DAILY DIGEST: Congress weighs in on farmer facing $2.8 million fine; Who pays for Oroville Dam spillway repairs?; Monterey County’s innovative water recycling plant a model for the Central Coast; and more …

Maven
DAILY DIGEST
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In California water news today, Congress weighs in on farmer facing $2.8 million fine; Who pays for Oroville Dam spillway repairs?; Oroville Dam in miniature: Scale model helps repair damaged spillway; California’s drought is all but over, but some wells are still dry; Conference spotlights needs of Napa River watershed; Monterey County’s innovative water recycling plant a model for the Central Coast; Why does Folsom’s water smells funny?; and more …

On the calendar today …

  • Webinar: Drought and Climate Outlook at 11am: The California-Nevada Drought Early Warning System (CA-NV DEWS) Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular drought and climate outlook webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (i.e. El Niño and La Niña).  Click here for more information.
  • Webinar: Enhancing groundwater recharge with stormwater from 1pm to 2:30pm: The State Water Board’s Strategy To Optimize Resource Management of Storm Water (STORMS) Seminar Series features Professor Fisher from UC Santa Cruz who will discuss how water quality and water supply can improve simultaneously with Managed Aquifer Recharge.  Professor Fisher investigates the potential for stormwater to address California’s water management challenges through projects related to Managed Aquifer Recharge. Click here to watch on webcast.

In the news today …

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

Congress weighs in on farmer facing $2.8 million fine:  “Congress has weighed in on a case in which a farmer faces a $2.8 million fine for allegedly plowing wetlands in his Tehama County field.  Chairmen of the House judiciary and agriculture committees sent a letter last week to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking for clarification on the department’s reasoning behind the case against John Duarte Nursery.  “The prosecution of Mr. Duarte raises concerns that the Congressional intent behind the farming exemptions in the statute is misunderstood,” the letter says. … ”  Read more from the Redding Record-Searchlight here:  Congress weighs in on farmer facing $2.8 million fine

Who pays for Oroville Dam spillway repairs?  “Work is underway right now at the Oroville Dam spillway, but many questions remain. How much will it cost? Will repairs be complete in time for the rainy season? Will life under the shadow of the dam return to normal?  The best answer is that it’s a work in progress.  So far, an estimate for repairs has reached $500 million, said Erin Mellon, communications and outreach adviser for the state Natural Resources Agency. The hope is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will help pay for 75 percent of eligible emergency response and repairs, Mellon said. ... ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Who pays for Oroville Dam spillway repairs?

Oroville Dam in miniature: Scale model helps repair damaged spillway:  “When it comes to repairing the tallest dam in America, sometimes it helps to shrink the problem to a more manageable size. That’s why California water officials are relying on a scale model of the damaged spillway at Oroville Dam to plan their repairs.  The model, constructed by engineering professors and students at Utah State University in Logan, is built to a 1/50th scale out of wood, steel, concrete and acrylic plastic. At 120ft (36m) long and 30ft (9m) wide, it’s roughly the size of a tennis court. … ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Oroville Dam in miniature: Scale model helps repair damaged spillway

California’s drought is all but over, but some wells are still dry:  “On a hot and humid day last summer, Maria Marquez greeted a customer from Okieville from a window in her taco truck and asked him for his order. “Un torta asada,” he replied. She then told him to come to the community water meeting at her house.  Marquez’s well went dry almost three years ago during the height of the California drought. That was when she started organizing her neighbors – who were also desperate for water.  Marquez lives in Okieville, a tiny community that’s about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The small hamlet got its name from migrants headed to California to escape the dust bowl drought of the 1930’s. But today, Okieville residents, mainly Hispanic and low-income, find themselves in a similar crisis. Despite a wet California winter, six years of drought have left thousands of dry wells in the state’s Central Valley. Okieville is among the hardest hit. … ”  Read more from Marketplace here:  California’s drought is all but over, but some wells are still dry

In regional news today …

Conference spotlights needs of Napa River watershed:  “As humans continue to shape the Napa River watershed, they can do so with a lighter, more natural touch.  That was a key theme at the Napa County Watershed Symposium on Thursday. Dozens of elected leaders, wine industry officials and environmentalists crowded into Blue Note Napa – in the historic opera house—to talk about an ecosystem of the future that might more closely mimic the ecosystem of the past.  Napa County’s watersheds have been a hot topic as more vineyard and winery development takes place there. But two groups often at odds—Napa Valley Vintners and Napa Vision 2050—were among the watershed symposium sponsors. ... ”  Read more from the Napa Valley Register here:  Conference spotlights needs of Napa River watershed

Monterey County’s innovative water recycling plant a model for the Central Coast:  “Californians are used to the idea of recycling cans, bottles and paper. But the idea of recycling water is a little hard for some to swallow. In fact, the process is sometimes dubbed “toilet to tap.” That’s a phrase the people at Pure Water Monterey quickly dismiss when talking about the new advanced water purification facility being built in Marina. “Well it’s not all just waste water. It’s a unique innovative set of supplies,” says Dave Stoldt, General Manager of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, one of the partners in this project. ... ”  Read more from KCBX here:  Monterey County’s innovative water recycling plant a model for the Central Coast

Why does Folsom’s water smells funny?  “There is confusion over a chemical smell in Folsom’s tap water.  The City of Folsom receives top marks from the EPA for water quality. A city spokeswoman says the city water is chlorinated but maintains the water meets all state and federal drinking standards.  Folsom residents get their water from Folsom Lake. It’s treated before it hits the tap. And the city says the amount of chlorine that goes in, is comparable to a small water bottle in a big football field. ... ”  Read more from CBS Sacramento here:  Why does Folsom’s water smells funny?

American River nearly deserted due to dangerous conditions:  “Where was everybody? During Memorial Day, usually jampacked holiday conditions on Sacramento rivers gave way to a much more relaxing vibe. That was better for beachgoers as well as rescue units.  “Usually, it’s really busy, especially on a weekend like this,” said Renee Perfecto at the Watt Avenue access area along the American River. “Normally, the parking lot would be totally full and there would be nowhere to set up your tent. I don’t know what’s going on.” … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  American River nearly deserted due to dangerous conditions

Some Sierra residents wanted the tree cutting to stop; one community didn’t:  “Money wasn’t running out in Oakhurst, but patience is a different story.  Commuters and business owners from Madera County’s foothills were getting anxious about a Caltrans tree-cutting project that was causing delays along highways 41 and 49. It concluded Thursday and residents and business owners in the Oakhurst area were relieved.  But it meant about $2 million for tree cutting might not get used. … ”  Read more from the Fresno Bee here:  Some Sierra residents wanted the tree cutting to stop; one community didn’t

Deadly holiday weekend on the Kern River:  “For the last five years, the drought severely depleted the Kern River, usually one of the fastest-flowing rivers in the West.  But the exceedingly wet winter has returned the 165-mile Kern, California’s 10th-longest river and a favorite among whitewater rafting enthusiasts, to a power not seen in years. Fueled by runoff that ultimately stretches from its headwaters at the base of Mt. Whitney, dramatic rapids and swift flows are returning to a river so feared that it’s known as the “Killer Kern.” ... ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Deadly holiday weekend on the Kern River

Focus: Little-known Mission Bay marsh could be key to fight against sea level rise:  “San Diego’s iconic Mission Bay is mostly known for zooming jet skis, gliding sailboats, resort hotels and SeaWorld, but a small, fenced-off corner of the bay could be key to the city’s future.  Environmental concerns, including rising sea levels that threaten coastal housing, could be alleviated if the city is able to significantly expand 65 acres of marshland in the bay’s northeast corner that is open to the public only one day a year.  Marshland boosts water quality, restores habitats, filters carbon dioxide from the air and can act as a sponge to mitigate rising sea levels. It also bolsters many species of birds that connect marine life with land-based animals and plants. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune here:  Focus: Little-known Mission Bay marsh could be key to fight against sea level rise

New sewage spill from Mexico pollutes the South Bay:  “Signs warning people to stay out of the water are once again posted in Imperial Beach after a new spill from Mexico dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage into the Tijuana River – polluting the South Bay.  For Imperial Beach resident Lina Heitman, the latest sewage spill – reportedly 335,000 gallons from Mexico discharged overnight into the Tijuana River – means even her beloved canines are banned from the water.  “Unbearable, it’s unbearable. I don’t want to lose my puppies cause they are like my kids. I don’t want them to get sick or get any kind of disease,” she said. ... ”  Read more from Channel 8 here:  New sewage spill from Mexico pollutes the South Bay

Winter rains bring new threats for Western firefighters:  “The deluge of storms that soaked drought-parched California in the winter, filling reservoirs and packing snow on the Sierra Nevadas, also brought hope that the state would get some relief after years of devastating forest fires.  But now officials are worried about a new threat, one that could put thousands of homes in Western states at risk of a different kind of fire.  The winter storms have unleashed a bumper crop of highly flammable grasses in lowland foothills across the West. Those grasses don’t grow as much during drought conditions.  … ” Read more from The Hill here:  Winter rains bring new threats for Western firefighters

In commentary today …

Three reasons why water markets may be damaging the West’s rivers:  Gary Wockner writes, “I’ve just returned from Ecuador, which is famous among environmentalists across the world because it has “rights of nature” enshrined in its national constitution. Ecuador is the only country in the world to have such a constitutional provision which allows for nature to be a “plaintiff” in a court of law. Further, Ecuadorian activists are very excited that the national parliament has passed a new law to allow citizens to sue the government and corporations for environmental harms. Much like laws in the United States – such as the Clean Water Act – that allow for public enforcement, the new Ecuadorian law gives the public the right and responsibility to protect their environment and the public’s health from polluters. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Three reasons why water markets may be damaging the West’s rivers

Column: Here’s why we should think about protecting California fish:  George Skelton writes, “Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. And one thing that means is trout fishing.  Especially this summer, because the five-year drought has mercifully ended. Streams are leaping off the mountains in whitewater cascades, carrying bug buffets to fish lurking in deepwater pools. Cold-water lakes are chock-full.  Trout and their cousin salmon, caught off the coast and savored grilled or smoked, are among California’s most prized assets. They and another cousin, the majestic, ocean-going steelhead trout, are three things that make this state a special place to live. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here:  Column: Here’s why we should think about protecting California fish

It’s time to fix this water issue, says Kristal Cabellero:  She writes, “Paula, a mother of three, makes a regular stop on her way from work in Kern County to pick up cases of bottled water.  “I’m scared of the tap water at home,” Paula says.  She has been purchasing alternative water for years, but not because she prefers to. The water coming from her tap is contaminated with arsenic, and unsafe to drink.  “Worrying about water making my children sick should be the last thing on my mind, but this is the reality I live in,” says Paula. … ” Read more from the Register-Pajaronian here:  It’s time to fix this water issue

Weather watch …

Quiet early summer conditions; thoughts on the season ahead: “Weather-wise, conditions across most of California have been rather quiescent in recent weeks. Despite a record-wet Water Year to date across much of Northern California, it has been a dry (and warm) spring across Southern California. Some early season warmth (in some spots, marginally record-breaking) has allowed for an acceleration in Sierra Nevada snowmelt, and many snow-fed rivers in California and Nevada are currently running high and cold. So far, though, only minor flooding has resulted from snowpack melting in recent days. This is partly because a lot of the snow on the ground has already melted at lower elevations, despite a hefty upper-elevation snowpack–in fact, relatively warm temperatures led to lower elevation snowmelt even during the middle of winter earlier this year. … ”  Read more from the California Weather Blog here:  Quiet early summer conditions; thoughts on the season ahead

More news and commentary in the weekend edition …

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.

 

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