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Trump issues executive order …
WHITE HOUSE: Putting people over fish: stopping radical environmentalism to provide water to Southern California
President Trump writes, “I hereby direct the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of other departments and agencies of the United States as necessary, to immediately restart the work from my first Administration by the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies to route more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to other parts of the state for use by the people there who desperately need a reliable water supply. During my first term, the State of California, at the direction of its Governor, filed a lawsuit to stop my Administration from implementing improvements to California’s water infrastructure. My Administration’s plan would have allowed enormous amounts of water to flow from the snow melt and rainwater in rivers in Northern California to beneficial use in the Central Valley and Southern California. This catastrophic halt was allegedly in protection of the Delta smelt and other species of fish. Today, this enormous water supply flows wastefully into the Pacific Ocean. … ” Read more from the White House.
Trump’s first day flurry features rallying cry: “Put people over fish” in California.
“President Donald Trump wasted little time in his second term restarting California’s water wars. Monday, mere hours after taking his oath, Trump issued a memorandum calling on the Interior and Commerce Departments to restore water management policies that boosted water supplies for the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. In 2020, Trump signed off on new biological opinions governing the coordinated operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, the two major water arteries running through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that feed the Central Valley and Southern California. The Trump-era rules eliminated a rigid schedule to pump water south in an effort to avoid endangering fish species in the Delta and gave water managers with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the autonomy to engage in real-time monitoring of Delta conditions to direct pumping water to Valley communities. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
California water under a Trump Administration, Part 2 of 2
“This is the second in a two-part series of blogs that examines how the incoming Trump Administration may—or may not—be able to change how water is managed in California. The CVP (run by the BoR) and the SWP (run by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR)) are the two largest water projects in California. The two projects rely on a Coordinated Operations Agreement (COA) to be more efficient, protect water quality, and to reduce environmental impacts. The operation of the two projects imperils protected species, including the winter run Chinook and the Delta smelt. Because the CVP is a federal project, approval of the COA requires compliance with a host of federal laws, like the National Environmental Policy Act (requiring analysis of the environmental impacts of federal actions) and the Endangered Species Act (requiring that federal actions not jeopardize the continued existence of a protected species). DWR must also comply with the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The state believes that BoR also comply with CESA, although that question is in litigation at the moment. The COA has been a political football and in a constant state of litigation for the last two decades, with much of the attention focused on federal Biological Opinions (BiOps): the documents that determine whether the projects are complying the ESA. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog.
Commentary: Trump will launch a war with California over water. The first battles have already begun
Columnist Tom Philp writes, “Donald Trump’s second presidency will restart a fight with California over water, and the first battles have already begun. We will no longer fight over what our best science is telling us. We are beginning to avoid science altogether, one endangered fish at a time. Consider that the administrations of Joe Biden and Gavin Newsom have done better than Trump in his first presidency at producing more water out of our two big projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in certain circumstances. Yet more water for San Joaquin Valley Republicans is no longer enough. Suddenly more water is sign of “mismanagement.” This feels different. This feels dangerous. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Commentary: Trump issues executive order to divert more Delta water to big agribusiness, Southern California
“Yesterday President Donald Trump issued an executive order entitled, “Putting People over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California,” repeating many of the falsehoods about California water and the Delta smelt that he stated in a post on Truth Social earlier this month. … This memo amounts to an outright attack on recreational and commercial fishing communities, California Tribes, conservationists, Delta communities and businesses fighting for the restoration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It repeats the canard of “putting people over fish” that corporate agribusiness has been pushing for many years, completely denying the fact that the California recreational and commercial fishing industry, Delta farms and Delta businesses desperately need the water for their livelihoods. The order also denies the crucial role that the Sacramento River, its tributaries and the Delta play in the culture and livelihood of California Indian Tribes. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
SEE ALSO:
- Here’s what President Trump said about LA wildfires during his inaugural address, from the LA Daily News
- Trump wades into Delta water war, from the Manteca Bulletin
- Trump Invokes Authoritarian Powers on Day One to Gut Environmental Protections, from the Center for Biological Diversity
- What do Trump’s environmental rollbacks mean for California?, from the San Jose Mercury News
In other California water news today …
Rain and snow may finally return to California. Here’s when
“San Francisco’s rainless streak will hit two weeks Monday as a long stretch of dry weather plagues California this January. But there is some hope that by the weekend at least some parts of the state will pick up rain and snow. For the next five days, the weather pattern will remain unsupportive of any precipitation. Another round of Santa Ana winds will result in an “extreme episode of fire weather” for coastal Southern California from Monday through Tuesday. Dry Diablo winds will also push into the Bay Area and clear out the fog, but fire weather concerns in Northern California remain low. A high-pressure system will build across California from Wednesday through Friday, trapping the dry air mass underneath. Relative humidity will remain very low in coastal Southern California through Friday, with dangerous fire weather conditions. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Delta Stewardship Council set to dismiss appeal of Delta Conveyance Project geotechnical activities
“The Delta Stewardship Council released a draft decision last Friday dismissing the appeal from several NGOs, Tribes, and Delta water agencies against DWR’s certification of consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project. The draft decision will be discussed and possibly adopted at the Council’s meeting on Thursday. In October 2024, the Department of Water Resources submitted a a consistency determination for certain geotechnical activities related to data collection (cone penetration tests, soil borings, and water quality sampling within soil borings), and not for the entire project. DWR submitted the certification of consistency based on the June 20, 2024 court ruling which enjoined DWR “from undertaking the geotechnical work before certifying consistency with the Delta Plan. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
Solano County spells out concerns of proposed Bay Delta Plan
“The Solano County supervisors have sent a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board reiterating concerns about the proposed Bay Delta Plan. The proposal has been strongly opposed by virtually all county jurisdictions and agencies. “The proposed changes to the Bay-Delta Plan have the potential to significantly affect Solano County’s agricultural economy, the sustainability of groundwater resources, and the long-term viability of the region’s water supply and the health and well-being of local communities,” the board letter, dated Jan. 10, states. “We urge the State Water Resources Control Board to truly consider impacts on local communities, ensuring that any water management decisions do not unduly stress groundwater resources or economic stability in Solano County.” … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
Delta smelt fire drill

“It’s complicated, but this week the massive pumps that move northern California water out of the Delta into the aqueducts for conveyance to the people and farms in central and southern California were throttled back because of increased turbidity in the Delta caused by some high winds that stirred the water up. Apparently, endangered Delta smelt like turbid water, and when turbid water shows up in the Delta, it is assumed that the smelt are attracted to it, and so the rules require the pumps to throttle back to keep the turbid water away, theoretically preventing the smelt from getting too close to the pumps. This rule has existed for about 15 years, and the newest version of the rule adopted last month shortens the time the pumps need to be throttled back from a minimum of five days to a minimum of two days, therefore reducing the loss of water from this action. The Newsom administration put out a press release this week touting this improvement, which you can read here. It is true that losing less water is better than losing more water, but the question is does this turbidity restriction have any material impact on the endangered Delta smelt at all? … ” Read more from the Milk Producers Council.
RELATED: Trump will launch a war with California over water. The first battles have already begun, commentary by Tom Philp at the Sacramento Bee
Zero Delta smelt found in annual survey as California water wars heat up
“Zero Delta Smelt, an indicator species that has been villainized by Donald Trump and his corporate agribusiness allies for supposedly being a “worthless fish,” have been caught in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fall Midwater Trawl Survey in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta for the seventh year in a row. It is significant that zero Delta smelt were caught in the survey despite the release of tens of thousands of hatchery-raised Delta smelt into the Delta over the past few years by the state and federal governments. “The 2024 abundance index was 0 and continues the trend of no catch in the FMWT since 2017,” reported Taylor Rohlin, CDFW Environmental Scientist Bay Delta Region in a Jan. 2 memo to Erin Chappell, Regional Manager Bay Delta Region. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Los Vaqueros Reservoir JPA set to dissolve following termination of expansion project
“The Los Vaqueros Reservoir Joint Powers Authority, a governing body made up of several water agencies in California to oversee the expansion of the reservoir, approved a resolution earlier this month to dissolve itself — meaning agencies like Zone 7 will have to look elsewhere for places to store water in the future. Zone 7 Board Director Kathy Narum, who served on the governing body as a Zone 7 representative, told the Weekly that while this means the agency will not be able to store excess amounts of water at the reservoir, the dissolution of the JPA will not have any current effect on Zone 7’s water supply. “For Zone 7, while we’re disappointed that (the reservoir expansion project) didn’t go forward, we accept that,” Narum said. “Speaking for myself, I look forward to a discussion about what other projects we can pursue to increase water supply reliability now that this is off the table.” … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
San Luis authority signs cost share agreement for Sisk Dam raise
“The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority has signed a cost share agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation for the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project. The project will create an additional 130,000 acre-feet of storage space in the San Luis Reservoir. Driving the news: Funding for the project includes $125 million from the 2021 infrastructure law that was announced earlier in January. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
DWR Releases Frequently Asked Questions: Department’s Role in State Intervention under SGMA
“The Department of Water Resources (Department, DWR) has released a frequently asked questions document to address inquiries from groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) and the public at large, on the Department’s role and responsibilities when a basin is subject to State Water Resources Control Board (Board) jurisdiction and state intervention under Chapter 11 of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).” Access FAQ here.
Fines increase for illegal water diversions
“The introduction of “landmark legislation” in California has been hailed by conservationists seeking to protect the state’s freshwater systems. In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 460 into law, which allows the State Water Resources Control Board to increase fines for those who illegally divert water. In 2022, for example, the Los Angeles Times noted farmers and ranchers from the Shasta River Water Association diverted half of the river’s flow and were fined only $4,000. Conservation group California Trout said that the previously minimal punishments didn’t deter the practice, significantly impacting water protection efforts. However, AB 460 has given “real teeth” to existing laws that should help stop this unlawful activity. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
Reclamation funds new pilot program to test farming practices that keep land in production with lower water use
“The Bureau of Reclamation is launching the Sustainable Water for Agriculture Pilots (SWAP) Program that will test innovative crops and practices to significantly reduce agricultural water use at low to moderate costs. These projects will keep the farmland in production while conserving water. Reclamation has $6.5 million available this year for this new program through the Inflation Reduction Act. “This innovative program seeks to preserve farming and agricultural activities in water stressed areas,” said Policy Advisor James Langhenry. “If the demonstration projects are successful, the innovative crops or practices can be used over time to ensure families can continue to farm while receiving compensation and strengthening water security in the West.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Snow scientists say cloud seeding has big potential
“It sounds like science fiction, but humans have the power to change the weather. What they don’t have, though, is enough data about how well it works. That’s according to a new study from the Government Accountability Office, which recently released a report on cloud seeding – a technology that adds chemical compounds to existing clouds and can cause them to drop more rain or snow. Cloud seeding can seem like an obvious solution for the drought-stricken Colorado River Basin, which gets most of its water from Rocky Mountain snowmelt and has seen a downward trend in annual supplies. Historically, policymakers have been slow to embrace the technology, choosing to focus more money and energy on reducing water demand rather than increasing water supply. Meanwhile, advocates for the practice say increased cloud seeding makes sense now. … ” Read more from KUNC.
SoCal fires …
Winds in Southern California are expected to calm, but the fire threat continues this week
“As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days. “Everyone needs to be on high alert,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday. “Los Angeles and partner firefighters are pre-deployed, and we ask Angelenos to be prepared in case they need to evacuate.” “Particularly dangerous situation” red flag warnings are in effect until 10 a.m. PT Tuesday for much of the foothills and mountainous areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Malibu, meaning prevailing conditions including low humidity and strong winds will increase the risk of fire, the National Weather Service warned. … ” Read more from CNN.
Water quality still undergoing daily tests in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena area for drinking safety
“Drinking water advisories remained in place as of Monday, Jan. 20, as another red flag wind alert returned and wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles County. A spokesperson for the L.A. Department of Water and Power said water continues to be tested daily for safe drinking use and that the caution remains in the Pacific Palisades area. And Pasadena Water and Power officials on Monday extended the Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice due to facilities that were affected by the Eaton Fire. “A Do-Not-Drink notice remains in effect for Pacific Palisades Zip Code 90272, and adjacent communities in the LADWP service area immediately south of the 90272 zip code that are north of San Vicente Blvd.,” the website stated as of Jan. 20. The updated news release on the department’s website also noted that water pressure to the Palisades area is “fully restored and the three, 1-million-gallon tanks serving the higher elevations are refilled and serving the community.” … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
With fires coming under control, LA preps for mudslides
“With charred earth all over L.A. County, officials are preparing for possible mudslides. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday that clears the way for reinforcing hillsides and cleaning out waterways quickly in anticipation of rain. What the order does: With thunderstorms in the forecast this weekend, the order suspends environmental protection laws that would usually require impact studies and other bureaucratic delays. Why now? Scientists say mudslides are more likely in burn scar areas because the vegetation that stabilizes soil is gone. Burn scar areas can also be less likely to absorb rain water. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Toxic fallout from LA fires will damage both land and sea
“The dolphins splashing in the sparkling waters off the Pacific Coast Highway are soon going to get an unwelcome ‒ and unhealthy ‒ surprise. Next time it rains, miles of canyons and hillsides charred by wildfires will send debris rushing down ravines and through drainage ditches into the Pacific Ocean. “It’s devastating, devastating,” said Marjan Khonsari, a 30-year Santa Monica resident and co-founder of Kapowui Surf Lessons. “The whole ecosystem is going to change.” The wildfires of the past two weeks will leave Los Angeles with an unprecedented environmental catastrophe that will linger for years, experts say, from the toxic ash settling in backyards and playgrounds to asthma attacks, drinking water contamination and even an increased risk of dementia, which studies have tied to wildfire particulate exposure. Human swimmers and surfers have already been told to remain out of the water, and the toxins will likely have long-term impacts on water quality and marine life, including on dolphins. … ” Read more from USA Today.
What do the deadly Los Angeles fires mean for the city’s wildlife?
“People weren’t the only ones fleeing fast-moving flames and hot embers as deadly wildfires burned down entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles beginning on Tuesday night and ongoing as of publication. … High Country News talked with Miguel Ordeñana, a wildlife biologist and environmental educator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, about the compounding threats wildlife fleeing wildfires face, and what people can do to help. Bobcats, cougars, coyotes, birds, bats and more all live in the region. Slow-moving creatures like snails and salamanders, wildlife that require specific habitats, nocturnal critters forced to move during the daytime, and animals with young are some of the most vulnerable. “I think a lot of people don’t think about our neighborhoods as ecosystems and habitats, but here, they really are,” Ordeñana said. … ” Read more from High Country News.
SEE ALSO: Are Southern California Fires Outpacing Wildlife’s Ability to Adapt?, from Inside Climate News
Plan to help save LA from mass fires with seawater long-stalled
“A plan to provide firefighters in Los Angeles and Orange counties almost limitless seawater to fight fires has been stalled for more than a decade, despite the ever-looming threat of mass fires fueled by quakes and high winds. “I think the fire service just didn’t see the need for it in Southern California,” recalled Charles Scawthorn, a UC Berkeley researcher and engineer who first developed the emergency water supply concept back in 2011. Scawthorn, who studies the behavior of mass fires that often follow earthquakes, developed his proposal at the time on behalf of the state’s Seismic Safety Commission. “Water is your only solution,” to deal with all the fires that will break out in winds or earthquakes, he says. To deliver it, he envisioned a network of fixed pumping stations, capable of delivering thousands of gallons per minute of seawater through three-foot-diameter pipes running at the base of Los Angeles’ elaborate network of storm basins. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
What sparks a wildfire? The answer often remains a mystery
“What’s shaping up to be one of the worst wildfire disasters in U.S. history had many causes. Before the blazes raged across Los Angeles last week, eight months with hardly any rain had left the brush-covered landscape bone-dry. Santa Ana winds blew through the mountains, their gusts turning small fires into infernos and sending embers flying miles ahead. As many as 12,000 buildings have burned down, tens of thousands of people have fled their homes, and at least two dozen people have died.Yet key questions about the fires remain unanswered: What sparked the flames in the first place? And could they have been prevented? Some theorize that the Eaton Fire in Pasadena was caused by wind-felled power lines, or that the Palisades Fire was seeded by the embers of a smaller fire the week before. But the list of possible culprits is long — even a car engine idling over dry grass can ignite a fire. … ” Read more from the LAist.
Wildfire rebuilds are an opportunity to build more resilient and sustainable homes. But that comes with controversy
“After Colorado’s most costly wildfire, hundreds of residents in Louisville—one of the communities that burned—protested in front of city hall over building codes meant to make new homes more green and sustainable, arguing they would make the rebuilding process longer and more expensive. … “You might think, ‘People who’ve just gone through a disaster, they must be really open to doing things differently so that they don’t suffer that same thing again in the future,’” said Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute who has spent his career studying the aftermath of natural disasters. “But the reality is that actually post-disasters are one of the most difficult times to do resiliency and to make those hard decisions because people have just gone through a traumatic loss. They’ve already had a lot taken from them, and oftentimes decisions about rebuilding that are perceived—whether or not it’s true or not—to add cost, add time, add difficulty, add uncertainty, can feel to them like the government or others trying to stop them from coming home.” … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Court weighs federal authority over Klamath irrigation diversions
“The Klamath Drainage District claims the Endangered Species Act doesn’t allow the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to conserve water by restricting a non-federal irrigation diversion. The district is asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a ruling that allows Reclamation to limit a water right even though it doesn’t rely on federal irrigation works. Though the federal agency can exert control over water delivered to the district through the Klamath Irrigation Project, “Reclamation lacks authority over the water KDD diverts under its separate water rights,” the district said. The Klamath Irrigation Project, which spans more than 200,000 acres along the Oregon-California border, was built by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of a massive effort to “reclaim” Western lands for agriculture and settlement. The federal agency must manage the project to avoid violating the Endangered Species Act, but the district argues it has exceeded its authority by trying to restrict an outside irrigation diversion. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
Biden-Harris Administration announces $50 million investment in Klamath Basin for drought programs
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a $50 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act in drought resiliency projects in the Klamath Basin. “These historic investments through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will help the Klamath River Basin support agricultural production and improve climate resiliency,” said Reclamation Senior Counselor John Watts. “These projects will demonstrate the effectiveness of new tools for sustainable water management and benefit fish species.” The Klamath Water User Association and Drought Response Agency are to utilize the funding to deliver or manage water for fish and wildlife benefits and implement a voluntary program reducing water use or demonstrating innovative cropping patterns over multi-year periods. Funding will also benefit anadromous and resident fish species by planning and implementing projects at Keno and Link River Dams and will implement a voluntary, competitive program in consultation with water users to eliminate water demand for irrigated land where it makes sense to do so. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
North Coast Assemblyman Chris Rogers proposes water tweak for Klamath tributaries
“In his first bill, Assemblymember,Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) introduced legislation Thursday that would tweak water allocation rules for two Klamath River tributaries, the Scott and Shasta Rivers, with aims to protect salmon. Assembly Bill 263 would ensure emergency water regulations put in place under drought conditions stay in effect — at least until the state water board completes the long-term process of creating permanent flow requirements for the two rivers. The California State Water Resources Control Board revisits the rules every year. It readopted the emergency rules earlier this month, according to reporting by Ag Alert. But Rogers says this system creates uncertainty. “The lifespan of fish, for the coho salmon, is a three-year life cycle. So protecting them in one year increments really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense if you’re trying to restore the population,” said Rogers. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
29-member Potter Valley Tribe embarks on ambitious wildfire resilience project
“Wildfire poses a persistent and growing threat to California, worsened by climate change, urban sprawl, and inadequate forest management. For Tribal communities, the impact of wildfires can be especially devastating, affecting cultural resources, natural ecosystems, and the safety of their people. Recognizing these challenges, California has introduced Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants to support and empower Tribal communities in building wildfire resilience. The grants are a key step toward addressing the vulnerabilities of Tribal communities while honoring traditional land management practices. California, by investing in these grants, not only is protecting its natural and cultural heritage but also is empowering Tribal nations to lead the way in wildfire resilience. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
Rep. Huffman announces $15 Million for Eel River restoration, construction of modern water supply for Russian River communities
“Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Sonoma County Water Agency $15 million toward implementing the Two-Basin Solution. The funds through the Inflation Reduction Act will fund a major Eel River estuary project supported by the tribes and put a down payment on construction of a new wintertime diversion to the Russian River following the removal of two salmon-blocking dams on the Eel. “This funding shows what can be accomplished thanks to the strong partnerships in the Eel and Russian river basins. We’ve now reached a significant milestone in restoring salmon and other aquatic life in the Eel River while protecting a key water supply for communities in Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties,” said Rep. Jared Huffman. … ” Read more from Congressman Jared Huffman.
Commentary: Save the Potter Valley water project and Lake Pillsbury
Phillip Ed Nickerman writes, “The proposal to remove the Potter Valley water project dams is one of the most misguided ideas of our time. These dams, which divert water from the Eel River through the Potter Valley tunnel to the Russian River, have provided immense benefits to millions of people, protected communities from devastating floods, and turned arid lands into thriving agricultural hubs. Removing them would undo more than a century of progress. When these dams were originally constructed, their primary purpose was flood control for the Eel and Russian River regions. Before their installation, seasonal floods caused widespread destruction in villages and towns near Humboldt Bay. Over time, these dams not only mitigated flooding but also created valuable reservoirs, including Lake Pillsbury and Lake Mendocino, which support communities, agriculture, and ecosystems. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Placer County Water Agency invests in recreation and sustainability through major infrastructure upgrades
“At its Thursday meeting, the Placer County Water Agency Board of Directors approved construction contracts for two major projects for 2025: Modernization of the French Meadows Campground and modification of two diversion dams on the North Fork and South Fork of Long Canyon Creek. Both upgrades are required for the operation of the Middle Fork Project under PCWA’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license agreement. The campground rehabilitation will improve the recreational user experience, and the diversion dam modifications will benefit fish and wildlife habitat, reduce maintenance costs, and increase water diversion efficiency. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
Tahoe National Forest seeks public input regarding forest health treatments near Camptonville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir
“Tahoe National Forest (TNF) is seeking public comment regarding proposed forest health and wildfire risk reduction treatments around the community of Camptonville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The forest is seeking input on the planned actions within TNF’s subproject area #2 of the North Yuba Landscape Resilience Project (NYLRP). The 275,000-acre NYLRP is a landscape-scale vegetation and fuels management project designed to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, create fire adapted communities, improve forest health and promote mature and old growth forest characteristics that are resilient to fire, drought, insects and disease. Project planning began in 2018, with implementation expected over 15 to 20 years. The project was informed by collaboration with the North Yuba Forest Partnership, which includes a diverse group of partners working to reduce the risk of wildfire and improve forest health within the North Yuba River watershed. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
More than 500,000 steelhead trout to be planted into the Feather River, Sacramento River, and Thermalito Afterbay
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has begun the process of planting Central Valley steelhead trout in the Feather River and Sacramento River. Officials say that the steelhead, which were raised at the Feather River Fish Hatchery, were planted at two locations along the Feather River and Sacramento River. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says a total of 540,222 yearling-sized steelhead that were raised in 2024 will be released in local waterways between January 10 and January 30. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
Tehama County Column: Flood Control Board has a big job ahead
Columnist Shanna Long writes, “I am disappointed in Tehama County’s interpretation and administration of SGMA, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act that passed in 2014. This week, yet another meeting of the Groundwater Commission was postponed because the county failed to publicly advertise three positions appointed by the newly elected flood control board, aka Board of Supervisors. Why is this important? The Groundwater Commission is the advisory board to the Tehama County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, which was awarded nearly $15 million in Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant funds to be implemented by March 2026 in the Corning Subbasin and 2027 in the four other subbasins within our county. To my knowledge, the Flood Control Board hasn’t held its administrators accountable for implementing any projects that create groundwater sustainability. … ” Read more from the Red Bluff Daily News.
Water rate hike of 33 percent sought by Marysville supplier
“The California Water Service Company (CalWater), which supplies water to homes and businesses in Marysville and 21 other California communities, has applied to increase its rates 33 percent over three years beginning in 2026. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is hosting two online public forums Thursday regarding Cal Water’s application. The public can attend virtually and communicate directly to CPUC any concerns, comments or questions they may have regarding the proposal. … ” Read more from the Appeal Democrat.
BAY AREA
‘Environmental terrorism’: Point Reyes settlement roils agricultural community
“The dust is far from settled following the announcement that six dairies and six beef ranches operating in Point Reyes National Seashore will cease operations in 15 months following a confidential legal agreement with the Nature Conservancy. The deal announced on Jan. 8 has raised questions about the viability of Marin’s agricultural community, particularly its dairy business, and the future of agricultural workers living on the dairies and ranches, some of whom are undocumented. “It’s like a bomb going off,” said Andrew Giacomini, a prominent West Marin lawyer who has taken legal action in an effort to protect the interests of the farmworkers. “It’s a super dark day for the West Marin agricultural community. In my view, it’s all the result of environmental terrorism.” … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
CENTRAL COAST
Monterey County receives nearly $4.1 million USDA grant to improve Pajaro Sanitation District system
“The Pajaro River flood of 2023 brought many devastating impacts to the community of Pajaro, including residents being displaced for weeks, the closure of Pajaro Middle School’s campus for 17 months and damage to infrastructure. To help fund repairs over the next three years, Monterey County received a $4.07 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday, for upgrades to the aging lift station, installation of a new generator, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, fixes to the pumps and controls, structural repairs to the wet well and the replacement of sewer lines and laterals. The check was presented by Maria Gallegos Herrera, the USDA’s Rural Development state director for California, at a press conference outside Las Lomas Community Church. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald..
Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz water intertie project to begin this month
“The city of Santa Cruz Water Department and Scotts Valley Water District will hold a community meeting next month to discuss the construction on an intertie project that will connect the water supplies of the two agencies. According to an announcement from the city of Santa Cruz, “The critically important project will dramatically increase system resilience, improve emergency preparedness and ensure the availability of reliable, safe drinking water for customers of both agencies.” The construction of the intertie project is slated to begin later this month and will be ongoing for about a year, according to the statement from the city. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Smoke and fire stop at Moss Landing battery facility; water testing expected soon
“A lithium-ion battery fire broke out at the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility on Thursday, burning through the night and flaring up again Friday. A local state of emergency was declared on Friday, and the county board of supervisors will look to ratify it at a special meeting on Tuesday. The battery facility, one of several located at the former Moss Landing Power Plant, is owned and operated by Vistra Energy. The Vistra facility is the largest battery storage plant in the world. The cause of the fire is unknown, but as with all lithium-ion battery fires, the fire burns extremely hot and can’t easily be put out. County officials said Friday morning that 75% of the battery plant had burned. … ” Read more from KSBY.
After 2 wet years, drought conditions resurface in Santa Barbara County
“Lake Cachuma’s surface sparkles in the afternoon sunlight, the water lapping gently against the concrete walls of Bradbury Dam. The 193,304-acre-foot reservoir in the Santa Ynez Valley provides water to much of Santa Barbara County. Today, it is mostly full at 88% of capacity. That’s a far cry from the situation about two short years ago, when the reservoir had dropped down to 31% full. However, the bucolic scene at Lake Cachuma today belies the fact that, after two wet years, the county has edged back into drought conditions, raising concerns about water supplies and fire danger. … ” Read more from Noozhawk.
Mountain Fire: Debris flow, flooding threat could last years
“The Mountain Fire area faces new hazards from winter storms that could make nearby roads impassable or clog culverts and drains with burned debris. During intense rainfall, burned slopes become vulnerable to flash floods and debris flows, a threat that can last for years. Conditions in this case are far from the worst case scenario, officials said, but areas now face higher risks. “We have elevated concerns because it is post fire conditions,” said Patrick Maynard, director of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. The blaze that erupted near Somis on Nov. 6 burned 31 square miles and destroyed 243 structures, many in the hills above Camarillo. Just one storm can cause problems after a wildfire, depending on how quickly the rain falls and other factors. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Column: Feds may raise the dam at this Fresno County lake. That doesn’t mean they should
Marek Warszawski writes, “Nearly 40 years ago, the creation of a federally managed recreation area centered on the Sierra Nevada’s largest free-flowing river in the foothills east of Fresno required a concession to farming interests. The establishment of the Kings River Special Management Area in 1987 assured that any new dam constructed above Pine Flat Lake needed “the specific authority” of Congress. However, the possibility of raising the existing dam at some future date was kept open. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Digital transformation drives maintenance excellence at Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
“When managing hundreds of control valves across a sprawling water distribution system, accurate data and efficient maintenance scheduling can mean the difference between smooth operations and potential system failures. For Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), serving 163,000 customers across 97 square miles in California, the challenge of maintaining 385 valves at 150 sites demands a sophisticated solution to enhance accuracy, streamline maintenance scheduling, and improve asset management. The district’s infrastructure includes 14 active wells, 70 active storage reservoirs, 55 booster pumping stations, and 44 pressure reducing stations, all connected by 743 miles of pipeline. Managing this complex network spanning from flat city terrain to mountainous rural areas efficiently requires precise coordination and accurate data — a challenge that EVMWD has tackled head-on through digital transformation. … ” Read more from Water World.
Laguna Beach ocean off Aliso Beach is open again following sewage spill
“Ocean waters off Aliso Beach are open again following a five-day closure in response to about 470,000 gallons of spilled sewage draining into Aliso Creek, with some reaching ocean waters. Officials with the Orange County Environmental Health Division said Monday, Jan. 20, the last of the closed waters off the Laguna Beach shoreline reopened on Sunday, when bacterial testing confirmed there was no longer a swimming, snorkeling or surfing hazard. Initially, the shoreline had been closed from Treasure Island to Table Rock Beach. The Moulton Niguel Water District told city officials last week that approximately 600,000 gallons had spilled and 130,000 gallons were recovered before reaching the Sulphur Creek and Aliso Creek confluence, said Mayor Alex Rounaghi. About 1 million gallons of creek water were removed by the district to try and capture the sewage that spilled from a broken sewer main that has since been repaired. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Salton Sea comes alive as bird festival draws flocks of fans
“Birders flocked to the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge early morning on Saturday, Jan. 18, equipped with binoculars and camera equipment to observe and photograph their favorite birds at the Salton Sea Bird Festival. The bird festival at Sonny Bono Refuge simultaneously took place at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area north of Salton Sea. “It is a popular sport,” said Bill Meister, President Pro-Tem, Sea and Desert Interpretive Association (SDIA). “Over 400 bird species that migrate through the Pacific Flyway come to the Salton Sea throughout the year.” Wildlife species that visit the Salton Sea vary according to the season. … ” Read more from the Desert Review.
SAN DIEGO
Superfund Site for South Bay may be back on the table in Trump administration
““The results aren’t what we need and what we need are fixes now,” said Mayor of Imperial Beach, Paloma Aguirre. A superfund site identifies a place as contaminated with harmful, toxic chemicals. In the past- the South Bay didn’t qualify. Back in October, local officials submitted a petition to the Environment Protection Agency to make part of the Tijuana River Valley a superfund site. The agency rejected it, saying none of the contaminants met the screening levels for human health in residential soil. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
Biden-Harris Administration leaves Colorado River Basin on path to success
“Today, the Bureau of Reclamation released the next step in a responsible path to guide post-2026 operations for the Colorado River, which provides critical water resources for 40 million people across 7 states and 30 Tribes across the West. The alternatives for consideration, previewed in November, represent a robust range of actions that acknowledge a broad spectrum of realistic hydrology for the Colorado River. The alternatives identified in the report reflect elements from proposals submitted by Basin states, Tribes, cooperating agencies and non-governmental organizations. The report provides additional detail on the alternatives from modeling and analysis performed by Reclamation and reflects ongoing conversations with all Basin stakeholders. Today’s release puts Reclamation on a path to publish a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in summer 2025, so that post-2026 operations can be finalized on time. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Colorado River handoff: Federal report lists alternatives as officials claim success
“The Biden administration claimed a victory on Friday, saying it had “successfully staved off a crisis in the Colorado River Basin in the short term and set it up for success in the years ahead.” Two and a half years after Las Vegas was fixated on Lake Mead’s “bathtub ring” at the nation’s largest reservoir dropped to 25% full, federal leadership on managing the river changes on Monday as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The seven states that rely on the Colorado River for precious water — Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — have avoided court battles, but there’s work to do with the lake at 34% full and uncertainty about whether snowpack levels will deliver normal runoff this year. … ” Read more from KLAS.
Commentary: Colorado River needs mediation, not litigation, to end this war
Bruce Babbitt, former Arizona governor and former Interior Secretary, writes, “The new year is opening to an uncertain and contentious future along the Colorado River. Faced with the onset of climate change, decreasing river flow and half-empty reservoirs, the seven river basin states, including Arizona, have been unable to agree how to allocate the river’s diminished flow. The Biden administration is leaving office in Washington, having failed to break the impasse. And now, as a new administration takes office, it is time to assess what has gone wrong and to make changes necessary to move toward a settlement. One approach is to take the dispute directly to the Supreme Court. However, the parties should hesitate before taking that alternative. The court has neither the time nor the expertise to manage complex resource allocation disputes, and it lacks the political accountability to balance the competing interests among the states. … ” Read more from Arizona Central.
Biden-Harris Administration announces new Colorado River environmental funding totaling over $388.3 million
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced initial selections under the Upper Colorado River Basin Environmental Program for a $388.3 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to improve wildlife and aquatic habitats, ecological stability and resilience against drought. The funding supports 42 projects in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, as well as Tribal initiatives that will provide environmental benefits or the restoration of ecosystem and natural habitats. To view a full list of projects, visit Reclamation’s website. Individualized criteria for some projects are included in the descriptions at the link. Additionally, Reclamation announced approximately $100 Million funding opportunity for the companion program in the Lower Basin, which seeks to fund projects that provide environmental benefits in Arizona, Nevada, and California. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Historic Western Slope water rights purchase receives $40 million surge of federal funding
“A Western Slope effort to buy powerful Colorado River water rights linked to the Shoshone Power Plant is nearing a financial finish line thanks to an influx of $40 million in federal funding, announced Friday. The power plant has one of the oldest, largest water rights on the Colorado River in the state — one that shapes how water flows down the Colorado River to the Utah-Colorado border and through the mountains to Front Range communities. Western Slope communities have been angling to secure flows through Shoshone for years. With the federal funds committed, they have raised $96 million of the $99 million needed for the purchase. For the Colorado River District, the surge of federal funding was a big step forward in a long, multistage process — big enough to celebrate with a bit of champagne at the end of the work day, said Lindsay DeFrates, spokeswoman for the district, which is leading the Western Slope’s effort. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Water orgs team up for AI research project
“The American Water Works Association (AWWA), in collaboration with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) The Water Research Foundation (WRF) and Karmous Edwards Consulting (KEC), launched a project on the Role of Generative AI (GenAI) for the Global Water Sector. The research will establish a foundational understanding of GenAI’s role for water utilities, develop and share best practices and case studies for GenAI applications in water, and establish a research roadmap for advancing future applications of this innovative technology in the water sector. “Generative AI is a game changer that will transform the water community in ways we cannot yet fully imagine,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “The amazing members of the project team will lay the foundation to bring unimagined possibilities into our daily strategic operations. AWWA is proud to be part of this ground-breaking exploration.” … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
EPA releases draft evaluation of PFAS in biosolids
“On Jan. 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft risk assessment of the potential human health risks associated with the presence of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in biosolids, also known as sewage sludge. The findings for the draft risk assessment — essentially a scientific evaluation — show that there may be human health risks associated with exposure to the “forever chemicals” PFOA or PFOS with all three methods of using or disposing of sewage sludge – land application of biosolids, surface disposal in landfills, or incineration. EPA said once finalized, the assessment will help the agency and its partners understand the public health impact of forever chemicals in biosolids and inform any potential future regulation. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
Fertilizer from sewage, a utility money maker, faces uncertain future
“Mounting concern about chemical contaminants in sewage sludge, a waste product widely seen as recyclable and economically valuable, could turn into a costly liability and upend the finances of municipal wastewater utilities across the county. The worry is particularly relevant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, which for 99 years has stripped its wastewater of liquid effluent, pathogens, heavy metals, and some chemicals to produce “biosolids” that it converts into a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Trademarked as Milorganite – short for Milwaukee organic nitrogen – the turf grass fertilizer is bagged for commercial retail sale in home-and-garden centers in 49 states. All except for Maine. Recent changes in oversight in that Northeast state have rattled the wastewater treatment industry and prompted the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to assess the viability of a product that represents a sizable revenue stream, providing 10 percent of the utility’s annual operations and maintenance budget. … ” Read more from Circle of Blue.
NASA scientists find new human-caused shifts in global water cycle
“In a recently published paper, NASA scientists use nearly 20 years of observations to show that the global water cycle is shifting in unprecedented ways. The majority of those shifts are driven by activities such as agriculture and could have impacts on ecosystems and water management, especially in certain regions. “We established with data assimilation that human intervention in the global water cycle is more significant than we thought,” said Sujay Kumar, a research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and a co-author of the paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The shifts have implications for people all over the world. … “This may no longer hold true for some regions,” Nie said. “We hope that this research will serve as a guide map for improving how we assess water resources variability and plan for sustainable resource management, especially in areas where these changes are most significant.” … ” Read more from NASA.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
DELTA CONVEYANCE PROJECT: Procedural ruling on issues raised in pre-hearing conference statements