On the calendar today …
LEG HEARING: Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee meets beginning at 9am. The Committee will hear bills related to sea level rise, Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2022, and other natural resource issues. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
MEETING: The State Water Resources Control Board will meet beginning at 9am. Agenda items include consideration of adoption of the prioritization of drinking water regulation development for 2021 and an annual climate change update. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
FREE WEBINAR: A conversation with women leading CA’s climate future at 10am. With a new White House administration and the end of the pandemic within sight, it’s clear that preparing for a green future is key to our recovery efforts. Join Better World Group as we convene the women leading California’s climate future to discuss the possibilities ahead, California’s role as an environmental leader, and how to prioritize justice and equity. Click here to register.
FREE WEBINAR: Feeding the Future: In Conversation with Karen Ross and Mark Arax from 11am to 12:30pm. The second webinar in our Feeding the Future – Sustainable Food for People and Planet series, will feature a conversation between Secretary of the CA Department of Food and Agriculture, Karen Ross, and The Dreamt Land author, Mark Arax. Sustainable Conservation CEO, Ashley Boren will moderate as Mark and Karen discuss water, agriculture, and climate change in California. Click here to register.
WORKSHOP: Fisheries Restoration Grant Program 2021 Solicitation Workshop – Central Region (4) from 1pm to 2pm. Click here for the agenda. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting or call (916) 535-0984 Conference ID: 817 749 6#
In California water news today …
Feds may look at spring-run chinook salmon as genetically distinct
“The National Marine Fisheries Service is considering whether the spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon that occupy the rivers of Northern California and southern Oregon are genetically distinct. The decision has huge implications for fish populations as the number of spring-run Chinook salmon has plunged to such depths it would almost certainly result in a listing under the Endangered Species Act if seen as a separate species. “The science is in on that,” said Rich Nawa, an ecologist who petitioned the agency a year ago to consider the spring-run Chinook salmon as genetically distinct. “There are several papers so no one disputes the science, it’s just how to incorporate it into policy at this point.” … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Feds may look at spring-run chinook salmon as genetically distinct
When ‘eradicated’ species bounce back with a vengeance
“Some invasive species targeted for total eradication bounce back with a vengeance, especially in aquatic systems, finds a study led by the University of California, Davis. The study, published today in the journal PNAS, chronicles the effort — and failure — to eradicate invasive European green crabs from a California estuary. The crabs increased 30-fold after about 90 percent had been removed. The study is the first experimental demonstration in a coastal ecosystem of a dramatic population increase in response to full eradication. “A failure in science often leads to unexpected directions,” said lead author Edwin (Ted) Grosholz, a professor and ecologist with the UC Davis Department of Environmental Science and Policy. … ” Read more from UC Davis here: When ‘eradicated’ species bounce back with a vengeance
100,000 Central Valley residents impacted by contaminated drinking water will soon see interim solutions
“An estimated 100,000 Central Valley residents impacted by nitrate groundwater contamination will soon be supplied with safe drinking water on a temporary basis while more permanent solutions are developed. These solutions in the form of bottled water deliveries or bottle-filling kiosks are outlined in Early Action Plans submitted to the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board (Central Valley Water Board) for six geographic zones deemed to have the most serious groundwater contamination issues. The plans are part of the board’s strategy for addressing nitrate pollution in numerous communities that rely on groundwater as their primary source of drinking water. … ” Read more from the State Water Board here: 100,000 Central Valley residents impacted by contaminated drinking water will soon see interim solutions
Finding a balance between supply and demand to get to groundwater sustainability
“The San Joaquin Valley has begun to grapple with implementing the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Figuring out the math of balancing water supply and demand in ways that cause the least economic harm to farmers and local economies is challenging, and difficult tradeoffs are inevitable. We talked with Emmy Cattani, a fifth-generation farmer from Kern County, about some options. PPIC: Talk about ways that agriculture can reduce land fallowing in implementing SGMA. EMMY CATTANI: More supply is critical. The biggest opportunity is to figure out how to capture water in big flood events, which are expected to become more common with climate change. … ” Continue reading at the PPIC here: Finding a balance between supply and demand to get to groundwater sustainability
California growers face groundwater restrictions
“In the wake of one of the state’s worst droughts in modern history, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) became law in California in 2014. It’s intended to ensure better local and regional management of groundwater use, with the overall goal being sustainable groundwater management by 2042. The state’s growers will face increasing pressure to justify their water usage, and depending on their location, could face tough restrictions. Irrigation suppliers are of course very familiar with the law, so we asked them how they can help growers, and what advice they might offer. Here’s a sampling of their responses … ” Read more from Growing Produce here: California growers face groundwater restrictions
Groundwater information is no longer out of depth
“Water is constantly on the move: through the air, through waterways, and underground. Life depends on a consistent supply of water and details about its journey are necessary for understanding and managing this dynamic resource. However, those details are often difficult to measure. UConn Ph.D. candidate Danielle Hare, in the lab of associate professor of Natural Resources and the Environment Ashley Helton, has expanded on a novel method to easily access vital details about groundwater, and in doing so, they have discovered that many streams are more vulnerable to stressors like climate change than previously thought. The team has published their findings in the latest issue of Nature Communications. … ” Read more from Water Online here: Groundwater information is no longer out of depth
Hoping the 5 percent allocation increases
“With all the tree nut growers in the Central Valley, lack of rain, and snow, that 5% water allocation from federal water districts will hurt. We hope it goes bigger. Ryan Jacobsen is the CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. “If you’re in California, particularly the Valley we’re dependent upon five to seven good storms to make or break a season. And we have not seen that whatsoever,” Jacobsen said. “We’ve really only had one and a half good storms put a little snow pack up in the Sierra Nevada. And so therefore we are in a deficit because of what mother nature has provided. … ” Read more from Ag Info here: Hoping the 5 percent allocation increases
New state office tower for the Natural Resources Agency is tallest built in Sacramento in over 10 years. Get a look inside
“The newest addition to downtown Sacramento’s skyline is a $520 million, 21-story glass tower that, when it opens this summer, will provide enough office space to house thousands of state workers. But when those workers will start to fill their cubicles at the California Natural Resources Agency’s new P Street headquarters is another matter. Lisa Lien-Mager, spokeswoman for the agency, said Natural Resources will wait for direction from the Department of Human Resources before it begins populating the headquarters. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: New state office tower for the Natural Resources Agency is tallest built in Sacramento in over 10 years. Get a look inside
Zone 7 GM Pryor to appear on statewide water panel discussion
“A trio of briefings on aging infrastructure and climate change from the State Water Project will open with a stakeholder panel discussion featuring Zone 7 Water Agency General Manager Valerie Pryor during the California Water Commission’s meeting on Wednesday (March 17), starting 9:30 a.m. The meeting agenda includes three briefings under Item No. 9 including an overview of the State Water Project and updates on the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and the California Department of Water Resources’ “efforts to address issues related to aging infrastructure.” ... ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly here: Zone 7 GM Pryor to appear on statewide water panel discussion
In commentary today …
As drought alarms sound, is California prepared?
Jeffrey Mount and Caitrin Chappelle with the PPIC write, “We’re facing another very dry year, which follows one of the driest on record for Northern California and one of the hottest on record statewide. The 2012-16 drought caused unprecedented stress to California’s ecosystems and pushed many native species to the brink of extinction, disrupting water management throughout the state. Are we ready to manage our freshwater ecosystems through another drought? … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: As drought alarms sound, is California prepared?
In regional water news and commentary today …
This wildlife refuge is drying up. An anonymous rancher wants to save it.
“A unique deal between ranchers and wildlife advocates may at long last bring a reliable water supply to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge — and the wetlands and birds that depend on it. Since it was largely drained in the early 20th Century, the mosaic of wetlands formerly known as Lower Klamath Lake has relied on water from the Klamath Irrigation Project to grow food and provide suitable habitat for millions of migrating birds along the Pacific Flyway each year. Wetlands in the Klamath Basin support nearly 80% of the Pacific Flyway’s migratory waterfowl during the spring and fall. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: This wildlife refuge is drying up. An anonymous rancher wants to save it.
New threat to Humboldt County drinking water prompts state action
“Humboldt County’s timber industry legacy includes abandoned mill sites that can be contaminated with dioxins. Now, a former mill site between the cities of Arcata and Blue Lake is a priority case because it’s a potential threat to the drinking water of 88,000 county residents. Of concern is potentially migrating dioxins from pentachlorophenol (PCP), a wood preservative that was used at the mill site before being banned in the mid-1980s. In response, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has hired an engineering firm to do a new round of testing at the site. … ” Read more from Jefferson Public Radio here: New threat to Humboldt County drinking water prompts state action
Humboldt County: New curriculum approaches water conservation through Indigenous lens
“Local tribes, schools and nonprofits have developed a new high school curriculum that seeks to encourage environmental advocacy through an Indigenous lens. The advocacy and water protection curriculum meets state standards in science, social studies, health, history and language arts and seeks to bolster “culturally informed education” in the classroom. The curriculum is based on the “Advocacy and Water Protection in Native California” speaker series that was developed by Save California Salmon and Humboldt State University’s Native American Studies department, said department chair, Cutcha Risling Baldy. ... ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Herald here: Humboldt County: New curriculum approaches water conservation through Indigenous lens
Plumas County: Panel digs into topic of proposed mining expansion during forum
“In response to a much-debated controversial proposal to expand a mining operation near Portola, the League of Women Voters of Plumas County held a virtual panel Wednesday, March 10, with the mine as the focus, and nearly 100 in attendance. The mine property, just north of the city of Portola, is owned by TLT Enterprises LLC. The project, which includes asphalt and rock-crushing plants, would be operated by Hat Creek Construction. ... ” Read more from Plumas County News here: Plumas County: Panel digs into topic of proposed mining expansion during forum
Lake Tahoe: Taylor, Tallac creek marsh invasive species removal underway
“Crews on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore continue work to remove aquatic invasive plants from the Taylor Creek and Tallac Creek marshes. A new fence was recently installed around the project area and officials are asking recreators to respect the protected area for safety and to ensure the greatest chance of success for the project, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency said in a press release. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Lake Tahoe: Taylor, Tallac creek marsh invasive species removal underway
Placer County leaders say collapsed bridge, under water for 60 years, poses new safety risks
“Placer County leaders are supporting the removal of a bridge that collapsed 60 years ago near the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork American River in the Auburn State Recreation Area. “This is the single busiest area in this entire 30,000-acre park,” said Gary Estes, a board member for Protect American River Canyons. Estes said the debris poses threats to swimmers and kayakers. A sign posted on the State Route 49 bridge, where the collapsed bridge used to stand, warns people to use extreme caution around the steel and concrete debris. ... ” Read more from CBS 13 here: Placer County leaders say collapsed bridge, under water for 60 years, poses new safety risks
More road trippin’: Hit the Sacramento River Delta for scenery, free ferries, and more
“This week’s exploration of the Sacramento Delta takes us to Rio Vista, then north to Grand Island, Ryde and returns through Walnut Grove and Locke. Just an hour west of San Joaquin County, the tour takes in some of California’s most productive farmland, several historic towns that were on the marine highway plied by old steamboats, a vast series of sloughs in the Sacramento Delta, and offers two free auto ferries that will intrigue the kids or grandkids. … ” Read more from The Record here: More road trippin’: Hit the Sacramento River Delta for scenery, free ferries, and more
Unhoused Berkeley, CA residents struggle for water during pandemic
“There’s a cruel irony to lacking access to quality water as the sky pours rain, a luxury development’s fountain spews a waterfall around the corner, and the bay is within walking distance. Such is the case for the unhoused residents of an encampment on the border of the California cities of Berkeley and Emeryville, whom I visited on a March afternoon that cycled between intermittent showers and partly-cloudy skies. It’s located along train tracks and near the highway, with no clear businesses or public facilities in the immediate area that would be willing to offer a restroom or sink. … ” Read more from Filter Magazine here: Unhoused Berkeley, CA residents struggle for water during pandemic
Alameda County Water District’s Water Efficiency Master Plan makes its debut
“Alameda County Water District has been busy developing a Water Efficiency Master Plan that continues ACWD’s efforts to encourage water use efficiency in the Tri-Cities and ensure long-term water supply reliability for its customers. The WEMP is now complete and ready for review. It provides a roadmap for ACWD’s Water Use Efficiency Program for the next five years and strategies out to 2050. ACWD initiated the WEMP development process in 2019 after it was identified to achieve Strategic Goal 2: Sustain a reliable, high-quality water supply for District customers in ACWD’s 2018 Five-Year Strategic Plan. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Alameda County Water District’s Water Efficiency Master Plan makes its debut
San Francisco: PG&E settles lawsuit over century-old gas plant pollution
“Pacific Gas and Electric will pay to remove soil possibly tainted by century-old gas plants and investigate groundwater contamination in a San Francisco shoreline area under the terms of a deal announced Monday. The agreement represents the third and final settlement reached in a lawsuit filed in 2014 over pollution from manufactured gas plants operated by PG&E in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Under the deal entered Monday, PG&E will fund a study on how to remove or mitigate contamination from an underground storage tank on the former site of its North Beach gas plant, which stopped operating after it was damaged in the Great Earthquake of 1906. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: PG&E settles lawsuit over century-old gas plant pollution
In Central California, sea otters feast on purple urchins. And that’s good for kelp
“Marine scientists have observed a massive decline of California’s underwater kelp forests in recent years. Studies have linked the die-off to a host of factors including an ocean heatwave, a deadly sea star virus, and an influx of voracious kelp-eating sea urchins. Kelp’s long flat leaves and bulbous stems provide habitat for marine mammals, fish and invertebrates in tidal regions along California’s coast. In regions where kelp once flourished, the ocean floor is now carpeted with spiny purple sea urchin, and no kelp or algae to be found. Scientists call these zones the urchin barrens. A new study out of UC Santa Cruz reveals more about the disappearance of California’s kelp forests, finding the leafy green seaweed is faring better in places where sea otters, a natural urchin predator, are thriving. … ” Read more from KQED here: In Central California, sea otters feast on purple urchins. And that’s good for kelp
SEE ALSO: In the Pacific, global warming disrupted the ecological dance of urchins, sea stars and kelp. Otters help restore balance, from Inside Climate News
San Luis Obispo County creek project buckled under a historic storm. Why some see it as a success
“Mother Nature proved again in late January that the force of torrential rainfall and surging water can undo about a decade’s worth of difficult, expensive habitat conservation work. The Santa Rosa Creek project completed in October in Cambria was designed to stabilize the path of the creek in a vulnerable North Coast area, while protecting its bank and its eponymous roadway. Devin Best, executive director of the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas Resource Conservation District (RCD), said the district worked with landowners “to preserve their property and also maintain the road so it doesn’t wash away.” … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: SLO County creek project buckled under a historic storm. Why some see it as a success
Valley farmers assess impacts of recent storms
“Storm activity has been bittersweet for Valley farmers. In some cases, hail has damaged crops, making them unusable, while snow and rainfall are helping Central California recover from a water deficit. Eric Engelman inspected his almonds in Fresno County after the recent back-to-back storms brought heavy rain and even quarter-sized hail to parts of the Valley. For foothill communities like Coarsegold, they even brough snowfall. … ” Read more from KFSN here: Valley farmers assess impacts of recent storms
A corporation wants to mine for gold near Death Valley. Native tribes are fighting it
“Perched high in the craggy Inyo Mountains, between the dusty Owens Valley floor and Death Valley National Park, looms a rugged, nearly roadless chunk of desert terrain teeming with wildlife and scarred by mining operations. Conglomerate Mesa’s charcoal smelters helped give birth 150 years ago to the nearby rip-roaring silver town of Cerro Gordo, where ingots were produced and shipped off to the small pueblo of Los Angeles by steamboat and a 20-mule team. Now, the 22,500-acre tableau of Joshua trees, piñon pines and limestone boulders bristling with fossil shells is turning to mining again. … ” Read more from Yahoo News here: A corporation wants to mine for gold near Death Valley. Native tribes are fighting it
Santa Clarita Valley Water releases water-shortage plan for public comment
“The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency released a draft of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan Friday in order to receive public feedback before finalizing. Community members are welcome to review the document meant to plan for water shortages caused by drought or natural disasters, and provide the agency with feedback until April 12, before the plan is finalized by SCV Water officials. ... ” Read more from The Signal here: Santa Clarita Valley Water releases water-shortage plan for public comment
Sewage-handling robots help UCSD team predict coronavirus outbreaks in San Diego
” … From July to November, Karthikeyan and a team led by professor Rob Knight, director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation at UCSD, sampled sewage water to see if they could detect the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. They could. But concentrating the wastewater proved to be a slow and laborious multistep process. But in a paper published March 2 in mSystems, the researchers describe how they have automated wastewater concentration with the help of liquid-handling robots. ...” Read more from La Jolla Light here: Sewage-handling robots help UCSD team predict coronavirus outbreaks in San Diego
San Diego: We’re about to drink recycled water but don’t know what’s in it
“I’ve been writing a lot about the broken sewage system in Tijuana causing spills into San Diego. Part of the concern, San Diego officials told me, is that Mexico lacks a system to monitor whether businesses are dumping toxic waste into the sewer system. That’s part of the reason why it’s risky to reuse any of that river water because, if we don’t know what’s in the water, we can’t be sure how to best treat it. San Diego is about to run into this issue in a big way with its Pure Water project, a multibillion-dollar system that’s going to recycle the city’s sewage and treat it so, well, you can drink it. The technology to clean it is sound, but the watchdogs working on the back end to investigate what industries might be spilling bad things into our sewer system aren’t yet best equipped to do their job. … ” Read more from the Voice of San Diego here: We’re about to drink recycled water but don’t know what’s in it
Along the Colorado River …
Utah water legislation concerns Colorado River Basin states
“Drought has forced several states to rethink how they use the Colorado River, but Utah is trying to figure out how to get more water out of it. Utah’s plan to build a pipeline from Lake Powell to the St. George area has raised eyebrows from the six other Colorado River Basin states. … ” Read more from KJZZ here: Utah water legislation concerns Colorado River Basin states
Parts of Grand Canyon will be visible for first time in decades. Experts explain why
“The water flow in the Grand Canyon is temporarily changing and it could reveal some surprises, geologists said. The U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday that an 11-day “spring disturbance” flow will start Monday and will drop water levels in parts of the Grand Canyon. During that time, geologists will reduce the flow of the water released from Glen Canyon Dam, a popular tourist destination where people can take tours within the national park. … ” Read more from the Kansas City Star here: Parts of Grand Canyon will be visible for first time in decades. Experts explain why
One of the heaviest snowstorms on record hits Rocky Mountains
“People in Colorado and Wyoming are digging out from a record blizzard this weekend. The snowstorm knocked out power, closed roads and forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and vaccinations for COVID-19. But some scientists say it could help the states recover from a severe drought. Sam Brasch of Colorado Public Radio reports. … ” Read more or listen from NPR here: One Of The Heaviest Snowstorms On Record Hits Rocky Mountains
In national water news today …
8 states are tweaking the weather (and it might not work)
“The mountaintops rumble to life unnaturally each year as snow clouds darken the sky across the West. Open flames burst from the throats of metal chimneys, mounted on squat towers nestled among the peaks. With a low hiss, puffs of particles belch from their mouths into the air, where the wind catches them and whisks them away. These aren’t ordinary particles. They’re tiny bits of crushed-up silver iodide, a crystal-like photosensitive substance once used in photography. But it’s not used to take pictures out in the mountains. It’s meant to make snow. … ” Read more from E&E News here: 8 states are tweaking the weather (and it might not work)
Survey: Black and Hispanic Americans not confident in tap water
“Following a survey of more than 40 million Americans who are being served by water systems that have recently violated the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), it’s clear that there is a racial divide in the confidence that consumers place in drinking water utilities. According to the survey, “…43% of white Americans say that they are ‘very confident’ in their tap water, while only 24% of Black Americans, and 19% of Hispanic Americans indicate the same degree of confidence,” Forbes reported. “At the opposite extreme, only 10% of white Americans say they are ‘not confident at all’ in the quality of their tap water.” … ” Read more from Water Online here: Survey: Black and Hispanic Americans not confident in tap water
Democrats, Republicans recommend more input, detail on Biden conservation goals
“Two separate groups of congressional lawmakers sent letters to President Biden this week regarding the administration’s conservation plan, with Democrats calling for local stakeholder input and Republicans expressing concerns it would disproportionately impact western states. A group of predominantly western Democratic members wrote in a letter Tuesday in support of Biden’s executive order creating the 30 by 30 plan, which calls for conservation of 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. … ” Read more from The Hill here: Democrats, Republicans recommend more input, detail on Biden conservation goals
Deb Haaland confirmed as Interior secretary
“The Senate has confirmed Rep. Deb Haaland for Interior secretary, the historic culmination of a contentious confirmation process that became a proxy battle over President Biden’s energy agenda and ignited accusations of double standards for Cabinet nominees of color. The New Mexico Democrat won confirmation this evening, 51-40, making her poised to become the first Native American to ever run a federal agency and the first Indigenous person to run a department with a historically hostile relationship with tribal nations. Four Republicans joined 47 Democrats in voting “yes” — Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Nine senators were not present for the vote. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Deb Haaland confirmed as Interior secretary
Europe’s droughts since 2015 ‘worst in 2,000 years’
“Recent summer droughts in Europe were the most severe the region has seen in 2,110 years as climate change has stoked punishing heat waves, according to new research Monday that raises the alarm for ecosystems and agriculture. Using data from tree rings in living and dead European oaks going back to the time of the Romans, scientists identified a long-term drying trend that suddenly intensified in 2015 beyond anything seen in two millennia. The researchers said that this cluster of abnormally dry summers was likely caused by human-driven climate warming and changes to the circulation of the jet stream. … ” Read more from CTV here: Europe’s droughts since 2015 ‘worst in 2,000 years’
Today’s featured articles …
BLOG ROUND-UP: Why is the Army regulating farms?; Delta Tunnel DCA’s new bylaws allow MWD staff person to be Executive Director; Water futures: a hedge against potential price increases or betting the farm?; and more …
Click here to read the blog round-up.
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Document Available for State Water Project Contract Amendment for Delta Conveyance Negotiations
NOTICE: Registration Now Open for Delta Conveyance Project Community Benefits Program Workshops
NOTICE: State Water Board 2020 General Order for the Nationwide Permits Update
NOTICE: CV-SALTS Nitrate Control Program – Public Comment Period on Early Action Plans and Preliminary Management Zone Proposals
NOTICE: Water Commission Briefings Address How to Create a More Resilient State Water Project
NOTICE: California Water Boards develop white paper for passive sampling
