DAILY DIGEST: Deal could avoid shutdown, but CA water measures will have to wait; Dems’ House takeover could mean big changes for CA water policy; Merced Irrigation District plans lawsuit to fight Bay Delta Plan; Candidates to replace Zinke quietly maneuver; and more …

In California water news today, Deal could avoid shutdown, but California wildlife and water measures will have to wait; Democrats’ House takeover could mean big changes for California water policy; Merced Irrigation District plans lawsuit to fight controversial Bay Delta Plan; Wide fluctuation in October water conservation numbers; How climate change is affecting small Sierra Nevada lakes; Stanford water law expert discusses proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections; Rep. Denham could be next Interior Secretary, Delta advocates worry; Candidates to replace Zinke quietly maneuver; and more …

In the news today …

Deal could avoid shutdown, but California wildfire and water measures will have to wait:  “Congressional leaders reached a short-term spending deal Wednesday that effectively punts most of the contentious funding decisions into the new year.  That includes the question of whether to extend a federal law designed to deliver more Northern California water south, which has become a factor in the Delta water-sharing agreement reached earlier this month.  Congressional aides said federal wildfire recovery funding will have to wait until the new year. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Deal could avoid shutdown, but California wildfire and water measures will have to wait

Democrats’ House takeover could mean big changes for California water policy: “Among the changes ahead when Democrats take control of the House in January, add this one: The switch will upend the balance of power in California’s water wars.  In the two years since Republicans’ 2016 election triumphs, party members from the Central Valley led by the current House majority leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, have gotten several water bills for their area through Congress. Those included the first significant California-specific policy in decades, as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, also called the WIIN Act. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Democrats’ House takeover could mean big changes for California water policy

Merced Irrigation District plans lawsuit to fight controversial Bay Delta Plan:  “The Merced Irrigation District will be filing a lawsuit to prevent water from the Merced River to be diverted to the Bay Area, according to a news release.  Several Valley water districts were considering filing suit after negotiations with the State Water Board broke down with the Dec. 12 passage of the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan and Substitute Environmental Document. … ”  Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here:  Merced Irrigation District plans lawsuit to fight controversial Bay Delta Plan

‘This plan is illegal.’  Merced Irrigation District challenging state’s water decision: “The Merced Irrigation District board gave direction Wednesday to take legal action challenging the state’s Bay-Delta water quality control plan, which is strongly opposed by communities in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.  A series of lawsuits against the state’s “water grab” are expected from affected irrigation districts, following last week’s decision by the State Water Resources Control board approving the regulatory plan and a supplemental environmental study.  The Merced district vowed to aggressively fight the plan calling for increased river flows in the lower San Joaquin River tributaries, including the Merced, Tuolumne and Stanislaus rivers. ... ”  Read more from the Modesto Bee here:  ‘This plan is illegal.’  Merced Irrigation District challenging state’s water decision

Wide fluctuation in October water conservation numbers:  “Water conservation numbers for October were announced last week by the Water Resources Control Board, and the savings were all over the place.  Statewide, urban water use was down 13.4 percent compared to October 2013, the pre-drought benchmark year. That was down from 14.6 percent in September, but the conservation rate has been pretty static since July. ... ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Wide fluctuation in October water conservation numbers

How climate change is affecting small Sierra Nevada lakes:  “Scientists at the University of California, Davis, are taking the temperature — and other measurements — of lakes of all sizes and shapes throughout the mountains of California to see how climate change is affecting them and what, perhaps, can be done about it.  A study published this month in the journal Limnology and Oceanography Letters shows that, despite rapidly warming air temperatures, spring snowpack is the biggest predictor of summer warming in small Sierra Nevada lakes. … ”  Read more from UC Davis here:  How climate change is affecting small Sierra Nevada lakes

Stanford water law expert discusses proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections: “Moved to action by images of Ohio’s Cuyahoga River on fire in 1972, U.S. legislators passed the Clean Water Act to protect the country’s “navigable waters.” The Trump administration recently proposed to redefine the term so that it excludes from protection large amounts of wetlands and thousands of miles of waterways. Proponents of the change say it will bring clarity to questions around construction and agriculture permitting in wetlands and streams. Critics argue the rollback will make it harder to oversee resources critical to ecosystem health, storm protection and other valuable natural services. …  Leon Szeptycki, executive director of Stanford’s Water in the West program, discussed the complex legal history around the Clean Water Act’s definition of navigable waters, or “waters of the U.S.,” and potential impacts of the proposed reduction in the law’s scope. ... ”  Read more from Stanford News here:  Stanford water law expert discusses proposed rollback of Clean Water Act protections

Rep. Denham could be next Interior Secretary, Delta advocates worry:  “Outgoing Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) is now being considered to be the next U.S. Secretary of the Interior, CBS13 confirmed Wednesday. This follows the recent announcement that current interior secretary Ryan Zinke is leaving the job at the end of the year.  The department of interior manages the nation’s natural resources. Denham focused on water as one of his critical issues in his time serving the Central Valley. ... ”  Read more from CBS Sacramento here:  Rep. Denham could be next Interior Secretary, Delta advocates worry

Candidates to replace Zinke quietly maneuver:  “Campaigning to be President Trump’s Interior secretary is a little bit like Fight Club; the first rule is not to talk about it.  With Trump expected to name a replacement for outgoing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke as early as this week — possibly even today — advocates are tactically mum about the behind-the-scenes maneuvering on behalf of potential candidates.  “Stealth is always preferred,” one former Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said today. “News stories and PR campaigns don’t cut it with this administration.” … ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Candidates to replace Zinke quietly maneuver

In commentary today …

Peace in California’s water wars is within grasp:  Jeff Mount and Ellen Hank write, “Dare we say it? The outlines of a truce in California’s unending water battles began to come into focus last week, though not everyone is willing to sign the treaty.  The State Water Board adopted the first phase of a far-reaching revision to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento‒San Joaquin Delta and its watershed.  This first phase, which has been many years in the making, focuses on the San Joaquin River and its tributaries, and would allocate a greater share of water to the environment. ... ”  Read more from Cal Matters here:  Peace in California’s water wars is within grasp

In regional news and commentary today …

EPIC announces plan to sue USDA program over killing of beavers:  “The Environmental Protection Information Center in Arcata announced its intention to legally challenge Wildlife Services, a program run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over the practice of killing beavers in California. Beavers, the environmental group contends, play a critical role in the health and wellness of endangered salmon populations, such as the coho salmon in local waterways. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here:  EPIC announces plan to sue USDA program over killing of beavers

Half Moon Bay: District builds ponds for farmers:  “As farmer Ryan Casey crested the hill at his Blue House Farm location in San Gregorio, kicking caked layers of mud from the bottom of his boots, he was greeted by the gentle burbling of flowing water. In front of him, a massive, man-made reservoir was slowly being filled up with water pumped from nearby San Gregorio Creek. “We did some math, and we think it’s going to take about 45 days, approximately, of full-bore pumping (to fill it up),” he said.  … ”  Read more from the Half Moon Bay Review here:  District builds ponds for farmers

Environmental study, project approved for Soquel Creek water recycling:  “In the court of public opinion, Soquel Creek Water District’s pursuit of treated water recycling plant project was nearly out of the ballpark this week.  The district’s board of directors voted Tuesday night to approve the final environmental impact study for its Pure Water Soquel project after two and a half hours of discussion. District leaders directed its staff members to focus on a version of the plan that would send initially treated water to a new advanced purification plant, likely to be built on Chanticleer Avenue in Live Oak. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here:  Environmental study, project approved for Soquel Creek water recycling

Oakdale Irrigation District, South San Joaquin Irrigation District urge talks on flows to continue:  “After a breakdown of discussions regarding flows on the Stanislaus River, the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts issued a joint statement and urge continued meetings prior to a state decision.  Officials noted that the districts “have diligently tried to strike a deal with state officials, the Bureau of Reclamation, and regional irrigation district partners as an alternative to the State Water Resources Control Board’s proposed Phase 1 unimpaired flow proposal. Unfortunately, after continued discussions late into the day Dec. 11, the districts were unable to craft an agreement on the Stanislaus River.” ... ”  Read more from the Oakdale Leader here:  Oakdale Irrigation District, South San Joaquin Irrigation District urge talks on flows to continue

Owens Valley Groundwater Authority deals with staff cuts, adding seats:  “The Owens Valley Groundwater Authority got a wake-up call at last Thursday’s meeting.  Dave Doonan, Tri-Valley Groundwater Management District representative packaged it in a nutshell: “When we ‘direct staff,’ it’s going to cost us money.”  Inyo County Water Department Administrative Analyst Laura Piper presented the board with an updated budget report. The authority’s annual budget, through the 2020-21 fiscal year, totals $249,195 a year. To date, $49,147 has gone for staff costs with a projection of another $36,000 by the end the third on December 31. … ”  Read more from the Sierra Wave here: Owens Valley Groundwater Authority deals with staff cuts, adding seats

Santa Barbara County knew mudslides were a risk.  It did little to stop them:  “During severe winter storms, Cold Springs Creek above Montecito turns into a torrent of mud, uprooted trees and shed-size boulders as it drains three square miles of sheer mountain front.  The only thing protecting the people, homes and businesses below is a low dam that the Army Corps of Engineers built in 1964 at the mouth of the creek’s canyon, forming a basin between the steep banks to catch the crashing debris.  Over the decades, the basin filled up with sediment and grew thick with brush and trees. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Santa Barbara County knew mudslides were a risk.  It did little to stop them

Simi Valley: Residents Blast Plan to Clean Up Cold War-Era Testing Site Near LA: “People living near a Cold War-era rocket fuel testing site and nuclear facility in Southern California want an independent study of toxins in the area even as the federal government released a report Tuesday detailing how it will clean up the site.  Advocacy groups called the federal government’s findings and cleanup plan tepid at best and are asking for their own study on toxins in the area.  Known today as the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the 2,850-acre site in Ventura County was used between 1948 to 2006 to test rocket fuel and conduct nuclear power research, which left toxins in the soil and groundwater. A partial meltdown at the facility in 1959 sent radioactive contamination into nearby residential neighborhoods. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here:  Residents Blast Plan to Clean Up Cold War-Era Testing Site Near LA

Orange County water study updated, Poseidon desalination plant still scores low: “South Orange County is far more at risk for future water shortages than the rest of the county, according to the final draft of a water-needs forecast received Wednesday by the Municipal Water District of Orange County’s board.  The Poseidon desalination plant planned for Huntington Beach continues to rank lowest in cost effectiveness, with questions also raised about the need for the $1 billion project.  The 261-page report updates MWDOC’s 2016 forecast, reflecting the increased likelihood that the California WaterFix tunnels will improve the reliability of flows imported from northern California. … ”  Read more from the OC Register here:  Orange County water study updated, Poseidon desalination plant still scores low

Along the Colorado River …

As Colorado River stakeholders draft a drought plan, the margin for error in managing water supplies narrows: “As stakeholders labor to nail down effective and durable drought contingency plans for the Colorado River Basin, they face a stark reality: Scientific research is increasingly pointing to even drier, more challenging times ahead. That reality could pose daunting challenges for Colorado River water managers and others who are already confronting the likelihood of near-term shortages, and looking ahead to longer-term concerns about the river’s sustainability.”  Read more at Western Water here:  As Colorado River stakeholders draft a drought plan, the margin for error in managing water supplies narrows

How best to share the disappearing Colorado River:  “As early as 2020, hydrologists forecast that the level of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir on the Colorado River, could drop low enough to trigger the first water shortages in its downstream states of Arizona, Nevada and California.  The three states in the river’s Lower Basin have long feared shortages. But the continued decline of Lake Mead reflects a reality they can no longer ignore: Demand for the river’s water, which supports 40 million people from Wyoming to California, has long outpaced the supply. On top of that, the supply is shrinking, as the spring snowmelt that once filled reservoirs becomes less reliable, and historically high temperatures evaporate the water that remains. … ”  Continue reading at High Country News here:  How best to share the disappearing Colorado River

Scientists to look for toxic metals in Lake Powell after Gold King Mine spill:  “Three years after an accidental spill from a gold mine in southwest Colorado, scientists are getting the chance to thoroughly analyze its impact on Lake Powell.  They’re looking for traces of toxic metals in wastewater accidentally released by the Gold King Mine near Silverton in 2015.  The Utah Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are collaborating on the effort, expected to begin this month, according to the Deseret News. … ”  Read more from Cronkite News here:  Scientists to look for toxic metals in Lake Powell after Gold King Mine spill

Precipitation watch …

From NWS Sacramento: A weak system will bring some light showers to NorCal today mainly late in the day into the overnight. A stronger system will move in late Sunday into Monday. This one will likely bring mountain travel issues Christmas Eve.

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

SCIENCE NEWS: Rice farmers, duck hunters work to create world class habitat in Sacto Valley; Surveying for survivors; Upcycling Christmas trees; How climate change is affecting small Sierra Nevada lakes; and more …

THIS JUST IN … RESTORE THE DELTA: DWR’S No Harm Agreement & Letter Of Dismissal To Water Agencies: A “Surrender Dorothy” Effort To Save WaterFix By The Brown Administration

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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.