On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: SGMA Review: Achieving Groundwater Access for All & Visual Data Tool Demonstration from 12pm to 1:30pm. CivicWell and the Groundwater Exchange are excited to announce a webinar event to share the Groundwater Leadership Forum’s comprehensive review of groundwater sustainability plans to protect users’ access to groundwater. This webinar will provide an overview of the analysis of the plans and information about how the plans fail to protect groundwater for many. The webinar includes brief presentations, a live demonstration of an interactive visual data tool, and will follow with a Question and Answer session. Click here to register.
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9:30am. Agenda items include an update on Current Hydrologic Conditions and Response, Consideration of revision of compliance schedule for Alamitos, Huntington Beach, Ormond Beach, and Scattergood Generating Stations, and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant; and a hearing on a Petition for Rulemaking to Set Minimum Flows on the Scott River (will not begin before 1pm). Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Federal officials plan to announce 2024 cuts along the Colorado River. Here’s what to expect
“Federal officials this week are expected to ease water cuts for 2024 under a slightly improved outlook for the Colorado River’s health, though long-term challenges remain. The river provides water for seven U.S. states, 29 Native American tribes and two states in Mexico. It also supports a multibillion-dollar farm industry in the West and generates hydropower used across the region. Years of overuse by farms and cities and the effects of drought worsened by climate change has meant much less water flows today through the Colorado River than in previous decades. The U.S. government in 2021 announced cuts that hit Arizona particularly hard. Last year, those cuts grew more severe thanks to continued drought, poor precipitation and less runoff from the river’s Rocky Mountains source. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
California aims to introduce more anglers to native warm-water tolerant sunfish as planet heats up
“California’s only native sunfish, the Sacramento perch, survived catastrophic floods in the 1860s and was so abundant that it was a regular staple in San Francisco’s markets before invasive species decimated its population. Today it is relegated to mostly isolated lakes, reservoirs and ponds with few predators. But as the planet heats up and threatens many cold-water game fish species like trout, the Sacramento perch may be on the cusp of a comeback, thanks in part to its ability to tolerate warm water and extreme conditions. State officials recently introduced Sacramento perch to Southern California in an attempt to widen its range, strengthen its gene pool, create a breeding stock and generate interest among more anglers. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
The EPA is investigating how California manages its water following complaints from tribes
“President Joe Biden’s administration has agreed to investigate how California manages its water after some Native American tribes and environmental groups complained the state’s policies are “rooted in white supremacy.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week it would investigate the California State Water Resources Control Board. The board, whose members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate, sets rules for how to use much of the state’s water, including 211,000 miles (339,572 kilometers) of rivers and streams. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
State Court blocks Trump contract with Westlands for a million acre-feet of Trinity River water
“A State Appeals Court has blocked a Trump administration federal contract with the Westlands Water District for a million acre feet of Trinity River water, according to a statement from the Hoopa Valley Tribe. Westlands, nicknamed as the “Darth Vader of California water politics” by Tribes, environmentalists and anglers, is the largest agricultural water district in the U.S. The district is located on the arid west side of the San Joaquin Valley in Fresno and Kings counties. The case is Westlands Water District v. All Persons Interested, No. F083632 & F084202, Court of Appeals of the State of California, Fifth Appellate District (August 7, 2023). … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
State-of-the-art irrigation management leads to rising yields in California
“California is having a dangerously hot summer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) seasonal outlook reveals a 33 to 60 percent chance that California’s weather will be hotter than usual for this period of the year. With hotter weather conditions on the horizon, olive producers seek solutions to manage water supply and optimize irrigation. “At Cobram Estate, we firmly believe the food we eat and how we produce it will determine the health of people and the planet,” Leandro Ravetti, the company’s chief olive oil maker and co-chief executive, told Olive Oil Times. “During the past 20 years, Cobram Estate and its Oliv.iQ growing system continuously implemented appropriate measures from both an agricultural and industrial point of view to maximize the efficient use of water,” he added. … ” Read more from the Olive Oil Times.
$30B in funding for marine sanctuaries in a changing climate
“The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act is allocating $30 billion in funding to go toward 15 national marine sanctuaries, including two projects near the Bay Area, for education, research and climate change mitigation. In Monterey, facilities will be upgraded so that they can withstand the effects of climate change while creating careers in sustainability. … ” Continue reading from NBC Bay Area.
Reviving the Redwoods: A mission to undo decades of damage to the redwoods of California caused by unchecked logging involves even more logging — and chain saws
“In what was once an old growth redwood forest that was heavily logged in 1968, a National Park Service forester points to an unruly tangle of spindly trees, 900 to the acre and so jam-packed it is difficult to walk through. Not far away is a section that was thinned 20 years ago, when the number of trees per acre was reduced to fewer than 300. The redwoods in this area are much larger in diameter and far more robust, the understory greener and more diverse. “In the untreated forest, trees are not vigorous and are susceptible to stressors — fire, wind and bugs,” said Jason Teraoka, the forester. “But here with more diameter growth and crown growth, it’s a much more vigorous forest and less susceptible to disturbance.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Millions of California trees are dying; Joshua trees are just the latest victims
“Californians watched in dismay this month as the York fire seared through Mojave National Preserve, igniting a delicate desert landscape that may never fully recover. The fire chewed through stands of beloved Joshua trees, torching their tops and potentially incinerating their roots. Park officials fear that millions may have been burned in the fire, though the precise number of those killed will be hard to discern from the piles of ash that remain. But researchers say Joshua trees are just the latest species to suffer unprecedented losses amid a climate that is growing warmer and drier. From towering sequoias to ancient bristlecone pines, millions of California trees are succumbing to worsening wildfires, severe drought, extreme heat, disease and other stressors that have been intensified by global warming. The losses, they say, will only accelerate. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
UCLA: Why are California’s wildfires getting worse? Experts explain what we know
“Since 1980, fires have gotten significantly larger and more severe across California and the western United States, vastly increasing the amount of destruction they cause. With lives, communities, natural resources and billions of dollars’ worth of property hanging in the balance, why this is happening and the most important causes to address have become a hot-button issue for leaders in academia, government and business. Many have focused on individual causes such as land management or climate change, but the answer is more complicated. To better inform the debate, wildfire experts from 15 universities, research institutes and government agencies authored a paper — published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire — that synthesizes the latest research on wildfires and their causes. The paper’s authors examined climate data, land cover changes, historical land management, fire suppression, and changing environments and ecosystems. … ” Read more from UCLA News.
Scientists discover new details on weather phenomenon behind some of California’s worst fires
“Dry lightning — when strikes occur with little or no rainfall — has sparked some of California’s biggest and most destructive wildfires. The August Complex of 2020, for example, burned over a million acres, registering as the state’s first-ever gigafire. But a widely used threshold used to define dry lightning doesn’t fully capture wildfire ignition risk across the western United States, according to a new multi-institutional study. In parts of Northern and Central California, for example, lightning strikes can trigger conflagrations amid wetter weather. “It’s not as clear-cut as simply (a) one-size-fits-all precipitation amount,” said study author Dmitri Kalashnikov, a climate scientist at Washington State University Vancouver. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO: Why California wildfires are getting worse, from Cal Matters
How bad the climate crisis gets is still up to us. We just have to act
“As usual, California was ahead of the game. It’s been two decades since lawmakers passed the first law to begin requiring electric utilities to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. Nearly as long since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for 1 million solar roofs. A decade since the state first mandated large numbers of electric cars on the road, and four years since Berkeley became the first U.S. city to ban gas appliances in new homes. None of those initiatives have protected the Golden State from the ravages of the climate crisis. The eight largest wildfires on record have all burned in the last six years, collectively torching more than 4 million acres — and none of them was nearly as deadly as the 2018 Camp fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed the town of Paradise. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Our climate challenge
“Governments and institutions have to do the heavy lifting, but you can do your part. Cut back on plastics. Compost. Go car-less. Educate yourself. Embrace sustainable design. Get creative with your recycling; that stuff in your blue bin might have a second (or third) life — as a pizza box or a toy. Should you buy an electric car? Solar panels? Will California’s efforts to adapt to climate change move the needle? Our experts have answers. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In commentary today …
We’re on the path to clean drinking water in the Central Valley, but there’s more work to do
Tom Barcellos, the owner of Barcellos Farms and the president of the Lower Tule River Irrigation District, writes, “To live and farm in the Central Valley for three generations means water is a constant topic of conversation around the dinner table. While water quantity and water quality are serious and often daunting problems, I see reason for hope. Important work is already underway on my family dairy farm and across the Valley to protect our drinking water. We are taking the time to celebrate the small victories but are ready to get back to work with the state and other local interests to keep up the momentum. Highlighting our current efforts is a new partnership with the California Department of Water Resources to provide immediate protection to drinking water wells in our district through the establishment of a new “LandFlex” program. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly.
Recess is over, Californians demand climate action from state legislators
“In the final week of what became the hottest month in history, it was reported that California is not on track to reach our 2030 climate goals to reduce emissions to 48% below 1990 levels. As we experience more extreme heat, droughts, water scarcity, and intense wildfires, California’s role as a climate leader for the nation and world is called into question. Our state legislature and Governor Newsom must now pass key climate bills to reduce emissions at the sources, hold polluters accountable for their climate impact, and support climate resiliency in frontline communities. Our recent poll confirms that our communities are demanding these solutions that will accelerate our progress towards the state’s climate goals. While polls rarely reflect the state’s diversity, ours was administered in-language, and ensured the demographic communities that have seen higher rates of growth in the last decade, like voters of color, were included. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly.
Today’s featured article …
Delta Conveyance Project update
The Delta Stewardship Council met in July at Peter’s Steakhouse in Isleton. On the agenda was an update on the Delta 
Conveyance Project. Carrie Buckman, Environmental Program Manager for the Department of Water Resources, provided the update.
The Delta Conveyance Project is an infrastructure project that involves the construction of a tunnel to divert water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, rather than through it. By bypassing the Delta, the project aims to improve water supply reliability for the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, which provide water to millions of Californians and agricultural lands. The project has been a subject of debate due to concerns about its potential environmental impacts and high cost. However, proponents argue that it is a necessary adaptation strategy to safeguard the state’s water supplies in the face of changing climatic conditions.
In regional water news and commentary today …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
State of the Lake presentation at Granlibakken reveals extreme highs and lows for Lake Tahoe
“The 2023 Tahoe State of the Lake report was released for public viewing, and Tahoe Environmental Research Center Director Geoffrey Schladow was able to present the findings at the Granlibakken Thursday, July 20. The report informs non-scientists about the important factors impacting the health of the basin, and provides the scientific details for preservation and management within Lake Tahoe. The 2023 report summarizes data collected during 2022 in the context of the long-term record of research done in Lake Tahoe. Researchers at UC Davis have been continuously monitoring the lake since 1968. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Large slump remains at Butte Creek; PGE plans excavation
“A large soil slump continues to add sediment into Butte Creek after having accumulated from water running downhill of a breach in the Butte Canal on Thursday, and the first sighting of a salmon that died because of sedimentation has been reported. Over the weekend, the breach received a permanent repair and awaits concrete to cure before the canal is back in service. PG&E is planning to excavate the soil slump, according to Paul Moreno, marketing and communications principal for PG&E. “Unfortunately the terrain is very, very steep and we have to find another way to safely get access to material and crew to do that work,” Moreno said, noting the company is currently working on how it can remove the slump. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
SEE ALSO: Huge sediment load from ruptured canal hits Butte Creek, threatening endangered spring chinooks, from the Stockton Record
Sacramento completes $1.7 billion EchoWater project
“The Sacramento region can expect to see big changes related to how wastewater is treated and reused with the completion of the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District’s (Regional San) $1.7 billion, decade-long plant expansion. Named the EchoWater Project, the extensive upgrade was completed in spring 2023 — on schedule and under budget. The result is a safe and reliable supply of treated water for discharge to the Sacramento River, which will also be used for recycled water purposes such as irrigating local agriculture and supporting habitat conservation land. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
Habitat enhancement for salmon, trout begins along American River
“A new restoration project begins on Monday along the lower American River. This project, according to the Sacramento Water Forum, is crucial in enhancing the habitat for native Fall-run Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout in the lower American River at the upper river bend. The restoration project is spearheaded by the Water Forum. … ” Read more from Fox 40.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
United States files complaint against Oasis Mobile Home Park for alleged Safe Drinking Water Act violations
“The Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Central District of California today against the operators of Oasis Mobile Home Park, located in the Eastern Coachella Valley in Southern California. The complaint alleges that the Administrator of the Estate of Scott Lawson and a corporation called Lopez to Lawson, Inc. failed to properly maintain and operate Oasis’ primary drinking water well, treatment and distribution systems and wastewater system, and failed to perform corrective measures to protect the health of those who consume the drinking water. Today’s legal action seeks a judicial order that will require Oasis Mobile Home Park to address the imminent and substantial endangerment conditions related to the drinking and wastewater systems, comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and pay a civil penalty. … ” Read more from the US EPA.
SAN DIEGO
VOICE OF SAN DIEGO: Water Authority OK’s suit to keep districts from leaving as they rush to pack
“San Diego’s biggest water seller will sue the boundary referees that allowed two of its buyers to leave its business territory. After hours of deliberation in a closed meeting last week, the board of the San Diego County Water Authority voted to sue the Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO. That’s because LAFCO’s board agreed to let Rainbow Municipal Water District and the Fallbrook Public Utilities District divorce from the Water Authority last month so they could buy cheaper water from Riverside County. The Water Authority board approved the lawsuit by a slim margin. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
Along the Colorado River …
Biden-Harris administration announces $50 million to enhance key water infrastructure in the Upper Colorado River Basin through President’s Investing in America agenda
“The Department of the Interior today announced $50 million over the next five years to improve key water infrastructure and enhance drought-related data collection across the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Bureau of Reclamation is making an initial $8.7 million investment in fiscal year 2023 to support drought mitigation efforts in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming that will help ensure compliance with interstate water compact obligations, maintain the ability to generate hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam, and minimize adverse effects to resources and infrastructure in the Upper Basin. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda represent the largest investment in climate resilience in the nation’s history and is providing much-needed resources to enhance Western communities’ resilience to drought and climate change, including protecting the short- and long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
In national water news today …
July was the planet’s hottest month on record — so far
“A sizzling month marked by record heat waves, major wildfires, melting sea ice and a burgeoning El Niño will go down in the books as the hottest July on record — at least until next year, federal officials said Monday. The planet and its oceans roasted last month as global average temperatures soared 2.02 degrees above average, making July 2023 not only the hottest July ever, but very likely Earth’s warmest month in at least 174 years of record keeping. “Climatologically, July is the warmest month of the year,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a monthly report released Monday. “As the warmest July on record, July 2023, at least nominally, was the warmest month on record for the globe.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Montana youth victory could spur momentum on other climate cases
“A landmark court decision that Montana is violating its youngest residents’ rights to a clean and healthful climate could have legal repercussions well beyond the Treasure State. Judge Kathy Seeley of the 1st Judicial District Court in Montana found Monday that youth in the state have a “fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment, which includes climate” as she struck down two laws that bar state agencies from considering the climate effects of fossil fuel projects. “This is what climate justice in the courts, and protecting the constitutional rights of our childrens’ right to a safe climate, looks like,” said Nate Bellinger, senior staff attorney with Our Children’s Trust, the Oregon-based law firm that represented the 16 young Montanans. … ” Read more from E&E News.
