DAILY DIGEST, weekend edition: How data science can help the drought; Record spring salmon run on Butte Creek turns into disaster; CA says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control; Biden bid to revamp Trump water rule faces long slog; and more …

In California water news this weekend …

California’s drought is getting worse. In a Q&A, Laurel Larsen explains how data science can help.

“California is amidst a period of intensifying drought. As of July 8, Governor Gavin Newsrom (D-Calif.) had issued drought emergency declarations for 50 of the state’s 58 counties and had urged local residents to voluntarily reduce their water use. Californians have seen dry periods like this before that prompted water scarcity concerns. But climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of these events, leading to increased public health and environmental concern.  We spoke with Laurel Larsen, a UC Berkeley associate professor of geography and Berkeley Institute for Data Science faculty affiliate who researches future clean water availability using data science. Larsen, who is currently on leave from Berkeley while serving as lead scientist at the Delta Stewardship Council, talked about water resource management in California and data science’s role in it. … ”  Continue reading at UC Berkeley here: California’s drought is getting worse. In a q&a, Laurel Larsen explains how data science can help.

Lake Oroville feet away from historic low, could beat record in coming days

“How low can Lake Oroville go? While losing over a foot of water each day, historically low is the answer.  The lake is on track to beat its lowest recorded record: 645 feet above sea level in September 1977. Friday, it sits at 646.97 feet, just feet away from a new record.  This could drop dramatically further to 620 feet by late October, according to Molly White, Water Operations Manager for the Department of Water Resources (DWR). … ”  Read more from KRCR here: Lake Oroville feet away from historic low, could beat record in coming days

Record spring salmon run on Butte Creek turns into disaster as most fish die before spawning

Dan Bacher writes, “In a record drought year where nearly all juvenile Sacramento River winter run Chinook salmon are expected to die before spawning below Shasta Dam due to water mismanagement by the state and federal governments, the return of a record run of adult spring run Chinook salmon on Butte Creek this year was welcome news.  A record run of over 18,000 spring Chinook has returned to Butte Creek, a Sacramento River tributary, the second largest since 20,000 fish ascended the creek in 1998, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Alan Harthorn of Friends of Butte Creek estimates the size of this year’s run to be even larger, 25,000 fish.  Yet this has all changed recently. The potential of a successful spawn becomes increasingly dim as thousands of adult spring run salmon on Butte Creek die before spawning.  “Disaster is really hitting home on Butte Creek, where over 12,000 adult spring run salmon have died prematurely,” said Harthorn. “There may be only a few thousand left to spawn if we’re lucky.” … ”  Read more from Dan Bacher at the Daily Kos here: Record spring salmon run on Butte Creek turns into disaster as most fish die before spawning

Better water management needed to restore salmon populations: experts testify at CA joint committee meeting this week

“Fish, farms or people? Water managers are facing hard choices about who gets first dibs on an ever dwindling supply of water in the state’s reservoirs resulting from severe drought conditions. Fish have historically been last on the priorities list in drought years and that’s had negative ripple effects across tribal and coastal communities, according to testimony presented July 27 at a Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture chaired by North Coast State Sen. Mike McGuire. … ”  Read more from the Mendocino Beacon here: Better water management needed to restore salmon populations: experts testify at CA joint committee meeting this week

Hatcheries’ drought preparation aids salmon survival

“When drought comes to California, fish engage in a struggle to survive. Less rain and snow means a drop in water quality, warmer water and less streamflow, leading to increased disease and predation for many species.  At Northern California’s national fish hatcheries, early drought planning and intervention can be the key to survival for millions of juvenile salmon.  “We were talking about [drought response] in January, hoping weather conditions would improve, but developing a game plan in case they didn’t,” said Brett Galyean, project leader for Coleman and Livingston Stone national fish hatcheries. “We were able to release about 11.8 million fall-run Chinook salmon before river conditions turned poor because we planned ahead and used the tools in our toolbox.” … ”  Read more from the US FWS here: Hatcheries’ drought preparation aids salmon survival

State cannot move forward on Lookout Slough until public access addressed

“The Delta Stewardship Council has sided with a group that argued the state Department of Water Resources did not adequately address the issue of public access and recreational opportunities related to the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Management Project.  “Liberty Island Access won our appeal against the California Department of Water Resources Lookout Slough Project,” Taylor Dahlke, one of the leaders of the access group, said in an email to the Daily Republic. … ”  Read more from the Daily Republic here: State cannot move forward on Lookout Slough until public access addressed

Wildfire smoke alters a lake’s ecology from the top to the bottom of the food chain

“Wildfires have been big news the last couple of years. Australia’s wildfires in 2019 and 2020 made headlines around the world. The American west has had record-breaking burns in recent years, blanketing cities in dangerous amounts of smoke and sending haze across the continent to the east coast.  For smoke’s clearly apparent effects in the sky, new research finds it changed the ecology of Castle Lake, a freshwater lake in California, in 2018.  “There are some studies that have analyzed the effect of human health in respiration with the smoke of wildfire,” said Facundo Scordo, a postdoctoral researcher at the Global Water Center of the University of Nevada—Reno. “What we found in the paper is that the respiration of the lake has been affected by the smoke in the same way it affects human life.” ... ”  Read more from the Environmental Monitor here: Wildfire smoke alters a lake’s ecology from the top to the bottom of the food chain

Drought is pushing more saltwater into the Delta. California built a wall to keep it out.

“Drought conditions have prompted the building of a 750-foot wide rock barrier to prevent saltwater intrusion into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.  The California Department of Water Resources constructed the temporary barrier with 110,000 cubic yards of rock off West False River in Contra Costa County. Principal engineer Jacob McQuirk said that without the barrier, saltwater would endanger freshwater supplies in the Delta and water exports to the south. … ”  Read more from Capital Public Radio here:  Drought is pushing more saltwater into the Delta. California built a wall to keep it out.

Space photos show intense drying of California mountains

“The drys are getting drier.  NASA satellite photos underscore how snow trends are significantly changing in the Sierra Nevada — the mighty mountain range California heavily relies on for water, which irrigates the Golden State’s prosperous growth of fruits and vegetables.  Snow and rainfall naturally vary in California, referred to as “boom and bust” cycles. But dry spells have become more frequent and intense. “Over the past 10 years, there have been fewer boom years, while the dry years have been getting drier,” snow scientist McKenzie Skiles told NASA. … ”  Read more from Mashable here:  Space photos show intense drying of California mountains

OEHHA issues highly anticipated draft public health goals for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water

“Last week, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) released draft public health goals (PHGs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. OEHHA’s announcement is several years in the making and is relevant for water purveyors and municipalities providing other related services such as wastewater treatment because PHGs are used to create enforceable drinking water standards and remediation goals for groundwater contamination. OEHHA’s development of PHGs is also relevant for assessing risk values under California’s Proposition 65. The public comment period on OEHHA’s draft PHGs begins July 30, 2021 and ends September 28, 2021. ... ”  Read more from Downey Brand here: OEHHA issues highly anticipated draft public health goals for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water

Updated computer models released for key California water projects

“The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today released the next versions of two computer models that simulate operations of the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP). Water managers use the models – CalSim II and CalSim 3 – to examine project operations under various assumptions for hydrologic conditions, project  facilities and regulatory requirements.  “Having the ability to model events in a virtual world is a tremendous help in drought planning and improving sustainability of our water resources,” said Erik Reyes, DWR’s Supervising Engineer. “These highly complex and extensive models allow for studying a number of key changed conditions, including climate change.” … ”  Read more from DWR News here: Updated computer models released for key California water projects

California says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control

“Volunteer fire chief Kathy Catron wants answers about why the Sugar fire ever grew large enough to burn her town, why it wasn’t put out before it exploded and turned uncontrollable.  “It never should have got here,” said Catron, a former school bus driver who runs a 16-person department in this Lassen County town staffed mostly by friends and family, including her kids. “It never should have happened.”  Raging July fires are becoming the norm in California. So is the animus of Catron and others about how they are fought— especially on federal lands and in their early hours — and who makes those choices. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: California says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control

As extreme heat and wildfires rage, a ‘protection gap’ threatens Californians

“Over the past decade, wildfires and extreme heat have destabilized California in ways both dramatic and subtle: 4.2 million acres burned last year alone, most of the state is experiencing emergency levels of drought, and heat-related deaths are on the rise. These climate-driven disasters have worsened the state’s housing crisis, as insurance in risky areas becomes unaffordable or unavailable entirely: California homeowners living in areas at high risk for wildfires have seen their premiums rise by as much as 500 percent.  For the past two years, the California Insurance Working Group, a team of environmental advocates, researchers, and insurance industry representatives, has been meeting at the behest of the state legislature to answer a set of particularly thorny questions about insurance coverage in the Golden State. Last week, the group released an 88-page report outlining a slew of recommendations to better protect Californians from wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat. … ”  Read more from Grist here: As extreme heat and wildfires rage, a ‘protection gap’ threatens Californians

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In commentary this weekend …

Drought is putting Northern California water supply at risk

The Mercury News and East Bay Times editorial board writes, “Bay Area residents are just beginning to understand the gravity of the region’s water challenges.  Ensuring a reliable source of water should be a major priority for California governors and state and local water officials. Instead of focusing on intensive efforts at water conservation and recycling, they have done next to nothing for the past two decades despite the projected impacts of climate change on water supplies.  The current drought now covers 85% of California. Santa Clara Valley Water District Board President Tony Estremera has warned residents that “we could face the possibility there will not be enough water (next year) to meet basic demands without serious risk of subsidence in 2022.” … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Drought is putting Northern California water supply at risk

It’s time again for water officials to sound the alarm

The Ventura County Star editorial board writes, “California’s five-year drought that ended in 2016 was brutal, one of the most severe in history. It unfolded during historic statewide high temperatures and included the driest four-year period on record and the lowest Sierra Nevada snowpack ever recorded.   It took sacrifice and resolve, but the state made it through that challenge, thanks in part to a 25 percent reduction in urban water use mandated by former Gov. Jerry Brown.   Now drought conditions have returned — and arguably the underlying conditions are worse than those experienced five years ago. Temperatures continue to rise, setting all-time records last summer, and parched conditions have extended throughout most of the West, stressing the Colorado River basin. … It is time again for all of California to show its collective resiliency. … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here: It’s time again for water officials to sound the alarm

Newsom isn’t treating drought seriously due to his recall politics but Harder does

Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “It’s too bad Josh Harder isn’t in Sacramento instead of Congress.  Not only does he refrain from partisan politics for the most part although those who don’t understand why a Democrat would vote for Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker as opposed to Kevin McCarthy will argue that point, but Harder knows a drought when he sees one.  The second term 10th District congressman this past week noted that California is in dire straits.  Harder pointed out the reservoirs we rely on are at a lower point now than they were at the depth of the last drought that ended in 2019. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Newsom isn’t treating drought seriously due to his recall politics but Harder does

In regional water news this weekend …

Humboldt County Supes override Drought Task Force, pass on cannabis water cutback, well moratorium

“Cannabis farmers concerned about Humboldt County’s movement toward new well use restrictions are relieved to learn that they’re off the table for now.  ​As the Board of Supervisors approved a drought emergency proclamation at its July 20 meeting, staff was directed to develop a “scope of work” for new well permitting criteria and possibly new ordinances regulating groundwater use.  ​But the most alarming recommendations from a Drought Task Force – curtailment of cannabis planting and a moratorium on new wells – are not being followed for now. ... ”  Read more from the Mad River Union here: Humboldt County Supes override Drought Task Force, pass on cannabis water cutback, well moratorium

Study: North Coast cannabis growers rely more on groundwater amid debate over drought restrictions

“A new study has found that cannabis farms in California’s prime growing regions, including the North Coast, rely primarily on groundwater wells to irrigate their crop as opposed to streams, providing more insight into the debate over water scarcity as the state grapples with a historic drought.  The Cannabis Research Center at UC Berkeley report found that well water use by cannabis farms is common statewide, exceeding 75% among farms that have permits to grow in nine of the 11 top cannabis-producing counties that include Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties.  The study released this month was compiled from water source data by permitted cannabis farms — though a large percentage of the industry is still in the shadows and unregulated by state and local agencies. The researchers were able to estimate that 60% of the unregulated cannabis farms in the prime growing region of Humboldt and Mendocino counties also use groundwater to irrigate. ... ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Study: North Coast cannabis growers rely more on groundwater amid debate over drought restrictions

Commentary: The drought is different this time. Everyone in the Sacramento region must conserve water

Ralph Propper, president of the Environmental Council of Sacramento, and Tom Gray, general manager of the Fair Oaks Water District, write, “California is in the grip of another extreme drought. The consequences can be seen all over the Sacramento region and, unfortunately, the worst is yet to come.  We expect to see water levels in the American River this fall that may reach historic lows. This will be difficult not only for people who enjoy recreating in our scenic river corridor, but also for the salmon, steelhead and other native species that need water to survive and reproduce.  That’s why we’re urging everyone in the Sacramento region to start conserving water in earnest. … ”  Continue reading at the Sacramento Bee here: The drought is different this time. Everyone in the Sacramento region must conserve water

Yolo County issues emergency proclamation over drought, asks for water conservation

“Yolo County issued an emergency proclamation this week affecting all unincorporated areas, urging residents to conserve water amid a severe California drought.  In a news release, county officials said that “exceptional drought conditions in the unincorporated areas” prompted a call for people to voluntarily save water as much of the state grapples with extremely dry conditions.  “The severity of the drought in Yolo County highlights the need to take simple actions to conserve water to ensure sustainable water supplies,” Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Provenza said in a prepared statement. “As a community effort, we ask that residents do what they can to conserve water.” … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Yolo County issues emergency proclamation over drought, asks for water conservation

Russian River: As river dries up, saving water is pivotal

Brenda Adelman, Board Chair for the Russian River Watershed Protection Committee, writes, “Months ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom, facing a recall campaign while managing extraordinary wildfires COVID-19 and worsening drought, called for a voluntary water conservation effort that initially targeted only Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Not too much later, as the greatest reservoirs in the state came closer to reaching their lowest levels, Newsom asked the entire state to voluntarily reduce water usage by 15%, while never calling for mandatory savings. In the meantime, water levels went down, down, down.  As conditions became much worse, local reductions became mandatory. Most cities and counties had followed orders to save water with short showers messages, restricted garden watering, full dishwashers and clothes washers, etc. Yet the situation continued to become worse. … ”  Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Russian River: As river dries up, saving water is pivotal

San Benito: Water agency releases draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan for public review.

“The San Benito County Water District, which manages groundwater around Hollister, has released for public review a draft plan that will set out ways to ensure healthy, equitable supplies of the local resource.  District officials on July 29 made their draft of the North San Benito Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan available for a 90-day public review as required by state law.  The periodically updated 357-page document assesses water levels and land use conditions. It proposes ways the district can manage water for long-term groundwater sustainability. ... ”  Read more from Benito Link here: Water agency releases draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan for public review.

San Lorenzo Valley Water District shift approach for nonpayment

“Even after the pandemic subsides, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) will not turn off customer’s water supply for nonpayment.  SLVWD Manager Rick Rogers in an interview said the board has “a strong position that we should not be turning people’s water off for nonpayment. It’s a fundamental right, but we also have to pay our bills.”  SLVWD, Rogers said, will no longer issue a 48-hour tag for nonpayment. Instead, the district will, once a year, move any outstanding bills onto residents’ property tax bills.  “The outstanding monies will be paid that way, instead of watching our customers struggle each month to pay their bill,” Rogers said. “There will be a lag in the district’s receipt of those funds, but we think it’s better for our ratepayers overall.” … ”  Read more from the Press Banner here: San Lorenzo Valley Water District shift approach for nonpayment

Santa Cruz Column: Water remains an issue that divides us

Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Santa Cruz, writes, “Almost any new project in Santa Cruz become controversial almost the day it is proposed. You are often either for it or against it, and desal is no exception. There is often not much middle ground. A former Santa Cruz City Council member once told me from his years on the council that what typically happens with most new proposals is that a line gets drawn, and one group gets on one side, the other gets on the opposite side and they duke it out for months or longer. He said a more productive approach is to draw a circle and put both groups inside and start to find common ground to work toward a solution. Never easy. … ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here:  Water remains an issue that divides us

In drought’s grip, Manteca- Lathrop has flood worries

“South San Joaquin County as well as the rest of California is in severe drought. But one of the big worries of more than a few people including rural South Manteca farmers and residents, elected leaders in Manteca and Lathrop, and the handful of city residents not oblivious to the fact they reside in one of the most flood prone areas in California is too much water. On Monday when the forecast calls for a high of 93 degrees with absolutely no chance of rain, the San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency (SJAFCA) is updating the community on the Manteca dryland levee project. It is part of an overall effort to protect all of Lathrop on the east side of the San Joaquin River as well as a wide swath of western Manteca along much of the Airport Way corridor, French Camp, the county hospital and jail, as well as the Weston Ranch portion of Stockton from the ravishes of a 200-year flood. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: In drought’s grip, Manteca- Lathrop has flood worries

Porterville: Tribe-City authority to oversee water treatment projects proposed

“An agreement between the City of Porterville and the Tule River Tribe to form the Porterville Area Development Authority has been proposed.  The authority would oversee more than $25 million in water treatment projects that are being developed as part of the construction of the relocated, new Eagle Mountain Casino near the Porterville Municipal Airport. In addition the authority would also oversee the transportation needs of the new casino.  The agreement continues to call for the City of Porterville to finance the two major water treatment projects and for the Tule River Tribe to reimburse the city for its share of the cost of one of the projects. ... ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Porterville: Tribe-City authority to oversee water treatment projects proposed

Paso Robles shares FAQs regarding urban water management plan

“The City of Paso Robles recently shared the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan and answered some frequently asked questions about the plan. The City’s Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) is a water supply planning document that the city updates every five years. … ”  Read more from the Paso Robles Daily Press here:  Paso Robles shares FAQs regarding urban water management plan

Ridgecrest: DWR urges ‘collaborative solution’ to Indian Wells Valley water woes

“The California Department of Water Resources issued a letter July 16 in response to the IWV Water District’s request for adjudication and the Indian Wells Groundwater Authority’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan.  In it, the DWR acknowledges the difficulties facing local entities in balancing the basin and complying with the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, but urges “collaborative solutions” to local water problems.  “DWR recognizes that SGMA implementation is not without challenges,” according to the letter. “Management of groundwater in the Indian Wells Valley presents extraordinary challenges due to the Basin’s very low annual rainfall, decades of substantial overdraft, complex groundwater rights issues, and geographical isolation that limits water transfer opportunities. … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest: DWR urges ‘collaborative solution’ to Indian Wells Valley water woes

Hyperion plant still releasing partially treated sewage 5 miles offshore

“Millions of gallons of partially treated sewage continues to flow into the Santa Monica Bay from the damaged Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, says the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.  Operations at Hyperion have been disrupted since an unusually high amount of trash and debris flooded the plant July 11, leading to an emergency discharge of an estimated 17 million gallons of raw sewage from a pipeline a mile from shore. Flooding within the plant damaged facilities and equipment, causing even its treated sewage — released daily 200 feet below the surface from a 5-mile-long pipe — to fail to meet state pollution limits for the last two weeks, according to Renee Purdy, executive officer of the regional board. … ”  Read more from the Whittier Daily News here: Hyperion plant still releasing partially treated sewage 5 miles offshore

Bacteria at some LA County beaches near Dockweiler continues to exceed state standards

“Special water sampling has determined several Los Angeles County beaches near Dockweiler State Beach continue to exceed state standards for bacteria in water, the Department of Public Health announced Friday.  The department advised the public to be careful of swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers in the affected areas.  There was no reason to suspect that the increases in beach water bacteria are due to the July 11 discharge of 17 million gallons of raw sewage into the ocean from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, according to the department. … ”  Continue reading at KABC here: Bacteria at some LA County beaches near Dockweiler continues to exceed state standards

West Basin reveals costs of desalination as public meeting set for Monday

“A proposed ocean water desalination plant that processes 20 million gallons of seawater daily would cost $514 to $740 million, depending on its design, according to a report released Friday, July 30, by the West Basin Municipal Water District.  The plant would also require nearly $20 million per year to operate.  In order to pay for the project, West Basin would need to increase its annual service charge fees by 10% per year for the next decade, the report said. … ”  Read more from the Daily Breeze here: West Basin reveals costs of desalination as public meeting set for Monday

Along the Colorado River …

Is Utah using all the Colorado River water it’s entitled to? New state agency wants to find out

“The future of Utah’s relationship with the Colorado River began to take shape in downtown Salt Lake City on Friday, as the newly created Colorado River Authority of Utah held its first meeting.  The organization, created by the Utah Legislature during the 2021 session, was formed “to protect, conserve, and develop Utah’s Colorado River system interests,” according to the agency’s website. The agency, which is officially under Gov. Spencer Cox’s office, consists of six appointed members representing water interests from around the state.  The agency comes into existence as one of the most severe droughts in recent memory grips the state. Almost 99% of the state is experiencing extreme drought. … ”  Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Is Utah using all the Colorado River water it’s entitled to? New state agency wants to find out

Even in an epically dry year, water flows into parched Colorado River Delta

“Seven years ago, a pulse of water on the Colorado River at the U.S.-Mexico border temporarily reconnected it to the Pacific Ocean. Scientists used the so-called “pulse flow” to study what plant and animal life returned to the desiccated delta along with water.  Armed with that knowledge, scientists and conservation groups are trying a new and more targeted strategy to bring water back to the final 100 miles of the Colorado River this year.  It’s an attempt to reconnect portions of the river left dry from decades of overuse, and it’s happening in one of the driest years the basin has ever seen. … ”  Read more from KUNC here: Even in an epically dry year, water flows into parched Colorado River Delta

Commentary: Arizona’s coming water shortage: Getting the story right

David Schaller, a retired EPA environmental scientist and Tucson native, writes, “Water has never been a straightforward matter in Arizona. It will be insisting on our attention again soon and we’d best get the storyline right.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to announce a shortage declaration at Lake Mead in mid-August, as levels sink below the trigger point for a Tier 1 cutback. For Arizona, this means a cut of 500,000+ acre-feet from our 2022 delivery of Colorado River water, fully one-third of our annual allocation under existing water agreements. ... ”  Read more from the Tucson Sentinel here:  Arizona’s coming water shortage: Getting the story right

In national water news this weekend …

Biden bid to revamp Trump water rule faces long slog

“The Biden administration’s new plan for replacing a Trump-era Clean Water Act rule that pulled back federal protections for millions of streams and wetlands runs the risk of getting bogged down in its effort to make it legally bulletproof, experts say.  EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers today said they plan to pursue a two-pronged approach of conducting rulemakings to both revoke the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule and, at the same time, begin the process of crafting a replacement.  What’s more, the Biden administration has vowed to work with industry, farmers, environmental groups, tribes and states in an effort to get public comment and craft an “enduring” solution. … ”  Read more from E&E News here: Biden bid to revamp Trump water rule faces long slog

SEE ALSO: EPA outlines plan to expand wetland protections, from E&E News

Chemours CEO touts speed of progress cutting, cleaning up PFAS

“The Chemours Co. is working quickly and effectively to reduce air and water releases of the PFAS it makes as well as the chemicals left by its predecessor, its new CEO, Mark E. Newman, told Bloomberg Law.  “We are moving as fast as we can to deal with our commitments,” Newman said in a discussion about the company’s global goals and agreements it’s carrying out under a consent order for its Fayetteville, N.C., site.  Chemours announced this week that its global operations cut fluorinated organic compound emissions—a group of chemicals that includes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS—in water to 266 metric tons in 2020 from its 2018 baseline of 556 metric tons. … ”  Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Chemours CEO touts speed of progress cutting, cleaning up PFAS

$1 trillion infrastructure plan clears another Senate hurdle

“The Senate further advanced a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure plan Friday with a bipartisan group of senators helping it clear one more hurdle and bracing to see if support can hold during the next few days of debate and efforts to amend it.  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the chamber should be able to process the legislation quickly given the bipartisan support. But as the day dragged into evening, the full text of what promises to be a massive bill was not finished by the time lawmakers adjourned.  Senators will return for a rare Saturday session as they push through a lengthy process. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: $1 trillion infrastructure plan clears another Senate hurdle

Catch up on last week’s news in the Weekly Digest …

WEEKLY WATER NEWS DIGEST for July 25 – 30: Delta Conveyance Project and State Water Project operations; Primary production in the Delta; plus all the top water news of the week and more …

Also on Maven’s Notebook this weekend …

NOTICE of Proposed Emergency Rulemaking – Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed

YOUR INPUT NEEDED on funding for SGMA implementation

OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT: Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Groundwater Protection Values

DWR’s SGMO NEWSLETTER: GSP Initial Notifications, June 2021 GSP assessments release and live Q&A webinar materials; Multilingual resources; and more …

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