On the calendar today …
- MEETING: Delta Independent Science Board meets from 9am to 5pm. Agenda items include a discussion of revisions to the operating guidelines, election of a new Delta ISB Chair-elect, next steps on current and completed reviews, and a discussion of future reviews. Click here for the full agenda.
- MEETING: SAFER Program: Advisory Group Meeting from 9am to 1pm. The Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Advisory Group will hold its second meeting of 2022. This meeting will occur with both a physical meeting location and an option for the public to participate from a remote location. Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.
- WEBINAR: Community Perspectives and Tribal Voices: Securing the Human Right to Water in California’s Indigenous Communities from 12pm to 1pm. Join us for a conversation with tribal community members and research partners on securing the human right to water in indigenous communities presented by Santa Clara University. A presentation by James Muller, Principal Environmental Planner for Integrated Regional Water Management Program and grant manager for the Bay Area Disadvantaged Community and Tribal Partners Project and Alexander Tavizon, Bay Area Tribal Project Manager, California Indian Environmental Alliance will be followed by a panel discussion with Gregg Castro, [t’rowt’raahl Salinan/rumsien-ramaytush Ohlone] Principal Cultural Consultant to the Association of Ramaytush People, Kanyon “Coyote Woman” (Hahashkani) Sayers-Roods, [Mutsun-Ohlone] Two Spirit Indigenous relative, Co-Founder of CEO of Kanyon Konsulting LLC, and active leader in the Native Community and Charlie Toledo [Towa] Director of Suscol Intertribal Council, Napa CA. Click here to register.
In California water news today …
The past, present and future of the West’s water woes
“On June 1, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California began implementing an extreme set of water restrictions on some of the most populous counties in the entire country, including Los Angeles County. This policy, which allows for only two days of outdoor watering per week, among other rules, is in response to the continued drought that’s plaguing the entire American West. This particular policy will have an exceedingly small effect on the overall water situation in the West, and in the Southwest in particular. To know why, and to know what might actually work, we have to know how we got to this point. … ” Read more from Modern Farmer here: The past, present and future of the west’s water woes
If the California wine industry wants to survive, it must use less water
Colunist Esther Mobley writes, “On Tuesday I moderated a panel at Napa Thrives, a wine-industry conference focused on climate change. The subject of my panel was one that’s been on many Californians’ minds lately: water. Notwithstanding the 2 inches of rain the North Bay got last weekend, we are still in a severe drought. A lack of water affects all of our lives here; California just ordered cities including San Francisco to stop pumping water from rivers and creeks. But it presents existential questions for California agriculture, including wine, as climate change intensifies our state’s drought cycle. If wine is to have a future here, it has to figure out how to reduce its water consumption. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: If the California wine industry wants to survive, it must use less water
The problem with pools
” … According to a 2015 report from Metrostudy Inc., there are 1.18 million pools in the nation-state of California. About 70 percent are in Southern California. In Los Angeles, where swimming pools are as much a part of the cultural tapestry as palm trees, celebrities, and drought, there are an estimated quarter million private pools, according to Bloomberg. That’s a lot of water. I’m no tree hugger, but it’s really bugging me I’ve done the research. I can’t drain my pool. I can’t fill it with dirt. And I can’t cover it. For various reasons I will explain, there is no good solution I can find. Except one. Honestly, it seems kind of crazy. But I think I’m going for it. … ” Read more from LA Magazine here: The problem with pools
Court rules controversial minimum ratio groundwater pumping rate mandate violates Proposition 26
“The California Court of Appeal has ruled that a statute requiring local agencies to charge non-agricultural users three to five times more than agricultural users for groundwater pumping violates Proposition 26. Among other significant implications, this decision should serve to remind local agencies that they bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that a fee is exempt from the definition of a “tax.” … ” Continue reading at Best Best & Krieger here: Court rules controversial minimum ratio groundwater pumping rate mandate violates Proposition 26
Relatively brief but intense (inland) heatwave this week, then fairly quiescent conditions for 1-2 weeks thereafter
Dr. Daniel Swain writes, “The past month or so have brought a series of late-season weather systems to Northern California–including the latest just this past week, which brought a pretty substantial soaking rainfall to the North Coast and northern mountains (and some lighter showers as far south as the SF Bay Area and I-80 corridor). Meanwhile, the southern 2/3 of California have been almost completely dry during this period (including the Southern Sierra, where some places had their driest May on record). May (and, especially, June) are not typically very wet months anywhere in California–but the “haves” and “have nots” of this recent precipitation distribution has created some pretty stark contrasts between the northwestern corner of the state vs the rest of California. … ” Read more from Weather West here: Relatively brief but intense (inland) heatwave this week, then fairly quiescent conditions for 1-2 weeks thereafter
SEE ALSO: Excessive heat: Temperatures over 100 swelling from Texas to California, from the Washington Post
Calif. officials order hefty water cuts for San Joaquin River users
“With the drought continuing to ravage California, the state took unprecedented action to order cities and growers to stop pumping from rivers and streams throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Tuesday, the State Water Resources Control Board announced the cutbacks, which will affect water users from Fresno through Northern California.
The cutbacks, which began Wednesday, are affecting 4,252 water rights, including more than 400 that are held by public water systems. These curtailments follow similar action last August from the board when it temporarily stopped the pumping of water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun Sun here: Calif. officials order hefty water cuts for San Joaquin River users
SEE ALSO:
- California bans water pumping for San Francisco, Central Valley communities, from the Courthouse News Service
- California tells San Francisco, Valley farmers to halt water diversions as drought worsens, from the Sacramento Bee
- California farms and Bay Area cities ordered to stop diverting water from rivers, from the LA Times
State implements new water conservation measures and warns of the potential for harsher restrictions
“California has enacted a new emergency regulation in response to worsening drought conditions and lagging conservation efforts. The emergency regulation bans the watering of nonfunctional or purely decorative grass in commercial, industrial, or institutional properties with potable water. The new rules are expected to go into effect within the next week or so. Local governments, water suppliers, and the California State Water Resources Control Board can use their own discretion when communicating and enforcing the ban. Enforcement actions may include warning letters, conservation orders, and fines up to $500 per day. Agencies are encouraged to provide additional assistance to disadvantaged communities and translate conservation updates into non-English languages. … ” Read more from the League of California Cities here: State implements new water conservation measures and warns of the potential for harsher restrictions
Water Year 2022 snow drought conditions summary and impacts in the West
“The 2021–2022 snow season has been a series of ups and downs. By early January, the dry start to the snow season was all but forgotten as snow accumulation and snow water equivalent (SWE) increased rapidly and the snowpack was well above normal. However, a long, and record-breaking in some cases, dry stretch followed the heavy December snows. Snow has mostly disappeared at SNOTEL sites in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico with the exception of a few high-elevation locations. Water supply remains a major concern for much of the West heading into summer 2022, especially because this is the second or third drought year in a row for many regions. … ” Read the full update from NIDIS here: Water Year 2022 snow drought conditions summary and impacts in the West
Single-use plastic items to be banned from national parks, public lands
“Tourists and residents flocking to some of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Lands End soon won’t have access to disposable plastic items, such as water bottles, straws or shopping bags. The Biden administration announced Wednesday that the federal government will phase out the sale and distribution of single-use plastic items on all public lands controlled by the Department of the Interior, including national parks, recreation areas and monuments. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Single-use plastic items to be banned from national parks, public lands
In commentary today …
The abundance choice, part 13: The Lords of Scarcity
Edward Ring, contributing editor and senior fellow with the California Policy Center, writes, “One of the farmers who supported our attempt to qualify the Water Infrastructure Funding Act for the November 2022 ballot was John Duarte. … During our first conversation, and subsequently, it was Duarte who coined the phrase the Lords of Scarcity. It is a vividly accurate way to describe the many special interests, public and private, that benefit from regulations and rationing. This economic fact remains underappreciated: When regulations are imposed on businesses and public agencies that make it almost impossible for them to build something, whatever that something produces becomes more expensive. This fact rests on the law of supply and demand, and only requires a minor intuitive leap from that foundation: When demand exceeds supply, because supplies have been restricted, whoever owns existing supplies makes more profit. These owners are the Lords of Scarcity, and California is their citadel. … ” Read more from the California Globe here: The abundance choice, part 13: The Lords of Scarcity
Today’s featured article …
DELTA WATERMASTER: Water use reporting, Investigation of alleged unlawful water diversion in the Delta, Implementation of the Delta Dry-year Response Program, and more …
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Governor Brown visits Klamath Basin
“Governor Kate Brown visited the Klamath Basin this week, where she visited the Klamath Tribes, including the newly elected Tribal Chair Clayton Dumont, Tribal Council Members, and members of the Klamath Tribes Youth Council. Governor Brown also met with Kingsley Airmen, Klamath Water Users Association, and Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris. During her visit with tribal members, the Governor visited the Tribe’s fish rearing ponds and water quality lab and discussed water issues, wildfire, and child welfare with Tribal leaders. “I want to thank Chair Clayton Dumont and the Klamath Tribal Council members for their hospitality. I was especially grateful for the opportunity to learn about the efforts the Tribe is making to preserve the C’waam (Lost River sucker) and Koptu (shortnose sucker) fish, which are important traditional food sources for the Klamath Tribes,” said Governor Brown. … ” Read more from Klamath Falls News here: Governor Brown visits Klamath Basin
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Being well prepared in the Sacramento Valley this summer
“As we begin a very dry summer in the Sacramento Valley with limited surface supplies available in many parts of the region, a high priority will be to help ensure safe drinking water for communities as described in A Pathway for the Future: Sustainable Groundwater Management in the Sacramento Valley. This week the Department of Water Resources announced the availability of “tools and resources to help communities and domestic well owners prepare for potential well outages and other drought impacts.” See DWR Encourages Counties, Communities to be ‘Well Prepared’ to Support Dry Drinking Water Wells. “Being ‘Well Prepared’ means that state and local agencies and well owners have an understanding of local groundwater conditions, can identify areas where drinking water supplies may be threatened, and know how to access assistance when it is needed. To meet the challenges of this current drought and future droughts, DWR is providing new and updated tools to help county drought leaders develop informed solutions that work best for their local communities.” ... ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: Being well prepared in the Sacramento Valley this summer
NAPA/SONOMA
Napa: Lake Marie flows to provide improved fish habitat
“Water Audit California and the California Department of State Hospitals reached a settlement agreement to end litigation this week. The agreement will improve conditions for fish in Cayetano Creek while allowing Skyline Park visitors to continue to enjoy Lake Marie as a hiking destination. This resolution is representative of two principles: we can manage what we measure, and we can always do better. Clear, cold water from the headwaters of Cayetano Creek flows into Lake Marie year-round. Below the Lake Marie dam, the creek passes through Skyline Park and residential neighborhoods. The mouth of the creek is at the Napa River near the Napa County Animal Shelter. Lake Marie was built around 1880 and upgraded in 1908. The fourth jurisdictional dam built in the state, it is one of the oldest in California. Its history reflects Napa’s development from the earliest days of ranching. … ”
BAY AREA
Bay Area cities have spent millions cleaning up their stormwater. With controversial new guidelines, state regulators say the job isn’t finished
“Every time a storm hits the Bay Area, trash in the region’s streets and creeks gets swept by rushing water into an underground stormwater system, where much of the litter flows through a network of pipes until it reaches San Francisco Bay. The trash can linger in the Bay or smaller bodies of water for thousands of years, contributing to the widespread pollution that is threatening wildlife and degrading the health of local environments and communities. Environmental advocates say that while it’s difficult to estimate the amount of trash that makes it to the Bay each year, and different cities generate varying amounts of litter, it’s clear that trash pollution is a persistent problem. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Bay Area cities have spent millions cleaning up their stormwater. With controversial new guidelines, state regulators say the job isn’t finished
CENTRAL COAST
The Carr Lake property in Salinas – 480 acres of farm fields in the middle of a city – presents a unique opportunity to revitalize communities and serve residents. The Big Sur Land Trust is on the case.
“From the sky, Carr Lake, a 480-acre space of agricultural fields in the heart of Salinas, looks like a nucleus, a green space surrounded by a giant circle of concrete and development that is home to some 156,000 people. But it doesn’t function as a nucleus – if anything, aside from being productive ag land for one growing season each year, it only keeps the communities on its borders further apart. It doesn’t unite – it separates. But that is set to change, soon, at least in part. … ” Read more from Monterey Weekly here: The Carr Lake property in Salinas – 480 acres of farm fields in the middle of a city – presents a unique opportunity to revitalize communities and serve residents. The Big Sur Land Trust is on the case.
K&A Farms LLC agrees to pay $38,225 penalty for failure to report levels of nitrogen use
“The Central Coast Water Board reached a $38,225 settlement with K&A Farms LLC for its failure to submit a timely report on the total amount of nitrogen applied to its ranch in 2020, as required by the Central Coast Water Board’s Agricultural Order. The Central Coast Water Board’s Agricultural Order regulates discharges from irrigated agricultural lands to protect surface water and groundwater. K&A Farms has been enrolled in the Agricultural Order since 2011 but failed to comply with the requirement to submit a timely total nitrogen applied report for 2020, despite numerous reminders from the Central Coast Water Board. “We are intensifying our enforcement of reporting requirements because we need timely data to address threats to water quality and human health,” said Matt Keeling, executive officer of the Central Coast Water Board. “Water quality in agricultural areas of the region continues to be severely impaired by waste discharges from irrigated agricultural operations, which is the leading cause of nitrate drinking water standard exceedances in groundwater supply wells in the Central Coast.” … ” Read more from the State Water Board here: K&A Farms LLC agrees to pay $38,225 penalty for failure to report levels of nitrogen use
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
The forgotten underwater town at the bottom of a California lake
“Millerton Lake has a presence in both Fresno County and Madera County, just north of the town of Friant. But those new to the area may not know that underneath the waters of Millerton Lake was the original town of Millerton. According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Millerton Lake was created following the construction of the Friant Dam. But to create the lake, the town underneath had to be flooded. State-provided documents show that the town of Millerton was originally founded in 1852, then known as Rootville. The California gold rush brought miners into the area and the town continued to do well until the railroad reached what is now Fresno. … ” Read more from Fox 40 here: The forgotten underwater town at the bottom of a California lake
Toxic algae prompts water warning for San Luis Reservoir
“Visitors to the San Luis Reservoir in Merced County are being warned to avoid contact with the water after authorities found the presence of a toxic algae. The Department of Water Resources announced Tuesday that blue-green algae — cyanobacteria — was found in the water. Cyanobacteria can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold- and flu-like symptoms. Pets can be especially susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur afterwards. Keep pets away from the water. … ” Read more from Westside Connect here: Toxic algae prompts water warning for San Luis Reservoir
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles should lose its lawns, some say
“Los Angeles is facing some of the most severe water restrictions the city has ever seen. Will lawns survive? Some suggest the city should eliminate this elitist status symbol all together. OK. Is California done with lawns? Starting this month, millions of homeowners in the southern part of the state are under mandatory water restrictions. It is the third consecutive year of drought. No one knows if lawns will survive. Caleigh Wells from member station KCRW reports. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Los Angeles should lose its lawns, some say
Orange County developer fined record $6.6 million for failure to stop illegal stormwater discharges
“Following multiple inspections, years of unsuccessful negotiation, and the continued refusal of Baldwin & Sons and partners to stop unauthorized sediment discharges at a luxury home construction site in Orange County, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board today approved a record $6.6 million penalty against the violating parties. From August 2015 to March 2016, the developer released 6.3 million gallons of untreated stormwater at its Portola Center South Project; failed to implement required best management practices; ignored numerous corrective and cease–and–desist orders; and for 162 days violated the site’s Statewide Construction Stormwater Permit. “The sheer number and days of violations, volume of polluted discharges, and repeated failures to comply with the most fundamental requirements of the municipal ordinances and statewide construction stormwater permit are unprecedented in this region,” said David Gibson, executive officer of the San Diego Water Board. … ” Continue reading from the State Water Board here: Orange County developer fined record $6.6 million for failure to stop illegal stormwater discharges
San Bernardino: Passing of the torch will bring further progress in local water management
“Our region’s history of water management has seen remarkable progress in recent years with new infrastructure projects, collaboration among agencies and significant improvements in our ability to capture waterflow from mountains and streams and store it in a natural aquifer that spans much of the Upper Santa Ana River Wash. Escalating drought has put a new sense of urgency on groundwater storage in California. But unlike many of the other 514 groundwater basins in our state, ours is in good shape, thanks to the innovative and collaborative nature of our local water leaders. Much of this credit goes to Daniel Cozad, who retired last month after 12 years as general manager of the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. … ” Read more from the Redlands Daily Facts here: San Bernardino: Passing of the torch will bring further progress in local water management
Drought, wildfire and commerce prompt massive forest thinning plan for Big Bear Lake
“For decades, thousands of acres of undeveloped public forest on the northern side of Big Bear Lake have been regarded as the cherished “wild side” of the mountain resort, just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. But worsening drought, the U.S. Forest Service warns, has turned the bucolic landscape into a tinderbox that poses a direct threat to a San Bernardino Mountains community that hosts 5,500 year-round residents, but swells to more than 100,000 between July 4 and Labor Day. Now, to reduce the fire risk, the agency is seeking approval for one of the largest forest thinning operations ever conducted in Southern California — removal of tens of thousands of Jeffrey pine, white fir, juniper and oak trees across 13,000 acres that are deemed to be overgrown, unhealthy and vulnerable to drought and disease. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Drought, wildfire and commerce prompt massive forest thinning plan for Big Bear Lake | Read via Yahoo News
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS/SOUTH EASTERN CALIFORNIA
Groundbreaking for major Calimesa pipeline held by Yucaipa Valley Water District
“Yucaipa Valley Water District held a groundbreaking ceremony for a recycled water pipeline in Calimesa on June 3. Local dignitaries and community leaders gathered at Calimesa Event Center to listen to the presentation by the YVWD Board of Directors. Chris Mann, YVWD board president, spoke about the recycling project. He talked specifically about current times of drought. “We are seeing currently what happened in communities where they are overly reliant on one source of water, ” said Mann. “Recycled water has allowed Yucaipa and Calimesa to remain resilient, to be able to grow economically (and) to be able to build. We often get questions, ‘how are you approving development when we are in a state of drought?’ Well, it’s (because of) projects like this.” … ” Read more from the Yucaipa News-Mirror here: Groundbreaking for major Calimesa pipeline held by Yucaipa Valley Water District
Extreme drought prompts closure of Joshua Tree trail to ensure water for bighorn sheep
“Extreme drought conditions prompted the open-ended closure of a popular hiking trail in Joshua Tree National Park to ensure water access for bighorn sheep. The closure of the Fortynine Palms Trail began last week and “will remain in place until summer monsoons provide adequate rainfall to increase water availability,” the National Park Service said in a statement. Bighorn sheep, with their iconic curled horns, increasingly must rely on an oasis spring in the trail area as drought has made surface water more difficult to find in other areas of the park. … ” Continue reading at the LA Times here: Extreme drought prompts closure of Joshua Tree trail to ensure water for bighorn sheep | Read via Yahoo News
SAN DIEGO
Over objections, Coastal Commission approves Del Mar bluff stabilization projects
“The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a three-year, $68 million series of projects Wednesday to stabilize the train tracks on the eroding Del Mar bluffs, despite objections to some of the work from residents and the North County Transit District. The transit district, which maintains and operates the tracks, opposed three beach access projects recently added to the bluff stabilization effort, which is overseen by the San Diego Association of Governments, the regional planning agency. Plans for a mile-long bluff-top trail, a pedestrian rail crossing and a ramp or stairs to the beach were added at the Coastal Commission’s request to compensate for the loss of public beach caused by seawall construction. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Over objections, Coastal Commission approves Del Mar bluff stabilization projects
Along the Colorado River …
Scientists find the Colorado River was blighted by a worse drought in the 2nd century
“While the current drought afflicting the Colorado River Basin is the worst since federal scientists began keeping records, a new study using paleoclimatic data discovers it is not the worst drought in the region’s recent geological history. Researchers at the Bureau of Reclamation published the study Thursday in Geophysical Research Letters, a peer-reviewed geoscience journal. They used paleoclimatic evidence like tree rings and indicators in bogs and caves to reconstruct stream flows; the researchers found evidence of a devastating drought that struck the Colorado River Basin in the second century. … ” Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Scientists find the Colorado River was blighted by a worse drought in the 2nd century
SEE ALSO: New study finds extreme, severe drought impacting the upper Colorado River basin in the second century, press release from the Bureau of Reclamation
Column: Why is almost no one planning for a future without the Colorado River?
Columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “You’d think that, given how dangerously low Lake Mead is getting, we’d have a good idea of what life might look like without that water. Yet few major players are modeling for a future without Colorado River water – or even a future in which we are asked to live on markedly less of it. Ironically, the deeper the lake plunges, the more reluctant water managers seem to be about fleshing out the worst-case scenario. That’s a mistake. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Column: Why is almost no one planning for a future without the Colorado River? | Read via Yahoo News
In national water news today …
To protect and restore rivers, states can use ‘outstanding’ policy designation
“For millennia, healthy, free-flowing rivers across the U.S. have helped people, wildlife, and habitats thrive. But today, too many of those rivers are blocked by dams or threatened by pollution, development, and climate change. Fortunately, state and Tribal governments can use a policy tool to help protect and restore waterways. June is National Rivers Month, making it an ideal time for those officials to list more of our country’s rivers as “Outstanding.” Under the Clean Water Act of 1972, states and Tribes can designate rivers as Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRWs) for a variety of reasons, including high water quality, exceptional recreational or ecological significance, or the existence of cold-water thermal refuges. Here are ONRW designation efforts in Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, and Nevada that could protect hundreds of miles of waterways. … ” Read more from the Pew Charitable Trust here: To protect and restore rivers, states can use ‘outstanding’ policy designation
Environmental settlements high on EPA West Coast Chief’s agenda
“The EPA’s administrator for California and other Western states says her office is looking for opportunities to use a settlement tool with companies accused of pollution or other offenses now that the Biden administration has put that tool back in play. Under a supplemental environmental project, or SEP, a company can volunteer to undertake an environmentally helpful project in exchange for a reduction in its penalties. The Trump administration had prohibited most uses of SEPs, but the Justice Department said in May it would revive them. “Having that tool back is really wonderful,” said Martha Guzman, who was named to oversee Region 9 in December 2021, becoming the first Latina to serve as an Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator. ... ” Read more from Bloomberg Law here: Environmental settlements high on EPA West Coast Chief’s agenda
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
NOTICE: Petition for Temporary Urgency Change in Mendocino and Sonoma Counties
NOTICE: Petition for Temporary Urgency Change and Issuance of Temporary Urgency Change Order for South Sutter Water
