On the calendar today …
- FREE WEBINAR SERIES: Climate Resilience and Integrated Regional Water Management: Building successful partnerships from 8:30am to 11:00am. Day 2: How Regions are Addressing Climate Resilience; Tools and Resources Click here to register.
- The State Water Resources Control Board meets today beginning at 9am. Agenda items include a drought update and current hydrologic conditions, and update on monthly water production and conservation data reported by urban retail water suppliers, and consideration of a proposed Resolution condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity,Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
- MEETING: The Delta Independent Science Board meets today from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Agenda items include the future activities, priorities, and reinvigorating the Delta ISB; a discussion and potential action: Monitoring Enterprise Review Update; and an update on the Water Supply Reliability Review. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions
- WEBINAR: Turning the Tide on Cybersecurity for the Water Sector from 11am to 12pm. This webinar will focus on the changing cybersecurity landscape for the water sector. Nossaman attorneys and policy advisors will cover anticipated new federal statute and regulations affecting cybersecurity for water agencies and other entities deemed “critical Infrastructure; guidance on more stringent compliance policies expected to impact the water sector; possible consequences of non-compliance with the anticipated new state and federal regulations; and funding available to bolster cybersecurity platforms and protections for water providers and how to access these resources. Click here to register.
- PPIC Virtual Conference: Seizing the Drought: Water Priorities for Our Changing Climate from 11am to 12pm. Day 2: Paying for Water System Resilience Click here to register.
- PUBLIC MEETING: Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program from 2pm to 4pm. On October 13, 2021, DWR announced a 45-day public comment period for the Draft SGM Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package (PSP). The public comment period will close at 5 p.m. on November 29, 2021. A public meeting will be held to present the draft Guidelines and PSP and solicit comments. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
State’s groundwater “cop” weighs in on plans to stop over pumping and finds them lax
“As California’s Central Valley water managers nervously await the first official Department of Water Resources responses to plans for how they expect to fix massive groundwater over pumping, some were dismayed to “stumble” on comments from a different, and very powerful, state water agency.The State Water Resources Control Board quietly submitted highly critical comments on five Central Valley groundwater sustainability plans in late summer that some local groundwater agencies only recently discovered. Since the Water Board is the ultimate enforcement arm of the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the significance of these comments was immediately noted by water managers. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: State’s groundwater “cop” weighs in on plans to stop over pumping and finds them lax
Biden administration fails to answer on water grab, California republican delegation digs in on demands
“Today, Congressman David G. Valadao led the entire California Republican Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo once again expressing grave concerns with the Bureau of Reclamation’s inexplicable request to reinitiate consultation on the 2019 Biological Opinions for Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP). Despite requests for information, the administration has failed to respond by the deadlines set by the Delegation on this critical issue. In their most recent letter, the delegation demands answers from the Departments of the Interior and Commerce, digging deeper into why this anti-science, politically motivated decision was made. ... ” Read more from Congressman David Valadao here: Biden administration fails to answer on water grab, California republican delegation digs in on demands
Consolidating small water systems is a springboard to water justice
“As the state of California seeks to fix its crumbling water infrastructure, the State Water Board has embarked on an ambitious program to encourage struggling small water systems to join forces with larger, neighboring water systems. We spoke with the State Water Board’s Michelle Frederick and clean-water advocacy group Community Water Center’s Ryan Jensen about why consolidation is important, how efforts are going, and what could be improved. First of all, what are the benefits of consolidation, and what problem is it supposed to address? Michelle Frederick: We have about 2,900 community water systems that serve homes and businesses in California. Half of these systems have fewer than 100 connections. They suffer from limited staffing, they’re run by volunteer boards, and their rates don’t cover long-term improvements. … ” Read more from the PPIC here: Consolidating small water systems is a springboard to water justice
What La Niña means for California’s drought
“For California, the arrival of winter means the beginning of our rainy season, at least relatively speaking. However much precipitation California is going to receive in a year, the bulk of it typically falls between December and March. And given the severity of our state’s ongoing drought, the amount of rain we get this winter couldn’t be of more importance. A recent outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that the northern and southern halves of the state may experience diverging water fortunes this winter because of something you may already be familiar with: La Niña. … ” Read more from the New York Times here: What La Niña means for California’s drought
In a drying west, cities turn sewage into drinking water
“For the past decade, water officials in San Diego have been testing technology that would provide the city with a new source of drinking water. In a pilot facility loaded with tubes and tanks, a five-step process filters and disinfects wastewater, turning it into potable water cleaner than what comes out of most people’s faucets. The purified water is crystal clear and tasteless, says Amy Dorman, deputy director of San Diego’s Public Utilities Department. “I think even water from my tap has a taste, but this stuff doesn’t.” When Dorman started working on the project in 2010, the idea of turning wastewater into drinking water felt like a far-flung concept. But now, it’s on the verge of becoming a reality. … ” Read more from the Sierra Club here: In a drying west, cities turn sewage into drinking water
Listen: How one California city cut its water use in half
“Despite pleas to conserve water during a historic drought, Californians have not saved much at all this year. But there are exceptions. We look at how Healdsburg dramatically cut its water use.” Listen at NPR here: Listen: How one California city cut its water use in half
A space-age tool aims to bring water use down to Earth
“New satellite technology could be a critical piece to the future of water trading in the San Joaquin Valley, according to those working on the tech. OpenET, an online platform that uses satellite imagery to estimate how much water is used by different crops, launched publicly on October 21. The platform is already being tested in the San Joaquin Valley. And in January, the state will allow landowners in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to use OpenET data instead of metering their water usage. “In California we still have a long ways to go in many places to enable water trading programs,” said Christina Babbitt, director of climate resilient water systems for nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: A space-age tool aims to bring water use down to Earth
Data modernization guidance for water sector public agencies
“In 2016, the Water Policy Program (WPP) at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University launched a nationwide effort to modernize our nation’s water data infrastructure. The Internet of Water project (IoW) began with a dialogue series in partnership with the Aspen Institute and has evolved into close engagements with those in the water sector at every level, from federal to state to local policy makers, to consultants and engineers, to local water managers in both urban and rural communities, including public water utility operators and managers, to irrigators, farmers, and ranchers. The results of these engagements are now implemented in four key states (California, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas) in a variety of pilot programs. A common theme among these pilots is the need for and challenges surrounding data infrastructure modernization. What is clear from this work is that resilient water management requires modern data infrastructure. The following Implementation Guide is the result of the WPP’s Technology Adoption Research Project. The Technology Adoption Research Project follows 18 months (2019-2021) of pilot engagements and focus groups conducted by the WPP IoW team at Duke University. … ” Read more from the Internet of Water here: Data modernization guidance for water sector public agencies
Following record-wet October in NorCal, much drier & warmer conditions to persist for foreseeable future
Daniel Swain writes, “For the first time in quite a few years, this was not an autumn of fire in California. Instead, the weather has been characterized by quite wet conditions in the northern 1/3 of the state–but nearly all that impressive autumn precipitation fell during a single 2-day storm event in October. That extreme atmospheric river event, which was the subject of the last blog post–broke numerous daily and some October monthly rainfall records throughout NorCal. … I’ll cut to the chase: the next 2+ weeks are looking quite dry for most of California, especially across the southern 2/3 of the state. There will be some modest showers this week in NorCal, and very light precipitation/sprinkles could make it as far south as the SF Bay Area, but the entire state is highly likely to experience below-average precipitation for the next 2-3 weeks. ... ” Read the full post at Weather West here: Following record-wet October in NorCal, much drier & warmer conditions to persist for foreseeable future
Atmospheric river sets new records for ten Northern California counties
“Last month’s atmospheric river is setting new records for ten Northern California counties. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it was the wettest October for the ten counties since 1895. The October 24th atmospheric river cut an eastbound swath from the Sonoma County coast to El Dorado and Amador counties in the Sierra. Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, Yolo, San Joaquin, and Sacramento counties were also a part of the record-setting rainfall. … ” Read more from KFBK here: Atmospheric river sets new records for ten Northern California counties
California’s forest roads and rivers
“The Sierra Nevada mountains are the source of more than 60% of California’s water, with much of that originating in small headwater streams. Unfortunately, the water supply and water quality coming from these streams is at risk from record setting wildfires, climate change, loss of riparian habitats, and the extensive network of forest roads. The national forests of the Sierra Nevada include nearly 47,000 miles of forest roads. While they provide important access to the Sierra Nevada, especially for fuels treatments and firefighting, this road network negatively impacts our water supply and water quality by transporting eroded sediment and runoff to waterways. In fact, forest roads are the main source of chronic sediment pollution in our headwaters. Even a quarter mile of dirt road could be losing 20 to 40 tons of sediment every year. That’s three to five dump trucks full of dirt annually! … ” Read more from American River here: California’s forest roads and rivers
‘Mountain Rain or Snow’ seeks citizen scientists and winter storm reports
“During the winter, a few degrees can make all the difference between digging your car out of a snowbank and rushing rivers overtopping their banks. Why? Winter storms at near-freezing temperatures have notoriously fickle precipitation, with mixes of rain and snow. While the air temperature difference between the two may be slight, the real-world consequences can be huge. What’s more, the computer models we use to predict weather and streamflow often struggle to predict whether rain or snow will fall when temperatures are right around 32°F. Satellites don’t do much better. What this means is that scientists need your help! … ” Read more from EurekAlert here: ‘Mountain Rain or Snow’ seeks citizen scientists and winter storm reports
Trees drill into deep bedrock for water surprisingly often
“Naturalists have long noted isolated examples of tree roots boring far down through loose soil and into the unforgiving bedrock below—rare incursions that were deemed a mere curiosity. But in 2013 hydrologist Daniella Rempe probed deep into a northern California hillside and found tree roots extracting substantial amounts of moisture from pores and crannies in the rock, where groundwater had seeped in and become trapped. “We wanted to assess how big of a phenomenon this was,” says Erica McCormick, an ecohydrologist in Rempe’s laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. So the team decided to map plants’ bedrock water use across the continental U.S. ... ” Read more from Scientific American here: Trees drill into deep bedrock for water surprisingly often
Fresno lawmaker roughs up Feds amid push to cut back wildfire prevention efforts
“While federal wildlife officials are pushing to designate a wide swath of the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range as protected habitat, Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig has emerged as a leading opponent of the move, pressing for greater forest management in the Sierras. Magsig, whose district covers the Sierra Nevada portion of Fresno County, penned a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late October opposing the proposal to dedicate over 550,000 acres as critical habitat for the fisher mammal. If the federal officials implement the proposal, preserving the denning habitats of the weasel-like Fisher would be a top priority in the selected region ranging from Tuolumne County to Tulare County, meaning forest management services would be held out. … ” Read more from SJV Sun here: Fresno lawmaker roughs up Feds amid push to cut back wildfire prevention efforts
The ring in the ashes:Why FEMA’s billion-dollar program to prevent disasters failed to save Mount Olive Road
” … This was the road where Michael had lived for most of his life, where Jeremy, 40, had grown up, and where both men had worked every day making granite countertops. It had always felt safe to them. But a map filed away in a county office told a different story: The local emergency management department had traced Mount Olive in brown highlighter, singling it out as a place highly likely to burn in a wildfire. The county wanted to clear away dry grass and thin the trees to reduce this risk. That work can cost millions of dollars, and so in 2018, Grass Valley applied for a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Then came a record-breaking wildfire season, and then an even bigger one, and when the fires started again this summer, the county was still awaiting FEMA’s decision. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: The ring in the ashes:Why FEMA’s billion-dollar program to prevent disasters failed to save Mount Olive Road
Passage of federal infrastructure bill …
State water storage gets $1.5 billion, as part of Biden’s trillion-dollar plan
“California and the Valley stand to gain plenty from President Biden’s trillion-dollar infrastructure package. We talked one-on-one with Fresno Congressman Jim Costa to learn what’s in it for the Valley. Water storage, drinking water infrastructure, widening sections of highways 99 and 41, expanding broadband access, airport improvements and the list goes on. … ” Read more from KMPH here: State water storage gets $1.5 billion, as part of Biden’s trillion-dollar plan
Infrastructure legislation signed by President Biden
“President Joe Biden recently signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, garnering praise from a variety of agricultural groups. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure legislation includes $550 billion in new spending over the next five years. Funding will be used to address issues of roads and bridges, broadband expansion, improvements on ports and inland waterways, and much-needed investment in water infrastructure. Various industry groups and agricultural organizations have been supportive of the legislation’s progress as it made its way to President Biden’s desk. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Infrastructure legislation signed by President Biden
Northern California leaders cheer funding infusion for infrastructure, but Huffman calls bill short of ‘transformative’
“North Bay officials hailed the prospect of long-awaited investments in the region’s internet connectivity, roadways, transit systems and electric grid Monday as President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion dollar infrastructure package into law on the White House lawn. Here at home, sums of federal money unprecedented in decades are expected soon to begin flowing to public transportation, roads and bridges. Though local leaders said it was too soon to put precise dollar figures on what might reach Sonoma County and the region, White House officials projected California will receive nearly $45 billion just through baseline boosts to infrastructure funding. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Northern California leaders cheer funding infusion for infrastructure, but Huffman calls bill short of ‘transformative’
Infrastructure bill will help address declining water levels and drought in the West
“The recent passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) brings hope for birds, ecosystems, and communities in the arid West. The Act is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration, addressing long-awaited infrastructure needs with historic amounts of funding for transportation, electricity, and broadband internet projects. Audubon widely supported this bill, especially funding that will address the ongoing climate crisis, including for clean energy projects, climate resiliency upgrades, transit, and electric vehicles. But more funding, including many of the proposals in the current reconciliation bill, is needed to more completely address our changing climate and water security challenges. … ” Read more from Audubon here: Infrastructure bill will help address declining water levels and drought in the West
Commentary: A once-in-a-generation investment in Western water
Dan Keppen, executive director of Family Farm Alliance, writes, “President Joe Biden on Nov. 15 signed into law the biggest U.S. infrastructure package in decades, including $8.3 billion for Western water infrastructure, advanced by a coalition led by Family Farm Alliance and other Western ag and water organizations. This is a great victory for Western water users, particularly those farmers and ranchers who are served water by the federal Bureau of Reclamation. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Commentary: A once-in-a-generation investment in Western water
Today’s featured article …
GUEST ARTICLE: 5 things every Californian should know about this drought
Article authored by Debbie Franco, Managing Director, Water Solutions Network
We are inclined to see water in isolation from everything else. We see this drought as an emergency condition that we need to respond to and recover from in the same way that we see wildfires, floods, and mudslides. In fact, all of these “emergencies” are interconnected and part of the extreme and unpredictable conditions that we have today and will likely increase in the future.
Click here to read this article.
BLOG ROUND-UP: Pondering mysteries in California water management; Drought can be managed – lack of preparation and common sense cannot; Considerations for designing groundwater markets; and more …
Click here to read this article.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Beating botulism: How stakeholders avoided disaster on Tule Lake Refuge this summer
“Heading into 2021’s historically dry summer, the question on Lower Klamath and Tule Lake national wildlife refuges wasn’t whether waterbirds would succumb to botulism — it was how many. Because the naturally occurring bacteria spreads like wildfire in warm, stagnant water, refuge managers needed to take actions to eliminate as much of that threat as possible. Stakeholders decided they needed to do something to avoid a situation similar to last year, when more than 60,000 molting ducks died of botulism on Tule Lake Refuge. They consolidated water and instituted unprecedented operations, at one point draining an area of open water that hadn’t been dry in millions of years. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Beating botulism: How stakeholders avoided disaster on Tule Lake Refuge this summer
Reclamation announces $2.7 million for Klamath River coho salmon
“The Bureau of Reclamation announced today $2.7 million for the 2021-2024 Klamath River Coho Restoration Grant Program. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will administer the grant program, which will fund activities and projects to enhance survival and recovery of natural populations of coho salmon in the Klamath River Basin. “Reclamation, along with our partners, is taking significant steps to restore habitat and coho salmon populations in the lower Klamath Basin,” said Klamath Basin Area Office Acting Area Manager Jared Bottcher. “We are pleased to provide additional funds to this important grant program to continue our efforts. Through implementation of the grant program, Reclamation has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring resilient coho salmon populations and their habitat in the Basin.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation announces $2.7 million for Klamath River coho salmon
Stakeholders in Klamath Dam removal plan prepare final ‘sprint’ to meet 2023 target for river restoration
“After more than a decade of painstaking negotiations — of deals made and broken, of well-laid plans crumbling under the weight of conflicting goals, corporate greed and bureaucratic inertia — the largest river restoration project in American history is once again moving forward, and stakeholders are optimistic. “We are really getting close,” said Amy Cordalis, a Yurok Tribal fisherwoman and attorney who serves on the board of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC). “It’s kind of that sprint at the end of a run, that little kick, and that’s it. Our contractors are ready to go; the permits are coming in line; so it is time. It’s time for these dams to be removed.” ... ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Stakeholders in Klamath Dam removal plan prepare final ‘sprint’ to meet 2023 target for river restoration
Removal of four PacifiCorp dams on Klamath River slated to begin in early 2023
Dan Bacher writes, “If all goes as planned, the removal of four PacifiCorp Dams on the Klamath River that have blocked salmon and steelhead migration for over 100 years will begin in early 2023, according to Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) Executive Director Mark Bransom. Branson spoke at a press briefing on Friday that also featured Yurok Tribe Lawyer Amy Cordallis, Trout Unlimited CA Director Brian Johnson, Karuk Tribe Natural Resources Policy Consultant Craig Tucker, Sustainable Northwest Klamath Basin Manager Kelly Delpit and PCFFA Northwest Director Glen Spain. Tucker moderated the event. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos here: Removal of four PacifiCorp dams on Klamath River slated to begin in early 2023
Helicopter flies large “hoop” over Ukiah Valley to measure groundwater basin
“The helicopter you may have seen flying over the Ukiah Valley while carrying what looked like a large hoop in recent days is being used to measure the large aquifer that supplies groundwater to many crucial wells in the region, including those relied upon by the city of Ukiah. According to the California Department of Water Resources, this month was the first time the Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) method was used to survey the Ukiah Valley groundwater basin, though it has been used in the Sacramento Valley, Salinas Valley and Indian Wells Valley. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Helicopter flies large “hoop” over Ukiah Valley to measure groundwater basin
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Public comment period opens on proposed new reservoir in the Central Valley
“A plan to create a new man-made lake for water storage is now another step closer to development. The United States Bureau of Reclamation is releasing their latest updated plans on the proposed Sites Reservoir north of the San Joaquin Delta. The proposed Sites Reservoir would hold up to 1,500,000 acre-feet of water. That’s three times the size of Millerton Lake. ... ” Read more from Your Central Valley here: Public comment period opens on proposed new reservoir in the Central Valley
NAPA/SONOMA
Yountville seeks savings following California’s 20% reservoir cut during drought
“While California is asking cities and residents to voluntarily cut their water use during a historically severe drought, one Napa Valley town is being left with little choice. Yountville is working to adjust to a 20% cutback in the amount of water it receives from state-owned Rector Reservoir, its only full-time source. Rector, which also supplies the nearby Veterans Home of California, is providing the town of about 2,800 people with a maximum of only 400 acre-feet of water for the year ending June 2022, compared with the usual 500 acre-feet. … ” Read more from the Napa Register here: Yountville seeks savings following California’s 20% reservoir cut during drought
BAY AREA
Rain returns to the San Francisco Bay Area forecast
“Weather models last week showed no rain in sight in the San Francisco Bay Area through Thanksgiving, but more recent runs on the models revealed a chance for light rain by Thursday into Friday, the National Weather Service said. A weather system pushing into the Pacific Northwest will drag a weak cold front across Northern California, and on Monday it wasn’t clear how far south the rain would make it. “The greater chance is in the North Bay with a lesser chance as you move south,” said Roger Gass, a forecaster with the weather service’s Bay Area office in Monterey. “Overall, we’re looking at rainfall amounts of a tenth of an inch. We could see closer to a quarter to a half inch in the coastal ranges of Sonoma County. Overall we’re not expecting a big rain event.” … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Rain returns to the San Francisco Bay Area forecast
CENTRAL COAST
Why do SLO County rainfall totals differ so much between coast and inland areas?
“On Nov. 9, a weak cold front with southwesterly winds moved through the Central Coast and produced some much-needed rain in the coastal regions, but only sprinkles and light rain in the inland areas. The Santa Maria and Lompoc airports recorded around one-tenth of an inch of rain, while Santa Ynez Airport only saw a few hundredths of an inch. On the southwesterly side of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Dawn Dunlap at the Walter Ranch above Cambria and the rain gauge at Rocky Butte above San Simeon reported about one inch of rain, while Paso Robles Municipal Airport only saw one one-hundredth of an inch. So, what caused such a difference in rainfall totals between the coastal regions and the inland valleys of San Luis Obispo County? … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune here: Why do SLO County rainfall totals differ so much between coast and inland areas?
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Environmental groups say safety measures lacking as Santa Susana Field Lab buildings demolished
“Two environmental groups sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday, Nov. 15, calling for disciplining state officials who they allege allowed the demolition of two highly radioactive Cold War-era buildings at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory without notifying authorities and properly suppressing contaminated dust. State officials, meanwhile, issued a statement saying appropriate health and safety guidelines were followed during the demolition of the buildings. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News here: Environmental groups say safety measures lacking as Santa Susana Field Lab buildings demolished
Tustin’s Simon Ranch Reservoir and Pump Station Replacement Project
“There are times when the simplest solution to a tight situation is to simply buy your way out. It doesn’t often present that way in a public utility project, but when it does, the benefits can be overwhelmingly persuasive. Such was the case when Michael Grisso, City of Tustin’s Water Services Manager, joined OCWA for its October webinar to discuss the Simon Ranch Reservoir and Pump Station Replacement Project. Accompanied by Joseph C. Blum, Sr. Project Manager, Butier Engineering, Inc., the two discussed at length the unique circumstances they overcame while upgrading the aged infrastructure. … Originally constructed in the early 1960s by Tustin Water Works, the private company precursor to the incorporated City of Tustin’s Water Services Department, the Simon Ranch Pump Station sits on a 0.29 acre parcel in the middle of an upscale neighborhood in the northern part of the City. … ” Continue reading from the Orange County Water Association here: Tustin’s Simon Ranch Reservoir and Pump Station Replacement Project
SAN DIEGO
Fallbrook fights for 70 years to use water from nearby river
“The Santa Margarita River flows through town but Fallbrook had to fight for 70 years to finally use it. The narrow river winds its way from Riverside County, through Fallbrook, and eventually onto Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County where it empties into the Pacific Ocean. For the longest time, the military base did not want to share the river’s water with Fallbrook. The federal government filed a lawsuit against Fallbrook in 1951. Since then, Fallbrook Public Utility District General Manager Jack Bebee said they’ve battled, negotiated, and pleaded with all levels of government. ... ” Read more from NBC San Diego here: Fallbrook fights for 70 years to use water from nearby river
Update on water project in Mission Trails
“Construction continues in Mission Trails Regional Park to upgrade the San Diego County Water Authority’s untreated water supply system. The estimated completion of the project has been extended from mid-2022 to late 2022 due mostly to necessary design changes. The project will improve the delivery of a safe and reliable water supply to treatment plants serving the central and southern areas of San Diego County. ... ” Read more from the Mission Times Courier here: Update on water project in Mission Trails
Along the Colorado River …
‘Colorado River Compact’ continues to limit how much water Nevada receives
“Approximately 40 million people rely on the Colorado River for water, 5% of them, or 2 million are in Nevada. However, the state gets only 1.8% of the river’s water. How did this happen? In 1922, Nevada signed onto the Colorado River Compact. It divided the river between the upper basin (part of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and the lower basin (the rest of Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico). ... ” Read more from Channel 8 here: ‘Colorado River Compact’ continues to limit how much water Nevada receives
Arizona: For Home Builders, growth makes good water sense
“As part of its ongoing examination of Arizona groundwater policy, Chamber Business News is visiting with water experts and policy leaders about their views on groundwater and what they believe are the defining issues for one of the state’s most pressing challenges. Today CBN visits with Spencer Kamps, vice president of legislative affairs for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. Chamber Business News: Tell us what your job is and what the Home Builders Association does. Spencer Kamps: I’m Spencer Kamps, vice president of legislative affairs for the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. We are a business trade organization representing residential homebuilders here in central Arizona — Pinal, Maricopa, and Yavapai County. Our board of directors typically consists of the publicly traded companies and the high production builders that engage in that kind of activity in Arizona. … ” Read more from Chamber Business News here: For Home Builders, growth makes good water sense
Arizona: Farm Bureau discusses its views on water policy, stewardship strategies
“As part of its ongoing examination of Arizona groundwater policy, Chamber Business News is visiting with water experts and policy leaders about their views on groundwater and what they believe are the defining issues for one of the state’s most pressing challenges. Today CBN visits with Chelsea McGuire, director of government relations for the Arizona Farm Bureau. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Chamber Business News: Chelsea, tell us about your job at the Arizona Farm Bureau and Farm Bureau’s structure. Chelsea McGuire: I am the director of government relations at the Arizona Farm Bureau. It’s my job to put our Farm Bureau members who are farmers and ranchers in front of the right decision-makers they need to talk to when they’re facing an issue. That could be state legislators, other types of regulators, it could be state agencies. ... ” Read more from Chamber Business News here: Arizona: Farm Bureau discusses its views on water policy, stewardship strategies
‘Total water nerd’ girds to tackle Western drought crisis
“For years, policy wonks who wanted to get the lowdown on New Mexico water went to the “Stansbury Hour.” The informal chats — usually at bars — were named for Melanie Stansbury, the driving force behind the gatherings, which were a breeding ground for legislative and regulatory ideas. Stansbury is now in a position to try to put those ideas and others into action. In June, she won a special election to fill former Rep. Deb Haaland’s seat after President Biden tapped Haaland for secretary of the Interior Department. … Stansbury, 42, is part of the next generation of water leaders. She’s a “total water nerd,” said John Fleck, a former “Stansbury Hour” attendee, before adding she’s the type of policymaker needed to forge solutions for the West. … ” Read more from E&E News here: ‘Total water nerd’ girds to tackle Western drought crisis
A Water Crisis: Colorado agriculture facing changes as drought continues
“An estimated 40 million people rely on water that originates in the Colorado River Basin, but the river can no longer keep up with demand, and it’s raising serious questions about the future of water in the west. Surrounded by bright orange pumpkins and empty shanks of corn outside his store east of Pueblo, Shane Milberger surveys his field. “It’s been a pretty good year, as far as growing season,” Milberger says. … ” Read more from KRDO here: A Water Crisis: Colorado agriculture facing changes as drought continues
In national water news today …
Improve or remove: Funding for U.S. dams
“In the fall of 2020, amidst a global pandemic and one of the most divisive periods in American history, the hydropower and river conservation communities, traditionally at odds, reached an agreement to work together to address the nation’s more than 90,000 dams. The momentous agreement was the result of a two-and-a-half-year Uncommon Dialogue, an ongoing process organized by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment that brings public and private sector leaders and researchers together to develop practical solutions to pressing sustainability challenges. Now, key ideas from that pact, and a subsequent detailed proposal, are incorporated into the bipartisan Senate infrastructure bill, including $2.3 billion for the “3Rs” of U.S. dams: rehabilitation for safety, retrofit for power and removal for conservation. If enacted, the pending infrastructure bill would be the largest new federal funding for infrastructure in decades. … ” Read more from Stanford News here: Improve or remove: Funding for U.S. dams
Estuaries, though small, have huge economic impact: report
“Though “geographically small,” estuaries are “economically huge,” according to a recently released update to a decade-old report on the economic value of these coastal regions where rivers mix with salt water. Restore America’s Estuaries and The Ocean Foundation released in 2009 the report, “The Economic and Market Value of America’s Coasts and Estuaries: What’s at Stake?” Backed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this first report examined economic impacts of estuaries during that time to gross state and domestic product in 21 regions of the continental United States. It also reviewed the benefits of five major sectors of the economy: fisheries, energy infrastructure, marine transportation, real estate and recreation. ... ” Read more from Coastal Review here: Estuaries, though small, have huge economic impact: report
Biden’s equity, climate goals to be tested by infrastructure law
“Proponents of equitable and sustainable transportation policies plan to hold U.S. officials accountable to deliver on President Joe Biden’s promises of climate-friendly and fairly distributed infrastructure. Biden signed the long-awaited infrastructure bill (H.R. 3684) into law Monday. Delivering on sustainability and equity goals will largely be left up to Biden officials and the Transportation Department, a unique opportunity for the administration to put its mark on a surge of money. Biden also signed an executive order Monday to create an Infrastructure Implementation Task Force with Mitch Landrieu, who will serve as White House infrastructure implementation coordinator, as a co-chair. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will also sit on the task force, which will prioritize goals of spending the money equitably and building resilient infrastructure. ... ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Biden’s equity, climate goals to be tested by infrastructure law
California drought update …
CA-Drought-Update-11-15-21
