On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: Toward a Disaster Resilient California: The Many Impacts of Drought in the California Delta from 10am to 11am. Join the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), in partnership with the Delta Stewardship Council and Office of Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua, on Friday, December 3rd from 10:00-11:00 am for our latest virtual expert briefing “The Many Impacts of Drought in the California Delta”. A panel of experts including Dr. Shruti Khanna (CA Dept. Fish & Wildlife), Dr. Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (UC ANR), Dr. Josué Medellín-Azuara (UC Merced), Dr. Daniel Swain (UCLA) and moderated by Dr. Laurel Larsen (UC Berkeley, Delta Stewardship Council) who will discuss how drought can initiate a cascade of overlapping and compounding events that impact water quantity, water quality, ecosystem health, public health, agriculture, and more in the California Delta. Click here to register.
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: Water Use Efficiency Standards for parklands and urban trees from 2pm to 4pm. On December 3rd, 2021, the State Water Board will hold a public workshop to receive early input for the development of urban water use efficiency standards. The purpose of these workshops is to provide a detailed overview of the methods being used to evaluate potential impacts of water use efficiency standards on developed and natural parklands, and urban tree health. The meeting will also give the public, urban retail water suppliers, and other interested parties the opportunity to ask questions about the Board’s analysis. No registration necessary. Click here to enter workshop.
- EVENT: Rose Bar Tour at 2:45pm. Join SYRCL and its partners for a tour of the Rose Bar restoration site. Learn about the work being proposed, timeline, and how it will benefit spawning Chinook salmon. Attendees will meet at the gate at the intersection of Krista Trail Rd and Smartville Rd at 2:45pm. Once gathered, we will carpool to the restoration site as limited parking is available. Driving on a gravel road is required. The tour will involve some hiking and attendees are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and hiking clothes and to dress for the weather. Because this is private property, we will be locking the gate behind us promptly at 3:00pm when we head down to the project site, so please arrive on time. Click here for more information.
On the calendar tomorrow …
- PUBLIC SITE VISIT: Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project from 9:30am to 11:30am. East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy (ECCCHC) and the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) purchased the former Cerri Ranch property in 2016 to protect it from development and restore Delta habitat. ECCCHC and partners are developing a habitat restoration project on a 645-acre property east of the Knightsen community. The project team is currently refining concept plans, considering multiple objectives that will create and restore wetlands and other habitat, manage storm water flows, improve Delta water quality, and explore potential future recreation opportunities. For more information, click here.
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In California water news today …
Water agency amends plans for Delta Tunnel
“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) amended a federal permit application last week to change to the preferred tunnel route for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), a move that has Delta advocates questioning DWR’s long-term plans for the South Delta. The agency said the move was necessary to align the federal permit application – known as a Section 404 and filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – and a draft environmental impact report that is currently being prepared by DWR. The so-called Bethany Alternative will be the preferred project in both documents, though DWR stressed that the change does not indicate that a decision has been made with regard to the route the tunnel will take if the project is approved. … ” Read more from The Press here: Water agency amends plans for Delta Tunnel
RELATED NOTEBOOK ARTICLE: MET BAY DELTA COMMITTEE: Update on interim operations plan for SWP/CVP, voluntary agreements
As drought continues, DWR announces plan to suspend Delta water quality standards
Dan Bacher writes, “As the three latest fish surveys on the Delta reveal that the Delta smelt is virtually extinct in the wild, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced an initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation of 0 percent for state water contractors in 2022, with the exception of certain health and safety needs. DWR also announced several steps to “manage the state’s water supply” in anticipation of a third dry year with reservoirs at or near historic lows, including the submission by DWR and the Bureau of Reclamation of a new Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) to the State Water Resources Control Board that suspends Delta water quality standards and delaying the removal of the Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier in the Delta. … ” Read more from the Daily Kos here: As drought continues, DWR announces plan to suspend Delta water quality standards
Press release: State plan for 2022 drought sacrifices Delta water quality standards, again
“This week, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced its Initial State Water Project Allocation to prepare for a third year of drought. Within the allocation schedule the Department, along with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) is seeking once again to do away with Delta water quality standards and planning to leave in place a major saltwater barrier that will hamper fishing migration. DWR and BuRec have submitted a new Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) to the State Water Resources Control Board which suspends Delta water quality standards. DWR is also delaying the removal of the Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier in the Delta. The rock barrier across West False River was scheduled to be removed by November 30, however will now leave the barrier in place and create a notch in the barrier in January 2022 to allow for fish passage and boat traffic until April 2022. … ” Read more from Restore the Delta here: Press release: State plan for 2022 drought sacrifices Delta water quality standards, again
A ‘no snow’ California could come sooner than you think
“A new study led by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that dwindling snowpack across California and the western United States could shrink dramatically more — or in some cases disappear — before the end of the century. The study, published recently in the journal Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, paints a worrisome picture of the “potentially catastrophic consequences” of a future with less snow, including the massive implications it holds for California’s water supply, as well as rippling effects on soil, plants, wildlife and even the increased frequency of wildfire. Should greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated, the study found, winters of low snow, or even no snow, could become a regular occurrence in as little as 35 years. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: A ‘no snow’ California could come sooner than you think
The drought that may never end
Sarah Abramsky writes, “Last week, like many of you, I took a few days off work. I went up into the mountains, to Lake Tahoe, hoping to ski—the slopes at the nearby Northstar resort having been, as recently as a few days earlier, advertised as being open as of November 19. But when I got there, there was no snow. The weather had been so warm that all of the early-season October snows had melted away, and because it wasn’t freezing at night, the snow machines upon which the big resorts rely on to kick-start their seasons in November hadn’t been able to lay down artificial snow either. The slopes were shuttered, and, as I write this two weeks later, there’s still no definite opening date. I write this not to provoke sympathy; I’m sure that not one of my readers cares a whit whether I ski or don’t. But I write it to highlight how dire California’s drought has become and how unsettling its long-term prospects are as the climate changes and California’s fabled climate—where one can ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon, as the old cliché goes—shifts toward something a whole lot more brutal and less welcoming. … ” Read more from The Nation here: The drought that may never end
California water districts to get 0% of requested supplies in unprecedented decision
“Water agencies in drought-stricken California that serve 27 million residents and 750,000 acres of farmland won’t get any of the water they have requested from the state heading into 2022 other than what’s needed for critical health and safety, state officials announced on Wednesday. It’s the earliest date the department of water resources has issued a 0% water allocation, a milestone that reflects the dire conditions in California as drought continues to grip the nation’s most populous state and reservoirs have dropped to historically low levels. State water officials said mandatory water restrictions could be coming and major water districts urged consumers to conserve. ... ” Read more from The Guardian here: California water districts to get 0% of requested supplies in unprecedented decision
California tells farmers to expect no surface water deliveries in 2022
“Barring a drought-busting winter miracle, California officials warned Wednesday that no water from the state’s main reservoir is expected to be made available for farming next year. Even in the state’s driest years water managers have been able to deliver meager amounts of water from Lake Oroville to agricultural contractors, but the latest drought has pressed the Department of Water Resources into new territory. Expecting a third consecutive dry water year, the department told reporters it expects to deliver zero percent of requested water to the 29 contracting public agencies that serve more than 27 million residents and over 750,000 acres of farmland. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: California tells farmers to expect no surface water deliveries in 2022
EPA: California to receive over $600 million in water infrastructure funding
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that California will receive more than $600 million in water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA says the money provided through its State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs will help create jobs while upgrading infrastructure to address lead and and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in drinking water. … ” Read more from KERO here: EPA: California to receive over $600 million in water infrastructure funding
Book review: Water and power in California
Jonah Raskin writes, ” … I think of Mark Arax as a natural born detective. His book, The Dreamt Land (Knopf), is a compelling report of his thorough investigations into the dark world of water and power. While it has been in print for several years, it’s still news, especially now that California is in the midst of a drought once again, and the cracks in the earth and in social institutions are wider than ever before. This review meanders like a river, though it also hews to two main channels: one personal and the other social and political. As a young man growing up and coming of age under the hot California sun, Arax couldn’t help but be inquisitive, aim to separate truths from half-truths and outright lies and expose the guilty parties. … ” Continue reading at Counter Punch here: Water and Power in California
California Coastal Commission gives local governments guidance on sea-level rise
“The California Coastal Commission (CCC) adopted new Sea Level Rise Guidance for Critical Infrastructure at its Nov. 17 meeting. The guidance focuses on adapting transportation and water infrastructure to be resilient against sea-level rise (SLR) and provides recommendations for how local governments can address the matter through Local Coastal Programs (LCP). Over the coming decades, the CCC’s Sea Level Rise Guidance stated, “California’s aging infrastructure is reaching the end of its useful life and will need major maintenance, upgrades, or replacement.” … ” Read more from the San Clemente Times here: California Coastal Commission gives local governments guidance on sea-level rise
Fire Adapted 50 project protects communities from Caldor Fire
“On August 14, 2021, the Caldor Fire ignited in a densely forested area of the Central Sierra Nevada. It spread rapidly and, fed by the dry forests, steep terrain, and extreme fire weather of the 2021 fire season, destroyed hundreds of homes and structures as it burned east over the rocky crest of the Sierra Nevada into the Lake Tahoe Basin. As the Caldor Fire burned toward the Highway 50 corridor near Jenkinson Lake, communities such as Pollock Pines and Sly Park were directly in the fire’s path. Not a single home or structure in the area was destroyed by the fire. This is largely because of ambitious, collaborative efforts to design, plan, and implement a landscape-level wildfire resilience project called Fire Adapted 50. ... ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy here: Fire Adapted 50 project protects communities from Caldor Fire
In commentary today …
California water news keeps getting worse as climate emergency sharply limits supplies
The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board writes, “The grim news about the climate emergency just keeps rolling in. San Diego International Airport saw its driest November since 1980, with only a trace of rain recorded the entire month. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the state Department of Water Resources said that California agencies that provide water to 27 million residents and 750,000 acres of farmland will get 0 percent of requested water from the reservoirs, canals and dams that comprise the State Water Project. Seven agencies will get some water, but only for urgent health and safety needs, including indoor sanitation and fire suppression. The San Diego County Water Authority — which made the courageous and game-changing decision in 1991 to diversify its supplies and no longer rely so heavily on the giant, mercurial Metropolitan Water District of Southern California — won’t be affected by the state decision. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: California water news keeps getting worse as climate emergency sharply limits supplies
Why dwindling snow in mountains east of Modesto should startle everyone
Columnist Garth Stapley writes, “When we’re warned that someday there won’t be much snow in mountains east of Modesto, we may think of how we’ll miss tubing with the kids on snowy patches by Long Barn, Strawberry or Spicer, or at Leland Snow Play near Pinecrest. Reduced snow would mean fewer skiing days at Dodge Ridge or Bear Valley. But climate change will affect more than just those looking for snow recreation. All of our lives will be touched, because all of us drink water and eat food requiring water to grow. ... ” Continue reading at the Sacramento Bee here: Why dwindling snow in mountains east of Modesto should startle everyone
Use the budget surplus to address the issue of water
Roger Miller, a retired administrator for Southern California Edison, writes, “Re “How should California spend its big budget surplus?”; Commentary, Dan Walters, Nov. 22, 2021: To answer the question, we should address the single most pressing and potentially catastrophic future issue facing California – water. My vote goes to determining the best, proven current large-scale desalination technology available today, prioritizing possible facility sites, current and future capacity needs, and evaluating the fiscal, social and environmental costs. … ” Continue reading from Cal Matters here: Use the budget surplus to address the issue of water
Today’s featured article …
RISING VOICES: LA Compost on healthy soil for healthy waters and community
Each month, the Water Hub is checking in with advocates and organizers in California to talk about water and other environmental justice issues impacting local communities. December 5 is #WorldSoilDay, so we spoke with LA Compost Founder and Executive Director, Michael Martinez, and Soil & Compost Specialist, Lynn Fang, about the benefits of composting, community connection and the relationship between healthy soils and waters in California.
Click here to read this article.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Mendocino remains in stage 4 drought, applies for 3.1 million dollar grant to address outdated recycled water plant
“The Mendocino City Community Services District Board of Directors retained the Stage 4 drought designation as recommended by Superintendent Ryan Rhoades. According to Rhoades, the drought plan says the area needed to receive 12 inches of rain in October and November, but it came up short by eight-tenths of an inch, receiving only 11.2 inches. The matter will be taken up again at the next meeting which is scheduled for Monday, December 20. On November 10, the board held a special meeting and hired GHD Consultants out of Santa Rosa to assist staff with grant applications. … ” Read more from the Mendocino Beacon here: Mendocino remains in stage 4 drought, applies for 3.1 million dollar grant to address outdated recycled water plant
BAY AREA
When will rain return to the Bay Area?
“The Bay Area’s rainy season began with a bang. October storms drenched Northern California with several inches of rain and dusted Sierra Nevada mountains with snow. After enjoying November’s sunshine, you may be wondering when storm clouds will return to drought-plagued California. NOAA recently released its “2021-22 Winter Outlook,” revealing what climate experts are forecasting with La Nina in effect this December. … ” Read more from KRON here: When will rain return to the Bay Area?
Fall heat wave in Bay Area leaves records behind
“A late-fall heat wave that cranked up the temperatures for a few days started to give way Thursday to more typical conditions but not before toppling some decades-old records. The National Weather Service said the high-pressure bubble that created a week of sunny days and put temperatures in the 70s through much of the region started to move away as a southerly surge of lower pressure migrated up the coast. “That’s gonna mean a big change to our weather pattern over the next few days,” NWS meteorologist Gerry Diaz said. “You’re gonna see a lot of low clouds, and that sea breeze that keeps the region cool is slowly making its way back into the area.” ... ” Read more from the Mercury News here: Fall heat wave in Bay Area leaves records behind
Bay Area water districts offering mixed approaches to drought restrictions
“There are now two districts in the Bay Area with tough drought restrictions in place. San Jose Water and Marin Municipal Water District customers have a choice: cut back on their water usage, or pay up. KPIX 5 checked in with several of the water providers throughout the Bay Area to see if they plan on imposing tougher water restrictions as the drought continues. The Contra Costa Water District supplies around 500,000 customers in Contra Costa County. The CCWD is not proposing additional restrictions at this time, according to a spokesperson. … ” Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Bay Area water districts offering mixed approaches to drought restrictions
New drastic restrictions in Marin County mark seriousness of the drought
“Marin Municipal Water District announced Wednesday that its customers can no longer turn on their sprinklers or drip irrigation to water outdoor landscaping, beginning Thursday. The restrictions do not apply to recycled water. Those who don’t comply with the ban, which is set to be in effect until May 31, 2022, face fines up to $250 and other penalties, the district said. Spot watering is exempt. In other words, you can water your flower beds with a watering can. The district also banned the refilling of a completely drained swimming pool and the initial filling of any swimming pool for which application for a building permit was made after Dec. 1, 2021. … ” Read more from SF Gate here: New drastic restrictions in Marin County mark seriousness of the drought
Yuba County Water Agency could ship billions of gallons of water to bay area amid drought
“California needs water and one local water agency wants to take a big step toward helping counties in danger of going dry. The Yuba Water Agency could sell and ship billions of gallons of water to Marin County through a pipeline across a bridge. This pipeline would be built across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. There’s no official price tag for this project just yet, but the Marin Independent Journal estimates it could be more than $10 million. Under the transfer agreement, the Yuba Water Agency would sell at least 10,000 acre-feet of water to the Contra Costa Water District and East Bay Municipal Utility District from its new Bullards Bar Reservoir. ... ” Read more from Channel 13 here: Yuba County Water Agency could ship billions of gallons of water to bay area amid drought
Editorial: Coastal health at core of Bel Marin Keys wetlands work
The Marin Independent Journal editorial board writes, “Restoring and expanding Marin’s historic wetlands has been an environmental priority for years. The latest milestone in this effort was reached last month when the California Coastal Conservancy unveiled the new taller and wider levee that will allow for the restoration of about 1,600 acres of wetlands around Bel Marin Keys. Add that to the neighboring Hamilton wetlands of 648 acres. It is an impressive step toward reversing, where it’s possible, some of the wetlands lost to decades of the Bay Area’s development. Baylands were diked and filled to provide acreage for agriculture, towns, commercial hubs, subdivisions, highways, airports, military bases, stadiums and many dumps. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Editorial: Coastal health at core of Bel Marin Keys wetlands work
King tides to swamp S.F. Bay Area coastlines. Here’s what to expect
“King tides are coming to the Bay Area this weekend, potentially raising the high tide to 7 feet and possibly swamping the seawall on the San Francisco Embarcadero. The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory from Friday through Sunday afternoon, warning of minor flooding during high-tide periods in low-lying areas on the bayfront. The Friday high tide will be 6.95 feet at around 10:30 a.m. and it will rise to a high of 7.1 feet at the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday before rolling back slightly on Sunday. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: King tides to swamp S.F. Bay Area coastlines. Here’s what to expect
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Senator Alex Padilla discusses infrastructure bill’s impact on Central California
“$30 billion is coming to California from a bipartisan bill that Democrats pushed through Congress last month. Most of the funding will go toward improving highways and roads, which engineers rank among the worst in the country. … The Democrat is calling it an important piece of legislation that includes priorities to modernize the state’s utilities, improve internet connectivity in rural areas, and revamp water infrastructure. “Funding is certainly there to modernize a lot of the canals that are aging and leaking, and the last thing we need during a drought is to lose a lot of water, precious water to leaks,” he said. … ” Read more from KFSN here: Senator Alex Padilla discusses infrastructure bill’s impact on Central California
Helicopter-born ‘MRI’ for groundwater storage makes its debut at Shafter airport
“When physicians want to take a look at a patient’s vascular system to see things that aren’t visible to the naked eye, they often turn to MRI technology. Well that’s exactly what experts with the California Department of Water Resources are doing to analyze the state’s water system – specifically the underground aquifers that collect and store precipitation and other surface water. But this technology is not MRI – it’s AEM, and though it’s been around for almost 20 years, it’s about to be adapted on a widespread basis in California, starting here in Kern County. Representatives of a half dozen public and private water management entities were at Minter Field in Shafter for a demonstration of the technology. ... ” Read more from KGET here: Helicopter-born ‘MRI’ for groundwater storage makes its debut at Shafter airport
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Waterkeeper sues Senior Aerospace SSP over Clean Water Act violations
“The Los Angeles Waterkeeper filed a complaint in the Central District of California against Senior Operations LLC for violating the Clean Water Act and California’s Storm Water Permit. Senior Operations LLC is a Delaware corporation doing business as Senior Aerospace SSP in Burbank, California, reported Law Street Media. The defendant owns and operates a facility in Burbank for: designing and manufacturing high-pressure air ducting systems; precision sheet metal fabrications; and other fabricated metal parts for the aerospace industry. ... ” Read more from Stormwater Solutions here: Los Angeles Waterkeeper sues Senior Aerospace SSP over Clean Water Act violations
Plunge Creek project receives award
“The American Public Works Association, Inland Empire Section’s Board of Directors selected San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District’s Plunge Creek Conservation Project as the organization’s Water Supply Protection and Enhancement Project of the Year. The project was honored for preserving natural resources for the community, establishing a model for collaborative habitat conservation programs, and enhancing recharge to help boost local groundwater storage. … ” Red more from the Highland Community News here: Plunge Creek project receives award
San Bernardino water agency invests $1.8 million in stormwater capture
“The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (Valley District) is investing $1.8 million to increase stormwater capture and recharge in the Yucaipa Basin. The project – called the Wilson III Basin – is primarily a flood control project to reduce flood risk in Yucaipa but will also help the area capture more of its own stormwater for storage underground, increasing water supply reliability and enhancing the sustainability of the groundwater resources in the Yucaipa Basin. Valley District will contribute $1.8 million toward construction of the project through a partnership with the city of Yucaipa. … ” Read more from the Highland Community News here: San Bernardino water agency invests $1.8 million in stormwater capture
SAN DIEGO
Seven Decades in the making, new Fallbrook water treatment plant opens
“Culminating one of the longest-running federal lawsuits in San Diego County history, the Fallbrook Public Utility District today christened its new $60 million water treatment plant, which will purify millions of gallons of water from the Santa Margarita River every year and deliver it to the residents of Fallbrook. “Finally, the people of Fallbrook will be able to benefit from this abundant nearby water supply, which will provide our district with half of its water needs and reduce our reliance on expensive imported water,” said Jack Bebee, general manager of the Fallbrook Public Utility District. “This took a lot of hard work by so many people from both our district and Camp Pendleton, and I’m very grateful that we were able to come together to make this happen,” said Jennifer DeMeo, FPUD board president. ... ” Red more from ACWA’s Water News here: Seven Decades in the making, new Fallbrook water treatment plant opens
Researchers work to keep Imperial Beach above water
“Every winter, Imperial Beach finds some of its streets and sidewalks underwater. This week, researchers from San Diego State and UC San Diego started digging groundwater wells to see how sea-level rise plays a role in that flooding. The sea-level impacts how shallow the water table is underneath the city. “Flooding overall is a very, very big thing in Imperial Beach,” said Hassan Davani, Ph.D. The SDSU researcher said most studies predict sea-level rise will significantly impact California as early as 2050. However, Davani said Imperial Beach can’t wait that long to protect itself. … ” Read more from NBC 7 here: Researchers work to keep Imperial Beach above water
Along the Colorado River …
Major extra cuts to be made in Arizona deliveries of Colorado River water next year
“The Central Arizona Project’s governing board took the first steps Thursday toward approving Arizona’s share of a plan to save a half-million acre-feet a year of Colorado River water in order to prop up ailing Lake Mead. The plan, adopted unanimously by the board, calls for Arizona users of the river water — mostly those on CAP supplies — to shoulder more than 40% of that total, or 223,000 acre-feet in 2022. The cuts are all supposed to be voluntary and temporary, and to be compensated by either state or federal money, totalling $100 million a year for the entire conservation program. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Major extra cuts to be made in Arizona deliveries of Colorado River water next year
What if it’s too warm to snow? Water managers across the West need to adapt, report says
“Arizona and the West could see their water supplies drop by as much as 30% by the middle of the century as warmer temperatures lead to less snowfall, reducing runoff into rivers and reservoirs, changing vegetation cover and altering wildlife habitat. Those are the findings of a team of researchers led by Erica R. Siirila-Woodburn and Alan M. Rhoades at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, who published a paper looking at the likelihood of a “low-to-no snow” future. Their analysis, published in the journal Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, also estimates when and where to expect the effects of a low-to-no snow climate disaster. ... ” Read more from Arizona Central here: What if it’s too warm to snow? Water managers across the West need to adapt, report says
States are funding a plan to keep Colorado River water in Lake Mead. What will it do?
“Last month, the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s governing board authorized up to $20 million in funding for a plan to keep more water in Lake Mead. Over the next few days and weeks, other boards, across Arizona and California, will be weighing similar line items. The goal: Keep the Colorado River reservoir from crashing as long-term negotiations take place.Arizona, California, Nevada and Mexico all rely on Colorado River water stored in Lake Mead, which dropped to a historic-low level earlier this year amid continued overuse and prolonged drought conditions. The states, which collectively comprise the Lower Colorado River Basin, already have a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) in place to keep more water in the reservoir. But it might not be enough to keep Lake Mead stable. ... ” Read more from the Nevada Independent here: States are funding a plan to keep Colorado River water in Lake Mead. What will it do?
Yes, it hasn’t snowed yet in Denver. But it’s Colorado’s meager snowpack that should worry you.
“Snowflakes began falling in Denver on Dec. 1, 1913, and didn’t stop for four days, leaving the city blanketed under 45 inches of snow. Some mountain towns saw even more snowfall, with 86 inches recorded in Georgetown, 53 in Estes Park and about 44 in Boulder. The anniversary of Denver’s biggest blizzard comes amid a much different record for the city: 225 days without snow. But climatologists say they’re more worried about the meager snowpack levels in the mountains this season. “Snow in Denver is a bit of a novelty and it is a bit overrated. It doesn’t matter that much here in Denver,” said Chris Bianchi, a meteorologist with 9News. “It matters in the context of climate change and a warmer climate overall, but in terms of affecting our day-to-day lifestyles, snow in the mountains is what really matters.” ... ” Read more from the Colorado Sun here: Yes, it hasn’t snowed yet in Denver. But it’s Colorado’s meager snowpack that should worry you.
In national water news today …
Addressing agriculture in the withering West
“Most Americans are aware that much of the West is suffering unrelenting drought, but they may not recognize how dramatically broader climatic shifts are affecting farmers’ and ranchers’ options for the future. Our country’s capacity to provide food security to its own citizens is being wounded by a wild bunch of climatic catastrophes that cannot healed by band-aid solutions. Yields on arable lands managed by farmers, vintners, orchard keepers and stockmen are diminishing do to meager rainfall, empty reservoirs, scorching heat waves and wildfires. More than 173 million acres of rural lands west of the Mississippi are suffering unprecedented soil moisture deficits. Through Thanksgiving of this year, 1671 counties were experiencing moderate to severe drought, with 646 agricultural counties (38 percent) declared drought disaster areas. ... ” Read more from The Hill here: Addressing agriculture in the withering West
FDA proposes changes to agricultural water rule
“Recent foodborne illness outbreaks have been linked to agricultural water upstream. In an effort to enhance the safety of produce, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a proposed rule that requires farms to conduct comprehensive assessments to help them identify and mitigate hazards in water used to grow produce. “There have been far too many foodborne illness outbreaks possibly linked to pre-harvest agricultural water in recent years, including water coming from lands nearby produce farms,” explains Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response. This is the latest step in the agency’s implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, and it proposes to replace some of the existing requirements for agricultural water in the Produce Safety Rule. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: FDA proposes changes to agricultural water rule
The future of ag policy debate
“As the calendar turns from 2021 to 2022, agricultural producers and policy stakeholders can look ahead to another year full of important issues and policy discussions. Ongoing issues that are sure to continue into 2022 include policy debates and further developments over the pandemic response, climate and carbon, bioenergy, regulations, infrastructure and other federal spending, and immigration — all of which have an effect on agriculture. Then, of course, 2022 also brings with it the midterm elections and what should be the start of the 2023 Farm Bill debate. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: The future of ag policy debate
Where’s the snow? Snow coverage in US for early December lowest in 18 years
“It’s December, for those of you who don’t own calendars. But our calendarless neighbors can be excused for thinking it may be November or even October based on the current color of their grass. Americans from the Pacific to the Atlantic are putting up Christmas lights and lighting menorah candles without the usual wintry scene-setter – wintry, white, blanketing snow. So where’s it at? Well, almost nowhere in the United States, apparently. As of Dec. 2, just 8.6% of the contiguous U.S. is covered by snow, according to data from the National Weather Service (NWS). That’s the lowest amount of snow coverage at this time of year since 2003, the first year records on contiguous U.S. snow coverage were tracked. ... ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Where’s the snow? Snow coverage in US for early December lowest in 18 years
$50B investment will address contaminants in US drinking water, EPA announces
“On Thursday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced funding that U.S. states, Tribes and territories will receive in 2022 through the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address key challenges like lead in drinking water and other contamination. According to the EPA, the funding, provided through EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, will “create jobs while upgrading America’s aging water infrastructure.” … ” Read more from Fox 11 News here: $50B investment will address contaminants in US drinking water, EPA announces
The next chapter of the WOTUS saga is here
“On November 18, 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced the availability of a pre-publication version of a proposed rule (Proposed Rule) to amend the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). This much anticipated rulemaking is the latest attempt by the agencies to provide regulatory clarity on what water features are subject to the protections of the Clean Water Act. … The agencies are also contemplating additional changes through a second rulemaking, which would build upon the Proposed Rule. It was expected that this first rulemaking would simply be a repeal rule. However, the Proposed Rule goes further than a repeal and proposes to codify both the pre-2015 regulation and the agencies’ current interpretation of their previously issued guidance arising from the Supreme Court’s decisions in Rapanos v. United States and SWANCC v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. … ” Read more from Nossaman LLP here: The next chapter of the WOTUS saga is here
Climate change brings a perfect storm of raw sewage and rainfall in cities that can least afford it
“Martha Arencibia watched from her front porch in Paterson, New Jersey, as the skies unleashed a torrent of rain that overwhelmed the storm drains on her street. Within hours, standing water that started as puddles grew into a swiftly moving current that carried vehicles away. Across Paterson, the downpour stranded drivers and flooded homes, businesses and schools. In the nearly five decades she has lived in the historic, ethnically diverse city, Arencibia had never seen such an inundation. What she could not see was the trouble unfolding under the streets. Paterson, like 728 other U.S. communities, suffers from an antiquated sewage system that combines rainwater, snowmelt and toilet waste into the same pipes, then discharges it all into rivers, lakes and even homes when filled to capacity. ... ” Read more from Mt. Shasta News here: Climate change brings a perfect storm of raw sewage and rainfall in cities that can least afford it
COP26: A bold step forward for the water resilience agenda
Jason Morrison, President, Pacific Institute, & Head, CEO Water Mandate, writes, “The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow marked a welcome change in the way water is included in global climate dialogue. Now in the rearview mirror, it’s clear the water agenda received significantly more attention than during previous COPs, and that resilience and adaptation are gaining powerful traction alongside climate mitigation. In line with the Pacific Institute’s 2030 goal to catalyze the transformation to water resilience, the Institute was a major player at COP26, convening several sessions at the first-ever Water for Climate Pavilion. … ” Read more from the Pacific Institute here: COP26: A bold step forward for the water resilience agenda
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
DELTA eNEWS: ~~ Dutch Slough~ Environmental Webinar~ ISB Meeting~ Invasive Species~~
