In California water news today, Will California’s New Water Fund Bring Safe Tap Water to Farm Country?; How Flood Insurance and Endangered Species Are Connected; Global Warming Is Pushing Pacific Salmon to the Brink, Federal Scientists Warn; New CWEA Website Highlights Pathways to Certification and Careers in Water; How California keeps blocking Trump’s environmental rollbacks; To better manage groundwater, first understand it; Earth Overshoot Day: When the World Uses More Than It Can Regenerate; Innovation rush aims to help farmers, rich and poor, beat climate change; and more …
On the calendar today …
- Webinar: California Water Plan Update 2018 Release Briefing from 1pm to 3pm. Click here for more information.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: An update on SGMA in the Central Valley; Oil spill cleanup continues; Climate change may decimate California’s avocado industry; ‘The pot calling the kettle toxic’; Ridgecrest: Banking water for LADWP?; and more …
- RESERVOIR AND WATER CONDITIONS for July 29
- LEAD SCIENTIST WANTED: Delta Science Program Seeks Lead Scientist
- FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Landowners Invited to Participate in California Waterfowl Habitat Program
Will California’s New Water Fund Bring Safe Tap Water to Farm Country? “Maria Olivera has lived in the rural community of Tooleville, in California’s Central Valley, since 1974. During that time, she’s not sure if the water in her home has ever been safe. For decades, she heard whispers about the nitrates and chemical pollutants, only to learn 15 years ago that the rumors were true. Now, like her neighbors, she uses bottled water to drink and cook with, but she still bathes in the water that comes from the faucet. “Some people—they say they have rashes [from bathing with it],” said Olivera, a retired farmworker. “I haven’t had any. But maybe in the future, I could get cancer.” … ” Read more from Civil Eats here: Will California’s New Water Fund Bring Safe Tap Water to Farm Country?
How Flood Insurance and Endangered Species Are Connected: “Most people would not associate flood insurance with the protection of endangered species. But over the past decade, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been the target of multiple lawsuits alleging that the agency has violated the Endangered Species Act by not considering the impacts of its flood insurance program on endangered species and their habitat. In the latest round of litigation, a federal court in California has struck down as arbitrary and capricious an analysis by FEMA that its administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was not likely to adversely affect endangered or threatened species or habitat. ... ” Continue reading at Downey Brand here: How Flood Insurance and Endangered Species Are Connected
Global Warming Is Pushing Pacific Salmon to the Brink, Federal Scientists Warn: “Pacific salmon that spawn in Western streams and rivers have been struggling for decades to survive water diversions, dams and logging. Now, global warming is pushing four important populations in California, Oregon and Idaho toward extinction, federal scientists warn in a new study. The new research shows that several of the region’s salmon populations are now bumping into temperature limits, with those that spawn far inland after lengthy summer stream migrations and those that spend a lot of time in coastal habitats like river estuaries among the most at risk. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Global Warming Is Pushing Pacific Salmon to the Brink, Federal Scientists Warn
New CWEA Website Highlights Pathways to Certification and Careers in Water: “The California water profession is an exciting and growing sector. From droughts to floods to water reuse – California is a world leader in water strategy and technology. The sector is experiencing a large workforce turnover as approximately one-half of California water professionals retire and new people join us. Water professionals are responsible for safe drinking water and environmental protection. They have critical responsibilities for public health and the well-being of our communities. Workers are required or encouraged to obtain a professional certification. CWEA offers six voluntary certifications. ... ” Read more from CWEA News here: New CWEA Website Highlights Pathways to Certification and Careers in Water
How California keeps blocking Trump’s environmental rollbacks: “California’s sweeping deal with four major automakers this week to boost gas mileage standards and cut tailpipe emissions wasn’t the first time the Golden State has outmaneuvered the Trump administration, which has been planning instead to loosen pollution rules for car companies nationwide. Rather than a one-time tactic, the agreement announced Thursday between the state and Ford, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW is the latest in a growing list of ways that California has blunted, blocked or shut down entirely nearly all of the Trump administration’s major efforts to rewrite environmental policies in California from the moment he took office. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: How California keeps blocking Trump’s environmental rollbacks
To better manage groundwater, first understand it: “It may be out of sight, but it should not be out of mind. Water hidden beneath the earth’s surface comprises 98% of the planet’s fresh water. On average, this groundwater provides a third of all total water consumed, and its preciousness is ever more palpable since Cape Town’s water crisis sent shock waves rippling around the world. Despite this, its regulation is far from ideal – especially now that drought conditions are intensifying around the globe and people are increasingly drilling downwards. Before we even start to improve groundwater management, we must better understand and measure it, says international groundwater expert Craig Simmons, from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. … ” Read more from Cosmos here: To better manage groundwater, first understand it
Earth Overshoot Day: When the World Uses More Than It Can Regenerate: “Today, July 29, is 2019 Earth Overshoot Day – which marks the day of the year by which we have used as many natural resources as Earth can renew in an entire year. It’s the day humanity has “blown its budget” of things like clean air, water, productive soil and timber. People first started using more than the world can produce in the 1970s, and this year the “overshoot date” is the earliest it has ever been. Mathis Wackernagel, founder and president of the Global Footprint Network, said it’s possible to continue to overuse because the earth has stockpiles – but they will eventually run out. … ” Read more from the Public News Service here: Earth Overshoot Day: When the World Uses More Than It Can Regenerate
Innovation rush aims to help farmers, rich and poor, beat climate change: “In decades to come, African farmers may pool their money to buy small robot vehicles to weed their fields or drones that can hover to squirt a few drops of pesticide only where needed. Smartphones already allow farmers in remote areas to snap photos of sick plants, upload them and get a quick diagnosis, plus advice on treatment. Researchers also are trying to train crops like maize and wheat to produce their own nitrogen fertilizer from the air – a trick soybeans and other legumes use – and exploring how to make wheat and rice better at photosynthesis in very hot conditions. As warmer, wilder weather linked to climate change brings growing challenges for farmers across the globe – and as they try to curb their own heat-trapping emissions – a rush of innovation aimed at helping both rich and poor farmers is now converging in ways that could benefit them all, scientists say. … ” Read more from Reuters here: Innovation rush aims to help farmers, rich and poor, beat climate change
In regional news and commentary today …
History, future of Lake Siskiyou is hot topic after 50 years: “Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that exists on donations, memberships, grants, and fundraisers. It is located at 1 N. Old Stage Rd. in Mount Shasta. During the summer, it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While Mount Shasta’s Ned Boss last week gave an excellent overview of Lake Siskiyou’s origins, a second presentation regarding the lake’s future was held at the Sisson Museum on July 25. “I was wondering whether people would come to hear my stories for the fourth time,” said Boss, although museum executive director Jean Nels said she was confident people would attend, “as Boss’s information is extensive, and his stories are compelling. We are very lucky that he took so many photos before, during, and after the building of Box Canyon Dam.” … ” Read more from Mount Shasta News here: History, future of Lake Siskiyou is hot topic after 50 years
Golden Gate Bridge district clears Corte Madera marsh study: “Golden Gate Bridge officials on Friday signed off on the environmental review of a long-planned wetland restoration project in Corte Madera. The $2 million project, which aims to bolster habitat for an endangered bird species displaced by the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, has now cleared its final hurdle in the planning process, according to deputy engineer John Eberle. The Golden Gate Bridge district will soon solicit bids from construction companies for the work. “It’s good news,” Eberle said. “We’ve been working on this for a while, so it’s good to get to this point.” ... ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Golden Gate Bridge district clears Corte Madera marsh study
Water slides, cabanas, pools: $45 million aquatic center coming to this Sacramento community: “Sacramento is one big step closer to having its first Olympic-sized swimming pool. And that’s not all: water slides, a meeting space and shaded bleachers are part of the plans as well. The Sacramento City Council is set to approve $14.4 million in funding for the North Natomas Community Center and Aquatics Center – the last piece of funding needed to make the long-awaited $45 million project happen. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Water slides, cabanas, pools: $45 million aquatic center coming to this Sacramento community
Stockton Marina Turns Green with Harmful Algae: “Patches of green sludge float in the water and collect in the corners of the Stockton Marina. The water west of the Interstate 5 overpass to the end of McLeod Lake in downtown Stockton was green with algae Sunday. “I don’t notice an odor to it but it’s just this swirling slime on top of and down in the water,” said David Phillips. … ” Read more from Fox 40 here: Stockton Marina Turns Green with Harmful Algae
Antelope Valley: Memorial park wants in on settlement: “The owners of Joshua Memorial Park may petition to join the 2015 court settlement that laid out limitations for groundwater pumping across the Antelope Valley, in the hopes of being allowed to install a new well to deliver water to the parched cemetery in Lancaster. With the 2015 judgment, the groundwater beneath the Antelope Valley became part of an adjudicated basin, which sets the amount of groundwater all entities may pump annually, in order to prevent overdraft of the underlying aquifer. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Antelope Valley: Memorial park wants in on settlement
Southern California: For a fragile frog population, wildfire is the latest challenge: “Katy Delaney stood at the top of the canyon, below her feet a wooded glen transformed into a wasteland. At the bottom, the walls of the canyon were green with new scrub. Above that, the crooked black fingers of tree branches burned crisp by fire dangled like claws. Delaney pointed to an open patch of sediment at the base of the canyon. A year ago, pools of cool water gleamed under the sun and frogs basked on their banks. Now, a trickle of water lazed through the mud. And the California red-legged frog, whose fate had consumed eight years of Delaney’s life, was nowhere to be seen. … ” Read more from PhysOrg here: For a fragile frog population, wildfire is the latest challenge
Department of Water Resources Posts Notice of Toxic Blue-Green Algae at Silverwood Lake: “Although a danger advisory was put in place July 20 at San Bernardino County’s Silverwood Lake due to the presence of toxic blue-green algae, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued a notice to avoid physical contact with the lake’s water on Friday. Testing done this week has resulted in lab results showing an increase in toxin levels. … ” Read more from the California Water News Daily here: Department of Water Resources Posts Notice of Toxic Blue-Green Algae at Silverwood Lake
Commentary: We must begin work on bringing Sea of Cortez water to the Salton Sea, says G. Dana Hobart: He writes, ” … The county and Salton Sea Authority are promoting a “North Lake” plan to construct approximately 30,000 acres of salt water ponds (lakes) and wetlands as part of the state’s 10-year plan to counter growing expanses of dry lake bed. This 10-year plan is limited to the northern and southern portion of the sea and is expected to cover less than half the dry lakebed that experts say will be exposed a decade from now. … The solution lies in filling the sea with water. But what source would produce enough water to cover the lakebed (playa) years into future years? Where would we get such huge quantities of fresh or salt water? There is but one realistic source: the Sea of Cortez. ... ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: We must begin work on bringing Sea of Cortez water to the Salton Sea
Border Patrol agents sickened by toxic raw sewage flowing in from Mexico: “Raw sewage teeming with toxic chemicals dumped in Mexico’s northern border city of Tijuana has been flowing for decades into the United States while local, state, and federal authorities in both countries have failed to prevent it. Now, those on the front lines of this crisis are saying enough is enough. Unrestrained run-offs of ugly green and brown liquids have caused both figurative and literal headaches for U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tijuana River Valley, a stretch of land south of San Diego from where the Tijuana River flows north from downtown Tijuana into California and then west to the Pacific Ocean. Some of the sewage is intentionally dumped in Mexico with the full knowledge that it will end up as a gruesome export to the United States. … ” Read more from the Washington Examiner here: Border Patrol agents sickened by toxic raw sewage flowing in from Mexico
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
https://mavensnotebook.com/2019/07/29/reservoir-and-water-conditions-for-july-29/
LEAD SCIENTIST WANTED: Delta Science Program Seeks Lead Scientist
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Landowners Invited to Participate in California Waterfowl Habitat Program
Sign up for daily email service and you’ll never miss a post …
Sign up for free daily email service and you’ll get all the Notebook’s aggregated and original water news content delivered to your email box by 9AM. And with breaking news alerts, you’ll always be one of the first to know …
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.
