DAILY DIGEST, 1/5: Parched California warns water-wasters to stop or face $500 fines; Lake Oroville power plant resumes operation; FDA seeks to simplify farm water use regulations; Federal report IDs new carcinogens; and more …


On the calendar today …

  • WORKSHOP: TUCPs for DWR, Reclamation beginning at 9am. The State Water Board will hold a Public Workshop to receive public comments on: 1) a draft Order acting on petitions for reconsideration of the Executive Director’s June 1, 2021 order conditionally approving a petition for temporary urgency changes (TUCP) to Decision 1641 (D-1641) requirements and the Executive Director’s June 10, 2021 Sacramento River temperature management plan approval; and 2) a TUCP to modify D-1641 requirements in 2022. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
  • LUNCH-MAR: Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update 2022 at 12:30pm. The first topic of the year will be the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Update 2022. The update focuses on climate resilience, project implementation, and alignment with other State efforts. Click here to register.

In California water news today …

Parched California warns water-wasters to stop or face $500 fines

Californians will again see water-wasting rules despite a record-breaking month of snow and rain as drought regulators on Tuesday barred residents from washing cars without a shutoff nozzle, watering lawns after rainfall or hosing down driveways and sidewalks.  Borrowing emergency rules implemented during the state’s previous historic drought, the State Water Resources Control Board said banning the wasteful practices is necessary to safeguard drinking water supplies. Though a historic amount of snow fell in parts of Northern California last month, many reservoirs remain lower than average and nearly 90% of the state is experiencing severe drought. ... ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Parched California warns water-wasters to stop or face $500 fines

$500 fines for wasting water? California sets drought rules as conservation falls short

Urban Californians are still failing to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goals for drought conservation —and could soon face $500 fines for wasting water. Announcing that residents cut their water use by just 6.8% in November, compared to a year earlier, the State Water Resources Control Board approved new conservation regulations aimed at curbing wasteful outdoor use. The November results fell well short of the 15% goal set by Newsom. In all, urban consumption has fallen by 6% since July when Newsom issued his call for conservation. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: $500 fines for wasting water? California sets drought rules as conservation falls short

SEE ALSO:

No, California’s drought isn’t over. Here’s why.

In a clear sign that the drought persists, California today adopted new emergency regulations aimed at stopping residents from wasting the state’s precious water.  The rules ban practices such as hosing down sidewalks and driveways with drinking water, washing cars without a shutoff nozzle on the hose and irrigating lawns and gardens too soon after rain. … California’s drought is not over despite a bounty of snowfall and rain over the past month: California’s snowpack — a critical source of water — is 150% of average for Jan. 4. But with three months left of the wet season, it’s not enough to bring an end to the severe drought and water shortages. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: No, California’s drought isn’t over. Here’s why.

California is suddenly snow-capped and very wet. But how long will the water rush last?

The dusty hills of Griffith Park are sprouting shades of green. In Pasadena, water is streaming through arroyos that only weeks ago sat caked and dry. And from the perfect vantage point downtown, the distant San Gabriel Mountains are gleaming with crowns of snow.  After one of the driest years in recent memory, Los Angeles — and California — is off to a notably wet start. The state received more precipitation in the final three months of 2021 than in the previous 12 months, the National Weather Service said.  Statewide, 33.9 trillion gallons of water have fallen since the start of the water year, which runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 to accommodate for the wet winter months and the springtime runoff. That three-month tally has already surpassed the previous water year’s 12-month total of 33.6 trillion gallons. By comparison, Lake Tahoe holds about 40 trillion gallons. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: California is suddenly snow-capped and very wet. But how long will the water rush last?

Lake Oroville rises 89 feet, power plant resumes operation after December rains

Hyatt Power Plant; Photo by DWR

After two years of setbacks and struggles due to a severe drought, California got some good water news on Tuesday.  The reservoir behind the tallest dam in the state and the nation, Lake Oroville in Butte County, now has enough water in it after heavy December rains that the power plant began operating again.  The power plant was shut down on Aug. 5 because there was no longer enough water to spin the hydroelectric turbines and generate electricity. It was the first time that had happened since construction at Oroville Dam was completed in 1967, and the action became a symbol of California’s worsening drought.  Since then the reservoir’s level has risen 76 feet, due to a powerful atmospheric river storm in October and a series of drenching storms in December. … ”  Read more from the Mercury News here: Lake Oroville rises 89 feet, power plant resumes operation after December rains

SEE ALSO:

Imagery can be used to manage water use

The increasing drought in the West is driving farmers and companies to look for new ways to manage water, to maintain crops and income. Ceres Imaging has been involved in precision irrigation and has introduced a new irrigation optimization product designed to make precision irrigation easier.  The key is a multipronged approach to bringing in data to make water-use decisions.  “Part of the big problem that growers have is that when water is as scarce as it is now, but it is such an important input, you need to be able to effectively manage and optimize the irrigation you have,” says Nikki Tubacki, product manager, Ceres Irrigation. … ”  Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Imagery can be used to manage water use

FDA seeks to simplify farm water use regulations

Growing food safely has always been a priority on farms and ranches across California, as required by federal standards and inspired by customer demands for high-quality farm products.  Now the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says it is proposing new rules to safeguard the food supply while also simplifying regulations and testing that govern agricultural water use.  The FDA has proposed a revision to Subpart E of the Food Safety Modernization Act. It establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The produce safety rule is one of seven major rules that aims to ensure the safety of the food supply. FSMA has been an ongoing process since it became law in 2011. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: FDA seeks to simplify farm water use regulations

Low numbers of baby salmon portend disaster for endangered California fish

Alarmingly low numbers of baby salmon are surviving their journey down the Sacramento River to the sea, confirming conservationists’ fears that low flows and high river temperatures during the drought would wipe out most of the endangered winter-run salmon born last year.  Only 2.6% of the eggs that winter-run chinook salmon laid in the Sacramento River resulted in fry, or inch-long baby salmon, according to a report from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife made public on Monday. Used to monitor and project the health of the population, this “egg-to-fry” survival rate is the first official estimate of baby salmon born last year and the lowest in the past two decades. … ”  Read more from SF Chronicle here: Low numbers of baby salmon portend disaster for endangered California fish

Cherished California natural landmark destroyed by storm

The historic December storms that drenched California and dropped record-setting snow on the Sierra also destroyed a centuries-old landmark — an iconic stone arch on a secluded beach that has been cherished for generations.  The arch, perched on a beach bluff at Spooner’s Cove near Montaña de Oro State Park in San Luis Obispo County, was first reported missing on Christmas Eve after days of rain and heavy surf. This led to many on social media sharing family photos in front of the landmark and mourning its loss. “I have many fond memories wading across the water and hanging out under there watching the waves crash on the rocks,” Instagram user Shane Yee wrote. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Cherished California natural landmark destroyed by storm

Snowpack up 160% in ‘good start’ to 2022

After two consecutive years of drought, the state Department of Water Resources conducted the season’s first manual survey of the snowpack Dec. 30 and found a promising result—deep snow totaling 160% of average for the time of year.  State Climatologist Michael Anderson said storms in December that dumped several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada and brought much-needed precipitation were “a great start to the water year.”  “December came in exactly the way we would’ve wanted it to,” he said, “just a parade of storms building a good start to the snowpack and getting water on the ground.” … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Snowpack up 160% in ‘good start’ to 2022

The Western U.S. might be seeing its last snowy winters

When a fire started spreading quickly in Boulder County, Colorado, on December 30, destroying nearly 1,000 homes as residents fled, the ground was dry. This was unusual: Boulder typically gets around 30 inches of snow between September and December. But last year, it had only a total of 1.7 inches over the same period before heavier snow finally started falling on December 31—too late to save the neighborhoods that burned.  It’s a pattern that’s becoming more common because of climate change. … ”  Read more from Fast Company here: The Western U.S. might be seeing its last snowy winters

Housing beware: Water scarcity is only the surface of the issue

In November this year, San Francisco declared a water shortage emergency and called for reducing usage by 10%, impacting nearly three million city customers. In March, Utah also declared a state of emergency as 90% of the state was in extreme drought conditions.  These are just 2 of the 17 states that experienced water shortages in the past year. State and local governments are now motivated to protect their communities going into 2022 and beyond, with little consensus on water sources that are shared by so many, like the Colorado River.  Legislation for this issue will be incredibly important but will only solve for part of the challenges. A comprehensive approach is necessary, which is why global consumer products leader P&G spearheaded an initiative called the 50L Home, a platform that addresses two pressing global challenges: water security and climate change. … ”  Read more from Forbes Magazine here: Housing beware: Water scarcity is only the surface of the issue

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In commentary today …

Despite heavy snow, we must seek a new water path

Justin Fredrickson, California Farm Bureau’s water and environmental policy analyst, writes, “California is facing an indisputable fact: We need, in a big way, to get busy finding water alternatives to the long-indispensable Sierra Nevada snowpack.  Yes, we’ve been blessed by recent exceptional snowfall, perhaps a snowy feast after an extended water famine. But year to year, California’s frozen reservoir—the mountain snow whose melt feeds farming and quenches the thirst of Californians—is dwindling and increasingly unreliable as the climate changes.  As a result, we now must move water— coming increasingly as rain or early snowmelt—underground.  What I am talking about is no modest undertaking: Rather, it is a massive and fundamental transformation of the whole of our landscape comparable to other massive transformations of our California landscape of the past. ... ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Despite heavy snow, we must seek a new water path

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Today’s featured article …

DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: The potential of deep carbon capture and storage in the Delta and Central Valley

As California works towards reducing greenhouse gases to address climate change, carbon capture and storage have been presented as options for achieving that goal.  Of particular note, the Delta has recently been identified as a potential site for carbon storage, and programs are being considered by local landowners who may participate in these future carbon storage projects.

At the November meeting of the Delta Stewardship Council, George Peridas, Ph.D., Director of Carbon Management Partnerships at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, briefed the Council on the potential for carbon capture and storage in the Delta and the Central Valley.  Delta landowner Tom Zuckerman provided the landowner perspective.

Click here to read this article.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

PROJECT KLAMATH: Saving a watershed in the climate change era

The western United States, where water once ebbed and flowed through arid sagebrush, ancient wetlands and wooded forests, has been carved, plugged and drained beyond recognition. … But all the shaping and damming has turned a free-flowing landscape into a system of bottlenecks. Water managers can no longer leave hard decisions up to nature: They must now choose which users of a watershed (including the very species that evolved with it) are entitled to water when there’s not enough to go around and figure out how to get rid of excess water when there’s too much. But they cannot control how much water they have to work with, or when they’ll have it.  The head of the Link River in Klamath Falls is one of the more extreme examples of the western water bottleneck in action: Here, water is pulled three ways. ... ”  Read more from the Herald & News here: PROJECT KLAMATH: Saving a watershed in the climate change era

Humboldt County: Staff presents groundwater plan for Eel River Valley

” … Hank Seemann, the county’s deputy director of environmental services, delivered a lengthy and detailed update on the status of the Eel River Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan. This plan, as noted above, is required by California law — specifically the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014.  That law says certain jurisdictions must form their own groundwater sustainability agencies, and in Humboldt County the supervisors fill that role. The plan itself, Seemann explained, provides a framework for managing the groundwater resources in that fertile valley for economic, social and environmental benefits. It must be submitted to the state’s Department of Water Resources by the end of the month. ... ”  Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Humboldt County: Staff presents groundwater plan for Eel River Valley

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Report delves into Idaho-Maryland Mine project

After months of waiting, it’s finally here.  Nevada County staff this week released a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Idaho-Maryland Mine project, stating in a news release that public agencies and the public will be able to give comments on the EIR’s adequacy at a special public meeting before the Nevada County Planning Commission on Feb. 23.  The county has published the draft EIR on its website. According to the release, printed copies of the document are also available for public review at a handful of locations.  Nevada County senior planner Matt Kelley said last year that projects of any scale require some form of environmental review by law, and that the Idaho-Maryland Mine project required an EIR “because one or more impacts would be considered potentially significant, so therefore CEQA would be (enacted).” … ”  Read more from The Union here: Report delves into Idaho-Maryland Mine project

SEE ALSO: Draft EIR for Idaho-Maryland Mine project now available – 60-day comment period begins, from YubaNet

Satellite images show stunning change for Lake Tahoe before and after December snowstorms

December’s storms across Northern California dumped snow over the Sierra — and the difference is highly visible around Lake Tahoe.  Satellite imagery shows the Lake Tahoe area before the storms, on Nov. 28, with just a dusting of snow on the green landscape. Just over a month later, on Jan. 4, the area was completely covered in white.  The snowfall smashed records — the Sierra saw its snowiest December since 1970, with the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab recording 214 inches of snow over the month. As of Tuesday, the Central Sierra had 145% of its normal snowpack for Jan. 4 historically, according to the California Department of Water Resources. ... ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here:  Satellite images show stunning change for Lake Tahoe before and after December snowstorms

Yosemite National Park sees record snowfall in December

With a series of potent storms barreling through the Sierra Nevada in December, Yosemite National Park saw record snowfall last month.  The park has been monitoring snowfall at a gauge in Tuolumne Meadows for 42 years, and December 2021 marked a record with 154 inches of what is called “new snow,” the park said. New snow is the amount of snow that falls in a 24-hour period that’s tabulated on a “storm board,” which is cleared daily. “The previous most snow recorded in December was 143 inches in 1996,” Yosemite said. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Yosemite National Park sees record snowfall in December

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Coleman hatchery to release additional salmon in Sacramento River

The Coleman National Fish Hatchery, funded by the Bureau of Reclamation, hatched an additional 2 million juvenile fall-run Chinook salmon this past October, successfully releasing 600,000 fish in December with the remainder scheduled to be released the first week of January.  The Golden State Salmon Association proposed the project to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA fisheries last spring, according to a press release from the hatchery.  “This project will allow us to study the potential of generating additional adult returns to spawn naturally in the Sacramento River by releasing fry,” said Paul Souza, regional director for the service’s California Great Basin Region. “We’re excited to provide these additional salmon to increase recreational opportunities for fishermen and women here in California.” … ”  Read more from the Red Bluff Daily News here: Coleman hatchery to release additional salmon in Sacramento River

Sacramento-area water use down 22 percent in November

Sacramento-area residents reduced their water use by 22 percent in November 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, according to an analysis by the Regional Water Authority (RWA), which represents 20 water providers serving 2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. The findings come from reviewing November water use data submitted to RWA and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board).  November reductions are in addition to a 13 percent decrease in regional water use since the last drought.  “We’re asking everyone to keep up the great work by turning sprinklers off during rain and fixing household leaks,” said RWA Water Efficiency Program Manager Amy Talbot. “We know through research that it’s easy for people to ignore those annoying little faucet and shower drips. But, it’s important to remember that all of those little drips can quickly add up and that fixing leaks is often easier than you think.” … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Regional Water Authority here: Sacramento-area water use down 22 percent in November

Settlement reached with Sacramento Area Sewer District for sewage spills

The Sacramento Area Sewer District (SASD) will pay $630,283 to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board for spilling nearly 1 million gallons of raw sewage over the past five years.  The largest spill, during a holiday weekend in early 2021, accounted for nearly half of the overall total discharge, when 480,000 gallons of raw sewage overwhelmed a roadside ditch, of which 379,000 gallons reached a tributary of the Mokelumne River. The cause of that spill was traced to a temporary repair of a force main – a pressurized wastewater pipeline – that was not inspected for two days. … ”  Read more from the California Water News Daily here: Settlement reached with Sacramento Area Sewer District for sewage spills

New Sacramento museum educates residents about farms’ water needs

Despite recent heavy rains, California is still experiencing one of its worst droughts in history, so reminding the public and policy makers that food does not grow without water is a critical need for the state’s agricultural community. That’s why Mike Wade and Farm Credit were excited to see the new SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity open recently.  The $52 million state-of-the-art science center in Sacramento contains dozens of interactive exhibits that allows visitors to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math and specifically address global and local issues relating energy, water, health, nature, space and design engineering.  Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition, said the three water exhibits the coalition is sponsoring bring home the fact that water is essential to grow our food and that California farmers are leading the world in conserving the precious resource. … ”  Continue reading from Cal Ag Today here: New Sacramento museum educates residents about farms’ water needs

BAY AREA

Diesel spill in Suisun ‘Backwaters’ cleaned up; Coast Guard looks into enforcement action

The Coast Guard contractor hired to clean up the diesel spill caused by a houseboat that sank in the Backwaters area of Suisun City has completed the work.  “All the hazardous substances and pollution was removed and, in addition to that, the vessel was no longer taking in water and (the U.S. Ecology crew was) able to plug some of the holes at the waterline to keep it afloat,” Coast Guard Ensign Benjamin Wathen said Monday in a phone interview.  The work was completed Friday, Wathen said.  What remaining diesel fuel that may have escaped the immediate spill area, the Coast Guard reported, should have fully dissipated by Monday or Tuesday. … ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: Diesel spill in Suisun ‘Backwaters’ cleaned up; Coast Guard looks into enforcement action

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Manteca cuts per capita water use by 7% in 2021

Manteca reduced per capita water use by 7 percent in 2021.  That, however, is not enough as state officials are trying to position water supplies for California’s 40 million residents to weather the current drought.  Gov. Gavin Newsom had set a target for voluntary reduction of water by 15 percent statewide. Overall, Californians have reduced water use by 6 percent.  Manteca’s overall water consumption was down 5 percent from 4,979 million gallons in 2020. But given the city grew by just over 2,000 residents the per capita water consumption went down from 160.5 gallons per person on a daily basis to 148.2 for roughly a 7 percent drop. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Manteca cuts per capita water use by 7% in 2021

Exeter signs on for state water infrastructure funding

Exeter’s city council is on board with More Water Now, joining Tulare County and the Tulare County Farm Bureau in support of the anticipated water legislation.  At the Dec. 14 meeting, the city council approved a letter of support for the Water Infrastructure Funding Act of 2022. The anticipated legislation—also known as the More Water Now initiative—aims to increase the water supply to Californians. Its proponents—namely Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Porterville)—are currently circulating petitions in hopes of garnering 1 million signatures to be placed on the Nov. 2022 ballot. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Exeter signs on for state water infrastructure funding

DWR funds $53M in drought projects

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released its first phase of awards to 20 projects through the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program. The funding awards will provide critical support to communities across the state dealing with the impacts of drought conditions. … Six of the 20 projects receiving grant funding are in Tulare County. In total, Tulare County projects received 99.5% of the $9 million awarded for disadvantaged communities … ”  Continue reading from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: DWR funds $53M in drought projects

Ranchland becomes newest California wildlife preserve

Mountain lions, eagles, salamanders and other protected animals will have room to roam without threat of encroaching development thanks to a vast new nature preserve that creates a wildlife corridor connecting Northern and Southern California.  The Randall Preserve covers more than 112 square miles, linking a patchwork of ranchland across the southern Sierra Nevada and the Tehachapi Mountains that will serve as a “biodiversity hotspot,” the Nature Conservancy announced last week. The preserve is the largest ever assembled in California by the environmental nonprofit. Its topography stretches from desert to hilly grasslands to pine forest. … ”  Read more from Capital Press here: Ranchland becomes newest California wildlife preserve

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LA Sanitation sued for negligence over massive Hyperion sewage spill

A “mass-action” lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Jan. 4, alleging negligence by the Los Angeles Department of Sanitation led to the massive sewage spill last July that exposed El Segundo residents to noxious gases and prompted the closure of Los Angeles County beaches for several days.  The suit, filed jointly by Parris Law Firm and Bloom Injury Law, places blame on workers at the Hyperion sewage treatment plant, staff at L.A. Sanitation as well as the manufacturer of screens designed to filter debris from raw sewage.  It was debris clogging a filtering screen at the plant that triggered a flood at the facility on July 11, 2021, prompting workers to  intentionally discharge 17 million tons of raw sewage into the ocean a mile offshore through an emergency discharge pipe to avoid additional flooding and damage. … ”  Read more from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune here: LA Sanitation sued for negligence over massive Hyperion sewage spill

OC’s drinking water has more chemicals in it than you think

Toxic chemicals in many household items are present in Orange County groundwater sources, potentially exposing residents to pollutants that can cause cancer or reduce immune systems.  According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “Forever Chemicals”, through drinking water can cause increased cholesterol levels, weakened immune systems, decreased vaccine response in children, and increased risk of testicular and kidney cancers.  PFAS contamination is a threat to Orange County drinking water, and it has caused over 60 wells to shut down in the last two years, according to the Orange County Water District.   An analysis by the OC Water District found these shutdowns have inflicted a $1 billion impact on local water providers, residents, and water retailers. ... ”  Read more from the Voice of the OC here: OC’s drinking water has more chemicals in it than you think

SAN DIEGO

El Cajon sand mine stirs up more than dust

A long-awaited environmental impact report for a sand mine along the Sweetwater River in El Cajon is up for public review.  While developers say a local supply of sand will benefit the environment, opponents are looking for every last hole in the draft report’s findings, which tout “less than significant” impacts once mitigation efforts are in place.   Without such measures – silt fences to control erosion, for example, there would be significant effects on aesthetics, noise, biological, cultural, paleontological, and tribal cultural resources, the report found.  “Impacts to aesthetics, even with mitigation measures, would remain significant and unavoidable.” … ”  Read more from the Easy Reader here: El Cajon sand mine stirs up more than dust

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Along the Colorado River …

In a drying West, Utah governor proposes major water investments

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) unveiled his $25 billion budget proposal last month near what was once the shore of the Great Salt Lake. But instead of waves lapping behind him, the waterline was barely visible in the distance.  One of the longest periods of prolonged drought in modern memory has shrunk the lake by more than 10 feet in recent decades, just one barometer in parched Western states that are feeling the increasingly dire effects of a changing climate that is sapping reservoirs, contributing to extreme fires and reducing snowpack and river flow. … ”  Read more from The Hill here: In a drying West, Utah governor proposes major water investments

Commentary: Colorado River Indian Tribes should be able to lease some water to others in Arizona

Amelia Flores, chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, writes, “Decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures are changing the availability of water and increasing challenges throughout the Southwest – especially here in Arizona.  The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) are uniquely situated to help.  Let me introduce the CRIT. We have the first-priority decreed water right in the Lower Colorado River, and we farm approximately 80,000 acres on the Arizona side of our reservation. The river runs through our reservation, dividing our lands in California and Arizona. … ”  Continue reading at Arizona Central here: Commentary: Colorado River Indian Tribes should be able to lease some water to others in Arizona

More water cuts AZ, NV, CA try to keep Lake Mead levels up

Arizona, California, and Nevada have agreed to further reduce their usage of Colorado River water over the next two years as the states figure out ways to prevent critically low water levels in Lake Mead.  The river accounts for 40% of Arizona’s water supply.  The states were already preparing for mandatory water cuts in 2022 resulting from the Tier 1 shortage federal declaration. … ”  Read more from Channel 15 here: More water cuts AZ, NV, CA try to keep Lake Mead levels up

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In national water news today …

Federal report IDs new carcinogens

Eight new substances were added to a federal list of carcinogens — substances found in numerous products and water systems across the United States.  The 2021 Report on Carcinogens is a congressionally mandated document prepared by the National Toxicology Program for the Health and Human Services secretary to identify substances that could cause or lead to cancer. The report identifies environmental factors that expose people to carcinogens, as well as how individuals are exposed.  “As the identification of carcinogens is a key step in cancer prevention, publication of the report represents an important government activity toward improving public health,” said Rick Woychik, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and NTP.  The report, updated by NTP last month, increased the total list of substances to 256. ... ”  Read more from E&E News here: Federal report IDs new carcinogens

How to address climate locally? These 6 places have plans

While much of the nation’s attention to climate adaptation has focused on large coastal cities with outsize risks, some of the most forward-leaning climate policies are coming from less urbanized places such as Marina, Calif.; Carmel, Ind.; and the Jersey Shore.  Experts say local government innovation will continue to shape the nation’s climate agenda over the coming years, even as funding for such initiatives ebbs and flows.  Here are six places meeting unique climate challenges head on, often through local commissions, councils and even volunteers. … ”  Marin County and Marina are among those cities highlighted.  Read more from E&E News here: How to address climate locally? These 6 places have plans

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Update 2023~ CWC Meeting~ UPWARD California~ Groundwater Recharge~ Water Loss~ Performance

NOTICE: Posting of Supplementary Hydrological Modeling Information Related to 2022 Temporary Urgency Change Petition to Modify D-1641

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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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