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On the calendar today (Friday) …
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 9am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include a presentation on Evaluating the Early Detection, Rapid Response Framework for Aquatic Species in the Delta; the Delta Lead Scientist report and vision for remainder of her term; a discussion on planning for a climate science research symposium; Delta ISB Comments on the Delta Stewardship Council’s Draft Tribal and Environmental Justice Issue Paper; and Decision-Making Under Deep Uncertainty Review. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: An ancient rock-climbing fish: Science in support of Pacific Lamprey from 11am to 12pm. Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) are among the oldest fish species in the world, appearing in the fossil record about 450 million years ago. This talk will present a summary of research that supports efforts to protect and restore these ancient fish. Click here to enter Teams meeting.
In California water news this weekend …
Here we go again: California prepares to battle Trump over environmental policies
“We’ve been here before. Even the players are the same. When President Donald Trump took office in 2017, his favorite sparring partner was California. The state’s ambitious environmental policies often clashed with the president’s promise to “drill, baby drill for oil” and rein in California’s regulations. Now it’s California v. Trump, 2.0 — and the stakes are much the same. Candidate Trump threatened to dismantle many environmental programs and hollow out federal regulatory agencies on his first day in office. … Trump’s reelection has unnerved environmental groups that are watching over the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and its imperiled fish. At stake are the state’s massive projects that bring Northern California water south to farmers and cities. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
- Newsom calls special session to ‘Trump-proof’ California, from Cal Matters
- Democrats move to ‘protect’ California from Trump, from Cal Matters
- What Another Trump Term Could Mean For California, radio show from KQED
Fluoride in water: A San Francisco judge has already ruled on removing it
“Opponents of adding fluoride to drinking water, where it can protect teeth but may also pose a threat to the mental health of newborn children, scored a recent victory in a San Francisco federal court. Now they may have gained a pair of unlikely allies — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking at a rally Oct. 28, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Trump said that if elected, he would give Kennedy — the late New York senator’s son, who ran as an independent presidential candidate before endorsing Trump — broad power over federal health policy. “I’m going to let him go wild on health. I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the medicines,” Trump said. Kennedy, whose best-known position on health is an unsubstantiated claim that vaccines can cause autism, responded by saying he would counsel Trump to cleanse the nation’s drinking water of fluoride. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle.
What the TFA! Is trifluoroacetic acid another “forever chemical” on the rise?
“A couple of months ago, our blog published an article on the exploding ubiquity of Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the environment. TFA is a breakdown product of several hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC). It is regulated under the Montreal Protocol (MP), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) used mainly as refrigerants. Trifluoroacetic acid is (1) produced naturally and synthetically, (2) used in the chemical industry, and (3) a potential environmental breakdown product of a large number (>1 million) chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and polymers. In 2016, EPA stated that the “formation of TFA derived from degradation of HCFC and HFC warrants continued attention, in part because of a long environmental lifetime and due many other potential but highly uncertain sources.” … ” Read more from Environmental Law Monitor.
Atmospheric rivers are shifting toward the poles, possibly following a long-term cycle
“Against the backdrop of global warming, sea level rise and extreme weather, it’s reassuring to learn that not all climatic changes are solely due to human activities. There are still natural rhythms in the oceans and atmosphere that influence our weather patterns. Understanding how these interact with anthropogenic climate change is crucial to forecasting. A pair of researchers at UC Santa Barbara investigated major migrations in global weather patterns. “Atmospheric rivers are shifting poleward in both hemispheres,” said Zhe Li, who recently earned his doctorate, “bringing heavy rain and storms to higher latitudes, which could reshape precipitation patterns globally.” But Li and his advisor, Qinghua Ding, didn’t see this trend reflected in current climate models, so they set out to discover why it’s happening and how that will influence weather. Their results, published in Science Advances, suggest this poleward shift is part of a natural cycle in sea surface temperatures in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. This change has already brought drought and water shortages to subtropical areas. “Understanding these changes will help us make better predictions about future rainfall patterns and water availability,” Li said. … ” Read more from The Current.
Post-fire study finds snowpack melts earlier
“As the American West warms, there’s a growing intersection between wildfires and the mountain snowpack that supplies the bulk of the water in many rivers and reservoirs. Fire is a natural and beneficial component of many Western ecosystems, but blazes are now reaching higher elevations, raising questions about how the snowpack behaves in burned areas—and how downstream users and species will be affected. If a fire torches a forest’s canopy, that change can actually let snow accumulate faster in winter since falling flakes aren’t intercepted by branches and pine needles. But without that canopy, the snowpack also loses shading from the sun and is subject to more wind, both of which can accelerate the snow’s disappearance. Moreover, soot and ash from charred tree trunks can hasten melting by coating the normally reflective snow with darker, heat-absorbing material. … ” Read more from The Water Desk.
How new research and satellites may be able to help drought in the West
“As the West continues to deal with ongoing drought, many water users are trying to figure out how to use less water. Water managers are also working to better gauge how much water is actually being used. New research — and satellites — may be able to help, especially as it relates to groundwater. Scientists from the Desert Research Institute used a platform called OpenET to monitor water use at agricultural fields in Nevada and Oregon. Thomas Ott, a research hydrologist at the Desert Research Institute, joined The Show to talk about what they found and what researchers were trying to figure out. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
How EPA scientists use fish eDNA to assess estuarine health
“Estuaries are waterbodies where freshwater from the uplands mixes with the salty waters of the open ocean. The bays, inlets and tidal rivers along a coastline that comprise estuarine systems are important to wildlife and humans alike. Estuaries provide habitat for fish and wildlife, protect coastal shorelines, and contribute to local and national economies. While millions of people visit estuaries every year to experience their natural beauty and biological diversity, these unique ecosystems define an entire way of life for coastal communities. The resilience of estuaries is under constant pressure from the land (e.g., development, pollution) and the sea (e.g., sea level rise, hurricanes). Many coastal states heavily invest in the preservation and restoration of estuarine habitats such as oyster reefs, seagrasses and coastal wetlands. One way to measure the effectiveness of these efforts to protect or improve estuarine condition is to survey fish populations. The existence of a wide variety of native fish species is one indicator of good estuarine condition. However, traditional methods of fish sampling — which involve catching, counting, measuring, and other testing of organisms — are often environmentally invasive, expensive and limited to specific types of fish like invasive species. … ” Continue reading from the EPA.
In commentary this weekend …
Sites Reservoir: A once-in-a-generation opportunity
Fritz Durst, Chair, Sites Project Authority, writes, “Water is a precious resource in California—and like any smart investment strategy, we need to use it wisely and plan for the future. As our climate changes, our management of water supplies needs to change, too. That’s why state and local leaders are using all of the tools available so that future generations have reliable water supplies to grow food, sustain businesses and protect the environment. And the tools we have today are more sophisticated than the solutions advanced in the early and mid-1900’s. We’ve created new and improved technology to purify and reuse, desalinate, conserve and store water. Sites Reservoir is a key part of the broad approach to ensuring Californians have enough water for years to come. It’s a 21st century solution to storing water designed with both environmental values and water supply needs in mind. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
ESSAY: Water wasted to sea?
James E. Cloern, Jane Kay, Wim Kimmerer, Jeffrey Mount, Peter B. Moyle, and Anke Müeller–Solger write, “If we farmed the Central Valley or managed water supplies for San Francisco, San Jose, or Los Angeles, we might think that freshwater flowing from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers through the Delta to San Francisco Bay is “wasted” because it ends up in the Pacific Ocean as an unused resource. However, different perspectives emerge as we follow the downstream movement of river water through the Delta and into San Francisco Bay. … ” Continue reading this essay.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
APPOINTMENT: Keali’i Bright, of Sacramento, has been appointed Undersecretary of the California Natural Resources Agency.
Bright has been Division Director of the Division of Land Resource Protection and Deputy Tribal Liaison at the California Department of Conservation since 2018. He was the Deputy Secretary for Climate and Energy at the California Natural Resources Agency from 2016 to 2018. Bright was the Deputy Secretary for Legislation and Salton Sea Policy Lead at the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2016. He was a Principal Budget Consultant at the California State Assembly Budget Committee from 2003 to 2011. Bright earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Latino Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $218,388. Bright is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
DELTA FLOWS: Featuring Scott Artis, Golden State Salmon Association
As California endures its second year without a commercial salmon season, the toll on families, businesses, and the environment has become increasingly evident. Chinook salmon, a critical keystone species, are disappearing from our rivers, putting entire food webs and communities at risk. In this episode, we’re joined by Scott Artis, Executive Director of the Golden State Salmon Association, to examine the consequences of this closure. From economic losses to ecological disruptions, we explore how this absence is felt across California and what it means for the future. Can we restore balance, protect this iconic species, and bring back a healthy salmon fishery? Join us for an in-depth look at the complexities of salmon recovery and the hopes for a sustainable future in California’s rivers and oceans.
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: Great Expectations
The November 2024 elections are over and a whole new class of elected water board directors are about to take their seats. Many of these individuals ran on the promise of lower water rates, improved water reliability, more transparency, etc. But what can they really deliver? Darcy and Darcy welcomed Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) Board President Chance Edmonson into the studio to share his perspective of what it was like when he became a board member. Chance was appointed to the EVMWD Board in 2021 to fill a vacancy and then in 2022 ran for the seat and won. Chance shares what he thought being a board member was going to be like, what it really is, what he has learned, what has been the most difficult part of the job, and offers some advice for those that are about to take their oath. Listen in and hear what he has to say and then share it with someone you know that’s about to take office.
WATER TALK: Science and civic engagement
A conversation with Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith (Union of Concerned Scientists) about the role of scientists in politics and policy with a focus on Western water policy.
WATER LOOP: Las Vegas’ winning bet on water
Las Vegas faces unique challenges as a rapidly growing city with a small share of water from the Colorado River and an arid desert climate. To meet the demands of residents and 40 million annual visitors, Las Vegas implemented comprehensive approaches to sustainability that drove water usage down even as the population boomed.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING: Water’s Mystery
I had the good fortune to spend six weeks with Krishna, professors and students at Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University in Nanded, India. Water research and applied hydrogeology is one important emphasis on the department’s curriculum. But there is also another entirely different view of water in India. 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
Weekend video …
Big Birds Are Back: Sandhill Cranes Flock to Sacramento Valley
Each year, birdwatchers flock to Lodi, California, to witness the majestic migration of Sandhill Cranes to their winter home in the Sacramento Valley.
In regional water news this weekend …
BAY AREA
Marin City marks beginning of flood-control project
“Marin City residents gathered at a flood-prone intersection Thursday to celebrate the culmination of decades of advocacy work. The event at Drake Avenue and Donahue Street was organized to kick off the Marin City Flood Resilience Project. About 75 community members attended the event with federal, state and local officials. “This is so exciting,” said Terrie Green, a Marin City Community Services District board member. “This is a life-changing event.” In August, Marin City was among 12 communities selected for a national pilot program funded by $120 million for flood infrastructure projects. The program aims to improve flood safety and health in historically and economically underserved communities. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Contra Costa Water District ends participation in Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion
“Last night, the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) Board of Directors took action to end its participation in the Los Vaqueros Phase 2 Expansion Project. This action follows a September Board discussion during which staff was directed to develop and present an exit plan for the Board’s consideration. Los Vaqueros Reservoir, a drinking water reservoir in Brentwood, was built and expanded by CCWD to provide water quality and water supply benefits for the residents of central and eastern Contra Costa County. For decades, CCWD has worked with local, state and federal partners to evaluate a Phase 2 expansion of the reservoir and related facilities to provide regional benefits for urban, agricultural and environmental interests, all while maintaining the benefits derived from the initial investments by CCWD customers. … ” Read more from the Contra Costa News.
Could wastewater be new source of groundwater supply for Delta region?
“The Diablo Water District is considering using treated wastewater from the Ironhouse Sanitation District to replenish local groundwater supplies, according to officials from both agencies. If implemented, both agencies said they hope that replenished groundwater aquifers would strengthen East County’s resilience to water supply changes and meet water reuse goals directed by the state government. Reports from the California Department of Water Resources advise that such an operation can produce safe drinking water provided that significant water quality tests are done before distributing the treated water. … ” Read more from The Press.
CENTRAL COAST
The Peninsula’s water usage dips to its lowest level in nearly 50 years.
“David Schmalz here, with some notable news to report. This past water year—a calendar built around the wet season, from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024—just 8,972 acre-feet of water were pumped into Cal Am’s system to meet customer demand. It marks the first time since 1977—a severe drought year that led to water rationing—that number has dipped below 9,000 acre-feet. For contrast, the amount of water put into the system in 1976 was around 16,000 acre-feet. Prior to 1977, absent water rationing, the last year the Peninsula’s demand was under 9,000 acre-feet was 1957. Meanwhile, both the population and the price of water for customers have grown considerably. What does that mean? For one, it means that water conservation measures implemented by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District are working. … ” Read more from Monterey Now.
Surfers Point, Phase II: Next phase of managed retreat project underway
“People who enjoy strolling and beachcombing around Ventura’s Surfers Point will notice fenced-off areas and construction equipment in the coming months. But once the ultimate vision for the area is achieved, locals should be left with a Pacific coastline and Ventura River estuary lauded for their resiliency and scenic beauty. Ventura city leaders have embarked on Phase II of the Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project. The first phase was completed in 2013, creating new sand dunes and a bike and pedestrian path built further inland from a path that had been undermined by high tides and winter storms. The second phase aims to enhance safety for beachgoers and protect the shoreline from further erosion in the area adjacent to phase one. … ” Read more from the VC Reporter.
California’s Mountain Fire in Ventura County burns 20,000 acres as “environmental recipe” fuels blaze
“After surveying the damage caused by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an emergency proclamation Thursday to help crews extinguish the flames. Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, the nearly 32 square mile wildfire forced thousands of people to flee their homes. It quickly exploded by thousands of acres, injuring people and destroying homes in its path. At least 132 structures have been destroyed and another 88 damaged in the blaze, officials announced at a news conference Thursday night. Within five hours, the wildfire grew to more than 10,000 acres before scorching another 4,000 acres by 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. It first sparked at about 8:50 a.m. on South Mountain in the Moorpark area, near the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Bakersfield lawsuit continues as Kern River water management that left fish dead comes under fire
“Thousands of dead fish have been left behind in the waterbed where the Kern River sometimes flows through Bakersfield – not due to drought but to maintenance by the city water department that added to accusations of mismanagement. Those claims were brought to Superior Court in a 2022 lawsuit by multiple environmental advocacy organizations. In October, Bakersfield argued against the claims, asserting it is not solely responsible for the dewatering of the Kern River. The recent fish deaths were “a really tragic situation, both ecologically and for the community, and of course for the wildlife because the fish has nowhere to go,” freshwater ecologist Rae McNeish said. … ” Read more from Cronkite News.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Election could undo power seized by new majority on Central Basin water board
“A week after a new majority seized control of the Central Basin Municipal Water District’s board and fired its embattled general manager, the results of Tuesday’s election could upend the fledgling regime. Voters, forced by redistricting to choose between two longtime activists on the board, ousted Martha Camacho-Rodriguez, the board’s newly installed president, and returned board member Leticia Vasquez-Wilson, according to semi-official election results. Simultaneously, they reelected board member Juan Garza and selected newcomer Gary Mendez, a 21-year veteran of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees and current member of the Whittier Union High School District board, to join the governing body. … ” Read more from the Whittier Daily News.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
New River project price tag passes $43.6m in Calexico
“More than half a million dollars in unforeseen costs were added to the city’s now $43 million New River Improvement Project, a change that one resident said could be a sign of “fraud” on the project. Earlier this week in a conversion with Acting City Manager Juan Contreras, he said the $531,007.52 change order being requested on Wednesday evening, Nov. 6, is well within the contingency set aside for cost overruns. The Calexico City Council approved the eighth change order on the New River project by a 3-0 vote on Wednesday at a time when city officials say the work is 85 percent complete and due to wrap up in January. Council members Lisa Tylenda and Gloria Romo were absent from the meeting. … ” Read more from the Holtville Tribune.
LAND OF EXTREMES: Valley of Discovery: Geology in the Imperial Valley
“The Imperial Valley has been recognized as one of the most unique places for geological study. It may not seem like much to the untrained eye, but the rocks and mountains that surround us have a story to tell. We often drive by them without a second thought but the rock formations, deposits, and trails reveal a vibrant historical record, one that is often overlooked. The Imperial Valley is a geologically diverse area that includes remnants of ancient Lake Cahuilla, the relationship indigenous people had with the land, and the use of geological resources as tools. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
Hearings begin in lawsuit challenging first lithium project in the Imperial Valley
“Court hearings are under way in a lawsuit challenging one of the Imperial Valley’s first lithium projects. Two environmental justice organizations are suing Imperial County officials over their decision to greenlight the Hell’s Kitchen Project, a geothermal energy plant that would collect dissolved lithium particles from searing hot water deep below the valley. The project is being built by Controlled Thermal Resources, one of several energy companies racing to set up lithium operations near the Salton Sea and tap into the region’s massive underground lithium reserves. But the environmental organizations Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks say county officials didn’t look hard enough at how much water the plant would use, whether it would pollute the valley’s air and how it could affect tribal cultural resources. … ” Read more from KPBS.
Along the Colorado River …
How will a second Trump presidency shape the Colorado River?
“The people who will determine the future of the Colorado River said they do not anticipate major changes to their negotiation process as a result of former president Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Multiple officials from states that use the Colorado River pointed to historical precedent and said that similar negotiations in the past were largely unaffected by turnover in presidential administrations. Historically, state leaders have written the particulars of river management rules, and the federal Bureau of Reclamation implements the states’ ideas. “I think if you’re using history as your guide, the election probably doesn’t mean a whole lot,” said John Entsminger, Nevada’s top water negotiator. “We have seen both Democratic and Republican administrations over the last two and a half decades have pretty consistent Colorado River policy.” … ” Read more from KUNC.
Colorado River talks stable amid White House shake-up
“Top state negotiators working on an agreement to guide the future of the drought-ravaged Colorado River said they don’t expect that the looming shift in control of the White House will derail the process for drafting a long-term operating plan. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory this week means there soon will be new people in top jobs at the Interior Department and the Bureau of Reclamation, which plays a decisive role in brokering an agreement and could impose its own view if participating states don’t come to a consensus. But this might be one area where the shift in administration won’t change much, negotiators said. … ” Read more from E&E News.
‘Sin City could be called Solar City’: How Las Vegas is going green
“Las Vegas is notorious for bright lights, excess and hedonism. But America’s playground – or to use its better-known nickname, Sin City – is going green. From water conservation and waste management to solar power, the city has invested millions in pushing sustainability initiatives. “The effort began in earnest in 2005,” says Marco Velotta, who serves as the city’s sustainability officer, “and accelerated with the Recovery Act in 2009“. The federal act set targets for renewable energy, water conservation, recycling and green buildings. “With the Recovery Act and City Council direction, the city was able to make an initial investment of $75m (£58m) in sustainability projects,” Velotta says. Despite a dramatic population increase, water consumption has dropped “significantly”, he says. By 2030, 50% of all Nevada’s electricity is expected to be generated from renewable resources. … ” Read more from the BBC.
In national water news this weekend …
How Trump could shrink EPA
“EPA has made significant gains in staffing under President Joe Biden. President-elect Donald Trump will attempt to undo them. When Biden came to office almost four years ago, he pledged to rebuild EPA, which had seen hundreds of employees leave due to frustration with the first Trump administration. The agency made strides in hiring more staff, flush with cash from Biden’s signature climate and infrastructure laws that boosted its workload. As a result, more are on board at EPA. Administrator Michael Regan said in a speech this June that the agency increased its ranks by nearly 5,200 employees since his arrival. Trump is not expected to follow suit, having pledged on the campaign trail to take apart federal agencies. “I’m not surprised, but I am opposed,” Myron Ebell, who led Trump’s first EPA transition team, told POLITICO’s E&E News about the agency’s hiring spree. “I hope that the second Trump administration will do something about that.” … ” Read more from E&E News.
U.S. had its 2nd-warmest October on record
“Very warm temperatures and an expanding drought covered much of the U.S. last month, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. The average October temperature across the contiguous U.S. was 59.0 degrees F, 4.9 degrees above the 20th-century average, ranking as the second-warmest October — behind October 1963 — in NOAA’s 130-year U.S. climate record. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Utah each saw their warmest October on record. California, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming each had their second-warmest October on record, with an additional 10 states experiencing their top-10 warmest. The average October precipitation across the Lower 48 was 0.95 of an inch — 1.21 inches below average — tying with October 1963 as the second-driest October on record. The nation’s driest October was October 1952. … ” Read more from NOAA.
