In California water news today …
State and federal water managers prepare for dry summer conditions
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) are gearing up for the hot and dry summer months as the state experiences a third consecutive year of severe drought. California will enter the dry summer months with below-average reservoir storage and with the state’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, at critically low levels. The Sierra snowpack is essentially gone, and runoff into the state’s streams and reservoirs has largely peaked for the year. “The overall water supply for California is still critical going into the dry summer months,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “DWR and its federal partners at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will continue to take a conservative approach to water management decisions to maintain storage, water quality, and water deliveries for millions of Californians. We need to be prepared for a hotter, drier future brought on by our changing climate.” ... ” Read more from the Department of Water Resources here: State and federal water managers prepare for dry summer conditions
SEE ALSO: New Department Of Water Resources site lets you see water conditions where you live, from CBS Sacramento
Progress update on long-term water efficiency standards
“In 2018 the California Legislature passed new efficiency standards aimed at reducing water consumption in the urban sector. The new law (passed as SB 606/AB 1668) came in response to the state’s difficult 2014-17 drought, aiming to reduce water use by homes and businesses to ease pain in the next drought. Well, the next drought is here, and the new standards are still in development. The residential component will require urban water providers to reduce per capita water use to 47 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by 2025, then to 42 gpcd by 2030. Present consumption is estimated in the 50 to 55 gpcd range. Separate standards will be imposed for landscape irrigation. For the latest, we recently spoke with Sarah Foley, executive director/operations at the California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP). The Sacramento-based group is monitoring the process and preparing to help water providers comply. Sarah previously served as deputy director of the Water Forum. … “ Continue reading at the Water Forum here: Progress update on long-term water efficiency standards
Assembly bill would strengthen state’s water conservation tools
“Against the backdrop of impending wildfire season and 2021 being the second driest year for California on record, the California State Assembly approved legislation by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – Woodland Hills) that will incentivize installing drought-tolerant landscaping. That landscaping is seen as a key tool to combat California’s worsening drought and increase water conservation. The bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 2142, motivates individuals to take advantage of water conservation rebates by re-establishing California’s exemption for traditional landscaping and turf replacement rebates from gross income. The bill aligns this exemption with other permanent water efficiency and energy conservation rebates. … ” Read more from the Escalon Times here: Assembly bill would strengthen state’s water conservation tools
Study: Earth’s groundwater basins may sink for decades if levels don’t rebound
” … Over-pumping of San Joaquin Valley’s groundwater basins has caused the region’s surface to slowly collapse. According to scientists with NASA, who have used satellite radar data to analyze the problem, the ground has dropped nearly 30 feet in large areas of the valley since the 1920s as the substrate below, sucked dry of water, contracted like a dry sponge. This decline of the Earth’s surface — called subsidence by geologists — has damaged bridges and disrupted the flow of canals, reducing their capacity to transfer water. In 2014, California lawmakers passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, a package of legislation that aims to resolve the state’s groundwater overdraft — and related problems, including subsidence — by imposing regional regulations on pumping and, hopefully, stabilizing declining water tables. This may not be enough to stop the drop of the Earth’s surface, however. … ” Read more from CBS News here: Study: Earth’s groundwater basins may sink for decades if levels don’t rebound
Panel to hear update on Prop. 1 implementation
“A state agriculture board will hear an update June 7 on the implementation of Proposition 1, a $7.12 billion water bond passed by California voters in 2014. The State Board of Food and Agriculture will also discuss Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget proposal and will hear from agricultural organizations related to Sacramento Valley drought impacts and the tree nut sector concerning the current market situation. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Panel to hear update on Prop. 1 implementation
A watershed approach to fire, floods, and drought
“Missed the latest webinar in our Climate Resilience from the Ground Up series? We’ve got you covered with a recap of the event, and you can watch the full recording now! As always, many thanks to our generous webinar series sponsors: ESA, Holland & Knight, Iron Horse Vineyards, and Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery. Sustainable Conservation Water for the Future Program Director Aysha Massell moderated an excellent panel of climate experts, including the Honorable Ron Goode, Chairman of the North Fork Mono Tribe; Julie Rentner, President of River Partners; and Dr. Daniel Mountjoy, Director of Resource Stewardship at Sustainable Conservation. California’s climate extremes are fueling what feels like a never-ending cycle of flood, drought, and fire across our entire state. These conditions aren’t anything new in our long ecological history, but their intensity is. How can we adapt to these new realities of climate change? ... ” Read more from Sustainable Conservation here: A watershed approach to fire, floods, and drought
Bees are legally fish in California, court rules. Here’s why and what led to it
“Bees are now legally considered fish in California under the state’s endangered species law, an appeals court in Sacramento ruled Tuesday. The 1970 act explicitly protected “fish,” which were initially defined as invertebrates. And because the act has protected snails and other invertebrates that live on land since, Tuesday’s ruling said it interpreted the legislation to also include bees. “Accordingly, a terrestrial invertebrate, like each of the four bumble bee species, may be listed as an endangered or threatened species under the Act,” the 3rd district California Court of Appeals Associate Justice Ronald Robie wrote. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Bees are legally fish in California, court rules. Here’s why and what led to it
Car tyres produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show
“Almost 2,000 times more particle pollution is produced by tyre wear than is pumped out of the exhausts of modern cars, tests have shown. The tyre particles pollute air, water and soil and contain a wide range of toxic organic compounds, including known carcinogens, the analysts say, suggesting tyre pollution could rapidly become a major issue for regulators. Air pollution causes millions of early deaths a year globally. The requirement for better filters has meant particle emissions from tailpipes in developed countries are now much lower in new cars, with those in Europe far below the legal limit. However, the increasing weight of cars means more particles are being thrown off by tyres as they wear on the road. … ” Read more from The Guardian here: Car tyres produce vastly more particle pollution than exhausts, tests show
Tribal hatcheries and the road to restoration
“The Nisqually is a salmon river. Fueled by glaciers on towering Mount Rainier, the river flows west and north for about 130 kilometers across western Washington State, springing from a national park, then journeying through timberlands and towns, municipal dams and farmlands, a tribal reservation and a military base, before rendezvousing with salty Puget Sound in a national wildlife refuge. The river was once home to thriving wild runs of four Pacific salmon species—chinook, chum, coho, and pink—or five, if you count their cousin, steelhead. Traditionally, on chilly January afternoons like today, when the low winter sun burnishes sky and water a brilliant blue, Nisqually fishermen would be pulling chum from their nets. Chum would run the river from November to February, sustaining the tribe during the long, gray winters. But like so many things in recent years—say, global health or political sanity—this rare run of all-wild fish is also declining. … ” Read more from Hakai Magazine here: Tribal hatcheries and the road to restoration
Sierra Nevada Conservancy approves over $21 million in new wildfire recovery grants
“The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Governing Board (Board) approved more than $21 million in Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience grants at its quarterly board meeting June 2 and discussed staff recommendations for operational updates responding to legislation that expanded the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s service area. The 2021 Budget Act appropriated $50 million to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) to support wildfire-recovery and forest-resilience priorities and the Board approved guidelines at its December 2021 meeting making $23,750,000 available for the first grant cycle of the Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program. In total, the Board approved just over $21 million that will go to 18 different projects in the Sierra Nevada and California’s Cascade Mountain region. It also approved updated guidelines so the next phase of the Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Grant Program can begin later this month. … ” Read more from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy here: Sierra Nevada Conservancy approves over $21 million in new wildfire recovery grants
Climate controversy: California’s plan for handling crisis is flawed, advisors say
“As California races to prevent the irreversible effects of climate change, some experts are questioning key policies that the state is counting on to meet its ambitious goals and accusing state officials of failing to provide substantial details to back up its claims. The California Air Resources Board’s proposal, called a scoping plan, outlines policies that would transition the economy away from fossil fuels. The purpose of the plan is to fulfill state mandates to reduce planet-warming emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. In this year’s highly-anticipated climate policy blueprint, some critics say the state agency has not been transparent on how it plans to achieve its goals. The process has left legislators and others at the forefront of the climate discussion confused over the air board staff’s projections. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Climate controversy: California’s plan for handling crisis is flawed, advisors say
And lastly … Our favorite Lake Tahoe hikes this summer
“Often called the Jewel of the Sierra, Lake Tahoe is a kingdom of water, mountains and sky. One of the best ways to take in the scope of this beauty is on foot from the many miles of trails that weave around Lake Tahoe’s shoreline, up its mountains and through its forests. Here at SFGATE, we love to hike and we love Lake Tahoe. We’ve written about many of our favorite hikes in Lake Tahoe and, on the brink of another beautiful summer, we collected many of those hikes in one spot for your convenience. … ” Read more at SF Gate here: Our favorite Lake Tahoe hikes this summer
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In commentary today …
The abundance choice, part 10: Time to stop wasting wastewater
Edward Ring, contributing editor and senior fellow with the California Policy Center, writes, “If there is any source of water that ought to be optimized, it is the wastewater produced by California’s urban centers. Perennially issuing from sewage treatment plants throughout the state, every year this torrent of mostly treated effluent is equivalent in volume to the San Joaquin River in a wet year. The California Department of Water Resources estimates statewide urban water consumption at approximately seven million acre feet per year. Just over three million of that total is estimated to be so-called “interior” water use, which means this water is flushed or drained through sewer systems into a wastewater treatment plant. In most cases, after being treated, this water is discharged into California’s rivers or emptied directly into the Pacific Ocean. … ” Read more from the California Globe here: The abundance choice, part 10: Time to stop wasting wastewater
Letters to the Editor: There’s water for more homes. Why that doesn’t justify endless growth
“To the editor: It’s one thing to ask Californians to conserve water because of this catastrophic drought and the consequent water shortage. It’s another thing, albeit finally an honest one, to tell us to drastically reduce our usage so more homes can be built, thus exacerbating all the problems of unsustainable, constant growth and overpopulation. I don’t know why it’s so hard for the powers that be to acknowledge that this area of the earth was never meant to support the roughly 40 million people who live here now, let alone more in the future. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Letters to the Editor: There’s water for more homes. Why that doesn’t justify endless growth | Read via Yahoo News
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Back to the Beach: Kids Ocean Day 2022
“Hundreds of Humboldt County school children participated in this year’s 17th annual Kids Ocean Day event by helping to restore dune habitat at the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area on the South Spit of Humboldt Bay. To mark the day, the kids joined together with their classmates, teachers and volunteers to form the shape of three ochre sea stars and the message, “Restore Joy,” which was captured from the air by photographer J Patrick Cudahy with the help of pilot Mark Harris. … ” Read more from the North Coast Journal here: Back to the Beach: Kids Ocean Day 2022
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Amid drought conditions, CDFW modifies spawning operations to perpetuate Eagle Lake rainbow trout
“For the third consecutive spring, fisheries biologists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have slowly trolled the mineral-rich waters of Eagle Lake in Lassen County in electrofishing boats, netting the stunned, sizeable rainbow trout that float to the surface. Their progeny will help ensure the future of this unique native species and will support CDFW’s trout stocking efforts statewide. Eagle Lake rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum) are the only trout species capable of surviving in Eagle Lake’s high alkaline, high pH waters. The subspecies of rainbow trout does especially well when stocked into less harsh environments throughout the state. … ” Read more from the Department of Fish & Wildlife here: Amid drought conditions, CDFW modifies spawning operations to perpetuate Eagle Lake rainbow trout
Update: Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project
“On May 26th the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) was awarded $3.7 million from the Wildlife Conservation Board’s Forest Conservation grant program to implement Phase One of restoration of Van Norden Meadow (Yayalu Itdeh in Washoe) in partnership with Tahoe National Forest (TNF). The 485-acre meadow is located at the headwaters of the South Yuba River. SYRCL and TNF are focusing on restoring Van Norden because it is one of the largest meadows on the west side of the Northern Sierra and is critical for water storage, water quality, wildlife habitat, and forest resiliency. Healthy functioning meadows can also store as much carbon acre-for-acre as a rainforest. … ” Read more from the South Yuba River Citizens League here: Update: Van Norden Meadow Restoration Project
A fighting chance: Shaded fuel break helps in fight against wildfire in Grass Valley
“Krysta and Tyler Blake moved to their family home on Ponderosa Way in 2019. At the time, the 6-acre property was dense with vegetation. “You couldn’t see through that before,” said Tyler, pointing to the far end of his backyard to a line of heritage manzanita that now provides a privacy buffer from McCourtney Road. “It was thick, ominous brush,” he said. Shortly after moving to the property, the Blakes were contacted by county contractors working to reduce wildfire fuels within a corridor known as the Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone. The $3.5 million, 1,087-acre multi-year shaded fuel break project was completed in March and is a collaboration between Nevada County, the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County and Cal Fire. … ” Read more from The Union here: A fighting chance: Shaded fuel break helps in fight against wildfire in Grass Valley
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
It may rain in Sacramento this weekend as temperatures cool. Here’s when and how much
“After a spell of warm and dry conditions, wet and cooler weather is returning to Sacramento this weekend, with the highest chance of rain showers Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The low pressure system is also bringing in winds starting Friday afternoon, with gusts as high as 24 mph at night. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: It may rain in Sacramento this weekend as temperatures cool. Here’s when and how much
Sacramento City Council approves water sale for up to $5 million
“While the state of California is in its third year of drought, the Sacramento City Council has approved the sale of up to $5 million worth of water from the Sacramento and American Rivers. Carlos Eliason, spokesperson for the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities, said there is about 16,500 acre feet of surface water on our rivers. The city council approved to drop the 10,000 acre feet of input, or about 3.26 billion gallons of water, and divert it to state contractors and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. … ” Continue reading from Channel 10 here: Sacramento City Council approves water sale for up to $5 million
Hybrid ‘Walk and Talk’ program shows off importance of bats in the Yolo bypass
“Your chance to check out bats and learn all about them is back as the Yolo Bypass Bat Walk and Talk program returns for the summer. Organizers say it’s quite a spectacle to see a quarter million bats emerging from the shadows to hunt at dusk. The Bat Walk and Talk is a hybrid program, where the talk is a 45-minute presentation on bat history that you can watch from home or on your smartphone. Afterward, you can join a guide to see the bats leave the causeway in person. … ” Read more from KCRA Channel 3 here: Hybrid ‘Walk and Talk’ program shows off importance of bats in the Yolo bypass
BAY AREA
Storm to potentially slow the start of fire season in parts of the Bay Area. How much rain could we get?
“A late spring rain storm is expected to blanket the North Bay with up to half an inch of rain over the weekend, potentially wetting fuels enough to delay the start of the fire season. A weak cold front is expected to come from the West Saturday night into Sunday with a fair amount of moisture, focusing the brunt of the storm just above the North Bay and into Oregon, according to the National Weather Service. There won’t be much chances for snow in the Sierra Nevada, as in the case when storms travel down from the Gulf of Alaska. The North Bay hills could get about half an inch of rain while the North Bay valleys could receive around a quarter inch. The East Bay is forecast to get a few hundredths of an inch, the SF Peninsula could get a few hundredths to a tenth while the Santa Clara Valley is expected to get a trace to a hundredth of an inch of rain. … ” Read more from the Mercury News here: Storm to potentially slow the start of fire season in parts of the Bay Area. How much rain could we get?
Bay Area experts: California has enough to support new residential development
“California is in a drought and facing government-mandated restrictions on water use but experts say there’s still enough to supply new housing development––although there are a couple of big ifs. There will be plenty of water available if a 60-year trend of residents using less continues and accelerates into the future, the Los Angeles Times reported. “The reality is we use water so inefficiently and so poorly, there’s so much opportunity to change that,” said Newsha Ajami, chief development officer for research at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “A lot of that opportunity we can use to house people.”. … ” Read more from The Real Deal here: Bay Area experts: California has enough to support new residential development
Valley Water delegation meets virtually with federal officials to stress need for infrastructure investment in Santa Clara County
“The Valley Water Board of Directors led senior staff in a series of successful virtual meetings with leaders in Washington, D.C., on March 28-30 to advocate for Santa Clara County’s water infrastructure priorities. Valley Water advocated for federal funding for water supply and flood protection projects in Santa Clara County with members of President Joe Biden’s administration and Congress. The Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project, the Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project, the Recycled and Purified Water Program, and the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project were among the group’s top priorities. … ” Read more from Valley News here: Valley Water delegation meets virtually with federal officials to stress need for infrastructure investment in Santa Clara County
CENTRAL COAST
Cuyama Valley commentary: No fair?
The Canary writes, “What’s orange, green, and hairy all over with a penchant for gulping up water and a sweet crunch that’s satisfyingly healthy? Anyone? Carrots. They like at least an inch of water per week during the growing season and will get misshapen or develop a bitter taste if the soil gets too dry, according to San Diego State University’s extension program. Yuck! Who wants a bitter carrot? Not this little bird. And where do we grow this thirsty little vegetable? In one of the hottest, driest spots in the county: Cuyama. Which is why it makes sense that the Cuyama Valley Groundwater Basin is one of the most overdrafted water basins in the state. The basin is in trouble. Not just because of carrots, of course. The legacy of farming in places that we probably shouldn’t goes back a hundred or more years. … ” Continue reading in the Santa Maria Times here: Cuyama Valley commentary: No fair?
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Fresno: Recycled water available during watering ban
“There’s a new ban on watering “nonfunctional” grass around commercial buildings. The state water board says it’s necessary to prevent running out of water as the drought persists. But there is an alternative, recycled water. Both Fresno and Clovis are expanding “purple pipes” systems to deliver recycled water to more areas. “We started using recycled water through our purple pipes system in 2009. We have about 40 miles of recycled water pipe throughout the city,” City of Clovis Assistant Public Utilities Director Paul Armendariz said. … ” Read more from Your Central Valley here: Fresno: Recycled water available during watering ban
Creek Fire caused by pot growers? Forest Service says no, but citizen sleuths find clues
“As far as the authorities are concerned, the investigation into what caused the 2020 Creek Fire that burned nearly 380,000 acres of the Sierra National Forest northeast of Fresno is closed. In its official report issued last July, the U.S. Forest Service declared lightning as the probable cause but left plenty of wiggle room. Just in case additional information or evidence comes to light that, as the heavily redacted 31-page document states, “may result in a change of this conclusion.” Over the last six months, however, Forest Service officials were offered evidence collected near the origin zone that, along with a rudimentary photo analysis, appears to contradict their official findings. … ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Creek Fire caused by pot growers? Forest Service says no, but citizen sleuths find clues | Read via Yahoo News
Video: Big data and farmers create instant wetlands to help migrating birds
21 oil wells now found leaking methane near California homes
“A total of 21 oil wells have been found to be leaking methane in or near two Bakersfield neighborhoods, and more than two dozen are being tested by state and regional air regulators. California Geologic Energy Management Division, or CalGEM, said in an update on its website that state and regional air regulators are in the area again today to interview residents and take additional methane readings. Repairs are at various stages for the nearly two dozen wells, several of which were found to be leaking at least 50,000 parts per million of methane — a level at which the colorless, odorless gas can explode if ignited. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: 21 oil wells now found leaking methane near California homes | Read via Yahoo News
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Officials fear water restrictions will worsen fire risk in Southern California
“After losing dozens of oak trees, a guest house and a garage filled with mementos of her late husband in the 2018 Woolsey fire, Nicole Radoumis dreads the arrival of extreme fire weather amid a punishing California drought. Recently however, the Agoura Hills resident grew even more apprehensive after the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California imposed strict one-day a week outdoor watering restrictions for areas that rely on water from the depleted State Water Project. Radoumis now worries that her two-acre property will be filled with dead, tinder-dry vegetation that will serve as fuel for wildfires. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Officials fear water restrictions will worsen fire risk in Southern California
SoCal water district installing flow restrictors in homes of customers who use too much water
“The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District began installing water flow restrictors Wednesday, and so far, four have been installed. Customers who were warned and continued to use more water than was recommended are getting these installed. The flow restrictor device is about the size of a half dollar with a hole in it. Without a flow restrictor, water flows normally. Once it has been installed, a considerable amount of water is reduced. … ” Read more from ABC 7 here: SoCal water district installing flow restrictors in homes of customers who use too much water
State officials draw fire after approving new oil wells in L.A. neighborhood
“Los Angeles residents and environmental advocates are decrying a decision by state officials to allow new oil drilling in their Harbor-region neighborhood, saying the decision was based in part on expired city documents. In the latest broadside against petroleum extraction in Los Angeles — the nation’s largest urban oil field — residents of Wilmington have accused Warren E&P of in effect evading proper environmental review. They are demanding that city officials block construction of up to six new wells approved by the state. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: State officials draw fire after approving new oil wells in L.A. neighborhood
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
EPA fines Imperial Irrigation District for endangering local wetlands
“Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with California’s Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for violations of the Clean Water Act related to polluting of local wetlands. Under the settlement, Imperial Irrigation District will pay a $299,857 penalty and provide mitigation to offset the harm to the environment. “This enforcement action reflects EPA’s continued commitment to ensuring public utilities like Imperial Irrigation District comply with federal laws and prevent pollution of wetlands,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Actions like this are key to protecting our waterways and surrounding communities.” On November 5, 2020, inspectors from EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspected IID’s construction of drain banks in the area and found that activities resulted in the discharge of sediment to approximately 1 acre of wetlands. This discharge also impacted approximately 20 acres of wetlands by severing the connection with Morton Bay, which drains to the Salton Sea. … ” Read more from the EPA here: EPA fines Imperial Irrigation District for endangering local wetlands
Along the Colorado River …
Reclamation resumes salt-water injection at reduced level as it evaluates seismic threat
“The Bureau of Reclamation this week resumed operations at a Paradox Valley injection well used for disposal of salty water, in what will be a six-month effort to conduct injections at a scaled-back level as it evaluates the future of the operation amid concerns about it causing earthquakes. The agency’s Paradox Valley Unit has been used for decades to help keep salt from reaching the Dolores River, and ultimately the Colorado River. Salinity in the Colorado River watershed harms water quality, impacts municipal and industrial infrastructure and impairs crop yields within the river basin. … ” Read more from the Grand Junction Sentinel here: Reclamation resumes salt-water injection at reduced level as it evaluates seismic threat
SEE ALSO: Six-month test of injection well begins at Paradox Valley Unit, press release from the Bureau of Reclamation
City of Phoenix declares stage 1 water alert and activates drought management plan
“Due to the shortage of water on the Colorado River caused by overallocation, prolonged drought, and climate change, the City of Phoenix has declared a Stage 1 Water Alert and activated its Drought Management Plan. City of Phoenix Water Services Department Director Troy Hayes made the announcement during a City Council subcommittee presentation on Wednesday, June 1. The City is taking this action to address the mandatory reduction of Colorado River water and deeper cuts that are likely to occur in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has been working with the seven Colorado River Basin states to manage the changing conditions. However, the levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead continue to fall precipitously, and the projections show conditions will worsen significantly. … ” Read more from the City of Phoenix here: City of Phoenix declares stage 1 water alert and activates drought management plan
In national water news today …
Biden-Harris Administration Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group releases summary report, marks one year since interagency coordination
“The Biden-Harris Administration today released the Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group’s (IWG) Summary Report outlining the actions taken to date to improve drought-stricken communities’ longer-term resilience to drought through financial and technical assistance. Last month marked one year since the establishment of the Drought Resilience IWG as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to confronting climate change. “Intense drought and climate change continue to threaten major economic drivers in rural communities, disrupt food systems and water supplies, endanger public health, jeopardize the integrity of critical infrastructure, and exacerbate wildfires and floods,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Through the IWG, collaboration and coordination among federal agencies has increased in an effort to more effectively deploy resources and support during these intense, drought-stricken times. We have also worked to improve and expand our disaster assistance programs to better help producers recover and build resiliency for those being impacted by drought.” … ” Continue reading this press release from the USDA here: Biden-Harris Administration Drought Resilience Interagency Working Group releases summary report, marks one year since interagency coordination
EPA proposes reversing contentious Trump water permit policy
“EPA proposed a rule today that would reshape critical state and tribal permit reviews under the Clean Water Act, reversing a Trump-era policy that roiled Capitol Hill, industry and environmental groups. The proposed rule lays out a process under the law’s Section 401 by which developers of pipelines, power lines, mines and other projects request federal permits to discharge into regulated waterways and wetlands. For the first time, the EPA proposal allows states and tribes to take part in defining a “reasonable time” to conduct such reviews — an issue that’s sparked political fights in the past — and restore flexibility on what states and tribes consider when reviewing applications, according to an EPA fact sheet. … ” Read more from E&E News here: EPA proposes reversing contentious Trump water permit policy
EPA moves to give states, tribes more power to protect water rights
“The Biden administration on Thursday proposed undoing a Trump-era rule that limited the power of states and Native American tribes to block energy projects like natural gas pipelines based on their potential to pollute rivers and streams. The Clean Water Act allows states and tribes to review what effect pipelines, dams and some other federally regulated projects might have on water quality within their borders. The Trump administration sought to streamline fossil fuel development and made it harder for local officials to block projects. … ” Read more from PBS News Hour here: EPA moves to give states, tribes more power to protect water rights
SEE ALSO: EPA Takes Action to Empower States, Territories, and Tribes to Protect Water Resources and Support Sustainable Development, press release from the EPA
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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