In California water news this weekend, Ski resorts are thriving on California’s heavy snowpack — and higher prices; Congress OKs more than $29 million in disaster relief for California fisheries; More on the Delta tunnel announcement; Forest fires accelerating snowmelt across western US; NASA Study: Human Influence on Global Droughts Goes Back 100 Years; Los Angeles’ urban-runoff projects expand, but dirty-water violators go unpunished, says NRDC report; and more …
In the news this weekend …
Ski resorts are thriving on California’s heavy snowpack — and higher prices: “A winter with above-average snowfall brought a flurry of skiers and snowboarders to the slopes of California and Nevada even though prices increased significantly. Approximately 7.3 million skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes this season at resorts in California and Nevada, a 17% increase over the previous year, according to preliminary numbers from Ski California, the nonprofit trade group for the states’ ski resorts. The powder hounds were drawn to the slopes by a ski season — October to March — that buried the two western states with snowfall that was 47% above the averages for the previous 16 season, according to Ski California. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Ski resorts are thriving on California’s heavy snowpack — and higher prices
‘Desperately needed’: Congress OKs more than $29 million in disaster relief for California fisheries: “It’s taken four years but fishermen along California’s North Coast who have seen crab and salmon seasons truncated and even closed altogether will finally see some relief after $29.65 million in federal disaster relief funding was approved by Congress. It was in the 2015-16 year the Dungeness crab fishery and the Yurok Chinook salmon fishery both collapsed due to poor water quality. Despite $200 million in relief funding made available in 2018, the release of the money was delayed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and it took a letter from U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman and Rep. Jackie Speier to get the ball rolling again last year. … ” Read more from the Daily Democrat here: ‘Desperately needed’: Congress OKs more than $29 million in disaster relief for California fisheries
Solano supervisor leery of Delta Water Fix successor: “Supervisor Skip Thomson views the decision to end the twin tunnels Delta project as a major battle won, but warns the water war continues. “I think that’s great,” Thomson said of the announcement by the state Department of Water Resources that it is withdrawing the permit application for the California WaterFix. “But it’s my understanding they are just regrouping to talk about a single tunnel,” Thomson said. ... ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano supervisor leery of Delta Water Fix successor
Mojave Water Agency supports one-tunnel plan: “A day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom scrapped a $16 billion plan to build two giant water tunnels to reroute the state’s water system, Mojave Water Agency officials on Friday revealed their support for Newsom’s single-tunnel project. … “Water reliability is critical in a desert region,” said MWA President Carl Coleman. “We look forward to participating with the Governor and his administration in this project that will result in improved water reliability as our state continues to address a myriad of environmental impacts and climate change.” … ” Read more from the Daily Press here: Mojave Water Agency supports one-tunnel plan
Citrus group upbeat despite WaterFix demise: “Farm groups say they’ve had positive discussions with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office about California’s water future, which became murkier with Thursday’s scrapping of the $16 billion WaterFix blueprint. California Citrus Mutual and other agricultural and water organizations say they have been working with the administration to improve water supply and reliability as local governments implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Citrus group upbeat despite WaterFix demise
Commentary: The Delta twin tunnels project is dead, says the SF Chronicle: They write, “Gov. Gavin Newsom killed the divisive twin tunnels project Thursday, calming fears that have roiled the delta communities and dominated California water politics for more than a decade. It is a signature decision for the young administration. Instead, the governor will commit to a smaller, single-tunnel project as part of a statewide water strategy to deal with climate change. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle here: The Delta twin tunnels project is dead
Commentary: Governor sets welcome new course on Delta water issues, say the Mercury News and the East Bay Times: They write, “Gov. Gavin Newsom set a welcome new course on California water issues Thursday when he officially killed the $19 billion Delta twin tunnels project. What a relief. One of the state’s biggest long-term challenge is securing a reliable source of water for residents, businesses and farmers without destroying the environment. The problem is further exacerbated by the anticipated impacts of climate change. … ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Governor sets welcome new course on Delta water issues
Commentary: Twin tunnels revamp: One-eyed monster is still a monster, says Dennis Wyatt: He writes, “Gov. Gavin Newsom got it half right. Eliminating one of the Twin Tunnels was a step in the right direction. Eliminating the other tunnel would be the best for California. The premise for the Twin Tunnels — just like the ill-fated Twin Tunnels 1.0 known as the Peripheral Canal that went down in flames at the ballot box in 1982 and ended up triggering a seismic realignment of California politics — is to provide a stable flow of water out of the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins and into the Los Angeles Basin. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Twin tunnels revamp: One-eyed monster is still a monster
OUTDOORS
8 epic waterfalls waterfalls in California’s Shasta-Cascade wilderness: “Spring brings stunning waterfalls to Northern California’s mountains and valleys, especially in the Shasta-Cascade range, where cascades of water tumble down rocky outcroppings, much to the delight of hikers and shutterbugs alike. Here are some of the most spectacularly splashy, all clustered near the charming mountain town of McCloud, an hour north of Redding. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: 8 epic waterfalls waterfalls in California’s Shasta-Cascade wilderness
SCIENCE
Forest fires accelerating snowmelt across western US: “Forest fires are causing snow to melt earlier in the season, a trend occurring across the western U.S. that may affect water supplies and trigger even more fires, according to a new study by a team of researchers at Portland State University (PSU) , the Desert Research Institute (DRI), and the University of Nevada, Reno. It’s a cycle that will only be exacerbated as the frequency, duration, and severity of forest fires increase with a warmer and drier climate. The study, published May 2 in the journal Nature Communications, provides new insight into the magnitude and persistence of forest fire disturbance on critical snow-water resources. … ” Read more from Science Daily here: Forest fires accelerating snowmelt across western US
NASA Study: Human Influence on Global Droughts Goes Back 100 Years: “Human-generated greenhouse gases and atmospheric particles were affecting global drought risk as far back as the early 20th century, according to a study from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City. The study, published in the journal Nature, compared predicted and real-world soil moisture data to look for human influences on global drought patterns in the 20th century. ... ” Read more from NASA here: NASA Study: Human Influence on Global Droughts Goes Back 100 Years
Using Genetics to Inform Conservation: Spring-Run Chinook Salmon in the Klamath-Trinity River Basin: “Like many people, I love eating salmon, and I was surprised to learn that many populations of several salmon species are listed as threatened, endangered, or are even extinct from their native ranges along the West Coast. This is mostly due to overfishing during the 19th and 20th centuries, but salmon are also impacted by pollution, warming temperatures, and dams that block key freshwater habitat. All salmon spawn in freshwater and are “anadromous”. This means that to complete their life cycle, juvenile salmon must migrate out to the ocean and return as adults to reproduce in the river where they were born. … ” Read more from EnviroBites here: Using Genetics to Inform Conservation: Spring-Run Chinook Salmon in the Klamath-Trinity River Basin
NATIONAL/GENERAL
The town that extended ‘smart growth’ to its water: “As with so many towns in the West, the history of Westminster, Colorado, can be told through its water supply. The turning point in that history was the hot, dry summer of 1962. Westminster was already embroiled in a debate over where to source its water when a drought choked the small city, forcing officials to impose a sprinkler ban. Soon enough, residents noticed that the water trickling from their taps was slightly discolored and didn’t smell right. The desperate city had started drawing water from the Kershaw Ditch, a pool it had recently abandoned over treatment issues. … ” Read more from Grist.org here: The town that extended ‘smart growth’ to its water
Climate change emerges as leading issue for 2020 Dems: “Democratic presidential hopefuls are battling to be seen as the climate change candidate. Four 2020 White House contenders already have offered detailed policy plans on how they’d tackle the issue of global warming, a sign the environment has become a top issue in the Democratic primary. In the past week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D) each released proposals to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Last month, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced, respectively, a public lands and environmental justice proposal, with each addressing curbing emissions. … ” Read more from The Hill here: Climate change emerges as leading issue for 2020 Dems
Sunday podcasts …
Do Water Wells Ever Go Dry: Steve Baker writes, “Developing water shortages of domestic and small farm communities in various parts of California can create dysfunction that turns home lifestyles upside-down. Unfortunately, Porterville was ground zero during our most recent drought in California. Over 300 wells went dry and nearly 1,000 people had no water for their homes. Dealing with this one situation cost California thirty nine million dollars. You really wonder if the other 1.5 million wells in California will also experience similar problems in years to come.The costs would be astronomical. … The best solution to domestic groundwater supply sustainability is an engaged groundwater user controlling the tap and protecting the aquifer. Thankfully, this type of program has been created by Operation Unite. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Operation Unite®; stevebaker@operationunite.co; 530-263-1007In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Salmon spawning habitat restoration project underway in Redding: “Ton after ton of gravel is being dumped into the Sacramento River this month as part of a two week project to protect salmon spawning in the Northstate. “Historically, they spawned up stream from this area but with the completion of the Shasta Dam are no longer able to access their historic spawning grounds,” said Director of Government Relations Northern California Water Association Todd Manley. … ” Read more from KRCR here: Salmon spawning habitat restoration project underway in Redding
Rebuilding Paradise: “Before the Camp Fire wiped out this town, David and Chenoa Rivera had found a niche here. The couple bought run-down properties in the Sierra foothills and turned them into charming mountain getaways. Their remodels were so smartly done, often with wood-beam ceilings and big fireplaces, that the husband-wife team landed a reality show on HGTV. The last episode of “Rustic Rehab” aired just before the most destructive wildfire in California history swept through Paradise on Nov. 8, killing at least 86 people. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle here: Rebuilding Paradise
Protect against water grabs like Centennial Dam, says Jack Sanchez: He writes, “Nevada Irrigation District is a very bad steward of the Bear River and Auburn Ravine, which it uses as a ditch to deliver water to its paying customers downstream with little regard for the ecology of Auburn Ravine. In fact, NID’s Hemphill Dam on Auburn Ravine is an unpermitted dam that has several unaddressed violations on it. Region 2 Fish and Wildlife Supervisor Tina Bartlett has issued three code violations against NID, one for blocking salmon and steelhead from upstream migration to spawning gravels and, the second, for selling natural stream flow to its paying customers. Neither has been addressed by NID and using other forbiddens. … ” Read more from The Union here: Protect against water grabs like Centennial Dam, says Jack Sanchez
Phillips 66 Fined Again for Polluting San Pablo Bay: “For the third time in the last five years, Phillips 66 plans to pay to settle accusations that its Rodeo refinery released chlorine into San Pablo Bay. State water regulators announced Wednesday that the Houston-based company will pay $80,000 for violating chlorine limits in water it released into the bay more than a dozen times over a five-month period last year. Water regulators documented 16 instances during eight days between last July and November when chlorine was released from the facility, according to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board’s proposed settlement. … ” Read more from KQED here: Phillips 66 Fined Again for Polluting San Pablo Bay
Oakland Unified: Lead in tap water issue taken care of: “After years of public outcry and the discovery of dozens of lead-tainted drinking water taps throughout the city’s public schools, Oakland Unified has tested every single drinking water tap at its schools, and is fixing or replacing those with dangerous lead levels. Charles Smith, director of Oakland Unified’s Buildings and Grounds department, said at a news conference Tuesday that more than 2,000 water fountains have been tested for lead contamination of more than five parts per billion throughout the district following the adoption of the “Clean Drinking Water Policy” in early 2018. The East Bay Municipal Utility District has been conducting a second round of testing on the taps. … ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Oakland Unified: Lead in tap water issue taken care of
Palo Alto: Water conservation, reuse should benefit the environment, says Peter Drekmeier: He writes, “On Tuesday, city of Palo Alto staff updated the community on possibilities to expand the use of recycled water locally, and their ideas sounded promising. Replacing Hetch Hetchy water with recycled water could leave more water flowing down the Tuolumne River (the source for Hetch Hetchy) while potentially saving ratepayers money. The key will be to make sure the offset water provides environmental benefits. ... ” Read more from Palo Alto Online: Water conservation, reuse should benefit the environment
Los Angeles’ urban-runoff projects expand, but dirty-water violators go unpunished, says NRDC report: “While the state agency responsible for policing Los Angeles County’s polluted urban and stormwater runoff boasts significant progress in its monumental task, a National Resource Defense Council report this week criticizes the water-quality panel for lackluster enforcement. Dozens of projects to cleanse or divert runoff are underway as the county wrestles with the problem of bacteria and chemicals washing from the concrete landscape into waterways, onto beaches and out to sea. And county voters last year approved Measure W, the Clean Safe Water Program, which is expected to raise $300 million annually in parcel taxes to fund additional healthy water projects. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Los Angeles’ urban-runoff projects expand, but dirty-water violators go unpunished, says NRDC report
Along the Colorado River …
Changing water flow leads to more bugs in the Grand Canyon: “Ted Kennedy sums up what he sees along the river in the Grand Canyon: “It’s buggy out there.” That is to say, an experiment to change the flow of water from a dam near the Arizona-Utah state line appeared to boost the number of aquatic insects that fish in the Colorado River eat. Scientists are hoping to better understand those results with a second bug flow experiment that started this month and will run through August. … ” Read more from the Daily Journal here: Changing water flow leads to more bugs in the Grand Canyon
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
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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.
Maven’s Notebook
where California water news never goes home for the weekend
