The Promise of Fall, Bishop Creek, Sierra Nevada by Don Graham

DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: ACWA delivers roadmap to achieving voluntary agreements to state officials; Garamendi comes out against Scott Dam removal; Fire science critical for combating wildfires out West; Trump administration designates officials for new water subcabinet; and more …

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

Click here to read the press release from Congressman Garamendi's office.

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) submitted a formal comment letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing the proposed removal of Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury. This proposal has been issued over the objections of Lake County residents as part of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) divestment of the Potter Valley Hydropower Project.  The Lake Pillsbury Reservoir is a fixture of Lake County that has been enjoyed by visitors and residents alike since 1922. Future planning for the Potter Valley Project excludes Lake County and the residents and property owners in the Lake Pillsbury Area. On May 13, 2020, a consortium led by Mendocino and Sonoma Counties formally submitted their plan to gain control of the Potter Valley Project from PG&E. If approved, Lake County would have no operational control over the Potter Valley Project, including the Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury reservoir. This is just not right or acceptable, says Garamendi. …

“Lake County residents who have owned homes and property around Lake Pillsbury reservoir for decades have been shut out of planning for the future of the Potter Valley Project,” Garamendi said. “Let me be clear: any decision-making for the Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury Reservoir must include representatives from Lake County. Anything short of that is simply unacceptable. 

“The Lake Pillsbury reservoir has been a feature of Lake County since 1922 and provides essential firefighting capacity for one of the most fire-prone regions in California,” Garamendi continued. “CalFire made extensive use of Lake Pillsbury reservoir for firefighting during the devastating Mendocino Complex Fire in 2018, and again during this year’s fire season.

“I strongly oppose draining Lake Pillsbury reservoir by removing Scott Dam. The planning process will not be adequate until every community impacted by this project has a voice in the process,” Garamendi continued. “I expect FERC to give Lake County and Lake Pillsbury residents a full and equal seat at the table during this process. I stand ready with Lake County to create a version of the Potter Valley Project that works for every community involved, including cost-effective fish passage at Scott Dam,” Garamendi concluded.

You can read Rep. Garamendi’s letter to FERC here.

Members of the public can submit comments regarding the removal of Scott Dam and draining of Lake Pillsbury reservoir by:

1)   Registering with FERC’s online public comment portal.

2)   Once registered, check your email inbox. In the email from FERC, there will be a link to submit a public comment.

3)   Enter docket number P-77-298 and click “search”

4)   Click the blue + on the right side of the table to select the docket

5)    Submit your comments in the comment box below.

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

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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.

Click here to continue reading this statement from Noah Oppenheim of the PCFFA.

During the recently completed Legislative session, we opposed Assembly Bill 3030 (Kalra), which was similar to EO N-82-20 in some ways.  Unlike AB3030, Governor Newsom’s order leaves the door open for innovative, stakeholder-driven approaches to consider how we can complement, rather than needlessly restrict, our well-managed and nondestructive commercial fishing practices. California’s coastal-dependent communities, many of them classified as severely underserved, needed certainty about what types of actions would be considered for the adequate under any new conservation paradigm. This is doubly important during the worst economic crisis seafood producers have faced in decades.  It was this uncertainty that drove our opposition to AB 3030.

California’s fishing communities recognize the need to protect and conserve biodiversity.  We “rely on a healthy and abundant ecosystem. That is why we have consistently supported strong laws to protect living natural resources and preserve their abundance for generations to come.” And we’ve achieved the results to prove it: together, we’ve already prohibited bottom trawling on over 45% of the seafloor off our coast. Through hard work, strong science, and meaningful stakeholder participation we have achieved healthy, sustainable fisheries that all Californians can be proud of, managed using regulatory systems that are world-leading, resulting in meaningful and lasting ocean conservation. Fisheries conservation and management can always be better, but this does not mean it needs to be harmful to fishermen and their livelihoods.

California’s fishing community is an important economic driver for our state’s ports, harbors and marinas, and the many downstream businesses dependent on our activities.  Restaurants, tackle shops, fuel docks and ice houses, supermarkets, waterfront tourist destinations and more: each depends on our fishing community. Likewise, we are indispensable for the food security of Californians.  When beef, poultry and pork processing facilities shuttered as a result of COVID-19 we were able to access the well-managed and sustainable fisheries off the California coast to feed Californians and ourselves.

Governor Newsom’s Executive Order establishes a framework where the future of ocean conservation in California can be discussed and envisioned. If fishermen and women are provided a meaningful seat at the table, we are supportive.  To the extent the State’s economic sustainability and food security are considered and accounted for, we are supportive. To the extent the Governor’s framework focuses on surgical improvements to our excellent management system and not blunt restrictions on access to California’s public trust resources, we are supportive. And to the extent the work we have already accomplished in marine biodiversity conservation is considered in achieving any quantitative goals, including no-take areas, marine sanctuaries, essential fish habitat, and no-trawl areas, we are supportive.

PCFFA is committed to working with the Governor, State Agencies and other Stakeholders in carrying out the Executive Order’s mandates.

About PCFFA

The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations is the largest commercial fishermen’s organization on the West Coast, representing 17 local and regional associations from Santa Barbara to Southeast Alaska. As a major commercial fishing industry trade association, PCFFA represents the interests of commercial fishing families who make their living harvesting and delivering high-quality seafood to America’s tables.

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

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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

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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. …

Click here to continue reading this press release.

Residential flow-monitoring devices allow people to see how much water they are using in real-time through their phone or tablet. As residents understand their water habits, the idea is that they’ll reduce how much they use, and fix any leaks detected through the devices, explained Metropolitan Water Efficiency Manager Bill McDonnell.  “It’s a relatively new technology. Early studies show users reduce their water use by 17 percent. That’s significant. But we need more data to confirm this water savings,” McDonnell said.

The new pilot program approved by Metropolitan’s board Tuesday will help collect this data. Through the program, Metropolitan will offer a rebate for the devices of either $100 or $150, depending on whether the district wins a $1 million federal grant for the program. Even without the grant, Metropolitan will fund the rebate, though at the lower amount.

Under the toilet replacement program, approved by the board in a separate action, Metropolitan will offer a rebate of up to $250 to replace older, high water-using toilets with high-efficiency models in multi-family housing built before 1994. With this rebate – six times larger than the standard $40 toilet rebate – Metropolitan aims to incentivize third-party contractors to work with property owners to install toilets across entire buildings or complexes, particularly in areas with lower historical participation, such as disadvantaged communities. With an annual budget of $2.75 million, the goal is to replace 10,000 toilets annually.

The new on-going program comes after a similar pilot program, which was so popular when it launched in 2019 that the $2.5 million in available rebate funds were swept up in less than 30 minutes.

“Since the pilot ended, we’ve had a lot of requests from water agencies and contractors asking when we’re going to start it again. There are still a lot of opportunities out there to save water,” McDonnell said.

For more information about all of Metropolitan’s rebate programs, visit bewaterwise.com.

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. …

Click here to continue reading this press release.

As we saw with the rolling blackouts over the summer, it’s more important than ever that we prioritize projects that protect critical facilities that help us deliver clean, reliable water to our vast service area,” said Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger.

The projects at Metropolitan’s Jensen, Weymouth and Skinner plants, along with its OC-88 pump station, also are in line with Metropolitan’s Energy Sustainability Plan, which identifies ways to contain energy costs, move toward energy independence and reduce price volatility through cost-effective alternative energy projects.

The projects are estimated to cost $11-12 million. However, through energy savings and incentives from the California Public Utilities Commission, Metropolitan is expected to recoup its costs within three years.

“Over the last decade, Metropolitan has invested about $28 million in solar power systems at the Jensen, Weymouth, Skinner plants and our Diamond Valley Lake Visitors Center to reduce our operational costs, protect against energy market price increases and cut our carbon footprint,” said Metropolitan Chief Engineer John Bednarski. “These battery energy storage systems take our  commitment a step further – allowing us to store excess energy generated during peak solar hours for later use.”

The four Metropolitan sites identified for the energy storage systems were selected because of their on-site solar power generation, their location within high-threat fire districts and/or their location in low-income/disadvantaged communities, conditions for approval for the CPUC incentives.

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. …

Click here to continue reading this press release from the US EPA.

As stated in the Executive Order, the Water Subcabinet is Chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The designees to the newly formed Water Subcabinet are:

  • Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary of Water and Science Dr. Tim Petty.
  • EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey
  • Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James
  • U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Daniel R. Simmons
  • Deputy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Rear Admiral Gallaudet

Under the Trump Administration, federal agencies that have primary authority for water policy have coordinated like never before, to help ensure that all Americans have access to safe drinking water, reliable rural and farm water supplies, and clean water for recreation and enjoyment. Coordination by the Water Subcabinet will streamline decision-making processes across these federal agencies, promoting effective and efficient planning to modernize our Nation’s water infrastructure.

The designees released the following statements:

“There is no better example of vision, leadership, collaboration, and drive to deliver for the American people than President Trump and his Cabinet,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Dr. Tim Petty. This subcabinet is charged with breaking down barriers in bureaucracy to deliver safe, reliable water for our cities, communities, farms, and environment.”

“The federal government has a responsibility to ensure the most efficient use of our taxpayer dollars to manage and protect America’s precious water resources,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. “Enhanced federal coordination under the Water Subcabinet will help EPA accelerate progress on modernizing water infrastructure, encouraging innovative strategies like water reuse, and supporting the next generation of the water sector workforce.”

“Conservation in agriculture takes partnerships, and I am excited to continue working with other leaders in water issues across the federal family,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey. “Our nation’s farmers are the best stewards of our environment, and this collaboration will help ensure that agricultural producers can continue to feed, fuel, and clothe the world while preserving our natural resources, including water.”

“I am honored and excited to be selected as the designee to the newly established Water Subcabinet,” said R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “The ability to develop and enhance interagency relationships as it relates to this nation’s water resources and infrastructure management is essential to the Civil Works mission of flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration.”

“The Trump Administration recognizes water is a critical resource for energy, agriculture, human health, the environment, and the U.S. economy,” said Daniel R. Simmons, DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “I am pleased to serve on the President’s Water Subcabinet, collaborating with other federal agencies on innovations to meet the domestic and global need for safe, secure, and affordable water.”

“NOAA is doing its part to collaborate with other federal, state, and tribal agencies, farmers, and local communities to improve information and modeling capabilities, streamline regulatory processes and ensure reliable water supplies for all Americans,” said retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA administrator. “We will continue applying our advances in science and technology to focus actions where they will make the most positive impact.”

Background

Under the Executive Order, signed on October 13, 2020, the water subcabinet will:

  • Promote effective and efficient water resources management by reducing duplication between federal agencies developing water policy.
  • Develop a national water strategy to ensure the reliability of our water supplies, water quality, water systems, and water forecasting.
  • Protect taxpayer investments and improve water infrastructure planning by promoting integrated planning and coordination for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, water storage and delivery, and water resource management.
  • Support and enhance workforce development to recruit, train, and retain water sector professionals.

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-20201015

Also 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 CREDITThe Promise of Fall, Bishop Creek, Sierra Nevada, by Don Graham

 

About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
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