In California water news this weekend …
Climate change could deliver more sediment and pollution to the San Francisco Bay-Delta
“Climate change could deliver more silt, sand and pollution to the San Francisco Bay-Delta, along with a mixed bag of other potential consequences and benefits, according to a new study in the AGU journal Water Resources Research, which publishes research articles and commentaries providing a broad understanding of the role of water in Earth’s natural systems. By running models of future climate change scenarios, researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey found that as air temperatures increase by 1.6 to 5.3 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century, with varying changes in rainfall, streams and rivers draining through the Sacramento Valley may see higher peak streamflows. Future storms will not necessarily bring more water overall, just more water during shorter time periods. Those higher streamflows will carry 39% to 69% more sediment down to the Bay-Delta by the end of the century, according to the researchers’ models. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Climate change could deliver more sediment and pollution to the San Francisco Bay-Delta
Rep. TJ Cox introduces Western Water Storage Infrastructure Act
“Today, Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) introduced the Western Water Storage Infrastructure Act, adding to a series of bills introduced this Congress by Rep. Cox to address water infrastructure in the Central Valley. The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Jim Costa (CA-16) and John Garamendi (CA-3). The bill authorizes $800 million for surface and groundwater storage and conveyance projects, more than double what was previously available. Additional funding for water storage is necessary now that funding authorized by the WIIN Act has been exhausted. The bill also extends the operational and environmental authorities of the WIIN Act to provide continued water supply benefits without adverse impacts to listed species. Supporters of the bill include the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (pending ratification), Friant Water Authority, Northern California Water Association, South Valley Water Association, Westlands Water District, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and Family Farm Alliance. “Even during this difficult time, we can’t stop our work to bring everyone in the Valley the water they need,” said Rep. Cox. “Water supply reliability is incredibly important to the lives of Central Valley working families and for the entire world’s economy and food system.”
California’s three fish and wildlife entities: what’s the difference?
“California has three fish and wildlife-related entities: Fish and Game Commission, and Department of Fish and Wildfire, and Wildlife Conservation Board. What’s the difference? … ” Read more from the California Globe here: California’s three fish and wildlife entities: what’s the difference?
Animal group accuses Foster Farms of wasting water to kill chickens
“A California animal advocacy group is suing Foster Farms for using a water-intensive slaughter method on chickens while the state suffers through drought. The Animal Legal Defense Fund on Wednesday sued Foster Farms, which operates a large slaughterhouse and chicken processing plant in Livingston, for wasting water while slaughtering chickens through “electric immobilization.” As Livingston’s largest water customer, Foster Farms accounts for more than 60 percent of the city’s water usage through the consumption of approximately four million gallons of water each day. … ” Read more from the Turlock Journal here: Animal group accuses Foster Farms of wasting water to kill chickens
‘Compound climate events’ wallop California
“A blistering heat wave is expected to engulf much of California this weekend, with temperatures potentially soaring as high as 115 degrees in the southern part of the state. The National Weather Service has warned of an elevated risk of wildfires, even as firefighters work to contain blazes already burning across the state. It’s the second dangerous heat wave to hit California in the last few weeks. Mid-August saw triple-digit temperatures across much of the state, prompting California’s first rolling blackouts in nearly two decades. … ” Read more from E&E News here: ‘Compound climate events’ wallop California
If a forest burns in a fire, does it return to normal?
““When a forest burns in a wildfire, should we expect it to return as it was before?” Research scientist, Jonathan Coop, and his team pose this question. It addresses a critical conundrum in ecology, how do ecosystems recover from disturbance and why? Historically, forest scientists developed successional models, a timeline of when certain species return to an environment after a disturbance, such as a wildfire. We expect the sun-loving, fast-growing plants to come back first followed by the shade-tolerant, slow-growing species. But with a changing climate and thus unpredictable disturbances, the successional models may no longer be accurate. Scientists will need new models to accurately predict ecological recovery after disasters. … ” Read more from EnviroBites here: If a forest burns in a fire, does it return to normal?
California Supreme Courts holds categorical classification of well permits as exclusively “ministerial” does not hold water
“After a nearly two-year wait, in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus (2020) _Cal.5th (POWER), the California Supreme Court unanimously rejected the County of Stanislaus’s (County) bright-line categorization that all groundwater well construction permits are ministerial, and therefore not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In an interesting twist, the Supreme Court also rejected the petitioner’s alternative “all or nothing” position that, if the permits are not ministerial, they must be discretionary and conditioned on CEQA compliance. Instead, the Supreme Court held the decision of whether each permit is ministerial or discretionary hinges on the specific language of the governing ordinance and regulatory controls. For those in urban settings, it may seem that a determination related to well permits has limited application. However, this decision has been long awaited throughout the State, particularly in jurisdictions with thriving agricultural and energy generation industries, and has the potential to upset the long-standing practice in many areas that administer similar well programs. ... ” Read more from the National Law Review here: California Supreme Courts holds categorical classification of well permits as exclusively “ministerial” does not hold water
In people news this weekend …
Bette Boatmun to Close Out 46 Years on CCWD Board of Directors
“During the Contra Costa Water District’s (CCWD’s) Board meeting last night, Director Bette Boatmun shared publicly that she has decided not to seek re-election for the seat she has represented for over 46 years. Director Boatmun was appointed to the CCWD Board in July 1974 and has served in that seat representing Division 4 for over 46 years. In her tenure, she has made countless contributions to CCWD, the community and beyond. “I initially decided to apply for this position in the interest of bringing more women into the water industry and have been honored to represent our community on many important decisions,” said Director Boatmun. “This Board works together constructively and collaboratively and CCWD’s workforce is strong – I know that our community will continue to be well represented and served.” … ”
Charlie Hoppin: The farmer who defied his father
“As thick white smoke filled the air, Charlie took a moment to soak in what was about to happen. Here was this former small-town farm boy with one of the biggest action movie stars in history, who now also happened to be the governor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently came into office with a decree to mix it up inside the big white dome and Charlie was about to see first-hand how the new governor planned to do just that. If only his father could see him now. … In what was considered the ultimate long shot, Charlie submitted an application to become a Board Member of the State Water Resources Board. Twenty-five people applied, many with years of political or conservation experience. There was no way a farmer from the Sacramento Valley would be appointed… or was there? … ” Read the full profile here: Charlie Hoppin: The farmer who defied his father
Podcasts …
Water talk: Beaver hydrology and management
A conversation with California State University-Channel Islands Professor Emily Fairfax about her work studying the lives of beavers and their impacts on droughts, fires, and water quality as well as some strategies for beaver management. (Confidential to GS: This is for you!)
Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing: A Common Problem-Shared Solution
Steve Baker writes, “There is one thing that each of us has in common when it comes to water in our lives. Our life-styles create a source of pollution that is called non-point pollution. We are producing in our cars, grassy lawns and other life-style activities a type of pollution that is very hard to stop. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Podcasts here Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co
Jive Talking: Mike Young makes water sharing and markets work
David Zetland writes, “Mike Young holds a Research Chair in Water and Environmental Policy at the University of Adelaide, was the Founding Executive Director of its Environment Institute, is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. Mike is best known for his contribution to the development of natural resource and environmental policies, with a specialization in water policy reform. Mike published hundreds of publications over decades, so check out his home page (www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/mike.young#) for more.”
H2Whoa! Podcast: What Is Water?
“Wholly H2O is launching a new podcast, H2WhOa! Each episode includes two experts: scientist and artist, and takes a deep dive into the intricacies of H2O. This first episode is focused on liquid water; we’re exploring what makes water, well… water! Special Guests: Scientist: Dr. Richard SayKally – UC Berkeley, Artist: Moses Hacmon – Israeli Artist”
In regional water news this weekend …
Reclamation augments Klamath Project water supplies to benefit water users and wildlife refuges
“Today, Reclamation announced water supply increases for the benefit of water users and wildlife refuges in the Klamath Project in view of modest improvements in hydrology during the late summer and operational adjustments described below. “We appreciate the efforts taken by Klamath Project water users that allowed the limited supplies of 2020 to stretch through the summer,” stated Commissioner Brenda Burman. “Managing the second lowest allocation in the history of the Klamath Project was an enormous challenge for both the project and the refuges. I am pleased that Reclamation, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, can make these operational adjustments to close out the agricultural activities as planned and bring additional relief to the wildlife refuges. … ”
Coming home to the Klamath
“Four aging dams on the Klamath River are coming down. Their completion between 1921 and 1964 brought hydroelectric power to Northern California. It also blocked hundreds of kilometers of fish habitat, causing chinook salmon to effectively disappear from the upper river basin. But the removal of dams is no guarantee the fish will return, so a team of wildlife researchers hopes it can coax the fish to repopulate the river by exploiting a new discovery about salmon genetics. … ” Read more from Hakai Magazine here: Coming home to the Klamath
It’s algae season on the Klamath River — again
“Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs, which have created toxic conditions for the Klamath River’s fish for decades, are officially unsafe for humans to swim in this time of year. The recreational health advisory “has become an annual ritual,” according to a news release from the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources. Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs are currently at “danger” levels of toxic algae, according to the California Water Quality Monitoring Council’s Harmful Algal Bloom Incident Report Map. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: It’s algae season on the Klamath River — again
Big Springs residents: water trucking for illegal marijuana grows hasn’t stopped
“At their regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors discussed issues that Big Springs area residents are still facing regarding alleged privatized water sale for illegal marijuana grows. Despite an urgency ordinance prohibiting the trucking of water and a rally near one of the alleged extraction sites on Aug. 22, residents say they’re still noticing trucking going on. A few residents told supervisors that the enforcement hasn’t happened, and they are frustrated at their drying wells. … ” Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here: Big Springs residents: water trucking for illegal marijuana grows hasn’t stopped
Commentary: Unlimited water in Big Springs?
We Advocate for Thorough Environmental Review writes, “We are truly concerned about what is happening with the Big Springs residents losing access to water for their domestic use. Reviewing local water history is important. The Gateway Neighborhood residents (near the Crystal Geyser plant in Mount Shasta) experienced the same water shortage issues during CocaCola – Dannon water bottling days and were rebuffed by the county. The board of supervisors told the affected households to speak to the company, who then of course said it couldn’t possibly be from their pumping … even though they pumped more in one day than three of our neighbors pumped in a year! So, when the new CG project was proposed, our neighborhood had already experienced problems with over pumping. During the EIR process, WATER and experts urged the County and CG to include the neighborhood wells in the groundwater testing. What we got was misleading theoretical modeling and no testing of our domestic wells. Hence, our lawsuit is now pending a hearing in Appellate Court. ... ” Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here: Commentary: Unlimited water in Big Springs?
Fort Bragg’s water shortage means steep cuts, no watering of lawns; climate scientists say to expect more
“Fort Bragg is running low on water. On Monday, August 31, the City declared a stage two water emergency, asking all municipal water users to cut their usage by 20 percent. Specific restrictions include no watering lawns, no washing sidewalks, irrigating gardens between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., washing the exterior of any building, filling a swimming pool, and more. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon here: Fort Bragg’s water shortage means steep cuts, no watering of lawns; climate scientists say to expect more
Russian River: Ways to get involved with protecting our creeks
“September marks several dedicated efforts throughout California that signify the importance of clean water and promote cleanups of local waterways. Pollution Prevention Week (starting on the third Monday of September), Creek Week (starting the fourth week of September), and California’s Coastal Cleanup Day all coincide in September to encourage public participation in keeping our water free of harmful pollutants, with a primary focus on removing trash from local waterways. Each September cleanup events are organized to bring volunteers together to clean up trash and debris from beaches, rivers, and creeks, to educate community on the importance of clean water, and to promote an overall appreciation of our environment, nature, and being outside. This year most of these designated cleanup events will not take place due to the restrictions around COVID-19, but there are still many ways to participate and make a difference in your community. … ” Read more from the Sonoma County Gazette here: Russian River: Ways to get involved with protecting our creeks
Muddy Petaluma river dredged with hopes of reviving once-thriving waterway
“For the first time in years, boats will soon be able to travel freely again down the Petaluma River. Traditionally, Petaluma has been known by its nickname “River Town” but, by the state of affairs here over the last few years, it might as well have been called Mudville. Once a vibrant waterway, Petaluma River is now silted in, full of mud. At low tide in the upper reaches near downtown, it’s so shallow that the geese walk. Lt. Colonel John Cunningham says the river hasn’t had a full cleaning by the Army Corps of Engineers for nearly 20 years. … ” Read more from KPIX here: Muddy Petaluma river dredged with hopes of reviving once-thriving waterway
Different technologies help address Lake Tahoe clarity
“Groups in the Tahoe Basin are using new technology to fight invasive species and decreasing lake clarity. Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency have been testing a UV light equipped vessel to control aquatic invasive plants in the Tahoe Keys. The technology, using the UV-C wavelengths, a short-wave electromagnetic radiation light that damages the DNA and cellular structure of aquatic plants and their fragments, was developed by John Paoluccio, president of Inventive Resources, Inc. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Different technologies help address Lake Tahoe clarity
Sacramento: Scientists collect water quality data prior to wastewater treatment plant upgrades
“The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) is currently completing major upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant. In anticipation of these upgrades, USGS scientists are gathering data to establish baselines for current nutrient levels and dynamics in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). The plant is located two miles from the Sacramento River, near the city of Elk Grove. Known as the EchoWater Project, work on the upgrades broke ground in 2015. The project includes a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) upgrade which is due to be completed in late 2021. (The entire EchoWater project will reach completion in 2023.) The BNR upgrade includes enhanced water treatment processes such as the removal of the nutrients ammonium and nitrate. … ” Read more from the USGS here: Scientists collect water quality data prior to wastewater treatment plant upgrades
Federal EPA weighs in on CDCR contamination of Mule Creek
“The period for public comment on the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (RWQCB) proposed settlement with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for violations at Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) facility in Ione ended at 5 p.m. on August 19. While Kenny Croyle, RWQCB Water Resources Control Engineer, WDRs and Title 27 Compliance and Enforcement Unit, has stated that the RWQCB is preparing the responses to the comments received, and anticipates those will be finalized and made public in the coming weeks, the Ledger Dispatch did obtain the official comment to the RWQCB from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region IX. … ” Read more from the Amador-Ledger Dispatch here: Federal EPA weighs in on CDCR contamination of Mule Creek
Ridgecrest: Council bumps IWVGA rep discussion
“The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s basin replenishment fee may have been approved, but groundwater authority representation continues to raise issues. Mayor Pro Tem Lindsey Stephens asked prior to the approval that council consider having the city withdraw from the groundwater authority if the controversial basin replenishment fee were to pass. It did pass, so Stephens’ item was listed on the council agenda this week. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Council bumps IWVGA rep discussion
Los Angeles: Construction on major Valley water projects close to beginning
“A multimillion dollar water project in the heart of Northridge is on the fast track to becoming a reality. The Aliso Creek-Limekiln Creek Restoration Project at Vanalden Park is aimed at reducing pollutants in city waters by treating stormwater and urban runoff from Aliso and Limekiln creeks and an open channel storm drain. Runoff will be diverted to pretreatment equipment for removal of trash and debris and then conveyed to a bioretention basin for further filtration before discharging back to the creeks and ultimately the Los Angeles River. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News here: Los Angeles: Construction on major Valley water projects close to beginning
San Diego: Editorial: New EPA help welcome, but local leaders should keep demanding sewage fixes
“The May announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had approved a $300 million plan to fix broken industrial infrastructure that has allowed sewage from the Tijuana River to frequently foul South County beaches brought sighs of relief from San Diegans who couldn’t understand why the federal government had for a decade been so indifferent about such a profound quality-of-life problem in one of the nation’s most populated counties. But the relief was limited because of the widespread view that needed fixes would cost significantly more than $300 million. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Editorial: New EPA help welcome, but local leaders should keep demanding sewage fixes
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona endorses a company’s plan to sell Colorado River water to Queen Creek
“Arizona’s top water regulator has endorsed a company’s proposal to take water from farmland near the Colorado River and sell it to the fast-growing Phoenix suburb of Queen Creek. The plan, which still would require federal approval, has generated a heated debate about whether transferring water away from the farming community of Cibola could harm the local economy, and whether the deal would open the gates for more companies to buy land near the river with the sole aim of selling off the water for profit. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Arizona endorses a company’s plan to sell Colorado River water to Queen Creek
In national news this weekend …
Trump admin proposal could shrink critical habitat
“The Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed new rules that could make it easier to shrink future critical habitats designated under the Endangered Species Act. Opening a new front in the Trump administration’s multipronged bid to reshape the ESA, the agency declared its latest proposal is intended to “articulate clearly when and how FWS will undertake” an analysis of whether to exclude certain lands from critical habitat. “The proposed regulations would provide greater transparency for the public, improve consistency and predictability for stakeholders affected by ESA determinations and stimulate more effective conservation on the ground,” FWS Director Aurelia Skipwith said in a statement. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Trump admin proposal could shrink critical habitat
US Wildlife Agency seeks to carve out areas from protections
“A Trump administration proposal released Friday would allow the government to deny habitat protections for endangered animals and plants in areas that would see greater economic benefits from being developed — a change critics said could open lands to more energy development and other activities. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials described the proposal as giving more deference to local governments when they want to build things like schools and hospitals. But the proposal indicates that exemptions from habitat protections would be considered for a much broader array of developments, including at the request of private companies that lease federal lands or have permits to use them. … ” Read more from Courthouse News Service here: US Wildlife Agency seeks to carve out areas from protections
RELATED CONTENT: OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Processes for considering critical habitat exclusions under the Endangered Species Act
Attorney General Becerra leads multistate comment letter challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict the definition of habitat under the Endangered Species Act
“California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today, joined by 16 attorneys general, sent a comment letter challenging the Trump Administration’s attempt to narrowly and unlawfully define the term ‘habitat’ under the federal Endangered Species Act. The proposed federal rule change could restrict restoration efforts and limit government’s authority to protect plants and wildlife amid climate change. “The Trump Administration can’t explain its reasoning for tampering with definitions of protected habitat. Here’s the reason: They want to weaken protections for fish and wildlife so that industry can steamroll critical habitats,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Our coalition is committed to protecting all species and habitat from unnecessary disruption from industry and climate change.”
Judge considers freezing ‘political’ environmental review rule
“A federal judge took a no-nonsense approach Friday to a hearing on the White House’s rewrite of federal environmental review standards, grilling conservation groups on how they’ll be harmed and chiding the Justice Department for glossing over the political motivations behind the rules. Judge James P. Jones of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia presided over more than two hours of arguments on whether he should freeze the government’s new National Environmental Policy Act rules. They take effect Sept. 14, replacing Nixon-era requirements. … ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Judge considers freezing ‘political’ environmental review rule
NEPA rules rewrite: what’s next?
“This is the final in our series of eAlerts on revisions to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations published in the Federal Register on July 16, 2020 by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) (“Final Rule”). This final eAlert focuses on some of the major “moving parts” related to the Final Rule that may affect the applicability and longevity of the Final Rule. As anticipated, several lawsuits have been filed concerning the Final Rule. Following are challenges to the Final Rule that have been filed as of the date of this eAlert … ” Read more from Nossaman here: NEPA rules rewrite: what’s next?
Wheeler’s environmental justice pledge leaves activists cold
“Environmental justice leaders say they are perplexed by EPA chief Andrew Wheeler’s commitments to low-income communities of color—one of the main themes of a speech he gave in California. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Wheeler laid out his views in a Thursday speech about the agency’s future, arguing the nation’s environmental policies have been a problem for frontline communities for decades, stretching back before the Trump administration. He said past policies haven’t done a thorough enough job of cleaning up such communities, and have pounded them economically. But Anthony Rogers-Wright, policy coordinator at the Climate Justice Alliance, said Wheeler’s comments are “not just hypocrisy, it’s Orwellian lip service,” given the EPA’s track record under President Donald Trump. … ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Wheeler’s environmental justice pledge leaves activists cold
Sunday video …
Flyover of the upper Sacramento River near Redding, including the primary spawning habitat for Winter-run Chinook Salmon. Video by John Hannon.