DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: Critics warn staff cuts at federal agencies overseeing US dams could put public safety at risk; CA considers protecting wetlands from Trump order; Modernized procedures at Oroville Dam could improve flood safety, report finds; Lower basin states agree: The Trump administration needs to fix a key Colorado River dam; and more …

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In California water news this weekend …

Critics warn staff cuts at federal agencies overseeing US dams could put public safety at risk

“Trump administration workforce cuts at federal agencies overseeing U.S. dams are threatening their ability to provide reliable electricity, supply farmers with water and protect communities from floods, employees and industry experts warn.  The Bureau of Reclamation provides water and hydropower to the public in 17 western states. Nearly 400 agency workers have been cut through the Trump reduction plan, an administration official said.  “Reductions-in-force” memos have also been sent to current workers, and more layoffs are expected. The cuts included workers at the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydropower generator in North America, according to two fired staffers interviewed by The Associated Press.  “Without these dam operators, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, researchers, emergency managers and other experts, there is a serious potential for heightened risk to public safety and economic or environmental damage,” Lori Spragens, executive director of the Kentucky-based Association of Dam Safety Officials, told the AP. … ”  Read more from the Associated Press.

DOGE set to close California NOAA offices that conduct ocean, fishery research

“Three National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices in California are slated for closure as part of the Trump administration’s plans to terminate federal office leases nationwide in an effort they say will save taxpayers money, deepening cuts to already weakened research and science agencies targeted by the Department of Government Efficiency.   Two of the California offices the Trump administration is considering closing are part of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, which manages the nation’s fisheries and protects marine life. One, in Eureka, is part of the Fishery Resources Analysis and Monitoring Division. The second, in Arcata, is part of the Habitat Restoration Division.  The leases for both offices are expected to end Sept. 30. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle (gift article).

Scientists express growing concern over Trump administration targeting CA environmental laws

“California’s environmental landscape is already being shaken this week by word that the Trump administration will roll back environmental laws.  It’s raising concerns about how far the administration might be willing to go to achieve its agenda in California.  When the Trump administration ordered the Army Corp of Engineers to open the gates on two Federal dams in California earlier this year, it may have been the first shot in an evolving war on California’s water and environmental protections. It’s prompted Bay Area Congressmember Jared Huffman to fire off a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, demanding answers, including who specifically gave the order and whether similar actions are being considered moving forward. … ”  Read more from ABC Bay Area.

‘Puddles and ditches’: California considers protecting wetlands from Trump order

“Legislators and environmentalists are considering how to safeguard California’s wetlands after the Trump administration announced its plans to rein in — once again — the nation’s 53-year-old law protecting waterways.  At stake are seasonal streams, ponds and pools, which are only inundated part of the time and found throughout the Southwest. In California, an estimated 80% of all linear miles of streams and rivers are ephemeral or intermittent.  The Trump administration’s plan to alter the Clean Water Act’s definition of wetlands to exclude such waterways could render vast areas of California essentially unprotected from developers and growers.  The plan proposed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Wednesday comes as no surprise. Trump ordered the same move during his first stint in the White House. In 2017 Trump called many wetlands “puddles and ditches” and said the rules were “one of the worst examples of federal regulation and it has truly run amok.” The Biden administration in 2022 enacted new rules that reversed his decision. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters.

Modernized procedures at California’s Oroville Dam could improve flood safety, report finds

“Modernized changes to long-held operating procedures at the dams walling Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir in Northern California could improve flood safety for communities along the Feather and Yuba rivers. That’s the finding several agencies reached in a new report exploring the effects of using improved monitoring, weather and runoff projections to determine when and how to release water from the reservoirs. “California’s reservoirs play a critical role in safeguarding our communities from floods and maintaining our state’s water supply, especially as we continue to see more extreme weather events in the form of larger, wetter, and more frequent storms and longer, more severe periods of drought,” said Michael Anderson, a Department of Water Resources climatologist, in a Thursday news release. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee.

SGMA round-up

“Semitropic Water Storage District in Kern County approved paying its share of the planning and permitting cost for the delta tunnel this week. The Delta Conveyance Program is part of the State Water Project, which you can learn more about here. The next two years of planning costs $300 million of which Semitropic’s share is $2.3 million. The actual cost to the build the tunnel is currently estimated at over $16 billion. Environmental regulations in the delta have reduced the long-term expected yield of the State Water Project down to 54% of their contracted water. The tunnel would create an intake on the Sacramento River in the northern delta where fish impacts are less, and transport that water underground to the California Aqueduct pumps in the southern delta. Semitropic’s share of the firm yield of the project is relatively low, but by participating in the project, Semitropic gets access to surplus water in wet years. … ”  Rundown includes Tule, Tulare, Kings, and other San Joaquin Valley subbasins.  Continue reading at the Milk Producers Council.

Could fog harvesting solve California’s water shortages?

“California has long struggled with chronic drought and water scarcity—Newsweek spoke to two experts about whether capturing water from fog may be able to help.  They were both optimistic about using fog harvesting for California, which is being explored there with several research initiatives and pilot projects, but warned that it probably “can’t produce water for all of the needs and demands of humans and society.”  Fog harvesting is the practice of capturing tiny water droplets from fog with specialized mesh nets. It was invented in the 1970s by the Chilean physicist Carlos Espinosa, who was trying to find solutions to a drought affecting Antofagasta at the time.  It is low-cost and sustainable, as it requires no electricity, but it requires consistent fog and is heavily dependent on the weather. … ”  Read more from Newsweek.

Harnessing the power of eDNA

“It’s our mission at River Partners to learn more about the wildlife which call our statewide river-restoration sites home. And over the last couple of years, we’ve added new, innovative science and monitoring techniques to do this that are being deployed in the San Joaquin Valley, which will advance conservation efforts throughout California and beyond.  Last year, for example, during our Before-After Control-Impact studies, the deployment of acoustic recording units captured sounds of birdsongs; point counts documented bird species diversity and abundance at specific moments in time; and motion-activated cameras gave us glimpses of raptors in flight, among other animal action. Now, River Partners is getting another high-tech assist to glean even more data about what lives, or has lived, in areas along San Joaquin Valley rivers that we have either restored or are in the process of revitalizing.  As part of a suite of funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) for floodplain restoration and research in the San Joaquin Valley, River Partners collected hundreds of soil samples this winter to be tested for environmental DNA, or eDNA. … ”  Read more from River Partners.

Rep. Calvert introduces bill to support wastewater treatment and water recycling projects

“Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) along with Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) introduced legislation, H.R. 2093, to reform federal permitting standards for local wastewater treatment and water recycling projects. The legislation would extend the maximum term for certain permits issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) is the Democratic co-lead of the bill, and Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) is an original cosponsor.  “Water infrastructure investments across California and other states are critical to maintaining our access to clean and reliable water supplies,” said Rep. Calvert. “This legislation takes a common sense step of reforming our federal permitting requirements to correspond to the time it takes to build water infrastructure projects.” … ”  Read more from Congressman Ken Calvert.

States take urgent action as concerns grow over drinking water safety: ‘The science is clear’

“Multiple states are taking steps to safeguard their water from toxic “forever chemicals” as uncertainty looms over restrictions on them under the Trump administration.   As detailed by The New Lede, California unveiled a bill on Feb. 19 aimed at protecting water quality in the Golden State. Public health and environmental groups — including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Sierra Club — support the legislation, which would at minimum adopt Biden-era reforms on acceptable levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.  “Today, we are taking action to ensure that California is leading with strong, science-based health standards that will protect our communities from harmful PFAS chemicals regardless of what happens at the federal level,” Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, said in an official press release. … ”  Read more from The Cool Down.

How the EPA’s environmental about-face could upend California’s climate efforts

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to repeal or weaken more than two dozen regulations could deliver a direct blow to California policies on air and water quality standards, electric vehicle initiatives and efforts to curb planet-harming greenhouse gas emissions.  The changes announced this week are geared toward rolling back trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and hidden taxes on U.S. families, according to President Trump’s new EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who described the action on Wednesday as “the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history.”  But environmental groups were quick to condemn the plan as an abdication of the EPA’s responsibilities to Americans. In climate-conscious California, they say, it could reverse decades of progress.  “This isn’t just a step backward — it’s a wrecking ball aimed at decades of progress,” said Guillermo Ortiz, senior clean vehicles advocate with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “California’s leadership on clean energy and environmental justice is now directly under siege by the federal government.” … ”  Read more from the LA Times. | Read via AOL News.

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In commentary this weekend …

Entering a New Era of Sustainable Groundwater Management

Paul Gosselin, DWR Deputy Director for Sustainable Water Management, writes, “In recognition of Groundwater Awareness Week, it’s incredible to think about the tremendous work California has accomplished since our legislature passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. Work that wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership and effort of over 250 local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). To our partners, thank you for your time and dedication to writing over 100 groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) that protect drinking water wells, reduce land sinking, and improve groundwater supplies for our communities.  The accomplishments don’t stop there. California is now collecting more groundwater data than ever before, providing a better understanding of groundwater conditions and ultimately leading to better management decisions. Additionally, water supply reliability is improving as we’ve continued to invest in local recharge projects. In 2023 alone, 4.1 million acre-feet of water was added to underground aquifers through managed efforts. … ”  Read more from DWR.

Don’t listen to critics. SJ River Conservancy is doing its job

Bobby Macaulay, the District 5 Supervisor for Madera County and chair of the San Joaquin River Conservancy, writes, “The recent Fresnoland article on the proposed CEMEX mining project in Fresno County raises several important issues but misrepresents the San Joaquin River Conservancy, its role, and its capabilities.   The article critiques the Conservancy for not taking a more direct stance on the mining proposal and portrays its staff and leadership as inactive. However, this perspective fails to accurately depict the nature of the Conservancy’s work and mission, and raises questions about the transparency and completeness of the information provided.  I want to clarify that the Conservancy is a state agency with a clear mission: to develop the San Joaquin River Parkway, to create public access to the river corridor, and conserve lands either owned by the Conservancy or through willing partnerships. Importantly, the Conservancy is neither a political organization nor a regulatory body. … ”  Read more from GV Wire.

California has the most to lose from Trump’s public land staffing cuts

“Like many others, my lifelong love of California took root on our nation’s public lands. Awe-inspiring rivers running through Yosemite National Park to Klamath National Forest sparked an unbridled appreciation for the nature that anyone who has set foot in a national park knows well. Visitors to these sites only see a small glimpse of the vital work our dedicated National Park and Forest Service public servants perform on our public lands — which, in California, amount to over 20 million acres. Responsible stewardship of these lands is critical to our supplies of clean, safe, reliable water as well as to the prevention of catastrophic fires. Yet, alarmingly, scores of federal public lands workers who take care of our lands and waters have been fired in recent weeks. Without experienced leaders managing our public lands, the water flowing down our rivers and through our faucets will be dirtier, and fire risk will escalate. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee.

Surprise! Trump order to increase timber harvest could make sense

Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue’s senior editor and chief correspondent, writes, “Among the maddening features of Donald Trump’s presidency is this: His instinct for identifying structural weaknesses is keen. His capacity to decide and execute solutions is generally terrible.  How else to explain that, for Trump, stopping the killing in Ukraine means siding with the dictator who started the conflict. Or that Trump identified the deep resentment of working people who supported him, but proposes stark changes in health, food, job, childcare, and retirement programs that will make their lives harder.  Earlier this month Trump put his finger on another profound national challenge: the deteriorated condition of federally managed forests. But this time his proposed solution might actually lead to a useful outcome.  The White House put the problem this way: “Our inability to fully exploit our domestic timber supply has impeded the creation of jobs and prosperity, contributed to wildfire disasters, degraded fish and wildlife habitats, increased the cost of construction and energy, and threatened our economic security.” … ”  Read more from Circle of Blue.

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In regional water news this weekend …

NORTH COAST

Klamath Drainage District holds Renaissance Tour

““This is the first time we’ve had water on the refuge in five years and it’s pretty exciting to see,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife lead biologist John Vradenburg said.  The biologist’s words came during the second annual Renaissance Tour of the Klamath Drainage District (KDD). The tour was started as a way to inform and reassure visitors with the promise of improvement after years of drought plagued farmers and decimated wildlife habitat. On Thursday morning KDD officials, scientists and the Modoc Nation agreed the improvement is real. Situated north of Stateline Road between Highway 97 and the Klamath Hills in a triangle of soil that borders the Lower Klamath Lake Refuge lies the 27,000 acres of KDD land, which approximately 12 landowners rely on for irrigation. It’s also a critical resting point for waterfowl and migratory birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway. … ”  Read more from the Herald & News.

DOGE plans to close Bureau of Land Management field office in Ukiah

“The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, plans to close the Bureau of Land Management Field Office in Ukiah, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said last month.  The proposed closure is part of a nationwide Trump administration goal to decrease government spending by eliminating “waste, fraud and abuse,” but so far multiple agencies and workers have been caught up in the cuts. Billionaire Elon Musk and his team at DOGE has been assigned the challenge, with the Ukiah field office ending up on the chopping block.  The Ukiah field office manages approximately 270,000 acres of land and 214,000 acres of mineral properties in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Napa, Marin, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties and a portion of Mendocino County. … ”  Read more from Northern California Public Media.

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Experts warn of troubling pattern threatening popular ski resorts: ‘Raises concern’

“One of the country’s most popular skiing regions has been suffering from a snow drought this winter. But this lack of snow in California and Nevada has implications beyond the tourism industry. During the warmer seasons, there is also a higher risk of wildfires.   A snow drought in the Lake Tahoe basin and its surrounding regions could significantly impact the area’s economy, water supplies, and wildfire season.  “Too many blue-sky days in January followed by too much rain in early February raises concern about where this winter’s snowpack will end up on April 1,” said the Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report, per the Tahoe Daily Tribune.  Snowpack improved in mid-February but fell off in the second half of the month in the Tahoe, Truckee, Carson, and Walker basins. The March report cautioned that these basins “will be playing catch-up in March with a couple more significant storms needed to achieve a normal peak snow water amount.” … ”  Read more from The Cool Down.

BAY AREA

Antioch water rates to rise starting May 1

“In an effort to support its new brackish desalination plant and other improvements, water rates in Antioch are set to rise after the city council on Tuesday approved a new five-year plan.  Starting May 1, the cost of water will increase as much as 7% annually for a single-family home and then potentially rise further over a five-year period. The Antioch City Council approved the rate jump in a 4-1 vote. Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker was the lone no vote.  Water rates in Antioch have remained unchanged since July 2019, but city officials said the adjustments are necessary.  “Operating costs have continued to incrementally, and at times substantially, increase each year for personnel, utilities, water purchase costs from Contra Costa Water District when the city cannot pump from the river, and other maintenance costs of the city’s water treatment plant,” said Antioch City Manager Bessie Marie Scott. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.

Redwood Life gambles with toxic waste

“Forty years ago, Redwood City made a bet. While neighboring cities capped shoreline dumps and left them undisturbed, Redwood City gambled by building on top of their toxin-filled dump, next to a wildlife reserve. Then they upped the ante with housing next to the 30-foot-high mound. And they backed their wager with the Westport Plan; a promise that in exchange for building 1 million square feet, the developer would guarantee no toxic leaks from that dump. Now, 40 years later, the city has lost the bet. The dump settled, exposing building foundations, and they don’t know the status of the mud cap or toxic leaks. The state has issued citations for jerry-rigged attempts to vent excess methane. We have failures of the levee — the levee the developer promised to maintain to protect the Bay, but that taxpayers had to pay to fix. Groundwater floods the site whenever a king tide meets an atmospheric river.  Now the city wants to up the ante again — double or nothing. They want off the hook for that Westport Plan. … ”  Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Developing East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood Business District means confronting a legacy of contamination

“Real estate in San Mateo County is among the most valuable in the United States. Even small parcels can fetch millions. Yet, in East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood Business District, acres of land sit empty, their potential unrealized.  At first glance, these vacant lots appear to be prime real estate — offering stunning views of the Diablo Range to the east and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west, with the San Francisco Bay Trail hugging the area’s eastern edge. But beneath the surface, remnants of the area’s industrial past linger. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, volatile organic compounds, and oil contaminate the soil and groundwater, rendering much of the district uninhabitable until extensive remediation is complete. … ” Read more from The Almanac.

Bay Area flowers are blooming. What are the chances of a superbloom in 2025?

“Recent seasons have produced abundant wildflowers across California — even a rare “superbloom” in 2023 that brought a profusion of flowers visible from space. This year is playing out differently. A news release on Feb. 24 announced Southern California state parks will likely experience limited blooms this spring, on account of below-average winter rainfall. But there’s still the potential for the Bay Area to experience vivid flower displays, experts say. “A bad year for Southern California flowers doesn’t necessarily mean a bad year for Northern California flowers,” said Ryan Forbes, an educator with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with the Bay Area district. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.

CENTRAL COAST

Pajaro watershed focus of climate talk

“About 80 people gathered Monday in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program.  The initiative, which is supported by a $2 million grant from DWR and administered by Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, will help the watershed prepare for the ongoing effects of climate change.  “We want to hear from people in multiple areas of the watershed to get their perspective of what they want our modelers to focus on, what they want to see out of a resilience plan and how do they define resilience.” said Marcua Mendiola, Water Conservation and Outreach Specialist with the PVWMA. “And what will this thing look like in 20 to 50 years.” … ”  Read more from The Pajaronian.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Residents alarmed by murky water in Arvin following pipeline issues

“A resident in Edmundson Acres, a community northeast of Arvin, was shocked to see murky water come out of her water faucet on November 17th.  “I went into the water office and I let them know that the water was dirty and I wanted someone to come and test the water,” said De La Cruz.  However, she says the Arvin Community Service District was dismissive of her request.  “The reason for not testing that water is because that’s not the supplied water we’re providing to the city,” said Arvin Community Service District General Manager Raul Barraza Jr. “Obviously for us, it’s a key indication that there’s a problem and we have to take care of the problem first.” … ”  Continue reading from Channel 23.

Massive landlocked body of water resurfaces after more than a century: ‘The land needs that lake’

“This historic lake covered 800 square miles before being drained for farmland in the late 1800s. Following a series of atmospheric rivers in early 2023, the lake swelled to cover 120,000 acres at its peak, submerging over 10% of Kings County. Though now receded to about 4,500 acres, its return has sparked conversations about what happens next.  The lake’s reappearance brings both opportunities and hurdles. For the Tachi Yokut Tribe, who called it “Pa’ashi” or “Big Water,” the lake’s return has restored sacred connections. The recharge has added 3.8 million acre-feet of water to depleted groundwater systems in a region facing severe water scarcity. Migratory birds and native fish are returning to habitats long vanished.  Many tribes, scientists, and conservation groups see the potential for a balanced approach that could help protect the region from future floods while creating water storage and restoring wildlife habitat. This would be especially valuable as California faces more extreme weather patterns that alternate between drought and flooding. … ”  Read more from The Cool Down.

Bank seeks more than $105 million and foreclosure of multiple properties owned by John Vidovich

“A bank is suing large San Joaquin Valley grower John Vidovich for more than $105 million in allegedly defaulted loans and is demanding the foreclosure and sale of large swaths of farmland, solar sites, a nut-hulling facility and the SunnyGem almond processing plant in Wasco.  Affected lands could span Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties, according to three volumes of exhibits in the lawsuit, which was filed March 12 in Kern.  It’s unclear what a potential foreclosure or receivership could mean for SunnyGem, which employs more than 250 people in Wasco, according to its website.  The lawsuit, filed by U.S. National Bank Association, names Vidovich personally, as well as several Vidovich family members, Sandridge Partners, LP, SunnyGem, LLC and The Apricot Pit, LP, based in Sunnyvale. … ”  Read more from SJV Water.

March to bring attention to the Kern River legal case draws nearly 130

“A march in the mostly dry Kern River bed from the Panorama bluffs eight miles west to the Bellevue Weir started with about 30 people and gained steam to end with about 130 marchers, according to organizers.  “It was successful for what we wanted to do,” said Chris Molina, an organizer with the public interest group Bring Back the Kern. “What we wanted was to get media attention as a last-minute rallying cry to hopefully put pressure on the court to lean in favor of a flowing river. And the event exceeded our expectations.”  He referred to a hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 20 before the 5th District Court of Appeals in Fresno on whether to uphold a preliminary injunction issued by Kern County Superior Court Gregory Pulskamp in October 2023 mandating the City of Bakersfield keep enough water in the river for fish to survive. … ”  Read more from SJV Water.

EASTERN SIERRA

Lowering salinity by raising Mono Lake is key to ecosystem health

“Water diversions by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (DWP) began more than 80 years ago, depriving Mono Lake of water and upending the hydrologic balance between inflow and evaporation. The lake shrank rapidly, losing half its volume and declining 45 vertical feet by 1982.  As the lake shrank, the salts and minerals that make it unique remained abundant. And as a result, for every foot that diversions lowered the lake, salinity increased.  Mono Lake’s endemic brine shrimp and alkali flies are specially adapted to thrive in the lake’s salty waters which were 50 grams per liter (g/l) when diversions began. These two species, which each number in the trillions at Mono Lake, are a critical food resource for vast numbers of nesting and migratory birds, making the lake a site of international importance for bird migration. But as water diversions caused salinity to increase, the productivity of these essential species declined. … ”  Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.

Hydropower in the Mono Basin is undergoing relicensing

“The long-awaited California State Water Resources Control Board hearing expected to occur in 2025 will be a critical moment for reviewing the significant environmental issues tied to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s (DWP) water exports in the Mono Basin. However, as the Mono Lake Committee prepares for that hearing, another important environmental review process is occurring simultaneously. There are three Mono Basin hydropower projects currently under review, and though their effects are very different from the issues associated with DWP’s water exports, they have important long-term implications for stream health.  Mono Lake’s three largest tributary streams—Rush, Lee Vining, and Mill creeks—are invaluable ecological and recreational resources. Flowing from alpine and subalpine headwaters through mixed conifer and pinyon-juniper woodlands to create expansive riparian and meadow habitats in their bottomlands and deltas at the shores of Mono Lake, these streams serve as desert oases that sustain a rich diversity of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Each creek also has hydropower projects owned and operated by Southern California Edison (SCE) and all three projects are undergoing federal hydro relicensing. … ”  Read more from the Mono Lake Committee.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Legislators, residents gather at Castaic church over landfill concerns

“A handful of residents shared how a “dream home” in either Castaic or Val Verde had become a nightmare – thanks to the ongoing pollution problems at Chiquita Canyon Landfill – at a news conference Friday inside Castaic Community AME Church.  As Castaic resident Darcy Stinson, a disabled veteran, talked about the “horror story” his neighborhood had become and described his battle with cancer, a 13-year-old boy who lives near the landfill started getting a nosebleed.
Instincts kicked in for Dr. Jasmeet Bains, a family and addiction specialist in Kern County, and one of a half-dozen legislators Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, invited to a landfill tour and news conference that was streamed online.  “I’m a doctor,” Bains, D-Bakersfield, called out, as she hustled away from the assemblage at the front of the church to help Micah Howse in the pews with a tissue, putting pressure on the bridge of his nose.   Along with headaches, sore throats and burning eyes, bloody noses had just been mentioned as a chronic problem in neighborhoods near the landfill. … ” Read more from The Signal.

Malibu residents outraged over utility rate hikes amid power outages and wildfires

“Scrolling through local social media, one sees postings objecting to Southern California Edison billing indignant Malibu customers for days when they were without power during recent fires.  “Did anyone else get their most expensive bill from SCE for the latest billing period, which includes the many days that we were on a generator during the fires and wind events?” Malibuite Carla McClosky queried. “We also received a notice of rate hikes for water — when will something be done to get more water in Malibu?”  Posts by local residents responding to McClosky’s frustrated questions vociferously objected to SCE billing them for days without power in December and January due to fires and mudslides — for many days!  The California Public Utilities Commission has determined that more than $1.6 billion of the $2.7 billion paid to Thomas Fire victims will now be covered by SCE customers. It is the first time in 30 years that the commission has approved such a pass-through assessment. … ”  Read more from the Malibu Times.

Are LA beaches safe after the fires? What to know before heading to the shore

“Beach activities are a quintessential part of Southern California’s lifestyle, but as the warmer weather of spring and summer approaches, beachgoers may be beginning to wonder, are beaches near the wildfire burn zones safe? What about outside of the burn zone?  The answer depends on what beach one is visiting, whether or not there has been recent rain and the progress made in debris clearance.  Environmental nonprofit group Heal the Bay has been conducting tests at various beaches in the burn zone since the fires began and is beginning to get results that will lead to answers and data about the safety of beaches following the fire.  “It’s not as bad as we were sort of bracing ourselves for, but there are a lot of things that are elevated and some of them do potentially pose a human health risk,” said Annelisa Moe, associate director of science and policy at Heal the Bay. “A lot of them are more about what the long-term impacts to the coastal marine life are going to be.” … ”  Read more from the Daily News.

Rare look inside underground aqueduct in San Jacinto built almost 100 years ago entirely by hand

“Eyewitness News was given a rare look inside the engineering marvel, which was the largest public works project in Southern California during the Great Depression, while it’s shut down for its annual maintenance.  It’s the final leg of the massive Colorado River Aqueduct: the 13-mile-long San Jacinto tunnel, bringing up to 1,700 cubic feet of water per second underneath one of Southern California’s tallest mountains.  “When you come to constructing a tunnel like this, through 13 miles of granite rock that was leaking water as they were mining, it was certainly a challenge for those folks,” said John Bednarksi, the assistant general manager of water resources and technical services for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. … ”  Read more from Channel 7.

Sewage spill forces beach closures in Long Beach

“A sewage spill temporarily has closed all open coastal swimming areas in Long Beach.  The spill started in Rowland Heights when a main sewer line overflowed because of grease accumulation.  The spill involves 10,500 gallons of sewage, which will likely contaminate the ocean water in Long beach through the San Gabriel River.  “Water from the San Gabriel River connects to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, which means pollution anywhere upriver can affect the coastal waters and other waterways in the city,” city officials said in a news release. … ”  Read more from NBC 4.

Metropolitan gives boost to Orange County stormwater capture project

“Metropolitan Water District is funding a new innovative stormwater capture project that will recharge the Orange County Aquifer and help water managers understand the benefits of stormwater capture, under an agreement approved this week by the district’s board of directors.   The contract with the city of Anaheim provides $980,000 for the State College Stormwater Tank Project, which will capture stormwater runoff and direct it into repurposed wastewater pipes beneath State College Boulevard in Anaheim, across from Angel Stadium. The water will be cleaned and filtered before being sent back into the Orange County Aquifer, providing a valuable source of local groundwater for the region.  “This project is just one more example showing the transformation of Metropolitan – in addition to importing water, we’re taking measures to adapt to the changing climate through local actions like studying the benefits of stormwater capture,” said Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. “With the help of our local agencies, we are working to find creative, local and other sustainable solutions to ensure our region has the water it needs for years to come.” … ”  Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.

SAN DIEGO

San Diego Coastkeeper sues SeaWorld; issues report on Mission Bay’s water quality

“San Diego Coastkeeper’s first annual report on Mission Bay’s water quality shows persistently high levels of bacteria, copper, and phosphorus in both dry and wet weather, often at levels exceeding safe state water quality standards for public recreation and a healthy aquatic ecosystem.  Environmental nonprofit San Diego Coastkeeper advocates for clean water and to protect and restore swimmable, drinkable, fishable waters throughout San Diego County. The environmental watchdog’s initial 2024 Mission Bay Water Quality Monitoring Report summarizes a year of monthly water monitoring data at locations around Mission Bay. It cites aging stormwater and leaking wastewater infrastructure as likely sources of bacterial contamination while noting that multiple sources could cause high levels of copper and phosphorus.  High levels of pollutants, such as fecal bacteria, can lead to chronic health risks for people recreating in and on the water, as well as marine species that depend on a clean bay. … ”  Read more from San Diego News.

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Along the Colorado River …

California, Arizona and Nevada all agree: The Trump administration needs to fix a key Colorado River dam

“Representatives of California, Arizona and Nevada are urging the Trump administration to take a different approach in confronting the problems of the water-starved Colorado River.  As Trump’s appointees inherit the task of writing new rules for dealing with the river’s chronic water shortages, the three states are raising several concerns they want to see addressed. One of their top asks: consider fixing or overhauling Glen Canyon Dam.  The infrastructure problems at the dam in northern Arizona have come into focus over the last few years. If the levels of Lake Powell continue to decline and reach critically low levels, water could be released only through four 8-foot-wide steel tubes, potentially limiting how much could pass downstream to the three states and Mexico. … ”  Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.

Why Trump is already worrying the people in charge of the Colorado River

“President Donald Trump’s first month in office has worried federal and state officials alike tasked with overseeing the West’s all-important water supply.  The Bureau of Reclamation — the federal agency tasked with managing America’s largest dams, including Hoover and Glen Canyon on the Colorado River — is facing as much as a 40% staff cut, although the final number could be lower, three people familiar with the matter told CNN. And the agency still doesn’t have a nominee for the commissioner to lead it.  Trump’s early actions, from staff cuts to directly ordering the US Army Corps of Engineers to open two California dams, have led to concerns over the stability of water management in the region.  The administration’s pause on federal grants for water cuts, which have since been reinstated, threw a wrench into negotiations between seven Western states on how to divvy up a dwindling and overused Colorado River – negotiations managed by Reclamation with critical deadlines approaching. … ”  Read more from CNN.

Could the battle over the Colorado River flow to the Supreme Court?

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In national water news this weekend …

Grants to clean up drinking water in red states could get axed under Trump

“Grant recipients across the country are holding their breath as the Environmental Protection Agency reviews scores of “environmental justice” grants, calling into question the future of projects meant to provide clean drinking water and disaster shelters to underserved communities — some of which are in Republican districts. At the direction of President Donald Trump, the EPA has targeted billions of dollars in grants for termination and confirmed this week that the agency will shutter the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, created under the George H.W. Bush administration.  Under special scrutiny is the office’s Community Change Grants Program, a pool of about $2 billion from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at helping communities prepare for natural disasters and generally improve environmental conditions. … ”  Read more from the Washington Post.

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