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State Water Board releases proposed updates to Bay-Delta Plan …
State Water Board releases proposed updates to Sacramento/Delta portions of Bay-Delta Plan
Paul Hames / California Department of Water Resources
“Continuing the state’s work to protect the ecosystem of the Sacramento River and Delta watershed while balancing the need to protect water supply, the State Water Resources Control Board today announced important proposed updates to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed (Bay-Delta Plan). The announcement begins a public review and comment period on the proposal that would update measures in the Bay-Delta Plan to protect the Sacramento River, the Delta and associated tributaries (Sacramento/Delta). The State Water Board’s proposed updates include two distinct pathways for water users and agencies to comply with water quality requirements: one that incorporates voluntary agreements (VAs) proposed by some state and federal agencies and other water users, known as the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, and a regulatory pathway for those who are not parties to approved VAs. Both pathways will create legally enforceable requirements. … ” Read more from the State Water Board.
Key player in California’s water wars embraces controversial pact
“After decades of deterioration and ecological collapse in the heart of California’s water system, state regulators today embraced the Newsom administration’s controversial plan to overhaul how farms and cities take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and rivers that feed it. It’s a major development in a long-running battle over how much water must flow through the Delta for the survival of iconic Chinook salmon, sturgeon and other species — and how much can be tapped for tens of millions of Californians and vast tracts of Central Valley farmland. On one side are conservationists, the fishing industry, Delta communities and Native tribes: They want stringent rules requiring cities and farms to take less water from the imperiled watershed. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Newsom’s plan to give water agencies more leeway in meeting rules moves forward
“California regulators are supporting a controversial plan backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom — and opposed by environmental groups — that would give water agencies more leeway in how they comply with water quality rules. The Newsom-backed approach is included as part of a proposed water plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, released by the State Water Resources Control Board on Thursday. The plan would give water agencies two potential pathways to comply with water quality goals — either a traditional regulatory approach based on limiting water withdrawals to maintain certain river flow levels, or an alternative approach supported by the governor in which water agencies, under negotiated agreements, would make certain water flow commitments while contributing funding for wetland habitat restoration projects and other measures. … ” Read more from the LA Times. | Read via Yahoo News.
Latest Bay-Delta draft provides hope, but Solano not convinced it’s right
“The State Water Board on Thursday released the latest draft of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Plan that the state said “will help protect the Sacramento River, the Delta and associated tributaries (Sacramento/Delta) for generations to come and safeguard water supplies for millions of Californians.” “I am proud to see the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program represented in this plan update – it’s a testament to California’s commitment to a collaborative, science-driven approach to managing our water for the benefit of our communities, economy and fish and wildlife,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “However, our work is not yet done. I have proposed legislation to create a (California Environmental Quality Act) exemption for all Water Quality Control Plans that would accelerate the time it takes to get these critical plans done by removing unnecessary and redundant process requirements. We’re done with barriers and obstacles to our state’s success. We must work together to protect our natural resources for the benefit of the habitats and people of our state,” Newsom added. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
REACTIONS: State agencies, Voluntary agreement participants, Salmon groups, and other stakeholders react to Bay Delta Plan update
Here’s what State agencies, Voluntary agreement participants, Salmon groups, and other stakeholders had to say. Read this post at Maven’s Notebook.
State Water Board sells out San Francisco Bay, its estuary, and its watershed
Chris Shutes writes, “On July 24, 2025, State Water Board staff released an “updated” version of a proposed Bay-Delta Plan. The updated Plan is very clear: it is going to give the water users and the Newsom administration every single thing they have asked for in terms of managing water that goes into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and through San Francisco Bay. They are offering a pittance of water in order to say they are making it better. They are trying to substitute money, and work with bulldozers, for the water needed to restore the ecosystem. The existing system of water diversions, storage, and overallocated use will be mildly stretched but systemically will not change. Over time, it will all get worse: the water quality, the usability of the estuary for recreation and enjoyment, and above all the fish. … ” Read more from the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
In other California water news …
Projects aligned with Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program producing results
“ACWA has long supported the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program as the preferred pathway for updating the state’s Bay-Delta Plan for the Sacramento River and its tributaries, as opposed to an approach based solely on a percentage of flows. Previously known as the Voluntary Agreements, the HRL Program includes habitat enhancement projects coupled with more water for fish and wildlife, managed in a collaborative, science-based manner. It is supported by federal, state, and local water leaders and represents a modern and holistic approach to improving the Bay-Delta ecosystem and water supply reliability. The State Water Resources Control Board is expected to approve an update to the Bay-Delta Plan in the near future. However, many projects called for under the HRL Program have already been completed or are underway and delivering measurable results, increasing the potential for recovering healthy fish populations. Three projects that are part of the HRL Program are outlined below. … ” Read more from ACWA.
DWR releases draft best management practices on managing land subsidence in California
“For almost a century, parts of California have been gradually sinking, impacting critical infrastructure and the communities who rely on it. Recognizing this challenge, the Department of Water Resources has released a draft Best Management Practices document for public comment that will help local water agencies address this growing concern and support groundwater reliant communities. Known as subsidence, this reaction is caused by various factors including excessive groundwater pumping, which causes the empty spaces between soil particles to collapse and compact the earth. Subsidence poses significant challenges to not only our communities but our state as whole. It damages homes, roads, bridges, levees, wells, and irrigation canals, disrupting water delivery and costing billions in repairs. It is critical that regions experiencing subsidence take action to slow or stop the sinking or be left with the risk of further permanent damage. … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
California proposes major drinking water change: what to know
“A bill introduced in California by state senators Anna Caballero and Alexandra Macedo, a Democrat and Republican, respectively, would give water agencies immunity from civil lawsuits regarding chromium-6 contamination in their supply if they are actively working on plans to address the issue. Caballero argued California Senate Bill 466 is needed so water agencies can concentrate on removing the potentially cancer-causing contaminant from their supply, rather than spending their limited resources on legal cases. Newsweek contacted state Senators Caballero and Macedo for comment on Thursday via telephone and voicemail message outside of regular office hours. … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Department of Pesticide Regulation finds low amount of pesticide residues in produce sold in California
“On July 24, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s annual produce monitoring report found that roughly 97% of fruits and vegetables sold in the state had either no detectable pesticide residues or had residues below federal health-protective limits. The department’s results were based on 3,544 produce samples collected in 2023 by DPR staff from over 500 locations throughout California. These samples, which were unpeeled and unwashed, underwent testing for 500 types of pesticides and related compounds. “California works diligently to protect the public by keeping food with illegal pesticide residues out of the marketplace,” DPR Director Karen Morrison said in a press release. “Our residue testing program demonstrates the safety of our fruits and vegetables in California. We see consistently low levels of illegal pesticide residues on produce.” … ” Read more from Valley Ag Voice.
Eastern District of California rejects challenges to CVP contract conversions
“In a long-awaited matter, the Eastern District of California on June 30, 2025, issued its ruling on several environmental groups’ challenges to the conversion of water service contracts to repayment contracts under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (“WIIN Act” or “Act”) (consolidated cases of Center for Biological Diversity, et al., v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, et al. and North Coast Rivers Alliance, et al., v. United States Department of the Interior, et al.) In short, the Court granted summary judgment in favor of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) and contractors. The Court found the agency was not required to conduct environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) or the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) when converting contracts. … ” Read more from AALRR.
For millions in US mobile home parks, clean and safe tap water isn’t a given
“The worst water Colt Smith has seen in 14 years with Utah’s Division of Drinking Water was at a mobile home park, where residents had been drinking it for years before state officials discovered the contamination. The well water carried cancer-causing arsenic as much as 10 times the federal limit. Smith had to put the rural park under a do-not-drink order that lasted nearly 10 years. “The Health Department refers it to us like … ‘Why aren’t you guys regulating it?’ We had no idea it existed,” he said. More than 50 years after the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed to ensure that Americans’ water is free from harmful bacteria, lead and other dangerous substances, millions of people living in mobile home parks can’t always count on those basic protections. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
SEE ALSO:
- Takeaways from AP’s report on water quality and safety at US mobile home parks, from Washington Post
- PHOTO ESSAY: Many Californians lack safe tap water and don’t trust cleanup efforts, from the AP
The Trump administration is gutting EPA’s research arm. Can California bridge the gap?
“In the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to dismantle the research arm of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a robust if little-known California agency known as the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment is poised to take on an even bigger role to bridge the gap. The EPA this month announced that it was eliminating nearly 4,000 employees as part of a cost-saving “reduction in force,” the majority of which are staffers from its Office of Research and Development — whose research into environmental risks and hazards underpins nearly all EPA rules and regulations. The reduction will save the agency $748.8 million, officials said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA has taken a close look at our operations to ensure the agency is better equipped than ever to deliver on our core mission of protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback,” read a statement from EPA administrator Lee Zeldin. “This reduction in force will ensure we can better fulfill that mission while being responsible stewards of your hard-earned tax dollars.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In commentary today …
Legislators must protect communities and groundwater from pollution from advanced manufacturing facilities
Deja McCauley, Land Use and Health Program Manager, Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, writes, “California legislators voted on June 30 to adopt two budget trailer bills, AB 130 and SB 131, that rolled back key protections in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). While purported as pro-housing measures, SB 131 does something far more dangerous: it removes environmental review requirements for a loosely defined category of industrial projects labeled “advanced manufacturing.” Environmental justice, health, and clean water advocacy groups are deeply concerned about the unintended consequences of SB 131, which could unleash a wave of pollution and groundwater threats across California, especially in low-income communities and communities of color already burdened by toxic exposures and unsafe drinking water. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
Time for action. Proper forest management is a matter of survival
Nathan Magsig, representing District 5 on the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, writes, “If you’re from California, you’ve likely seen it with your own eyes — our once-thriving forests are turning into graveyards of dead trees, and the threat of wildfire looms larger every year. Since 2010, over 27 million trees have died in Fresno County alone. That number should shock every Californian. The combined effects of drought, beetle infestations, and bureaucratic gridlock have left our forests vulnerable and our communities exposed. The tragic 2020 Creek Fire, which devastated entire neighborhoods and ecosystems, is just one of many examples of what happens when we fail to act. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
The path forward for the Eel River’s fish and communities
“As dam removal moves ahead, an innovative collaborative plan to share the basin’s water and restore its iconic salmon and steelhead runs is finalized. On California’s mighty Eel River, Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) plan to remove the two dams comprising the Potter Valley Project continues to move forward. On Thursday, July 24th, the utility submitted materials to surrender their license to operate the uneconomical dams to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a critical step in the process leading towards eventually removing the barriers. Dam removal on the Eel River will reconnect 288 miles of exceptional salmon, steelhead and lamprey habitat in the watershed’s cold headwater streams; critical spawning and rearing habitat that has been blocked for over a century. … ” Read more from Trout Unlimited.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Federal, state, local partners collaborate to restore Moonlight Fire high-severity burn area
“Reforestation efforts have finally taken root in the Moonlight Fire burn area in the Plumas National Forest. The Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project, which will complete watershed and forest health restoration activities on nearly 15,000 acres, including hazard tree removal, aspen stand enhancements, erosion control, brush removal, road maintenance, wildlife-habitat improvements, and the replanting of conifer seedlings on more than 4,100 acres, is nearly complete. “This project is building on over 10 years of restoration efforts and while initial planning constrained some of the restoration work, overall, many of our planting units have the real potential to grow healthy, mature trees,” said Michael Hall, district manager with the Feather River Resource Conservation District. … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
Jean-Michel Cousteau joins Keep Tahoe Blue to share message of global water conservation
“To kick off its 2025 Speaker Series in Incline Village, Keep Tahoe Blue has announced the world’s most renowned oceanographer, Jean-Michel Cousteau, will be the headliner on Saturday, August 23. It will take place at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe’s Wayne L. Prim Campus. Keep Tahoe Blue’s speakers series will feature innovators, pioneers, and changemakers in the fields of science, conservation, and sustainability at three events in the late summer and early fall. The speakers were selected to fascinate, inspire, and motivate people from all walks of life to better understand — then protect — not just Lake Tahoe, but treasured outdoor places around the globe. … ” Read more from South Tahoe Now.
Tahoe native’s pioneering study investigates pollutants in the Tahoe Basin’s ultimate sink
“North shore-grown Madio Wallner doesn’t own a car and she doesn’t drive. When it comes to her lifestyle and research, it’s about walking the walk—well in her case, biking. That includes through an entire Tahoe winter. She relies on her bicycle, public transit and buses to get where she needs to go. “I want to be that living proof to show people that even living in someplace like Lake Tahoe, where you get serious winters, does not necessitate having a car,” Wallner says. It’s an important principle to her, emphasized by her environmentally focused graduate project under Adina Paytan at the University of California, Santa Cruz, investigating tire wear particles and microplastics in Lake Tahoe’s sediment. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Water again flowing though Spaulding 1 Powerhouse after testing, repairs
“PG&E’s Spaulding 1 powerhouse in Nevada County is back in service and is providing flows to canals leading to key reservoirs. After repairs were completed earlier this month, PG&E tested water flows through the powerhouse to ensure all equipment was operating properly. The powerhouse was returned to service on July 24. With water passing through the powerhouse, discharges into the Drum Canal are now feeding into Rollins Reservoir, with a diversion providing water to the South Yuba Canal which feeds Scotts Flat Reservoir. Both reservoirs belong to the Nevada Irrigation District, with the Placer County Water Agency also drawing from Rollins. … ” Read more from YubaNet.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Chico State makes wildfire recovery advancements after Park Fire
“One year ago today, California’s fourth largest recorded wildfire, the Park Fire, began burning through Butte and Tehama counties. By the time of its containment, it damaged and destroyed more than 429,000 acres of land and more than 750 structures. It also burned through more than 98% of Chico State’s Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, destroying several outbuildings, a historic barn and utility infrastructure, leaving behind only about 150 acres of unscathed land. Within weeks of the fire, stewards of the ecological reserve recognized another major emergency: by winter, rain would come washing down scorched sediment into Big Chico Creek threatening the health of its ecosystem, according to an interview Wednesday with Eli Goodsell, executive director of BCCER. … ” Read more from Chico Enterprise-Record.
Small Northern California community gets clean drinking for first time in decades
“After years of uncertainty and relying on bottled water, residents in the small rural community of Robbins are finally seeing progress toward a permanent solution for safe, clean drinking water. Construction is now underway on a new well and water treatment facility, part of a sweeping overhaul of the town’s aging water system. Robbins, located in Sutter County and home to roughly 300 people, has struggled for decades with contaminated tap water that didn’t meet state or federal safety standards. “This is the result, and we are very happy that we will have drinkable water in Robbins,” said local resident Frank Alonzo. … ” Read more from CBS News.
SEE ALSO: Clean water soon on tap for Robbins, from the Appeal-Democrat
Yolo Bypass Cache Slough plan washes over ag, flood protection needs
“The Solano County Board of Supervisors certainly want more regulatory teeth in actual project review than the Yolo Bypass Cache Slough Master Plan can offer. The board on Tuesday received a presentation on the draft plan by representatives from the state Department of Water Resources and the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. It was more of an overview of the history of the agency partnership involved, and the six primary goals. “The purpose of the (Yolo Bypass Cache Slough) Master Plan is to guide continued project planning and implementation consistent with the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan and its Conservation Strategy; to inform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Yolo Bypass System Comprehensive Study; and to support the YBCS Partnership goals, which are focused on flood, habitat, water supply, water quality, agriculture and recreation. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic.
BAY AREA
As the Bay Area’s salt pond restoration project moves forward, a tiny threatened shorebird remains under the watchful eye of biologists
“On an overcast morning in mid-April, biologist Maddy Schwarz parked her truck on a levee near Bedwell Bayfront Park, popped a leopard print eye patch over her left eye and peered through a spotting scope with her right. She then scanned a barren area on a dried salt pond about a hundred feet ahead in search of a brown-and-white bird about the size of a soda can: the threatened western snowy plover. That dried salt pond, also called R3, is part of the largest active wetland rehabilitation effort on the West Coast. The 50-year project is reverting thousands of acres of land all across the Bay that was once used for salt production to its historic tidal marsh state. But the majority of Bay Area plovers nest on these dried salt ponds. Experts worry the gradual conversion to wetlands will hamper the recovery of the species. … ” Read more from the Redwood City Pulse.
Pleasanton and Zone 7 settle $18M dispute
“The Zone 7 Water Agency and the City of Pleasanton have reached an agreement to settle a dispute claiming the city owed Zone 7 more than $18 million in under-collected water-connection fees. Per the July 17 settlement agreement, Pleasanton will contribute $250,000 to Zone 7’s PFAS Treatment Project and provide a $500,000 credit toward future land acquisition for Zone 7 projects in Pleasanton. The agencies will work together to better clarify how connection fees are collected moving forward. “This agreement reflects our desire to move forward in partnership, focus on the future and continue addressing regional water challenges together,” Pleasanton City Manager Gerry Beaudin said in a statement. “We appreciate the opportunity to resolve this matter outside of court and in a way that allows both agencies to continue serving our shared community.” … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent.
CENTRAL COAST
Salinas Valley Groundwater Agency seeks applicants for Advisory Committee to guide sustainable water management
“Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) is now accepting applications for its Advisory Committee, a crucial body responsible for guiding groundwater management strategies in the region. The committee provides valuable input and consensus-based recommendations to the SVBGSA Board of Directors, playing a key role in shaping sustainable groundwater practices across the Salinas Valley. The Advisory Committee reflects a diverse range of perspectives, representing various agencies and groundwater users throughout the area. Members are expected to serve as effective advocates, collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, dedicate time to understanding complex groundwater issues, represent community diversity and engage in focused, productive discussions. … ” Read more from King City Rustler.
EPA OKs ‘unprecedented’ cleanup plan for battery plant months after toxic Monterey County fire
“Ever since a massive fire tore through one of the world’s largest battery storage facilities in January, cleanup crews have been unable to safely access portions of the building that burned in rural Monterey County. The risk of reigniting a fire has been too high, preventing crews from starting the lengthy, dangerous removal of tens of thousands of lithium-ion batteries. Now, that process could soon begin. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week that it had reached an agreement regarding the battery removal with Texas-based Vistra Corp., which owns the battery energy storage system in Moss Landing that caught fire. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: Moss Landing Fire: Vistra and EPA reach battery cleanup agreement, from the Monterey Herald
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Central California Irrigation District’s new strategic plan charts ambitious course for water district’s future
“Central California Irrigation District has unveiled its draft strategic plan for 2020–2025, laying out a five-year vision for operations, infrastructure, workforce, and community partnerships. The plan, submitted to the Board of Directors on June 23 for formal review, builds on the District’s long track record of service to local growers while preparing for the changing demands of water management in California. The document offers a practical roadmap that will guide CCID’s decisions across seven major focus areas: water supply and infrastructure, workforce development, finance and rates, safety and security, technology and innovation, community partnerships, and board governance. Each priority reflects CCID’s grower-first mindset and commitment to reliable service, fiscal strength, and long-term sustainability. … ” Read more from Westside Connect.
After decades of living without clean drinking water, mother-daughter activists make headway in East Orosi
“Miriam Sanchez grew up watching her mom, Bertha Diaz, fight for clean drinking water in East Orosi, their Central Valley hometown. Now Miriam is on the front lines of that fight—and the activist mother-daughter team are hoping to see progress at last. Set in the orange groves of Tulare County, East Orosi is a farming community of around 700 residents. For decades, Sanchez says, their drinking water has been contaminated by dangerous levels of agricultural nitrates seeping into the soil. “Everybody knows that our water is not drinkable here,” she says. “It’s only used for cleaning and irrigating outside. For drinking, my family depends on six five-gallon bottles delivered every two weeks.” The bottled water is provided through a regional program paid for by polluters. … ” Read more from the Sacramento News & Review.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Forever chemicals in Orange County continue to inspire science and fear
“Testing, mitigation, fear. All three words are connected to so-called forever chemicals in Orange County, where the industrial toxins once used in everything from non-stick pans and fireproof pajamas to teddy bears and lipstick have been found at levels high enough to pose a local health threat. And all three words – or at least the ideas they stand for – figure to be particularly germane this summer. For example, testing related to forever chemicals and Orange County health is about to have a moment. For the past six years, researchers at UC Irvine have been studying how drinking water that contains PFAS (the scientific term for forever chemicals, a family that includes about 15,000 substances) may have affected the health of people who lived in six north and central county cities (Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange, Yorba Linda, Santa Ana, Tustin and Irvine) between 2000 and 2019. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
The LA River tests positive for harmful ‘forever chemicals’ in 41 of 45 samples
“A new national analysis has revealed elevated levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in U.S. waterways, including the Los Angeles River. The findings urge state and local action to address the harm posed by these substances known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment or our bodies. The Waterkeeper Alliance, a global network of organizations focused on restoring waterways through community advocacy, science and legal action, tested water upstream and downstream of wastewater treatment plants and biosolid sites (facilities that process sewage sludge). The organization completed its analysis by working with LA Waterkeeper and 112 other groups across 34 states. … ” Read more from LAist.
Smart water living: Urban water efficiency in SoCal
“As Southern California enters the peak of summer, water agencies, utilities, and residents are turning their attention to one of the region’s most pressing challenges—sustainable water use. July is officially recognized as Smart Irrigation Month, a national initiative launched by the Irrigation Association in 2005 to raise awareness about the value of efficient irrigation practices. This campaign is more than just a seasonal reminder; it’s a call to action in the face of increasing drought, rising temperatures, and growing pressure on water infrastructure. In Southern California, where outdoor water use accounts for more than 50% of residential consumption (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 2022), Smart Irrigation Month comes at a critical time. With July historically being the month of highest water demand, communities from Irvine to the Inland Empire are rallying around the message: Use water wisely, every drop counts. … ” Read more from UCANR.
SAN DIEGO
Michael Smolens: What to do with all that ‘Pure Water’?
“It seems like a good problem to have and one that should be getting even better. The San Diego region has more than enough water and more is on the way. That’s a rarity in the parched West. It sounds great, but the reality is, it’s an increasingly costly burden. That’s San Diego’s water situation in a nutshell. Decades ago, regional fear of water shortages spurred an ambitious effort to secure independent supplies by inking a landmark deal for Colorado River water, building a desalination plant, and constructing lots of infrastructure for moving and storing water. San Diego was lauded as a standout innovator in numerous national news stories. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
SeaWorld responds to fireworks lawsuit accusing it of polluting Mission Bay
“SeaWorld, which has been sued over its nightly summer fireworks shows, filed a formal response this week generally denying allegations that its pyrotechnic displays are polluting Mission Bay. The park’s legal brief was filed in federal court Monday in response to a March lawsuit in which two environmental groups — San Diego Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) — accuse the Mission Bay park of violating the federal Clean Water Act and the park’s own permit that allows it to conduct up to 150 fireworks shows a year. The park’s court filing, though, doesn’t offer much insight into its legal strategy as it consists mostly of boilerplate language that simply denies the multiple alleged violations or asserts that the environmental groups have failed to “set forth facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action” against SeaWorld. … ” Read more the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Trump EPA commits to ‘100% cleanup’ of chronically polluted Tijuana River in MOU with Mexico
“Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin committed the Trump administration to “a permanent, 100% solution to the decades-old Tijuana River sewage crisis” in a new agreement signed with Mexico on Thursday. “I smelled for myself that foul smell that so many residents of Southern California have been complaining about for so long,” Zeldin said, adding that President Trump was highly motivated after hearing from Navy Seals who must train in the polluted waters of the Pacific Ocean where the Tijuana River meets the sea. “Today, what we are demonstrating is that, yes, it can be done,” said Mexico Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Alicia Bárcena, preparing to sign the memorandum of understanding, or MOU. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: EPA head and Mexican government sign agreement to end Tijuana sewage flows, from KPBS
Along the Colorado River …
Ahead of Colorado River Day, US West lawmakers introduce bipartisan conservation legislation
“Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced legislation aimed at optimizing water management in the U.S. West on Thursday, the eve of the region’s annual Colorado River Day. The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 would seek to improve forecasting and measurement of water, with the goal of mitigating the impacts of drought conditions. The bipartisan effort comes a day before the Colorado River’s renaming anniversary, when the artery took on its current title in place of the Grand River in 1921. “In the West, water is everything — our economy, our communities, and our way of life depend on it,” Curtis said in a statement. … ” Read more from The Hill.
Water wars: a historic agreement between Mexico and US is ramping up border tension
“As climate change drives rising temperatures and changes in rainfall, Mexico and the US are in the middle of a conflict over water, putting an additional strain on their relationship. Partly due to constant droughts, Mexico has struggled to maintain its water deliveries for much of the last 25 years, in keeping with a water-sharing agreement between the two countries that has been in place since 1944 (agreements between the two regulating water sharing have existed since the 19th century). As part of this 1944 treaty, set up when water was not as scarce as it is now, the two nations divide and share the flows from three rivers (the Rio Grande, the Colorado and the Tijuana) that range along their 2,000-mile border. The process is overseen by the International Boundary and Water Commission. Mexico must send 430 million cubic metres of water per year from the Rio Grande to the US, while the US must send nearly 1.85 billion cubic metres of water from the Colorado River to support the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
Exclusive look inside the massive pipelines keeping Arizona hydrated
“Out in the desert north of Phoenix Valley lies a critical piece of Arizona’s water lifeline: the Agua Fria River Siphon. It’s just one link in the 336-mile Central Arizona Project canal system that delivers over 500 billion gallons of Colorado River water to Phoenix and Tucson. When that canal crosses a river like the Agua Fria, engineers employ massive siphons to pump water underneath. “Through the aqueduct, through some more pipelines, and into the Phoenix Metropolitan area,” Jim Geisbush, Central Arizona Project engineer and P.H.D, said. “During the visit this past week, the siphon was bone dry thanks to blockers, which were lowered into the canal, allowing crews to work safely.” … ” Read more from Channel 15.
Ninth Circuit revives Arizona wells caught in tribal water quarrel
“Four privately owned wells along Arizona’s Gila River may be reopened after a Ninth Circuit panel found little likelihood that the wells extract a significant amount of surface water federally reserved for the Gila River Indian Community downstream. The federal appeals court reversed a lower court order to seal the four wells, which feed eight parcels of land owned and operated by a group of ranchers who the indigenous tribe says are in violation of a nearly century-old agreement that reserves the entirety of the Gila River’s surface water for the tribe. Because of a complicated legal distinction between river subflow — underground water classified as surface water — and surrounding groundwater, the three-judge panel says it’s unclear how much water granted to the tribe is actually eaten by the wells. Thursday, citing a low likelihood that the wells take a notable amount from the river itself, the Ninth Circuit panel declared the order sealing the wells to be an overly broad remedy, sending the litigation back to the trial court for further factfinding. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Western lawmakers make moves to improve snow measurement in the Colorado River Basin
“Western lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, want to know — exactly — how much snow and water is in the Colorado River Basin. The legislators Thursday introduced a bill focused on improving how the basin measures its water supply. It’s a tough subject: Rising temperatures, prolonged drought and persistent demands have cast uncertainty over the future water supply of 40 million people. With better measurement techniques, water users will be better prepared to decide how to manage reservoirs, put water on crops and manage drinking water systems, according to Hickenlooper, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. John Curtis, a Republican from Utah. “You can’t manage what you can’t measure,” Hickenlooper said. “Snowmelt is Colorado’s largest reservoir. Leveraging advanced snow monitoring tech will give us more accurate water predictions and unlock a better understanding of how to make the most of our water in an era of extreme drought.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
The Colorado River is officially contaminated with invasive zebra mussels. Can the state stop the spread?
“Water managers and state wildlife officials last year hoped the discovery of a microscopic zebra mussel larva in the Colorado River was a one-time event, not a sign of a larger problem lurking beneath the surface. It was the first time larvae from the destructive invasive species had been found in the river in Colorado. For nearly a year, despite increased sampling, state wildlife officials didn’t see any more evidence of the mussels. But their hopes were dashed earlier this month when Colorado Parks and Wildlife detected three more tiny larvae in the stretch of the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Silt. The mussels — known to devastate ecosystems and clog critical infrastructure — had once again found their way to the river that is the backbone of Colorado and the Southwest’s water supply. … ” Read more from the Arizona Sun.
In national water news today …
‘Biggest, baddest’ rainfall events are getting worse
“Texas hill country. Central North Carolina. New Mexico. Chicago. Kansas City. New York. Flash floods have wreaked havoc across the country this summer, transcending geography, topography and the built environment from the rural Southwest to the largest cities in the Midwest and Northeast. The outcomes have been fueled, in each case, by slightly different factors. Hard concrete surfaces in Chicago and New York forced rainwater to pool in the streets or pour into the subways. Wildfire scars near Ruidoso, New Mexico, left the soil loose and vulnerable to floods. Hilly terrain in Kerr County, Texas, sent runoff cascading into the nearby Guadalupe River, which swiftly overflowed its banks. But a common ingredient triggered them all: explosions of torrential — and in some cases, record-breaking — rainfall. These heavy precipitation events are among the clearest symptoms of climate change, scientists say. Copious studies warn that they’re already happening more often and becoming more intense, and they’ll continue to worsen as global temperatures rise. And the most catastrophic rainfall events may be worsening the fastest, some experts say. … ” Read more from E&E News.
Trump’s AI action plan waives federal environmental rules in the development of data centers
“Some of the most exclusive seats at President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January were reserved for the leaders of Big Tech companies like Meta, Amazon and Google. While the mega-rich have long had an outsized role in U.S. national politics, many saw the inaugural display as a tell-tale sign of the influence the tech industry would have in Trump’s second term after Silicon Valley pledged newfound support to his administration. On Wednesday, that support paid off. The administration announced its plans to speed the development of artificial intelligence in the U.S. by allowing companies to build the technology and related infrastructure with minimal federal oversight. Among the actions outlined: waiving some environmental regulations for data centers and determining in concert with the industry any other rules that “unnecessarily hinder AI development or deployment.” … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Greene: Trump’s AI order ignores ‘massive’ water usage of data centers
“Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) voiced concerns Thursday about President Trump’s push to build out artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, warning about the “massive” water usage of data centers. Trump laid out his approach to the technology in his AI Action Plan on Wednesday and signed three executive orders aimed at delivering on portions of the plan, including fast-tracking data center construction, boosting the export of American AI and barring “woke” AI in federal contracting. “I have many concerns about the AI Executive Order signed yesterday by President Trump,” Greene wrote in a lengthy post on the social platform X. “While I understand the many promised benefits of AI, I remain committed to protecting state rights, human jobs, human lives, human rights, our environment and critical water supply.” … ” Read more from Yahoo News.
A ‘trust-building exercise’: Senate Interior-Environment spending bill advances
“Senate appropriators on Thursday advanced legislation funding environment and natural resource agencies targeted for deep budget cuts by the Trump administration. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal 2026 Interior-Environment spending bill on a bipartisan 26-2 vote. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) were the “no” votes. The legislation would spend $41.5 billion for Interior, EPA and other agencies, an increase compared to the White House budget request and the House’s $37.9 billion bill. Senators in both parties acknowledged the bipartisan process has been difficult but must be done to avoid agencies shuttering when federal funding runs out at the end of September. “I think most of us here recognize that we have to reject that path because at the end of the day, passing funding bills here in the Senate takes 60 votes,” said ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.). “That means that the Trump path is choosing a dead end and a shutdown.”… ” Read more from E&E News.
EPA announces plan to eliminate its Office of Research and Development
“The Environmental Protection Agency announced July 18 it would continue workforce reductions through the elimination of its Office of Research and Development, which provides the independent scientific research that underpins nearly all the agency’s policies and regulations. For decades, the science office has analyzed a multitude of risks, including the impacts of hazardous chemicals, hydraulic fracking, contamination to public water supplies, and wildfire smoke. Industrial manufacturers have historically been critical of the research by the Office of Research and Development because it frequently was used to justify stricter environmental rules. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced his goal to cut dozens of environmental regulations to make it cheaper and easier for industries to operate. … ” Read more from Goldberg Segalla.
Trump’s EPA now says greenhouse gases don’t endanger people
“The Trump administration wants to overturn a key 2009 Environmental Protection Agency finding that underpins much of the federal government’s actions to rein in climate change. The EPA has crafted a proposal that would undo the government’s “endangerment finding,” a determination that pollutants from burning fossil fuels, such as carbon dioxide and methane, can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The finding has long served as the foundation for a host of policies and rules to address climate change. The EPA’s proposal to revoke the finding is currently under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Already, environmentalists, climate advocates and others are bracing for what could be a fundamental shift away from trying to address the problem of a hotter climate. And the Trump administration is celebrating the proposal as a potential economic win. … ” Read more from the LAist.
EPA’s move to greenlight controversial dicamba herbicide sparks outrage
“In the latest reversal of US environmental protections, regulators said this week that they plan to approve a trio of new herbicide products made with dicamba, a controversial chemical that has wreaked havoc across farm country, sparked years of litigation and twice drawn court-ordered bans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed decision dated July 22 stating it sees more benefits than risks in allowing three dicamba products made by agrochemical industry giants Bayer, Syngenta and BASF to be used by farmers growing cotton and soybeans genetically altered to tolerate dicamba. Public and environmental health advocacy groups attacked the decision, saying it ignores established evidence that dicamba is prone to drift away from where it is sprayed, particularly in warm temperatures, and the potent herbicide has damaged millions of acres of crops, orchards and landscape where it was never intended to be applied. … ” Read more from New Lede.
Why are data nerds racing to save US government statistics?
“After watching data sets be altered or disappear from U.S. government websites in unprecedented ways after President Donald Trump began his second term, an army of outside statisticians, demographers and computer scientists have joined forces to capture, preserve and share data sets, sometimes clandestinely. Their goal is to make sure they are available in the future, believing that democracy suffers when policymakers don’t have reliable data and that national statistics should be above partisan politics. “There are such smart, passionate people who care deeply about not only the Census Bureau, but all the statistical agencies, and ensuring the integrity of the statistical system. And that gives me hope, even during these challenging times,” Mary Jo Mitchell, director of government and public affairs for the research nonprofit the Population Association of America, said this week during an online public data-users conference. … ” Read more the Marin Independent Journal.
Oceans hit unprecedented boiling point in 2023
“Ocean temperatures soared to record highs in 2023, with marine heat waves — prolonged stretches of unusually warm water — shattering records for intensity, duration and global coverage. Researchers, in a study published Thursday in the journal Science, suggest these extremes may be more than just another milestone in a warming world. Led by scientists from institutions in China and the United States, researchers raise the possibility that the 2023 marine heat waves could mark a fundamental shift in how the ocean and atmosphere interact. The findings offer the most comprehensive look yet at a year when vast swaths of ocean turned dangerously warm, threatening marine life and disrupting global weather. Unlike land-based heat waves, marine heat waves unfold slowly and can persist for months or even years. The North Atlantic event that dominated headlines began in mid-2022 and lasted for 525 consecutive days. In the Southwest Pacific, marine heat waves shattered previous records for both geographic reach and staying power. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOW AVAILABLE: Final Independent Peer Review Report for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Science Plan
NOW AVAILABLE: Draft 2025 AWMP Guidebook Release and Public Comment Period Open
CDFW to Host Public Scoping Meetings on Development of Beaver Management and Restoration Plan
