In California water news today, Trump Rule Would Limit E.P.A.’s Control Over Water Pollution; California prepares ‘retreat’ policy for beach homes; In the World of Water, Women Are Increasingly Claiming Center Stage; Farm Bureau president says water rights will be priority for 2019; Wildfires: The latest chapter of Trump vs. California; To share or not to share: Tribes risk exploitation when sharing climate change solutions; Exploring the ecosystem of the US-Mexico border; Central Arizona Project Board votes to support drought contingency plan; and more …
On the calendar today …
- The Delta Independent Science Board meets today from 9am to 5pm. Agenda includes updates on ISB reviews and an Ecosystems Review Workshop. Click here for agenda. Click here to watch on webcast.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- MORNING NEWS FLASH … NGOs send letter to Governor Brown on Phase 1 settlement agreements; SF, Delta residents protest at Senator Feinstein’s San Francisco office
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: State Water Board launches online map showing which community water systems have lead fixtures; New LAO report: Cal Facts 2018; New report: Future water priorities for the nation
- NOW AVAILABLE: 2018 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Reports
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Delta Plan~ Term 91~ Boat Parade~ Conservancy Board~ CWEMF 2019~~
Trump Rule Would Limit E.P.A.’s Control Over Water Pollution: “The Trump administration is expected to put forth a proposal on Tuesday that would significantly weaken a major Obama-era regulation on clean water, according to a talking points memo from the Environmental Protection Agency that was distributed to White House allies this week. The Obama rule was designed to limit pollution in about 60 percent of the nation’s bodies of water, protecting sources of drinking water for about a third of the United States. It extended existing federal authority to limit pollution in large bodies of water, like the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound, to smaller bodies that drain into them, such as tributaries, streams and wetlands. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: Trump Rule Would Limit E.P.A.’s Control Over Water Pollution
California prepares ‘retreat’ policy for beach homes: “Oceanfront homes could be demolished along California’s coastline under a groundbreaking proposal to preserve the state’s made-for-movies beaches before they’re destroyed by rising seawater. The California Coastal Commission plans to release guidance early next year for dealing with sea-level rise in residential areas. The state commission, which has a say in regulating coastal development, wants city and county governments to use the language as they devise adaptation policies for climate change. … ” Read more from E&E News here: California prepares ‘retreat’ policy for beach homes
No Longer a ‘Boys Club’: In the World of Water, Women Are Increasingly Claiming Center Stage: “In the world of water, 2018 could easily be called the “Year of the Woman,” with noteworthy appointments of women to top leadership posts in California and at the national level. Women have had their hands in water issues for a long time, but their growing presence has been spotlighted by those key appointments and the understanding that in what’s traditionally been a male-dominated field, women are seizing the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and have their voices heard.” Read the article from Western Water here: No Longer a ‘Boys Club’: In the World of Water, Women Are Increasingly Claiming Center Stage
Farm Bureau president says water rights will be priority for 2019: “Describing the Farm Bureau as an organization “that wants to go beyond making a statement by being determined to make a difference,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson outlined priorities for the organization during its 100th Annual Meeting in San Diego on Wednesday. One area of ongoing emphasis will be in water policy, Johansson said, noting that the Farm Bureau is prepared “to continue defending water rights and shaping water policy in 2019.” “The strength of our water policy is the commitment to the idea that to meet California’s water needs, we do not need to sacrifice the water needs of one region over another farm community,” he said. … ” Read more from the Daily Democrat here: Farm Bureau president says water rights will be priority for 2019
Satellite images: Snow returns to the Sierra after slow start: “The snow season got off to a slow start, with the first storms not settling in until nearly Thanksgiving. Since then, accumulations have caught up and then some. In the first week of December, the Sierra snowpack, measured by water content of the snow, was above the long-term average, with the southern Sierra at 139 percent of normal. It’s early in the season, though, and the outlook could change dramatically. Most of California’s snow falls from December to February. Move the sliders in the images to view the terrain before and after the snows ... ” Read more from KQED here: Satellite images: Snow returns to the Sierra after slow start
Wildfires: The latest chapter of Trump vs. California: “Sunrise, Nov. 8: Firefighters were dispatched to a small brush fire near Camp Creek Road in Butte County. Within 10 minutes, whipped by high winds, dry conditions and much fuel, the brush fire had exploded. By the end of the day, the fire had a name, the Camp Fire, and the town of Paradise was under an evacuation order. A day later, the Paradise had burned to the ground, and the fire had spread to cover 100,000 acres. Buildings were falling and people were dying. The Camp Fire, only 20 percent contained at the time, was now the most destructive wildfire in California’s history. ... ” Read more from Capitol Weekly here: Wildfires: The latest chapter of Trump vs. California
To share or not to share: Tribes risk exploitation when sharing climate change solutions: “The Saint Regis Mohawk Reservation stretches for 25 square miles along the United States’ border with Canada. Akwesasne, as the land in Upstate New York is also known, translates roughly to “land where the partridge drums.” Nestled at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence River and several small tributaries, including the St. Regis and Raquette rivers, this ecologically rich environment consists of more than 3,000 acres of wetlands along riverbanks, islands, and inlets. But the landscape can’t escape the encroachment of nearby pollution. … The trash and toxic runoff are bad enough. They are killing off the tribe’s local fish population and medicinal plants. But now the Saint Regis Mohawk face another challenge: negotiating with the Environmental Protection Agency about how best to tackle these contamination issues while incorporating — and respecting — the tribe’s traditional knowledge. … ” Read more from Grist here: To share or not to share: Tribes risk exploitation when sharing climate change solutions
In regional news and commentary today …
Tribal tensions: Yurok Tribe expresses disagreement with court case dismissal: “Case dismissed – the statement bringing unrest to Yurok members, as fishing right disagreements causes strife between tribes. In May 2016, the Yurok tribe filed a case in the United States District Court of Northern California against Resighini Rancheria members for unauthorized salmon fishing in Klamath River, within the Yurok Reservation. As of Thursday, the court dismissed the case, but the Yurok Tribe states they will continue to “vigorously defend their exclusive fishing rights within the reservation.” … ” Read more from KIEM here: Tribal tensions: Yurok Tribe expresses disagreement with court case dismissal
Mokelumne River fish hatchery turnaround: A big boon for fishermen: “A bevy of road-weary salmon filled the Mokelumne River in the Central Valley town of Clements, having made the long upstream journey from the Pacific Ocean, now doggedly intent on returning to their place of birth to complete their final act of life: spawning. Jose Setka looked down from a metal footbridge as fish swarmed underneath, leaping up a small waterfall and into the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Mokelumne River fish hatchery turnaround: A big boon for fishermen
Delta Coves housing development on Bethel Island to open this spring: “A new housing development in Bethel Island is ramping up for a grand opening this spring, and officials boast it as a last-of-its-kind Delta-centric development. Located on Bethel Island, the Delta Coves community will feature 560 waterfront homes – each with its own boat dock – and an Island Camp, a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, swimming pool and event center. When it comes to homes surrounded by water, East County locals often think of nearby Discovery Bay, but Nick Taratsas, DMB Development executive vice president and Delta Coves general manager, said Delta Coves will have its differences. ... ” Read more from The Press here: Delta Coves housing development on Bethel Island to open this spring
Anderson Dam project may be delayed until 2022: “The rains have returned to the Santa Clara Valley, and with them renewed anxiety over the capacity and stability of the county’s biggest body of water, the Anderson Reservoir. The source of that anxiety isn’t likely to go away until after as many as nine rainy seasons, as the Santa Clara Valley Water District now says that a five-year, $550 million project to upgrade the earthquake safety of the Anderson dam may not begin until 2022 at the earliest, two years later than its official start date. The popular recreation lake will be drained for at least five years during the project. ... ” Read more from the Gilroy Dispatch here: Anderson Dam project may be delayed until 2022
Soquel Creek Water District lines up water projects: “Updated estimates related to costs, reliability, timeliness and other factors show Soquel Creek Water District may be best-served by building a recycled water plant, authorities said this week. However, cautioned district General Manager Ron Duncan, the water agency would be best served in not pitting its several potential water supply projects against each other. “Sitting in my seat, I get people saying, you should do only desal, there’s an ocean full of water, or river water is the best or why wouldn’t you recycle water, if you have it – versus take from somewhere else,” Duncan said. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Soquel Creek Water District lines up water projects
Ceres wants surface water plant with or without Turlock: “Amy Bublak told voters in Turlock that if she became mayor she wanted to back out of plans for the surface water treatment plant with the city of Ceres. When she defeated Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth – a staunch supporter of the surface water project – on Nov. 6, there were concerns about the future of the plant. But Ceres Mayor Chris Vierra said with or without Turlock, Ceres wants and needs drinking water from the Tuolumne River. “I want Turlock to be a part of this program,” said Mayor Vierra. “I think it’s really important that they do this but if they choose not to do it then so be it, let us know and we’ll resize the plant for what we need and we’ll go it alone.” … ” Read more from the Ceres Courier here: Ceres wants surface water plant with or without Turlock
Two countries, one border and their shared pollution: “Last September, Paloma Aguirre spent the day collecting bits of trash and tires in the Tijuana River Valley, which straddles the U.S.-Mexico border south of San Diego. Wearing leather gloves and dust masks, Aguirre and a group of volunteers combed the dry waterways and pockets of dense willow bushes and tamarisk, searching for garbage from Tijuana that washed through the steel slats in the border wall. The border is a complicated and not always effective barrier: It makes it harder for people to move between Mexico and the U.S., but does very little to stop certain other things. For instance, air pollution from the maquiladoras, or factories, of Ciudad Juárez wafts across the border into El Paso, Texas, as it does between Nogales, Mexico, and Nogales, Arizona. … ” Read more from High Country News here: Two countries, one border and their shared pollution
Along the Colorado River …
Exploring the ecosystem of the US-Mexico border: Nature is fluid; walls are not: “The wetlands are springing back to life in the Colorado River delta located mostly in Mexico just at the border with the United States. The endangered Yuma clapper rail croaks a funny song in the tall reeds that rise up out of the unexpected marshes in the Ciénega de Santa Clara. The snowy egret, vermilion flycatcher and Gila woodpecker are surging back in the Laguna Grande wetlands and the endangered yellow-billed cuckoo is found anew at this key stopover on the Pacific migratory bird flyway. Lured by water and habitat fix-ups through binational restoration efforts, bobcats and beavers are making a comeback, too. … ” Read more from Scientific American here: Exploring the ecosystem of the US-Mexico border
Central Arizona Project Board votes to support drought contingency plan: “The board of the Central Arizona Project voted on Thursday to help finalize a Drought Contingency Plan for the state of Arizona, and it relented somewhat on the last serious sticking point in the talks — a demand to co-sign the plan with state authorities — as it approved the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan. After months of contentious negotiations and stalled talks, these decisions smooth the way for the Arizona Legislature to approve a plan to stave off catastrophic shortages on the Colorado River. This plan specifies how Arizona will implement the multistate Lower Basin plan, which also includes Nevada and California. … ” Read more from New Times Phoenix here: Central Arizona Project Board votes to support drought contingency plan
Colorado River drought contingency plan ‘gaining momentum’ as CAP board signals support: “The agency that manages the Central Arizona Project canal signaled its support for the latest outline of a Colorado River drought plan in a vote that could lay the groundwork for a deal aimed at preventing Lake Mead from reaching perilously low levels. Board members of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District passed a motion Thursday saying they support “key provisions” of the plan, which they’re calling Arizona’s implementation plan for the proposed three-state Drought Contingency Plan. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Colorado River drought contingency plan ‘gaining momentum’ as CAP board signals support
Precipitation watch …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
In announcements today …
- NOW AVAILABLE: 2018 Long-term Operations Biological Opinions (LOBO) Annual Reports
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Delta Plan~ Term 91~ Boat Parade~ Conservancy Board~ CWEMF 2019~~
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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.
