A wrap-up of posts published on Maven’s Notebook this week …
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In California water news this week …
Appeals court paves way for divisive California water tunnel
“A controversial proposal to build a 14-mile underground tunnel to transport water from Northern California southward got a boost from the state Court of Appeals, which ruled that preliminary work can begin on the project. Last year, a judge in Sacramento County agreed with a collection of counties, water districts, environmental groups and native tribes seeking to stop the Delta Conveyance Project. The judge found that preconstruction geotechnical work had to be certified by a state agency before it could begin, and issued a preliminary injunction preventing that work from moving forward. But on Friday, a three-judge panel from the state appellate court reversed that ruling. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service.
State Water Contractors: Appeals Court sides with the Department of Water Resources on key Delta Conveyance Project data gathering
“Last week, California’s Third District Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s injunction that had prohibited preconstruction geotechnical work for the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). Geotechnical work refers to the process of collecting and analyzing soil samples at the project site. The analysis of these samples will inform engineering, design and cost estimates before finalizing design and initiating construction. This decision is a victory for supporters of California water security, including the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Contractors, who have long said that geotechnical work is an essential data-gathering step, but is not a covered action under the Delta Reform Act, nor is it part of the DCP covered action, so no certification of consistency with the Delta Plan is needed before data gathering may begin. The reversal is important for preconstruction data gathering to inform the DCP’s design and reflects a common-sense interpretation of the Delta Reform Act and what is necessary to build infrastructure in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. … ” Read more from the State Water Contractors.
DWR submits Delta Conveyance Project Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan for the Delta Conveyance Project on October 17, 2025. According to Delta Stewardship Council regulations, materials relevant to this certification will be posted on their website (https://coveredactions.
EXPLAINER: What you need to know about the Delta Conveyance Project Certification of Consistency and the appeals process
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has submitted a Certification of Consistency with the Delta Plan to the Delta Stewardship Council for the Delta Conveyance Project, as required by the Delta Reform Act. This process ensures that any state or local agency proposing a “covered action” certifies that the action complies with the Delta Plan’s policies and regulations by submitting a formal Certification of Consistency to the Council. The Certification focuses on the Bethany Reservoir alignment for the Delta Conveyance Project. If implemented, this project would create a dual-conveyance system for the State Water Project (SWP). The system would primarily rely on the existing south Delta pumping facilities while incorporating new infrastructure to divert water during high flows in the Sacramento River. According to DWR, the project is designed to meet all applicable water quality standards and regulatory requirements for endangered and threatened species. … ” Read more from Maven’s Notebook.
DAN WALTERS: Ballot measure would broaden reform of California’s key environmental law
“Former Gov. Jerry Brown once referred to overhauling the California Environmental Quality Act as “the Lord’s work” because, he said, it made building much-needed things — housing, transportation improvements, water storage, etc. — too difficult and too expensive. In 2018, as he neared the end of his second stint as governor, Brown vetoed a bill that would have prevented developers from circumventing CEQA’s laborious provisions by persuading local voters to directly approve projects. It was one of hundreds of legislative measures CEQA’s defenders — environmental groups primarily — and its critics have proposed in the nearly half-century since then-Gov. Ronald Reagan signed CEQA in 1970. “Instead of the piecemeal approach taken in this bill, I prefer a more comprehensive CEQA review, which takes into account both the urgent need for more housing and thoughtful environmental analysis,” Brown said in vetoing the bill. However during his 16 years in the governorship, Brown did virtually nothing to make the fundamental changes he said were needed. … ” Read more from Dan Walters at Cal Matters.
Restore the Delta Responds to New “Affordable California” Ballot Initiative and Governor’s Push to Fast-Track Delta Conveyance Project
“On Tuesday, October 21, the California Chamber of Commerce filed a request for a ballot initiative misleadingly titled the “Building an Affordable California” initiative. The proposal seeks to streamline environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for so-called “essential” infrastructure projects, including major water, transportation, housing, and energy developments. Under the initiative, “essential projects” are defined so broadly that virtually any public, private, or utility infrastructure project could qualify—paving the way for large-scale construction without the environmental review and community protections CEQA provides. “This is a direct attack on environmental justice communities, Tribal sovereignty, and the ecosystems that sustain our state,” said Morgen Snyder, Director of Policy and Programs at Restore the Delta. “At a time when California residents are on the verge of losing their SNAP benefits and healthcare, framing this initiative as ‘affordable’ is frankly disrespectful. While housing affordability is a real crisis, removing community voices and environmental safeguards for the sake of industry profits is a massive step in the wrong direction.” … ” Read more from Restore the Delta.
Best practices in meaningful Tribal engagement and consultation
At its September meeting, the California Water Commission heard from Anecita Agustinez, Tribal Affairs Executive Manager for the Department of Water Resources, who shared insights on fostering meaningful collaboration with Tribes and Tribal partners in the state’s work. Ms. Agustinez’s presentation highlighted key aspects of state policies and the importance of building strong government-to-government relationships. She discussed recent state initiatives that emphasize consultation practices designed to strengthen Tribal partnerships and support the comanagement of water resources. Her presentation also explored best practices for achieving meaningful engagement, the significance of Tribal sovereignty in consultation processes, and the role of Tribal water interests and indigenous knowledge systems in shaping California’s water governance. Through this discussion, Ms. Agustinez underscored the value of integrating indigenous systems of knowledge into water resource management and emphasized the importance of collaboration to address Tribal water concerns across the state. … ” Continue reading at Maven’s Notebook.
Giving everyone a say in the Delta’s future: A conversation with adaptation planner and landscape architect Brett Milligan
“It seems like just about everyone has a plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Governor Newsom wants a tunnel under the Delta to pipe water south. Environmental advocates want more tidal marsh for fish nurseries and protection against rising seas. And farmers want to continue a way of life that has been in their families for generations. But most plans for the Delta are not inclusive. Notably, tribes and people of color or low-income are often drowned out by interests with louder voices. Now, an effort called Just Transitions in the Delta aims to make planning for the region more equitable by inviting everyone to have a voice. Launched in 2023, the four-year project hosts participatory workshops for natural resource researchers and managers; environmental, boating and fishing interests; and underrepresented groups and communities. The Just Transitions in the Delta team will present their work and hold a participatory planning session and an interactive exhibition at the State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference in late October. … ” Read more from Robin Meadows at Maven’s Notebook.
Suisun City accepts California Forever’s application for 22,900-acre expansion
Suisun City forever? A group of Silicon Valley investors behind the real estate company California Forever had their application to become part of Suisun City accepted this week, moving the project into more detailed planning stages for annexation that will include an environmental impact report and water use plan. The plan broadly calls for two, 20-year buildouts of neighborhoods, commercial, mixed-use and greenspace that would expand the boundaries of Suisun City in Solano County to stretch eastward past state Highway 113 and ultimately include about 400,000 residents, with phase one initially preparing for up to 150,000 residents, according to the plan and Jan Sramek, California Forever’s founder and CEO, who is a former Goldman Sachs trader. … ” Read more from Local News Matters.
SEE ALSO: California Forever: A closer look at Suisun Expansion Plan, from the San Jose Mercury News
New reports show progress in community actions to make groundwater sustainability a reality in California
“As California enters a new water year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has released two new groundwater reports – the Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions Update and a draft of California’s Groundwater Update 2025– that show measurable progress towards achieving groundwater sustainability in California. Combined, the two reports along with DWR’s California’s Groundwater Live (CalGW Live) incorporate historical data with near real-time insights to help groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) monitor conditions in their region and adjust custom-tailored solutions to meet sustainability objectives defined in their groundwater sustainability plans and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). “California’s groundwater-reliant communities are no stranger to the impacts of our changing climate and since 2020, we’ve seen incredible progress from our local partners to invest in flexible strategies to respond to changing hydrologic conditions,” said Paul Gosselin, DWR Deputy Director of Sustainable Water Management. “It’s incredible to think about the work that we and local agencies have accomplished, and how we can continue momentum in maintaining this critical water supply as we adjust to our changing climate.” … ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources.
Boswell demands correction: Only plans to sink Corcoran six feet, other areas 10 feet
“A wide-ranging letter from J.G. Boswell Company Vice President Jeof Wyrick accuses SJV Water of misrepresenting the farming giant’s plan to deal with subsidence, land sinking from excessive groundwater pumping, which has impacted huge swaths of the San Joaquin Valley, including around the small town of Corcoran. Wyrick is also the chair of the El Rico Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), which is controlled by Boswell and covers mostly Boswell land. El Rico doesn’t plan to sink Corcoran by another 10 feet, according to Wyrick’s Aug. 12 letter. Just six feet. It may be relevant to note that El Rico’s plan would possibly lower the Corcoran levee, which protects the town and two state prisons, to a height of 186 feet. During the 2023 floods, the state had to do an emergency rebuild of the Corcoran levee after it had sunk to 188 feet. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
California has struggled to track water use. A new system should fix this
“How much water is used in California? Well, the answer can be murky, owing to old, often ill-defined water rights and a flawed system for tracking water use. On Tuesday, state water regulators unveiled the results of a two-year effort to better identify who has claims on California’s water and better measure consumption. The new state product is called CalWATRS, and it’s a massive data platform that holds thousands of water-rights records and makes it easier for water-rights holders to report what they use. Officials at the State Water Resources Control Board say the new system will ensure that water is used more appropriately in California, particularly during dry times when state officials have to ration supplies and cut off users. In past droughts, a lack of information has made it difficult to regulate water. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
SEE ALSO: California water rights management leaps forward with new reporting system, press release from the State Water Resources Control Board
New forecast-informed decision-making tool implemented at Coyote Valley Dam and Lake Mendocino
“Leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography Center of Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) and California Department of Water Resources (DWR) entered a new era in reservoir operations today with the signing of updates to the water control manual for Coyote Valley Dam and Lake Mendocino. The revised manual redefines the operating rules around flood control schedules for the first time in the dam’s 66-year history by incorporating the principles of modern-day forecast-informed reservoir operations, or FIRO, to enhance the facility’s dual mission of flood risk management and water supply security. “Before this update, we would inevitably be required to release water to give airspace to the dam for the next storm regardless of the upcoming weather,” said Nick Malasavage, Operations & Readiness Division chief for the USACE San Francisco District. “FIRO allows us to be informed by the forecast and make better decisions.” … ” Read more from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
‘Aquatic feral pigs’ are wreaking havoc on Northern California
“In his revered 1917 poem “The Wild Swans at Coole,” Irish writer William Butler Yeats describes the fabled birds as brilliant, mysterious creatures representing timeless beauty. California wildlife authorities in the year 2025, however, beg to differ. Individuals with a California hunting license will now be able to “take,” or kill, invasive mute swans starting Jan. 1, a Monday news release from the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife says. According to officials, the S-shaped bird, famously used as a symbol of beauty, elegance and grace, is an aggressive species capable of critically injuring children and pets, and must be reined in. … Mute swans are kind of like “aquatic feral pigs,” CDFW spokesperson Melanie Weaver told SFGATE over the phone Wednesday. Despite their striking physical appearance, the birds pose a serious threat to Northern California’s marine ecosystem, and homeowners now have the authority to shoot them if they’re on their property, regardless of whether they have a license, Weaver said. …” Read more from SF Gate.
ILRP: Ag expert panel organizes its work and requests additional data at first working group meeting
“The Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel, convened by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) to review data collected so far by the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) on nitrogen applied (A) and nitrogen removed (R), met on Monday, October 13 to start discussing the specific questions they’ve been assigned to answer. In a process chaired by University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) nutrient management specialist Daniel Geisseler, panelists first introduced themselves then commented on what additional information they would like to consider. They discussed how to tackle writing their report under the constraints of California’s open meeting law, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act which requires all deliberations be conducted at public meetings. They began discussing the first of nine “charge questions” before them. And they heard a brief round of public comment. … ” Read more from Jane Sooby at Maven’s Notebook.
Trump administration cuts billions from Bay Area projects amid government shutdown. Are they targeting Democrats?
“A billion-dollar hydrogen energy plant that would have supplied clean energy to Silicon Valley, the Port of Oakland and other parts of the Bay Area — along with creating hundreds of green jobs — was ready to begin construction this month. But the project has been put on pause after the Trump Administration canceled a $1.2 billion grant this month amid the current government shutdown. Across Bay Area congressional districts, more than $377 million in federal grant funding has been terminated for projects to expand power grid reliability, create low-carbon infrastructure materials and support A.I. data center development. Though the hydrogen plant would be based in Lodi, it’s a statewide project that would have provided relief to a Bay Area power grid that is increasingly stressed by the electricity demands of data centers. The terminated grants are part of more than $28 billion in cancellations across the country, almost all of it in Democrat-controlled districts like those of Rep. Lateefah Simon, whose 12th district has had the largest amount in grants canceled throughout the Bay Area, according to the Department of Energy. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
SB 707 brings major changes to the California Brown Act
“Senate Bill 707 (“SB 707” or “the bill”) was signed into law by Governor Newsom earlier this month and will bring significant changes to the Brown Act (Gov. Code, § 54950 et seq.) and how public agencies conduct their meetings beginning in 2026. The changes are intended to increase public participation and expand remote teleconferencing access. This alert will focus on some of the key changes. Significantly, SB 707 distinguishes between those changes applicable only to an “eligible legislative body” and those changes that apply generally to all legislative bodies subject to the Brown Act. An “eligible legislative body” is defined as any of the following: (1) a city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more; (2) a county board of supervisors of a county, or city and county, with a population of 30,000 or more; (3) a city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more; or (4) a board of directors of large special districts that meet certain criteria based on boundary area, number of employees, or annual revenue. … ” Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn.
In commentary this week …
From droughts to human mistakes, California salmon near extinction
Opinion columnist Tom Philp writes, “For California water managers, the Sierra snowpack has always been like money in the bank. With steady kisses of spring sun, snowmelt reliably flows ever downward until reaching the state’s vast network of reservoirs downstream. But in the spring of 2021, in what turned out to be the second year of a scorching three-year drought, something happened to a meager snowpack. Much of it unexpectedly vanished into the sky or ground. Summer, as it now tends to do, had arrived early. Faced with a cruel choice of who gets the limited water and who goes without, human decisions designated the remnants of California’s once-massive salmon population as the losers. The operators of the state’s largest reservoir behind Shasta Dam instead had already begun to honor contracts that guarantee farmers a lot of water, come drought or deluge. That meant less water in the Sacramento River to keep its inhabitants alive. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
Failing the Cost-Benefit Test: 100 billion reasons to reject the Delta Conveyance Project
Dan Bacher writes, “The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) claims that the embattled Delta Conveyance Project, AKA Delta Tunnel, would cost $20.1 billion, but independent by expert testimony before the State Water Board this week reveals that the cost would actually amount to $60 to $100 billion. “The cost of the project is estimated to be $20.1B in real 2023 (undiscounted) dollars. A preliminary cost assessment conducted in 2020, early in the design process, showed the project would cost about $16B. Accounting for inflation to 2023 dollars shows that the two estimates are similar in cost. … However, this Wednesday, a partner at a leading environmental economics firm concluded “sobering testimony” at a State Water Board hearing on the Newsom administration’s proposed Delta Conveyance Project, observing it will “burden ratepayers already facing affordability challenges, crowd out critical investments in local water supply projects, and provide no water security to most Southern California communities,” according to a statement from the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN). … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Making every drop count: LA County’s Safe Clean Water Program shifts focus to greener, smarter neighborhood solutions
Bruce Reznik, executive director of Los Angeles Waterkeeper, writes, “LA County is experiencing a watershed moment, literally. The county is transitioning its Safe Clean Water Program into a more intentional phase where it is zeroing in on the specific needs and conditions in each of the county’s nine watersheds. It is also partnering with local non-profits to improve community involvement in the process. Now in its seventh year, the voter-approved, taxpayer-funded Safe Clean Water Program has made meaningful initial strides. The program brings in $280 million every year to make the most of every drop of rain that falls in LA County. These funds are intended to pay for projects that make LA’s water supplies more resilient, improve water quality, reduce flood risk and urban heat island impacts, and expand access to green space. … ” Read more from City Watch LA.
In regional water news this week …
Salmon sightings in Klamath Drainage District emphasize urgency for fish screens
“Last week, Klamath Drainage District (KDD) staff witnessed large dark masses below the surface of the water in the Ady Canal. Upon further inspection, those dark masses surfaced the water exposing their fins. On Friday, October 17th, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) confirmed that the fins were those of Chinook salmon. To date, salmon have been spotted from the head of the Ady Canal all the way down to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). Scott White, the General Manager for the district said, “It’s a very exciting time. However, I never want to have to say, ‘I told you so.’ But dang it, I told you so,” he said with frustration. “It’s been nine years since the KPFA was signed and none of the promises made to farmers in that agreement regarding reintroduction of species have been upheld.” White is referring to the Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement (KPFA) which was signed in 2016 by the United States, the State Governments of Oregon and California, and multiple Klamath Basin stakeholders. … ” Read more from the Klamath Drainage District.
California’s love for one flower is poisoning the state’s last wild river
“Tucked into California’s remote northwest corner, the Smith River winds through Del Norte County, a sparsely populated stretch of redwood country near the Oregon border. Celebrated by conservationists as the state’s wildest river, 25 miles of undammed, crystalline water cut through ancient forests and rugged coastal mountains before meeting the Pacific near Crescent City.Down on the river’s lower plain, though, the wilderness gives way to farmland. Here, a handful of growers produce nearly all of America’s Easter lily bulbs, which are then shipped off to greenhouses across the country. The iconic plant is the most famous export from Del Norte County — yet state scientists say decades of pesticide use by these growers have contaminated the tributaries that flow through those fields, threatening fish, wildlife and nearby residents. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
Tehama County groundwater meeting focuses on how fees are determined
“Nobody wants to do it, but it’s better to do it yourself, than have someone else do it to you. This was the sentiment expressed by most attending the special Tehama County Groundwater Commission meeting on Oct. 8. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of California has requirements for reporting and administrative work. Future fees will cover some of that work, and there are several ways those fees could be set. Seth Lawrence, a member of the commission noted these actions are essentially unavoidable, as they are coming from the state. The only option is to manage everything locally, or the state will come in and manage it. The meeting was well attended and there were a lot of public comments with lots of concerns. … ” Read more from the Appeal Democrat.
Tahoe Conservancy completes demolition for former Motel 6
“Demolition of the former Motel 6 is complete, announced the California Tahoe Conservancy, making way for future environmental restoration and public access improvements. In cooperation with the California Department of General Services (DGS) and its contractor, Clauss Construction, the Conservancy has removed two former motel buildings, a vacant restaurant building, a swimming pool, and the surrounding parking areas from parts of the Conservancy’s Upper Truckee Marsh South property that historically provided important wetland habitat. “Removing the aging development from this extraordinarily important area is a milestone everyone who cares about Tahoe can celebrate,” said Jason Vasques, Executive Director for the Conservancy. “Our thanks again to our funding and project partners who helped make this milestone a success.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
Project opens 40-mile stretch of Bay Area waterway to endangered fish
“If you’re a steelhead trout wanting to start a family, it’s a long swim from San Francisco Bay to the sheltered breeding grounds of Alameda Creek. But now, for the first time in nearly three decades, that winding 40-mile path from Union City to the rolling foothills of Sunol is finally flowing free. “The flows get really high here,” says California Trout Regional Director Claire Buchanan, pointing to the running creek. The environmental group helped push through the final removal of a structural barrier allowing migrating fish to reach the shaded banks. “So this is a really incredible place where they can reproduce and hopefully recover as a species. We expect to see salmon and steelhead moving through the San Francisco Bay up to the upper portions of Alameda Creek,” Buchanan explains. … ” Read more from Channel 7.
Monterey water district asks state to lift restrictions on new hookups
“A Tuesday filing with California water regulators is asking the state to modify restrictions on new water hookups along the Monterey Peninsula, setting the stage for construction of badly needed housing. The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District filed the request with the state Water Quality Control Board, citing health and safety issues if the state’s cease-and-desist order, or CDO, remains in place, specifically Condition 2 that addresses new water hookups. “The prohibitions against new service connections and increased use at existing service connections resulting from Condition 2 unfairly restrict local jurisdictions from pursuing housing construction mandated by the state and job growth sought by the local business community,” reads a section of the 23-page filing. “This is a window of opportunity for the community to ease water restrictions in favor of housing and jobs,” said Dave Stoldt, the water district general manager. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
The little-known groundwater Los Angeles pumps in the Owens Valley, and the tribes who want it back
“In a desert landscape dominated by sagebrush, a piece of Los Angeles’ immense water empire stands behind a chain-link fence: a hydrant-like piece of metal atop a well. The electric pump hums as it sends water gushing into a canal, forming a stream in the desert. This well is one of 105 that L.A. owns across the Owens Valley. They were drilled decades ago, many of them when the city opened a second giant pipeline, nearly doubling its famous aqueduct to send more water south. While many Californians know the story of how L.A. seized the valley’s river water in the early 1900s and drained Owens Lake, fewer know that the city also pulls up a significant amount of water from underground. The pumping has led to resentment among leaders of Native tribes, who say it is leaving their valley parched and harming the environment. “We’ve seen so many impacts from groundwater pumping,” said Teri Red Owl, an Indigenous leader. “There’s a lot of areas that are dewatered, that are dried up.” … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Hanford-area farmers again facing fees and “very difficult” pumping restrictions
“A Kings County groundwater agency that fell apart last year amid distrust largely over proposed pumping allocations and fees, is again setting pumping limits and fees – this time with farmer input. At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) board unanimously approved releasing a draft of its pumping allocation policy for public comment for 45 days beginning Oct. 15. The allocation policy determines sustainable yield. That’s the amount of groundwater that can be pumped out of the aquifer without causing negative effects, such as drying up domestic wells or causing land to sink. The policy also sets transitional pumping, a buffer amount above sustainable yield, which will decrease to 0 starting in 2040. The policy sets sustainable yield at 1.43 acre feet of groundwater per acre of land. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Months of hashing, rehashing over “controversial” groundwater use results in proposed pumping plan for Lemoore-area farmers
“Another Kings County groundwater agency has issued a draft policy on one of its thorniest issues – pumping allotments. The South Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) approved a draft pumping allocation policy at its Oct. 16 meeting, which opens a 45-day comment period. The neighboring Mid-Kings River GSA issued its draft policy Oct. 14 after numerous “very difficult” conversations about the amounts, according to consulting engineer Amer Hussain, who also works for South Fork. Both policies allow farmers to pump one amount that’s considered “sustainable” yield, or the amount that can be extracted without causing negative impacts. Another amount in the allocation formula is called “transitional” pumping. That category is a buffer amount above sustainable yield that will decrease to 0 by 2040, when the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires regions to be in balance. … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Tulare County grappling with subsidence using data, farmer-to-farmer talks and “fluffy PR”
“Water managers in southern Tulare County recently agreed to pay $50,000 for a three-month public relations blitz aimed at convincing state lawmakers to pour more money into land fallowing programs to stem subsidence, or land sinking, caused by excessive groundwater pumping. “The time to play in the sandbox with other GSAs in the subbasin is likely over,” Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairies, told board members of the Pixley and Lower Tule River groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs) during their October meetings. She encouraged the boards to hire Calkin Public Affairs of Sacramento to create a narrative of how farmers are working on subsidence in order to give lawmakers “cover” to authorize more Proposition 4 funding for land retirement programs, such as LandFlex. “You have stepped up to handle the subsidence issue. It’s time to make your own knives and sharpen them,” she said. “Otherwise you’re going to be left behind.” … ” Read more from SJV Water.
Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority and Searles Valley Minerals announce critical water rights settlement and partnership
“The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) and Searles Valley Minerals have reached a comprehensive settlement agreement, marking a significant step toward achieving groundwater sustainability in the Indian Wells Valley. The agreement states that both IWVGA and Searles have permanently dropped (“dismissed with prejudice”) the separate lawsuits they filed against each other. While the main, comprehensive water rights lawsuit continues, Searles has agreed not to challenge the scientific and technical findings of the valley’s mandated Groundwater Sustainability Plan and will instead work with the IWVGA to implement the plan. Just as importantly, the settlement secures Searles’ support for the region’s long-term water management efforts through agreements on where and how the company will acquire water for its operations, as well as outlining guarantees for any water rights it may obtain through the adjudication. “We are very pleased to work in partnership with Searles Valley Minerals to achieve a sustainable water future not just for Searles, but for all the residents of the valley and Trona,” said Scott Hayman, chair of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority. “This outcome places the Indian Wells Valley Water District on an island as the sole challenger to the sustainable yield that was developed out of sound science at the request of the U.S. Navy.” … ” Continue reading this press release.
NOAA forecast predicts drier than normal winter in SoCal
“Southern California will possibly see drier conditions than what is average for winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter outlook. The seasonal outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, released last week, predicts that the Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest will experience possible cooler-than-average temperatures, while much of the southern and eastern United States will face potentially milder temperatures than what is usually expected during the winter season. The winter outlook predicts whether parts of the country will be above, below or near average when it comes to temperatures and precipitation — from December through February. … ” Read more from ABC 7.
Long Beach leaders want cities along the LA River to improve debris mitigation efforts
“Long Beach will look at ways to hold towns along the Los Angeles River accountable for trash and other debris that flows down the channel and ends up on the city’s beaches and in its waterways, officials said this week. The City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 14, directed the city manager and staffers to look into such solutions, as well as to research how Long Beach can help other cities improve their watershed debris mitigation efforts to help reduce trash and debris that ends up in Long Beach. “Our goal is simple, a Los Angeles River that’s treated as a shared regional asset, not a shared regional dumping ground,” Councilmember Kristina Duggan said. “We know that to get there, we need buy-in from a broad coalition of people, and all voices are welcome.” … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press-Telegram.
The safety of your water could be related to how your water utility is run
“How democratic is your water utility? Does everyone who is registered to vote get to choose their leaders in elections? Or do only property owners get to vote for the managers? Maybe the public has no say at all in selecting the people who make decisions that determine safe and affordable drinking water? “We see significant differences based on democracy,” said Kristin Dobbin, a researcher at UC Berkeley. “It really does influence the outcomes of a water system.” In a new study she led, it turns out that water utilities where all voters have a say in choosing leaders tend to perform better. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
San Diego County water costs could more than double over a decade, officials warn. Here’s why.
“San Diego County Water Authority officials expect wholesale water rates to soar by as much as 150% over the next decade, driven in part by the agency’s struggles to sell some of its supply — struggles it expects to get worse because of San Diego’s billion-dollar Pure Water project. A grim reality of high water costs might persist for residents and businesses in much of the region if the authority doesn’t find new buyers for its water, according to a draft of the water authority’s long-term financial plan presented to water officials on Thursday. If sales aren’t boosted, volumetric water rates could jump from about $2,000 per acre-foot next year to anywhere from $3,500 to $5,000 per acre-foot in 2035, according to the plan. San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who sits on the water authority’s board of directors, asked officials to gather more options for blunting the impact of rate hikes. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Keeping water affordable in California
“Water agencies all over California are experiencing water affordability and cost increase challenges. We spoke with Dan Denham, general manager of San Diego County Water Authority, to learn how his agency is working to keep prices affordable for its customers. Q: How much of a concern is water affordability for the San Diego County Water Authority? A: It is a topline issue. It’s not new: water affordability is something we’ve always had to deal with. But there’s an enhanced focus on affordability now, because rates have been outpacing income growth for most residents in San Diego County and elsewhere. It’s coming to the forefront because a couple of things have happened. First, demand is hardening, which means our customers can’t reduce water use too much more. And the customer base is flattening, if not declining, over time, so we’re selling less water with the same—or higher—fixed costs. Since water sales are the primary revenue source to cover our costs, these two trends are making it increasingly difficult to cover our costs. … ” Read more from the PPIC.
Fight over water intensifies as Colorado River dries up
“What was once a mighty river flowing from Colorado through the Grand Canyon all the way down to the Gulf of California in Mexico has been reduced to a trickle that barely reaches the ocean. Experts warn the river basin is at a breaking point, jeopardizing water security for major cities such as Los Angeles and Denver, harming endangered fish species, and putting some of the largest food producers in the US at risk. Lakes Mead and Powell, the river’s largest reservoirs, are critically low, a product of prolonged drought and rising temperatures. If water levels fall further, hydropower generation at the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams could be curtailed, threatening energy supply and recreation. “The ultimate cause of the problem in the Colorado River is a warming climate,” Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, told DW. “But the immediate or proximate cause of the entire crisis is our inability to quickly reduce our expenses to match our dwindling income,” added Schmidt. In other words: overuse. … ” Read more from DW.
Announcements, notices, and funding opportunities …
SITES RESERVOIR: State Water Board AHO requests additional information from the Sites Project Authority
YOUR INPUT WANTED: DWR Seeks Public Comment on Released Draft California’s Groundwater: Bulletin 118 – Update 2025, Releases Semi-Annual and CalGW Live Updates
