On the calendar today …
- WORKSHOP: California Plumbing Code workshop at 9am. Join DWR, the Building Standards Commission (BSC), and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a Zoom workshop that will share and discuss proposed plumbing code changes. DWR’s focus is on plumbing standards foundational for the safe use of recycled water. Click here for information on how to participate.
- PANEL DISCUSSION: Cutting the Green Tape from 10am to 11am. Join Sustainable Conservation for a panel discussion on California Secretary of Natural Resources’ Cutting the Green Tape Initiative. Following the anticipated release of the Cutting the Green Tape recommendations, we will hear from restoration experts about what this initiative is, why it’s needed, and how it will help accelerate restoration and protect our natural resources and ecological systems. Click here to register.
- ONLINE MEETING: The Delta Independent Science Board meets from 11:30 to 1:30pm. The Delta ISB will moderate a panel discussion on the state of knowledge on harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the Delta, to help orient new members on the topic and to help inform current and future reviews. Panelists include Dr. Hans Paerl (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)and Dr. Peggy Lehman(California Department of Water Resources).In addition, the Delta ISB will discuss the status of the Science Needs Assessment, including the latest report outline. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Rain and snow coming to Northern California this weekend
“December has been warm and dry for most of Northern California and because of that, drought conditions have degraded with a lack of significant rain or snow for the first third of the month. However, starting Friday, the greater Sacramento area will experience changes more typical of December weather. The high temperatures for Valley locations will move into the mid 50s, which is normal for this time of year and away from the record breaking temperatures we’ve seen recently. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: Rain and snow coming to Northern California this weekend
SEE ALSO:
- Rain expected to fall in Bay Area for the first time in nearly a month, from the Mercury News
- Cool, wet weekend coming to Northern California following record warm day in Sacramento, from the Sacramento Bee
UN warns new water futures may spark bubble for vital resource
“The United Nations said Wall Street’s new water futures risk an essential public good being treated like gold and oil, leaving the market vulnerable to a speculative bubble. CME Group Inc.’s new contract — which debuted this week — could lure interest from hedge funds and banks alongside farmers, factories and utilities looking to lock in prices, said Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN’s special rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. That risks a price run-up for a resource that “belongs to everyone” and is a vital tool in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. … ” Read more from Bloomberg News here: UN warns new water futures may spark bubble for vital resource
SEE ALSO: ‘Horror’ as water futures exchanged on US market as a commodity
New paper: Sustainable Groundwater Management in California: A grand experiment in environmental governance
“California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is a grand policy experiment that provides an unprecedented opportunity to analyze five core concepts in environmental governance: cooperation, institutional diversity, environmental justice, state oversight, and leadership. This article summarizes the research questions associated with these core concepts and the contributions of the other articles in this special issue, which emerged from ongoing interactions between a community of SGMA researchers and practitioners. The lessons learned from the special issue provide guideposts for SGMA research going forward, as well as research on environmental and water governance in other contexts. … ” Read the full paper here: New paper: Sustainable Groundwater Management in California: A grand experiment in environmental governance
Feds defend permanent water contracts to benefit agriculture
“Defending the decision to give farm irrigation districts permanent access to low-cost, federally pumped water in California, a Justice Department lawyer urged a federal judge Thursday to flush a Native American tribe’s lawsuit against the endless entitlements. The Hoopa Valley Tribe sued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in August, claiming the Trump administration’s conversion of 14 time-limited contracts for Central Valley Project water into permanent deals violated a host of federal laws. The contracts were made permanent in February. Another 26 agreements are in the process of being converted to permanent deals. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Feds defend permanent water contracts to benefit agriculture
Much of California’s water wells are contaminated with chromium-6. Could a costly fix be coming?
“Krishna Feldman has more to worry about than students returning books on time. She is the librarian at Ohlone Elementary School in Santa Cruz County, where testing found toxic levels of a contaminant called chromium-6 in water coming out of drinking fountains. “Last month, we found out we had another kindergartener who has leukemia at our school,” Feldman said. “We have a new case of cancer at our school almost every year.” Ohlone Elementary is not alone. Testing has found the contaminant in thousands of drinking water wells across California. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Much of California’s water wells are contaminated with chromium-6. Could a costly fix be coming?
California needs a new integrated approach to water planning, say Brian K. Veerkamp, El Dorado County Supervisor and Kenneth V. Payne, General Manager of the El Dorado Water Agency
“Water supply and effective water management have been crucial economic tools in California for centuries. Our state’s agricultural sector is an over $50 billion industry that can only thrive with reliable water. Farmers and ranchers in the Central Valley, food processing plants and distribution companies throughout the state, and more locally, the vineyards, farms, orchards and ranches in the Capital Region contribute to an agricultural economy that currently employs more than 1.1 million people throughout the state. … ” Read more from Comstock’s Magazine here: California needs a new integrated approach to water planning
New addition made to bilingual SGMA video series
“The latest update to a video series detailing the impacts of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) has recently been released. The bilingual SGMA video series is available on the YouTube channel CaliWaterAg. The latest installment, Part 1.4, addresses land repurposing related to SGMA. Ph.D. Candidate at UC Merced, Vicky Espinoza develops the content and manages the channel. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: New addition made to bilingual SGMA video series
Public comment sought for water quality in the West
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking for input on water quantity issues in the West. USDA is seeking public comment on water quantity issues related to existing Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Acting NRCS Chief Kevin Norton will be hosting a virtual public listening session on Thursday, December 17. The forum will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking for input on water quantity issues in the West. USDA is seeking public comment on water quantity issues related to existing Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Acting NRCS Chief Kevin Norton will be hosting a virtual public listening session on Thursday, December 17. The forum will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern time. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Public comment sought for water quality in the West
Managing ecosystem restoration: what does success look like?
“Restoration projects are getting larger and more complex due to population growth, climate change, and disaster response. In the last decade alone, billions of dollars were spent to mitigate the effects of crises like Hurricane Sandy and restore habitats lost over centuries. As projects grow in size and complexity, so do the restoration costs. This underscores the need for a strategic approach to maximize both ecological and economic benefits. A national team of researchers, led by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), evaluated large-scale restoration efforts across the country and developed criteria, techniques, and tools to determine outcomes and ultimately, maximize benefits. This work was the focus of a study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. … ” Read more from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory here: Managing ecosystem restoration: what does success look like?
CalTrout awarded $7.4m for restoration projects
“We are excited to announce that six CalTrout projects to Reconnect Habitat, Protect the Best, Restore Estuaries and Integrate Wild Fish & Working Landscapes are moving forward thanks to grant funding opportunities from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Fisheries Restoration Grant Program, State Coastal Conservancy, and Wildlife Conservation Board. Government grants make up 60% of our operating budget, allowing us to execute large-scale and significant programs that benefit wild fish and people in California. In 2018, voters passed Prop 68 which helps provide critical funding to allow us to keep moving forward on projects that support habitat resiliency, resource enhancement, and climate preparedness. Below are the six projects by CalTrout that were awarded a total of $7,494,741. … ” Read more from Cal Trout here: CalTrout awarded $7.4m for restoration projects
California wildfires …
California more than doubled its record for land burned in wildfires this year of natural disasters
“Nature struck relentlessly in 2020 with record-breaking and deadly weather- and climate-related disasters. With the most named storms in the Atlantic, the largest-ever area of California burned by wildfires, killer floods in Asia and Africa and a hot, melting Arctic, 2020 was more than a disastrous year with the pandemic. It was a year of disasters — and climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas was a big factor, scientists said. … ” Read more from KTXL here: California more than doubled its record for land burned in wildfires this year of natural disasters
After drought and wildfires, California’s giant sequoias face a new enemy: bark beetles
“When ash began landing in Nate Stephenson’s yard 30 miles west of a fire burning in Sequoia National Park this summer, he knew the trees he’s studied for four decades were in trouble. “I started to see some giant sequoia ash falling and that’s when I knew it was going to be really bad,” the USGS research ecologist said about his home in the mountain community of Three Rivers. Multiple lightning-caused fires this summer in and around Sequoia National Park merged into the SQF Complex. Months later the blaze is still burning and is about 90% contained at just over 174,000 acres. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: After drought and wildfires, California’s giant sequoias face a new enemy: bark beetles
Commentary: Wildfire prevention deserves long-term, dedicated, continuous funding, says Assemblymember Megan Dahle (R) and Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D)
They write, “With every passing year, California continues to shatter records with devastating fire seasons, and 2020 is no exception. This year, the state has lost 4.2 million acres, approximately 9,000 structures, 31 lives, and fire season has not even ended. Gov. Gavin Newsom attributes these wildfires to what he calls “a climate damn emergency” and has enforced his solution via recent executive orders, “to protect our communities from climate change-driven events such as wildfire.” … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Commentary: Wildfire prevention deserves long-term, dedicated, continuous funding
In regional water news and commentary today …
Sacramento: Supporting levee projects throughout Sacramento Valley
“California Congressman John Garamendi has secured key provisions in the “Water Resources Development Act of 2020” for the California Delta and Central Valley. The legislation passed the House earlier this week and is expected to pass the Senate with strong bipartisan support and become law this year. “This bipartisan legislation supports levee projects throughout the Sacramento Valley, which will provide critical flood protection and make local communities more resilient to climate change,” Garamendi said. … ” Read more from Dredging Today here: Sacramento: Supporting levee projects throughout Sacramento Valley
San Francisco: New wetland project, public trail to open on former Army site near Golden Gate Bridge
“For decades, the area was covered with asphalt, railroad tracks and warehouses as part of an Army base in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. But now a new project is transforming the landscape back to wetlands, creeks and trails for birds, fish, crabs and other wildlife — and for outdoor lovers from across the Bay Area and the world. Marking the most recent step forward in the decades-long effort to turn back the clock along San Francisco’s waterfront to a more natural state not seen since the 1800s, planners on Friday are unveiling a new $23 million wetlands restoration project at the Presidio. The project has converted seven acres next to Crissy Field in an area adjacent to Presidio Parkway called Quartermaster Reach. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: San Francisco: New wetland project, public trail to open on former Army site near Golden Gate Bridge
Livermore: Zone 7 considers flood control plan
“Following a consultant’s advice during a study session on strategic planning for flood-control projects, one Zone 7 Water Agency director expressed skepticism. Held online Dec. 2, the study session featured a presentation by Derek Larsen, a principal at Larsen Wurzel Associates (LWA) in Sacramento. After Larsen provided his recommendations for a two-phase strategic plan at an estimated cost of $750,000 to $1.5 million, longtime board member Sandy Figuers challenged him. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent here: Zone 7 Considers Flood Control Plan
Company hit with $60,000 penalty for spilling liquid asphalt into stream near Redwood Park
“The driver of a tanker truck carrying liquid asphalt discovered what many weekend motorists in the Bay Area know all too well. Once you get lost and turn off a main road in the Santa Cruz Mountains, things can get dicey pretty quickly. And, the lesson came at a steep cost. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has imposed a $60,000 penalty on a Sacramento construction company after one of the company’s tanker trucks rolled down a ravine while trying to negotiate a tight turn on a narrow, winding road near Portola Redwoods State Park in San Mateo County last fall. … ” Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Company hit with $60,000 penalty for spilling liquid asphalt into stream near Redwood Park
Judge strikes down Central Basin’s $2 annual water meter charge
“A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Thursday struck down a regional water district’s $2 annual fee on every household that was paid by more than 40 water utilities in the southeast area of Los Angeles County, including areas that don’t buy its water. Judge Mary H. Strobel, in a written ruling, rejected Central Basin Municipal Water District’s fixed meter charge, adopted in July 2019. The fee must be classified as a tax, Strobel wrote, and subject to the requisite two-thirds vote because the district didn’t provide sufficient evidence that the estimated $600,00 it raised was “fairly allocated among the payors or that all such costs only correspond to specific benefits.” … ” Read more from Whittier Daily News here: Judge strikes down Central Basin’s $2 annual water meter charge
Poseidon would bring jobs and water to Orange County, says Gloria Alvarado, executive director of the Orange County Labor Federation
She writes, “We’ve seen this story before: What do you do when someone doesn’t have science on their side? You make up a conspiracy story. And better yet, you try to piggyback on a politically charged conspiracy theory with no ties to reality. And that’s exactly what Gary Brown attempts to do in his opinion piece regarding the Poseidon project, “Governor’s talk on environment falls short when it comes to the Poseidon project,” Dec. 3. He claims that desalination is somehow tied to a bigger conspiracy involving Gov. Gavin Newsom and shady backroom politics. Well, hang on to your tinfoil hat. There’s no government conspiracy here — it’s actual science. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Poseidon would bring jobs and water to Orange County
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado River Indian Tribes take another step toward marketing valuable water in Arizona
“The water rights held by the Colorado River Indian Tribes are a valuable asset, and tribal leadership is seeking congressional approval to cash in on them — for the benefit of the tribes and the state’s high-growth cities and maybe the environment. The tribes — known as CRIT for short — have lands that stretch along 56 miles of the lower Colorado River. Eighty-five percent of the reservation is in Arizona, with the remainder in California. The tribes’ right to divert 662,402 acre-feet from the river for use on land in Arizona is more than twice the Colorado River water that is allocated to the state of Nevada. … ” Read more from the Circle of Blue here: Colorado River Indian Tribes take another step toward marketing valuable water in Arizona
COLUMN: No more Band-aids — River compact needs replacing
Michael Cox writes, “I wish that I could just jump on board and wholeheartedly endorse the idea of the demand management plan that is proposed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. But I can’t. I also have friends on that board and even they cannot really stomach the idea. I think part of the problem for me is the name itself. To me demand management should have to do with the management of the use or demand for a resource by the people who create the demand. … ” Read more from the Montrose Press here: COLUMN: No more Band-aids — River compact needs replacing
In national water news today …
How to hedge the risk of reduced snowpack for hydropower
“There has been an increasing number of papers in Water Resources Research on financial instruments to manage climatic variability. Hamilton et al. [2020] introduce a new index insurance instrument to help hydropower producers who depend on snow melt to cope with the risks of variable snowpack. This is a critical risk in snow-dominated regions such as California, where a significant fraction of the streamflow every year comes from a small number of large winter storms that do not always occur. … ” Read more from EOS here: How to hedge the risk of reduced snowpack for hydropower
CRS In Focus: Bureau of Reclamation: FY2021 Appropriations
“The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), part of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for construction and operation of many of the large dams and water diversion structures in 17 coterminous western states. Reclamation’s original mission was to develop water supplies, primarily for irrigation to reclaim arid lands in the West. Today, its mission includes management, development, and protection of water and related resources. Reclamation’s mission areas and geographic scope are narrower than the other principal federal water resource agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. … The President’s budget request for FY2021proposed $1.13billion in gross current authority (i.e., appropriations before offsets) for Reclamation.InH.R. 7617, the House recommended $1.655billion for Reclamation inFY2021, and the Senate Appropriations Committee majority draft FY2021 Energy and Water Development bill included$1.691 billion. … ” Read the full report from CRS here: CRS In Focus: Bureau of Reclamation: FY2021 Appropriations
EPA issues guidance on groundwater releases in wake of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund
“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published guidance on how to apply the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in County of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund. The guidance provides some clarity as to when a discharge to groundwater is the “functional equivalent of a direct discharge from a point source into navigable waters.” … ” Read more from BB&K here: EPA issues guidance on groundwater releases in wake of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund
Risk of PFAS sabotaging covid vaccines’ promise spurs research
“The FDA’s anticipated approval of the first coronavirus vaccine enables scientists to kick off studies examining whether “forever chemicals” hinder the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. But studies set to go when vaccines reach their local communities aren’t big enough to shed light on what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has already said is an important question facing communities: how exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances may affect their risk of getting infected by Covid-19. … ” Read more from Bloomberg here: Risk of PFAS sabotaging covid vaccines’ promise spurs research
U.S. to shatter record for billion-dollar climate disasters in 2020
“From social justice protests to politics to the pandemic, 2020 has been unprecedented in any number of ways. And although it didn’t always receive top billing, the climate crisis and the extreme weather that comes along with it also escalated to levels not experienced before. The U.S. experienced major disasters like the western wildfires, a record-breaking hurricane season and the mid-summer Midwest derecho that caused extensive damage. So far this year, NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) says the U.S. has been bombarded by 16 different weather and climate-related disasters with a financial toll of one billion dollars or more — tied for the most with 2011 and 2017. … ” Read more from CBS News here: U.S. to shatter record for billion-dollar climate disasters in 2020
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
dmrpt-20201210Today’s featured article …
SCIENCE NEWS: Managing ecosystem restoration: what does success look like?; New insights on the genetics of chinook migratory behavior; Podcast with SFEI’s Julie Beagle on sea level rise; and more …
Click here to read this issue of science news.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
SECTION 408 NOTICE: WA2019088 – Little Egbert Tract Borings and Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs)
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Heritage Newsletter~ Boat Parade~ DSC Meeting~ Restoration Grants~ Steelhead Workshop ~~
UPDATE: Statewide Forest Ecosystem Spatial Analysis, Priority Planning, and Monitoring
