DAILY DIGEST: Raised in Rice Fields; The Green New Deal wants farmers to restore the land, not keep wrecking it; Can providing bathrooms to homeless protect CA’s water quality?; State, cities tackle challenges of sea level rise; Cows and climate change; and more …

In California water news today, Raised in Rice Fields; The Green New Deal wants farmers to restore the land, not keep wrecking it; Can Providing Bathrooms to Homeless Protect California’s Water Quality?; A Million Californians Don’t Have Clean Drinking Water. Where Do They Live?; Water, Water, Water Everywhere: State and local cities tackle challenges of sea level rise; Cows and climate change; Agricultural Nutrient Runoff: Examining New Payment Methods to Address Source Water Pollution; and more …

On the calendar today …

• The Central Valley Flood Protection Board meets at 9am. Agenda items include an update on unauthorized encampments on levees by the homeless, an update on the San Joaquin Restoration Program and a listening session on the Governor’s Executive Order on water resilience.  Click here for more information and webcast link.

In the news today …

Raised in Rice Fields:  “Snow geese erupt against a blue sky trimmed with fresh, white clouds. The air is so clear you can see for miles, east to the distant peaks of the Sierra Nevada and west to the gentle slopes of the Coast Ranges. But Carson Jeffres and Jacob Katz are less interested in the view above them than the one at their feet. Standing knee-deep in a flooded field at Knaggs Ranch, a rice farm near Sacramento, they peer into a floating cage made of PVC pipe and mesh and prepare to check on its unusual inhabitants. ... ”  Read more from Biographic here: Raised in Rice Fields

The Green New Deal wants farmers to restore the land, not keep wrecking it:  “By the time California rancher Doniga Markegard picks up the phone around lunchtime, she has already moved the chickens, fed the chickens, fed the pigs, cared for a new litter of 11 piglets, moved the sheep, tended to the horses, milked the cow, and completed a business advising session about the future of her family’s 10,000-acre operation. Overall, a pretty typical Monday.  “We’re good at working with the land and working with the animals, but then all of a sudden you have to add marketing and sales and inventory management,” says Markegard. Based 50 miles south of San Francisco in Half Moon Bay, Markegard and her family produce grass-fed beef and lamb and pastured pork and chicken for customers in the Bay Area. ... ” Continue reading at Fast Company here: The Green New Deal wants farmers to restore the land, not keep wrecking it

Can Providing Bathrooms to Homeless Protect California’s Water Quality?  “Each day, people living on the streets and camping along waterways across California face the same struggle – finding clean drinking water and a place to wash and go to the bathroom. It is a challenge that is increasingly being recognized by water managers and communities as they work to protect water quality in rivers and waterways, and as they strive to meet the spirit of the state’s landmark 2012 human right to water law. … ”  Read more from Western Water here:  Can Providing Bathrooms to Homeless Protect California’s Water Quality?

A Million Californians Don’t Have Clean Drinking Water. Where Do They Live?  “Julia Mendoza wants the tap water she pays for to be clean and safe, but it hasn’t been for nearly a decade.  “If we want clean water for bathing, that’s not for us,” she said in Spanish. “That’s for rich cities, not for us.”  Mendoza, 42, and her family live in Cantua Creek in western Fresno County, a town of about 100 homes that is inextricably tied to the farmland surrounding it. … ”  Read more from California Healthline here:  A Million Californians Don’t Have Clean Drinking Water. Where Do They Live? 

Water, Water, Water Everywhere: State and local cities tackle challenges of sea level rise:  “Rising sea levels caused by climate change are prompting the city of Monterey to prepare for a worst-case scenario, which could include waves flooding Cannery Row, wreckage of underground infrastructure and threats to our protected wildlife areas.  Over the next two decades, California will face costs of approximately $22 billion to protect its coastal infrastructure from rising sea levels, according to a new study released by the Center for Climate Integrity. In Monterey alone, costs are estimated to exceed $74 million by 2040. In the neighboring city of Santa Cruz, that number jumps to $96.9 million.  ... ”  Read more from the Voices of Monterey Bay here: Water, Water, Water Everywhere: State and local cities tackle challenges of sea level rise

A quarter of Californians believe climate change is behind the state’s worsening wildfires:  “More than a quarter of California voters believe that climate change is the leading cause for the increasingly devastating wildfires that hit the state. The polling firm FM3 Research found that a plurality of California voters surveyed (27 percent) said climate change is behind state wildfires. Another 17 percent of voters believe that human error is the leading cause of wildfires, 12 percent believe it’s forest mismanagement and 11 percent believe it’s drought. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: A quarter of Californians believe climate change is behind the state’s worsening wildfires

Cows and climate change:  “Inside the University of California, Davis, dairy barn, a Holstein cow has its head and neck sealed airtight inside a large, clear-plastic chamber that resembles an incubator for newborns. While giant tubes above the chamber pump air in and push air out, the cow calmly stands and eats her feed. Equipment inside a nearby trailer spits out data.  This is how Frank Mitloehner measures gases that come from cows’ stomachs and ultimately contribute to global warming. Quantifying these emissions is key to mitigating them, and Mitloehner is one of several UC Davis researchers investigating economical ways to make livestock production more environmentally sustainable around the globe. … ”  Read more from UC Davis here: Cows and climate change

Agricultural Nutrient Runoff: Examining New Payment Methods to Address Source Water Pollution:  “Water quality is a major problem throughout the United States. But it’s not nearly as bad as it used to be. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland was so polluted that it actually caught fire! That made headlines all across the country and galvanized the U.S. Congress into passing the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972 over the veto of President Richard Nixon. The CWA contained a funding provision called the construction grant program to be administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over the next 15 years, EPA handed out over $70 billion of funds to local governments or authorities for sewer projects. The construction grant program required a local match. So, between the federal grants and the local matching funds, the United States spent well over $100 billion controlling urban water pollution between 1972 and 1987. ... ”  Read more from Water Finance and Management here: Agricultural Nutrient Runoff: Examining New Payment Methods to Address Source Water Pollution

In regional news and commentary today …

Butte County: Miocene Canal faces a murky future: “One of Butte County’s most vital water sources was destroyed in the Camp Fire. Now, eight months removed from the deadly blaze, the future of the Miocene Canal hangs in the balance. PG&E has owned and operated the canal since 1917.  Ed Cox, co-founder and spokesman of the Miocene Canal Coalition, a group dedicated to repairing and restoring water to the canal, says PG&E has “stonewalled” the process instead of remaining committed to fixing it. … ”  Read more from the Oroville Mercury Register here: Miocene Canal faces a murky future

Officials announce reopening of Oroville dam public access:  “State officials announced Thursday that the top portion of the Oroville Dam will reopen to the public this Saturday.  The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that they will allow public access to the Dam Crest Road for the first time since 2017. … ”  Read more from KRCR here: Officials announce reopening of Oroville dam public access

Paradise/Rio Oro: Residents in contaminated-water areas seek answers from scientists:  “Their neighbor had the highest benzene level in all the water samples tested by Paradise Irrigation District, so Denise and Jim Goodwin have big concerns about their own home, which hasn’t been tested yet. They were among the Camp Fire survivors who came to the Paradise Alliance Church to ask scientists how to best test for water contamination at a series of workshops Thursday night.  “I want to make sure we’re doing it this way because the state is lax,” said Denise Goodwin. “This way puts our health and safety first, and we want peace of mind.” … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Paradise/Rio Oro: Residents in contaminated-water areas seek answers from scientists

Plan to take over Potter Valley Project moves forward:  “This week, a partnership of multiple agencies spanning three counties along the Eel and Russian rivers will officially launch a plan to take over operations of the Potter Valley Project, a hydro-electric dam that affects the amount of water in each river.  According to a press release, on June 28 the partnership made up of California Trout (CalTrout), Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and the County of Humboldt “will file a joint Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stating that they plan to apply for a permit to take over operations of the Potter Valley Project.” The deadline for filing is Monday, July 1. … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here:  Plan to take over Potter Valley Project moves forward

Humboldt County Joins North Coast Coalition Seeking to Take Over the Potter Valley Project, Which Diverts Water from the Eel River:  “On Friday, June 28th, a diverse partnership between a conservation organization and several public agencies will file a joint Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stating that they plan to apply for a permit to take over operations of the Potter Valley Project (Project).  California Trout (CalTrout), Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission, Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) and the County of Humboldt are working together to set a path forward for the Project that will meet the needs of water users throughout the region while improving conditions for native species in the Eel River watershed. The move comes after PG&E announced in January that it would not seek a new license for continued operation of the Project. … ”  Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Humboldt County Joins North Coast Coalition Seeking to Take Over the Potter Valley Project, Which Diverts Water from the Eel River

Lake County commits to support preservation of Lake Pillsbury:  “With the future unclear for a hydroelectric project that includes the dam forming Lake Pillsbury, Lake County has thrown its hat into the ring to preserve the lake via the continued operation of the dam.  The Lake County Board of Supervisors expressed its official intent Tuesday to support the preservation of Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury in northern Lake County by joining a group that will seek to take over the Potter Valley hydroelectric project, which is currently owned by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. ... ”  Read more from the Lake County Record-Bee here: Lake County commits to support preservation of Lake Pillsbury

Don’t count on Sonoma Water after an earthquake, says the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:  “Sonoma Water has been preparing for an earthquake for more than a decade, but work remains. Residents need to make sure they have their own emergency plan ready.  By now, everyone has heard the horror stories about what Sonoma County will look like after a major earthquake. Basic services like water, sewer and power will go offline, roads will be trashed, and relief efforts could take days or weeks to arrive. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Don’t count on Sonoma Water after an earthquake

Sonoma Water clears brush, sediment from streams that double as flood control channels:  “Sonoma County crews have started a $4 million maintenance project along more than 40 streams in an annual chore aimed at reducing flood risk on dozens of small tributaries to the Russian and Petaluma rivers and San Pablo Bay.  Work began last week with brush clearing along the Laguna de Santa Rosa at Redwood Drive in Rohnert Park and along Washington Creek near the intersection of Sonoma Mountain Parkway and East Washington Street in Petaluma, kicking off a project that will continue through mid-October. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Sonoma Water clears brush, sediment from streams that double as flood control channels

U.S. Wants to Dredge San Francisco Bay to Aid Oil Shipping:  “The Trump administration’s commitment to fossil fuels is no secret –Federal energy officials recently went so far as to call natural gas “molecules of U.S. freedom.”  That dedication to nonrenewable energy is now reaching into the San Francisco Bay itself.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to dredge 13 miles of the bay in order to deepen a channel for ships carrying imported crude oil to four Bay Area refineries. … ”  Read more from KQED here: U.S. Wants to Dredge San Francisco Bay to Aid Oil Shipping

I went snorkeling in Oakland. It was hella dope:  Drew Costley writes, “Earlier this month, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed when I saw something quite surprising: “Amazing day snorkel surveying Sausal Creek, #Oakland! So many fish!” wrote Matt Cover, a freshwater ecologist and Oakland resident, along with video of him swimming through Sausal Creek.  The creek, which is in East Oakland, runs from just below Highway 13 in the Oakland Hills all the way down to International Boulevard in the Fruitvale District. Cover was snorkeling in the portion of Sausal Creek that runs adjacent to Dimond Park doing an annual survey of the fish population in the creek. He said he saw 98 wild rainbow trout that day, most of which were less than 4 inches long. ... ”  Read more from SF Gate here: I went snorkeling in Oakland. It was hella dope

No Truce in Montecito’s Water Wars:  “The plans for a new operations building at the Montecito Sanitary District — a project 15 years in the making — are suddenly in limbo, a potential casualty of Montecito’s divisive water wars.  The district board awarded $4.6 million in contracts for a 5,000-square-foot “essential services building” earlier this month on a 3-2 vote. The majority said it was well past time to replace the aging and substandard offices that were built decades ago behind the wastewater treatment plant at 1042 Monte Cristo Lane. Construction was set to begin in August along Channel Drive. … ”  Read more from The Independent here: No Truce in Montecito’s Water Wars

Camarillo City Council awards bid for long-discussed desalter:  “The city took one more step forward earlier this month with its plans to build a groundwater desalter plant.  The Camarillo City Council voted June 17 to award a nearly $44.1-million bid to Fresno-based W.M. Lyles Co. to build the North Pleasant Valley Desalter.  Add in the cost of the 5 acres it will sit on near Las Posas and Somis roads, the design and environmental plans, legal and administrative services, as well pipelines, wells and project management costs, and the grand total comes to about $66.3 million. ... ”  Read more from the Camarillo Acorn here: Council awards bid for long-discussed desalter

SoCal: Engineers, activists look to transform neglected Berkshire Creek into native treasure:  “On the southwest corner of Hahamongna Watershed Park — between Oak Grove Drive and the county’s Devil’s Gate Dam sediment removal project — is a canyon area Pasadena officials and environmental activists hope to transform from a trash heap to a treasure.  Since the late 1960s Berkshire Creek has diverted rainwater runoff from nearby La Cañada High School and the Foothill (210) Freeway through storm drains battered by half a century of surges that sometimes triple the watershed’s 40 cubic-feet-per-second capacity.  “The storm drain was built by Caltrans when they built the 210 Freeway,” said Pasadena assistant city engineer Brent Maue. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Engineers, activists look to transform neglected Berkshire Creek into native treasure

Water Saviors? An Orange County-Based Organization Lands in the Coachella Valley and Promises to Help Solve the Area’s Water Woes:  “In late March, a press release landed in inboxes announcing the launch of the Coachella Valley Waterkeeper organization.  The release included some fairly inflammatory language about what the CVWK claimed were serious and ongoing aquifer-overdraft issues—and the failure to address Salton Sea degradation challenges. The CVWK, it seemed, was sailing into the Coachella Valley on a white warship to protect the environment and conserve water—two things, the release implied, had been dangerously mishandled by local and state stakeholders over the past decade or more. … ”  Read more from the Coachella Valley Independent here: Water Saviors? An Orange County-Based Organization Lands in the Coachella Valley and Promises to Help Solve the Area’s Water Woes

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: CDFW Now Accepting Pre-Applications for Wetlands Restoration Projects for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Reclamation makes funding available for applied science grant projects to inform water management decisions
• FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Bureau of Reclamation releases funding opportunity for water reclamation and reuse research studies
• PRIZE COMPETITION: Reclamation launches forecast prize competition
• OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Sierra and Sequoia National Forests release draft Revised Land Management Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement for public comment
• DELTA eNEWS: ~~ USACE UAS~ DSC Meeting~ Nutria Information~ Delta Kiteboarding~ Science Fellowship~ Delta ISB ~~

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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.