In California water news today, Woe is the Smelt: How Farms, Cities, and Trump Threaten a California Ecosystem; Water district appeals ruling to stop work on Shasta Dam analysis; Dam Management Can Help Salmon and Sturgeon; Proposal would allow oil companies keep injecting wastewater into Kern County aquifers; Judge won’t reconsider ruling in Agua Caliente tribe’s water case; Western Innovator: Irrigation system saves water; Sea level rise: California’s new reality; California could see a slew of Prop 65 lawsuits related to PFAS; Farm To Solar Field Transformations Come With Controversy & Compromise; 13 Waterfalls in One Weekend: Northern California’s World-Famous Waterfall Loop; and more …
On the calendar today …
- The State Water Resources Control Board meets beginning at 9:30am. Agenda items include an informational item on implementation of the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Program, consideration of adoption of guidelines for Prop 68 groundwater treatment and remediation grants, a report on the assessment of the state’s community drinking water systems, and the annual report on implementation of the human right to water. Click here for the agenda.
- Stakeholder Meeting for Wholesale Water Supplier Water Loss Report from 10am to 1pm in Sacramento. Webinar option available. Click here for more information.
- SGMA GSP Reporting Workshop in Fresno from 2pm to 3:30pm. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) GSP Reporting System workshop will assist those submitting groundwater sustainability plans(GSPs). During the workshop, DWR staff will present information on the updated SGMA Portal, provide step-by-step instructions for GSP submittal, demonstrate the new tool, and answer questions. Click here to register.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- BLOG ROUND-UP: An appropriate use for gallons; Preparing CA’s rivers for a changing climate; SB 1 a roadblock to voluntary agreements or protective measure against Trump’s enviro assault?; Colorado River water reduction rules: not quite voluntary, not quite mandatory – “vandatory”!; and more …
- DELTA CONVEYANCE UPDATE: Valley Water board ponders their participation level, discusses an Delta conveyance environmental stakeholder committee
- NOTICE: Extension of Public Meetings for State Water Project Contract Amendment for Delta Conveyance
Woe is the Smelt: How Farms, Cities, and Trump Threaten a California Ecosystem: “Near the concrete banks of the California Aqueduct, a small hangar houses a series of tanks five feet in diameter. One day in July, Tien-Chieh Hung, an aquacultural engineer, peered over the side of one, and shined a flashlight into the depths of its temperature-controlled water. A school of iridescent fish about as long as your pinky finger glided in and out of visibility. “That’s delta smelt,” Hung said, before quickly turning off his light and closing the tank’s fine-mesh cover. “They’re a sensitive fish.” ... ” Read more from Bitterroot Magazine here: Woe is the Smelt: How Farms, Cities, and Trump Threaten a California Ecosystem
Water district appeals ruling to stop work on Shasta Dam analysis: “A Fresno-based irrigation district has asked the state court of appeal to overturn a judge’s decision to stop work assessing the environmental impacts of raising the height of Shasta Dam. Westlands Water District says a preliminary injunction ordering it to stop work on an environmental impact report may prevent it from helping to pay for raising the height of the dam, according to the appeal filed last week. ... ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight here: Water district appeals ruling to stop work on Shasta Dam analysis
Dam Management Can Help Salmon and Sturgeon: “Scientists working to preserve endangered fish in the Sacramento River unveiled a new water-management plan Tuesday that might protect the river’s salmon while maintaining a healthy environment for other fish. As cold water from Lake Shasta releases into the Sacramento River, it creates a better environment for endangered winter-run chinook salmon, but at the cost of harming green sturgeon. Whereas salmon need colder water for their eggs to survive, young green sturgeon require the typical warmer temperatures of the river to thrive. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Dam Management Can Help Salmon and Sturgeon
California’s disappearing sea snails carry a grim climate warning: “Many people have never eaten—or even heard of—red abalone, a species of sea snail that lives suctioned onto boulders and feeds on the lush kelp forests of Northern California. Abalone is a much-sought-after delicacy with a sweet, delicate flavor similar to a sea scallop, say those who’ve tried it. “For people who think they don’t like fish…it’s amazing to see their eyes just sparkle when they take a bite and go ‘this is absolutely incredible,’” says Joe Cresalia, a recreational diver who lives just north of San Francisco. “And you know before they took the bite, they were almost afraid to take a bite.” ... ” Read more from National Geographic here: California’s disappearing sea snails carry a grim climate warning
Proposal would allow oil companies keep injecting wastewater into Kern County aquifers: “California regulators are negotiating an agreement with two major oil companies that would allow them to keep injecting millions of gallons of wastewater into potential drinking water and irrigation supplies in the Central Valley for three years. The voluntary plan would allow Aera Energy (which was jointly formed by Shell Oil and Exxon Mobil) and California Resources Corp. to continue to inject fluid remnants of oil extraction into 94 wells that discharge into shallow groundwater aquifer zones in Kern County. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: Proposal would allow oil companies keep injecting wastewater into Kern County aquifers
Judge won’t reconsider ruling in Agua Caliente tribe’s water case: “A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion from the federal government to reconsider a ruling on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ lawsuit against two Coachella Valley water agencies. The court previously ruled that the federal government and tribe had failed to provide evidence of injury “to the Tribe’s federally reserved water right.” Since the motion to reconsider was denied, a hearing set for Monday was cancelled. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal called the motion to reconsider a “thinly veiled attempt to relitigate the summary judgement motions.” … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: Judge won’t reconsider ruling in Agua Caliente tribe’s water case
Western Innovator: Irrigation system saves water: “Responding to a global need for sustainable water use that’s driven by more frequent droughts and water scarcity, Uri Shani sought ways to change how farmers irrigate their fields. One of Israel’s top water experts, and formerly its water commissioner, Shani invented a gravity-powered micro irrigation system that would be economical and reduce water use by 60% when compared to traditional flood irrigation. … ” Read more from the Capital Press here: Western Innovator: Irrigation system saves water
Sea level rise: California’s new reality: “While wildfires have gotten much of the attention in California as consequences of climate change, it’s really rising sea levels that will likely wreak the most damage. With more than 25 million people living near the coast, some $150 billion worth of property is at risk. “This is really an existential threat,” said Half Moon Bay Mayor Harvey Rarback. “We have to be provident and prepare for it and it’s going to be expensive. Literally putting your head in the sand is not going to work. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly here: Sea level rise: California’s new reality
California could see a slew of Prop 65 lawsuits related to PFAS: “With California’s addition of two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) – to its Proposition 65 list, the state may have potentially paved the way for an explosion of lawsuits. “It confirms our … concern all along,” said Luke Wake, an attorney with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Legal Center in Sacramento. “We’ve continually raised concerns about Prop 65 as really creating open season for these plaintiffs’ … controlling attorneys, basically.” … ” Read more from the Northern California Record here: California could see a slew of Prop 65 lawsuits related to PFAS
Study raises questions about how fluoride affects children’s development: “Water fluoridation has been hailed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the top great public health achievements of the 20th century, but a new study raises questions about its role as a potential neurotoxin in utero. The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, found that increased levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with declines in IQ in children. … ” Read more from KEYT here: Study raises questions about how fluoride affects children’s development
Farm To Solar Field Transformations Come With Controversy & Compromise: ” … In California’s San Joaquin Valley alone, farmers may need to take more than half a million acres out of production to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which will, ultimately, put restrictions on pumping. According to the Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, converting what had been farm to solar arrays could be key to meeting California’s climate action targets. As reported by the LA Times, the Central Valley is more ecologically degraded than California’s inland deserts, where bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and golden eagles still roam across vast stretches of largely intact wilderness. ... ” Read more from Clean Technica here: Farm To Solar Field Transformations Come With Controversy & Compromise
California Residents Say They Need More Information On Previous Wildfires To Prepare: “Warm summer temperatures have Californians again bracing for wildfires. In order to better prepare, residents of the city of Ventura say they need a clearer picture of exactly what went wrong with the water supply during the destructive Thomas Fire in 2017. Reporter Stephanie O’Neill has the story. ... ” Read transcript or listen to radio show from NPR’s All Things Considered here: California Residents Say They Need More Information On Previous Wildfires To Prepare
In the war on wildfire, California turns to the military: “James Nelson deployed to Iraq in 2004 as an artilleryman with the Army. He saw fierce fighting and lost close friends during his one-year tour, and when he reflects on the experience, he wonders what the war achieved. Fifteen years later, Mr. Nelson, now a sergeant first class in the California National Guard, has deployed to the Sierra Nevada foothills about 50 miles north of the state capital of Sacramento. Beneath a canopy of ponderosa and sugar pines, Douglas firs, and black oaks, he and 20 other soldiers work to remove underbrush and dead trees, assisting state crews to thin forests of the fuel that feeds wildfires. He describes the mission as more purposeful than his combat tour. … ” Read more from the Christian Science Monitor here: In the war on wildfire, California turns to the military
5 utility trends shaping electricity’s future: “The next decade’s electric utility is taking shape today in the form of plans, sometimes thousands of pages, plopped into the laps of state regulators nationwide. Like snowflakes, each of these integrated resource plans (IRPs) — which outline how utilities intend to meet power demand cost-effectively — is unique. Not all states require them. And the almost three dozen states that do each has distinct requirements and processes for the plans, which look 10 to 20 years into the future. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: 5 utility trends shaping electricity’s future
In commentary today …
Water bottle tax penalizes California’s rural poor, says Raoul Lowery Contreras: He writes, “California legislators are considering a bill that could essentially force all Californians, including the state, to pay millions of dollars more for plastic bottled water or sodas. A nickel here, a nickel there—it wouldn’t be much per bottle. But because there are so many plastic bottles, it’ll quickly add up to millions of dollars. Consumers will inevitably shoulder the costs, and legislators will inevitably blame corporate greed or environmental measures when confronted about it. … ” Read more from The Hill here: Water bottle tax penalizes California’s rural poor
In regional news and commentary today …
‘We’re Asserting Our Self-Determination’; Yuroks Celebrate Reacquiring 50,000 Acres of Ancestral Land: “Per-gish Carlson was within sight from his father’s house, where Blue Creek meets the Klamath River, where he recounted a story of Troy Fletcher and his ugly fish. The Yurok Tribe’s late executive director was working the Western Rivers Conservancy and Green Diamond Resource Company on re-acquiring 50,000 acres of ancestral territory. One day, Fletcher and Carlson had dropped a group of conservancy representatives on Blue Creek and stayed behind and fished. The tribe’s executive director hooked onto the “ugliest blackest fish” Carlson had ever seen. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: ‘We’re Asserting Our Self-Determination’; Yuroks Celebrate Reacquiring 50,000 Acres of Ancestral Land
Estuary study offers restoration guidance for Marin, West: “About 85% of the West Coast’s estuaries, which provide vital habitat for a diverse set of wildlife and various benefits for humans, have been lost in large part because of development. Using updated technologies, a first-of-its kind study published this month in the PLOS ONE scientific journal has created a window into the past to show where these wetland habitats once existed. Bay Area estuary and wetlands researchers such as San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve director Mike Vasey say the findings will provide a road map for recovery especially as they plan for the rising sea waters caused by climate change. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Estuary study offers restoration guidance for Marin, West
Marina Coast sues Monterey County, Cal Am over desal plant approval: “Arguing that Monterey County officials improperly ignored new groundwater impact information and a viable, even preferable recycled water alternative, Marina Coast Water District has sued the county and California American Water over the county’s narrow approval of Cal Am’s desalination plant permit. On Thursday, Marina Coast filed suit in Monterey County Superior Court seeking to halt the start of construction on the desal plant project through a writ of mandate and injunctive relief. The suit asks the court to order the county to rescind its approval of a combined development permit for the project until full compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, water code, and planning and zoning law. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Marina Coast sues Monterey County, Cal Am over desal plant approval
Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority water resources manager talks transparency, options: “Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority Water Resources Manager Steve Johnson touched on several concerns from the public in a lengthy report Thursday morning. Johnson and his company Stetson Engineers are tasked with developing the IWVGA’s groundwater sustainability plan, a roadmap that will oversee the management of the basin for the next 20 to 50 years. The top thing on his report Thursday was transparency, or the concern from members of the public, stakeholders and members of the technical and policy advisory committees. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority water resources manager talks transparency, options
San Diego County Water Authority approves Conjunctive Use Project subsidy: “The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has a subsidy program for projects which produce local supply, and if MWD approves the agreement Sept. 10 the Fallbrook Public Utility District will receive a subsidy for the Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project. FPUD’s board approved the agreement on a 5-0 vote July 22 and the San Diego County Water Authority board approved the agreement July 25. “It will help further reduce the cost of water for the project, which will help further reduce the cost of water for our ratepayers,” said FPUD general manager Jack Bebee. … ” Read more from the Village News here: San Diego County Water Authority approves Conjunctive Use Project subsidy
Along the Colorado River …
Radio show: Months After Completing The Drought Contingency Plan, We Might Have To Use It: “Just a few months after completing the Drought Contingency Plan for the Colorado River states, water managers in the southwest will likely have to implement it starting in 2020. That’s according to new projections for the levels of key reservoirs in the southwestern river basin, and Arizona is first in line to take water cutbacks. KUNC reporter Luke Runyon joined The Show to explain what that means.” Listen to the radio show from KJZZ here: Radio show: Months After Completing The Drought Contingency Plan, We Might Have To Use It
And lastly …
13 Waterfalls in One Weekend: Northern California’s World-Famous Waterfall Loop: “There is a legendary loop sitting in the Shasta-Cascade of Northern California that includes 13 incredible waterfalls to visit. Realistically, you could accomplish this entire loop in just two to three days, and see some of the world’s finest waterfalls right here in NorCal. The loop starts on Shasta Lake, goes up through Castle Crags State Park and Dunsmuir, and on up through Mount Shasta and McCloud. Eventually you’ll make your way over to Burney Falls and the waterfalls south of Big Bend. … ” Check out the map and pictures from Active NorCal here: 13 Waterfalls in One Weekend: Northern California’s World-Famous Waterfall Loop
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Extension of Public Meetings for State Water Project Contract Amendment for Delta Conveyance
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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.
