In California water news this weekend …
Dozens of little-known California oil spills have earned companies millions of dollars
“In May 2019, workers in California’s Central Valley struggled to seal a broken oil well. It was one of thousands of aging wells that crowd the dusty foothills three hours from the coast, where Chevron and other companies inject steam at high pressure to loosen up heavy crude. Suddenly, oil shot out of the bare ground nearby. … [F]aced with news headlines and a visit by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the site, officials with the California Geologic Energy Management Division, or CalGEM — the main state agency overseeing the petroleum industry — ordered Chevron to stop the flow. Regulators later levied a $2.7 million fine on the company. Instead, Chevron profited. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Dozens of little-known California oil spills have earned companies millions of dollars
20-mile replacement canal is preferred fix for the sagging Friant-Kern Canal
“A rapid-fire review of potential fixes to the Friant-Kern Canal favors building a replacement canal for 20 miles alongside the existing canal where land subsidence has caused it to sag, severely restricting water flow, according to final environmental documents released Friday. The environmental documents, which looked at the project under both state and federal environmental rules, will now be considered by the Friant Water Authority, which operates the canal, and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation, which owns it. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: 20-mile replacement canal is preferred fix for the sagging Friant-Kern Canal
US Bureau of Reclamation releases final plan to fix Friant-Kern Canal
“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation continues to build on President Trump’s Memorandum on Developing and Delivering More Water Supplies in California, which he signed in Bakersfield, in February. Reclamation and Friant Water Authority released its plan to repair a 33-mile stretch of the Friant-Kern Canal in California’s eastern San Joaquin Valley. This stretch of canal has lost over half of its original capacity to convey water due to subsidence—a sinking of the earth from groundwater extraction. “In February, President Trump visited the Central Valley and directed Interior to modernize our federal western water infrastructure to deliver water and power in an efficient, cost-effective way,” said Brenda Burman, Reclamation Commissioner. “Today we are delivering on that commitment by restoring the capacity of the Friant-Kern Canal providing safe and reliable water supplies to farmers and local communities.” … ”
Delta Legacy Communities objects to DWR’s $15 million loan for Delta tunnel engineering design
“Resources providing a $15 million loan to the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority for Delta tunnel engineering design. Since May of 2019, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has loaned $33.8 million to the Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA) for Delta tunnel engineering design, through amendments to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement. DWR is proposing to provide another $15 million to the DCA, for a total of $48.8 million in loans. Delta Legacy Communities, Inc. objects that DWR does not have legally available revenues in the State Water Resources Development System accounts to pay for the $15 million loan. For each statute governing a State Water Resources Development System fund (Burns-Porter Act, Central Valley Project Act, Davis-Dolwig Act) the letter has an explanation of how the statute restricts DWR’s use of the funds. … ”
Q/A: Why floodplains are important for California salmon
“Salmon have a very interesting life cycle that has developed with the changing California landscape over the past 40 million years. There is diversity in this life cycle, but all salmon in California follow this general pattern. Salmon hatch from their eggs in cold water tributaries throughout Northern California. They emerge from their gravel nest and live, feed, and grow for some time in fresh water before swimming downstream through the Delta, out through the San Francisco Bay, and into the ocean. Salmon spend one to four years in the ocean before retracing their steps back through the San Francisco Bay and up to the freshwater stream where they hatched. From here, the females build nests called redds where they lay their eggs, and a male will swim over to fertilize them. The adult salmon will guard their redd until they die, allowing their carcasses to decompose and provide nutrients to the habitat their offspring will grow up in. … ” Read more from DWR News here: Q/A: Why floodplains are important for California salmon
CME Group to launch first-ever water futures based on Nasdaq Veles California Water Index
“CME Group will launch its new Nasdaq Veles California Water Index futures contract in late Q4, pending regulatory review. CME Group says the Nasdaq Veles California Water Index futures will provide agricultural, commercial, and municipal water users with greater transparency, price discovery, and risk transfer – all of which can help to more efficiently align supply and demand of this vital resource. … ” Read more from Hedge Week here: CME Group to launch first-ever water futures based on Nasdaq Veles California Water Index
California fires …
California can’t recover from its devastating fires unless it overhauls its zoning laws
“In November 2018, the Woolsey Fire ripped through the affluent beachside town of Malibu, California. It was the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles County, and destroyed 473 homes in Malibu. Nearly two years later, only a few of those have been fully rebuilt. The main reason for the holdup: The city’s notoriously byzantine, restrictive zoning laws. … ” Read more from Quartz here: California can’t recover from its devastating fires unless it overhauls its zoning laws
‘Too late to stop it’: California’s future hinges on managing megafires
“California’s historic wildfires have served up astonishing scenes of destruction that have claimed several dozen lives, incinerated huge tracts of land and caused dystopian orange skies to loom over a populace choked by toxic smoke. But, in time, the sort of destruction and anguish suffered in 2020 may seem routine, even mild. The record scale of the flames, which have consumed an area larger than the state of Connecticut, is bringing scientists’ expectations of the climate crisis into reality. Rather than merely entering a new but stable era, the US west is on a moving escalator to further extremes. “In 20 years from now, the current circumstances will feel more normal,” said Waleed Abdalati, former chief scientist of Nasa. “It’s not that we are all screwed, but it’s too late to put a stop to it. We can slow it, but we can’t stop it now.” ... ” Read more from the Guardian here: ‘Too late to stop it’: California’s future hinges on managing megafires
Underwater and on fire: US climate change magnifies extremes
“America’s worsening climate change problem is as polarized as its politics. Some parts of the country have been burning this month while others were underwater in extreme weather disasters. The already parched West is getting drier and suffering deadly wildfires because of it, while the much wetter East keeps getting drenched in mega-rainfall events, some hurricane related and others not. Climate change is magnifying both extremes, but it may not be the only factor, several scientists told The Associated Press. … ” Read more from the AP here: Underwater and on fire: US climate change magnifies extremes
Butte County forests will face more major fires without better management
“Historic fires will continue and worsen in rural forested communities like Berry Creek, until people learn to live with and control fires, California scientists warn. The North Complex is the kind of fire local scientists cautioned could result, with much of the north state’s foothill terrain overgrown and dangerous after another year of drought. The complex’s West Zone (formerly known as the Bear and Claremont fires) continues to pose a tough challenge to firefighters, who have informed the community day after day it is difficult trying to secure and maintain lines in steep, rugged terrain. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Butte County forests will face more major fires without better management
In commentary this weekend …
Rich Svindland, President of Cal Am: Explaining California American Water’s decision to withdraw application
“As you may have heard, California American Water recently made the decision to withdraw our application for a Coastal Development Permit for the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project desalination source wells with the aim of securing a reliable water supply for our community as quickly as possible. We expect this will result in a couple of months’ delay to the project, and I wanted to explain to you why we made this decision. After years spent developing this project and making adjustments to respond to stakeholder concerns, it became obvious that we needed to take more time to address objections raised by the community of Marina — namely that our project would be built in their backyard without them receiving any benefit from it. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Rich Svindland, Guest Commentary: Explaining California American Water’s decision to withdraw application
‘Environmental justice’ starts by providing more water, says Steve Greenhut
He writes, “Environmentalists have won the latest battle in California’s water wars, as California American Water just announced it is temporarily withdrawing its application to build a desalination plant on an old sand mine in the largely low-income town of Marina near Monterey. The proposal faced a tough approval process at the California Coastal Commission after local activists complained about its effects on their community. In a recent article, the Los Angeles Times asked this loaded question in its headline: “Is California serious about environmental justice? This water fight is a test.” The issue is simple, according to a former coastal commissioner interviewed by the Times reporter: “Who’s got the garbage? Who’s got the landfill? Who’s got all of it? Marina. … If the commissioners can’t see that now, their environmental justice policy is meaningless.” … ” Read more from the Daily Bulletin here: ‘Environmental justice’ starts by providing more water
Healing California’s rivers will take more than just water, says Mike Wade with the California Farm Water Coalition
He writes, “Re “New approach needed to protect health of California’s rivers”; Commentary, Sept. 4, 2020. The authors are correct, policymakers must incorporate the latest science into their recommendations to protect California’s rivers. Hundreds of millions of dollars and dozens of studies and projects have all led to the same conclusion reached by the two authors from the Public Policy Institute of California – healing our rivers and helping struggling fish populations takes more than just water. … ” Continue reading at Cal Matters here: Healing California’s rivers will take more than just water
Hydropower must be defined as zero-carbon energy, say ACWA’s Steve Lamar and Pamela Tobin
They write, “Continuing heatwaves in California make it clear that rolling blackouts – something the state had not experienced since the 2001 energy crisis – remain a concern when experiencing record temperatures driven by climate change. We know from recent experience that one important factor leading to rolling blackouts was the inherent limitations of certain types of renewable power, particularly wind and solar. On a scorching summer day when the air is still and the demand for power rises with the heat into the evening, other sources of clean energy become even more critical. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Hydropower must be defined as zero-carbon energy
In regional water news …
North Coast Kelp Forest Restoration Project showing early evidence of success
“One month since its launch, an unprecedented partnership for kelp restoration on California’s North Coast is demonstrating early evidence of success. In early August, a team of 13 commercial red sea urchin divers began removing kelp-eating purple urchins in support of kelp restoration at Noyo Bay in Mendocino County. Since then, divers have cleared approximately six acres of reef, landing a total of 21,276 pounds of purple urchin (more than 100,000 individuals). Scientific monitoring by Reef Check California, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving California’s rocky reefs and kelp forests through citizen and community science, has documented new growth kelp at Noyo Bay. ... ”
Partnerships assist in $2 million support pledged for Alameda Creek enhancements and protections
“A cooperative effort by the Alameda County Water District, DeSilva Gates Construction, Alameda Creek Alliance, and the Center for Biological Diversity is bringing $2 million in funding for migratory fish passage projects in lower Alameda Creek, demonstrating that long-term public, private and non-governmental organization partnerships can achieve multi-layered goals such as environmental enhancements and protecting water supplies. ACWD’s fish passage projects include the construction of fish ladders, fish screens and other fish-friendly improvements in lower Alameda Creek to support safe and unobstructed migration of federally-listed Central Coast steelhead trout. Following decades of planning, ACWD is currently in the second of a three-year construction schedule to round out its final phase of fish passage projects in Alameda Creek. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Partnerships assist in $2 million support pledged for Alameda Creek enhancements and protections
Madera Irrigation District unveils centennial book
“The 100-year saga of Madera’s water adventures was unveiled Tuesday afternoon when Madera Irrigation District made a public presentation of its centennial history, written by Jeff Crider, an award-winning author of agriculture and business. In a ceremony shaded with emotion, MID Board President James Erickson, flanked by the other board members, presented “100 Years of Madera Irrigation District” to the family of Steve Emmert, who passed away suddenly this spring. Emmert, who was involved in local farming and irrigation all of his life, was instrumental in providing Crider with material for MID’s centennial history. Emmert’s widow, Pauline, accepted the book on behalf of herself and the Emmert family. She was joined by Cristin Toschi, Wyatt Emmert, Steven McDougald, and Amy Cadenazzi. … ” Read more from the Madera Tribune here: Madera Irrigation District unveils centennial book
40,000+ gallon sewage spill at Mule Creek State Prison
“The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) spilled 42,227 gallons of sewage at Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP) on August 11 according to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services report filed by CDCR. The sewer spill was initially reported at 42 million gallons created by a data entry error, however the actual spill was 42,227 gallons. According to CDCR, a valve failed at the Mule Creek Infill Complex lift station at MCSP causing overflow that was stopped at 11:30 a.m. … ” Read more from the Amador Ledger-Dispatch here: 40,000+ gallon sewage spill at Mule Creek State Prison
S.F.’s Embarcadero could be devastated by earthquakes and rising seas, study warns
“The Embarcadero faces severe threats, with regionwide repercussions from both earthquakes that could undermine the city’s seawall and a rise in bay waters that could flood downtown streets and inundate BART and Muni tunnels, according to an exhaustive new study from the Port of San Francisco. A temblor on the scale of 1989’s Loma Prieta earthquake could dislodge the seawall beneath the Embarcadero and liquefy portions of the soil that it holds in place, says the 82-page report. … The impact of sea level rise would also be extensive, though not in the immediate future. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle here: S.F.’s Embarcadero could be devastated by earthquakes and rising seas, study warns
Anderson Reservoir will close to public through 2030
“Anderson Reservoir will be closed to boating, fishing and all recreational activities for the next several years starting Oct. 1. That’s when the local water district will begin draining the lake in order to begin construction on a new discharge tunnel and seismically retrofitted dam. Valley Water Director John Varela said during a Sept. 17 webinar that the district will lower Anderson Reservoir’s water level to the “lowest practical level possible” in order to make way for the retrofit project. It will take about two months to drain that much water from the reservoir, depending on how much rain falls this winter. … ” Read more from the Morgan Hill Times here: Anderson Reservoir will close to public through 2030
Santa Cruz County Supervisors try to ease post-fire rebuilding, but obstacles remain
“Santa Cruz County supervisors discussed rebuilding efforts for CZU Lightning Complex Fire victims, but for some, that process may extend past 2021 as they potentially face another environmental disaster. In many areas of the county, the blaze ravaged homes, as well as trees and other flora that stabilized the land and soil — making the area very susceptible to landslides. “It is this increased geologic hazard because of the change in the landscape, loss of vegetation, etc., there is a high risk of debris flow landslides,” County Planning Director Kathleen Molloy said. “This (threat) exists for someone who is not rebuilding or even someone who is outside the burn area.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Santa Cruz County Supervisors Try to Ease Post-Fire Rebuilding, But Obstacles Remain
Ridgecrest City Council mulls role on Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority; changes nothing
“The Ridgecrest City Council on Wednesday discussed the city’s continuing role on the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority and whether or not the city representative to the IWVGA — Council Member Scott Hayman — voted appropriately at the Aug. 21 public hearing at which the controversial basin replenishment fee was approved. (Hayman voted for the fee.) Mayor Pro Tem Lindsey Stephens led the charge on both, energetically questioning the city’s participation on the groundwater authority as well as apparently criticizing Hayman’s recent vote for not corresponding with council’s intent. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest City Council mulls role on Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority; changes nothing
Ridgecrest: Gleason talks “Operation 2035”
“The Indian Wells Groundwater Authority is leading a push to develop a comprehensive community visioning plan with a heavy emphasis on water. IWVGA Supervisor Mick Gleason broached the idea at the groundwater authority meeting Thursday. Gleason called the initiative “Operation 2035” and said that Policy Advisory Chair Dave Janiec will coordinate the effort. The announcement seemed to be news to Janiec, who called in toward the end of the meeting. Janiec described himself as “rather surprised but looking forward to this.” Janiec and Gleason made plans to get together in the next couple of weeks to begin organizing the new effort. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest: Gleason talks “Operation 2035”
Water Resources Control Board approves Ormond Beach Generating Station three-year extension
“During its Sept 15 meeting, the Oxnard City Council received and filed the State Water Resources Control Board approval of the Ormond Beach Generating Station three-year extension. This agreement triggers the process for the City of Oxnard and GenOn to establish the $25 million trust fund with the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) to dismantle the plant and continue the effort to achieve an Ormond Beach Restoration and Access Plan. … ” Continue reading at the Tri-County Sentry here: Water Resources Control Board approves Ormond Beach Generating Station three-year extension
Chino: Carbon Canyon Channel explained
“Fewer than ten vehicles pulled into the parking lot at McCoy Equestrian Center in Chino Hills for a workshop on the Carbon Canyon Flood Control project on Wednesday. The County of San Bernardino Public Works Department set up three canopies staffed by the planning, environmental, and operations departments to answer questions raised by residents who live on neighboring streets. … ” Read more from the Chino Champion here: Chino: Carbon Canyon Channel explained
Press release: San Diego water agencies plan to abandon costs, reduce supply reliability
“Analysis released today shows that proposals by the Fallbrook and Rainbow water districts to leave the San Diego County Water Authority and annex into the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County would increase costs for water ratepayers in San Diego County, reduce the county’s voting power, and decrease water supply reliability for farms and residents. Numerous financial, environmental and legal issues that affect property owners and water users across San Diego County are analyzed in the Water Authority’s formal response to the reorganization proposals filed today with the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission, known as LAFCO. … ” Read more from the San Diego County Water Authority here: Press release: San Diego water agencies plan to abandon costs, reduce supply reliability
Threat emerges to reduce water supply reliability, fracture region, says San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer
“Thank you for your support over the past two years. It’s been an honor to serve as the chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors. While some may not realize it, this 36-member Board plays a critical role in sustaining San Diego County’s quality of life and economy. And I’m pleased to say that this Board engages in the difficult discussions and decisions to make sure our children and grandchildren enjoy the same safe and secure water supplies that we enjoy today. Unfortunately, it’s also true that efforts are underway that would undermine decades of successful planning that has served our county well from Fallbrook to San Ysidro. … ” Read more from the Water News Network here: Threat Emerges to Reduce Water Supply Reliability, Fracture Region
Along the Colorado River …
Most of Utah is now in an ‘extreme’ drought
“Red isn’t a good sign when you’re looking at a drought map, and most of Utah is now in the red. More than four-fifths of Utah is experiencing an extreme drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday. It’s the second week they’ve reported that 83% of the state — essentially the entire state south of the Great Salt Lake — falls within that category at the very least. … ” Read more from KSL here: Most of Utah is now in an ‘extreme’ drought
Unless we act, today’s California wildfires are tomorrow’s Utah disaster, says Dea Theodore
She writes, “Many of us watched in horror last week at the raw footage of raging California wildfires: homes evacuated and ablaze, terrified residents driving through infernos, and hundreds of campers airlifted out. But how many of us stopped to ask, do we have these extreme conditions and dangers in our own canyons, foothills and backyards? And if so, what are we and our elected representatives doing to prevent or mitigate catastrophic wildfires? ... ” Read more from the Deseret News here: Unless we act, today’s California wildfires are tomorrow’s Utah disaster
In national news this weekend …
EPA’s biggest civil rights obstacle? Itself
“When President Clinton required federal agencies to consider environmental justice in 1994, it was hailed as a landmark achievement for the movement. But Clinton’s executive order didn’t anticipate one of its biggest obstacles: the agencies themselves. Interviews with former staff and a new book suggest that nearly 30 years later, EPA’s environmental justice efforts have been consistently hamstrung by intense resistance within the agency. Environmental justice seeks to address the disproportionate pollution burden that people of color and other disadvantaged communities have endured in America for decades as refineries, landfills, power plants and other toxic emitters have been built in their neighborhoods. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: EPA’s biggest civil rights obstacle? Itself
In a cross-state aquifer spat, a view of a water-stressed future
“Just ahead of the Great Recession, in 2005, Carolyn Chism Hardy got the news that the Coors brewery where she worked would close for good the next year. Following a merger with Molson, her higher-ups told her, the Memphis, Tennessee, operation was no longer cost-effective. As the plant manager, Hardy was charged with telling hundreds of employees that they would soon be out of work. But Hardy had another plan. She would fundraise, buy the brewery herself, and save her co-workers’ jobs. Hardy says company executives were skeptical that someone with her background would be able to raise the money. Hardy grew up poor in Memphis’ Orange Mound neighborhood and she hadn’t yet owned and operated a business. But she came through with the money. “And the rest is history,” she says. Hardy was confident in the new operation in part because of its access to the Sparta-Memphis aquifer: an underground reservoir that, if drained, would fill Lake Michigan. … ” Read more from The Grist here: In a cross-state aquifer spat, a view of a water-stressed future
Tensions mount as Mexican water debt deadline looms
“Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley are keeping a wary eye southward as the clock ticks down on the deadline for Mexico to make good on its water debt obligations under a treaty that governs the distribution of the precious resource between the two nations. Under the 1944 treaty, both the United States and Mexico are entitled to water allotments from watersheds that span across the two countries and which feed the Colorado, Tijuana and Rio Grande rivers. While the United States delivers 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River to Mexico every year, Mexico is, in turn, required to release 1.75 million acre-feet of water from its reservoirs into the Rio Grande over a five-year cycle. … ” Read more from the Monitor here: Tensions mount as Mexican water debt deadline looms
Podcasts …
Podcast: Dundee, Scotland
Steve Baker writes, “Have you ever asked yourself why certain cities and towns were built where we see them today? And to what degree did water enter that decision? Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co
Sunday video …
Nelder plots in the Sierra (those are trees, not succulents … !)
Kiet Le writes, “My Thanksgiving morning mission to shoot a Nelder Plot after our first snow of the season. A Nelder Plot is used to study the competition of resources of the trees. All of the trees were planted at the same time, 40 years ago. The trees in the middle are roughly half the size of the ones on the perimeter! I’m going to try to video document more of my adventures to get the shots I plan out. If you enjoy landscape photography, check out my gallery on Instagram @theconstantchase https://www.instagram.com/theconstantchase/”
