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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 9am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include a presentation on DFW’s response to golden mussels, discussion of the Delta Adapts draft adaptation plan, and a discussion on planning for a Climate Science Research Symposium. Click here for the full meeting notice and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: Update on the Los Angeles Fires: Ongoing Threats and the Road to Recovery from 12pm to 1pm. Heroic first responders and Americans across our country have rallied to support the hundreds of thousands of Angelenos impacted by these devastating wildfires. Join us to hear an update on the fires, ongoing impacts and threats, and how we can all support assistance, recovery and rebuilding for Los Angeles. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Strengthening atmospheric river poised to bring significant rainfall to Northern California
“After several weeks with no precipitation, an atmospheric river is poised to bring significant rainfall to Northern California and the Bay Area on Friday. On Thursday, the ridge of high pressure responsible for the recent stretch of cold nights will begin to break down. At the same time, a strong low-pressure system will develop over British Columbia and move south toward the U.S. West Coast. By Friday, the storm system is expected to stall over the Pacific Northwest, drawing in a plume of tropical moisture originating near Hawaii. This setup will tap into an atmospheric river aimed at the West Coast, bringing the first pulse of rain to Northern California. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Rain, snow to return to Pacific Northwest, Northern California after weeks of dryness
“Rounds of rain and snow will move into the Northwest later this week and could cause travel trouble typical for this time of year, AccuWeather meteorologists say. On the heels of Southern California receiving its first significant rain and mountain snow of the winter, some rain and snow will move into the Northwest later this week. “After more than two weeks of mainly dry weather for places in the Pacific Northwest, such as Seattle, and Portland and Eugene, Oregon, a wind shift from the Pacific will break through and deliver at least one front and its moisture into the Northwest beginning on Thursday night and Friday,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Northern California storms shift in February as drought risks grow in south
“A newly released drought and climate update from the National Integrated Drought Information System indicates growing concern over a dry January in California.The water year, which runs from October 1 through September 30 of the following year, started with a long duration Atmospheric River (AR) in Northern California. This was followed by multiple weaker Atmospheric Rivers in December. The presence of Atmospheric Rivers can be the difference between a dry or wet water year in California. These storms are huge plumes of moisture and can lead to both beneficial or damaging heavy precipitation. The state relies on these ARs to bring much needed precipitation during the late fall through the early spring. The absence of these storms can result in growing drought concerns. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
State Water Project allocation increased to 20%
“Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced an update to the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2025. The allocation has increased to 20 percent of requested supplies, up from 15 percent in December. The SWP provides water to 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians. While January has been incredibly dry across California, storm runoff into the state’s reservoirs came in higher than forecasted at the end of December allowing for a modest allocation increase. Storms in late November and early December had a positive impact by saturating the ground, allowing for storms through December to more efficiently runoff into reservoirs. More storms are needed, and the long-range forecast does hint at a return to wet conditions in early February that could bring much-needed rain and snow. … ” Read more from DWR News.
SEE ALSO: EXPLAINER: Understanding the State Water Project Allocation, from the Department of Water Resources
Study finds skyrocketing cost of regulatory compliance for California lettuce growers
“During the past seven years, the cost to California lettuce growers of complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has increased by a whopping 63.7%, according to a study commissioned by the Monterey County Farm Bureau and prepared by Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, professors Lynn Hamilton, Ph.D., and Michael McCullough, Ph.D. As of last year, increased regulations brought the total cost of compliance for lettuce growers to $1,600 per acre, the researchers found, accounting for more than 12% of total production costs. The regulatory burden has tightened margins for farmers, who saw farmgate values for lettuce rise by less than 1% from 2017 to 2024. Increased regulatory mandates during that time have come from California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Irrigated Lands Program, equipment emissions regulations, and minimum wage and workplace mandates. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
Dairies decry draft waste discharge rules
“To reduce nitrates and ensure that people have access to safe drinking water, the state has proposed tighter water quality requirements for all California dairies that collect dairy waste and apply it to land. The dairy general waste discharge requirements regulate only existing milk-cow dairies in the Central Valley region. But the draft order, if adopted as proposed, establishes new precedential groundwater quality protection requirements that would apply to all California dairies that apply their dairy waste to land, said Kari Fisher, senior director and counsel of legal advocacy at the California Farm Bureau. “The state is looking at manure differently from other fertilizer sources that agriculture uses and more as a point waste source rather than a beneficial material for the crop and the dairy operations,” she said. The California State Water Resources Control Board released the draft dairy order regulation last fall to address issues raised by environmental groups, which petitioned the state to revise the 2007 regional dairy general waste discharge requirements. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
Senator Hurtado introduces bill to tackle California’s water crisis
“Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) introduced Senate Bill 224, the Preventing Artificial Water Shortages Act. The bill addresses California’s ongoing water mismanagement crisis by confronting the Department of Water Resources (DWR) ‘s systemic reliance on outdated data and forecasting. Sen. Hurtado says the forecast data results in artificial shortages, increased costs, and significant impacts on families and farmers. “The fight for water is not about one president’s executive order. Water in California is a national security issue that affects every Californian and every American,” said Senator Hurtado. … ” Read more from Fox News.
California congressmen propose new water legislation to combat groundwater sustainability issues
“Over the last few years, California’s water crisis has grown. Congressman David Valadao recently announced two new water acts aimed at addressing these challenges.That’s why Congressman David Valadao says he’s addressing California’s water crisis by introducing two bills in Congress. One is the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act, and the other is the Every Drop Counts Act. The Every Drop Counts Act is aimed at modifying small storage to increase the cap size for groundwater recharge projects. Meanwhile, the Groundwater Technical Assistance Act aims to provide funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that allows the Bureau of Reclamation to provide technical and financial assistance for groundwater recharge projects. … ” Read more from Channel 23.
PPIC: Unpacking the Trump administration’s proposal to boost water for Southern California
“Recent presidential actions aim to boost water supplies for Southern California—but how would they actually work? We spoke with our adjunct fellow Greg Gartrell to better understand the orders and their potential impact. What is the Trump administration proposing? A: There are two orders now in play. A January 20 memorandum directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to “route more water from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta to other parts of the state.” In practice, this means that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will take the lead in revising federal rules to allow increased pumping of water from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta by the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP). The January 24 executive order goes much further and directs the secretaries to “immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries.” … ” Read more from the PPIC.
California’s water system thrust into the national spotlight by President Trump
“California’s water system has remained a complex topic and was recently put into the spotlight by President Donald Trump’s comments. “This is the intake for the Central Valley Project, the federal system that takes water from the Delta and distributes it to farmers in the Central Valley,” explained Michael Brodsky, drifting past the gates that keep plants and debris out of the intake system. It’s one of the valves at the center of the California water discussion. “This is a project that the federal government controls,” Brodsky explained. “It’s operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation and the president certainly has a sway over how this is operated.” … ” Read more from CBS News.
Trump says he’s sending water to LA. It’s actually going to megafarms.
“While President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of far-reaching decrees during his first week in office, one relatively niche issue has received a disproportionate share of the president’s ire and attention: California water policy. That might make sense if the remedies he’s pursuing could help stem deadly fires like those that have killed at least 29 people in the Los Angeles area in recent weeks. Indeed, the president has claimed that “firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure.” But unfortunately for future fire victims, the sole apparent aim of the president’s new policies is to deliver more water to farmers hundreds of miles away from the state’s fire zones. … ” Read more from The Grist.
Trump’s latest water claims, state’s denial leave growers stuck midstream
“President Donald Trump chastised California yet again over water policies — and this time the state shot back. And San Joaquin County farmers? They are left once again as a bargaining chip in the water wars as they clamor for more access to the flows they need to grow food. Trump took to social media this week, claiming the military had “turned on the water” and let it flow “abundantly” into California. The state Department of Water Resources was quick to refute the allegation, taking to X to say the military never came and nothing has changed except for some federal pumps being switched back on after three days of maintenance. A mention in Trump’s latest directive that more water be diverted to Southern California, as the president has called for — falsely claiming it will help with the Los Angeles fires — only adds to the concern. … ” Read more from Stocktonia.
SNOPES: Trump claimed us military ‘turned on the water’ in fire-scorched California. Here’s what we know
“On Jan. 27, 2025, a post (archived) by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social network led to claims online that the U.S. military had “turned on the water” in wildfire-scorched California.” This post at Snopes is thorough.
Padilla questions Defense Secretary Hegseth on Trump’s purported military action to “turn on” California water
“Tuesday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) requested Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth clarify President Trump’s January 27th Truth Social post, which claimed that the U.S. military “entered” California and “turned on the water” flowing from Northern California to other parts of the state. … ” Read more from Senator Padilla.
Assembly GOP pitches package to boost wildfire response, recovery
“California Republicans have revealed their slate of legislation to respond to the Los Angeles area wildfires. Their proposals also include bills to improve wildfire prevention to ensure similar disasters don’t happen again in the future. The big picture: The slate of bills were revealed by Assembly Republicans on Tuesday. They focus on three areas: preventing wildfires through fuel reduction projects and home hardening, improving disaster response by targeting looting and drone use and helping communities recover by supporting local nonprofits and making it easier to rebuild. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Legislative Analyst’s Office: Frequently asked questions about wildfires in California
“The catastrophic January 2025 Southern California wildfires have led to increased interest in how the state historically has prepared for, responded to, and recovered from wildfires. In response to this interest, this post answers commonly asked questions related to wildfires in the state of California. This post does not explicitly discuss the recent Southern California fires and does not contain new LAO analysis or recommendations, but rather provides background information intended to help offer broader context on the state’s historical wildfire-related activities, division of roles and responsibilities, and spending. We also discuss some traditional federal-level activities and processes, particularly related to disaster response and recovery. … ” Read more from the LAO.
Inside the advanced tech aimed at preventing future wildfires — from early detection to fire-proof domes
“Back in 2018, Vasya Tremsin, a (then) high school senior from the San Francisco Bay Area, came up with a crazy idea for a science fair project, “a technology that can detect fires early,” he tells The Post. Seven years later, he and the co-founders of his fire sensor company, Torch Sensors, are on the road to Los Angeles to join the fight against one of the largest wildfires in California history. “Our first customer delivery was scheduled for the end of this month, with an S&P 500 solar utility customer,” says Tremsin, now 25, from his car somewhere on the 101 freeway. “When the fires broke out, we decided to come to LA to try to help.” His invention, the Torch sensor, measures thermal, gas, and temperature levels across a 10 acre swath, and via an app, provides users with immediate warnings (within minutes) of impending fires. “All data flows to the platform in which people can view the map with any wildfires and all data in real-time,” says Tremsin. … ” Continue reading at the NY Post.
In commentary today …
A shared lifeline: Ensuring water and food security for California
William Bourdeau is executive vice president of Harris Farms, owner of Bourdeau Farms, director of the Westlands Water District, and more, writes, “California’s water challenges are as complex and dynamic as the state itself. From its agricultural heartlands to its sprawling urban centers, the tug-of-war over this precious resource shapes much of our policy debates and future prospects. Recent developments in water management and distribution, particularly those impacting agriculture and the environment, demand close scrutiny and bold action. California’s efforts to secure its most vital resource often provoke debates that pit countless stakeholders against one another. Yet anyone who has lived through the state’s extreme droughts and devastating wildfires understands that water is more than a convenient talking point, it’s a shared lifeline. My work in the San Joaquin Valley has underscored how water scarcity ripples through every facet of life. When communities run dry, families face higher bills. When farmland loses a consistent supply, planting slows, and jobs disappear. And when pollutants flow into the Delta, endangered fish suffer, alongside everyone else who relies on that ecosystem. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Trump’s Executive Order on Delta smelt ignores the law, science and water equity
“President Donald Trump characterized his recent executive order to override U.S. Endangered Species Act protections and “route more water” from the embattled Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Southern California as a matter of prioritizing people over a tiny and worthless fish – the endangered Delta Smelt, according to a press release from the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN). “But nothing could be farther from the truth,” C-WIN stated. “Trump’s order will punish a broad array of stakeholders and devastate the largest and richest estuary in the western continental United States – all for the benefit of a few powerful agribusiness enterprises in the Central Valley.” … ” Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos.
In the era of Donald Trump and wildfires, do environmental rules even matter?
Opinion columnist Tad Weber writes, “The catastrophe of wildfire is creating some interesting politics in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and the former mayor of San Francisco, America’s liberal center, has waived environmental reviews and permitting requirements to allow Los Angeles wildfire victims to rebuild their homes with less oversight and regulation. On Monday he issued a new executive order suspending the Coastal Commission from regulating the rebuilding projects for homes in the coastal zone that were destroyed. “We will not let over-regulation stop us from helping the LA community rebuild and recover,” Newsom said in a statement aimed at a state agency known for being challenging. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Ruling: Federal contract controls non-federal Klamath water diversions
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation can restrict a non-federal water diversion under its contract with the Klamath Drainage District, according to a federal appeals court. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Reclamation can control the district’s withdrawal of water from the Klamath River, even if it’s through the district’s own canal. “KDD had a contractual duty to adhere to Reclamation’s allocations and not divert water from the Klamath River, which KDD does not dispute it disregarded,” the ruling said. Under a 1946 contract, the district can divert water through the Klamath Irrigation Project, which was built by Reclamation along the Oregon-California border and is subject to Endangered Species Act restrictions for fish. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Has Sacramento really hated water meters for 100 years? It’s a long, tortured story
Opinion writer Tom Philp writes, “Clinton Leong, 92, of Sacramento, peered into an alley behind his T Street home the other day to watch a city crew busy at work. He was about to be an important footnote in Sacramento’s water history, one of the last Sacramentans to be forced by California to have his water use measured. Sacramento’s opposition to the metering of water is one of the policy cornerstones of the city. Voters in 1920 went so far as to cement the prohibition of residential water measurement into Sacramento’s city charter. But as the 20th Century was coming to a close, an emerging conservation ethic was isolating a Sacramento without water limits. The city fought back against meters, but eventually, it was forced into measurement in 2004. Sacramento’s opposition to water meters appears to have been a political stunt for a single election that hung around for decades. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
BAY AREA
The rain is coming, the rain is coming! Bay Area braces for end of dry spell
“The end to a Bay Area dry spell that has lasted nearly a month may be at hand soon, especially if a cold front heading toward the California coast from the Gulf of Alaska descends lower than its original projection, according to the National Weather Service. If not, the region may need to wait an extra day or two. Either way, the sunny-dry-and-cold pattern of the past month is expected to be bumped for one that is wet, stormy and warmer. “We are hopeful it will begin to trend that way by Thursday night into Friday,” NWS meteorologist Roger Gass said Wednesday. “It may shift a little north across California and really affect the counties up north. Then we’ll get a second push probably Monday afternoon into Tuesday.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
It’s been a dry January, but local cities say they are storm-ready
“Showers are expected for Los Altos and Mountain View in the upcoming days, and things are looking to be soggy per the Weather Channel. Both cities are ready for any rain-related issues or storm events that may happen in the upcoming months, officials say. The Los Altos Public Works Department, which is in charge of maintaining city infrastructure including traffic signals, parks, buildings and bridges, and storm drain and waste water collection systems, prepares for storms year-round, city spokeswoman Sonia Lee said in an email. Much of this includes preparation that will prevent localized flooding, downed trees and tree branches, and will allow for emergency lights and signage when electricity goes out. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
Pleasanton council receives update on city’s water system
“The Pleasanton City Council had a long discussion regarding the city’s water system last week as staff went over the status of various capital improvement projects, upcoming state regulatory changes, future infrastructure needs and the upcoming water rate study that will help shape potential increases for next year. During the Jan. 21 council meeting, staff started off with its quarterly update on the city’s water system which included information on some of the major initiatives the Public Works Department has been working on over the past few months. Mayor Jack Balch said he appreciated the staff’s presentation as it went into detail about the various projects and the financials behind those projects. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
CENTRAL COAST
Toxic metal levels surge in Elkhorn Slough after battery plant fire
“About two weeks after a fire at Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, San Jose State University scientists reported unusually high concentrations of heavy metals in the soils of Elkhorn Slough — hundreds to a thousand times higher than previous measurements. The blaze took place in a lithium-ion battery storage facility operated by Texas-based Vistra Energy. The batteries are linked to the hazardous heavy metals found in the wetland, according to scientists, which could impact local ecosystems and potentially harm the health of wildlife and humans living nearby. Monterey County officials are also analyzing soil and water samples in collaboration with state experts, according to a statement: “Together, we will evaluate the research, assess any potential health concerns, and determine the appropriate steps moving forward.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO: ‘Extremely disturbing’: High levels of heavy metals at Monterey estuary after lithium battery site fire, from the LA Times
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Damaged San Joaquin County levee that prompted emergency response has been repaired
“Repairs to the Victoria Island levee in San Joaquin County have been completed, the county’s office of emergency services said on Tuesday. In October 2024, county officials declared a local emergency due to the levee’s potential failure. Reclamation District 2040 officials found slumping, a form of erosion, along the Old River levee on Victoria Island, west of Stockton and east of Discovery Bay. … ” Read more from KCRA.
Friant Water Authority projects 30-40 percent initial water allocation
“The Friant Water Authority reported last week its expecting an initial 30-40 percent water allocation locally in the Friant Division for its Class 1 users. The authority reported that projected initial water allocation at FWA’s board of directors meeting that was held on Thursday. “Initial internal FWA models are showing a potential 30-40 percent Class 1 allocation for the 2025/26 WY based on 75-90 percent exceedance forecasting,” FWA stated. The initial allocation is expected to be announced by the Bureau of Reclamation sometime around February 20. And of course that initial allocation will be based “on then current conditions and hydrologic forecasts,” FWA stated. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
Southern Kings and Tulare county farmers with unregistered wells may face local penalties
“Farmers within portions of the Tule and Tulare Lake subbasins will have one month to register their wells or be charged a $150 monthly penalty. The Tri-County Water Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved imposing a monthly penalty to those with unregistered wells during its Jan. 23 meeting. The fee will affect non-domestic well owners beginning March 1. It will be assigned per landowner, not per well. “We were originally going to do $100 per well, but technically, I don’t know how many wells each landowner has,” Tri-County Executive Director Deanna Jackson said. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Tulare County farmers face financial strain as water costs surge
“Water costs on farms in Tulare County, California, have escalated to approximately $1,500 per acre due to pumping restrictions imposed by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This law adopted a decade ago amid controversy, is now being implemented, raising concerns among farmers about potential bankruptcies. Growers like Sahota, who farms with his father in eastern Tulare County, face financial instability with over $15 million in outstanding loans. The value of his orchards has decreased to a quarter of their worth from four years ago. “How are we going to pay the loans? It’s impossible,” said Sahota, highlighting the challenges faced by farmers in the San Joaquin Valley, where agriculture is a primary employer. … ” Read more from Fresh Plaza.
Bakersfield’s hodge-podge of water systems ready as they can be for major fire
“After the shock of learning that some fire hydrants went dry at the height of the battle in the Los Angeles fires, readers began asking if it could happen elsewhere. Even Bakersfield? The unsettling answer is yes. It’s not an idle consideration. In fact, the Forest Service’s wildfire risk assessment states homes in Bakersfield are at greater risk of fire than 84% of communities in the United States. The often bone-dry climate combined with occasional high winds could put the community just one well-timed spark away from disaster. How ready are Bakersfield’s patchwork of water systems? That depends. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
EPA says President Trump ordered agency to move quickly on Eaton fire’s toxic waste site in Azusa
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moved quickly in setting up a site at a Los Angeles County park in Azusa for receiving hazardous debris from the mammoth Eaton fire — without notifying residents in nearby cities — because it was ordered to expedite the site by President Donald Trump, an official said on Tuesday, Jan. 28. When asked by L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis at the supervisor’s board meeting why local cities were not contacted or made aware of the pending action, EPA on-scene coordinator Celeste McCoy said she received an executive order by the president within the past 48 hours to hurry things up. “Under the new administration, we have received an executive order to expedite this process,” McCoy said, in response to a question from Solis on why local cities were not told until the site was ready. The EPA began taking hazardous materials from burned homes and businesses to the site on Monday, the agency reported. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Fire debris prompts LA County beach closures until further notice
“Health officials have shut down approximately 9 miles of Los Angeles County coastline this week because toxic chemicals from the Palisades Fire may be in the sand and water. What the closure covers: The closure starts at Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach and will stay in effect until further notice, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Officials are cautioning beachgoers to avoid contact with water or sand around the areas, as well as any fire debris they may come across. … ” Read more from the LAist.
SEE ALSO: Beaches closed indefinitely from Malibu to Playa del Rey because of fire debris runoff, from the LA Times via AOL News
Newsom finds himself fighting with Coastal Commission over L.A. rebuilds
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the California Coastal Commission to back off from anything that would delay the rebuilding efforts in the Los Angeles area following the devastating wildfires. Newsom issued an executive order on Monday which also relaxes the rules to help victims have better access to hotels and short-term rentals. Driving the news: On Jan. 12, Newsom issued an executive order waiving the requirements to rebuild homes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Coastal Act. .. ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
Outside investigations to examine LADWP’s empty reservoir during Palisades Fire
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plans to hire an independent engineer to assess whether an empty reservoir contributed to the failure of its water system during the Palisades Fire, when water supplies and some hydrants ran dry after hours of intense firefighting. The 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez reservoir, located adjacent to the Palisades Highlands neighborhood, was emptied in early 2024 after a tear was discovered in its rubber-like protective cover. The decision to drain it has been the subject of speculation and criticism by fire victims furious it was left dry. “So, what is the explanation for this?,” demanded Sayed Koshani at Tuesday’s Board of Water and Power Commissioners meeting in Downtown Los Angeles, where he said his home had been destroyed. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
How much did climate change affect the Los Angeles wildfires?
“Climate change made the combination of high heat, dry climate, and forceful winds that drove this month’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires about 35% more likely, according to a report published today by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The study, conducted by nearly three dozen researchers at institutions in the United States and Europe, examined the Fire Weather Index, which incorporates meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and precipitation to estimate fire danger. Researchers compared the index and resulting likelihood and intensity of fires in a 2025 climate to how they might have been under preindustrial conditions, in which the global mean surface temperature was approximately 1.3°C cooler. The factors that led to the Los Angeles fires are expected to coincide, on average, every 17 years, whereas in preindustrial conditions they may have occurred together only every 23 years. … ” Read more from EOS.
SEE ALSO: Climate change primed LA to burn — catastrophically, from Grist
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Massive Salton Sea lithium project gets judge’s go-ahead, ending advocates’ lawsuit
“An Imperial County judge cleared the way for the Hell’s Kitchen project, one of the world’s largest lithium mines, when he recently dismissed a lawsuit filed by civic and environmental groups. Hell’s Kitchen, in the Salton Sea, promises to unearth a motherlode of lithium, a mineral essential to electric car batteries, cellphones and other electronics. While the court decision is expected to open a floodgate for U.S. lithium production, it has disappointed community organizers who worry the mine will endanger nearby residents. The nonprofits Comite Civico del Valle and Earthworks argued in their lawsuit that the environmental review for Hell’s Kitchen did not fully address the project’s effects on water supply and air quality, and that the company developing it, Controlled Thermal Resources, didn’t consult with local Native American tribes as required by law. On Jan. 9 Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Jones ruled that Controlled Thermal Resources had met those requirements, freeing it to resume construction. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Southern Pump Station marks major step for El Centro’s future
“On Monday, El Centro city officials broke ground on the Southern Pump Station, a critical infrastructure project located at Dannenberg Road poised to revolutionize El Centro’s wastewater management system. “This is the backbone of the city’s future in terms of wastewater,” said Abraham Campos, Public Works Director, addressing a crowd gathered for the ceremony. The Southern Pump Station will handle wastewater from nearly 1,200 acres, playing a vital role in the city’s growth and modernization. Campos detailed the process, explaining, “From basically flushing your toilet, water goes into a pipe under the street. They get deeper and deeper and deeper as the water flows downhill through the pipes. Once they get to the pump station, it’s too deep to continue by gravity flowing down. So the pump station raises up that sewer flow to a shallower line where it can continue its journey to the wastewater treatment,” he said, speaking to Imperial Valley Press. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona House takes step to defend Colorado River water
“An Arizona House committee advanced a bill Tuesday to allocate $1 million to defending the Grand Canyon State’s Colorado River water rights and approved allowing for the removal of an active groundwater management area. As the once-mighty Colorado River continues to dwindle through the driest period in its recorded history, state Representative Gail Griffin wants to ensure Arizona has a place at the bargaining table for future water reallocations. “It just shows we are ready to take action,” the Republican from Tucson said in a House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water meeting Tuesday afternoon. For years now, the Bureau of Reclamation has been considering a range of differing cuts to be imposed on the seven states served by the Colorado River basin in 2026 and beyond while those states negotiate their own cuts to avoid harsher federal crackdowns. House Bill 2103, if passed, would reallocate $1 million from the state’s general fund to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to fund litigation if negotiations break down. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Anne Castle steps down as the federal representative to the Upper Colorado River Commission
“Dear (addressee redacted): As requested, I am submitting my resignation as U.S. Commissioner and Chair of the Upper Colorado River Commission, effective January 27, 2025. I was honored to be appointed by President Biden to this position and serving on the Commission has been a privilege. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to the vital work of managing and protecting the Colorado River. This is an existential time for the river. We are on the brink of putting in place an operating regime that will govern our lives and our economies for decades. We are currently trying to manage an immense river system with tools and structures that were not designed for the conditions we face today. … ” Continue reading at the Inkstain blog.
Hobbs announces $60 million in water investments statewide
“Gov. Katie Hobbs announced $60 million in funding for water projects across Arizona. A statement from the governor’s office says the money will be used to advance technology, improve infrastructure and help conservation. The state’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority will receive just under $15 million. Last year, the Legislature cut funding that was previously promised to the authority. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
In national water news today …
Disrupted disaster aid prompts fears of delayed recovery ‘for years’
“The federal government Tuesday shut down the online system it uses to distribute billions in disaster aid after President Donald Trump ordered agencies to freeze the flow of public money, alarming officials who are struggling to respond to catastrophes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency cut off access to the online portal, which funnels roughly $30 billion a year to states for disaster expenses ranging from debris cleanup to infrastructure repairs, following Trump’s expansive order to halt federal funding as the White House scrutinizes spending programs, Todd DeVoe, emergency coordinator for Inglewood, California, told POLITICO’s E&E News. “We may see recovery delayed for years,” said DeVoe, who is second vice president of the International Association of Emergency Managers in the United States. “The grant portal where we do all grant work is inaccessible.” … ” Read more from E&E News.
