On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Decision-making under deep uncertainty: Dynamic Adaptive Planning from 9am to 10:30am. In the series’ fifth seminar, Marjolijn Haasnoot, associate professor at Utrecht University and climate change adaptation researcher at Deltares, Keren Bolter, climate scientist at Deltares, and Kathryn Roscoe, senior researcher at Deltares, will present on Dynamic Adaptive Planning and how it might be applied to management issues in the Delta. The seminar will explore practical examples of using Dynamic Adaptive Planning to show when it is most effective and how it can be used to reframe uncertainty as opportunity. You can view more information about the event on the save the date flyer and register to attend virtually via Zoom.
- WORKSHOP: Fisheries Restoration Grant Program: 2024 Proposal Solicitation Notice Concept Proposal Workshop from 11am to 12pm. Agenda items include an introduction to FRGP, the 2024 Solicitation Schedule, an overview of proposal and guidelines, Guidelines update, How to apply, and the Concept phase explained. Microsoft Teams meeting: Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting
- MEETING: Delta Protection Commission from 5pm to 7pm. Agenda items include Report on Delta Stewardship Council Activities, Delta as Place Presentation by Dante Nomellini; Appointments to Delta Protection Advisory Committee; Delta Socioeconomic Indicators Update; and National Heritage Area Management Plan Update. Click here for full agenda.
- GRA SJ VALLEY: California water trivia night from 6pm to 8pm in Fresno. Join the SJV GRA Branch in partnership with Central Valley Water Professionals for a lively evening of California Water Trivia! The questions are curated to be equally challenging (and fun!) for venerable experts and those who are simply interested in the topic. Aim to arrive around 6:00pm to build your trivia team (we’ll help!), eat, and use your drink ticket (for those 21+). The trivia itself will start at 6:30pm. Be sure to register via the link on this webpage to secure your drink ticket (21+)! Registration is available up until the event. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
California judge rules state can’t issue bonds to finance Delta tunnel project
“The controversial Delta Conveyance Project took a major financial hit this week, after a Sacramento County judge ruled California can’t issue bonds to fund the project. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Kenneth C. Mennemeier issued a narrow ruling Tuesday about the bonds for the project, which would put a massive tunnel to convey water under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Mennemeier found the California Department of Water Resources’ definition of the “delta program” isn’t linked to the Feather River Project. A bureaucratic connection between the two is essential for the bonds, the judge ruled in the case Sierra Club v. California Department of Water Resources. The department has the power to issue bonds to finance projects under the Central Valley Project Act. The Feather River Project falls under that act. However, for the department to issue bonds for the delta project, it must be a modification of the Feather River Project. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Court sides with counties and agencies, dismissing DWR’s attempt to “validate” bond resolutions to finance controversial Delta tunnel project
“On January 16, 2024, the Sacramento County Superior Court denied the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) request for an order “validating” bond resolutions that would have financed the Delta Tunnel project known as the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). Like its failed predecessors, the DCP would divert water from the Sacramento River near the Delta communities of Hood and Courtland out the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for export to portions of the Bay Area, South San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. The Counties of San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Solano, Yolo, Butte, Plumas, and Sacramento (and their related water agencies), among other litigants, challenged DWR’s authority to issue an unlimited amount of bonds to finance the DCP. The Court agreed with the Counties and Agencies, ruling that “DWR exceeded its delegated authority when it adopted the Bond Resolutions, which purported to authorize the issuance of the Delta Program Revenue Bonds.” … ” Continue reading this press release.
SEE ALSO:
- California Court Strikes Down Financing for Delta Tunnel Project, from the Center for Biological Diversity
- Court Denies Department of Water Resources’s Attempt to Use Bonds to Fund Environmentally Destructive Delta Tunnel, from the Sierra Club
Delta Conveyance Project update covers updated timeline, reliability of the State Water Project beyond 2040
“The January meeting of Metropolitan Water District’s One Water and Stewardship Committee included an informational update on the Delta Conveyance Project, which proposes to construct intake facilities in the North Delta to deliver water via a tunnel to existing infrastructure in the South Delta. The update was given by Nina Hawk, Chief of Bay-Delta Resources; Dee Bradshaw, Environmental Program Manager; and Jennifer Nevills, Principal Resource Specialist. The agenda item included an update on the final EIR, an updated timeline, and an analysis requested by Metropolitan on the reliability of the State Water Project beyond 2040. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
Court strongly sides with DWR, rejects all legal challenges to continued long-term operation of State Water Project through 2085
“Last week, the Third District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), upholding amendments to DWR’s water supply contracts with water agencies throughout the state for the long-term operation of the State Water Project (SWP). The amendments extend the 1960s-era contracts to 2085. After reviewing the amendments in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), DWR filed an action to approve the amendments in 2018. Parties opposed DWR’s action, and two additional petitions were filed challenging the amendments under CEQA, the Delta Reform Act, and the public trust doctrine. The court’s ruling last week in favor of DWR confirms that water supply contracts for water from the most important piece of water infrastructure in the state can be extended far into the future. … ” Read more from the State Water Contractors.
California could face more atmospheric river ‘super-sequences,’ study finds
“Relentless storms over a three-week period in early 2023 created chaos across California, causing extensive flood damage and landslides in the East Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains. The rains were fueled by nine atmospheric rivers from late December through mid-January. Bands of tropical moisture juiced up storm after storm, giving communities little time to recover between downpours. The series of storms was historic — but not the first time that back-to-back atmospheric rivers have had big impacts in California. In the future, rising greenhouse gas emissions are expected to amp up the frequency, intensity and duration of such atmospheric river “sequences.” These stretches correspond with periods when California faced heightened potential for flooding, according to a new study by scientists from Stanford University and other institutions. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).
El Niño might finally be taking control of California’s weather. Here’s what it means
“Statewide rain is expected across California this weekend, and El Niño’s fingerprints are all over the upcoming weather pattern. Despite El Niño winters often favoring Central and Southern California for above-normal precipitation, the wet season has generally been off to a slow start across the state. That will begin to shift in a more meaningful way Friday, when the subtropical branch of the jet stream, a distinct feature of El Niño, is expected to transport moisture toward the Golden State. Los Angeles and San Diego are forecast to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain, and San Francisco could measure 3 or more inches through Tuesday. … ” Continue reading at the San Francisco Chronicle.
California farms dried up a river for months. Nobody stopped them.
“During California’s most recent drought, officials went to great lengths to safeguard water supplies, issuing emergency regulations to curb use by thousands of farms, utilities and irrigation districts. It still wasn’t enough to prevent growers in the state’s agricultural heartland from draining dry several miles of a major river for almost four months in 2022, in a previously unreported episode that raises questions about California’s ability to monitor and manage its water amid worsening droughts. It’s not uncommon, during dry spells, for farmers and other water users in California to draw streams down to a trickle in places. But the severity and duration of the 2022 decline of the river in this case, the Merced, where one stream gauge showed zero water moving past it nearly every day from June to early October, stood out even to experts. … ” Read more from the New York Times (gift article).
Water Commission presents statewide strategies for protecting communities, fish and wildlife during drought
“The California Water Commission today approved a white paper that contains potential strategies to protect communities and fish and wildlife in the event of drought. The white paper is in support of Water Resilience Portfolio Action 26.3, and will be shared with the Secretaries for Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Food and Agriculture, who requested the Commission’s engagement on this topic. California is a drought-prone state. Climate change exacerbates drought conditions in California by creating hotter and drier baseline conditions, leading to more intense droughts. Additionally, climate change is creating the conditions for “weather whiplash” – a phenomenon California experienced in the 2022-2023 water year, swinging rapidly from severe drought to record-breaking precipitation events and flooding. To ensure California’s people and environment have sufficient water during times of drought, the State will need to adapt to this new normal of ongoing weather extremes. … ” Read more from the California Water Commission.
Need help with your water bill? California extends assistance program
“California’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was established in December 2020 and designed to support low-income households struggling to pay their outstanding water bills. Originally set to end last fall, the program has now received a federal extension through the end of March 2024. According to the Oceano Community Services District, thousands of low-income San Luis Obispo County residents have already received financial support to address current and overdue bills and many more still qualify. Households with an income below 60 percent of the state median income — $103,856 for a family of four — and households that are already participating in CalFresh, CalWORKs, or LIHEAP are eligible for the assistance program. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Dr. Laurel Larsen’s stint tackling with the wicked problems ends
John Hart writes, “Since the turn of the century, there has been a Delta Lead Scientist. Created in the year 2000 under the bygone program CALFED, the post signaled a new resolve: to give science a voice in the circles governing Delta affairs. Since 2009 the role has been a function of CALFED’s successor, the Delta Stewardship Council. Sam Luoma, the first Lead Scientist, recalls a heady time, full of discovery and improvisation, when money flowed freely and large decisions about the Delta seemed just around the corner. His immediate successors had a more sobering experience as the CALFED energy waned. The fourth Lead Scientist, Peter Goodwin, consolidated the job in its new slot under the Stewardship Council, getting an ambitious Delta Science Program up and running. The fifth, John Callaway, had notable success in putting the program’s funding on solid ground. The sixth, Laurel Larsen, has just ended her stint. On her last day on the job, I asked her what she has learned about the role she played and the amazing place that is its focus. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
New species of lamprey fish documented in California
“Two potential new species of lamprey fish have been discovered in California waters, according to a University of California, Davis, study. The research is part of a special section on native lampreys published this week in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. The findings suggest that the ancient animal has far more diversity in California than once thought, which could have implications for managing these jawless fish. Lamprey species play a key role in the food chain as well as improving water quality and adding nutrients to waterways. “We found diversity that has never been reported,” said Ph.D. candidate Grace Auringer, who is the lead author on the journal paper. “We found two groups of fish in Napa River and Alameda Creek that are very genetically different from other samples along the West Coast.” … ” Read more from UC Davis.
A glimpse of the future of farming in the tech-driven era
“In the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley, a transformative shift in agriculture is underway. Agtech is not just redefining farming, it’s reshaping our approach to the land. In this agriculturally rich region, drones, sensors, and data analytics have become indispensable, driving efficiency and economic vitality across the fields. These technologies represent a paradigm shift in agricultural practices, enhancing our ability to monitor crop health, optimize resource use, and make informed decisions. Among these technological advancements, precision irrigation exemplifies a key area where Agtech’s impact is profoundly visible, marrying the principles of efficiency and productivity. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Climate in Crisis: Orphaned gas and oil wells
“The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that there are approximately 4 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States, and more than 117,000 of those across 27 states are “orphaned,” meaning they are uncapped, unproductive, and with no responsible party identified to manage leakage or pollution risks. These orphaned gas wells leak and contaminate groundwater and leak methane into the air. Methane is the worst greenhouse gas, which causes our planet to warm. In California alone, there’s currently more than 5,000 orphaned wells with another 69,000 on the brink of being orphaned in the future. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
First map of proposed utopian California city in Solano County is released
“The new proposed city in Solano County finally has a map. Along with the map, California Forever, the group backing the project, is promising a utopia of affordable homes, world-leading technology and efficient public transit. On Wednesday, California Forever said it is officially filing the East Solano Homes, Jobs, and Clean Energy Initiative with the Solano County Registrar of Voters. If the group can secure more than 13,000 signatures from Solano County voters, the measure will go before voters this November. The group has been criticized for its secrecy. Last year, news broke that a shadowy group called Flannery Associates was buying up tens of thousands of acres of land in rural Solano County. Within a decade, they’d quietly become the biggest landowner in the county. Local politicians demanded an investigation into the group amid concerns it was a national security threat to have an unnamed landowner snatching up plots near Travis Air Force Base. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO:
- Here’s a glimpse into Solano Co.’s proposed new city with newly-released blueprints, renderings, from ABC 7
- Billionaire-backed futuristic city no longer shrouded in secrecy. Here are the details, from the LA Times
- California Forever introduces Rio Vista ballot initiative, from Vacaville Reporter
In commentary today …
DAN WALTERS: Rollercoaster weather shows why California needs better infrastructure for wetter years
“As California’s traditional season for rain and snow began last fall, meteorologists and hydrologists predicted that the state would probably experience a second year of heavy precipitation. The previous winter had been a record-breaker that strained – and sometimes overwhelmed – California flood control systems. Among other things, it recreated Tulare Lake, once an inland sea between Fresno and Bakersfield that had dried up and become a huge expanse of agricultural production. When the rain and snow finally stopped in the spring and the immense Sierra snowpack had melted, the state’s reservoirs were full, which was welcomed after several years of severe drought. … ” Continue reading from Dan Walters.
To salmon, Indigenous tribes and conservationists, Newsom says: Let them eat almonds
Tom Stokely, senior water policy analyst and board member of the California Water Impact Network, writes, “Gov. Gavin Newsom has made it a point to tout his green credentials whenever possible — citing his administration’s initiative to derive 90% of the state’s energy from sustainable sources by 2035, for example. But Newsom has a blind spot in his progressive environmental agenda, and it’s overshadowing his laudable efforts elsewhere. Under Newsom’s watch, the state’s once abundant salmon runs are plummeting. But instead of promoting policies that could reverse the trend, the governor is actively driving the fish to extinction. Salmon need clean, cold water in their natal rivers to survive. And while it’s true that recent droughts have severely taxed these iconic fish, Newsom has failed to help them even when he had the means at hand — as he did this year, following one of California’s wettest winters on record. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
The Klamath Basin ‘Restoration’ is at what cost?
Edward Ring, senior fellow and co-founder of the California Policy Center, writes, “If you scan news reports and search results for Klamath Dams removal, the news is universally upbeat. “The river will run free again.” “A step towards justice.” “Largest river restoration project in American history!” But as waters now drain out of the reservoirs behind these half-demolished dams for the last time, unanswered questions persist. How this project will impact the region’s agricultural economy, and whether or not it’s even the most environmentally worthwhile use of mitigation funds on the Klamath watershed is not beyond debate. In fact, if you speak with nearly everyone actually living along the middle and upper Klamath, you’ll get informed opinions and testimonials that are completely different from what you’ll find in the downstate press, or from press releases from the many NGOs, agencies, and government contractors partaking of this half-a-billion dollar taxpayer-funded bonanza, or via any mainstream social media or search engines. … ” Read more from the California Globe.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Organizations petition the State Water Board to set permanent instream flow requirements for the Shasta River, a critical Klamath River tributary
“As the largest dam removal project in history unfolds on the Klamath River, conservation and social justice organizations filed a legal petition seeking a permanent instream flow requirement for the Shasta River, an important Klamath River tributary. “The Shasta River was historically the most productive chinook salmon river in the Klamath River Basin, and now it is used mainly to flood irrigate fields,” explained Regina Chichizola from Save California Salmon, a Tribally led environmental justice organization. “The impact of dewatering Klamath River tributaries to Tribal subsistence fishing and the commercial fishing industry can not be overstated.” The petition filed with the California State Water Resources Control Board (California Water Board) requests a permanent instream flow requirement (a requirement to leave water in the river) that is sufficient to achieve recovery of endangered species and satisfy beneficial uses of the Shasta River, including subsistence fishing and recreation. … ” Read more from Save Our Salmon.
Northern California deluge leaves some residents trapped for days, and more rain is on the way
“Torrential rains over the holiday weekend have left Humboldt County reeling, with several roads flood-damaged and impassable, and more rain is on the way. “The storm came and hit us hard on Saturday,” said Thomas Mattson, the county public works director. He said his agency had been working round the clock to repair washed-out roads that had left some residents stranded. In Redwood Valley, off Highway 299, flooding from the Mad River damaged both main access roads Saturday, cutting off residents from outside aid. The 113-mile river flows northwest through the county and the rural unincorporated community. Repairs to the roads were not expected to be completed until late Wednesday. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Working group collaborating on efforts to recover salmon in Battle Creek
“A group consisting of state and federal fishery, water management and land management agencies, local governments, water agencies, conservation organizations, an electric utility, a Resource Conservation District, fishing interests, and a watershed protection group has come together to promote Chinook salmon recovery in Battle Creek. The Battle Creek Salmon Recovery Working Group, which was formed in January 2023, has developed a list of priority actions to advance salmon recovery in the creek that include habitat projects, hatchery improvements, science, and monitoring activities. A January 8 letter to state and federal fisheries, water and land management entities described the efforts of the working group and included the list of these priority actions. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association.
Red Bluff: Plans underway for Antelope Boulevard clean water project
“Tehama County and Red Bluff are working to provide clean water to Antelope Boulevard. In 2011, Red Bluff and the Tehama County Board of Supervisors created a Joint Powers Authority to specifically evaluate and develop a plan to mitigate groundwater pollution in the Antelope Boulevard area, according to the county. The Antelope Boulevard area has several hundred private and community domestic wells within about 1,100 acres or less than 2 square miles. Most wells are located near it among privately owned septic systems. … ” Read from the Daily News.
Red Bluff column: A nice mess, thanks to SGMA challenge
Columnist Shanna Long writes, “The grand jury report is out. And as Laurel used to say to Hardy, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten us into.” Quite literally, the well registration fee imposed by the Tehama County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, aka the Board of Supervisors, will go down as one of Tehama County’s major blunders. Almost as big a mess as the registration ‘fee’ is the amount of paper just mailed out to all parcel numbers. Couldn’t they list the parcel numbers belonging to one landowner all together in one envelope? My poor mother-in-law called me Wednesday and counted 28 separate mailings by the Tehama County FC&WCD. … ” Continue reading at the Daily News.
CENTRAL COAST
Monterey may get some drinking water from El Estero Lake
“A project is underway to divert excess water from Monterey’s El Estero Lake and add it to the city’s restricted water supply. The landmark is located on Del Monte Avenue and is hard to miss for anyone driving into town as people paddle out on the water in duck and swan-shaped boats or picnic on the grass. Whenever the water level at El Estero Lake gets too high, the water is pumped out and drained into the ocean across the street to prevent flooding. “Last winter, with the atmospheric rivers, we actually did a lot of pumping from this pump station to ensure that we didn’t have localized flooding on the roads and in this immediate area,” Tricia Wotan, the city’s environmental regulations manager said. … ” Read more from KSBY.
What locals are saying about a proposal to cut water use in California
“According to proposed water conservation regulations, by 2035, water providers in California would be required to reduce their water use by 14%. While some locals say they are on board with the efforts to conserve, others disagree. “If we need more water, or whatever it is, there are other ways to go about it than put it on residents,” said Orcutt resident Serena McKinsey. … ” Read more from KSBY.
Paso Robles GSA approves county as contracting agent for Paso Basin Cooperative Committee
“The Paso Robles Groundwater Sustainability Agency Board acted jointly with the City Council on Tuesday night, Jan. 16, to discuss and approve the County of San Luis Obispo to serve as an additional contracting agent with the Paso Basin Cooperative Committee (PBCC). In 2014, the California State Legislature enacted the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), mandating local management of groundwater through Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs). The Paso Robles GSA, along with four other local agencies, formed the Paso Basin GSAs to collectively manage the Paso Groundwater Subbasin. They established a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), creating the PBCC for GSP development and SGMA implementation. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily Press.
EASTERN SIERRA
Indian Wells Valley residents ‘in good shape’ concerning water conservation regulations
“The state’s recent proposal to regulate urban water conservation may be troubling to some communities in California, but Indian Wells Valley residents have already seen a major reduction in water consumption and appear to be in good shape. Last August, the State Water Resources Control Board unveiled its proposal which calls for 95 percent of Californians residing in over 400 cities to meet conservation targets beginning in 2025. In 2018, the state enacted laws to make water conservation “a way of life” in California, however the new rules experienced a two-year delay due to the pandemic. By 2035, water providers across the state will collectively need to reduce water use by 14 percent or face stiff penalties prorated daily per violation. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
What lies beneath (is it Cadiz?)
“When do you get labor icon Dolores Huerta attacking a press conference attended by NAACP leaders? When it’s about water — which as we know is for fighting, not drinking. A press conference yesterday at the Capitol, put on by the group Groundswell and attended by state Sen. Steven Bradford and NAACP regional president Rick Callender, is raising environmentalists’ hackles. The event was billed as drumming up support for “clean water for communities of color,” accompanied by a day of lobbying for “legislative action that moves our state out of the water crisis gridlock.” … But Huerta and other environmentalists are worried it’s also a reference to another eternally bandied-about water play: Cadiz, a project to pump groundwater from beneath the Mojave Desert and sell it to southern California water districts that’s been around in one form or another since the 1980s. … ” Read more from Politico.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Revolutionising the US lithium industry: Unlocking the Salton Sea geothermal region
“The Salton Sea region in California has been identified as a potential game-changer for the United States’ energy future. A recent report, published in November 2023, by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, detailed the potential of the Salton Sea Region in Imperial Valley, to become a significant domestic source of lithium. If unlocked, the region would surpass lithium demand in the United States, reducing dependency on imports and establishing the United States on the global lithium stage. … The Innovation Platform Editor, Maddie Hall, spoke with the Geothermal Technologies Department to discuss this analysis, delving into how this resource could be harnessed, its potential impact on the clean energy landscape in the United States, as well as the broader implications on the global lithium market. … ” Read more from the Innovation Network.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego could be first to float solar on drinking water
“A south San Diego water district is thinking about powering itself with energy from the sun. Leaders at Sweetwater Authority, which serves National City, western Chula Vista and Bonita, hired a contractor to study how floating solar panels on its namesake reservoir could reduce its budget. If successful, Sweetwater could be the first drinking water reservoir in the United States to host renewable energy of this kind. Sweetwater’s board hired Noria Energy on June 28 to design a 3.75 megawatt solar array atop 10 acres of the reservoir. Noria has built floating solar arrays on top of a hydroelectric reservoir in Urra, Colombia and on wastewater treatment ponds in Healdsburg, California, both smaller than the solar panel array proposed at Sweetwater. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
Along the Colorado River …
Snowpack climbing in Rockies, but lagging behind 2023; all eyes on Colorado River
“Snow in the Rocky Mountains this week has brought some hope for another wet winter to feed the Colorado River. Snow water equivalent (SWE) levels measured in the Upper Colorado River Basin are at 89% of average. And while that’s still below normal, it’s a big improvement over the past two months, when measurements lingered in the 60-74% range, dropping as low as 54% on Nov. 11 and as high as 87% on Dec. 11. The heaviest snow levels were in the Colorado Headwaters region (95%) and the Lower San Juan range (116%). … ” Read more from KLAS.
Lake Mead level rising, but a big drop is coming, projections show
“Lake Mead is higher than it’s been since early summer of 2021, and the level is expected to rise another 3 feet before the end of February, according to projections released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. But then the lake will drop steadily over 2024, ending the year 17 feet lower by the end of December. And in 2025, the “most probable” projection puts Lake Mead just a few feet above the lowest it has been since the lake was filled in the 1930s. That amounts to a 29-foot drop over the next two years. Here’s a look at the current level at Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country. … ” Read more from KLAS.
SEE ALSO: Troubling chart reveals how Lake Mead water levels are set to hit lowest in almost a CENTURY – with scientists predicting 29-foot drop over next two years, from the Daily Mail
After a year of outcry, Arizona’s wildcat subdivisions and groundwater drilling remain a problem
“Three events relating to water conservation dominated the conversation in 2023: wildcat subdivisions, foreign farms extracting Arizona’s groundwater, and Colorado River restrictions. While an agreement has been reached between states that draw from the Colorado River, long-term solutions for deep-water drilling and wildcat subdivisions have remained out of reach. But this year, they look to be among the top priorities for state lawmakers. … ” Read more from the Copper Courier.
Hobbs proposes new groundwater use rules for housing development
“Gov. Katie Hobbs announced last June that the state would no longer approve some development projects in areas where groundwater is the only source. But in her State of the State address earlier this month, Hobbs proposed a new pathway for groundwater-reliant communities to continue growing. To build a new home in most urban parts of Arizona, developers must prove the property has enough water supply to last 100 years. But a 2023 study by the Arizona Department of Water Resources showed groundwater in the Phoenix area would fall short of demand within a century. Hobbs said at the time that meant the state could no longer allow new development where groundwater is the only available water supply. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
In national water news today …
More concerning than the nanoplastics in water bottles are the chemicals on them
“They are used to give plastic products their distinctive durability, bendability and sleek, nonstick surface. Yet some of these chemical additives have been tied to maladies such as breast and prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as problems with children’s brain development and adult fertility. Of particular concern are a class of additives known as endocrine disruptors — chemicals that mimic and confuse hormone signaling in humans. Now, a team of physicians, epidemiologists and endocrinologists have estimated the costs of plastic exposure on the U.S. healthcare system and come to a sobering conclusion. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Supreme Court appears ready to erode Chevron doctrine
“The Supreme Court appears to be seeking a way to diminish the Chevron doctrine — without completely overruling the 40-year-old legal theory that helps federal agencies defend their rules on public health, food safety and climate change. During oral arguments Wednesday morning in Relentless v. Department of Commerce, the more moderate members of the Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative supermajority questioned why it was necessary to go as far as to overturn a legal doctrine that the high court has declined to use in nearly a decade. “How much of an actual question on the ground is this?” asked Chief Justice John Roberts, noting the court’s move away from Chevron, which says judges should defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretation of their power under ambiguous statutes. … ” Read more from E&E News.
SEE ALSO: Supreme Court Weighs Overturning a Pillar of Federal Regulatory Law, from Inside Climate News
Extreme cold still happens in a warming world – in fact climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex
“Over the past few days, extremely cold Arctic air and severe winter weather have swept southward into much of the U.S., breaking daily low temperature records from Montana to Texas. Tens of millions of people have been affected by dangerously cold temperatures, and heavy lake-effect snow and snow squalls have had severe effects across the Great Lakes and Northeast regions. These severe cold events occur when the polar jet stream – the familiar jet stream of winter that runs along the boundary between Arctic and more temperate air – dips deeply southward, bringing the cold Arctic air to regions that don’t often experience it. An interesting aspect of these events is that they often occur in association with changes to another river of air even higher above the jet stream: the stratospheric polar vortex, a great stream of air moving around the North Pole in the middle of the stratosphere. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
