- VIRTUAL CONGRESSIONAL TOWN HALL: The Value of Federal Investment in Water Reuse from 11am to 12:30pm. Click here to register.
- ONLINE EVENT: VerdeXchange VX2020 Virtual Water Charrette Summer Update & Panel Discussion from 2pm to 4pm. Click here to register.
Bill to help Central Valley water needs ‘Moves Forward’: $200 million would be provided for Friant-Kern Canal: “A major step has been taken in providing funding for Central Valley water needs, including much needed repairs to the Friant-Kern Canal. The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has approved H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. The legislative package would provide $1.5 trillion for the nation’s infrastructure needs. Included in the bill is funding for Central Valley water needs and Friant-Kern Canal repairs. The package is expected to be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives next week. The package would then need to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Trump. ... ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Bill to help Central Valley water needs ‘Moves Forward’
Should farmers meter their wells now for SGMA? “With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is closing in on growers throughout California, there are many questions. One big one: should growers go ahead and put a meter on their pumps? Helping the farming industry comply with SGMA, is Chris Johnson owner of Aegis Groundwater Consulting located in Fresno. He recommends that growers put flow meters on their wells. But he does understand the hesitation. … ” Read more from Cal Ag Today here: Should farmers meter their wells now for SGMA?
Court of Appeal reaffirms State Water Board’s broad authority to regulate unreasonable use through emergency regulations and curtailment orders, even as to riparian and pre-1914 rights, during drought conditions: “On June 18, 2020, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the State Water Resources Control Board’s (“State Water Board” or “Board”) authority to regulate what it deems to be an unreasonable use of water, in this case through adoption of emergency regulations establishing minimum instream flow requirements to protect migration of threatened fish species during drought conditions. This opinion echoes the First District Court of Appeal’s recognition of the Board’s authority to adopt a regulation curtailing the exercise of water rights in order to maintain minimum instream flows for fish in times of drought, including curtailment of riparian and pre-1914 water rights, as seen in Light v. State Water Resources Control Board, (2014) 226 Cal.App.4th 1463. The regulation at issue in Light established local programs that would monitor streams and potentially require curtailments of diversions used for frost protection. The emergency regulation in this case took a step beyond Light, by directly declaring diversions that would reduce instream flows below specified minimums to be unreasonable. ... ” Read more from the Kronick Law Firm here: Court of Appeal reaffirms State Water Board’s broad authority to regulate unreasonable use through emergency regulations and curtailment orders, even as to riparian and pre-1914 rights, during drought conditions
BUDGET
Governor Newsom signs 2020 Budget Act: “Governor Gavin Newsom today signed the 2020 Budget Act – a $202.1 billion spending plan that strengthens emergency response, protects public health and safety, and promotes economic recovery while closing a $54.3 billion budget shortfall caused by the COVID-19 recession. “In the face of a global pandemic that has also caused a recession across the world and here in California, our state has passed a budget that is balanced, responsible and protects public safety and health, education, and services to Californians facing the greatest hardships,” said Governor Newsom. “I thank Pro Tem Atkins, Speaker Rendon and both houses of the Legislature for their continued partnership and leadership during this challenging moment in our state’s history.” ... ” Continue reading at the Office of the Governor here: Governor Newsom signs 2020 Budget Act
SEE ALSO:
- Read the budget summary.
- A glimpse at some of what’s in California’s new $202-billion state budget, from the LA Times
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs $202 billion pandemic budget, from the Sacramento Bee
Attorney General Becerra criticizes Trump order instructing federal agencies to circumvent critical environmental review processes: “California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey today led a multistate coalition in expressing opposition to President Trump’s recently signed executive order instructing federal agencies to use emergency authority to bypass critical environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects. In a letter to the President, the coalition argues that the use of such authority in response to a downturn in the economy is unlawful. The letter also highlights the critical need for environmental review during this period so as not to exacerbate health risks in communities that are already disproportionately affected by the coronavirus and environmental pollution. ... ” Read more from the Attorney General’s office here: Attorney General Becerra criticizes Trump order instructing federal agencies to circumvent critical environmental review processes
EWG investigation: Across farm country, nitrate pollution of drinking water for more than 20 million Americans is getting worse: “In much of America’s farm country, nitrate contamination of drinking water, largely caused by polluted runoff from crop fields, poses a serious health risk – and the problem is getting worse, according to an Environmental Working Group analysis of data from 10 states. “With every glass of water, over 20 million people in mostly agricultural areas are now getting a bigger dose of nitrate than before,” said Anne Weir Schechinger, EWG senior economics analyst and author of the report. “Until farmers clean up their act, water quality in these communities is going to continue to decline, posing a growing threat to public health.” ... ” Read more from Water Online here: EWG investigation: Across farm country, nitrate pollution of drinking water for more than 20 million Americans is getting worse
Scientists urge business & government to treat PFAS chemicals as a class: Researchers around the globe say “forever chemicals” should be avoided (press release from Green Policy Institute): “All per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) should be treated as one class and avoided for nonessential uses, according to a peer-reviewed article published today in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. The authors—16 scientists from universities, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the European Environment Agency, and NGOs—say the extreme persistence and known toxicity of PFAS that have been studied render traditional chemical-by-chemical management dangerously inadequate. The article lays out how businesses and government can apply a class-based approach to reduce harm from PFAS, including fluoropolymers, which are large molecules.
Without agreements on water, California needs to set new objectives and protections for Delta, say Jon Rosenfield and Jeannette Howard: They write, “For more than a decade, California’s governors have pushed for “voluntary agreements” to establish rules for water diversions by major urban and agricultural water districts, and to redress their environmental impacts. Our organizations joined those discussions to craft a scientifically sound plan that would restore San Francisco Bay’s fisheries and water quality – and with the understanding that any agreement would satisfy all applicable laws, including the federal and state Clean Water Acts, as part of an update of the State Water Board’s Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan. ... ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Without agreements on water, California needs to set new objectives and protections for Delta
Damming up water progress throws Calif.’s future into limbo, says Wayne Western: He writes, “Get ready… here comes the true California water cycle: It begins with headlines and quotes warning of pending disaster based on what could, might, maybe, or possibly happen over the state’s water infrastructure. It follows with attacks against a single water district, then moves to a concerted effort to convince the average Joe that making a profit in farming and being successful should be accompanied by deep regret and guilt. It concludes with preached claims of progressive action, yet practiced regression. ... ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Damming up water progress throws Calif.’s future into limbo
Numerous environmental crimes discovered at illegal cannabis grow in Tehama County: “On May 21, wildlife officers at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) served a search warrant in Tehama County for illegal commercial cannabis cultivation on a remote parcel approximately 30 miles west of Red Bluff. Commercial cannabis cultivation is banned in Tehama County. The suspects had allegedly brandished firearms at nearby residents, which forced CDFW and local authorities to take immediate action. Support was provided by CDFW Environmental Scientists, Tehama County Sheriff’s Department, State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and Investigators from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). ... ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife here: Numerous environmental crimes discovered at illegal cannabis grow in Tehama County
Concerning Cyanotoxin levels detected at nine Clear Lake sites: “Many Lake County residents and visitors have recently enjoyed the extraordinary complement of outdoor recreation opportunities that Clear Lake has to offer. As is the case with all large, biologically rich natural bodies of water, Clear Lake, is dynamic in water quality. Understanding what signs to look for when recreating can help ensure residents and visitors safely enjoy our County’s defining feature. Water monitoring data is one factor that helps all of us make healthy water-based recreation choices, and lake water monitoring is regularly conducted by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony at approximately 30 Clear Lake sites. This is a valuable service for all who use our lake. … ” Read more from the Lake County Record-Bee here: Concerning Cyanotoxin levels detected at nine Clear Lake sites
Georgetown Divide PUC moving ahead with water transfer: “Announced at the June 9 meeting of the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Board of Directors, the water agency is close to finishing a water transfer agreement with Westlands Water District. The agreement will call for selling up to 2,000 acre-feet of water to Westlands, the largest agricultural water district in the United States, made up of more than 1,000 square miles of farmland in western Fresno and Kings counties. ... ” Read more from the Georgetown Gazette here: Georgetown Divide PUC moving ahead with water transfer
Educational hub going up in Sunol next to water temple: “After years of planning and work to preserve Indigenous artifacts, construction of the Alameda Creek Watershed Center in Sunol is finally underway, according to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The utilities commission, which is heading up the project, said in a statement Friday the Watershed Center is envisioned as an educational hub for raising “awareness of the natural and cultural history of the Alameda Creek Watershed and the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.” … ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Educational hub going up in Sunol next to water temple
Recycled water project comes online in Torrance: “The West Basin Municipal Water District announced the completion of a recycled water pipeline at Sares Regis Group’s Torrance Commerce Center on the site of the former Toyota Motor North America Inc. headquarters campus. The pipeline will use water from the district’s water recycling facility in El Segundo instead of drinking water to irrigate the landscape surrounding three new buildings, according to the June 11 announcement. … ” Read more from the LA Business Journal here: Recycled water project comes online in Torrance
Imperial Valley – a new frontier for people and the Earth itself: “If you had to give a date of birth to the Imperial Valley, most people would accept the date of June 21, 1901, when canal water from the Colorado River began to irrigate the first crops. Native Americans were actually the first settlers, though none of them found any good reason to spend the summers. Instead they moved from the ocean, to the mountains, to the great Lake Cahuilla, and to the Colorado River and beyond, following the seasons. ... ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Imperial Valley – a new frontier for people and the Earth itself
New map tool illustrates Arizona water issues: “Dams, canals, wildlife areas, utility providers–water in Arizona is a complex topic. But a new digital tool from Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy aims to illustrate all of the layers of the state’s water issues. The new Arizona Water Blueprint map tool allows users to explore hydrography, wildlife habitats, regulatory areas and infrastructure. It also illustrates potential future sources for augmenting the state’s water supply with groundwater or desalination projects. ... ” Read more from KJZZ here: New map tool illustrates Arizona water issues
We’ve stabilized the Colorado River – for now. But much tougher work lies ahead, say Tom Buschatzke and Ted Cooke: They write, “When U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman hailed the Drought Contingency Plans signed last year as “historic,” we wholeheartedly agreed. The plans were the product of years of discussion, negotiation and compromises among water users throughout the Colorado River Basin. The DCP agreements specified reductions by the seven states that share water from the Colorado River, and Mexico, would take. In order to complete and implement the agreements, Arizona developed a unique process reflecting Arizona’s diverse interests. … ” Continue reading at Arizona Central here: We’ve stabilized the Colorado River – for now. But much tougher work lies ahead
DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: Delta Watermaster Update: Litigation in the Delta, Term 91, SB-88 implementation, and more …
At the June meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, Delta Watermaster Michael George gave his quarterly update where he discussed the pandemic response, ongoing litigation in the Delta, the work being done to implement SB-88, and other issues.
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BLOG ROUND-UP: Delta legacy communities express their outrage over Delta tunnel; A case for better river flows and delta outflow in June; FERC rapidly issuing waivers on water quality certifications for CA dams; and more …
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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.