DAILY DIGEST: Gov. Newsom issues executive order to develop water resiliency plan; Despite abundant snowpack, water still limited for some farmers; Drones offer water agencies cost, safety benefits; Chronicles of the rings: What trees tell us; and more …

In California water news today, Gov. Newsom issues executive order to develop water resiliency plan; Despite abundant snowpack, water still limited for some farmers; Yuba Water Agency, DWR launch research to enhance reservoir operations; Drones Offer Water Agencies Cost, Safety Benefits; Study estimates 15,000 cancer cases could stem from chemicals in California tap water; Chronicles of the rings: What trees tell us; As Salt Builds Up in Soils Around The World, Farmers and Conservationists Seek Solutions; and more …

On the calendar today …

• The Delta Independent Science Board will hold a workshop from 9am to 5pm for their review of the Delta Monitoring Enterprise at the Embassy Suites in downtown Sacramento.  Click here for the agenda.   This workshop will not be webcast.
• The Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife will hold a legislative hearing beginning at 9am. The committee will discuss Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 3, the Clean Water for All Act, Nutria eradication, and at 9:30am, an informational hearing, Balancing Water Needs into the Future – The San Joaquin Valley Example.  For more information, click here.  Click here to watch on webcast.

In the news today …

Gov. Newsom issues executive order demanding drought-climate plan:  “Like many governors before him, Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking to get his arms around California’s myriad water problems, issuing an executive order Monday that calls for his administration to do nothing less than ensure safe and sufficient water for the next century.  The order directs state agencies to review and come up with plans to improve policies addressing such issues as California’s chronic water shortages, contaminated drinking water, unaffordable water rates, and the declining health of rivers and lakes. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Gov. Newsom issues executive order demanding drought-climate plan

Few details in Newsom’s water policy directive:  “Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ordered key state agencies to develop a blueprint for meeting California’s 21st-century water needs in the face of climate change.  The executive order includes few details and doesn’t appear to set a dramatic new water course for the state.  Rather, it reaffirms Newsom’s intentions to downsize the controversial twin tunnels project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, use voluntary agreements to meet new river flow requirements and provide clean drinking water to impoverished communities. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Few details in Newsom’s water policy directive

• RELATED CONTENT:  THIS JUST IN … Governor Newsom directs state agencies to prepare water resilience portfolio for California

Despite abundant snowpack, water still limited for some farmers:  “It’s an exceptional year for Sierra snowpack — 150 to 200% in some places.  Mountain snow is the main water source for agriculture on the Valley’s west side.  But those farmers are getting just 65% of their allocation, raising the question, ‘what else has to happen for it to reach 100%?’  Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobsen says, “65% — that’s ridiculous in a year like this year.” … ”  Read more from Your Central Valley here:  Despite abundant snowpack, water still limited for some farmers

Yuba Water Agency, DWR launch research to enhance reservoir operations:  “Yuba Water Agency today launched an initiative with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography to improve storm and runoff forecasting, and significantly reduce flood risk though enhanced operations of New Bullards Bar and Oroville dams.  This research will supply information needed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to update the 1970’s-era water control manuals, which dictate the storm-season operations of both reservoirs. Yuba Water’s goal is to have a new water control manual approved about the same time the agency completes construction of a new, planned secondary spillway at its New Bullards Bar Dam, estimated for completion in 2024. … ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here:  Yuba Water Agency, DWR launch research to enhance reservoir operations

Drones Offer Water Agencies Cost, Safety Benefits:  “Water agencies across San Diego County are saving time and money while improving employee safety with drones.  Industry analysts say drone use by water agencies worldwide is growing. The Helix Water District, Otay Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority have embraced the technology, using drones to inspect and monitor facilities, and to map and survey inaccessible areas. ... ”  Read more from the Water News Network here: Drones Offer Water Agencies Cost, Safety Benefits

Study estimates 15,000 cancer cases could stem from chemicals in California tap water:  “A new study finds that drinking tap water in California over the course of a lifetime could increase the risk of cancer.  Researchers from the environmental advocacy group Environmental Working Group estimated that the contaminants found in public water systems in California could contribute to about 15,500 cancer cases there over the course of a lifetime. These contaminants include chemicals such as arsenic, hexavalent chromium and radioactive elements such as uranium and radium. The study was published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Health. ... ”  Read more from CNN here:  Study estimates 15,000 cancer cases could stem from chemicals in California tap water

Toxic contaminants found in California’s tap water could cause cancer:  “A new study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that toxic pollutants in California’s drinking water could cause more than 15,000 cases of cancer. The research is the first of its kind to investigate the risk associated with all of the contaminants in the state’s public water systems collectively.  For their study, the EWG scientists used a new analytical technique to quantify the combined health impacts of carcinogens and other toxic contaminants in more than 2,700 community water systems across California. … ”  Read more from Earth.com here:  Toxic contaminants found in California’s tap water could cause cancer

How a water conservation senior project turned into a company of 25 employees with nationwide reach:  “In the midst of the record-breaking California drought in 2014, three Cal Poly students decided to use their senior project to try to help stop water leaks. They began designing a device that would monitor a consumer’s water usage during the month and hoped it would inspire people to pay closer attention to their consumption. Eric Adler, James Fazio and Jeff Hufford named their senior engineering project Flumetech, now a company with more than 25 employees and a nationwide reach. … ”  Read more from Mustang News here:  How a water conservation senior project turned into a company of 25 employees with nationwide reach

California will spend millions more on wildfire preparedness after losing billions:  “California is now spending the most money it’s ever spent to help prepare for fire season.  $1 billion dollars will be distributed throughout the next five years so that firefighters, including 40 National Guard Firefighters, can eliminate hazards in our valley.  Cal Fire has identified 35 at risk areas in the state, and 5 of them are in Fresno County. … ”  Read more from Fox 26 News here:  California will spend millions more on wildfire preparedness after losing billions

Insurance Coverage Drying Up As California Wildfire Recovery Drags On:  “After the Tubbs Fire reduced their Santa Rosa, Calif., home to ash in October 2017, Chris Keys and his wife, Sara Jakel-Keys, said deciding to rebuild was easy.  But a year and a half after the fire, the road to normalcy has proved longer and more painful than anticipated, even for families with pretty good insurance. Construction and bureaucratic delays have added up, and in July, the five-member family expects to run out of insurance coverage that helps pay for living expenses. ... ”  Read more from NPR here:  Insurance Coverage Drying Up As California Wildfire Recovery Drags On

Chronicles of the rings: What trees tell us:  “From the early 1700s until the 1960s, the fast moving river of wind known as the North Atlantic Jet Stream, which drives weather extremes over Europe, was pretty steady on its course.  Then it became less predictable. But instrument data alone can’t tell the jet stream’s movements for comparison over the centuries, given that scientists began keeping records of weather events via instruments only in the late 19th century.  The rings of trees, however, offer a far more complete historical picture of climate variations. … ”  Read more from the New York Times here:  Chronicles of the rings: What trees tell us

While already scorchers, world deserts could get even hotter:  “The world is becoming a warmer place, and according to research conducted by a group of scientists from the University of California in Riverside and Los Angeles, already scorching hot deserts are expected to get much hotter in the near future. The results published in the Climate Change Report for California shows how by mid-century, average daily temperatures in the deserts of Southern California could soar well above current values, and that would most likely be the norm across many other deserts around the world. … ”  Read more from the Weather Network here: While already scorchers, world deserts could get even hotter

As Salt Builds Up in Soils Around The World, Farmers and Conservationists Seek Solutions:  “The water tastes salty and the rice barely grows in the coastal villages of the Ca Mau peninsula at the southern tip of Vietnam’s Mekong River delta.  Thi Tran, a young woman who farms 2 acres (0.8 hectares) of rice and vegetables while her husband works on the fishing boats in the Gulf of Thailand, says she fears for her family.  “When we moved here 10 years ago it was OK to farm. But we struggle to grow anything now and have to buy fresh water,” she says, speaking through a translator. “The soil and the water gets saltier. If I don’t grow rice, I do not have anything to feed my family. We can only use this water for gargling and cooking. I think we will have to leave.” … ”  Read more from Circle of Blue here:  As Salt Builds Up in Soils Around The World, Farmers and Conservationists Seek Solutions

In regional news and commentary today …

Arcata: ‘Grandfather’ of natural treatment systems: HSU professor emeritus to be honored with environmental award:  “The city of Arcata produces more than two million gallons of sewage per day — there is nothing out of the ordinary about that statistic; it’s in line with the amount of sewage generated by cities of similar size.  The difference between Arcata and those other similarly sized cities is the manner in which the sewage is treated. The procedure the city currently uses to process its wastewater didn’t exist 50 years ago. It was the engineering skill of two men that led to an innovative wastewater treatment system that not only handles the city’s sewage but also provides a wildlife sanctuary that is one of the city’s most popular attractions. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here:  ‘Grandfather’ of natural treatment systems: HSU professor emeritus to be honored with environmental award

Cal Am withdraws appeal of desal permit denial: “Monday evening California American Water announced it had decided to withdraw its appeal of the Marina city Planning Commission’s denial of a coastal development permit for the company’s proposed desalination project, specifically the intake slant wells and other related infrastructure. Cal Am announced it had been told by city officials its request for the mayor and two council members to recuse themselves due to alleged bias against the desal project would not be honored. The company will now appeal the commission’s denial directly to the Coastal Commission. ... ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here:  Cal Am withdraws appeal of desal permit denial

Garcetti Outlines ‘Green New Deal’ for Los Angeles:  “Mayor Eric Garcetti Monday unveiled a Green New Deal for Los Angeles, setting aggressive new environmental goals in a range of areas, including electric autos, air quality, trees and public transit.  Garcetti’s plan comes as a national Green New Deal resolution being promoted by some Democrats in Congress sets a goal for the nation to get 100 percent of its power through renewable energy by 2030.  “Politicians in Washington don’t have to look across the aisle in Congress to know what a Green New Deal is — they can look across the country, to Los Angeles,” Garcetti said. … ”  Read more from NBC LA here: Garcetti Outlines ‘Green New Deal’ for Los Angeles

Today’s video …

Fly right up to this Northern California waterfall:  “Drone video flies you right up to Phantom Falls waterfall at Table Mountain near Oroville, CA. Shot and edited by John Hannon for Sacramento Valley Water. It sits at 250 feet in elevation.”

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

BLOG ROUND-UP: Newsom’s water resilience plan, Delta flow needs, Expensive fish, Importance of Delta estuary to salmon, Artificial legal distinctions; and more …

THIS JUST IN … Governor Newsom directs state agencies to prepare water resilience portfolio for California

REACTIONS: Organizations and water agencies react to Governor Newsom’s Water Resilience Plan

Today’s announcements …

• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Bureau of Reclamation makes $32 million in funding opportunities available for Desalination Construction Projects and Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects under the WIIN Act
• NEW REGS: Recycled Water Policy Amendment Approved by Office of Administrative Law

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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.