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On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: Delta Science Plan beginning at 9am. The Delta Science Program is preparing to develop the third iteration of the Delta Science Plan, which will focus on addressing grand challenges to science in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The goal of this hybrid workshop is to gather input from individuals and organizations interested and invested in Delta science and knowledge to develop actions, tools, and strategies to address the grand challenges in the next five years. The workshop format will include speakers and breakout discussions to gather participant feedback. Click here to register.
- PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed designation of Kern County as on probation beginning at 9am. The State Water Board will hold a public hearing at which it will consider designating the Kern County Subbasin as a probationary basin pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Agenda will be on this page once posted.
In California water news today …
State considers how to spend nearly half a billion dollars available after collapse of Los Vaqueros Reservoir expansion project
“Nearly six months after the stunning collapse of a $1.5 billion plan to enlarge Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County to provide more water to Bay Area residents, state officials are trying to figure out now what to do with nearly half a billion dollars in state funding they had committed to the now-defunct project. On Wednesday, they provided their first clue. A majority of the seven board members of the California Water Commission, a state agency that distributes funding to build reservoirs and other water projects, indicated they are leaning toward dividing up the $453 million left over from the Los Vaqueros project and giving it this year to six other major new reservoir and groundwater storage projects currently on the drawing board around the state. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News (gift aritcle).
Governor Newsom sends letter to State Water Board in support of the Delta Conveyance Project; Conservation groups respond
“Today, Governor Newsom sent a letter to the State Water Board explaining why granting the petition to amend water rights permits to accommodate the proposed Delta Conveyance Project would be in the public interest. The letter begins by noting he and the preceeding two Governors have supported a Delta conveyance project of some kind because California’s prosperity depends on it. The State Water Project has made it possible for California to evolve into the economic powerhouse it has become. “The local water agencies that pay for the State Water Project are diversifying their water sources and getting increasingly efficient, but they cannot fully replace foundational State Water Project deliveries that supply nearly half the water people use in the South Bay, Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California. Some water districts in those regions depend entirely on State Water Project supplies,” the letter states. … ” Conservation groups respond: “The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC) says that the DCP is the complete opposite of a project that has been “refined to protect the environment, fisheries, ecosystems, water quality and water supply” but rather a project that will further decimate the Delta. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
SEE ALSO:
- CURRENTS OF DEBATE: Two California water gurus on opposite sides of Newsom’s proposed tunnel to reroute water around the Delta south to farms and cities went at it on a panel, from Politico (scroll down)
- Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition Slams Newsom’s Letter Claiming Delta Tunnel In Public Interest, from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos
Key wildlife taking permit issued for Delta tunnel project
“Calling it a milestone for the Delta Conveyance Project, the state Department of Fish & Wildlife Service recently issued an incidental take permit needed for the work on the tunnel to move forward. The permit “represents a significant milestone in the progress of the Delta Conveyance Project which will provide long-overdue modernizations to California’s water infrastructure and better prepare the state for climate change and the resulting extreme droughts, floods, and increasing salinity from rising sea levels,” the state agency said in a statement released Wednesday. “The (permit) includes measures to mitigate impacts on threatened or endangered species as a result of the construction, operation and maintenance of the Delta Conveyance Project.” The permit was issued last week. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
Metropolitan Water District wants to convert island into rice farm
“The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is looking to lease 1,361 acres on a district-owned island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for rice farming. A request for proposals has been released by the giant water district, which is in partnership with the state on the Delta Water Conveyance Project. “Metropolitan is seeking a commitment to convert approximately 1,361 acres of existing agricultural land on Webb Tract to rice. Metropolitan has secured grant funding that provides a generous incentive to assist the selected lessee with land preparation costs of up to $3,000 per acre, subject to terms and conditions in the grant agreement and the lease agreement,” the Solano County Farm Bureau noted in its online newsletter. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
Lake Oroville rising
“Despite seeing slower increases compared to previous years, Lake Oroville appears to be back on the rise after a consistently dry January. The stormy weather bounced back in February, however, and provided the lake with a pulse of runoff. On Wednesday, the lake’s water level was reported at 862.29 feet elevation putting it on par with both 2023 and 2024 when the lake eventually reached its capacity by the summer time. While the lake is still dependent on more storms to recharge fully, the boost from the early February storms caused it to spike. According to weather reports from the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office, the rest of the week is expected to remain dry with the chance of showers returning on Sunday, though no storms are expected before or after. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
The challenges of fighting wildfires with urban water systems
“In the recent Southern California fires, municipal water systems struggled to meet the unprecedented demands made on them. Is a wholesale rethinking of these systems in order? We asked Wendy Broley, executive director of the California Urban Water Agencies, to tell us more. First, can you talk a little bit about what happened in Southern California? It’s important to note that there was a confluence of different factors. We had a couple of great wet years with a lot of vegetation growth, then exceptionally dry conditions, followed by strong Santa Ana winds. So, the fires spread very rapidly and had a lot of very dry fuel. The winds made it difficult to fight from the air, and that’s a critical facet of our ability to fight wildfires. Water supply was not the issue. There was plenty of water: reservoirs are at above-average levels. Rather, the water distribution system was stretched beyond its limits. There was unprecedented demand on the system— at times, four times greater than typical—which caused the water pressure to drop. The infrastructure couldn’t get water where it was needed fast enough. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in talks to advise powerful California water agency
“Former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is in talks to advise the Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural water district in the country, as the California agency prepares to lobby under a friendlier administration for federal contracts with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, according to two sources. The Bakersfield Republican, who previously served in the state Assembly, did not respond to requests for comment. A Westlands spokesperson and one other person familiar with his plans confirmed McCarthy was discussing taking an advisory role with the water agency. As the largest publicly run farm water district in the country, Westlands, based in Fresno, covers 1,100 miles in the western San Joaquin Valley and represents powerful Central Valley farmers who have historically held close ties to California Republicans and members of President Donald Trump’s administration. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Old Farmer’s Almanac, NOAA forecasts for California. Could wildfire season spike in spring
“Weather scientists issued long-range forecasts for California’s spring, starting in March. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a slightly wet start to spring throughout much of California, while NOAA predicts parts of Southern California will get dry weather, possibly heralding more wildfires. Those predictions come as Californians recover from whiplash winter weather fluctuations. Parts of Southern California were deluged last week after parched fire weather in January. Meanwhile, after a wet December and a dry January, far northern counties got soaked in February, causing flooding in places along the Sacramento Valley. Here’s weather information about the first day of spring in California and rain predicted throughout the state, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac and NOAA. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun. | Read via Yahoo News.
Droughts are getting worse. Is fog-farming a fix?
“The city of Alto Hospicio, in Chile’s Atacama Desert, is one of the driest places on Earth. And yet its population of 140,000 continues to balloon, putting mounting pressure on nearby aquifers that haven’t been recharged by rain in 10,000 years. But Alto Hospicio, like so many other coastal cities, is rich in an untapped water resource: fog. New research finds that by deploying fog collectors — fine mesh stretched between two poles — in the mountains around Alto Hospicio, the city could harvest an average of 2.5 liters of water per square meter of netting each day. Large fog collectors cost between $1,000 and $4,500 and measure 40 square meters, so just one placed near Alto Hospicio could grab 36,500 liters of water a year without using any electricity, according to a paper published on Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science. … ” Read more from Grist.
As water scarcity increases, Netafim rolls out new product for the times
“A Central Valley manufacturer has launched a new product to help farmers save water. In January, Fresno-based Netafim USA rolled out its FlexNet Medium Pressure Pipes with hopes to provide more efficient, durable, reliable and uniform water distribution. While traditional lay-flat irrigation pipe is prone to leaks and requires more labor to install, FlexNet helps farmers reduce labor costs by 20-30% and drastically lowers installation times, according to the company. FlexNext pipes are constructed without Teflon or glue, eliminating chemicals that can seep into crops, soil and water sources. Mike Hemman, president of Netafim’s North America division, said 2024 was yet another challenging year for the agriculture industry. … ” Read more from The Business Journal.
Trump spending freeze will impact Pacific Crest Trail hikers
“Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail may be a more treacherous undertaking this year due to the Trump administration’s widespread efforts to clamp down on federal spending. On Wednesday, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, the nonprofit that helps maintain the 2,650-mile hiking trail in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, warned that the recent federal funding freeze will hamper the organization’s ability to perform critical trail work in time for the busy summer hiking season. “This is a big deal,” PCTA Executive Director Megan Wargo told the Chronicle. “It’ll impact lots of hikers trying to get out there on the PCT.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Why Trump’s water releases were dangerous for California’s levees
“First, there was Donald Trump’s executive order to release billions of gallons of water from two reservoirs in California’s Central valley, a move the feds walked back after farmers and water experts decried it as wasteful, ill-conceived – and an unnecessary risk factor for levees in the region. The mandate, said Nicholas Pinter, a professor of applied geoscience at the University of California at Davis who studies California’s levees, amounted to “hydrologic insanity”. “The volume they were initially starting to release and the lack of warning to local officials – it’s hard to characterize it as anything but insane,” he said. Then came last week’s atmospheric rivers, which keep people like Pinter on watch during California’s rainy season. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency’s board resolution champions federal and state executive orders
The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency (SGPWA) underscored critical water supply needs in California — including fire response, water storage, and groundwater recharge — in a Board resolution adopted on February 3, 2025. The SGPWA Board of Directors supported a water-focused Executive Order from President Donald Trump and one from Governor Gavin Newsom enabling maximized storm flow diversions. President Trump’s Executive Order, titled “Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas” and delivered on January 24, 2025, aids California’s ability to fight and prevent massive wildfires and increases water deliveries to Southern California. SGPWA is a State Water Contractor located at the end of the line for State Water Project (SWP) deliveries, and the President’s Executive Order bolsters the Agency’s efforts to secure a reliable water supply for a rapidly developing region. … ” Read more from the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency.
ACWA co-sponsors legislation that aims to deter hydrant water theft
“ACWA-sponsored SB 394, authored by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and co-sponsored by Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, would allow local agencies providing water services to adopt an ordinance with enhanced penalties for water theft from a fire hydrant. SB 394 helps to address inefficiencies in current penalties and would establish the following fines for water theft from a fire hydrant: a fine not exceeding $2,500 for the first violation; a fine not exceeding $5,000 for the second violation; and a fine not exceeding $10,000 for the third and each additional violation. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News.
California lawmaker proposes state-level ‘forever chemical’ limits
“California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D) on Wednesday introduced legislation that would establish state-mandated drinking water standards for toxic “forever chemicals,” amid fears that existing federal limits could be scrapped by the Trump administration. The AB 794 bill would direct the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt emergency regulations that would set limits at least as protective as the “federal regulation that was in effect on January 19, 2025, regardless of whether the requirements were repealed or amended to be less stringent.” The emergency regulations would need to be issued by Jan. 1, 2026, with formal rulemaking to follow and “to lock in place the protections that currently exist in federal law,” Gabriel said at a Wednesday webinar. … ” Read more from The Hill.
SEE ALSO: Lawmakers, advocates introduce legislation to protect Californians from hazardous ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, from the Environmental Working Group
In commentary today …
Water for farmers, food for America
William Bourdeau, executive vice president of Harris Farms, owner of Bourdeau Farms, director of the Westlands Water District, and more, writes, “California’s agricultural sector is the backbone of the state’s economy and a critical source of food for the nation. However, water scarcity and restrictive regulations have placed an increasing burden on farmers, threatening both productivity and long-term survival. With recent policy changes aimed at improving water distribution and infrastructure, there is a renewed opportunity for farmers, policymakers, and the general public to come together in support of a more balanced and effective water management system. For years, stringent regulations have limited water access to farming communities, prioritizing environmental restrictions over agricultural needs. Recent policy shifts, represent an important step toward addressing this imbalance. These efforts aim to ensure that water allocation prioritizes economic sustainability and food security while maintaining responsible environmental stewardship. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
The rising threat of copper theft: Protecting water supply infrastructure
Jonathan Ratledge writes, “Copper theft is a growing problem with far-reaching consequences for critical infrastructure. Driven by rising copper prices and market demand, thieves target essential components such as electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC systems, and utility cables – including those crucial to water pumps and irrigation systems. These thefts disrupt power grids and telecommunications, increase repair and replacement costs, and pose significant safety hazards for workers and the public. For the water industry, the stakes are especially high. Both public utilities and private farms rely on water supply infrastructure that is increasingly vulnerable to copper theft. With incidents on the rise, the impact extends to operational disruptions, financial losses, and heightened strain on law enforcement. Protecting water infrastructure is more critical than ever. … ” Read more at Water Wrights.
Trump cuts will hurt valley wildlife refuges and more
Eric Caine writes, “One of the great wildlife recovery stories in United States’ history began in the mid-1980s when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) and other agencies began the Aleutian Cackling Goose recovery program. Then listed as endangered, the Aleutian Goose population had declined to fewer than 700 individuals. The chief factor in the decline was predation by the Arctic Fox, which was introduced to the Aleutian Islands by Russian fur traders as early as 1836. Elimination of the fox population brought the geese back from the brink of extinction, but removal of the predator wasn’t enough. The geese still needed protection on their wintering grounds, which turned out to lie almost entirely in the northern San Joaquin Valley, most specifically in western Stanislaus County, near the confluence of the Tuolumne, San Joaquin and Stanislaus rivers. The San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (SJNRNW) was established in 1987, under authority of the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Acts, to protect those wintering grounds. … ” Read more from Valley Citizen.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
A conversation with Friends of the Eel River on the new Potter Valley Project agreement
“Last week, an agreement years in the making was signed by Humble County’s Board of Supervisors and an assortment of involved parties moving the deconstruction of the Potter Valley Project one step closer. Today I talked with the director of Friends of the Eel River about the history of this project and what this deconstruction means for the future of the Eel River. “So the two dams on the Eel River, Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam are collectively called the Potter Valley Project and they include a diversion into the Russian River. And the project is licensed, or I should say, was licensed as a hydropower facility under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. That’s FERC and FERC issues licenses that typically last for 50 years,” said the Director of the Friends of the Eel River Alicia Hamann. … ” Read more from Channel 3.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Chinook salmon to be released on Friday at Sundial Bridge
“The Turtle Bay Exploration Park announced Wednesday the upcoming release of Chinook salmon into the Sacramento River on Friday. As part of the collaborative Conservation Head Start Program developed in partnership with the Coleman Fish Hatchery, the Chinook salmon, which have been staying at Turtle Bay for a year, will be released on the south banks of the Sacramento River near the Sundial Bridge. Officials say that the Chinook salmon is an endangered species that faces significant threats to their survival, which includes habitat loss, water pollution, and challenges posed by climate change. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
BAY AREA
Land is sinking fast around the Bay Area, worsening the effects of sea level rise
“The land at multiple spots along California’s iconic coastline is sinking at startling rates, compounding the flooding risks posed by future sea level rise from Humboldt Bay to San Diego, according to a new study led by scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The speed of the land sinking, or subsidence, helps show that regional estimates “largely underestimate” sea level rise in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. That adds a new layer of complication for cities along the 800-plus miles of coastline preparing for a far wetter future, while some are already dealing with flooding from climate-fueled storms and king tides. Using satellite imagery, the scientists found that land along San Francisco Bay in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Foster City and Alameda’s Bay Farm Island is subsiding more than 0.4 inches a year. When considering the subsistence rate, local sea levels could rise by more than double the regional estimate by 2050. … ” Read more from KQED.
High-concept plans for a high-risk shoreline
“Four creeks, two lagoons, and untold numbers of high-flying birds are creating challenges for an ambitious effort to protect a valuable — and vulnerable — stretch of shoreline near San Francisco International Airport from climate-related flooding. The area is both low-lying and densely developed, with an estimated $2.4 billion in property at risk, as well as important regional infrastructure including parks, two water treatment plants, electrical distribution facilities, a rail corridor, and a section of Highway 101. Many of the properties in the area and beyond are within FEMA’s 100-year floodplain, and sea level rise is expected to significantly expand the vulnerable area. The Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Resilience Project, led by OneShoreline (aka the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District) seeks to protect slightly more than three miles of heavily urbanized waterfront while improving public access to the Bay and wildlife habitat. … ” Read more from Knee Deep Times.
EBMUD extends boat launch ramp closures in effort to prevent spread of invasive mussel
“Boat launches at all East Bay Municipal Utility District reservoirs will remain closed in an effort to keep invasive golden mussels from infesting the public water supply, the agency said. Golden mussels haven’t been detected in EBMUD’s seven raw water reservoirs, and the boat launch closures announced this past Thursday are a pre-emptive measure to keep them at bay. Last October, the invasive bivalves were discovered in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — the first known occurrence of the species in North America, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
CENTRAL COAST
After Moss Landing Power Plant reignites, officials brace for more flare-ups
“A fire reignited at the Moss Landing Power Plant on Tuesday evening, weeks after a previous blaze forced evacuations in Monterey County. At 6:30 p.m., the North County Fire Protection District and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a report of a fire at the Moss Landing Moss 300 building, Fire Chief Joel Mendoza said during a Wednesday press briefing. “The first engine arrived on scene, and they were able to find a light bloom of smoke emitting from the building,” Mendoza said. “As we were making notifications to our county cooperators, smoke began to intensify, eventually turning into flames.” … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
San Joaquin County area groundwater supply will likely meet mandate
“Water experts anticipate 200 wells will go dry in Kern County when the next drought rolls around. That extreme outlook elsewhere underscores what looks like sound decisions made over 100 years ago to develop surface water and more recent decisions to shift the cities of Tracy, Manteca, and Lathrop to partial dependence on surface water. The Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin is likely the only one among some 515 groundwater basins and subbasins throughout California that already is — or almost at the point — of being on task to meet a 2042 state mandate that no more water can be taken from a groundwater basin than is recharged in any given year. … ” Read more from the Escalon Times.
“This is not a farm, and I am not a farmer”: How efforts to reform tax break in Fresno County have failed
“During his 14 years as county tax chief, Paul Dictos has repeatedly tried to reform the Williamson Act in Fresno County, a statewide land program that doles out more than $50 million in tax breaks annually to local farms. Over the years, he’s watched those tax breaks in Fresno flow increasingly away from local and small farmers, to hedge funds, pension funds and other investors with offices in New York, Virginia, Georgia and even Canada. It’s a lesson, he says, that once you start giving a gift, it’s nearly impossible to stop giving it. He’s seen some of these tax breaks go up 200% to 300% during his tenure. In Fresno County, half of all farmers in the program receive an average tax break of just $800, while the biggest 0.3% of farmers – roughly 120 entities – enjoy subsidies three times higher per acre. … ” Read more from Fresnoland.
Porterville Irrigation District board approves GSA formation with city
“As far as Sean Geivet is concerned, if the Delano-Earlimart Irrigation and Kern-Tulare Irrigation Districts were given “goodies” as he puts it, then there’s no way the same goodies shouldn’t be provided for the Porterville Irrigation District and City of Porterville now that they’re moving forward to form their own Groundwater Sustainability Agency. But a unanimous vote at its meeting on Tuesday the PID board voted to join the city of Porterville in forming the Porterville Groundwater Sustainability Agency. The board also appointed PID board president Eric Borba and PID board member Brett McCowan to serve on the new agency’s board. … ” Read more from the Porterville Recorder.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Charred EV batteries from California wildfires spark concern about toxic waste contaminating drinking water
“Potentially toxic lithium-ion batteries pried from burned-out electric vehicles in the Eaton fire and transported to a temporary hazardous waste collection site in Azusa for processing has raised concerns about toxic metals leaching into nearby sources of drinking water. The Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster, an agency responsible for the safety of groundwater supplies for nearly 2 million Los Angeles County residents, sounded an alarm recently over the crushing of these batteries on a dirt bank of the San Gabriel River at Lario Park, at 15701 Foothill Blvd. Lithium-ion batteries can release toxic metals such as lead, nickel, copper, cobalt, thallium and silver, an “ecotoxicity potential” associated with the breakdown of these compact, efficient batteries from EVs, as well as cell phones, computers and video games, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other experts. The Watermaster has requested the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in charge of the Lario hazardous waste staging site, relocate the battery-crushing activity from the Lario site or simply move the crushing activity farther from the river bank to a paved parking lot area. … ” Read more from Silicon Valley. | Read via the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Public health experts warn about pollution from burned plastics in LA fires
“After thousands of homes and businesses burned in the Los Angeles fires, public health doctors are warning about the toxic pollution from plastics used in construction. Many building materials are made from plastics, including flooring and carpeting, floor sealants, siding, insulation, paints, and plumbing. Kaya Allan-Sugerman, director of health and environment programs with the group Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, said the toxic chemicals found in urban wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory and developmental conditions, hormone disruption, and even cancer. “Plastics don’t just burn,” she said. “They release some of the most toxic chemicals. When released, these pollutants don’t just disappear. They can travel distances in the ash and they settle in the air, water and soil, contaminating entire communities.” … ” Read more from the Public News Service.
Granada Hills residents protest over taking fire debris to Sunshine Canyon Landfill.
“Granada Hills residents gathered to voice their opposition to fire debris from the Palisades and Eaton wildfires being taken to Sunshine Canyon Landfill, holding a protest near Van Gogh Elementary School on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Sunshine Canyon Landfill is one of seven locations proposed for storage of debris removed from properties burned in the Palisades and Eaton fires that devastated parts of Los Angeles in January. In order to take in the debris, Sunshine Canyon — and its operating company, Republic Services — are asking the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to grant a waiver that would allow the landfill to temporarily increase the daily tonnage allowed from 12,100 to 15,000 tons and allow for a temporary increase in hours of operations by one hour on weekdays and by two hours on Saturdays, according to Clean LA, part of Los Angeles County’s Public Works Environmental Programs division. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
FEMA rejects call by Newsom’s office to test soil in fire areas for toxic contaminants
“Gov. Gavin Newsom’s chief disaster officer on Wednesday urged the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider its decision to forgo post-cleanup soil testing for the Los Angeles County wildfires. The request drew a swift response from FEMA: No. Federal contractors are removing wildfire debris and a 6-inch layer of topsoil from properties burned in the Eaton and Palisades fires. But FEMA said last week that it would not order soil testing, a long-standing approach to ensure properties meet California safety standards for toxic chemicals. The decision alarmed California elected officials and residents who feared that fire-devastated properties could still contain dangerous concentrations of toxic chemicals in their soil. Nancy Ward, director of California’s Office of Emergency Services, sent a letter to FEMA Wednesday calling on the agency to reconsider its decision. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
LA County Public Health will test soil amid concerns over toxins in Eaton, Palisades areas, officials say
“Los Angeles County will lead “comprehensive” testing of soil in the burn areas, responding to concern of many residents about the potential of toxic materials to be embedded in the ground in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires, officials said on Wednesday, Feb. 19. As a part of the L.A. County comprehensive post-fire assessment, air, soil and water sampling and monitoring will be done by L.A. County Public Health, the department’s Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Soil sampling is part of the plan, as well, and that includes potential contamination from heavy metals, dioxins and other toxic residues that may have settled from the wildfire ash and debris,” Ferrer said. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control, the California Department of Public Health and the L.A. Fire Health Study Consortium are working with the county, with the state Public Health Department providing technical assistance, officials said. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Scientists are racing to discover the depth of ocean damage sparked by the LA wildfires
“On a recent Sunday, Tracy Quinn drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to assess the damage wrought upon the coastline by the Palisades Fire. The water line was darkened by ash. Burnt remnants of washing machines and dryers and metal appliances were strewn about the shoreline. Sludge carpeted the water’s edge. Waves during high tide lapped onto charred homes, pulling debris and potentially toxic ash into the ocean as they receded. “It was just heartbreaking,” said Quinn, president and CEO of the environmental group Heal the Bay, whose team has reported ash and debris some 25 miles south of the Palisades burn area west of Los Angeles. As crews work to remove potentially hundreds of thousands of tons of hazardous materials from the Los Angeles wildfires, researchers and officials are trying to understand how the fires on land have impacted the sea. … ” Read more from Scripps News.
NorCal fire renews concern over Santa Clarita Valley battery-storage facility
“A dayslong fire at the world’s largest battery-storage facility in Monterey County prompted Santa Clarita residents and officials to ask what-if and worst-case scenario questions about a similar but much smaller Terra-Gen operation in Canyon Country. … Most troubling for observers is that the initial fire there began in January, with flames and plumes of toxic smoke leading to the evacuation of homes for more than 1,500 Moss Landing residents. While the cause of the newest incident at the 3-gigawatt facility is still under investigation, the weekslong incident renewed concerns about the technology’s safety. “Let me just say, the battery-storage issue that came up just a couple weeks ago, with the Monterey (County) fire was certainly enlightening,” Councilwoman Laurene Weste said during council member comment at the Feb. 11 meeting. … ” Read more from The Signal.
The outlet valve situation on Lake Arrowhead
“The Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA) owns, operates, and maintains the lake and its appurtenant infrastructure. In 2018, the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) declared Lake Arrowhead’s original outlet work system was not reliable and would need major repairs or replacements to meet their requirements of a 10% lake level drawdown in 7 days and 100% lake level drawdown in 90 days. In the early 1970s, Lake Arrowhead’s original dam was deemed seismically unsafe, and a new dam was constructed (creating Papoose Lake, a small lake in between the two dams) to hydraulically reinforce the old dam. There is no hydrologic connection from Lake Arrowhead to Papoose Lake or the New Dam. The New Dam’s outlet works contain one 24-inch intake pipe with a 24-inch gate valve. … ” Read more from Mountain News.
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Imperial Irrigation District approves deficit irrigation program amid farmers’ concerns
“The Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors approved the 2025 On-Farm Efficiency Conservation Program and Deficit Irrigation Program (DIP) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, setting the per-acre-foot compensation at $450 for on-farm conservation and $300 for deficit irrigation. The decision followed extended discussions with farmers, multiple public comments urging higher compensation, and a debate over the program’s long-term sustainability. The program will officially begin on June 1 and run through September, with the potential for participating fields to re-enroll in on-farm conservation under certain conditions. However, approval came with a commitment from the board to revisit the issue in 90 days, particularly in light of concerns about federal funding uncertainties and the economic impact of the program on the agricultural community. … ” Read more from the Calexico Chronicle.
SAN DIEGO
Recycled water project nears milestone, costs escalate again
“Projects to turn wastewater into drinkable water are progressing in San Diego and East County, but their costs have once again spiked. In East County, a milestone is approaching as a 24-inch pipeline that will transport water from the Advanced Water Purification plant under construction in Santee to the Lake Jennings reservoir in El Cajon is on track to be completed by the end of the month. The entire project is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2026. It will convert 15 million gallons of wastewater a day into enough drinkable water to meet 30% of East County’s demands. Construction of another stretch of pipeline needed for East County’s and San Diego’s water treatment projects is beginning soon in Mission Trails Regional Park. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
San Diego Coastkeeper publishes 2024 Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report
“San Diego Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper), an environmental nonprofit working to protect and restore swimmable, drinkable, and fishable waters throughout San Diego, published its first annual 2024 Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report. The report summarizes a year of monthly water monitoring data at locations around Mission Bay, showing persistently high levels of bacteria, copper and phosphorus in both dry and wet weather, often at levels that exceed state water quality standards for safe public recreation and a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Aging stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure are likely sources of bacterial contamination, while high levels of copper and phosphorus could be the result of multiple sources. Coastkeeper’s findings highlight the urgent need for increased investment in stormwater infrastructure, and increased attention to tracking and addressing the sources of these pollutants, so that water quality will improve in the future. The report also highlights the program’s highly successful community outreach component, including the recruitment and training of over 180 volunteers who play a key role in Coastkeeper’s community science work. … ” Read more from the San Diego Coastkeeper.
Along the Colorado River …
Nearly half of Arizona under ‘extreme’ drought conditions
“This winter is on track to go down as one of the driest on record and the drought situation in Arizona is getting worse. While drought and water shortages may be inevitable because we live in a desert, there are still ways you can help improve a drought. More areas in Arizona are in the extreme drought category this month compared to January. Almost all of western Arizona is now under this distinction. With little rain in the immediate forecast, meteorologists worry this could get even worse. “It’s been a really dry winter,” Jonny Malloy, a meteorologist with the flood control district of Maricopa County said. “A lot of our stations across the county in central Arizona have missed out on rain opportunity this winter.” … ” Read more from Arizona Family.
Rural AZ is drying up. Will lawmakers do something about it?
“A piece of Arizona legislation, with bipartisan backing, is aiming to bring better oversight and protections of groundwater, across five basins in rural Arizona. The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Priya Sundareshan – D-Tucson – explained that the Rural Groundwater Management Act of 2025 would create water-management programs that would have a say over conservation efforts, and would strive to reduce groundwater use while improving the state of aquifers. SB 1425, and its mirrored bill in the House, would also create local councils to monitor the basins. Sundareshan said the bill is intended to protect folks from out-of-state entities that flock to Arizona for its lack of regulation, ultimately leaving communities dry. … ” Read more from the Public News Service.
Navajo Nation and state of Utah reach another water rights milestone
“The state of Utah and the Navajo Nation are celebrating the finalization of a landmark water rights agreement. On Jan. 31, 2025, the state confirmed and quantified water rights – totalling 81,500 acre-feet per year – now belong to the Navajo Nation in Utah. A formal ceremony will be held on Feb. 19, 2025 at 1 p.m., in the Utah State Capitol’s Gold Room. “The Navajo people’s history in the San Juan River area stretches back more than 400 years, and they still call that area ‘home,’” Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson said. “This latest accomplishment grants water rights autonomy and ownership to the Tribe, and it allows them to pursue the additional funding they need to build a stronger community.” … ” Read more from the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
Upper Basin water managers want monthly drought meetings with feds
“Water managers are preparing for another potentially lackluster runoff this year in the Colorado River Basin. At a meeting Tuesday, water managers from the Upper Colorado River Commission agreed to write a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation asking for a monthly meeting to monitor drought conditions. Officials from the four Upper Basin states (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) are hoping to avoid a repeat of 2021 when emergency reservoir releases caught them off guard. “We want to be as prepared as possible since hydrology has flipped pretty quickly in previous years,” said UCRC Executive Director Chuck Cullom. “We think it’s prudent to collectively review the forecast and the water supply so that we aren’t caught in the situation we were in in 2021.” … ” Read more from Aspen Journalism.
With snow up to 50 inches in areas, Colorado’s latest storm cycle brought snowpack above normal in the northern mountains
“Since Valentine’s Day, several storms have brought six straight powder days and up to 50 inches of snow to some Colorado ski resorts — having varied but mostly positive impacts on the state’s snowpack. “This storm brought quite a lot of snow to all the mountain ranges,” said Russ Schumacher, Colorado’s state climatologist and director of the Colorado Climate Center. “In parts of the state, it really helped out a lot, and in other places, they are going to need a lot more to catch up. The news is the best for Colorado’s northern mountains where most resorts were sitting just below the snowpack average heading into the weekend. Now, following repeated snow, most of the region’s resorts are sitting at or slightly above normal. … ” Read more from the Aspen Times.
In national water news today …
Trump order fast-tracks projects that would damage wetlands, environmental groups say
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has marked for fast-track review more than 600 permit applications for projects under President Donald Trump’s “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” executive order that would disturb critical wetlands and waterways, environmental groups warned Wednesday. The projects include a 37-mile crude oil pipeline in Louisiana that would affect some 234 acres of wetlands, including marshes near the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Another project involves a crude oil pipeline beneath Lake Michigan, a drinking water source for more than 10 million people. Some of the projects appear to have nothing to do with energy, according to the Environmental Integrity Project, an advocacy group focused on the enforcement of environmental laws. In Idaho, for example, 145 acres of wetlands and 21 miles of streams in the Payette National Forest would be affected in the construction of the Stibnite Gold Mine Project, to extract gold, silver and antimony. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
How Trump gutted climate policy in 30 days
“President Donald Trump is slamming into U.S. climate policy like a category 5 hurricane, smashing clean energy programs, scattering swaths of the federal workforce and leaving a trail of turmoil that jeopardizes efforts to slow rising temperatures beyond his presidency. His path of disruption has resulted in thousands of people being fired from the EPA and the departments of Energy and Interior. He’s dammed the flow of federal funding including billions for energy rebates, low-income solar installations and electric vehicle chargers — sometimes flouting court orders to reinstate the money. And he has cast uncertainty over clean energy industries by threatening tariffs on allied nations, pausing permits for new wind projects and promising to roll back hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy tax credits contained in the Inflation Reduction Act. Taken together, Trump’s actions mark a vast and coordinated attack on U.S. environmental policy by a president who has undermined the tenets of climate science through years of distorting and fabricating the state of rising temperatures. Analysts and advocates say the administration’s moves threaten to reverse decades of painfully slow progress to curb the rise in planet-warming pollution. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Trump clamps down on agencies’ power
“President Donald Trump is expanding White House control over independent agencies in a move his critics view as an alarming power grab. The president signed an executive order Tuesday that aims to rein in independent regulatory agencies that Trump said “currently exercise substantial executive authority without sufficient accountability to the President.” The move appears directed at cracking down on several agencies that were designed to have more independence than Cabinet-level departments. The White House explicitly named the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission in a fact sheet asserting that those agencies haven’t been subject to enough presidential oversight. … ” Read more from E&E News.
