Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
In California water news this weekend …
Split opinions lodged at hearing on possible state takeover of groundwater use in Tule Subbasin
“Four members of the State Water Resources Control Board got an earful on the future of the Tule Subbasin during a public hearing held in Porterville on April 8. A draft staff report released in March recommends probation for the subbasin for failing to get a handle on groundwater overdraft. Probation is the first step toward possible state takeover of groundwater pumping. If a subbasin does not address issues within a year, it would then enter Chapter 11 and state bureaucrats can set pumping limits, charge fees and issue steep fines to growers who go over their allotted amount. For more than three hours, farmers, drinking water quality advocates, technical consultants and managers from several of the basin’s groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) weighed in on the report’s recommended action. … ” Continue reading from SJV Water.
State board probation hearing for Tulare Lake subbasin coming up
“On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board will conduct a hearing to consider putting the Tulare Lake Subbasin on “Probationary” status under the authority of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) law. The Tulare Lake Subbasin is located in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. There are a couple of pockets of dairy farms in the subbasin, but dairy is certainly not a dominant player in this area. What make this of interest to us is the fact that this Subbasin is the first to be considered for “Probation.” There are five other subbasins in the San Joaquin Valley, some of which do have a lot of dairies in them, whose submitted Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs) were deemed “inadequate” and are subject to this same State Board probationary consideration. … ” Read more from the Milk Producers Council.
SEE ALSO: Commentary: State Board intervention, Tulare Lake, from Don Wright at Water Wrights
Solano County water war? Local leaders say state plans to take 75% of area’s supply
“Leaders in Solano County fear a state water project will run them dry, proposing to take 75% of the county’s current water supply. They say the staggering impacts stem from draining local businesses to reinstating draconian water restrictions and threatening agriculture, which is the county’s second leading industry. “This is our stone fruit orchard. You can see the cover crop is really good right now,” said Cliff Howard, showing CBS13 around his Solano County farm. Everything he grows — from eight types of fruit to wine grapes — requires water, most of which ends up on dinner tables at San Francisco restaurants or wineries in Napa. He fears that if the state proposal leaves Solano County with just a fraction of its water, he will be left with a fraction of his business. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Missouri could crack down on water exports to drought-weary West
(even though there aren’t any, LOL) “Missouri lawmakers say water has almost always been plentiful in their state, giving no reason to think twice about a concept known as riparian rights — the idea that, if you own the land, you have broad freedoms to use its water.But that could change under a bill advancing quickly in a state legislature that is normally sharply divided. The measure would largely forbid the export of water across state lines without a permit, even though there is no evidence that is happening on any large scale. Just the specter of water scarcity is inspiring bipartisan support. Besides persistent drought in parts of the state and plummeting Mississippi River levels in recent months and years, lawmakers are wary of the West, and the chance that thirsty communities facing dwindling water supplies will look east for lakes and rivers to tap. … ” Read more from the Washington Post (gift article).
Another closure of salmon fisheries exposes state’s water politics
“For the second year in a row, there will be no commercial or recreational salmon fishing in California. And for the second year in a row, the governor’s office has requested federal disaster relief to support impacted fishing communities, like Bodega Bay. “That’s just money,” said salmon boat captain Sarah Bates at a public address in San Francisco on Thursday by the Golden State Salmon Association advocacy group. “What we really want is to fix the larger problem. What we’re asking for is actually something much, much greater.” Bodega Bay fisherman Dick Ogg spoke specifically about how the closure will impact Sonoma County fishermen and women in Bodega Bay. … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Celebrating the life and achievements of Bill Jennings
“On Sunday April, 7, 2024, friends of Bill Jennings gathered by the Mokelumne River to remember and celebrate his life and achievements. The following eulogy was delivered by Chris Shutes, Executive Director of California Sportfishing Protection Alliance. …. “We’re gathered here on this cold but sunny Delta morning to remember our friend and colleague Bill Jennings. We remember Bill here on the banks of the lower Mokelumne River, a river that Bill and his friends brought from the brink of ruin to become the home of one of the most abundant salmon runs in California. Bill did not have family, at least that he talked about or kept up with. He was an only child. For the last years of her life, Bill’s mother lived close to Bill in Stockton until her death in 2000. So in many regards, Bill’s family, such as it was, was drawn from the ranks of players and actors in the world of California fisheries, water policy, and pollution enforcement. … ” Continue reading from the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Planning a Delta
California communities have benefited greatly by past successes having resulted in economic gains and the California lifestyle. Through these times, the California population have grown a dependence on the current waters of the state and the manner of its statewide distribution. Man induced conditions and behavior have carried a weight that has affected the Delta with diminished health and restricted processes that characterize how a delta operates in the world. 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
WATER SHELF: “Water Always Wins” by Erica Gies
Erica Gies visits the Water Shelf podcast to talk about her fantastic and internationally distributed recent book, “Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge.” Ms. Gies is an independent journalist covering science and the environment from Victoria, British Columbia, and San Francisco, California. Her work appears in the New York Times, Scientific American, Nature, Ensia, The Economist, bioGraphic, National Geographic, and other outlets.
Sunday videos …
Troubled Waters | Climate change hits home in the USA
From the United Nations: “Are we running out of time to protect our most precious resource? As weather systems spin out of control across the globe, we take a closer look at how the United States is tackling the “too much” and “too little” of water. The Quinault, a Native tribal community in Washington State, is forced to relocate their coastal village to higher ground as high tides threaten to wash away the land they’ve inhabited for thousands of years. Meanwhile 1,500 miles away in Phoenix, Arizona, a historic megadrought and punishing heatwave are driving officials and the community at large to find new solutions for conserving their dwindling Colorado River supply, as vulnerable homeless populations struggle to stay cool on the streets.”
And lastly … ‘WaterCar’ turns heads in Long Beach with its ability to travel on water and land
“It is something out of a James Bond movie — a car transforming into a boat while driving into the water. But it’s not Hollywood magic, it’s Southern Californian engineering and the ambition of the developers from WaterCar. … ” Watch below or read article at NBC LA.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Klamath farmers say new Fish and Wildlife rule would threaten agriculture on refuges
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new rules requiring national wildlife refuge managers to promote biological diversity and environmental health. Some Southern Oregon farmers worry that could stop activities like farming on refuge land. The federal agency said the new rule, which promotes “biological integrity, diversity and environmental health,” is needed to deal with the effects of climate change in the country’s network of wildlife refuges. Those are public lands created to protect native animals and plants. … ” Read more from OPB.
500,000 Coho, Chinook Salmon to be released into Klamath River
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be joined by Tribal leaders and fisheries experts to release over 500,000 salmon into the Klamath River Tuesday. According to CDFW, this will be the first major release of Coho Salmon into the river since the drawdown of Klamath River reservoirs as part of the dam removal currently underway. … ” Read more from KOBI.
Commentary: Short term pain for long term gain
Del Norte County resident Kevin Hendrick writes, “The Klamath River dam removal is the largest riparian restoration project in the United States. There are a few who still oppose this project, but it is moving forward as planned with a few bumps. The release of sediment from the dam removal was an anticipated short-term impact. Though this is having a temporary effect on fish, in the long term a free-flowing Klamath will greatly improve the habitat for salmon. Increased salmon populations will be good for everyone who likes to fish for and eat salmon. The Harbor District expressed concerns that this excess sediment may be carried north and deposited in the harbor. Precautions are being taken to determine whether this problem arises. The harbor has established a baseline depth prior to dam removal to measure any inflow of silt. There is a plan to mitigate if this occurs. … ” Read more from the Del Norte Triplicate.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Our community dependence on the South Yuba Canal
“Precariously perched on the side of a mountain and blasted through granite tunnels, NID’s South Yuba Canal conveys precious snowmelt runoff from the upper reaches of the Sierra crest to the communities of Nevada County. The Nevada Irrigation District (NID) purchased this 17-mile stretch of flume and tunnel from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for $1. In 2023, the multi-year-long ownership transfer finally occurred.Due to its remote location, vulnerability to severe damage, and its necessity for water delivery to Scotts Flat Reservoir, NID now dictates its own fate through prioritized maintenance and repair analysis. The significance of the delivery of water to our foothill community through this conduit cannot be understated. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Shasta Lake: The poster child of California’s drought makes a comeback in a near-miracle
“California’s past two wet winters have given the state’s water supply a remarkable boost and stamped out the drought. A snowpack that had been below normal for two years was epic last year and this year. Rivers that were running low are now rushing. Reservoirs that were depleted in dry years are at last brimming with water. Perhaps one of the best examples of this remarkable turn of events is Shasta Lake. Three years ago, the lake was almost 185 feet from being full, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The lake served as a poster child for the state’s drought, with boat docks sitting on exposed, cracked lake bed. … Fast-forward to spring 2024, after two wet winters marked by headline-making atmospheric rivers, and the lake is 7.39 feet from being full. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: Shasta Reservoir storage above historical average, nearing capacity, from Fox 40
NAPA/SONOMA
Water contamination by PFAS chemicals a growing local concern; additional tests scheduled
“As we reported last week, Santa Rosa Water…the city’s public water utility–declined a national, multi-billion dollar settlement with manufacturer 3M over contamination by so-called forever chemicals….called PFAS. PFAS are chemicals added to certain products to make them non-stick, repel water…or protect against stains and wrinkles. They are allegedly hazardous because they don’t degrade in the environment and are linked to health issues such as low birth weight and liver disease, along with certain cancers. So… why did Santa Rosa’s public water utility decline to settle? and should local residents be worried? … ” Read more from Northern California Public Media.
BAY AREA
Feds fine EBMUD, 5 East Bay cities for raw sewage violations
“The federal government has fined Oakland and four other East Bay cities along with regional water districts for violating a settlement regarding untreated sewage reaching San Francisco Bay, according to a news release Thursday. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board announced $372,876 in penalties against the East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Stege Sanitary District and five East Bay cities: Oakland, Alameda, Albany, Berkeley and Piedmont. Oakland is responsible for a majority of the total combined fine. The EPA says all the entities violated a settlement under the 2014 Clean Water Act in which they had paid a combined $1.5 million penalty for past sewage discharges and agreed to upgrade their 1,600-mile-long sewer system infrastructure over 21 years. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Sewage backup in East Orosi renews frustration and allegations of dysfunction
“Residents in the small town of East Orosi woke up Sunday to backed-up toilets and yards flooded with wastewater. One of the community’s wastewater pumps stopped working, causing sewage backups for two days until workers were able to fix the pump late Monday night. “It’s really bad. Somebody needs to do something about it,” said Norma Rodriguez, an East Orosi resident. “I already have diabetes, I don’t wanna be getting sick off something else.” Rodriguez’s toilets stopped working and backed up for two days when the pump went down on Sunday. She lives with her boyfriend and four children, ages ranging from 5-26. Rodriguez worries about the safety of her children because of exposure to the sewage. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Metropolitan Water District rate hike is making waves
“Metropolitan Water District’s board of directors voted to raise rates, a move that could ultimately affect property taxes and water costs for residents throughout Ventura County. … Calleguas and the dozen other water purveyors now could face rate increases of 17% in 2024-25 and 8% in 2025-26. During meetings in March, Calleguas officials expressed concern over the rate hikes, which are far more substantial than expected. A previous long-term rate forecast projected a 5% across-theboard increase for purveyors. “It’s a sizable increase, (but) this is their initial proposal. Metropolitan’s board is working hard to develop alternatives,” said Henry Graumlich, executive strategist for Calleguas. … ” Read more from The Acorn.
SCV Water sends letter about contamination concerns for landfill
“The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency sent a letter Wednesday to the L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board to request testing of Chiquita Canyon Landfill’s leachate for the presence of contaminants that have plagued the local supply for years — per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The chemical was detected five years ago in the landfill’s leachate, according to the local water provider, which also stated the landfill has not tested for PFAS since it was detected in 2019. The letter notes the local water agency relies on groundwater for about half of its local supply, and the agency is “concerned about potential groundwater impacts due to current conditions at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill” because SCV Water maintains drinking water supply wells within 3,000 feet of the facility. … ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Signal.
SAN DIEGO
Lawsuit: Feds continue violating Clean Water Act for failing to control border sewage crisis
“The International Boundary and Water Commission is again being sued over water-quality permit violations that have led to rampant sewage polluting San Diego County’s southernmost shoreline. The San Diego Coastkeeper and Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation on Thursday filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. arm of the IBWC and its contractor Veolia Water North America-West, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act. The environmental groups announced in December their intent to sue the binational federal agency. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Wet March boosts Colorado snowpack, streamflow forecasts
“The month of March in Colorado was wet, with several storms bumping snowpack and spring runoff forecasts to above average across nearly all of the state. That is the main take-away from the April 2024 Water Supply Outlook Report from the National Resources Conservation Service and good news for those who depend on water from the drought-plagued Colorado River basin. All major river basins around the state received above-average precipitation for March, boosting snowpack to above median. March precipitation ranged from 138% of median in the northwest corner of the state to 186% of median in the Arkansas River basin. “The March 13 through 15 storm cycle brought an even greater increase in precipitation across the state, with some areas of the Front Range and southern mountains receiving three to five feet of snowfall,” the report reads. … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
