DAILY DIGEST, 10/2: Decision to reduce water flows in the Delta sparks debate over imperiled fish; Is California getting drier?; New report on accelerating restoration in the Sacramento Valley; The (in)visible plastic pollution problem; and more …


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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.  View hearing on the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel.
  • WEBINAR: Recharging California- Scaling Solutions for Water Resilience from 11am to 12pm.  As California experiences more frequent and intense drought and deluge cycles, we must focus on scaling strategies that allow us to weather wet and dry years. While there is no magic solution, groundwater recharge is a promising and cost-effective tool to navigate the effects of a warming climate on California’s water supply. Over the past decade, groundwater recharge has evolved from an experimental practice to a mainstream one; however, there is more we can do to incentivize, promote, and scale recharge to secure a resilient water future.  We’ll sit down with water experts working at the government level and on the ground as we highlight the work being done to align incentives and scale groundwater recharge to secure water resilience in California.  Click here to register.
  • LUNCH-MAR: Understanding and Minimizing Arsenic Mobilization during Managed Aquifer Recharge from 12:30am to 1:30pm.  Presentation: Managed Aquifer Recharge in Scott Valley: Exploring Benefits of Winter Recharge to Increase Instream Flows. The presentation will cover a brief history of the project, permitting and regulatory requirements, challenges in project implementation, and progress in evaluating benefits. Presenter: Laura Foglia, PhD, UC Davis and Larry Walker Associates. Click here to register.

In California water news today …

Decision to reduce water flows in California’s delta sparks debate over imperiled fish

A drone provides a view of water pumped from the Harvey O. Banks Delta Pumping Plant into the California Aqueduct at 9,790 cubic feet per second after January storms. Photo taken January 20, 2023. by Ken James / DWR

“State and federal officials have decided not to release additional water flows to support endangered fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta this fall — a controversial step that is being praised by major California water districts but condemned by environmental groups as a significant weakening of protections for imperiled fish.  The debate centers on a measure that calls for prioritizing additional flows for endangered delta smelt, a species that has suffered major declines and is thought to be nearing extinction in the wild. The step of releasing a pulse of water through the delta in September and October is typically triggered when the state experiences relatively wet conditions, as it has during the last two years.  A coalition of environmental and fishing groups said these flows — called “Fall X2” water releases — are vital for delta smelt, and that the decision by state and federal officials to suspend the measure this year poses an added threat for the fish. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

DWR Statement on Fall X2 action

“The operators of the State Water Project and Central Valley Project, working with federal and state wildlife protection agencies, have agreed to modify fall flows for endangered Delta smelt fish species.  Throughout September, the water projects have been implementing actions to decrease salinity and increase food availability to support the critically endangered Delta smelt in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.  One of these actions includes increasing delta outflow to decrease salinity in the delta, also referred to as “Fall X2.” The other main action included the Department of Water Resources (DWR) operating gates in the Suisun Marsh to maximize suitable habitat for the endangered fish to improve conditions in areas of the delta where Delta smelt are most likely to exist. … ”  Continue reading this statement from DWR.

SEE ALSO: 

PREVIOUSLY POSTED:

Is California getting drier?

“Dr. Benjamin Cook is a scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, where he studies drought and the interaction between hydrology and climate. We asked him to tell us more about drought and aridity in California.  You’ve studied drought all over the world. How do you measure drought?When most people think about drought, they think about precipitation: rainfall and snow. That’s obviously very important, because that’s how most droughts start. When we talk about water resources needed by people and ecosystems, however, we’re really talking about soil moisture, streamflow, and groundwater. … ”  Read more from the PPIC.

Sustainable Conservation publishes key report on accelerating ecological restoration in the Sacramento Valley and Beyond

“Sustainable Conservation is proud to announce a new report, “Accelerating Restoration in the Sacramento Valley and Beyond: Progress and Next Steps to Cutting Green Tape in California.” This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current regulatory landscape and progress made with efficient permitting pathways, informed by interviews with over 80 individuals from 39 organizations. Based on the interviewee’s insights, the report offers actionable recommendations to further ensure a functional and efficient habitat restoration permitting system in California. The recommendations aim to empower restoration practitioners and agency staff to implement projects at the pace and scale necessary to protect our vital ecosystems in a changing climate.  A once-in-a-generation opportunity for landscape-scale restoration has emerged in California, spurred by an unprecedented influx of proposed restoration projects and public funding. This white paper evaluates the current regulatory landscape and provides strategic recommendations to maximize the benefits of existing accelerated permitting pathways, advance coordinated permitting efforts, expand successful programs, and fill the regulatory and institutional gaps that hinder ecosystem restoration. It also highlights the need for strategic leadership to develop dedicated restoration teams within agencies and providing these teams with guidance and resources to support their work. … ”  Read more from Sustainable Conservation.

Tuolumne River salmon habitat enhanced

“Partnering with fisheries agencies, Central Valley irrigation districts, whose water users face flow reductions under the state’s Bay-Delta water quality plan, are enhancing habitat along the Tuolumne River to improve conditions for struggling fish.  “The overarching goal of this project is to restore the river channel to provide spawning and rearing habitat that increase the produc tivity of chinook salmon and rainbow trout,” said Michael Cooke, Turlock Irrigation District director of water resources and regulatory affairs. “We hope to see salmon spawning on the river this year.”  The $7.8 million habitat restoration project, happening down river from the La Grange Dam in Stanislaus County, includes a $5.5 million grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and $2.3 million invested by TID, Modesto Irrigation District and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert.

Central Valley reps host field hearing on water management

“While the affairs of California’s governance should not hinder the work of those feeding the nation, the Central Valley’s agriculture sector finds itself increasingly entangled in politics — with both elected officials and unelected regulators holding substantial influence over the industry.  Regulators not subject to direct electoral accountability, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation, play a significant role in shaping and enforcing policies that impact agriculture. Thus, to prevent a monopoly on the rule-making process, elected officials are tasked to engage with state and federal regulatory bodies.  In September, a field hearing in Santa Nella hosted by Chairman Cliff Bentz and Congressman John Duarte of the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, examined California’s water supply, the challenges faced through federal regulations, and its connection to the nation’s food security. … ”  Read more from Valley Ag Voice.

New California legislation on water issues – updated with signings and vetoes

“The time for Newsom to sign or veto bills has now passed. Of the nine bills discussed herein, Newsom signed seven and vetoed two. Please see the update below each bill that discusses its resolution.  The 2024 legislative session ended on August 31, 2024, meaning the legislature passed all bills for this year. All of the bills are currently with Governor Newsom. He has until September 30 to sign or veto any bills. Any bills not signed by September 30 will be vetoed through a ‘pocket veto.’  This session was a busy one for bills affecting the water sector with at least nine bills passed impacting water and sewer systems in California. The bills cover a wide range of topics, including fines for violating State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) orders, Proposition 26 and 218 requirements for water-related fees, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements, and the California Water Plan. … ”  Read more from Nossaman.

California’s Direct Potable Reuse Regulations flow into action

UV Advanced Oxidation System for Direct Potable Reuse. Photo by WateReuse CA.

“The State Water Resources Control Board, along with WateReuse California, and dozens of water utilities, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and public health agencies, partnered to develop Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) standards that further provides an additional tool to assist water agencies in combating climate change impacts and water reliability.  “The remarkable collaboration and dedicated leadership across California were essential to develop the Direct Potable Reuse regulations,” said Brenley McKenna, Managing Director of WateReuse California. “This achievement opens new pathways for developing a more sustainable water future for our communities.”  “Today marks the beginning of a new era of sustainability for California water resources. Moving forward, we will see a new generation of projects incorporating recycled water into water systems large and small across the state,” said Deven Upadhyay, Interim General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.  … ”  Continue reading from WateReuse CA.

The (in)visible plastic pollution problem

Plastic debris along the edge of a river canal
Plastic debris can settle on the banks of the Los Angeles River. Photo by Zhaoqing Yang, PNNL

“Rivers are nature’s highways, supplying nearby areas with life-sustaining water, nutrients, and biodiversity on their journeys to larger bodies of water. These days, however, they are far from pristine. A harmful substance is making its way down rivers and into oceans around the world: plastic debris.  In the United States, more than a million tons of plastic debris enters ocean-bound rivers, creeks, and sewer drains every year. Today’s waterborne plastics debris consists mostly of discarded textiles, electronics, construction materials, single-use packaging, and other waste. The result is a complex plastic pollution problem with broad scope, significant challenges, and emerging solutions.  “Rivers are a delicate ecosystem that we depend on. By targeting plastic pollution in rivers, we can intercept it before it profoundly affects our ecosystems, communities, or the ocean,” said Ben Maurer, principal investigator of the Waterborne Plastics Assessment and Collection Technologies (WaterPACT) project. … ”  Read more from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Q&A: 20 years after coining “microplastics,” a researcher reflects on what needs to change

“We now know that microplastics and nano-plastics are everywhere. They are found in the most remote parts of the deep ocean, on Mount Everest, in rainwater, in the food we eat and air we breathe. They’re showing up in animals and human organs, including the brain. Just 20 years ago, though, almost nobody knew anything about these now-ubiquitous contaminants. That began to change with a seminal 2004 paper published in the journal Science which found tiny particles of plastic on beaches and in offshore sediments throughout Great Britain. The study’s lead author, Richard Thompson, a marine scientist at the University of Plymouth in the UK, described these microscopic bits for the first time in this study as “microplastics.” … ” Read more from The New Lede.

Study reveals long-term effects of wildfire smoke on orchard trees

Smoke from massive wildfires is not just a health concern for people — it’s also detrimental to California’s orchard trees, according to research that adds to the growing list of wildfire impacts that could affect both agricultural and natural ecosystems.  Scientists from the University of California Davis discovered that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke can drain trees’ energy reserves and cut nut production by as much as 50%. These effects can last for months, long after the fires are out.  The findings, published Wednesday in Nature Plants, focused on how the smoke from megafires affects almond, pistachio, and walnut trees in California’s Central Valley, a hub for nut farming. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service.

SEE ALSO: Smoke From Megafires Puts Orchard Trees at Risk, from UC Davis

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In commentary today …

Newsom administration responsive on water issues

Scott Hamiliton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics, writes, “Last month, a front-page story on Valley Ag Voice drew attention to the lack of common sense when managing Central Valley water supplies flowing into the Delta. That article concluded with the following paragraph: “Reasonable efforts should be made to recover endangered species. Those efforts should be informed by the best available scientific information. There is a plethora of good science to inform the recovery of delta smelt. It is, however, being ignored while ineffective, costly actions continue to be stubbornly implemented.”  Coincidentally, two letters were sent to state and federal resource managers — one from a group of public water agencies and the other from the Water Blueprint and cosigned by the Southern California Water Committee. The two letters were similar in their intent — they requested suspension of an action, referred to as “Fall X2” that is intended to benefit delta smelt by increasing the amount of water flowing through the Delta and out to the ocean in wetter than normal years.  The action had been controversial since its inception in the 2008 Biological Opinion governing the operation of water project operations in the Delta. … ”  Continue reading at Valley Ag Voice.

Salmon on the run

Claire Carlson writes, “The journey these salmon embark on is spectacular. They’re born in freshwater rivers and streams, and once they’re old enough, they head to the ocean. There, they feed on invertebrates and insects, and are fed on by larger animals like orcas, seals, sharks, and of course, humans.  If – when – they reach about four years old (the age differs between salmon species), a sort of homing sense kicks in. They start heading back upstream, usually to their birthplace, to spawn and then die.  But how does a salmon find its way, sometimes hundreds of miles, back to its exact birthplace?  Scientists don’t really know. The U.S. Geological Survey theorizes that salmon use the earth’s “magnetic field like a compass” to go back to the river or stream where they were born, a place they already know is a good spot to spawn.  Everything about this migration is beautiful and tragic to me because of what it can tell us about our future. … ”  Read more from the Sierra Nevada Ally.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Redding opts for hybrid approach to meet state trash amendments

“Shasta Environmental Alliance (SEA) set up an educational meeting for community members to learn about the efforts being made to keep the Sacramento River free of pollution.  SEA is a non-profit organization that teams up with other organizations to maintain a clean and safe environment through educating the community and lawmakers.  Part of SEA’s mission is keeping the Sacramento River Watershed free of plastic and debris, so they teamed up with the Storm Water Management Division of the city of Redding who are making efforts to comply with the State trash amendments that prohibit the discharge of trash large than 5 mm or a cigarette butt into state water through storm drains. The state expects 100% compliance by 2030. … ”  Read more from KRCR.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Rural Community Assistance Corporation helps Olivehurst protect its water future

Elliott Bochstein, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, writes, “For nearly 50 years, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) has been a vital partner in securing reliable water access and sustainable solutions for rural communities across Northern California and 13 western states. RCAC addresses critical needs in both drinking water and wastewater systems, providing technical assistance, training, financial resources, and advocacy for underserved and Indigenous communities. Whether it is providing free comprehensive well assessments and educational resources for private well owners, helping with the rebuilding of Paradise after the destructive Camp Fire, providing resources to communities on drought preparedness, or undertaking septic-to-sewer projects for the Olivehurst Public Utility District (profiled below), RCAC consistently delivers impactful solutions to communities in the Sacramento Valley and beyond. … ”  Read more from the Northern California Water Association.

NAPA/SONOMA

Sonoma livestock farms face threat in ballot measure

“As voters cast their ballots in the coming weeks, farmers in Sonoma County say the future of the region’s dairy and poultry farms is on the line.  Measure J, a ballot initiative in Sonoma County, would within three years cap the number of animals each farm can raise, banning larger farms or forcing them to downsize.  “We would be out of business,” said George Mertens, owner of Mertens Dairy in Sonoma.  He isn’t speculating. The Coalition to End Factory Farming, a group of environmental and animal rights organizations supporting the measure, published a list of 21 “factory farms”—Mertens Dairy among them—that they said would be prohibited under the proposed law. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert.

BAY AREA

Bay Area faces another day of extreme temperatures. When will the heat wave end?

“Wednesday will bring another scorching day across the Bay Area, with near-record temperatures expected. Excessive-heat warnings remain in effect through Wednesday evening for most of the region, as temperatures climb into the 90s and 100s for the second consecutive day.  The upper-level ridge responsible for the heat will begin to weaken slightly on Wednesday, allowing for a stronger sea breeze by the afternoon. This should keep temperatures along the immediate coast a bit cooler. However, it won’t be enough to prevent temperatures in San Francisco and Oakland from reaching the 90s again.  In the interior East Bay and Santa Clara Valley, temperatures will be downright oppressive. A continued offshore wind from the northeast, combined with warm overnight lows, will give temperatures an extra boost on Wednesday. Walnut Creek and Concord could see highs near 110 degrees, while San Jose and Santa Clara will approach 105 degrees. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

In MMWD race, some candidates present conflicting goals for water supply

Columnist Dick Spotswood writes, “There’s a vigorous contest for two posts on the Marin Municipal Water District’s five-member governing board in the November election. The policy difference between the candidates is represented by two conflicting goals.  Is the water district’s highest priority providing water security during drought years for its 191,000 central and southern Marin consumers? Alternatively, should its top job be stabilizing already steep water rates?  The two laudable goals appear to be irreconcilable.  The first assignment requires constructing expensive new infrastructure of pipelines and raising the height of dam spillways.  Conversely, the second goal foregoes those physical improvements and instead advocates restoring MMWD’s once dominant “conservation first” strategy. Conservation-first proponents contend that discouraging water use is the least costly method to keep the faucets flowing. That translates into less water for landscaping and during extreme droughts of water rationing. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.

Virtual scoping meeting for EIR for proposed geotechnical investigations for the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project

“On June 17, 2024, Valley Water issued a Notice of Intent to adopt an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Design Level Geotechnical Investigations for the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project, in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines. The proposed geotechnical investigations would be conducted to help gather essential information about the soil and rock characteristics at the project site.  The public comment period on the IS/MND closed on July 19, 2024.  In consideration of comments received on the proposed IS/MND, Valley Water will prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed geotechnical investigations. The EIR will re-evaluate the proposed Design Level Geotechnical Investigations and consider comments received on the IS/MND to determine whether it would have any significant environmental effects. … ”  Read more from Valley Water News.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Officials ban eating fish caught in Smith Canal after large oil spill in Stockton waterway

“Authorities have reopened a large portion of Smith Canal in Stockton for fishing after an oil spill late last week, but it is still unsafe to consume fish from the area, according to the Office of Spill Prevention and Response.  State and federal officials responded to an oil spill along Smith Canal, just north of the Port of Stockton, after the U.S. Coast Guard received reports of the spill from the National Response Center at about 3:40 p.m. Friday.  The source of the spill appears to be from an oil burner with a potential maximum capacity of 380 gallons, but authorities have not specified how much oil went into the canal. … ”  Read more from the Stockton Record.

Valley fever is a growing risk in Central California; few visitors ever get a warning

“When Nora Bruhn bought admission to the Lightning in a Bottle arts and music festival on the shores of Kern County’s Buena Vista Lake earlier this spring, her ticket never mentioned she might end up with a fungus growing in her lungs.  After weeks of night sweats, “heaviness and a heat” in her left lung, a cough that wouldn’t quit and a painful rash on her legs, her physician brother said she might have valley fever, a potentially deadly disease caused by a dust-loving fungus that lives in the soils of the San Joaquin Valley. … The incidence and range of valley fever has grown dramatically over the last two decades, and some experts warn that the fungus is growing increasingly resistant to drugs — a phenomenon they say is due to the spraying of antifungal agents on area crops.  As annual cases continue to rise, local health officers have sought to increase awareness of the disease and its symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed. This messaging however focuses only on Kern County and other Central Valley locations and rarely reaches those who live outside Kern County, or other high-risk areas. … ”  Read the full story from the LA Times.

USACE set to begin vegetation removal along Lower San Joaquin River ahead of levee construction work next spring

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $127,900 contract August 19 to C.T.L. Forest Management, Inc., to clean up and clear vegetation ahead of flood risk reduction work along Tenmile Slough at river mile 30, often referenced as TS30L.  Crews will begin trimming trees and removing vegetation to allow access for construction vehicles and machinery to complete construction as soon as October 17, 2024. …  Trees not impacted by the upcoming levee construction, particularly those along the levee toe may be retained. A three-foot-high stump will remain from any removed trees until the stump and root balls are removed in the spring when levee construction begins. … ”  Read more from the Army Corps of Engineers.

Tulare Lake flooding limits ’23 Kings crop values

Cotton lost its luster in Kings County, California last year with the flooding of Tulare Lake, a popular growth region for high quality natural fiber.  Long the top cotton producing county in the state, last year Kings County lost that title to neighboring Fresno County as more available ground was there to grow cotton. Even so, California’s total cotton acreage in 2023 was under 100,000 for the first time since the Great Depression.  Heavy rain, snow, and runoff from the southern Sierra flooded Tulare Lake for the first time in decades. Absent a few years in the last century, Tulare Lake has been dry. The soil and irrigation infrastructure make it a prime growing region for cotton. … ”  Read more from the Western Farm Press.

A full day of Kern groundwater plan meetings set for Oct. 3

“Kern County water managers will hold a full day of public meetings around the county on Thursday to explain and answer questions about the revamped Kern subbasin groundwater plan.  The document lays out Kern’s groundwater situation now and how water managers plan to improve water tables and keep them stable into the future.  Meetings will all be held Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon, in McFarland at the Mouser Center, 100 South Second Street. (in-person only);l from 2 to 4 p.m., in Bakersfield at the Kern County Water Agency, 3200 Rio Mirada Dr. (in-person and virtual via Zoom), and from 6 to 8 p.m., in Lamont at the David Head Community Building, 10300 San Diego St. (in-person only). … ”  Read more from SJV Water.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Record breaking heatwave continues to bring more fire threat to the Southland

“High heat continues across the Southland today and the threat of gusty winds could elevate fire conditions. Public health officials also say you might want to think twice about cooling off at some LA County beaches due to high levels of bacteria.Forecasters say yesterday’s highs broke records for the month of October.A heat advisory kicks in today at 10 a.m. for the inland coast including downtown Los Angeles — that means daytime highs will be in the upper 80s to the 90s. Temperatures at the beaches will be in the upper 70s with some patchy fog until 11 a.m. … ”  Read more from the LAist.

Metropolitan begins new water year well-prepared with ample water in storage

“Thanks to continued water efficiency among Southern Californian residents and businesses and two wet years, Metropolitan Water District enters the new water year today with enough water in storage to ensure water reliability for the region if dry conditions return this year.  Metropolitan Interim General Manager Deven Upadhyay said the investments the agency has made in storage, as well as water efficiency and system flexibility, have helped prepare the region for the weather extremes the state is expected to face in the future.  “We’re always preparing for the next dry year,” Upadhyay said. “We’ve had a few years of reprieve since the last record drought, and we’ve taken every opportunity to store as much water as possible in our diverse storage accounts across the state and Southwest.” … ”  Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.

Safe drinking water: Honeywell will pay for cleaning up groundwater in San Fernando Valley

“A San Fernando Valley Superfund site will be cleaned up and help boost Los Angeles’ local water supply.  After more than a decade of negotiations, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday that industrial manufacturing conglomerate Honeywell International Inc. has agreed to pay to clean up contaminated underground aquifers and build water treatment plants in North Hollywood.  The effort is expected to cost Honeywell around $57 million, plus $8 million to $12 million per year to maintain and operate the water treatment facilities, according to Honeywell. … ” Read more from the LAist.

SEE ALSO:

Public invited to help name Long Beach’s new marina trash-cleaning device

“The City of Long Beach has a new weapon in the war against trash, a remote-controlled debris-collecting device capable of removing up to 100 pounds of garbage from waterways in one single mission.  The new “Jellyfishbot” will aid the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine by helping clean marina waters while simultaneously bringing awareness to the issue of waterway pollution.  The city is also asking its youngest residents to help come up with a name and uniform for it. … ”  Read more from KTLA.

SAN DIEGO

Report: San Diego County has enough water for next year, even with La Niña

“San Diego County is well set to meet water demands through water year 2025, even with La Niña conditions likely to replace wet El Niño weather this winter, it was announced Tuesday.  Oct. 1 serves as the start of the 12-month water year cycle, counting winter snowfall and summer precipitation for the next year. For the San Diego County Water Authority, which brings in new leadership Tuesday, two consecutive wet winters have the area prepared for water needs regardless of weather.  “San Diego County’s water supply remains stable and reliable to support our region’s people, economy, and quality of life,” said Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano, whose two-year term as chair started Tuesday. “As we move forward, I am committed to preserving this stability and reliability while keeping water prices affordable for all. … ”  Read more from KPBS.

San Diego City Council asks federal government to declare national crisis in Tijuana River

“Following 31 years of consecutive extensions of a local state of emergency regarding sewage outflow in the Tijuana River Valley, the San Diego City Council Tuesday approved a resolution asking for a national emergency.  The largely symbolic item passed 7-0, and officially implores the federal government to make the local crisis a recognized national one, as well as asking for total funding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s infrastructure solution to the pollution.  Councilwoman Vivian Moreno, who put forward the resolution and represents San Diego’s southernmost communities such as Nestor, Egger Highlands, San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, said she feared for the health of her young child during an especially egregious incident amid a recent heat wave. … ”  Read more from NBC 7.

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Along the Colorado River …

Invasive mussels continue to spread in Mountain West

“Two species of tiny invasive mussels have been wreaking havoc in the Midwest since the 1980s. Now, their range continues to expand in the Mountain West.  The related quagga and zebra mussels are a problem because they clog pipes for agriculture and hydropower, and suck important nutrients out of the water, transforming ecosystems. Estimates from water bodies with infestations put the annual cost of dealing with them at hundreds of millions of dollars. Once the mussels are present, they’re very difficult to get rid of; females can release up to a million eggs a year. … ”  Read more from KUNC.

Colorado’s water users are told “use it or lose it.” But is the threat real?

“In December 2020, the Summit County Open Space and Trails Department bought a 15-acre property with a small pond, three ditches and a well.  Known as the Shane Gulch property, it was the only remaining private property north of Heeney Road between Green Mountain Reservoir and the Williams Fork Range. The land, just east of Highway 9 and the Blue River, has stunning views of the snow-capped peaks that form the Continental Divide. Summit County purchased the property, which consists of three parcels of rolling hills and meadows, to preserve the unique scenic, wildlife and agricultural heritage values of the area. … ”  Read more from the Water Desk.

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

ANNOUNCEMENT: Army Corps to host New Bullards Bar and Oroville Dam Water Control Manual Update information meeting October 15

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.