Several news sources featured in the Daily Digest may limit the number of articles you can access without a subscription. However, gift articles and open-access links are provided when available. For more open access California water news articles, explore the main page at MavensNotebook.com.
On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Cutting Through the Noise: Federal Impacts on California Priorities and What We’re Doing About It from 12pm to 1pm. Each news cycle brings new twists about how federal cuts, reversals and attacks are impacting us in California: our water supplies, wildfire safety, clean energy buildout, environmental protection, and outdoor access. Amidst these abrupt changes from Washington DC and the uncertainty they bring, state officials are working with partners across the state to protect our people and places. Join us for an important discussion with key leaders across our Agency to learn how the Newsom Administration continues to drive California’s progress during these challenging and unprecedented times. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
Water Supply Strategy update: Adapting to a changing climate
“Climate change is rewriting the rules of our environment, and California is feeling the heat—literally. With temperatures climbing to record-breaking levels both statewide and globally, the impacts are impossible to ignore. At the tail end of the 2020-2022 drought, the Department of Water Resources projected that by 2040, California’s water supply could shrink by 10% due to a thirstier atmosphere, parched landscapes, and a phenomenon known as the “evaporative gap,” where rising temperatures accelerate water loss through evaporation, leaving less to sustain ecosystems, agriculture, and communities. In 2022, the Newsom Administration released the Water Supply Strategy, which focuses on ways to increase water supply and adapt to the more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change. At the June California Water Commission meeting, Anthony Navasero, Drought Coordinator for the Department of Water Resources, and Annalisa Kihara, Assistant Deputy Director of Division of Water Quality at the State Water Board, shared updates on implementing the Water Supply Strategy, highlighting progress in brackish and seawater desalination, advancing groundwater recharge projects, and improving information systems like stream gauges and a new water rights system. …” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
Scientific surveys show continued decline in white sturgeon population
“Recent results from white sturgeon monitoring surveys by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) suggest the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) population has continued to decline. CDFW fisheries biologists now estimate there are approximately 6,500 white sturgeon between 40-60 inches long in California — down sharply from the previous estimate of approximately 30,000 fish in that size range, based on the 2016-2021 survey average. There may be many reasons for the downward trend, including mortality from harmful algal blooms, poaching, past sport fishing harvest and poor river and Delta conditions. In 2024, CDFW implemented a new method for surveying the white sturgeon population in collaboration with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and local sturgeon fishing guides. Surveys take place in the spring and fall from San Pablo Bay to Rio Vista and surrounding areas. The methods are based off white sturgeon surveys conducted in Oregon and Washington and modified for use in California. The study design has been peer-reviewed and is the most robust and comprehensive white sturgeon population monitoring survey ever conducted in California. … ” Continue reading from the Department of Fish & Wildlife.
A nuanced model of soil moisture illuminates plant behavior and climate patterns
“Any home gardener knows they have to tailor their watering regime for different plants. Forgetting to water their flowerbed over the weekend could spell disaster, but the trees will likely be fine. Plants have evolved different strategies to manage their water use, but soil moisture models have mostly neglected this until now. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State University sought a way to move beyond simple on/off models to capture the nuanced ways that plants manage water stress. To this end, they developed a nonlinear model that can observe these behaviors in satellite data. Their methodology, published in Geophysical Research Letters, will improve climate models and inform our own water management strategies. “We found that plants don’t respond to water stress in a simple, straight-line way,” said senior author Kelly Caylor, a professor at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. “Instead, they have dynamic response patterns that reveal whether they’re ‘water spenders’ or ‘water savers.’” … ” Read more from The Current.
Cracking the Rumors: California Almond Board is busting the myth that the crop requires too much water
“Almond growers are looking to bust an age-old myth that the nut requires too much water. Clarice Turner, the President and CEO of California’s Almond Board says rumors start out harmless but hurt family farms. “And that’s the sad part, is that it’s the family farms that are multi-generational who are negatively impacted by this kind of stuff, and I’m pretty sure that the end consumer doesn’t understand that. We’re trying to set the record straight on many, many things, and also continuing to try to help our farmers prosper in the state.” … ” Read more or watch video from RFD-TV.
SEE ALSO: Telling the Story of The Almond Industry, from Ag Info
California updates ballast rules for water from low salinity areas
“As of June 18, 2025, California State Lands Commission requires ships that take in ballast water from low-salinity areas (less than 18 parts per thousand) to treat or exchange that water before releasing it in California’s fresh or brackish waters. As explained, this requirement is in addition to meeting existing California ballast water discharge performance standards. No later than January 1, 2030, the owner or operator of a vessel must comply with the interim California performance standards for the discharge of ballast water. … ” Read more from Safety 4 Sea.
Stantec selected to support California Water Plan
“Stantec announced on July 8, 2025, that it has been selected by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to provide water resource planning and facilitation services to support the California Water Plan Update 2028, a document that serves as the state’s roadmap to set water management priorities in a changing climate. First published in the 1950s and updated every five years, the California Water Plan is the state’s strategic plan to sustainably manage and develop water resources for current and future generations. Required by California Water code Section 10005(a), Update 2028 will describe the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources; water supplies; and agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands for a range of plausible future scenarios. The document guides state and local agencies to sustainably manage water resources in a manner that benefits all water uses and users in California. … ” Read more from Water World.
Warnings ignored: The grim connection between the L.A. wildfires and Texas floods
“Two major climate disasters of 2025 — the Texas flooding that killed more than 100 people and the L.A. wildfires in January that resulted in 30 deaths and wiped out more than 15,000 homes and businesses — highlight the struggles officials face in fully preparing for extreme weather conditions. In both cases, the National Weather Service offered clear warnings of potentially life-threatening weather events; in Los Angeles, warnings were given days before extraordinary winds — of up to 100 mph — slammed a region already suffering from a record-dry fall. Even in Texas, more than a day before catastrophic flooding hit Kerr County, state officials — on July 2 — reiterated the weather service’s warnings that “heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding is anticipated across West Texas and the Hill Country” through the Fourth of July weekend. But for a variety of reasons, those warnings did not filter down with maximum urgency to various local agencies. … ‘ Read more from the LA Times.
California has an idea to counter Trump’s megabill: Roll back environmental laws
“California lawmakers reeling from President Donald Trump’s assault on clean energy are considering a controversial strategy to keep projects on track — slashing environmental permitting further. That plan could intensify a fight between clean energy advocates and environmentalists over the trade-offs between building fast and environmental protection that’s already playing out at home. California officials are scrambling to respond to congressional Republicans’ budget “megabill,” signed into law Friday, which demolishes Biden-era tax credits that incentivize construction of large-scale solar and wind projects, home energy efficiency improvements and electric vehicle purchasing — centerpieces of blue states’ strategies to wean themselves off fossil fuels. … ” Read more from Politico.
In commentary today …
Is California’s water infrastructure ready for climate whiplash?
Edward Ring, Director of Water and Energy Policy at the California Policy Center, writes, “If there is anything that might constitute an overwhelming institutional consensus in California, it’s that we are experiencing climate change, and that one of the consequences will be more rain, less snow, and more so-called whiplash between very wet years and very dry years. In an average year these days, 30 million acre feet of water flows through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But nearly half of that water comes down in the form of a melting Sierra snowpack which in an average year holds 15 million acre feet of water. This snowmelt fills the reservoirs and feeds the rivers from April through June. With climate change, so we’re told, the volume of runoff won’t change. But we’ll get almost all of it in the three months of winter. Do we have a system to handle winter flows into the delta that are twice today’s volume? And if not, for the vast majority who view this scenario as a certainty, why aren’t we building anything? … ” Continue reading this commentary.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Young indigenous kayakers about to complete historic river journey, after ‘largest dam removal in US history’
“Ruby Williams’ birthday was not your average 18th. She celebrated it on the Klamath River, with a group of young people making a historic journey paddling from the river’s headwaters in southern Oregon to its mouth in the Pacific Ocean, just south of Crescent City, California. It marked the first time in a century that the descent has been possible, after the recent removal of four dams allowed the river to flow freely. Williams, together with fellow paddler Keeya Wiki, 17, spoke to CNN on day 15 of their month-long journey, which they are due to complete on Friday. At this point, they had just 141 miles (227 kilometers) of the 310-mile (499 kilometer) journey left to go and had already passed through some of the most challenging rapids, such as those at the “Big Bend” and “Hell’s Corner” sections of the river. … ” Read more from CNN.
Rules limiting runoff and erosion from vineyards coming to North Coast
“Long debated water quality rules for vineyards in California’s North Coast region have been approved. Last month, the North Coast Water Quality Control Board approved what’s called the General Waste Discharge Requirements. … ” Read more from NorCal Public Media.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Major fine for spill that sent 85,000 gallons of sewage into Lake Tahoe
“Caltrans and the North Tahoe Public Utility District agreed to pay an $850,000 settlement after 85,000 gallons of raw sewage gushed into Lake Tahoe last summer. In the aftermath of the sewage spill that began the night of July 18, 2024, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board conducted an investigation and confirmed that the spill was caused by a subcontractor, hired by Caltrans, who punctured a sewer main near Highway 28 in Carnelian Bay. Caltrans was installing a crosswalk with a flashing beacon on Highway 28. A crew was working a night shift when the worker drilled through the sewer pipeline, which runs underneath Highway 28, from Kings Beach to Dollar Hill. Untreated sewage leaked out of the ruptured main, spilled across the highway and pooled in a parking lot at Carnelian West Beach, adjacent to Gar Woods Grill & Pier, a popular restaurant in North Lake Tahoe, while guests were still eating dinner. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
How a fuller Lake Shasta is affecting tourism
“Troy Delany stood near the shore of Lake Shasta on Tuesday, surrounded by nearly 1.2 trillion gallons of water. But the enormous amount of water being stored in California’s largest reservoir wasn’t the first thing on his mind. With the lake gently lapping at his ankles, the fact that 2025 marked the third year in a row that rainfall has filled the lake to above-average capacity also didn’t rate high on his list of important matters. He was focused on things he could see and feel. He had two decent-sized bass on his stringer and on the opposite shore, some 100 yards away, he watched a deer warily amble down to the water’s edge for a sip, her ears twitching at the slightest sound. While Delany appreciated the good fishing and the serenity of the lake spread out before him, business owners around the lake said they were reaping the tourism benefits that a full lake brings. … ” Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight.
PG&E crews removing Inskip Dam in Tehama County
“Pacific Gas & Electric says they are advancing efforts to remove the Inskip Dam, with the full removal anticipated by the Fall of 2025. According to PG&E, the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project aims to modify PG&E’s hydropower facilities in Shasta and Tehama counties to aid the passage of fish like salmon and steelhead. Originally, a fish ladder was planned for the Inskip Dam. However, PG&E later decided the dam would require retrofitting in order to continue operations for several more decades. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
The dirty work of conserving, preserving and environmentalism
“Meet our youngest guest blog writer yet! This week’s blog article comes from Evan Noey, who spent last summer doing the not-so-glamorous work of duck habitat restoration at the Rancho Esquon Duck Hatchery. He’s here to share what he learned, and why the dirty work matters. … As a Boy Scout, I get to have special opportunities working at the Rancho Esquon Duck Hatchery, where I work with a very nice lady named Diane Valentine. Working at the hatchery, I’ve learned so much more about ducks than I knew before, and it’s been very interesting. I’ve even gotten to release ducks on the property. Rancho Esquon covers over a thousand acres of farmland. … ” Read more from Northern California Water Association.
BAY AREA
Notes from the field: Lagunitas Creek Watershed Enhancement Project Field Trip
“On June 12th, Sustainable Conservation staff met with community members and program partners at Lagunitas Creek in Marin County to see the recent improvements to native fish and stream habitat from the first phase of the Lagunitas Creek Watershed Enhancement Project — and to witness the positive impact of simplifying California’s permitting processes to implement restoration projects faster, more affordably, and at scale.The project aims to improve 4,550 linear feet of habitat in the 103-square mile Lagunitas Creek Watershed. For Phase 1A of the restoration project, which wrapped up construction in November of last year, lead agency Marin Water focused on bolstering the creek’s habitat for three of Northern California’s most iconic and beloved protected species: California Central Coast coho salmon, California Coastal steelhead trout, and California freshwater shrimp. The project plan includes the addition of 270 logs and 11,000 tons of gravel to improve spawning and rearing habitat for these protected and endangered species. … ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation.
CENTRAL COAST
Commercial groundwater users in northern San Luis Obispo County could see new fee
“Agricultural and commercial groundwater users in some northern San Luis Obispo County areas may face a new fee in the future. Officials hosted an open house event Wednesday, covering a proposed fee that would apply to agricultural, commercial and “public water system pumpers” in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The local groundwater authority proposing the charge — Paso Robles Area Groundwater Authority — says the fee will fund the implementation of its Groundwater Sustainability Plan and help it meet state groundwater requirements mandated by law. Officials add that the rates will allow the authority to properly manage the groundwater basin and bring it into balance, according to a press release from the groundwater authority. … ” Read more from KSBY.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Restore the Delta wins North Valley THRIVE grant to advance Mormon Slough restoration
“Restore the Delta has been awarded a major grant from North Valley THRIVE’s Catalyst Fund to support the next phase of the Mormon Slough Restoration project, a transformative effort to reconnect Stockton’s communities with their waterways while improving flood protection, environmental health, and economic opportunity. The grant is part of North Valley THRIVE’s Catalyst Fund, which received 72 proposals totaling over $37 million in requests. Restore the Delta’s project is one of just 21 selected to move forward for final approval by Merced College’s Board of Trustees this week. The awarded funds will cover design charrettes for two priority restoration sites and an economic cost-benefit analysis to guide the project’s long-term implementation. … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
Porterville city leader jumps ship to manage new water agency
“A new groundwater sustainability agency that has struggled to get its footing in recent months is on a fresh trajectory with a new general manager. Michael Knight, Porterville assistant city manager, is leaving the city to take the reins as manager of the Porterville Groundwater Sustainability Agency. He also will serve as assistant manager for Porterville Irrigation District. His first day is Aug. 4. The announcement came at the July 8 meeting of the Porterville Irrigation District board of directors, which was held inside its new portable-classroom-turned-boardroom adjacent to the district office. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Metropolitan advances project to help Southern California communities vulnerable in state droughts
“Construction will soon begin on a project to bring additional sources of water to Southern California communities hit particularly hard by the state’s last drought, following a vote by Metropolitan’s board of directors this week. The board voted Tuesday (July 8) to authorize an additional $54 million to complete design and begin construction of the Sepulveda Feeder Pump Stations Project, which will push Colorado River water and stored supplies from Diamond Valley Lake – Southern California’s largest reservoir – into communities that currently have limited access to these resources. These communities rely almost exclusively on water from the northern Sierra, delivered through the State Water Project. “Two years ago, when State Water Project deliveries were severely curtailed because of the record-breaking drought stressing our state, these communities – home to nearly 7 million people – did not have the water they needed to meet demands. Residents and businesses were required to dramatically reduce their water use. In response, our board committed to take immediate action to avoid such water supply shortages in the future,” Metropolitan board Chair Adán Ortega, Jr. said. “Through yesterday’s vote, we are fulfilling that commitment, moving quickly to address this problem.” … ” Read more from the Metropolitan Water District.
‘Misinformation and misrepresentations’: Palisades Fire victims lob new claims against L.A., state agencies
“Smoldering debris left unattended in tinder-dry parkland. Delayed repairs that emptied a critical water reservoir. Power lines kept energized as the blaze expanded. Victims of the Palisades Fire revealed new allegations Wednesday against Los Angeles city agencies and the California Department of Parks and Recreation that a catastrophic chain of mistakes allowed a small New Year’s fire to rekindle on Jan. 7, then left firefighters battling an inferno without sufficient water as power lines sparked new blazes. … The plaintiffs heaped most of the blame on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for decisions that left the fire-prone Pacific Palisades vulnerable to any spark. They claimed the city agency left its power lines energized as the wildfire grew out of control, allowing equipment to fail and spark additional fires. They claimed the city drained the Santa Ynez Reservoir but delayed needed repairs — leaving the critical water source empty when firefighting crews and helicopters might have slowed the fire’s spread. In addition, the plaintiffs claimed the city allowed flammable brush to grow too thick, in violation of city policy. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
31 workers are safe after massive California water tunnel under construction collapses
“Thirty-one workers, aided by rescuers, made it out safely after a stretch of tunnel under construction collapsed in Wilmington on Wednesday night, authorities said. The 31 employees were removed and received medical assessments, but none had visible injuries, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. More than 100 firefighters responded around 8 p.m. near Figueroa Street and Lomita Boulevard, including members of the urban search and rescue team. By 9:15 p.m., all missing persons were removed, Humphrey said. The workplace site is east of the 110 Freeway and north of Pacific Coast Highway. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
SEE ALSO: 31 workers scramble to safety after L.A. tunnel collapse: ‘A very scary evening’, from the LA Times
Over 6,000 pounds of oyster shells recycled from restaurants for marine restoration projects
“Orange County Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper) has successfully diverted more than 6,000 pounds of oyster shells from landfills through its Shells for Shorelines initiative, which partners with local restaurants to reclaim oyster shells for marine restoration projects in Long Beach, Seal Beach, and Newport Beach. “This is the type of program that is a win-win-win for everyone – restaurants are able to reduce food waste, marine biologists can lower program expenses, and the community can get involved in science projects that make an impact locally,” said Garry Brown, president and founder of Orange County Coastkeeper. … ” Read more from the OC Coastkeeper.
Poisoned pelicans fly again after the worst algal bloom in a decade
“A flock of brown pelicans waddled back into the wild on Wednesday morning, survivors of Southern California’s latest toxic algal bloom. This year’s bloom was the deadliest such event since 2015, when thousands of animals were killed along a coastal swath stretching from Central California to Alaska. This year’s intense bloom, which started in January, poisoned the 13 pelicans and many other sea animals in the region, including sea lions that sometimes threatened beachgoers. The pelicans that took off Wednesday had made a full recovery at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach. The release was held just south of the pier, with community members invited to watch. “This is always a special moment — not just for our team and volunteers who worked tirelessly to save these birds, but for the community as well,” said Debbie McGuire, executive director of the wildlife nonprofit. “Watching them take flight is a powerful reminder of why our work matters.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Along the Colorado River …
Climate change and aerosol pollution made drought inevitable in the US Southwest: Study
“The combined effects of climate change and air pollution have led to direct declines in precipitation in the U.S. Southwest, making drought inevitable, a new study has shown. These circumstances, which began taking hold in about 1980, are likely here to stay as the planet warms, according to the study, published on Wednesday in Nature Geoscience. Its authors attributed this decades-long trend toward less precipitation to La Niña-like conditions, weather patterns that lead to cooler surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Even if El Niño-like conditions had prevailed instead, the Southwest would not have experienced a corresponding surge in rainfall, the researchers found. … ” Read more from The Hill.
In the sweltering Southwest, planting solar panels in farmland can help both photovoltaics and crops
““We were getting basil leaves the size of your palm,” University of Arizona researcher Greg Barron-Gafford said, describing some of the benefits he and his team have seen farming under solar panels in the Tucson desert. For 12 years, Barron-Gafford has been investigating agrivoltaics, the integration of solar arrays into working farmland. This practice involves growing crops or other vegetation, such as pollinator-friendly plants, under solar panels, and sometimes grazing livestock in this greenery. Though a relatively new concept, at least 604 agrivoltaic sites have popped up across the United States, according to OpenEI. Researchers like Barron-Gafford think that, in addition to generating carbon-free electricity, agrivoltaics could offer a ray of hope for agriculture in an increasingly hotter and drier Southwest, as the shade created by these systems has been found to decrease irrigation needs and eliminate heat stress on crops. Plus, the cooling effects of growing plants under solar arrays can actually make the panels work better. But challenges remain, including some farmers’ attitudes about the practice and funding difficulties. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Queen Creek releases annual water report, considers first rate hike in years
“The Town of Queen Creek has released its 2024 Annual Water Quality Report and is proposing a 15% water rate increase—the first residential rate adjustment in more than 15 years, according to the Town. The annual report confirms that Queen Creek’s drinking water met or exceeded all federal and state health standards in 2024. “Of the regulated substances tested, all were within allowable levels and no health-based violations were reported,” the Town stated in a June 24 release. Water quality is monitored year-round through chemical and bacteriological testing. Federal law requires community water suppliers to provide annual consumer confidence reports. Queen Creek’s report also outlines ongoing efforts to diversify water sources and reduce reliance on groundwater. According to the Town, all current residential customers have a certificate of a 100-year assured water supply. … ” Read more from City Sun Times.
Utah officials urge water conservation amid persistent drought
“As Utah heads into the hottest months of the year, state officials are urging residents to take water conservation seriously. Despite some southern storms offering brief reprieve, drought conditions remain widespread, with 91% of the state still experiencing moderate to severe drought. “Temperatures have soared, and with that comes a natural increase in outdoor watering,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Resources. “We want our lawns and gardens to look nice, and there are ways to do this through smart planning and new technologies that save water.” Spring brought warmer-than-average temperatures across the state — 2.36 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, based on the 1991-2020 average — and a snowpack that was average to below average in many areas. The result? A shortened and fast-moving runoff season that is already putting pressure on water resources. … ” Read more from the Daily Herald.
Want to drill a well for your home? Some rules in Colorado might surprise you
“Tens of thousands of homes in southeastern Colorado draw water from private wells. They tap into aquifers stressed by drought and growing demand, like in the Denver Basin or San Luis Valley. But the state doesn’t manage residential wells the way you might expect. KRCC’s Shanna Lewis spoke with Colorado Division of Water Resources deputy state engineer Sarah Brucker to find out more about how permits for private residential wells are allocated and managed. Shanna Lewis: Wells on lots that are less than 35 acres in size are likely to be designated for indoor use only. That means no watering a garden or washing a car?Sarah Brucker: In-house use only well permits are intended that the water is only used inside the home for drinking and sanitary purposes and not used outside of the home for any purpose, as minimal as it may seem. So watering a flower pot on your front porch technically would not be allowed with an in-house use only well permit. … ” Read more from Colorado Public Radio.
Zebra mussel larvae spreading fast in Colorado River and nearby lakes on Western Slope
“The Colorado River is now officially “positive” for invasive zebra mussels in the latest failure of containment for the voracious species, after three new samples came up with larvae July 3, from between Glenwood Springs and Silt. The main stem Colorado River discoveries piled on top of a confirmed “large number” of adult zebra mussels in a private body of water in western Eagle County, and two more positive larvae tests, at Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake, both near the Utah border, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said Wednesday. Sampling was redoubled throughout June after tests found a single zebra mussel larvae, or veliger, in the Colorado River from a June 9 collection. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
New report reveals 61% of tested beaches had potentially unsafe contamination in 2024
“As millions of Americans return to the beach this summer, a new report released on July 8, 2025, warns that more work is needed to ensure that all waters are safe for swimming. In 2024, 453 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of days tested, according to the latest Safe for Swimming? report by Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. The new research comes as Congress considers funding for the main federal program to stop sewer overflows. “Enjoying the fresh sea breeze and splash of waves at the beach is a highlight of the summer for many Americans, but pollution still plagues too many of the places where we swim,” said John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment America Research & Policy Center and a co-author of the report, in a press release. “Now is not the time to slash the water infrastructure funding that communities sorely need to stop the flow of nasty bacteria and pollution to our beaches.” … ” Read more from Stormwater Solutions.
Trump’s pick to head NOAA faces senators in the wake of multiple weather-stoked disasters
“After fatal weather-related disasters battered three states over the past week, President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the country’s top weather research agency told lawmakers Wednesday that he supports the administration’s calls to slash its budget—and he failed to directly acknowledge the impact of climate change on extreme weather. The Trump administration tapped Neil Jacobs, a meteorologist from North Carolina, five months ago to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Jacobs held the job in an acting capacity during the first Trump administration. On Wednesday, during a nomination hearing held by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Jacobs faced questions about whether and how he would improve forecasting and climate research as the administration calls for cutting NOAA’s budget by nearly 30 percent. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
NOAA nominee pledges full weather service staffing
“President Donald Trump’s nominee to head NOAA pledged Wednesday to fully staff the National Weather Service, after catastrophic Texas floods triggered a new wave of criticism over the president’s deep cuts across government. Administration critics have wondered whether efforts to reduce the federal workforce and eliminate programs affected the government’s ability to warn residents. The death toll in Texas has surpassed 100 people. “If confirmed, I want to ensure that staffing weather service offices is a top priority,” Neil Jacobs told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “It’s really important for the people to be there, because they have relationships with people in the local community,” he said. “They’re a trusted source.” … ” Read more from Politico.
FERC revises regulations implementing NEPA; Adopts two hydropower-related categorical exclusions
“On July 3, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a final rule revising its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to remove references to the recently rescinded regulations implementing NEPA originally promulgated in 1978 by the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). On the same day, FERC issued an order adopting two categorical exclusions under NEPA for certain hydropower-related activities. NEPA is a procedural statute that requires federal agencies to conduct an environmental review of any major federal action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment. In 1987, FERC added Part 380 to its regulations to implement NEPA requirements. Up until its July 3 final rule, FERC’s regulations had included a number of cross-references to the CEQ NEPA regulations. … ” Read more from Environmental Law & Policy.
The most recent microplastic removal technologies and why they’re important
“Microplastic pollution has grown from an environmental concern to a widespread global issue. These small synthetic particles, measuring less than 5 mm, contaminate rainwater, oceans, soil, and even human blood and organs. Research suggests links between microplastic exposure and various health risks, including inflammation, cardiovascular problems, and developmental issues. Conventional wastewater treatment plants often struggle to fully remove these pollutants, allowing them to re-enter the environment and water supply. This situation has led to increased research focused on developing effective and sustainable removal technologies. These advancements address an important challenge to ecosystem health and human well-being. A promising trend in microplastic remediation uses natural materials for effective water treatment. Researchers are exploring the potential of abundant and non-toxic plant extracts as alternatives to synthetic chemicals. … ” Read more from AZO CleanTech.
Coastal sewage may be hidden source of airborne microplastics
“Published in Scientific Reports, the research examined the theoretical conditions necessary for aerosolisation of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs). The team looked at records over a two-year period for Plymouth Sound, combining data from sewage overflows with same-day and long-term meteorological and satellite data. They found that on 178 days across the two years, sewage spills coincided with winds of at least 6.5m/s, which was deemed the threshold for MNP aerosolisation. Specifically, the conditions for blowing these MNPs back onshore towards the city of Plymouth were found to have occurred for almost 1,600 hours, or around 10 per cent of the period studied. “Our study is the first to make the connection between water pollution and air quality, and raises the question about potential health risks,” said lead author Dr Lauren Biermann, lecturer in Marine Science at Plymouth University. … ” Read more from The Engineer.
Tons of invisible plastic pieces lurk in ocean water
“What do human brains, placentas and dolphin breath have in common? Signs of plastic pollution in the form of tiny particles known as microplastics. The ocean is also polluted with plastic, and the issue may be even more extensive than previously thought. A study published Wednesday in the journal Nature estimates the volume of nanoplastics, which are even smaller than microplastics and invisible to the naked eye, to be at least 27 million metric tons in North Atlantic seas — more than the weight of all wild land mammals. “I’ve analyzed plastic in Swedish lakes, in urban and very remote air, but this was different,” said Dusan Materic, head of a microplastics and nanoplastics research group at the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research in Germany and one of the lead authors of the analysis. “It’s a missing part of the plastics story that we are answering here.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
