DAILY DIGEST, 6/5: EcoRestore: 5 years, thousands of acres of restored habitat; Water Board seeks to fund 26 new personnel through increased fees; Most Trump enviro rollbacks will take years to be reversed; San Diego CWA approves detachment conditions resolution; and more …

NOTE: STARTS TODAY: Water Protection Speakers Series To Focus on Native People Fighting For California’s Rivers and Food Systems

In California water news today …

EcoRestore: 5 years, thousands of acres of restored habitat:  “This spring marked the fifth anniversary of the California EcoRestore initiative, a coordinated effort across state agencies to deliver 30,000 acres of restored fish and wildlife habitat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, an immensely important landscape that five years ago only had 5 percent of its native habitat remaining.  The EcoRestore initiative was built on the assertion that cutting-edge science, strong partnerships, and a healthy impatience could drive more restoration than had ever been pursued in the Delta. … ”  Read more from DWR News here: EcoRestore: 5 years, thousands of acres of restored habitat

Water Board seeks to fund 26 new personnel through increased fees:  “The State Water Resources Control Board has submitted Budget Change Proposals requesting 26 additional positions to be added to multiple programs and projects. The request from the Water Board is a recent addition from the January budget proposal. New positions would be created for the Accurate and Timely Assessment of California’s Surface Water Quality Program, the Water Resiliency Program, and for Water Quality Permitting of Transportation Projects. Concerns are being raised about the timing of the request, as California faces significant budgetary constraints. ... ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Water Board seeks to fund 26 new personnel through increased fees

The California Water Data Consortium appoints Tara Moran as President & CEO:  “The California Water Data Consortium, a nonprofit organization that supports cross-sector collaboration on the implementation of the Open and Transparent Water Data Act, announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Tara Moran as president and CEO. Widely respected in the fields of water resources, data management, and public-private collaboration, Tara previously led Stanford Water in the West’s Sustainable Groundwater program. She will join the Consortium on August 3, 2020. ... ”  Read more at the CA Water Data Consortium website here:  The California Water Data Consortium appoints Tara Moran as President & CEO

BUDGET

LAO REPORT: The 2020-21 budget: addressing revenue uncertainty in the 2020-21 cap-and-trade expenditure plan:  “The 2020-21 May Revision includes a $965 million Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) discretionary expenditure plan, plus a budget provision to make spending contingent on the amount of revenue collected in 2020-21. In this post, we (1) discuss a few potential 2020-21 revenue scenarios, (2) summarize the Governor’s May Revision GGRF expenditure plan, and (3) identify key issues for the Legislature to consider as it develops a 2020-21 GGRF spending plan in a period of high revenue uncertainty.”  Click here to read this report.

California’s green new deal is dead. Authors say equity and climate change must be the focus in bills that advance:  “The author of California’s “Green New Deal” legislation, which aimed to tackle climate change with a focus on environmental, health and economic justice for low-income, immigrant and communities of color, says the COVID-19 crisis was likely the final blow for the bill this year.  “I can’t tell you it was going to be the law this year, but certainly COVID made it much more difficult,” said its lead author, Oakland Democratic Assembly member Rob Bonta. ... ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here: California’s green new deal is dead. Authors say equity and climate change must be the focus in bills that advance

Return to top

In national/world news today …

Leading water associations urge EPA to expedite regulation of PFAS:  “The National Ground Water Association and eight of the country’s leading drinking water organizations are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to move expeditiously as it evaluates drinking water standards for two per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).  In a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC), Irrigation Association (IA), National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), National Rural Water Association (NRWA), and National Water Resources Association (NWRA) asked EPA to employ a holistic regulatory approach that protects source water from PFAS contamination, addresses public health concerns, and ensures public confidence. … ”  Read more from Water World here: Leading Water associations urge EPA to expedite regulation of PFAS

US home water use up 21% daily during COVID-19 crisis:  “The average US home used nearly 729 additional gallons of water in April than it did in February, according to a new study from water-monitoring company Phyn. This means usage was up 21% daily, as most Americans followed orders to work and shelter from home, in an effort to “flatten the curve” and curb the spread of the coronavirus.  The spike in water use seems perfectly plausible, given that trends and shifts in water use were bound to change, as people spent more time at home. The Phyn study explains how the 24.3 gallons a day in the US is broken down … :  Read more from Tech World here:   US home water use up 21% daily during COVID-19 crisis

Trump signs order removing environmental review of major projects:  “President Trump signed an executive order Thursday evening that would waive requirements under a suite of environmental laws, a move the administration says will boost the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.  The new order expedites the permitting of construction projects and energy projects overseen by several federal agencies, using emergency authorities to skirt environmental regulations with little public notice. … ”  Read more from The Hill here: Trump signs order removing environmental review of major projects

Most Trump environmental rollbacks will take years to be reversed:  “The Trump administration, after less than one full first term, has every likelihood of being adjudged the most anti-climate, anti-science, and anti-environment executive branch in U.S. history. With numerous high-level Trump nominees having cut their teeth as lobbyists with major polluting industries, the administration has been steadfast in weakening or eliminating major conservation and environmental regulations and programs.  Notwithstanding President Trump’s claims to want “crystal clean water and the cleanest and the purest air on the planet,” his administration has determinedly gone about reversing at least 100 environmental rules. … ”  Read more from Yale Climate Connections here: Most Trump environmental rollbacks will take years to be reversed

Return to top

In commentary today …

State Water Board action threatens jobs, food supply, says the California Farm Water Coalition:  They write, In a stunning move that could wreak havoc on California farms, the broader California economy and our food supply in a time of national crisis, the California State Water Resources Board is trying to use regulatory maneuvers to cut this year’s water supply to California farms.  In February of this year, the Bureau of Reclamation announced the federally-run Central Valley Project would only be able to fulfill 15% of its water commitment to farmers due to a drier than normal year. In May that amount was increased to 20%. Even with this meager allotment, farmers marched forward, made their plans, purchased supplies, planted crops and committed other dollars needed to get through the growing season. … ”  Read more from the California Farm Water Coalition here:  State Water Board action threatens jobs, food supply

Trump’s new ‘navigable waters’ rule is an improvement, but still murky, says Tony Francois:  He writes, “The Trump administration published this spring its new definition of “navigable waters” (also known as “waters of the United States”) under the Clean Water Act.  The long-awaited action reversed course on decades of bureaucratic overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency and by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the EPA’s partner in the abuse of property rights.  Those two agencies misused their Clean Water Act authority to control private property well beyond the limits set by the Constitution and congressional authorization. Those abuses culminated in a 2015 regulation by the Obama administration, widely referred to as the “waters of the United States” rule. … ”  Read more from the Daily Signal here: Trump’s new ‘navigable waters’ rule is an improvement, but still murky, says Tony Francois

Return to top

In regional news and commentary today …

Mendocino City Community Services District creates special groundwater committee:  “At the monthly Mendocino City Community Services District meeting, the board discussed rain levels and a newly formed groundwater management committee.  As of May 19, rainfall totals for the current rain year are 50 percent of normal. Mendocino has received 20.32 inches during the current water year. The forty-year average for this time of year is twice that at 40.04 inches. … ”  Read more from the Mendocino Beacon here: Mendocino City Community Services District creates special groundwater committee

Lake County: COVID-19 virus detected in May 12 raw sewage samples from two wastewater treatment plants:  “Newly reported test results have once again found the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in two local wastewater treatment plants.  COVID-19 was detected in samples taken on May 12 from the Southeast Regional Wastewater Plant, which serves the Clearlake and Lower Lake area, and the Northwest Regional Wastewater Plant, serving the Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne and north Lakeport areas, Lake County Special Districts reported.  COVID-19 was not detected at the Kelseyville or Middletown wastewater treatment plants, the testing showed. ... ”  Read more from Lake County News here: Lake County: COVID-19 virus detected in May 12 raw sewage samples from two wastewater treatment plants

Planners who want to restore East Bay marshland seek public input:  “Planners of a $315 million marshland project are looking for public input on a revised proposal to restore Franks Tract in East Contra Costa County.  The public will have a chance to weigh in on the multi-agency state project at a webinar from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The meeting is the final of a year-long series of public meetings on the project’s initial planning, which is expected to be completed by July. If approved, additional planning and environmental review would take place. ... ”  Read more from the East Bay Times here: Planners who want to restore East Bay marshland seek public input

Discovery Bay: State of California cautions residents about early algae season:  “Prompted by a complaint from a Discovery Bay resident, the State Water Board issued a press release on May 22 warning residents about harmful algal blooms (HAB).  The press release comes early in the season, when HAB are not normally seen. The algal blooms, a build-up of blue-green algae toxin called cyanobacteria, float on top of the water or in the water and look like green, white or brown scum. They usually appear later in the summer. … ”  Read more from The Press here: State of California cautions residents about early algae season

Agencies investigate adding capacity in San Luis Reservoir:  “Two agencies are studying the feasibility of supplementing a seismic safety project planned for B.F. Sisk Dam with a second component that would increase the capacity of San Luis Reservoir.  The dam, commonly referred to as San Luis Dam, is in line for a multi-year project to address seismic safety issues.  While the dam safety project involves raising the crest of the earthen structure as much as 12 feet, as well as seismic reinforcements, it does not, in itself, increase capacity in the reservoir. … ”  Read more from Westside Connect here: Agencies investigate adding capacity in San Luis Reservoir

Central Valley town fought for clean water for years. Is the battle finally over?:  “During summertime, many households in Seville have seen their wells go completely dry.  For years — too many, residents say — households teetered with unpredictable conditions. Using too much water in the day meant having none at night. One flush too many, and everyone relying on a single well in town was thrown into a dry spell.  That was a way of life for the 500 residents of the small community in eastern Tulare County until last fall. In 2015, after a new well replaced one that had failed, residents had yet again used more water than the well produced. ... ”  Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Central Valley town fought for clean water for years. Is the battle finally over?

San Diego County Water Authority approves detachment conditions resolution:  “The San Diego County Water Authority will oppose the detachment of the Fallbrook Public Utility District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District from the SDCWA unless certain findings can be made.  A May 28 SDCWA board vote approved a resolution that the CWA will oppose the detachment unless it can be demonstrated that FPUD and Rainbow can guarantee that all obligations promised to their own ratepayers are met, that the detachment will not adversely affect the other 22 CWA member agencies or the county as a region, that the detachment and annexation into the Eastern Municipal Water District will not increase reliance on the Bay-Delta, and that the detachment will not reduce the CWA’s voting power at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California board meetings. ... ”  Read more from the Village News here:  San Diego County Water Authority approves detachment conditions resolution

Return to top

Along the Colorado River …

It is folly to assume the past is future on the Colorado River, says Brian McInerney:  He writes, “If we are to plan for the future of Utah’s water supply, it is important to understand what that future is expected to bring. Relying on past hydrologic conditions and expecting that regime to be our future is folly.  The hydrology of the Western U.S. is changing. We’re experiencing drier, hotter conditions and more stagnant weather patterns. These changes are upon us now, and are projected to become even greater in the not-too-distant future. As such, do we proceed with this in mind, or do we look to the past and hope this will be our future. Our children and grandchildren will judge us for what we do now. … ”  Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Brian McInerney: It is folly to assume the past is future on the Colorado River

Return to top

National Water and Climate Update …

The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.

dmrpt-20200604

Return to top

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

Return to top

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 Association53(2), 411-430.

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.
Print Friendly, PDF & Email