In California water news this weekend …
When El Niño exacerbates global warming: Record heat, record flooding, record wildfires
“If you feel like record-level extreme weather events are happening with alarming frequency, you’re not alone. Scientists say it’s not your imagination. “The number of simultaneous weather extremes we’re seeing right now in the Northern Hemisphere seems to exceed anything at least in my memory,” Michael Mann, professor of earth and environmental science at the University of Pennsylvania, told CNBC. Globally, June was the hottest June in the 174-year records kept by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency said on Thursday. It was the 47th consecutive June and the 532nd consecutive month in which average temperatures were above the average for the 20th century. … ” Read more from CNBC.
‘We are not prepared’: Disasters spread as climate change strikes
“The floods, droughts, wildfires and extreme heat sweeping the globe are offering a dose of the climate future that scientists have warned about for decades — and all the ways the world is not ready. From a nearly depleted federal disaster fund to state insurance markets that are faltering under the weight of multiple catastrophes, extreme weather is testing the ability of even a rich nation like the United States to withstand the warming that has arrived faster than many scientists expected. So are the torrential rains flooding Northeastern states like Vermont, the shriveling Colorado River that has prompted a multistate brawl over dividing the water, the record temperatures that have raised worries about the stability of the electric grid, and the Canadian wildfire smoke that has repeatedly blanketed D.C. and other parts of the U.S. in recent weeks. … ” Read more from Politico.
State Water Board extends deadline for protest period for proposed Sites Reservoir to Aug. 31
“The State Water Resources Control Board has decided to extend the “protest period” for the proposed Sites Reservoir, opposed by a coalition of fishing groups, Tribes, conservation groups and environmental justice advocates, from August 1st to August 31st at the request of the North Delta Water Agency. The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, issued a Notice of Water Right Application for Sites Project Authority’s application to appropriate water by permit (A025517X01) on June 2, 2023. On June 26, 2023, North Delta Water Agency requested additional time for potentially affected parties to review the application and, if necessary, file protests. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Desalinated ocean water for green hydrogen production
“While electrochemical batteries can serve many of our needs from mobile devices to vehicles and grid-scale storage, applications such as heavy trucking and industrial processes require huge amounts of energy to be dispatched, making hydrogen an attractive option. More than 80% of the cost of hydrogen goes toward the electricity needed to split the water atom in a process called electrolysis. When paired with low-cost, emissions free electricity sources like solar or wind, hydrogen production is considered “green hydrogen.” Ohmium, a California-based company that develops green hydrogen electrolyzers, has found a partner in Aquastill, a provider of desalinated water systems. The two will work together to produce green hydrogen fuel from desalinated ocean water. … ” Read more from PV Magazine.
A crucial part of the San Andreas Fault has been disturbingly quiet for too long
“The 800-mile San Andreas Fault is one of the largest fault lines in the world. A meeting of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates, this transform fault (where two tectonic plates move past each other) runs nearly the entire length of California, from Cape Mendocino in Redwood country to the desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park. Scientists divide the fault into three distinct areas—northern, central, and southern—and while the entire fault is a clear and present earthquake danger, it’s the Los Angeles-adjacent southern section that’s most concerning. Scientists estimate that this section of fault—over the past 1,000 years—usually triggered a sizable earthquake every 180 years (give or take 40). But the southern San Andreas Fault (SSAF) hasn’t had a good shaking for more than 300 years (despite what mediocre Hollywood disaster films would have you believe). … ” Read more from Popular Mechanics.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Diving into Water Law: Q&A with California’s “Water Renaissance Man” Justice Ronald Robie
“He’s been called a “water renaissance man.” Justice Ronald Robie has dived into the issue from every corner of California government—as a Legislative consultant writing key water policy, as director of the state Department of Water Resources, and now as an appellate court justice ruling on key water issues facing the state. Justice Robie, who serves on the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, answered our questions on the future of water law, climate change, and the role of the Judicial Council as more water litigation flows to California courts. Q: This year, Californians experienced historic levels of rain after long stretches of drought over the past two decades. Should that change how we think about water scarcity? A: Historically, California has ups and down with water. That’s why we rely on dams, because we don’t have a reliable source of water every year. When I was director of water resources in 1977, we had the driest year on record at that time. And that was followed by a couple of wet years. So, you can’t predict it, and that’s the problem. … ” Read more from California Courts.
EPIC to honor local watershed advocate
“The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) has presented Petey Brucker with the 2023 Sempervirens Lifetime Achievement Award for lifelong environmental activism advocating for the forests, rivers, wildlife, people and salmon of the Klamath and Salmon River watersheds. … Born in Nyack, New York, in 1952, Brucker followed his older brother, Phil, to Northern California. Arriving 50 years ago, Petey Brucker met his life partner, Geba Greenberg, and never left. Living in the remote community of Forks of Salmon, nestled along the Salmon River, he vowed to protect this wilderness. Brucker was tenacious in his pursuit of ways to repair the damage that resulted from mining and logging, including the use of toxic herbicides. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
Tanya Trujillo, Interior Department official with key role in Colorado River talks, is stepping down
“A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week. Tanya Trujillo told the department of her intention to resign as assistant secretary for water and science about six weeks ago and her last day is Monday, she told The Associated Press. Trujillo, who has served in the role since June 2021, said it made sense to leave now as the Biden administration gears up for a reelection campaign. “It’s a normal transition time, either committing to staying to the end of the (presidential) term or leaving before the campaign really gets fired up,” she said. “I am really, really proud and happy about all the accomplishments that we put into place and made.” … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
Appointments …
Stephen “Nick” Joslin, of Mount Shasta, has been appointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Joslin has been a Forest and Watershed Watch Program Manager for Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center since 2021 and Owner of Lemon Remedy LLC since 2011. He was a Geological Technician at North State Resources from 2005 to 2008. Joslin was a Contractor at Carpenter Construction from 2003 to 2005. He was a Site Manager at TerraWave Systems from 2001 to 2003 and Owner of Carapace Sewing from 1997 to 2001. Joslin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geographical Sciences from the University of Oregon. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Joslin is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Drought and The Forest
How does a forest protect itself from drought and how can we help our forests avoid these stressful circumstances? Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Steven Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
REBUILD SoCAL ZONE: The challenges and opportunities of water in Southern California
In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Adán Ortega, the Chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Ortega took office as chair on January 1st of this year. We discussed the effects of the rain and storms in Southern California earlier this year, the challenges with building new water infrastructure, the future of water delivery in Southern California, and more!
WHAT ABOUT WATER? WITH JAY FAMIGLIETTI: The Colorado River’s alfalfa problem
The meat and dairy industries are some of the biggest water users in the American West, thanks to one of cows’ favorite foods – alfalfa. As aridification continues across the American southwest, water is becoming far more scarce on the Colorado River. A critical source of water for roughly 40 million Americans, we look at why so much of the Colorado River’s freshwater goes toward growing water-intensive hay crops, and at what can be done to significantly scale back consumptive use in the future.
In regional water news this weekend …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Changes coming to prevent misuse and abuse of Tahoe beaches
“Recent international news stories showed shocking images of volunteers and nonprofits removing thousands of pounds of litter from one Lake Tahoe beach following the July 4th holiday. The media coverage caused public outrage and drew widespread attention to the challenge of preventing litter at the iconic Sierra Nevada destination. Those same stories largely overlooked the good news: the vast majority of sites cleaned as part of the “Keep Tahoe Red, White & Blue” July 5th Beach Cleanup, hosted annually by the League to Save Lake Tahoe, were far less impacted. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
‘The place is absolutely covered’: Pollen is turning Lake Tahoe yellow
“Pine pollen has overtaken California’s Lake Tahoe Basin for more than two weeks, turning the lake a mustard yellow and dusting homes, driveways and cars. Trees emit clouds of pollen every year in late spring and early summer, but people are saying the pollen seems more abundant this year than in past ones. “The pollen we’re seeing is remarkable,” said Helen Fillmore, a staff research associate with UC Davis’ Tahoe Environmental Research Center. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Column: A look at the Glenn Corning GSA
Columnist Liz Merry writes, “And now everybody’s favorite topic – groundwater. Am I sick of writing about it? You bet, but new stuff keeps coming up and it affects all of us. This week we’re going to talk about how this is not just a Tehama County issue. We’re just the ones who, up until recently, have been trying desperately to pretend it’s not happening. Now, we appear to be admitting there is an issue in certain areas. So, we’re late to our own party, but it’s still a step forward. We appear to be working harder to avoid regulations than to implement any of the many suggested mitigation actions. Except for better sealing of new ag wells. It doesn’t stop them from affecting upper aquifers, but it helps. Maybe. … ” Read more from the Red Bluff Daily News.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County coastal plan due for final hearing, possible vote Monday
“Years of debate over the ground rules governing land use, development, public access and protection of public resources on the Sonoma Coast may finally come to fruition Monday, when the county Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt an update to the Local Coastal Plan. Touted by west county Supervisor Lynda Hopkins as “the most protective” of the coast over any past edition, the plan fulfills a state requirement to ensure the public’s interest in a healthy and thriving coast, accessible by all, is preserved. All coastal jurisdictions are required to have them. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
SEE ALSO: Sonoma Coast still needs protection, editorial from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
BAY AREA
A law protects Contra Costa County’s dwindling greenspace–but officials are ignoring it
“Contra Costa County, once brimming with orchards and ranchlands, is now turning a distinct shade of gray: dotted with cities, highways and encroaching developments. One of the only mechanisms to slow the growing sprawl is a little-known law that provides tax relief to landowners who commit to keeping their land for open space or agricultural use. The state law, known as the Williamson Act, passed in 1965 in the face of heavy development across California. It was meant to discourage “premature and unnecessary conversion of open space to urban use,” even as the state grew and modernized. In Contra Costa, however, the program has essentially been mothballed, with potentially serious consequences for open space in the county, a civil grand jury report found. … ” Read more from SiliconValley.com.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Dinuba looks to make improvements to sewer, water systems
“The city’s public works department is seeking out state funding in order to perform a condition assessment on Dinuba’s sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant, and ultimately make improvements to the sewer system all together. Dinuba City Council approved Resolution No. 2023-37 at its meeting July 11, allowing the city to submit a financial assistance application to the State Water Resources Control Board that would help fund a study looking at the current and future needs of the sewer and wastewater systems in Dinuba. The city will request a grant of up to $500,000 from the control board’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program for wastewater planning. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona bans natural grass in future homes due to drought
“Arizona grapples with an intense drought and sweltering heat, and the city of Scottsdale is taking firm action to conserve water. The Scottsdale City Council has unanimously voted to ban natural grass in the front yards of future single-family homes. This groundbreaking new ordinance, effective for houses constructed or permitted after August 15, represents Scottsdale’s commitment to innovative water Conservation. Brian Biesemeyer, executive director of Scottsdale’s water department, proudly stated that Scottsdale aims to set a regional example with this initiative. Interestingly, the majority of Scottsdale’s water customers seem to be on board with this green endeavor. … ” Read more from One Green Planet.
Column: Let’s hope they find a water shortfall in Tucson area
Columnist Tim Stellar writes, “First came the tremor in Pinal County. In 2019, state water officials found that, looking out over 100 years, there will be a shortfall of available groundwater for new developments dependent on it. Then came the earthquake in the Phoenix area. On June 1, the Arizona Department of Water Resources announced, similarly, that their model shows large unmet demand for water in the Phoenix area, forcing limits on groundwater-based development in outlying areas. Tucson could be the aftershock. In the next year or two, the state is expected to complete a similar model of groundwater in the Tucson Active Management Area. Will the model show we’ll also have unmet demand for water over the next century? As it turns out, probably not. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
WORKBOOK NOW AVAILABLE: Adapting to Weather Extremes: How the State Can Prepare for Drought in a Non-Drought Year
