- Free webinar: Water Economics from 4 to 5pm: Ellen Bruno will give a webinar on Water Economics as part of the UC Agricultural and Natural Resources ‘Silver Solutions’ series. Click here for webinar sign on information.
Groundwater might be newest cash crop for Valley farmers: “San Joaquin Valley farmers may soon have another crop to sell along with almonds, tomatoes, and peppers — the groundwater beneath their land. Proposed groundwater markets have popped up in just about every groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) filed with the state Jan. 31. One such market is about to launch its first phase within the next week in Kern County. The proposed markets are being touted by some as a way to limit groundwater pumping while still allowing farmers the flexibility to optimize their resources. Others are worried groundwater markets could devastate disadvantaged communities and small farmers who don’t have the resources to compete with giant farming companies such as Wonderful and Boswell. … ” Read more from GV Wire here: Groundwater might be newest cash crop for Valley farmers
Reclamation updates 2020 Central Valley Project water supply for Settlement Contractors, Exchange Contractors, and wildlife refuges: “The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an update to the Central Valley Project water supply for Sacramento River Settlement Contractors, San Joaquin River Exchange and Settlement Contractors, and Level 2 refuges. This update stems from a recent determination of a “Shasta Critical Year,” a term defined in specific water contracts. In general, a Shasta Critical Year occurs when the forecasted inflow to Shasta Lake for a particular water year is equal to or below 3.2 million acre-feet. ... ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation updates 2020 Central Valley Project water supply for Settlement Contractors, Exchange Contractors, and wildlife refuges
Amid COVID-19, DWR continues essential work with commitment to public engagement and transparency: “The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need to protect public health and safety. For the Department of Water Resources (DWR), this means continuing essential functions such as reliable water delivery, flood protection, dam safety, infrastructure maintenance and environmental enhancement, while maintaining the highest standards for transparency. While the pandemic makes it clear the state cannot proceed with business as usual, that does not mean we should pause efforts that are critical to the state. Climate change, sea level rise, flashy storms, atmospheric rivers and earthquakes will not pause for a pandemic. But while work continues during this crisis, it must not do so at the expense of public involvement and transparency. … ” Read more from DWR News here: Amid COVID-19, essential work continues with commitment to public engagement and transparency
DELTA TO GOV. NEWSOM: Please Stay Tunnel Planning During Pandemic: “Restore the Delta has sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom requesting all “public processes” for the Delta (Tunnel) Conveyance planning be put on hold during the COVID19 pandemic. The letter outlines the hardships being faced by the Delta community during the pandemic who, “…frankly cannot focus on how one of California’s largest infrastructure projects will impact their community, water supply, and environment.” Farmers, “…are simply exhausted, and when community organizers attempt to reach them, we are finding that they do not have the intellectual, physical, or emotional bandwidth to think through and comment on the proposed Delta Conveyance Project.” ... ” Read more from Restore the Delta here: DELTA TO GOV. NEWSOM: Please Stay Tunnel Planning During Pandemic
Appellate Court upholds Delta Plan, affirms Council’s authority for sustainable management of the Delta: “The Third District Court of Appeal Friday (April 10) upheld the central role of the Delta Stewardship Council in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta planning and sided with the Council on all remaining issues from a suite of 2013 lawsuits that challenged its long-term sustainable management plan for the Delta.“We appreciate that the Court validated the Council’s authority to help achieve the State’s coequal goals for the Delta, measure progress appropriately, reduce reliance on the Delta for water supply, and improve conveyance, habitat, and operational infrastructure,” said Council Chair Susan Tatayon.“On every single issue addressed regarding the legality of the Delta Plan, the Court sided with the Council. The Delta Plan is in effect, and the Court acknowledged the broad discretion the Delta Reform Act confers to the Council,” said Executive Officer Jessica Pearson. … ” Read more from the Delta Stewardship Council here: Appellate Court upholds Delta Plan, affirms Council’s authority for sustainable management of the Delta
SEE ALSO: California Delta plan upheld on appeal after law changes, from Bloomberg Law (subscription required)
California rice salmon pilot project making steady progress: “The California Rice Commission’s (CRC) salmon pilot project has now entered its second year and is making steady progress in data collection. The $1.4 million project is aimed at improving salmon populations through providing a healthy habitat and food source for the fish in California rice fields. The project is largely being funded through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in an effort to develop the process on a larger scale in the future. “We want to answer all the questions that we need to answer about what exactly is it that we need the growers to do. Is it a physical modification of the field? Is it an alteration of how they flood the field, how they drain the field, the timing of drainage?” said Paul Buttner, CRC Manager of Environmental Affairs. “These are all the questions that we need to answer in order to work with NRCS to develop that conservation management practice.” ... ” Read more from Ag Net West here: California rice salmon pilot project making steady progress
Supplemental water from districts will be needed this year for nut crops: “Christine Gemperle is owner and operator of Gemperle orchards in Ceres, which is South of Modesto and she said if you’re in a water district and you don’t have enough water for almonds, it gets expensive. “At this point we’re just going to be buying supplemental water. Our district is able to get extra supplies here and there and growers put in for a pool and we hope we get what we asked for. ... ” Read more from Ag Info here: Supplemental water from districts will be needed this year for nut crops
Emergency fishing closures over coronavirus could limit trout season: “After last week’s failed attempt at holding an online public meeting to authorize emergency fishing closures as a means of preventing the spread of COVID-19, the California Fish and Game Commission announced it would try again this week. The meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Wednesday with links posted at the commission’s website, FGC.ca.gov, said Jordan Traverso of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Emergency fishing closures over coronavirus could limit trout season
Wastewater treatment kills most pathogens, including COVID-19 virus: “Californians reuse treated wastewater as a water supply, to irrigate crops, and to support freshwater ecosystems. To get answers to questions about managing the new coronavirus in the “sewershed,” we talked to two experts: Kara Nelson, an expert in waterborne pathogens at UC Berkeley; and Adam Link, executive director of the California Association of Sanitation Agencies. PPIC: What risks does COVID-19 virus pose in wastewater? … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Wastewater treatment kills most pathogens, including COVID-19 virus
What if California faces a disaster during the pandemic? “California has evacuation plans for earthquakes, floods, mudslides and, of course, wildfires, but what if one of those disasters occurs as the state is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak when everyone is being urged to stay home? State and local officials are trying to figure that out. “That’s something that is being looked at, but it’s challenging,” said California Office of Emergency Services’ spokesman Brian Ferguson. ... ” Read more from the Associated Press here: What if California faces a disaster during the pandemic?
Industry survey indicates revenue challenges for U.S. water utilities: “A rising number of water utilities expect that the coronavirus pandemic will result in financial repercussions. Two-thirds of water utilities say that changes in water demand and customer payments during the coronavirus pandemic will cause cash flow problems within the next two months or more. ... ” Read more from the Circle of Blue here: Industry survey indicates revenue challenges for U.S. water utilities
When buildings reopen, will the water be safe? “It’s possible that water left sitting for long periods of time could contain excessive amounts of heavy metals and pathogens concentrated in pipes nationwide, say researchers who have begun a field study on the impact of a pandemic shutdown on buildings. Stagnant water wouldn’t only be a problem for recently closed-down buildings. Water could have been bad for months or years in old hospital buildings that cities are reopening to accommodate a potential influx of COVID-19 patients. “We don’t design buildings to be shut down for months. … ” Read more from Futurity here: When buildings reopen, will the water be safe?
Reclamation extends public input on proposed Klamath Project interim operations to April 14 with new email address: “Due to an unfortunate error in the email address listed on the April 1 news release, the Bureau of Reclamation has extended public comment through April 14 on a draft environmental assessment that evaluates a proposed water management approach for the Klamath Project. Please resubmit comments and/or submit any new comments by end of day on April 14 to klamathbasin@usbr.gov. … The draft EA is available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=42926. If you previously submitted comments to a different email address, please resubmit to klamathbasin@usbr.gov. All comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 14, 2020.” Read the full press release here: Reclamation extends public input on proposed Klamath Project interim operations to April 14 with new email address
Largest dam removal project in US takes further step forward: “The Klamath River Renewal Corporation’s (KRRC) plans to remove four dams on the Klamath River in the US has taken a major step forward with the issuance of key documents from the California State Water Board. The plan – the largest dam removal project in the US – would re-open 360 miles of the Klamath River and its tributaries to salmon. It involves the removal of the removal of the J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate dams. … ” Read more from Water Power & Dam Construction here: Largest dam removal project in US takes further step forward
CDFW cleans up black market cannabis operation at Tehama Wildlife Area: “Wildlife officers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) completed a cleanup of an illegal cannabis operation deep in the back country of the Tehama Wildlife Area. The property is owned by CDFW and was once home to Ishi – the last known member of the Native American Yahi people. Cleanup, restore and remediate are critical components of CDFW’s cannabis program, which is partially funded by the cannabis tax fund. Wildlife officers are charged with investigating crimes on CDFW property and leading those remediation efforts. ... ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife here: CDFW cleans up black market cannabis operation at Tehama Wildlife Area
Menlo Park: Guest opinion: Creek flood control plan doesn’t tell the whole story: Steve Schmidt and Brielle Johnck write, “A curious proclamation will be made at the Menlo Park City Council meeting this Thursday night. On April 14, the council will recognize Len Materman, the departing San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority’s executive director. He is departing for a higher paying job in San Mateo County and doing so at about the time the public will learn that the JPA’s flood control project is on shaky ground. The city’s staff report on the Joint Powers Authority’s (JPA) plan to replace the Chaucer Street Bridge is a vague regurgitation of the smoke and mirrors that Mr. Materman has been selling for way too long. … ” Read more from The Alamanac here: Menlo Park: Guest opinion: Creek flood control plan doesn’t tell the whole story
California looks at protections for iconic Joshua Tree: “The Joshua trees of the Mojave Desert may get a lifeline from California following the Trump administration’s refusal to give them federal endangered species protection last year. The emblematic species of the West faces threats from urban sprawl on undeveloped wilderness and the unrelenting effects of climate change. Researchers estimate with more frequent drought and wildfires in California, most or all of the Joshua trees in the Golden State could be gone in the next 80 years. ... ” Read more from Courthouse News Service here: California looks at protections for iconic Joshua Tree
SEE ALSO: Joshua trees recommended for endangered species listing in California, from the Desert Sun
San Onofre sewage spill linked to blocked line, worn out pump switch: “Southern California Edison, the operators of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, is still investigating what caused the release of 7,000 gallons of sewage into the ocean last month but it appears the culprits were a blockage in the facility’s sewage treatment plant and a worn out pump switch. In the early morning hours of March 25, the partially treated wastewater — made up mostly of human waste originating from the facility’s sewage treatment plant — was expelled by a conduit that runs 1.1 miles and 50 feet below the surface of the ocean from the now-shuttered nuclear power plant known as SONGS for short. ... ” Read more from the U-T San Diego here: San Onofre sewage spill linked to blocked line, worn out pump switch
Second crew begins work at Carlsbad Desalination Plant amid COVID-19 pandemic: “A 10-person crew is in the midst of a three-week shelter-in-place shift at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, relieving an initial crew that self-quarantined on site for three weeks to continue producing clean drinking water for county residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting March 19, the first crew of 10 “mission-critical employees” was stationed at the plant to continue operations, working two 12-hour shifts each day and sleeping in RVs in the plant parking lot, according to Poseidon Water, which manages the plant. ... ” Read more from The Coast News Group here: Second crew begins work at Carlsbad Desalination Plant amid COVID-19 pandemic
BLOG ROUND-UP: Delta tunnel stakeholder engagement during pandemic; Striped bass in the ocean; Landscape-scale approach for the Sacramento Valley; The real reason to cry over spilt milk; Cleaning up abandoned mines; and more …
NOTICE: Delta Conveyance Project Scoping Period Ends on April 17th at 5:00 p.m.: New telephone option for commenting added
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Forest Conservation Program – 2020 Proposal Solicitation Notice
Image credit: CA streamflow assessment map, courtesy of Belize Lane. From this paper: Lane, B. A., Dahlke, H. E., Pasternack, G. B., & Sandoval‐Solis, S. (2017). Revealing the diversity of natural hydrologic regimes in California with relevance for environmental flows applications. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 53(2), 411-430.
