DAILY DIGEST: Massive Sierra snowpack is 33 times bigger than last year’s; Court sides with WOTUS foes as legal fight gets messier; Sea Level Rise: Calif. uses untested powers for ‘managed retreat’; Report: Carlsbad desalination plant bought for $1B; and more …

In California water news today, Massive Sierra snowpack is 33 times bigger than last year’s; Court sides with WOTUS foes as legal fight gets messier; Sea Level Rise: Calif. uses untested powers for ‘managed retreat’; Celebrating 10 years of recycled water, Pajaro Valley looks to future expansion; SLO County set to extend Paso Robles groundwater restrictions; Report: Carlsbad desalination plant bought for $1B; and more …

In the news today …

Massive Sierra snowpack is 33 times bigger than last year’s:  “A nonstop parade of storms barreled across the Sierra Nevada in winter. Then, spring hit and winter weather persisted with unseasonably cold systems piling up snow all the way through Memorial Day weekend.  The marathon stretch of unsettled weather means the reservoirs are brimming, the rivers are rushing, the waterfalls are spectacular, and people are still skiing in fresh powder in Tahoe.  But perhaps the most noteworthy outcome is a remarkably gargantuan snowpack blanketing the mountain range straddling California and Nevada. Right now, it’s even bigger than the 2017 snowpack that pulled the state out of a five-year drought. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here:  Massive Sierra snowpack is 33 times bigger than last year’s

Court sides with WOTUS foes as legal fight gets messier: “The Obama administration violated the law when it issued its embattled definition of “waters of the United States,” a federal court ruled yesterday.  In a long-awaited decision, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas sided with three states and a coalition of agriculture and industry groups that have been trying to take down the joint EPA and Army Corps of Engineers rule since 2015.  The Trump administration is working on plans to rescind and replace the Obama-era Clean Water Rule, but the regulation — which defines which wetlands and waterways are covered by the Clean Water Act — is still in effect in almost two dozen states, and it’s still being debated in a tangle of lawsuits. … ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Court sides with WOTUS foes as legal fight gets messier

Sea Level Rise: Calif. uses untested powers for ‘managed retreat’:  “Before the threat of rising seas was widely understood, California created an agency to protect its famous beaches from overdevelopment. Now the state Coastal Commission is pouring resources into a war against the effects of climate change, and it could lead toward the removal of oceanfront homes.  That’s raising questions about whether the commission is overstepping its authority, granted in the 1970s, as it confronts the emerging peril of sea-level rise. ... ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Calif. uses untested powers for ‘managed retreat’

In commentary today …

Water management is a complex issue in California. But we need to tackle it together: Brian Wahlbrink writes, “Of all the issues that have crossed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk during his first 100 days in office, water might very well be the most complex. How the state manages this precious resource is an urgent concern for residents, businesses, environmentalists and the agricultural sector.  I am an almond grower from Merced County, and we in the California almond community are all rooting for the governor, his fellow policymakers and regulators to succeed in finding viable solutions and common ground.  One of the biggest impediments to progress for far too long has been that those four constituencies – residents, businesses, environmentalists and agriculture – have been cast as antagonists whose interests are exclusive from each other. It doesn’t have to be that way. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  Water management is a complex issue in California. But we need to tackle it together

In regional news and commentary today …

Blue-green algae showing up again in Discovery Bay:  “Blue-green algae has started to appear in Discovery Bay again and residents are being urged to exercise caution when in the water, officials say.  Clumps of algae, also known as cyanobacteria, were found earlier this month at three sampling locations, according to environmental scientist Christine Joab of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The cyanobacteria specialist said scientists observed the algae while collecting monthly water samples for a separate nutrient-loading assessment study they’re conducting. … ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here:  Blue-green algae showing up again in Discovery Bay

Mountain View: The whole ball field is a dugout: “McKelvey Park’s baseball diamonds are back, and they’re looking a little depressed.  After more than two years of construction, the Santa Clara Valley Water District is nearing completion of a $30 million effort to turn the park into a detention basin for flood water, which would help protect thousands of homes from flooding during a significant storm.  While the baseball facilities are brand new and expected to be open to the public by late July, the games will be taking place about 15 feet below ground-level. ... ”  Read more from the Mountain View Voice here: Mountain View: The whole ball field is a dugout

San Joaquin Valley: Most local reservoirs are at more than 100 percent of capacity:  “Aside from San Luis Reservoir, all of the reservoirs statewide are storing water above 100 percent of average.  But with temperatures now steadily rising, the Bureau of Reclamation and water managers are keeping a close eye on the snowmelt.  Millerton Lake is looking healthy at 78% capacity – 101% of its average storage. ... ” Read more from ABC 30 here: San Joaquin Valley: Most local reservoirs are at more than 100 percent of capacity

Celebrating 10 years of recycled water, Pajaro Valley looks to future expansion:  “When it comes to farmers and government, water supply in the Central Coast is at times “fighting words.”  Dale Huss said that the process of convincing coastal growers to stop turning to their own wells and start ordering delivery of recycled water sold by Pajaro Valley Water Agency a decade ago took teamwork. Huss oversees artichoke production for Castroville-based Ocean Mist Farms and led Pajaro Valley Water Agency’s Projects and Facility Operations Committee for more than 15 years. ... ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here:  Celebrating 10 years of recycled water, Pajaro Valley looks to future expansion

Something fishy: Aromas bridge mural welcomes steelhead back to Pajaro River: A new mural being painted on a bridge isn’t just a way to welcome people to Aromas — it’s also a way to welcome steelhead trout back to the Pajaro River after a long absence.  The project, put together by two nonprofit groups and assisted by Anzar High School students and other community members, has been in the works for some six months but has run into numerous interruptions, including rainy weather. … ”  Read more from the Voices of Monterey Bay here: Something fishy: Aromas bridge mural welcomes steelhead back to Pajaro River

Radio show: Fracking: Inside a BLM report, environmental impacts, and the public’s response:  “Fracking has been a hot topic ever since the Trump administration released an environmental review about the possibility of expanding hydraulic fracturing on federal lands in Central California. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) held three public meetings on the review; on May 21 in Bakersfield, May 22 in San Luis Obispo and May 23 in Santa Barbara.  This segment contains two interviews: In the first, KVPR reporter Kerry Klein sheds light on what this document says and does, and shares how San Joaquin Valley residents have responded.   In the second, Stanford geophysicist Mark Zoback explains some fracking basics, including what is and isn’t known about the technique’s impact on the environment. ... ”  Listen to radio show from KCBX here: Fracking: Inside a BLM report, environmental impacts, and the public’s response

SLO County set to extend Paso Robles groundwater restrictions:  “A 6-year-old county policy requiring farmers with new crops over the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin to offset their water use is poised for another extension.  San Luis Obispo County officials are concerned about a looming “gap” in regulation over the 780-square-mile basin, which has struggled in recent years with development and drought.  First adopted in 2013 amid drying wells over the basin, the county offset ordinance put a theoretical moratorium on agricultural pumping. ... ”  Read more from New Times San Luis Obispo here: SLO County set to extend Paso Robles groundwater restrictions

Sediment removal begins at Devil’s Gate Dam:  “Removal of sediment in connection with the controversial Devil’s Gate Dam project began on Tuesday after a delay of about two weeks because of rainy weather and other concerns.  The project is expected to include as many as 425 daily round trips, by approximately 95 diesel trucks, through the intersection at Berkshire Place and Oak Grove Drive and onto the 210 Freeway — all part of a Los Angeles County effort to take away 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment from behind the dam at Hahamongna Watershed Park. ... ”  Read more from the Outlook here:  Sediment removal begins at Devil’s Gate Dam

Hermosa Beach loses $3.2 million grant set aside for stormwater infiltration project: “A state agency in charge of regulating water rights and quality has taken away from Hermosa Beach more than $3 million in grant funding slated for a controversial stormwater infiltration project, officials announced at the City Council meeting Tuesday night, May 28.  Hermosa Beach, partnering with neighboring cities, was supposed to receive the money from the State Water Resources Control Board to help design and build the Greenbelt Infiltration Project. That project, with Hermosa Beach as the lead agency, was meant to help clean the Herondo Drain Watershed, which has consistently had elevated levels of bacteria. ... ”  Read more from the Daily Breeze here: Hermosa Beach loses $3.2 million grant set aside for stormwater infiltration project

Stormwater recharge abilities enhanced at Seven Oaks Dam: “As Southern California’s most recent rainstorm was moving into the Inland Empire on Thursday morning, May 23, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District celebrated the completion of an enhanced recharge project designed to enable the district to capture water from Santa Ana River during rainstorms, improving the district’s ability to recharge groundwater supply by 80,000 acre-feet a year.  The district hosted its partners Western Municipal Water District and Riverside Public Utilities as well as other local water agencies for the opening of a new diversion channel and sedimentation basin constructed south of Seven Oaks Dam and just north of Greenspot Road last year. ... ”  Read more from Highland Community News here:  Stormwater recharge abilities enhanced at Seven Oaks Dam

Algal bloom at Lake Perris:  “California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued an advisory on May 17, urging anyone who visits Lake Perris to avoid physical contact with the water and to not eat any fish sourced from the Riverside County waterway. Lake Perris, according to DWR officials, is experiencing a bout with blue-green algae (or algal bloom).  The only permitted activity on the waterway is boating; the lake’s visitors are advised not to swim or participate in other sporting activities on the water. … ”  Read more from The Log here:  Algal bloom at Lake Perris

Aberdeen to Buy Carlsbad Desalination Plant for More Than $1 Billion“An affiliate of Aberdeen Standard Investments has agreed to buy the Carlsbad desalination plant in Southern California for more than $1 billion, according to people with knowledge of the matter.  A transaction could be announced as soon as this week, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. The Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, named for a former mayor, is owned by Orion Water Partners LLC, the joint venture between Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners affiliate Poseidon. ... ”  Read more from Bloomberg here:  Aberdeen to Buy Desalination Plant for More Than $1 Billion

Report: Carlsbad desalination plant bought for $1B:  “The massive desalination plant in Carlsbad that accounts for about 10 percent of the drinkable water in San Diego County is reportedly about to be sold for more than $1 billion to a subsidiary of an investment company based in Scotland, but the San Diego County Water Authority it does not expect a potential sale to affect customers in the area.  Bloomberg News on Thursday quoted “people with knowledge of the matter” who said an affiliate of Aberdeen Standard Investments, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, is about to buy the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant and the deal may be announced as soon.  Aberdeen Standard Investments has offices around the globe, including five locations in the U.S. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Report: Carlsbad desalination plant bought for $1B.

San Diego’s Climate Goals Require More Investment in Energy Storage, says Jason Anderson:  He writes, “Last year, California raised the stakes in the fight against climate change, instituting a goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045, with at least 60 percent of that power coming from renewable sources such as wind and solar.  And more than a year before the state did so, the city of San Diego made a pioneering commitment to achieving its own goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, as outlined in the city’s Climate Action Plan.  Setting these lofty energy goals is the easy part. Building the infrastructure needed to integrate these clean energy sources onto the electric grid will be much harder, and the key actions are starting now. ... ”  Read more from the Voice of San Diego here:  San Diego’s Climate Goals Require More Investment in Energy Storage

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Conservancy Grants~ Boating Season~ Smelt Recovery~ Free Museum~ Marketplace Event~ Delta Heritage ~~

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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.

 

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