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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. This meeting will consist of open session to hear policy statements by interested persons and may include closed session to deliberate on procedural or substantive decisions, in the Delta Conveyance Project change in point of diversion proceeding. This meeting may also include closed session to deliberate on procedural or substantive decisions in the proceeding on the Sites Reservoir project water right hearing. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. The meeting will be hybrid to allow policy statements to be heard in person (with the option to participate by Zoom Webinar). Information on how to submit a policy statement is here. Click here for the revised meeting notice.
In California water news today …
The pilots chasing ‘sky rivers’ and cyclones from Japan to the US
“It was an early morning in February, and Capt Nate Wordal, a storm-hunting US Air Force pilot, was flying out of Yokota Air Base west of Tokyo. After fighting some turbulence coming off Mount Fuji, he was headed for the vast, blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean. His destination: a type of storm known as an atmospheric river, which was developing off the coast of Japan. Atmospheric rivers are invisible ribbons of water vapour in the sky. The ones Capt Wordal was hunting form in the Pacific Ocean then travel eastwards to the US West Coast. When they hit the coast and flow up the mountains, the vapour cools, turns into rain or snow and is dumped on the ground – where it can bring devastating floods and avalanches. But the “sky rivers” also bring benefits, and are vital for preventing droughts: in California, they contribute up to 50% of annual rain and snow in just a few days each year. They occur in winter – which for storm-chasing pilots like Capt Wordal, adds another job after the summer hurricane season. “Our main mission during the year is hurricane hunting,” says Capt Wordal, a hurricane hunter with the Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. … ” Read more from the BBC.
Managing California’s scarce water resources
“Over the last decade, California has faced droughts, wildfires, and rising temperatures that all underscore the importance of carefully managing the surface and groundwater that irrigates more than 9 million acres of California farmland and supplies water to 40 million Californians. In a new special issue of ARE Update, the authors assess the current impacts of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), analyze competition for scarce water allocations throughout the Colorado River Basin and the successes of federal water conservation projects in the basin, and consider how the history of tribal water rights for surface water in California differs from that of other western states, with implications for future groundwater policy. In September 2014, SGMA was enacted with a strict timeline for developing regionally specific plans to achieve sustainable groundwater extraction by 2040. Yet, despite SGMA’s goal to reduce groundwater overdraft, there was a spike in new well drilling right after its enactment. And, since SGMA passed in 2014, there has been a 50% increase in thirsty perennial crops, which cannot be fallowed in times of drought. … ” Read more from the ARE update.
Conservation, tribal groups notify State Water Board: Trump’s Bureau of Reclamation is not a reliable partner, and is pushing the Bay’s endangered fish to extinction
“A coalition of eight organizations today alerted the California Water Resources Control Board that the federal Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation)—an agency under the Department of the Interior—has repeatedly exceeded water diversion limits set by recent federal and state endangered species act permits. Some of these provisions are intended to implement voluntary water use agreements that Governor Newsom has negotiated with water districts that serve cities, as well as massive industrial agricultural operations in the Central Valley (Voluntary Agreements). These Voluntary Agreements are roundly opposed by environmental, Tribal, fishing, and human rights advocates. “There’s no scientific basis to suggest that Governor Newsom’s Voluntary Agreements would work in the first place,” said Baykeeper managing attorney Eric Buescher. “The Water Board is currently faced with a flawed water management plan that’s made worse by an unreliable partner federal agency that serially refuses to obey the legal requirements it previously agreed were necessary to avoid harming endangered species.” … ” Continue reading this press release from SF Baykeeper.
SEE ALSO: On Endangered Species Day, Groups Tell CA Water Board Feds Are ‘Unreliable Partners’, from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos
Lake Oroville: Officials celebrate as critical water source hits unprecedented milestone: ‘An important benchmark’
Nick Shockey / DWR
“In a state often struggling with water scarcity and record-breaking droughts, a promising milestone is being reached in Northern California. Lake Oroville is expected to reach its full capacity of 900 feet this spring, fueled by robust snowmelt from California’s northern mountains, according to Newsweek. Despite less snow than in the past two years, consistent winter storms and a healthy snowpack in the northern Sierra have kept the state’s major reservoirs performing above average. “Lake Oroville is likely to reach full capacity this year,” a California Department of Water Resources spokesperson told Newsweek. “This will be the first time the reservoir has reached full capacity three years in a row.” … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
San Joaquin County leaders push back on Newsom’s proposal to fast-track $20B Delta tunnel
“Elected officials and advocacy groups in San Joaquin County are sounding the alarm after Gov. Gavin Newsom called for fast-tracking the Delta Conveyance Project. The $20 billion project would divert water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and send it south. Critics warn it could drain water needed for agriculture in the Central Valley and harm Delta smelt, Chinook salmon and other imperiled fish. “This $20 billion boondoggle won’t create a single drop of water for anyone, yet Sacramento is doing everything they can — including ducking the law — to force its destructive effects and ballooning costs on Delta families,” U.S. Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, said in a statement. “The Delta tunnel is a direct attack on the region’s economy, and it’s clear that politicians care more about lawns in Beverly Hills than protecting the fruit and nut basket of the world.” … ” Read more from the Stockton Record.
SEE ALSO:
- MWDOC supports Governor Newsom’s proposal to streamline Delta Conveyance Project approvals, from MWDOC
- SCV Water Board | Support for Streamlined Delta Conveyance Project Approvals, from SCV News
U.S. hydropower generation expected to rise in 2025 following last year’s relative low
“We expect U.S. hydropower generation will increase by 7.5% in 2025 but will remain 2.4% below the 10-year average in our May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). Hydropower generation in 2024 fell to 241 billion kilowatthours (BkWh), the lowest since at least 2010; in 2025, we expect generation will be 259.1 BkWh. This amount of generation would represent 6% of the electricity generation in the country. About half of the hydropower generating capacity in the country is in the western states of Washington, Oregon, and California, so we closely monitor precipitation patterns in this region to inform our hydropower outlook. Precipitation conditions have been mixed across the western United States since October. According to the WestWide Drought Tracker, more precipitation than normal has fallen in northern California, Oregon, and the eastern half of Washington state. Some areas in southeastern Oregon received record precipitation between October 2024 and April 2025. In contrast, precipitation was below normal in parts of Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Southern California. … ” Read more from the Energy Information Administration.
Drinking water, select foods linked to PFAS in California adults
“While concentrations of older “forever” chemicals appear to have decreased in many foods over the last two decades, a new study found that drinking water, along with seafood, eggs, and brown rice, still contribute to PFAS exposure in adults. More attention is needed to newer, replacement PFAS. Food has long been considered a major source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large class of long-lasting chemicals used in industry, consumer products, and found in the environment that are hazardous to human health. A new study led by School of Public Health researchers reveals that PFAS exposure through food appears to have declined among adults over the last two decades—but drinking water remains an important source of these chemicals. Published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the study examined associations between diet, drinking water, and “legacy” PFAS—chemicals that were phased out of production in the US in the 2000s—with blood samples from California residents. … ” Read more from Water Online.
SEE ALSO: Experts raise concerns over EPA weakening protections against ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water, from ABC 7
Board stops California toxic waste regulators from weakening a hazardous waste rule
“California shouldn’t weaken hazardous waste rules to allow local landfills to accept toxic dirt that currently goes to two specialized disposal sites in the Central Valley and hazardous facilities in other states, the state Board of Environmental Safety voted Thursday. The vote went against a proposal by the Department of Toxic Substances Control that had prompted fierce opposition from environmental groups. “I think they have been really listening to the community,” said Melissa Bumstead with the advocacy group Parents Against the Santa Susana Field Lab. California’s hazardous waste laws are stricter than the federal government’s, and the state has long transported much of the waste it considers hazardous to other states with more lenient rules. … ” Read more from NBC 4.
‘Dangerous or even deadly’: Some Calif. weather service offices won’t be open 24 hours
“As summer heat waves and peak wildfire season loom in California, several of the state’s National Weather Service offices won’t have 24-hour staffing for weather alerts, reports said. The offices that will scale back their operations are Sacramento and Hanford, which cover forecasts through a large part of the Central Valley, from Redding to Bakersfield, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.) In a statement to SFGATE, the weather service didn’t provide specific details but confirmed that multiple offices temporarily won’t operate 24 hours per day. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: Where local forecast offices no longer monitor weather around-the-clock, from the Washington Post
Here’s where California is most at risk of fire during season’s first red flag warning
“A red flag warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday through 8 p.m. Monday across the Sacramento Valley, northern San Joaquin Valley, and the eastern interior East Bay, where a combination of dry air and gusty winds is expected to create critical fire weather conditions. Winds will turn more northerly and ramp up through the day Sunday, with sustained speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts reaching 35 mph, especially along Interstate 5. That northerly shift will act as an offshore wind across the Central Valley and parts of the East Bay, accelerating the drying of the air mass. Relative humidity levels will fall into the 15% to 25% range during the day, with limited recovery overnight, especially in the hills and interior valleys. That combination of gusty winds and dry air is driving the heightened fire weather risk across the region. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Trump wants to let chain saws loose in California national forests. Here’s how it could go
“The Trump administration is calling in the chain saws at scores of national forests, including the 18 in California, hoping to ramp up timber production in places that millions of Americans visit each year. But the effort will only get so far. Despite fears of vicious clear-cutting, forestry experts say too many things are working against today’s timber trade to expect a vast expansion of logging, especially in California, whether it’s the forests around Lake Tahoe, near Yosemite or at Big Sur. For starters, the industry has lost capacity to process wood. There are also issues with the trees, which have been degraded by wildfires and drought or set aside for protection. Additionally, recent federal staffing cuts are likely to hobble the Forest Service’s ability to prepare logging contracts. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
With its climate progress under assault, California takes up a multipronged defense
“Less than six months into his second term as president, Donald Trump has initiated or proposed more than 150 actions that experts say are detrimental to the environment, which range from cancelling climate grant programs to loosening regulations that govern air and water quality. Many of these actions have been part of the president’s larger goals of reining in government spending, increasing energy independence and restructuring federal agencies. But some also appear to target one state in particular: California. Long known as a nationwide leader in climate and environmental policy, the Golden State has been in Trump’s crosshairs since his first administration, when he sparred with Gov. Gavin Newsom over issues such as forest and water-supply management. In recent months, Trump has escalated his California-specific efforts, including vowing to block the state’s ability to set strict tailpipe emission standards — a battle that has wound all the way up to the Senate. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In commentary today …
Legislature should reject governor’s plan to fast-track Delta tunnel project
“The farmland in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta area contains some of the richest soil in the nation. In fact, more than 80% of Delta farmland is classified as “prime” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — considered the most fertile in California. But a substantial portion of that prime Delta farmland and the historic and cultural resources surrounding it are now facing a serious threat, because Gov. Gavin Newsom is plowing ahead with his plan to construct a costly and destructive water tunnel directly through the heart of the Delta. On May 14, the governor proposed to fast-track the tunnel project via the 2025-26 state budget. The governor is proposing to greatly streamline environmental and judicial reviews of the tunnel project and allow the Department of Water Resources to issue whatever massive amount of bond debt is required to pay for the tunnel, which is currently estimated to cost at least $20 billion. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Sacramento green gods: Delta expendable in their windmill tilting greenhouse gas battle
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “Sacramento is preparing to press the delete button when it comes to the viability of the Delta. The proof is in the “fast facts” sheet devised by the Department of Water Resources to “educate” the public on the need for the Delta Conveyance Project. The sheet brags how the low-balled $20 billion project is “designed to withstand (a) 200-year flood event on top of (a) 10.2 feet of sea level rise.” The problem is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as it now exists won’t withstand either of those two events. Events, by the way, Sacramento has been pounding into our collective heads that are the direct result of climate change caused by greenhouse gas generated by mankind. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin.
Why California is completely nuts in terms of agribusiness
Kurt Snibbe writes, “There are many reasons people may think we’re nuts to live in California, not least of which is having not just one state nut but four. Since Saturday, May 17 is National Walnut Day, we’re shelling out the details on California’s walnut, almond, pistachio and pecan production. California’s nut farms are a large part of its agricultural economy. Those farms grow 80% of the world’s almonds and 75% of the world’s walnuts. In addition, 98% of pistachios in the U.S. are grown here. Although pecans are a small portion of California’s nut industry, it is the only major commercial nut here that is native to the U.S., which is why lobbyists fought to add it to the list in 2017. Despite official recognition as state nuts, the four are not technically nuts. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath: Officials give major update following ‘biblical’ winter conditions: ‘A full and successful water year’
“April showers might bring May flowers, but in Northern California, stormy winters bring springtime fish and agricultural prosperity. The Klamath Basin has been stuck in heavy drought for many years, but a stormy winter — one so intense that a county official described it as “biblical” — finally helped replenish the water supply, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. “After eight years of dry hydrologic conditions and regulatory challenges, the Klamath Project water users are poised to have a full and successful water year,” Adam Nickels, acting regional director with the area’s Bureau of Reclamation, said in a statement. The wet weather served as a final push toward full replenishment, in addition to ongoing restoration work that the federal government had been undertaking with the region’s tribes and water users. Their work reconnected wetlands in Oregon with the Upper Klamath Lake and removed four dams to return the river to its natural flow. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
New access sites open on undammed Klamath River. Just beware the white water
“New public access sites have opened along the post-dam Klamath River, allowing opportunities to enjoy the free-flowing river. The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed last year along the Klamath River. Proponents wanted the dams gone to restore native salmon populations and important cultural sites for the Shasta Indian Nation. But the undamming project has also added new recreational opportunities on the free-flowing river. Three sites opened this week in Oregon and California, where visitors can put in boats, part of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation’s recreation plan. American Whitewater, a recreation advocacy group, has helped with the process. … ” Read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Klamath irrigators applaud new guidance on Endangered Species Act
“The U.S. Department of the Interior updated its legal guidance regarding the Endangered Species Act in the Klamath Project, saying federal actions regarding the storage, diversion and delivery of water for irrigation are mandatory, not discretionary. The guidance represents a significant change in policy in favor of irrigators. The ESA only applies to discretionary matters and the Bureau of Reclamation can’t alter its performance to the detriment of those with water contracts such as local farmers, according to a May 14 memo from Gregory Zerzan, the department’s acting solicitor. … ” Read more from the Capital Press.
Mendocino officials brace for PG&E’s abadonment of the Potter Valley Project
“At its May 8 meeting, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC) focused once again on PG&E’s planned withdrawal from the Potter Valley Project and the region’s efforts to secure long-term water supplies. Central to the discussion was the New Eel Russian Facility (NERF), a proposed infrastructure project that would maintain Eel River water diversions into the Russian River after PG&E’s exit. The IWPC, a joint powers authority composed of five local agencies—the County of Mendocino, the Redwood Valley County Water District, the City of Ukiah, the Potter Valley Irrigation District, and the Russian River Flood Control and Water Conservation Improvement District—continues to work in partnership with Sonoma County and Sonoma Water through the Eel Russian Project Authority (ERPA). ERPA is leading negotiations with PG&E and planning for the construction of NERF. … ” Read more from MendoFever.
May 28 town hall to discuss Lake Pillsbury, Potter Valley Project dams
“A town hall set for next week will bring together leaders from around the North Coast to discuss the potential decommissioning of the dams in the Potter Valley Project and the impact on Lake Pillsbury. The Lake County Chamber of Commerce will host the town hall from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Soper Reese Theater, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport. Everyone concerned about the future of Lake Pillsbury and the decommissioning of the dams — from residents to business owners — is encouraged to attend. Panelists will include Lake County supervisors E.J. Crandell and Bruno Sabatier; Carol Cinquini and Frank Lynch of the Lake Pillsbury Alliance; Lake Pillsbury Fire Chief Larry Thompson; Frost Pauli of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau; and Cloverdale Mayor Todd Lands. … ” Read more from the Lake County News.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
CA Rice Commission: Pesticide use and water quality monitoring
“Mid-May is the typical 50% plant date for rice in the Sacramento Valley. As such, it is also the month for pre-emergence pesticide application and thus a critical time for water quality results. Early monitoring results for the Rice Pesticide Program (RPP) from late April were non-detect. Remember to strictly follow label and county requirements, including water holds, for thiobencarb applications. In addition, regularly inspect levees and fields for seepage around boxes and discharge canals. We anticipate higher acreage treated this year compared to last year. The water quality monitoring under the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) began in early May. The WDR program has expanded monitoring parameters in the 2025 “assessment” year, which includes an expanded number of sample locations (7 total), additional water quality constituents and water and sediment toxicity. … ” Read more from the California Rice Commission.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
The world’s largest winery is threatening Fresno drinking water, city officials say
“A California winery was served with a cease-and-desist letter after inspectors found that “excessive rates” of wastewater produced by the winery threatened Fresno drinking water due to high levels of toxic chemicals, records show.Early this month, the Central Valley Water Regional Quality Control Board issued E. & J. Gallo Winery a cease-and-desist after the winery violated groundwater limitations set by water regulators, the Fresno Bee reported Thursday. The letter, which was reviewed by SFGATE, capped wastewater discharges at Gallo’s Fresno winery at 5610 East Olive Ave. at no more than 54.2 million gallons per year. But records show that the winery disposed 400 million gallons of treated and untreated wastewater on its property annually. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SEE ALSO: Report: Gallo faces scrutiny over wastewater disposal at Fresno winery, from the SJV Sun
Could a rare rat’s comeback benefit Valley farmers?
“Could giant piles of sticks near the San Joaquin River hold the key to solving the ongoing black rat problem in California’s orchards? That’s not a leap biologists are quite ready to make, but current efforts to restore land near the San Joaquin River near Modesto could help the near-extinct riparian woodrat population rebound. The woodrat is a direct competitor to the problematic black rat that’s been chewing through irrigation lines and electrical wires and damaging trees in orchards across the San Joaquin Valley. Biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Stanislaus State’s Endangered Species Recovery Program and River Partners recently conducted camera trap studies at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge and Caswell State Memorial Park near Modesto with the hope of capturing photos of the elusive woodrat. “They have lush, fluffy fur, large ears and a thick blunted tail,” said Jaime Rudd, Director of the Endangered Species Recovery Program. “They’re the chinchilla of rats.” … ” Read more from River Partners.
CA regulation to reduce groundwater pumping, could trigger more dust storms
“Dust is becoming more visible in our daily lives. A Fresno allergy, asthma and sinus specialist says he’s seeing more patients complaining about dust. Now a study by a UC Merced assistant professor shows fallowed farmlands dominate man made dust sources in California. Last November, an endless wave of dust, rolled through Central California. The intense dust storm called haboob triggered a number of crashes on Valley highways. … ” Read more from Fox 26.
EASTERN SIERRA
LADWP releases Mono Basin Annual Operations Plan
“Today, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) released its Annual Operations Plan (AOP) for the Mono Basin’s 2025-2026 runoff year. The AOP sets forth how LADWP will manage water exports and stream releases in accordance with supply conditions, environmental priorities, and its amended water rights licenses. It is a critical tool for ensuring the City of Los Angeles continues to advance its environmental stewardship goals while meeting the water supply and storage needs of Los Angeles. “The Eastern Sierra is a vital part of Los Angeles’ water system,” said Anselmo Collins, Senior Assistant General Manager, Water Systems at LADWP. “We are committed to being good stewards of this important resource and maintaining a careful balance between fulfilling the needs of the almost four million residents of Los Angeles and protecting the local environment. Our Annual Operations Plan reflects this careful balance.” … ” Read more from the LADWP.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Nearly half of Pasadena Unified schools have contaminated soil, district finds
“Eleven of the 23 Pasadena Unified School District schools, where students have been back on campus since January, have contaminated soil following the Eaton fire, the district found. Over 40% of the schools had lead at levels exceeding the state’s health-based limits for residential soil, and over 20% had arsenic levels beyond what L.A. County considers acceptable, according to the results released Wednesday. The district found lead at over three times the state’s allowable limit of 80 milligrams per kilogram of soil next to Blair High School’s tennis courts and over double the limit at four elementary schools. Lead, when inhaled through dust or ingested from dirt-covered hands, can cause permanent brain and nerve damage in children, resulting in slowed development and behavioral issues. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Months after the fires, how safe is it to swim at L.A.’s beaches?
“It seems like a straightforward question: Do the tons of toxic material the Los Angeles County fires sent spewing into the ocean pose an ongoing threat to human health? For nearly five months, public agencies, advocacy groups and scientists have analyzed samples of seawater and sand in an attempt to determine whether January’s catastrophe has made it less safe to swim, surf or sunbathe at the region’s famous beaches. Their collective results point to two broad truths. The first is that neither government agencies nor privately funded groups have found levels of fire-related contamination in sand or ocean water likely to pose health risks to beachgoers. While visible fire debris still occasionally washes up on shore and should be avoided, public health officials and advocates say, there is little evidence of fire-related toxins high enough to sicken visitors through casual recreational exposure. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Run, grunion, run: This South Bay beach will soon be filled with a unique fish
“Some people don’t think miracles happen, but in the case of the grunion — a small fish exclusive to Southern California beaches — the way it reproduces is nothing short of it. The California grunion may be an ordinary-looking silver fish, only six to eight inches long. But what makes them unique is that they’re one of the only fish that come out of the water to dig in the sand and lay their eggs. But, no, they don’t walk or flop out of the water, Jim DePompei, Programs Director of the Cabrillo Beach Aquarium, told Patch. “They’re in tune with the moon cycles,” DePompei explained. “Around new moons and full moons, tides are extremely high or extremely low. They will come up right after a new moon or a full moon, so they’ll be able to ride the swash zone. They ride that surf as far up the beach as they can.” … ” Read more from The Patch.
Coastal Commission sent notice to Hotel Laguna for obstructing public beach
“Tourist Mackenzie Effing found a sliver of sand just south of Main Beach in Laguna Beach on a recent day, the waves inching up toward her towels and chairs as the tide came in. Behind her, in front of Hotel Laguna, was a section of beach with a small berm built up, more than a dozen signs reading “Laguna Beach Club” and white lounge chairs set out. “I always assumed they were for guests that stayed there, but every time we come in the last six years – and we come a couple times a year — it’s always empty,” said Effing, visiting from Arizona. The California Coastal Commission has sent Hotel Laguna operators “notice of violation” letter about the set up on the beach, warning that building up a sand berm, putting up signage and empty lounge chairs creates an illusion of a private beach on areas of public land, and without proper permitting is a violation of the California Coastal Act, a law passed in 1976 that aims to protect California’s public beaches. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
Diapers, concrete and acres of construction debris — how illegal dumping in the desert got so bad
“Drive along one of the Antelope Valley’s long, open roads and you’ll see wood chip-covered berms rising from the flat desert landscape. Some piles are taller than single-story homes and stretch for more than a half mile. Inside those piles you’ll find more than wood: thermometers, tampons, electronics, street signs, and bits and pieces of dismantled buildings. “If we took one wheelbarrow full of this and put it in a yard in L.A., anywhere, it would be a $500 ticket,” Frank Lloyd, an Antelope Valley property owner, said at a community meeting last year. The problem goes well beyond one wheelbarrow. “Now we have hundreds of thousands of tons,” said Lloyd, who added that the community has been complaining to L.A. County officials for at least seven years. “We’re killing our environment.” … ” Read more from the LAist.
Chino water treatment plant hinges on federal loans
“A water treatment plant approved by the Chino City Council five years ago as a capital improvement project and still not built, may be cancelled if the city does not receive $50 million in federal loans. The city has already spent almost $2 million for design services and at least $1 million for construction management services. The “State Street” water treatment facility, projected to cost $58 million, is proposed for 10762 Benson Ave., a city-owned site located south of State Street in Ontario. The facility would remove the chemical 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) from the groundwater and treat other chemicals such as nitrates. The facility would also allow two contaminated wells to be rehabilitated and put back in service to help meet the water demands of northern Chino, according to officials. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
SAN DIEGO
EPA administrator talks about Tijuana sewage crisis before congressional committee
“EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin spoke about the Tijuana sewage crisis during his testimony in front of the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday. In his testimony, Zeldin was adamant that he’s ready to pressure Mexico to get a handle on the issue. ABC 10News was there last month when Zeldin toured the area and met with officials on both sides of the border. The EPA administrator told the congressional committee Mexico has agreed to do a lot, but not enough to fully deal with the problem. “If they’re only willing to agree to an 80% solution, well we’re not there yet, and we’re going to have to use other tactics to get a 100% solution done because the Americans on our side of the border… They’re fed up and they don’t want a 90% solution. They want a 100% solution.” … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Mead speedboat reemerges as water levels fall
“A sunken speedboat has resurfaced from Lake Mead, highlighting ongoing water declines and persistent drought warnings for the Southwest. The vessel, visible above the lake’s surface for the first time since 2022, comes amid repeated warnings about dwindling levels at the vital reservoir. Lake Mead is a vital water source for millions of people across Nevada, Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico. Its declining levels could potentially jeopardize municipal water supplies, agricultural irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. On Thursday, Las Vegas news station KLAS reported that the boat was protruding roughly eight feet above the lake’s surface. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Editorial: Carbon, crops for cows and the Colorado River
The Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial board writes, “It’s often easier to blame something you can’t control than confront a problem you can. That certainly applies to the Colorado River. As summer begins, it’s time for another panic session about Lake Mead’s water level. There is reason to be concerned. The bathtub ring remains distinct. The lake is just 33 percent full, with a water level around 1,060 feet. That’s about 20 feet above the record low level of 1,040 feet recorded in July 2022. Las Vegas will continue to receive water from the lake because of the “third straw” intake pipe. The snowpack in the Rocky Mountains was below average this year. Scientists now predict the runoff into Lake Powell, which feeds Lake Mead, will be just 55 percent of an average year. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
EPA transfers carbon injection well oversight to Arizona amid growing safety concerns
“Arizona will have total control over regulation of underground wells to store carbon captured from industrial facilities, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday, even as environmental groups have been urging the EPA to halt approvals of the wells. Underground injection wells, often referred to as carbon injection wells, are viewed by some as a way to store carbon dioxide in the earth — but in liquid form instead of the gas that is a driving force behind climate change. However, the largely untested technology hasn’t been deployed without its problems, including one pipeline rupture that caused evacuations and leaks at wells in Illinois that have raised concerns over possible future water contamination. And carbon dioxide wells in Texas are expected to cause more earthquakes, blowouts and other geological issues. … ” Read more from the Arizona Mirror.
SEE ALSO: Arizona to take charge of regulating wells used to inject water back into the ground, from Arizona Central
New rules for using purified wastewater give Arizona cities more options
“With dwindling water supplies, cities throughout Arizona are exploring multiple ways to meet residents’ water needs. In March, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality gave municipalities a new tool: Wastewater treated by advanced purification can now flow directly from local water systems into residents’ taps. For years, cities have used advanced purified water as an indirect potable source, recharging it into aquifers or other water supplies, and later extracting it for purification and human consumption. The new regulations enable cities to use advanced purified water immediately for direct consumption. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
Trump’s budget proposes cutting $600M from Utah’s biggest water project. No one knows, or will say, what that means.
“The White House wants to cut funding for the project that delivers Colorado River water to millions on the Wasatch Front — but no one will say what those cuts would entail. Tucked 28 pages into President Donald Trump’s budget recommendations for next year, released May 2, was a proposed funding cut to the Central Utah Project to the tune of $609 million. Congress must approve the final budget. The Central Utah Project is “the largest and most complex water resources development project” in the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The project is a complicated system of reservoirs and pipelines that bring water from the Colorado River system to the Wasatch Front for irrigation, municipal and industrial uses, supporting the region’s rapid growth. It also provides opportunities for recreation, water conservation and fish and wildlife protection. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
In national water news today …
Ruling in San Francisco v. EPA a victory for clean water?
“A March decision by the Supreme Court in a Clean Water Act case drew a mix of reactions from the water sector, with some saying the ruling could have implications for the future quality of U.S. water bodies. The Supreme Court ruling of mention was the case, City and County of San Francisco v. EPA. The case challenged the ability of EPA and states with delegated Clean Water Act programs to impose what the industry called “vague” narrative standards in discharge permits issued for sewer overflows. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), which represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide, said it supports the decision by the Supreme Court, saying it will strike down “vague” language in Clean Water Act permits. … ” Read more from Water Finance & Management.
PFAS regulatory landscape update — the message? Stay tuned.
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced several actions in recent weeks that shed light on the Trump administration’s approach to PFAS regulation. Despite EPA’s significant deregulatory agenda, the “Major EPA Actions to Combat PFAS Contamination” action plan released on April 28, 2025, stops short of fully rolling back Biden-era PFAS policies. In fact, the new action plan makes clear that EPA intends to continue advancing PFAS regulation but perhaps with a more measured approach on timing and attention to the evolving science, remedial technologies and analytical methods, and partnerships with state and local governments and the regulated community. To that end, as indicated by EPA’s actions in recent days, the agency is proposing to extend compliance deadlines to give both EPA and the regulated community more time to adapt, as well as give the agency more time to evaluate the implications on the regulated community. … ” Read more from the Environmental Law Monitor.
Democrats slam ‘utterly partisan’ Army Corps funding plan
“Democrats bashed the Trump administration Friday for cutting funding for water infrastructure in several blue states, calling the move politically motivated. The Army Corps of Engineers has zeroed out of its budget hundreds of millions of dollars for ports, dams and other projects in California, Washington state and Hawaii, while giving projects in some red states a funding boost, according to top Democrats on the House and Senate Appropriations committees. The shuffling of funds was revealed this week in the Army Corps’ work plan for this year. Because of the continuing resolution that Congress passed in March, President Donald Trump has more discretion on spending decisions than would normally be allowed. Among the water projects losing funding is Washington state’s Howard A. Hanson Dam, which was set to receive $500 million to help protect water supplies, reduce floods and restore salmon habitats, said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), vice chair of Senate Appropriations Committee. Similar to other projects whose funding was cut, the dam improvements had been fully funded in the Senate and House appropriations bills last year, she said. … ” Read more from E&E News (sorry, subscription required).
Looking to keep wildlife out of the ‘emergency room,’ states expand managers’ role
“State wildlife agencies have a big job. While the federal government protects animals listed under the Endangered Species Act, states are tasked with keeping the vast majority of other species out of the “emergency room.” Habitat loss, pollution and climate change are making that job much more difficult. At the same time, states are finding it harder to count on the hunting and fishing revenues that have long funded most of their work. Agencies say they have more challenges than ever before, and less money to take them on. In many states, lawmakers are rethinking the long-standing model for wildlife management. They’re considering new funding sources to make the agencies less reliant on license fees. They’re asking wildlife managers to expand their work beyond traditional “game” species, adding protections for threatened insects and other animals. And some are scrutinizing the commissions that have long governed wildlife management. … ” Read more from Stateline.
Trump budget would cut ocean data and leave boaters, anglers and forecasters scrambling for info
“Capt. Ed Enos makes his living as a harbor pilot in Hawaii, clambering aboard arriving ships in the predawn hours and guiding them into port. His world revolves around wind speeds, current strength and wave swells. When Enos is bobbing in dangerous waters in the dark, his cellphone is his lifeline: with a few taps he can access the Integrated Ocean Observing System and pull up the data needed to guide what are essentially floating warehouses safely to the dock. But maybe not for much longer. President Donald Trump wants to eliminate all federal funding for the observing system’s regional operations. Scientists say the cuts could mean the end of efforts to gather real-time data crucial to navigating treacherous harbors, plotting tsunami escape routes and predicting hurricane intensity. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
The U.S. under Trump: alone in its climate denial
“When the Trump administration declared two weeks ago that it would largely disregard the economic cost of climate change as it sets policies and regulations, it was just the latest step in a multipronged effort to erase global warming from the American agenda. But President Trump is doing more than just turning a blind eye to the fact that the planet is growing hotter. He is weakening the country’s capacity to understand global warming and to prepare for its consequences. The administration has dismantled climate research, firing some of the nation’s top scientists, and gutted efforts to chart how fast greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere and what that means for the economy, employment, agriculture, health and other aspects of American society. The government will no longer track major sources of greenhouse gases, data that has been used to measure the scale and identify sources of the problem for the past 15 years. “We’re not doing that climate change, you know, crud, anymore,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told Fox Business on May 8. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Department of Pesticide Regulation Proposes regulations to update its groundwater protection list, identifying the pesticides with potential to pollute groundwater
