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In California water news today …
Storm train to continue rolling in the West this week with flood threat and snow
“The fall and early winter have been active with multiple rounds of rain and mountain snow in the West. While this has helped to alleviate any drought conditions and boosted the snowpack, the ground is becoming saturated. AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the continued precipitation will increase the risk of flooding and mudslides. … By Monday night and through Tuesday and Tuesday night, a new storm will come ashore and precipitation will fall could eventually fall as far south as Los Angeles. “Rain will be heaviest from Monday night into Tuesday morning across Northern California and southwestern Oregon, and falling snow levels will allow rain to change to snow down to many passes,” explained Zehr. … ” Read the full forecast from AccuWeather.
S.F. is crushing L.A. weather in one particular category
“Weather has been particularly active across Northern California this water year. Winter storms stranded travelers near Mount Shasta, deadly flooding hit the Bay Area and a tornado flipped cars in the Santa Cruz Mountains. All the while, Southern California has picked up barely a lick of rain. Data confirms California’s polarizing fall precipitation pattern. San Francisco received 7.98 inches of rain from Oct. 1 through Dec. 16, while Los Angeles recorded just 0.12 inches. San Francisco’s rainfall total was 67 times greater than Los Angeles, the biggest relative difference between the cities since 1962. Only eight other years had a greater season-to-date rainfall difference between the two cities since 1877. … “The discrepancy we’re seeing is sort of a La Niña signature, with less rainfall to the south and more rainfall to the north,” said Jan Null, a meteorologist at Golden Gate Weather Services. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Biden, Newsom officials announce long-awaited new water delivery rules
“State and federal water officials announced today their long-awaited new rules for operating two massive water delivery systems that serve 30 million Californians and much of the state’s farmland. The rules will oversee operations of the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project, which carry water from Northern California rivers south to San Joaquin Valley farmers, Los Angeles area residents and many other water users in the southern half of the state. Deliveries will increase for major urban water suppliers and many farms, while they’ll be cut for some farmers. Schedules for releasing water from Lake Shasta, the state’s largest reservoir, will be revised. Chuck Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the new rules represent the best path forward for the competing interests of cities, farms and fish. “It’s good for both people and the environment,” he said. “It’s the expression of what people want from us.” … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Biden admin completes under-the-wire endangered species rules for California water projects
“The Biden administration signed off on Friday on its plan for how to run the massive system of pumps, canals, reservoirs that moves water across California, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office with a very different vision. The Bureau of Reclamation’s record of decision closes a four-year process to overturn Trump’s previous rules for the Central Valley Project, which both environmentalists and the state of California claimed did not adequately protect endangered fish like the Chinook salmon and Delta smelt and sued over. The Central Valley Project, operated jointly with the California-run State Water Project, delivers water from the wetter part of Northern California to Central Valley farmers and Southern California through the sensitive habitat of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Its guidelines are a perpetual political football and the Biden administration’s under-the-wire plan is likely to face at least some opposition from Trump, who vowed on the campaign trail to send more water to conservative-leaning Central Valley farmers. … ” Read more from Politico.
Reclamation approves water plan that’s ‘likely to adversely affect’ Sacramento River winter Chinook
“The Bureau of Reclamation today approved a controversial new plan, known as a “biological opinion,” for the long-term operation of the Central Valley Project and Delta facilities of the State Water Project — even though the opinion documents say it would likely harm endangered winter-run Chinook salmon. Reclamation claimed the biological opinion “presents a path forward with more predictable actions for endangered fish species and a more reliable CVP response to multi-year droughts,” while fishing and environmental groups slammed the decision for being even worse in some areas than the 2019 Trump Administration plan that it replaces. “The resilience of the Central Valley Project, with its importance to the agricultural industry and drinking water deliveries across California, is critical to the state’s water supply future,” gushed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Mike Brain. “The revised operating plan will improve regulatory certainty for water users and provide a more stable water supply for communities, farms, and fish.” … ” Continue reading at the Daily Kos.
SEE ALSO:
- Reclamation greenlights action plan for the long-term operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, press release from the Bureau of Reclamation
- New federal actions will help California better manage water supply, press release from Governor Newsom
- California water systems’ new plan aims to balance urban needs and salmon conservation, from KRCR
- Long awaited rules for water deliveries unveiled, from the Porterville Recorder
Huffman topples panel leader as Trump battles loom
“In his new position as ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Natural Resources, Rep. Jared Huffman expects to clash early and often with the incoming Trump administration. Huffman, a Marin County resident, was elected to the position this week after challenging Rep. Raúl Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona. Grijalva had led the committee’s Democrats for 10 years. “This is a big development,” said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University. “It’s a big development for him personally and a big development for his North Coast district. This makes Jared hugely influential.” Huffman, 60, is one of three Democrats who recently ousted more senior members of their party from positions of leadership. The changing of the guard has led some to speculate that the party is embarking on a youth movement in response to their election losses in November. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Commentary: Will Western irrigated lands be a Trump priority?
Dan Keppen, Family Farm Alliance, writes, “President-elect Donald Trump is returning to the White House in large part because people were fed up with high food and fuel prices driven by policies that put domestic food production on the back burner. The Family Farm Alliance and the producers and conservationists who we work with are dedicated to the pragmatic implementation of actions that seek to find a sustainable balance of environmental protection and economic prosperity. Western irrigated agriculture has and can continue to provide the most stable food supply in the world – but only if we allow it to function. We are very encouraged that the new administration will again make Western irrigated agriculture one of its priorities. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press.
Case against groundwater sanctions in Kings County on hold while appeals court reviews a state challenge
“The Fifth District Court of Appeal agreed to hear one of two challenges by the state in a Kings County Superior Court case that paused groundwater sanctions set to be imposed on area farmers. The pause on groundwater sanctions is still in effect but further court proceedings in the case are now on hold until the Fifth District reviews one of the state’s appeals. “We aren’t surprised by the appeals,” Dusty Ference, executive director of the Kings County Farm Bureau. The Farm Bureau sued the Water Resources Control Board over groundwater measures imposed by the state that would require farmers to meter and register wells at $300 each and pay $20-per-acre-foot pumped. “I guess in the water world, it’s becoming more common to see the state board react that way, so we weren’t completely surprised by that.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Blog: CAFED: Allocating California water isn’t a taking because Cal says only the feds have water rights
“A long-ish read (32 single-spaced pages) from the Federal Circuit in City of Fresno v. United States, No. 22-1994 (Dec. 17, 2024), but worth reading. Not only will you get a crash course in how water is allocated in California’s vast central valley (as the billboards above, set up along the north-south I-5 corridor demonstrate, not everyone is happy about how that is accomplished), but you will also understand how the Federal Circuit approaches the predicate question in takings case: does the plaintiff own “private property?” The court concluded no, the plaintiffs do not possess private property rights. Consequently, it affirmed the Court of Federal Claims dismissal of the takings claim. … ” Read more from Inverse Condemnation.
Draft Delta Adapts Adaptation Plan now available for public comment
“The Delta Stewardship Council recently released the draft Delta Adapts Adaptation Plan, marking a significant step forward in addressing the impacts of climate change on the Delta and Suisun Marsh. This comprehensive plan is now open for public comment through January 17, offering an opportunity for stakeholders, experts, and community members to contribute to shaping the future of the region. Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis, the draft Delta Adapts Adaptation Plan highlights the need to prioritize resilience in the face of anticipated climate impacts and provides an actionable framework to drive much-needed climate adaptation efforts across the region. It proposes a wide range of climate adaptation strategies tailored specifically to the Delta and Suisun Marsh. It identifies lead and partner agencies responsible for implementing these strategies, examines potential tradeoffs inherent in various adaptation actions, and draws on illustrative case studies to demonstrate how these proposals could unfold in practice. This is the first climate adaptation plan for the Delta that takes an integrated approach, addressing multiple sectors and issues with a unified vision for a sustainable future. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
Big milestone for Delta climate adaptation offers exciting pathways forward – and it needs your input
“The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is of critical importance to all of California’s people, ecosystems, and economy. It is an ancestral homeland and a place of cultural significance to many tribes, a crucial source of drinking water for 27 million Californians, a biodiversity hot spot for more than 750 plant and animal species, and an unmatched producer of crops, generating $4.5 billion in economic output each year. But like the rest of the state (and the world at large), this incredible place faces the accelerating impacts of climate change. Rising seas, extreme heat, flooding, drought, and changes in precipitation all threaten the residents, ecology, industry, agriculture, infrastructure, and economy of the region. At the Delta Stewardship Council, addressing these climate impacts is critical to our mission. … ” Read more from the Delta Stewardship Council.
Erosion found on Sacramento levee after storm. Sherman Island residents urged to stay alert
“Sacramento County officials are asking residents living on or near Sherman Island in south county to follow updates from the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services regarding the levee that sustained erosion damage during recent storms. Sherman Island is a part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The storm impact caused erosion on the water side of the levee along Sacramento River, near the Sacramento-Solano county line. The threat of levee failure is low, and there is no current evacuation order, according to a news release from Sacramento County. The levee problem was first discovered by engineers for Reclamation District 341 on Dec. 14. An inspection of the levee that day uncovered 500 yards of erosion damage. The damage was caused by “wave wash” from a December storm that battered the levee with high river water, strong tidal influence and winds of more than 40 miles per hour. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Dead ship tow brings abandoned vessel Aurora from Stockton to Mare Island
“The former cruise ship Aurora has been towed from the San Joaquin River Delta near Stockton to Mare Island. Earlier in 2024, the decommissioned ship started sinking into the Delta in the Potato Slough area. A safety zone was implemented around the vessel and an operation was undertaken by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Spill Prevention and Response unit to refloat the ship. While the old ship – which had a storied past in Hollywood – was leaking diesel fuel and oil, officials stated they hadn’t seen any impacts to local wildlife. It’s unclear how long the ship had been moored near Stockton. … ” Read more from CBS News.
Biden-Harris Administration announces $13 million investment in ecosystem projects
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $13 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in two projects to improve ecosystems, increase resilience and remove barriers to fish passage in California, building on the goals of the domestic Freshwater Challenge. California Trout Corporation will receive $8 million in funding for the Harvey Diversion Fish Passage Remediation Project and the Yurok Tribe will receive $5 million for the restoration of the Shovel, Jenny, Falls, and Spencer Creeks streams in the Klamath Basin. “These investments through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help to improve our ecosystems while mitigating impacts of drought and building climate resiliency,” said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “These projects in California will improve habitat for fish and will remove barriers to restore movement in river systems.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
State officials issue warning after first sighting of troubling species in North America: ‘Significant immediate threat’
“Golden mussels, a dangerous and invasive species, were recently found for the first time in North America in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California, according to The Sacramento Bee. The invasive mussel was discovered by wildlife officials in the Port of Stockton, and it has possibly also infiltrated Merced County. Genetic testing was conducted to confirm whether or not the species found there were golden mussels, the Bee reported. Officials told the Bee they believe the bivalve most likely came to California via a ship traveling from an international port. Native to Southeast Asia and China, golden mussels quickly multiplied and spread across South America. Similar to other invasive mussels, the golden mussel is capable of endangering native species and causing issues with waterways. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
And lastly … Dear Santa: A California water holiday wish list
“‘Tis the season of gift-giving (and gift-seeking). So we thought a California Water Holiday wish list might be good. Here are some serious and gag holiday gift ideas to make California water wonks happy all year. … ” Check it out at the California Water Blog.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
$4.6 million going towards combatting drought in Klamath Basin
“A $4.6 million federal grant will go towards helping six tribes in the Klamath Basin combat drought, Oregon’s U.S. senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today. In a news release, the senators said the money will focus on drought preparation, collecting data and increasing resilience. “This investment from the Bureau of Reclamation will go to projects developed by The Klamath Tribes, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Modoc Nation, Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People, and Yurok Tribe,” the release said. “Of the 14 projects, eight will help Tribes conduct environmental and ecosystem analysis and data collection to prepare for drought, restore ecosystems, and build resilience.” … ” Read more from Channel 12.
The numbers are in: Thousands of salmon return home to the Klamath
“Since July 2024, when CalTrout and our team of Tribal, state, federal, academic, and nonprofit partners launched the Klamath River Science and Monitoring Program, we’ve been hard at work collecting, processing, and analyzing data on fish migration through the former dams. The (preliminary) data is rolling in and good news – so are the fish! From October 17 through October 29, 2024, during the fall-run Chinook salmon migration, the data suggest that more than six thousand fish have passed the former Iron Gate Dam site and migrating into the newly re-opened habitats. These fish were captured by our team’s SONAR camera which is installed at the former dam site. How does SONAR work? The camera uses sound waves to generate movie-like imagery of passing fish on a continuous basis. Our team of scientists analyzes the camera’s recordings considering several factors including fish size and time of movement to discern that most of these are likely Chinook salmon or steelhead! This SONAR camera provided the first evidence of fish migrating into newly reopened habitat just days after dam removal construction wrapped up. When we break down the data from October 17 to October 29 a bit further, we estimate that between 221 and 588 fish migrated through each day and 98% of these fish were greater than 20 inches long! This data is preliminary and subject to change. … ” Read more from Cal Trout.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Placer County Water Agency approves updated water connection charges to support planned growth in Western Placer County
“At its Thursday meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors approved updates to the Water Connection Charges (WCC) for new customers connecting to PCWA’s drinking water system in Western Placer County. Updated charges were approved after a public hearing and review of the agency’s Capital Plan and are the first updates to the WCC since 2017. “Today’s decision reflects PCWA’s long-standing pay-as-you-go policy that new customers bear the cost of new facilities needed to serve them,” said Board Chairman Robert Dugan. “This protects existing customers from subsidizing infrastructure for planned growth.” … ” Read more from the Placer Sentinel.
When wildfire strikes: the coordinated effort behind fire response in the Tahoe region
“The 2024 wildfire season has proven once again to be an active one, with California witnessing over 7,100 wildfires that have scorched more than 1 million acres. The Tahoe region, in particular, experienced several major fires, including one of the largest in state history. While many homes and structures were lost, and lives were impacted, the devastating consequences could have been much worse. For residents of the Truckee-Tahoe area, the recent fires served as a stark reminder of the region’s ongoing wildfire risks. However, preventing small fires from escalating into catastrophic blazes is the result of a meticulously coordinated response involving multiple state, local, and federal agencies. The teamwork between these agencies is nothing short of impressive—a highly orchestrated, “symphonic” effort that includes everything from ground fire crews to aerial support, with seamless communication between all parties involved. … ” Read more from the Sierra Sun.
Tuolumne Utilities District begins annual flushing out of its water
“Tuolumne Utilities District, the water-and-sewer agency that serves more than 40,000 Tuolumne County residents, has started its annual flushing of 322 linear miles of treated drinking water distribution pipes, a TUD spokeswoman announced Wednesday. Field crews for TUD plan to flush out treated drinking water pipes in multiple locations in the agency’s service area along the Highway 108 corridor for the next four months, through April 2025. The flushing of treated drinking water pipes is routine annual preventive maintenance. The intent is to send pressurized water through sections of TUD’s drinking water distribution system at high velocities, and create scouring actions to clean interior surfaces of the pipes. … ” Read more from the Union Democrat.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Shasta Dam celebrates milestone anniversary
“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation recognizes the 80th anniversary of the last bucket of concrete poured in the making of Shasta Dam. The historic photo of the last bucket of concrete was recreated with the current Shasta Dam team in honor of the original dam workers. Workers began pouring concrete on July 8, 1940, and continued seven days a week/24-hours a day until the last bucket was poured on Dec. 22, 1944. The story of Shasta Dam begins with its construction from 1938-1945. Frank Crowe was chosen by Pacific Constructors Inc. as their choice for job superintendent. Crowe had most recently finished his job as superintendent of the Hoover Dam project. Crowe oversaw 4,700 people and the construction of the second largest concrete dam in the country, at the time. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
SEE ALSO: Shasta Dam celebrates 80th anniversary of final cement pour, from KRCR
BAY AREA
Tiburon shoreline project gets closer to launch
“A multiyear effort to restore the shoreline at Blackie’s Pasture in Tiburon is advancing. The Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission received an update on Dec. 16 about the restoration project at Greenwood Beach and Brunini Beach. If all goes well, project leaders hope to break ground in September. Roger Leventhal, an engineer with the county public works department, said a few final touches are needed before construction can begin. Staff are working to address comments from agencies such as the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. “BCDC comments were the most extensive and really nothing in there that’s going to be a dealbreaker or problematic,” Leventhal said. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Popular Bay Area beach reopens after sewage leaks prompted closure
“Marin County has reopened Bolinas Beach after testing suggested the health risk from nearby sewage leaks has subsided. Officials closed the beach in September after county staff noticed liquid seeping from a 1.5-mile stretch of eroded cliff face between Agate Beach and Brighton Avenue. Odor and discoloration of the surrounding soil indicated human waste from the nearby residential community of Big Mesa was leaching into the area. The rural community has no sewage hookups, and homes run on septic systems. Testing in the fall revealed high levels of harmful bacteria, including E. coli. More recent testing, however, did not find evidence of human waste, prompting the reopening of the popular beach Friday. … ” Read more from the SF Chronicle.
Plans to transform an iconic San Francisco highway into a park ignite recall furor
“On a recent Sunday on the far edge of the Outer Sunset, a cozy oceanfront neighborhood with rows of pastel bungalows, hundreds of people enjoyed a stretch of the iconic coastal road known as the Great Highway. A dad taught his kid how to ride a bike. A young couple strolled with their baby in a bassinet. Two surfers hauled their boards toward the crashing Pacific waves. A day later, the same swath of asphalt was covered with cars, transformed back into a commuter route for thousands of drivers who use the Great Highway to get to work, the airport, school or other parts of town. This two-mile stretch, known as the Upper Great Highway — which starts at the tip of Golden Gate Park and runs south along Ocean Beach — has become a political traffic jam in recent years, with locals clashing over how best to use the historic avenue as coastal erosion and sea level rise threaten its future. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Column: S.F. says this retiree owes nearly $8,000 for water. His story raises serious questions
Columnist Emily Hoeven writes, “For many years, Michael Lerner’s monthly water bill rarely surpassed $60. A 73-year-old retired arts consultant and longtime San Francisco resident, Lerner took pains to conserve. He not only replaced all the plants in his Bernal Heights backyard with drought-resistant succulents in 2021, he kept a bucket in the shower to collect excess water to care for them. Then, in May 2023, things got weird. That’s when he received a letter from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission stating that his water meter was registering “minimal consumption” and had been flagged for inspection.Yes, he was economical in his water use. But his meter seemed to show he was barely using any at all. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Settlement payment by Martinez Refining Company will go to environmental projects in the Bay
“The Martinez Refining Company has agreed to pay $4.48 million to settle allegations of federal Clean Water Act violations tied to its Contra Costa County refinery, and the money will go to environmental projects, according to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Owned by PBF Energy Inc., the refinery produces a variety of petroleum products. Between 2022 and 2023, the company allegedly discharged millions of gallons of wastewater from its oil refinery operations, causing harm to water quality and aquatic life in the large undeveloped marshes connected to the Carquinez Strait. The penalty was calculated by the State Water Resources Control Board and issued in October. In a statement released Monday, the agency said that half of the amount, or $2,241,000, will go to the State Water Board’s Cleanup and Abatement Account, which supports pollution cleanup projects throughout California. The remaining half will be allocated to different environmental projects benefiting San Francisco Bay. … ” Read more from the Silicon Valley Voice.
Valley Water leaves creek partners stunned, frustrated
“Residents of Palo Alto, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto who live near the San Francisquito Creek are well accustomed to unexpected delays and shattered expectations. Since the devastating flood of 1998 forced their cities and water agencies to band together, they’ve had to endure prolonged studies from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, multi-year environmental analyses and endless debates on how to best protect neighborhoods like the Willows and Crescent Park. Even though the creek authority completed a major project four years ago in the downstream area around East Palo Alto and the U.S. Highway 101, neighborhoods further upstream remain vulnerable to the fickle creek. … ” Read more from Palo Alton Online.
CENTRAL COAST
Stay out of the water! Dangerous surf conditions for parts of the Tri-Counties
“We could see dangerous surf conditions, and the potential for coastal flooding in the Tri-Counties for the next few days. National Weather Service meteorologists say the Central Coast could see 18 to 25 foot high waves, while the South Coast may have 12-18 foot waves. They warn the waves are strong enough that they could potentially damage piers, and top sea walls and jetties. Coastal flooding could impact beach roads and parking lots. Boater are being cautioned to keep their craft in safe harbor areas. People are being warned to stay away from rock walls and jetties. … ” Read more from KCLU.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Kern subbasin finalizes 2024 GSP ahead of probationary hearing
“In December, the Kern County Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Agencies finalized and approved a coordinated, amended Groundwater Sustainability Plan ahead of the Kern Subbasin’s probationary hearing on Feb. 20, 2025. The amended GSP is endorsed by all 20 GSAs within the subbasin, incorporating feedback from the State Water Resources Control Board staff and public comments. According to a press release from the Kern County Water Agency, the plan includes extensive improvements in technical areas such as water quality and subsidence monitoring. “We are very well-coordinated and worked together to address all deficiencies identified by the State, and I am extremely pleased with the collaborative approach that produced this unified plan,” Derek Yurosek, chair of the Coordination Committee for Kern County Subbasin said in the release. … ” Read more from the Valley Ag Voice.
EASTERN SIERRA
State Water Board to hold Mono Lake hearing in 2025
“The California State Water Resources Control Board will schedule its long-awaited hearing about Mono Lake and implementation of the Board’s mandated, healthy 6,392-foot surface elevation for 2025. Agency officials have shared the plans in recent meetings. On a multi-party video call last week, State Water Board staff made it clear that the hearing schedule had accelerated after surprise and disappointment about the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s (DWP) water exports exceeding the planned 4,500 acre-feet. DWP’s reversal on its commitment to voluntarily limit water diversions clearly undermined the potential for solution-oriented collaboration. The State Water Board had been considering facilitating a series of pre-hearing collaborative discussions to see if voluntary agreements could be found that would streamline the hearing process. However, DWP’s abandonment of the City’s collaborative approach has caused the Board to cancel those plans and accelerate the schedule for the hearing itself. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.
SEE ALSO: DWP abandons LA’s commitment to Mono Lake, from the Mono Lake Committee
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Is a 1976 drainage plan to blame for 2023 Rolling Hills Estates landslide? Homeowners’ lawsuit says yes
“In 1976, as the city of Rolling Hills Estates considered plans for a new development on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, officials debated how water should drain through a nearby canyon. The development would cause increased runoff, city officials noted at the time, which would ideally be maintained by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. But one other factor was paramount. “It is recommended that all efforts be made to obtain that [flood control] district’s acceptance,” the city’s resolution from August 1976 said. “However, this should not be done if it requires installation of concrete channels through the canyon bottoms which would defeat the intent of the natural area.” And so, the drainage plan remained as outlined — failing to meet the flood control district’s requirements and leaving drainage to the purview of the development’s homeowners’ associations, the records said. That decades-old decision is now the linchpin of a lawsuit that claims the city, county and homeowners’ associations failed to properly manage runoff in that canyon … ” Continue reading at the LA Times.
MWDOC provides feedback to LAFCO’s OCWD MSR and SOI public review draft, encourages collaborative approaches
“The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) has released its formal response to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) regarding the Orange County Water District (OCWD) Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) Public Review Draft, which includes a Consolidation Feasibility Study of OCWD and MWDOC. In the response, MWDOC identifies significant issues in the Study that call into question the feasibility and benefits of a proposed consolidation and encourages alternatives that enhance collaboration between the existing agencies. Key areas noted in MWDOC’s response include ensuring that cost savings and purported benefits are grounded in sound financial analysis, safeguarding the integrity of governance and representation, and clearly demonstrating how changes would deliver meaningful improvements to water reliability and value for Orange County. … ” Continue reading from MWDOC.
‘Gitmo’ in the Mojave: How the Marines are saving endangered desert tortoises
“Reporting from TWENTYNINE PALMS Marine Corps base, Calif. — The two tiny tortoises emerged from their burrows as soon as they detected Brian Henen’s footsteps, eager for the handfuls of bok choy and snap peas that would soon be tossed their way. It will be a few years before the tortoises, roughly the size of playing cards, have shells tough enough to avoid becoming prey for the ravens soaring above. So for now, they live with roughly 1,000 others of their species in a sheltered habitat ringed by barbed wire and draped in netting. The elaborate setup on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center is designed to protect the tortoises not only from ravens, coyotes and other predators, but from rumbling tanks, live explosives and anything else that might put them in harm’s way at the 1,189-square-mile Mojave Desert base. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SAN DIEGO
Rising water costs in San Diego is a never-ending story
“The cost of water in San Diego will continue to skyrocket but we don’t have a good idea where or whether it will stop. The city of San Diego recently revealed its own water rates will rise a whopping 61 percent through 2029, adding about $57 per month to the average water bill. Part of the reason is the San Diego County Water Authority, which sells water to the region’s 22 water districts, is paying off debt and deals it took on many years ago to claim more Colorado River water and tap into ocean water for drinking. Another reason is cities like San Diego are building their own expensive wastewater recycling systems. But this year’s price spike – or any water rate forecast in San Diego right now – doesn’t account for some of the largest and most expensive water security solutions being pondered in Southern California right now by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and beyond. San Diego would also be on the hook for those. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego.
Sweetwater Authority tests reveal ‘forever chemicals’
“At a special meeting on Dec. 12, Sweetwater Authority hosted a public workshop to provide an update on recent testing for PFAS in its water supply. A small amount of two PFAS substances that exceed the level for public notification were detected. The levels do not require any treatment response at this time. PFAS, which is short for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are a group of man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products for their water-resistant, heat-resistant and non-stick properties. They are found globally in items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, firefighting foam and food packaging. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in the environment and can accumulate in water, soil and living organisms. … ” Read more from The Star News.
Congressional spending has major implications for South Bay sewage crisis
“A potential clog while trying to clear sewage from our oceans, soiling the hopes of so many people in the South Bay. “Crushed, just crushed. Because we really need it,” said Louann Shannon, who lives in Imperial Beach. “We really need our area fixed.” A spending bill with crucial funding to finish repairs on the wastewater treatment plant at the U.S.-Mexico border is now being reconsidered in Congress. Shannon said she advocated for the plant’s construction in the 1990s, as it plays a crucial role in protecting San Diego beaches from the raw sewage in the Tijuana River. But it’s been neglected for years, leading to horrible smells and constant beach closures. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
California secures critical funding to address Tijuana River sewage crisis in Imperial Beach and surrounding communities
“Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that President Biden has signed a federal funding bill allocating $250 million to fully repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego. This vital investment, secured in partnership with California’s congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration, will reduce untreated sewage flows into California’s coastal waters and improve public health and environmental conditions in the region. The sewage crisis is not only impacting public health, the local economy, and ecosystems and species in coastal communities but has also led to local beach closures for 1,000 consecutive days. It has significantly impacted the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people, border agents and U.S. Navy Seal special operation forces who train in those waters. … ” Read more from the Office of the Governor.
SEE ALSO: Biden signs stopgap bill with $250M for South Bay sewage treatment plant, from the San Diego Union-Tribune
Along the Colorado River …
Despite best hopes, Southwest drought may be here to stay
“If history is any indication, the Southwestern U.S. may one day see the level of heavy precipitation it last experienced nearly 30 years ago. But while some experts debate when that could happen, others describe the last three decades as a slow and permanent shift to a new normal of hotter and drier conditions. Scientists disagree as to when the drought officially began, but most point to between 1994 and 1999. The Southwest has seen at-or-above-average precipitation in just 10 of the last 31 years, setting the clock back to 1993, when torrential rain storms caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage in Arizona. In the following years, the region has remained dry, driven by a warming Earth that reduces storm frequency and evaporates water before it can recharge subsurface aquifers or runoff into the Colorado River. That river has been the bloodstream of the semi-arid region for millennia, but is now depleting faster than the environment and its inhabitants can adapt. Several consecutive years of heavy rainfall can tip the average in favor of non-drought conditions, according to Arizona State Climatologist Erin Saffell, who believes the drought will end eventually. But others say there’s no coming out of this one. … ” Continue reading from Courthouse News.
Commentary: More equitable Colorado River use guidelines needed after 2026
For more than half a century, the seven Colorado River Basin states and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have cooperatively managed the Colorado River by adhering to the commitments outlined in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. … Now, the seven states need to devise new solutions to operate the major reservoirs and manage uses after 2026 consistent with those original commitments. As representatives of the upper basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, we are committed to a fair, common sense, data-driven approach that balances the needs of all stakeholders. Our approach is to adapt Colorado River operations and uses to the annual available water supply using the best available science and tools, while we continue to meet our responsibilities and commitments to our communities, our states, and the basin. We are planning for and will manage the river we have, not the river we want. … ” Read more from the Albuquerque Journal.
Salt in the Colorado River is causing problems. A bill is heading to Biden’s desk that would send more money to address the challenge.
“Since 1974, the Bureau of Reclamation has supported various projects to reduce salt levels in the Colorado River’s upper and lower basins. Now, a bill to increase the 50-year-old program’s funding is heading to President Joe Biden’s desk after passing both chambers of Congress. The bill, called the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, was first introduced in July in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo. The House companion bill was introduced by Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah. The act had several additional co-sponsors in both chambers, including Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., and Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo. Bennet said in a statement that the legislation will “support ongoing efforts to keep water from the Colorado River safe for communities, farmers and ranchers and water users throughout the entire Basin.” … ” Read more from Sky Hi News.
Arizona moves to regulate rural groundwater pumping
“Despite community protests, Arizona designated its seventh groundwater active management area Friday in the southeast corner of the state. Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke made the sole decision Friday morning to regulate groundwater pumping in the 2,000 square mile Wilcox Basin to curb dramatic fissuring and land subsidence amid a historic drought. “Rural communities deserve to have their groundwater protected, and today’s action is a critical milestone for the people of southeastern Arizona,” Governor Katie Hobbs said in a press release. “For too long politicians have buried their heads in the sand, refused to take action, and caved to out-of-state special interests profiting off Arizona’s water. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Arizona agency establishes Willcox groundwater protection area. Farmers, GOP say they went too far
“For the first time in Arizona history, the head of the state water agency has established a new groundwater protection area. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs announced in October that the Arizona Department of Water Resources was starting the process of making an Active Management Area in the Willcox basin to regulate groundwater pumping. The governor’s spokesperson, Christian Slater, said Hobbs is stepping in due to the Republican legislators’ inaction. “Gov. Hobbs is the type of leader who is not going to delay action because she knows this is such an important policy for the people of the Willcox basin,” Slater said. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
First-of-its-kind study provides a detailed look at water quality along the Colorado River’s upper basin
“One vessel in particular stood out from the rafts of vacationers and fisherman that floated lazily through Ruby Canyon on a sunny fall day last month. The occupants had swapped the usual fish and tackle for binders, laptops and an assortment of pumps and devices all buckled together with ratchet straps. Aboard the raft, U.S. Geological Survey groundwater hydrologist Connor Newman bottled river water samples and jotted down notes in a waterproof notebook. Behind him, INSTAAR faculty fellow Michael Gooseff manned the oars and kept a watchful eye on a collection of sensors strung on a pole that extended into the water from the back of the boat. This is the tenth time Gooseff and his collaborators have rafted this stretch of river since 2018. The goal is to gather the first-ever continuous, long-term water quality sample of the Colorado River’s upper basin. In 2023, the USGS awarded Gooseff’s team with funding for biannual surveys through 2026. … ” Read more from the University of Colorado.
In national water news today …
Regan to leave EPA at end of year
“Michael Regan, the current head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Joe Biden, has announced that he will be leaving the agency on December 31, about three weeks before Biden leaves office. Regan sent a letter to employees highlighting the EPA’s work during his tenure in addressing climate change, reducing air and water pollution, and investing billions under the administration’s climate law to promote clean energy development, leading to substantial economic and public health benefits in communities burdened by pollution. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: 2024 California Integrated Report partial approval/partial disapproval by USEPA
NOW AVAILABLE: Draft Proposed Emergency Regulation for Scott-Shasta Watersheds
