On the calendar today …
- PUBLIC WORKSHOP: proposed Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems Waste Discharge Requirements General Order from 9am to 3:30pm. The State Water Resources Control Board will receive public written comments on the proposed Statewide Sanitary Sewer Systems Waste Discharge Requirements General Order. This is the first day of a two-day workshop. Click here for the full workshop notice and remote access instructions.
- IN-PERSON EVENT: Water Association of Kern County: Lunch with Miles Muzio at the Bakersfield Museum of Art from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Join the Water Association of Kern County for a lunch presentation with Chief Meteorologist, Miles Muzio for a talk on future forecast & snow pack runoff predictions. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: Salton Sea Community Science from 12pm to 1:30pm. Join the Pacific Institute for this webinar on community science at the Salton Sea. Local community members will describe the importance and uses of community science and several recent and ongoing community science efforts. These efforts include air and water quality monitoring, invertebrate sampling, shoreline mapping, and ways to share and leverage this data into action. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: Refining species distributions through dynamic and participatory ecological modeling from 1pm to 2:30pm. One of the most fundamental questions underpinning biodiversity conservation is: Where do species and ecosystems occur? Through advances in dynamic ecological modeling, cloud-based computing, and innovative work flows that leverage community science, refined maps of species distributions can dramatically improve the basis for effective and strategic conservation actions, from local to landscape scales. Dr. Healy Hamilton, Chief Scientist at NatureServe, will demonstrate an iterative and collaborative ecological modelling process for producing refined species and ecosystem distributions and provide example applications of their relevance to conservation actions. Click here to register.
- IN-PERSON EVENT: MWDOC’s Water Policy Forum & Dinner from 5:30pm to 8:30pm in Costa Mesa. Join us for our MWDOC Water Policy Forum & Dinner, featuring keynote speaker E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board. Click here to register.
- FREE WEBINAR: Drawbridge: History & Virtual Tour from 6pm to 7:30pm. Learn about the history of the Bay Area’s very own ghost town, Drawbridge!Join Ceal Craig, PhD, 20-year volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for a unique opportunity to dive into the history of Drawbridge, a ‘ghost town’ that once housed a thriving community on an island along the South San Francisco Bay. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
As climate warms, overhauling California water projections gains urgency
“Packed onto the slopes of the Sierra Nevada is a precious source of water for California — a frozen reservoir that climate change is already transforming. As the planet warms, the spring snowpack is dwindling. The snow is creeping up mountainsides to higher elevations, melting earlier in the year and seeping into dry soils rather than washing into rivers and streams that feed reservoirs. The risks are no longer futuristic or theoretical: The state’s projections for how much water to expect from the Sierra Nevada were so far from reality last spring that reforming the process has become increasingly urgent. The calculation for the Sacramento River region was off by 68%, leaving the state’s reservoirs with far less water supply than expected. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Snow falling: As climate warms, overhauling California water projections gains urgency
California to become first state to tackle microplastic pollution
“California is set to become the first state, and maybe the first place in the world, to try to limit microplastics at sea. A state advisory board called the Ocean Protection Council is expected to adopt a plan Wednesday for addressing these pesky particles that flake off tires, clothing, plastic bags and countless other items before making their way to the water. Microplastics are a big piece of an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution entering the oceans worldwide each year, according to the state. A startling report three years ago about the amount of microplastic penetrating San Francisco Bay helped push the issue to the forefront. … ” Continue reading at the San Francisco Chronicle here: California to become first state to tackle microplastic pollution
Ocean plastic is bad, but soil plastic pollution may be worse
“While much of the public’s attention—and funding for scientific research—has been funneled into efforts that focus on the impact of plastics in marine environments, the ones in our soils may be just as serious a problem. In response, policymakers and scientists alike are starting to shift their attention to the negative impacts of plastics on land. … Agricultural production is a growing source of global plastic use, accounting for 3.5 percent of global plastic production, according to the FAO report. The report estimates that in 2019, the agriculture sector used 12.5 million tons of plastic, with crop and livestock sectors accounting for 10 million tons. While that may seem like an insignificant slice of the overall problem, the threat lies in these products’ proximity to earth’s soils and the food we consume. … ” Read the full story at Civil Eats here: Ocean plastic is bad, but soil plastic pollution may be worse
Agencies working to sustain groundwater
“A new era of groundwater management in California continues to take shape as local agencies develop and implement plans that identify how they intend to achieve groundwater sustainability goals over the next 20 years. “The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, if you haven’t heard about it, it’s knocking on your door and will soon be pretty much a part of your life if you’re trying to farm,” said Cordie Qualle, professional engineer and faculty fellow at California State University, Fresno. At a recent groundwater seminar at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, Qualle said, “that (regulation) basically says that groundwater basins, which are large geographic areas that have been defined by the state, need to balance their water use. They need to balance their intake and their outtake to maintain a stable groundwater level.” … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: Agencies working to sustain groundwater
SGMA could bolster habitat restoration in the San Joaquin Valley
“Land fallowing is coming to the San Joaquin Valley. PPIC estimates that compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) will require at least 500,000 acres of irrigated farmland (10%) to come out of production by 2040. What are the best uses for newly fallowed land? A few weeks ago, this blog explored solar development in the San Joaquin Valley. We recently met with a group of conservationists to discuss another potential land use: transforming formerly irrigated land into habitat. … ” Read more from the PPIC blog here: SGMA could bolster habitat restoration in the San Joaquin Valley
Despite markets, cropping plans depend on water
“With commodity prices higher across the board, markets are telling farmers to plant, plant, plant. But for California growers, who face another potential dry year, water remains a major driver of what crops will go in the ground and their quantity. Kern County farmer Travis Fugitt said he’s evaluating which crops use less water because he isn’t counting on any surface water deliveries this year and will likely rely on his wells for irrigation. One priority is keeping his family’s almond trees alive. Because of his vertically integrated business in hemp—including growing, processing and marketing—he said he has “no choice” but to stay the course on that crop. … ” Read more from Ag Alert here: Despite markets, cropping plans depend on water
Bringing out the best in wild birds on farms
“A supportive environment can bring out the best in an individual — even for a bird. After an E.coli outbreak in 2006 devastated the spinach industry, farmers were pressured to remove natural habitat to keep wildlife — and the foodborne pathogens they can sometimes carry — from visiting crops. A study published today from the University of California, Davis, shows that farms with surrounding natural habitat experience the most benefits from birds, including less crop damage and lower food-safety risks. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, was conducted at 21 strawberry fields along California’s Central Coast. It found that birds were more likely to carry pathogens and eat berries without surrounding natural habitat. … ” Read more from UC Davis here: Bringing out the best in wild birds on farms
First meeting planned to discuss Delta Island Adaptations planning effort
“The first scheduled Delta island adaptations planning effort meeting, which is exploring ways to improve the resilience and sustainability of islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta owned by Metropolitan Water District (MWD), is scheduled for March 15 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. The four islands in the discussion face adaptation challenges similar to many other subsided lands in the Central Delta, and are crucial to meeting the State’s co-equal goals of ecosystem restoration, water supply reliability for California, and valuing the Delta as an evolving place for those who live, work, and recreate within it, officials said. … ” Continue reading at the Brentwood Press here: First meeting planned to discuss Delta Island Adaptations planning effort
California and the American West is thirsty. But is seawater desalination ‘a silver bullet’ to solve the water crisis?
“Gripped by drought, communities along California’s coast are exploring innovations and investments to ensure residents have access to drinking water. But desalinating seawater, one proposed solution, has provoked heated debate, as some environmentalists say the process is inefficient, expensive and unneeded. The California Coastal Commission next month will decide whether to approve a private company’s application to build a $1.4 billion seawater desalination facility in Huntington Beach, southeast of Los Angeles. An approval would cap a 15-year permitting process to bring Southern California its second, large-scale seawater desalination facility – joining another in Carlsbad that fully opened in 2015. … ” Read more from USA Today here: California and the American West is thirsty. But is seawater desalination ‘a silver bullet’ to solve the water crisis?
Existing water quality guidelines fail to protect lake ecosystems
“In a new paper, an international team of researchers have established that water quality guidelines in North America and Europe do not protect lakes from human-induced salinization, which can have a negative impact on the abundance of freshwater organisms and lake food webs. The increase in salinity of lakes worldwide is largely due to road de-icing salts, agricultural fertilizers, mining operations and climate change. The paper appears in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). “Our study shows the cost of salinization at concentrations currently considered ‘safe,’ illustrating the urgent need to re-examine existing chloride thresholds to maintain the ecological integrity of our lakes,” said University of California, Irvine’s Celia Symons, Ph.D., who ran one of the experimental sites at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory in Mammoth Lakes, part of the University of California Natural Reserve System. … ” Read more from EurekAlert here: Existing water quality guidelines fail to protect lake ecosystems
Forest fires increasingly affecting Western rivers and streams, for better and worse
“Forest fires can have a significant effect on the amount of water flowing in nearby rivers and streams, and the impact can continue even years after the smoke clears. Now, with the number of forest fires on the rise in the western United States, they are increasingly influencing the region’s water supply, and increasing the risk for flooding and landslides, according to a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers examined stream flow—a measure of water volume over time in rivers and streams—and climate data for 179 river basins. (Basins are areas of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet.) All of the areas were located in the western United States, and all had been affected by forest fires between 1984 and 2020. … ” Read more from State of the Planet here: Forest fires increasingly affecting Western rivers and streams, for better and worse
Western senators call for megadrought emergency relief
“Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Friday called on Senate leadership to include $616 million in emergency drought funding and agricultural assistance in the upcoming omnibus appropriations bill as Western states continue to suffer from the worst megadrought in more than 1,200 years. “What makes this megadrought so challenging is that climate change magnifies the impacts beyond what our communities can withstand,” the senators wrote. “The Colorado River, the lifeblood of seven western states, could lose 29 percent of its flow by the 2050s and 55 percent by 2100, and federal assistance is essential to adapt to the dramatically lower flows. Many disadvantaged and tribal communities across the West are simply running out of water to drink.” … ” Read the full letter here: Western senators call for megadrought emergency relief
Rising seas could raise insurance rates of those living near water
“In one of the biggest changes in the history of flood insurance, climate change will now likely drive homeowner rates for higher flood insurance. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has now updated a program that first started in 1968, which does away with a one-size-fits-all model for gauging the threat of flooding in communities. Using new modeling, the agency developed “Risk Rating System 2.0,” which will assess individual homeowners who live near water higher premiums based on their actual risk, and climate change will be a factor. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Rising seas could raise insurance rates of those living near water
The sea is rising faster than ever. How can we prepare?
“NOAA and interagency partners just released an updated technical report, showing that sea levels will rise by up to a foot nationally by 2050, and potentially by up to two feet by 2100 depending on rates of emissions. While the findings are stark, we have an urgent window of opportunity to increase protection for communities, natural resources and infrastructure across our coasts and watersheds. Here are five recommendations for how government leaders can increase the resilience of coastal communities before the worst effects of sea level rise take hold. … ” Read more from EDF’s Growing Returns here: The sea is rising faster than ever. How can we prepare?
CalFire prepares for 2022 fire season as drought continues
“We’re still six months away from fire season in California, but dry conditions have crews battling flames all months of the year. CalFire can never know where or when a wildfire will strike. It’s why they plan for the worst and say it’s a good idea for you to do the same.” The National Weather Service tweeted out video Monday night showing .04 inches of rain in San Francisco, ending a long dry spell. “It was 44 days of not seeing measurable rain,” Brian Garcia, NWS meteorologist, said. … ” Read more from KRON here: CalFire prepares for 2022 fire season as drought continues
Research suggests Forest Service lands not the main source of wildfires affecting communities
“Research led by Oregon State University shows that fires are more likely to burn their way into national forests than out of them. The findings contradict the common narrative of a destructive wildfire igniting on remote public land before spreading to threaten communities, said Chris Dunn of the OSU College of Forestry. The study, which looked at more than 22,000 fires, found that those crossing jurisdictional boundaries are primarily caused by people on private property. It also showed that ignitions on Forest Service lands accounted for fewer than 25% of the most destructive wildfires – ones that resulted in the loss of more than 50 structures. “In the old framing, public agencies bear the primary responsibility for managing and mitigating cross-boundary fire risk and protecting our communities, with their efforts focused on prevention, fuel reduction and suppression,” Dunn said. “This has been the dominant management approach of years past, which is failing us.” … ” Continue reading at Wildfire Today here: Research suggests Forest Service lands not the main source of wildfires affecting communities
Today’s featured article …
DELTA INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BOARD: State Water Project Operations
At the January meeting of the Delta Independent Science Board, the board members heard a series of presentations on water management in the Delta to orient new members to the complexities of science and management issues in the Delta. The presentations were also in response to the recent review of the DISB that suggested the Board become more familiarized with the realities of Delta science and management.
John Leahigh is the Deputy Division Manager for Water Operations for the State Water Project. In his presentation, he provided an overview of the State Water Project and its facilities, the operational challenges focusing on the variable hydrology and Delta constraints, and the allocation process for the State Water Project contractors.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Del Norte Supervisors Join Curry County Commissioners to Support Smith River NRA Expansion Act; Other Supporters Include Green Diamond Resource Company, Gasquet and Big Rock CSDs
“Del Norte County supervisors joined their counterparts in Curry County to support legislation that would extend the Smith River National Recreation Area into Oregon. Supervisors voted 4-0-1 on Tuesday in support of sending a letter to U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, in support of the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act and the Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Del Norte Supervisors Join Curry County Commissioners to Support Smith River NRA Expansion Act
The Klamath story, told by its birds
“It started with a dead bird. About a year ago, the ill-fated avian crashed into Oregon State University professor Hannah Gosnell’s window. It lay on the pavement below, barely alive. For the next few days, Gosnell tried to nurse the bird back to health, asking her neighbor and renowned ornithologist Sue Haig for advice. Nothing helped, and the bird passed away much to Gosnell’s dismay. Around the same time, Jami Dennis, a candidate for a masters degree in natural resources at OSU, reached out to Gosnell to see if she’d be interested in advising her degree’s capstone project. She knew she wanted to tell a visually engaging story about climate change, but didn’t have much of an idea beyond that. The death of her adopted bird in mind, Gosnell suggested a focus on avian issues. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: The Klamath story, told by its birds
CDFW awards $13 million for coho recovery projects on the North Coast
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) today announced the award of funding to an initial 15 multi-benefit restoration and protection projects for North Coast coho salmon recovery under its Proposition 1 grant program. The awards, totaling approximately $13 million, were made under CDFW’s 2021 Proposition 1 North Coast Coho Recovery Proposal Solicitation Notice. This solicitation was part of CDFW’s Cutting the Green Tape initiative to increase the pace and scale of restoration by making the permitting and granting processes more efficient. CDFW’s Watershed Restoration Grants Branch partnered with the North Coast Salmon Project on this solicitation, focusing on coho salmon recovery in North Coast watersheds. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish & Wildlife here: CDFW awards $13 million for coho recovery projects on the North Coast
Willits City Council tables IS/MND approval for Groundwater Resiliency Project
“After a two-hour public hearing at the Feb. 9 Willits City Council meeting, the council decided to take no action in adopting the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Groundwater Resiliency Improvement Project. The council tabled the approval of the IS/MND until the Operation Plan establishes the scope of the project, or the scope is clearly defined in the Initial Study. An Initial Study is required under the California Environmental Quality Act for a project and is used to analyze the potential environmental impact of a proposed project. A MND means that with mitigation measures, the project proposes no significant environmental impacts. … ” Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Willits City Council tables IS/MND approval for Groundwater Resiliency Project
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Check out the new snow at Lake Tahoe ski resort – a welcome 12 inches overnight
“Snow fell once again Monday and Tuesday morning in the Lake Tahoe area. After a dry January, snow blanketed Sierra Nevada ski resorts, with Palisades Tahoe receiving 12 inches on the upper mountain. The storm brought the resort’s season snowfall total to 284 inches and its base depth to 106 inches. … ” Read more and view pictures at the Sacramento Bee here: Check out the new snow at Lake Tahoe ski resort – a welcome 12 inches overnight
“Save Our Snow” campaign to raise awareness of changing winters at Lake Tahoe
“The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) has partnered with BrandXR, Palisades Tahoe, and Protect Our Winters on an educational campaign to increase public awareness and understanding of the negative effects of climate change to Lake Tahoe’s snowpack and the winter tourism industry. The campaign is designed to inspire people to take immediate action to reduce their own carbon emissions by one ton per year and prevent the worst scenario from playing out. It includes a carbon reduction calculator, easy actions individuals can take to #SaveOurSnow, and an augmented reality Instagram filter … ” Read more from South Tahoe Now here: “Save Our Snow” campaign to raise awareness of changing winters at Lake Tahoe
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Aqualliance files groundwater lawsuits against three area subbasins
“Aqualliance has filed lawsuits against three groundwater sustainability plans, filed by local agencies. The group is dedicated to challenging threats to the Sacramento River watershed. The lawsuits target the Butte, Colusa and Vina subbasins’ Groundwater Sustainability Plans. The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and the California Water Impact Network are co-plaintiffs. … ” Read more from Action News Now here: Aqualliance files groundwater lawsuits against three area subbasins
BAY AREA
Pea-size hail is raining down on the S.F. Bay Area as temperatures start to dip
“Freezing temperatures were expected in parts of the Bay Area this week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a freeze warning that includes swaths of the region. The warning will go into effect early Wednesday to Friday morning for interior areas in the Bay Area — such as Concord, Livermore, Santa Rosa, Cloverdale and Napa — and the Central Coast, weather officials said. Cold temperatures Tuesday helped produce pea-size hail in some places, with people taking to social media to report hail sightings in the North Bay and even as far south as Cupertino in the Bay Area. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Pea-size hail is raining down on the S.F. Bay Area as temperatures start to dip
CENTRAL COAST
What Lies Beneath: Vets worry polluted base made them ill
“For nearly 80 years, recruits reporting to central California’s Fort Ord considered themselves the lucky ones, privileged to live and work amid sparkling seas, sandy dunes and sage-covered hills. But there was an underside, the dirty work of soldiering. Recruits tossed live grenades into the canyons of “Mortar Alley,” sprayed soapy chemicals on burn pits of scrap metal and solvents, poured toxic substances down drains and into leaky tanks they buried underground. When it rained, poisons percolated into aquifers from which they drew drinking water. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: What Lies Beneath: Vets worry polluted base made them ill
SEE ALSO: What Lies Beneath: Key findings of AP’s investigation, at the Imperial Valley Press
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Modesto Irrigation District sets water allotment and lets farmers share supply amid yet another drought
“The Modesto Irrigation District will deliver about 60% of its usual water this year because of the persistent drought. The district board voted 5-0 Tuesday morning for this allotment from the Tuolumne River. It affects about 58,000 acres of farmland, as well as a treatment plant that eases reliance on groundwater in Modesto and a few other towns. MID is in relatively good shape as California’s drought enters its third year. The Turlock Irrigation District, which also diverts from the Tuolumne, has not yet set a 2022 allotment for its nearly 150,000 acres. ... ” Continue reading at the Modesto Bee here: Modesto Irrigation District sets water allotment and lets farmers share supply amid yet another drought
Merced could see first rain since January, but don’t get too excited, forecasters say
“Rain could fall in Merced on Tuesday for the first time since Jan. 17, but meteorologists say the break in the dry spell will be brief and light at best. In total, Merced is expected to receive up to a tenth of an inch of rain. “That’s a light rain,” David Spector, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Hanford office, told the Sun-Star. … ” Read more from the Merced Sun-Star here: Merced could see first rain since January, but don’t get too excited, forecasters say
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Could the LA River dry up? Fears grow as cities recycle more wastewater
“For most of the year, the Los Angeles River is sustained by a flow of wastewater. Now, a battle is brewing between environmentalists and wastewater recycling advocates about where that wastewater should go. In an interview for “LA Times Today,” staff writer Louis Sahagun told host Lisa McRee about the water fight and the future of the LA River. … ” Read more from Spectrum 1 here: Could the LA River dry up? Fears grow as cities recycle more wastewater
Poseidon vows 100% clean energy for desalination plant in Huntington Beach
“As Poseidon Water gears up for next month’s final permit hearings on its controversial Huntington Beach desalination proposal, the company signed a non-binding agreement Tuesday, Feb. 22, recognizing a “goal” of 100% clean energy for the massive power needs of the plant. The surge of new greenhouse gases resulting from those needs is among numerous objections to the operation, and opponents remain skeptical Poseidon will follow through with its 100% clean energy promise. The language of the memorandum of understanding signed by Poseidon and Orange County Power Authority officials speaks in tentative terms, saying that Poseidon will pursue an “investigation of a 100% renewable energy product.” Opponents want an irrevocable legal document instead. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: Poseidon vows 100% clean energy for desalination plant in Huntington Beach
San Clemente updates grant application related to shoreline protection
“The San Clemente City Council voted unanimously last week to revise a grant application to the California Coastal Commission that seeks funding toward projects and programs meant to locally address sea-level rise. The city hopes to obtain $550,000 in funding from the CCC to support implementation of its Coastal Resiliency Plan, which includes an objective to establish a shoreline monitoring program that will track the width of San Clemente’s beaches and other changes to the beach profile every fall and spring through 2025. … ” Read more from the San Clemente Times here: San Clemente updates grant application related to shoreline protection
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Biden says commercial-scale lithium extraction possible in Imperial Valley by 2026
“As the Imperial Valley begins its transformation into what some are calling Lithium Valley, one company says it could have lithium production at commercial scale by 2026, President Joe Biden said Tuesday at an event with Gov. Gavin Newsom, industry executives, community representatives and labor leaders. Biden met with the group to announce several investments in domestic production of critical minerals and materials, including lithium extraction in Imperial County. “[This announcement] is all about the belief we share that to build a truly strong economy, we need a future that is made in America,” said Biden, noting that the U.S. currently imports close to 100% of these critical minerals and materials. ... ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Biden says commercial-scale lithium extraction possible in Imperial Valley by 2026
SAN DIEGO
Winter storm brings much needed water and snow to Southern California
“Cold, windy and occasionally wet conditions will continue across San Diego County through Wednesday, with widespread rain and mountain snow possible before things warm up later in the week. “Hazardous travel is expected, especially through the mountains,” according to the National Weather Service. A winter storm warning will be in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday in the San Diego County mountains, with snow accumulating up to a foot in some areas, with as much as 18 inches on higher peaks. … ” Read more from KUSI here: Winter storm brings much needed water and snow to Southern California
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona lawmakers meet to discuss solutions for ongoing drought
“On Tuesday, several Arizona lawmakers met with the Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland. They discussed ways to fight back against the drought in the western part of the United States. Secretary Haaland says we need to make changes to get more water to everyone in Arizona. Water levels are historically low from our water sources like Lake Mead, and Haaland says we need to focus on recycling the water we have. “Although this funding can’t make it rain or refill reservoirs with water, it can go a long way to build resilience,” Secretary Haaland said. … ” Read more from Arizona Family here: Arizona lawmakers meet to discuss solutions for ongoing drought
Climate change, drought are endangering hydropower production from Lake Powell. Is it time to ‘balance the water budget’?
“The water level in Lake Powell was at a record low when rain and snow began to fall across the Colorado River Basin in October, soaking dry soils ahead of the winter season. Water managers, who hoped the trend would build into an above-average snow year that might delay a looming water crisis in the Southwest, watched the snowpack drop to near zero in November. Then, after a massive storm cycle brought six feet of snow to parts of the Rockies around the New Year, they again breathed a sigh of relief. In the weeks since, however, snowfall throughout the watershed has been at a record or near-record low. Lake Powell, which is filled to just over a quarter of its capacity, could soon see its level drop below the critical elevation where the Glen Canyon Dam stops being able to generate power, even after this week’s storms. ... ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune here: Climate change, drought are endangering hydropower production from Lake Powell. Is it time to ‘balance the water budget’?
Haaland: 16 tribal water settlements will get $1.7 billion
“The Biden administration will use $1.7 billion from the recently enacted federal infrastructure bill to fund 16 tribal water rights settlements, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced Tuesday. The money will ensure that tribes get access to water they’ve been promised but have been unable to use because of a lack of funding for infrastructure to store and move it. “I am grateful that tribes, some of whom have been waiting for this funding for decades, are finally getting the resources they are owed,” Haaland said in a statement during a trip to Arizona, where she announced the funding. … ” Continue reading at Arizona Family here: Haaland: 16 tribal water settlements will get $1.7 billion
In national water news today …
The ongoing saga of redefining WOTUS
“The old adage that you can’t please everyone definitely applies to the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). According to the fall Unified Agenda, a new WOTUS definition was proposed to be released by the Biden administration in February 2022. However, there is a mountain of comments to sort through, as the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) received more than 93,000 comments as of February 7, 2022, the cutoff date for the proposed rule. And many are calling for more time to submit additional comments. “‘EPA is committed to listening to diverse stakeholders while working on a second rulemaking process to refine the pre-2015 definition of Waters of the United States,’ said [an Agency] spokesperson,” reports E&E News. “‘While the Fall Unified Agenda included a proposed February 2022 timeline, EPA anticipates issuing a proposed rule later this year.’” ... ” Continue reading at EHS Daily Advisor here: The ongoing saga of redefining WOTUS
Extreme wildfires are here to stay – and multiply
“Indonesia’s peatlands, California’s forests, and, now, vast swathes of Argentine wetland have all been ravaged by extreme wildfires, heralding a fiery future and the dire need to prevent it. With climate change triggering droughts and farmers clearing forests, the number of extreme wildfires is expected to increase 30% within the next 28 years. And they are now scorching environments that were not prone to burning in the past, such as the Arctic’s tundra and the Amazon rainforest. “We’ve seen a great increase in recent fires in northern Syria, northern Siberia, the eastern side of Australia, and India,” said Australian government bushfire scientist Andrew Sullivan, an editor on the report, released Wednesday, by the UN Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal environmental communications group. … ” Continue reading at KFGO here: Extreme wildfires are here to stay – and multiply
