In California water news today, When the levee breaks: Hamilton City leads California in a new approach to managing rivers; Engineer: Twin tunnels could endanger vital levees; California Confronts Trump Administration Over Shasta Dam Raising; Bill proposed to help breweries and wineries recycle their water; Lake Oroville 30% full; water allocations increased; New danger from wildfires: Thunderstorms; Wheeler addresses water priorities at Senate confirmation hearing; Water sector urges Congress to prioritize water in the coming year; Many environmental court disputes will make headlines in 2019; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- THIS JUST IN … Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations Leads Suit Against State Water Board to Protect Salmon in the Water Quality Control Plan
- BLOG ROUND-UP: Will the Bay-Delta get Trumped?, Cal WaterFix contracts, drought lessons, hatchery impacts, groundwater management, clean water and enviro justice, and more …
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: “The Water Pirates of Neverland: Run Aground!” energizes California students; EPA releases 2018 Year in Review highlighting agency accomplishments and environmental progress under President Trump
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: San Joaquin Fish Population Enhancement Program (SJFPEP) and Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) Grants Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP)
- PROP 1 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Ocean Protection Council latest grant solicitation is now open
When the levee breaks: Hamilton City leads California in a new approach to managing rivers: “Jose Puente’s boots were on, his slicker ready by the door. It was New Year’s Eve, 1994, and rain was drumming hard and fast on the flat, metal roof of the Hamilton City Fire Hall. Across town the Sacramento River was swelling by an inch an hour in the channel that bends around the rural community 90 miles north of California’s state capital. Puente, the town’s fire chief at the time, had already sent firefighters door-to-door to evacuate the community’s nearly 2,000 residents. As midnight approached, he and two volunteers headed out to the J Levee, the only bulwark between the river and Hamilton City. … ” Read more from the Pacific Standard here: When the levee breaks: Hamilton City leads California in a new approach to managing rivers
Engineer: Twin tunnels could endanger vital levees: “At the peak of pear packing season, Daniel Wilson’s Sacramento County operation is bustling. Pears are sorted wrapped and prepared for shipments to stores across the country. “I get so buried in it, I don’t think about it too hard. We just go until we’re done,” Wilson said. It’s an operation that sits a few feet below sea level, so flooding is always in the back of Wilson’s mind. His orchards and packing plant is surrounded by levees. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Engineer: Twin tunnels could endanger vital levees
Bill proposed to help breweries and wineries recycle their water: “State lawmakers want to make it easier for breweries and wineries to recycle their water. A new bill would create guidelines for reusing water from beer or wine processing for rinsing equipment and tanks. It also establishes water quality testing and treatment. ... ” Read more from CBS Sacramento here: Bill proposed to help breweries and wineries recycle their water
Lake Oroville 30% full; water allocations increased: “Water deliveries from Lake Oroville have been increased for 2019, but unlike most of California’s reservoirs the local lake is still far lower than usual, though it’s on the rise. The Department of Water Resources reported Friday that allocations to State Water Project users were being increased to 15 percent of contracted amounts, up from the 10 percent announced in December. The 15 percent allocation amounts to 631,115 acre-feet according to DWR spokeswoman Erin Mellon. The primary source of that water is Lake Oroville. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Lake Oroville 30% full; water allocations increased
California Confronts Trump Administration Over Shasta Dam Raising: “For decades, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Central Valley farming interests have dreamed of raising the height of Shasta Dam to increase water storage in the reservoir and thereby boost water deliveries. But numerous challenges stand in the way, including charges that raising the dam would violate both state and federal law. Over the past year the Fresno-based Westlands Water District, the nation’s largest, has been trying to use its clout with a Republican-dominated government in Washington DC to push the project through, anyway. Environmental, Native American and state officials are opposing the project. Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.”
New danger from wildfires: Thunderstorms: “Early in the evening of August 12, 2017, heat and smoke from an intense wildfire burning in the forests of British Columbia began mushrooming skyward, sucking up ash, blazing wood and vegetation, and water vapor from lakes and streams below. Rick McRae, a researcher with Australia’s Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency, was on site helping with fire management. Sensing that this conflagration was going to erupt into something extraordinary, he texted a group of scientists from around the world who since 2013 have been collaboratively studying fire-triggered thunderstorms—technically known as pyrocumulonimbus clouds, or “pyroCbs.” … ” Read more from Mother Jones here: New danger from wildfires: Thunderstorms
Wheeler addresses water priorities at Senate confirmation hearing: “Andrew Wheeler appeared before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee earlier this month for a confirmation hearing on his nomination to serve as EPA administrator. Wheeler, who President Trump formally nominated on Jan. 9 to lead the agency on a permanent basis, has served as acting administrator since former administrator Scott Pruitt resigned last July. Wheeler, talking questions from a Senate panel, discussed the status of various ongoing regulatory efforts including the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS), the agency’s Lead Action Plan, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management here: Wheeler addresses water priorities at Senate confirmation hearing
Water sector urges Congress to prioritize water in the coming year: “In January, water sector organizations including the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) joined nearly 100 other national and regional organizations in sending a letter to U.S. House and Senate leadership. The groups urged lawmakers to incorporate drinking and clean water funding into any infrastructure package considered in the 116th Congress, which began this month. Congressional leadership from both parties has expressed interest in working on an infrastructure package this year. ... ” Read more from Water Finance & Management here: Water sector urges Congress to prioritize water in the coming year
Many environmental court disputes will make headlines in 2019: “An important arena where environmental news will be made in 2019? Not Congress. Not the White House. Not the federal agencies. It’s the courts, especially federal courts at the district, appeals and even Supreme Court levels. That may not be too surprising, given that Congress has enacted a huge body of environmental law over the past half-century or more, and that the Trump administration is now trying to undermine and reverse those laws on many fronts, including with its administrative authority. Here are some legal disputes to watch in the year ahead, including several focused on climate change. … ” Read more from the Society of Environmental Journalists here: Many environmental court disputes will make headlines in 2019
In regional news and commentary today …
Klamath dam removal efforts hit curve in the road: “A federal appellate court decision issued on January 25, 2019 will affect the relicensing of hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River and efforts to accomplish dam removal under an existing settlement agreement. In Hoopa Valley Tribe v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, No. 14-1271 (D.C. Cir., Jan. 25, 2019), the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (Circuit Court) determined that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must proceed with consideration of a 2004 application to relicense the dams because the states of Oregon and California have waived the exercise of authorities (water quality certification) otherwise necessary for FERC to proceed. A copy of the decision is available here. The ultimate implications of the decision are uncertain, but it will inevitably have consequences for PacifiCorp, its customers, and the ongoing processes to pursue removal of the dams under the Amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (AKHSA) that has been in effect since 2016. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn here: Klamath dam removal efforts hit curve in the road
Folsom Lake up nearly 30 feet in less than a month: “The water level at Folsom Lake is up nearly 30 feet from where it was at the start of January. The low-water boat ramp that was in use just a couple of weeks ago is now only visible as a small rock pile, barely sticking out of the water. Recent rain and runoff from a relatively warm winter have produced inflows into the reservoir that are far outpacing the water being released. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Folsom Lake up nearly 30 feet in less than a month
Lagunitas Creek observers see robust coho salmon run: “The recent burst of winter rains has helped drive endangered coho salmon up to their spawning grounds in Lagunitas Creek, with surveyors counting the highest number of spawners in 12 years. “Since my last update we’ve counted 58 coho redds, bringing the season total to 160,” Marin Municipal Water District ecologist said Eric Ettlinger in a Jan. 7 update. “That’s slightly higher than average for this date, but we’ve also counted 563 adult coho salmon — the highest count in 12 years. It remains a mystery why we’re seeing so many fish but only slightly above-average numbers of redds. Many of the fish we saw last week had not yet spawned, so the redd count may still grow considerably. Fingers crossed.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Lagunitas Creek observers see robust coho salmon run
Point Reyes National Seashore reopens, staff returns after federal government shutdown ends: “The listless malaise common to many workplaces on Monday mornings was nowhere apparent among national park staffers, as workers returned from a 35-day layoff imposed on them by a political showdown 3,000 miles away. Their email in-boxes were brimming and the awaiting work load unmeasured, given 150 miles of back-country trails still to patrol for downed trees and other damage from recent winter storms. But everywhere, people were clearly glad to be in uniform and back on the job after a long, uncertain and stressful wait. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Point Reyes National Seashore reopens, staff returns after federal government shutdown ends
Monterey: Public Water Now forum questions Cal Am desal project water rights: “In its first public forum since the November election, the organization that backed a successful initiative seeking a public takeover of California American Water’s local water system is turning its attention to the debate over water rights for the private company’s proposed Monterey Peninsula desalination project. On Wednesday, Public Water Now is set to hold a forum entitled, “Can Cal Am Steal Marina’s Groundwater?” The forum, which is co-sponsored by Marina-based Citizens for Public Water, is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Marina Public Library. ... ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Monterey: Public Water Now forum questions Cal Am desal project water rights
50 years after the Santa Barbara oil spill: How the catastrophe sparked a modern environmental movement: “Jan. 28, 2019, marks 50 years since the pristine shores and Pacific waters of Santa Barbara, California, were blemished and blackened by an estimated 3 million gallons of crude oil that spewed out for months from a platform off the coast, forming an oil slick 35 miles long down the coastline across 800 square miles of ocean. The blown-out oil well resulted in what was the largest oil spill in United States history at that time. The disaster killed thousands of marine animals as well as approximately 3,700 birds, according to the California Department of Fish and Game. ... ” Read more from AccuWeather here: 50 years after the Santa Barbara oil spill: How the catastrophe sparked a modern environmental movement
Montecito District Board Supports Terms for Water Sales Agreement with Santa Barbara: “Terms were revealed this week for a developing water sales agreement between the Montecito Water District and City of Santa Barbara. The water district Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to proceed with the development of a long-term water supply agreement to buy water from Santa Barbara’s Charles E. Meyer Desalination Plant at 525 E. Yanonali St., which started producing water in mid-2017. … ” Read more from Noozhawk here: Montecito District Board Supports Terms for Water Sales Agreement with Santa Barbara
San Diego Mayor Faulconer Urges San Diego To Join Suit Over Cross-Border Sewage: “The city of San Diego is poised to join the legal battle to stop the flow of pollution in waterways at the U.S.-Mexico border. San Diego officials appear poised to ratchet up pressure on the federal government. The City Council on Tuesday will discuss suing federal officials for failing to stop cross-border sewage flows. Mayor Kevin Faulconer said it’s time to act. ... ” Read more from KPBS here: San Diego Mayor Faulconer Urges San Diego To Join Suit Over Cross-Border Sewage
Along the Colorado River …
One tribal nation could decide the fate of Arizona’s drought plan: “In Arizona, the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan now hinges on the approval of tribal nations. The plan is meant to levy water cuts to seven Western states in order to prevent the river and its reservoirs from reaching critical levels — but after a state lawmaker introduced legislation that undermines parts of the Gila River Indian Community’s water settlement, the tribe has threatened to exit the plan. Without tribal buy-in, Arizona’s implementation design will collapse, threatening the Basin-wide agreement. If the latter isn’t signed by Jan. 31, federal officials will scrap it and draw their own. ... ” Read more from High Country News here: One tribal nation could decide the fate of Arizona’s drought plan
States Along Colorado River Working To Avert Crisis From 19-Year Drought: “A 19-year drought has created a crisis for states along the Colorado River. They face a deadline this week to come up with a deal to share water, or the federal government says it will step in. ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Nearly all the lettuce in this country is grown with water from the Colorado River, which means a 19-year drought along the river has far-reaching implications. Neighboring states are still trying to come up with a deal by Thursday to avert a crisis. Lauren Sommer of member station KQED and NPR’s energy and environment team reports. … ” Continue reading from NPR here: States Along Colorado River Working To Avert Crisis From 19-Year Drought
6 states backed Colorado River plan; Arizona faces deadline: “Arizona is facing a deadline to become the last of several states in the U.S. West to approve a plan ensuring shared water from the Colorado River doesn’t dry up for millions of farmers, cities, tribes and developers that depend on it. The other six states have agreed to plans that recognize a long-running drought, the dwindling supply of water and how they intend to cope with it. Arizona’s plan has broad support but hasn’t been approved by the Legislature, a factor that has made the negotiations on the drought contingency plan more complex. No other state required lawmakers to sign off. ... ” Read more from the AP via the Star Tribune here: 6 states backed Colorado River plan; Arizona faces deadline
Precipitation watch …
From NWS Sacramento: An active weather pattern ahead with multiple chances for precipitation this week. The most impactful period will likely be Friday through Sunday as a pair of Pacific systems move through the region. Snow levels at, and below pass level, will likely lead to mountain travel delays and chain controls.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Today’s announcements …
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: San Joaquin Fish Population Enhancement Program (SJFPEP) and Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) Grants Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP)
- PROP 1 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Ocean Protection Council latest grant solicitation is now open
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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.
