In California water news this weekend …
San Francisco sues state over bid to restrict its Sierra water supplies
“The city of San Francisco is reviving a long-simmering feud with the state over water, filing a lawsuit Friday that charges state regulators with trying to take away the city’s coveted Sierra Nevada water supplies. The suit claims the state water board is demanding the city forfeit too much water from the Tuolumne River as part of a licensing deal for two dams in the faraway basin. State regulators have said the water is needed to maintain proper river flows and support struggling salmon, but city officials contend the demands would leave Bay Area residents and businesses vulnerable to water shortages. “They don’t understand what balancing they need to obtain between water for people and water for fish,” Michael Carlin, the acting general manager of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, told The Chronicle. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco sues state over bid to restrict its Sierra water supplies
San Francisco sues state to retain access to vital water supply
“The city of San Francisco claims state regulators are singling out the city during a drought and trying to deprive residents of a much-needed source of drinking water, namely the Sierra-fed Tuolumne River. With another drought on the horizon, city officials say the state is being unfair by demanding more water than it needs — and more than the city has to spare. The lawsuit stems from a licensing deal for two dams controlled by a pair of nearby water districts which set the restrictions the city now seeks to maneuver around. State regulators are calling on the city to abide by the agreement, which would drastically reduce the amount of water it can pull from the Tuolumne River to maintain salmon populations and ensure the river’s overall health. City officials claim they can do both while still providing for the 2.8 million residents who rely on the river for drinking water. Over 85% of San Francisco’s water supply is sourced from the Tuolumne River, so city officials feel they have no choice but to fight the proposed restrictions. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: San Francisco sues state to retain access to vital water supply
State plans to order drought restrictions, but it doesn’t have good water data to do it
“As California descends deeper into drought, state regulators are planning to do something they’ve done few times in modern history: order thousands of people, farms, and even cities and towns that hold historic water rights to stop drawing water from the rivers, lakes and ponds they rely on. The move is intended to make sure the dwindling flows in California’s waterways are reserved for those with the most senior water rights, as well as for fish and other wildlife. Many of those with lesser rights would have to turn to storage, groundwater or another source, if they have it. The problem, besides leaving several in a tough spot, is that the state doesn’t have an accurate tally of how much water is being pulled from its watersheds, nor who exactly is taking it. This lack of information makes it hard for regulators to determine which water rights holders to restrict, and how many. … ” Continue reading at the San Francisco Chronicle here: State plans to order drought restrictions, but it doesn’t have good water data to do it
Gavin Newsom offers billions to fight climate change, drought, wildfires in California
“Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to throw $11.8 billion of California’s money at climate change and the hazards it poses to the state. The governor’s gargantuan revised budget proposal, released Friday, includes expenditures to fight and prevent wildfires, combat sea-level rise, put more Californians behind the wheel of an electric vehicle and speed up the transition to a carbon-free electricity grid. Nearly half of his climate change package — $5.1 billion — would go toward easing the effects of California’s newly-declared drought and remedying long-term water supply problems, such as crumbling canals. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Gavin Newsom offers billions to fight climate change, drought, wildfires in California
Newsom proposes record climate spending, casts doubt on 2022 bonds
“Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed record state spending on environmental programs and suggested that California might not need to use voter-approved bonds next year because of its massive budget surplus. Newsom proposed nearly $10 billion in spending on climate adaptation, water infrastructure and clean transportation — the state’s largest budget ever devoted to environmental programs, state officials said. When asked whether the proposals replace the need for bonds, Newsom said he thought “they substantially do across the spectrum.” Lawmakers have been working on a roughly $7 billion bond for water, wildfire and extreme heat-related projects and a $10 billion bond to fund broadband high-speed internet upgrades. ... ” Continue reading at Politico here: Newsom proposes record climate spending, casts doubt on 2022 bonds
Governor’s California comeback plan includes significant increases for fish and wildlife
“Governor Gavin Newsom today introduced his California Comeback Plan, which includes significant fiscal resources aimed to protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources and the habitats on which they depend. The proposed budget increases show the Newsom Administration is deeply invested in California’s biodiversity both for its intrinsic, ecological value as well as for future generations of hunters, hikers, anglers, birders and outdoor enthusiasts. The proposal increases the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) budget by $252.1 million and includes funds to safeguard California’s biodiversity, protect endangered species and their habitats, support the Cutting the Green Tape initiative, enhance drought preparedness through the water resilience package, increase renewable energy on land and in the ocean, cover payments for fishermen and women voluntarily transitioning out of the drift gill net shark and swordfish fishery, and address other CDFW’s budget shortfalls identified through years of in-depth budget analysis and research through the Service Based Budgeting (SBB) Project. Today’s proposal includes 216 staff positions to deliver services and safeguard fish and wildlife in California. ... ” Read more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife here: Governor’s California comeback plan includes significant increases for fish and wildlife
Senator Hurtado warns that the may revise does not adequately address looming water and food shortages
Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) released the following statement today, after Governor Newsom released the details of the 2021 May Budget Revise: “There is a lot of good in this revision proposal from the Governor—investments to house the homeless, small business grants and rebates to taxpayers to name a few. However, the immediate concern in California is the drought and its impact on our food supply chain. Governor Newsom cannot make it rain, but made a bold $5.1 billion proposal to help California prepare and cope with this and future droughts. In the Valley, we like to give credit where credit is due—the Governor in his May revision, proposed $200 million towards repairing the state’s water conveyance systems, but in order to build back water we need to fully fund Senate Bill 559. It is a one-time investment that will benefit 30 million people–as we all know, if the plumbing of your home is leaking, you don’t fix it halfway—you fix it until it no longer leaks, especially when the money is there to do it. To his credit, the Governor has made great strides in the budget, but the drought will have ripple effects and additional investment will help avoid a global food crisis like that in 1974. Governor Newsom, ‘it’s time to meet the moment.’” (Full statement here.)
How California’s drought impacts wildlife populations and their behavior
“The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged wildlife, looking for easy food, to visit quiet neighborhoods they normally didn’t. The drought may now be forcing them to do the same. Experts say, though you might like to, do not leave food and water out for wild animals showing up in neighborhoods. It could be simply be animals looking for new or larger territory. It could also be the result of a rapidly worsening drought denying creatures traditional, natural sources of food and water. “It’s more likely, I believe, that because of the drought that we’re experiencing, that it is resources,” said Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue Executive Director Doris Duncan. ... ” Continue reading at KTVU here: How California’s drought impacts wildlife populations and their behavior
Slideshow: The entire state of California is in drought—but the impacts are just beginning
“California is in trouble. Drought has returned to the state in a major way, and bone-dry docks are just the tip of the devastating problems facing the state. Currently, 41 of California’s 58 counties are in a drought state of emergency, affecting approximately 30% of the state’s population. As we move into the summer, experts anticipate the drought’s impacts will only get worse.” Watch slideshow from Gizmodo here: Slideshow: The entire state of California is in drought—but the impacts are just beginning
Here’s where household water use is highest in California
“In 2021, an increasing number of water providers across California will be forced to prepare for water shortages as the state’s drought intensifies. For some locales, this could mean mandatory or voluntary restrictions on residential water use. Not every area of the state will be starting from the same level of water use. A Chronicle analysis of 2020 data reported by water suppliers across the state shows that residential per capita water use varies wildly depending on region. “Sometimes, the reason is simple,” said Edward Ortiz, a spokesperson for the California State Water Resources Control Board, which compiles that data. “People in some places use water more efficiently than people in other places. But that’s not always” the reason. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Here’s where household water use is highest in California
Another record almond crop forecasted by USDA
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is forecasting another record almond crop for California. The 2021 California Almond Subjective Forecast estimates a three percent increase from last year’s 3.12-billion-pound crop. According to USDA-NASS, California growers could be looking at a 2021 crop of 3.2 billion pounds. If that number comes to fruition, it would be the largest almond crop on record. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Another record almond crop forecasted by USDA
Commentary: It’s time to expose the many myths about almonds and water
Kristi Diener writes, “I read many negative comments regarding growing almonds in California, about the water they use, and the fact that they are something our state exports. But the unfavorable criticism of almonds always seems to come from the same narrow perspective that mirrors what is found in publications written outside of where almonds are actually grown in the Great San Joaquin Valley. There are many more parts to the almond puzzle besides the relentlessly repeated singular pieces like, “it takes a gallon of water to grow one almond”, and, “we shouldn’t be exporting our water to China.” I want to add depth to the shallow mono-views ordinarily presented. When almonds are exported, the water used to grow them stays here. Irrigation recharges groundwater and makes its way to streams, rivers, and reservoirs. We are not exporting California’s water to China. The moisture content of an almond is a nothing burger, especially when one realizes that we import twice as many products that took water to produce than we export. ... ” Read more from GV Wire here: Commentary: It’s time to expose the many myths about almonds and water
$4.3M cliff-top home inflames fight over coastal retreat
“A California oceanfront home described as a “poster child” for managed retreat is poised to secure sea wall protection despite regulators’ efforts to block it. The Solana Beach home sits on a cliff that’s eroding, sending chunks of rock tumbling down to the sandy shoreline in San Diego County. As the ocean rises due to climate change, it is expected to deteriorate further. There’s no sea wall beneath the house because the homeowners waived the right to one when they redeveloped the property 25 years ago. They later sought a wall that the California Coastal Commission denied. But after two years of battles and a lawsuit, the agency has agreed to reconsider the case. In a settlement obtained by E&E News, the homeowners and their neighbors on either side agreed to drop their legal suit once the commission grants a permit. It’s signed by the commission’s executive director and chief counsel, and a state deputy attorney general. Beach protection advocates fear it will open the door for others to get sea walls up and down the coast. ... ” Read more from E&E News here: $4.3M cliff-top home inflames fight over coastal retreat
In regional water news this weekend …
Water crisis ‘couldn’t be worse’ on Oregon-California border
“The water crisis along the California-Oregon border went from dire to catastrophic this week as federal regulators shut off irrigation water to farmers from a critical reservoir and said they would not send extra water to dying salmon downstream or to a half-dozen wildlife refuges that harbor millions of migrating birds each year. In what is shaping up to be the worst water crisis in generations, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said it will not release water this season into the main canal that feeds the bulk of the massive Klamath Reclamation Project, marking a first for the 114-year-old irrigation system. The agency announced last month that hundreds of irrigators would get dramatically less water than usual, but a worsening drought picture means water will be completely shut off instead. ... ” Read more from the Associated Press here: Water crisis ‘couldn’t be worse’ on Oregon-California border
Protesters ask irrigation district to open Klamath canal, defy Reclamation
“A group of roughly 30 Klamath County residents affiliated with People’s Rights Oregon Area 6 gathered at Klamath Irrigation District headquarters Thursday to protest the Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement that no water from Upper Klamath Lake would be available to Klamath Project irrigators this summer. Demonstrators also engaged district leadership regarding what could be done to respond to the situation, asking them to defy the bureau and open the A Canal head gates and saying they would support them if they did. … ” Read more from the Bend Bulletin here: Protesters ask irrigation district to open Klamath canal, defy Reclamation
Juvenile fish kill, massive disease outbreak puts Klamath salmon on path to extinction
“The Yurok Tribe said the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced Wednesday it would not release water to prevent a catastrophic juvenile fish kill on the Klamath River. The tribe said Thursday even though historic drought is the primary cause of the lack of water, previous BOR water allocation decision led to the widespread fish kill. The Yurok said it could have been prevented with a flow increase. “Right now, the Klamath River is full of dead and dying fish on the Yurok Reservation,” Frankie Myers, the Yurok Tribe’s Vice Chairman, said. “This disease will kill most of the baby salmon in the Klamath, which will impact fish runs for many years to come. For salmon people, a juvenile fish kill is an absolute worst-case scenario.” … ” Read more from KRCR here: Juvenile fish kill, massive disease outbreak puts Klamath salmon on path to extinction
As water dwindles, catastrophes aplenty for Klamath Basin tribes, fish, farmers
“As a catastrophic juvenile fish kill unfolds along the Klamath River amid severe drought conditions, North Coast tribes, fishers and farmers are fighting for water throughout the Klamath Basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced Wednesday that it will not implement the Klamath River surface flushing for salmon this year and will not open the Klamath Project’s “A” Canal for irrigation season following historic lows in the Klamath Basin. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the Klamath Project and is tasked with weighing the biological needs of salmon as well as the needs of farmers. “It’s an absolute catastrophe for the ag community but it’s a pretty damn big catastrophe for fishing communities too,” said Craig Tucker, natural resources policy consultant for the Karuk Tribe. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: As water dwindles, catastrophes aplenty for Klamath Basin tribes, fish, farmers
How a historic drought has left Klamath Basin farmers caught in the middle with no water
“As a historic drought ravages farms and ranches throughout the Klamath Basin on the California-Oregon border there are visible signs of the calamity everywhere. Fields lie fallow. There are dust storms in spring. Some days it seems there are as many meetings about the future as crops being planted. But for Tricia Hill, a fourth-generation potato farmer of Czechoslovakian immigrants, there is something else: The eerie silence of the fields. With little water filling the canals or crops in the ground also largely missing are the sounds of rural life, from tree frogs to red-winged black birds to the methodical hum of wheel line irrigation equipment. Compromised as well are the timeless rhythms of agriculture, starting with planting season and continuing past the first cut of hay. … ” Continue reading at USA Today here: How a historic drought has left Klamath Basin farmers caught in the middle with no water
Congressman LaMalfa: Immediate action needed to prevent Klamath Basin devastation
Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement in response to Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement that no water will be diverted at A Canal from Upper Klamath Lake for irrigation in 2021, the first year since 1907 the canal will deliver no water to farmers and ranchers. LaMalfa said, “The Bureau of Reclamation’s shocking decision to forbid delivery of Klamath Project water to our water-starved farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin underscores the almost total failure of the existing water management plan. Our farmers and ranchers pay for this canal system and the dams that store their water. The courts have repeatedly recognized that the stored project water in the lake belongs to the farmers, yet this year the Bureau of Reclamation will again seize what they do not own, without compensation, to comply with questionable Endangered Species Act requirements. Farmers and the community will be devastated as drought conditions worsen, causing domestic and agricultural wells to possibly dry up. Water deliveries to the wildlife refuge area will be next to nothing, causing botulism outbreaks that kill tens of thousands of shorebirds. Much good work was done in 2020 to limit damage to refuge areas, but loss of water will put that in jeopardy. Additionally, basin farmers have already planted crops that will no longer have enough water to survive until harvest. Untold economic, societal and environmental damage will be done by this decision. The Klamath Basin will be devastated for years to come if the Biden administration does not take immediate action to alleviate this crisis. I will be working with every possible partner to bring relief to the basin.”
How thousands of Redding residents could soon feel a monetary pinch from the drought
“Nearly 20,000 residents of Redding and Shasta County could soon be feeling the effects of the ongoing drought right in their wallets. On the same day Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in 41 counties statewide — including the North State — the Bella Vista Water District sent out an announcement that its customers face over-use penalties for using too much water. District Manager David Coxey said the agency had its water allocation from the U.S. Bureau or Reclamation reduced 45% this year, so the agency is asking customers to cut their water use by 10%. “I mean, because we’ve actually used in April more water than we’ve used in the past five Aprils so the trend is going in the wrong direction,” Coxey said. And as the state heads into the dry season, conditions could worsen, he said. ... ” Read more from the Redding Record Searchlight here: How thousands of Redding residents could soon feel a monetary pinch from the drought
Governor’s May budget revision includes continued commitment to Clear Lake
“Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May budget revision released on Friday includes continued funding and support for rehabilitating Clear Lake. Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry announced the governor’s renewed commitment to research on and revitalization of Clear Lake through the Blue Ribbon Committee established by her AB 707. Newsom’s focus on climate change includes $371 million from the general fund to be used over two years “to facilitate groundwater recharge and capture of flood flows by repairing canals damaged by subsidence, support the state cost-share of critical federal urban flood risk reduction projects, and advance detailed, watershed-scale studies of likely climate effects to give local water managers better data for local decision-making, including rehabilitation strategies at Clear Lake,” the budget summary explained. … ” Read more from Lake County News here: Governor’s May budget revision includes continued commitment to Clear Lake
County groundwater monitoring station in Corning
“A permit has been granted by Tehama County for the establishment of a new groundwater monitoring station located at the Corning Public Works maintenance yard on Gallagher Avenue near Highway 99W. During a presentation on the project to the Tehama County Board of Supervisors, county Public Works Flood Control Manager Ryan Teubert said there will be no cost to the county as the yard is owned by Tehama County, and drilling, installation and construction costs will be paid for, and performed, by the California Department of Water Resources. ... ” Read more from the Corning Observer here: County groundwater monitoring station in Corning
No water service now for El Dorado Irrigation District’s Folsom territory
“El Dorado Irrigation District’s territory extends across the county line to a small piece of Folsom — a total of 190 acres. A developer is planning to turn that acreage into a subdivision. Currently the property is all range land and there is no request for water service. The earliest that water service could be requested may not be until 2023. El Dorado Irrigation District has been a multi-county agency since the early 1980s, according to Jesse Saich, EID communications manager. The 190 acres was annexed to EID’s territory so that the district would qualify for an exemption from the state raiding the district’s property tax allocation. … ” Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: No water service now for El Dorado Irrigation District’s Folsom territory
Folsom Lake levels continue to drop amid drought emergency, push for water conservation
“Less than a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for Northern California, Folsom Lake is standing at one of its lowest levels ever. Catherine Flemming reminisced Friday about a full Folsom Lake and how droughts have impacted the water in the past. “Back in 2015, it was a really low year. We remember a time we were able to walk through this little village that used to be down there,” she said. Ryan Ojakian is with the Regional Water Authority (RWA). Now, there’s a push from the RWA for its 20 water providers that serve about 2 million people in the Sacramento region to shift to using more groundwater than surface water to reduce reliance on Folsom Lake and the Lower American River. … ” Read more from CBS 13 here: Folsom Lake levels continue to drop amid drought emergency, push for water conservation
Around East County: Recycled water available during drought
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that Contra Costa County has been added to the state’s list of counties on his drought emergency proclamation. It didn’t take the governor’s announcement that California was experiencing a water shortage for some Oakley residents to conserve water, though. As a matter of fact, they haven’t stopped saving since the last drought ended. A couple days each week about a dozen or so congregate to fill up large tanks of recycled water at Ironhouse Sanitary District’s (ISD) Recycled Water Fill Station and swap stories about their gardens and everything else under the sun. … ” Read more from the East Bay Times here: Around East County: Recycled water available during drought
Big Basin Redwoods: State commits $186 million to wildfire rebuilding at famed park
“After last summer’s historic wildfires devastated Big Basin Redwoods State Park, environmental groups and parks advocates feared they would be busy fundraising for years to rebuild and reopen California’s oldest state park. But on Friday, in another unexpected windfall from the state’s massive revenue surplus, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised May budget promised to pick up the entire tab. The budget plan for the upcoming year includes $186 million in wildfire recovery to help reopen the beloved Santa Cruz Mountains park, where ancient redwoods date back 2,000 years and tower 300 feet tall. ... ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Big Basin Redwoods: State commits $186 million to wildfire rebuilding at famed park
We’re in a drought. So why isn’t Monterey County part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s drought declaration?
“This year, the rainy season on the Central Coast was anything but; the region experienced among its driest winters and springs on record. Although that may not be shocking news to those of us who lived through it, the actual numbers are jarring. To date, Salinas has seen 52 percent of its average rainfall, Big Sur is at 60 percent and Watsonville is at 56 percent, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. … Of course, most of us already know this, which made the specifics of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May 10 drought declaration a little confusing. Citing “extraordinarily warm temperatures in April and early May,” Newsom declared a drought emergency for 41 of the state’s 58 counties—about 30 percent of its population. Neighboring San Benito County is included, but Monterey County failed to make the cut. ... ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: We’re in a drought. So why isn’t Monterey County part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s drought declaration?
Commentary: The mission: To conserve 30% of the San Joaquin Valley’s remaining open lands for all
Pedro Hernandez (Audubon), André Sanchez (California Wilderness Coalition), and Andrew Escamilla (California League of Conservation Voters) write, “Access to the benefits of nature is a human right, but for many in the San Joaquin Valley, a healthy ecosystem and local green spaces are often out of reach. Historical patterns of habitat conversion and racial exclusion have fostered policies that pressured communities of color into neighborhoods without many basic amenities and have limited access to public lands. These same trends have also led to our region having significant adverse public health impacts and substantial loss of native animals and plants. While 22% of California’s lands and 16% of waters are protected, this percentage does not provide the resilience needed to meet the ecological and social priorities of the 21st century. In an effort to correct these trends, California and the federal government are following the lead of scientists, policy makers and community advocates by committing to conserve 30% of our lands and waters by the year 2030. … ” Continue reading at the Fresno Bee here: Commentary: The mission: To conserve 30% of the San Joaquin Valley’s remaining open lands for all
People of Porterville brace for big drought year
“As we enter our second consecutive year of drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor now shows that more than half of Tulare County is in an Exceptional Drought, along with parts of Kern and Fresno counties. The California Legislative Analysts Office also released a new report addressing what the state can learn from the past drought from 2012-2016, which includes recommendations for how the state can better be prepared for the current drought. Right now, conservation is key. And it’s not a new concept for people in Tulare County who dealt with unthinkable drought conditions from 2012 to 2016. … ” Read more from Fox 26 here: People of Porterville brace for big drought year
‘Tough times are coming.’ 60% of Tulare County in ‘exceptional drought,’ monitor reports
“Drought Conditions increased dramatically in Tulare County over the past week, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday. Areas of “exceptional drought” expanded to include 60% of Tulare County and much of the southern Sierra Nevada in response to poor snowpack conditions, the monitor said in its weekly update. Exceptional is the worst level. Most of the rest of California is in the extreme or severe categories while small sections of the far north coast and the two southernmost counties are in moderate drought. … ” Read more from the Visalia Times-Delta here: ‘Tough times are coming.’ 60% of Tulare County in ‘exceptional drought,’ monitor reports
Ojai Valley faces continued water shortage as county marks one of its driest years
“Local residents will be required to continue to curb their water use or risk fines in parts of Ventura County as the region wraps up one of its driest years on record. The Casitas Municipal Water District board this week again declared a Stage 3 water shortage – a level first reached five years ago at the height of the 2012-16 drought in California. The board kept in place a mandatory 30% cut in water use and outdoor watering restrictions. The district manages the drought-stressed Lake Casitas, a human-made reservoir that supplies water for its Ojai Valley and Ventura customers as well as others in the area. As of Friday, the reservoir had dropped to 37.7% of capacity. ... ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Ojai Valley faces continued water shortage as county marks one of its driest years
Bakersfield: Spray parks will operate on slightly reduced schedule
“Spray parks in Bakersfield will open in just under two weeks but operate on a slightly reduced schedule as a precautionary measure due to drought conditions. The city of Bakersfield’s spray parks will open Saturday, May 29, and run from 1 to 6 p.m. daily, Tuesday through Sunday, city spokesman Joseph Conroy said. The city’s spray parks will be closed on Mondays to conserve water except on three occasions: Memorial Day, which is May 31, July 5, part of the Independence Day weekend, and on Labor Day, Sept. 6. ... ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Bakersfield: Spray parks will operate on slightly reduced schedule
Los Angeles County leaders urged to put people, wildlife first in L.A. River master plan
“The Center for Biological Diversity urged Los Angeles County officials today to enhance the ecological function of the L.A. River in its master plan, rather than placating outside interests by supporting harmful development projects. Today’s comment letters respond to the Department of Public Works’ proposed L.A. River Master Plan. The draft plan, released in January, would lead to harmful developments along the river, jeopardizing native species and displacing local communities, the letter notes. The Center’s comments urge county leaders to consider the needs of local residents and native species, not architecture firms and developers. … ” Read more from Yuba Net here: Los Angeles County leaders urged to put people, wildlife first in L.A. River master plan
In people news this weekend …
ACWA presents leadership award to Robert Dugan and Jeff Harris
“The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its 2021 Excellence in Water Leadership Award to the collaborative team of Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board Director Robert Dugan and Sacramento City Councilmember Jeff Harris. Dugan has been on the PCWA Board of Directors since 2012 and Harris has been a Sacramento City Councilmember since 2014. Working together, they have had a direct impact on protecting the upper and lower American River with a focus on drinking water quality and supply, flood control, groundwater management and forest management. The synergy between Dugan and Harris has brought focus to California’s headwater health and both have spent significant time on wildfire issues along with advancing forest management education and programs. They were also instrumental in forming the North State Water Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 water agencies committed to water quality and supply issues. ... ” Continue reading at ACWA’s Water News here: ACWA presents leadership award to Robert Dugan and Jeff Harris
ACWA’s John P. Fraser Water Leaders Fellowship awarded to Brad Arnold
“The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented its second annual John P. Fraser Water Leaders Fellowship to Brad Arnold, Water Resources Program Manager at Calaveras County Water District (CCWD). Arnold is a licensed civil engineer and is responsible for CCWD’s water supply planning efforts, policy navigation and water rights management. He holds two master’s degrees from the University of California, Davis in agricultural engineering and water resources engineering. Arnold’s work has encompassed a broad range of activities related to water supply reliability and he has supported water agencies with planning activities and analysis of various water allocation scenarios and infrastructure projects. He has worked in several different regions of California, including Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley as a consultant, the San Francisco Bay Area, and also briefly as a North-Central Region Office programmatic liaison with the California Department of Water Resources. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: ACWA’s John P. Fraser Water Leaders Fellowship awarded to Brad Arnold
Orange County Water District receives 2021 Clair Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence
“The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today presented the prestigious Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence to Orange County Water District (OCWD) for its PFAS Pilot Project. OCWD’s PFAS Pilot Project is the nation’s largest pilot testing program that tests various treatment techniques in a proactive effort to remover PFAS detected in local groundwater supplies. The district has tested multiple technologies including granular activated carbon and ion exchange products as well as novel adsorbents. The district is currently working to add 10 PFAS treatment plants throughout the area and has provided more than a year’s worth of data to help determine the most effective treatment media to remove PFAS. Phase 2 is currently under development and will test newly available adsorbents. … ” Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Orange County Water District receives 2021 Clair Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence
James E. Church, Father of snow science: The legacy that lives on more than a century later
“In California and other parts of the West, the fresh water that is provided through snowpack provides clean drinking water, renewable forms of energy and a healthy ecosystem, and one man is responsible for the way the water in that snowpack is measured, even more than 100 years after he introduced the method. … The process of measuring water content in snowpack was invented by professor James E. Church and dates back to the early 1900s and the “Lake Tahoe Water Wars,” according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). At the time, homeowners surrounding Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada were at odds with each other over when dam operators should release water from the lake. … ” Continue reading at AccuWeather here: Father of snow science: The legacy that lives on more than a century later
Podcasts …
RADIO SHOW: Journalist Steven Greenhut On California’s Drought Emergency Declaration
“Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended the drought emergency declaration to much of California, including the San Joaquin Valley. To better understand the significance of that decision, Valley Edition Host Kathleen Schock spoke to journalist Steven Greenhut. He is a columnist for the Orange County Register and the author of a book for the Pacific Research Institute called “Winning the Water Wars.”” Listen to the interview at Valley Public Radio here: Journalist Steven Greenhut On California’s Drought Emergency Declaration
WATER TALK PODCAST: Decolonizing Water Part 2:“Why not just start with the question? What if we just gave land back to Indigenous peoples?”
A conversation with Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Humboldt State University) about land and water use futures, decolonization, and communities in California (Part 2/2). Released May 14, 2021.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: Reflections of a Dairyman II
Steven Baker writes, “The importance of water is really understood when its presence in your life is threatened. The Washington state Dairy Federation knows. They have been faced with losing their water supply that traditionally has been supported by groundwater. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, Online at www.operationunite.co
In commentary this weekend …
The Hoover Dam made life in the West possible. Or so we thought.
“Few things force you to confront hubris and genius at the same time as much as the magnificent harness on the Colorado River that created the largest reservoir in the United States. To build Hoover Dam in the 1930s, an army of Depression-era daredevils poured enough concrete to form a two-lane road from Seattle to Miami. The dam powered Los Angeles and birthed modern Las Vegas. Downriver canals made Arizona habitable year-round, delivered cold water to drinking fountains in Disneyland and created an Eden for winter vegetables in Southern California. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: The Hoover Dam made life in the West possible. Or so we thought.
In national news this weekend …
Water stress is the ongoing crisis you can’t ignore
“Climate change is no longer an existential threat in theory; it’s already negatively affecting us. Just take a look at recent years’ unprecedented fires, heat waves, hurricanes, sea level rise, and more. While it may seem as though you’re immune to them if, say, you don’t live in areas that are prone to fires or flooding, there isn’t a single part of the country that will be spared from new climate-related challenges in coming years. And the most widespread impact is one you might not even have on your radar: water stress. … ” Read more from Well & Good here: Water stress is the ongoing crisis you can’t ignore
Catch up on last week’s news in the Weekly Digest …
WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for May 9-14: Advancing Flood MAR: What are the possibilities?; DSOD’S proposed new dam safety regulations; Newsom drought declaration, and all the week’s water news
Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …
NOTICE: Tudor Mutual Water Company files petition to transfer 1,200 AF to State Water Project Contractor’s service areas
NOTICE: Carmichael WD files petition to transfer up to 1,889 AF to Santa Clara Valley Water District and State Water Contractors Dry Year Transfer Program
IRRIGATED LANDS REGULATORY PROGRAM: Example Revisions Available: Preliminary DRAFT Resolution for Managed Wetlands in the ILRP
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for the 11th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge
CA DROUGHT: Natural Resource Agency launches Drought Preparedness Webpage and 2021 State Adaption Strategy Kick-Off Webinar
