DAILY DIGEST, 1/25: Storm deluge stirs hope for water supply; Calif. Water company shifts TCP cleanup costs to polluters; Madera Co. ditches plan to tinker with groundwater penalties; Water crisis not registering as a priority with Californians; and more …

On the calendar today …

• MEETING: Delta Conservancy Board from 9am to 1pm. Agenda items include updates on the Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Adaption Grant Program, the Community Enhancement Grant Program Update, and Delta Drought Response Pilot Program Update, and consideration of the Conservancy’s 2023 Implementation Plan.  Agenda and meeting materials will be available here.
• WEBINAR: NOAA Fisheries presents their Guidance to Improve the Resilience of Fish Passage Facilities to Climate Change from 10:30 to 12:00pm. Since 2016, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been working to include methods to incorporate future climate change into engineering designs of fish passage facilities and stream crossings. The results of these efforts are detailed in this document titled NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region Guidance to Improve the Resilience of Fish Passage Facilities to Climate Change subsequently referred to as Improving Resilience. The intended users of Improving Resilience are NMFS engineers and biologists, along with applicants and their consultants. One of the goals of the document is to assist parties in satisfying NMFS regulatory authorities and NMFS’ policy on the treatment of climate change in Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions. Improving Resilience provides the processes and tools needed to incorporate climate resiliency into the design of fish passage facilities and represents the first in a series of documents applicants should use when designing a fish passage project in the West Coast Region (WCR), which encompasses California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Click here to register.
• EPA WEBINAR: Learn about the new features of How’s My Waterway from 11am to 12:30pm. How’s My Waterway has new features! How’s My Waterway is a user-friendly tool that was designed for anyone to easily find, access and understand information about their water quality. When a watershed is shown to have pollution or other issues, it inspires people to get involved to monitor, protect and restore their waterways. By displaying all of this information visually, it gives this data more perspective and transparency which results in the drive for change and innovation, especially in school aged children. How’s My Waterway answers questions about aquatic life, eating fish, swimming, drinking water, monitoring, restoration and protection. The public has access to water information in their community and state and at a national level.Click here to register.
• WEBINAR: SoCal Water Dialog: Dr. Marty Ralph, Atmospheric River Expert from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. California has been broadsided repeatedly by what meteorologists call “atmospheric rivers” or a “Pineapple Express”. Dr. Marty Ralph, renown research meteorologist and atmospheric river specialist from UC San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography, will speak to the Water Dialogue Zoom meeting on January 25th from 12 noon to 1:30 pm. Learn how and why this recent parade of atmospheric rivers has occurred, how their intensity and impacts can be measured, if the ARs are alleviating drought conditions, and why rain falling in both California and Colorado River watersheds may not be reaching the rivers. Dr. Ralph will also address how science and technology is being deployed to improve forecasting leading to a better understanding how much water to keep in reservoirs, how much will be available for replenishment, and how to better management potential flooding.  Click here to register.
• WEBINAR: The Natural History of the Klamath Mountains at 6pm. Take a journey through the biotic and abiotic wonders that define the Klamath Mountains and one of the most unique mountain ranges in North America. Ecologist and author Michael Kauffmann will take us on a journey across the range based on his new book about the range that spans northwest California and southwest Oregon. We will explore a variety of features that make the Klamath Mountains unique including climate, geology, water, fire, plants, and animals — all of which, when taken together, define one of the most biodiverse temperate mountain ranges on Earth.  Click here for more information and to register.

In California water news today …

Storm deluge stirs hope for water supply

“California farmers are encouraged by the series of atmospheric river storms that brought near-record rain and snow, filling depleted reservoirs and bolstering the snowpack.  Frost Pauli, vineyard manager for Pauli Ranch in Potter Valley in Mendocino County, said he feels optimistic after three intense years of drought. He said the winter storms “have been excellent for our water supply.”  “Our water storage situation is 180 degrees from where we were at the end of November,” Pauli said. “We’re looking pretty good. For our farmers here, everyone’s optimistic about this season. We should have ample water for this year.” ... ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Storm deluge stirs hope for water supply

NIDIS update: A series of atmospheric rivers have hit parts of the West. What does this mean for drought?

“Starting on December 26, 2022, a series of 9 atmospheric rivers (ARs) brought significant amounts of rain, snow, and wind to California and other parts of the western United States over a 3-week period.  80% of a full seasonal snowpack was deposited in California during these storms. Statewide, precipitation over these 3 weeks was 11.2 inches, which is 46% of a full water year.  The AR events have been a big boost to mountain snowpack across the West, where snow water equivalent (SWE) totals are well above normal for this time of year except for many parts of the Cascades and the Northern Rockies, where accumulation has slowed since the beginning of January. Given that it is still early in the snow accumulation season, water year totals could either be moderate if the rest of the winter and spring are dry, or relatively high if precipitation continues. … ”  Read more from NIDIS here: A series of atmospheric rivers have hit parts of the West. What does this mean for drought?

SEE ALSO:

• • California-Nevada Drought & Climate Outlook webinar summary: January 23, 2023, from NIDIS
  • Long-term drought persists in US West despite rain, snow, from The Hill
  • When did the California drought start?, from Newsweek
  • What has California’s flooding (and drought) got to do with climate change?, from the Environmental Defense Fund

New analysis projects capabilities of Sites Reservoir during heavy river flows

“The Sites Project Authority released findings from a new analysis that projected Sites Reservoir could have diverted and captured 120,000 acre-feet of water in just two weeks if the reservoir had been operational from Jan. 3 through Jan. 15 and would continue to capture water over the next few weeks as flows continue to run high.  “This is exactly the type of scenario that Sites is being built for – short windows of extremely high flows. There is an untapped opportunity to capture and store a portion of the significant amount of flow from the Sacramento River that occurs during these rare but major storms without impacting the value of these high flows for our environment,” said Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Authority. … ”  Read more from the Colusa Sun Herald here: New analysis projects capabilities of Sites Reservoir during heavy river flows

Two of California’s largest reservoirs hit their highest level since the summer of 2020

“California’s water supply has hit a new milestone for the year in the wake of three weeks of wet weather.  Water levels at two of the state’s largest reservoirs are now at their highest point in 2.5 years, Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan said.  Lake Shasta and Oroville have both added more than 1 million acre-feet of water in the past month and the levels continue to rise. Inflow rates into those reservoirs have decreased considerably, which is to be expected during periods of dry weather. As of Tuesday, Lake Shasta is at 55% of its total capacity and Lake Oroville is at 62% of capacity. Last summer, Lake Shasta peaked at about 40% of its total capacity. … ”  Read more from KCRA here: Two of California’s largest reservoirs hit their highest level since the summer of 2020

California reservoirs fail to fill up after weeks of rain

“Most of California’s major reservoirs failed to reach full capacity after more than two weeks of rainstorms, according to the latest data from the state water department.  As of Jan. 23, among the 17 major reservoirs, only the smallest one—the Cachuma Reservoir northwest of Santa Barbara—was nearly full, at about 1.5 times its historical average level, according to the California Department of Water Resources.  The rest were partially filled, ranging from about 30 to 80 percent.  Seven of them were still below their historical average, including the 4.5 million acre-feet Shasta Reservoir—the largest in California, more than 23 times Cachuma’s capacity—at 55 percent. … ”  Read more from the Epoch Times here (free registration may be required): California reservoirs fail to fill up after weeks of rain

SEE ALSO:  Two of California’s largest reservoirs hit their highest level since the summer of 2020, from KCRA

Newsom under fire from bipartisan critics over trillions of gallons of lost water

“California flushed trillions of gallons of rainwater from January storms out to the ocean instead of saving it in reservoirs and pumping it to farmers after three years of extreme drought.  Since late December, a series of heavy storms called atmospheric rivers brought an estimated 32 trillion gallons of rainwater to the state, according to the FOX Forecast Center. U.S. Geological Survey data suggest this would be enough to supply the state’s agricultural, industrial, and residential needs for at least a decade—if it were stored in reservoirs.  However, around 95 percent of the rainwater in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the hub of California’s water grid, was washed out to sea, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.  The bureau told The Epoch Times in an email on Jan. 23 that 5 to 6 percent of incoming water during the storms was captured. … ”  Read more from Epoch Times here (free registration may be requried): Newsom under fire from bipartisan critics over trillions of gallons of lost water

Radio: Farmworkers feel effects of California storms

“The recent rain brought some relief from drought to California. But as KVPR’s Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado reports, it wasn’t all rosy for farmworkers who depend on the outdoors for work.”  Listen at KVPR here (1:24): Radio: Farmworkers feel effects of California storms

La Niña weather isn’t done, but ocean temperatures are heading toward a new phase

“La Niña brings cooler than normal and wetter than normal winter weather for the Pacific Northwest … usually.  Cold storms with high amounts of rain and mountain snow, along with a few more rounds of lowland snow, keep the precipitation above average and temperatures below.  Cooler and wetter than the average for the Pacific Northwest, La Niña also creates drier than average winters over the southwest United States; most often, a drought builds.  Not this year! Our rare, third-consecutive La Niña winter has been filled with variability. … ”  Read more from KOMO here: La Niña weather isn’t done, but ocean temperatures are heading toward a new phase

California weather to be shaped by an ‘omega block’ this week

“The warm, dry winds over the foothills and mountains across California will continue to ferry above-average temperatures to the Bay Area. This warming trend started earlier in the week as a ridge of high pressure over the Pacific Ocean began marching toward the West Coast.  That same ridge is forecast to expand today, and will quickly block any moisture and low-pressure systems that are trying to move into California. Over the next couple of days this “omega block” will become the dominant weather pattern, bringing rounds of offshore winds to areas of the state that were dealing with extreme flooding just weeks ago. ... ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California weather to be shaped by an ‘omega block’ this week

One hundred years of certitude: We thought we knew how often heavy storms were supposed to occur. We were wrong.

“American infrastructure is designed around a simple idea: We can predict how often the worst storms will come. Take the benchmark that undergirds the $1.2 trillion National Flood Insurance Program: the 100-year flood. That’s a flood that’s supposed to occur once a century, on average. A once-in-a-lifetime event. Similar estimates govern basic stormwater infrastructure: Sewers might be designed for a two-year rainstorm (likely to occur once every two years) or culverts for a 25-year rainstorm (once every quarter-century).  These probabilities are also used in modeling the absolute worst cases, such as California’s ARkStorm scenario—a 2010 U.S. Geological Survey project that imagined how a month of constant rain might turn the Central Valley into a giant lake, flooding 1 in 4 of the state’s buildings, forcing the evacuation of 1.5 million people, and causing more than three times as much damage as the better-known nightmare earthquake popularly known as “The Big One.” In addition to offering a potent biblical allusion, ARk stands for “atmospheric river 1,000,” because scientists originally thought those levels of precipitation would occur once every 500 to 1,000 years. … ”  Continue reading at Slate here: One hundred years of certitude: We thought we knew how often heavy storms were supposed to occur. We were wrong.

Task force formed to monitor drought

“On Friday, the California Department of Water Resources kickstarted a partnership between state agencies, local governments, scientists and community members in a new task force, called the Drought Resilience Interagency and Partners Collaborative.  The DRIP group was created in part by the 2021 Senate Bill 552, which requires state agencies to take a proactive stance on drought preparedness, especially for smaller rural communities most vulnerable to droughts.  The water agency hopes the task force will draft emergency response plans and water management based on anticipated drought impacts. … ”  Read more from KALW here: Task force formed to monitor drought

State Water Board welcomes 11 appointees to Advisory Group on safe drinking water funding

“The State Water Resources Control Board has announced nine new appointments and two re–appointments to its Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Advisory Group, which advises the board on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund’s annual spending priorities and ensures that the board’s safe–drinking–water efforts benefit from stakeholder perspectives. The appointments round out nine continuing SAFER Advisory Group members who will serve until December 2023.  “Establishing a reliable supply of safe and affordable drinking water in communities without it is a responsibility that water systems, local agencies and communities themselves share with us,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Board.  “Advisory Group members directly participate in discussions about our funding plans and share their invaluable perspectives on what is most needed to bring about long–version term solutions.” … ”  Continue reading at the State Water Board here: State Water Board welcomes 11 appointees to Advisory Group on safe drinking water funding

‘Water-efficient’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘barren’

“Good news: roses can be a part of your water-efficient landscape. Lorence Oki, UC Cooperative Extension environmental horticulture specialist in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, identified rose cultivars that remain aesthetically pleasing with little water.  Oki is the principal investigator of the Climate-Ready Landscape Plants project, which may be the largest irrigation trial in the western U.S., and the UC Plant Landscape Irrigation Trials (UCLPIT), the California component of that project. These projects evaluate landscape plants under varying irrigation levels to determine their optimal performance in regions requiring supplemental summer water. … ”  Read more from Farm Progress here: ‘Water-efficient’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘barren’

Tempered expectations for cotton plantings despite improved water outlook

“Cotton plantings over the past few years have been significantly impacted by drought conditions and constrained water supplies. Minimal water allocations have prevented many growers from taking advantage of some of the good prices for cotton. Now even with a better start to the water year, there is still a bit of trepidation in the industry.  President and CEO of the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, Roger Isom said there are still questions as to where water supplies will end up in spring. There is also a question of prices moving forward. Isom noted that prices for Pima have not dropped, but there is still some mild concern. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Tempered expectations for cotton plantings despite improved water outlook

Calif. Water company shifts TCP cleanup costs to polluters

“Sunny Slope Water Company is a mutual water company in Pasadena, Calif., that provides water to a population of more than 25,000 in parts of Arcadia, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. It relies entirely on groundwater which is pumped from five wells. Two wells are located in the Raymond Basin and three wells are located in the Main San Gabriel Basin. When Sunny Slope discovered contaminants at dangerous levels in two of its drinking water wells, the mutual water company knew it faced a costly clean-up.  The water company was unable to use either of its Raymond Basin wells after it discovered unacceptable levels of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP) during routine testing. … The detection rendered both of the Raymond Basin wells inoperable, forcing Sunny Slope to rely on its Main San Gabriel Basin wells to offset the reduced production from the Raymond Basin wells. This left Sunny Slope unable to take advantage of its water rights in the Raymond Basin. … ”  Read more from Water World here: Calif. Water company shifts TCP cleanup costs to polluters

Portion of Pacific Ocean turns pink off California coast — and it will happen again

“Researchers turned a portion of the seawater off the coast pink “in the name of science,” a California university said. University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of Washington conducted an experiment near Torrey Pines “to study how small freshwater outflows interact with the surfzone,” according to a news release. The first bit of environmentally safe pink dye was released on Jan. 20 where freshwater met the sea, according to the university. The other two releases are planned for later this month and early February. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Portion of Pacific Ocean turns pink off California coast — and it will happen again

California toxics: Out of state, out of mind

“In September 2020, workers in Brawley near the Mexico border began loading dump trucks with soil from the site of an old pesticide company. As an excavator carefully placed the Imperial County waste into the vehicles, a worker sprayed the pile with a hose, state records show. Another was on hand to watch for any sign of dust. The trucks then drove through a wash station that showered dirt off the wheels and collected the runoff water.  There was a reason for such caution. Shipping documents indicate the soil was contaminated with DDT, an insecticide the federal Environmental Protection Agency banned decades ago and that research has linked to premature births, cancer and environmental harms. The Brawley dirt was so toxic to California, state regulation labeled it a hazardous waste. That meant it would need to go to a disposal facility specially designed to handle dangerous material – a site with more precautions than a regular landfill to make sure the contaminants couldn’t leach into groundwater or pollute the air.  At least, that would have been the requirement if the waste stayed in California. But it didn’t. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: California toxics: Out of state, out of mind

Making noise: Reclamation scientists study the effects of construction noise on wildlife

“Occasionally, Reclamation construction projects create noise that is loud enough to adversely affect nearby wildlife. Even temporary sound pollution from construction projects can disrupt the natural behaviors of wildlife in the area, including scaring birds away from their nests during critical times of their life cycles such as egg incubation and raising their chicks.  Previously, when it was determined an active worksite was adversely affecting the normal behavior of nearby wildlife, Reclamation would pause construction while project officials adjusted their schedules, processes and workflow to mitigate any negative impacts. This reactive method is not optimal for wildlife and puts the project at increased risk of delays and higher costs. … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Making noise: Reclamation scientists study the effects of construction noise on wildlife

Scientists make inroads against tree-killing pests

“Trees provide shade to keep us cool, produce oxygen for us to breathe and calm our nerves. Numerous studies have demonstrated that even brief contact with trees and green spaces can provide significant human health benefits such as reductions in blood pressure and stress-related hormones. …  In short, trees are essential to our well-being.  Unfortunately, invasive pests pose an ongoing threat to California’s forests in both urban and wildland settings. Invasive insects such as goldspotted oak borer and invasive shothole borers have killed hundreds of thousands of trees in Southern California and are continuing to spread. Meanwhile, other pests and diseases such as Mediterranean oak borer and sudden oak death are killing trees in Northern California. ... ”  Read more from Farm Progress here: Scientists make inroads against tree-killing pests

Scientist: Trees felled in vain in name of fire control

“An alliance between governments and the commercial logging industry under the guise of fire management is decimating forests, wreaking ecological havoc, and exacerbating risks for people and property, according to scientists at odds with what they call archaic methods that are futile in controlling fires.  “The Forest Service uses the term ‘thinning and fuel reduction,’ a euphemism for commercial logging,’” says Dr. Chad Hanson, an ecologist and vocal critic with a following of colleagues critical of traditional fire management practices at a time when climate change has increased fire severity. “What they’re really doing is selling and removing large, commercially valuable trees on a fairly significant scale. Not only does that fail to protect homes, it will actually make a fire spread faster, and often more intensely toward the homes.”  A dense, mature forest with high canopy cover “means more cooling shade during the summer, and that means everything on the forest floor stays more moist,” Hanson explains. “More trees, bigger trees, act as a windbreak against the winds that drive the flames.” ... ”  Read more from the Nevada Current here: Scientist: Trees felled in vain in name of fire control

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In commentary today …

California was just inundated with much-needed water. Too bad we didn’t save much of it

Ian LeMay, the president of the California Fresh Fruit Association and the chairman of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, writes, “The recent series of atmospheric rivers dumped enough rain and snow on Northern California to give us hope that the end of the drought may be near. California’s Department of Water Resources is reporting that the state’s snow water equivalent, or how much water the snowpack is expected to yield, is almost double what we expect at this time of year. According to department officials, it’s “the best start to our snowpack in over a decade.”  The tremendous amount of water flowing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the Pacific Ocean is additional evidence of this winter’s bounty. The outflow is so abundant now that it’s more than 20 times the threshold set by the state to meet environmental standards. That’s the good news.  The bad news — especially for communities in the San Joaquin Valley, millions of acres of the country’s most productive farmland and the consumers who depend on it — is that we aren’t doing enough to capture these flows when they occur. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California was just inundated with much-needed water. Too bad we didn’t save much of it

Why California wasn’t prepared for the atmospheric rivers

Ned Kleiner, a PhD candidate at Harvard studying atmospheric science, writes, “Los Angeles International Airport recorded 5 inches of rain during the entire 2020-2021 rainfall season. In 2023, that much rain fell in the first two weeks of January. This boom-and-bust cycle of precipitation is normal — climate scientists call it “internal variability” and it is described in the biblical story of Joseph, who predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. But that doesn’t make it any less destructive.  When it comes to dry spells, these models are fairly reliable: Researchers have been predicting longer and drier droughts in the Southwest for more than a decade. The downpours, however, have proved much more challenging to forecast; as recently as mid-November, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s three-month outlook still predicted below-average winter precipitation in Southern California.  Why is it so much more difficult for climate models to accurately predict rain? … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Why California wasn’t prepared for the atmospheric rivers

Recent near-record storms make the case for Sites Reservoir

The Sites JPA writes, “A powerful series of storms slammed Northern California in the first days of the new year, producing record rainfall that saturated the ground and made it more vulnerable to flooding and excessive runoff. The rainfall is welcome after the unprecedented drought of the last few years. As we’ve seen in the news the past few weeks, we’ve got to do better in more efficiently using these storm flows when they come to save for the inevitable drought periods that define the Mediterranean climate we live in. We’re working hard to do that in making Sites Reservoir a reality.  Sites is specifically designed to divert and store water generated by storm events like we’ve seen these past three weeks to increase water flexibility, reliability, and resiliency in drier years. If Sites were operational this year, we would have been able to divert and store 120,000 acre-feet from January 3 to January 15. ... ”  Continue reading from the Sites JPA here: Recent near-record storms make the case for Sites Reservoir

Atmospheric rivers are the ‘new normal’

Environmental lawyer Robert Sulnick writes, “As Californians know, we are living through a series of mega rainstorms know as “atmospheric rivers.”  These are super powerful storms, akin to rivers in the sky, that dump massive amounts of rain causing flooding, mudslides, power outages and loss of life and property damage.  January’s deluge, aka the “Pineapple Express,” originated in Hawai‘i where warm air rose to create low air pressure at the Earth’s surface, producing warm water vapor plumes that, as they moved east across the Pacific Ocean, arrived in California as atmospheric rivers.  History has seen these rivers drench California before. What we have not seen are the severity of these kind of storms exacerbated by climate change. … ”  Read more from Noozhawk here: Atmospheric rivers are the ‘new normal’

Failure to install smart water meters is wasting billions of gallons each year

Jonathan Zasloff, a professor of law at UCLA School of Law, writes, “I felt at decently about myself when I paid water bill recently, because I was told that my usage was somewhat better than other people in my neighborhood (which is a low bar, but you take what you can get). But when I tried to figure out why it was better, I got no information whatsoever. That’s a huge problem. Michael E. Webber, in his fantastic book Thirst for Power: Energy, Water, and Human Survival, puts it well. Imagine, Webber suggests, if you were ‘shopping for groceries, but with no prices on any of the food items. With no price signal to steer our behavior, we would load up our carts with whatever looks appealing – steaks, specialty chocolates, and other high-priced items – leave the store, and take the groceries home, repeating that cycle twice weekly. We might even buy more than we need, throwing away the rest since for all we know it’s free. At the end of the month, the grocery store would send us for all the food we had purchased. Imagine our sticker shock when we see the tally … ‘”  Continue reading from Legal Planet here: Failure to install smart water meters is wasting billions of gallons each year

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Supervisors hold off on decision about Clear Lake hitch emergency

“The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday put off a decision on whether to adopt a proclamation declaring a local emergency regarding the rapid decline of the Clear Lake hitch.  On Tuesday evening, following several hours of presentations, testimony and public input about the native fish’s increasingly desperate situation, the board — appearing exhausted individually and as a group — reached consensus to consider the information and bring the proclamation back for a decision at its Feb. 7 meeting.  The meeting highlighted the disagreements over the causes of the fish’s decline as well as what measures might help save it. … ”  Read more from the Lake County News here: Supervisors hold off on decision about Clear Lake hitch emergency

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Wind advisory, weekend snow on tap for Lake Tahoe

“Eastern winds will pick up Thursday creating rough conditions on Lake Tahoe and a snowstorm is materializing for this weekend.  The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a lake wind advisory that goes into effect at 1 p.m. Wednesday and lasts through 10 a.m. Thursday for easterly winds ranging between 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Three-foot waves are possible which will create hazardous conditions for small boats, kayaks and paddle boards.  The high temps will range in the mid 40s on Wednesday and Thursday and peaking at 50 on Friday before dropping back into the 40s on Saturday and mid 30s on Sunday. The overnight lows will be in the teens. … ”  Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Wind advisory, weekend snow on tap for Lake Tahoe

‘I miss the trees’: Tahoe ski resort sees big changes after post-wildfire reopening

“Lining the narrow road that snakes up to the ski lodge at Sierra-at-Tahoe is a series of fresh signposts that prepare visitors for what they’re about to experience: a resurgence by the first ski area in the U.S. to have survived catastrophic wildfire.  A year and a half ago, the Caldor Fire blazed up the west side of the mountains and swept through the place — charring chairlifts, destroying maintenance buildings and killing or damaging many of the tall trees that defined the resort’s terrain — changing it forever. To Californians who had skied Sierra’s legendary tree runs for 75 years and pizza’d with their kids on its bunny hill, the fire was tragic. Having closed for all but one symbolic weekend last winter, Sierra is back. Chairlifts are spinning, trails are groomed and, like all of Tahoe’s ski resorts right now, it’s loaded with 30 feet of deep snow. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: ‘I miss the trees’: Tahoe ski resort sees big changes after post-wildfire reopening

NAPA/SONOMA

Vineyard community makes case for new water district

“Facing an uncertain and highly variable water future, a group of landowners in Alexander Valley are talking about forming a new water district. That’s according to wine industry figure and former Santa Rosa mayor, Mike Martini, who addressed the Healdsburg City Council about the proposal at recent meeting.  “The purpose of which would be to partner with the landowners, but also with the city of Healdsburg, the city of Cloverdale, and the various small water contractors to ensure a resilient and sustainable water supply for the Alexander Valley,” Martini said.  Speaking to the Healdsburg City Council on behalf of the Russian River Property Owners Association, local land use planner Walter Kieser said the need for a new water district is urgent.  “We are facing a threat situation,” Kieser said. “This isn’t normal.” … ”  Read more from Northern California Public Media here: Vineyard community makes case for new water district

BAY AREA

A ‘big night’ for newts, and for a California newt brigade

“The recent downpours and deluges wreaked havoc on many parts of Northern California.  But north of San Francisco, the town of Petaluma was spared the worst of the storms. There, the rain has been a boon for newts. The torrential downpours spurred thousands of California and rough-skinned newts to emerge from their burrows and set out in search of a lake, stream, pond or puddle to breed in. And for the first time in many years, the newts have a plethora of water bodies to choose from.  What the newts need now is a safe way to get to their rendezvous points. In many places, busy roads lie between newts and their breeding grounds. In Petaluma and other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, thousands of newts are killed by cars each year as they try to cross these roads. The carnage in Petaluma is so severe that a group of local residents has taken it upon themselves to stop it. … ”  Read more from the New York Times here: A ‘big night’ for newts, and for a California newt brigade

King tides offer North Bay residents a preview of sea level rise

“On Sunday, Jan. 22, a group of hikers stood on a hillside in China Camp State Park near San Rafael watching, not wildlife thriving in the park’s salt marshes, but cars and bicycles below.  It was close to 12:30pm, and a short segment of the low-lying North San Pedro Road was covered in water, forcing visitors to brave the shallow water or turn back.  The short hike, hosted by Friends of China Camp and the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, was one of about two dozen events held up and down the state’s coast last weekend in association with the California Coastal Commission’s King Tide Project. … ”  Read more from the North Bay Bohemian here: King tides offer North Bay residents a preview of sea level rise

Los Vaqueros Reservoir JPA selects board leadership for ensuing term

“At the January 11, 2023, Los Vaqueros Reservoir Joint Powers Authority Board Meeting, the Board voted unanimously to retain the current leadership for the ensuing term.  “It’s an honor to continue serving as the Chair of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir JPA. This significant collaboration among the partner agencies has allowed us to reach several important milestones, and we look forward to continuing our efforts into 2023 as we get ready to break ground,” said Board Chair Angela Ramirez Holmes. … ”

Valley Water filling up many percolation ponds across Santa Clara County

“The recent series of atmospheric rivers delivered significant rainfall across Santa Clara County. These storms, which started in mid-December and lasted through mid-January, also helped fill local reservoirs and increased the Sierra Nevada snowpack.  While these storms have not pulled us out of drought, they have improved our water supply outlook.  Recently, Valley Water began using a portion of last year’s imported water supplies to fill many of the 102 percolation ponds across the county. These percolation ponds help replenish local groundwater, which supports about 40% of the water used in Santa Clara County. Percolation ponds are water supply facilities built in areas where permeable materials such as gravel and sand allow water to seep into our aquifers. Their primary and most important purpose is to allow water to filter underground to maintain healthy groundwater conditions. … ”  Read more from Valley Water News here: Valley Water filling up many percolation ponds across Santa Clara County

CENTRAL COAST

Farmers suffer losses as Salinas Valley fields flood

“The Salinas Valley was initially spared the worst of the damage as storms battered California earlier this month. But then the the Salinas River overflowed its banks Jan. 10, breaching berms and levees.  Over the ensuing hours and days, thousands of acres of some of the country’s most productive farmland were flooded, resulting in massive crop damage.  In an application for federal disaster relief, the Monterey County Farm Bureau estimated that Salinas Valley farmers suffered $40 million to $50 million in damages. With floodwaters yet to recede, getting a precise assessment was not possible.  “It has been chaos here,” said Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Farmers suffer losses as Salinas Valley fields flood

Monterey County storm damage hits $120M and counting

“Monterey County elected officials have mapped out the “state of the county” moving into 2023, and at the top of the list is major storm damage that is likely to top $120 million.  Friday’s Board of Supervisors workshop drilled down to provide the public with the most comprehensive view to date of the damage that was caused by the atmospheric rivers and the subsequent flooding and landslides that hit the Central Coast between Dec. 26 and Jan. 16.  Tracy Dolfino, the interim Office of Emergency Services manager, said the storm affected the entire watersheds of the Salinas, Carmel, Pajaro, Arroyo Seco and Big Sur rivers. Preliminary damage estimates have now topped $120 million. It will still be some time before the floodwaters, especially the Salinas River, resides enough to get a better picture of the total damage. … ”  Read more from the Monterey Herald here: Monterey County storm damage hits $120M and counting

E. coli found in San Ardo water supply

“San Ardo residents are still being advised to avoid drinking water from the town’s water system after testing confirmed the presence of E. coli bacteria.  According to an update from Monterey County Health Department’s Environmental Health Bureau on Jan. 18, the rural community south of King City should not drink the water, use it for food preparation or for brushing teeth.  The water can be used for showering or bathing, but residents should avoid getting any in their mouth or open wounds, the Bureau said.  During the night of Jan. 9, the San Ardo Water District’s system was impacted by the floods. Then, on Jan. 12, E. coli contamination was found in the water. … ”  Read more from the King City Rustler here: E. coli found in San Ardo water supply

Racing nature: California National Guard clears huge Montecito debris basin filled by massive storm

“A California National Guard team is preparing to load a small bulldozer onto a flatbed truck. It’s been a busy week and a half for the team. It was a race against the clock. The concern was clearing a massive debris basin which protects much of Montecito in time to handle additional storms which might hit region.  On January 9 and 10, the massive storm which hit the Tri-Counties filled the Randall Road debris basin. It’s a 90,000 square foot project designed to protect a huge chunk of Montecito from debris flows. It did its job. But, it was also full, and another storm could create another disaster like the one in 2018 which killed 23 people.  The National Guard team not only cleared it, but did it in less than two weeks. … ”  Read more from KCLU here: Racing nature: California National Guard clears huge Montecito debris basin filled by massive storm

Storms battered this California forest. Now it‘s closed until mid-March.

“California’s Los Padres National Forest is closed to the public until March 14 after sustaining catastrophic damage in a series of winter storms. Under the new closure order, the public is banned from using forest service roads, campgrounds, and trails across the Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia, and Monterey Ranger Districts.  The news means that one of the state’s largest swaths of public lands is now off-limits to the public.  Over the last month, Los Padres and the region surrounding it received more than 100 percent of its normal annual rainfall, plus high wind activity, which resulted in substantial damage to both the forest and the forest’s infrastructure. ... ”  Read more from Outdoor here: Storms battered this California forest. Now it‘s closed until mid-March.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Madera Co. ditches plan to tinker with groundwater penalties

“Madera County is keeping its recently approved current structure for penalizing farmers who blow past their water allocation, forgoing an option to implement a tiered penalty structure.  The decision came during Tuesday’s Madera County Board of Supervisors meeting and maintains the status quo for the Chowchilla, Delta-Mendota and Madera Subbasins.  The backstory: Last September, the Board adopted a new penalty structure for water overdrafts, setting the 2023 fine at $100 per acre-foot in excess of the allotted amount. The penalty would increase by $100 per year and cap out at $500 in 2027 and beyond. ... ”  Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Madera Co. ditches plan to tinker with groundwater penalties

Storm damage estimated at $15 million in Stanislaus County. That’s likely to rise

“Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirske said Tuesday this month’s flooding and heavy winds caused roughly $15 million in damage, a toll that is likely to increase following further assessments.  Dirkse, who doubles as the county’s emergency services director, gave county supervisors an update Tuesday on the storm emergency and said the county is in the recovery phase but a local emergency will remain in effect.  Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are expected to visit the county on Wednesday to tour flood-damaged areas.  The estimate represents damage figures from cities and other agencies Dirkse said. ... ”  Read more from AOL News here: Storm damage estimated at $15 million in Stanislaus County. That’s likely to rise

Rockslides cause damage to SSJID delivery system

“South San Joaquin Irrigation District is assessing storm damage to its water delivery system from rockslides in the High Sierra to key canals above Knights Ferry and on the valley floor.  SSJID Public and Government Relations Manager Katie Patterson said this past week that engineers and crews are determining strategies to repair the issues.  They run the gamut from unstable canyon walls above supply canals, destroyed sections of canal lining spots in the joint supply and main canals, as well as rock slides. … ”  Read more from The Escalon Times here: Rockslides cause damage to SSJID delivery system

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Big Rock Creek water storage plan considered

“As the state has been inundated with storms in recent weeks, much talk has turned to increasing means of capturing rainfall when it does fall, to save for the inevitable dry times. In the Antelope Valley, which relies heavily on water carried from Northern California in the State Water Project, local and regional entities have been developing their own storage projects, in which excess water is stored in the underground aquifer during wet years, to be pumped out when water is otherwise scarce.  One such project being studied would use the normally dry Big Rock Creek, south of Pearblossom, which runs roughly northward from the foothills into the Valley, as a means of transporting water from the California Aqueduct to the underground aquifer. … ”  Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Big Rock Creek water storage plan considered

Bolsa Chica high ocean tides close portion of PCH in Huntington Beach

“High tides rushing over the Bolsa Chica State Beach parking lot and onto Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach have caused a portion of the highway to close due to flooding.  Caltrans reported on Twitter that all lanes between Warner Avenue and Seapoint Street are “currently closed until further notice.”  There was a 6.1 forecast for waves between three and six feet at around 11 a.m., but witnesses and lifeguards working in the area said the waves appeared to be much larger and stronger than that.  “It went all the way over both directions,” said Angela Madison, Chief Public Affairs Officer with Caltrans, motioning that the water rushed over the street and into a water area on the other side of PCH. … ”  Read more from CBS LA here: Bolsa Chica high ocean tides close portion of PCH in Huntington Beach

King tides return to coastal Orange County, but surf stays moderate

“A second wave of king tides rolled up against coastal Orange County last weekend, though this time without high surf, according to meteorologists.  The National Weather Service issued a coastal hazard advisory through the weekend, advising residents in low-lying coastal Orange and Los Angeles counties that the tides could potentially bring some tidal overflow, though no significant flooding was reported, save in Huntington Beach, where a problematic section of Pacific Coast Highway shut down Tuesday for the fifth time this month.  The San Diego National Weather Service station reported that high tides in Newport Beach peaked at around 6.84 feet early in the morning on Saturday and fell to a low of around -1.93 feet in the afternoon. ... ”  Read more from the LA Times here: King tides return to coastal Orange County, but surf stays moderate

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

Board starts process of setting up special tax district to benefit eastern Coachella Valley

“The Board of Supervisors today tentatively approved plans for the establishment of a special tax district to pay for future projects intended to improve transportation, wastewater discharge and other infrastructure in the Eastern Coachella Valley, including part of the Salton Sea.  The board voted unanimously to initiate the process of implementing an enhanced infrastructure financing district, or EIFD, covering the area encompassing the northern half of the Salton Sea, as well as surrounding communities. including Mecca, North Shore and Oasis. … ”  Read more from KESQ here: Board starts process of setting up special tax district to benefit eastern Coachella Valley

SAN DIEGO

San Diego Bay reopens to public following safe water quality tests

“San Diego Bay and Sweetwater Bay’s Morrison Pond reopened for public use Tuesday following water quality testing samples that met state standards, according to the county’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality.  Last week, both bodies of water and South Ponto State Beach closed due to high bacteria levels and sewage spills following the stormy weather.  An advisory still exists for Shelter Island, Spanish Landing Park, Glorietta Bay and Crown Cove in Silver Strand. Beachgoers are advised that bacteria levels have exceeded state health standards and may cause illness. … ”  Read more from KPBS here: San Diego Bay reopens to public following safe water quality tests

Ramona Municipal Water District expects to gain additional $78K per month with new investment policy

“A new investment strategy is expected to boost Ramona Municipal Water District’s income by $78,000 each month, with extra earnings arriving as early as February, officials said.  The water district’s directors unanimously approved updates to the agency’s investment policy at their meeting on Jan. 10. The policy allows staff to open accounts with the California Asset Management Program (CAMP) and the San Diego County Treasurer’s Pooled Money Fund.  Joe Spence, the water district’s CFO, recommended the options, saying the goal is to invest in very safe, liquid funds that can be easily converted to cash while taking advantage of an opportunity to capture a higher rate of return. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Ramona Municipal Water District expects to gain additional $78K per month with new investment policy

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Along the Colorado River …

The big yawn: Water crisis not registering as a priority with Californians, Preview Las Vegas panelist says

“Las Vegans are constantly reminded about the crisis facing Nevada and other Western states as water supplies from the drought-choked Colorado River system dwindle. … the biggest reminder is something many of us frequently drive by: the decreasing water levels at Lake Mead, witnessed by a bath-tub ring showing where the water previously reached.  But in California, one of the seven states along with Mexico that shares water rights from the Colorado River, dealing with the crisis isn’t a top priority for residents and lawmakers, said Jeff Kightlinger, the acting general manager of Pasadena Water and Power and the former general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. … ”  Read more from the Las Vegas Sun here: The big yawn: Water crisis not registering as a priority with Californians, Preview Las Vegas panelist says

Lower Colorado River Basin: Managing demand and minimizing long-term costs

“Our October 13 blog post “Rebalancing the Colorado River Basin: How Much Must Be Cut and What Will It Cost?” provided an overview of the water shortage in the Colorado River Basin (CRB) and summary of fallowing payments in existing programs. In this new post, we discuss the magnitude of potential cuts and a couple of alternative ways the cuts could be implemented based on current agreements and water right priority. Then we develop a simple economic analysis to illustrate the effects of cuts, including a least-cost scenario that would minimize economic losses to the Lower Basin.  Several announcements have been made since our initial post. Notably, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an open solicitation for the newly formed Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program (LCCP). The LCCP offered compensation ranging from $330 to $400 per AF for a one- to three-year agreement for water conserved and left in Lake Mead. The LCCP also allowed for other proposals with higher prices if supported by economic justification. … ”  Read more from ERA Economics here:  Lower Colorado River Basin: Managing demand and minimizing long-term costs

Considerations and Regional Impacts of Water Cuts in the Lower Colorado River

“Last week’s blog post “Minimizing Costs for Long-Term Lower Basin Demand Management” used a simple economic model to illustrate different ways of achieving a 2 million acre-feet (MAF) cut, and the cost implications for the Lower Basin. It also developed a scenario that allows water trading that would reduce the total cost to the Lower Basin and that could be financed by primarily urban uses. The primary authors of that blog post are Richard Howitt, Steve Hatchett, and Duncan MacEwan. We interview the authors to consider the regional impacts and potential dynamics of Colorado River cuts, negotiations, and other implications. … ”  Read more from ERA Economics here:  Considerations and Regional Impacts of Water Cuts in the Lower Colorado River

Lake Mead’s decline may slow, thanks to winter’s wet start

“Hefty snowfalls from a series of atmospheric rivers have brought a slightly rosier outlook for the beleaguered Colorado River.  While not enough to fend off the falling water levels entirely, the snow that has dropped in recent weeks across the mountains that feed the river is expected to slow the decline at Lake Mead, according to the latest federal projections released last week. Forecasters now expect Lake Mead to finish this year around 1,027 feet elevation, about 19 feet lower than its current level. That’s about 7 feet higher than the 2023 end-of-year elevation in the bureau’s forecast from last month.  As for Lake Powell, the reservoir located on the Utah-Arizona border is now expected to finish 2023 at 3,543 feet, or 16 feet higher than last month’s forecast and about 19 feet higher than its current level. … ”  Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal here: Lake Mead’s decline may slow, thanks to winter’s wet start

Arizona is wetter than usual, but the drought isn’t over yet

“Amid an unusually wet winter, Arizona may be better off than other Southwest states as it continues to battle a 23-year drought.  Data gathered by the National Drought Mitigation Center shows Arizona’s drought conditions have improved since last year, but those improvements need to remain steady to make a difference.  “Arizona really is, in a lot of areas, without measures of drought or just abnormally dry,” said Arizona state climatologist Erinanne Saffell.  Saffell explained the center’s findings Tuesday during a virtual briefing organized by the National Integrated Drought Information System, the USDA Southwest Climate Hub, the Drought Learning Network and the Arizona State Climate Office. ... ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Arizona is wetter than usual, but the drought isn’t over yet

No ‘silver bullet’ in Arizona’s water crisis

“The day after Gov. Katie Hobbs delivered her first State of the State, outlining plans to address the state’s growing water crisis, the heads of the state’s water agencies stood before lawmakers to deliver an at times grim reality of the state’s water future.  “I do not believe that any of the (Active Management Areas) are at a safe-yield,” Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, told the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee Jan. 10.  Active Management Areas, generally referred to as AMAs, were created in 1980 in an effort to help the state manage its groundwater resources as the state continued to grow. Only the AMA in Tucson is near a safe-yield, meaning the amount of water withdrawn is balanced with the amount recharging it, but Buschatzke said that Tucson has reached that by storing large amounts of Colorado River water delivered by Central Arizona Project. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Mirror here: No ‘silver bullet’ in Arizona’s water crisis

Arizona’s alfalfa is essential, water crisis solution that leads to food supply issue is no fix

Chelsea McGuire, the Arizona Farm Bureau Government Relations Director, writes, “Concerns over the Colorado River have led the everyday Arizonan to think about water in ways they haven’t before. As a result, much has been made as of late about growing “thirsty crops” in Arizona’s desert climate. It doesn’t take long to find an opinion or editorial about how farming alfalfa is the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the water system in Arizona.  This rhetoric needs to stop. Here’s why.  When you hear that agriculture uses nearly three-fourths of Arizona’s water, it is easy to draw the conclusion that the best way to save water for growing urban populations is to take it from the largest user. In reality, though, that water is already being consumed by that urban population each and every time they sit down for a meal. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Capitol Times here: Arizona’s alfalfa is essential, water crisis solution that leads to food supply issue is no fix

How microchip makers are operating in Arizona’s drought

“From computers to smartphones to vehicles, microchips are a part of every aspect of life and it takes a huge amount of water to make them.  Still, some of the world’s largest chip makers like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) have made their home in the Valley, even as it grapples with the worst drought in 1,200 years.  Officials with the city of Phoenix tell ABC15 the city has more than enough water to support large water users and residents.  “We’re never going to leverage the current population’s water supply in favor of something new,” said Cynthia Campbell, water resources management advisor for the city of Phoenix. ... ”  Read more from Channel 15 here: How microchip makers are operating in Arizona’s drought

Arizona Department of Water Resources report raises questions about West Valley development

“Gov. Katie Hobbs recently released a report by the Arizona Department of Water Resources that raised questions about the West Valley’s water supply.  And that has some people questioning what future development might look like.  The report said that planned growth and groundwater supplies were out of balance.  Hobbs has called for an update to the Groundwater Management Act, which policy experts have been advocating for years.  The act requires developers to locate a 100-year supply of water, but conservationists say there are too many ways around that requirement. Sandy Bahr of the Sierra Club said the state needs to take a critical look at future growth. … ”  Read more from KJZZ here: Arizona Department of Water Resources report raises questions about West Valley development

Judge to Arizona community: Water not required to flow from Scottsdale

“A Maricopa County judge in Arizona denied residents emergency relief over their Scottsdale water source that has been cut off since Jan. 1 because of drought conditions and despite repeated city warnings to find an alternative water source.  The action for an emergency stay was brought by some residents of the nearby unincorporated community of Rio Verde Foothills who saw their deliveries of water run dry at the beginning of the year due to action by Scottsdale City, whose leaders said they repeatedly warned the community that continued deliveries were unsustainable due to drought.  “This means the water haulers Rio Verde has relied upon must find another source of water to haul. They have found other sources of water and are still offering to haul water to serve the homes in Rio Verde,” a city memo said. … ”  Read more from the Deseret News here: Judge to Arizona community: Water not required to flow from Scottsdale

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In national water news today …

Biden administration redefines “Waters of the United States”

“On January 18, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (collectively, the “Agencies”) finalized a rule (2023 Rule) redefining how the Agencies interpret “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) pursuant to the Clean Water Act (CWA). The 2023 Rule attempts to return federal jurisdiction to the scope reflected in pre-2015 regulations and relies on the best available science, agency experience, and Supreme Court precedent. The 2023 Rule is scheduled to go into effect on March 20, 2023, but will likely face legal challenge. … ”  Continue reading at Somach Simmons & Dunn here: Biden administration redefines “Waters of the United States”

Groups sue over legality of new ‘waters of the U.S.’ law

“The American Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural and business groups are suing federal agencies, challenging the legality of the government’s new “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, rule.  The lawsuit argues that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers overreached in finalizing a rule in December to update which “navigable waters” are subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act.  The suit, filed Jan. 18 in a U.S. District Court in Texas, argues that the law is overly broad and that “the rule imposes impossible—and unpredictable—burdens on landowners.” … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here:  Groups sue over legality of new ‘waters of the U.S.’ law

Depleted under Trump, a ‘traumatized’ E.P.A. struggles with its mission

“The nation’s top environmental agency is still reeling from the exodus of more than 1,200 scientists and policy experts during the Trump administration. The chemicals chief said her staff can’t keep up with a mounting workload. The enforcement unit is prosecuting fewer polluters than at any time in the past two decades.  And now this: the stressed-out, stretched-thin Environmental Protection Agency is scrambling to write about a half dozen highly complex rules and regulations that are central to President Biden’s climate goals.  The new rules have to be enacted within the next 18 months — lightning speed in the regulatory world — or they could be overturned by a new Congress or administration. ... ”  Read more from the New York Times here: Depleted under Trump, a ‘traumatized’ E.P.A. struggles with its mission

Environmental advocates express frustration over Biden regulation delays

“Environmental advocates, generally strong supporters of the Biden administration, are expressing frustration at what they describe as too-lengthy delays for important regulations.  Their frustration follows the administration’s recent release of its semiannual regulatory agenda, which pushed back timelines for a range of rules governing planet-warming emissions and other pollution coming from power plants, drinking water limits for toxic chemicals and stipulations for fossil fuel leasing on public lands.    “We in the advocacy community have seen this film before where a nominally progressive president comes in with grand promises about leveraging the administrative state to advance progressive policy goals and then just waits until the last minute,” said James Goodwin, senior policy analyst with the Center for Progressive Reform.  … ”  Read more from The Hill here: Environmental advocates express frustration over Biden regulation delays

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