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In California water news this weekend …
Valley residents already struggling with dry wells faced another problem this summer: Superheated tank water
“First their wells went dry. Then this summer’s brutal heat wave made water in emergency storage tanks so scalding hot, some valley residents had to siphon it into containers and let it cool before it could be used. “We’re very grateful to even have the tanks,” stressed Merideth Moreno, who lives near the small Tulare County community of Orosi. “But it [heated water] is one of the things that we have found to be trouble.” The well that served Moreno’s home and her 80-year-old father’s home went dry two years ago. They’ve survived ever since on water from two storage tanks paid for by the state and refilled every two weeks by the Visalia-based nonprofit Self-Help Enterprises. That water is just for household use, not drinking. The state also pays for bottled water, delivered by Self-Help. The Morenos are not alone. Self-Help has 1,244 storage tanks currently deployed in the valley. It deployed 50 new tanks this summer to families whose wells went dry. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SEE ALSO: Letters to the Editor: How California’s big farms kill effective groundwater management, from the LA Times | Read via Yahoo News.
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: 2024 – 2026 Proposed Geotechnical Activities Delta Plan Consistency
“In compliance with the Delta Reform Act and Delta Stewardship Council regulatory process, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is posting a draft certification of consistency for the 2024-2026 Proposed Geotechnical Activities proposed action at least 10-days prior to formal submission. This draft certification only concerns certain geotechnical activities related to data collection (cone penetration tests, soil borings, and water quality sampling within soil borings). Planning and design geotechnical data collection from the 2024-2026 Proposed Geotechnical Activities will be important to inform the planning and design of the Delta Conveyance Project, as well as future discretionary permitting and funding decisions by DWR and other agencies. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
California’s ‘new’ construction stormwater general permit—time to engage?
“On Aug. 28–29, 2024, approximately 50 people gathered at the University of California San Diego Extension to learn about the California State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) reissuance of the Construction Stormwater General Permit (2022 CGP). The 2022 CGP became effective on Sept. 1, 2023, although projects covered by the 2009 CGP have until Aug. 31, 2025, to either terminate construction activities or convert to the 2022 CGP. Attendees spent two days learning the ins and outs of the 2022 CGP from experts in the field, including Haley & Aldrich vice president Nancy Gardiner, Rick Engineering Company principal Jane Janda-Timba, Environmental Law Group partner Wayne Rosenbaum and Brownstein attorneys Ryan Waterman and Kate Tipple. Key takeaways from the workshop include … ” Continue reading at Brownstein.
California-Nevada Drought & Climate Outlook webinar summary
“The September Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar provided a climate and drought update, including current fire outlooks and new research on western U.S. cool season precipitation. … ” Read summary or watch webinar from NIDIS.
As many forests fail to recover from wildfires, replanting efforts face huge odds — and obstacles
“Camille Stevens-Rumann crouched in the dirt and leaned over evergreen seedlings, measuring how much each had grown in seven months. “That’s two to three inches of growth on the spruce,” said Stevens-Rumann, interim director at the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute. Her research team is monitoring several species planted two years ago on a slope burned during the devastating 2020 Cameron Peak fire, which charred 326 square miles (844 square kilometers) in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. They want to determine which species are likely to survive at various elevations, because climate change makes it difficult or impossible for many forests to regrow even decades after wildfires. As the gap between burned areas and replanting widens year after year, scientists see big challenges beyond where to put seedlings. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
SEE ALSO:
- Takeaways on AP’s story about challenges to forest recovery and replanting after wildfires
- Video: Scientists study how to regrow a burned forest
La Niña pattern brings risks of dry winter, dangerous flooding
“Looming La Niña climate conditions preceded by this year’s hot, dry summer could spell trouble for California’s water supply and increase the risk of flooding over the next 12 months, according to officials from the state Department of Water Resources. In a media briefing to start the state’s “water year,” which begins Oct. 1, DWR Director Karla Nemeth said Thursday that state agencies are preparing for extreme weather events in the coming months. “California has experienced the full range of climate challenges in recent years from extreme drought to severe flooding and we will be seeing more of that in the future,” Nemeth said. “To meet these dramatic challenges, California is starting this water year with more accurate forecasting and additional investments in flood protection and groundwater recharge.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
SEE ALSO: Western water managers prepare for dueling threats of flood and drought amid uncertain weather outlook, from The Hill
California tribes to testify against Sites Reservoir water right on September 30
“On Monday, Sept. 30, representatives of California Tribes will present testimony before the California State Water Resources Control Board opposing the Sites Authority’s application for a new water rights permit to withdraw up to 15 million acre-feet per year from the Sacramento River. Representatives from the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, along with multiple Tribal attorneys and experts, will testify. “Tribes will testify to address significant concerns regarding the proposed reservoir’s impacts,” according to a press advisory from Save California Salmon and Friends of the River. “They will highlight the lack of meaningful Tribal consultation on the project and advise that the reservoir would flood Tribal cultural resources, Native American graves and sacred sites, and further degrade water quality and salmon runs, harming an important Indigenous food source and traditional lifeway systems.” … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
A win for the Bear River: NID abandons plans to build Centennial Dam
“On September 25, 2024, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) Board of Directors voted four to one to abandon its proposed Centennial Dam Project. The resolution was brought forward by NID staff, who had analyzed years of data and determined that the proposed project would be too costly and ineffective in supplying additional water to meet demand. NID proposed to build Centennial Dam on the Bear River. The dam would have flooded six miles of the river and would have destroyed recreational opportunities and riparian habitat that is treasured by many, including Native American Tribes. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), along with a broad coalition of environmental groups, local residents, indigenous leaders, and recreational enthusiasts, fought to protect the Bear River from the project for the past decade. … ” Read more from the California Sportfishing Protection Allliance.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Q&A: Richard Katz: LADWP’s new board president on priorities & challenges
“Richard Katzwas recently elected President of the L.A. Board of Water and Power Commissioners. Katz brings decades of experience in local and state government, having served in the California State Assembly and contributed significantly to various transportation and infrastructure projects across the region. Q: Richard, earlier this year, Mayor Bass appointed you to the Board of Commissioners of LADWP and immediately you were elected its President. What enticed you to accept this challenging public role? A: I ask myself that question almost every day, David. Maybe it’s partly because people said it couldn’t be done. But really, I’ve had a varied career and worked in many areas. I did water legislation in the state legislature, negotiated the Colorado River deal for California, and helped Governor Davis during the 2000-2001 energy crisis. So, I’ve been involved in these issues before. … ” Read more from The Planning Report.
Podcasts …
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: Do you “water right”?
Will Pruitt, CEO of Water Right, LLC, and Exchange Contractor PAC Board Member, joins Darcy and Darcy this week. Will shares the Why, Where, and When certain irrigation strategies are employed. Irrigation has come a long way in the last few decades and now, with the help of better technology, innovation, and grower expertise, not only are these systems more efficient, but they are lasting longer. There’s more to it than just turning on your “sprinklers!” That means a better Return on Investment which is an efficiency incentive. For our Urban listeners, you are about to learn how complex “watering” really is. And for our growers, Will has some great suggestions at the end that will position you well for the future.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Sustainable Groundwater
Do you think your water supply is like a bank account? Andrew Stone, American Ground Water Trust, explains how sustainability of water is very much the same as deposits and withdraws in your home or business bank account? Now, superimpose public expectation for daily water and a high temporal variability in groundwater recharge and suddenly maintaining a healthy water bank account becomes a bit of a challenge. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
THE ECONEWS REPORT: How Will Groundwater be Regulated After This Significant Court Ruling?
In late August, Russian Riverkeeper and the California Coastkeeper Alliance got what looks like a very significant ruling in their challenge to Sonoma County’s well permitting ordinance. The groups say that by allowing excessive and unmonitored groundwater extraction, the County is failing to protect surface flows in creeks and rivers that fish, wildlife, and recreation need. The court agreed, holding that under the Public Trust doctrine, Sonoma County has “an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account in the planning and allocation of water resources, and to protect public trust uses whenever feasible,” but that the County failed to do so, overlooking impacts on the public trust, including cumulative effects. In this episode of the EcoNews Report, Friends of the Eel River Conservation Director Scott Greacen and EPIC Executive Director Tom Wheeler talk to three people deeply involved in these questions.
In regional water news this weekend …
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Forest Service reaches decision on Basin Wide Trails Analysis
“The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has released the final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Decision Notice (DN) for the Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project, which examined e-bike use and trail system access and connectivity on National Forest lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Depending on the Administrative Review process, the final decision could be released as early as January 2025. Interested community members and stakeholders who have previously commented on the project and have standing to object, will have an opportunity to do so during the 45-day Administrative Review Period (objection period) scheduled to begin Friday, Sep. 27, 2024, with the publication of the Legal Notice in the newspaper of record, the Tahoe Daily Tribune. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Stream work: people-powered restoration returns water to Boney Flat Meadow
“In early July, a plume of smoke rises tall, just a few hilly horizon lines beyond the bumpy Forest Service road that leads to Boney Flat Meadow. The Sheering Fire is 100-acres and burning through a small part of the dense and dry Stanislaus National Forest. It’s not a fire of great concern, but it looms as a reminder that fire is an everyday part of living in Western lands. By early July, Boney Flat Meadow is still green but heading towards its dried-out summer gold, dotted by native yarrow, remnant spring wildflowers, sedges and an expanse of grasses—some native, some not. A lively soundscape emanates from the stream channel: pop music on portable speakers, the rip of chainsaws, the clink of shovels hitting dry ground. The stream is quick-moving, linear, and deeply incised into a small canyon about four feet below the meadow itself, completely disconnected from its natural floodplain. “Falling!” shouts one of the sawyers on the crew, as a medium conifer breaks clean and pauses in slow-motion before gracefully crashing down to the meadow below—the sites and sounds of low-tech process-based restoration. … ” Continue reading from the Tuolumne River Trust.
CENTRAL COAST
Oriole Basin restoration improves stormwater management
“The City of Paso Robles stormwater, streets, and wastewater divisions have collaborated to clean and restore the designed flow in the Oriole Basin, according to a recent social media post by the city. Maintenance activities included dewatering, sediment removal, and final cleanup, resulting in approximately 30,000 gallons of nuisance water being pumped out and 15 cubic yards of accumulated sediment being removed. … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News.
Centennial Creek trail reopens after major rehabilitation
“The City of Paso Robles has completed a significant rehabilitation project at Centennial Creek, with the trail now fully open to the public. All barricades and caution tape were removed on Sept. 24 following the completion of the work, which aimed to improve flood management and enhance the local ecosystem. The project included several key updates, including installation of roughened riffles to slow water flow and improve aquatic habitats and creation of secondary channels to enhance the creek’s capacity during heavy rain … ” Read more from the Paso Robles Daily News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Petroleum spills into Stockton canal, clean-up efforts underway
“A clean-up effort is underway after petroleum spilled into a canal near Stockton, officials said. Petroleum is reported to be from an oil burned that holds up to 380 gallons, the U.S. Coast Guard said. It was first reported to have been released near the Smith Canal in Stockton on Friday. … ” Read more from CBS Sacramento.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Ribbon cutting held for new water reclamation facility in Desert Hot Springs
“Local water officials and city leaders invited the public to Desert Hot Springs Friday morning for a ribbon cutting marking the completion of a new water reclamation facility. The Mission Springs Water District’s “Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility” is located on Little Morongo Road, north of 20th Avenue. Officials with MSWD said the new facility will help protect groundwater and reduce dependence on the Colorado River by enabling wastewater treatment and eventually recycling. “This is almost 100% financed by grants from the state’s clean water fund, it’s a benefit to everybody,” said Robert Griffith, MSWD Vice President. … ” Read more from KESQ.
SAN DIEGO
How did San Diego County Water Authority’s unicorn become an endangered species?
“Shortly after the California Coastal Commission’s stunning rejection of Poseidon Water’s $1.4 billion ocean desalination plant proposal for Huntington Beach, Poseidon’s long—time VP of development, Scott Maloni, quipped on Facebook about the “unjust decision,” which put an end to big ocean desal in California for the foreseeable future. “The silver lining,” he wrote, “San Diego has a water unicorn. The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is a one-of-a-kind treasure that will never be replicated again in the state of California.” Today, that unicorn is breaking the San Diego County Water Authority’s bank and fomenting rate-increase protests, including detachments, roll-offs and calls for “creative destruction” from among its member agencies and individual directors. How did the Water Authority’s unicorn turn into an albatross around its neck? Some history of Poseidon, the Water Authority, and the development of the ocean desalination industry will help answer that question. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona tribes’ long fight for share of Colorado River water nears resolution in Congress
“Seven states that rely on the Colorado River each got a cut of its water under a deal struck over a century ago – a deal that excluded the Hopi, the Navajo and other tribal nations. After years of pressure and negotiation, Congress is moving to rectify what the tribes have long seen as an injustice that has caused enormous hardship. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been before in reaching a final settlement,” Bryan Newland, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs with the Department of the Interior, told a Senate hearing on Wednesday. Representatives from four Arizona tribes – the Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute and the Navajo Nation – said the settlements, once approved by Congress, will secure their long-standing claims and provide more accessible water for their people. … ” Read more from Cronkite News.
Water authority has been unofficial rainy-day fund
“For the upcoming legislative session, the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority hopes to avoid further cuts and prove the agency’s worth to lawmakers after the Legislature cut the agency’s funding by nearly $500 million to address a nearly $2 billion state budget deficit. “WIFA is very well aware that we need to prove our worth and our value, too,” said Chelsea McGuire, WIFA’s assistant director of external affairs. McGuire said the agency is not asking for a lot in its budget request for the upcoming session. Outside of $25 million to continue water conservation grants previously funded by Covid relief dollars, WIFA is making no additional requests for new appropriations. McGuire said this was an effort to protect funds that have already been appropriated. … ” Read more from the Arizona Capitol Times.
Gila River Indian Community receives $107 million for Colorado River conservation projects
“The Gila River Indian Community has been a leader in Colorado River conservation efforts in Arizona, and their efforts are growing as funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will help the tribe launch new water conservation projects in October. “Each one of these projects will allow us to use our water more efficiently on our farms, with annual savings in water of over 7,400 acre-feet per year,” Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said in a statement. The Gila River Indian Community received funding from the Bureau of Reclamation for three separate critical water infrastructure projects totaling nearly $107 million. … ” Read more from the Arizona Mirror.
In national water news this weekend …
Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says
“A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen cautioned that it’s not certain that the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing lower IQ in kids, but he concluded that mounting research points to an unreasonable risk that it could be. He ordered the EPA to take steps to lower that risk, but didn’t say what those measures should be. It’s the first time a federal judge has made a determination about the neurodevelopmental risks to children of the recommended U.S. water fluoride level, said Ashley Malin, a University of Florida researcher who has studied the effect of higher fluoride levels in pregnant women. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOW AVAILABLE: 2024 Delta Plan Five-Year Review Report
