In California water news today, Water interests are fighting California’s bid to block Trump’s environmental rollbacks; Shasta Dam case appealed to California Supreme Court; A Programmatic Approach to Dam Removal and River Restoration in the Cleveland National Forest; California’s wildfire season is off to a quiet start. That could change this week; Butte County could approve water conservation study; What to watch as CA lawmakers wrap up, from gators to the gig economy; Congress returns to busy fall for energy, environment issues
In the news today …
Water interests are fighting California’s bid to block Trump’s environmental rollbacks: “California is close to adopting strict Obama-era federal environmental and worker safety rules that the Trump administration is dismantling. But as the legislative session draws to a close, the proposal faces fierce opposition from the state’s largest water agencies. To shield California from Trump administration policies, lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow state agencies to lock in protections under the federal Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and other bulwark environmental and labor laws that were in place before President Trump took office in January 2017. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Water interests are fighting California’s bid to block Trump’s environmental rollbacks
Shasta Dam case appealed to California Supreme Court: “A Fresno-based water district has filed an appeal with the California Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn a lower court ruling and get on with assessing the effects of raising the height of Shasta Dam. The Westlands Water District was told by a judge in Shasta County Superior Court in July that it was violating the law by conducting an environmental impact report on the effects of raising the height of the dam. ... ” Read more from the Record Searchlight here: Shasta Dam case appealed to California Supreme Court
A Programmatic Approach to Dam Removal and River Restoration in the Cleveland National Forest, CA: “Removing one obsolete dam is an accomplishment. Removing more than 30 in one year is unheard of. Yet, that’s exactly what Cleveland National Forest (CNF) did in 2018. They removed 33 dams, which accounted for more than 40% of all dam removals in the United States in 2018. These removals are part of a broader effort CNF is leading to restore migratory corridors for fish and other aquatic species known as the Trabuco District Dam Removal Project. When complete, it will result in the removal of 81 dams that are no longer serving a purpose. In 2018, California had the highest number of removals, surpassing Pennsylvania, the leading dam removal state for the past 15 years. … ” Read more from American Rivers here: A Programmatic Approach to Dam Removal and River Restoration: Cleveland National Forest, CA
California’s wildfire season is off to a quiet start. That could change this week: “Hurricane Dorian’s pernicious path from the Bahamas to Canada provided yet another reminder of the damaging force of wind in storms. Less known but just as significant is the role wind plays in wildfires. Forecasts of strong winds in Southern California this week have heightened concerns that the state’s fire season, tame in its early stages compared to the devastation of last year, could swing into destructive, even deadly mode. … ” Read more from USA Today here: California’s wildfire season is off to a quiet start. That could change this week
Butte County could approve water conservation study: “Butte County leaders will consider approving a contract with West Yost Associates to conduct a feasibility study looking at conservation projects related to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Recently, the Department of Water and Resource Conservation has been looking into projects that could meet locally defined sustainability goals required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Last year, the Department of Water and Resource Conservation completed a study to identify recharge opportunities that could be a part of a groundwater sustainability plan. The report identified the Paradise Irrigation District and California Water Service project as a potentially viable recharge project. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Butte County could approve water conservation study
Butte County’s yellow-legged frog under threat: “If you see something hopping around in Big Chico Creek, chances are it could be the foothill yellow-legged frog. This frog is currently being evaluated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to possibly be placed on the state’s endangered species list. “The foothill yellow-legged frog, or Rana bolylii, is a species of special concern in California,” Chico State biology professor Tag Engstrom said. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Butte County’s yellow-legged frog under threat
What to watch as CA lawmakers wrap up, from gators to the gig economy: “Endangered species, gig workers, children, universities, privacy, parolees who want to vote, people who want straighter teeth, and alligators. As California lawmakers return for the final week of the 2019 legislative year, the issues they take up will be sweeping and eclectic, as end-of-session to-do lists usually are. More than 600-plus bills await final votes before Friday. Most have narrow potential impact. But a few will be noticed by everyone if they become law. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: What to watch as CA lawmakers wrap up, from gators to the gig economy
Congress returns to busy fall for energy, environment issues: “A race to fund government will dominate Capitol Hill this month as Congress returns this week from its summer break with the new spending year looming on Oct. 1. Energy companies and greens will also be keeping tabs on a House push to ban offshore drilling, renewed highway bill negotiations and a possible federal pipeline safety overhaul. Here’s what’s on the agenda for the fall … ” Read more from E&E News here: Congress returns to busy fall for energy, environment issues
And lastly … Killer slime that can ‘kill you in seconds’ taking over France’s beaches: “France’s beaches have been inundated by lethal slime with what experts say has the potential to kill sunbathers within seconds. Fears have heightened and six beaches were closed this summer in Brittany as the “killer slime” took over the vacation destination, the Guardian reported. ... ” Read more from the New York Post here: Killer slime that can ‘kill you in seconds’ taking over France’s beaches
More news and commentary in the weekend edition …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- UPCOMING WEBINARS: Science and policy making, Stormwater grant guidelines, SGMA grant application workshop, Adaptive management, drought outlook, SGMA 101, Tap into Resilience Toolbox, Membranes 101, New wetland regulations, and more …
- PUBLIC MEETING: SWP Contract Amendment for Delta Conveyance September 11
- CV-SALTS: State Water Board postpones meeting
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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.
