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On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: Central Valley Flood Protection Board beginning at 10am. The Central Valley Flood Protection Board will conduct site visits to the following proposed and ongoing project locations in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta: Little Egbert Tract; Cache Slough Mitigation Bank; Mellin Levee; and Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project. Click here for workshop agenda and remote access instructions.
- PUBLIC MEETING: DRIP Collaborative Drought Definition and Narrative Workgroup from 11am to 12:30pm. The Drought Resilience Interagency & Partners (DRIP) Collaborative will hold a workgroup meeting to refine proposed recommendations under the Drought Definition and Narrative Focus Area. During the workgroup meeting, DRIP members will review input provided during the April DRIP Collaborative meeting and address the following: Validate title and recommendation description; Identify anticipated impacts; Consider related implementing parties & partners; Describe potential alignment with other initiatives; and Identify of SME for additional input. Click here for more information.
In California water news today …
California’s biggest water agency places leader on administrative leave
“The board of California’s biggest water agency voted Thursday to place its general manager, Adel Hagekhalil, on administrative leave after a senior employee accused him of cultivating a toxic work environment. The 38-member board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which supplies some 19 million Californians in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, also voted to promote chief operating officer Deven Upadhyay to lead the organization on an interim basis. The decision came after Metropolitan’s chief financial officer and assistant general manager, Katano Kasaine, accused Hagekhalil of harassing her, retaliating against her for sharing her concerns about the budget process and creating a hostile work environment, in a letter obtained by POLITICO. … ” Read more from Politico.
Top manager of California’s largest water supplier placed on leave after sexism, harassment allegations
“The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California voted to place General Manager Adel Hagekhalil on leave Thursday while the agency investigates accusations of harassment against him by the agency’s chief financial officer. Chief Financial Officer Katano Kasaine made the allegations in a confidential letter to the board, which was leaked and published by Politico. She said Hagekhalil has harassed, demeaned and sidelined her and created a hostile work environment. MWD Board Chair Adán Ortega Jr. announced the decision after a closed-door meeting, saying the board voted to immediately place Hagekhalil on administrative leave and to temporarily appoint Deven Upadhyay, an assistant general manager, as interim general manager. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO:
- Metropolitan places general manager on administrative leave, statement from Metropolitan Water District
- Restore the Delta and Shingle Springs statements in response to allegations against Metropolitan Water District General Manager Adel Hagekhalil
- State to Metropolitan Water Board: Obey – Pressured by Newsom Administration, MWD Board Turns on Its General Manager, press release from C-WIN
Column: DWP’s new leader wants to shake things up. It won’t be easy
Columnist Sammy Roth writes, “An honest-to-goodness map of the American West would show L.A.’s tentacles everywhere. … Los Angeles has reshaped the West. And the city’s Department of Water and Power has been the agent of change. Last month, Janisse Quiñones took the helm as the agency’s new leader, after being recommended by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and confirmed unanimously by City Council. She’s got a tough job ahead of her, with the city targeting 100% clean energy by 2035 — a decade ahead of California’s statewide goal. DWP is also trying to protect the city from climate change-fueled droughts by getting 70% of its water from local sources such as storm runoff, underground aquifers and recycling by 2035 — another huge ask. Can we make those dreams a reality? Quiñones has been on the job less than a month, but she’s confident. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
El Niño is over — with La Niña expected soon. What that means for California weather
“El Niño is officially over. The Climate Prediction Center announced Thursday that waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific, which are warmer-than-average during El Niño, have cooled to “neutral,” or near-normal temperatures. Sea surface temperatures are expected to continue to drop in the coming months, with a 65% chance of La Niña developing by the period from July to September and lasting through the winter. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures associated with El Niños can produce rising air that has big effects on global weather. El Niño winters typically bring wetter-than-normal conditions to Central and Southern California. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Reforming California’s financial penalties for water theft will create an effective deterrent
Professor Richard Frank writes, “In a Legal Planet Post earlier this week, I recounted the saga of how federal prosecutors recently secured the criminal conviction of Dennis Falaschi, the former San Joaquin Valley water district general manager who oversaw the decades-long theft of millions of gallons of publicly-owned water from California’s Central Valley Project. That successful prosecution certainly qualifies as a good news story on the environmental enforcement front. … Which brings us to another California example of egregious theft of the public’s precious water supplies for private gain, to the detriment of other, law-abiding water users, the public and the environment. In November 2022, former Sacramento Bee reporters Dale Kasler and Ryan Sabalow wrote in a Bee article that earlier that year–during the height of an intense, multiyear California drought–farmers and ranchers in rural Siskiyou County openly defied a “curtailment order” that had been lawfully adopted by California’s State Water Resources Control Board. … ” Read more from Legal Planet.
Dos Rios State Park: “A new era of water management.”
“Julie Rentner and Patrick Koepele have spent decades of their lives dedicated to healing nature through the restoration of rivers, Rentner with River Partners and Koepele with the Tuolmne River Trust. Wednesday, June 12, the entire state of California celebrated one of the greatest outcomes of their labors with the opening of Dos Rios State Park, at the confluence of the San Joaquin and Tuolumne Rivers, just west of Modesto. Rentner and Koepele weren’t the only people responsible for Dos Rios, of course. Opening a state park, especially in difficult times like these, requires a host of willing participants and the labors of Hercules. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, the Lyons family of Mapes Ranch, former Assemblyman Adam Gray, native American coalitions, and a host of other entities were involved in bringing Dos Rios State Park to reality. Nonetheless, Rentner and Koepele are the people who’ve stuck with river restoration and recovery for literally decades. They’ve stayed on task through seasons of drought, seasons of flood, and tumultuous eras of political change. They’ve endured. … ” Read more from the Valley Citizen.
DWR collaborates on the “park of the future” teaming with nature-based solutions
“California’s newest state park, Dos Rios, officially opened on June 12 in the San Joaquin Valley and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is honored to be one of many partners that helped bring it to life. Through the use of nature-based solutions, Dos Rios State Park reduces flood risk for the surrounding area, provides a refuge for local residents during worsening heat waves, and restores the natural environment of the Central Valley to benefit local fish and wildlife. Dos Rios has been hailed as “a park of the future” and provides a blueprint for other projects. DWR’s participation began in 2010 when the organization’s Flood Protection Corridor Program awarded River Partners $3 million in Proposition 84 funds to help acquire the 1,603-acre Dos Rios Ranch. Over the next 14 years, this site would undergo an extensive transformation to become a California State Park. … ” Read more from DWR News.
The dirty secret of California’s legal weed
“Aging yuppies in neon beachwear stand before a green wall with the catchphrase, “You have changed … so has cannabis.” The social media post is part of “Real CA Cannabis,” a $5-million taxpayer-funded campaign to promote California cannabis as safe, tested and “regulated by the state to protect consumers.” In reality, that safety is far from certain. An investigation by The Times, in conjunction with cannabis industry newsletter WeedWeek, found alarming levels of pesticides in cannabis products available on dispensary shelves across the state, including some of the most popular brands of vapes and pre-rolled weed. Twenty-five of 42 legal cannabis products that The Times and WeedWeek purchased from retail stores and had tested at private labs showed concentrations of pesticides either above levels the state allows or at levels that exceed federal standards for tobacco. The contaminants include chemicals tied to cancer, liver failure, thyroid disease and genetic and neurologic harm to users and unborn children. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Study shows PFAS threat to drinking water in rural, predominantly Latinx communities
“Public water wells in communities of color might be disproportionately polluted by pesticides contaminated with harmful per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, according to a new study led by a team of researchers from UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The chemicals, commonly known as PFAS, have been widely used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. They can pose significant health risks, including lower antibody response, change in liver enzymes, and other health effects, according to the CDC. The Environmental Protection Agency adopted a maximum contaminant level for PFAS in drinking water in April. … ” Read more from UC Berkeley.
This California ‘shipwreck,’ beloved but rotting, has got to go, officials say
“It once was beautiful, the S.S. Point Reyes, even as it slowly rotted on the banks of Tomales Bay. But now, its hull is shattered; its innards, rusty and charred. Moss clings to its damp wooden planks, and graffiti mars its chipped paint. It lists precariously toward its starboard side. The abandoned fishing boat — stuck on a mudflat in the tiny town of Inverness since the late 1990s, residents say — found its fame long after its working days were done. Its resting place was pinpointed on Google Maps as “Point Reyes Shipwrecks,” proving irresistible for travelers on nearby Highway 1. It was geotagged on Instagram, where it became the muse of multitudes of cellphone photographers. … It has been beloved and abused. And its days appear to be numbered. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
First California fire weather watch of 2024 issued
“Dry, gusty winds are in the forecast across Northern California this weekend, prompting the first fire weather watch of 2024. The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for the Sacramento Valley, northern Sierra Nevada foothills and Lake County, which is in effect from 11 p.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Monday. The most recent fire weather watch in the Sacramento Valley was in October 2023. Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Yuba City, Marysville and Davis are all included in the fire weather watch. Fire weather watches are issued up to 72 hours in advance of critical fire weather conditions. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
In commentary today …
Investing now to keep Valley safe from megafloods
Senator Alvarado-Gil, Assemblyman Heath Flora, and Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria write, “We all know it. You shouldn’t wait to close the barn door until after the horse has bolted. That’s an important lesson for Central Valley communities today. California didn’t experience floods this past winter like we did in 2023. But given that the legislature is writing a bond now, this is the time to speak up to keep our communities safe from catastrophic flooding in the future. A year and a half ago, the town of Planada was hit by a devastating flood. When a debris-clogged Miles Creek overflowed, the resulting flood hit like a gut-punch. UC Merced researchers found that 83 percent of all households suffered, and many lost everything. “These were more than houses,” one anguished resident told the media, “they were symbols of a lifetime of hard work.” … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Federal officials give update on Two-Basin Solution during visit to Ukiah
“In the form of a grant described as coming from a “brand-new” source of infrastructure funding, the group hoping to continue diversions from the Eel River to the Russian River in Mendocino County has received $2 million from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, federal officials announced during a visit to Ukiah Friday. “Your success is reclamation’s success, and we are committed to that,” Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner M. Camille Calimlim Touton told the group gathered at Coyote Valley Dam along Lake Mendocino June 7 to hear Rep. Jared Huffman (D – San Rafael) announce the award of $2 million to the Eel-Russian River Authority to help the group of regional stakeholders study how best to approach the possible continued diversion of Eel River water to the Russian River once the dams created for the Potter Valley Project have been removed, a plan being called the Two-Basin Solution. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Foothill yellow-legged frog survey
“There is something in the water down in Greenhorn Creek — it’s the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog and their offspring! On Friday, May 31st, the SYRCL Watershed Science team had the pleasure of accompanying the US Forest Service Wildlife crew on a search for this near-threatened species. The goal of the day was to find and, if necessary, re-locate the egg masses of the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog. Re-location of their eggs is done in places such as Greenhorn Creek due to this area being so popular with Off Highway Vehicles (OHV). The Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs’ egg masses can contain hundreds to thousands of eggs and, unfortunately, these soft egg masses do not hold up well against being run over by OHV tires. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League.
PG&E repair delays worsen water delivery challenges: PCWA and NID respond
“The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) and Nevada Irrigation District (NID) have issued the following statement in response to the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) company’s recent announcement regarding further delays in repairing essential water delivery infrastructure at their Spaulding #1 Powerhouse. Initially scheduled for completion by early-June, the repair completion date has now been pushed to late July. This delay is one of several in the repair of PG&E’s Spaulding #1 Powerhouse, which has been offline since early March following the discovery of a leak and subsequent damage. This latest delay is substantial enough to trigger action by both PCWA and NID towards conserving water until PG&E has their water system back online. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director tours Lake Tahoe, announces $3.4 million investment
“During a trip to South Lake Tahoe on Thursday, June 6, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams announced $3.4 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to prevent and combat the spread of aquatic invasive species in Lake Tahoe. Williams announced Meek’s Bay, following a tour she took with Tahoe Regional Planning Agency of two project sites in the Basin that are also funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The tour started at the Spooner Watercraft Inspection Station where Dennis Zabaglo, TRPA Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager discussed the AIS watercraft inspection program. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Commentary: The era of unmanaged groundwater is over; grassroots involvement needed to protect California’s resources
Judith Redmond, a Yolo County farmer working with the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, writes, “Butte County is blessed with bountiful fresh water within its boundaries. Big Chico Creek, Butte Creek, Feather River and the Sacramento River all support incredible and vibrant natural ecosystems. What is not as apparent is the importance of Butte County’s vast underground water resources. This groundwater is connected directly to the surface waters that residents enjoy as part of the daily landscape. Until recently, property owners in California had the right to drill a well and pump any water that was available. Agriculture and many small communities rely on groundwater for irrigation and drinking. But when more groundwater is pumped out of the ground than is replenished by rain there can be serious problems — and unfortunately that is what has happened in Butte County and many other regions. When the level of groundwater declines, small communities lose their drinking water, the roots of trees go dry and farmers dig deeper and deeper wells. … ” Read more from the Chico News & Review.
Roseville/Placer County: Amid projected growth, Roseville and Placer County maintain excellent water reliability for everyone
“When it comes to water, it pays to plan ahead. You never know when that rainy day—or prolonged drought—may come. Roseville and Placer County leaders are pursuing long-term solutions to bolster water supply reliability while accommodating rapid population growth. “Roseville takes a holistic approach to water supply,” explained Roseville Water Utility Manager George Hanson. “We look at varied sources such as groundwater, alternatives to Folsom Reservoir and water conservation, and how we can be more efficient. “With this approach, we’ve built a robust water supply. The challenge in the future [will be] that we need to anticipate events and need to ensure our water supply.” … ” Read more from the Sacramento News & Review.
NAPA/SONOMA
Healdsburg launches multi-million-dollar recycled water project
“The city of Healdsburg has started the first phase of its multi-million-dollar recycled water project. This significant infrastructure initiative aims to create a comprehensive recycled water distribution network, enhancing water conservation efforts and drought resilience. The project, the first of four phases scheduled for this year, involves constructing a 4.7-mile underground pipeline to transport reclaimed water across Healdsburg. This water will be used to irrigate municipal areas, including parks, the Healdsburg Golf Club, Oak Mound Cemetery and Healdsburg Elementary School. Additionally, a public fill station for recycled water will be built along Healdsburg Avenue, although the exact location has yet to be determined. … ” Read more from the Sonoma Gazette.
BAY AREA
California has had a wet two years. What does that mean for Oaklanders and their environment?
“The wet weather of the past two years has been a stark contrast to the drought conditions that California has become accustomed to. Floods, landslides, and overflowing streets were a winter staple as storms from atmospheric rivers–so named for their shape and the amount of moisture they carry–dumped buckets of rain on the Golden State. Now that we’ve moved out of the rainy season into the drier, warmer summer months, we can begin to take stock of the effects of the wet years. These include filled groundwater supplies and lush hills, along with worse allergies and more fuel for wildfires, to say nothing of the considerable toll taken on road infrastructure. Here’s a look at some of the ways that the statewide effects of the rain might show up for Oakland residents. … ” Read more from Oaklandside.
Marshes could save Bay Area half a billion dollars in floods
“What, precisely, is the value of habitat restoration? While answers tend to aim for pristine nature and thriving wildlife, one approach — recently published in the journal Nature — has assigned salt marsh restoration projects a dollar value in terms of human assets protected from climate change driven flooding. This novel approach uses the same models engineers use to evaluate the value of “gray” solutions such as levees and seawalls. “You can really compare apples to apples when you put these green climate adaptation solutions on the same playing field as gray infrastructure,” says Rae Taylor-Burns, a postdoctoral fellow with UC Santa Cruz’s Center for Coastal Climate Resilience and lead author of the study. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
Livermore: Local geologists oppose city’s PFAS plans for new wells
“A group of local geologists are questioning the city’s and Zone 7’s plans to drill new groundwater wells in southwest Pleasanton, which aim to restart the city’s groundwater supply. Water testing in 2019 revealed elevated levels of PFAS in Pleasanton’s groundwater wells that eventually led the city to shut down all three of its wells by the end of 2022. An ongoing investigation into the contamination’s source, led by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, currently includes several area fire stations. … Previously, Pleasanton had taken advantage of a city-specific groundwater pumping allocation to supply as much as 20% of its water usage with its own well water at costs lower than the cost of purchasing water from Zone 7, the regional water supplier. But since the shutdown of its three wells, the city has relied wholly on Zone 7 for its water. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
CENTRAL COAST
CA Coastal Commission approves plan to end Los Osos building moratorium. What’s next?
“Development could resume in Los Osos as early as next year despite community concerns about the water supply. At a tense meeting Thursday, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve the Los Osos Community Plan, which will lift the 35-year building moratorium and set rules for development that aim to protect the water supply and sensitive habitats. “Our hope is that we can find a way for housing development in Los Osos to be compatible with coastal resources,” Commissioner Justin Cummings said. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kaweah managers link arms with Self-Help in new domestic well partnership
“When the next drought hits and domestic wells start going dry, many rural Tulare County residents will have a sturdy, new lifeline to grab onto. Groundwater managers in the Kaweah subbasin, in the northern portion of Tulare’s flatlands, signed a $5.8 million annual deal with Self-Help Enterprises to provide rapid response and long-term fixes focused on residential wells. The deal is codified in the region’s newly minted groundwater sustainability plan as well. Managers hope this, and other changes, will keep the region from being put on probation by the state Water Resources Control Board. A probation hearing for Kaweah is set for Nov. 5. Probation is the first step in a possible state takeover of local pumping. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Self-Help Enterprises to administer emergency water program in Tulare County
“Self-Help Enterprises has launched a partnership with three groundwater sustainability agencies in the Kaweah Subbasin to expand assistance for rural residents who lose water due to lowering groundwater levels. The East Kaweah, Greater Kaweah and Mid-Kaweah groundwater sustainability agencies will invest up to $5.8 million annually to ensure that water users in the area will receive emergency water supplies if their wells go dry. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
MEETING NOTES: New water authority created; state drums up support for Delta tunnel
“Several members of the Kern subbasin met to appoint representatives to the newly formed Kern Non-Districted Land Authority, formerly known as the Kern Groundwater Authority. The Kern Groundwater Authority disbanded as of its last meeting in May and a new joint powers agreement created the Non-Districted Land Authority. The new authority has yet to hold its first meeting. … The Department of Water Resources (DWR) also made the rounds to each water district to discuss cost increases of its Delta Conveyance Project, a tunnel that would take water from the Sacramento River under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to pumps near Tracy. The state needs both entities to fund the project. But in recent years, several Kern water districts have opted out, or reduced their share as costs and uncertainty around the tunnel have risen. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
EASTERN SIERRA
Indian Wells Valley Water District releases independent cost analysis of IWVGA’s Pipeline Project
“The Indian Wells Valley Water District (District) retained an independent financial consultant to conduct a detailed cost analysis of the proposed Imported Water Pipeline Project, revealing that the project’s costs are significantly higher than previously estimated. The Imported Water Pipeline Project, identified in the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) by the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (GA) in 2020, aims to transport treated water from the Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency (AVEK) pipeline in California City to a new Terminus Tank near Ridgecrest. The project includes the construction of the pipeline, pump stations, storage tanks, and related facilities. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Where will Pasadena get its water in a hotter, drier future?
Rick Cole, elected as Councilmember from District 2 to take office in December, writes, “Starting July 1, Pasadena residents will be paying more for your water – about 22% more for the average homeowner. That’s the first year of five years of rate increases recently approved by the City Council (on a 6-1 vote) that will hike average rates by 70%. Because water is vital to life – and to keeping Pasadena green – everyone understands the need to invest in safe and reliable supply. But even with the higher costs – is Pasadena doing enough to ensure the water will be there (at an affordable price) when we need it in a hotter and drier future? As our population continues to grow, will we be faced with draconian restrictions – or crippling charges? … ” Read more from Pasadena Now.
Commentary: Big Bang on the Bay fireworks do not harm Alamitos Bay
“The Big Bang on the Bay is among the the most vibrant and family-oriented Independence Day celebrations in Southern California. Unfortunately, the charity event has become ground zero in the conversation of environmental issues from fireworks in Southern California. Reducing the opponents and supporters of the Big Bang on the Bay to environmentalists vs. non-environmentalists is not a true depiction of the situation and distracts from the larger issue, which is how a few connected individuals can influence the Coastal Commission permit review and approval process. Facilitated by relationships, not science, these individuals are empowered by their associations with commission staffers and have worked to extend the permit review period, successfully pushed a false narrative that fireworks are a threat to the local environment and, in the process, have harmed children and charity groups in Long Beach that benefit financially from the annual event. Before we get to that, let us talk about the existing environmental data from the event. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
SAN DIEGO
Sand from Agua Hedionda Lagoon to hit Carlsbad beaches this fall
“Dredging will begin this fall at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon for the first time since 2021, a maintenance project that will provide more sand for Carlsbad beaches. The lagoon has been dredged every few years since the 1950s, when SDG&E built the Encina power plant on its banks and used the seawater for cooling. Now that the power plant is gone, the lagoon provides saltwater for the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant that began operations in 2015. “The open inlet is critical to a healthy lagoon,” said Dominic Massaro, a senior environmental engineer at Anchor QUE. His firm provides consulting services for Channelside Water Resources, formerly Poseidon Water Resources, the operator of the desalination plant. As the operator, Channelside is responsible for the lagoon’s maintenance. Agua Hedionda, Spanish for “stinking water,” is the busiest lagoon in San Diego County. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River water use in three states drops to 40-year low
“As the Colorado River declines, one fundamental question hangs over the Southwest’s most important waterway: can its people and industries slash their water use, thus aligning their water demands with a shrinking supply? The answer so far – with important caveats – is a clear but qualified ‘yes.’ The latest evidence: the three lower basin states of Arizona, California, and Nevada whittled their take from the river last year. Their combined consumption of just under 5.8 million acre-feet is the lowest annual total since 1983. That represents a decline of 13 percent compared to 2022, when Lake Mead, the basin’s largest reservoir hit a record low and a simmering crisis morphed into a full-blown emergency. The 2023 water consumption numbers are detailed in a Bureau of Reclamation report published last month. Reclamation is the federal agency that oversees the basin. … ” Read more from the Circle of Blue.
USDA pays Colorado River region farmers billions for losing crops, but not to use less water
“Farming and ranching in the Western U.S. sucks up 75% of the Colorado River basin’s water supply. A new analysis shows the federal government is paying these farmers billions in crop insurance, but not helping them adapt to climate change. From 2017 to 2023, farmers in the Colorado River region received $5.6 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for crop losses caused by drought, according to a report from the nonpartisan Environmental Working Group. That includes farmers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. During that same six-year span, the USDA paid farmers $521 million to install efficient irrigation systems through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program, one of the agency’s largest conservation initiatives. But that program doesn’t help farmers use less water since the West has a use-it-or-lose-it policy, said report author Anne Schechinger, an agricultural economist with the Environmental Working Group. … ” Read more from KUNR.
As tribal leaders sign water deals, they demand equal standing in Colorado River talks
“Interior Secretary Deb Haaland knelt and tearfully dipped her hand into the Colorado River after signing a historic agreement that will move the Colorado River Indian Tribes closer to leasing or exchanging part of its Arizona water allocation. “We know the simple truth,” she said. “Water is sacred.” But when tribes lack accessible water, or their water rights are not honored, they are unable to plan for their people’s long-term opportunities, Haaland said. Resolving that situation for at least one tribe in Arizona brought Haaland to the blue ribbon that runs through the western edge of the Sonoran Desert. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Explore the habitats along the Lower Colorado River
“The Colorado River and its tributaries—which support 40 million people, sacred Tribal lands, a $1.4 trillion economy, more than five million acres of farms and ranches, and thousands of species of wildlife—are shrinking due to climate change and overuse. Important habitats exist and have been intentionally reestablished along more than 400 miles of the Colorado River as it flows south of Hoover Dam. To raise awareness of these gems in the desert that support 400 species of birds, Audubon Southwest launched a visually-appealing StoryMap website created by Elija Flores and myself called Lower Colorado River Habitats: Exploring important habitats of the Lower Colorado River and what they mean for birds and people. … ” Read more from Audubon.
Salt River Project allowed to hold water longer at Roosevelt Dam in Arizona during high runoff seasons
“Salt River Project has been approved to hold water for longer at Roosevelt Dam east of metro Phoenix during high runoff seasons. The utility’s proposal was approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will let SRP hold water in a portion of the flood control space up to 120 days, an increase from 20 days. The temporary extension would only be allowed to occur once a year for three out of the next five years. “SRP recognizes the need to carefully manage every drop on the watershed while maintaining the safety of dams for our communities and protecting the environment,” Leslie Meyers, SRP associate general manager and chief water resources executive, said in a press release. … ” Read more from KTAR.
Lake Powell missing 40,000 acre feet of water after accidental release, officials say
“Lake Powell got an accidental haircut last year, according to officials overseeing the nation’s second-largest reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation told The Colorado Sun, they accidentally released 40,000 acre feet of water. This happened while trying to balance moving a lot of water around the Colorado River Basin in 2023. Utah’s Colorado River Commissioner, Gene Shawcroft told KSL NewsRadio the Bureau was working to balance millions of acre feet of water, between repaying water borrowed from Flaming Gorge and Blue Mesa reservoirs and the very wet winter that shortly followed. “The hydrology changed dramatically,” Shawcroft said. “This was a unique situation.” … ” Read more from KSL.
In national water news today …
Supreme Court weighs case that could weaken environmental protections
“The Supreme Court is expected to rule any day now on two cases that could allow judges to more easily overrule federal agencies, which could have big implications for environmental, consumer and public health protections. The two cases — Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless Inc. v. the Department of Commerce — aim to overturn the 1984 Chevron deference doctrine that said when ambiguous statutes are being challenged in court, judges must defer to the reasonable interpretation of agency experts. “It would give judges a lot more power to write very impactful regulatory provisions where those judges really don’t have a lot of expertise,” said Jim Murphy, the National Wildlife Federation’s director of legal advocacy. … ” Read more from the Public News Service.
