DAILY DIGEST: Bill to ease water measuring regs awaits Governor’s signature; Oroville Dam spillway update: 85 vertical feet with 1 month left to go; Snowstorm closes Sonora Pass; 48 environmental rules on the way out under Trump; and more …

In California water news today, Bill to ease water measuring regs awaits Governor’s signature; Rebuilding the Oroville Dam spillways; Oroville Dam spillway update: 85 vertical feet with 1 month left to go; It’s a Sierra surprise: snowstorm closes Sonora Pass; In a body farm for trees, scientists root out the killers; 48 environmental rules on the way out under Trump; and more …

In the news today …

Bill to ease water measuring regs awaits Governor’s signature:  “A bill that could save money for rural ranchers who divert water by easing a state regulation is awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature.  The California Cattlemen’s Association-backed legislation by Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, would change a State Water Resources Control Board rule that those who divert more than 10 acre-feet of water per year hire a licensed engineer to install a water-measuring device.  Assembly Bill 589 would allow diverters to instead install their own devices or implement their own measurement method if they take a course from the University of California Cooperative Extension, CCA officials explain. … ”  Read more from the Capital Press here:  Bill to ease water measuring regs awaits Governor’s signature

Rebuilding the Oroville Dam spillways:  “In February, a huge hole opened in the Lake Oroville main spillway. The cause of the hole is still undetermined. The ensuing closure of the main gates and use of the emergency spillway for the first time ever caused damage to the hillside, erosion toward the spillway structure and thousands of people to evacuate.   The California Department of Water Resources feared catastrophic flooding and chose to once again release water down the main spillway.  Fortunately, major flooding was averted.  State and federal agencies devised a plan to quickly repair or replace the structures at the lake.  Most, but not all, of the repair work is scheduled to end within a month. Here’s how crews are working to rebuild the spillways. ... ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here:  Rebuilding the Oroville Dam spillways

Oroville Dam spillway update: 85 vertical feet with 1 month left to go:  “The wide-open middle section of the Oroville Dam spillway is 70 percent filled, with the deadline for this season’s work fast approaching.  The contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. remains on track to have the 3,000-foot spillway ready to pass flows of 100,000 cubic-feet per second by Nov. 1, said Jeanne Kuttel, chief of engineering for the state Department of Water Resources, in a media call on Wednesday morning. ... ”  Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here:  Oroville Dam spillway update: 85 vertical feet with 1 month left to go

It’s a Sierra surprise: snowstorm closes Sonora Pass:  “A fast-moving afternoon storm dumped several inches of snow on Sonora Pass and Highway 108 on Tuesday, impressing Caltrans workers who called it a “Sierra Surprise.”  Automated snow stations showed snow depths near Sonora Pass between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning increased by 3 inches at Leavitt Lake, elevation 9,560 feet, and 2 inches at Sonora Pass, 9,624 feet, said Eric Kurth, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sacramento. ... ”  Read more from the Union Democrat here:  It’s a Sierra surprise: snowstorm closes Sonora Pass

In a body farm for trees, scientists root out the killers:  “In a corner of Sequoia National Park in California, Sierra redwoods stick out like colossal cinnamon sticks among the more common pines, firs and incense cedars. Nate Stephenson, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist, makes his way up a hill, stepping over fallen logs. He stops in front of a small, dead red fir, which a hanging metal tag identifies as “189.” Stephenson points out a section of its trunk where the USGS field crew cut away the bark, revealing the squiggly signature of the fir engraver beetle scrawled across the brown sapwood. Number 189 is just one of the more than 100 million trees researchers estimate died during California’s five-year drought, which ended this spring. … ”  Read more from Scientific American here:  In a body farm for trees, scientists root out the killers

48 environmental rules on the way out under Trump:  “Since taking office in January, President Trump has made eliminating federal regulations a priority. His administration — with help from Republicans in Congress — has often targeted environmental rules it sees as overly burdensome to the fossil fuel industry, including major Obama-era policies aimed at fighting climate change.  To date, the the Trump administration has sought to reverse nearly 50 environmental rules, according to an analysis by The New York Times. … ”  Read more from the New York Times here:  48 environmental rules on the way out under Trump

In commentary today …

Don’t cave to big ag; veto wasteful water rights bill, says the San Jose Mercury News:  They write, “Few things are as important to California’s 39.5 million residents as the quality and allocation of the state’s water.  Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, wants to hand over more power in that arena to Big Ag by changing how water rights cases are enforced. Gov. Jerry Brown should veto Gray’s AB 313 and keep those issues where they belong — in the hands of the State Water Resources Control Board. ... ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  Don’t cave to big ag; veto wasteful water rights bill

We’re through negotiating with the state, say Dave Long and Scott Koehn:  They write, “Merced Irrigation District and our community have a strong track record of environmental stewardship. From MID staff, to our community, to our local legislators our community has put its best foot forward toward solving complex water and environmental issues related to the Merced River.  After years of promoting compromises on Merced River fishery and flow requirements, it has become apparent there is no compromise to be found.  We commend MID staff for developing and promoting the Merced River SAFE (Salmon, Agriculture, Flows and Environment) Plan as an alternative to the state’s severely flawed Bay Delta Plan and the Substitute Environmental Draft that would implement part of it on the Merced. ... ”  Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here:  We’re through negotiating with the state

DWR needs to make its deadline for repairs – everyone downstream is watching with interest, says the Appeal Democrat:  They write, “It looks like work this season on the Oroville Dam spillway repair will go right down to the wire – they set a deadline of Nov. 1 on this season’s most important work.  Even though it looks like amiable construction weather might continue for a while past that date, it’s important for the state Department of Water Resources that the deadline be met. There are a lot of people downstream from the tallest dam who already have a problem accepting at face value anything DWR says. … ”  Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here:  DWR needs to make its deadline for repairs – everyone downstream is watching with interest

In regional news and commentary today …

Oregon, California senators step up pressure on Trump administration to approve salmon emergency cash: “Oregon and California’s four senators, all Democrats, stepped up the pressure on the Trump administration Wednesday to approve disaster assistance for salmon fishermen along 200 miles of coastline.  In April, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, which manages coastal salmon seasons, recommended closing coastal and commercial salmon fishing entirely along an area equal to roughly half of Oregon’s coastline. Govs. Kate Brown of Oregon and Jerry Brown of California requested emergency funding relief in May, to no avail. ... ”  Read more from the Oregonian here:  Oregon, California senators step up pressure on Trump administration to approve salmon emergency cash

Federal judge dismisses suit against BOR for 2001 water shutoff:  “Despite laying claim to one victory in a years-long battle, Klamath Project irrigators were denied their claims in a ruling filed on Sept. 29.  The case, which ultimately became Lonny Baley v. United States, concerned the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s 2001 decision to not deliver water to irrigators in the Klamath Project. That decision was driven by biological opinions from the National Marine Fisheries Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service that delivering water to irrigators in the “critically dry” 2001 water year would irreversibly harm three fish species protected by the Endangered Species Act: The endangered Lost River and shortnose sucker fish and the threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast coho salmon. … ”  Read more from the Siskiyou Daily News here:  Federal judge dismisses suit against BOR for 2001 water shutoff

Arcata soil company settles in water contamination suit:  “The Arcata-based soil company Royal Gold LLC recently settled a federal civil lawsuit filed by Humboldt Baykeeper that alleged the company allowed harmful chemicals at its Glendale soil mixing facility to contaminate the Mad River and the nearby Mill Creek.  The company agreed to make a variety of infrastructure changes to prevent contaminated runoff from entering soil and groundwater; continue water sampling for the next two years to determine if the changes have been effective; allow Humboldt Baykeeper’s attorneys to inspect the facility twice and pay it $7,500 for doing so; pay $40,000 for environmental projects to improve water quality on Mad River or Humboldt Bay; and pay the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation $10,000 to build permanent public toilets in order to reduce contamination of Humboldt Bay, according to court documents. ... ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here:  Arcata soil company settles in water contamination suit

Billionaire relents, kicks open his gate to popular Martins Beach:  “A billionaire landowner who had blocked access to a beach near Half Moon Bay opened the gate leading to the sandy shore Wednesday, two days after legal papers were filed demanding he comply with a court order.  The decision by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla to finally allow the public to use the only road leading to picturesque Martins Beach was touted as a victory for surfers and sunbathers, but lawyers say it probably isn’t the end of a decade-long battle over the sandy cove. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here:  Billionaire relents, kicks open his gate to popular Martins Beach

Kings County: Urgency ordinance would halt reservoir construction:  “New and expanding water resource facilities for groundwater export or conveyance of surface water will face a 45-day moratorium in Kings County with a vote this week by the Board of Supervisors.  Clearly aimed at thwarting plans by Kern County-based Semitropic Water Storage District to construct a reservoir near Kettleman City to store Kings River floodwaters, this interim urgency ordinance is needed, they say, to protect the county’s groundwater. ... ”  Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here:  Urgency ordinance would halt reservoir construction

San Luis Obispo County residents weigh in on coming cannabis regs:  “After a three-and-a-half hour hearing Tuesday on cannabis regulations, San Luis Obispo county officials voted to continue the conversation to Oct. 17. Dozens of county residents attended the meeting to provide input on the regulations now before the board of supervisors.  Wayne Moody is a longtime Huasna resident. He said his neighbor started a permitted grow and it has negatively impacted the area water supply. … ”  Read more from KCBX here:  San Luis Obispo County residents weigh in on coming cannabis regs

Santa Barbara desal plant sill not fully operational:  “Although the City of Santa Barbara’s revamped desalination plant started production in May, enough bugs in the system remain four months later to say the plant is not yet officially up and operating. According to city water czar Joshua Haggmark, the plant’s intake pipe has a leak that he and the contractors are still working to resolve. Haggmark reported city water customers hit conservation marks of 45 percent for the month of August. Even though Santa Barbara’s population increased by 5,000 since the last major drought ​— ​1987 to 1992 ​— ​he said city customers are using even less water today than they were back then, roughly 9,000 acre-feet a year. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Barbara Independent here:  Santa Barbara desal plant sill not fully operational

FDA reversed its position on Nestle bottled water, documents show:  “The federal government has strict rules about water that can be bottled and sold as “spring water,” and regulators recently changed their position on whether the water that Nestlé pipes out of the San Bernardino National Forest meets those requirements.  Newly released documents show the national forest’s top official asked the Food and Drug Administration to help look into complaints by several people who accused the company of violating federal regulations by bottling groundwater rather than spring water. ... ”  Read more from the Desert Sun here:  FDA reversed its position on Nestle bottled water, documents show

Environment is big winner in US-Mexico Colorado River agreement:  “A newly signed pact between Mexico and the United States is believed to be the first time that two nations have agreed to allocate part of a shared water resource to the environment.  Farmers and cities in both countries will reap benefits from Minute 323, an update to an existing agreement that seeks to sustainably manage the water of the overburdened Colorado River basin.  The new agreement, signed on September 27 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by officials from both nations, requires the United States to invest millions of dollars in water conservation projects in Mexico – like plugging leaks in irrigation canals and helping farmers implement water-efficient technology. ... ”  Read more from Water Deeply here:  Environment is big winner in US-Mexico Colorado River agreement

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• OROVILLE DAM: Construction update with latest video, photos
• SCIENCE NEWS: Potential pathways between oil and gas activities and protected groundwater; Wildlife corridors at Yolo Bypass will help animals escape flooding; Quantifying the benefits of cutting carbon; and more …
• NEWS WORTH NOTING: Apply for Water Education Foundation’s 2018 Water Leaders class; Legal analysis: Trial court denies 2001 Klamath Project takings claims

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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.