DAILY DIGEST: California pledges millions to battle nutria; First reintroduced salmon return to California rivers; Sweltering century ahead; BLM picks new headquarters; EBMUD warns customers they’ll need to cut water use during fire-prevention power outages; and more …

In California water news today, California pledges millions to battle enormous, destructive swamp rats; First reintroduced salmon return to California rivers in a critical step towards recovery; This Will Be a Sweltering Century in California and the Nation; California’s Wildfires Are 500 Percent Larger Due to Climate Change; House Attempts to Block Proposed Reorganization and Relocation of the U.S. Geological Survey; BLM picks new headquarters; EBMUD warns customers they’ll need to cut water use during fire-prevention power outages; Desal appeals draw big crowd to Monterey County board hearing; and more …

On the calendar today …

In the news today …

California pledges millions to battle enormous, destructive swamp rats:  “A growing menace in the form of 15-pound swamp rodents is threatening Delta waterways, and the state is throwing money, hunting dogs and birth control at the invasive pests which have the potential to destroy crops and wetlands.  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has received $10 million in new funding for the eradication of nutria, or coypu, which are native to South America and have found their way to the Golden State after wreaking havoc in Louisiana and other places. ... ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  California pledges millions to battle enormous, destructive swamp rats

First reintroduced salmon return to California rivers in a critical step towards recovery:  “California salmon reintroduced to their historic habitat as juveniles are, for the first time, returning to their home rivers to spawn. Their journey home demonstrates that fish reintroductions can successfully return Golden State salmon to restored rivers and streams in an important step toward their recovery.  More than 25 threatened spring-run Chinook salmon have returned to the San Joaquin River so far this year, the first spring-run salmon to swim up the river in more than 65 years. On Battle Creek to the north, at least 50 endangered winter-run Chinook salmon reintroduced in 2018 have also returned — the first to return to the creek since dams built in the early 1900s blocked and damaged their habitat. ... ”  Read more from NOAA Fisheries here: First reintroduced salmon return to California rivers in a critical step towards recovery

State orders Chevron to ‘take all measures’ to prevent further leaks of oil, water near McKittrick:  “California’s top oil regulator, losing patience with Chevron’s response to the uncontrolled release of thousands of barrels of oil near McKittrick, has ordered the company to “take all measures” to make sure petroleum, water and steam do not resume rising to the surface after previous efforts to stop the flow there proved temporary.  Asserting Chevron USA Inc. “has not yet done everything that is necessary to prevent future occurrences,” Friday’s order by new Acting State Oil and Gas Supervisor Jason Marshall instructs the company to turn over data and analysis relating to so-called “surface expressions” of oil and water that have left more than 567,000 gallons of black fluid on the ground in a series of at least three releases dating to May at the Cymric Oil Field. … ”  Read more from Bakersfield.com here: State orders Chevron to ‘take all measures’ to prevent further leaks of oil, water near McKittrick

This Will Be a Sweltering Century in California and the Nation:  “Extreme heat grounds planes in Arizona. Last year in Australia, the government blamed it for melting tires on a road. And during a particularly brutal July in 2006, heat killed at least 163 Californians, with state epidemiologists estimating that it contributed to hundreds more deaths. If emissions aren’t seriously curbed — that is, even if the climate continues to warm with some abatement — researchers at the Union of Concerned Scientists say millions more people in California alone can expect at least a month of extreme heat days each year, those days bringing with them more health risks and rippling environmental impacts. … ”  Read more from KQED here: This Will Be a Sweltering Century in California and the Nation

California’s Wildfires Are 500 Percent Larger Due to Climate Change:  “On a hot July evening last year, a rancher tried to use a hammer and stake to plug a wasp’s nest. The hammer slipped, a spark flew, and a patch of dry grass ignited, according to the Los Angeles Times. Within minutes, the brush fire fed on bone-dry conditions and became too big to control.  It soon merged with another blaze and became the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in California’s history. It burned almost half a million acres, or roughly 720 square miles, before it was finally extinguished four months later. It killed one firefighter and injured four. … ”  Read more from The Atlantic here: California’s Wildfires Are 500 Percent Larger Due to Climate Change

In best-case reforestation scenario, trees could remove most of the carbon humans have added to the atmosphere:  “If a tree falls in the forest, but someone sticks around to replant it, does it still make an impact in the fight against climate change?  The answer, it seems, is yes. And, according to new research published today in the journal Science, that’s exactly the tack we humans should take. The study, which presents a global map of degraded lands that could naturally support new trees, suggests that the best case scenario for forest restoration would remove more than 200 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere—enough to single-handedly offset two decades worth of global emissions produced at the current rate. … ”  Read more from NOVA here:  In best-case reforestation scenario, trees could remove most of the carbon humans have added to the atmosphere

‘Forever chemicals’ have been found in bottled water brands sold at Whole Foods and CVS, and it’s part of a larger contamination problem:  “Bottled water is often considered the safest choice for avoiding drinking-water contaminants like arsenic and lead, but a recent spate of investigations has found that not all of it is free of potentially toxic chemicals.  In June, testing from the Center for Environmental Health found “high levels” of arsenic in bottled water brands owned by Whole Foods and Keurig Dr Pepper. Their findings confirmed earlier research from Consumer Reports, which found levels of arsenic that exceeded the allowable limit set by the FDA. ... ” Read more from Business Insider here: ‘Forever chemicals’ have been found in bottled water brands sold at Whole Foods and CVS, and it’s part of a larger contamination problem

House Attempts to Block Proposed Reorganization and Relocation of the U.S. Geological Survey:  “On 25 June 2019, the House passed the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill as part of a five-bill minibus, H.R. 3055.  The bill would increase funding for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) over FY2019 levels and the Administration’s budget request. The bill also includes report language that prohibits the proposed reorganization and blocks an attempt to relocate staff of the USGS away from the Washington, D.C. area. … ”  Read more from the Geological Society of America here: House Attempts to Block Proposed Reorganization and Relocation of the U.S. Geological Survey

Interior to move most of Bureau of Land Management’s D.C. staff out west as part of larger reorganization push:  “The Trump administration plans to relocate most of the Bureau of Land Management’s D.C. workforce to west of the Rockies, part of its broader push to shift power away from Washington and shrink the size of the federal government.  The proposal to move roughly 300 employees from a key Interior Department agency — among them the majority of top managers — comes as Trump officials are forcibly reassigning career officials and upending operations across the federal government. ... ”  read more from the Washington Post here: Interior to move most of Bureau of Land Management’s D.C. staff out west as part of larger reorganization push

BLM picks new headquarters:  “The Interior Department will announce tomorrow where it plans to move the Bureau of Land Management’s Washington, D.C.-based headquarters, and multiple sources said the leading candidate is Grand Junction, Colo.  The details of the announcement are not yet public, but BLM has called an all-staff meeting for tomorrow to announce “something big,” according to several sources with knowledge of the matter. Mike Nedd, BLM’s deputy director of operations, is expected to update the bureau’s executive leadership team on the proposed move and planned announcement later today, sources said. ... ”  Read more from E&E News here: BLM picks new headquarters

In commentary today …

California refuses to enlist clean, cheap hydropower in fight against climate change. It makes no sense, says Adam Gray:  He writes, “Is the cleanest, greenest electricity in the world green enough for California?  For years, the people of the Northern San Joaquin Valley have been trying to get hydropower recognized for what it is: the original source of clean electricity. Our efforts have been stymied by people who feel entitled to decide what is, or isn’t, green enough.  That’s why I have begun the process of modifying our state Constitution to recognize safe, abundant, carbon-free hydropower as a reliable source of renewable energy in our fight against climate change. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: California refuses to enlist clean, cheap hydropower in fight against climate change. It makes no sense

In regional news and commentary today …

EBMUD warns customers they’ll need to cut water use during fire-prevention power outages:  “If PG&E has to shut off power in the East Bay to prevent wildfires from igniting and burning homes, residents will be strongly urged to severely reduce their water use during the emergency.  That’s because their main water supplier, the East Bay Municipal Utility District, may have its power cut off, too, and forced to rely on 29 emergency backup generators.  “We’re not throttling the water use,” Andrea Pook, a senior public information representative for the East Bay Municipal Utility District, said Monday. “It’s just like when we had a drought — we’re just telling people to conserve, to restrict their water use, irrigation and indoor use.” … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: EBMUD warns customers they’ll need to cut water use during fire-prevention power outages

Plan to sustain Santa Cruz County drinking water unveiled:  “After years of work, a coalition of water providers has released a draft plan laying out steps to stabilize drinking water supplies for mid-Santa Cruz County by 2040.  The effort, mirrored up and down the state, was born out of 2014 legislation prompted by California’s historic drought. Of Santa Cruz County’s three major groundwater basins, the midcounty basin, designated by the state as “critically overdrafted,” covers water supplies for customers from Aptos to Santa Cruz and includes the Purisima Formation and Aromas Red Sands aquifers. … ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Plan to sustain Santa Cruz County drinking water unveiled

Monterey County gives Cal Am the green light:  “Monterey County supervisors voted Monday to let California American Water start construction on its desalination plant even before the state Coastal Commission makes a decision on the technology involved.  On a fully predictable 3-2 vote, the supervisors also accepted unofficial state opinions about Cal Am’s water rights even though the courts have not made a binding decision on whether the company has the legal right to pump brackish groundwater as planned. … ”  Read more from Voices of Monterey here:  Monterey County gives Cal Am the green light

Desal appeals draw big crowd to Monterey County board hearing:  “Given the importance of and interest in California American Water’s proposed Monterey Peninsula desalination project, it was little surprise the throng that showed up for Monday’s showdown over the controversial project.  Touting signs and slogans, opponents and supporters of the controversial desal project squared off at the Board of Supervisors’ special meeting Monday for a hearing on a pair of appeals challenging the county Planning Commission’s narrow approval of a combined development permit for the desal plant portion of the proposal. ... ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Desal appeals draw big crowd to Monterey County board hearing

Owens Valley Groundwater Authority kicks the can down the road, again:  “With the Owens Valley groundwater basin status still up in the air, the groundwater authority postponed a decision on whether to stay intact for another two months.  The California Department of Water Resources has bounced the basin from medium to high and, currently, to low priority. According to Tim Ross, DWR’s senior engineering geologist, the final decision may come by August, but there’s no certainty.  Another wrinkle: while the basin may maintain its low priority for now, there’s still the possibility the priority could change in the future. … ”  Read more from Sierra Wave here: Owens Valley Groundwater Authority kicks the can down the road, again

DWP offering grants in the Eastern Sierra:  “Non-profits in the Eastern Sierra have a shot at a $50,000 grant for community outreach and education on energy and water conservation from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.  The competitive grants will be awarded to one 501 (c)3 in each of Los Angeles’ City Council districts and one in Owens Valley, either in Inyo or Mono County, according to a webinar held last Tuesday. ... ”  Read more from the Sierra Wave here: DWP offering grants in the Eastern Sierra

Antelope Valley: District ensuring safe water post-quake:  “Securing the water supply, whether from natural disasters such as earthquakes or more man-made dangers, is an important job for the Palmdale Water District and one that proved robust during the recent quakes.  The district’s water supply resides in the reservoir behind the Littlerock Dam, through the Palmdale Ditch, which carries water from the dam and in Lake Palmdale, is secured by its own Palmdale Dam.  General Manager Dennis LaMoreaux provided an overview of security for these supplies for the District’s board on July 8, although he could not get into specifics. … ”  Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here:  Antelope Valley: District ensuring safe water post-quake

Sprawl may eat vestige of Southern California’s citrus empire:  “Drive through the San Fernando Valley and it is easy to spot the hallmarks of suburban Southern California: streets lined with palm trees, carefully sheared hedges and red-tiled roofs, a blur of tidy development. But turn a corner in one neighborhood and a 12-acre orange grove comes brightly into view.  Bothwell Ranch is one of the last remaining orange groves in the San Fernando Valley, a vestige of the long-evaporated citrus industry. The grove, with its tightly packed rows of orange trees, calls to mind another time, before relentless development transformed this rural agricultural area into endless sprawl.  The ranch is at the center of a growing dispute between its owners, who have sought to sell it to luxury housing developers, and community members who believe it should remain an orchard. … ”  Read more from Pulse here: Sprawl may eat vestige of Southern California’s citrus empire

Innovation Improves Safety, Wins Award for Escondido Wastewater Technician:  “An Escondido water employee’s ingenuity improved safety at a city treatment plant and won a statewide water industry award.  City of Escondido Plant Maintenance Technician Joseph Lucero won third place in the “Gimmicks/Gadgets” category in the 2019 California Water Environmental Association Awards competition. His innovative safety device turns a difficult two-person job working on wastewater pumps into a safer process one person can complete alone. … ”  Read more from the Water News Network here: Innovation Improves Safety, Wins Award for Escondido Wastewater Technician

San Diego spending $3.6M to monitor local underwater kelp forests:  “San Diego has agreed to spend $3.6 million studying the region’s kelp forests, a key part of the local ecosystem that scientists say could disappear as climate change spikes ocean temperatures.  The money will cover a five-year research partnership with the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, which has agreed to conduct 450 dives per year at 21 local areas with kelp forests or extensive kelp beds.  The new deal, which the City Council approved last week, extends a partnership that began in 1992 with Scripps, which is part of UC San Diego. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here:  San Diego spending $3.6M to monitor local underwater kelp forests

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

BLOG ROUND-UP: The smelt excuse; Searching for the truth about “water grabs”; A President who gets it!!; Ties between the Delta and groundwater sustainability in CA; and more …

NEWS WORTH NOTING: WaterNow Toolkit taps into water solutions; New report released on access to water and sanitation in California; Reclamation awards $5.1 million in research for new ways to desalinate and treat water

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Prop 1 – Implementation Grant Program Updates

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: EcoAdapt Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Planning Opportunity

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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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