In California water news today, ‘The water wars have begun.’ Some wonder how water plan will impact Merced County farms; High water levels promise banner year for lake-based recreation; California water politics complicate House panel’s oversight; Drought is crippling small farmers in Mexico—with consequences for everyone else; State awards $5.5M for Hill Slough wetland restoration, research project; Equity, climate on the table at Colorado River conference as new negotiations loom for Southwest water managers; and more …
On the calendar today …
- EPA Grants Award Process Seminar at 11am:
The webinar will cover grants topics, including: how to find and apply for grant opportunities; EPA’s Grants.gov requirement; and preparing a proper budget detail. Click here for more information.This webinar has been rescheduled to January 13.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Fall storms driving away fears of new California drought; New scale categorizes power of atmospheric rivers; Hydropower without new dams; Trump’s potty talk highlights flushing fight; Can a grand vision solve the Colorado River’s challenges?; and more …
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Secretary Bernhardt initiates early review of current Colorado River operational rules; Agricultural water users profiled in two-volume Colorado River report
‘The water wars have begun.’ Some wonder how water plan will impact Merced County farms: “Agricultural and urban groundwater users in Merced County may soon have to sacrifice for the future, if a new state-mandated sustainability plan that limits consumption moves forward. The changes will come if the Merced Groundwater Subbasin Sustainability Plan is approved by local agencies and cities. The 20-year plan aims to achieve sustainable groundwater over the long-term. “The water wars have begun,” Atwater Mayor Paul Creighton said before City Council passed a resolution supporting the plan. “If we’re good stewards now, we’ll continue to be able to grow.” … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: ‘The water wars have begun.’ Some wonder how water plan will impact Merced County farms
High water levels promise banner year for lake-based recreation: “The early-winter rains, coming on top of high holdover levels at reservoirs from summer, are helping to shape 2020 as one of the best for lake-based boating, camping, fishing and water sports. At the 154 major recreation lakes in California, lake levels are 114% of normal for the date, reported the Department of Water Resources and other water agencies. Many lakes in the Bay Area and across Northern California are on a trajectory to fill before spring. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: High water levels promise banner year for lake-based recreation
California water politics complicate House panel’s oversight: “House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona wants his committee to give him subpoena authority for multiple possible investigations, but California Democrat Jim Costa may vote against that as the panel considers whether Interior Secretary David Bernhardt improperly influenced a decision to send more water to his district. Costa told CQ Roll Call he’s not sure he can support giving Grijalva such unlimited subpoena authority. … ” Read more from Roll Call here: California water politics complicate House panel’s oversight
Drought is crippling small farmers in Mexico—with consequences for everyone else: “Talk with farmers in Mexico and they will tell you they’re already feeling the brunt of climate change. Persistent heat and meager rainfall are drying out the land, posing a significant challenge to indigenous small farmer in southern states like Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo. … This isn’t just a problem for Mexico. These growers are the custodians of rare varieties of maize that may hold the secret to more sustainable agriculture. If they lay down their tools, their crops could begin to vanish. … ” Read more from Quartz Magazine here: Drought is crippling small farmers in Mexico—with consequences for everyone else
In regional news and commentary today …
State awards $5.5M for Hill Slough wetland restoration, research project: “Ducks Unlimited has received nearly $5.58 million to restore 603 acres of managed seasonal wetlands to tidal wetlands in the Hill Slough Wildlife Area of the Suisun Marsh. The grant also will fund research on greenhouse gasses in the wetlands. Sarah Estrella, environmental scientist in Bay-Delta Region 3 of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said wetland areas are constantly growing and breaking down vegetation, which releases methane, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: State awards $5.5M for Hill Slough wetland restoration, research project
Bolinas wall project opposed by state coast regulators: “A Bolinas resident’s attempt to prevent his property from falling down a 183-foot oceanside bluff is receiving pushback from state coastal regulators and neighbors. Tom Bassett is seeking to construct a 100-foot-long, 1.5-foot wide underground barrier about 44 feet away from his property at 190 Ocean Parkway to prevent potential damage by landslides. The road in front of his property was damaged by a landslide in 2017, which took out 20 feet of the bluff, according to a staff report. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Bolinas wall project opposed by state coast regulators
Restoration of a San Mateo County creek reopens a gateway for endangered salmon: “Imagine you’re a fish. A coho salmon to be specific. Your every instinct is telling you it’s time to migrate upstream from the ocean to spawn in the rivers and streams beyond. But instead of reaching those mountain tributaries and completing your life cycle, you’re blocked at every turn. The gateway to your spawning grounds has closed. That’s how Kellyx Nelson describes the predicament for coho in Butano Creek, a stream just outside the tiny farming town of Pescadero on the San Mateo County coast. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Restoration of a San Mateo County creek reopens a gateway for endangered salmon
Pajaro River Flood Reduction Project to see new state funding: “The Pajaro River is known for its catastrophic flooding that’s damaged hundreds of homes and businesses over the years. Friday, Congressman Jimmy Panetta announced the Pajaro River Flood Risk Reduction Project will receive the funds needed to move the project forward. “This project, what they’ve heard, was stalled in the past,” began Panetta. “No, we’re going forward and we’re going to continue to go forward.” … ” Read more from KSBY Channel 8 here: Pajaro River Flood Reduction Project to see new state funding
Along the Colorado River …
Equity, climate on the table at Colorado River conference as new negotiations loom for Southwest water managers: “After years of deliberations over how to cut back water use on the Colorado River, Southwest water managers clicked pause on a new round of negotiations — likely to be even more challenging — during a conference in Las Vegas last week. Sort of. The country’s top federal water manager said it was not time to renegotiate rules for managing water among the seven states and two countries that share the river. The current guidelines for the Colorado River are governed by a 2007 agreement that expires in 2026. … ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: Equity, climate on the table at Colorado River conference as new negotiations loom for Southwest water managers
Arizona drops plan for takeover of federal Clean Water Act permitting: “Facing opposition from virtually everyone concerned about the issue, a state agency scrubbed plans to take over Clean Water Act permitting of the discharge and dumping of various materials into the state’s rivers and streams. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s recent decision, a major reversal from its past stance, means that the job of handing out these oft-controversial permits will remain in the federal Army Corps of Engineers’ hands. … ” Read more from Tucson.com here: Arizona drops plan for takeover of federal Clean Water Act permitting
Precipitation watch …
A weather system will bring light precipitation on Wednesday. Very light snow accumulations are possible.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
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.
