In California water news today, US sues California over river flow standards; Solano intends to sue DWR over Lookout Slough restoration; Anglers pleased with pesticide reduction on the Delta; Water Planners Share SGMA Strategies; California’s water infrastructure to be tested this spring as massive winter snowpack melts away; Drying out in the West this weekend, but another storm arrives early next week; Bernhardt sails through hearing; Colorado River drought plan clears 2 early hurdles in Congress; and more …
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- CAL WATER FIX: Groups send letter to Governor Newsom regarding key issues with California Water Fix
- THIS JUST IN … United States Files Lawsuit Against California State Water Resources Control Board for Failure to Comply With California Environmental Quality Act
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Water Data Advisory Council releases water data governance recommendations; Jared Blumenfeld confirmed as Cal EPA Secretary; SYRCL to D.C. Circuit: Don’t let NID undermine the Clean Water Act; Seven states testify in support of Colorado River Drought Plan
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA Offers Conservation Assistance to Landowners to Protect Wetlands, Agricultural Lands and Grasslands
- WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Urban Stakeholders~ PPIC Video~ Conservation Strategy~ Watershed Conference~ Water Summit~~
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Estuary News~ Nutria Guide~ Lodi Festival~ Lookout Slough~ DSC Survey ~~
Trump administration sues California to block water plan for fish: “Turning the tables on California, the Trump administration sued Thursday to block the state’s ambitious plan to reallocate billions of gallons of river water to salmon and other struggling fish species. The lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Interior injects the Trump administration into one of the biggest California water controversies in years — an issue where Gov. Gavin Newsom is attempting to forge a compromise between agriculture and the environment. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Trump administration sues California to block water plan for fish
US sues California over river flow standards: “The federal government Thursday added to the pile of lawsuits challenging new state requirements to boost river flows in order to help struggling fish populations. The U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages California’s largest irrigation supply project, argues that the flow standards will interfere with its operation of the New Melones Dam and reservoir on the Stanislaus River. The federal complaint, filed in both state and federal court, is the 11th lawsuit launched against the State Water Resources Control Board since it voted in December to require greater flows in the Stanislaus and two other tributaries of the San Joaquin River. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: US sues California over river flow standards
U.S. Sues California Over Controversial Habitat Protection Plan for Salmon: “The federal government sued California on Thursday over a water policy it said violates the state’s environmental protection law. The U.S. Department of Justice filed suit in Sacramento federal court to block a contentious plan approved in December to increase river flows in the San Joaquin River and three tributaries to help revive dwindling salmon populations. It was part of a larger effort to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, which state officials called an “ecosystem in crisis.” The delta supplies water for the majority of California’s people and farms. … ” Read more from the AP via KTLA: U.S. Sues California Over Controversial Habitat Protection Plan for Salmon
Water fight heats up: “The federal government is suing the State of California over a water grab plan to increase water flows in the Lower San Joaquin River that has a high likelihood of New Melones Reservoir — based on the planned diversion and historic hydrology on the Stanislaus River Basin — going dry 12 times every 95 years. If implemented the plan would cut back available water to 52,000 acres of farmland within the South San Joaquin Irrigation District as well as the cities of Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy. In drought years the potential would exist for severe rationing. The same consequences face Oakdale Irrigation District. The two districts share legally adjudicated water rights to the Stanislaus River watershed that supersedes any other jurisdictions including the state and federal governments. ... ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Water fight heats up
DELTA
Solano intends to sue DWR over Lookout Slough restoration: “Solano County intends to sue the state Department of Water Resources with regard to the 3,400-acre Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration Project. “By unanimous vote, the (Board of Supervisors) has authorized . . . the County Counsel’s Office to file suit against the Department of Water Resources, Ecosystem Investment Partners III, EIP III Credit Co., EIP California LLC and Reclamation District 2098,” County Counsel Dennis Bunting announced Tuesday morning after a closed session of the board. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano intends to sue DWR over Lookout Slough restoration
Anglers pleased with pesticide reduction on the Delta: “Bay Area anglers say they are pleased that the California State Parks is drastically reducing the number of sites that are treated with pesticides on the grass and weed-choked Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) uses pesticide sprays and pellets containing fluridone to control invasive plants and weeds that displace native plants and form dense mats of vegetation that create safety hazards for boaters while obstructing navigation channels, marinas and irrigation systems. … ” Read more from KTVU here: Anglers pleased with pesticide reduction on the Delta
DROUGHT/HYDROLOGY
Drying out in the West this weekend, but another storm arrives early next week: “March will be going out like a lamb in the West this weekend, but the stormy weather is not done just yet, as a new storm will bring the potential for rain and mountain snow early next week. In the meantime, there were some showers across northern California on Thursday, which led to downpours, thunderstorms and even small hail. The threat for downpours and perhaps even some thunder will shift northward into Oregon Friday, where the most likely time-frame for showers will be in the afternoon. … ” Read more from Accu-Weather here: Drying out in the West this weekend, but another storm arrives early next week
California’s water infrastructure to be tested this spring as massive winter snowpack melts away: “As waterlogged storms repeatedly pounded California this winter, social media was filled with variations on a distinct photo theme. The subject was a freshly-plowed road, wedged in between towering white walls of snow measuring 10, 20 feet tall. As long as vehicles had safe passage, a wintry trench would be fine – that snow had to go somewhere, after all. But with an early-spring heatwave in the forecast, it’s time to start thinking about what a massive amount of snowmelt will mean for the state – that water has to go somewhere, after all. … ” Read more from SF Gate News here: California’s water infrastructure to be tested this spring as massive winter snowpack melts away
California drought over, conservation continues: “Last week, as snowpack in the Sierra Nevada measured more than 150 percent of its average, California was declared free of drought for the first time in more than seven years. As reported by United States Drought Monitor on March 19, “California emerged from drought conditions for the first week since Dec. 11, 2011, breaking its 376-week streak.” But California weather is nothing if not fickle, and boom-or-bust weather cycles appear to be the new norm for the state. During a speech at the American Water Works Association conference in Sacramento on Tuesday, March 26, California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot, said that he expects wet winters will be wetter, and dry winters will be drier. Water managers across East County echoed that sentiment and stressed the importance of continued conservation. … ” Read more from The Press here: California drought over, conservation continues
California ‘browning’ more in the south during droughts: “Like a climate chameleon, California turned brown during the 2012–16 drought, as vegetation dried or died off. But the change wasn’t uniform. According to research from UCLA and Columbia University, large areas of the northern part of the state were not severely affected, while Southern California became much browner than usual. ... ” Read more from PhysOrg here: California ‘browning’ more in the south during droughts
OTHER STATEWIDE NEWS
Water Planners Share SGMA Strategies: “Water planners and stakeholders from across the state convened in West Sacramento recently for the Department of Water Resources’ Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Forum to share experiences and ideas as they implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). DWR’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Office hosted the event on March 21, 2019, to assist GSAs as they plan for sustainability and to encourage stakeholder engagement and GSA coordination and collaboration within basins and between adjacent basins. ... ” Read more from DWR News here: Water Planners Share SGMA Strategies
Western Innovator: Farmer likes his crops dry: “Fourth-generation farmer Bill Cox grew up driving tractors and working alongside his father in the fields and orchards in Stanislaus County. “In college at the University of California-Davis I considered a career in biology, possibly working for the California Fish and Game Department,” he said. “I decided to farm as I finished college, but had to go into the Navy for a few years. Later I wanted to work for the Contadina tomato cannery for two years, before farming.” … ” Read more from the Capital Press here: Western Innovator: Farmer likes his crops dry
Many California asparagus farmers calling it quits: “It’s considered one of the cash crops in San Joaquin County but now several farmers are throwing in the towel when it comes to asparagus because it’s too expensive. Jeff Klein, the president of Klein Family Farms, is one of the last asparagus farmers standing in California. “We rely so heavily on the consumer and the consumer needs to be given the opportunity to buy the California asparagus,” Klein told FOX40. … ” Read more from Fox 40 here: Many California asparagus farmers calling it quits
Former Gov. Jerry Brown’s days filled with grazing cows, drawing well water at Colusa ranch: “Former Gov. Jerry Brown’s days are now filled with drawing water from a well on his rural Colusa County ranch and watching his neighbor’s cows grazing on the sprawling land. How different is his new life from that of constant security details and the luxuries of the governor’s mansion? ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Former Gov. Jerry Brown’s days filled with grazing cows, drawing well water at Colusa ranch
NATIONAL
Bernhardt sails through hearing: “Interior secretary nominee David Bernhardt today appeared to move smoothly and unruffled through his Senate confirmation hearing. Shadowed by demonstrators and denounced by some Democrats at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Bernhardt defended his extensive track record both as a lobbyist and as a public official with a total of about 10 years of experience over two administrations at the Interior Department. “I have a very clear understanding of the often-conflicting legal and policy issues that I will face,” Bernhardt told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Addressing what critics consider his biggest vulnerability, the lawyer and former energy and water lobbyist insisted he has implemented an “incredibly robust screening process” to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided. Some Democrats don’t buy it. … ” Continue reading from E&E News here: Bernhardt sails through hearing
A nemesis of California environmentalists gains new powers, but also new foes: “Democrats and their allies are moving to push back against a former lobbyist and frequent foe of California environmentalists who is on his way to becoming the next secretary of the Interior Department. They don’t have the power to block Trump nominee David Bernhardt, but they do have far more ability to oppose his agenda than they had for the last two years, when he served as the powerful deputy secretary of the department. During that time, Bernhardt helped advance a slew of controversial proposals on oil and gas drilling on public lands and off the coasts, changes to the Endangered Species Act, and a move to free up more water for California agriculture that could further harm endangered fish. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: A nemesis of California environmentalists gains new powers, but also new foes
Senators press Interior secretary nominee David Bernhardt on offshore drilling: “Lawmakers seeking assurance that the Trump administration will exempt their states from offshore drilling plans received no such promise during Thursday’s confirmation hearing of the president’s pick to run the Interior Department. Senators grilled David Bernhardt on the administration’s proposal to open nearly all of the United States coastal waters to oil and gas drilling. What they got in response was Bernhardt’s commitment to listen to state leaders and a hint that the final plan may cover a smaller area. But that was all. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Senators press Interior secretary nominee David Bernhardt on offshore drilling
In commentary today …
California must prioritize clean drinking water for all, says Mike Mielke: He writes, “Silicon Valley companies are known for their innovation and creativity; from the development of laptops and smart phones that make people more productive, to the zero-emission vehicles that will reduce air pollution, and the apps that keep us all connected. Sadly, not everything produced in the Golden State is a source of pride; namely cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and birth defects caused by contaminants in our state’s water – which affects approximately 1 million Californians. ... ” Continue reading from the San Jose Mercury News here: California must prioritize clean drinking water for all
The Salton Sea is a disaster in the making. California isn’t doing anything to stop it, says the LA Times: They write, “California’s largest internal body of water is steadily drying up, exposing a lake bed that threatens to trigger toxic dust storms and exacerbate already high levels of asthma and other respiratory diseases in Southern California. Yet there is something about the Salton Sea that leads many lawmakers to ignore the urgency and put off remediation programs. It’s just so far south — off the mental map of officials who represent more densely populated urban areas to the north, like Los Angeles. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: The Salton Sea is a disaster in the making. California isn’t doing anything to stop it
In regional news and commentary today …
U.S. Fish and Wildlife release thousands of endangered salmon into Battle Creek: “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released 185,000 endangered winter-run chinook salmon smolts into Battle Creek, west of Red Bluff. The release was part of the program Jump Start, which helps with the return of the endangered salmon to the Sacramento River Basin. ... ” Read more from Action News Now here: U.S. Fish and Wildlife release thousands of endangered salmon into Battle Creek
Long road ahead: Residents push for answers regarding Paradise water contamination: “Kevin Phillips looked out at a crowd of some 700 people, most of them his customers, and delivered a painful message that many had heard before from varying sources. But to get confirmation from the Paradise Irrigation District manager that it may take two to three years to get the town’s water infrastructure back up and running at full capacity still sent shock waves through the large auditorium. … ” Read more from the Chico News & Review here: Long road ahead: Residents push for answers regarding Paradise water contamination
Harbor Working Group sounds alarm over bay: “Major ongoing shoaling problems in Humboldt Bay left the Humboldt Bay Harbor Working Group casting about for solutions at the citizen group’s meeting today at the Samoa Cookhouse. Parts of the bay are experiencing high levels of shoaling — sediment buildup that shallows the water, putting boats at the mercy of large waves. Leroy Zerlang, a Samoa shipyard owner and the featured speaker at the Working Group’s monthly lunch, said there currently isn’t enough local money to dredge the harbor. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Harbor Working Group sounds alarm over bay
Adelman’s activism honored by north coast water board: “Russian River environmental watchdog Brenda Adelman accepted a water stewardship award from California’s North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board last month in a ceremony at NCRWQCB headquarters in Santa Rosa. “I really appreciate this honor. I can’t tell you how much this means to me,” Adelman told the audience of friends, colleagues and the six-member water board that monitors the Russian River watershed. ... ” Read more from Sonoma West here: Adelman’s activism honored by north coast water board
Emergency repair underway for Belvedere’s leaning seawall: “A construction crew works to stabilize the failing seawall along Beach Road in Belvedere on Thursday. City officials declared a state of emergency in October after learning that the crumbling seawall was at risk of collapsing into the bay. Workers this month drove large pieces of steel into the bayshore to prop up the barrier. The fix is expected to cost roughly $300,000 and is the first of several forthcoming projects that Belvedere hopes will increase protection against flooding. ... ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Emergency repair underway for Belvedere’s leaning seawall
Point Reyes brainstorms its water story: “Around three dozen locals gathered on Monday evening in Point Reyes Station to discuss water-related concerns. It was the first of three meetings—there will be a second in May and a third in June—that the county is holding to help identify issues in the village. Planner Lorene Jackson identified three water-related issues particular to the town: the shortage of bathrooms, the fact that current septic restrictions dampen enthusiasm and options around building accessory and junior accessory dwelling units, and problems that could crop up in the future due to sea-level rise, such as rising groundwater and increased salinity. ... ” Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Point Reyes brainstorms its water story
Water releases from Mother Lode reservoirs higher than normal to prepare for snowmelt: “Major reservoirs in the Mother Lode are releasing water at a rate roughly 10 times greater than the 15-year median for this time of year as dam operators make room for runoff from a snowpack that’s well above average. Goodwin Dam downstream of Tulloch and New Melones reservoirs on the Stanislaus River were releasing about 4,500 cubic feet, or 33,000 gallons, per second on Thursday. The 15-year median for this time of year is about 451 cubic feet per second, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. ... ” Read more from the Union Democrat here: Water releases from Mother Lode reservoirs higher than normal to prepare for snowmelt
Antioch gets $10 million grant to design, build desalination plant: “Antioch’s plan to build a long-awaited brackish desalination plant got a major boost this week when the City Council officially accepted a $10 million state grant that will pay toward design and construction. The city’s grant was one of three statewide to be awarded in March 2018 from the Department of Water Resources for desalination projects under Proposition 1, but environmental reviews and other work still need to be done to free up the money. Proposition 1, approved in 2014, set aside $725 million in grants and loans for water recycling, treatment and desalination projects. ... ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Antioch gets $10 million grant to design, build desalination plant
Newman: Groundwater recharge project shows encouraging results: “A pilot project banking groundwater in the Newman area is showing positive results. The project is a joint effort of the Central California Irrigation District and the Del Puerto Water District, said Chris White, CCID general manager. The site is located on 20 acres of property west of Eastin Road, within the Del Puerto Water District. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Newman: Groundwater recharge project shows encouraging results
Santa Barbara: Images show Lake Cachuma levels before and after rainy season: “Cachuma Lake levels have risen from 36 percent to 78 percent since Jan. 31, according to the County of Santa Barbara Public Works. Photos posted on Facebook shows the stark difference between January and today. … ” Read more from KEYT here: Santa Barbara: Images show Lake Cachuma levels before and after rainy season
Thomas Fire fallout blamed for second ‘critical shutdown’ at Lake Casitas facility: “For the second time in two months, officials had to stop diverting river water into Lake Casitas this week when several feet of sandy muck got in the way. The lake depends on local rainfall and runoff from creeks and the Ventura River. This year, it got a boost from a series of storms over the past few months. But as that water rushed into the diversion facility, a steady stream of sandy silt and gravel came, too. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Thomas Fire fallout blamed for second ‘critical shutdown’ at Lake Casitas facility
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River drought plan clears 2 early hurdles in Congress: “A plan to divvy up cutbacks to Colorado River water in times of shortage has passed its first two tests in Congress. On Thursday, a House subcommittee endorsed the Drought Contingency Plan after questioning the state and federal officials who crafted it. One of them, Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, called on the committee and Congress to take “urgent action” and authorize it as soon as possible. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Colorado River drought plan clears 2 early hurdles in Congress
Seeking drought relief: The Navajo turn to NASA: “The horses came from miles around. Seeking life, they found death. Last spring, the arid western edge of the Navajo Nation in Arizona was drier than it had been in many years. Feral and wild horses, dehydrated and malnourished, sought out a watering hole near Gray Mountain. Instead of finding relief, nearly 200 got stuck in muddy clay and perished. It’s a scene that comes to mind for Carlee McClellan when he thinks about drought. … ” Read more from NASA here: Seeking drought relief: The Navajo turn to NASA
Climate change threatens Great Basin waterbirds, a ‘canary in the mine’ for healthy lakes, wetlands: “As snow dusts the Great Basin, a network of peaks and valleys that occupies most of Nevada, water flows into the wetlands and terminal lakes that dot an otherwise arid region. These precarious supplies of water — sensitive to human disturbances — play a key role in the annual migration and breeding of birds. Since the early 1900s, diversions for cities, farms and ranches have changed the amount of water that makes it into these lakes, which form part of the Pacific Flyway, a Western migration path for waterbirds. Now researchers report that they are facing a new threat: climate change. ... ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: Climate change threatens Great Basin waterbirds, a ‘canary in the mine’ for healthy lakes, wetlands
Precipitation watch …
Wet pattern likely to continue into early April as a series of systems move across interior NorCal next week.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
CAL WATER FIX: Groups send letter to Governor Newsom regarding key issues with California Water Fix
Today’s announcements …
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: USDA Offers Conservation Assistance to Landowners to Protect Wetlands, Agricultural Lands and Grasslands
- WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~Urban Stakeholders~ PPIC Video~ Conservation Strategy~ Watershed Conference~ Water Summit~~
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Estuary News~ Nutria Guide~ Lodi Festival~ Lookout Slough~ DSC Survey ~~
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