Westlands Water District gets permanent U.S. contract for massive irrigation deliveries: “The Interior Department on Friday awarded the nation’s largest farm water district a permanent entitlement to annual irrigation deliveries that amount to roughly twice as much water as the nearly 4 million residents of Los Angeles use in a year. Gaining a permanent contract for so much cheap Central Valley Project water represents a major milestone for Westlands Water District, which supplies some of the state’s wealthiest growers and has long-standing ties to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. But the new pact, which would take effect June 1, provides no refuge for Westlands from California’s acrimonious water wars. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Westlands Water District gets permanent U.S. contract for massive irrigation deliveries
SEE ALSO:
- Reclamation completes first group of congressionally-mandated Central Valley Project contract conversions, press release from the Bureau of Reclamation
- Statement from Thomas Birmingham, General Manager of Westlands Water District, on the Execution of the District’s Repayment Contract, press release from Westlands Water District
- Fact sheet: Westlands Water District Conversion of Water Services Contract, fact sheet from Westlands Water District
California’s super-dry February raises specter of early fires and drawn-down reservoirs: “California is set to conclude one of its driest Februaries in recorded history, elevating fears the state’s always-unpredictable fire season could arrive early this year — if March doesn’t provide bring some wet relief. February is typically a prime month for Pacific storms to produce much of the Sierra Nevada snowpack — moisture that sustains wildlife, delays wildfire season and serves as a water bank for thirsty cities and farms. But those storms didn’t arrive in February, with a state survey Thursday showing the snowpack was 46% of average. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: California’s super-dry February raises specter of early fires and drawn-down reservoirs
SEE ALSO:
- Drought In California Seems Inevitable. But Experts Say Don’t Panic., from Capital Radio
- Sacramento On Verge Of First Recorded Rain-Free February, from CBS 13
February’s extremes: Parts of Southeast were record wet while some in California didn’t see a drop: “February showed an incredible contrast in precipitation across the United States, from the waterlogged Southeast to suddenly bone-dry California. In the Southeast, it’s been one of the wettest Februaries on record. A number of locations from Mississippi to the Smoky Mountains have picked up over 10 inches of precipitation in the month. … It couldn’t be a more different story in California. … ” Read more from The Weather Channel here: February’s extremes: Parts of Southeast were record wet while some in California didn’t see a drop
FERC issues declaratory order finding waiver of State Section 401 Authority: “On February 20, 2020, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a declaratory order finding that the California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) waived its authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to issue water quality certifications in the ongoing relicensing of six Southern California Edison Company (SCE) projects. SCE filed its petition in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s (D.C. Circuit) decision in Hoopa Valley Tribe v. FERC and FERC’s subsequent declaratory order in Placer County Water Agency. ... ” Read more from the National Law Review here: FERC issues declaratory order finding waiver of State Section 401 Authority
Scientists are trying to make crops love salt: ” … The gradual, upward creep of soil salinity is a quiet phenomenon—one that doesn’t get as much attention as, say, historic levels of flooding or incurable plant diseases. The factors that drive salinization, as it is officially known, are manifold. The use of certain high-salt fertilizers can increase salinity; as can saltwater intrusion—a problem that occurs in coastal regions where seawater from the ocean seeps into groundwater reserves. Even everyday, non-agricultural practices, such as the use of road salt, can play a role. But perhaps the most significant contributor to salinization is something that appears far less menacing: Irrigation, the ubiquitous, millennia-old technique of human-controlled watering. … ” Read more from The Counter here: Scientists are trying to make crops love salt
Ocean protection plan charts course for defending California coast: “A new ocean protection plan sets out steps to safeguard California’s coast against rising seas, while shoring up public access and building coastal economies. The Ocean Protection Council on Wednesday approved the Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Oceans, a five-year roadmap for navigating threats including climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity. The council, a policy body within the California Natural Resources Agency, wanted to distinguish the new plan from previous editions, by focusing on specific timelines and funding sources. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Ocean protection plan charts course for defending California coast
Black History Month: Celebrating African American Achievements at DWR: “For 44 years, the month of February has been dedicated to the recognition and celebration of tremendous achievements of African Americans, and a time for honoring their instrumental roles throughout history. At the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the month is an important occasion to reflect on African American achievements that have contributed to the sustainable management of a clean water supply for 27 million Californians, 750,000 acres of farmland, and uniquely diverse natural environments – achievements made by individuals like David Parker, Allan Davis, and Carla Strother. ... ” Read more from DWR News here: Black History Month: Celebrating African American Achievements at DWR
Kern County Water Agency announces Tom McCarthy selected as new General Manager: “Today, the Kern County Water Agency (Agency) Board of Directors (Board) have selected Tom McCarthy, a professional engineer and geologist with more than 20 years of experience to serve as the Agency’s new General Manager. Former General Manager Curtis Creel retired in December of 2019. McCarthy’s contract was unanimously approved at the February 27, 2020 Board meeting. The Agency Board applauds Creel’s exemplary service and leadership and looks forward to another successful tenure with McCarthy’s oversight. “Tom McCarthy brings a broad range of technical and managerial experience to the Agency,” said Royce Fast, Agency Board President. “I welcome him to this important role and am confident Tom will do a great job.” … ” Read more from the Kern County Water Agency here: Kern County Water Agency announces Tom McCarthy selected as new General Manager
SEE ALSO: Tom McCarthy named as new head of Kern County Water Agency
Water Authority Board Honors Retiring Otay Water District GM Mark Watton: “The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday honored Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton for 37 years of public service in the water industry. The Board issued a proclamation congratulating Watton on “his long and distinguished service to San Diego County upon his upcoming retirement from the Otay Water District” and commended him “for a lifetime of service that has improved the quality of life in our region.” After 15 years leading the water agency that serves Southeastern San Diego County, and nearly four decades representing the water interests of the county and state, Watton plans to retire in late March. He first served on the Water Authority’s Board of Directors in 1985 and was Board Chair from 1995 through 1996. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: Water Authority Board Honors Retiring Otay Water District GM Mark Watton
‘For real?’ — EPA’s scramble behind Trump’s potty talk: “President Trump’s complaints about toilets at a White House meeting last December baffled EPA staffers working to set standards for commodes and other plumbing fixtures. “Sigh,” wrote Veronica Blette, chief of EPA’s WaterSense Branch, later that night in an email sharing a reporter’s tweet describing Trump’s comments. Blette was perplexed, as well, earlier in the day. “I can’t even,” she said in another email, commenting on a different tweet regarding Trump’s toilet remarks. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: ‘For real?’ — EPA’s scramble behind Trump’s potty talk
10 common myths about climate change — and what science really says: “If you’ve ever engaged in a discussion about climate change, in person or online, you’ve probably encountered some arguments about what the science says. Some of those claims may sound logical but are actually misleading or inaccurate. In fact, misconceptions and outright misinformation have gotten so out of hand, just days ago NASA felt the need to publicly address one of the most popular myths: that a decrease in the the sun’s output will soon trigger cooling and a mini ice age. … Here is a look at 10 of the most common myths about climate change that persist in the public sphere and what science has to say about them. … ” Read more from CBS News here: 10 common myths about climate change — and what science really says
The Meaning of a Dairy: Steve Baker writes, “What one resource underlies a healthy dairy community, builds equity and has a ripple effect in the daily lives of families in their family businesses? Jay Gordon knows. His Washington based organic dairy farm and position as the executive director of the Washington State Dairy Association has put him center stage into the life of a dairy farmer. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co
California estimates fewer salmon in Klamath River this year, worrying Yurok Tribe: “The state is projecting lower numbers of adult full-run Chinook salmon in the Klamath River this year, a discouraging sign for the Yurok Tribe, whose fisheries have been devastated by reduced fish counts in recent years. “It’s certainly a tough abundance forecast,” said Pete McHugh of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “It makes things hard both in the river and the ocean for fisheries.” The state’s Chinook abundance forecast comes out to 186,000 adult salmon, a 32% decrease last year’s count of 274,200 adult salmon. And the past two years of projections are significantly down from 2018, when the state forecasted 359,000 adult salmon. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: California estimates fewer salmon in Klamath River this year, worrying Yurok Tribe
Salmon cannons are not the answer for the Klamath River, says John McMillan, senior scientist with Trout Unlimited: He writes, “The Klamath River is steelhead and salmon country. This river’s Chinook salmon and steelhead fisheries have supported commercial and recreational fishing economies for more than a century—and native cultures for millennia. But the Klamath’s salmon and steelhead populations are trending downward rapidly. There’s no getting around the fact that the Iron Gate, Copco I and II, and JC Boyle dams are a big reason why. We can’t recover the Klamath’s legendary salmon and steelhead runs without addressing the dam question. ... ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Salmon cannons are not the answer for the Klamath River
Paradise water testing wrapping up more than a year after contamination first confirmed: “Paradise Irrigation District has completed sampling service lines to all standing structures in the town for possible water contamination and is expecting to finish repairs by the end of spring. The completion of the testing marks a milestone in the area’s recovery after the Camp Fire. Concerns about water contamination have long shadowed rebuilding efforts and are still driving residents to pick up bottled water every few days at distribution points. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Paradise water testing wrapping up more than a year after contamination first confirmed
‘Major milestones’ In Russian River fish habitat enhancements: “It’s hard to imagine the Russian River without salmon or steelhead. These iconic fish were a major food supply for indigenous people and early settlers. They once gave the river the reputation as a world-renowned fly-fishing destination, are a critical link in the riparian food web – and are spectacularly beautiful. In the early 2000s, the native populations of fish dropped so low that coho salmon were listed as endangered and Chinook salmon and steelhead were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Federal, state and local agencies and non-profit organizations reacted by funding fish recovery projects, including restoring sections of streams, removing barriers to fish migration, and creating a “nursery” that raises coho from eggs and releases them at various ages into spawning streams. … ” Read more from The Patch here: ‘Major milestones’ In Russian River fish habitat enhancements
Sausalito residents push back on pump station plans: “A group of Sausalito residents is asking the Sausalito-Marin City Sewage District to move a proposed 12-foot generator that would power a sewage pump station, saying the location is wrong for the neighborhood. Michael Perlmutter, a resident of the Whiskey Springs condominiums, said he became concerned when story poles went up just outside his window. “I don’t doubt it’s needed,” Perlmutter said. “But it’s not appropriate to put it next to a bedroom window or anywhere where property owners are affected by the noise.” ... ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Sausalito residents push back on pump station plans
$42.7 million Folsom Lake intake improvements OK’d: “Amidst much anguish and gnashing of teeth, the El Dorado Irrigation District Board of Directors unanimously approved a $42.7 million dollar project on Monday that’s been on EID’s to do list since 2011. Called the Folsom Lake Intake Improvement Project, EID plans to replace the existing pump station that has been in service since the late 1950s and considered to be at the end of its useful life. The casings are corroded, water demands are growing and the companies that originally provided the pumps have gone out of business, making it virtually impossible to find replacement parts. ... ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: $42.7 million Folsom Lake intake improvements OK’d
Porterville area farmers to receive less water so far: “As expected because it’s been classified as an abnormally dry year so far, area farmers will be receive less water when it comes to their initial water allocations. Area farmers who depend on the Friant-Kern Canal will receive a 20 percent Class 1 allocation from its Central Valley Project water contract. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project announced a 20 percent allocation for Friant-Kern Canal water users here in the South Valley and a 15 percent allocation to the Westlands District that covers Fresno and Kings Counties. The water allocations for for those south of the Delta River. ... ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Porterville area farmers to receive less water so far
Kern County: Price of water going up as the snowpack shrinks: “Another block of water has been offered for sale in Kern County at $950 per acre foot. With a dry January and extremely dry February, California’s water outlook has worsened. And that has bumped the price of water for those who have it to sell. Buena Vista Water Storage District on the western edge of the valley in Kern already sold 4,500 acre feet of water at $770 per acre foot, said General Manager Tim Ashlock. And this latest block of 4,000 acre feet at $950 per acre foot is going fast. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Price of water going up as the snowpack shrinks
Property owners get six-month extension in Ventura River lawsuit: “A judge on Thursday granted a six-month extension for roughly 14,000 Ojai Valley and Ventura property owners facing a potential water adjudication. In January, the city of Ventura sent thousands of legal notices and summonses to people with property near the Ventura River or one of the area’s groundwater basins. The property owners were given 60 days to pay $435 in court fees and possibly hire an attorney to join the litigation or risk losing their ability to do so later. The city has said it doesn’t want a full adjudication but instead to reach a negotiated settlement among water users. ... ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Property owners get six-month extension in Ventura River lawsuit
San Diego Water Authority votes to largely end 10-year legal battle with with MWD: “The San Diego County Water Authority‘s board voted to largely end a decade-long legal battle with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California after securing over $350 million in concessions. “Late last year, the MWD board of directors approved more than $350 million for water supply projects in San Diego County,” said board Chair Jim Madaffer after Thursday’s action. “That was a major development, and today’s action by our board recognizes that fact, along with other actions the MWD board has taken recently in response to the water authority’s claims and prior court rulings.” … ” Read more from the Times of San Diego here: San Diego Water Authority votes to largely end 10-year legal battle with with MWD
Contractors get reprieve in effort to block San Diego’s Pure Water recycling system: “Legal wrangling over San Diego’s proposed Pure Water sewage recycling system continued Friday, when a judge gave a temporary reprieve to a group of local contractors fighting for the ability of non-union workers to help build the system. Superior Court Judge Richard Strauss gave the contractors two weeks to strengthen their case, that construction of the system should be blocked because of a dispute over the use of non-union workers to build some of it. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Contractors get reprieve in effort to block San Diego’s Pure Water recycling system
Protesters gather at Mexican consulate, demand end of cross border sewage spills: “A handful of protesters marched outside the Mexican Consulate in Little Italy, protesting cross border sewage flows. They want Mexico to do more to fix the problem. Polluted water has routinely flowed from Mexico into the United States since December. “We feel like we’re not getting heard,” said Mitch McKay, president of Citizens for Coastal Conservancy. … ” Read more from KPBS here: Protesters gather at Mexican consulate, demand end of cross border sewage spills
New study predicts less water in Colorado River as Utah considers its Lake Powell Pipeline: “Climate change is increasing the variability of the Colorado River so much so that the river could lose one-fourth of its flow by 2050, according to a new government study. As plans for the 140-mile Lake Powell Pipeline — which would divert over 86,000 acre-feet annually from the reservoir to southwestern Utah — are under review by the Bureau of Reclamation, what does the Colorado River’s diminishing flows mean for the project? … ” Read more from The Spectrum here: New study predicts less water in Colorado River as Utah considers its Lake Powell Pipeline
- WATER WRIGHTS: Kern Groundwater Authority, Glenn Colusa ID, Buena Vista WSD, and more …
- NEW REPORT: Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program Report to the Legislature
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Draft Comprehensive Operations Plan for the Southern Delta Salinity Objective
- FAMILY FARM ALLIANCE: Trump’s water subcabinet meets the Alliance in Reno; D.C. Efforts to modernize the ESA: Where are we?; HCPs for ESA Coverage: Real protection or fake news? and more …
- OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Delta Stewardship Council Draft Public Participation Plan Available for Public Comment through March 31, 2020
- SGMA Implementation: GSP Annual Report Module Now Available on SGMA Portal
- Reclamation completes first group of congressionally-mandated Central Valley Project contract conversions
- FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS for Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion project
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Image credit: Farm field in Tulare County after storm, January 2016. Photo by Mike Trimble via Flickr.
