A wrap-up of posts published on Maven’s Notebook this week …
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This week’s featured articles …
CCST BRIEFING: Remote Sensing Technologies and Water Resilience
Can we look to the sky to address California’s water challenges? As California continues to grapple with frequent drought and overdrafted aquifers, satellite-based measurements offer a cost-effective way to generate high-resolution data on groundwater resources across a wide geographic area. In conjunction with other ground-based monitoring, data from satellites can help inform sustainable groundwater management.
In December, the California Council on Science and Technology brought three experts together to discuss the role of remote sensing technologies to provide information to support water management decisions.
Click here to read this article.
CA WATER COMMISSION: Update on the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project (Big Notch)
Project set to start construction in May: DWR will seek Resolutions of Necessity
At the January meeting of the California Water Commission, the agenda included an informational briefing on the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project, also known as the Big Notch. The project will create critical floodplain habitat for juvenile salmon and improve the migration corridor for adult anadromous fish between the Sacramento River, the floodplains of the Yolo Bypass, and the Delta.
Click here to read this article.
BAY DELTA SCIENCE CONFERENCE: Sources and Sinks! What’s Going on With Mercury in Sacramento Valley Tidal Wetlands?
Legacy mercury contamination is problematic in California waterways due to historic gold and mercury mining. Even today, mercury from abandoned mines still leaches into the creeks and rivers in the Sierra and Coast Ranges, flowing downstream and into the Delta, contaminating the sediments.
With tens of thousands of acres of tidal wetlands planned for the Delta, the current assumption is that tidal wetlands are net exporters of methylmercury, which can result in expensive and time-consuming mitigation. However, studies undertaken by the Department of Water Resources have found that tidal wetlands are unlikely to be significant net exporters of methylmercury to receiving waters, although methylmercury concentrations of biota within wetlands still need to be considered.
At the 2021 Bay-Delta Science Conference, Petra Lee, a senior environmental scientist with the California Department of Water Resources, discussed the study results.
Click here to read this article.
In California water news this week …
Massive pipeline under construction reignites water heartburn in Kings County
“A massive water pipeline being laid in southern Kings County is sparking fresh fights between local farmers and the county’s biggest player in the water industry. Wednesday, the Tulare Lake Canal Company, which operates the eponymous canal, sued Sandridge Partners, the diversified farming and water giant owned by John Vidovich, alleging Vidovich’s pipeline will interfere with its property rights and damage its ability to deliver water to its users. Tulare Lake Canal holds dominant rights of way over its canal space and some adjacent property. The pipeline first caught wide public attention in late December, following a report by SJV Water, but massive 48-to-60 inch piping caught the eyes of local farmers nearly a month earlier. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Massive pipeline under construction reignites water heartburn in Kings County
Federal, local officials kick off millions in repairs to Friant-Kern Canal
“Local and Federal water officials and lawmakers celebrated the groundbreaking of a massive project on the Friant-Kern Canal on Tuesday, marking the start of the canal’s restoration. Coming in at $187 million, the first portion of the massive effort will restore capacity within the canal in a 10-mile portion that has been affected by subsidence: the sinking of the canal’s bottom from groundwater removal. With 33 miles of the Friant-Kern Canal in total that have sunk due to subsidence, Tuesday’s groundbreaking kicks off the first phase of the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction restoration project. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Federal, local officials kick off millions in repairs to Friant-Kern Canal
Groundwater plans for Westlands Water District, three other areas, deemed “incomplete”
“Groundwater plans for two regions in the western San Joaquin Valley were deemed deficient by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Friday. The Westside subbasin, overseen by Westlands Water District, and the Delta-Mendota subbasin’s plans were officially labeled as “incomplete” by DWR. The state also found groundwater plans for the Paso Robles and Cuyama water subbasins incomplete. Managers of those plans will now have 6 months to make recommended changes and submit the plans for approval again. If the plans are rejected at that time, the state Water Resources Control Board could take over the subbasins and manage groundwater directly, or take other, more punitive action. ... ” Read more from SJV Water here: Groundwater plans for Westlands Water District, three other areas, deemed “incomplete”
Westlands Water District responds to incomplete determination for Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan
“Today the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Westside GSP) submitted by Westlands Water District, acting as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency, has received an incomplete determination under the provisions of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The determination starts a 180-day window to address DWR’s comments. In response, Westlands Water District General Manager Tom Birmingham issued the following statement: “Westlands has monitored groundwater conditions since the 1950s and has actively managed groundwater since the adoption of its Groundwater Management Plan in 1996. The Westside GSP, adopted pursuant to additional authorities provided by SGMA, includes numerous actions to ensure that groundwater levels stay at or above 2015 levels. The Westside GSP includes advanced monitoring, data, metering, and groundwater recharge programs to ensure that neither the groundwater basin nor the local communities that rely on it will be harmed by continued extractions of groundwater.” … ” Continue reading at the Westlands Water District here: Westlands Water District responds to incomplete determination for Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan
Proposed ballot measure to build more California dams, desalination projects likely to be withdrawn due to lack of money and signatures
“Despite California’s drought, a proposed statewide November ballot measure to speed up the construction of new dams and other large water projects — and provide billions of dollars to fund them — has fallen short in its fundraising goals and is likely to be withdrawn by early next week. The initiative would require that 2% of California’s general fund, or about $4 billion, be set aside every year to expand water supplies. Those could include new dams and reservoirs, desalination plants, recycled water plants and other projects such as upgrading canals and pipes. The measure also would streamline permitting for those projects. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: Proposed ballot measure to build more California dams, desalination projects likely to be withdrawn due to lack of money and signatures
After snowy December, California suddenly turns dry, magnifying drought concern
“California is approximately halfway through what may be the most closely watched wet season in state history. A rainy October and snowy December brought some relief from the extensive, multiyear drought, but a vanishingly dry January portends continuing water challenges. Parts of central California have seen a record lack of precipitation so far this month. What happens in the weeks ahead will have huge implications for the summer dry season. Almost all of the precipitation that nourishes soil and fills reservoirs in the western United States falls from November through March. The amount that it rains and snows in these five crucial months has a substantial influence on a region home to tens of millions of people and billions of dollars of agricultural production. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: After snowy December, California suddenly turns dry, magnifying drought concern
Season snowfall totals have dropped since 1970 in the Sierra, but average precipitation has gone up
“Snow season in Northern California has always been characterized by starts and stops, but this season may have brought a little extra whiplash with a big storm in October, a dry November, record snowfall in December to end 2021 only to be followed by a near-record dry January. This region has seen similar extremes before, but because of climate change and resulting rising global temperatures, weather patterns are shifting to make these dramatic “dry to wet back to dry” periods more common. Tracers of this trend are showing up in climate data for the Sierra and the Western U.S. as a whole. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Season snowfall totals have dropped since 1970 in the Sierra, but average precipitation has gone up
Australian and Californian water laws – can we learn from one another?
“In most jurisdictions, water rights are the backbone of the framework that regulates the use and development of water resources. The role of water rights is especially important in areas of water scarcity. Australia and California are already experiencing the economic and ecological impacts of increased aridity and drought, with 90 per cent of California experiencing ‘extreme drought’ in 2021 and Australia having the distinction of the driest inhabited continent and the most variable rainfall. In this article, we describe the legal systems of Australia and California, and the impact their different approaches might have on litigation in the future. … ” Continue reading at Holding Redlich here: Australian and Californian water laws – can we learn from one another?
If the Supreme Court rolls back the Clean Water Act, California will be ready — thanks to Trump
“The Supreme Court appears ready to narrow the scope of the Clean Water Act, eliminating protections for many inland streams and wetlands that feed rivers, lakes and bays. But California is also ready, thanks to former President Donald Trump. When Trump tried to roll back federal regulation of inland waterways toward the end of his term, California stepped in with new pollution controls designed to protect those waters within the state’s borders — regulations that would largely fill the gap the Supreme Court seems poised to create by mid-2023. “The state has regulatory authority to protect its own waters, even if there is a reduction in federal protection,” said Rachel Zwillinger, water policy adviser for the advocacy group Defenders of Wildlife. “California is really well-positioned to continue to protect its resources.” … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: If the Supreme Court rolls back the Clean Water Act, California will be ready — thanks to Trump
Why you might see fewer California vineyards soon
“The future looks good for wine sales across North America. According to a 2020 Reportlinker.com announcement (via Globe Newswire), experts predict the organic wine market across North America to grow to a net worth of almost $4 billion by 2027, thanks to the product’s sulfite-free content and organic farming methods. Despite this projected growth, certain parts of the U.S. may soon see fewer vineyards. Food & Wine reports that California, which has partially become synonymous with wine production, may see vineyards disappearing from across the state soon, due to water scarcity issues and several economic hurdles. … ” Continue reading at Mashed here: Why you might see fewer California vineyards soon
Jared Huffman introduces legislation to preserve salmon strongholds
“North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) reintroduced legislation Tuesday to identify, restore, and protect thriving salmon populations and critical habitat strongholds. Habitat degradation, pollution, climate change, dams, and overharvesting have caused salmon populations to decline throughout the North Coast and across the nation. The Salmon Focused Investments in Sustainable Habitats, or FISH Act would ensure the survival of the healthiest remaining salmon populations by Identifying the core centers of salmon abundance, productivity, and diversity as Salmon Conservation Areas and identifying areas of particularly pristine quality as Salmon Strongholds … ” Continue reading from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Jared Huffman introduces legislation to preserve salmon strongholds
Q/A: fish and flows: Delta Conveyance and the health of Delta fisheries
“The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is one of the largest estuaries in North America, providing habitat for around 500 plant and animal species, including about 50 species of fish. Approximately two‑thirds of California’s salmon pass through the Delta on their way upstream to spawn. Delta waters are also home to the endangered Delta smelt, which is widely seen as an indicator species for the overall health of the Delta’s ecosystem. Consequently, questions about how the Delta Conveyance Project would take into account the needs of the fish in the Delta are often on people’s minds. The Delta Conveyance Deep Dive video series recently featured two of the project’s leading experts on aquatic life in the Delta for a discussion of Delta fisheries and how the health of fish populations would influence the construction and operation of new conveyance infrastructure in the Delta. … ” Read more and watch video from DWR here: Q/A: fish and flows: Delta Conveyance and the health of Delta fisheries
How Western water markets are changing under pressure
“Water has been traded in the Western U.S. for decades, but as the region faces intensifying regulations, shifts in crops and drought concerns, water markets are evolving to reflect the changes. “The idea of water moving between uses and large distances has changed over the last 30 years. In the last five years especially, there have been big changes,” said Matt Payne, principal with WestWater Research, a Boise-based economic consulting firm specializing in water market research, pricing and trading. Payne was speaking at the Land Investment Expo in Des Moines. … ” Continue reading at the Capital Press here: How Western water markets are changing under pressure
Delta Conveyance webinar recaps
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) hosted a series of webinars to provide background information related to preparation of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project.
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- Operations of the State Water Project and Delta Conveyance Informational Webinar Highlights: The first in a series of four webinars was on Operations of the State Water Project (SWP) and Delta conveyance. To better understand how the proposed Delta Conveyance Project would operate, it’s important to also understand the function and importance of the SWP, including how the SWP develops and delivers water to communities across California – a key component of DWR’s presentation in this webinar. Read the article from DWR here: Operations of the State Water Project and Delta Conveyance Informational Webinar Highlights
- Environmental Justice Informational Webinar Highlights: The fourth and final webinar covered Environmental Justice-related topics, including state, federal and DWR-specific policies, DWR’s Environmental Justice Community Survey (Your Delta, Your Voice) and how Environmental Justice issues will be presented in the Draft EIR. Read this article from DWR here: Environmental Justice Informational Webinar Highlights
- Climate Change Informational Webinar Highlights: The webinar specifically covered 1) the effects of climate change on water supply in general and in the project study area, and 2) how the environmental review for the proposed project will analyze climate change, including assumptions and methodology. The presentation focused on several elements, including an overview of climate change planning in California such as DWR’s response, the purpose of the climate change analysis in the Draft EIR, and the evaluation methods and assumptions that will be used in the Draft EIR. Read this article from DWR here: Climate Change Informational Webinar Highlights
Requirements for CII Customers under CA’s Water Efficiency Framework
“On January 25th, 2022 the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) hosted what could be the last in a series of workshops outlining their proposed guidelines for the standards and methodologies used to implement the state’s water use efficiency legislation. The majority of the workshops have thus far focused on topics related to calculating the water use objective (WUO) that urban water supply agencies will need to comply with. In contrast, this workshop dove deep into a number of auxiliary requirements for commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) water users. In some ways, these requirements feel a bit like “add-ons” because they are designed to cover sectors not included in the WUO. In practice, however, complying with these CII requirements may end up being even more resource-intensive than calculating and reporting the WUO. … ” Read more from the Water Data Collaborative here: Requirements for CII Customers under CA’s Water Efficiency Framework
The Gold Rush returns to California
“On the outskirts of the northern California town of Grass Valley, a massive concrete silo looms over the weeds and crumbling pavement. Nearby, unseen, a mine shaft drops 3,400 feet into the earth. These are the remains of Grass Valley’s Idaho-Maryland Mine, a relic from the town’s gold mining past. Numerous mines like this one once fueled Grass Valley’s economy, and today, Gold Rush artifacts are part of the town’s character: A stamp mill, once used to break up gold-bearing rock, now guards an intersection on Main Street, and old ore carts and other rusty remnants can be spotted in parking lots and storefronts around town. Gold still exists in the veins of the abandoned mine, and Rise Gold, the mining corporation that purchased the mine in 2017, has reason to believe that reopening it makes financial sense. … ” Read more from Undark Magazine here: The Gold Rush returns to California
Wildfires in January? Scientists say climate change could fuel ‘a continuous fire season’
“Even with all the wildfires California has endured, it was a shock to see flames searing the Big Sur coast this week – in the middle of winter. The January blaze, which on Tuesday had burned 700 acres and was threatening homes in the rugged Palo Colorado Canyon, is believed to be the result of a stray ember from a burn pile. Scientists, though, say the fire was made possible by an unusually long dry spell in winter coupled with a landscape increasingly primed for fire by the warming climate. The winter months are typically when the state gets its heaviest rains, and a break from wildfire. But Big Sur has seen less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall this month. Despite the onslaught of storms in December, many coastal areas are dry again and brimming with dead, combustible brush after two years of drought that’s been intensified by climate change. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Wildfires in January? Scientists say climate change could fuel ‘a continuous fire season’
White House expands digital regulations for U.S. water supply
“The White House launched a new cybersecurity initiative for the U.S. water supply Thursday after a handful of worrisome hacks against the sector last year. The new initiative is designed to create a system that shares information about cyberthreats with the water sector and industry-wide basic security practices, though water facilities will not be forced to adopt any new practices. Bryson Bort, a cybersecurity consultant for industrial systems, said it was an important first step toward more secure water infrastructure. “Evidence-driven security requires evidence,” Bort said. “The government is starting with data collection through reporting to establish visibility of the problem. We’re building the foundation to be smarter, not just performative.” … ” Read more from NBC News here: White House expands digital regulations for U.S. water supply
In commentary this week …
When it comes to water decisions, we are all farmers
Chris Scheuring, senior counsel for the California Farm Bureau, writes, “Wendell Berry famously said that eating is an agricultural act. That makes all of us into farmers, and nowhere is that more true than in water terms. For farming is irreducibly the process of mixing dirt, water and sunshine to bring forth from the ground what we need to eat. And no matter who you are, it’s true: Somebody somewhere must devote a lot of water to the process of feeding you. Some have been sidestepping this fact in the ongoing policy evolutions over the way we must capture, store and move water in California. Yet even the most ardent urban environmentalists find themselves at the local grocery store or the farmers market filling their baskets with California-grown nuts, fruits and vegetables. Some of these crops can only be grown here or in one of the few similar agricultural climates around the world, in an irrigation-based agricultural economy. … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: When it comes to water decisions, we are all farmers
Here is the first step to a sustainable water policy
Carolee Krieger, executive director for California Water Impact Network, writes, “Water that is promised in a contract but can’t be delivered is called “paper water” – shorthand for water that does not exist except in legal documents. During its mid-20th century frenzy of dam and canal construction, California allocated much more water than it actually had. These paper water commitments far exceed the amount of water than is available in our reservoirs and rivers. According to a study from the University of California, Davis, “appropriative water rights filed for consumptive uses are approximately five times greater than estimated surface water withdrawals.” What this restrained academic language reveals is a management crisis: no matter how much it rains and snows in California, we will always have a chronic water shortage because of overallocation. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Here is the first step to a sustainable water policy
Climate change is killing California’s Chinook salmon. But there is a way to save them
Charlton (Chuck) H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Barry Thom, regional administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, write, “On returning home from the ocean, winter-run Chinook salmon pass under the Golden Gate Bridge before migrating up the Sacramento River to dig nests below Shasta Dam. Their last act before they die is to lay the eggs that hatch into the next generation and help the critically endangered species hang on. This year, most of those eggs succumbed to high water temperatures. The drought affecting California left Lake Shasta without enough water to cool the river below the dam and allow the eggs to survive the summer. River temperatures reached levels lethal to the eggs. … That’s why we need to move quickly to return the native California salmon to their original mountain home above Shasta Dam for the first time in almost 80 years. … ” Continue reading at the Sacramento Bee here: Climate change is killing California’s Chinook salmon. But there is a way to save them
What in the world is going on with water management?
Columnist Don Moir writes, “Hello my fellow anglers. Speaking to many of you there has one topic that comes up time and time again, loud and clear. What in the world is going on with the management of our water resources? Many anglers are very angry to see so much water just being wasted. Wasted by allowing it to go out to the ocean. “They all want us to conserve water but, the agencies that govern it waste trillions upon trillions of gallons themselves! There is no common sense anymore !”, one angler told me . The following is a list of the most common topics that has come up during our conversations. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: What in the world is going on with water management?
State’s water policies are shameful practices
Columnist Jeff Benziger writes, “I did something last week I haven’t done in quite a while – went to Yosemite with snow on the ground. … We took the Highway 132 route so I was able to see the low water levels of both Don Pedro and Lake McClure. Don Pedro is really low, so much so that the old road that led to Jacksonville – the town that was submerged by the creation of the reservoir, had partially reappeared. McClure was even lower. Earlier this month I saw the low water levels of New Melones Reservoir at Parrots Ferry. It’s ludicrous and sad that the California State Water Resources Control Board has dictated that operators of the dams flush more water out of the reservoirs out to the Delta, thus guaranteeing less water for Valley farmers of less water to grow crops and supply city dwellers. ... ” Read more from the Ceres Courier here: State’s water policies are shameful practices
California’s wildfire warning and the action we need to take
Ashley Conrad-Saydah, partnerships lead at Vibrant Planet, a public-benefit corporation, and Hugh Safford, chief scientist at Vibrant Planet, writes, “When weather patterns and conditions develop that fuel extreme fire behavior, the National Weather Service issues what it calls a “Red Flag Warning.” In response, firefighters rapidly shift resources, beef up staffing and alert nearby communities. It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment to prepare for the worst – one we’ve become increasingly familiar with, even in winter months. Coming off yet another record wildfire year and what he’s called a “climate damn emergency,” Gov. Gavin Newsom this month issued the equivalent of a Red Flag Warning for California in 2022, proposing another $1.2 billion in forest health and fire protection initiatives. ... ” Read more from Cal Matters here: California’s wildfire warning and the action we need to take
How to stop Tahoe from turning into the Disneyland of wildfire country
Pamela Mahoney Tsigdinos, a writer who lives in North Lake Tahoe, writes, “Mark Twain described Lake Tahoe as “a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the seas.” This beautiful lake and its surrounding Sierra Nevada draw worldwide admirers. But over tourism, unfettered commercial growth into wildfire country and environmental carelessness are rapidly destroying the very qualities that make it special. Talk to most Tahoe Basin residents and they’ll tell you the legions of out-of-towners the past several years share much in common with kudzu, the vine that smothers most everything in its path. Not every visitor bears blame, but when tourists arrive by the tens of thousands, our small mountain communities feel besieged. … ” Continue reading at the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: How to stop Tahoe from turning into the Disneyland of wildfire country
In regional water news this week …
Conservationists to turn over pristine California coastal land to tribal council
“A conservation organization will turn over a 500-acre parcel in some of California’s most picturesque coastal redwood territory to an Indigenous tribal group. The Save the Redwoods League bought a 500-acre parcel in the Lost Coast Wilderness, the only truly remote slice of the Northern California coast, in July and announced plans Tuesday to transfer the land to the Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council. The move was hailed by the Indigenous representatives who will now take over management of the parcel that teems with redwoods, salmon, steelhead and the northern spotted owl. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Conservationists to turn over pristine California coastal land to tribal council
McGuire bill to halt North Coast coal train project sails through California Senate
“A secretive plan to transport millions of tons of coal through the Sierra Nevada, across Sonoma County then north to Humboldt Bay was dealt a major blow Monday, when the California Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill preventing the use of state funds for the project. Written by Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, the bill bars the state from spending money to initiate improvements on the now-defunct North Coast rail line north of Willits. It also prevents the spending of state funds on any potential new bulk coal terminal facilities at the Port of Humboldt. The bill passed 33-2, and now goes over to the state Assembly. “The proposed toxic coal train is an environmental disaster in the making,” said McGuire in a release. … ” Continue reading at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: McGuire bill to halt North Coast coal train project sails through California Senate
Far-fetched dreams of Benbow Dam dashed; GSD seeks solutions to prepare for future droughts
“On December 25th, in a letter to the editor, former resident Ed Voice, admonished the community and the media for not keeping a more watchful eye on the Garberville Sanitary District (GSD). Of concern, according to Voice, is the request of GSD Board Chairperson, Doug Bryan, to the GSD staff to research the possibility of reinstalling the Benbow Dam on the South Fork of the Eel River. According to Voice, the district should be focused on reducing the 17 million gallons of water loss the district reported in 2020. The letter to the editor sparked both hope and fear that the dam could or would be reinstalled within the community. … ” Read more from the Redheaded Blackbelt here: Far-fetched dreams of Benbow Dam dashed; GSD seeks solutions to prepare for future droughts
How willow absorb and trap mercury on the Yuba
“Sometimes the restoration work we do ends up having some unexpected benefits. In this article, we explore some unplanned positive outcomes of our Lower Yuba River restoration projects. In 2011 and 2012, SYRCL implemented a groundbreaking habitat restoration project on the Lower Yuba River. Over the course of this restoration project, SYRCL planted over 6,000 willow and cottonwood species to groundwater depth on Hammon Bar. The goal of planting these species was to create a more diverse variety of riparian vegetation that would enhance the habitat. Since then, SYRCL has worked with an array of dedicated partners to restore hundreds of acres of floodplain habitats both downstream and upstream that will provide suitable spawning habitat for some of the Yuba’s threatened species—Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens here: How willow absorb and trap mercury on the Yuba
Manhattan Beach tries to re-create beach dunes to protect against erosion
“Southern California’s beaches were once dotted with dunes, a safe haven where birds nestled into plants and wildlife thrived. But in recent decades, homes were built, crowds flocked to beaches and the natural landscapes were replaced with groomed sand that made space for beach towels and easy strolls. But a restoration project that kicked off Friday in Manhattan Beach is one of several at local beaches that aim to revive robust habitat and set a path for the future as seas threaten to wash away one of Southern California’s most important recreational spaces. “At its heart, these pilot projects are demonstrations to see if this is a feasible means to combat climate change and increase coastal resiliency,” said Chris Enyart, a program manager with The Bay Foundation, a nonprofit that is spearheading several similar projects across the Santa Monica Bay watershed. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Manhattan Beach tries to re-create beach dunes to protect against erosion
Poseidon Water announces application for coastal development permit completed
“Officials at Poseidon Water reported Monday the company has received notification from the California Coastal Commission that the application for a coastal development permit for its controversial $1.4-billion water desalination plant will be up for consideration in March. If it receives approval, Poseidon Water will be able to then negotiate a contract to sell desalinated water to the Orange County Water District and begin construction of the facility. It is expected to be located adjacent to the AES Huntington Beach Generating Station on Newland Avenue and is proposed to provide 50 million gallons of desalted drinking water a day. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Poseidon Water announces application for coastal development permit completed
A shrinking river inspires growing collaboration
“Kathryn Sorensen and Bill Hasencamp are two experts on the lower Colorado River basin. As water users face steadily declining water levels in Lake Mead, we asked Sorenson, director of research at Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy, and Hasencamp, who manages Colorado River resources for the Metropolitan Water District, to tell us about the long-term outlook for the river and the millions of people who depend on it. Q: Where are we with shortages on the Colorado River? The first-ever shortage was announced in late summer of 2021, but California is not currently taking shortages. Could that change? Bill Hasencamp: The lower basin water users have worked collectively to avoid a shortage declaration for a long time. If not for our efforts, we would have been in shortage probably seven years ago. … ” Read more from the PPIC blog here: A shrinking river inspires growing collaboration
Weekly features …
BLOG ROUND-UP: Will State Water Contractors support disclosure of forecast SWP operations?; Why no nature-based solutions for inland CA waters?; Why federal appropriations are a water thing; and more …
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Announcements, notices, and funding opportunities …
VELES WEEKLY REPORT: December storms raise State Water Allocations from 0 to 15%
NOTICE of Water Quality Certification Application for the Jeff L. Taylor – Pine Flat Hydropower Project
WATER PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Lunch-MAR~ IRWM Grants~ SGMA Implementation~ Management Planning~ Colorado River~ Delta Projects~
DELTA PLAN eNEWS: ~~ Levee Improvements~ Delta Voice~ DPC Recording~ Heritage Courier~ DPIIC Meeting~ Instagram AMA ~~
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Delta Conservancy Announces Delta Drought Response Pilot Program
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Agricultural water conservation & efficiency projects
NOTICE OF HEARING pertaining to imidacloprid product residue detections in groundwater
