In California water news today, Tiny Northern California town is sinking, new report finds; Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program; Big surge in Coho salmon population, but the endangered species still needs protection; Series of storms boost Bay Area rainfall totals, Sierra Nevada snowpack; San Mateo: Sea level rise agency takes shape; Jared Huffman to head up oceans and water subcommittee in House; A study surveyed washed-up seals, whales and dolphins. Every single one had ingested plastic.; and more …
In the news today …
Tiny Northern California town is sinking, new report finds: “The tiny town of Arbuckle in Northern California sank more than two feet in nine years. The revelation comes from a new survey that tracked subsidence — the gradual sinking of land — in the Sacramento Valley between 2008-17. The report was released last week by the California Department of Water, in coordination with 19 local and state agencies. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: Tiny Northern California town is sinking, new report finds
Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program: “Agricultural and environmental leaders spoke at the Water Market Exchange Symposium in the Satellite Student Union on Jan. 24 to share their perspectives on a water market exchange program. The symposium featured speakers from water agencies, environmental interests, disadvantaged community interests and water market administrators. According to Fresno State California Water Institute program manager Laura Ramos, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) would result in reductions of the supply of groundwater, creating the need for a creative and innovative solution to efficiently manage it. ... ” Read more from the Collegian here: Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program
Mendocino County: Our water supply is ‘dam’ important, says Devon Jones: He writes, “The Mendocino County Farm Bureau appreciates the more than 150 people that took the time last week to attend the showing of the movie, A River’s Last Chance, and for the assistance in the promotion of the event from the Ukiah Daily Journal. It was gratifying to see so many individuals willing to learn more about the Eel River, the Potter Valley Project and their water supply. Increasing the awareness of the inter-basin water transfer and the Potter Valley Project for residents in the Russian River watershed has been a mission of the Farm Bureau for the last few decades. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Our water supply is ‘dam’ important
Big surge in Coho salmon population, but the endangered species still needs protection: “The winter rains have caused the biggest surge of coho salmon in a dozen years in the celebrated spawning grounds of western Marin County, one of California’s last great strongholds for the embattled pink fish. At least 648 coho this winter made their way against the current up meandering, forested Lagunitas Creek and its many tributaries on the northwestern side of Mount Tamalpais, according to a new census by biologists. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Big surge in Coho salmon population, but the endangered species still needs protection
Series of storms boost Bay Area rainfall totals, Sierra Nevada snowpack: “A series of early February storms have helped Bay Area cities inch closer to their average rainfall totals for this time of year, and one city that is normally among the driest received nearly 2 inches of rain since Friday. San Jose, which often falls victim to a rain-shadow effect courtesy of the Santa Cruz mountains, received 1.74 inches of rain during a 72-hour period ending Monday at 5:45 a.m., according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Series of storms boost Bay Area rainfall totals, Sierra Nevada snowpack
San Mateo: Sea level rise agency takes shape: “A countywide effort to address sea level rise is gaining momentum after San Mateo County supervisors took steps to form a new government agency to manage flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion and stormwater infrastructure this week. By expanding the San Mateo County Flood Control District’s responsibilities to address sea level rise and adjust its governance structure to include city and county officials, officials have looked to the proposal to form the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency Agency to facilitate coordination between jurisdictions as they set their sights on a new set of challenges for water infrastructure projects. ... ” Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal here: San Mateo: Sea level rise agency takes shape
Morro Bay city manager confirms protest of sewer rate increase fell short: “The sewer rate increases approved for Morro Bay will go into effect in July, despite opposition from a group that earlier claimed it got enough protest signatures to stop the rate hike. Morro Bay City Manager Scott Collins clarified in a recent report that the protest was unsuccessful and the measure will go into effect with customers seeing the additional charge on their August bill. “Some people were concerned we didn’t acknowledge the new protest votes,” Collins said. “So this report addresses that.” ... ” Read more from KSBY here: Morro Bay city manager confirms protest of sewer rate increase fell short
San Diego: City Won’t Say How $3B Pure Water Project Will Affect Customers’ Bills: “San Diego is in the midst of spending roughly $3 billion on a massive new water treatment system, but city officials can’t or won’t tell customers how that will affect their water bills. New water recycling plants will eventually purify enough sewage to provide a third of the city’s drinking water. In November, the City Council approved the first, $1.4 billion phase of the project. ... ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: San Diego: City Won’t Say How $3B Pure Water Project Will Affect Customers’ Bills
Jared Huffman to head up oceans and water subcommittee in House: “With the Democratic Party back in control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the process of handing out committee assignments and committee chair assignments is in full swing. For U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), that means being elected the head of a key environmental subcommittee. On Tuesday, the Democratic members of the House Committee on Natural Resources elected Huffman to serve as chair for the newly established Water, Ocean and Wildlife Subcommittee. The chair is the result of a long career championing environmental protections and, for Huffman, it’s both an honor and a welcome added responsibility. … ” Read more from the Times-Standard here: Jared Huffman to head up oceans and water subcommittee in House
A study surveyed washed-up seals, whales and dolphins. Every single one had ingested plastic.: “Every single marine mammal analyzed in a recent study had ingested plastic, researchers found. The scientists, who published their findings Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports, examined the digestive tracts of 50 seals, whales and dolphins from 10 different species that had washed up on British shores. They found tiny pieces of broken-down plastic in every single one of them. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: A study surveyed washed-up seals, whales and dolphins
Scientist sees even conservatives now worried over climate change: “Over the weekend, the Midwest and eastern U.S. were finally released from the grip of an icy air mass known as the “Polar Vortex.” Tens of millions of Americans experienced life-threatening cold that set record lows across the region. President Trump, not for the first time, seized on the obvious optics to minimize the threat of global warming.”In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded,” he tweeted. “What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you!” ... ” Read more from KQED here: Scientist sees even conservatives now worried over climate change
How drought affects freshwater fish: “When we think of a river, dark, cool rushing water — full of energy and life — comes to mind. Yet, in the face of climate change we are frequently witnessing almost entirely dry river beds with barely enough water to support fish and other aquatic life. Dry conditions and water removal are leaving little space for the animals that depend on these freshwater systems. Australia recently witnessed the consequences of this in several massive fish kills on the Darling River. ... ” Read more from The Conversation here: How drought affects freshwater fish
Along the Colorado River …
California Talks and Deadline Drama Cloud Arizona’s Approval of Drought Plan: “The status of the Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan remains uncertain because of players outside of Arizona, in spite of legislation signed by Governor Doug Ducey last week authorizing Arizona to join a seven-state drought plan for the Colorado River region. Contradicting Ducey’s office, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said Arizona and California did not finalize the plan by a January 31 deadline, so the federal government will prepare to intervene to prevent disaster on the river. Meanwhile, an influential irrigation district in California is negotiating past the deadline for more federal funding before the district’s board formally approves the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). … ” Read more from New Times Phoenix here: California Talks and Deadline Drama Cloud Arizona’s Approval of Drought Plan
Precipitation watch …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
https://mavensnotebook.com/2019/02/04/reservoir-and-water-conditions-for-february-4-2019/
Today’s announcements …
- OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT: Long term water transfers revised EIR/Supplemental EIS available
- US EPA CA SELENIUM PROPOSAL: Notice of Comment Period Extension and Rescheduled Public Hearings
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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.
