DAILY DIGEST: Heated Anti-Trump SB 1 environmental bill could hold to 2020; Friant-Kern Canal bill extended to two-year bill; CA protects itself from Trump’s rollback of Clean Water Act; Bioreactors to the rescue in polluted CA wetlands; and more …

In California water news today, Heated Anti-Trump SB 1 Environmental Bill Could Hold to 2020; Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill to invest in Friant-Kern Canal extended to two-year bill; California protects itself from Trump’s rollback of Clean Water Act; Bioreactors to the Rescue in Polluted California Wetlands; California’s biggest wildfire of 2019 approaches 50,000 acres as dry conditions return; Review of The Pacific Warm Blob Sequel: Not Yet a Phenomena like the Original; EPA water chief says these people are unsung heroes among us; and more …

In the news today …

SB 1 NEWS AND COMMENTARY

Heated Anti-Trump SB 1 Environmental Bill Could Hold to 2020:  “A controversial state bill impacting water and agriculture could be held over to the Legislature’s next session.  Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, a San Diego Democrat, said Wednesday that Senate Bill 1 might be converted to a two-year bill. The California Chamber of Commerce calls the bill a “job killer.”   “We haven’t made that decision. You know how it goes,” said Atkins, who is the bill’s author. “We get to the last few days. We’re still in serious discussion. We are still having conversations with (Gov. Gavin Newsom’s) office on this very issue.”  The legislative session ends Friday. … ”  Read more from GV Wire here: Heated Anti-Trump SB 1 Environmental Bill Could Hold to 2020

Senate Bill 1 Doubles Down on ‘Trump Resistance’ While Threatening CA Water Supply:  “Another bill which would put the brakes on California’s economy is being heard and debated in the California Legislature this week.  When President Donald Trump was elected in 2016, California’s newly-elected Democrat supermajority used the usually congenial legislative swearing-in ceremonies to ram through Assembly and Senate resolutions insisting President-elect Trump abandon his immigration deportation policies, and threatened to “fight in the streets” anyone who tried to “dissolve the work we have done.”  … ”  Read more from the California Globe here: Senate Bill 1 Doubles Down on ‘Trump Resistance’ While Threatening CA Water Supply

Commentary: Senate Bill 1 will lead to conflict. There is a better way to end California’s water warsJennifer Pierre writes,California needs to reshape how it manages the rivers of the Sierra Nevada and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It needs to provide more water for the environment, more restoration, more funding and more collaborative science.  All this can happen through voluntary partnerships with water agencies from throughout California, environmental groups and the state and federal governments. Within the next few months, this better way of managing water, our most precious resource, is within reach. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: Senate Bill 1 will lead to conflict. There is a better way to end California’s water wars

Commentary: Session End Has Arrived: Will Sacramento Stand Up to Trump?: Joel Reynolds writes,This is the last week for the state legislature to pass bills and put them on the desk of Governor Newsom.  In the State Capitol, they call it the “silly season” because things happen that make little sense.  That is certainly true this week, in the debate over SB 1. The California Environmental, Public Health and Worker Defense Act is authored by State Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D, San Diego).   The bill is essential and sweeping – but it’s also simple.  SB 1 would respond to dozens of federal efforts to weaken protections for air, water, wildlife, public health and workplace safety protections.  It would allow state agencies to adopt current – pre-rollback – federal protections as interim requirements under state law through an expedited process. … ”  Read more from the NRDC here: Session End Has Arrived: Will Sacramento Stand Up to Trump?

Commentary: In the pursuit of power, environmentalists have shrugged off science Wayne Western writes,For years, we have been reminded by environmental groups of the catastrophic failures to fish, farms, and people because of inadequate standards, policies, and laws governing the management of water in California.  In the halls of power in Sacramento, the environmental lobby time and again point to issues that would likely lead to the complete extinction of certain species in pursuing their political agenda.  Generally speaking, their plan is always to transfer more fresh water from human use and, instead, allow it to be pushed out to the Pacific Ocean. We have heard the arguments repeatedly on issues related to water such as “increased unimpaired flows,” updates to the Bay Delta Plan, CaWaterFix, and many others. … ”  Read more at the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Commentary: In the pursuit of power, environmentalists have shrugged off science

Commentary: Newsom and legislators have a choice: side with the environment or with Trump:  John McManus writes,Gov. Gavin Newsom faces thorny challenges as he seeks to balance water use between cities and farms, without destroying Central Valley rivers and wildlife.  Some water decisions are on the horizon, others are here now. At the center are the state’s salmon runs, whose protection supports healthy rivers and the Bay Delta ecosystem.   The Trump administration, under Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, is finalizing plans to rip up restrictions on diverting Northern California water to its friends in the agricultural industry in the dry western San Joaquin Valley. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: Newsom and legislators have a choice: side with the environment or with Trump

OTHER STATEWIDE NEWS

Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill to invest in Friant-Kern Canal extended to two-year bill:  “Senator Melissa Hurtado’s (D-Sanger) legislation, SB 559, was extended into a two-year bill during its review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill, which has received bipartisan support, helps secure California’s water supply by setting up a policy framework to invest in the Friant-Kern Canal, one of San Joaquin Valley’s most critical water deliver facilities.  “I am beyond proud of the work that my colleagues and I have partnered on to raise awareness about the needs in the Central Valley region. The bipartisan work on SB 559 is just a glimpse of what we can accomplish if we work together,” said Sen. Hurtado. … ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill to invest in Friant-Kern Canal extended to two-year bill

California protects itself from Trump’s rollback of Clean Water Act:  “The Trump administration rolled back a key provision of the Clean Water Act on Thursday, doing away with protections for many wetlands and streams across the country and making it easier for the nation’s farmers, builders and industry execs to develop their land.  The repeal of the Waters of the United States rule, however, will not directly affect landowners and businesses in California. State regulators in April passed a sweeping wetlands policy that secured state oversight of California’s waterways regardless of changes at the federal level. ... ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California protects itself from Trump’s rollback of Clean Water Act

Bioreactors to the Rescue in Polluted California Wetlands:  “For more than 100 years, the coastal wetlands of central California have been drained and graded to allow for farming. In one area near the town of Moss Landing, what was once slough is now 450 hectares of artichokes, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce—a bounty of growth. And fueling it all? Nitrate-laden fertilizer, the runoff of which pollutes waterways, wetlands, and the nearby ocean. Farmers clearly appreciate the yields that fertilizers facilitate, but many acknowledge that these chemicals are tainting the land and water. Enter the Central Coast Wetlands Group and the Coastal Conservation and Research, Inc. and their new bioreactor designed to process agricultural runoff, turning algae-bloom-triggering waste into benign nitrogen gas. … ”  Read more from Hakai News here: Bioreactors to the Rescue in Polluted California Wetlands

‘Too many people are in denial.’ California homeowners urged to buy flood insurance:  “Since President Donald Trump last signed a short-term extension to the National Flood Insurance Program, Americans have faced an unprecedented hurricane, fresh warnings from U.N. scientists over rising sea levels and confirmation that the past year was the country’s wettest on record.  Congress is expected to hand him a thirteenth 60-day extension of the program when the current one expires at the end of September. But significant reforms will be an uphill battle. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  ‘Too many people are in denial.’ California homeowners urged to buy flood insurance

California’s biggest wildfire of 2019 approaches 50,000 acres as dry conditions return:  The Walker Fire burning in Plumas National Forest saw “increased fire behavior” overnight after mild conditions Wednesday, pushing the wildfire to nearly 50,000 acres Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Growth has still slowed significantly compared with last week, and containment of the blaze is steadily increasing as a total of nearly 2,000 fire personnel are assigned to the fire. After sparking last Sept. 4, the Walker Fire is now reported at 49,272 acres and is 28 percent contained, the Forest Service said in a Thursday morning update. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California’s biggest wildfire of 2019 approaches 50,000 acres as dry conditions return

Review of The Pacific Warm Blob Sequel: Not Yet a Phenomena like the Original:  “An enormous area of warm water is pooling in the Pacific Ocean off the West Coast of North America. It has reminded scientists and headline-writers alike of “The Blob,” an unprecedented area of high sea surface temperatures that spread across the North Pacific between 2013-2016 and resulted in damaging effects on ocean and human health.  But the new marine heatwave, which started spreading out from the Gulf of Alaska in June and now covers much of the Pacific Ocean, has not yet fully become The Blob 2, particularly in California. Which means the effects, too, might not be as dire as last time. ... ”  Read more from Bay-Nature here: Review of The Pacific Warm Blob Sequel: Not Yet a Phenomena like the Original

NATIONAL NEWS

Trump administration rolls back landmark water protections:  “The Trump administration on Thursday announced the repeal of one of the Obama era’s most sweeping environmental rules — a set of pollution protections for small streams and wetlands that had riled up opposition from coal miners, home developers, farmers and oil and gas drillers.  The action creates instant doubts about the legal status of myriad seasonal or isolated wetlands and thousands of miles of waterways, including vast swaths of the arid West. And it clears the way for the Environmental Protection Agency to finish a follow-up regulation in the coming months that could leave most of the nation’s wetlands without any federal safeguards. ... ”  Read more from Politco here: Trump administration rolls back landmark water protections

EPA water chief says these people are unsung heroes among us:  “A leading U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator called water plant operators the “silent everyday unsung heroes” who are on the front lines for protecting public health.  While police officers, firefighters and teachers are routinely praised for their value in the public service sector, the skilled workers who provide clean drinking water at the tap and treat wastewater often go unnoticed, said Dave Ross, the EPA’s assistant administrator for water.  “We can drop billions of dollars into brick and mortar, but if we don’t have a trained workforce it won’t matter,” Ross said Thursday during a discussion at the BusinessH20 Water Innovation Summit at Snowbird. … ”  Read more from Deseret News here: EPA water chief says these people are unsung heroes among us

Bring your own water bottle: Alaska Airlines broadens plastic use reduction program:  “Alaska Airlines really doesn’t want to be dispensing ice water to you in Earth-polluting plastic bottles or cups when you can bring your own reusable bottle.  As part of its single-use plastic reduction program, the airline has launched #FillBeforeYouFly. It is asking passengers to bring their own water bottles and to fill them pre-flight. … ”  Read more from ABC 7 here: Bring your own water bottle: Alaska Airlines broadens plastic use reduction program

In regional news and commentary today …

Mount Shasta: WATER receives grant from Patagonia:  “The Mount Shasta-based nonprofit We Advocate Thorough Environmental Review, commonly referred to as WATER, recently received a grant from Patagonia, an outdoor clothing and gear company that focuses on promoting environmentally and socially responsible business practices.  “This is the second grant WATER has received from Patagonia. We are once again deeply thankful for this award,” stated WATER Board member Raven Stevens in a recent press release. “We have had the Superior Court hearings for the lawsuits we filed against Siskiyou County and Crystal Geyser Water Company and against the City of Mount Shasta and Crystal Geyser Water Company. We are now awaiting the judge’s decision for both cases.” … ”  Read more from the Taft Midway Driller here: WATER receives grant from Patagonia

Camarillo breaks ground on water desalter:  “Nearly 25 years after first detecting problems with local groundwater supplies, city officials broke ground Wednesday on the $66.3 million North Pleasant Valley Groundwater Desalter.  Set to be completed in late 2021, the facility will include a treatment plant, three monitoring wells and 2,000 feet of pipeline on 5 acres of currently vacant land near Las Posas and Somis roads.  About 20% of the project’s total cost is being offset by federal and state grants, as well as Metropolitan Water District incentives. ... ”  Read more from The Acorn here: Camarillo breaks ground on water desalter

Lomita Residents Still Unsure Even After City Swapped Contaminated Water:  “After the groundwater was found to be contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals, Lomita officials have now swapped out the water and are now offering residents a water facility tour. The chemical, benzene, a known carcinogen, was recently discovered after a state test found it “in groundwater at levels almost three times higher than is allowed in California,” Daily Breeze reports. … ”  Read more from KFI here: Lomita Residents Still Unsure Even After City Swapped Contaminated Water

LADWP may support opening the Rowena Reservoir to the public if ….The agency that oversees the 10-acre Rowena Reservoir property says it’s “open to the concept” of allowing the public access to the park-like grounds with decorative lagoons, waterfalls, palm trees and walking paths. But there are several notable caveats, including that it won’t pay a dime for making the property accessible and that such a development wouldn’t interfere with operations. The L.A. Department of Water & Power described its position on the matter in response to a proposal by Councilman David Ryu to study the feasibility of using the reservoir grounds for “passive recreation.” … ”  Read more from The Eastsider here:  LADWP may support opening the Rowena Reservoir to the public if ….

Los Angeles County Announces New Pipes for Compton After Complaints of Brown Water:  “Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas announced Thursday that “dramatic” improvements have been made to a water system that serves 6,800 customers in Willowbrook and Compton.  According to Ridley-Thomas, the county’s Department of Public Works used “cutting-edge technology” to thoroughly flush the Los Angeles County Sativa Water District’s system, installed new pipes to improve water circulation and established connections to emergency water sources. … ”  Read more from NBC 4 here: Los Angeles County Announces New Pipes for Compton After Complaints of Brown Water

Laguna Beach approves mapping of ocean and open spaces as part of 5-project environmental plan:  “By next summer, Laguna Beach locals and visitors should be able to browse interactive maps on the city’s website for in-depth information on the surrounding ocean and greenbelt areas.  The mapping program is part of a five-point plan unanimously approved the Laguna Beach City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 10.  The plan, presented by the city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, includes goals related to public education, ocean health, climate change mitigation, pesticides and single-use plastics. The council also agreed to move forward with plans to achieve zero liquid discharge into the ocean. … ”  Read more from the OC Register here: Laguna Beach approves mapping of ocean and open spaces as part of 5-project environmental plan

Along the Colorado River …

Could “Black Swan” Events Spawned by Climate Change Wreak Havoc in the Colorado River Basin? The Colorado River Basin’s 20 years of drought and the dramatic decline in water levels at the river’s key reservoirs have pressed water managers to adapt to challenging conditions. But even more extreme — albeit rare — droughts or floods that could overwhelm water managers may lie ahead in the Basin as the effects of climate change take hold, a group of scientists says. They argue that stakeholders who are preparing to rewrite the operating rules of the river should plan now for how to handle these so-called “black swan” events so they’re not blindsided.” Read this article at Western Water here: Could “Black Swan” Events Spawned by Climate Change Wreak Havoc in the Colorado River Basin? 

The Water Wars Are Here:  “Everyone remembers the scene in Chinatown when Jack Nicholson almost gets his nose sliced off, but many do not recall what the dispute was about. It wasn’t drug smuggling or gun running that got Nicholson’s character slashed. It was water rights. Since the film was released in 1974, the question of who will get the limited water in the American West, particularly the all-important flow of the Colorado River, has grown even more contentious.  Dystopian novels and movies predict a future in which people fight it out for every last drop of water to quench the thirst of expanding cities, parched agriculture, and wasteful suburban grass lawns. But the future is already here. ... ”  Read more from The New Republic here: The Water Wars Are Here

And lastly …

Message in a bottle leads rescuers to California hikers stranded on 40-foot waterfall:  “Days into a hike along the Arroyo Seco river, a California family found themselves stranded at the top of a 40-foot waterfall.  Curtis Whitson, 44, his girlfriend Krystal Ramirez, 34, and his 13-year-old son Hunter Whitson were expecting to rappel down the side of the rock using the rope that Whitson found the last time he’d made the same journey, The Washington Post reported. But this time, the rope wasn’t there. … ”  Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here:  Message in a bottle leads rescuers to California hikers stranded on 40-foot waterfall

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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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