On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Central Valley Flood Protection Board beginning at 9am. Agenda items include Presentation of levee inspection results for the Brannan-Andrus Levee Maintenance District (LMD) – Reclamation District (RD) 556 Levee Systems; 2022 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan update; update on status of RD 784’s desire to form a State Maintenance Area (MA) for the Horseshoe Levee; and Reclamation District 1000’s “Seeing Levees Saves Lives” Campaign. Click here for the full agenda and remote access instructions.
In California water news today …
Proposed water tunnel puts Delta under scrutiny
“A Delta advisory panel is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to identify historic and culturally significant properties along the waterway that may need protection if the proposed water tunnel gets approval to move forward. In 2019, after years of effort from Rep. John Garamendi and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act. Passage of this act made the creation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin National Heritage Area – California’s first designated National Heritage Area (NHA) – possible. NHAs are grassroots, community-driven areas to heritage conservation and economic development. The Delta Protection Commission (DPC), the panel working with the Engineers as the local coordinator, proposes initiatives such as bolstering public engagement, working with diverse partners to coordinate heritage projects and programs, and providing funding and support to local agencies who are implementing programs that preserve the Delta and teach the public about its importance in their lives. … ” Read more from The Press here: Proposed water tunnel puts Delta under scrutiny
California’s drought has caused entire towns to sink nearly a foot in just one year. This map shows where
“The ground is sinking in parts of California as the continued drought strains reservoirs, increasing reliance on the state’s already precarious groundwater reserves depleted by years of well-pumping. In just one year, from October 2020 to September 2021, satellite-based estimates showed entire towns in the Central Valley, including in Kings and Tulare counties, sinking by nearly a foot. The maximum loss recorded during that time was 1.1 feet on the northwestern edge of Tulare County. The sinking, known as land subsidence, happens when excessive pumping dries out the water reserves underground and collapses the space where water used to be. Experts say it’s a century-old problem in California that regulators have tried to slow with sustainability measures. But with the changing climate, they face an uphill battle. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: California’s drought has caused entire towns to sink nearly a foot in just one year. This map shows where
Map: ‘Exceptional drought’ expands in part of California
“An already grim situation just got worse for California in this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report. ‘Exceptional drought’ expanded in parts of California’s agricultural Central Valley north of Los Angeles in this week’s report. That is the most severe of the weekly update’s four drought categories. The area includes portions of Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. The flat region that dominates the central part of the state has some of the most productive farmland in the country, including vast crop fields with fruits, grains, nuts and vegetables. … ” Read more from NBC LA here: Map: ‘Exceptional drought’ expands in part of California
California drought could nearly halve hydropower output, boost electricity prices
“The extended drought in California could lead to hydropower producing 8% of California’s electricity generation compared with 15% under normal precipitation conditions, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday. In its supplemental outlook, the EIA expects that the dip in hydropower generation would lead to an 8% increase in electricity generation from natural gas, an increase in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 6%, and a roughly 5% increase in wholesale electricity prices throughout the West, it said in a press release. … ” Read more from US News & World Report here: California drought could nearly halve hydropower output, boost electricity prices
SEE ALSO: EIA analysis shows California drought will decrease hydropower, increase natural gas use and CO2 emission, from the US Energy Information Administration
Environmental advocates, including local Tribe, say protecting Bay-Delta water quality is a matter of justice
“The current historic drought isn’t the only cause of the precipitous decline of water quality and disastrous conditions for fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It’s also been caused by state regulators’ unwillingness to address a water governance system that is rooted in discriminatory laws and the genocide of Indigenous peoples, according to a petition delivered to the state Tuesday. The petition was filed by a coalition of environmental justice groups and California Indian Tribes, demands that the State Water Resources Control Board uphold its legal commitment to environmental justice and tribal sovereignty by restoring more freshwater flows to the Delta. Building on an amicus brief they filed earlier this year in a civil case, the environmental justice coalition behind the petition includes the Winnemem Wintu Tribe, who are the Indigenous people of the McCloud River watershed and whose territory spans parts of Shasta and Siskiyou Counties. ... ” Read more from the Shasta Scout here: Environmental advocates, including local Tribe, say protecting Bay-Delta water quality is a matter of justice
Gov. Newsom, State Water Board clamp down on water conservation
“The State Water Board is imposing water conservation mandates on cities including a ban on lawns at commercial, industrial and public buildings. The State Water Resources Control Board, more commonly referred to as the State Water Board, adopted an emergency water conservation regulation May 24 to ensure water supplies more aggressively conserve water after customers statewide actually used more water in the second year of the current drought. In March 2022, the state’s urban water suppliers reported average water use statewide that was nearly 19% greater than in March 2020, lowering the state’s cumulative water savings since July 2021 to 3.7%. … ” Read more from the Foothills Sun-Gazette here: Gov. Newsom, State Water Board clamp down on water conservation
SEE ALSO: State Water Resources Control Board Adopts Emergency Drought Regulation, from Best Best & Krieger
The fertilizer crisis impacting California farmers
“A fertilizer crisis is hitting American farmers and is likely going to disrupt the already tumultuous food supply and supply chain issue. The main issue impacting farmers is the price of fertilizer, which is hampering their efforts to produce crops for consumers. The impact will likely be felt by Americans in grocery stores in the following year. According to an Axios report from earlier this month, fertilizer prices are reaching threateningly high levels. … ” Read more from the Daily Wire here: The fertilizer crisis impacting California farmers
Water scarcity in the West could create food shortages
“Water shortages that continue to plague California are increasingly affecting the number of acres devoted to growing food. Farmers are making tough choices on which crops and how much to plant in the face of crushing water supply cuts. “New estimates are emerging on the number of acres without enough water to grow food and it doesn’t look good,” said Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition. “We believe the state could see as much as 691,000 acres taken out of production this year, a 75% increase over last year and 151,000 acres more than the previous high in 2015.” … ” Read more from The Packer here: Water scarcity in the West could create food shortages
Western senators moving to drought-proof future water supply
“A group of senators has introduced the Support to Rehydrate the Environment, Agriculture and Municipalities, or STREAM, Act. The bill would increase water supply and modernize water infrastructure throughout the West. The three senators, all from states affected by the current drought, include Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.). “As the past two years have demonstrated, severe and prolonged drought is the stark reality for the West,” Feinstein said in a news release. “If we don’t take action now to improve our drought resilience, it’s only going to get worse. We need an ‘all of the above’ strategy to meet this challenge. That includes increasing our water supply, incentivizing projects that provide environmental benefits and drinking water for disadvantaged communities, and investing in environmental restoration efforts.” … ” Read more from The Packer here: Western senators moving to drought-proof future water supply
How the Public Utilities Commission circumvents the California Public Records Act
“The California Public Utilities Commission — which regulates day-to-day services as varied as electric utilities and ride-hailing companies — has long vowed to become more transparent in response to criticism it operates far too secretively. Yet despite those promises, the CPUC has erected multiple roadblocks to prevent the public from learning about its handling of deadly disasters and corporate scandals, according to a San Francisco Public Press review of court records and interviews with 1st Amendment attorneys. Applying century-old laws meant to fight railroad corruption, the commission has effectively limited court enforcement of the state’s public records act. But a forthcoming ruling in a lawsuit challenging that long-standing practice could bring more transparency to the powerful commission. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: How the Public Utilities Commission circumvents the California Public Records Act
California senator wants FEMA to pick up more of the tab to fight and recover from wildfires
“Federal lawmakers are hoping to speedily pass legislation that would help California brace for longer, hotter and drier wildfire seasons. On Thursday, Sen. Alex Padilla announced a pair of bills that would allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assume a larger share of costs to fight and recover from wildfires. … Certain grants used to cover wildfire costs are capped at a 75-25 split between federal, state and local agencies. The bills would allow the federal government to pay more than 75% in agreed upon circumstances, which FEMA has done in response to other disasters. … ” Read more from McClatchy DC here: California senator wants FEMA to pick up more of the tab to fight and recover from wildfires
SEE ALSO: Feinstein, Padilla Introduces Slate of Bills to Help California Respond and Recover from Wildfires, from Senator Feinstein’s office
In commentary today …
Predictions of Potter Valley Project’s demise are premature
David Taber, President of the Palomino Lakes Mutual Water Company, writes, “The Potter Valley Project is an essential source of water for residents, businesses and agriculture between Healdsburg and Ukiah, representing 30,000 people and 1,800 water-right holders. It also affects water supplies for another 500,000 people in Sonoma and Marin counties. For 100-plus years, the system has operated reliably and evolved to the point that our water hasn’t ran out for 70 years. Right now, it is holding 35 billion gallons of water for fire protection, and that’s in a dry year. While it is true that PG&E no longer wants to own and run the system, it is literally an irreplaceable asset. It needs to be invested in, not blown up. … ” Continue reading at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Predictions of Potter Valley Project’s demise are premature
California needs to keep Diablo Canyon Power Plant running
Alex Trembath, deputy director of The Breakthrough Institute, and Adam Stein, director of nuclear innovation at The Breakthrough Institute, write, “Gov. Gavin Newsom is reportedly considering extending a lifeline to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, California’s last operating nuclear power plant. He should do so. Diablo Canyon is the single-largest generator of zero-carbon energy in the state. The only thing the plant requires to continue operating is political leadership on the part of the governor. Institutional environmentalist groups, which came of age largely before climate change was widely recognized as a global threat, have been pressuring governments to shut down zero-emissions nuclear power plants for decades. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo allied with environmental groups to shut down the Indian Point power plant in 2020, which resulted in immediate increases in both carbon emissions and electricity costs. The Natural Resources Defense Council has led the activist movement to shut down Diablo Canyon. But some political leaders are bucking this trend and making real efforts to keep existing nuclear plants online. Newsom should follow their lead. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: California needs to keep Diablo Canyon Power Plant running
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Who’s after rare metals in the Klamath Mountains?
“When Interstate 5 was built in the 1960s, it sliced through southwest Oregon’s Klamath Mountains, exposing their metamorphic innards. To Michael Cope, the brawny founder of American Mineral Research, this layer cake of mineralized rock proves that Josephine County is sitting on cache of valuable rare metals — and his small company hopes to eventually free up the resource so that it can be used in solar panels. In early May, I met Cope on the shoulder of an I-5 off-ramp. The rain was sporadic, and we hurried across the road so that he could show me where he’d found gold a few years back. … ” Read more from High Country News here: Who’s after rare metals in the Klamath Mountains?
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Historic fight: Tahoe Keys battles invasive weeds with herbicides
“History was made this week as scientists and agency leaders gathered in the Tahoe Keys at Lake Tahoe to watch the application of herbicides as part of a massive effort to knock back aquatic invasive species. Herbicides were applied to three sites within the Tahoe Keys on Wednesday, May 25, and will be applied to 10 other sites over the next week. The herbicides, Endothall and Triclopyr, were applied to the restricted boating Area B which encompasses the waterways that are accessed from Venice, Morro and Monterey Drives. The morning of the application, Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association staff members were out at the access point to Lake Tahoe at 4 a.m. taking flow measurements. They will continue to monitor the water flows throughout the application period. … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Historic fight: Tahoe Keys battles invasive weeds with herbicides
Commentary: A fork in the Plan for Water process
Bruce Herring, member of the Union Editorial Board, writes, “The NID directors have been handed a golden opportunity on a silver platter. They have come to the proverbial fork in the road. As Yogi Berra purportedly said, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it.” This is such a moment. This fork was provided by Brian Wallace and the Lizzie Enos Nisenan Family Foundation with humility and in the spirit of collaboration in the Plan for Water process. Aspects of the Nisenan cultural perspective as presented in the April 19 workshop could — and should — be adopted directly into the NID Strategic Plan and Mission Statement. … ” Read more from The Union here: Commentary: A fork in the Plan for Water process
Ag concerns about water rate hikes aired at Tuolumne Utilities District board meeting
“Concerns of raw water users, the Tuolumne County Farm Bureau, and its water committee came before the Tuolumne Utilities District Board of Directors at a meeting Tuesday. The concerns were raised near the end of a discussion of a draft water rate study that’s focused on increasing rates to generate revenue to operate and maintain TUD’s proposed acquisition of the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. water system in the South Fork Stanislaus watershed and at the Phoenix Lake reservoir. The draft water rate study includes five years of proposed water rate increases to be effective beginning Sept. 1. … ” Read more from the Union Democrat here: Ag concerns about water rate hikes aired at Tuolumne Utilities District board meeting
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Supervisors hold off on Vina GSA legal finance support
“The Butte County Department of Water Resource Conservation requested a budget adjustment of $8,000 from the Butte County Board of Supervisors to go toward costs accumulated through a legal complaint against the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency. Department Director Kami Loesser was joined Tuesday by Assistant Director Christina Buck before the board to make the request. With Supervisor Doug Teeter unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting during which the request was made, the board’s vote was split 2-2 with supervisors Debra Lucero and Tami Ritter voting against it. Lucero expressed concern that there had been no tracking of costs and time associated with the GSA, which is made up of Butte County, Chico and the Durham Irrigation District. ... ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Supervisors hold off on Vina GSA legal finance support | Read via the Oroville Mercury Register
Drought emergency: 18 more homes are getting hooked up to Orland city water
“More people will be hooked up to Orland City water. Originally only 150 homes were going to be connected, but now they will be able to connect 18 more homes. Engineers for the project were able to add those homes because they are located on the new water main line. The map above was released by the City of Orland in February. It highlights where the new water lines would go. Blue shows existing pipes. Yellow, red and purple are the new ones. The red line has six roads including Road 20 and KK. That’s where most of the new homes are. ... ” Read more from Action News Now here: Drought emergency: 18 more homes are getting hooked up to Orland city water
With water cut to rice growers, Colusa County asks for economic assistance
“Colusa County in Northern California is the top producer of rice in the Sacramento Valley. Colusa County historically produces more than 150,000 acres of rice in a normal year. But in 2022, Colusa officials say they will only be able to produce a fraction of their usual rice crop, costing rice farmers, workers and suppliers hundreds of millions of dollars. “In April 2022, the water districts serving Colusa County were given their final allocation for the 2022 growing season – 0.4-acre feet per acre,” Colusa County officials said in a statement. “This allocation is not enough to support rice production, and estimates show that the Sacramento Valley will fallow 370,000 of 450,000 acres in the Sacramento River Settlement Contractors service area, primarily in Colusa and Glenn Counties. Currently, less than 7,000 acres are estimated to be planted in Colusa County, resulting in a direct financial loss to growers in excess of $270 million.” … ” Read more from the California Globe here: With water cut to rice growers, Colusa County asks for economic assistance
What is the Delta breeze and why do Sacramentans love it so much? Bee Curious answers
“As a villainous summer heat bakes the capital city, an invisible, cooling savior trails close behind. Better known as the Delta breeze, this “local hero” glides in, a brisk blanket caressing sweat-studded skin in a dry heat. But what exactly is this breeze Sacramentans love to rave about? “Nature’s air conditioner,” one Sacramento resident called it. “A slice of heaven,” another said. It’s more than that, even, embedded in the culture of scorching Sacramento summers. A reader asked Bee Curious, a community-driven series in which our journalists answer questions about the Sacramento region, to detail this hero’s cause, range and seasonality. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: What is the Delta breeze and why do Sacramentans love it so much? Bee Curious answers
Restoring the glory of a Delta favorite
“Cruiser Haven Marina in Brentwood is a boater’s oasis located in a secluded cove within a five-minute drive beyond Orwood Resort, and has been a Delta favorite hot spot since the late 1950s. Located at 7000 Orwood Road, it had developed a reputation for having deteriorated in recent years. But the marina’s new owner and manager, Richard Sellers, said he is committed to restoring the marina to its past glory, helping to create and shape many new fond memories for past, present and future generations. Sellers has been intrigued by Cruiser Haven’s history. Its ideal location has enabled it to play a prominent role in the culture, society, economy and leisure activities of the past, which helped make the local area, and the Delta, what they are today. … ” Continue reading at the Brentwood Press here: Restoring the glory of a Delta favorite
NAPA/SONOMA
Drought dashes hopes for Healdsburg Memorial Beach dam for third year running
“There will be no dam installed this summer at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach for the third year in a row, and the drought is to blame. Russian River flows are too low to balance the risks of disruption to fish habitat and other environmental needs while assuring enough water and time exists to make it worthwhile, Sonoma County Regional Parks Park Manager David Robinson said. Forgoing the seasonal dam also reduces prospects of having to close the water off to swimmers for health reasons, he said. … ” Read more from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Drought dashes hopes for Healdsburg Memorial Beach dam for third year running
Sonoma vineyard developer faces millions in fines for allegedly damaging Russian River watershed
“A Sonoma County vineyard owner is facing a $3.75 million fine for alleged damage to streams and wetlands as a result of clear cutting 40 acres of oak woodlands in the Russian River watershed. The complaint, announced Tuesday by the State Water Resources Control Board, alleged that Hugh Reimers and Krasilsa Pacific Farms LLC cleared 2,000 acres at the former Alexander Valley Ranch near Cloverdale between 2017 and 2018. In 2019, the developer was hit with a cleanup and abatement order. On Tuesday, it was revealed that the order had not been followed, and the fine was being levied by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Sonoma vineyard developer faces millions in fines for allegedly damaging Russian River watershed
BAY AREA
State tightens irrigation rules as drought worsens
“California regulators ordered water agencies throughout the state this week to adopt new irrigation restrictions meant to preserve reservoir supplies as the state heads into a third summer of drought. … For the Marin Municipal Water District, which serves 191,000 residents in central and southern Marin, the stage 2 level calls for 20% voluntary conservation, increased public outreach efforts and beginning water waste patrols. The North Marin Water District has had its stage 2 restrictions enacted since early 2021 because of the drought. The district has called for a 20% reduction in collective water use compared to 2020 from the 60,000 residents in its Novato service area and enacted a three-day sprinkler irrigation limit per week. … ” Read more from the Marin Independent Journal here: State tightens irrigation rules as drought worsens
Oakland airport improves flood defenses
“The $30 million Airport Perimeter Dike (APD) Improvement Project Phase 1 is now complete at Oakland International Airport (OAK), California, which will provide protection against flooding and sea level rise at the airport for the next 30-35 years. The APD provides flood and shoreline protection and is approximately 4.5 miles long. “The improvements made to the Oakland International Airport’s perimeter dike further protects the airport from the devastating effects we are seeing caused by global climate change. Stronger storms, and devastating flooding are only some of the reasons we need to reinforce our critical infrastructure in the coming decades. The $25 billion that I supported for airports in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is only the latest investment Congress has provided to prepare our nation’s airports for the future,” says Congresswoman Barbara Lee. … ” Continue reading from Airports International here: Oakland airport improves flood defenses
CENTRAL COAST
Fire-ravaged Big Basin Redwoods State Park to reopen this summer
“After catastrophic fire tore through Big Basin Redwoods two years ago and forced its closure, the storied forests of California’s oldest state park are scheduled for a limited reopening this summer, followed by a complete rebuild of the badly burned landmark. State officials on Thursday revealed for the first time what they see as the future of the popular park nestled deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 97% of which bears the scar of the state’s unrelenting wildfire crisis. While many of the trees survived, the park’s historic village with its lodge, nature museum and camp store was lost in the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fires. The new plan for the park, perhaps most dramatically, calls for relocating Big Basin’s tourist accommodations from the heart of the old-growth forests to an area where there would be less of a toll on the 300-foot redwoods. Shuttle buses would move visitors back and forth. Reservations may be required for entry during peak season. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Fire-ravaged Big Basin Redwoods State Park to reopen this summer
Home lawn watering limited to one day a week; new drought related restrictions for Conejo Valley
“A South Coast city is the latest place in the Tri-Counties to announce that residents will have to make major mandatory cuts in water use as a result of the drought. The City of Thousand Oaks is limiting home and business landscaping watering to one day a week. Odd number addresses can water on Saturdays, and even number addresses on Sundays. People can hand water trees and bushes as needed. Active use areas like parks, schools, and golf courses can water twice a week. … ” Read more from KCLU here: Home lawn watering limited to one day a week; new drought related restrictions for Conejo Valley
Camarillo, Thousand Oaks restrict outdoor watering to once weekly as drought continues
“Camarillo and Thousand Oaks are the latest cities in Ventura County to restrict outdoor watering in the wake of the state’s drought. The two city councils this week adopted rules limiting outdoor watering to one night a week in an effort to conserve water. The restrictions went into effect immediately. “I know it’s really hard to see lawns turn from green to brown,” Camarillo Vice Mayor Susan Santangelo said Wednesday. “I know it is, but we have to do our part.” The decision conforms with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Calleguas Municipal Water District boards’ decision in April to limit watering outdoors to one day a week. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: Camarillo, Thousand Oaks limit outdoor watering amid drought
Oxnard City Council adopts water state of emergency
“The City Council adopted a water conservation restrictions state of emergency Tuesday, May 17, due to drought conditions and a lack of adequate water supply. The City of Oxnard is operating with a one-day-a-week limit for outdoor watering until further notice. Starting June 1, people who violate this rule will be subject to fines that will escalate. Dan Drugan with Calleguas Municipal Water District presented the item and said in 2022, the drought will be the defining issue in Southeast Ventura County. “If you live in Southeast Ventura County and are serviced by Calleguas, this is your water supply,” he said. … ” Read more from the Tri County Sentinel here: Oxnard City Council adopts water state of emergency
The precious water we cannot see
The Ventura County Star editorial board writes, “In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that forbids the drilling of new water wells or the alteration of existing wells unless the local groundwater management agency determines the new well would not interfere with the production of neighboring wells and would not decrease the likelihood that the underlying aquifer can be sustainably managed. In water-starved California, the common-sense reaction to that order might have been: Isn’t that already the law? The answer, in a word, is no. … ” Read more from the Ventura County Star here: The precious water we cannot see
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
What closed Turlock Lake in 2020 and what it might take to reopen it to recreation
“Turlock Lake has been closed to recreation for a year and a half, and there’s no timeline on when it might reopen. The Tuolumne River reservoir west of La Grange had provided boating, camping, picnics, swimming and other activities for 70-plus years. The water belongs to the Turlock Irrigation District, but the recreation is under the state park system. Public access stopped in November 2020, when the concessionaire running the site, American Land and Leisure, withdrew from its contract. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has been working to find another operator, information officer Douglas Johnson said. It is currently negotiating with Stanislaus County government to take over. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: What closed Turlock Lake in 2020 and what it might take to reopen it to recreation
Kern oil permitting battle plays out in court
“Lawyers sparred Thursday over whether an amended environmental review undergirding Kern County’s oil and gas permitting system lives up to the standards of the California Environmental Quality Act, an open question that continues to limit in-state petroleum production. During a three-hour hearing in front of Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp, attorneys for three environmental groups pressed their case that the county continues to fall short of CEQA requirements in terms of cushioning the local oil industry’s impact on farmland, people living near production wells, availability of drinking water, noise, air quality and the Temblor legless lizard. … ” Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Kern oil permitting battle plays out in court
Kern County moves back into exceptional drought category
“It’s been 17 months of one of California’s worst droughts on record. On Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that most of the San Joaquin Valley moved back into the ‘exceptional drought’ category. The last time Kern County was in this category was Dec. 2021. This is indicative of the summer ahead, Yvonne Kingman with California Water Service said. … ” Read more from Bakersfield Now here: Kern County moves back into exceptional drought category
EASTERN SIERRA
Raising Mono Lake requires a new plan
“On the wall of the Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore is a vertical blue tube representing Mono Lake’s level, with a yellow sliding arrow pointing to the present-day surface elevation. It is one of the first things visitors inspect because it answers the popular question; how’s the lake doing? We installed the display fifteen years ago and expected that, in the majority of years, we’d be bumping that display arrow upward to track the lake’s rising journey of recovery to the hard-won, state-mandated, ecologically sound level of 6392 feet above sea level. Raising Mono Lake, however, has not gone according to plan. As drier conditions settle on the West, amplified by climate change, we often have been pushing that arrow lower, tracking the lake’s decline. Today, years after it was expected to return to the required healthy level, the lake is only 30% of the way there. … ” Read more from the Mono Lake Committee here: Raising Mono Lake requires a new plan
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Thousand Oaks commits $125K for water compliance
“Thousand Oaks residents who repeatedly disobey new water restrictions could face up to a $500 fine and have a flow restrictor placed on their meter, the City Council said Tuesday. “The state has suffered its driest period on record and the driest first three months of the year,” said Helen Cox, the city’s sustainability manager, at the May 24 council meeting, where council members voted 5-0 to move the city to the fourth level in its water conservation tier system. The system was adopted by the council in November in response to reduction demands from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. … ” Continue reading at The Acorn here: Thousand Oaks commits $125K for water compliance
Water rates in Long Beach not expected to increase with new budget
“Long Beach Water Department customers are not expected to see a rate increase this year as the department takes a “wait-and-see” approach to the evolving drought situation and inflation that are driving up costs to provide water. The Board of Water Commissioners met Thursday morning and discussed a preliminary budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that starts in October that showed no projected rate increases for either water or sewer services. Commissioners are expected to approve next year’s budget at the June 23 meeting. … ” Read more from the Long Beach Post here: Water rates in Long Beach not expected to increase with new budget
HOA Homefront: Drought emergency is back; did your community notice?
“California has experienced many drought periods, but in January 2014 the drought situation became sufficiently severe that then-Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of drought emergency. Soon thereafter, several laws were added to the Davis-Stirling Act, Civil Code Sections 4735 and 4736. Civil Code Section 4735 does not allow governing documents to directly or indirectly prohibit low water-using plants or artificial turf. During a time of declared drought emergency, under subpart “c” of that statute, the HOA cannot penalize homeowners for letting their yards “go brown.” Section 4736 bars HOAs from requiring pressure washing the exterior of homes during a declared drought emergency. … ” Read more from the OC Register here: HOA Homefront: Drought emergency is back; did your community notice?
Purchase of Banning Ranch for preserved natural space is fully funded
“A last $15.5 million needed to purchase Banning Ranch – the largest privately owned piece of undeveloped land left on the Orange County coastline – was pledged Thursday, May 26. With all $97 million secured, the next step in allowing planners and the community to turn dreams into a reality for the nearly 400 acres of Newport Beach land is closing on escrow this summer and applying for a few final approvals. The state’s Wildlife Conservation Board on Thursday, May 26, voted to approve up to the $15.5 million toward the purchase, getting the effort to preserve the oil field, long eyed for its open space potential, over the finish line. ... ” Read more from the OC Register here: Purchase of Banning Ranch for preserved natural space is fully funded
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Coachella Valley is well stockpiled with water, poised to save more
“Despite the severe drought impacting the Inland Empire and most of California, prompting warnings from the governor of mandated cutbacks, some of Riverside County’s largest water agencies said they’re well-stocked on supplies, without the need to impose drastic measures to conserve. “The Eastern Municipal Water District is very well positioned to meet the needs of its customers during the ongoing drought,” the Perris-based agency said in a statement released to City News Service. “EMWD customers have reduced per-capita water usage by more than 40% in the past two decades and have embraced an industry-leading rate structure that promotes efficiency.” … ” Read more from The Patch here: Coachella Valley is well stockpiled with water, poised to save more
SAN DIEGO
San Diego remains responsive to water conservation calls
“San Diego County residents can expect more calls for water conservation, even as local water officials insist the region has enough. California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to cut back water use across the board around the state. “California is facing a drought crisis and every local water agency and Californian needs to step up on conservation efforts,” said Newsom in a statement this week. … ” Read more from KPBS here: San Diego remains responsive to water conservation calls
San Diego County Water Authority proposes rate hike, citing rising costs
“San Diego County Water Authority staff Thursday proposed increasing rates for its 24 member agencies by 5.2% for treated water and 3.7% for untreated water in 2023, citing inflation and increasing energy and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California costs. “We recognize inflationary pressures are challenging for many residents and we are working collaboratively with all levels of government to identify, advocate for, and improve water affordability,” said Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl. “As our rate-setting process moves forward, we will remain focused on maintaining the lowest possible rates while delivering a safe and reliable water supply during the driest period in more than 1,200 years.” ... ” Read more from Fox 5 here: San Diego County Water Authority proposes rate hike, citing rising costs
Along the Colorado River …
Lake Mead water level running well below predictions, could drop another 12 feet by fall
“Federal officials have a sobering forecast for the Colorado River Basin: Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir which serves millions of people in the Southwest, will likely drop another 12 feet by this fall. It’s far below what the outlooks were predicting as of last year. The latest forecast from the US Bureau of Reclamation shows the reservoir plummeting from its current elevation of around 1049 feet above sea level to around 1037 feet by this September. … ” Continue reading at CNN here: Lake Mead water level running well below predictions, could drop another 12 feet by fall
Lake Mead now down 180 feet from its ‘full pool’
“As of 4 a.m. Thursday the Bureau of Reclamation measured Lake Mead’s water level at 1,048.96 feet above sea level. This means the lake is now 180 feet below its maximum depth. The last time Lake Mead was at its maximum depth, or ‘full pool’ was the summer of 1983. Since then the depletion of Lake Mead water has continued on and off over the last 39 years, and increased dramatically over the last 20 years during a historic drought and increased growth in the southwest United States. … ” Read more from Channel 8 here: Lake Mead now down 180 feet from its ‘full pool’
Why a federal agency can’t stop this copper mining project from polluting Arizona streams
“A federal agency can’t stop a copper mining project near Tucson from polluting streams because the company gave up its Clean Water Act permit, a U.S. District Court ruled on Monday. Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals surrendered its Clean Water Act permit for its copper mining projects in the Santa Rita Mountains, reasoning that without a permit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would have no authority to regulate what the company does to streams on its private land. … ” Read more from Arizona Central here: Why a federal agency can’t stop this copper mining project from polluting Arizona streams
In national water news today …
Environmental injustice: Passing on the costs of ‘forever chemicals’ cleanup
“Setting a national drinking water standard for the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS – and passing the implementation costs to ratepayers and private well owners, while letting industry to keep dumping PFAS in drinking water – is the epitome of environmental injustice. The Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to clean up PFAS contamination could create exactly that outcome, because the companies discharging the toxic chemicals won’t be on the hook for paying treatment costs for getting PFAS out of drinking water. Just as bad, the agency has outlined a lengthy timeline for regulation, despite the need for urgent action. … ” Read more from the Environmental Working Group here: Environmental injustice: Passing on the costs of ‘forever chemicals’ cleanup
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
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