On the calendar today …
The State Water Board meets beginning at 9:30am.
Agenda items include Board actions and responses to COVID-19, Water quality regulatory fees, Central Valley Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Update, and a PFAS statewide investigation. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Senators to discuss bipartisan take on reducing fire risks
“A Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee will take testimony this week on legislation pressing a more aggressive approach to managing forests for wildfire. The hearing comes as fires rage in California and Oregon, and politicians debate whether climate change or mismanagement are the biggest culprits. The bill, S. 4431, by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) caps months of work by their offices to craft a bipartisan solution to an environmentally divisive subject. They’ve urged a Senate vote this year, citing the spike in wildfires. The legislation, which also has a bipartisan companion measure in the House, contains numerous provisions from members of both parties and totals 52 pages. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Senators to discuss bipartisan take on reducing fire risks
Trump on climate: ‘I don’t think science knows actually’
“President Trump doubled down on his denial of climate change yesterday by saying that scientists are wrong and claiming that the world will “start getting cooler.” The remarks, delivered during a brief visit to California to discuss the state’s historic wildfires, run counter to mountains of research on global warming — including reports issued by his own administration. His comments ignored how climate change has contributed to natural disasters as the nation watches uncontrolled blazes spread across the West, causing catastrophic damage and killing more than 35 people. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Trump on climate: ‘I don’t think science knows actually’
SEE ALSO:
- Trump Ignores California Officials’ Calls To Address Climate Change, Predicts ‘It’ll Get Cooler’, from Capital Public Radio
- Is climate change worsening California fires, or is it poor forest management? Both, experts say, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- Camp Fire Survivors Face The Horror All Over Again In 2020, from NPR
Update on the Atmospheric River forecast to make landfall over the Pacific Northwest
“An AR that is forecast to make landfall early this week could bring much needed precipitation to parts of Washington, Oregon, and potentially Northern California. As time has progressed closer to verification, ensemble agreement associated with AR landfall timing and initial IVT magnitude has increased. ... ” 🙂 Read more from the Center for Western Water and Weather Extremes here: CW3E AR Update: 14 September 2020 Outlook
Severe wildfire conditions will continue across California, but pattern shift will improve air quality
“Even in a year that has already featured many well-justified superlatives, it is becoming genuinely difficult to articulate just how severe the ongoing wildfire emergency has become in California. The numbers were already shocking back during the August lightning bust and subsequent wildfire siege, but those August numbers now look modest in comparison to today’s astonishing statistics. … [The] good news is that the incoming low pressure system will bring a round of modest but widespread showers to the Pacific Northwest, from about the central Oregon coast northward into British Columbia. These PacNW showers will help to temporarily reduce fire intensity in these regions and clear the air. Despite much excitement over the weekend, however, it looks increasingly unlikely that substantial precipitation will fall anywhere in California from this event. … ” 🙁 Read the full post at Weather West here: Severe wildfire conditions will continue across California, but pattern shift will improve air quality
EDF, NASA, DRI and Google announce web application to transform water management in the Western United States
“Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), NASA, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and Google announced plans today to develop a new web application called OpenET to enable western U.S. farmers and water managers to accurately track water consumption by crops and other vegetation using data from satellites and weather stations. OpenET will fill a critical information gap in water management in the West. Today, access to accurate, timely satellite-based data on the amount of water used to grow food is fragmented and often expensive, keeping it out of the hands of many farmers and decision-makers. Water supplies in the western U.S. are critical to the health of our communities, food supply and wildlife, but they are facing increasing pressures in the face of population growth and a changing climate. … ”
In a small California town, a fight over desalination is now about environmental justice
“On a barren stretch of Monterey Bay, in a region desperate for fresh water, an oft-overlooked town has little say in whether a big water company can build a desalination operation right on its shore. Here in Marina, where one-third of the town is low income and many speak little English, industrial facilities have long burdened the landscape. This desalination project would replace a century-old sand mine that has stripped shorebirds and rare butterflies of their home — and the community of an open space where anybody could cool off during a heat wave or enjoy a day by the sea. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: In a small California town, a fight over desalination is now about environmental justice
SEE ALSO: Coastal Commission to revisit Cal Am desal project Thursday, from the Monterey Herald
‘We’ve always known ours was contaminated’: the trouble with America’s water
“Once a week, Florencia Ramos makes a special trip to the market in Lindsay, California. “If you don’t have clean water, you have to go get some,” says Ramos, a farm worker and mother of four who lives in the neighboring Central Valley town of El Rancho. She has been purchasing water for more than a decade now. At first, the county well water that flowed through her tap contained high levels of nitrate, a pervasive health hazard across the rural US, where nitrogen-rich fertilizer and livestock manure seep into groundwater. While it never tasted bad, she recalls her water service provider instructing her not to drink it. … ” Read more from The Guardian here: ‘We’ve always known ours was contaminated’: the trouble with America’s water
State throws cold water on pricing scheme
“Water customers in Imperial Beach and Coronado were at risk of a suspect pricing mechanism, according to a ratepayer watchdog, until state regulators stepped in late last month. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive into one of the wonkier features of the state’s water market. After the 2008 recession, California decided to experiment with a new water pricing mechanism to promote conservation. Typically, water utilities set water prices a year in advance by trying to predict how much people will need. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: State throws cold water on pricing scheme
Issue brief: How can California make water data work for decision makers?
“California produces immense amounts of water-related data. Yet, California also struggles to adapt its water systems to pressures such as climate change and population growth. To meet these challenges in an informed way, decision makers need data that supports their needs. In 2018, spurred by the Open and Transparent Water Data Act of 2016 (AB 1755), we engaged stakeholders to learn how to make water data more useful. Since then, California state agencies have worked hard to plan and implement more effective water data systems. The nonprofit California Water Data Consortium is working to foster collaboration among water data experts and stakeholders. These initiatives strive to maximize data-informed decision making. In our latest issue brief, we focus on civic engagement in water data, which we define as participation of public, private, nonprofit, and community water data users and decision makers in issues around data availability and system design. … ” Read more from the Legal Planet here: How can California make water data work for decision makers?
Garamendi bill unlocks federal financing for Sites Reservoir and Central Valley Project pumps modernization
“Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA03) introduced the “WIFIA Improvement Act” (H.R.8217) with the following original cosponsors: Representatives TJ Cox (D-CA21), Jim Costa (D-CA16), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA01), Josh Harder (D-CA10), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA04). The bill is endorsed by the Family Farm Alliance, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, National Water Resources Association, Sites Project Joint Powers Authority, Friant Water Authority, and the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority. … ”
Congressman Harder: Doing every possible to have water storage for drought years
“Save Water Resources Act, is written by Congressman Josh Harder representing the Modesto area. The Act will fund the construction or upgrades of several water storage areas such as Sites Reservoir, Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, Los Vaqueros and San Luis Reservoirs and provides $100 million in storage funding. It’s all about helping Californian’s including the farmers during drought. ... ” Read more from Cal Ag Today here: Doing every possible to have water storage for drought years
Preparing for what’s ahead: the case of Sonoma County Winegrowers
” … Sonoma County Winegrowers (SCW) is an organization that has exercised vigilance and prepared for an uncertain future. It was established by local winegrowing families to nurture and sustain agriculture for future generations. It brings together more than 1,800 wine grape growers and is guided by a mission to preserve and promote this world-class winegrowing region. The organization serves an area with 18 distinct growing regions, planting 66 wine varieties for bottling by 425 local wineries and many wineries outside the Sonoma region. … ” Read more from Wharton here: Preparing for what’s ahead: the case of Sonoma County Winegrowers
California secede? One group got a key approval last week to try
“One of the most well-known groups pushing for California to secede from the rest of the country got the OK from state officials last week to collect signatures for a secession question on a future ballot. The news of the approval came on the heels of California’s 170th “birthday,” or anniversary marking the day it became the 31st state in the union. If the signature collection by pro-independence group Yes California is successful, residents would, in an undetermined future election, decide whether to cast a “no confidence” vote in the United States and create a commission to evaluate the Golden State’s ability to govern itself. ... ” Read more from San Jose Inside here: California secede? One group got a key approval last week to try
In regional water news and commentary today …
Eel River Dam Removal Webinar
” … Last month, North Coast Regional Director Darren Mierau presented about the Potter Valley Project. Two aging dams on the upper Mainstem Eel River, owned by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), currently impede (Cape Horn Dam) or completely block (Scott Dam) migratory access to several hundred miles of habitat for federally listed Chinook salmon and Steelhead. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for the Potter Valley Project (PVP) expires in 2022. In 2019 PG&E made a paramount decision to not relicense the Project. This webinar will describe the Feasibility Study Report and Project Plan submitted to FERC in May of 2020 by a coalition of five regional entities including CalTrout to acquire the license for the Potter Valley Project. … ” More from Cal Trout here: Eel River Dam Removal Webinar
Protecting South Yuba River proves challenging amidst COVID-19
“Every September for the last 22 years, the South Yuba River Citizens League has hosted a Yuba River Cleanup with the help of the California Coastal Commission. This year, the river’s need for some tender, loving care has only grown as the region reckons with more visitors, more single-use plastics and less accountability amidst the pandemic. … ” Read more from The Union here: Protecting South Yuba River proves challenging amidst COVID-19
Citizens group begins deep dive in Napa Valley groundwater issues
“A large citizens group has begun shaping a state-required plan to make certain Napa Valley groundwater serving world-famous vineyards and wineries is never sucked dry. The Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee — 25 people appointed by the Board of Supervisors representing such interests as farming, wineries and the environment — was in action last Thursday with a Zoom meeting. … ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Citizens group begins deep dive in Napa Valley groundwater issues
Water emergency for Tule Elk at Point Reyes, activists square off against U.S. Park Service
“Exclusive video obtained by the ABC7 I-Team shows activists sneaking into a closed national park earlier this month to provide water to California’s native Tule Elk, after half a dozen of the animals died during drought conditions. Now, the controversy over the Tule Elk on Pt. Reyes National Seashore is heating up, with a demonstration Sunday. A serious drought five years ago killed half of the Tule Elk on Pt. Reyes. The activists don’t want to see it happen again. … ” Read more from KGO here: Water emergency for Tule Elk at Point Reyes, activists square off against U.S. Park Service
Tri-Valley water districts tackle toxic chemicals in drinking water wells
“At least 500 hundred drinking water wells that serve up to 9 million Californians have potentially dangerous levels of a highly toxic family of chemicals and some of the worst are right here in the Bay Area. Surrounded by lush green fields, Pleasanton often makes the top ten list of desirable places to live. But a new list just out is nothing to boast about. … ” Read more from KPIX here: Tri-Valley water districts tackle toxic chemicals in drinking water wells
A new habitat conservation plan for the Calaveras River
“The Calaveras River is a unique tributary of the San Joaquin River in California’s Central Valley that plays important roles for both people and fish. The Calaveras is the major water supply for the city of Stockton and provides water for agricultural and residential use in San Joaquin and Calaveras counties. The river is also home to a population of resident rainbow trout, some of which may migrate to the ocean as steelhead (a life-history form considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act). Water operations on the Calaveras River are important for delivering irrigation and drinking water, but sometimes these activities can harm or otherwise negatively impact fish. … ” Read more from Fish Bio here: A new habitat conservation plan for the Calaveras River
Santa Cruz: Big Basin Redwoods State Park caretakers see opportunity in fire’s destruction
“Standing in the hazy afternoon light and surrounded by burnt-out shells of what has long been a thronging hub of humanity, California State Parks officials and outdoors advocacy group leaders shared their vision of a brighter future for Big Basin Redwoods State Park. During a press event and walk with journalists around the parks’ entrance area Thursday, Jordan Burgess, State Parks’ deputy superintendent for the Santa Cruz district, looked to the nearby historic grove of coast redwoods left standing in the wake of the 86,000 acre CZU August Lightning Complex fires for inspiration. The towering trees rely not on individual deep roots to keep them standing, Burgess said, but a wide interlocking root system. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Big Basin Redwoods State Park caretakers see opportunity in fire’s destruction
Monterey: Coastal Commission to revisit Cal Am desal project Thursday
“A long-awaited Coastal Commission hearing on California American Water’s proposed Monterey Peninsula desalination project is shaping up to be an all-day affair. After nine months of waiting, the desal project is set for a special remote commission meeting on Thursday in which the proposal is the lone item on the agenda. The 12-member commission, which first considered the desal project in November before referring it to staff for more analysis, is set to consider both Cal Am’s appeal of the city of Marina’s denial of a coastal development permit for the company’s proposed desal project feeder water well field planned for the shoreline dunes at the CEMEX sand mining plant in north Marina, as well as a consolidated coastal development permit for various elements of the project in other jurisdictions in the Coastal Zone. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Coastal Commission to revisit Cal Am desal project Thursday
SEE ALSO: In a small California town, a fight over desalination is now about environmental justice, from the LA Times
Nation’s largest solar farm approved for Ducor area
“The nation’s largest solar farm in the Ducor area could begin by the end of this year. … 8Minute Solar Energy stated the project is being constructed on low-producing farmland. Concern has been expressed as far as the Williamson Act is concerned which regulates how farmland can be used for other purposes but county officials state the project meets Williamson Act criteria. It was also stated the project should reduce the burden of groundwater in the area which has been an obvious concern. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Nation’s largest solar farm approved for Ducor area
SoCal: City supports sewer study, cautions against development
“The Monte Vista Water District Board commissioned a feasibility study on Sept. 2 to replace hundreds of old septic tanks in the unincorporated area of Chino with a sewer system operated by the water district. Sewage service would be a new area for Monte Vista Water District, which provides water services in Montclair and small pockets in northwest Chino. … ” Read more from the Chino Champion here: City supports sewer study, cautions against development
A greater sense of urgency needed for crises at the Salton Sea, says Brandon Dawson of the Sierra Club
He writes, “The Salton Sea presents one of California’s most pressing ecological and environmental justice crises. The shrinking sea threatens habitat for millions of fish and birds, and as the sea’s shoreline recedes, a pollutant-laced dust spills into nearby communities and threatens the health of 650,000 people living nearby. For years, our former leaders sat by as the crisis worsened. Responding to the lack of progress in 2017, the State Water Resources Control Board ordered the California Natural Resources Agency to adopt a 10-year plan to implement projects to suppress the harmful dust and restore habitat. The agency is required to complete a target amount of suppression and restoration acreage each year and update the water board on progress annually. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: A greater sense of urgency needed for crises at the Salton Sea, says Brandon Dawson of the Sierra Club
Pursuing independent water sources, San Diego ignores one beneath its feet
“San Diego is not well endowed with many freshwater sources to support its growing population, so some water experts are perplexed the city’s ignoring a self-replenishing local groundwater source that, though small in size, is safe from the threat of natural disasters and reliably recharged by the San Diego River. The city’s not only overlooking the Mission Valley aquifer water as a resource – it’s planning to build a multibillion-dollar water purification project called Pure Water right over it. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: Pursuing independent water sources, San Diego ignores one beneath its feet
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona blessing of water transfer a big blow to river communities, says the Herald-News
They write, “Conserving water in the Colorado River is hard enough without cities in Arizona and other states taking more than their share away. Queen Creek continues to seek transfer of more than 2,000 acre feet of water annually from Cibola-area agricultural water rights. Last week, the top water regulatory agency gave its blessing, albeit for about half the requested amount. The federal government must give final approval to the deal. If and when the deal is done, that’s a big win for a thirsty suburb in Maricopa County and a big loss for the river communities. … ” Read more from Today’s Herald-News here: Arizona blessing of water transfer a big blow to river communities, says the Herald-News
Lake Powell pipeline raises objections from six western states
“The Trump administration is weighing whether to approve an environmental impact statement for the Lake Powell Pipeline. But water agencies in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior warning of unresolved legal issues that could spark lengthy litigation. They’ve asked for more time to work out a collaborative agreement with Utah that acknowledges the region’s long-term drought and growing population. … ” Read more from KNAU here: Lake Powell pipeline raises objections from six western states
In national water news today …
RO provides promising win in battle against water scarcity
“One of the biggest threats facing humanity is water scarcity. And when it comes to defending the security of our most precious natural resource, few solutions are as promising as wastewater reclamation, a process that minimizes our dependence on freshwater. With proven results, accelerated adoption and improved public perception, more communities have begun to consider the treatment of municipal wastewater for reuse to help maintain adequate levels of clean water. ... ” Read more from Water World here: RO provides promising win in battle against water scarcity
Changing patterns of ocean salt levels give scientists clues to extreme weather on land
“New mapping of salt concentrations in the world’s oceans confirms what physics and climate models have long suggested: Global warming is intensifying Earth’s water cycle, speeding up the rate at which water evaporates in one area and falls as rain or snow somewhere else. That intensification has enormous implications because it worsens droughts and increases extreme rainstorms and flooding. But it has been hard to measure, because data is sparse across vast expanses of the oceans, which cover more than 70 percent of the planet’s surface. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Changing patterns of ocean salt levels give scientists clues to extreme weather on land
Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record
“It’s been a remarkably steamy, record-setting last three months for Mother Earth. Not only was August 2020 the second-warmest August on record, but the Northern Hemisphere had its warmest summer, and the globe as a whole had its third-hottest three-month season, too. Here are highlights from NOAA’s latest monthly global climate report … ” Read more from NOAA here: Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record
In commentary today …
Wayne Western column: After delivering on Calif. water, Trump gets no respect from water execs
“In the span of four years, the President of the United States has come to the Central Valley of California on three separate occasions. Each time, he has been made aware of the continued effort by California’s leaders to maintain a man-made drought and focused on the undeniable significance of the state’s agriculture to our national security. He did not come to spend a few minutes behind a podium to talk about climate change. He came to talk water. He came to talk agriculture. He asked, he learned, he acted, and he delivered. … ” Read more from the SJV Sun here: After delivering on Calif. water, Trump gets no respect from water execs
Today’s featured articles …