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On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC HEARING: Delta Conveyance Project water right hearing beginning at 9am. The State Water Resources Control Board Administrative Hearings Office will hold a Public Hearing on the pending Petitions for Change of Water Right Permits for the Delta Conveyance Project. Interested members of the public who would like to watch this hearing without participating may do so through the Administrative Hearings Office YouTube channel at: bit.ly/aho-youtube. Click here for the meeting notice.
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 9am to 12:30pm. Agenda items include the Delta Lead Scientist’s Report, discussion on Decision-making Under Deep Uncertainty Review, the upcoming Climate Science Research Symposium, Contaminants review, and reflections from outgoing Delta ISB members. Click here for the meeting notice.
In California water news today …
University researchers team up with nonprofit to make the most of groundwater recharge
“Researchers at Stanford University are working with an in-state nonprofit to take a new and hopefully more productive look at groundwater recharge activity around the Central Valley. Their approach is two-fold: university researchers are applying new technology for identifying the best locations for diverting floodwater, while the Chico-based nonprofit, called River Partners, works to maximize the benefits for not only farmers but also wildlife and recreational users. Although the partnership has no immediate plans for doing the work in Kern County, people involved say the initiative carries lessons that may be applicable in the southern San Joaquin Valley, such as better siting techniques and broader, fuller use of floodplains. … ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian.
As flames scorch Western forests, Flagstaff area offers roadmap for post-wildfire flood prevention
” … In Coconino County, the summer 2022 monsoon was a conveyor belt of destruction. A series of storms inflicted wave upon wave of property and infrastructure damage downstream of the Pipeline Fire burn scar. Lucinda Andreani, administrator of the Coconino County Flood Control District, counted 45 major flood events that summer that closed roads and flooded properties. The summer storms whisked water off slopes and soils now charred by the fire. They flooded U.S. Route 89, a main highway heading north, some 13 times. They carved deep channels in the land, transported huge volumes of sediment, and pummeled homes with boulders larger than basketballs. … A landscape coming apart at the seams that summer became the principal challenge for Andreani, other Coconino County and City of Flagstaff officials, and their long-time watershed restoration collaborators in the private sector. In the frantic months after the fire, they had a single, unifying mission that would shape the next year of their professional lives and become a $130 million endeavor: Fix the watershed before it breaks again. … ” Read the full story at Circle of Blue.
Over 200 organizations call for major fixes to new CA state permitting law to protect public health, air and water quality, and natural lands
“A coalition of over 200 organizations from throughout California today called on Governor Newsom and the California Legislature to immediately fix major problems in the recently enacted “permit streamlining” law (Senate Bill 131) that threatens the health of neighborhoods and workplaces, the safety of our air and water, and areas critical to threatened wildlife. The coalition letter was signed by environmental, environmental justice, labor, affordable housing, public health, farm, local government, social justice, and food safety organizations. … SB 131 exempts a wide range of industrial and other development projects from CEQA including advanced manufacturing facilities that can be major sources of toxic contamination, air and water pollution, and destruction of wildlife areas. The new law’s definition of “advanced manufacturing” is so broad that it can include lithium compound, heavy metal, battery manufacturing, waste incineration, strip-mining, and other polluting industries. … ” Read the full press release.
USDA fields questions about plan to slash staff, facilities
“As the U.S. Department of Agriculture moves forward with its reorganization, questions remain about how the changes will affect farmers. “USDA has provided little information about the reorganization, but our objective at the California Farm Bureau is to ensure that the country’s largest agricultural state has the resources and support it needs from USDA and the U.S. Forest Service,” said Erin Huston, federal policy consultant for the California Farm Bureau. Agricultural stakeholders have until Aug. 26 to weigh in on USDA’s sweeping reorganization plan, which Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced late last month. Rollins said the plan seeks to align the workforce size with the budget, bring the department closer to farmers and rural communities, eliminate layers of management and consolidate redundant support functions. … ” Read more from Ag Alert.
California has more cattle feedlots than any state, new map shows. Why that matters
“In a first, researchers have identified the nation’s roughly 8,700 cattle feeding operations, and the map shows California has more of them than any other state. California also has the most feedlot acreage: over 85,000 acres, or 130 square miles, the majority of it for dairy cows. Tulare County has more than any county in the country — 304 operations. Were it a state, it would would rank No. 8, researchers at the University of Michigan and UC Santa Barbara found. Until now, there has been no national database of animal feeding operations. The federal government doesn’t keep one, and states tend to keep what information they have confidential. The researchers say their data will allow local governments and non-governmental organizations to set targeted environmental, health and economic policies for their regions. “It’s really awesome research,” said Andrew deCoriolis, the director of FarmFoward, an anti-industrial agriculture group. “This is by far the most comprehensive research I’ve seen, both in the map … and the quantification of the number of operations.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Professor joins team to assess state water conservation laws
“UC Riverside professor Kurt Schwabe has joined a multi-university research team to assess the effectiveness and consequences of California’s water conservation laws. In addition to Schwabe, the collaboration includes experts from UCLA, UC Merced, and Sacramento State University’s Office of Water Programs. Working in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board, the team aims to evaluate how water conservation policies—established by legislation in 2018 and 2022—impact supply reliability, system stress, wastewater treatment systems, and social equity across the state. “These laws are ushering in a new era of water conservation in California,” said Schwabe, a professor of environmental economics and policy in UCR’s School of Public Policy. “We want to understand how well they’re working—and for whom.” … ” Continue reading from UC Riverside.
In commentary today …
Governor Newsom gives state lawmakers opportunity to make water supplies more secure for Californians
Lester Snow, Director of the California Department of Water Resources and Secretary for Natural Resources under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, writes, “Since the 1960s, governors of both parties, quite different in their priorities, have struggled to protect water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Every time voters, legislators, or regulators defeated a governor’s proposal, another proposal replaced it. Why? Because when the status quo invites economic and ecological catastrophe, if you’re governor, doing nothing is derelict. Governor Gavin Newsom has tackled this problem with as much energy and creativity as any of his predecessors. Upon taking office in 2019, he directed the California Department of Water Resources to reconsider Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed WaterFix project, which would have built two tunnels under the Delta to carry Sacramento River water to the State Water Project pumping plant that supplies 27 million Californians from San Jose to San Diego. Governor Newsom shrunk the project to a single tunnel, rerouted it to avoid disruptions to historic Delta towns as much as possible, eliminated a forebay and a riverside intake, and reduced by a third the volume of water the tunnel could carry. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
Updated plan for Bay-Delta system balances needs of state water users
The California Chamber of Commerce writes, “The latest draft plan for managing the Bay-Delta system continues to include a California Chamber of Commerce-supported option that balances the diverse needs of urban, agricultural and environmental water uses while preventing reduced water supplies for the state. The draft update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Plan was released on July 24 by the State Water Resources Control Board. The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta) system is the source of drinking water for two-thirds of the state’s population. It also provides critical habitat for fish and wildlife, including many endangered and threatened species. … ” Read more from the California Chamber of Commerce.
Families and farmers deserve priority in California’s climate future
Brian Shobe, Policy Director at the California Climate and Agriculture Network, writes, “Climate change is not a distant threat. It’s a daily reality affecting the health, food supply, and livelihoods of all Californians. The farmers and ranchers I work with are acutely facing the worsening effects of climate change. In recent years, floods have washed away farms, extreme heat waves have decimated harvests, and wildfires have damaged crops and killed livestock. These climate impacts are driving up the cost of food for everyone. That’s why every Californian has a stake in how the next 20 years of climate policy will be decided this month when lawmakers finalize the terms for extending the state’s Cap-and-Trade program. … It’s alarming to see state leaders consider reauthorizing Cap-and-Trade in a way that prioritizes the oil and gas industry – California’s largest source of pollution – at the expense of hardworking families and farmers struggling with the climate crisis. … ” Read the full commentary at the SJV Sun.
The Earth is drying — sparing no sector and creating cascades of chaos
Columnist Mark Gongloff writes, “You might not believe it if you’ve experienced one of the flash floods hammering the planet from Texas to Vietnam this summer, but the Earth is becoming drier — at least the parts where most people live. Given how this can affect every aspect of human existence, from farming to geopolitics, it’s past time we started treating this like the emergency it is. Measurements from NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment satellites suggest the continents have been losing fresh water at an alarming rate since 2002, according to a recent study in the journal Science Advances. Some parts of the planet are becoming wetter, especially in the tropics, but the drying parts are drying more quickly than the increasingly wet parts are getting wet. The drying parts are also spreading, gaining roughly two Californias’ worth of land every year and recently merging into “mega-drying” regions sprawling across vast stretches of continents. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
‘Positive momentum’: No salmon at Salmon Festival, but Klamath restoration cause for celebration
“For the third year in a row, the annual Salmon Festival hosted by the Yurok Tribe will be without salmon due to this year’s “well below average” fish forecast. The lack of salmon in the area has kept the festival without salmon since 2022. Even without the salmon, the 61st annual Salmon Festival will be a celebration. The theme for this year’s Klamath Festival is “Celebrating the Spectacular Start of the Klamath River’s Renewal!” with the tribe celebrating the historic undamming of the Klamath River. “This year, we have every reason to be thankful — the Klamath River looks better than any other time in living memory, a powerful testament to dam removal and restoration. We invite the community to join us in celebrating the river’s renewal,” Yurok Chairman Joseph L. James said in a release on Tuesday. “It fills my heart to see the Klamath healing with each passing day.” … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard.
SEE ALSO: Yurok Tribe celebrates Klamath River’s renewal at 61st annual Salmon Festival, from KRCR
At virtual public meeting last night, PG&E officials outline next steps for Eel River Dam removal
“At a virtual town hall meeting last night, Pacific Gas & Electric Company officials went over the painstaking federal regulatory process that lies ahead as the utility prepares to decommission and dismantle the defunct Potter Valley Project — a two-dam hydroelectric system that has delivered flows from the Eel River basin to communities in the Russian River watershed for more than 100 years. PG&E recently submitted a Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan for the defunct hydropower project to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), kicking off a years-long governmental and public review process. If the proposal moves forward as planned, PG&E will demolish much of the power station, which has been offline since 2021, and tear down both Scott and Cape Horn dams, draining Lake Pillsbury in Lake County and Van Arsdale Reservoir in Mendocino County. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost.
Push to tear down Eel River dams comes to Willits
“Two local environmental groups are inviting the public to learn more about the push to remove two century-old dams from the Eel River and to add their voices in support of the project. The Sierra Club Mendocino Group and Friends of the Eel River will host a comment-writing workshop and meet-and-greet on Friday, Aug. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Willits Environmental Center, 630 S. Main St., according to a joint press release. The event will feature the Redwood Chapter’s new director, Alicia Bales, and Friends of the Eel River’s executive director, Alicia Hamann. Refreshments will be provided. Organizers say the Potter Valley Project, which includes the two dams and a diversion from the Eel River into the Russian River, “has failed in just about every way it can,” citing its lack of power generation, seismic risks, sediment-filled reservoir, and unreliable water supply. … ” Read more from Mendo Fever.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Water precautions lifted for beaches near Camp Richardson
“All water precautions near Camp Richardson Resort were lifted today by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, as ongoing water test results show the water at Camp Richardson meets or exceeds state standards and the data supports the removal of the advisory signs. Lahontan announced it will resume regular summer weekly sampling frequency through the week of Sept. 8, 2025. No illnesses were reported from the incident. “We are thankful for the public’s patience and understanding as we worked closely with our partners to ensure the safety of our visitors,” said Daniel Cressy, public services staff officer for the Forest Service. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
BAY AREA
Feral lawns grow in the Bay Area
“A quiet revolution is unfolding across Bay Area suburbs. In cities like Berkeley and San Jose, the meaning of a “nice yard” is being redefined. With water bills rising each summer—by an average of 6.5% in the East Bay and 5.5% in the South Bay, according to East Bay Municipal Utility District and San Jose Water—more residents are putting down the hose and embracing a wilder approach to residential landscaping. These so-called “feral lawns” take many forms. Some are carefully planned native gardens filled with drought-tolerant California flora, while others look like an HOA citation waiting to happen. But one thing is clear: Those who stray from traditional lawn culture often face pushback from nosy neighbors and city officials for their decision to disrupt the suburban status quo. … ” Read the full story from the East Bay Express.
Palo Alto backs water deal to help Mountain View despite utility commission concerns
“A regional water supply deal that split Palo Alto’s Utility Advisory Commission in June secured this week the unanimous backing of the City Council, with members concluding that the water needs of neighboring Mountain View outweigh commissioners’ concerns about transparency and long-term drought planning. The water contract is one that 26 jurisdictions, represented by the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Association, maintain with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. BAWSCA and SFPUC have been in negotiations for nearly three years to amend their contract, with a focus on revising the minimum amount of water cities have to purchase each year. … ” Read more from Palo Alto Online.
CENTRAL COAST
Commentary: Why desalination is essential
Adam Pinterits, the government and community affairs director for the Monterey County Association of Realtors, writes, “For decades, the Monterey Peninsula has lived under the specter of water scarcity. Our local economy, environment, and quality of life have been held captive by an unsustainable reliance on the Carmel River, a source whose necessary over-pumping culminated in a state-mandated cease-and-desist order, putting our community in a bind and leading to a building moratorium that has meant local families couldn’t add on to their homes, or build on existing lots they own. It has also prevented the development of enough affordable and workforce housing. While conservation, water reuse and aquifer storage and recovery are part of the solution, they alone cannot provide the long-term security we need. We need to ensure that our water supply will meet our demands now and in the future. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
Monterey Bay study finds blue whales suddenly going silent. Scientists think this is why
“Changing ocean conditions making whale prey scarce are causing the mammals to stop singing, a recent Monterey Bay study found. Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Cascadia Research Collective and other national institutions spent six years monitoring the acoustic sounds of blue, fin and humpback whales off California’s Central Coast from July 2015 to June 2021, according to a study published in February. Researchers set out to determine whether the frequency of whale songs changed seasonally and whether that frequency was indicative of changes within marine ecosystems. As a result, scientists found the levels of whale songs among different species correlated with their ability to locate and consume prey. … ” Read more from the Salinas Californian.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Coast Guard contractor removes derelict minesweeper from San Joaquin Delta
“A contractor working for the U.S. Coast Guard has finished removing the oil-soaked hull of a wooden minesweeper from Little Potato Slough, completing the last large vessel removal of the cleanup for the wreck-ridden waterway near Stockton, California. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has long been a catch basin for derelict vessels, some larger than others. For decades, the Suisun Bay area of the Sacramento River was home to dozens of decaying government ships maintained by MARAD, almost all of which have been towed off to the scrapyard to resolve an environmental lawsuit. But many more private vessels litter the narrow waterways upriver, and Little Potato Slough – a meandering waterway on the outskirts of Stockton – has become notorious for its wrecks. … ” Read more from Maritime Executive.
Kern agency doesn’t shut door on water sale as possible solution for homeowners 200 miles away
“Residents of the Diablo Grande housing development in the foothills west of Modesto hope a possible water sale could keep water flowing to their own homes, but they need buy-in from the Kern County Water Agency. For its part, KCWA hasn’t said yes. But it hasn’t said no. In a July 29 letter to the attorney for Western Hills Water District, which serves Diablo Grande exclusively, KCWA states it is willing to work with the district “…if an economically, logistically and regulatorily feasible solution can be found.” Given the complexity of the 24-year deal that first brought KCWA and Western Hills together, that could be tricky. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
VIDEO: Kern was “river of life” for Yokuts tribes
“Welcome to the second in our series of videos looking at who owns the Kern River. The Yokuts, which included 40 to 50 different tribes, used the Kern River for everything from food to transportation for centuries. But the tribes, which are still here in the San Joaquin Valley today, were not considered when the river’s waters were divvied up by settlers.” Watch video at SJV Water.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LA county announces progress on Bouquet Creek
“Los Angeles County officials Tuesday announced the first progress on a yearslong multimillion-dollar effort to restore Bouquet Canyon Creek, a watershed eyed as being in need of work since a series of brush fires in the early 2000s, according to county officials. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved awarding a $12 million grant “to enter the design phase of a major habitat restoration project along an 8-mile stretch of Bouquet Canyon Creek, downstream of Bouquet Reservoir.” The work is intended to prevent water within the creek from spilling over onto Bouquet Canyon Road during reservoir releases by the city of Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power and during many storm events, according to county officials. … ” Read more from the Santa Clarita Signal.
DWP declares water safe to drink in West Valley, urges residents to flush pipes
“The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power lifted a “boil water” notice Tuesday afternoon for Granada Hills and Porter Ranch, ending a weeklong episode that saw residents’ taps run dry or slow to a trickle. The DWP urged residents to flush out all water pipes and appliances before using the water. About 9,200 households in the west San Fernando Valley were affected by a water service outage that started last week after DWP workers discovered a faulty valve, according to the agency. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
A mysterious illness is making Southern California seagulls sick
“Animal experts are looking into a mysterious illness affecting Southern California’s Western gulls. At least 16 birds have been treated from the Venice, Redondo, Malibu and the South Bay areas, according to International Bird Rescue. It is unclear how many seagulls have been affected in total. Tests indicate that the sickness is not bird flu, said JD Bergeron, CEO of International Bird Rescue.“It seems to be more of a toxicity rather than a disease like bird flu,” Bergeron said. “Something like a harmful algal bloom or something similar.” … ” Read more from the LAist.
Southern California restoration: NOAA and partners lead coastal recovery 10 years after Refugio oil spill
“Ten years after the Refugio Beach oil spill injured a stretch of California’s coastline, NOAA commemorates a decade of restoration progress. This work continues to heal marine ecosystems, rebuild fisheries and wildlife populations, and reconnect communities with coastal habitats. On May 19, 2015, a ruptured pipeline near Refugio State Beach—just outside Santa Barbara—released more than 100,000 gallons of crude oil. The oil flowed through storm drains and ravines into the Pacific Ocean. It contaminated sensitive rocky intertidal zones, sandy beaches, and nearshore waters. It injured fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, and forced closures of fisheries, beaches, and coastal recreation areas. Through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process, NOAA led the assessment of how the oil spill harmed the ecosystem and impacted human uses, such as recreation. In 2020, NOAA and other state and federal agencies secured a $22.3 million settlement with Plains All American Pipeline, the party responsible for the spill. Since then, we have managed the use of settlement funds to restore the impacted habitats and help coastal communities recover. … ” Read more from NOAA Fisheries.
CDFW issues permit to advance key groundwater quality improvement project in Yucca Valley
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is engaged on a project to allow a key groundwater quality project to proceed in the town of Yucca Valley, in San Bernardino County. The project, to decommission thousands of septic tanks in the community and replace them with a sewer system, is designed to improve and safeguard water quality for the local residents and surrounding desert habitats. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act requires that any project that may impact or remove western Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) must be approved by CDFW through an incidental take permit. This permit, issued to Hi-Desert Water District and includes the region’s participating homeowners, covers potential impacts to western Joshua trees during the scope of the sewer upgrade construction project. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish & Wildlife.
SAN DIEGO
San Diego residents face water rate increases, and have the opportunity to protest
“San Diego residents may soon see higher water bills as the city proposes rate increases to cover rising costs and infrastructure needs. According to a handout sent to residents served by the nonprofit Public Utility Company, increases could be as much as $15-17 per family household, compounded over the next four years. In other words, an average family’s water bill in San Diego could be up to $60 more per month by 2029. The flyer also included why the proposed changes need to happen. “We are not going to have enough money to pay for ourselves, not enough money to survive” said Galina Bespechny, one concerned resident when asked about the impact on her monthly budget. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Powell’s plunge toward ‘dead pool’ danger threatens Arizona water supply — what it means for the US West
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has issued a harrowing warning on the dangerously low water levels in Lake Powell, which could drop below critical levels as early as 2026. Water levels at the man-made reservoir in the southwest may approach the “minimum power pool” elevation of 3,500 feet by December of next year, potentially halting hydroelectric production at the Glen Canyon Dam, according to AZ Family. Minimum power pool represents the lowest elevation at which water can still pass through the turbines of a dam. If this were to happen, residents in seven west coast states — Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California — could experience potential blackouts and water shortages. But it gets worse — as of now, Lake Powell’s water levels sit 184 feet above what’s called the “dead pool,” the level at which a dam can no longer release water downstream…. ” Read more from Moneywise.
Heat streaks are becoming more frequent and intense across the Mountain West, analysis finds
“A new report finds multi-day streaks of extreme heat are becoming stronger and lasting longer across the U.S., especially in Mountain West states. Experts warn that heatwaves are not only a health concern, but can strain energy resources. Most major cities are now experiencing two more extreme heat streaks each year compared to 1970, according to an analysis by Climate Central, which found that human-caused climate change is driving the trend. The nonpartisan research group defines an “extreme heat streak” as at least three days in a row where a city’s daily high temperature is hotter than 90% of all highs during the last few decades. That’s happening even more frequently than the national average in several parts of the Mountain West. … ” Read more from Boise State Public Radio.
Arizona game officials clear tamarisk stands to restore Gila River habitat
“The Arizona Game and Fish Department is clearing overgrown shrubby, tamarisk trees to restore the riparian habitat on the Gila River. The stands have become so dense, even the heartiest of desert species are struggling to reach the water. The tamarisk trees, also known as salt cedars, along the Gila River in Arizona, are creating an increased wildfire risk in an already arid and fire-prone area. They are also blocking access to the water for native javelina, mule deer and bighorn sheep, which are capable of burrowing through almost anything. Bobby Lamoreaux, lands and habitat programs manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said crews are working to change the landscape. “We’re trying to just restore it to the old condition,” Lamoreaux explained. … ” Read more from KAWC.
Arizona farms and cities want to join Fondomonte in fighting off a lawsuit by Attorney General Mayes
“Arizona farms and municipalities want a judge to let them fight in court against Attorney General Kris Mayes in her quest to stop a Saudi Arabian-owned company from pumping the state’s groundwater. Fondomonte has operated in Arizona for more than a decade, growing alfalfa with groundwater and using it to feed cattle. Mayes sued the company in December of last year in Maricopa County Superior Court on claims its groundwater pumping is a “public nuisance,” but a coalition of Arizona farmers, cities and other stakeholders want to intervene, saying the outcome of the lawsuit will affect them too if Mayes succeeds in blocking Fondomonte from pumping groundwater. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Federal funds restored for Orchard Mesa water projects, benefiting the Colorado River
“Federal funding that was once pulled from two water projects in Orchard Mesa, has now been released. A major win for local water managers and the Grand Valley. Two critical water projects in Orchard Mesa are moving forward again, after the federal government re-released $10.5 million in funding. These came from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Drought Mitigation Program, and were originally awarded, then pulled back earlier this year due to funding. Jackie Fisher, District Manager for the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, says that these funds being released is of high importance for the entire Colorado River system. “First of all we are more than grateful for the partnership between all of the agencies and entities that took in pulling these applications together to begin with and for the opportunity that is provided.” … ” Read more from Western Slope Now.
What do nearly 200 people say about a plan to buy powerful Colorado River rights? Go for it.
“Western Slope communities and water agencies want to be able to use powerful Colorado River water rights tied to the Shoshone Power Plant to help the environment. Over 170 members of the public weighed in on the process — and all but one said they liked the idea. The Colorado Water Conservation Board, a state water agency, gathered the public comments in preparation for a hearing about whether to incorporate the water rights into the state’s Instream Flow Program. The program aims to keep water in rivers to help aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The proposed change is part of a larger plan on the Western Slope to permanently maintain the historic flows around Shoshone. Doing so would benefit ecosystems near the power plant, endangered fish in downstream and local economies, supporters say. Some Front Range water providers and managers have voiced concerns, saying the plan could hurt their water supplies. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Urologic cancers, stones linked with US water contamination
“Urologic cancers and urolithiasis among US residents are significantly associated with water contaminants such as plastics-processing waste, arsenic, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, according to several studies recently presented at the American Urological Association annual meeting. Incidence of bladder cancer was significantly associated with increased levels of plastic processing waste, Devika Nandwana, BS, an MD candidate at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, and colleagues reported Ohio is a hub for plastic recycling and manufacturing, the investigators noted. They obtained 2006 to 2016 bladder cancer data from the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS), and environmental data from the EPA’s Risk-Screening Environment Indicator (RSEI) database. … ” Read more from Renal and Urology News.
US, other fossil fuel producers try to weaken plastics treaty
“A global deal to halt plastic pollution is at risk of collapsing amid opposition from a group of two dozen fossil-fuel-producing nations and the United States that support plastics as a driver of demand for oil, gas and coal. The countries are resisting a push by more than 100 others to include limits on plastic production as a way of reducing emissions and trash in a treaty they’ve been negotiating since 2022. The sixth round of talks this week in Geneva are meant to be the last chance to strike an agreement, but countries remain divided with just two days left to negotiate. “Unhinged plastic production is the petrochemicals industry’s plan B,” Juan Carlos Monterrey-Gomez, Panama’s lead negotiator, told reporters this week. “They know that the world is moving away from fossil fuels and more into renewable energies, but they want to safeguard those practices that have hampered not only our economies but also our health.” … ” Read more from E&E News.
