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In California water news this weekend …
Rollins meets with Potter Valley farmers and ranchers, vows to fight for their water
“Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently met with about a half dozen stakeholders local to the Potter Valley Project, a hydroelectric plant in Northern California slated for removal. Through my reporting at UNWON I’ve connected with leaders in the Trump administration and was honored to help coordinate the meeting by organizing a non-partisan coalition of local leaders, farmers, ranchers, and business owners to meet with Secretary Rollins. These individuals discussed the future of the Potter Valley Project, the devastation its removal would have on the region, and the inadequacy of proposed alternative solutions including the so-called “Two-Basin Solution.” The following Sunday evening, Secretary Rollins posted a message to her X account in support of the effort to protect this water supply, which is vital to thousands of generational farms and ranches in Northern California … ” Continue reading at the Fence Post.
Oakland Coliseum has been pumping groundwater into the bay for years — without a permit
“For decades, the Oakland Coliseum has quietly discharged thousands of gallons of water into a slough that flows to San Leandro Bay without a permit, even though stadium officials said this week they “probably” needed one all along. Now, with the land about to be privately sold, they are prepared to obtain one. The whole process could cost taxpayers $659,000, between money spent on consultants, studies and a permitting process overseen by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. The city- and Alameda County-run authority that makes decisions for the Coliseum will pick up the bill, though it may need to dip into budget reserves to do so. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
State Water Board releases draft scientific report on proposed Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement
“[Friday], the State Water Resources Control Board released a Draft Scientific Basis Report Supplement that analyzes the science underpinning a proposed voluntary agreement for the Tuolumne River, a tributary of the Lower San Joaquin River. The draft report is an initial step in the process to consider amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Bay-Delta Plan) to possibly incorporate the proposed agreement. The draft was developed jointly by staff from the board, California Department of Water Resources and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The draft report documents the science related to the proposal, which was submitted to the board in 2022 by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Modesto Irrigation District and Turlock Irrigation District. The agreement proposes flow and non-flow habitat commitments to improve conditions for native fish in lieu of flow requirements that were included in the Bay-Delta Plan in 2018. … ” Read the full notice from the State Water Board.
California Water Commission Awards Sites Reservoir $10.9 Million in Early Prop 1 Funding
“This week, the California Water Commission (Commission) awarded the Sites Reservoir Project (Project) $10.9 million in early funding from the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP). This additional funding will support the Sites Project Authority’s work on permitting and environmental documents, which helps the Project meet the public benefit requirements of Proposition 1. “This additional funding will help the Authority secure key federal and state permits that will advance Sites Reservoir closer to construction,” said Fritz Durst, Chair of the Sites Project Authority Board of Directors. “We’ve made significant permitting and environmental progress in the last few years and are grateful to the California Water Commission for their continued support as we work to secure a water right for Sites Reservoir.” Read the press release from the Sites Project Authority.
California Water Commission boosts Sites Reservoir Project with $10.9M
“The California Water Commission awarded $10.9 million to the Sites Reservoir Project this week. This early funding from the Water Storage Investment Program aims to assist with permitting and environmental documents. “This additional funding will help the Authority secure key federal and state permits that will advance Sites Reservoir closer to construction,” said Fritz Durst, Chair of the Sites Project Authority Board of Directors. The Water Storage Investment Program, backed by Proposition 1, supports five major water storage projects across California, including Sites Reservoir. Recently, inflationary adjustments made the project eligible for more early funding. … ” Read more from Action News Now.
The ‘blob’ is back — except this time it stretches across the entire North Pacific
“A record-breaking and astonishingly expansive marine heat wave is underway in the Pacific Ocean, stretching about 5,000 miles from the water around Japan to the West Coast of the United States. The abnormally warm “blob” of ocean water, which is getting a significant boost from human-caused global warming, is affecting the weather on land and could have ripple effects on marine life. The hot ocean waters around Japan contributed to that country’s hottest summer on record, which featured its all-time national maximum temperature record, set on August 5, at 107.2 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other side of the Pacific, the ocean heat is also yielding higher humidity in northern California at the start of meteorological fall, and if it persists, could enhance rain and mountain snowfall from wintertime atmospheric rivers. The sea surface temperature difference from average across the entire North Pacific smashed an all-time record for the month of August, with reliable data stretching back to the late 19th century. … ” Read more from CNN.
In people news this weekend …
Promotions, passings, profiles – submit people news items to maven@mavensnotebook.com.
Mark Gold named CalCOFI’s new director by Scripps Institution of Oceanography
“In this interview, Mark Gold reflects on why this moment is critical for ocean science — amid reduced federal investment in NOAA and worsening coastal climate impacts. Drawing on his experience at NRDC, UCLA, Heal the Bay, the California Natural Resources Agency, and the Ocean Protection Council, he outlines a vision of partnership-driven progress that integrates academia, state and federal agencies, business, and NGOs to fill gaps in federal funding, staffing, and real-time data infrastructure. Q: Mark, let’s begin by congratulating you on your appointment. From NRDC and the Ocean Protection Council to UCLA and Heal the Bay, you’ve led from nonprofit, academic, and government-related institutions on the environment. What now attracted you to your new role at CalCOFI, and what are you primarily hoping to accomplish in this new position? A: Thanks, David. Scripps Institution of Oceanography has always been the premier ocean research institution in the world. For someone like me, who’s spent my entire life working on ocean conservation issues, the opportunity to work here at Scripps honestly felt like a dream come true. … ” Read more from The Planning Report.
DELTA STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
Ann Patterson, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council.
Patterson has been Senior Counselor to the Governor at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2025, where she served multiple roles since 2019, including as the Governor’s Cabinet Secretary and Legal Affairs Secretary. Patterson was a Partner at Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliffe from 2005 to 2018. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $59,133. Patterson is a Democrat.
Audrey Cho, of Sacramento, has been appointed Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council.
Cho has been an Executive Fellow at the Delta Stewardship Council since 2024. She was a District Intern for the Office of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in the California State Assembly in 2022. Cho was a National Science Foundation Researcher at the University of Wisconsin, Stout in 2022. She was a Health Materials Researcher at Smith College from 2021 to 2022. Cho was an Open Innovation Fellow at Conservation X Labs from 2020 to 2021. She is a board member of the Udall Alumni Association. Cho earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $139,320. Cho is a Democrat.
NORTH COAST REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENT
Gregory Guisti, of Kelseyville, has been reappointed to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where he has served since 2013. Guisti has been Director and Advisor of Forests and Wildlands Ecology at the University of California Cooperative Extension since 1985. He was an Agricultural Biologist for the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture from 1981 since 1985. Guisti was Chief Biologist at the Marine Ecological Institute from 1978 to 1981. He is a member of the California Forest Pest Council and of the Western Section of Wildlife Society. Guisti earned a Master of Arts degree in Ecology and Population Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Systemic Biology from California State University, San Francisco. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Guisti is registered without party preference.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENT
Mark Ransom, of Walnut Creek, has been reappointed to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board …
… where he has served since 2023. Ransom was a Partner at ERM West Inc. from 1990 to 2021. He was Manager of Environmental Affairs for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company from 1984 to 1990. Ransom was Senior Environmental Engineer at Ecology and Environment Inc. from 1980 to 1984. He was a Waste Management Engineer at the California Waste Management Board from 1978 to 1979. Ransom is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of California. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Ransom is a Democrat.
CENTRAL COAST REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Dominic Roques, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Roques was Senior Engineering Geologist at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board from 2001 to 2021. He was a Water Resources Education Coordinator at the California State Water Resources Control Board from 1999 to 2001. Roques was an Environmental Consultant for California Coastal Conservancy in 1999. He was Principal and Owner of Roques Wildland Resources from 1993 to 1999. Roques was a Project Manager at BASELINE Environmental Consulting from 1991 to 1993. Roques is Board President of the Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District. He earned a Master of Science in Wildland Resource Science and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Texas, Austin. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Roques is a Democrat.
Alex Rodriguez, of Santa Barbara, has been reappointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Board …
… where he has served since 2023. Rodriguez has been Chief Executive Officer of Conduit Government Relations since 2022 and President of Diversity Consulting Group LLC since 1995. He is President of La Cumbre Mutual Water Company, a member of the Dean’s Council of the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at University of California, Santa Barbara and the United States Environmental Protection Agency National Drinking Water Advisory Council. Rodriguez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Antioch University Santa Barbara. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Rodriguez is a Democrat.
Stephanie Harlan, of Capitola, has been reappointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2021 and from 2018 to 2019. Harlan was a City Councilmember for the City of Capitola from 2010 to 2017. She was a Registered Nurse II at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital from 1996 to 2015. Harlan was a City Councilmember for the City of Capitola from 1994 to 2006. She was a Registered Nurse II at Watsonville Community Hospital from 1984 to 1996. Harlan was a City Councilmember for the City of Capitola from 1984 to 1992. She was a Registered Nurse I at Santa Cruz Community Hospital from 1983 to 1984. Harlan is a member of the Santa Cruz County League of Women Voters and Friends of the Capitola Library. She served on the Santa Cruz County Sanitation District from 2008 to 2018, Santa Cruz County Hazardous Materials Advisory Committee from 2008 to 2015, Santa Cruz County Solid Waste Committee from 2008 to 2014, and the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council from 2006 to 2015. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Harlan is a Democrat.
CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Elena Lee Reeder, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2022. Lee Reeder has been Board President of Reclamation District 1000 Board since 2022, where she has been a Board Member since 2019. She was a Partner at Leeder Strategies LLC from 2017 to 2020. Lee Reeder was Press Secretary in the Office of Assemblymember David Chiu in the California State Assembly from 2016 to 2017. She held multiple roles in the Office of Assemblymember Cristina Garcia in the California State Assembly from 2013 to 2016, including Press Secretary and Legislative Aide. Lee Reeder held multiple roles in the Office of State Senator Leland Yee in the California State Senate from 2010 to 2013, including Scheduler and Legislative Aide. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of California, Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Lee Reeder is a Democrat.
Arthur Baggett, of El Portal, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where he has served since 2024. Baggett has been Partner and Counsel at AG Baggett and PJ Weber Inc. since 2011 and Adjunct Faculty at the San Joaquin College of Law since 1997. He had multiple roles at the State Water Resources Board from 1999 to 2011, including Chair and Member. Baggett was the District One County Supervisor for Mariposa County from 1986 to 1994. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from San Joaquin College of Law, a Master of Science degree in Ecosystem Management and Forest Ecology from Antioch College, and Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Baggett is a Democrat.
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Sabrina Ashjian, of Camarillo, has been reappointed to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2022. Ashjian has been Founder of Ashjian Consulting since 2019. She was a Supervising Attorney at the California Environmental Legislation and Policy Clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law from 2022 to 2025. Ashjian held multiple roles at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law from 2021 to 2023, including Clinical Supervising Attorney at the Environmental Law Clinic and Law Lecturer. She was California State Director of the Humane Society of the United States from 2019 to 2021. Ashjian was Chairperson of the California Cannabis Control Appeals Panel from 2018 to 2019. She was a Deputy District Attorney at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office in the Consumer Fraud and Environmental Protection Unit from 2015 to 2018. Ashjian was an Associate at Stammer, McKnight, Barnum and Bailey LLP from 2014 to 2015. Ashjian was a Public Defender at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office from 2010 to 2014. She is President of California Women Lead, Chair of the American Red Cross Central California Region Pacific Coast Chapter, and Chair of the American Bar Association Civil Rights & Social Justice Section Environmental Justice Committee. Ashjian earned a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University, a Master of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business from George Washington University. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Ashjian is a Democrat.
Norma Camacho, of Camarillo, has been reappointed to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2022. Camacho was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Watersheds at Santa Clara Valley Water District from 2012 to 2020. Camacho held several positions at the Ventura County Public Works Agency from 1990 to 2012, including Director of the Watershed Protection District, Deputy Executive Officer in the Chief Executive Officer’s Office, Program Management Analyst in the Chief Executive Officer’s Office, Senior Waste Management Analyst, and Waste Management Analyst III. She was an Environmental Engineer at the United States Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Port Hueneme from 1985 to 1990. Camacho is on the Board of Directors for the Stillwater Sciences and the Watershed Solutions Network. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Camacho is a Democrat.
SANTA ANA REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Sixto “Al” Lopez, of Corona, has been reappointed to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where he has served since 2023. Lopez was Founder of Inland Empire Infill Homes from 2017 to 2020. Lopez was Community Relations Manager for Continental East Development Inc. from 2018 to 2020. He was a City Councilmember for the City of Corona from 1982 to 1994. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Lopez is registered without party preference.
John Scandura, of Huntington Beach, has been reappointed to the Santa Ana Regional Quality Control Board …
… where he has served since 2021. Scandura held several positions at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 1985 to 2018, including Branch Chief for the Site Mitigation and Restoration Program, Remediation Project Manager, and Remediation Program Supervisor. He was Staff Scientist at Tetra Tech from 1983 and 1985. Scandura earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from the University of North Carolina and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Scandura is registered without party preference.
SAN DIEGO REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENT
Betty Olson, of Trabuco Canyon, has been reappointed to the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2014. Olson has been a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Irvine School of Engineering since 2018, where she was a Professor from 2006 to 2018. She was a Professor in the Department of Environment, Health and Policy at the University of California, Irvine School of Social Ecology from 1974 to 2006. Olson is President of the Santa Margarita Water Board and the Association of Clean Water Administrators Water Quality Committee and a member of the Water Environment Federation and the Orange County Water Association. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Olson is registered without party preference.
COLORADO RIVER REGIONAL WATER BOARD APPOINTMENT
Nancy Wright, of Whitewater, has been reappointed to the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board …
… where she has served since 2012 and served from 2000 to 2007. Wright has been Co-Owner at Peter Wright General Contractor since 1977. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Wright is a Republican.
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
Jaime Lee, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Coastal Commission.
Lee has been Chief Executive Officer of the Jamison Group since 2020, where she has held multiple roles since 2007, including Executive Vice President of Asset Management, Downtown Regional Manager, and President of California Market Center. She is an Independent Director of the James Campell Company, a Trustee at the University of Southern California, a board member of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, and a board member of the California HOPE for Children Trust Account Program Board. Lee served as President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners at the Port of Los Angeles from 2018 to 2023, President and Commissioner of the Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System Board of Administration from 2014 to 2018, and has served as a California State Commissioner on the California Film Commission and the California Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board. She earned a Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lee is a Democrat.
Podcasts …
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Restoring the Delta
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has become the white elephant of many political conversations around the state of California. California receives two thirds of its precipitation in the northern one third of the state. The problem is, two thirds of the people live in the dry portion of the state. Transporting enough water to the drier portions of the state becomes essential to the California lifestyle. Conveyance from moving some of this clear, liquid gold must pass through a portion of the Delta before being diverted by large pumps and canals. Trouble shows up when the California climate does not provide adequate volumes of water for supporting mankind and the environment demands. How has the Delta evolved from its original purpose and how has its communities in the Delta view changes that have been proposed? Water is a Many Splendor ’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life. Produced by Stephen Baker, Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co 530-205-6388
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: A Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals win with David Cory
Agriculture scored a win recently when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California’s ruling that the Clean Water Act’s exemption for “irrigated agriculture return flows” shields projects like the Grassland Bypass Project (GBP) from federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. At the heart of the issue is David Cory, President of the Grasslands Basin Authority. This week David joins Darcy and Darcy and shares the history of the GBP, the related San Joaquin River Water Quality Improvement Project (SJRIP), the eleven-year litigation, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, and much more. You’ll learn from David that even when you do things the right way from the beginning and involve the right stakeholders, things don’t always go as planned.
FRESNOLANDIA: California water issues with the Water Talk
In this special collaboration, Fresnolandia teams up with UC Davis’s Water Talk podcast to explore California’s most pressing water issues. Host Jordan Mattox sits down with Malika Cantor and Charles “Sam” Sanchez, two researchers and educators at the forefront of water science and public engagement, to unpack the stories behind California’s water challenges—from climate change and drought to agriculture, aquifers, and infrastructure. Together, they trace the origins of Water Talk during the pandemic, share how their diverse academic journeys shape the show, and reflect on the importance of bringing fresh voices and community perspectives into statewide conversations. The discussion ranges from the misunderstood role of snowpack and groundwater, to the legacy of dams and aqueducts, to the tension between economic agriculture and environmental responsibility.
WATER RESOURCES: Drought and flood impacts on US-Mexico Water Resources
Randy Hanson discusses climate extremes in the Rio Conchos and the importance of conjunctively managing surface water and groundwater.
GOLDEN STATE NATURALIST: Saving California: How 30×30 is growing the conservation movement in the Golden State
California is one of only 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. This means that we have incredible species richness with at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species. But here’s the bummer. In order to be considered a Global Biodiversity hotspot, a place must also be threatened. So threatened, in fact, that it must have only 30% or less of its original natural vegetation remaining. Oof. Thankfully, Californians are not sitting idly by waiting for the rest of our biodiversity to disappear. Across the state, conservation leaders, on both small and large scales, are pulling together and protecting the places that matter to us most. In this special episode, come with me behind the scenes of this year’s 30×30 Partnership Summit to talk with those leaders, hear about some of today’s most inspiring conservation success stories, and discover how you can be part of the movement to protect California for generations to come.
WATERLOOP: Inside infrastructure: How valves check the flow
Inside infrastructure, there’s a simple device called check valves quietly protecting water systems from chaos, stopping dirty water from flowing backward, and keeping everything running smoothly amid bigger storms, tighter regulations, and growing cities. In this episode, Cal Hayes from Proco Products explains the vital role of check valves. He explains how they need zero maintenance or power, making them ideal for handling sewage backups in treatment plants and at coastal outfalls to avoid costly overflows. Cal shares how innovative valves mix drinking water reservoirs more effectively, cutting down on chemicals and downtime for greener, more reliable supplies. In tough spots like massive ocean waves near Djibouti or flood-prone shores in New Jersey, flexible rubber versions hold up against harsh conditions. He also spotlights smart adaptations in Oregon, where valves spread treated wastewater gently to protect rivers and wildlife.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
New FEMA flood maps expand risk zones in Ukiah, could raise costs for homeowners
“New Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps that took effect Friday in Ukiah could impact low-income property owners who may have to buy flood insurance for the first time.The new FEMA flood maps have been issued for both Mendocino County and the city of Ukiah, but the maps, city staff have said, significantly expand flood risk areas in Ukiah that are not accurate based on localized research conducted by city staff. … In 2022, FEMA shared preliminary flood maps with the city of Ukiah that estimated an increase in flood risk areas, called “special flood hazard areas.” The city disagreed with the maps and told FEMA that the increased flood hazard projections are inaccurate, based on the city’s own research and the councilmembers’ experiences of living in Ukiah. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Lower Yuba River project spikes controversy and calls for managing predatory striped bass
“A nature-like fishway project is being constructed at Daguerre Point Dam on the lower Yuba River approximately 10 miles east of Marysville, and local fishing and conservation groups are concerned about the fate of wild salmon and steelhead. The $60 million project will create a water path around the Daguerre Point Dam to allow species to access spawning habitat upstream. … The current ladders do not allow the endangered green sturgeon to pass, and federal agencies identified the dam as a barrier for the green sturgeon over a decade ago — prompting the fishway project that is slated to begin next year. … Rinella and the co-chairs of the Conservation Committee do not agree that the green sturgeon recovery plan in the lower Yuba River is necessary, when the Sacramento River currently supports the sturgeon population. … ” Read the full story at The Union.
NAPA/SONOMA
Napa’s flood control project takes next step, with new floodwalls to start in 2026
“Construction on the next phase of Napa’s decades-long flood control project is set to move forward, with work on new floodwalls near the Oxbow Bypass expected to begin in 2026. The Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District board this week approved two agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that clear the way for construction and give the district access to $48.3 million in federal reimbursements. The agreements still need authorization from Assistant Secretary of the Army Adam Telle, a step District Manager Richard Thomasser said he expects within weeks. The $48.3 million project will add floodwalls on both sides of the Lincoln Avenue bridge: 4,080 feet on the north side, terminating just south of the Elks Lodge, and 2,377 feet on the south side between the bridge and the River Terrace Inn. Contracts and other final steps are scheduled to be completed in late 2025, with construction slated to wrap up by August 2027. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
BAY AREA
Corte Madera Creek habitat restoration project underway
“The county and volunteers have launched a major habitat restoration project along Corte Madera Creek. The project, spearheaded by the nonprofit Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed and the Marin County Flood Control District, will restore 1.5 acres of tidal zone and riparian upland habitat. Work began Sept. 1. The project has been in the works since 2017. Sandra Guldman, president of Friends of Corte Madera Creek Watershed, said seeing the project finally come to life is “wonderful.” “I just hope it starts a movement,” Guldman said. Guldman said the effort is part of a larger multimillion-dollar, county-led flood risk reduction project in Ross Valley. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Not a sweet smell: C&H Sugar Co. reaches settlement over 2022 odor violations
“C&H Sugar Company Inc. has agreed to a $500,000 settlement involving 2022 odor violations at one of its facilities in the unincorporated Contra Costa County community of Crockett. The violations occurred between Sept. 8 and Oct. 14, 2022 and involved “excessive sewage odors” at the company’s wastewater treatment plant on Dowrelio Drive, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
CENTRAL COAST
A seemingly cursed Big Sur hiking trail finally reopens. But for how long?
“Even in picturesque California, few landscapes are as stunning — or as fragile — as Big Sur. The constant storms and seismic activity that forged its dramatic cliffs and canyons also make its infrastructure a nightmare to maintain. The primary road through the region, world-famous Highway 1, which clings to cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean in postcard-worthy fashion, is almost constantly closed by landslides, isolating communities and stranding weary travelers. Local hiking trails don’t fare much better. So, as if they had just taken a deep breath and crossed their fingers, California State Parks officials announced this week that one of the region’s most beloved hikes, the Pfeiffer Falls Trail, will finally reopen after a towering redwood collapsed in a 2023 storm, taking out its signature pedestrian bridge. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Springville customers claim water company math doesn’t add up
“The Del Oro Water Company says the 12.88% rate increase it has requested from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is actually a rate decrease. But customers in the company’s small Springville water district say Del Oro is conflating two separate issues in order to make the claim. Del Oro officials made the claim in a letter to customers dated September 5. It was a response to dozens of customer complaints and protests filled with the CPUC. “After reviewing the concerns raised in the protest letter/emails, Del Oro Water would like to clarify an important point: the current proceeding involves an overall rate decrease, not an increase,” the letter – signed by Janice Hanna, Del Oro’s director of corporate accounting and regulatory affairs – said. Hanna claimed the Springville customers probably misread the company’s request, likely based on a lack of understanding of the complex nature of the rate-change process. … ” Read more from Valley Voice.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Inland Empire Utilities Agency responds to court ruling on Chino Basin Program environmental impact report
“Recently, a court ruling was issued related to the Chino Basin Program’s (CBP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR). IEUA is pleased that the major technical aspects of the program were upheld and is appreciative of the court denying several claims raised by the city of Ontario. The court did also require that a few areas of the CBP EIR be further examined and/or refined. In response to the ruling, on September 17, 2025, the IEUA Board of Directors authorized the Agency to file an appeal as we further evaluate the court’s analysis of the EIR. While the matter now shifts to the Court of Appeal for review, it is noteworthy that the trial court’s ruling affirmed the report’s findings on the key technical program elements, including the CBP’s effects on local water supplies and Santa Ana River flows. This ruling reinforces that the CBP is a beneficial program for our community and has a positive impact on local supply reliability. … ” Read more from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency.
Along the Colorado River …
RESEARCH: Dollars for Drops: Abatement cost of water for irrigation in the Colorado River Basin
“The Colorado River is a lifeline for more than 40 million people in the western United States. However, with climate change diminishing snowpacks in the Rocky Mountains and increasing demands from agriculture and urban areas, the river’s flow has become insufficient to meet all the competing needs. A wide range of policies and programs are being proposed and considered to reduce the use of river water. Most of these policies compensate water users who engage in water-saving practices. Agriculture, which consumes over 85% of the river’s water, is a primary target of these conservation policies. In this paper, we use operation-level data to estimate producers’ revealed preferences regarding crop choices and irrigated acreage. We then use these estimated preferences to investigate the cost of reducing water use in irrigated agriculture across the basin states. We find a total abatement cost of $275 million for reducing the first million acre-feet of water. Our results also indicate significant regional differences in the cost of abating irrigation water use between the Upper and Lower Basins, with the Lower Basin states exhibiting lower marginal abatement costs compared to the Upper Basin. These findings could guide the design of future policies and programs aimed at reducing water use in the Colorado River Basin, particularly as current guidelines for the river’s water management are due to expire in 2026.” Read the paper from Wiley Online Library (Open Access).
Reflections: Dry times, bold moves – innovation for Arizona’s water future
Sharon B. Megdal, Director of Arizona State University’s Water Resources Research Center, writes, “My work, in formal classroom instruction, presentations to audiences of varied backgrounds, and written materials, centers on fostering understanding of water challenges and options for addressing them. As a faculty member and Director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, I interweave my applied research, education, and engagement/outreach programs and design them to bridge academic and non-academic communities. I try to write and present materials that are understandable to broad audiences, and convene forums, such as the WRRC’s Annual Conference and Water Webinars, that are accessible to all, regardless of background. Listening to and learning from others often inspire ideas for programs or publications. At the WRRC’s 2025 Annual Conference, Shared Borders, Shared Waters: Working Together in Times of Scarcity, there was focus on innovation and investing with impact, sharing good information in inclusive ways, and incentivizing changes that contribute to a more secure water future. These themes were fertile sources of inspiration. Inclined toward alliteration, I started jotting down words that began with the letter “i.” Here is my list: innovation, information, investment, infrastructure, institutions, incentives, inclusive involvement, industry, impact, interrelationships, and interactions. … ” Continue reading this commentary.
‘Sacrificed on altar of political expediency’: nominee talks about withdrawal during critical water talks
“A veteran water expert from Arizona says the Trump administration withdrew his nomination to lead the federal agency that oversees water management in the western U.S., leaving the Bureau of Reclamation without permanent leadership this year. Ted Cooke told the Associated Press that he was preparing for a Senate confirmation hearing early this month but his name was removed from the agenda. He wasn’t told until this week that there was an unspecified issue with his background check. Cooke said the White House didn’t offer any details and asked only that he withdraw himself from consideration. “The real story here is that I’ve been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency because of party politics and maybe Colorado River Basin intrigues,” Cooke said, adding that he believes he was given a fabricated excuse “to avoid having any discussion on what the real issue is.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SEE ALSO: As Colorado River talks stall, ‘perfect’ candidate to lead water agency is forced out, from Arizona Central
Negotiations to continue beyond 14-hour hearing over one of the Colorado River’s oldest water rights
“The battle over one of the Colorado River’s oldest, non-consumptive water rights continued this week during a 14-hour Colorado Water Conservation Board hearing over whether the rights could be used for the environment. The Colorado River District is seeking to acquire the Shoshone water rights — tied to a hydropower plant on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon — from Xcel Energy for $99 million. The River District, a governmental entity representing 15 Western Slope counties, is proposing to add an instream flow agreement to the acquisition, which would allow a certain amount of water to remain in the river for environmental benefits. While the state’s water board — the only entity that can hold an instream flow water right in Colorado — was set to decide on the proposal this week, this was pushed to November after the parties agreed to take more time to reach a consensus on the proposal. “The exercise of the Shoshone water rights impacts almost every Coloradan,” said Davis Wert, an attorney speaking on behalf of Northern Water. … ” Read more from the Aspen Times.
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE of Proposed Amendment to the Tulare Lake Basin Plan to Remove the Municipal and Domestic Supply (MUN) and Agricultural Supply (AGR) Beneficial Uses from Groundwater Within Specified Oil Fields in Kern County
