In California water news today, Newsom officially kills Jerry Brown’s Delta twin tunnels project; ‘Look for some other way’: Blast survivor warns against building tunnel through Delta gas fields; Sierra snowpack is 188 percent of normal; Toxic water in California prisons: Sickening inmates and costing taxpayers millions; Using Nature to Tackle Water Infrastructure Challenges; Cannabis growers and investors: Be sure of your water rights; Low-Carbon Water Management; The Climate Action Now Act the first of many?; and more …
On the calendar today …
- The Delta Independent Science Board will meet at the Jean Harvie Community Center in Walnut Grove from 9am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include interagency science, the status of its current reviews, and a discussion on how to move forward with a public draft of its review on the Interagency Ecological Program. Click here to watch on webcast.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- REACTIONS: Water agencies, environmental organizations, legislators, and Delta stakeholders react to single-tunnel Delta conveyance project *UPDATED*
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Nancy Vogel appointed director of the Governor’s Water Portfolio Program; Water and Climate News: Continuing Midwest storms increase flood damages
- DELTA eNEWS: ~~ ISB Meeting~ Pittsburg Pride~ Turtle Eggs~ Delta Lodging~ Ecorestore Video ~~
DELTA TUNNELS TUNNEL
Newsom officially kills Jerry Brown’s Delta twin tunnels project: “Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday drove the final nail into the coffin of the most controversial water project in California in more than 30 years: Gov. Jerry Brown’s $19 billion plan to build two massive tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to make it easier to move water from the north to the south. The Newsom administration announced it is withdrawing permit applications that the Brown administration had submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and several federal agencies. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Newsom officially kills Jerry Brown’s Delta twin tunnels project
Now It’s Official: Newsom Administration Spikes Twin Delta Tunnels: “Fulfilling a pledge that Gov. Gavin Newsom made during his first State of the State address in February, California water officials have spiked former Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to build twin Delta Tunnels in favor of a single-tunnel plan. The huge underground double-tunnel project was intended to divert water from the Sacramento River for export to the Bay Area, Central and Southern California. In a move that put an official bureaucratic stamp on the twin tunnels’ demise, the Department of Water Resources announced today that it’s withdrawing its permit application for the project filed with the State Water Resources Control Board and other agencies. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Now It’s Official: Newsom Administration Spikes Twin Delta Tunnels
Gavin Newsom officially kills twin Delta tunnels, eyes downsized CA water project: “Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration officially pulled the plug Thursday on the twin Delta tunnels, fullfilling Newsom’s pledge to downsize the project to a single pipe as he attempts to chart a new course for California’s troubled water-delivery system. The Department of Water Resources halted the planning on the twin tunnels by withdrawing its application to a sister agency, the State Water Resources Control Board, for permission to build the massive project from a starting point on the Sacramento River near Courtland. The state also scrapped documents declaring that the twin tunnels plan — designed to smooth water deliveries to the southern half of the state — complied with California’s environmental laws. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Gavin Newsom officially kills twin Delta tunnels, eyes downsized CA water project
Gavin Newsom kills California’s twin Delta tunnels water project, makes it one: “California Gov. Gavin Newsom scrapped a $16 billion plan Thursday to build two giant water tunnels to reroute the state’s water system and instead directed state agencies to restart planning for a single tunnel. The move is a blow to the vision of his predecessor, fellow Democrat Jerry Brown, who had championed two tunnels to divert water from the north to the state’s agricultural center and drier south. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Gavin Newsom kills California’s twin Delta tunnels water project, makes it one
Twin Tunnels scrapped for smaller, coordinated option: “After mounting a fight lasting more than a decade, opponents of the so-called California WaterFix proposal enjoyed long-awaited victory Thursday with the announcement that former Gov. Jerry Brown’s so-called Twin Tunnels project is officially dead. “The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today is taking formal steps to withdraw proposed permits for the WaterFix project and begin a renewed environmental review and planning process for a smaller, single tunnel project that will protect a critical source of water supplies for California,” the agency announced in a news release. ... ” Read more from the Stockton Record here: Twin Tunnels scrapped for smaller, coordinated option
SCV Water head backs governor’s plan for one tunnel, not two: “One tunnel or two tunnels — the state’s plan to overhaul the crumbling water conveyance system that brings Northern California water to Southern California is all right with local water officials. On Thursday, as directed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Natural Resources Agency announced the California Department of Water Resources will withdraw plans for a twin-tunnel conveyance project and, instead, advance a single-tunnel solution for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. ... ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Signal here: SCV Water head backs governor’s plan for one tunnel, not two
‘Look for some other way’: Blast survivor warns against building tunnel through Delta gas fields: “The plan to divert water from the Sacramento River through a tunnel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will take it right through some of California’s largest gas fields. The tunnel project, which was scaled back from two tunnels to one tunnel by the state on Thursday, will cross through thousands of acres filled with natural gas wells and underground gas storage, raising concerns among engineers and tunnel safety advocates. California’s Department of Water Resources and the Metropolitan Water District have billed the tunnel project as a way to move water while preserving the environment. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: ‘Look for some other way’: Blast survivor warns against building tunnel through Delta gas fields
- RELATED CONTENT: REACTIONS: Water agencies, environmental organizations, legislators, and Delta stakeholders react to single-tunnel Delta conveyance project *UPDATED*
SNOW SURVEY
Good news for California water supply: Spring snowpack still deep and will melt slowly: “Four months ago, surveyors with the California Department of Water Resources probed the frozen ground in a field in the Sierra Nevada, calculating the first snowpack of the year, an important measurement of the state’s water supply. On Thursday, they returned for the season’s final tally — one not typically recorded in May because there often isn’t any snow left that late in the year — and were pleased with the results. Although the measurement was a big decline from the previous month, and one that was expected, it was still better than usual for this time of year: 188% of average for the day. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Good news for California water supply: Spring snowpack still deep and will melt slowly
Sierra snowpack is 188 percent of normal: “Surveyors testing snow in the Sierra Nevada for the state’s final snow survey of the year delivered welcomed news: The snowpack is nearly double the average for this time of year, assuring summer water for the thirsty state. On Thursday morning, Department of Water Resources surveyors weighed a tube of snow and found it held 27.7 inches of water, about 188 percent of the historical annual average for the site. “California’s cities and farms can expect ample water supplies this summer,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth, in a prepared statement. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Sierra snowpack is 188 percent of normal
Survey finds California snowpack nearly doubled: “California water officials say cities and farms can expect ample water supplies this summer after winter storms blanketed the Sierra Nevada, nearly doubling the snowpack average for this time of year. The Department of Water Resources said Thursday the fifth and final survey at Phillips Station recorded 47 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 27.5 inches. That’s 188 percent of average for the location near Lake Tahoe. … ” Read more from KSBY here: Survey finds California snowpack nearly doubled
OTHER STATEWIDE NEWS
Toxic water in California prisons: Sickening inmates and costing taxpayers millions: “An inmate’s death in Stockton from Legionnaires’ disease marks the third time in four years the rare form of pneumonia has struck California’s state prisons – and has laid bare a history of contamination and other problems plaguing water supplies in the corrections system. Incidents of tainted water have spawned inmate lawsuits, expensive repairs, hefty bills for bottled water and fines, putting a multimillion-dollar burden on the taxpayer-funded corrections system, according to documents and court records reviewed by McClatchy. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Toxic water in California prisons: Sickening inmates and costing taxpayers millions
Using Nature to Tackle Water Infrastructure Challenges: Frontiers of Green Infrastructure Research at Stanford: “Walking across the Stanford campus, it’s not unusual to see flocks of active undergraduates playing soccer, serving volleyballs or just generally enjoying one of the many inviting lawns. At first glance, the scene seems like a poster for the benefits of college in California come to life. What the casual observer—and even most students—might not realize is that many of these spaces are serving multiple purposes. The soccer field, for instance, is also a detention pond, storing stormwater and preventing flooding, while also recharging our precious groundwater. ... ” Read more from Stanford News here: Using Nature to Tackle Water Infrastructure Challenges: Frontiers of Green Infrastructure Research at Stanford
Cannabis growers and investors: Be sure of your water rights: “In western states that have legalized cannabis over the last few years, water agencies have seen a sharp increase of permit applications to secure water rights. Cannabis is an agricultural crop and, of course, it needs water to grow. The water needed to irrigate those crops is similar to what almonds and pistachios require. With the legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill came more economic opportunity for cannabis farmers and investors, but without secured water rights this opportunity will remain largely untapped. This advisory first provides an overview of Western water law and the current issues that water agencies throughout the West are facing and then tailors these issues to the cannabis industry, identifying a path forward for growers and those considering investing in a growing operation. … ” Read more from the Green Market Report here: Cannabis growers and investors: Be sure of your water rights
NATIONAL/GENERAL
Low-Carbon Water Management: “Abstracting, treating, and conveying drinking water, and treating wastewater, requires a lot of energy. The energy used is mostly derived from traditional fossil fuel sources, such as coal, oil or natural gas. Energy production from these sources produce greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Climate change is a direct challenge to water managers as it can induce severe droughts and floods, affecting groundwater and surface availability and quality. At the same time, providing water and wastewater services can contribute to further emissions. For instance, it is estimated that water utilities consume between 0.5–6% of regional energy produced and urban water management contributes up to 17% of regional greenhouse gas emissions. … ” Read more from Medium here: Low-Carbon Water Management
Can any Democrat run as ‘the climate candidate’?: “Democratic presidential hopefuls are getting competitive with one another over plans to fight climate change. In recent weeks, numerous candidates in the crowded, 22-person field have put out competing climate policy proposals that go beyond the Green New Deal. They differ in timing, ambition and the role of various fuel sources, each arguing his or her ideas are the best. The debating is pushing climate closer to the political forefront, while challenging candidates to talk more about the issue and come up with better ideas. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Can any Democrat run as ‘the climate candidate’?
The Climate Action Now Act the first of many? “Yesterday the US House of Representatives passed the first major climate legislation in nearly a decade. The Climate Action Now Act (H.R. 9) prohibits the use of federal funds to advance the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement. The Act also compels the Trump administration to submit to Congress how the United States will achieve an economy-wide target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below its 2005 level by 2025, within 120 days of its enactment. The targeted reduction levels were the ones President Obama committed to as the US’s nationally determined contributions (NDC) per the provisions of the Paris Agreement. The outcome of the vote, largely along party lines, was hardly surprising. ... ” Read more from Resilience here: The Climate Action Now Act the first of many?
In commentary today …
Keeping Congress focused on infrastructure: Dave Eggerton writes, “Few things remain unchanged or unsaid in the water industry from a century ago, but there is at least one exception. “Water problems are perhaps the most vital internal questions of the United States,” said President Theodore Roosevelt, in his first address to Congress 118 years ago. This statement makes as much sense in 2019 as it did 1901. I included the quote in written testimony that I recently delivered to the House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife. Today, over 100 years later, the need to build on the legacy of President Roosevelt and invest in water resources remains paramount. And in many ways, we face a bigger challenge in upgrading our water infrastructure than we did in building its foundations. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Keeping Congress focused on infrastructure
In regional news and commentary today …
Yuba Water Agency Revenue Is Up: Power is paying: “This year’s power generation revenues are shaping up to be the best yet for the Yuba Water Agency, since taking over hydropower facilities along the Yuba River from PG&E on May 1, 2016. That’s good news for the agency that has a goal to reserve at least $200 million to fund a number of expensive projects over the coming years. … ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here: Yuba Water Agency Revenue Is Up: Power is paying
California Tahoe Conservancy accepts $1.95M grant: “A nearly $2-million grant was recently awarded to the California Tahoe Conservancy for an innovative effort to restore forest and watershed resilience. The $1.95 million grant was awarded to CTC from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The money is intended to help the CTC co-manage that restoration effort, named the the Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative. The landscape-level initiative aims to restore 2.4 million acres. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: California Tahoe Conservancy accepts $1.95M grant
Calistoga prevails in $10 million, decade-long water rights suit: “A multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against Calistoga over water rights has been dismissed on appeal. The California Court of Appeal on April 29 rejected Debbie R. O’Gorman’s $10 million lawsuit against the city, city officials said in a statement. O’Gorman sued the city in 2014 alleging that she had inherited the exclusive right to use water in Kimball Reservoir, and that the city’s use of water from the reservoir was a violation of those rights. In 2017, the Napa County Superior Court rejected O’Gorman’s claims. She then appealed. ... ” Read more from the Napa Valley Register here: Calistoga prevails in $10 million, decade-long water rights suit
Marin aids in creation of San Francisco Bay sea-level rise defense ‘cookbook’: “When it comes to sea-level rise in San Francisco Bay, city and county boundaries won’t matter to the water. But borders between communities surrounding the bay in Marin and beyond do pose a problem to preparation for widespread impacts to homes, businesses, roads, utilities and more caused by the rising waters. A new report released Thursday seeks to kick-start a more collaborative approach. The San Francisco Bay Shoreline Adaptation Atlas divides the 400 miles of bay coastline into 30 areas of common interest and impacts relating to sea-level rise and gives region-specific recommendations on how these areas can bolster their defenses. ... ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Marin aids in creation of San Francisco Bay sea-level rise defense ‘cookbook’
Report: Solution for rising Bay Area sea levels lies in nature: “Rising sea levels are expected to put thousands of Bay Area homes at risk in the next 30 years, but a new report says there’s a solution and lies in nature. “The time we have to act grows shorter and shorter,” said Julie Beagle of Richmond’s the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI). They co-authored the report with the non-profit San Francisco Urban Planning (SPUR). … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: Report: Solution for rising Bay Area sea levels lies in nature
San Francisco Bay: New plan to combat sea level rise: “There’s only one San Francisco Bay. But the Bay Area is made up of nine counties and 101 cities, each with its own politics, local rules and shorelines, differences that can make it complicated to figure out how to protect billions of dollars of highways, airports, sewage treatment plants, homes and offices from the rising seas, surging tides and extreme storms climate change is expected to bring in the years ahead. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: San Francisco Bay: New plan to combat sea level rise
Marina Council to consider Cal Am desal appeal withdrawal request next week: “In the wake of California American Water’s last-minute notice dropping its desalination project appeal earlier this week, the Marina City Council is poised to discuss its response next week. Just before the close of business on Monday, the day before the Marina Council was set to consider the desal project appeal, Cal Am’s law firm sent a letter withdrawing the appeal, which sought to challenge the city planning commission’s March denial of a coastal development permit for the desal project’s proposed intake slant wells at the CEMEX sand mining plant and other infrastructure. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Marina Council to consider Cal Am desal appeal withdrawal request next week
Newman: Residents reminded of water conservation rules: “The winter was wet, and the memories of California’s record-setting drought years are receding. But as the weather warms and irrigation systems are once again operating, city officials remind local residents that Newman’s water conservation rules remain in effect. The odd-even watering day schedule gives residents three days a week for outside irrigation, noted Director of Public Works Kathryn Reyes, including one weekend day when jobs and careers are less likely to intervene. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Newman: Residents reminded of water conservation rules
Fresno: Experts weigh in on the snowpack, and how a new water treatment facility benefits the Central Valley: “The newest water treatment facility in southeast Fresno is treating and delivering Kings River water across the city. And a large snowpack is ready and waiting to supply the Central Valley with water. “Statewide we’re at about 162% of average and so that means we have a great supply of surface water for the City of Fresno,” says Michael Carbajal, Director of Public Utilities for the City of Fresno. Storm after storm this winter and spring brought snow to the Sierra this season, and here in the Valley, Carbajal knows that every bit is important. … ” Read more from Your Central Valley here: Fresno: Experts weigh in on the snowpack, and how a new water treatment facility benefits the Central Valley
Department of Interior to hold meeting in San Luis Obispo on fracking plan: “U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials will visit San Luis Obispo later this month to take public comment on a pending federal plan to grow oil and gas production on public lands in Central California. The meeting—to be held on May 22 in the Hilton Embassy Suites in SLO from 6 to 8 p.m.—will center on a BLM environmental document that outlines the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on 1.6 million acres of lands in eight counties, including SLO and Santa Barbara. ... ” Read more from New Times San Luis Obispo here: Department of Interior to hold meeting in San Luis Obispo on fracking plan
Lake Arrowhead: Lake Gregory Dam Reconstruction Completed: “Following four years of work and after bringing in enough dirt to fill 21 Olympic-size swimming pools, the Lake Gregory Dam Rehabilitation Project has been completed and Lake Gregory Drive has been reopened to the public. More than 200 people attended the opening ceremony at the dam reconstruction site. The project started out with a $4 million budget, but as the scope of the rehabilitation grew, the final cost landed at $24.6 million. ... ” Read more from Mountain News here: Lake Gregory Dam Reconstruction Completed
San Diego finally addresses abandoned vessels at Zuniga Jetty: “An ordinance aiming to restrict the amount of time a vessel could anchor at the top of San Diego Bay is finally on the books – ending a multiyear campaign to regulate boating activities in a portion of the harbor controlled by City Hall. The ordinance, which amended San Diego’s Municipal Code to restrict open-water boat anchoring near Zuniga Jetty Shoal to two hours, was officially adopted on April 23; City Council members had initially adopted the ordinance at a prior meeting. Ordinances must be approved twice in order to become valid. … ” Read more from The Log here: San Diego finally addresses abandoned vessels at Zuniga Jetty
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
In announcements today …
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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.
