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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Sites Reservoir Water Right Permit beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board is holding a multi-day public hearing on the Sites Project Authority’s application for a water right permit to store up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually in a proposed reservoir in the Sacramento Valley. In person at CalEPA Headquarters, 1001 I St., Sacramento, California or view on the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel.
- WEBINAR: Righting Historic Wrongs: Truth, Healing and Tribal Stewardship beginning at 10:30am. At 10:30 am, help kick-off CNRA’s new Tribal Stewardship Strategy webinar series! Moderated by Secretary Wade Crowfoot, the beginning of this two-part conversation with distinguished leaders will delve into a history of injustice faced by California Native American tribes and how advancing tribal access, co-management, and ancestral land return can foster healing and justice for the land, water, and people. Click here to register for Part 1. Registration form has information on registering for Part 2, which begins at 1pm.
- WEBINAR: Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water – Napa County from 12pm to 1:30pm. State Water Resources Control Board and regional water quality control board staff will hold public webinars on the implementation of the General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water, Order No. WQ 2021-0002-DWQ (Winery Order). The webinar will focus on providing the regulated community (e.g., winery owners or operators) and related wine industry professionals information on Winery Order enrollment, technical requirements, specific implementation considerations, and role of the local regional boards. Each webinar will include information presented by the State Water Board and regional board staff. Time will also be included for live questions and answers (Q&A). Read the full notice here. Click here to join.
In California water news today …
PRESS RELEASE: Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Water Coalition submit urgent request to Governor Newsom and Interior Secretary Haaland to suspend Fall X2 action reducing water supplies for 2024
“The Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California Water Coalition submitted a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, advocating for the temporary suspension of the Fall X2 component of the Summer Fall Habitat Action for the 2024 water year. This request is based on scientific findings that demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the measure for its intended purpose of aiding the delta smelt and highlights its detrimental impacts on water supply. The Fall X2 Action, as currently mandated, results in significant water supply reductions to the water projects that provide water for the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural industry, rural communities, including disadvantaged communities, along with federal and private wildlife refuges and Southern California. … ” Continue reading this press release.
SEE ALSO: Fall X2 Line, from Water Wrights
Kern disputes state’s take on its groundwater plan at first of two workshops
“Calling the state’s review of the Kern subbasin’s newest groundwater plan “cursory,” a representative of the agencies that wrote the plan detailed how it will protect drinking water wells, improve water quality and restore the water table during a workshop held Monday. This was the first of two public workshops to discuss Kern’s groundwater plan. The next will be held Thursday, Aug. 29, at 5:30 p.m. at Hodels in Bakersfield. It will be in person only with no online access. The stakes are very high as the subbasin is facing possible probation by the state Water Resources Control Board at a hearing set for Feb. 20, 2025. Probation is the first step toward a possible state pumping take over and comes with requirements for farmers to meter and register their wells at $300 each, report extractions and pay $20 per acre foot pumped. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Kings County Farm Bureau continues to challenge the SWRCB
“Tuesday, August 20, was a big water day for Kings County. KCFB was back in court as part of its challenge to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and the new leadership of the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MKRGSA) held its first board of directors meeting. The day offered fewer results than many would have liked, but more importantly, the decisions and conversations of the day were positive for agriculture. Judge Kathy Ciuffini heard arguments from KCFB and the SWRCB. She considered whether to issue a preliminary injunction (PI) to KCFB in their case, challenging the SWRCB’s decision to place the Tulare Lake Subbasin (TLSB) on probation under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Unfortunately, she chose not to issue a ruling from the bench and instead wanted time to consider the evidence and arguments before ruling. She informed both parties that a written ruling would be received on or before September 13, 2024. … ” Read more from the Hanford Sentinel.
With dams removed, salmon will have the run of a Western river
“The Klamath River was once so flush with fish that local tribes ate salmon at every meal: flame-roasted filets on redwood skewers, stews flavored with fish tails, strips of smoky, dried salmon. In the language of the Yurok, who live on the river among California’s towering redwoods, the word for “salmon” translates to “that which we eat.” But when hydropower dams were built on the Klamath, which wends from southern Oregon into far northwest California, the river’s ecosystem was upended and salmon were cut off from 420 miles of cooler tributaries and streams where they had once laid their eggs. For decades, there has been little salmon for the tribes to cook, sell or use in religious ceremonies. The Yurok’s 60th annual Salmon Festival this summer served none of its namesake fish. But tribal members hope the situation is about to dramatically change. … ” Read more from the New York Times (gift article).
California water officials to dye Stockton waterfront to study dangerous algae
“California water officials plan to dye McLeod Lake in downtown Stockton starting Monday to study the cause of the waterfront’s notorious harmful algae, a city news release said. Through Friday, crews plan to use a Port of Stockton boat to apply the dye and gather data between Weber Point and Interstate 5, the release stated. Depending on conditions, the lake may turn a pink or purplish color from the harmless rhodamine dye, it stated. The California Department of Water Resources aims to find the cause of harmful algae blooms by using the dye to observe water flows in the lake and San Joaquin River. … ” Read more from the Stockton Record.
Despite a cooler August, experts say wildfire potential is above normal this fall
Manola Secaira writes, “The last time I wrote an update for our temperature blanket, Sacramento was experiencing some seriously intense heat — record-breaking, even. But temperatures have cooled down in recent weeks. Our blanket hasn’t seen a “celery”-colored square, which represents weekly temperature averages in the 70s, since May. This month, the icy green color is back, reflecting those mellowing temperatures. … Despite these recent cool temperatures, we’ve seen other developments since our last blanket update in mid-July. Just a few days after that update, the Park Fire broke out and has since burned over 400,000 acres. And even though we’re near the end of August, we might see more fires in the coming months, since peak wildfire season tends to last through October. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
As national heat deaths rise, California girds for worsening bouts of extreme temperature
“Heat-related mortality is on the rise in the United States, where high temperatures have caused or contributed to the deaths of more than 21,500 people since 1999, new research has found. The last seven years in particular have been marked by a surge in heat-related deaths, including 2,325 deaths in 2023 — the planet’s hottest year on record, according to a study published Monday in the medical journal JAMA. While previous research had not portrayed a clear trend in heat-related mortality in the U.S. — and in fact showed a slight downward trend from 1975 to 2018 — the latest paper is the first to demonstrate a clear uptick from 2016 to 2023. Researchers said the current trajectory is likely to continue due to climate change. “The trend is what is really striking, and to me it justifies further investigation,” said Jeffrey Howard, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of public health at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “It justifies further investment in surveillance, better tools, and more effort at trying to understand what underlies these trends.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In commentary today …
Solutions to rising cost of climate change in California should include passage of Prop 4
Juliet Christian-Smith, Western States Regional Director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, writes, “The heat is on: it’s burning down forests and towns, it’s melting down grids, and it’s making hard jobs even harder. Beyond the staggering human and environmental toll of danger season’s extreme weather, there are rising costs associated with climate damages. And those costs are not being borne equitably. California has taken important steps to address some of these equity concerns—and now has another big opportunity to pass the water and wildfire bond, which will be on the ballot this November as
Proposition 4. As one example of these rising costs, Californians’ electricity bills have been skyrocketing over the past few years. This is concerning not only because people are struggling to pay their utility bills, but also because increasing rates are starting to become a barrier to transitioning to electric vehicles for some families and individuals. There are multiple reasons why bills are increasing, but the main driver is costs related to reducing wildfire risks, according to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). … ” Read more from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Endorsement: No on Proposition 4, a giant feedbag of climate pork
The SoCal News Group writes, “Most state bonds suffer from similar flaws. They promise to fix every manner of problem by “investing” billions of dollars without increasing anyone’s tax bill. However, they rack up state debt and spend money inefficiently, which is why we oppose them except in the rare instances they are targeted at a critical long-term infrastructure project that can’t realistically be funded another way. … Proposition 4 would spend $10 billion on various climate-resiliency programs. It is one of two bond measures on the November ballot – the other being a $10-billion (Proposition 2) bond to build schools and colleges. Both were placed on the ballot with two-thirds votes of the Legislature. Per analyses, borrowing $10 billion could divert around $400 million from the budget each year, take 40 years to repay and cost $19 billion to pay off. We’ll deal with Prop. 2 in a separate editorial, but we can’t see anything in Prop. 4 that justifies such a massive long-term spending commitment. … ” Read the full editorial at the OC Register.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Newsom’s office rejects Klamath River water quality emergency request
“In March, after the removal of four dams created a spike in sediment and heavy metals going downstream, residents raised concerns to the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors about elevated levels of arsenic and lead. Supervisors voted 4-1 to declare a local emergency and sent an emergency request to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. Earlier this month, that request was denied. … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio.
Out of bounds: RCSD cleans up 30-year POU error & seeks permanent water rights
“Righting decades-old issues has put the Redway Community Services District (RCSD) in the hot seat and the future of a spring-fed waterfall in question. RCSD is addressing water rights issues and district boundary inconsistencies after it was brought to the current administration’s attention that the district has been providing water to the Meadows Business Park, which is outside its official Place of Use (POU), for over 30 years. This revelation has triggered a broader effort to clean up old records, align district boundaries, and finalize water rights permits into licenses. Ed Voice, a former Southern Humboldt resident known for his tenacious advocacy for the South Fork Eel River, discovered the POU discrepancy with the Meadows Business Park. … ” Continue reading at the Redheaded Blackbelt.
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County supervisors approve funding for 2 new redwood preserves, one of which is home to the county’s largest tree
“Public ownership is now within reach for two forested properties — one of which is home to Sonoma County’s largest tree — thanks to neighbors who fought to protect them from logging and development. Sonoma County supervisors approved a combined $8.4 million last week to purchase the 394-acre Russian River Redwoods property south of Guerneville and the 384-acre Camp Meeker Forest Open Space north of Occidental. Funded through the tax-supported Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the new preserves will one day be open to public use ― within weeks, in the case of the Camp Meeker land. Currently owned by St. Dorothy’s Rest and the Episcopal Diocese of California, the property will be owned and managed by the Camp Meeker Recreation and Parks District once the deal closes around late September. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
San Francisco to bask in late summer warmth as part of August’s final weather pattern
“August’s end is near and the weather in the month’s final days will be notably pleasant and calm. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the warmest days of the week, with some interior areas approaching 100 degrees before a steady cool-down begins and continues into the weekend. San Francisco benefits most from this tranquil pattern, enjoying mild temperatures moderated by the water and plenty of sunshine. Besides providing interesting offshore cloud patterns, the marine layer will have minimal impact on the city over the next few days, ensuring consistent sunshine. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Marin County supervisors give green light to proposed house on Stinson Beach’s last vacant beachfront property
“The Marin County Board of Supervisors has denied efforts to block a proposed house on the last vacant beachfront property in Stinson Beach. The supervisors voted unanimously to uphold the Marin Planning Commission’s approval of a one-story 1,296-square-foot house with a septic system at the end of Calle Del Onda in a meeting last week. The proposed house has been assessed at a value of $3.6 million. The owners of the 15,200-square-foot property, which has been in their family for almost 90 years, hope to build the vacation home on the site of a cottage that burned down in the 1980s. But in the intervening decades, concerns about environmentally sensitive habitat and sea level rise have made development more difficult. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Drinking-water safety a hot topic in Pleasanton leading into November elections
“A costly project to replace drinking wells closed due to contamination is moving forward, as the issue of safe drinking water bubbles to the top of the city’s election buzz. Five years ago, the city of Pleasanton began shuttering the underground water supply, eventually closing three wells and switching an estimated 22,000 customers to a water wholesaler that serves eastern Alameda County. Now, officials are on the hunt for new wells, a project estimated to cost between $23 million to $43 million. The issue has emerged as one of the hottest topics among candidates running for seats in November, including the tight race between current Mayor Karla Brown and Councilman Jack Balch. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
CENTRAL COAST
Conservation corps to harvest willow stakes for Salinas River project
“The City of Paso Robles is informing residents that individuals will be harvesting willow stakes from the Salinas River on Oct. 1. This activity is part of a regional pilot project focused on enhancing environmental health and water quality in the Upper Salinas River corridor. A willow stake is a cutting or branch taken from a willow tree that is used for planting. Willows are known for their ability to root easily from cuttings, making them ideal for this purpose. The willow stakes will be harvested by the California Conservation Corps in collaboration with the Local Resource Conservation District. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Water availability bolsters Fresno crop values
“Perhaps never in the history of Fresno County have cotton farmers there produced more than half of California’s cotton crop. Hidden beneath Fresno County’s record crop value of $8.59 billion last year is cotton. It’s total value fell far below that of the 10-most valuable crops produced last year, which independently ranged in value from about $250 million for nectarines, to over $1.3 billion for grapes. About 44,000 acres of cotton was harvested last year in Fresno County. Most of that was Pima, or ELS cotton. That is about 55% of the state’s total cotton crop, which last year fell under 100,000 acres for the first time since before the Great Depression. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Homeowners in Riverside County community will see failing septic systems converted to sewer
“The community of Quail Valley in Menifee is known for its rolling hills and quails that roam them, but during heavy rainstorms, it’s not the scent of sage brush surrounding the area that fills the air. “It fills the septics up and you just smell everybody’s septic,” said resident Debra Mancini. For years, failing septic tanks have resulted in raw sewage spilling into yards and onto roadways, creating not only a smelly issue but a public health hazard. “The septic systems fail and then the water goes downstream to Canyon Lake which is a reservoir, which is everyone’s drinking water,” said Corona Congressman Ken Calvert. … ” Read more from KABC.
UC Riverside: New campus plantings tests water savings
“UC Riverside is testing out a new ground cover plant that could reduce water usage while keeping the campus looking green. Kurapia, a low-growing leafy ground cover, was planted at the Pentland Hills and Glen Mor student residence halls by Facilities Services in late June. The landscape crew is testing out the plant, which requires less water than turf grass, in select campus locations, said John Starling, Landscape Services supervisor. “We want to know if this is a plant that can replace traditional grass in some areas to give the same look, but also save water,” he said. Kurapia was developed in Japan and has been tested at universities including at UCR’s turf research plots at Agricultural Operations. The company that produces Kurapia touts significant water savings. … ” Read more from UC Riverside.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Severe health issues sicken residents near Calif.’s largest lake. We may know why.
“David Lo doesn’t speak Spanish, but when he conducted interviews with Spanish-speaking residents living in California’s Salton Sea area, he said their stories were so compelling that he could tell what they were trying to communicate before the interpreter even chimed in. The families complained of skin rashes, nose bleeds and breathing problems, all mostly unexplainable except for simply where they lived. California’s largest lake, already known for its high levels of pollution and poor air quality, as well as being smelly (and only getting smellier), is also the suspected culprit of an alarming health statistic: abnormally high rates of asthma in children who live in the area. Lo, a professor of biomedical sciences at UC Riverside, who was new to the region, immediately wanted to find out why. His ongoing research could help scientists and local officials better understand what exactly is causing the high incidences of asthma in the region and how it could impact the health of area residents over the long term. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SAN DIEGO
Tijuana looks to quench its thirst with recycled water
“For more than 15 years, a pair of sewage treatment plants in eastern Tijuana have presented an opportunity – and a challenge. The plants, Arturo Herrera and La Morita, raised hopes for a major wastewater reuse effort in the city – for irrigation, construction and industrial use. U.S. and Mexican authorities celebrated their opening, saying the effort would benefit both sides of the border. But without a network of pipes to deliver the plants’ discharge, most of that highly treated wastewater has gone unused. Instead, 7 to 12 millions of gallons a day are being discharged nearby into the Tijuana River channel – a volume that represents about 14 percent of the city’s water use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
In national water news today …
Scientists tied to chemical industry plan to derail PFAS rule on drinking water
“Scientists with financial ties to industry and histories of producing controversial research to derail chemical regulations are mobilizing to attack strict new federal drinking water limits for toxic PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, documents reviewed by the Guardian reveal. In July, Michael Dourson, a contentious toxicologist who receives some funding from chemical makers, sent an email to scientists, consultants and lawyers detailing a plan to develop and publish peer-reviewed science for chemical companies to wield as evidence against PFAS limits. It went out just after industry groups mounted a legal challenge to the restrictions. But current and former Environmental Protection Agency staff who reviewed the documents allege the scientists are engineering an ethically questionable plan designed to generate uncertainty about the “robust” science underpinning the PFAS limits. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
US government report says fluoride at twice the recommended limit is linked to lower IQ in kids
“A U.S. government report expected to stir debate concluded that fluoride in drinking water at twice the recommended limit is linked with lower IQ in children. The report, based on an analysis of previously published research, marks the first time a federal agency has determined — “with moderate confidence” — that there is a link between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. While the report was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoride in drinking water alone, it is a striking acknowledgment of a potential neurological risk from high levels of fluoride. Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
Prozac in waterways is changing how fish behave, research finds
“Contamination of waterways with the antidepressant Prozac is disrupting fish bodies and behaviours in ways that could threaten their long-term survival, new research has found. As global consumption of pharmaceuticals has increased, residues have entered rivers and streams via wastewater raising concerns about the effects on ecosystems and wildlife. Research published in the journal of Animal Ecology found low concentrations of fluoxetine – an antidepressant commonly known as Prozac – reduced the body condition and sperm vitality of male guppies over multiple generations. The study’s co-lead author, Dr Upama Aich from Monash University, said thousands of chemicals were “being dumped into our waterways every day”. The researchers chose to look at fluoxetine as it was “quite ubiquitous”. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
