DAILY DIGEST, 1/13: Satellite images show Mount Shasta’s transformation after an exceptionally dry summer; Costa leads effort to ensure Valley water is prioritized in Infrastructure Law roll-out; Almonds require 1/3 less water to grow than in 2002; Biden nixes Trump’s efficiency loophole for appliances; and more …

On the calendar today …

• MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board from 8:30 am to 4:30pm. The Delta ISB will discuss current and future reviews, including its current review of the draft 2022-2026 Science Action Agenda. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
• WEBINAR: Lesson Learned From 2015 Drought: How To Prepare For Next from 10am to 11:30am.  While there is uncertainty about drought conditions in 2022, it is certain that managing droughts will be the new norm. Water providers will need to be nimble in moving in and out of droughts and the associated severity. We have learned quite a bit from the 2015 drought and with the updated Urban Water Management Plan in place, this is a great time to take the final step in developing a comprehensive drought management plan for each stage of cut back.  Click here to register.
• PUBLIC HEARING: Waters of the US (WOTUS) from 11am to 2pm.  The US EPA and the Army Corps will hold a public hearing to provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposed rule.  A video introduction and overview of the rule is available on the EPA website at Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement Activities | US EPA.   Attendees may sign up for a three-minute time slot to provide verbal comments. Those who wish to speak are highly encouraged to sign up in advance by selecting a “ticket” to speak during their preferred time window.  Click here to register.
• PUBLIC MEETING: Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project EIR from 5pm to 7pm. Valley Water has released a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project for public review beginning on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, and ending on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, an excess of 60 days.  Valley Water will also be hosting a virtual public meeting on Jan. 13, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. to answer questions about the Draft EIR. The meeting will include a detailed presentation of the Draft EIR.  https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/85762031311

In California water news today …

Satellite images show Mount Shasta’s transformation after an exceptionally dry summer

“After one of its driest summers in years, satellite images show that Mount Shasta is blanketed in its signature snow once again after December storms swept across Northern California.  The images show the mountain nearly entirely devoid of snow in early September, after a very hot summer for the region compounded the lack of snowpack after two severely dry winters, dissipating the snowpack earlier than normal. Just four months later, the mountain appeared transformed, covered in snow once again.  But the welcome sight also comes with continued warning signs. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Satellite images show Mount Shasta’s transformation after an exceptionally dry summer

California keeps experiencing extreme drought in spite of record-setting snow

“In spite of record rainfall and snowfall, California is still experiencing drought. Moderate-to-extreme drought conditions persist across much of California, except the Bay Area.  The Sierra Nevada received nearly 18 feet of snow in a single month, but water levels in California are at a crisis point and need to be replenished.  While scientists try to figure out when the drought will come to an end, locals continue to conserve.  When California’s water year began on October 1st, atmospheric rivers quickly brought torrential rainfall to the Bay Area. December saw a record-breaking 18 feet of snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains alone, according to Accuweather. … ”  Read more from Nature World News here: California keeps experiencing extreme drought in spite of record-setting snow

Costa leads effort to ensure San Joaquin Valley water is prioritized in Infrastructure Law roll-out

“Last week, Rep. Jim Costa continued to advocate for key California water infrastructure priorities as funding from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) begins to roll out.  In a letter to U.S. Dept. of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton, Costa provided recommendations on how the Biden administration can prioritize the distribution of IIJA funding to help improve water infrastructure in the San Joaquin Valley. This letter comes ahead of a required spending plan on how the administration intends to use the funding provided by IIJA which will be released later this month.  … ”  Read more from Congressman Jim Costa’s website here: Costa leads effort to ensure San Joaquin Valley water is prioritized in Infrastructure Law roll-out

Reducing water use: Almonds require 1/3 less water to grow than in 2002; effort underway to cut water another 20% by 2025

“Almonds — like everything else we eat — require water to grow.  During the last drought almonds became the target of ire from those who believe agriculture wantonly wastes water with almonds being the No. 1 culprit given almond orchards account for 8 percent of California’s irrigated water.  Almonds constitute the largest acreage in the state and as such they are a highly visible target compared to a number of other crops planted in lesser numbers of acres that are ranked lower in food value per gallon of water used. … ”  Continue reading at the Manteca Bulletin here: Reducing water use: Almonds require 1/3 less water to grow than in 2002; effort underway to cut water another 20% by 2025

Almond update: Groundwater recharge guide available to growers

“The Almond Board of California (ABC) has worked with other collaborators to develop a new resource for growers interested in groundwater recharge. Released at The Almond Conference 2021, the new Introduction to Groundwater Recharge document provides guidance for how to implement the practice. Working with Sustainable Conservation and other research partners, ABC has put together comprehensive recharge guidance for the almond industry.  “This guide is really intended for growers to take control of their own future water supply reliability by giving them information about groundwater recharge and how it may be a fit for their operation,” said Jesse Roseman, ABC Principal Analyst. “The Almond Board has done research in this area applying excess water during the dormant season in the wintertime and really hasn’t seen any negative impacts to production. So, since that is an option – an opportunity – we really just wanted to provide growers with a guide for how they can go about doing that.” … ”  Continue reading from Ag Net West here: Almond update: Groundwater recharge guide available to growers

UC study finds safe drinking water remains out of reach for many Californians

“An estimated 371,000 Californians — about 1% of the state’s residents — rely on drinking water that may contain high levels of toxic chemicals such as arsenic, nitrate or hexavalent chromium, according to a study from the University of California campuses in Berkeley and Los Angeles.  In a news release issued Tuesday by UC Berkeley, researchers said the results of the study likely understate the number of people impacted by unsafe drinking water, as the study included just the three chemicals.  The study is the first to quantity the average concentrations of multiple chemical contaminants in both community water systems and domestic well areas statewide, according to the news release. … ”  Read more from NBC Bay Area here: UC study finds safe drinking water remains out of reach for many Californians

SEE ALSO: Study: Nearly 400,000 Californians lack safe drinking water, often due to ag pollution, from FERN’s Ag Insider

Five wildfire recovery strategies for the Sierra Nevada

“Following several years of uncharacteristically large and severe wildfires, the Sierra Nevada region is in uncharted territory. In 2021 alone, approximately 1.5 million acres burned. Over half of those acres experienced high-severity fire, which kills at least 75% of vegetation. These fires have left behind an altered landscape that now includes vast expanses of dead trees. The change threatens our water supply, wildlife habitat, carbon stores, Native American sacred sites and biocultural values, and recreation opportunities.  Several Sierra Nevada communities are hurting deeply, with homes destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and traditional ways of life further threatened. And some of California’s most precious natural resources—including crucial water sources like the Feather River watershed and beloved symbols like the giant sequoia—have been harmed.  We are not powerless in the face of these challenges. … ”  Continue reading from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy here: Five wildfire recovery strategies for the Sierra Nevada

California Farm Bureau welcomes budget proposal

“A $286.4 billion budget plan for the state of California was introduced this week by Governor Gavin Newsom. This budget will make investments to target the greatest threats to the state. Those threats include fighting COVID 19, keeping the streets safe, confronting homelessness and combating the climate crisis with an emphasis on drought response.  Last year’s budget included an allocation of $5.2 billion over a 3-year period to tackle water issues. In this 2022 budget proposal, an additional $750 million will go directly to the general fund to support drought resilience and response. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: California Farm Bureau welcomes budget proposal

Here’s how California plans to spend $37 billion fighting climate change

“When she first came to work in California during the Trump era, Lauren Sanchez says, the state’s climate budget was typically a few billion dollars a year, with much of that money automatically going to a couple of high-profile projects, including the bullet train through the Central Valley. That left climate policymakers and advocates fighting over a few hundred million dollars.  How times have changed. The latest budget proposal, unveiled this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, includes $22 billion in new climate funding. It also allocates money from last year’s budget, for a total of $37 billion in climate spending over six years.  Sanchez, Newsom’s senior climate advisor, says it’s more than the large dollar figures that make this year’s budget different. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Here’s how California plans to spend $37 billion fighting climate change

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In commentary today …

Drought forcing cuts to agriculture, too

Mike Wade with the California Farm Water Coalition writes, “We agree with a lot of what was said in The Mercury News editorial on Jan. 9 (“State must stop burying head in winter snow,” Page A12). The rain and snow this year, while very welcome, isn’t enough yet to recover from last year’s dry conditions.  However, asserting that California farms have not been subjected to water cuts is misleading. Farms have seen their water allocations slashed since the beginning of last year. In fact, roughly 25% of California’s irrigated acreage received almost no water allocation in 2021 and expect none this year. It’s not possible to use less than zero water. … ”  Read the full letter at the San Jose Mercury News here: Drought forcing cuts to agriculture, too

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Damned if you don’t: Vanishing salmon and the Klamath River dam removal project

“For thousands of years, the Yurok have gathered along the Klamath River in northern California to honor the life-affirming runs of wild salmon. But these days their annual festivals have come to feel more like funerals than celebrations. There are so few salmon in these waters that the Yurok Tribe has had to resort to importing them from Alaska.  “Our economic, social, cultural, and mental health are dependent upon the Klamath’s salmon runs,” said Amy Cordalis, Yurok tribal member and the tribe’s general counsel. “When the river and salmon are unhealthy, we are unhealthy.”  Nearby, on the coast, the ocean air in Crescent City, CA, is no longer pungent with the smell of working fisheries. In the last 40 years, the quaint seaside town has seen a 96 percent loss in fisheries. A little further north, Brookings, OR, also has witnessed the loss of almost all of their fisheries. There just aren’t enough salmon to keep them running. … ”  Continue reading at Who What Why here: Damned if you don’t: Vanishing salmon and the Klamath River dam removal project

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Commentary: Message from El Dorado Irrigation District: Adapting to challenges and strengthening our community’s infrastructure

Jim Abercrombie, EID general manager, writes, “As I write this column, 2021 is coming to a close and another year full of promise and dedicated work lies ahead.  Over the last two years, El Dorado Irrigation District has been faced with multiple challenges that required clear-eyed focus and commitment. These challenges faced not just the district, but everyone in the communities we call home.  From power shutoffs and continuing drought conditions to the ongoing pandemic and the catastrophic fire that has affected so many in our county, this has been a time when our community has shown its resilience in the face of significant obstacles. … ”  Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: Message from El Dorado Irrigation District: Adapting to challenges and strengthening our community’s infrastructure

Placer approves regional groundwater sustainability plan

“The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a regional groundwater sustainability plan to protect groundwater resources in a portion of western Placer. In coordination with multiple regional agencies, the GSP details a long-term management plan for groundwater to avoid depletion of the resource.  “This plan will sustain 336,000 acre-feet of groundwater in Placer, protecting those who rely on the resources such as agriculture, residential well users and groundwater-dependent ecosystems,” said Environmental Engineering senior planner Chris Hanson. … ”  Read more from Rocklin & Roseville Today here: Placer approves regional groundwater sustainability plan

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

The pillars for Ridgetop To River Mouth Water Management in the Sacramento River basin

“The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Board of Directors on January 5 adopted our Strategic Planning and 2022 Priorities. On behalf of the water leaders in this region, we look forward to working with our many partners in 2022 to cultivate a shared vision for a vibrant way of life in the Sacramento River Basin. We will continue to re-imagine our water system in the Sacramento River Basin as we work to harmonize our water priorities with state, federal, and other regions’ priorities and to advance ridgetop to river mouth water management and our collective goal of ensuring greater water and climate resilience throughout California for our communities, the economy, and the environment. We encourage you to review our 2022 Priorities and please share any thoughts. ... ”  Read more at the Northern California Water Association here: The pillars for Ridgetop To River Mouth Water Management in the Sacramento River basin

Lake Oroville is high, ‘fishing is good’, State Parks chief says

“It’s pretty much business as usual at Lake Oroville.  “It’s been pretty busy for this time of year,” said Aaron Wright, State Parks public safety chief. “There’s been a lot of fishermen and kayakers. Fishing is good right now.”  Lake levels are currently at 731.5 feet. “It’s high for what it is,” said Wright. “The lake is open for access and there are houseboats out there.”  Fire damage is still being assessed.  “We are doing mitigation for fire damage for the North Complex fire. Repairs are still being done,” said Wright. … ”  Continue reading at the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Lake Oroville is high, ‘fishing is good’, State Parks chief says

Glenn County residents continue to feel the impacts of the drought

“The recent rains were much needed, but they were not enough to get the state out of the drought.  One of the first counties in the Northstate to declare a local drought emergency, Glenn County, is still experiencing water supply issues.  “The rain is always good and the snow is even better because snow will last for a while and melt and come down and refill what has been depleted when people are using. It had a positive impact. Dramatic? I wouldn’t say so,” said the director of Glenn County Planning & Community Development Services, Don Rust. … ”  Read more from Channel 7 here: Glenn County residents continue to feel the impacts of the drought

Roseville Groundwater Recharge equivalent to 32 Olympic-sized pools

“With a significant amount of rainfall to close 2021, Folsom Reservoir gained a substantial amount of water in a short period. During the winter months especially, federal water managers who operate Folsom Reservoir are often confronted with complex decisions about when and where water is released from federally-operated reservoirs for winter flood protection, environmental flows, and water needs throughout the year. This is the case to start 2022.  Because of the City’s investments in groundwater management and technologically advanced water infrastructure, Roseville can replenish and extract water from aquifers underground. … ”  Read more from ACWA News here: Roseville Groundwater Recharge equivalent to 32 Olympic-sized pools

Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District selects Stantec to help deliver recycled water to agricultural fields

“The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (Regional San) recentlyselectedglobal design firm Stantecto provide design for 16 miles of transmission pipelines as part of the Harvest Water program. The program will provide tertiary-treated recycled water for growers to use to irrigate crops instead of pumped groundwater on 16,000 acres of agricultural lands in southern Sacramento County.  The Harvest Water Program will deliver up to 50,000-acre-feet per year of recycled water from Regional San’s treatment plant in Elk Grove, to areas near the lower Cosumnes River and Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. The project will improve groundwater levels and stream flow, enhance groundwater-dependent riparian habitats, sustain prime agricultural lands, and improve regional water supply reliability. The use of recycled water mitigates risks from droughts. … ”  Read more from Market Screener here: Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District selects Stantec to help deliver recycled water to agricultural fields

CDFW stocking brook trout into Sacramento-area waters this winter for fishing in the city

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will provide trout anglers in the greater Sacramento area with an unprecedented fishing opportunity this winter: the chance to catch brook trout from a half-dozen urban and suburban park ponds and lakes that are part of CDFW’s Fishing in the City program. Fishing in the City began in 1993 to provide recreational fishing and outdoor opportunities to California’s urban, suburban and underserved communities.  “These are good-looking fish,” said Jason Julienne, the senior environmental scientist who supervises CDFW’s North Central Region fish hatcheries. “They fight hard, they’re aggressive and they’re good table fare. This is a unique opportunity for anglers using these urban fisheries to catch a very special fish.” … ”  Read more from Department of Fish & Wildlife here: CDFW stocking brook trout into Sacramento-area waters this winter for fishing in the city

BAY AREA

Muir Woods is getting a $20 million restoration. Here’s the most ambitious part of it

“As it carves its way through Muir Woods National Monument, Redwood Creek might look to be the way nature intended it. But it isn’t.  It is the way the Civilian Conservation Corps intended it, shoved and straightened by 120 tons of rock riprap placed in the 1930s as a flood-control measure.  Now, nearly a century later, most of the man-made embankment will be removed, allowing a mile-long stretch of the creek on the valley floor to return to its natural floodplain. The project represents the most ambitious portion of a five-year, $20 million restoration for Muir Woods that includes relocating the visitor center and restrooms, repairing the parking lots and replacing a mile-long water line. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Muir Woods is getting a $20 million restoration. Here’s the most ambitious part of it

Marin: Water pipeline to face review

“The proposed water pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge will undergo standard environmental review, losing its emergency exemption after recent rains spared Marin County from the harshest impacts of the drought and assuaged the urgency of the project.  Marin Water, which had planned to start construction on the pipeline next month, will soon begin a review of the project under the California Environmental Quality Act. It says the project will give the county’s largely self-contained water systems more flexibility in the long term. … ”  Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Marin: Water pipeline to face review

Special funds approved to remove wrecked boat

“The end is in sight for the American Challenger, the derelict fishing vessel that broke free of its towline and grounded on rocks north of Dillon Beach nearly one year ago.  Last week, the United States Coast Guard Commandant approved a plan for the boat’s removal and destruction, after a lengthy review found the vessel threatened to pollute waters in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The finding opened the door to a federal oil spill trust fund, which the Coast Guard is permitted to access under the 1990 Oil Pollution Act.  The Environmental Protection Agency will cover salvage and disposal costs, estimated at $1 million, and the Coast Guard will cover the expense of removal. Access to those funds required a review process that considered impacts to natural, cultural and historic resources, costs, and legal implications. … ”  Read more from the Point Reyes Light here: Special funds approved to remove wrecked boat

PG&E can’t duck potential liability for century-old gas plant pollution

“Pacific Gas and Electric could be liable for contamination from a defunct gas plant that operated more than 100 years ago, a federal judge has ruled, because evidence suggests its predecessor dumped hazardous waste at or near the San Francisco site in 1903.  “This is an important day for the health of San Francisco and the bay,” plaintiffs’ attorney Stuart Gross said in a statement Wednesday. “It is also an important day for the principles of ‘polluter pays’ and corporate accountability.”  Gross represents plaintiff Dan Clarke, a former San Francisco resident seeking a court order that would force PG&E to investigate and clean up contamination allegedly left by the Cannery gas plant, owned and operated by companies later acquired by PG&E from 1899 to 1903. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: PG&E can’t duck potential liability for century-old gas plant pollution

Drought lessens in San Mateo County

“Despite precipitation in San Mateo County this rainy season nearly doubling historic averages to this point, the path to full drought recovery remains unclear as the region continues to reel from recent record-breaking dry years.  As of last week, storms since Oct. 1 had dumped 13.7 inches of rain in Redwood City and as much as 18 inches in Half Moon Bay while historic averages for the span are 6.4 and 9.2 inches respectively, according to the National Weather Service. In comparison, by this time last year just 1.5 and 3.1 inches had fallen at those locations. It’s a trend that’s rung true for much of Northern California, which has been drenched in recent month’s atmospheric river events. In the Sierras, snowpacks are at 130% of average. … ”  Read more from the San Mateo Daily Journal here: Drought lessens in San Mateo County

Appeals court clears path for controversial 469-home development at edge of Newark wetlands

“In a major victory for one of the Bay Area’s preeminent developers, a state appeals court has struck down an environmental challenge to plans to build 469 large houses near the edge of Newark’s wetlands, clearing a path for the controversial development to go forward.  Though the project area could see flooding in the coming decades because of projected rising sea levels, and will remove some habitat of the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse, the Newark City Council approved The Sobrato Organization’s plans in November 2019, over the objections of some residents and environmental groups, who called the development “illogical and irresponsible.” … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Appeals court clears path for controversial 469-home development at edge of Newark wetlands

California drought: Santa Clara County residents exceed water conservation targets

“After months of falling short, Santa Clara County residents have finally begun to hit the target when it comes to water conservation.  Following two record-dry years, the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a drought emergency in June and asked the county’s 2 million residents to cut water use by 15% from 2019 levels.  After failing to achieve that goal for four months, county water use fell 16% in October. But there was a catch: Unusually heavy rains that month caused people to turn off yard sprinklers. Now the trend looks more solid. New numbers released this week show a 20% savings in November, which had dry weather, compared to November 2019. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here:  Santa Clara County residents exceed water conservation targets

Climate swings help endangered salmon return to Bay Area creeks for the first time in years

“Endangered Coho salmon are returning to Marin County, California, creeks this winter where they’ve long been absent, thanks to intense rains that scientists say will become more frequent as the state swings between climate-driven drought and deluge. It’s a rare bit of good news for a species whose population has plummeted in recent decades due to development and pollution.  In the San Francisco Bay Area, thousands of salmon historically made the annual migration from the Pacific Ocean to the redwood-shrouded creeks in Marin County where they were born. There they would spawn the next generation of fish before dying.… ”  Read more from Bloomberg Quint here: Climate swings help endangered salmon return to Bay Area creeks for the first time in years

CENTRAL COAST

On Jan. 1, where the Monterey Peninsula gets its water from changed dramatically. A new pipeline being installed in Seaside will help adapt

“Maybe you’ve been wondering why Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard is being torn up right now, and what’s up with the massive pipe sections being staged on its median. The answer to both of those questions is at least in part because as of Dec. 31, 2021, California American Water finally had to scale back its pumping of the Carmel River to its legal limit of 3,376 acre-feet annually.  There are already two pipelines under the road – both projects of Marina Coast Water District, another utility – one of which is currently being used to pipe water from the Pure Water Monterey project south into the Cal Am system. But in previous years, water was moving north in that pipeline, carrying excess winter flows from the Carmel River to be injected into the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s aquifer storage and recovery wells in Seaside. … ”  Read more from Monterey Weekly here: On Jan. 1, where the Monterey Peninsula gets its water from changed dramatically. A new pipeline being installed in Seaside will help adapt

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Heal the Ocean partner to protect local creeks after Alisal Fire

“In the months since the Alisal Fire burned nearly 17,000 acres on the Gaviota Coast, protecting the burn scar from erosion and local waterways from fire-related contaminants has become increasingly important – especially during the season of winter storms. Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Heal the Ocean are working together as part of a larger community effort to minimize the impacts of rainstorms washing harmful contaminants to local creeks.  Thirteen structures were lost in the Alisal Fire, and many were located near Refugio Creek. Sediment, ash and toxic materials, such as asbestos, heavy metals and dioxin from burned sites, can flow into local creeks, impairing water quality, damaging habitats, and increasing risk of pollutant exposure for wildlife. Installing temporary stormwater management measures to prevent pollutants from being carried to the creek, the local water supply and the ocean has been critical. … ”  Read more from Coastal View here: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and Heal the Ocean partner to protect local creeks after Alisal Fire

Oxnard sites at risk from sea level rise

“A recently released project called Toxic Tides aims to make data about risks from sea level rise more accessible and understandable by creating a visualization of the risks certain communities face from flooding at toxic and hazardous sites. The hope is that knowledge and understanding will beget desperately needed action. … [Toxic Tides] has outlined over 400 facilities statewide that could face major flooding events (and thus expose residents to hazardous chemicals). Three major hotspots – Wilmington, near the Port of Los Angeles; Richmond, in San Francisco’s East Bay; and South Oxnard – have been identified and will be the subject of the project’s case studies. … ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Oxnard sites at risk from sea level rise

Warm, dry Santa Ana winds return to Southern California as drought drags on

“Santa Ana winds returned to Ventura County this week, bringing back dry, breezy and warm conditions but little fire risk.  Peak Santa Ana wind season typically runs from October through January, and without enough rain, fire season can drag on. This year, however, December storms drenched the region, dampening the threat of large wildfires.  Firefighters welcomed the green vegetation popping up around the county. But flames can still burn through older growth, particularly a concern in areas without fires in recent years, said Capt. Ryan Matheson with the Ventura County Fire Department. ... ”  Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Warm, dry Santa Ana winds return to Southern California as drought drags on

California city doubles local potable water supply

“In December, the City of Camarillo, Calif., announced the start-up and commissioning of its North Pleasant Valley (NPV) Groundwater Desalter Plant, moving the city closer to a more self-reliant, affordable potable water future.  For nearly two decades, groundwater quality in the northern portion of the Pleasant Valley Groundwater Basin in Ventura County continuously declined due primarily to the infiltration of poor-quality surface water. These challenges compelled the city to reduce groundwater pumping and increase the blending of imported water with Wells A and B, two of Camarillo’s largest wells.  Thus, imported water made up 60 percent of Camarillo’s water supply. Local groundwater accounted for the remaining 40 percent.  The new desalter plant doubles water supply production from local groundwater sources, reducing the dependence on imported water and will save customers an estimated $43 million over the next 20 years. … ”  Read more from Water Finance & Management here: California city doubles local potable water supply

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

North San Joaquin Valley improves to extreme drought after wet fall

“It was without a doubt a wet October and November.  Rainfall in Stockton-Manteca was measured at 4.32 percent or 207 percent of normal.  More importantly for long-range water needs parts of the Sierra recorded upwards of 22 inches of precipitation or 205 percent of average.  A recap of the first two months of the water year that started Oct. 1 was released by the Sacramento office of the National Weather Service on Wednesday. It noted it was the 10th wettest fall on record in Stockton-Manteca as well as Blue Canyon at 4,695 feet in the Sierra along Interstate 80 since weather records started being kept in the 1850s. … ”  Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: North San Joaquin Valley improves to extreme drought after wet fall

Work on Newman Conservation Area advances

“The plan for the Newman Community Conservation Area, south of Newman, is moving forward, with city officials preparing to bid out some projects and search for funding on others.  The Newman Community Conservation Area is planned for city-owned property that is north of Brazo Road and east of Canal School Road in Merced County. The vision for the property includes wetlands and a nature park with hiking trails. The plan has four key components for the property.  The first area will be a 21-acre wetland complex that will be used to treat storm run-off from the city and surrounding ag lands. Named the Newman Environmental Wetlands System, this area will have a series of treatment cells that will remove sediment and contaminants from the city’s wastewater as it flows to the San Joaquin River. … ”  Read more from Westside Connect here: Work on Newman Conservation Area advances

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

AVEK to hear public comments on district lines adjustments

“The Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency will hold the first public hearing of its redistricting process at 6 p.m., tonight.  AVEK has begun the process of adjusting the boundaries for its seven divisions. Like government agencies at every level, it is required to take on redistricting every 10 years, to ensure its divisions are roughly equal in terms of representation.  Using data collected in the 2020 Census, the agency will consider not only population numbers, but also geographic and community continuity. … ”  Read more from the AV Press here: AVEK to hear public comments on district lines adjustments

SAN DIEGO

County supervisors OK sustainability plan for San Pasqual Valley basin

“County supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved a sustainability plan for the San Pasqual Valley Groundwater Basin.  The plan will have the county be responsible for 10% of basin management costs within its jurisdiction.  The basin is located 25 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, and is home to dairies, orchards and nurseries.  Three creeks — Guejito, Santa Maria and Santa Ysabel — drain into the Basin and converge to form the San Dieguito River that flows southwest into Hodges Reservoir. … ”  Read more from the Times of San Diego here: County supervisors OK sustainability plan for San Pasqual Valley basin

Mexico leak causing wastewater overflow at border, U.S. beach contamination

“A leak in Mexico is causing tens of millions of gallons of extra wastewater to flow into the United States, creating a domino effect on local beaches.  Imperial Beach’s coastline has been closed since Dec. 8 with a sign that reads:  “Keep out, sewage contaminated water,” which is not an uncommon sight in the area.  However, a new issue in the last week will likely contribute to the ongoing problem. A spokesperson for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) called a recent leak “unprecedented.” … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: Mexico leak causing wastewater overflow at border, U.S. beach contamination

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Along the Colorado River …

Dam providing power to millions nears critically low water level

“A federal dam in Arizona that provides electricity to millions of Americans is at risk this year of running out of the minimum level of water required to generate that power.  Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1963 and brought online two years later, is at 27 percent capacity, the lowest since it was filled, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday.  “The levels at Lake Powell, we are operating in conditions that we’ve never operated before,” Touton said.  The Colorado River Basin, which feeds Lake Powell and powers the Glen Canyon Dam, is in a 22-year drought. Due to human-caused climate change, Earth’s atmosphere is warming, driving droughts to be more common and harsher, according to the NASA. … ”  Read more from Roll Call here: Dam providing power to millions nears critically low water level

Colorado River cutbacks:As the Colorado River enters a Tier 1 Shortage, the American Southwest must enhance the sustainability of its water use

“In a first-ever action, the United States’ Department of the Interior declared a Tier 1 Shortage for freshwater resources on the Colorado River.  This decree carries enormous ramifications for Southwestern states, particularly Arizona and Nevada, which will see curtailment of their water allotments fall by 18 and 7 percent, respectively. Restrictions are set to go into effect in January 2022, with Arizona farmers facing the brunt of the cuts. Both states have already also signed an agreement to voluntarily reduce their take from the river by 500,000 acre-feet each for the next two years. … ”  Read more from Water World here: Colorado River cutbacks:As the Colorado River enters a Tier 1 Shortage, the American Southwest must enhance the sustainability of its water use

Arizona eyeing $1B water plant to help with drought

“Gov. Doug Ducey has proposed setting aside $1 billion to remove the salt from sea water and bring it to Arizona, a major legacy project as he enters his eighth and final year in office.  The Republican governor previewed the plan but offered few details in his annual state of the state address, delivered to a joint session of the House and Senate.  “Instead of just talking about desalination – the technology that made Israel the world’s water superpower – how about we pave the way to make it actually happen?” Ducey said in his nearly hourlong address. … ”  Read more from the Insurance Journal here: Arizona eyeing $1B water plant to help with drought

Ducey’s desalination plant not likely to be a quick reality

“Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s state of the state address announcement that he would work with the Legislature to allocate $1 billion to “secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years” focused entirely on a new desalination plant in Mexico. But a funding plan for the plant that was a key part of Ducey’s final state of the state address isn’t on the table right now. In fact there’s no clear plan for when such a plant might come to be. That’s what two senior Ducey advisors said Wednesday as they acknowledged that the water plan they are negotiating with lawmakers is still in flux. ... ”  Read more from Channel 4 here: Ducey’s desalination plant not likely to be a quick reality

Aging aqueducts and earthquakes: Why millions in Utah could lack water

“Four major aqueducts along the Wasatch Front are the heart of a system that ultimately delivers drinking water to more than 2 million people.  A report on these structures details how three of them cross the Wasatch Fault zone and the fourth is in an area of risk for landslides or other ground movement.  In the event of the “Big One,” these aging water delivery systems would fail and be offline for several months, maybe as long as six months, as custom parts from out of state would have to be shipped to Utah.  “We can improve treatment plants or trunk lines, but none of that will do us any good if there is no water in the system,” said Ari Bruening, chief executive officer of Envision Utah. … ”  Read more from Deseret News here:  Aging aqueducts and earthquakes: Why millions in Utah could lack water

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In national water news today …

Biden nixes Trump’s efficiency loophole for quick dishwashers, washers, dryers

“The Biden administration this week reversed a Trump-era rule exempting quick dishwashers, as well as clothes washers and dryers, from efficiency regulations.  A rule issued Wednesday cuts two Trump rules that created separate product categories for dishwashers that took 60 minutes or fewer per cycle, certain clothes washers or dryers that took less than 30 minutes and other washers that took less than 45 minutes.  The creation of these separate classifications for “shortcycle” appliances exempted them from efficiency regulations. ... ”  Read more from The Hill here: Biden nixes Trump’s efficiency loophole for quick dishwashers, washers, dryers

FERC finalizes revisions to dam safety regulations

“On December 16, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued a final rule amending its regulations governing the dam safety of FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects under the Federal Power Act (FPA). FERC’s final rule follows its July 16, 2020 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) (see July 21, 2020 edition of the WER), which FERC issued following the 2017 spillway incident at the Oroville Dam and the May 2020 dam failures at the Edenville Dam and Sanford Dam in central Michigan.  The Commission explained that its final rule accomplished four objectives that are essential to improving its dam safety program under part 12 of its regulations. … ”  Read more from Lexology here: FERC finalizes revisions to dam safety regulations

New report says winters in US are getting ‘extraordinarily warm’

“Climate change has disrupted normal climate patterns in many ways, causing more severe rainstorms, heatwaves and wildfires, and new research has found the winter season has experienced the largest and most widespread rise in normal temperatures in nearly every region of the country.  Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and journalists reporting on climate change, found that the winter season had a rise in normal temperatures well over 1 degree Fahrenheit within nearly every region of the country.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines U.S. climate normals as the baseline for today’s weather and a predictor of conditions in the future. Official normals are calculated in a 30-year period, taking into account annual/seasonal, monthly, daily and hourly averages of temperature, precipitation and other climate variables from almost 15,000 U.S. weather stations. … ”  Read more from The Hill here: New report says winters in US are getting ‘extraordinarily warm’

Commentary: Infrastructure spending should not facilitate sawing down our National Forests

Carole King, a singer, songwriter, author and environmentalist, writes, “The already-enacted bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated billions of dollars to facilitate logging in our national forests, with scant public awareness of those provisions. The House-passed Build Back Better bill contains similar sections.  Over 200 U.S. climate scientists and ecologists oppose those logging provisions.  As negotiations resume, lawmakers could achieve compromise by excluding sections providing billions more for “restoration,” “fuel reduction,” “forest health,” and other euphemisms for commercial logging. … ”  Continue reading at The Hill here: Commentary: Infrastructure spending should not facilitate sawing down our National Forests

SEE ALSO:  Guest commentary: Logging, forest thinning are not solutions to stopping wildfires, from the Denver Post

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

NOTICE of Petition for Time Extension for El Dorado Irrigation District Water Right Permit 21112 in El Dorado County

NOTICE: San Joaquin River Restoration Program Rewets River, Modifies Flow Schedule

CA WATER COMMISSION: Draft white paper includes preliminary findings, next steps on safeguards for groundwater trading programs

WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Portfolio Progress~ EPA Announcement~ Equity Discussion~ Water Funding~ Extreme Weather~ Mapping Tool~~

VELES WEEKLY REPORT: Water Futures volumes are up as the NQH2O water price moves down again in CA as the effects of 200% snowpack levels weigh in

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