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On the calendar today …
- MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include an informational update on the Water Board’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 web-based Performance Report; Consideration of a proposed Resolution to authorize use of Santa Ana Water Board supplemental environmental project funds for Southern California Coastal Water Research Project regional monitoring programs; Consideration of a proposed Resolution to adopt regulations for onsite treatment and reuse of nonpotable water; and a public workshop on stormwater capture and use. Click here for the full agenda.
- MEETING: California Environmental Flows Workgroup from 10am to 12pm. Agenda items include Framework to Flows Project: Interactions Among Flow, Temperature, and Biota; River Temperature Modeling for Unmonitored Sites with TempEst 2 and Large-Scale Applications in Southern California; A Watershed-Specific Approach to Identify Key Functional Flow Metrics Supporting Scott River Salmon Reproduction. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
- OFFICE HOURS: Urban Water Use Objective (UWUO) Q&A from 11am to 12pm. Urban retail water suppliers subject to the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation must use the Urban Water Use Objective Reporting Form to report data to the State Water Board by January 1, 2026. State Water Board staff have provided a guidance document and supplemental guidance document on the reporting form, available now at the Making Conservation a California Way of Life webpage, for the staff, leadership, or contractors of urban retail water suppliers as they complete the reporting form. Register Here
- WEBINAR: Conjunctive Water Management for Sustainability from 11am to 12pm. Conjunctive Water Management (CWM) is the process of using water from multiple sources for consumptive purposes within a sustainability framework. The planned CWM of all waters has the potential to offer major benefits in terms of economic, social, and environmental outcomes through improved efficiencies and sustainability of water resources. In this WRRC Water Webinar, Hanson will discuss how adopting a planned approach results in the greatest potential for the optimal capture, storage, abstraction, and reuse systems of all water sources, which results in a sustainability framework that encompasses the monitoring, analysis, and management of all the water, all the time, everywhere. New “Smart-Valley” monitoring networks and Integrated Hydrologic Modeling (IHM) tools can now be used to create a more holistic CWM sustainability framework that needs to be combined with new governance and financial support. Click here to register.
- WORKSHOP: Stormwater Capture and Use: Turning Local Stormwater Successes into Solutions for California’s Water Future beginning at 1pm. The State Water Resources Control Board invites you to a staff-led public workshop focused on how California can better capture and use urban stormwater. Join us to learn about successful projects, discuss overcoming barriers, and help shape the future of stormwater management in California. The workshop will be webcast at: https://video.calepa.ca.gov
In California water news today …
Climate change and the future of the Delta
“California is on the front lines of climate change, whether that’s accelerating impacts on wildfires, drought, flooding, extreme heat, or sea level rise. No geography is more important or more impacted by climate change than the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. It’s one of the largest estuaries in the Americas. This meeting place of freshwater and saltwater is one of the most biodiverse places in the United States, boasting one of the richest varieties of plant and animal life. It’s incredibly important to the people who live there and make their livelihoods there, both in small towns and larger cities, and it is also important to the state’s water supply. Given the Delta’s critical role in California’s water supply and its vulnerability to climate change, a recent webinar hosted by Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of Natural Resources, brought together experts to discuss innovative strategies for protecting the Delta’s communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The event highlighted the latest scientific advancements, collaborative efforts, and actionable solutions aimed at addressing the region’s unique challenges, from rising sea levels and extreme weather to biodiversity loss and water quality concerns. … ” Continue reading from Maven’s Notebook.
Delta Protection Commission appeals Delta Conveyance Project
“The Delta Protection Commission voted today to appeal the Department of Water Resources’ certification that the Delta Conveyance Project is consistent with the Delta Plan. The Project would create a 45-mile tunnel starting on the Sacramento River at the town of Hood and ending at the Bethany Reservoir west of Tracy, near the community of Mountain House in the South Delta. The Commission’s appeal contends that the Project would do lasting harm to the Delta, irrevocably altering “the rural character of the Delta, its economic pillars (agriculture and recreation), and its cultural heritage.” It also contends that other options that don’t harm the Delta have not been adequately considered. … ” Continue reading from the Delta Protection Commission.
SEE ALSO: Delta Protection Commission appeals Delta tunnel certification, from the Daily Republic
Startup develops incredible tech to pull water from unexpected source: ‘This is just the beginning of what’s possible’
“Could the water inside crops help save resources during droughts? It may sound like wishful thinking, but not to agricultural start-up Botanical Water Technologies. The company has partnered with Ingomar Packing Company, a California-based industrial tomato processor, to help the state’s San Joaquin Valley survive drought conditions, according to EIN Presswire. Most fruits and vegetables are made up of high percentages of water. That includes tomatoes, which are 95% H2O. Yet when they are turned into paste or diced up in a can, a significant amount of that water is lost. That’s where BWT saw an opportunity and developed what it calls Water Harvest Units. This technology can collect excess steam and wastewater during crop processing, which can then be purified and safely added back to the water supply. … ” Read more from The Cool Down.
California farms applied millions of pounds of PFAS to key crops, study finds
“California farms applied an average of 2.5m lbs of PFAS “forever chemicals” per year on cropland from 2018 to 2023, or a total of about 15m lbs, a new review of state records shows. The chemicals are added to pesticides that are sprayed on crops such as almonds, pistachios, wine grapes, alfalfa and tomatoes, the review of California Department of Pesticide Regulation data found. The Environmental Working Group nonprofit put together the report. The risk for uptake of PFAS is likely higher in water-rich fruits and vegetables, because water attracts the chemicals, and research has shown PFAS may concentrate at dangerous levels in some produce. The chemicals also pollute water supplies and present a higher risk to the often low income and Latino farmworkers. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
SEE ALSO: California Map Shows Where Harmful Pesticides Are Used on Major Crops, from Newsweek
California beach widths show resilience
“Two new studies from researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography provide encouraging news about California’s beaches at both local and statewide scales. The 2025 San Diego County Beach Report found most beaches in the region grew in width last year as beaches entered a post-El Niño recovery phase, while a companion study published in Nature Communications discovered that California’s average beach width has remained remarkably stable across nearly four decades despite notable examples of beach erosion. The San Diego County Beach Report is a monitoring effort conducted by the Scripps Coastal Processes Group and funded by California State Parks that tracks beach erosion or expansion in the region. The report encompasses nine San Diego County beaches: Carlsbad State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, Leucadia State Beach, Moonlight State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff State Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, Silver Strand State Beach and Border Field State Park. Some of these beaches have been continuously monitored for more than 20 years. … This absence of a clear trend at the local level was also echoed by a statewide study, funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California State Parks and the Office of Naval Research, that was also led by O’Reilly. … ” Read more from Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
A new city for a new economy: Gabriel Metcalf on California Forever’s vision
“In conversation with TPR, California Forever’s Head of Planning, Gabriel Metcalf, makes the case for reviving the long-dormant American tradition of building new towns as a meaningful response to California’s housing shortage, infrastructure paralysis, and declining economic competitiveness. He outlines a vision for a walkable, transit-connected grid city anchored by advanced manufacturing through the proposed Solano Foundry and shipyard. Metcalf emphasizes that the project’s fiscal model relies on revenues from new residents and employers, not existing Solano County taxpayers, and that annexation into Suisun City offers a clear governance pathway. Acknowledging political skepticism, he contends that California must shift toward an environmentalism that builds to remain economically competitive and to welcome future growth. Q: Gabriel, to start, introduce yourself, how long you’ve been with California Forever, and what drew you to this effort. A: Thank you for your interest, and I’m the city planner for this project. I came to this work after a long career studying housing and transportation policy in California. I ran the urbanist think tank SPUR (San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association) for many years. I’d say that gave me a front-row seat to how policy change actually happens. … ” Read more from The Planning Report.
Invisible invaders: Following the microplastic trail
A piece of plastic’s life doesn’t end when it leaves our hands – it continues through rivers, lakes, and oceans, leaving behind a trail of pollution. These particles, known as microplastics, are fragments less than five millimeters long. They come from many sources, including microbeads from face washes, synthetic fibers from clothing, and larger items like bottles that break down into smaller pieces. Once discarded, these particles are carried by sewage and urban runoff systems to rivers and oceans. They can also travel through the air as atmospheric fallout or be introduced through human activities. Despite their small size, microplastics pose a large threat to aquatic ecosystems. They can release toxic chemicals as they degrade and clog digestive tracts of small fish and plankton, making it difficult for them to feed. Over time, particles accumulate in tissues of marine organisms, leading to broader ecological consequences, including lower fish populations and disrupted food chains. The problem does not stop in the ocean, either. As humans consume seafood, microplastics enter our own bodies, though the extent of their effect is not fully understood. … ” Read more from FishBio.
Forest Service completed prescribed burns on 127,000 acres during shutdown, despite reduced workforce
“During the government shutdown, the U.S. Forest Service completed prescribed burns on more than 127,000 acres, Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz announced in an internal memo welcoming back furloughed employees. During the same time frame in 2023 and 2024, the Forest Service completed a comparable amount of work, indicating the agency managed to take advantage of prime weather for burns even with a reduced workforce. “Despite the disruption, we accomplished a great deal together,” the memo, first reported by the Hotshot Wake Up and verified by The Times, said. “We advanced timber sales that strengthen local economies, kept recreation sites open and safe for public enjoyment, and carried out critical wildfire response and active management work.” By comparison, the Forest Service completed about 200,000 acres of prescribed burns in 2023 from Oct. 1 through Nov. 12 — the same span as the 2025 shutdown — and in 2024, it burned roughly 90,000 acres during that time frame, according to a Forest Service database that tracks hazardous fuel treatment work. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In commentary today …
U.S. rejection of climate science is a call to action for the rest of the world
Eugene Linden, author of “Fire & Flood: A People’s History of Climate Change From 1979 to the Present,” writes, “If there was any doubt that the current U.S. administration is the world’s greatest threat to action on climate change, President Trump removed it on Sept. 23 when he addressed the U.N. General Assembly and called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and a threat promoted by “stupid people.” He went on to ridicule Europe for reducing its carbon footprint by 37% and to extol the virtues of “clean, beautiful coal.” That’s pretty clear cut, as is the threat of climate change. So, the question looms: What are the vast majority of nations that recognize the threat of climate change going to do? Unfortunately, so far the answer turns out to be “very little,” but the international community could do something, and soon. Those same nations that assembled at the U.N. have a weapon at their disposal that could bring the U.S. back into the fold, a weapon that has been enthusiastically endorsed by Trump, one that could be deployed rapidly and would be simple to administer. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Fort Bragg to test the state’s first wave-powered desalination system
“Ocean waves could soon help solve Fort Bragg’s drought worries. On Friday, the city and Quebec, Canada-based Oneka Technologies displayed California’s first wave-powered desalination pilot buoy. The Noyo Harbor-based buoy, part of the ResilenSea Project, is a partnership with the city and supported by a $1.5 million grant from the state of California. The community is already benefiting from the project, with local labor, fishing boats and divers involved in support operations. Oneka staff gave a walk-through tour of the “Iceberg-class buoy,” explaining how it converts seawater into freshwater. The unit to be deployed off Noyo Harbor is the ninth generation of wave-powered desalination systems developed over seven years of ocean testing by Oneka. Its half-mile offshore site was carefully chosen to balance pumping efficiency, available wave energy, water depth for brine dispersion and visual impacts. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice.
SEE ALSO: Wave powered desalination bouy arrives in Fort Bragg ahead of test launch, from NorCal Public Media
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
STPUD, LVFPD launch survey on water, sewer, and fire hazards
“South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) and Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) have started an update of their Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan will develop near-term and long-term mitigation actions that reduce risk from drought, floods, winter storms, wildfires, and other natural hazards. “Community input is essential to set priorities and identify projects,” said Megan Colvey, Director of Engineering with STPUD. Hazard mitigation means taking actions that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people, property, infrastructure, the economy, and the environment. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Chico: Five-Mile flood prevention project remains in early stages
“Standing on the footbridge that spans Big Chico Creek as the rain came down hard Monday, the work done in September by Butte County to remove sediment was clearer than ever. With significant portions of biological materials and dirt no longer in the way, even heavier-than-normal water flows now fork just beneath the bridge at the Five-Mile Recreation Area, allowing for more water to enter the diversion area and ultimately the Lindo Channel, leaving a roughly seven-foot-wide strip of trees separating the branches. Major work hasn’t been conducted on the Five-Mile Basin’s waterways in decades and the channels were built in the 1960s, allowing for years of sediment buildup that has since limited the diversion outlet’s ability to hold water when large storms occur. This has led to concerns in recent years over the potential for flooding should a 100-year weather event happen. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record.
Feather River College students study salmon population at Bucks Lake
“Feather River College reports that students attended a fall field trip to Bucks Lake to study local salmon. Two classes teamed up for the trip: Dana Flett’s upper division Advanced Riparian Restoration class and Adam Fuller’s Introduction to Fish class. Under the guidance of California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Amber Mouser, students learned about electroshock fish sampling to inventory the local kokanee salmon population. This information is used to determine the vigor and numbers of spawning kokanee. “The students learned a lot about local fish populations and had a great time,” said organizers. … ” Read more from the Plumas Sun.
Seasonal rains bring Sacramento’s rare vernal pools back to life
“It’s the time of year when storms begin rolling in again across Northern California, bringing much-needed water to the dry landscape. And that precipitation is causing life to rebloom again in the region’s vernal pools, small temporary wetlands caused by rainwater filling up depressions in the ground. These pools are scattered across California, though many have been lost to time. Throughout the winter and spring these wetlands are teeming with unique plant and animal species, some of which can be found nowhere else. But that beauty and diversity is fleeting as the weather dries out and the pools evaporate, ready to return with the next rains. Near Mather Field in Sacramento, the public has a chance to see some of these vernal pools, which date back between 50,000 and 200,000 years. David Rosen is the Director of Educational Programming and Lead Naturalist with the nonprofit Sacramento Splash. He recently spoke with Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez about the uniqueness of the vernal pool habitat, and how his organization is helping to bring that science to the greater public. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio.
BAY AREA
California’s rain streak will pause — but the next storm is on its way to the Bay Area
“The Bay Area should finally get a rain-free day on Tuesday. San Francisco has logged rain on four of the past five days, and some spots, like San Jose, have recorded measurable rain every day since last Thursday. Tuesday will be dry, with more sun than clouds, but it won’t be a shorts-and-picnic afternoon in Golden Gate Park kind of day. Temperatures will stay a few degrees below average for mid-November, slightly warmer than Monday, yet still stuck in the upper 50s to mid-60s across the region. Wednesday looks fairly similar with mostly sunny skies and cooler temperatures. The next storm arrives late Wednesday night into early Thursday. It’s the third system in a row that will do most of its work while the Bay Area sleeps. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Las Gallinas sewer district plans sale of bonds for lab project
“The Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District could be selling up to $25 million in tax-exempt bonds to finance the construction of a new multipurpose lab building and corporation yard. The move would enable the San Rafael agency to stash a majority of its designated capital reserves for future use. It also buys the district time to develop a financial plan for its total capital improvements program, which envisions around $150 million in outlays through 2030. The board governing the district authorized staff to start the process on Nov. 6. “The board wants to make sure that the district remains strong in its ability to finance as needed, as well as maintaining enough reserves to have on hand for smaller projects or emergency action that’s required,” said Dale McDonald, administrative services director of the district. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.
Salmon spawn run arrives ahead of schedule in Campbell creek
“Chinook salmon have been seen making their way up Los Gatos Creek in Campbell. This is all part of their late fall run, which is taking place a little early this year thanks to recent storms. The run typically starts around Thanksgiving. The fish leave the ocean, travel under the Golden Gate Bridge and head down to the South Bay, where they enter local creeks and look for areas to spawn. Experts say salmon numbers have been increasing in recent years. “The numbers year-over-year have been increasing,” South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition Executive Director Steve Holmes said. “When we first started, we’d see a couple dozen fish and that was it. As we’ve been working to clean the waterway, we’ve seen incrementally the numbers increasing. Two years ago, it was about 500 fish. Last year it was 600.” … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area.
San Jose opens tiny home village on Valley Water land
“A long-awaited San Jose tiny home village built on land owned by the region’s largest water supplier has opened — giving 136 homeless people a roof over their heads. The tiny homes on Cherry Avenue cost $18.3 million to build and include central laundry, private bathrooms and an outdoor picnic area. Nonprofit HomeFirst will provide case management to help people transition into permanent housing. Security and meals will also be provided. The city is leasing Valley Water’s land until Dec. 31, 2035, with an option for a five-year extension. San Jose Vice Mayor Pam Foley, whose District 9 covers this site, said her district previously hasn’t been part of the solution to end homelessness because there’s not much available land to build on. “But this property and the partnership with Valley Water shows that there really is opportunities,” Foley said at a news conference held at the grand opening on Monday. “This community… reflects our belief that every person deserves a chance to rebuild their lives.” … ” Read more from the San Jose Spotlight.
CENTRAL COAST
Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency considers whether its use of groundwater is sustainable
“The Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency is undergoing a review to make sure it’s not depleting its groundwater, as required by state water regulations. The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin provides drinking water to both the Scotts Valley Water District and San Lorenzo Valley Water District, multiple small water systems and about 800 private wells. A state law passed in 2015 requires water agencies to evaluate their groundwater usage and replenishment plans every five years. In 2023, when the California Department of Water Resources reviewed the agency’s previous self-evaluation, it noted lowering groundwater levels, degraded quality and surface water depletion and recommended changes. … ” Read more from Lookout Santa Cruz.
Monterey Peninsula water customers dramatically reduce use
“The last time the Monterey Peninsula saw its current level of water use was during the Dwight Eisenhower administration, the same year America launched its first satellite from the newly formed NASA. The year was 1958, when Monterey Peninsula water users consumed 9,132 acre-feet of water that year. One acre-foot equals 325,851 gallons, so in 1958 water customers used about three billion gallons. Today, despite the population having grown 40% and visitation is now hitting 9 million people a year, the Peninsula is using roughly the same amount of water as during Ike’s presidency. Dave Stoldt, the general manager of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, cited four primary reasons for such a dramatic decline in usage while seeing nearly half again the population: conservation programs, technology, consumer behavior and pricing. … ” Read more from the Monterey Herald.
Guadalupe violates water board permits due to clogged sewage filters
“A recent sludge buildup at Guadalupe’s sewage treatment plant put the city in deep water with a regional authority, which prompted a plan for course correction. During its Sept. 24 meeting, the Guadalupe City Council reviewed two interrelated proposals to dredge the plant’s filtering system ponds and improve the site’s maintenance procedures. Approved unanimously by the council, the two projects also correct permit violations cited by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, according to the staff report. “The existing system has not been maintained like it should be, so it’s worn out quicker than it should have,” City Engineer Jeff van den Eikhof said at the meeting. … ” Read more from the Santa Maria Sun.
Santa Barbara hit hard by storms: Record rainfall, flooded streets, moisture from Hawaii
“This weekend’s atmospheric river uprooted trees, caked roads in mud and sent toxic runoff flowing into the ocean, but nowhere got quite as hard hit as Santa Barbara, which experienced the soggiest three-day stretch of November rain in the county’s recorded history. According to data from the National Weather Service, the Santa Barbara Airport received 6.67 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday, breaking the location’s previous three-day total set in 2002 when it received 5.66 inches. The downpour was so heavy because it pulled in moisture all the way from Hawaii as it rotated, said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “Instead of quickly moving across the state, it was allowed to spin right off of the coast for quite a while,” he said. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Modesto has 9,000-plus rock wells. What they are, how they contribute to flooding
“A decades-old stormwater solution that helps recharge groundwater in Modesto is also a major contributor to yearly street flooding and a potential source of contamination. Modesto’s stormwater system is different from most other cities of its size in California. Instead of a traditional system using pipes that flow into rivers or out into the ocean, it heavily relies on thousands of rock wells — gravel-filled holes that drain untreated rainwater directly into the ground. “It’s basically a hole that’s drilled straight into the ground with filler rock that creates voids around the rocks and gives a space for the water to go,” said Robert Englent, the Modesto wastewater collection system superintendent. Rock wells work as a source of groundwater recharge, replenishing aquifers below. But they also are easily clogged by debris like leaves and trash, leading to major street flooding during heavy storms. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee.
Merced River sees highest monthly flow in 52 years
“Merced River levels leapt by roughly 4 feet over the weekend at the Happy Isles Bridge gauge in Yosemite Valley, California, after an atmospheric river brought torrential rain to the area. It was the highest November river flow there since 1973, according to Storm Watch’s Colin McCarthy. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by email for comment. An atmospheric river is a long, narrow region in the atmosphere—like a river in the sky—that transports water vapor outside of the tropics, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). … ” Read more from Newsweek.
Slow-moving storm pushes Fresno rainfall to 353% of normal
“Fresno’s long slow weathermaker has drenched the city with nearly 2.5 inches of rain since its start through mid-morning Monday — with more to come. The wet start to the 2025-26 water year has pushed Fresno to 32% of its annual average total for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 and to 353% of normal thus far. Meanwhile, there’s more good news for households, growers, and businesses as California’s major reservoirs are well above their historic averages for this time of year. … ” Read more from GV Wire.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Winter Weather Advisory in place for mountains as another storm hits Southern California
“After an atmospheric river brought mudslides, debris flows, toppled trees and flooding to Southern California over the weekend, another colder storm began hitting the region on Monday. Weather officials in response issued flood and snow advisories for parts of the region urging people to stay safe. Besides the advisories, a flash flood warning was in place for parts of northern LA County until 9 p.m. Monday including Pasadena, Altadena, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Monrovia and Azusa. A “pretty notable” atmospheric river landed over the region this weekend, along with some damage, bringing one to six inches of rain across Southern California, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service. “For November standards, it’s not too common for us to get an atmospheric river of the potency that we got. Usually, it’s more common that we would receive an atmospheric river that would give us a few inches of rain anywhere between December and March,” said NWS Meteorologist Sebastian Westerink. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News.
Multiple Southern California cities shatter rainfall records from 1965
“A fierce atmospheric river drenched California last week, pushing several Southern California desert cities to shatter decades-long rainfall records. The heaviest rain came on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, which prompted several flash flood warnings. Adam Roser, a meteorologist with the weather service, told SFGATE that Saturday’s rain broke numerous records set during a Nov. 15, 1965, storm system.Palm Springs saw 1.08 inches of rain, surpassing its record of 0.28 inch, and Riverside blew past its Nov. 15 record of 0.72 inch after receiving 1.46 inches. Farther south, Santa Ana received more than 2 inches of rain, compared with its previous record of 1.27 inches, and San Diego hit 1.20 inches, topping its 1965 record of 1.07 inches. … ” Read more from SF Gate.
After dry summer, weekend of rain dumps trash on Seal Beach as county explores solutions to stop the cycle
“Harry Kartinen, 82, drove to Seal Beach early Monday morning to help clear the mounds of trash that had washed to the shores over the weekend. Equipped with his own rake and tarp, he scooped up sneakers, candy wrappers and Starbucks cups, among countless branches and other waste that littered the beach after some of the first heavy rain following the dry summer months. Kartinen, a former Long Beach police officer, said he’s been helping collect trash along the Seal Beach shore nearly every morning for the past 11 years. Typically, he said the work lasts a few hours, but post-storm cleanup can take twice as long. “I just hate to see the beach like this,” Kartinen said while lugging a drenched mattress onto dry sand. … ” Read more from the OC Register.
SAN DIEGO
Imperial Beach residents notice improvements as EPA accelerates Tijuana sewage crisis solutions
“Imperial Beach residents are reporting noticeable improvements in water quality and odor as federal agencies work to address the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis that has plagued the South Bay community for years. “Definitely the smell has been pretty mild,” Giana Bertrand, an Imperial Beach resident, said. “Lately it’s been pretty clear, its blue.” The coastal community has been one of the hardest hit by cross-border sewage flows, particularly during wet weather events that exacerbate contamination levels. “It’s been progressively getting better, I just hope it gets fixed[permanently],” Renee Dolfon said. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona leaders urge feds to defend state water rights
“Arizona leaders sent a bipartisan letter to the Trump administration requesting that it maintain the original 1922 Colorado River Compact as negotiations continue to address the river’s future water rights. Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert; House Speaker Steve Montenegro, R-Surprise; state Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson; state Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, D-Phoenix; and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs came together to sign the letter, dated Nov. 11. They asked Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to ensure all states that are part of the agreement follow the same rules. The river’s water is used for purposes such as agriculture. … In the new agreement, Arizona leaders said they want the Upper Basin States to agree to use less water and to share the water shortage more evenly. They said, “They found it alarming that the Upper Basin States are refusing to participate in any sharing of water shortages,” which has led to stalled negotiations. … ” Read more from The Center Square.
In water-strapped southern Utah, tighter limits may spell the end for new golf courses
“Across the St. George area, lush green golf courses sprawl among red rock cliffs, cacti and yucca. This water-strapped region hosts 14 courses within a 20-mile radius. The sport may have reached a limit in southwest Utah, though. The Washington County Water Conservancy District’s board passed a new policy this month that increases regulations on the top 1% of commercial, institutional and industrial water users, including water guzzling industries such as golf courses, data centers and bottling plants. Any new project that will use 9 million gallons or more of the district’s water must receive additional review and approval from a committee of mayors and managers representing the eight cities and towns the district serves, according to the district. La Verkin, Toquerville and Virgin opted to set their threshold even lower, at 5 million gallons per year. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
Moab symposium reckons with the impacts of Glen Canyon Dam
“Hosted by the Glen Canyon Institute, the Returning Rapids Project and the University of Utah’s Department of Geology and Geophysics, the free event featured presenters sharing new research, creative work and field observations. Zanna Stutz, program manager at Glen Canyon Institute, said the goal was to bring scientists, artists, Indigenous community members, river guides and advocates together to share work, build connections and “imagine a future for the river.” “It is also about the relationships that can be developed, the partnerships that can be established, the collaboration that is made possible,” Stutz said. “ … I think that there is just so much cross pollination and cross inspiration of ideas that can happen when everyone gets together and talks to each other.” Although the Nov. 11 negotiation deadline did not factor into the symposium’s timing, Stutz noted that post-2026 Colorado River discussions “have been really closed off from the public” and that “we have continued to see deadlines missed.” … ” Read more from the Moab Times.
Invasive zebra mussels find ride 100 miles up Colorado River, massively expanding infestation
“Voracious, invasive zebra mussels hopped an upstream ride over the summer and added 100 miles of Colorado River to their fast-growing infestation of state waterways, Parks and Wildlife officials said after a recent multiagency, multicounty sampling. Previously pegged in the Grand Junction area, the Oct. 29 sampling and subsequent analysis found adult zebra mussels upstream in Glenwood Canyon and all the way up to the Colorado River’s junction with the Eagle River at Dotsero, near a private lake treated for zebra mussels in August. “With these new findings, the Colorado River is now considered infested from the confluence of the Eagle River down to the Colorado-Utah border,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
In national water news today …
Trump administration moves to weaken federal protections for waterways and wetlands
“The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army on Monday announced a proposal to further define, and scale back, the number of waterways and wetlands protected by the federal government under the Clean Water Act, a bedrock environmental law. Flanked by supporters, including Republican members of Congress and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin signed the proposed rule in front of a packed audience at agency headquarters in Washington. “News of today’s proposal is going to be met with a lot of relief from farmers, ranchers, other landowners [and] governments that have been looking for a simple, prescriptive definition that the whole country can operate off of,” Zeldin said at the signing. According to a fact sheet released by the agency on Monday, the proposal will impact the government’s definition of “waters of the United States,” commonly referred to as WOTUS, which defines the scope of federal jurisdiction over Clean Water Act permitting. … ” Read more from Inside Climate News.
Trump plan waives protection at +80% of wetlands
“The Trump administration has proposed dramatic new standards under the Clean Water Act that would leave scores of wetlands and small streams more vulnerable to pollution. Just 19 percent of wetlands in the contiguous U.S. that have been mapped by the federal government would be protected under the sweeping draft “waters of the U.S.” definition unveiled Monday. That’s according to an estimate in a regulatory impact analysis conducted by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers and released alongside the proposed rule. Trump administration officials said the proposal conforms with Sackett v. EPA, a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that asserted that only wetlands that directly touched a relatively permanent waterway – like a river or lake – fell under the scope of the Clean Water Act and the regulatory powers of the federal government. But the administration proposed a more restrictive interpretation of the ruling than the Biden administration did. In addition to having a physical surface connection to waterway, wetlands would need to contain “surface water” at least for the duration of the “wet season” to be considered a WOTUS, the proposal said. … ” Read more from E&E News.
SEE ALSO:
- EPA moves to limit scope of clean water law to reduce amount of wetlands it covers, from the Associated Press
- Republicans heap praise on Clean Water Act plan, from E&E News
- The Next Deluge May Go Differently: Changes in wetlands policy, reductions in funding mean flooding will worsen, from the Circle of Blue
- New WOTUS Proposal Could Reduce Red Tape for Farmers and Ranchers, from Dairy Herd
- EPA Proposes Striking Wetlands Protections, Risking Water Quality Across US, Statement by Dr. Stacy Woods, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Trump’s new proposal will dismantle wetlands protections and increase flood risk, statement from the Environmental Defense Fund
How much plastic can kill a sea turtle? A new study has answers.
“Two baseballs for a sea turtle. Three sugar cubes for a puffin. A soccer ball for a harbor porpoise. That’s roughly how much ingested plastic would be deadly for each animal, according to a study published on Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers analyzed data from more than 10,000 autopsies of seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals killed by ingesting plastic, and calculated amounts consistent with a 90 percent likelihood of death. The study did not include data on microplastics, which are smaller pieces invisible to the naked eye, or analyze animals killed by plastic in other common ways, like becoming entangled in fishing gear. “These lethal doses are much smaller than one might think,” said Erin Murphy, a marine scientist who led the study and manages ocean plastics research at Ocean Conservancy. “We’ve long known that consuming plastics can be deadly to ocean animals, but we didn’t know how much was too much.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
SEE ALSO: How little plastic does it take to kill marine animals? Scientists have answers, from the LA Times
Precipitation watch …
Precipitation watch.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Announcements, etc.
