In California water news today, Southern California might foot the bill for the Delta tunnels project – with no promise of reimbursement; SoCal water bills go up an extra 50 cents under new tunnels plan; For less than $5 month, SoCal ratepayers can pay for the Delta tunnels, agency says; It wasn’t a ‘Miracle March’, but here’s why the NWS says it was a miraculous turnaround; Environmental group sues Trump Administration, demanding protections for California rivers; Deeply Talks: Sandra Postel on fixing the broken water cycle; A flurry of research illuminates snow’s foes; and more …
On the calendar today …
- Public meeting for CA Water Fix SWP contract amendment from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Sacramento Holiday Inn, 300 J Street. Click here for more information.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
Southern California might foot the bill for the Delta tunnels project – with no promise of reimbursement: “Southern California’s biggest water agency is considering picking up most of the bill for overhauling the state’s waterworks without any guarantee that it will eventually recoup its additional, multibillion-dollar investment. At a board workshop Tuesday, officials of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California outlined ways in which the agency could finance the construction of two giant water tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Underlying the plan is an assumption that the San Joaquin Valley agricultural districts that have refused to share in the upfront costs of the mammoth construction project would be willing to buy into it when the project is finished. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Southern California might foot the bill for the Delta tunnels project – with no promise of reimbursement
SoCal water bills go up an extra 50 cents under new tunnels plan: “Southern California gets about a third of its water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta east of San Francisco. But deliveries aren’t always reliable because ecological concerns often slow the pumps conveying the water southward. The state wants to build two new conveyance tunnels under the delta to reduce ecological harm and increase reliability, but the plan is in trouble for lack of funding. Now Southern California’s biggest water agency — the Metropolitan Water District — is offering to help save the project. And its plan would cost ratepayers more. … ” Read more from KPCC here: SoCal water bills go up an extra 50 cents under new tunnels plan
For less than $5 month, SoCal ratepayers can pay for the Delta tunnels, agency says: “Pushing ahead with an ambitious effort to take a majority stake in the state’s troubled $16.7 billion tunnels project, Southern California’s behemoth water agency announced Tuesday that the plan would cost its ratepayers less than $5 a month. On Tuesday, staff at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California told board members $4.80 was the most the 6.2 million households in Metropolitan’s service area could expect to pay if the agency moves ahead with plans to take on 65 percent of the share of building both tunnels. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: For less than $5 month, SoCal ratepayers can pay for the Delta tunnels, agency says
It wasn’t a ‘Miracle March’, but here’s why the NWS says it was a miraculous turnaround: “It looks like it was nearly a “Miracle March” for the Northern California snowpack. Is it time to celebrate? Not so fast for the Bay Area. “March had a miraculous turnaround in just a few weeks where we saw substantial increases in Sierra snowpack and snow water equivalent,” tweeted the National Weather Service in Reno. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: It wasn’t a ‘Miracle March’, but here’s why the NWS says it was a miraculous turnaround
Environmental group sues Trump Administration, demanding protections for California rivers: “A conservation group is suing President Donald Trump’s administration to demand officials present plans to protect California rivers and streams that Congress designated years ago as “wild and scenic” rivers. The Center for Biological Diversity filed the lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday, focusing on eight rivers in Southern California and accusing the federal government of failing to develop management plans to protect them. ... ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Environmental group sues Trump Administration, demanding protections for California rivers
Deeply Talks: Sandra Postel on fixing the broken water cycle: “In this episode of Deeply Talks, Tara Lohan, Water Deeply’s managing editor, speaks with author and water expert Sandra Postel about her newest book, “Replenish: The Virtuous Cycle of Water and Prosperity,” and about today’s major water problems and solutions. In Replenish, Postel focuses on the many parts of the water cycle, which is, she says, “the planet’s greatest gift to us. We wouldn’t be here without it.” “When we look at each of the major components of that water cycle – the movement of water between the air, the land and sea, we can see all of these ways in which that natural cycle is badly broken,” says Postel. … ” Read more from Water Deeply here: Deeply Talks: Sandra Postel on fixing the broken water cycle
A flurry of research illuminates snow’s foes: “Depending on where in the West you are, this winter was either a winner or a big bust: Montana, for example, is swathed in snow while parts of the Southwest are dismally bare. As of late March, the Upper Colorado River Basin snowpack was well below average. But the longterm trend is clear: Years of research show that the region’s snowpack is declining as the climate warms. About two-thirds of the West’s water comes from snow, and “we’re losing that natural reservoir,” says Sarah Kapnick, a hydroclimate scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ... ” Read more from High Country News here:
In commentary today …
California fishing is drying up. We need to think big on climate change, says Brian Hines: He writes, “When I was ten, I taught myself how to fish in California’s redwood-lined Russian River, once a world-renowned wild steelhead rainbow trout sport fishery. Today, as a veteran trout and salmon sport angler I see how climate change threatens our wild trout and salmon populations and our outdoor traditions. California is home to 31 kinds of salmon and trout. Of those, 23 are at risk of going extinct over the next century. Many factors affect the health of California fisheries, including water diversions and pollution, forestry practices, mining, and dams. Climate change, which leads to extreme drought, reduced snowpack, increased wild fires, ocean acidification, and warmer stream waters, compounds the threat to our cold-water fisheries. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California fishing is drying up. We need to think big on climate change
Dr. Dale Coco on State Water Resources Control Board’s plan for minimum flows in the rivers entering the Delta: He writes, “ Speaking on behalf of myself as a Member of the El Dorado Irrigation District’s Board of Directors, and not on behalf of the Board or District itself, the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) plan for minimum flows in the rivers entering the Delta is based on faulty science, driven by special interest groups and water power brokers, and will reduce availability and increase the cost of water for residential use. The people of Northern California demand and deserve a review study of the plan by the biological sciences department of one of our top universities. The SWRCB has ignored other legitimate studies of the Delta in formulating its plan. They are aware their plan is not based on hard science, but are persisting in order to relieve political pressure. … “ Continue reading at the Mountain Counties Water Resources Association here: State Water Resources Control Board’s plan for minimum flows in the rivers entering the Delta
In regional news and commentary today …
Reclamation recommends reduced water allocation to Klamath irrigators: “The Bureau of Reclamation is proposing to start charging canals on April 19 and to deliver water to Klamath Project irrigators by late April, pending court action. Reclamation filed a proposed Klamath Project Operations plan on Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to allocate 252,000 acre feet for Project irrigators, which is 65 percent of a normal allocation of 390,000 acre feet of water. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Reclamation recommends reduced water allocation to Klamath irrigators
Redding: Townhall tackles groundwater and agriculture: “County Supervisor Candy Carlson led her monthly town hall meeting Monday night with help from Agricultural Commissioner Rick Gurrola and Ryan Teubert, from the Tehama County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Both men were requested by a group of residents to come speak about how regulation works for both departments and whether or not there are any concerns on the rise. Teubert opened the meeting with a presentation of the state of groundwater in the county. He spent a portion of his presentation talking about the last California drought and reenforced conservation importance. … ” Read more from the Tehama Daily News here: Townhall tackles groundwater and agriculture
House-approved budget would funnel millions to Northern California: “The U.S. House passed a $1.3 trilllion spending package Thursday that would funnel millions to the tri-county area, officials say. The Appropriations Act, also known as House Resolution 1625, will provide funding to Beale Air Force Base operations and infrastructure, rural communities, Sites Reservoir and local flood control. Local U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, a Fairfield Democrat, said it’s great news for the area. “This is essential money,” Garamendi said. “I am very pleased.” ... ” Read more from the Appeal-Democrat here: House-approved budget would funnel millions to Northern California
Another $5 million steered to Oroville Wildlife Area project: “The final $5 million has been approved for a project to improve water flow through part of the Oroville Wildlife Area. The work is for the section of the Oroville Wildlife Area east of the Feather River, across from the Thermalito Afterbay outlet. The river loops around three sides of the project area, which used to be part of the river floodplain. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Another $5 million steered to Oroville Wildlife Area project
Santa Rosa residents seek solutions to water contamination: “The city of Santa Rosa called for a public hearing following the contamination of a water system caused by the melting of plastic water pipes during the Fountain Grove fires, an incident that is expected to cost $43 million to repair. At the meeting in city hall, Santa Rosa residents expressed their concerns, worried that benzene contamination may be bigger than reported. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Santa Rosa residents seek solutions to water contamination
Water contamination could cost Santa Rosa an unexpected $43 million: “Chemical contamination from the North Bay Fires could now force Santa Rosa to replace the water delivery system for the severely burned Fountaingrove neighborhood, at an unbudgeted cost of $43 million. Santa Rosa water officials will present an update on the problem and a recommendation about how to address it at a meeting Tuesday at 2 p.m. The fire was merciless on Fountaingrove’s hillsides, leaving just 13 homes standing out of hundreds in a nearly 200-square-mile area. Connecting those homes to the water system were pipes made of high-density polyethylene or HDPE — a kind of plastic preferred for its cost, and for its flexibility in terrain that can be shaken by earthquakes. ... ” Read more from KQED here: Water contamination could cost Santa Rosa an unexpected $43 million
San Francisco: Gray water regulations eased under SF Supervisor Weiner’s bill: “San Franciscans who want to conserve water by irrigating their yards with the runoff from their showers and bathroom sinks will no longer have to get a $250 permit or inspection from the city, under legislation introduced Tuesday by Supervisor Scott Wiener. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco: Gray water regulations eased under SF Supervisor Weiner’s bill
Repairs needed to dam near Yosemite, neighboring community after near failure: “Repairs are needed to a dam in the Sierra foothills that came close to overflowing last week as well as to the water system and roads serving the surrounding communities, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission officials said Tuesday. Five inches of rainfall in Tuolumne County on March 22 caused a surge of water and debris into the Moccasin Reservoir. After officials saw water leaking from the downstream face of the Moccasin Dam, evacuations were ordered for the Moccasin Fish Hatchery and Marina. … ” Read more from the SF Examiner here: Repairs needed to dam near Yosemite, neighboring community after near failure
Inyo County: Tech group, take 3, on the road to dispute resolution: “The third Technical Group meeting in as many weeks and the second dealing with the issue of Five Bridges and a test of Well 385 got off to a rough start Monday. During the initial public comment period, Bishop resident Philip Anaya chastised the group for a dual caucus at last Monday’s meeting. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had asked for a caucus then asked Inyo County Water Department staff to join in the discussion. Anaya strongly suggested negotiations between the two entities should have been held in public. … ” Read more from the Sierra Wave here: Tech group, take 3, on the road to dispute resolution
Sewage leak ends game early at Dodger Stadium: “The final game of spring training between the Angels and Dodgers was cut short Tuesday night because of a foul-smelling leak that spilled sewage onto the field at Dodger Stadium. The game was called after a 32-minute delay in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving the Dodgers a 4-3 victory over their Los Angeles rivals. The leak, caused by a water main break, left a brown mess pooling near the Dodgers’ dugout in foul territory as the grounds crew worked to clean up. … ” Read more from KCAL 9 here: Sewage leak ends game early at Dodger Stadium
Draft EIR offers peek at how proposed El Segundo desalination plant would work: “After years of anticipation and mounting debate, the South Bay is getting its first look at the draft Environmental Impact Report for a $380 million ocean-water desalination plant proposed for El Segundo. On Tuesday morning, the West Basin Municipal Water District posted the 1,000-page document on its website and announced April 25 and May 12 meetings for the public to weigh in on the project. The Carson-based water wholesaler has spent more than 15 years and tens of millions of dollars researching desalination as a drought-proof source of drinking water for a region stretching from Malibu to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. ... ” Read more from the Daily Breeze here: Draft EIR offers peek at how proposed El Segundo desalination plant would work
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- NEWS WORTH NOTING: Report: Navigating groundwater-surface water interactions under SGMA; Federal funding supports California water projects
- CAL WATER FIX HEARING: Ruling letter for March 27
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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.
