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In California water news today …
Boswell silent and “blank” as the farming behemoth continues with plans to sink the Tulare Lake bed another 10 feet
“While some groundwater managers in the beleaguered Tulare Lake subbasin look for ways to come together on pumping limits in order to comply with state mandates, the giant J.G. Boswell Farming Company has remained silent and intractable. The company, which controls the El Rico Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), still plans to allow so much groundwater pumping within its boundaries that it could sink the old Tulare Lake bed – including the small town of Corcoran – by another 10 feet. That’s only a foot less than it planned back in 2021 when the subbasin, which covers most of Kings County, submitted its first management plan required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). While El Rico wants 10 more feet of subsidence, other GSAs in the subbasin have agreed to allow less than six extra feet of subsidence, according to multiple presentations by Amer Hussain, the subbasin plan manager and an engineer with Geosyntec. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
“Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particles from the tires’ synthetic rubber carry several chemicals that can transfer into fish, crabs and perhaps even the people who eat them. We are analytical and environmental chemists who are studying ways to remove those microplastics – and the toxic chemicals they carry – before they reach waterways and the aquatic organisms that live there. Millions of metric tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans every year. In recent times, tire wear particles have been found to account for about 45% of all microplastics in both terrestrial and aquatic systems. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
California proposes listing microplastics under Safer Consumer Products Program
“The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has taken a step toward regulating microplastics. On June 20, 2025, DTSC proposed to add microplastics to its Candidate Chemical List (CCL) under the state’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program. While the addition of a substance to the CCL does not impose any immediate regulatory burdens, it is a predicate to potentially requiring product manufacturers to perform alternatives analyses or other regulatory actions, including market access restrictions. These additional regulatory measures have the potential to impact all businesses operating within the State of California that manufacture or distribute products containing plastic. The public has until August 4, 2025, to comment on the proposed rulemaking package. … ” Read more from Beveridge & Diamond.
SEE ALSO: DTSC proposes adding microplastics to its candidate chemicals list, press release from the Department of Toxic Substances Control
To fight cancer-causing “Erin Brockovich” toxin, California may give water districts legal cover
“Lawmakers are poised to give California’s water districts legal cover from lawsuits as they work to meet strict new state standards for a cancer-causing toxic chemical. It’s called hexavalent chromium, more commonly known as “chromium-6.” Drinking water with trace amounts of the chemical over long periods has been linked to cancer. Last year, state water regulators approved a nation-leading drinking water standard for the chemical, which is found naturally in some California groundwater. In other areas, chromium-6 leached into the water from industrial sites. The regulations are intended to protect more than 5 million Californians from the toxin, including in the Central Valley, Inland Empire and along the coast. Water districts say they plan to comply, but they complain the new rules are going to cost tens of millions of dollars, will jack up their customers’ water bills and could take years to complete. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Podcast: A chat with Jennifer Pierre of the State Water Contractors
“We won’t use that old Mark Twain quote (that he probably never wrote anyway) but fighting over water has been California’s favorite pastime for at least 175 years. If you think norcal/socal baseball rivalries are bitter – try the socal vs. Delta water wars. One of the people tasked with managing that aqua drama is Jennifer Pierre, General Manager for the State Water Contractors – a statewide, non-profit association of the public water agencies that contract with the Department of Water Resources to receive water from the State Water Project. The SWP provides water for 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. A UC Davis alumna with a bachelor’s in environmental biology and conservation, Pierre has 20 years of experience in Delta management and uses that experience to help improve water supply and operations for the SWC. She joined us to talk about challenges of climate change, issues from overpumping groundwater, and if DC and and California can make nice on Water Policy. ” Listen at Capitol Weekly.
Protecting nature may depend on where — not just how — we farm
“We often think about climate change in terms of temperature projections and sea-level rise. But it also reflects land use, as conditions will influence where people live, how much land is put to use and how it’s used. Land used for agriculture is a major part of this picture. Scientists at UC Santa Barbara, UC Berkeley and the Conservation International nonprofit sought to determine how these trends could affect the extent and connectivity of natural habitats. The team used data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) to project a range of scenarios in the southeastern United States. They found that large-scale trends dominated outcomes. “Demographic and socioeconomic factors — like economic growth, global population and environmental policy — largely control how agricultural land use will affect natural habitat in the future,” said lead author Alyssa Nazari Jain, who began the project as an undergraduate at UCSB. “However, being strategic about how we abandon and expand agricultural land can protect habitat, biodiversity and carbon sinks.” … ” Read more from The Current.
Solar panels, farmland, and the fight to keep farming
“In an interview with AgNet West, Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, voiced deep concern over the mounting pressures facing California farmers—from water shortages to solar development on prime farmland. “You’re absolutely right. That’s what we’re fighting,” said Jacobsen, when asked about solar panels encroaching on agricultural land. “Ultimately, the end game for some is just to not see us farming or living here anymore.” Jacobsen emphasized that the San Joaquin Valley holds a unique position in the country’s agricultural and national security framework. … ” Read more from Ag Net West.
You’re hot then you’re cold: Fish thermal regulation strategies
“While humans discovered fire and developed clothing, central heating, and air conditioning to deal with the planet’s wide range of climates, fish evolved alternative approaches to cope with temperature extremes. Most fish are ectotherms (organisms with body temperatures that remain equal to the surrounding water) and poikilothermic (their body temperature can fluctuate widely with the environment). Since a fish’s internal temperature is mainly dictated by where they live, these animals developed unique behavioral and physiological approaches to live in bodies of water ranging from desert hot springs to the frigid Southern Ocean. Water temperatures change throughout the day, with seasons, and throughout ecosystems depending on climatic and geologic factors. Many fish have temperature preferences that influence their movements throughout the day. … ” Read more from FishBio.
Coalition of states and cities lays groundwork for legal challenge of the Department of Energy’s appliance efficiency rollback
“A multistate coalition of twelve state Attorneys General—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington—joined by the District of Columbia and the City of New York (Multistate Commenters), filed comments on July 15, 2025, opposing the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed rules to weaken or rescind energy and water‑efficiency standards for 16 categories of consumer and commercial appliances. In addition to the Multistate Commenters, some trade associations representing appliance manufacturers have also raised concerns regarding DOE’s proposed rules, including that federal deregulation would open the door to a patchwork of state requirements and may allow the import of cheaper, less efficient products into the United States. … ” Read more from Beveridge & Diamond.
As US wildfires rage, Trump staff cuts force firefighters to clean toilets, critics say
“The U.S. Forest Service faced criticism from current and former employees who say federal workforce reductions under the Trump administration have left fire teams understaffed, as the country grapples with decade-high U.S. wildfire numbers this year. The agency, which oversees the nation’s largest wildland firefighting force, rejected those claims, saying it has sufficient resources. However, more than a dozen active and retired U.S. Forest Service employees told Reuters the agency is struggling to fill critical roles after approximately 5,000 employees – roughly 15% of its workforce – quit in the past five months. … ” Read more from MSN News.
Wildfires leave long-lasting impacts on water quality in the Western U.S.
“When wildfires rip through the landscape, the devastation they leave behind is visible – scorched trees, charred structures, and smoky skies can haunt an area for months. But there’s another, less obvious impact that can linger for years: polluted water. A new study published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment reveals just how long-lasting and widespread wildfire-related water quality problems can be. A team of hydrologists and engineers analyzed nearly 50 years of water quality data from across the western United States and found that wildfires can trigger dramatic and persistent increases in harmful water contaminants which poses challenges for ecosystems, drinking water utilities, and public health. … ” Read moire from EnviroBites.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Humboldt Supervisors to see full Eel River water diversion agreement
“A water diversion agreement for the Potter Valley hydroelectric project is set to see its approval by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, about a week before PG&E aims to submit its plan to decommission the Scott and Cape Horn dams. This full agreement contains more details on what future water diversions from the Eel River would look like. While the project itself hasn’t generated power for four years, the utility’s decommissioning of the seismically threatened facilities have sparked conflict around how a century of water diversions from the Eel River might remain in place. The basic outlines of this plan were approved by the Humboldt Supervisors in February. Tuesday’s discussion is for approval of a full agreement, before PG&E will submit its license surrender application and decommissioning plan to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by July 29. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Herald.
Two unseen issues loom over Redwood Valley’s summer
“Annexation of the Redwood Valley County Water District (RVCWD) by the Mendocino County Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District (RRFC) has been under discussion for years. Portions of Redwood Valley are already within RRFC’s boundaries, but RVCWD has never had access to RRFC water throughout its entire service area. The proposed annexation would place all of Redwood Valley under RRFC’s jurisdiction. Historically, Redwood Valley has purchased “surplus water” from RRFC—water not needed by other customers. During the extreme drought of 2021–2022, however, no surplus water was available. As a result, RVCWD customers went without agricultural water and faced strict domestic water use restrictions. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Rivers, restoration, and regional renewal: How SYRCL fuels a restoration economy in the Yuba Watershed
“At SYRCL, our river, meadow, aspen, and forest restoration projects do more than bring healing to the watershed; they actively drive local economies, create meaningful jobs, and reaffirm the connection between ecological health and community well-being. This is known as the Restoration Economy, an economic model built on repairing what was once harmed. Restoration Economy is a term denoting economic activity that repairs damaged ecosystems and infrastructure, from poor water quality to decimated fish habitat, degraded meadows to fuel-choked forests, and leverages this work to drive local economic development. Restoration jobs range from field crews implementing forest treatments removing invasive species and planting native ones, to engineers designing resilient systems, to heavy machine operators removing tons of cobble and sediment, to scientists monitoring the effectiveness of the projects. … ” Continue reading at the South Yuba River Citizens League.
Lake Tahoe workshop spurs global freshwater fish conservation efforts
“A three-day international workshop held at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe has resulted in new global initiatives to protect migratory freshwater fish and their habitats. The Migratory Fish and Global Swimways Workshop, held July 15-17 and hosted by UNR’s Tahoe Institute for Global Sustainability, brought together scientists, policy leaders and conservationists from five continents. The event produced outcomes that will shape global conservation efforts ahead of the 2026 United Nations Convention on Migratory Species summit in Brazil. Among the initiatives, experts identified species for possible listing under the Convention on Migratory Species and designated migration corridors, including the Truckee River from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. “These are not symbolic conversations—we’re generating the data, strategies and commitments that will shape global policy,” said Zeb Hogan, workshop organizer and aquatic ecologist at the University. … ” Read more from This is Reno.
Life after fire: From flames to flora, new life buds in wildfire scars
“Four years ago, the Caldor Fire burned 221,835 acres in El Dorado, Alpine and Amador counties, as it climbed the western slope and crested into the Tahoe Basin. Over 1,000 structures were destroyed and beloved forests — habitats for animals and playgrounds for recreationalists — were forever changed. This spring, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Management Unit released its proposed Caldor Fire Restoration Project which, among its goals, aims to improve the forest health and resilience by planting native seedlings in the burnscar; removing dead, damaged and diseased trees; and restoring streams, meadows and riparian areas. Because when a wildfire rolls through a landscape, regrowth isn’t always as simple as letting nature take its course. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Historic return of winter-run chinook salmon to McCloud River marks conservation milestone
“Adult winter-run Chinook salmon have been spotted in the McCloud River for the first time in almost 100 years! On July 15, CDFW confirmed reports of adult salmon near Ash Camp and saw an adult female Chinook salmon exhibiting spawning behavior guarding her nest (also known as a redd, seen in the video). Multiple smaller males – known as jacks – were seen nearby competing for position near the redd. The salmon likely originated with efforts started in 2022 by CDFW, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to return the endangered species to its historic habitat above Shasta Dam by incubating winter-run Chinook salmon eggs in the cool, clean waters of the McCloud. … ” Read more from the Sierra Daily News.
Caution advisory issued for Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork due to algal bloom
“A caution advisory remains in effect for Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork following the observation of a visible algal bloom. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued the advisory on Friday, July 3, after DWR staff detected the bloom. DWR staff collected a sample for laboratory analysis, which revealed no toxins. However, the advisory will remain until the bloom dissipates, with DWR continuing to monitor the situation and collect additional samples if conditions change. Indicators of potentially harmful algal blooms include small blue-green, green, white or brown particles in the water, streaks resembling spilled paint, mats, scum or foam on the surface or shoreline, and odors described as gasoline, septic or fishy. … ” Read more from KRCR.
SEE ALSO: Potentially dangerous algal bloom found in Feather River’s middle fork, from the Chico Enterprise-Record
Improvements at Indian Bar are complete
“Good news for whitewater rafters: Improvements at Indian Bar are complete. At its June 19 meeting, the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors authorized the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Indian Bar River Access Project, just in time for peak summer rafting and fishing season. Located near Foresthill, the improved site provides safer and more convenient access to one of California’s premier whitewater rafting destinations. “Recreational use of our waterways and reservoirs is an important part of PCWA’s stewardship of the Middle Fork American River watershed,” said Director Josh Alpine, whose District 5 includes the Indian Bar project. “This site plays a key role in both public recreation and clean hydropower. These upgrades reflect PCWA’s commitment to providing safe, reliable access for recreation while continuing to support California’s clean energy needs through the Middle Fork Project.” … ” Read more from the Placer Sentinel.
County letter to California DWR on Supes Agenda
“Solano County staff penned a letter to the California Department of Water Resources asking for changes to the Public Review Draft of the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Master Plan. The letter is included as part of the agenda packet for the Tuesday meeting of the Solano County Board of Supervisors. “While improvements have been made, Solano County maintains several critical concerns about the Public Review Draft,” the letter reads. “We respectfully request additional revisions to better align the Master Plan with regional priorities for flood protection, agricultural sustainability, water supply reliability, and local economic resilience.” Having already been awarded $5.1 million for the improvements to the water system, the county is now asking for $15 million more in state funding to construct more levees over the next five years. “These actionable, in progress opportunities, which are supported by the local agencies should be emphasized as a priority,” the letter reads. … ” Read more from the Daily Reporter.
BAY AREA
Marine researchers concerned over uptick in whale deaths in San Francisco Bay Area
“Nearly two dozen whales have died in the San Francisco Bay Area in recent months, according to animal rescue groups. A total of 19 gray whales, two unidentified baleen whales and one minke whale have died in the Bay Area region so far this year, according to the California Academy of Sciences. At least seven of the gray whale deaths have been determined to be suspect or probable vessel strikes, according to the organization. In addition, there has been an “unusually high” number of whale sightings in the Bay Area this year, with more than 30 individual gray whales confirmed in the region via photo identification, the Academy said, noting that the whales’ physical conditions have ranged from normal to emaciated. … ” Read more from ABC News.
Cupertino quarry owner to begin multimillion-dollar cleanup of mining waste in creek
“A large quarry and cement plant in the hills west of Cupertino that have existed for decades are winding down operations. But work on environmental projects to clean up their past is only beginning. On Tuesday, officials from Heidelberg Materials, a German company that owns the sprawling property, are scheduled to break ground on a long-awaited project to clean up years of mining waste and other damage at Permanente Creek, a stream that flows from the Santa Cruz Mountains past the quarry site and into San Francisco Bay. The work was required as part of the settlement to a lawsuit filed in 2011 by the Sierra Club against Lehigh Southwest Cement company, which was acquired by Heidelberg. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
Pleasanton, water agency settle suit over $18 million in uncollected fees
“The Tri-Valley’s largest water agency has settled a lawsuit against the city of Pleasanton for over $18 million in fees the city allegedly failed to collect from customers. To settle the suit, Pleasanton will pay Zone 7 Water Agency a $250,000 settlement fee and give the agency another $500,000 credit toward land for its projects related to PFAS chemical contamination, which is known to cause cancer and birth defects. Zone 7 over the past few years has upped its fight against water contamination by opening PFAS treatment plants in Pleasanton and Livermore. The lawsuit filed in January 2024 alleged the city under-collected over $18 million in water fees after upgrading its water metering system between 2016 and 2024. The water agency claimed the city was responsible for paying back those lost fees, but Pleasanton has maintained it wasn’t. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News
CENTRAL COAST
San Benito County residents question 1977 water tax for project paid off in 2017
“Residents in San Benito County have been paying a water tax since 1977 for imported water, but a civil grand jury report claims the tax is outdated and should have ended in 2017, prompting calls for the issue to be put back on the ballot. Justin Harnois, a taxpayer, expressed frustration, saying, “It makes me feel pretty frustrated. You know, nobody wants to throw their money into things that they don’t understand or aren’t aware of.” The tax was initially approved to pay off a $19.9 million federal loan for imported water to address local shortages and support a growing community. Harnois added, “It’s a bigger issue of tax reform. If they’re spending their money on other things that us taxpayers are paying for, then we should not only know that, but it should be put back on the ballot for us to be able to vote on.” … ” Read more from KSBY.
Sea level rise — Iconic Santa Cruz surf spots could slip away with erosion
“Today, we have part four in a seven-part series looking at sea level rise in California. From the San Diego / Tijuana Border all the way up to Humboldt Bay, we’re visiting some of the people and places that are dealing with flooding, coastal erosion, and pollution… all made worse by rising tides. KALW’s Emergency and Disaster Preparedness reporter Wren Farrell is the lead producer on this series. Before we get into part four, here’s a quick conversation with Wren. … ” Read more from KALW.
City of Marina urges CPUC to reject outdated and inflated water demand estimates for proposed desalination plant
“The City of Marina is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to reject adoption of outdated regional water supply and demand estimates that are being used to justify the unnecessary and harmful California-American Water (CalAm) desalination project. At a critical meeting on July 24, the CPUC will consider voting on a proposed decision that will determine the Monterey Peninsula’s future water supply targets. If adopted as proposed, this action would allow construction of a desalination project that will produce thousands of acre-feet (AF) of water not needed for the region’s future supply and will thereby saddle ratepayers with decades of unjustified expense and cause other Monterey communities irreversible environmental harm. “The CPUC has a duty to protect ratepayers and the environment,” said Marina Mayor Bruce Carlos Delgado. “The facts are clear: there is no long-term water shortfall on the Monterey Peninsula, and this project would create a huge and costly supply surplus that benefits no one but CalAm’s bottom line.” … ” Read more from Public CEO.
Monterey County farmers fight to stay ahead of regulatory costs
“Norm Groot used the word “resilience” to describe Monterey County farmers and their ability to push the county’s gross crop receipts to nearly $5 billion a year after floods damaged over 20,000 acres of farmland. Groot is the executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. He points to the impacts that the two 2023 floods had on farming operations in the county, and the ability of his community to recover. Just over 20,000 acres of farmland was impacted by floods in 2023. During Monterey County’s announcement that farmers grossed just over $4.99 billion, Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, said that while “the $5 billion number sounds great that we’re increasing our crop values, that doesn’t take into account the increase of our input costs and how much its costing farmers to produce at this point,” he said. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Is someone tapping your water bank?
Eric Caine writes, “The late Vance Kennedy was appalled when he learned thousands of acres of groundwater-dependent almond orchards were being planted on the rolling hills of Stanislaus County’s east side. Dr. Kennedy was an award-winning geologist whose entire career was the U.S. Geological Survey. “That’s our savings account,” said Dr. Kennedy of one of the last viable aquifers in the San Joaquin Valley. “That’s our water bank in case of historic drought or another emergency.” Even fifteen years ago, most every eastside farmer who planted groundwater-dependent trees knew there was a pull date on their orchards. With reliably high almond prices, their projected worst-case scenario was a short-term bonanza, followed by the inevitable depletion of the east side aquifer. The concept wasn’t much different than having a gold mine play out. … ” Read more from the Valley Citizen.
Meet the Fresno folk singer proving California’s megafires can be stopped
“A folk singer from the hills above Fresno has an answer to a set of questions shaking California to its core. Standing on a ridgeline that was Ground Zero for one of the most intense wildfires in American history, Jemmy Bluestein, standing all of 5 ‘8, 160 pounds, didn’t flinch. He and his friends stopped the 2020 Creek Fire near Shaver Lake in its tracks — an achievement made all the more miraculous because he was smack-dead in the path of a 50,000-acre patch of fire which burned so hot it sterilized the forest soil. “It was coming in through here like a fire hurricane. It scorched us in minutes,” says Bluestein, a Shaver Lake-area folk singer, about the 2020 Creek Fire. “But then it slowed down and halfway across the property, we stopped the Creek Fire. Basically, this didn’t happen virtually any place else.” … ” Read more from Fresnoland.
Ag property values slip in Kern despite $3.2 billion increase countywide
“On July 18, the Kern County Assessor-Recorder’s office announced the completion of the 2025-2026 assessment roll, wherein the total assessed value of all taxable property in the county saw a $3.2 billion increase from last year. “This increase reflects across-the-board gains in both real property and business property assessments,” the assessor-recorder’s office stated. However, the value of Kern County agricultural properties under the Williamson Act stands at $5.87 billion, marking a $543.1 million decrease from 2024. This marks the first decline in Williamson Act roll value in at least five years — for reference, the roll increased from $6.38 billion in 2023 to $6.41 billion in 2024. … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Tehacahpi water district wins Aug. 4 court date to try to expand case against city
“A Sacramento Superior Court judge last week granted Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District’s request for an expedited hearing on a motion to expand a lawsuit against the city of Tehachapi to include the city’s recently approved housing element. The state-mandated housing element is part of the city’s general plan and is intended to guide housing development through 2031. The litigation stems from the city’s September 2021 approval of the proposed Sage Ranch 995-unit residential subdivision. The housing element update approved by the city includes Sage Ranch as an “entitled project.” … ” Read more from the Tehachapi News.
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Powell could be too low to produce hydropower by 2026
“The Bureau of Reclamation says water levels at Lake Powell could drop too low to generate hydropower as soon as next year. The dire projection is familiar territory in the midst of a two-decade megadrought. The nation’s second largest reservoir is only about 30% full. If it drops much more, it could go below the hydropower turbines inside Glen Canyon Dam. They generate electricity for about 5 million people across seven Western states. The reservoir faced the same problem a few years ago. Water managers made emergency releases from other reservoirs to prop up Lake Powell until spring runoff came to the rescue. Colorado River experts say that strategy won’t work in the long term. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
SEE ALSO: Lake Powell could be headed toward dead pool. What that means for states like Arizona, from KJZZ
Map reveals “accelerating” water loss affecting 40 million Americans
“The Colorado River Basin has seen an extensive loss of groundwater loss over two decades, with more than half of the loss being in Arizona, according to a new map drawn from NASA satellite data. Analysis by Arizona State University (ASU) researchers has revealed “rapid and accelerating” groundwater loss in the basin’s underground aquifers between 2002 and 2024. Some 40 million Americans rely on water from these aquifers, including in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Ag-to-urban bill overhauls Arizona’s groundwater policy
“Gov. Katie Hobbs last month signed SB 1611, enacting the most significant overhaul of Arizona’s groundwater policy in decades. The bipartisan “ag-to-urban” bill enables the conversion of irrigated farmland into housing while promoting aquifer replenishment and long-term water sustainability. Over two legislative sessions, Craig Krumwiede, CEO of Harvard Investments, and Mike Cowley, CEO of Cowley Companies, worked with lawmakers, the governor’s office, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA), and the Gammage & Burnham Water Group. Together, they helped build consensus among landowners, stakeholders, and Arizona residents. “After the governor issued her moratorium (in 2024) on new housing developments, Harvard and the Cowley Companies felt strongly that we needed to offer a solution that would both address the moratorium and conserve our precious water resources,” Krumwiede said. “We worked closely with HBACA on crafting the legislation and shepherding it through the Legislature and governor’s office.” … ” Read more from Arizona Big Media.
Beavers are helping restore Arizona’s wetlands, from nuisance to natural engineer
“The Arizona Game and Fish Department is trying out a new technique to restore Arizona wetlands. Though Arizona is largely a desert state, 1% of the state is made up of wetlands, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The number has been slowly falling since the 1800s, resulting in a loss of one-third of the original wetlands. In the past few months, AZGFD has seen a resurgence in the wetlands along a stretch of the San Pedro River. “We’ve seen native cottonwood, willow trees and saplings just rebound,” said Angie Stingelin, Senior Wildlife Specialist with the department. “We’ve had species come back in that we haven’t seen in years in certain stretches of the river.” … ” Read more from Channel 15.
On the Navajo Nation, the list of mystery wells continues to grow
“On a warm evening in early June, Loretta Johnson pointed her white Chevy Silverado with a Navajo blanket-patterned steering wheel cover south on the main road leading out of Shiprock, New Mexico, and hit the accelerator — lightly. The retired nurse drove herself and a friend on the plumb-straight road and weaved stories as mile-wide dust storms tumbled across a landscape that inspired the Road Runner cartoons. And as the stories picked up in her rolling cadence, the speedometer ticked down. She was on a mission and she tackled it at her own pace, so the occasional driver on the road pulled around and passed her with no honking or lights flashing. Johnson and her friend (who did not want to be identified over concerns for his job) are Diné, as the Navajo people call themselves. She grew up in a small house in a small valley near a small town several miles from where she’s driving on the nation’s biggest Native American reservation. … ” Read more from Capital & Main.
The Colorado River is officially positive for invasive zebra mussels
“The invasive zebra mussel species is spreading across Colorado and could eventually impact drinking water, agriculture and ecosystems if they aren’t eradicated — something experts say is really hard to do. Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced July 3 that several new colonies of the species were discovered this summer in Eagle County and the Colorado River near New Castle and Highline Lake State Park. The additional detections mean the river is now considered “positive” for the species from the confluence of the Roaring Fork River north of Aspen to the Colorado-Utah border. While they may be small — no bigger than your thumbnail when fully grown — these little critters can cause a lot of damage. … ” Read more from Colorado Public Radio.
Western Slope fishing rodeo tackles invasive species
“A destructive predator has invaded Colorado, and a volunteer army is trying to defeat it. With fishing poles. At the Ridgway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic, Western Slope anglers are competing to catch the most invasive smallmouth bass to win a hefty prize and help save native species. Dozens of fishermen and fisherwomen usually compete, removing thousands of harmful fish from the reservoir just north of the small mountain town of Ridgway. But one competitor tends to blow everyone else out of the water: Chase Nicholson. The South African-born angler has won four times — every time he’s entered. He chalks up his success to all the hours he’s logged fishing. … ” Read more from Colorado Public Radio.
In national water news today …
Is flash flooding getting worse? Summer’s soaking start may hold the answer
“If it feels like flash flooding is everywhere this summer, you’re not imagining it. An exclusive AccuWeather analysis confirms that 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most flood-impacted summers on record in the United States. From Texas to North Carolina, Illinois to New Mexico, deadly floods have surged into the national spotlight. A slow-moving storm in Central Texas dumped over 12 inches of rain in Kerr County, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 27 feet in under an hour, killing more than 130 people. Tropical Storm Chantal shattered a rainfall record in North Carolina’s Eno River basin and claimed six lives. In Chicago, flash floods overwhelmed streets in under two hours. In New Mexico, floodwaters tore through fire-scarred terrain in Ruidoso, killing at least three people. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Abrupt climate shifts likely as global temperatures keep rising
“As temperatures, biodiversity losses, and sea levels rise globally, scientists are concerned about the likelihood of abrupt climatic shifts occurring, particularly within sensitive subsystems of the climate system such as the Amazon rainforest, Antarctic sea ice, and the Tibetan Plateau. Abrupt shifts can manifest as, for example, large and sudden changes in the rate of precipitation in a monsoon system, ice melt in Antarctica, or permafrost thaw in the Northern Hemisphere. Terpstra et al. sought to identify abrupt shifts that might occur in the future, focusing on climate subsystems discussed in the 2023 Global Tipping Points Report. The team examined outputs from 57 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). All the models simulated a climate change scenario over 150 years, with carbon dioxide concentration increasing by 1% annually until it reached 4 times preindustrial levels. … ” Read more from EOS.
Climate change is making fire weather worse for world’s forests
“In 2023 and 2024, the hottest years on record, more than 78 million acres of forests burned around the globe. The fires sent veils of smoke and several billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, subjecting millions of people to poor air quality. Extreme forest-fire years are becoming more common because of climate change, new research suggests. “Climate change is loading the dice for extreme fire seasons like we’ve seen,” said John Abatzoglou, a climate scientist at the University of California Merced. “There are going to be more fires like this.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
NEPA Reimagined: The ongoing overhaul of federal environmental review
“Over the past eight months, the legal framework governing environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has undergone significant upheaval—with additional changes still on the way. Here’s what’s happened so far and what’s still on the horizon. As summarized in our May 31, 2023, Client Alert, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 amended NEPA to provide more specificity regarding numerous elements of environmental review. Since then, and particularly in the past eight months, both the courts and the Trump administration have redefined the NEPA landscape. … ” Read more from Brownstein.
Q&A: A feared return to the “dark ages of science” seen in EPA’s dismantling of research unit
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed on Friday a plan to eliminate its science research arm in a move critics say will significantly undermine protections for human and environmental health. The agency’s decision to eliminate the Office of Research and Development (ORD) ends a 47-year mission aimed at providing independent research to inform EPA policies on a range of issues, including air and water quality, chemical safety, climate change, sustainability, and cleanups of contaminated areas. ORD coordinates this work through six primary research programs and 11 laboratory centers. The work of ORD will be absorbed by other programs, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement that the agency is “better equipped than ever to deliver on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment…” The “reduction in force” impacting ORD will “ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars,” Zeldin said. … ” Read more from The New Lede.
SEE ALSO: Dismantling of EPA’s scientific research arm fulfills key chemical industry goal, from Inside Climate News
