DAILY DIGEST, 5/3: Valley could see a “mass migration” of farmworkers as land is fallowed under SGMA; Why farmers often pay higher water rates and fees during drought; Beyond “paper” water: The complexities of fully leveraging tribal water rights; Why Morro Bay is struggling to remove a trio of smokestacks; and more …

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On the calendar today …

• WEBINAR: A Restored California is a Resilient California from 9am to 10:30am.  This webinar will unpack the importance of restoration as a nature-based solution. Our panel of experts will explore how we can work with nature through habitat restoration to build climate resilience, and highlight projects incorporating various restoration methods in different ecosystems around the state.  Click here to register.
• MEETING: Department of Food and Agriculture from 10am to 12pm.  Agenda items include a drinking water & dought update; presentation on labor and workforce, a discussion of labor and community impacts of drought, and an overview and discussion of CDFA technical assistance programs.  Zoom Webinar Meeting Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81273998618

In California water news today …

Valley could see a “mass migration” of farmworkers as land is fallowed under state groundwater law

“Advocates are sounding the alarm for what they think could be the collapse of the San Joaquin Valley’s agriculture workforce. As drought continues to hammer the state and groundwater pumping restrictions take effect, farmland will need to be retired en masse.  While there have been many conversations, including legislation, on how to support farmers during intermittent droughts, advocates say there has been little to no planning for what will happen to the nearly 167,000 farmworkers in the San Joaquin Valley when swaths of farmland are permanently fallowed. Estimates of how many farmworkers are in the valley aren’t exact and the number is likely much higher during peak harvest season. “We just don’t think you can plan to transition land without also planning to transition the workers that will be impacted when the land gets fallowed,” said Nataly Escobedo Garcia, water policy coordinator at nonprofit Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “We need to get on it now. We can’t keep leaving farmworkers out of these conversations.”  ... ”  Read more from SJV Water here:   Valley could see a “mass migration” of farmworkers as land is fallowed under state groundwater law

Why farmers often pay higher water rates and fees during drought

“California walnut grower Tim McCord is at the dry end of the spigot, facing a zero-water allocation from the Central Valley Project, which is supposed to deliver to his local San Benito County Water District. “I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said McCord. The farmer is not just concerned about his orchard; he’s also frustrated that he owes substantial water-related taxes to the district, and, if water is eventually delivered, he’ll be charged $309.75 per acre-foot — more than in non-drought years.  McCord is not alone. During drought, it’s common for farmers across the West to pay higher water-related rates, assessments, fees and taxes than during wet years. … ”  Read more from the Capital Press here: Why farmers often pay higher water rates and fees during drought

California’s grim drought situation is visible from the International Space Station

“Despite the late-season snow that blanketed Northern California last month, almost all of the state remains under significant drought conditions.  California’s snowpack, which helps fill up much of the state’s reservoirs, is below average and far from where it needs to be.  The dwindling snowpack was captured in a video taken Friday from the International Space Station.  “Just how much snow is in Northern California and The Sierra Mountains? Not all that much,” ISS officials tweeted last week while sharing video of the mountains. ... ”  Read mroe from KTLA here: California’s grim drought situation is visible from the International Space Station

SEE ALSO: ‘The lack of frozen water is alarming’: California left with little snow as drought continues, from the Independent

New irrigation tech on tap to help growers feeling drought stress

“Every drop counts. Especially in California. That is the common refrain among suppliers of the latest irrigation technologies.  Realizing that the state’s fruit and nut growers — unlike their vegetable-farming counterparts — cannot simply forego planting, industry leaders offer the following advice for growers who are intent on saving their trees, vines, and bushes during extreme times … ”  Read more from Growing Produce here: New irrigation tech on tap to help growers feeling drought stress

Largest floodplain restoration project in California under way

“Between vast almond orchards and dairy pastures in the heart of California’s farm country sits a property being redesigned to look like it did 150 years ago, before levees restricted the flow of rivers that weave across the landscape.  The 2,100 acres at the confluence of the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers in the state’s Central Valley are being reverted to a floodplain. That means when heavy rains cause the rivers to go over their banks, water will run onto the land, allowing traditional ecosystems to flourish and lowering flood risk downstream.  The Dos Rios Ranch Preserve is California’s largest single floodplain restoration project, part of the nation’s broadest effort to rethink how rivers flow as climate change alters the environment. The land it covers used to be a farm, but the owners sold it to the nonprofit River Partners to use for restoring wildlife habitat. … ”  Read more from Construction Equipment Guide here: Largest floodplain restoration project in California under way

A life written in water: Susan Tatayon reflects on her 40-year career

“Susan Tatayon has spent four decades working in California’s water world, most recently as chair of the Delta Stewardship Council. (She was appointed by Governor Brown in 2014 and reappointed in 2018.) She retired from state service in 2022. We caught up with her to gather a few gems of wisdom, calling on her unparalleled understanding of water in a state that’s facing bigger water challenges than ever.  Q: You have worked on California’s water issues from almost every conceivable angle—at organizations including Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Bureau of Reclamation, The Nature Conservancy, and more. What are your biggest takeaways from those decades?  A: There have been so many lessons along the way. One big thing I learned is that you can get an awful lot done if you can get state and federal agencies moving in the same direction. … ”  Read more from the PPIC here: A life written in water: Susan Tatayon reflects on her 40-year career

San Joaquin Valley communities get state cash to plug leaks

“An infusion of state cash will plug several leaky drinking water systems that serve rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley in the near future.  The money, $22 million, comes from the Small Community Drought Relief Program under the Department of Water Resources (DWR). That money will fund 17 projects throughout the state, with about $10 million going to seven San Joaquin Valley projects in Kern, Tulare and Fresno counties. DWR has awarded almost $165 million in total through the program.   “You always like to get money that doesn’t have a lot of strings attached,” said Craig Wallace, general manager of Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District, one of the grant recipients. … ”  Read more from SJV Water here: San Joaquin Valley communities get state cash to plug leaks

DWR awards $150 million to support communities that rely on groundwater

“In an effort to boost water supply reliability for millions of Californians, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced its first round of funding to 20 agencies responsible for managing critically overdrafted groundwater basins throughout the state.  A total of $150 million in funding is being awarded to regional groundwater agencies through the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program. The funding will go toward projects focused on water efficiency, groundwater recharge, feasibility studies for alternative water supplies, and the installation of monitoring wells. The grant funding is made possible by a $171 million investment from the Budget Act of 2021, and will support other benefits such as improving drinking water quality and restoring. ... ”  Read more from DWR here: DWR awards $150 million to support communities that rely on groundwater

Beyond “paper” water: The complexities of fully leveraging tribal water rights

“In July 2020, in the case of McGirt v. Oklahoma, the U.S. Supreme Court re-recognized the reservation of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s sovereignty over roughly 3 million acres of land in Oklahoma that were taken from the tribe in the late nineteenth century. … Farther west, a different and much older Supreme Court ruling, which concerned tribal water rights on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana, has led many tribes to grapple with similar issues related to their control of water resources. The 1908 Winters v. United States ruling affirmed that tribes on reservations owned property rights to water, although the water itself was, in many cases, already fully allocated without regard for tribal water needs. Like McGirt v. Oklahoma, Winters v. United States left many practicalities unanswered. It took nearly 50 years before the Supreme Court’s 1963 ruling in Arizona v. California even established a potential metric for quantifying tribes’ water rights—what was termed practicably irrigable acreage. To this day, barriers exist for tribes as they work to define and fully exercise their “Winters rights” and gain access to water. ... ”  Read more from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis here: Beyond “paper” water: The complexities of fully leveraging tribal water rights

New state bill could require ‘blue carbon’ to offset coastal development

“Public developments on the California coast would be required to capture carbon in wetlands or other natural systems under an Assembly bill that calls for projects to add “blue carbon” measures to their mitigation plans.  Blue carbon refers to coastal habitat such as wetlands, marshes, kelp forests and eelgrass beds that capture and store carbon in soil, plant matter and the sea floor.  AB 2593, authored by Assemblymember Boerner Horvath, D-Encinitas, would require projects on public lands to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to blue carbon projects. … ”  Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: New state bill could require ‘blue carbon’ to offset coastal development

Four-month fire outlook released as West braces for extreme fire season

“Much of the west is bracing for what could be another catastrophic wildfire season, but what does this mean for the Central Coast?  From rapidly spreading fires in March to beneficial, late-season rain — fire season may have been briefly put on hold, but it’s knocking at our door once again.  “For the Central Coast, I was so excited to see the little bit of rain that we had unexpectedly a couple weeks ago,” said Christopher Dicus, Professor of Wildland Fire and Fuels Management at Cal Poly.  That rain led to an improved fire season outlook. … ”  Read more from KSBY here: Four-month fire outlook released as West braces for extreme fire season

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In blog commentary today …

Stanford scientists find that the Delta Conveyance Project is a much worse idea than converting Diablo Canyon into a giant nuclear-powered desalination plant

Jeff Michael, Executive Director of the Center for Business and Policy Research at the University of the Pacific, writes, “A recent study from Stanford scientists has caused some policy makers, including Governor Newsom, to reconsider the timeline for closing the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, California’s last operating nuclear plant.  Among the future visions for Diablo Canyon plant evaluated in the study was using it as a mega-scale desalination facility. Mega-scale nuclear-powered desalination! I can see my environmentalist friends recoiling in horror at the idea. I am not persuaded it is a good idea either, but the Stanford team clearly demonstrated that it is far from the worse idea in California water. ... ”  Continue reading from the Valley Economy blog here: Stanford scientists find that the Delta Conveyance Project is a much worse idea than converting Diablo Canyon into a giant nuclear-powered desalination plant

What about this “damn tool”, Gov. Newsom?

Verna Jigour writes, “Last Friday, April 29th, Governor Newsom urged Coastal Commission approval of the Poseidon desalination plant proposal for Huntington Beach that Coastal Commission staff had recommended against in their report issued Monday, April 25th.  I had read and saved the Los Angeles Times enewspaper summary of the staff report on it by Ian James, “Desalination plant: boon or boondoggle?” (updated April 25th) and the staff conclusion and recommendations reported there seemed sound to me.  So I was shocked, as I groggily consumed my Saturday morning coffee, to read Paul Rogers’ front page piece on the governor’s comments about it in the Mercury News e-edition. ... ”  Continue reading at the Rainfall to Groundwater blog here: What about this “damn tool”, Gov. Newsom?

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Smith River Alliance removes two tons of trash on Earth Day

“The Smith River Alliance hosted an Earth Day coastal cleanup last Friday with approximately 60 hard-working volunteers.  Over a two-hour period, the volunteers removed approximately two tons of trash, plus recyclables. This trash would have polluted our marine ecosystems along the California North Coast and Elk Creek Wetland and Wildlife Area. The Smith River Alliance hopes that its work will inspire others to take part in some form of stewardship activity. … ”  Read more from the Del Norte Triplicate here: Smith River Alliance removes two tons of trash on Earth Day

Crash spills hot tar into a California river. Here’s why officials aren’t worried

“A crash on a California highway spilled hot tar into the Smith River at Six Rivers National Forest, forestry officials reported. But the asphalt binder spilled in the crash remains liquid only at temperatures above 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the U.S. Forestry Service reported on Facebook. When it hit the cold water of the river, it turned into a solid and sank, officials said.  “Although we are still concerned with possible harm done to natural resources, knowing more about the substance reassures us the spread of liquid material in the river is minimal,” the post read. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Crash spills hot tar into a California river. Here’s why officials aren’t worried

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Trash from bottom of Lake Tahoe will be turned into sculpture to ‘inspire greater environmental stewardship’

“Trash collected from the bottom of Lake Tahoe will be turned into art.  The Tahoe Fund is commissioning artists to create a sculpture in Tahoe City by using some of the recovered items found during a year-long scuba cleanup of the lake performed by the Clean Up The Lake team.  The organization says the sculpture, which will be named “Surfaced,” will be of an endangered animal native to Lake Tahoe. They have narrowed down the choices to either a Sierra Nevada red fox, Lahontan cutthroat trout or a bald eagle. … ”  Read more from CBS News here: Trash from bottom of Lake Tahoe will be turned into sculpture to ‘inspire greater environmental stewardship’

Drought impacts raise fire concerns at Lake Tahoe

“What began as a promising winter fizzled out in early 2022, leading to the driest January and February recorded across California and Nevada since record-keeping began.  On March 31 the National Weather Service drought monitor noted that 40% of California and 36% of Nevada is suffering from extreme drought, with severe drought conditions evident in the Lake Tahoe Basin.  “I’ve been with the National Weather Service for over 20 years and I’ve never seen the winter storm door just slam shut like that,” said NWS Reno’s, Chris Smallcomb. “It’s very unsettling.” ... ”  Read more from the Mountain Democrat here: Drought impacts raise fire concerns at Lake Tahoe

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Draft principles prepared for Paradise-Chico sewer pipeline

“The Principles of Agreement for the sewage pipeline between the town of Paradise and the city of Chico have been drafted and are set to go before the Chico City Council at the upcoming Tuesday meeting.  Chico’s Public Works Director of Operations and Maintenance Erik Gustafson will be presenting the document before the council for discussion and approval.  While no financial impact is expected for the city of Chico, it is noted in the staff report that Paradise will be required to pay $14.9 million to accommodate the town’s sewer needs. … ”  Read more from the Oroville Mercury-Register here: Draft principles prepared for Paradise-Chico sewer pipeline

Grant program provides free water for Glenn residents with dry wells

“It’s dry all over the Northstate and all over the state of California. The drought has impacted numerous counties and communities, including Glenn County. However, there are resources available for residents with wells going dry.  Those eligible can apply to get free water deliveries from the North Valley Community Foundation. ... ”  Read more from KRCR here: Grant program provides free water for Glenn residents with dry wells

Yuba City imposes mandatory water cutbacks; enforcement to begin June

“Yuba City has imposed mandatory water restrictions Sunday in the hopes of saving water for 2023.  Home improvement continued for Yuba City resident Lori Woodel; she laid new sod in her backyard.  “If they told us that a month or two before that, I would have done something else,” she said.  Woodel is having second thoughts after she learned Yuba City implemented mandatory water restrictions.  “I just spent thousands of dollars for a grass that will now die,” Woodel said. … ”  Read more from Fox 40 here: Yuba City imposes mandatory water cutbacks; enforcement to begin June

BAY AREA

Bay Area fire danger: Did April rain make a difference?

“After the driest start to the year across much of Northern California, April saw the return to near average rainfall for areas north of San Francisco – this after many areas missed out on nearly 7 to 15 inches inches of rain from January through March.  While the April rain totals weren’t much, it appears the rain and the cooler temperatures have made a short term positive change when it comes to Bay Area fire danger and drought conditions. A more active weather pattern helped lower drought severity near the North Coast and North Bay, however warmer and drier conditions around the Central Valley into Southern California allowed some increase in drought severity and fire danger.  … ”  Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Bay Area fire danger: Did April rain make a difference?

Tomales Bay oyster farm looks to harvest seaweed

“Oysters, clams and mussels are rightly considered the bounty of Tomales Bay. But the state is now set to open the door for the first time to allow local shellfish farmers to harvest and sell a new crop — seaweed.  Last month, the California Fish and Game Commission gave its support to allow Hog Island Oyster Co. to harvest seaweed that naturally grows on its shellfish gear. If given final approval in June, the company would be the first in Tomales Bay to be allowed to commercially harvest seaweed, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: Tomales Bay oyster farm looks to harvest seaweed

Zone 7 directors vote 5-2 to continue in Delta Conveyance Project planning

“A divided Zone 7 Water Agency Board of Directors voted to continue participating in the planning phase for the ambitious and long-discussed Delta Conveyance Project, following discussions about intricacies and concerns related to the matter last month.  The directors’ 5-2 vote on April 20 comes with an a commitment of an additional $4.75 million in funding by Zone 7 for environmental planning for the proposed project.  “California’s been fighting over the Delta for almost 110 years continuously, and we have never been able to figure out what to do with it … It’s a full century; it’s amazing how much emotion the Delta has caused in the state,” Director Sandy Figuers said. … ”  Read more from Pleasanton Weekly here: Zone 7 directors vote 5-2 to continue in Delta Conveyance Project planning

Repair costs for San Francisco’s Stern Grove balloon to $20 million, 5 times initial estimates

“The cost to repair flood-damaged Stern Grove in San Francisco ballooned to $20 million, according to a recent report from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — five times more than the $4 million city officials initially estimated.  The concert venue’s hillside was washed out after an air release valve failed during maintenance of a 54-inch diameter water line last August. Around 700,000 gallons of fresh drinking water cascaded down from Sloat Boulevard and into the bowl just before the final concert of the season. … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Repair costs for San Francisco’s Stern Grove balloon to $20 million, 5 times initial estimates

CENTRAL COAST

Why Morro Bay is struggling to remove one of California’s great architectural missteps: a trio of smokestacks

Journalist Andrew Pridgen writes, “The sounds of bilge pumps churning and industrial-sized engines trying to fire combine with Steely Dan’s “Deacon Blues” dripping out of a single crackly speaker to score a too-bright early spring afternoon in the tiny Central Coast fishing port of Morro Bay. … All morning I’ve been patrolling the shoreline trying to figure out what, if any, utility the Morro Bay smokestacks have today. There are three of them. They are massive, dormant, decaying and dangerous. And thanks to a Morro Bay City Council decision last November, they’re slated to come down sometime between now and 2028. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Why Morro Bay is struggling to remove one of California’s great architectural missteps: a trio of smokestacks

Federal plan to thin forest on Pine Mountain draws lawsuits from Patagonia, Ojai and others

“Popular Ventura-based clothing brand Patagonia, the city of Ojai, Ventura County and several environmental groups are suing the U.S. Forest Service in an attempt to stop a forest-thinning project on Pine Mountain in Los Padres National Forest.  The Reyes Peak Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Project, first proposed in 2020, would thin and trim 755 acres of forestland that the Forest Service says would alleviate firefighting risks.  But in lawsuits filed last week in federal court, plaintiffs say the project was improperly vetted, would damage the area’s flora, fauna and cultural history, and is a vestige of Trump administration logging initiatives. ... ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Federal plan to thin forest on Pine Mountain draws lawsuits from Patagonia, Ojai and others

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Tule River Tribe, LSID receive major water grants

“Two more local agencies have received seven figure grants from the state for much needed water infrastructure projects.  The Tule River Tribe and the Lindsay-Strathmore Irrigation District were the latest agencies to receive grants through the State Department of Water Resources Small Community Drought Relief program. Their projects were approved by the State Water Resources Control Board.  The two projects were among the 17 projects that were awarded grants in the seventh round of grants that have been awarded. In the latest round of grants $22 million were awarded for the 17 projects. … ”  Read more from the Porterville Recorder here: Tule River Tribe, LSID receive major water grants

EASTERN SIERRA

Inyo county to ask LADWP to pump only for in-valley uses and to start planning for climate change

“Inyo County’s Board of Supervisors and Water Commission seem to be on the same page regarding the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s 2022-23 pumping plan: pump for in-valley uses only for a total of 59,540 acre-feet and start the strategic planning process to address Climate Change.  With the predicted run-off at 47-percent of normal, the lowest percentage since the Long Term Water Agreement was put in place in the early 1990s, LADWP intends to pump between 67,210 and 86,300 a-f. In addition, irrigation water for area ranchers has been cut from 5 a-f per acre to 4 a-f for a total of 34,770 a-f.  LADWP’s plans have historically reflected a relatively narrow pumping range, but this year was exceptional with the 20,000 a-f differential. … ”  Continue reading at the Sierra Wave here: Inyo county to ask LADWP to pump only for in-valley uses and to start planning for climate change

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Can we do it? Unprecedented water cuts will require sacrifices for Southern California

“In less than a month, residents in large portions of Southern California will be under unprecedented water restrictions due to a worsening drought that has severely limited water supplies.  The biggest change is the requirement from the Metropolitan Water District that local water suppliers in those areas, from Ventura County to northwestern L.A. County to parts of the Inland Empire, limit outdoor watering to once a week.  But behind that is a big cut in water use needed to avoid even more serious measures. Can we do it? Here’s what we know … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Can we do it? Unprecedented water cuts will require sacrifices for Southern California | Read via MSN

SEE ALSO: Metropolitan Water District Announces Required Water Reductions Affecting up to Six Million Californians, from Nossaman LLP

Is Poseidon’s big proposal for HB desal plant dead in the water?

“Seinfeld aired its series finale, the FDA first approved Viagra, and California banned smoking inside bars and restaurants the same year Poseidon Water came to town with an idea for a large-scale seawater desalting plant in Huntington Beach.  More than two decades later, the big plan to suck 100 million gallons off the coast every day and turn half into drinkable water to privately sell – deemed a solution in search of a problem by critics – might be off to a bad start in facing its biggest state regulatory hurdle yet:   The California Coastal Commission.  On May 12, the commission will meet in Costa Mesa to vote on the project’s needed coastal development permit, sought by a company that’s controlled under the $688 billion investment firm known as Brookfield Asset Management. ... ”  Read more from the Voice of the OC here: Is Poseidon’s big proposal for HB desal plant dead in the water?  

Column: It’s time to kill this useless and costly desalination project

Columnist Michael Hiltzik writes, “When it comes to wasteful, overpriced and ill-considered proposals to address California’s water supply issues, it’s hard to know where to start.  But a good place would be the plan to build a desalination plant on the Pacific coast at Huntington Beach. As my colleague Ian James has reported, the project, which is sponsored by the politically wired and private-equity-owned firm Poseidon Water, will be coming up for a crucial vote by the California Coastal Commission on May 12.  The vote represents the best opportunity to drive a stake through the heart of the project once and for all. The commission should have its mallet at the ready. … ”  Continue reading at the LA Times here: Column: It’s time to kill this useless and costly desalination project

New LA reservoir ultraviolet disinfection plant opens in Granada Hills

“Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilman John Lee visited the newly-completed Los Angeles Reservoir Ultraviolet Disinfection Plant in Granada Hills on Monday, May 2, which the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said will treat up to 650 million gallons of water each day, more than enough to fill the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum twice.  The new plant will be the last stop in a complex water treatment processes. It is the second ultraviolet facility in the network, following the Dr. Pankaj Parekh Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility in Sylmar, which treats water with ultraviolet light after it has undergone fluoridation, ozonation, and filtration treatments. The city’s water undergoes the process before entering the Los Angeles Reservoir. … ”  Read more from the LA Daily News here: New LA reservoir ultraviolet disinfection plant opens in Granada Hills

LA City Council votes to phase out single-use plastics at city facilities

“The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to begin the process to phase out single-use plastics at city facilities and city-sponsored events, as well as to take steps toward a potential citywide ban on polystyrene products such as Styrofoam.  “Our future in Los Angeles is plastics-free,” said Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, one of the leaders of the motion. “Our phase-out of single-use plastics has been underway for years now through the plastic bag ban of about nine years ago to straws-upon-request about four years ago and plastic-utensils- upon-request just last year.” … ”  Read more from Spectrum 1 here: LA City Council votes to phase out single-use plastics at city facilities

Long Beach stormwater project promises protection for LA River

“Construction is well underway on a project in Long Beach, California, to transform a highly impervious industrial corridor into a stormwater treatment hub, capable of collecting and diverting more than 40% of urban runoff generated throughout the Lower Los Angeles River Watershed. The Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Project (LB-MUST), expected to become operational in 2024, aims to drastically reduce the flow of untreated stormwater runoff into the Los Angeles River, San Pedro Bay, and Pacific Ocean.  The Long Beach Department of Public Works (DPW) estimates that LB-MUST, which will consist of an advanced stormwater treatment facility as well as an adjacent constructed wetland, will be able to capture and treat nearly 2,000 acre-feet per year of urban runoff when fully built. More than 800 acre-feet per year of this runoff will be suitable for non-potable reuse applications throughout the region. ... ”  Read more from the Stormwater Report here: Long Beach stormwater project promises protection for LA River

Can sustainable suburbs save Southern California?

“Drive on I-5 north from Los Angeles toward San Francisco and you’ll hit, about forty miles in, a long climb through desolate and windswept mountains. The Tejon Pass, also known as the Grapevine, is a fickle stretch of the journey, subject to closure during heavy snowfall—the kind of highway that has ominous signs tracking the increase in altitude and informing drivers of the next opportunity for radiator water. As the highway ascends, the air cools and thins. Gas stations are few and far between, and drivers who make the mistake of thinking that, on the primary artery connecting Northern and Southern California, a gas station must be around the next bend will be eying the needle until Gorman, then paying a premium, shivering at the sudden drop in temperature. The urban sprawl of Southern California suddenly feels very far away; there is a boundary to it after all.  To the west of the interstate here is mostly national forest; to the east is the largest continuous expanse of privately held land in California, just over four hundred square miles, owned and managed by the Tejon Ranch Company, which has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1999. … ”  Continue reading at the New Yorker here: Can sustainable suburbs save Southern California?

SAN DIEGO

San Diego County Board of Supervisors votes on storm water infrastructure funding

“The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to seek out federal money to fix storm water infrastructure.  The goal is to better protect beaches, creeks and rivers from pollutants, reported The Times of San Diego. According to officials, more than $2 billion is available to protect bodies of water. This money is from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The funding would be used to improve storm water infrastructure and management in unincorporated areas, reported The Times of San Diego. … ”  Read more from Stormwater Solutions here: San Diego County Board of Supervisors votes on storm water infrastructure funding

San Diego County braces for wildfires in a time of drought

“0.02 inches.  Pinch your fingers together and try to imagine 0.02 inches.  That’s how much rain fell at San Diego International Airport in April. 30 days in San Diego and the airport measured 0.02 inches of rainfall.  “It’s more than a little concerning,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Issac Sanchez.  The extremely low rainfall could push federal and state forecasters to declare a severe drought for San Diego County. … ”  Read more from NBC San Diego here: San Diego County braces for wildfires in a time of drought

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Along the Colorado River …

Body in barrel exposed as level of Nevada’s Lake Mead drops

“A body inside a barrel was found over the weekend on the the newly exposed bottom of Nevada’s Lake Mead as drought depletes one of the largest U.S. reservoirs — and officials predicted the discovery could be just the first of more grim finds.  “I would say there is a very good chance as the water level drops that we are going to find additional human remains,” Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Spencer told KLAS-TV on Monday. ... ”  Read more from ABC News here: Body in barrel exposed as level of Nevada’s Lake Mead drops

Colorado River experimental flow planned to benefit aquatic insects

“Federal water officials plan an experimental flow on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam to improve egg-laying conditions for aquatic insects.  They’re the primary food source for fish, birds and bats in the river, and officials hope the Macroinvertebrate Production Flow will help identify whether such flows improve the abundance of the insect populations.  The flows will last through the end of August and will include steady, low weekend releases from Glen Canyon Dam and normal fluctuating releases for hydropower on weekdays. … ”  Read more from KNAU here: Colorado River experimental flow planned to benefit aquatic insects

Experts say Arizona is entering an era of limits when it comes to state’s water future

“Arizona was once in a great spot when it came to conserving water, but a drastic population growth has pushed the state into what experts say is an era of limits.  Since the 1950s, the state’s population has grown by more than 550%, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. As a result, leaders are looking for ways to save the states greatest resource.  Water reduction and conservation efforts have allowed Arizona to decline its water usage by 3%, ADWR said.  Director Tom Buschatzke said that number was achieved through multiple methods, but there are some challenges have popped up. … ”  Read more from KTAR here: Experts say Arizona is entering an era of limits when it comes to state’s water future

Bill introduced to ratify Hualapai Tribe water settlement

“Congress will consider a bill finalizing a water rights settlement for the Hualapai Tribe in Arizona. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, it will resolve the tribe’s longstanding claims to the Colorado, Bill Williams, and Verde rivers.  Arizona Representative Tom O’Halleran introduced the bill to a House committee last week. It allows the Hualapai Tribe to divert 3,414 acre feet of water from the Colorado River each year. It also establishes a trust fund of $180 million to construct a project to convey the water to the Hualapai Reservation. A separate fund of $5 million will be set aside for carrying out the terms of the agreement. … ”  Read more from KNAU here: Bill introduced to ratify Hualapai Tribe water settlement

Colorado River reservoirs are so low, government is delaying releases

“With long-term severe drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal government is expected to announce on Monday that it will retain some water in one of the river’s major reservoirs to temporarily stave off what it called increased uncertainty in water and electricity supplies.  The anticipated decision to keep more water in Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border, rather than releasing it downstream to the other major reservoir, Lake Mead near Las Vegas, comes as both are at record-low levels after 20 years of drought. Powell, behind Glen Canyon Dam, currently holds less than one-fourth of the amount it held when it filled after the dam was built in the 1960s. … ”  Read more from the New York Times here: Colorado River reservoirs are so low, government is delaying releases

Drought imperils Arizona hydropower plant operations

“Ongoing dry weather in the western U.S. conducive to wildfires burning in New Mexico and Arizona has also helped drop the waters of Lake Powell to a level approaching the minimum needed to operate the Glen Canyon Dam hydroelectric power plant.  “This year the Colorado River Basin has experienced extremely variable conditions with a record high snowpack one month, followed by weeks without snow,” David Palumbo, acting commisisoner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, said in a statement. … ”  Read more from Engineering News-Record here: Drought imperils Arizona hydropower plant operations

Experts stress water conservation as the Colorado River sees historically low levels

“The heat is on and that means that water use is up. But, historically low levels at the Colorado River, Arizona’s largest supply of water, are concerning as we head into the heat of the summer.  “Things are getting to levels where by, the probabilities are looking like, in the next year or two or maybe two or three years, we could see shortages to Arizona,” Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center says we are in uncharted territory when it comes to the water supply.  Climate change is a big factor in what’s happening to the Colorado River.  “Climate has not been cooperating with us in the Colorado river basin. It’s serious, it’s really serious,” she said. ... ”  Read more from Channel 13 here: Experts stress water conservation as the Colorado River sees historically low levels

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In national water news today …

Water sector: EPA’s proposed Financial Capability Guidance “falls well short” on affordability, environmental justice

“In April, associations representing the U.S. water utility sector submitted comments to EPA in response to its draft of the proposed Financial Capability Assessment Guidance, in which several groups said the agency’s proposal “falls well short” of meeting the purpose of the revision of the guidance.  The proposed guidance outlines strategies for communities to support affordable utility rates while planning investments in water infrastructure that are essential for Clean Water Act implementation.  The FCA Guidance is used by municipalities when devising plans to dramatically reduce discharges from Combined Sewer Systems. … ”  Read more from Water Finance & Management here: Water sector: EPA’s proposed Financial Capability Guidance “falls well short” on affordability, environmental justice

Lobbying heats up ahead of water rule rewrite

“Environmental advocates and the nation’s largest pipeline and electricity associations are lobbying the White House, hoping to shape a controversial Clean Water Act rule that could determine just how much say — and time — states and tribes have over a broad range of projects, including pipelines and other infrastructure.  The Edison Electric Institute, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Southern Environmental Law Center, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Environmental Law & Policy Center are the latest groups to meet or schedule meetings with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, or OIRA, over EPA’s Clean Water Act Section 401 certification rule.  The rule gives states the right to “certify” that projects that require permits comply with federal law and state water quality standards. Much of the controversy in past years has stemmed from states like New York and Washington denying permits for pipelines and coal terminals for issues tied to air pollution and climate change, as well as water quality concerns. ... ”  Read more from E&E News here:  Lobbying heats up ahead of water rule rewrite

Mace cosponsors bipartisan bill to advance desalination research

“To help improve drinking water, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on April 28 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would ramp up federal desalination funding from $5 million per year to $20 million annually through fiscal year 2026.  Rep. Mace cosponsored the Desalination Research Advancement Act, H.R. 7612, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) to reauthorize and increase funding authorization for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR) Program, which provides funding for desalination efforts that reduce environmental impacts, lower energy consumption, and develop more advanced desalination technologies. ... ”  Read more from the Ripon Advance here: Mace cosponsors bipartisan bill to advance desalination research

Coastal cities are drinking themselves underwater

“Rising seas threaten to consume the coastal areas of major metropolises around the world. Now those risks are compounded by an accelerating danger: Most of those cities are also sinking.  That means flooding and other disruptions sharpened by future sea-level rise could hit those urban centers far sooner than expected, according to a study in Geophysical Research Letters.  Using satellite data to measure subsidence rates in 99 coastal cities, the researchers found that many of those metropolises are sinking faster than sea levels are rising. Coastal subsidence is happening globally, but the biggest problem is in Asia—where rapidly urbanizing areas are increasing demand for groundwater. … ”  Read more from Scientific American here: Coastal cities are drinking themselves underwater

Rising sea levels call for rising wetlands

“Wetland ecosystems have historically been undervalued by society. They can’t easily be built on and are difficult to navigate by most means of transportation. However, this underappreciated environment has been seeing a comeback in recent years, as they have been found to purify wastewater, protect coastlines during floods, and sequester carbon. In response to the current climate crisis these abilities have made wetland ecosystems an incredibly crucial environment worldwide. As such, many programs around the world have been attempting to bring historic wetland ecosystems to their former glory to combat the effects of climate change, most notably rising sea levels threatening to flood coastal communities. While these programs vary in specific application due to regional differences, these attempts are known largely as nature-based solutions. In comparison to less biological approaches, such as the construction of sea-walls, nature-based solutions are more cost effective and more consistent, as they require relatively little supervision and upkeep, and usually require less investment of money and resources. … ”  Continue reading at EnviroBites here: Rising sea levels call for rising wetlands

Opponents of 30×30 seize on conservation law to block easements

“In the late 1970s, landowners looking to protect a parcel located just to the east of Nebraska’s capital city discovered the state had no laws allowing easements, sparking the push toward the state’s first conservation law in 1981.  But four decades later, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and his allies are looking to that same law — the Nebraska Conservation and Preservation Easement Act — to block a Biden administration program that aims to preserve 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.  “They’re not just going to come and seize the land. Even they know they don’t have the authority to do that. It’s going to be far more nefarious,” Ricketts told attendees at last month’s “Stop 30×30” event organized by the American Stewards of Liberty, which advocates for property rights. … ”  Read more from E&E News here: Opponents of 30×30 seize on conservation law to block easements

Biden’s environmental civil rights effort wrestles with caseload

“President Joe Biden’s administration is prioritizing environmental civil rights cases, with the Justice Department joining the EPA to turn the dial on a yearslong struggle to manage a growing list of complaints.  Current cases in front of the Environmental Protection Agency’s External Civil Rights Compliance Office include discrimination allegations relating to the granting of permits for hog farms in North Carolina, health impacts of air emissions in Louisiana, and pollution problems in Michigan.  “What you’ve seen is this administration taking a pause and looking at some decisions by state regulatory agencies,” said Byron Brown, a former EPA associate deputy general counsel and now senior counsel at Crowell & Moring LLP. … ”  Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Biden’s environmental civil rights effort wrestles with caseload

Engineering sustainable cities around the globe

“Designing a sustainable city is tough.  There’s a lot to do: ensure a community’s safety and security; maintain a high quality of life for all residents; and establish a robust economic and environmental framework for continued settlement. Towns big and small have struggled through these problems for as long as civilization has been around. For Los Angelenos, some of these issues, like traffic congestion and air pollution, have been incessant struggles.  USC Viterbi and a handful of other universities believe the answers to many of these local problems is a global approach, involving gathering the brightest thinkers from across the globe to solve these small-scale problems. ... ”  Read more from USC Viterbi School of Engineering here: Engineering sustainable cities around the globe

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Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: Reclamation announces 2023 funding opportunity for Water and Energy Efficiency Grants

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: 2022 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grant Program – Clean Water Act section 319(h)

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