DAILY DIGEST: Communicating the value of water: The ABCs of water communication; Reclamation gives westside farmers another nudge for water; Win-loss budget outcomes for ag climate programs; CA’s wildfire season is starting and officials are bracing for the worst; and more …

In California water news today, Communicating the Value of Water: The ABCS of Water Communication; Reclamation gives westside farmers another nudge for water; Win-loss budget outcomes for ag climate programs; California needs a big pot of money for wildfires. But how big? And who pays?; California’s wildfire season is starting and officials are bracing for the worst; How Ice A Half A World Away Affects Southern California Sea Levels; Winter lingers in high country even as summer approaches; and more …

In the news today …

Communicating the Value of Water: The ABCS of Water Communication: “Water is life. It’s a catchy slogan, so simple in its truth that we often miss the forest for the trees. Water is, quite literally, life.  Yet modern-day water treatment, distribution infrastructure, and operational systems have made the gift of water so readily available, the public has forgotten how precious those drops are that readily flow from their faucets. The waste we produce disappears down a drain or a toilet, and we wash our hands of the rest of its journey.  So, how do we communicate the true value of water? More importantly, why does doing so matter? … ”  Read more from Water Finance and Management here: Communicating the Value of Water: The ABCS of Water Communication

Reclamation gives westside farmers another nudge for water:  “The Bureau of Reclamation once again revised its allocation for westside farmers in the San Joaquin Valley, announcing Friday it would provide 75 percent of its contracted amount of water.  The announcement is an increase of five percent from late May. ... ”  Continue reading at the San Joaquin Sun here: Reclamation gives westside farmers another nudge for water

Win-loss budget outcomes for ag climate programs:  “The California Climate & Agriculture Network had a mixed day of success and failure in the state budget votes Thursday.  The Legislature approved $1.4 billion in climate-change appropriations, supporting the Healthy Soils Program at $28 million – up from $15 million in 2018-19 – while eliminating support for the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program.  CalCAN called the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program the most popular of the Climate Smart Agriculture Programs, and the only program that offered incentives for on-farm water conservation practices. ... ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: Win-loss budget outcomes for ag climate programs

California needs a big pot of money for wildfires. But how big? And who pays?  “California leaders are calling for a giant pot of money to help electricity providers pay for wildfires, a critical move to head off another utility bankruptcy and prevent Wall Street from downgrading the state’s utilities again.  But it could prove difficult to achieve in Sacramento this year.  With a deadline to take action just weeks away, lawmakers and the governor haven’t settled controversial issues regarding the so-called wildfire fund: How much money does the state need and what portion of that will come out of the pockets of electricity customers? … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: California needs a big pot of money for wildfires. But how big? And who pays?

California’s wildfire season is starting and officials are bracing for the worst:  “Last November, the deadliest wildfire in California history killed 85 and burned the town of Paradise to the ground. Now California’s fire season is starting to heat up again – and officials are bracing for the worst.  As California grappled with a record-breaking heatwave last week, the state saw 236 wildfires – one of which grew to more than 2,500 acres before it was largely contained. So far this year, California has faced 1,746 wildfires, burning through more than 15,500 acres of land. … ”  Read more from The Guardian here: California’s wildfire season is starting and officials are bracing for the worst

Lathrop: Treated wastewater to San Joaquin River being sought:  “The City of Lathrop has taken another step towards achieving the long-awaited goal of being able to discharge tertiary treated wastewater into the San Joaquin River.  With the approval of the Lathrop City Council, the city is now in a contract with Ascent Environmental to initiate the environmental documentation necessary to acquire the permit to discharge of water from the city’s water treatment plant into the river – a move that could pay sweeping dividends to the city in the future. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Treated wastewater to San Joaquin River being sought

Increase in reports of sick sea lions linked to domoic acid toxicosis, experts say:  “Marine wildlife rescue groups have been responding to an increase in sick sea lions over the past few weeks.  The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), which covers Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, says the animals are showing signs of domoic acid toxicosis.  The domoic acid neurotoxin is the result of a naturally-occurring algae. CIMWI explains that filter-feeding animals, including shellfish and small fish like sardines and anchovies, can consume the algae without any ill effects. However, when marine mammals eat the fish and shellfish, it can make them sick. ... ”  Read more from KSBY here: Increase in reports of sick sea lions linked to domoic acid toxicosis, experts say

Swimming at Hearst Castle Isn’t Just a Daydream:  “You’ve dipped a toe in the Pacific Ocean, and maybe the Atlantic, too. Your feet might have met the water in the Rio Grande, and the Mississippi, and all of the Great Lakes, and several other H2O-famous spots. But it isn’t as likely that your tootsies have touched the wet stuff found within the Neptune Pool or Roman Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Why? Because these particular, and particularly posh swimming holes, are not open to the visitors who call upon William Randolph Hearst’s out-sized abode for tours. ... ”  Read more from NBC LA here: Swimming at Hearst Castle Isn’t Just a Daydream

Montebello deciding whether to sell water system, this is how much it would make:  “Four years after Montebello voters rejected the idea of selling the public water system, city officials want to take a second stab at it, but this time they don’t need the electorate’s approval.  The city stands to get between $15.8 million and $22.6 million from San Gabriel Valley Water Co. The difference is based on whether Montebello leases or sells its water rights.  Unlike in 2015, when a potential sale was turned into a bidding war, there was only one round of bids this time around. ... ”  Read more from the Pasadena Star News here: Montebello deciding whether to sell water system, this is how much it would make

How Ice A Half A World Away Affects Southern California Sea Levels:  “San Diego researchers are among many scientists around the world trying to understand how a warming climate is affecting the world’s major ice sheets. Two Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers are studying the changes in different parts of the world about the change that could affect local oceans. As part of our reporting from the Climate Change Desk, KPBS Environment Reporter Erik Anderson discussed the issue with glaciologist Helen Fricker and physical oceanographer Fiamma Straneo. … ”  Read more from KPBS here:  How Ice A Half A World Away Affects Southern California Sea Levels

Winter lingers in high country even as summer approaches:  “The calendar says summer’s start is less than a week away, but winter is taking its time departing Colorado’s high country as the snowmelt continues to swell area waterways.  At Mesa Lakes Lodge on Grand Mesa, people are still renting snowshoes for use on the lingering snow higher up the flat-top mountain while the lakes around the lodge have opened for fishing.  “We have very little snow around us. You’re going to find two to three feet up higher” on the mesa, said Andy Brito, the lodge’s owner. … ”  Read more from The Daily Sentinel here:  Winter lingers in high country even as summer approaches

In commentary today …

It’s time to finally adopt a Russian River plan, says the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:  They write, “Here’s a safe prediction: Generations to come will be thankful for everything done today to protect the Russian River.  Here’s another: Restoring and preserving the river’s health will become more challenging and expensive each time action is delayed.  As reported in The Press Democrat by Staff Writer Mary Callahan, delay has been a central feature of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s efforts to adopt a plan to protect and improve the Russian River’s water quality. The delay so far has been excusable — earlier drafts of the plan needed refinements, and California’s water quality regulations have changed — but now it’s time to move forward. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: It’s time to finally adopt a Russian River plan

‘Black Swan’ water planning in the Colorado River Basin:  Hannah Holm writes, “By now, it’s old news that the Colorado River — notwithstanding the current abundant water year — is generally shrinking, and is expected to shrink more in coming decades. The states that share the river completed a drought plan earlier this year that brings them closer to living within currently available supplies, and a new round of negotiations on long-term management of the river is due to begin next year.  However, a new report warns that planning for gradually declining water supplies, as difficult as that is, may not be enough to adequately prepare for the future. … ”  Read more from The Daily Sentinel here: ‘Black Swan’ water planning in the Colorado River Basin

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: New CA bill could revolutionize how the U.S. tackles plastic pollution; The U.S. isn’t nearly as dry as it was a year ago; A Delta conundrum; Forecast-coordinated operations program; and more …

https://mavensnotebook.com/2019/06/17/reservoir-and-water-conditions-for-june-17-2019/

THIS JUST IN … Reclamation updates 2019 Central Valley Project South-of-Delta water allocations

DATATHON: Water Datathon to be held in conjunction with Water Data Science Symposium, July 1-2

NOTICE of Petitions for Temporary Urgency Change – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

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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.