DAILY DIGEST, 1/19: After 27 years, litigation over the Monterey Agreement comes to an end; January is a rainfall bust. How big of a problem is that?; A freezer full of eyeballs (and other oddities) animate the quest to save CA’s salmon; Current reservoir and snow conditions (briefly); and more …

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On the calendar today …

• MEETING: The State Water Resources Control Board will meet beginning at 9am.  Agenda items include a Drought Update and Current Hydrologic Conditions, Update from the DWR and Reclamation on their December 1, 2021 TUCP to Modify Delta Flow and Water Quality Requirements from February through April 2022, Consideration of proposed Order prepared by the Administrative Hearings Office on the petition filed by Merced Irrigation District for reconsideration of State Water Board Order WR 2021-0094; Consideration of the proposed Order on the petition filed by the City of Bakersfield for reconsideration of the hearing officer’s legal ruling letter dated November 3, 2021, in the matter of the Kern River Applications; Consideration of a proposed Resolution amending the Guidelines for the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program; and Consideration of a proposed Resolution to adopt the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters Portion of the 2020-2022 California Integrated Report.   Click here for the complete agenda and remote access instructions.
• MEETING: The California Water Commission will meet beginning at 9:30am. Agenda items include election of Commission officers, 2022 Commission Workplan, Groundwater Trading draft white paper, Informational Briefing on the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project, and an update on the California Water Plan update 2023.  Click here for full agenda and remote access instructions.
• FREE WEBINAR: Using A Temporal-based Approach to Quantify Streamflow Properties from 10am to 11am. Over 170 different hydrologic metrics exist to quantify the streamflow properties of magnitude, frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change. These values are often composition-based statistics such as count, mean, median, standard deviation, or variance. An important consideration is that composition metrics do not take data order into account and thus cannot address a fundamental hydrologic property – the temporal configuration of streamflow.  Presented is a novel approach using autocorrelation lag(k) plots and sequence summations. The resulting products are a combination of visualizations and tables providing streamflow information across all flow levels. This type of information is not possible with existing metrics.  A case study of the Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona is conducted to quantify two 30-year periods before and after Glen Canyon Dam construction. The ecosystem implications of the results are discussed. Click here to register.
• OCWA WEBINAR: Stormwater Capture! City of Lakewood Project Diverts Runoff for Use in Bolivar Park from 12:30pm to 1:00pm.  A stormwater captures system (StormTrap) was installed at Bolivar Park as part of an innovative stormwater management project for the City of Lakewood. The project addresses water supply issues and helps the City meet local water quality requirements. Stormwater runoff is diverted from a nearby flood control channel, pre-treated and then conveyed into the StormTrap system.  Click here to register.
• GRA SF BRANCH: San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Regulatory Update from 6pm to 7pm.  Click here to register.

In California water news today …

After 27 years, litigation over the Monterey Agreement comes to an end

“Over a quarter century of CEQA litigation over the validity of an agreement between the Department of Water Resources and State Water Project contractors finally came to an end with the court of appeal’s decision in Central Delta Water Agency v. Department of Water Resources, 69 Cal. App. 5th 170 (2021), and the California Supreme Court’s denial of a petition for review of that decision.  In 1994, the Department of Water Resources entered into an agreement with State Water Project contractors called the “Monterey Agreement” in an effort to settle disputes over water allocations under long-term water supply contracts. Broadly, the Monterey Agreement modified formulas incorporated in the contracts for allocating water among SWP contractors, changed certain operations of SWP facilities and provided for the transfer of 20,000 acres of farmland for development of a water bank in Kern County. … ”  Read more from the California Land & Development Report here: After 27 years, litigation over the Monterey Agreement comes to an end

January is a rainfall bust. How big of a problem is that?

“Sunny skies. Balmy temperatures. Walks on the beach. Umbrellas back in the closet.  After a soaking wet December that ended fire season, delivered more 15 feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada, and boosted hopes that California’s severe drought might be coming to and end, dry weather is back, in a big way.  Like a baseball player stuck in a hitting slump, it hasn’t rained significantly in the Bay Area for 14 days, since Jan. 4. Although reservoirs received a nice boost from big storms in December and late October, they still remain well below normal levels in most parts of the state.  Time to start sweating that the state’s two-year drought might be turning into a three-year drought? Not yet, say experts. As it turns out, dry spells in the middle of winter are actually quite common. The key is how long they last. ... ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: January is a rainfall bust. How big of a problem is that?

Droughts, explained

“Drought is back in California. Samuel Sandoval Solis, an associate professor at UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension specialist, is an expert in water resources management who aims to create better strategies for coping with droughts. Here, he answers some common questions and clarifies some myths about droughts.  What is a drought? A drought is a prolonged period of water shortage. For the past two years, California has been experiencing a meteorological drought, which results from a year of below-average rainfall. … ”  Read more from UC Davis Magazine here: Droughts, explained

A freezer full of eyeballs (and other oddities) animate the quest to save California’s salmon

“Carson Jeffres is a senior researcher and lab director at UC Davis’s Center for Watershed Sciences. For over 20 years, he’s studied how native fish utilize and benefit from restored habitats in both Brazil and California. His current research focuses on the recovery of salmon populations in California. We asked him to update us about the effort to save this iconic, embattled fish.  Q: Could you summarize what people should know about fish and floodplains, and what this means for California salmon? A:When  river water leaves the channel and spreads out across the floodplain, it slows down, clears up, and becomes productive, making lots of great insect food for fish. Many fish evolved to take advantage of this, whether they’re spawning on floodplains or using that food during their migration upstream or downstream. But dams and levees prevent water from getting out onto floodplains, disconnecting fish from this important resource. ... ”  Read more from the PPIC here: A freezer full of eyeballs (and other oddities) animate the quest to save California’s salmon

Hurricane Hunters chasing atmospheric river storms over Pacific Ocean

“Dr. Alison Cobb of Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla is hunting atmospheric rivers with planes known as Hurricane Hunters.  More specifically, she is part of a scientific team analyzing data coming from instruments deployed by special Hurricane Hunter planes tracking atmospheric rivers. The hope is that learning more about these naturally occurring weather phenomena will make them more predictable.  “It’s just air that’s rich with moisture that moves with speed,” said Cobb, a postdoctoral scholar and research data analyst, of atmospheric rivers. “We study vapor transport through the depths of the atmosphere, these moving bands of moisture that, when they make landfall, drop a lot of rainfall or snowfall in places like the Western United States.” … ”  Read more from the San Diego Community News here:  Hurricane Hunters chasing atmospheric river storms over Pacific Ocean

UC Berkeley study finds quality, racial inequity issues in CA water supply

“More than 370,000 Californians have contaminated drinking water, with people of color making up a disproportionate fraction of those affected, according to a UC Berkeley study.  The study focused on contamination from arsenic and hexavalent chromium, known carcinogens and nitrate, according to Clare Pace, study author and campus postdoctoral researcher. Pace added that nitrate can cause “blue baby syndrome,” a condition where babies lack sufficient oxygen in their blood. ... ”  Read more from the Daily Californian here:  UC Berkeley study finds quality, racial inequity issues in CA water supply

Rice farmers enlisted to sustain Pacific Flyway birds

“Sixth-generation rice grower Jeff Gallagher is perpetually surrounded by birds on the Sutter County farm that has been in his family since 1872.  The soundtrack of his life is the din caused by the itinerant visitors—nasal honks of wild geese, hisses of sandhill cranes and other bird chatter at his 4,000-acre ranch in Rio Oso, a rice-farming region north of Sacramento.  “I’ll be laying in bed and I can hear the swans, the geese and the ducks,” Gallagher said. “It’s pretty cool. It’s definitely a unique environment.”  Gallagher is doing his part to preserve it by enlisting in a new program to flood rice fields for wildlife. It is designed to protect bird habitat in California’s Central Valley over the next 10 years. … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Rice farmers enlisted to sustain Pacific Flyway birds

VIDEO: Shocking fish for science

“In early December, the Kings River Conservation District did its annual fish population survey of the Kings River in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The survey is meant to assess the health of the river and the fish populations. Scientists and volunteers captured fish in the river through a unique and the fish populations. Scientists and volunteers captured fish in the river through a unique method: electric shocks.  Don’t worry, the fish are completely unharmed. The shocks stun the fish, allowing for easy netting and measuring before they’re released back into the river.”  Watch video from SJV Water here: VIDEO: Shocking fish for science

Kern County assemblyman promotes healthy forest, mitigating fires

“The majestic view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains could make someone almost forget that wildfires obscure the view for several months of the year, almost. Fortunately, the state legislature could take over some healthy forest legislation that could reduce wildfires.  Last week, Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Kern County) announced that the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources passed Assembly Bill 522 which could promote forest management and build wildfire resilience. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Kern County assemblyman promotes healthy forest, mitigating fires

Coalition presses Senators to protect CA public lands

“A coalition of more than 100 local elected officials is pleading for action on the Public Lands Act, a bill that would add protections for more than a million acres of land and 500 miles of rivers in California.  The group released a letter today thanking U.S. Sens Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, both D-Calif., for their support of the legislation.  Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez said more must be done to safeguard the state’s pristine wilderness areas before it’s too late.  “These are places with abundant diversity,” she said. “That’s where a lot of our clean water comes from. We have tribal cultural sites. And oil drilling and other harmful industries should not be permitted where we have our natural resources.” … ”  Read more from the Public News Service here: Coalition presses Senators to protect CA public lands

US plans $50B wildfire fight where forests meet suburbia

“The Biden administration plans to significantly increase efforts to stave off catastrophic wildfires that have been torching areas of the U.S. West by more aggressively thinning forests around areas where nature and neighborhoods collide.  Officials have crafted a $50 billion plan to more than double the use of controlled fires and logging to reduce vegetation that feeds fires.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack tells The Associated Press the work will focus on regions where out-of-control blazes wiped out neighborhoods, including California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Climate change is heating and drying out the West. … ”  Read more from Action News Now here: US plans $50B wildfire fight where forests meet suburbia

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In commentary today …

Proposed ballot measure would create water infrastructure

Edward Ring, former ​​senior fellow at California Policy Center and the lead proponent of the Water Infrastructure Funding Act, writes, “Silicon Valley is known for its startup culture where so-called angel investors provide financing to launch companies that aspire to change the world.  Innovations spawned in Silicon Valley have indeed changed the world, and in the process, made the San Francisco Bay Area home to thousands of near-billionaires and billionaires.  With wealth like that comes social responsibility and political power, and many of the individuals wielding this wealth have stepped up. Powerful individuals from Silicon Valley are changing the destiny of the world.  Might not the world’s destiny be improved if there was abundant water, everywhere? Shouldn’t California set an example to the world, instead of accepting a future of water scarcity and rationing? … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Proposed ballot measure would create water infrastructure

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Gualala Redwood Timber sued by Friends of Gualala River over proposed logging operation

“On Friday, Friends of Gualala River filed a complaint in the Northern District of California against Gualala Redwood Timber, LLC alleging violation of the Endangered Species Act. … The complaint states Gualala Redwood Timber, LLC is a California limited liability company with a principal place of business in Santa Clara, California that owns timber and timberland for logging. Further, the complaint states Gualala Redwood Timber filed a timber-harvesting plan for the proposed logging of the Little North Fork of the Gualala River which was approved by CalFire on September 23, 2021. … ”  Read more from Law Street Media here: Gualala Redwood Timber sued by Friends of Gualala River over proposed logging operation

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Groundwater sustainability plan ’emphasizes local control’ for West Placer agencies

“As part of a regional effort, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a groundwater sustainability plan for the North American Subbasin on Jan. 11.  The action is in accordance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, passed in 2014, which requires the formation of a Groundwater Sustainability Agency and a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for high- and medium-priority basins to be submitted by Jan. 31, 2022. … ”  Read more from Gold Country Media here: Groundwater sustainability plan ’emphasizes local control’ for West Placer agencies

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

USACE awards $40.9 million construction contract for Pocket-area levee improvements

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District awarded a $40.9 million construction contract on December 22, 2021, to Maloney Odin Joint Venture of Novato, for 2 miles of levee improvements along the Sacramento River East Levee in Sacramento’s Pocket neighborhood. Construction in 2022 will entail installation of a seepage cutoff wall from Surfside Way at the northern end of down to Sump 132 at the Pocket Canal on the southern end.  Work is scheduled to begin this spring and is expected to be complete in December 2022. USACE is planning to host an informational meeting in March to discuss what this construction work will look like, including trail access, haul routes, and staging areas. … ”  Read more from the US Army Corps here:  USACE awards $40.9 million construction contract for Pocket-area levee improvements

Sacramento: Construction slowed by December rains, but on the bright side

“Dry conditions in California are traditionally a benefit for construction companies looking to continue work through the winter season. This year, however, drought-stricken California received desperately needed rains and snowfall … in abundance. That’s good news for the state, not so good for our crews looking to continue work on the Natomas Reach B project.  December storms dropped so much water, that areas of Reach B’s construction site have been turned into not just puddles, but mini-lakes, and a large portion near Pumping Plant 3 had to be tarped off to prevent erosion where conveyance pipes are being installed.  Following the atmospheric river event, California was soon hit by another prolific rainstorm. The combined storms produced such high flows in the Sacramento River that the Reach B project site along the river side was inundated with several feet of water – right where Sacramento District is building an outfall structure. When completed, the conveyance pipes will carry accumulating water from Pumping Plant 3 over the levee and into the Sacramento River. … ”  Read more from the US Army Corps here: Construction slowed by December rains, but on the bright side

Steelhead numbers rise on American River as high flows fuel promising Northern California run

“The steelhead run on the American River is shaping up to be a relatively good one, though not as big as the record runs in the past when the hatchery reported trapping 3,000 to 4,000 adult steelhead in a season. Recent high flows up to 5,500 cubic feet per second have brought in the steelies.  “With four weeks of spawning completed, Nimbus already has counted more than 900 steelhead entering the hatchery – a mix of wild, hatchery-origin and juvenile fish,” according to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Facebook post. “At this same time last year, Nimbus had counted just 300 fish.”  “We are well ahead of what we collected last year,” Gene Novak, manager of Nimbus Fish Hatchery, said. Nimbus is on track to meet its annual production goal of 430,000 steelhead. … ”  Read more from the Stockton Record here: Steelhead numbers rise on American River as high flows fuel promising Northern California run

Climate change won’t lead to NorCal heat records every year. But rising global temps could increase other extremes

“Data released by NASA and NOAA show that, globally, 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record for Earth’s atmosphere. That means that nine of the planet’s 10 hottest years have come in the past decade. Only 2012 is not in that top 10 list.  The most dramatic warming was measured in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, which have been warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet. Areas of East Asia, western Africa as well as regions over the North Pacific were also notably warmer than average. Temperatures in Northern California were also warmer than normal last year, but not exceptionally so. Still, there were plenty of extremes in our region’s weather. … ”  Read more from KCRA here: Climate change won’t lead to NorCal heat records every year. But rising global temps could increase other extremes

Water Forum: Reflecting on 2021, Welcoming 2022

Jessica Law, Executive Director of the Water Forum, writes, “When I started as the new Water Forum Executive Director a year ago, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting into. As life would have it, 2021 was full of surprises. I am incredibly proud of the work we accomplished together in 2021—even with the continued challenges and disruption posed by COVID-19 and the sudden emergence of a drought emergency.  Here are just a few of my favorite highlights from the year ... ”  Continue reading at the Water Forum here: Reflecting on 2021, Welcoming 2022

BAY AREA

Marin Water officials may lift penalties for too much usage after wet start to rainy season

“Water officials are considering lifting penalties for residents who use too much water, now that supply is looking much better for many parts of the Bay Area.  The sights and sounds of abundantly flowing streams, and gushing waterfalls have quickly changed how districts are approaching the New Year.  First for discussion are stiff water usage penalties meant to curb usage during severe drought conditions that persisted for most of 2021.  “By the time they were set to kick in we were out of the immediate drought emergency,” Marin Municipal Water District Board member Larry Bragman told KPIX 5. … ”  Read more from CBS San Francisco here: Marin Water officials may lift penalties for too much usage after wet start to rainy season

Richardson Bay sidesteps tsunami impact

“Residents around Richardson Bay reported rough waters but minimal damage in southern Marin during an ocean surge caused by a volcanic eruption in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  Damage to docks and vessels was reported near the area of Greenwood Cove Drive, adjacent to the Cove apartment complex in unincorporated Tiburon, Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said. The complex is located north of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary and east of the Strawberry Recreation District.  No damage was reported along the water in Belvedere, Tiburon and Sausalito. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Richardson Bay sidesteps tsunami impact

Highway 37, a major Bay Area corridor, could be fully underwater as soon as 2040

“California State Route 37, the major throughway that bridges the divide between Highway 101 and Interstate 80 and serves thousands of drivers daily in the North Bay, is in dire straits.  A recent dispatch from the California Department of Transportation warns that nearly the entire route — spanning Novato to Vallejo — could be “permanently submerged” as soon as 2040 by increasing weather crises and rising sea levels caused by climate change. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Highway 37, a major Bay Area corridor, could be fully underwater as soon as 2040

CENTRAL COAST

Santa Cruz Harbor sees more than $6 million in tsunami damage

“The Santa Cruz Port Commission on Tuesday declared an emergency for the Santa Cruz Harbor following Saturday’s tsunami. The eruption of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai, an underwater volcano roughly 40 miles north of the capital of the island nation of Tonga, caused tsunami advisories all throughout the Pacific. Waves from the blast slammed the American west coast with a strong undercurrent.  Videos shared on social media show high tide at Cowell Beach and flooding at the Santa Cruz Harbor. Santa Cruz Harbor staff shared the extent of the damage Tuesday.  “This emergency declaration will assist in streamlining the process in obtaining disaster recovery assistance with the state and Cal OES,” Port Director Holland Mac Laurie said. … ”  Read more from the Santa Cruz Sentinel here: Santa Cruz Harbor sees more than $6 million in tsunami damage

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Ripon nears completion of new water well

“The Well 19 Pump Station will soon be incorporated into the City of Ripon’s potable water system.  Once connected, this new domestic water well is expected to produce between 1,200 to 2,000 gallons per minutes while providing water to the entire city.  Work continued on the project located at 1201 W. Ripon Rd. with the recent update calling for demolition of an existing 10-inch irrigation line which, according to Senior Civil Engineer Sarah Collins, was discovered during construction work by Soracco Inc. … ”  Read more from the Ripon Bulletin here: Ripon nears completion of new water well

East Kaweah GSA limits groundwater pumping

“In the face of deepening drought in October, the East Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency (EKGSA) passed an emergency groundwater allocation policy, and for the first time ever, the Tulare County area’s farmers were given limits and fines for how much water they can pump out of the increasingly parched ground.  EKGSA governs water for much of the eastern portion of the Kaweah Sub Basin, which includes the towns of Lindsay and Strathmore, and the Exeter and Ivanhoe irrigation districts and the farmland that surrounds them. Michael Hagman, EKGSA’s executive director said even in wet years and the rain in late 2021, they just aren’t seeing wells recovering. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: East Kaweah GSA limits groundwater pumping

Visalia residents underwater on bills can breathe easier

“Nearly 14% of Visalia water users fell behind on their utility bills during the pandemic, but many of them will have at least a portion of that debt forgiven.  California Water Service (Cal Water), which provides water service to nearly 45,000 homes and businesses in Visalia, received $20.8 million in relief for customers across its 23 service areas. The funding, which Cal Water advocated to help secure, is being administered through the State Water Resources Control Board and will enable the privately-owned utility to forgive past-due balances incurred by its customers between March 2020 and mid-June 2021. … ”  Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Visalia residents underwater on bills can breathe easier

EASTERN SIERRA

Searles Valley Minerals responds to state approval of Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s flawed Groundwater Sustainability Plan

“The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Thursday approval of a groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) submitted for the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Basin that clearly violates a key tenet of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA): prohibiting a groundwater management agency from determining water rights. The approval is granted despite DWR acknowledging that implementation of the GSP means “agricultural water use would be eliminated, and groundwater use would predominantly be for municipal and domestic uses and the U.S. Navy” and that it is “impossible” for DWR to assess the feasibility of the Authority’s expensive water importation project due to “uncertainty regarding financing and other project elements.” … ”  Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Searles Valley Minerals responds to state approval of Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority’s flawed Groundwater Sustainability Plan

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

In wealthy LA enclave, harsher penalties for wasting water

“In a wealthy enclave along the Santa Monica Mountains that is a haven for celebrities, residents are now facing more aggressive consequences for wasting water.  The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District northwest of Los Angeles hopes to spur water savings by making it easier to fine households that go over their allotted “water budgets” and threatening to vastly limit water flow to customers who repeatedly fail to conserve.  The district offers a bold example of how local authorities across drought-stricken California are trying to get people to use less water, voluntarily if possible but with the threat of punishment if they don’t comply. Las Virgenes officials hope their approach will be a wakeup call for residents of the affluent neighborhoods, where most of the water goes toward outdoor use like landscaping and pools. … ”  Read more from the Associated Press here: In wealthy LA enclave, harsher penalties for wasting water

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

The future of Arrowhead bottled water may depend on 1909 train cars. Here’s why.

“How big were train cars in the early 20th century?  BlueTriton Brands, the successor company to Nestlé Waters North America, says they were big enough to carry approximately 15,000 gallons of water each. But investigators with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights say the train cars could actually only hold about 6,500 gallons of water.   What do train cars in the early 1900s have to do with BlueTriton’s water use in San Bernardino National Forest in 2022?  The train cars were just one part of the conflicting testimonies between state investigators and BlueTriton as years of outcry over the water-bottler’s actions in the national forest came to a head last week. BlueTriton bottles and sells forest water under the Arrowhead brand. … ”  Read more from the Desert Sun here: The future of Arrowhead bottled water may depend on 1909 train cars. Here’s why.

Imperial vegetable growers ‘happy’ so far

“After a couple of years of pandemic-induced turmoil, the 2021-22 growing season is looking almost normal in Imperial County, California’s renowned winter salad bowl.  “It’s looking good,” said Alex Jack, who grows broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce and romaine hearts in Brawley. “Normally, we have the ups and downs, and we just really haven’t had the downs. So far, (I’m) pretty happy with the way the season’s been going.” … ”  Read more from Ag Alert here: Imperial vegetable growers ‘happy’ so far

SAN DIEGO

Amtrak is flying blind on crumbling Del Mar bluffs, auditor finds

“As the failing bluffs at Del Mar play havoc with passenger and freight rail service, officials of taxpayer-subsidized Amtrak, otherwise known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, have been chronic no-shows at discussions to fix the problem.   Since 2018, at least six bluff failures have occurred in the Del Mar Bluffs area just north of San Diego, California, resulting in temporary closures on the railroad tracks that traverse the area and speed restrictions on Amtrak’s high-volume Pacific Surfliner route 1.” That’s per a December 6 memo from Assistant Inspector General Jim Morrison to Amtrak executive vice president and chief operations officer Scot Naparstek calling out Amtrak’s lack of engagement during the crisis.  ... ”  Read more from the San Diego Easy Reader here: Amtrak is flying blind on crumbling Del Mar bluffs, auditor finds

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In national water news today …

Industry engagement encouraged for proposed WOTUS revision

“Agricultural groups are continuing efforts to work with federal officials on the process for reworking the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Industry organizations have raised concerns about replacing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule that was implemented by the Trump Administration. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a new water rule back in December. Groups such as the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) are encouraging industry members to submit comments on the proposal before February 7. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Industry engagement encouraged for proposed WOTUS revision

The multiple dimensions of vulnerability in our drinking water systems

“Affordable and reliable drinking water is a basic human right that is largely taken for granted in wealthy communities but frequently unavailable in poorer ones. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the systems that deliver us drinking water is an enormous challenge as these systems have multiple social, economic and biophysical dimensions. Here, Sara Hughes explains how it is possible to use a range of publicly available data to create a drinking water vulnerability index. She demonstrates the utility of the index by applying it to large cities of the Laurentian Great Lakes region, and discusses the broader value of the index to decision makers and managers everywhere.”  Read the article at the Global Water Forum here:  The multiple dimensions of vulnerability in our drinking water systems

How a powerful company convinced Georgia to let it bury toxic waste in groundwater

“For the past several years, Georgia Power has gone to great lengths to skirt the federal rule requiring coal-fired power plants to safely dispose of massive amounts of toxic waste they produced.  But previously unreported documents obtained by ProPublica show that the company’s efforts were more extensive than publicly known. Thousands of pages of internal government correspondence and corporate filings show how Georgia Power made an elaborate argument as to why it should be allowed to store waste produced before 2020 in a way that wouldn’t fully protect surrounding communities’ water supplies from contamination — and that would save the company potentially billions of dollars in cleanup costs. … ”  Read more from Pro Publica here:  How a powerful company convinced Georgia to let it bury toxic waste in groundwater

Fish and Wildlife enters tricky habitat in the new year

“The Fish and Wildlife Service is poised to have a big year in 2022, with consequences for endangered species, migratory birds and, just possibly, the Biden administration’s own political standing.  Even as former Montana state official and law professor Martha Williams awaits Senate confirmation to serve as agency director, she is overseeing in her role as top deputy an ambitious agenda that includes making key changes to how both the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act operate (Greenwire, Nov. 12, 2021).  Enhanced conservation may well result. So could serial litigation, administrative hassles and pushback in some bellwether states.  “The service will adhere to its underpinning of scientific integrity, and it will work collaboratively, leveraging the expertise of our many partners,” Williams told lawmakers in November. … ”  Read more from E&E News here: Fish and Wildlife enters tricky habitat in the new year

Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists

“The cocktail of chemical pollution that pervades the planet now threatens the stability of global ecosystems upon which humanity depends, scientists have said.  Plastics are of particularly high concern, they said, along with 350,000 synthetic chemicals including pesticides, industrial compounds and antibiotics. Plastic pollution is now found from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans, and some toxic chemicals, such as PCBs, are long-lasting and widespread.  The study concludes that chemical pollution has crossed a “planetary boundary”, the point at which human-made changes to the Earth push it outside the stable environment of the last 10,000 years. ... ”  Read more from the Earth Island Journal here: Chemical pollution has passed safe limit for humanity, say scientists

Biden administration unveils plan for addressing wildfires

“The Biden administration on Tuesday announced that it was undertaking a 10-year strategy aimed at reducing harm caused by wildfires, using some funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill.  Through the initiative, the administration said it will use intentional “prescribed” fires to help maintain forest health and invest in helping communities adapt to fires. It will also include investments in addressing post-fire risks, recovery and reforestation. The Forest Service, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, hopes to treat up to an additional 20 million acres of national forests and grasslands and support treatment of 30 million more acres of lands owned by other federal, state, tribal and private entities. … ”  Read more from The Hill here: Biden administration unveils plan for addressing wildfires

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Current reservoir and snow conditions (briefly) …

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAM: 2022 Restoration Allocation & Default Flow Schedule Released

WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Update 2023~ Heat Plan~ Potable Reuse~ Restoration Grants~ Coastal Grants~ Forest Health ~~

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