On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Stewardship Council beginning at 9am. Agenda items include the 2020 Delta Stewardship Council Annual Report, the Delta Lead Scientist Report, and an update on the Delta Conveyance Project. Click here for the full agenda.
- WEBINAR: Living Shorelines -Community Engagement & Lessons Learned, Aramburu Island from 10am to 11:30am. In this course, participants will learn more about the Aramburu Island Restoration; the science and planning to develop the project and some of the successes and pitfalls of community engagement on a novel living shoreline project; gain practical insight for community engagement techniques from multiple professionals; learn how to inform a diverse group of stakeholders; and participate in a panel discussion and focused breakout room discussions to answer your questions. Click here to register.
Big storm rolls in …
Flash floods remain a threat with more rain coming; Santa Cruz Mountains avoid debris flows so far; 125-mph winds on Tahoe peaks
“The Bay Area’s most powerful storm in 12 months socked and soaked the region Wednesday with a double dose of rain, snow and intense winds that downed trees and knocked out power from Sonoma to Monterey County. While the rain and blustery conditions were expected to continue into Thursday, about 5,000 residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains remained under evacuation as the fear of potentially deadly mudslides persisted into the night. The good news: Although several slides were reported on Highway 1 in Big Sur south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, by Wednesday evening no major damage had been reported in the Bay Area, particularly in the Santa Cruz Mountains around Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond and other communities where the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August had left vast areas denuded and at risk. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Flash floods remain a threat with more rain coming; Santa Cruz Mountains avoid debris flows so far; 125-mph winds on Tahoe peaks
Storm pounds California, Nevada with rain, wind and snow
“A powerful storm packing heavy rain, snow and wind pounded parts of California and western Nevada on Wednesday, toppling trees, and causing power outages and mud flows in vast areas scarred by wildfires. The onslaught was being fueled by a potent atmospheric river from the Pacific Ocean that punched into the state through the San Francisco Bay Area overnight, drifted down the coast past Santa Cruz and stalled over Big Sur before pivoting back northward. Pacific Gas & Electric said overall, about 575,000 customers lost power Tuesday and Wednesday along the northern coast, in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas and elsewhere because of winds, rain and snow. One gust hit 125 mph (201 kph) at Alpine Meadows near Lake Tahoe. ... ” Read more from the AP here: Storm pounds California, Nevada with rain, wind and snow
SEE ALSO:
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- Atmospheric river triggers evacuation and flash flood warnings in North Bay, from KTVU
- Bay Area: Flash flood watches still in effect after storm slams region, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- Here’s how much rain, snow has fallen in Sacramento, Northern California as storm hits region, from the Sacramento Bee
- ‘SnOMG!’: Mammoth Mountain expecting 10 feet of snow as powerful storm dumps on Sierra Nevada, from KTLA
- Atmospheric river stalls over Monterey, triggers mudslides and is set to hit L.A., from the LA Times
In California water news today …
Water year 2021: How are we doing?
“We are now past the halfway mark in California’s normally wettest winter months, and the wet season to date has been anything but. Most of the state has received less than half of its average annual precipitation to date. Coming after a very dry Water Year 2020 these conditions are concerning. More precipitation will certainly occur in February and March, but will it be enough to erase the state’s large deficit? As discussed in the first article of this series, the ability to accurately predict precipitation beyond the time horizon of a two-week weather model run is very limited and much research work remains to be done to improve longer-term forecasting. … ” Read more from DWR News here: Water year 2021: How are we doing?
Q&A with Secretary Karen Ross: Budgeting for agricultural sustainability and resiliency
“Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes funds for agricultural programs designed to build climate resilience and support farmers’ financial resilience and water security. We talked to Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) about progress on such programs, and what’s on the horizon. PPIC: What kind of progress is California making with climate-smart agriculture programs? KAREN ROSS: It’s very exciting to see progress in this area, and California’s farmers and ranchers are really leaning in. … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Q&A with Secretary Karen Ross: Budgeting for agricultural sustainability and resiliency
Radio show: Congressman Garamendi talks water management in California
“Northern California Congressman John Garamendi has been appointed by his colleagues to the Water Resources and Environmental Subcommittee. He will now oversee matters related to water resources development, conservation, infrastructure, and hazardous waste cleanup. He says water conservation is “critical,” and wants storage and recycling of the state’s water supply to be key elements for his new policies. He spoke with iHeartMedia’s Brody Fernandez on what his vision will be for water management in California moving forward.” Listen to radio show from KSTE here: Radio show: Congressman Garamendi talks water management in California
State water agency seeks input from local groups on infrastructure projects
“There is an adage in California that goes, “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over.” But instead of fighting, the California Water Commission (CWC) is looking for opportunities to hear from local agencies on water infrastructure projects. The CWC recently wrapped up a series of public workshops intended to determine the opportunity for a state role in financing water conveyance projects that meet the challenges of a changing climate. A water conveyance project is one that moves water, either through natural waterways like creeks, rivers and streams, or through man-made structures, such as pipes, ditches or canals. … ” Read more from the Livermore Independent here: State water agency seeks input from local groups on infrastructure projects
Legal alert: California’s PFAS journey
“There has been considerable discussion about potential health and environmental risks from a family of chemicals generally known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). There are many family members and from a risk standpoint, what applies for one, does not necessarily apply to another. However, the PFAS acronym is generally used to mean the entire list of associated substances. What makes PFAS unusual and difficult to deal with is that they do not degrade easily and thus last much longer in the environment than many other common contaminants, earning them the ‘Forever Chemicals’ moniker. … ” Read more from Clark Hill here: Legal alert: California’s PFAS journey
Mapping ground subsidence
“Subsidence of land surfaces has increasingly become a greater concern around the world as groundwater has continued to be depleted due to increase water demand while surface water depletion means that populations increasingly look to use subsurface water. The lowering of Earth’s land surfaces promises to be a major problem for urban and rural regions and mapping these threats accurately may prove important to plan, prevent, and minimize this threat. Using a literature review and spatial analysis, it is evident that some 34 countries are at major risk in the coming decades for major subsidence of their land surface. In particular, a recent mapping effort that looks at every 30 arc seconds resolution across the globe identified that very flat areas with unconsolidated sediments accumulated in alluvial basins or coastal plains are the most vulnerable. … ” Read more from GIS Lounge here: Mapping ground subsidence
California’s fish population rebounds thanks to strict fishing rules
“Among the West Coast’s shrinking fish populations 30 years ago, the largely bottom-dwelling groundfish species were particularly hard hit by overfishing and were declared a federal economic disaster. That spurred one of the world’s most aggressive fishery management programs, with an approach that includes science- and data-driven catch limits and no-fishing zones. Of 17 global regions with ocean fishery management programs examined in a new study by the University of Washington, the west coasts of the United States and Canada had the strictest approaches. ... ” Read more from the LA Daily News here: California’s fish population rebounds thanks to strict fishing rules
Biden halts new oil drilling on federal lands. Here’s what major climate move means for California
“President Biden, acting quickly to differentiate his climate agenda from his predecessor’s, rolled out a slate of environmental directives Wednesday, including a far-reaching suspension of new oil and gas development on federal land and waters. The indefinite moratorium is widely viewed as a first step to halting the granting of federal drilling leases permanently, and it marks a milestone in California’s half-century fight to keep the federal government from expanding fossil fuel extraction across the state. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Biden halts new oil drilling on federal lands. Here’s what major climate move means for California
Feinstein introduces bill to permanently ban offshore drilling off west coast
“Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced the West Coast Ocean Protection Act to permanently ban oil and gas drilling in federal waters off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington. President Biden today issued an executive order to create a temporary moratorium on new federal oil and gas drilling leases, including federal waters off the West Coast. Senator Feinstein’s bill would make the moratorium permanent in federal waters along the West Coast, preventing future administrations from overturning it. … ” Continue reading this press release from Senator Feinstein here: Feinstein introduces bill to permanently ban offshore drilling off west coast
California welcomes Biden administration actions on climate change
“On the same day the Biden Administration announced a series of actions on climate, California environmental officials convened hundreds of stakeholders to begin advancing Governor Gavin Newsom’s first-in-the-nation goal to protect 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030 to fight species loss and ecosystem destruction. Last year, California joined a global effort than now includes more than 50 countries to protect 30 percent of our planet’s land and waters by 2030. Today’s announcement by President Biden means the United States is now added to the list as well. “California has long taken on the mantle of global climate leadership advancing bold strategies to fight climate change – including committing to protect 30 percent of our land and coastal waters by 2030,” said Governor Newsom. “It’s great to have a partner in Washington, D.C. once again that listens to science and is ready to take on this existential threat and get to work to help slow and avert catastrophic climate change.” … ” Continue reading this press release from the Natural Resources Agency here: California welcomes Biden administration actions on climate change
LAO budget reports …
The 2021-22 Budget: Department of Water Resources
This publication provides an overview of the Governor’s 2021-22 January budget proposals for the Department of Water Resources, including $284 million for flood management and $60 million to implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
The 2021-22 Budget: California Natural Resources Agency
This publication discusses the Governor’s 2021-22 January budget proposals for the California Natural Resources Agency, including $125 million for habitat restoration projects and $4.5 million to move to a new office building.
The 2021-22 Budget: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
This publication discusses the Governor’s 2021-22 January budget proposal to provide $45 million for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to purchase equipment and conduct one-time activities.
In commentary today …
Susan Tatayon, Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council: Reflections on 2020 as we move forward in 2021
She writes, “The year 2020 was an earth-shaking year that forced us to examine what really matters in our lives. Although much of the year was arduous, I’m heartened by our fortitude, tenacity, and professionalism, which allowed us to advance California’s coequal goals. At the Council, our information technology department was vital to our rapid transition to teleworking. In response to Governor Newsom’s March 19 stay at home order, our team transitioned from almost zero teleworking to 100 percent by April. This timely transition allowed us to focus on initiatives imperative to implementing the Delta Plan. … ” Read more at the Delta Stewardship Council here: Susan Tatayon, Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council: Reflections on 2020 as we move forward in 2021
In regional water news and commentary today …
Feds plan to update guidance for Klamath Project operations
“Outgoing Interior Secretary David Bernhardt sent a parting gift to some irrigators in the Upper Klamath Basin earlier this month, issuing new guidance surrounding the Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of the Klamath Project. A 41-page report produced by the Bureau’s Klamath Basin Area Office argued that the agency does not have as much authority to protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act as it is currently exercising. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Feds plan to update guidance for Klamath Project operations
With Klamath dam removal at an impasse, Huffman calls forum
“Since time immemorial, as summer turns to fall, the Karuk Tribe’s fatawana, or world renewal priests, have gathered for a renewal ceremony that spreads across many days. They fast and hike to ancient prayer sites. They dance and ritualistically bath in the waters of the Klamath River, all in an effort to bring balance back to the world. But in the long hot days of August of a drought year with dense toxic algal blooms already forming behind a series of upriver dams, many fear that when it comes time for the fatawana to cleanse themselves in the river later this fall, its banks will already be lined with water quality alerts, warning that contact with the water could cause skin irritation and rashes. That would leave Karuk religious leaders to choose between their own safety and what they see as their religious duty to restore balance to the world. ... ” Read more from the Del Norte Triplicate here: With Klamath dam removal at an impasse, Huffman calls forum
Russian River mouth closed again, threatening flooding in Jenner
“With recent rainfall raising the water level and high surf keeping the mouth of the Russian River closed, the river was once again coming close to flooding in Jenner on Wednesday night, Sonoma Water said. The level was forecast to reach 10 feet on Thursday and 12 feet on Friday, unless the pressures behind the sandy dam at the mouth become strong enough to breach it, Sonoma Water spokesman Barry Dugan said Wednesday. Absent that, the water agency does not expect the sand to be stable enough until at least Friday to get heavy equipment and personnel on the beach to mechanically breach the sandy berm that’s built up across the mouth, Dugan said. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Russian River mouth closed again, threatening flooding in Jenner
Hamilton City Levee project receives funding boost
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that an additional $22 million is available to the Hamilton City Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project, according to a press release. The funding is available in the current fiscal year to support continued levee construction and habitat restoration, according to the press release. The funding infustion will fully fund the remaining work on the project. … ” Read more from the Glenn County Transcript here: Hamilton City Levee project receives funding boost
Vallejo’s water czar hardly wet behind the ears
“Mike Malone was like everyone else. And he’d be the first to admit it. “You take it for granted that when you turn the tap on, the water is safe to drink, you take as much as you want and you don’t worry about it,” Malone said. That took an about face when Malone got into the business of water following his stint with the U.S. Navy. Malone worked water pipe repairs. He read water meters. He worked water treatment. And was inspector. And after 20 years with the San Jose Water Company, he became water systems distribution superintendent for the city of Sacramento. Now, with 120 employees under him, Malone has been Vallejo’s Water Director since April, 2017. … ” Read more from the Vallejo Times Herald here: Vallejo’s water czar hardly wet behind the ears
Feds allocate $6.3 million to Ventura Harbor, Port of Hueneme
“U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects for the Port of Hueneme and Ventura Harbor will receive $6.3 million in federal funding, U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley announced Jan. 26. The money will be used for the annual dredging of Ventura Harbor and will allocate “donor port” funds for the Port of Hueneme, according to a news release from Brownley’s office. “One of my top priorities in Congress is fighting for the economic vitality of our region,” Brownley, a Democrat who represents most of Ventura County, said in the news release. … ” Read more from the Pacific Coast Business Times here: Feds allocate $6.3 million to Ventura Harbor, Port of Hueneme
Santa Clarita Valley Water calling for input on Saugus Formation Aquifer
“Santa Clarita Valley community members are invited to provide input to SCV Water on the removal of hazardous substances that have been identified in the Saugus Formation Aquifer. The water agency is aiming to keep its water safe for drinking water consumption through minimizing and mitigating the public health and environmental effects of hazardous substances that have been identified. The public is invited to review and comment on the engineering evaluation/cost analysis dated January 2021 regarding SCV Water’s proposed non-time-critical removal action for the Saugus aquifer and the associated community involvement plan. … ” Read more from the SCV Signal here: Santa Clarita Valley Water calling for input on Saugus Formation Aquifer
Salton Sea: Congressmen Ruiz and Vargas reintroduce bill to address New River pollution
“U.S. Reps. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, and Juan Vargas, D-San Diego reintroduced a bill this week that is aimed at cleaning up the New River, a highly polluted waterway originating near Mexicali, Mexico that flows north, emptying into the Salton Sea. The bill, HR491, would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create an organization to be called the California New River Restoration Program, which would coordinate funding and cleanup projects. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Salton Sea: Congressmen Ruiz and Vargas reintroduce bill to address New River pollution
San Diego water managers push for state relief
“San Diego County water managers are lobbying state officials to help get financial relief for customers and water agencies struggling with water debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The region’s water wholesaler was surprised by the amount of debt looming over water customers and the agencies that sell it. State water officials estimate 1.6 million customers are behind on their water bills. The debt is worth more than $1 billion. ... ” Read more from KPBS here: San Diego water managers push for state relief
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado’s ornery, independent water guardians finally agree on one thing: Wall Street can look elsewhere
“The calls came in shortly after the story in The New York Times announced Wall Street was on the prowl for “billions in the Colorado’s water.” “Can you help us? How do we get started?” wondered the New York financiers, pals of Andy Mueller, the manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District. “My response was really that if you want to invest in Colorado, you might want to look at something other than water,” Mueller said. “There is nothing to see here.” The national story raised hackles across Colorado. … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun here: Colorado’s ornery, independent water guardians finally agree on one thing: Wall Street can look elsewhere
In national water news today …
Biden targets Trump deregulation of ag
“The u
shering in of the Trump administration back in 2017 launched large-scale deregulation at the federal level, including agriculture. Just a week in office, President Joe Biden already has announced a review of a number of federal regulations, including Trump’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, changes made to the Endangered Species Act, National Ambient Air Quality standards for particulate matter, Agricultural Worker Protection Standard, and action to keep chlorpyrifos-based pesticides on the market despite pushback from environmentalists. In an executive order signed Wednesday to deal with climate change, the White House noted that among the first actions Biden took in office was an “immediate review of harmful rollbacks of standards that protect our air, water and communities.” ... ” Read more from Progressive Farmer here: Biden targets Trump deregulation of ag
Republican senators urge to keep WOTUS repealed
“Republican members of Senate are urging support for a resolution that expresses the need for the U.S. Senate to stand with workers, farmers, manufacturers and businesses by upholding the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule, which replaced the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. In 2015, the Obama administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of the Waters of the United States. The Trump administration released a proposed rule to replace the Obama administration’s 2015 WOTUS rule with a new rule that provided what many saw as “much-needed predictability and certainty for farmers” by establishing clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as a “water of the United States.” The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule was finalized last year. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Republican senators urge to keep WOTUS repealed
New clues help explain why PFAS chemicals resist remediation
“The synthetic chemicals known as PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are found in soil and groundwater where they have accumulated, posing risks to human health ranging from respiratory problems to cancer. New research from the University of Houston and Oregon State University published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters suggests why these “forever chemicals” – so called because they can persist in the environment for decades – are so difficult to permanently remove and offers new avenues for better remediation practices. … ” Read more from Water Online here: New clues help explain why PFAS chemicals resist remediation
Biden embraces ambitious conservation plan. Will Congress?
“One of President Biden’s new executive orders calls for conserving 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 — a highly ambitious objective that will require support from a polarized Congress. Getting congressional buy-in will demand a massive education campaign of lawmakers and their staff, many of whom may have never heard of the initiative known as “30 by 30,” or more simply, 30×30. The endeavor will necessitate a certain element of indoctrination and convincing that every possible piece of legislation should incorporate language that would contribute to meeting 30×30 goals. And it will require assuring skeptics of good intentions while changing the minds of critics. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Biden embraces ambitious conservation plan. Will Congress?
Extreme drought and fire risk may double by 2060
“As climate change threatens a doubling of the impact of extreme drought and fire within a generation, researchers are uncovering the influence of human activity on both these growing risks. One study has found that human numbers exposed to the hazard of extreme drought are likely to double in the decades to come, as global heating bakes away the groundwater and limits annual snowfall. Another team of researchers says the risks of extreme wildfire could also rise twofold in the next 40 years in the Mediterranean, southern Africa, eastern North America and the Amazon. In those places already severely scorched by frequent fire − western North America, equatorial Africa, south-east Asia and Australia − hazards could rise by 50 per cent. … ” Read more from EcoBusiness here: Extreme drought and fire risk may double by 2060
If you want to make progress on all the major global challenges, start with water
“As we move into 2021, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenges that our planet faces. We must, therefore, refocus our attention on the interventions that simultaneously catalyse progress in multiple challenges. And there can be no stronger building block than clean water. Whether used for potable (drinking) or non-potable purposes, clean water is our most valuable and fundamental resource, and ultimately underpins the success or failure of every other challenge that we face. Yet we are perilously close to 2025, when it is predicted that half of the world’s population will not have reliable access to clean water, from California to Jordan to the South Pacific islands. … ” Read more from the World Economic Forum here: If you want to make progress on all the major global challenges, start with water
Today’s featured articles …
CA WATER COMMISSION: Screening process for eligible water storage projects; Commission continues conveyance conversation
At the December 2020 meeting, the California Water Commission approved moving forward with a screening process to find potential projects that could be eligible for the Water Storage Investment Program after the Temperance Flat project stalled and withdrew from the program. The screening process is designed to discover potential projects that could meet the statutory deadlines outlined in Water Code Section 79757, which requires the commission to make findings of feasibility for all water shortage investment program funded projects before January 1, 2022. …
The California Water Commission is in the process of assessing the state’s role in financing conveyance projects that could help meet needs in a changing climate, as tasked by action 19.4 in the Water Resilience Portfolio. This work advances the portfolio’s goal of promoting statewide water resilience and reinforces the role that the Commission plays as the primary public forum for the discussion of improving water management policy to assist regions in achieving climate resiliency, as stated in goal one of the Commission’s strategic plan. At the California Water Commission’s January meeting, Assistant Executive Officer Laura Jensen reviewed the information presented by the expert panel on December on public benefits, discussed a list of public benefits that the state might fund, and how those benefits could be valued. …
Click here to read this article.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 2021 Wetland Conservation Easement Applications Due February 26
