In California water news today …
Where is the water going? Small farmers struggle as ag titans wheel water for profit
“Farmers in the heart of California’s agricultural belt – Kings County – sense something is awry with their water supplies. In this intensively farmed, perennially dry county, water is leaving at a concerning rate. “We’ve all seen it,” said walnut farmer Steve Walker. “We haven’t sat down and put dye in the water to watch where it actually goes. But everybody talks about it, and we’re all concerned.” As far as Walker knows, no agency, city or county board is trying to figure out what’s really happening. “There’s so many canals and ways it can move; it’s hard to track,” he said. But this much he knows — certain groundwater wells in the county are running practically year round, even in wet years. “So, it’s going somewhere,” Walker said. “And that’s the biggest issue. Because once it’s pumped out, we aren’t getting it back.” … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Where is the water going? Small farmers struggle as ag titans wheel water for profit
State Water Board adopts resolution committing to advance racial equity in policy and practice
“The State Water Resources Control Board today adopted a resolution affirming its commitment to advancing racial equity and acknowledging that its programs were established within a structural framework that perpetuates inequities based on race. In the resolution, the State Water Board pledges to express this commitment through institutionalizing racial equity in its policies, programs and service to communities while fostering greater workforce diversity, equity and inclusion within the agency. The Board’s action follows a deliberate process of consultation and introspection by the agency after the Board directed staff to advance racial equity as an agency priority at its Aug. 18, 2020 meeting. While the State Water Boards’ racial equity and environmental justice work began prior to 2020, the national reckoning on racial justice last year underscored the urgency of formally addressing racial inequity at the institutional level. … ”
Disparities in California’s water management add to challenges of drought and contamination
“When California Forward (CA FWD) introduced the California Dream Index (CDI), it became what Leadership Co-Chair Ashley Swearengin called our “North Star.” The Index measures ten trackable indicators for economic mobility. One of those is about access to clean drinking water. Here’s a staggering statistic that one would think couldn’t be true, but yet it is. Over one million Californians don’t have access to clean drinking and sanitation water. You need clean water to drink, cook and bathe—and yet some of us have to work around our local water supply. The issue of water — which Governor Jerry Brown often described as a chronic issue in the state — is very complex and critical to economic mobility. In a recent interview with California Water Board Chairman E. Joaquin Esquivel, he cited progress that’s being made and work that’s left to do. … ” Read more from California Foward here: Disparities in California’s water management add to challenges of drought and contamination
Voter support for water infrastructure bill may hang on the weather
“Signature-gathering has begun to place an initiative on the 2022 ballot that would force the legislature to fund more water storage in California. But even supporters admit, the success of the measure may depend on the weather. With many reservoirs in the state drying up and no guarantee of a wet winter, some Central Valley farmers and Southern California water districts are pushing an initiative called the ‘Water Infrastructure Funding Act of 2022.’ If passed by the voters, it would require the state to spend two percent of the general fund on projects that would expand water supplies. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Voter support for water infrastructure bill may hang on the weather
Californians are asked to conserve during drought. Some water companies don’t even track what they waste
“When you see a constant stream of water heading into the sewer drain stemming from a pipe leak, do you ever wonder how much of it is wasted water? Chances are, the amount of water going down the drain isn’t being tracked. At the same time, Californians are being asked to conserve water during a severe drought. During the summer, people from one Elk Grove neighborhood called KCRA 3 Investigates about a pipe that had been leaking in the middle of the street for over a week on Hendon Way. We noticed gallons of water flowing right down the drain. “That water ran for a good week and a half on both sides of the road, so I know it was a substantial amount,” one resident, who asked not to be identified, told KCRA 3. But exactly how much water was wasted? … ” Read more from KCRA here: Californians are asked to conserve during drought. Some water companies don’t even track what they waste
Delta Conveyance Project fisheries informational webinar highlights
“As planning and environmental review efforts continue to support the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) determination of whether a single tunnel option to modernize Delta conveyance should be approved, an important component of the environmental review process is to assess environmental resource impacts within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s (Delta) estuary. The Delta provides habitat important to the survival of many fish and wildlife species, and DWR’s environmental review will evaluate significant impacts to aquatic resources and consider all feasible mitigation measures to reduce potentially significant effects. … The Fisheries Informational Webinar presentation focused on environmental setting details for sensitive fish species, migration patterns and fish life cycles. The presentation also included a discussion of fish screen considerations, models, and data and analytical methods being used for evaluation of potential impacts related to the proposed Delta Conveyance Project. … ” Read more from DWR News here: Delta Conveyance Project fisheries informational webinar highlights
Video Q&A: Building the tunnel, part 2: At home inside a 20,000 horsepower tunneling machine
“The Delta Conveyance Deep Dive video series continues with “Building the Tunnel Part Two”. In Part One we heard about the state of the art technology behind tunnel boring machines. In the second episode, Delta Conveyance Design and Construction Authority (DCA)Executive Director Graham Bradner and the project’s chief engineer, Steve Minassian, discuss tunneling in the specific context of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and describe what to expect if the project moves forward. Graham Bradner has worked as an engineering geologist on major resources projects in Northern California for over 20 years. He was an integral part of the team that developed the conceptual designs for Delta Conveyance and became executive director earlier this year. Steve Minassian has over 30 years of national and international experience with mega infrastructure projects, including the Lake Mead Tunnel in Nevada and the Port of Miami Tunnel. DWR’s Pat Clark hosted the interview.” Watch video from DWR here: Video Q&A: Building the tunnel, part 2: At home inside a 20,000 horsepower tunneling machine
Video: Seizing the drought
“After a year of extreme drought, massive wildfires, and even a brief spate of record-breaking rainfall, Californians no longer question whether the climate is changing—climate change is here. The escalating crises add urgency to the issue of how Californians manage their water. From November 15–17, the PPIC Water Policy Center convened three expert panels (as part of our annual water priorities conference) to discuss how we can “seize the drought” to meet the challenges we’re already facing. The panels tackled several key subjects head-on: how to make our water infrastructure climate-ready, how to pay for resilience while keeping water services affordable, and how to embrace transformative change. ... ” Read summary and watch videos from the PPIC here: Video: Seizing the drought
UCLA community raises concern over water usage amid drought in California
“UCLA community members expressed concern about water shortages in California amid one of the worst droughts in state history. After first declaring an emergency proclamation April 21, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended the drought emergency to Oct. 19, giving the State Water Resources Control Board more authority to ban wasteful water usage. The extension comes after the two driest years that have depleted water reservoirs, according to a statement from Newsom’s office. Nurit Katz, the chief sustainability officer at UCLA, said she hopes the declaration will emphasize the severity of the drought to Californians and promote more action to conserve water. … ” Read more from UCLA here: UCLA community raises concern over water usage amid drought in California
The Forest Service was supposed to protect the water sources of the American West. Instead, water users drain untold amounts
“While the U.S. Forest Service pours resources into a runaway battle on wildfire, it is losing the war over water. About half of Western water supply originates on national forest land. But before that water reaches the West’s major cities or great rivers, much of it has already been claimed. Thousands of farmers, ranchers, cities, housing developments and industrial users pump water from the ground, channel it away from streams into ditches or pipelines, and hold it back in ponds and reservoirs — all to use public water, often for private purposes. The Forest Service issues permits for these uses and it can deny those permits or put restrictions on water use. … ” Read more from Mount Shasta News here: The Forest Service was supposed to protect the water sources of the American West. Instead, water users drain untold amounts
California drought unlikely to end this winter
“Don’t hold your breath for California’s drought ending with this winter’s rains. Instead, you’d do well to hold your shower time to a minimum. There’s less than a 40% chance of water supplies getting back to normal after this winter, with a slightly better than 50% chance that the state’s drought will worsen, according to forecasters at a Monday, Nov. 22, drought webinar hosted by the National Integrated Drought Information Center. The center is led by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The record atmospheric river storms that pelted Northern California in late October helped a bit, but water levels at major reservoirs remain far below normal and La Nina conditions increase the likelihood of Southern California having a drier, warmer winter than is usual. ... ” Read more from the OC Register here: California drought unlikely to end this winter
Listen: One Planet: How safe is our drinking water?
“On this edition of Your Call’s One Planet Series, we’re discussing the quality of drinking water in the United States. According to the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database, since 2019, more than 320 toxic substances have been detected in US drinking water systems. Millions of Americans unwittingly drink toxic substances, such as arsenic, lead, and chemicals known as PFAS. We’ll discuss the findings, the health effects of drinking these chemicals, and learn more about how the infrastructure bill will address this. … Read more from KALW here: Listen: One Planet: How safe is our drinking water?
Distilleries are innovating to save water in drought-stricken areas
“From repurposing wastewater for fisheries to implementing closed-loop recycling systems, water-guzzling U.S. distilleries are getting creative to conserve water. … “The big question with water is who gets what, and if you have a big population in one location, does that mean they can take water from other locations, which is what we’re doing now,” says Ryan Friesen, the head distiller at Blinking Owl Distillery in Santa Ana, California, and the vice president of the California Artisanal Distillers Guild. “Is it sustainable? Not as long as California stays in a 100-year drought for more than 10 years in a row. So we have to get better at controlling the water we do use.” … ” Read more from Seven Fifty Daily here: Distilleries are innovating to save water in drought-stricken areas
NRCS announces 2022 NWQI funding for water quality in California
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has awarded $1.6 million in funding through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) for three projects in high priority watersheds in California to help agricultural producers improve water quality. “The NWQI allows us to address water quality problems at a watershed scale,” said NRCS State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “We can target the conservation measures that will be effective at reducing pollution and will work for local farms and ranches.” Through NWQI, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance in these watersheds using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for implementing and planning conservation practices to address agricultural sources of water pollution, including nutrients, sediment, pesticides, and pathogens related to agricultural production. … ” Read more from the NRCS here: NRCS announces 2022 NWQI funding for water quality in California
Citing climate risks, California is denying fracking permits in droves
“Oil companies that blast water and chemicals into the earth to extract fossil fuels are having trouble getting new permits for their California operations even sooner than expected. Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged the state would stop issuing new permits for fracking by 2024, but California has already begun to ban the controversial oil extraction method in practice by denying permits in droves with little fanfare. Since July, the state has denied 109 permits to expand fracking. Many were rejected, in part, under a legal rationale the state hasn’t used before: that fracking could exacerbate the effects of climate change. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Citing climate risks, California is denying fracking permits in droves
CalEnviroScreen directs billions of dollars to California communities in need. Here’s how it works
“CalEnviroScreen — short for California Communities Environmental Health Screening — was developed by the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to help identify communities that are most burdened by environmental issues. It’s a science-based tool that helps decision makers put hundreds of millions of dollars in funding each year in places that need it most. So what does that mean? Here’s what you need to know. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: CalEnviroScreen directs billions of dollars to California communities in need. Here’s how it works
Today’s featured articles …
YOSEMITE ENVIRO LAW CONFERENCE: How tribal partnerships can help attain national conservation goals
“We really have to get creative and equally value all of the interests of the stakeholders, use cooperative agreements and MOUs, and new innovative partnerships in order to succeed,” says Amy Cordalis.
Amy Cordalis is a fisherwoman, attorney, mother, and member of the Yurok Tribe, the largest federally recognized Tribe in California. From 2014-2016, she was General Counsel for the Tribe, the first woman and first Yurok tribal member to serve in that position. She is also the principal of the Ridges to Riffles Conservation Fund, a non-profit fund representing Native American tribes in natural and cultural resource matters.
In the spring of 2021, President Biden announced the country’s first national conservation goal of conserving 30% of the nation’s land and water by 2023, and Tribal lands will likely play a key role in meeting this goal.
At the 2021 Yosemite Environmental Law Conference, Amy Cordalis spoke of how to engage and work with tribal governments, the laws that can help advance those partnerships, and how the political status of tribes help meet those goals, highlighting some examples from Yurok Country.
Click here to read this article.
BLOG ROUND-UP: Thanksgiving food price increases; Planning for unprecedented flooding; State Board’s equity resolution; Delta smelt likely extinct; Elimination of ESA habitat definition = greater uncertainty; and more …
Click here to read this article.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Klamath: How a federal drought relief program left southern Oregon parched—and contributed to the ongoing groundwater crisis in the West
“This April, Micah Goettl, an emergency coordinator for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), began to hear reports of residential wells failing in Klamath County. At first, this wasn’t a complete surprise. The region was experiencing extreme drought. Many farmers in the area were tapping into groundwater reserves after their preferred water sources, Upper Klamath Lake and the Klamath River, had been cordoned off to protect endangered species. Wells have occasionally gone dry in previous years, Goettl said. It happens every now and then, when groundwater falls to a level lower than pumps can reach. Quickly, however, it became apparent that this year’s water woes were more severe than usual, and widespread … ” Read more from The Counter here: How a federal drought relief program left southern Oregon parched—and contributed to the ongoing groundwater crisis in the West
Klamath: Climate change fuels a water rights conflict built on over a century of broken promises
“The simple way to think about this crisis: There’s no longer enough water to go around to meet the needs of farmers and Native American populations as well as fish and birds. For more than a century, the federal government has overseen an intricate and imperfect system of water distribution intended to sustain an ecosystem and an economy. The whole precarious balance was based on the assumption that enough snow would always fall, and melt, and fill the vast watershed of the Klamath River Basin, which straddles the border of California and Oregon and is home to about 124,000 people. But this year, the region buckled under one of the worst droughts ever recorded. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Klamath: Climate change fuels a water rights conflict built on over a century of broken promises
Update: Potter Valley Project on the Eel River
“In response to a recent decision from federal regulators, California Trout sees a clear path towards the removal of Scott Dam and the historic restoration of the upper Eel River watershed in Northern California. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a recent request from the Two-Basin Partnership asking for additional time to complete critical studies and determine the appropriate strategy in developing a system for ongoing water transfers and fisheries restoration on the Eel and Russian Rivers. CalTrout is one of five entities that compose the Partnership. … Given FERC’s decision, CalTrout will now shift its focus to working with PG&E and stakeholders to negotiate the company’s plans to remove Scott Dam, effectively opening up the 288 linear river miles of spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead that’s located up-river of the facilities. … ” Read the full update from Cal Trout here: Update: Potter Valley Project on the Eel River
Mendocino County may have a standalone water agency by next summer
“The recent rainfall has offered Mendocino County some respite from the drought, bringing many communities out of a crisis situation. But it’s still not clear for how long. Now communities throughout the county are using this breathing room to make their water systems more resilient to drought before next summer. That includes re-establishing a standalone county water agency. Earlier this month, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors hired GEI Consultants to start working toward re-establishing the Mendocino County Water Agency (MCWA) in order to have dedicated staff and resources addressing the county’s water needs. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Voice here: Mendocino County may have a standalone water agency by next summer
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Commentary: Scary developments at Nevada Irrigation District
Jeff Litton writes, “You might have missed it, but something scary just happened at NID on Nov. 10. First, I want to thank our two excellent NID directors — Ricki Heck and Laura Peters. These directors are experienced, smart, and think critically. The other three NID directors voted to remove NID from the Groundwater Sustainability Agency, a vitally important group of agencies that work together to protect the groundwater of the region. This network of agencies collaborates to make sure groundwater is sustainably managed, and thereby protects wells from going dry. … ” Read more from The Union here: Commentary: Scary developments at Nevada Irrigation District
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Yuba Groundwater Sustainability Plan formally approved by Department of Water Resources
“The California Department of Water Resources today formally approved the groundwater sustainability plan for the North and South Yuba groundwater subbasins in Yuba County. The plan was developed by Yuba Water Agency in coordination with Cordua Irrigation District, the City of Marysville and dozens of stakeholders to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA. “The sustainable groundwater conditions in Yuba County and today’s announcement are testaments to the success of locally-driven water management,” said Scott Matyac, Yuba Water’s director of water resources. “We’re grateful to our local partners for their work on this plan and their continued commitment to protecting this critical resource for our region.” … ” Read more from Yuba Water Agency here: Yuba Groundwater Sustainability Plan formally approved by Department of Water Resources
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma Water files petition to maximize reservoir storage
“The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) has filed a petition with the State Water Resources Control Board to ensure that its already depleted reservoirs are not further affected by reduced flows from the Potter Valley Project due to a mechanical failure at the PG&E hydroelectric facility. The Potter Valley Project (PVP) diverts water from the Eel River through a tunnel and hydropower facility operated by PG&E. The water flows through the Potter Valley and into Lake Mendocino. Typically, the water supply condition, which establishes minimum instream flows in the Russian River, is determined by inflow into Lake Pillsbury, located upstream of the Potter Valley Project. But because the water imported from the Eel River into the Russian River will be greatly diminished due to the hydropower plant failure, there will be little to no correlation between cumulative inflow into Lake Pillsbury and the hydrologic conditions in the Russian River watershed. … ” Read more from Sonoma Water here: Sonoma Water files petition to maximize reservoir storage
BAY AREA
Weather outlook for Thanksgiving week: Here’s what to expect in Bay Area, Tahoe
“People spending the Thanksgiving holiday week in the Bay Area can expect dry and mild weather — with a similarly pleasant forecast for those hitting the road to the Tahoe area. The National Weather Service predicted daytime temperatures will range in the 60s for much of the Bay Area this week. The region can expect a slight warming trend on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Weather outlook for Thanksgiving week: Here’s what to expect in Bay Area, Tahoe
Marin County developers could face new fees
“Faced with the need to reduce the demand on water supplies, Marin County developers would have to pay thousands of dollars in new fees, according to a proposal by the Marin Municipal Water District. The Marin Independent Journal reported that the water district’s board is considering a new measure which would require future projects in its jurisdiction to have a net-zero demand on reservoirs. Recent heavy rains in Northern California have partially filled many of the county’s reservoirs, which remain low. The county has already increased water restrictions on customers to cope with the drought. But board members said the state’s continuing drought has shown the need for new approaches to conserving water supplies. … ” Read more from KALW here: Marin County developers could face new fees
San Rafael sewage spill dumps 75K gallons
“About 75,000 gallons of sewage spilled in San Rafael’s Montecito and Happy Valley neighborhoods after a pipe backed up, officials said Monday. The spill happened last week off Highland Avenue above San Rafael High School. It is the latest sewage spill believed to be linked to the atmospheric river storm that battered the Bay Area on Oct. 24, according to the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Doris Toy, district manager of the San Rafael Sanitation District, said the blockage and spill went undetected for about two weeks before it was reported and cleared Thursday. The pipe was filled with grit and rock, she said. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: San Rafael sewage spill dumps 75K gallons
CENTRAL COAST
Pajaro Valley Water Board adopts basin management plan: Groundwater Sustainability Update 2022
“The Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PV Water) Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Basin Management Plan: Groundwater Sustainability Update 2022 (GSU22) on Wednesday evening. The action came after more than a year of work on the plan by a 17 member Ad Hoc Sustainable Groundwater Committee, staff, consultants, and interested parties, which included 23 meetings in total. The Board meeting was attended by 29 people and many provided remarks during a public hearing, after which the Board took action. Adoption of the Plan, which includes newly developed sustainable groundwater management criteria, is a significant achievement and a requirement under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, a 2014 law requiring groundwater basins in California to achieve sustainable groundwater resources by 2040. A $500,000 grant from the California Department of Water Resources, under Proposition 68, provided funding for this effort. … ” Read more from the Pajaro Valley Water Agency here: Pajaro Valley Water Board adopts basin management plan: Groundwater Sustainability Update 2022
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
PG&E to release high water flows into San Joaquin River starting Sunday
“PG&E announced it is planning to increase the flow of water into a portion of the San Joaquin River beginning Sunday, Nov. 28th. The release will come from the Kerckhoff Dam in Fresno and Madera counties causing potential dangers to those in the water from the dam to Millerton Lake. … ” Read more from KFSN here: PG&E to release high water flows into San Joaquin River starting Sunday
Sustainable Kern River Coalition launches to protect and maintain Kern River water supply for families, farmers and communities
“Today, a network of Kern River water users, community members and business interests launched the Sustainable Kern River Coalition to protect the Kern River water supply for the people, farms, businesses and disadvantaged communities that depend on it. As extended drought has reduced the Kern River water supply over time, it is incumbent on all water users to work together to sustainably manage the highly variable Kern River. In this pursuit, the Sustainable Kern River Coalition has convened as a forum for regional water users to protect their historic water rights to meet ongoing community needs while also collaborating to develop sustainable water management solutions. “The Sustainable Kern River Coalition is an opportunity for North Kern and other water users to work together on collaborative solutions to make the most of the Kern River’s limited water supplies,” said David Hampton, General Manager of the North Kern Water Storage District. … ” Read more from Sustainable Kern River here: Sustainable Kern River Coalition launches to protect and maintain kern river water supply for families, farmers and communities
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Castaic Dam project to ease quake concerns nears completion
“Seismic work at Castaic Dam’s tower access bridge in Los Angeles County has reached a milestone, wrapping up a project on three bridge piers as its owner — the California Department of Water Resources — works on reducing risk of quake damage at its water facilities. “With the completion of the reinforced wrapping to all of the bridge’s piers, we have improved the strength and flexibility of each pier to allow for controlled movements of the bridge during a major earthquake,” said Jason Brabec, Castaic Dam Modernization Program Manager in a statement. “This work bolsters DWR’s ability to safely and reliably release water.” The 500-foot-long bridge provides access for operations and maintenance crews to the structure that allows releasing water from Castaic Lake. … ” Read more from the LA Daily News here: Castaic Dam project to ease quake concerns nears completion
SEE ALSO: Castaic Dam Tower Bridge Pier Project Wraps Up, from DWR News
Rosamond Community Services District eyes eminent domain process to obtain water rights
“The Rosamond Community Services District Board of Directors, on Thursday, agreed to begin eminent domain proceedings to obtain water rights from agricultural land owned by the Calandri family on Rosamond’s west side. The Board unanimously approved a Resolution of Necessity, which declared it in the public interest to acquire the property for the water rights. Ed Lear, a litigation attorney representing the Calandri family, said they will challenge the action as a violation of the water basin adjudication. … ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Rosamond Community Services District eyes eminent domain process to obtain water rights
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
With 100,000 acres conserved in 15 years, meet the two leaders ushering Mojave Desert Land Trust into the future
“A lot has changed in the Morongo Basin over the past 15 years. Joshua Tree National Park’s annual visitation has increased from around 1.2 million people in 2006 to nearly 3 million people in 2019. From 2010 to 2020, the populations of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms grew by 5% and 12%, respectively. And the launch of Airbnb and similar short-term vacation rental sites has sparked an increasing number of vacation rentals to serve the tourism-dependent high desert economy. Throughout all of that change, the Mojave Desert Land Trust has steadily acquired land in the area, preserving desert habitats for flora, fauna and people. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: With 100,000 acres conserved in 15 years, meet the two leaders ushering Mojave Desert Land Trust into the future
The gold mine that wants to save the Salton Sea reaches for big projects
“The mining company, Imperial Gold, is currently in the process of being approved by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to create a new gold mine by Black Mountain that would see new jobs and health benefits introduced into the Imperial Valley. The project is estimated to produce 1.2 million ounces of gold and has the potential for 20 years of production and economic activity that would include $1.1 billion in investment and more than $241 million in taxes and royalties paid to state, federal, and local governments at current gold prices. “Not that many people know that around here, it’s actually a pretty prolific gold area that you guys live next to,” said Chief Operating Officer for Imperial Gold, Marc Leduc. … ” Read more from the Desert Review here: The gold mine that wants to save the Salton Sea reaches for big projects
SAN DIEGO
Flooded freeway still closed after 2 water mains break in downtown San Diego
“A stretch of freeway through downtown San Diego was underwater most of Monday, flooded when an aging water main broke along a hillside and sent a torrent of water gushing onto the roadway for several hours. The infrastructure failure — one of two old pipes to burst within blocks of each other Sunday — forced all northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Fourth Avenue to shut, snarling traffic far beyond downtown and sending travelers seeking alternate routes to San Diego International Airport at the start of the busy Thanksgiving travel week. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Flooded freeway still closed after 2 water mains break in downtown San Diego
RELATED: Downtown flood shows why San Diego is scrambling to replace crumbling water pipelines, from the San Diego Union-Tribune
U.S. – Mexico Binational Meeting on Transborder Water Pollution
“The U.S. and Mexican governments met today in Tijuana to discuss transboundary water pollution challenges along the shared border. … Recognizing the critical importance of addressing water pollution for the benefit of citizens on both sides of the border, the U.S. and Mexican delegations reviewed the important progress made toward reducing pollution levels. Mexico highlighted their $46 million dollars of investment by local, state, and federal authorities completed between 2019 to 2021 in water sanitation projects for the Tijuana River, including the recent upgrades to Pump Station CILA in Tijuana as well as numerous infrastructure repair projects financed by CONAGUA and EPA to reduce wastewater flows. … ” Read more from the US Embassy & Consulates in Mexico here: U.S. – Mexico Binational Meeting on Transborder Water Pollution
Along the Colorado River …
Native groups want federal Build Back Better bill to prioritize water and the environment
“Navajo clean energy advocates hope that when the Build Back Better Act (BBBA), which is being debated in Congress, is approved that it will include resources for the Navajo Nation. Nicole Horseherder, executive director of the environmental group To Nizhoni Ani, said protecting native lands is an environmental justice priority. “As we transition into a new greener economy with Build Back Better Initiatives, it’s imperative that our people of the Navajo Nation and other rural Arizonans are not left out of the bill,” she said. “Our survivability depends on it.” … ” Read more from the Navajo-Hopi Observer here: Native groups want federal Build Back Better bill to prioritize water and the environment
In national water news today …
Supreme Court rules against Miss. in interstate water fight
“The nation’s highest bench today struck down an unusual attempt by Mississippi to claim sole ownership of the groundwater in an aquifer that straddles the Tennessee border. In a unanimous ruling issued this morning, the Supreme Court rejected Mississippi’s argument and sent the state back to the drawing board if it wishes to make a fresh claim for an equitable division of a subunit of the Middle Claiborne Aquifer. “Mississippi contends that it has sovereign ownership of all groundwater beneath its surface, so equitable apportionment ought not apply,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts, who led the opinion. “We see things differently.” The court was widely expected to strike down Mississippi’s case, which is one of several interstate water battles that has made its way to the justices in recent years. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Supreme Court rules against Miss. in interstate water fight
SEE ALSO: The Supreme Court’s Decision on the Mississippi-Tennessee Aquifer Conflict Will Change U.S. Water Wars, from Time Magazine
Ending uncertainty over Clean Water Rules will put Biden officials to the test
“How to define ‘waters of the United States’ has high stakes for many essential bird habitats—and it’s more complicated than it sounds. Half a century ago, Congress set loose a torrent of confusion when it wrote the Clean Water Act to protect the “waters of the United States.” Lobbyists and lawyers have fought ever since over the phrase, often dubbed WOTUS. Its meaning seems grade-school simple but quickly grows as murky as a backwoods swamp. Into these perilous waters the Biden administration wades. … ” Continue reading at Audubon here: Ending uncertainty over Clean Water Rules will put Biden officials to the test
Proposed water rule a return to “overreach”
“Ag groups are reacting to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, and they’re not happy with the idea. The proposed rule would re-establish the pre-2015 definition of “Waters of the U.S.” American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says his group is disappointed that the agency is returning to an “overly complicated” interim water rule. … ” Read more from Ag Net West here: Proposed water rule a return to “overreach”
Attorney General Bonta: Biden Administration proposal is important first step to ensure meaningful environmental review of federal projects
“California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and New York Attorney General Letitia James led a multistate coalition in support of federal efforts to restore rules for meaningful environmental review of federal projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Biden Administration’s proposal is an important first step toward undoing a Trump-era rule that upended requirements ensuring that federal agencies comprehensively evaluate the impacts of their actions on the environment and public health. However, the changes proposed by the Biden Administration are not enough. In the comments, the coalition expresses their support for the proposal, but urges the Administration to move swiftly to further revise or repeal this unlawful Trump-era rule in its entirety. “After four long years, our federal government is once again taking action to protect our environment, instead of enabling its destruction,”said Attorney General Bonta. … ” Continue reading this press release from Attorney General Bonta here: Attorney General Bonta: Biden Administration proposal is important first step to ensure meaningful environmental review of federal projects
Flood funding slashed in reconciliation package
“House Democrats scaled back their ambitious plan to give communities a more accurate picture of their inundation risk through improved flood maps. They also trimmed a proposed subsidy program that would help homeowners buy flood insurance. The “Build Back Better Act,” passed by the House on Friday and headed to the Senate, includes far less money for the two flood programs than Democrats had proposed when they drafted the measure in September. The funding was cut along with other items as Democratic negotiators and the White House slashed the “Build Back Better” legislation from its initial $3 trillion cost to the $1.7 trillion package that the House approved on a partisan vote. The legislation provides roughly $600 million for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to improve flood maps that are in some cases more than 15 years old and do not reflect a community’s current or future flood risk. The original draft provided $3 billion. … ” Read more from E&E News here: Flood funding slashed in reconciliation package
Does nature have legal rights? The answer is not as simple as you think
“Mother Nature is taking humans to court. Three recent legal suits, ranging from the rights of wild rice on U.S. tribal lands to Pablo Escobar’s “cocaine hippos” in Colombia, have brought nature front and center into the heart of a burgeoning legal movement — both in the U.S. and abroad. Does nature — plants, animals, and even river ecosystems — have legal rights in the eyes of the law? The question teases an even more considerable debate: Is nature intrinsically worth protecting, regardless of its value to human beings? … ” Read more from Inverse here: Does nature have legal rights? The answer is not as simple as you think
Weekly drought update …
CA-Drought-Update-11-22-21Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT: Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition Surface Water Monitoring Reduction Request
