In California water news this weekend …
ACWA delivers roadmap to achieving voluntary agreements to state officials
“ACWA on Oct. 15 submitted “A Roadmap To Achieving the Voluntary Agreements” to Gov. Gavin Newsom and top members of his Administration that calls on the State to take the necessary steps to re-engage on Voluntary Agreements (VAs) regarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta and its tributaries. A letter signed by ACWA Executive Director Dave Eggerton on behalf of more than 450 ACWA member agencies introduced the Roadmap to Newsom and top Administration officials. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: ACWA delivers roadmap to achieving voluntary agreements to state officials
Garamendi comes out against Scott Dam removal; demands Lake County have a seat at the table in determining future of Potter Valley Project, Lake Pillsbury
“Congressman John Garamendi, who represents the northern half of Lake County, on Friday submitted a formal comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposing the proposed removal of Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury and demanding that Lake County have an equal seat at the table for determining the future of Potter Valley Project and the lake. Garamendi, who served as the deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior in President Bill Clinton’s administration, said the proposal to remove the dam was issued over the objections of Lake County residents as part of the Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s divestment of the Potter Valley Hydropower Project. … ” Read more from Lake County News here: Garamendi comes out against Scott Dam removal; demands Lake County have a seat at the table in determining future of Potter Valley Project, Lake Pillsbury
Missing the moisture: why 2020 has given the U.S. the worst drought in 7 years
“It looks more and more likely that we’ll wrap up 2020 experiencing the worst drought nationwide since 2013. Nearly 60 percent of the continental US is experiencing either abnormally dry conditions or some level of drought. As of mid-October, the driest regions include the Desert SW, Great Lakes, and the Northeast. Many other areas across the lower 48 have experienced frequent “flash droughts” this year as well. Flash drought is a short period of warm surface temperature coupled with low soil moisture and together can be damaging and destructive to crops. … ” Read more from Spectrum News here: Missing the moisture: why 2020 has given the U.S. the worst drought in 7 years
Effective messaging on water conservation
“As the climate heats up and droughts intensify, especially in the American Southwest, it’s crucial that households reduce their water usage. Water districts urge their customers to save, but their messaging generally lacks rigorous evaluation of efficacy. In a new paper, researchers from UC Santa Barbara reveal how a large-scale field experiment in messaging based on psychological science significantly reduced water consumption on the Central Coast of California. The paper, “How managers can reduce household water use through communication: A field experiment,” in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, details how the researchers designed messaging based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model (IMB) for single-family households. … ” Read more from The Confluence here: Effective messaging on water conservation
Fire science critical for combating wildfires out West
“It has been a harrowing equation out West over the past few months: Abundant fuel + hot temperatures + winds = large, fast-moving wildfires. … What does this all mean? Fires are a new year-round reality across much of the U.S. We know it’s not a question of “if” more fires will burn, but rather what we can do to be better prepared to manage them – including understanding the factors that influence where, when, and how fires burn, and what the consequences of fires are for humans and ecosystems. Science can provide these answers and, in the process, can also save lives, property and money. … ” Read more from the USGS here: Fire science critical for combating wildfires out West
In commentary this weekend …
ACWA leadership on headwaters health driving long-term response to wildfires
Dave Eggerton, Executive Director of the Association of California Water Agencies writes, “Another year of catastrophic wildfires have wrecked historic damage to our state and its natural resources. We have at least another month before we can expect the arrival of any meaningful precipitation to provide relief. The lethal Camp Fire that destroyed most of Paradise two years ago struck late in what used to be a defined wildfire season. We have since discovered that the threat of these disasters has become virtually year-round. Yet the eventual outcome of this tragic event showed the ACWA community at its finest. Even in the midst of one disaster rolling into the next, water agencies can count on one another for help in recovering and rebuilding. … ” Read more from ACWA here: ACWA leadership on headwaters health driving long-term response to wildfires
Noah Oppenheim: Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations Statement on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order to conserve 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by the end of the decade
“Last week Governor Newsom signed executive order N-82-20, which establishes a goal for the State of California to conserve at least 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by the end of the decade. The principles of conservation that Governor Newsom invoked in his order reflect the same values that California’s fishermen and women have cherished for generations. They are the principles that led the stakeholder-driven Pacific Fishery Management Council and California Fish and Game Commission to establish numerous protections in waters off the West Coast and California Coast. They are the values that drive our organization when we engage with state and federal agencies; and, when necessary, take our concerns to the courts to protect the environment for the sake of the fish when they don’t. The fishermen and women of California fight harder for fishery conservation than virtually any other group, without compromise: without it, we have no fishing communities. For us, it’s personal, and our livelihoods and the food security of all Californians depend on it.
In people news this weekend …
West Basin Director Gloria D. Gray re-elected as Metropolitan Board Chairwoman
“Following a voice vote at the October Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) Board of Directors meeting, West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) President Gloria D. Gray was re-elected by acclamation to serve as chairwoman of the MWD board for another two-year term. Gray, the first African-American woman to hold the position in Metropolitan’s history, will continue to serve the regional agency’s board and stakeholders. “I am deeply honored to be voted chairwoman once again, and to provide continuity as Metropolitan navigates a time unlike any other,” said Gray. “I am proud to represent West Basin and Metropolitan to advance our common commitments to ensuring reliable, high quality water supplies, and prepare for the needs of tomorrow today.” … ” Read more from the LA Sentinel here: West Basin Director Gloria D. Gray re-elected as Metropolitan Board Chairwoman
Meet the 2020 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists
“When it comes to keeping California leading in conservation, our landowners are key front-line defenders of the environment. Over 50% of all land in California is privately owned, and how people manage this land has a dramatic effect on our environment, from combatting climate change, to boosting clean air and water, to protecting wildlife. The Leopold Conservation Award inspires other landowners by example and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. Award co-sponsors Sand County Foundation, the California Farm Bureau Federation, American Farmland Trust and Sustainable Conservation are pleased to be able to highlight three more stellar finalists this year – the statewide award’s 15th year. Congratulations, all! … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation here: Meet the 2020 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: A Water Purveyors Worst Dream
Steve Baker writes, “Remember 2009? Sara Wolfe shares the difficulties that the Westland Water District was experiencing during the 2009 shortage of water. Water is the most important and most challenging component for growing a food supply for the country and the world. 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
In regional news and commentary this weekend …
Groundwater regulation in Ukiah Valley is imminent. Here’s what you need to know.
“Historically, in California, if someone had a well, or access to an aquifer on their property, they could take as much water out of it as they wanted, to irrigate agricultural land, for drinking, or whatever else they needed it for. Currently, there is no government authority that can track or limit groundwater use. Soon, that will change. In 2014, a state law was enacted that requires local governments in areas with potential for groundwater overdraft to establish a regulatory plan to manage groundwater sustainably for years to come. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Groundwater regulation in Ukiah Valley is imminent. Here’s what you need to know.
Bodega Bay tide pools show effects of climate change
“On a sunny afternoon in mid-April, Professor Eric Sanford crouched in a tide pool off Bodega Bay and turned over algae-covered rocks in search of a chocolate porcelain crab, a dime-size crustacean with blue speckles. The creature has been spotted in small numbers around Bodega Bay for decades. But five years ago a severe marine heat wave, dubbed “the blob,” caused a sharp increase in its numbers north of the Golden Gate, says Sanford, a marine ecologist who researches climate change and coastal ecosystems at UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Lab. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Bodega Bay tide pools show effects of climate change
Legal brief: SF Baykeeper and US Coast Guard reach settlement over Yerba Buena Island facility
“Environmental advocacy organization San Francisco Baykeeper and the US Coast Guard reached a settlement in federal court in California that requires the agency to reduce pollutants from its Yerba Buena Island facility in San Francisco Bay.” Via Courthouse News.
San Francisco: Major earthquake retrofit work complete at Lake Merced pump station
“It all started with a 2002 state law demanding quake-resilient water delivery. Nearly $5 billion later, San Francisco has retrofit the system from Hetch Hetchy to the city, just now crossing the finish line on the shore of Lake Merced. “We take water from elevation here of approximately 30 feet, and we boost it to an elevation of 385 feet for Sunset Reservoir and 495.5 feet for Twin Peaks Reservoir,” said Brahman Conci, Operations Superintendent at the Lake Merced Pump Station. … ” Read more from KPIX here: Major earthquake retrofit work complete at Lake Merced pump station
Oakland’s McClymonds High School safe to return to, months after chemical scare, district says
“Oakland’s McClymonds High School is now safe for students and staff to return to after a months-long closure because of a toxic chemical found in groundwater on the campus. The school first closed in February, just weeks before classroom instruction was halted because of COVID-19. The campus has gone through several rounds of testing and air purifiers have been installed, making the high school safe for students to return to, a district official announced Friday afternoon. … ” Read more from Channel 7 here: Oakland’s McClymonds High School safe to return to, months after chemical scare, district says
Monterey: Final public water buyout EIR released
“A 430-page final environmental impact report for the potential public acquisition and operation of California American Water’s Monterey district water system was released last week and is set to be certified early next week. Monday at 5 p.m., the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board is scheduled to consider certification of the lengthy report during a remote meeting. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Final public water buyout EIR released
Metropolitan board expands water conservation programs
“Southern Californians will have more opportunities to save water under two new programs approved by the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors. Both programs provide rebates for the purchase of water-saving equipment – one for flow-monitoring devices that provide real-time data on water usage; the other for premium high-efficiency toilets to replace older models in apartment buildings and multi-family complexes. “There’s a lot of technology out there that can help people save water in their homes. The challenge is getting people to install it. Our rebate programs help Southern Californians overcome some of the financial hurdles,” Metropolitan board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray said. …
Metropolitan to optimize four solar installations by adding battery storage
“The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is preparing to build four new battery energy storage systems that will boost the district’s energy resilience and cut operational costs by optimizing solar power and reducing peak load at its facilities. The agency’s board of directors Tuesday voted to authorize $2.2 million to design the battery systems at water treatment plants in Granada Hills, La Verne and Riverside’s Temecula Valley as well as a pump station in Lake Forest. With completion expected in mid-2022, the projects will allow Metropolitan to store excess power to use during peak periods. The energy storage systems will be built with a microgrid configuration, meaning they can be connected to the larger electricity grid, or function independently to continue powering the facilities during a grid outage. …
Huntington Beach wetlands continue to expand, following decades of degradation
“The coastal wetlands of Orange and Los Angeles counties, once scorned for the obstacles they posed to the construction of roads and buildings, have been squeezed by development to less than 10% of their 19th-century size. But recently approved funding for improvements at two Huntington Beach preserves offer evidence of a growing recognition of the beneficial role they play for man, flora and fauna alike. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press-Telegram here: Huntington Beach wetlands continue to expand, following decades of degradation
Orange County Transportation Authority invests $3 million to clean Orange County water
“The Orange County Transportation Authority board this week voted to invest nearly $3 million to improve water quality in Orange County from Fullerton to San Clemente. The funds come from Measure M, the half-cent sales tax renewed by Orange County voters in 2006 for transportation improvements. Measure M, also known as OC Go, includes funding for an environmental cleanup program that awards money on a competitive basis to cities and the county for projects that reduce the impacts of water pollution related to transportation. … ” Read more from the OC Breeze here: Orange County Transportation Authority invests $3 million to clean Orange County water
Coronado: Water independence: eliminating the groundwater option and moving forward with recycled water project
“Water costs, water rights, and water use, have been hot button issues in the state of California for over 100 years. Fortunes have been made and lost, and elections turned, over water politics in the arid and semi-arid regions of the state. The California Water Wars were a real thing at the turn of the century. In a place where the next drought is always on the horizon, water independence is a critical, if difficult, quest. … ” Read more from the Coronado Eagle here: Water independence: eliminating the groundwater option and moving forward with recycled water project
Along the Colorado River …
Distant seas might predict Colorado River droughts
“In 2011, heavy snows in the Rocky Mountains filled the Colorado River, lifting reservoirs—and spirits—in the drought-stricken U.S. Southwest. The following year, however, water levels dropped to nearly their lowest in a century, imperiling a supply vital to millions of people and dozens of ecosystems. Now, scientists say they may have come up with a potential early warning system for the Colorado’s water levels—by watching temperature patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, thousands of kilometers away. … ” Read more from Science Magazine here: Distant seas might predict Colorado River droughts
In national water news …
Chart: Customer Water Debt Data in 12 U.S. Cities
“Millions of U.S. households are behind on their water bills, but the size of the debts and the number of indebted customers varies substantially. Circle of Blue used public records requests to collect data on overdue bills from a dozen large U.S. cities. Though businesses owe money to water departments, the majority of debts represent residential customers. … ” Read more from the Circle of Blue here: Chart: Customer Water Debt Data in 12 U.S. Cities
Trump administration designates officials to implement actions for the new water subcabinet
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its federal partners wrapped up a week focused on federal coordination on water issues by announcing designees for the Water Subcabinet, established by President Trump’s Executive Order on “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure.” The Water Subcabinet designees will be responsible for implementing the strategic direction and specific actions initiated under Executive Order to improve our federal water infrastructure and prioritize access to essential water supplies for all Americans. … ”
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20201015Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE: Reissuance of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits
COMMUNITY/SMALL WATER SYSTEMS: Opportunity for EPA training on the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) Risk and Resiliency Assessment and Emergency Response Plan requirements
NOTICE: 2020 Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule
REGISTER NOW: Army Corps Regulatory Program Workshop October 23rd on Navigable Waters Protection Rule
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: The Promise of Fall, Bishop Creek, Sierra Nevada, by Don Graham