers “hundreds of billions of dollars.”  The true cost is a sliver of that.  Although a full accounting won’t be available for months, a review of federal data shows that the U.S. government has spent about $1.4 billion the past two years dealing with wildfires in California. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Fact check:  Trump thinks California fires cost taxpayers ‘hundreds of billions.’ Here’s the real number

A look at the climate science sent to Trump:  “The White House requested a PowerPoint presentation for President Trump from a group devoted to attacking climate science.  During the transition period after Trump’s electoral victory, senior White House aides reached out to the Heartland Institute, a think tank that works to cloud the findings of scientists, to request a presentation on climate change, said James Taylor, the organization’s senior fellow for environment and energy policy.  Taylor said the request came after former Vice President Al Gore met with Trump to talk about rising temperatures in December 2016. … ”  Read more from E&E News here:  A look at the climate science sent to Trump

In people news today …

A new chapter at ACWA:  Tim Quinn writes, “Dave Eggerton joins our association’s staff next month as ACWA Executive Director Designate and arrives with a strong advantage. He’s one of you.  Dave takes the helm at ACWA with 15 years’ experience in water agency management. His experience in local government and perspective as an active, long-term representative of an ACWA member agency made him an ideal candidate for the job. ACWA’s Board of Directors agreed by unanimously approving his appointment on Sept. 28. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Voices on Water here:  A new chapter at ACWA

In commentary today …

California Water Officials Must Stop Putting Oil Industry Over Water, says Hollin Kretzmann:  He writes, “Too often, protecting California’s precious groundwater clashes with the interests of the oil industry. Due to its outsized political influence, oil frequently wins out.  Nowhere is that more evident than in the Central Valley, where many oilfield operators are dumping their toxic oil-waste fluid into open, unlined pits.  These pits don’t just produce nasty, eye-watering smells. They also risk contaminating the underlying groundwater with chemicals that make us sick. In fact, in 2015 an independent scientific panel recommended that California phase out the use of these disposal pits, citing their danger to groundwater. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  California Water Officials Must Stop Putting Oil Industry Over Water, says Hollin Kretzmann

In regional news and commentary today …

Siskiyou County: Trump’s water memo garners local attention:  “Reactions were mixed last week to a memorandum from President Trump which sets new, faster timetables for reviewing the environmental impact of dams, canals and other water related projects in the western states.  While California farmers seem to welcome the edict, some fisherman and environmentalist groups believe the acceleration doesn’t give biologists adequate time to assess possible impacts to delicate ecosystems, fish and wildlife.  Trump signed the memorandum – which specifically addresses the Central Valley Project, California State Water Project and the Klamath Irrigation Project – on Friday while visiting Arizona. … ”  Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here:  Siskiyou County: Trump’s water memo garners local attention

Redding: Maps show where deadly debris flows are likely to happen:  “As the rainy season nears in Northern California, areas burned by the summer’s massive wildfires are poised launch flash floods of mud and ash soup on low-lying lands.  This is because the fires bake the soil surface so that it becomes non-absorbent, or, in scientific terms, hydrophobic. When heavy winter rains hit, the water cannot penetrate the burned soil, and instead rolls downhill — carrying boulders and trees along with it. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Redding: Maps show where deadly debris flows are likely to happen

Environmental group files a lawsuit to stop Napa mountain vineyard: “A lawsuit seeks to overturn a state-approved timber harvest plan allowing Davis Estates to clear 10 acres of forest near Angwin for a vineyard.  The Center for Biological Diversity filed the suit in Napa County Superior Court. The defendant is the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which oversees commercial timber harvests.  Davis Estates seeks to create a 13.6-acre vineyard using 10 acres that have such trees as Douglas firs and California foothill pines. The 38.7-acre site at 1875 Friesen Drive is in the mountains east of Calistoga. … ”  Read more from the Napa Valley Register here:  Environmental group files a lawsuit to stop Napa mountain vineyard

Marina city, Marina Coast file for CPUC rehearing on desal approval: “In the wake of filing lawsuits in state Supreme Court challenging approval of the California American Water desalination project approval, the Marina Coast Water District and the city of Marina have both filed petitions with the state Public Utilities Commission for rehearing of the desal project application.  Both filed the petitions  last week, seeking a reversal of both the CPUC’s approval last month of a permit for the Cal Am desal project and its certification of the project’s environmental review document.  Both entities laid out a series of alleged legal and procedural errors the CPUC made in its review and approval of the project. ... ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here:  Marina city, Marina Coast file for CPUC rehearing on desal approval

Flushing toilets will benefit farms:  “Every time a toilet is flushed in Ceres, farmers on the west side of the county will be getting water to farm.  The North Valley Regional Recycled Water Project, which will see recycled water from the cities of Ceres and Turlock go to drought-stricken farmers in the county’s westside, has reached its next milestone.  Members of the recycled water program broke ground Friday on the Turlock component of the project that will see the construction of a six-mile pipeline that will convey Turlock’s recycled water to Modesto’s Wastewater Treatment Plant on Jennings Road. A portion of Turlock’s recycled wastewater comes from Ceres through a pipeline from the Ceres wastewater treatment plant. At Jennings Road, recycled water from Ceres and Turlock will enter into the Modesto pipeline and be pumped to the Delta-Mendota Canal. ... ” Read more from the Ceres Courier here:  Flushing toilets will benefit farms

Merced’s not using water efficiently, hurting the environment and wallets, lawsuit claims:  “A group that says Merced is inefficiently using water in a way that will hurt the environment and raise residents’ water fees has filed a lawsuit against the city.  The Merced Citizens for Responsible Planning recently named the city, City Council and state water officials in the suit, which says Merced has not evaluated how it could recycle wastewater and reduce its use of unreliable surface water.  The city was required to look at the option of recycling wastewater, but didn’t before adopting the 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, according to Richard Harriman, the attorney representing the citizens group. Recycling wastewater could reduce the water the city pulls from the Merced River by nearly one-third. ... ”  Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here:  Merced’s not using water efficiently, hurting the environment and wallets, lawsuit claims

Valadao announces grant for Stratford:  “Monday, Congressman David Valadao (R-Hanford) announced the community of Stratford as the recipient of federal grant funding to ensure the community has access to an adequate, clean water supply.  The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant, totaling $1 million is administered by the Office of Rural Development, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. … ”  Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here: Valadao announces grant for Stratford

Montecito wastewater wars escalate:  “A powerful Sacramento law firm associated with the statewide Republican Party issued a sternly worded “cease and desist” order to Diane Gabriel and the Montecito Sanitary District, ordering them not to purchase any more advertisements on the subject of “partially treated” wastewater being dumped into the ocean. The letter — from the firm Bell, McAndrews & Hiltchachk — said the advertisement was clearly intended to influence the outcome of the current election for the Montecito Sanitary District, thus violating state election code barring the expenditure of public funds by any public agency on behalf of any candidates or ballot measures. ... ”  Read more from The Independent here: Montecito wastewater wars escalate

Mono County sends extensive grazing EIR comments:  “Mono County’s comments on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s environmental analysis of de-watering ranch leases leave nothing on the table.  Reviewing final edits to the 19-page document prepared by Bauer Planning and Environmental Services at Oct. 16 Board meeting, the Mono County Supervisors were delighted with the detail. Though the specific requests for analysis outlined in the comments aren’t binding, it’s easy to image LADWP’s far less delighted reaction. … ”  Read more from Sierra Wave here:  Mono County sends extensive grazing EIR comments

Getting to know the LA River: What it is, what it does, and how its changing:  “Most people recognize Los Angeles River as the set of some of Hollywood’s most iconic films. In 1978’s “Grease,” John Travolta competed against a rival greaser in a heated drag race under the 6th Street Viaduct. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan sped down the river at breakneck speed in one of the few heartwarming scenes in the action thriller “Drive.”  In the 1990s, premier action star and future-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was forced down the LA River in James Cameron’s classic “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”  Other than playing a pivotal cinematic role, the LA River is an important part of the city’s and county’s history, present and future. The river is vast, literally and figuratively. Stretching 51 miles from Canoga Park all the way down to its mouth in Long Beach at the LA Harbor, the LA River has an expansive range that flows through 17 river-adjacent cities. ... ”  Read more from the Asian Journal here:  Getting to know the LA River: What it is, what it does, and how its changing

Will the Doheny desalination plant stay on track? It could depend on the election:  “Amid California’s list of contentious desalination proposals, the plant slated for Doheny Beach in Dana Point has had remarkably smooth sailing.  Key environmentalist groups battling plans in Huntington Beach and El Segundo have largely taken a hands-off approach to the south Orange County project, recognizing Doheny’s innovative environmental technology and dearth of local water options there. Additionally, a draft countywide analysis earlier this month ranked Doheny well above the Huntington Beach plant proposed by the Poseidon company. ... ”  Read more from the OC Register here: Will the Doheny desalination plant stay on track? It could depend on the election 

Along the Colorado River …

Arizona: Negotiations heating up over drought plan:  “Negotiations in Arizona are heating up over an additional plan for when the Colorado River is deemed “in shortage.”  Stakeholders have been working on a deal in earnest since the summer, with biweekly meetings of what’s called the Drought Contingency Plan Steering Committee.  But Thursday’s planned committee meeting was canceled to “give time for additional discussions and analysis,” according to a statement from the Central Arizona Water Conservation District and the Arizona Department of Water Resources.  The next public meeting will be Nov. 8, and formal talks will now almost certainly last beyond Thanksgiving. … ”  Read more from KJZZ here: Negotiations heating up over drought plan

On the Colorado River, will New Mexico be left in the dust?  “The Colorado River supplies water for more than 36 million people in two countries and seven states, including New Mexico. As river flows and reservoir levels decline due to drought, warming and over-demand, states are wrangling over how to voluntarily conserve water use—before reservoir levels reach critically low levels and trigger mandatory cutbacks. New Mexico is one of the states most vulnerable to the impacts climate change is wreaking on the river. Yet, it’s unclear what the state is doing when it comes to drought management in the state and basin-wide negotiations on the Colorado. … ”  Read more from the New Mexico Political Report here:  On the Colorado River, will New Mexico be left in the dust?

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

NEWS WORTH NOTING: Restore the Delta Demands DSC Upholds Delta Plan; 2018 Wildfires Increase Risk of Flooding

BAY DELTA SCIENCE CONFERENCE: Working With Nature Across the Land Use Spectrum: A Holistic Approach to Ecological Resilience

SCIENCE NEWS: Spawning season, Invasive species in the Delta, Toxic site cleanups, Monarch butterflies, Shifting climate zones, and more …

Today’s announcements …

• BAY DELTA PLAN, SAN JOAQUIN FLOW OBJECTIVES: Response to Oral Comments available regarding proposed Bay-Delta Plan amendments for the Lower San Joaquin River and Southern Delta Salinity Objectives
• NOTICE: Petitions to Revise Fully Appropriated Stream (FAS) Status of Kings River
• TRANSFERS: Notice of Petition for Long-term Water Transfer – Turlock Irrigation District
• WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Landscape Irrigation~ Assessing Risks~ CARCD Website~ Delta Blog~ Brown Bag~ Coastal Summit~~

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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.