DAILY DIGEST, 6/16: Bulk of money in state’s plan to buy water rights directed at NorCal; Enviro groups sue feds over Shasta River permits; Stubborn La Niña may stick around for a rare third year; These five people could make or break the Colorado River

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On the calendar today …

• EPA, Army Corps Virtual Regional WOTUS Roundtable from 11am to 1:30pm.  The virtual roundtable was organized by the California Farm Bureau and is one of ten roundtables intended to highlight diverse perspectives and regional experiences on WOTUS implementation. Through these engagements, the agencies will hear from participants representing agriculture, conservation groups, developers, drinking water and wastewater managers, environmental organizations, communities with environmental justice concerns, industry, Tribal nations, and state and local governments. View the livestream for this West roundtable.
• OFFICE HOURS: How to read a GSP from 12pm to 1:30pm.  Join Fresno State’s California Water Institute, Civic Well, and Maven’s Notebook for the How To Read A GSP Webinar.  This webinar will cover Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) developed by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA). These 20-year plans will provide how a GSA plans to ensure groundwater is managed sustainably within the groundwater basin.  Even though these GSP’s can be very different based on their locations, goals, and other factors, they all have many parts in common. During this session, you will learn what they have in common, what they cover, and key items and phrases that are important to you.  Click here to register.
• WEBINAR: SGMA in action: funding GSP implementation from 12pm to 1pm.  This presentation will outline the various funding options available for groundwater management, touching on the legal, financial, and policy decisions that lead to optimal funding mechanisms for GSAs. Using case studies from basins across the State, Agency needs and community attributes will be tied to specific funding paths, charting a roadmap for GSAs looking to establish their own funding programs.  Click here to register.

In California water news today …

Bulk of money in state’s plan to buy water rights directed at northern California watersheds

“A California Senate proposal to spend $2 billion to buy senior water rights would focus mostly on rights in northern California watersheds with another large chunk aimed at farmland retirement throughout the state.  The proposal is included in an $18.5 billion climate plan within the state  budget, which likely won’t be finalized until the end of summer.   State water watchers are intrigued by the proposal as water supplies are stretched to thin in this third year of drought.  “It’s oversubscribed, it’s not sustainable as it is right now,” state senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) said about water in California. “This doesn’t completely fix the problem but it improves the problem.” … ”  Read more from SJV Water here: Bulk of money in state’s plan to buy water rights directed at northern California watersheds

Environmental groups sue feds, alleging Shasta River permits threaten endangered coho salmon

“A group of environmental organizations filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday accusing the National Marine Fisheries Service of permitting safe harbor for activities threatening endangered California salmon in the Shasta River.  The Environmental Protection Information Center, Friends of the Shasta River and the Western Environmental Law Center alleged in a complaint filed in San Francisco that the National Marine Fisheries Service issued 14 unlawful permits allowing activity at Shasta River which threatens Southern Oregon and Northern Coast California coho salmon. The salmon are listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened with extinction in the river, which flows for 58 miles to its confluence with the Klamath River with a watershed covering 793 square miles.  The lawsuit also challenges the Service’s safe harbor program, which gives legal immunity to a dam owner and water diverters for harming protected species on private lands. … ”  Read more from the Courthouse News Service here: Environmental groups sue feds, alleging Shasta River permits threaten endangered coho salmon

Drought’s spillover effect in the American West

“On a map that might grace the walls of a high school classroom, the watersheds of the American West are distinct geographical features, hemmed in by foreboding plateaus and towering mountain ridges.  Look closer and those natural boundaries are less rigid. A sprawling network of pipelines and canals pierce mountains and cross deserts, linking many of the mighty rivers and smaller streams of the West. These “mega-watersheds” have redrawn the map, helping cities and farms to grow large and productive, but also becoming political flashpoints with steep environmental costs. … Not every river in the West is linked and few regions are as networked as Southern California. But there are enough connections that the water supply consequences of the drying American West are not felt in isolation. They are exported to neighboring watersheds. ... Read the full article at Circle of Blue here:  Drought’s Spillover Effect in the American West

Stubborn La Niña looks like it may stick around for a rare third year

“A stubborn La Niña climate pattern in the tropical Pacific is likely to persist through the summer and may hang on into 2023, forecasters say.  La Niña has been implicated not only in the unrelenting drought in the U.S. Southwest, but also in drought and flooding in various parts of the world, including ongoing drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.  If La Niña persists into the fall and winter, it would be only the third time since 1950 that the climate pattern has continued for three consecutive winters in the Northern Hemisphere, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization said last week. … ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Stubborn La Niña looks like it may stick around for a rare third year | Read via Yahoo News

‘It’s fairly unusual’: Weak storms keep pushing into Northern California

“Over the past several weeks, Northern California has been on a weather roller coaster, with a series of weak late-season storms interrupting the periods of hot, dry weather that are more typical of June.Case in point: After last week’s mini heat wave sent inland temperatures soaring into the 100s, a storm system from the Pacific Northwest delivered a potent dose of cold and thunderstorms to the mountains and farthest reaches of the Golden State, especially along the coast. … And here we go again. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: ‘It’s fairly unusual’: Weak storms keep pushing into Northern California

Pattern flip to snap the West back into spring

“Record warmth that the Southwest has endured recently will be a distant memory by this weekend as a major shift in the weather pattern unfolds over the region. Meanwhile, AccuWeather meteorologists say that some locations will experience something they have not seen in quite some time — rain.  Temperatures have been running well above normal so far this month in much of California with some of the most extreme temperatures being reported in the interior valleys of the Golden State. In fact, new daily record high temperatures were set as recently as last Friday. After one more warm day Thursday, this Friday will be much different.  “A deep dip in the jet stream is poised to bring relief from the recent heat to the West,” explained AccuWeather Meteorologist La Troy Thornton. … ”  Read more from AccuWeather here: Pattern flip to snap the West back into spring

These maps illustrate the seriousness of the western drought

“The historic drought in the western United States is about to get worse.  Much of the West is already experiencing severe to exceptional drought, but scorching summer temperatures will dry out the parched landscape even more. “In the last 1,200 years, we haven’t seen a period as dry as right now,” said Ann Willis, a researcher at the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California at Davis. “We’re really hitting new lows in terms of how extreme the conditions are.” … How did the West get to this point? Drought is not new to desert environments, but recent dry spells have lasted longer and been more intense than in previous decades. Although water management and increased water demand by a growing population affect supplies, a warming atmosphere is drying out the ground, shrinking the reservoirs and reducing mountain snowpack. … ”  Read the full article at the Washington Post here (gift article): These maps illustrate the seriousness of the western drought

Optimism for positive movement with Sites Reservoir Project

“Amidst ongoing drought conditions, development of the Sites Reservoir Project continues to move forward. Executive Director of the California Farm Water Coalition, Mike Wade said it has been a long process to get the project going. The project has continued to gain funding momentum from a variety of sources and appears to be on track to break ground in the coming years.  “We’ve been waiting a long time since Prop 1 was passed in 2014. It’s been decades that the Sites Project has been on the books and almost 10 years since funding was approved by voters in California to get moving on new storage projects. But that’s happening,” said Wade. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Optimism for positive movement with Sites Reservoir Project

U.S. Court of Federal Claims Rules for Bureau of Reclamation in case challenging 2014 deliveries to San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors

“On June 6, 2022, the United States Court of Federal Claims issued a decision in City of Fresno, et al. v. United States and San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority, et al., and Central California Irrigation District, et al., denying Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and granting Defendant and Defendant-Intervenor’s motion for summary judgment as to liability.The case involves the United States Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) operation of the CVP, which is guided in part by Reclamation’s various contracts with water users across the Central Valley. This includes the Exchange Contract, comprised of a series of purchase and exchange contracts between Reclamation and water rights holders on the San Joaquin River, the Exchange Contractors. The Exchange Contract transferred the Exchange Contractors’ water rights on the San Joaquin River to Reclamation. The Exchange Contractors’ reserved San Joaquin River water is stored at Friant Dam. In exchange, Reclamation is obligated to deliver up to 840,000 acre-feet (af) of water from substitute sources in non-critical water years. In critical years, Reclamation is obliged to deliver up to 650,000 af. … ”  Continue reading at Somach Simmons & Dunn here: U.S. Court of Federal Claims Rules for Bureau of Reclamation in case challenging 2014 deliveries to San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors

Coalition seeks targeted action on addressing water supply shortfalls

“More than 20 agricultural organizations are calling for a more targeted approach to improving water supply availability. In a letter addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom, the business leaders point out that existing water protocols and infrastructure already fall short of meeting water needs. Failure to establish a clear target for addressing surface water supplies moving forward will have significant consequences, the coalition notes.  “The lack of water supply is harming business operations, jeopardizing jobs, causing food disruptions and disincentivizing investments in California,” the letter states. “Our state has set goals for carbon emission reductions, renewable power, waste diversion, land conservation and other climate-related objectives. However, we still do not have a goal to grow the water supply. In fact, our current strategy is precisely the opposite: To keep shrinking surface water supplies available for human consumption and expect homes and businesses to do more with less. As a result, we are merely managing economic decline.” … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Coalition seeks targeted action on addressing water supply shortfalls

To survive severe drought this summer, California should learn from Cape Town’s water crisis

“In my household we shower every few days. We don’t flush every time. After a dinner party, I empty my guests’ water glasses into the houseplants. It’s been four years since I lived through Cape Town’s water crisis, but hard-earned habits die hard. My water conservation routines may sound like too much information, or even borderline unhygienic, but as the threat of water scarcity looms large around the world, they may well be worth adopting. In late 2017, Cape Town was on the brink of becoming the first major global city to run out of water, due to a combination of climate change, drought, and bad water management. To stave off “Day Zero”—the moment when reservoir levels would drop below a critical threshold and household water supplies would be turned off—residents were told to limit use to 13 gallons of water per person per day. … ”  Read more from Time here: To survive severe drought this summer, California should learn from Cape Town’s water crisis | Read via Yahoo News

NPR:  Drought restrictions are being felt in many ways across California

“Water restrictions are turning lawns brown, but homes are not the only places Californians are feeling the drought. Cemeteries, golf courses and tourism are all distressed by lack of water.”  Listen at NPR (3:00): Drought restrictions are being felt in many ways across California

Tomatoes are the latest victim of climate change

“The future does not look so bright for processing tomato crops.  These thick-skinned versions of the red fruit, called processing tomatoes, are easily transported and are used for the production of ketchup, juice, sauce, puree and other packaged tomato products. California, Italy and China are responsible for around 65 percent of global tomato production.  A new study, published in Nature, predicts a six-percent decline in tomato yields in major growing regions such as Italy and California by 2050. According to the study, an increase in air temperature as a result of climate change in big tomato-growing regions will cause the decrease in yield. Additionally, water restrictions and drought are factors that will likely lead to Italy and California being unable to uphold their current processing tomato production numbers. … ”  Read more from Modern Farmer here: Tomatoes are the latest victim of climate change

DWR recognizes the need for a diverse and equitable workplace to be able to serve all Californians for generations to come

“The California Department of Water Resources, along with a dedicated task force within the department guided by the Capitol Collaborative on Race and Equity program crafted a comprehensive and sustainable Racial Equity Action Plan aimed at advancing an honest and critical assessment of its work and identify racial inequities that exist within its programs, policies, and institutional culture. This Racial Equity Action plan was released in June 2022.  DWR is committed to supporting the sustainable management of water resources for all Californians. But it is clear that not all Californians have been afforded the necessary protections against health and environmental hazards, climate change, floods, or droughts. What is also clear is that a diverse and equitable workforce that represents California’s population will benefit greatly to help overcome water challenges in our future. … ”  Read more from DWR News here: DWR recognizes the need for a diverse and equitable workplace to be able to serve all Californians for generations to come

New watershed framework

Debbie Franco, Managing Director, Water Solutions Network, writes, “If Congress had not summarily dismissed John Wesley Powell’s vision of watersheds in the American West in the late 1890s, we would not find ourselves trying to retrace our steps to that pivotal moment. One stroke of a pen unleashed generations of silos that continue to allow for the exploitation of our most precious natural resources and the perpetuation of both embedded and overt inequities. The elegance of Powell’s watersheds was in the revolutionary concept of integrating land and water, something unheard of in his era. Connecting the two would not have been a silver bullet, but it would have made it much harder to justify siloing naturally interdependent systems.  One hundred and thirty years of organizational and physical infrastructure later, we face a climate catastrophe the magnitude of which challenges every assumption we’ve made about how humans live on this planet. ... ”  Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: New watershed framework

Watersheds: a precious resource for building climate resilience

“For Nancy Shrodes, A11, climate change hits close to home. The severe drought, heat waves, and wildfires in California, where she grew up and now works, underscore the dangerous impact of a warming planet and the need to build climate resiliency.  As senior watershed specialist with Heal the Bay, a nonprofit protecting Southern California’s waterways and coastal ecosystems, Shrodes understands the critical role of watersheds — areas of land that channel rainfall and snowmelt to a specific receiving body of water, ranging from rivers and lakes to the ocean.  Her broad engagement with Greater Los Angeles communities within the watershed for the South Santa Monica Bay reflects a life devoted to advocacy and education, one singularly focused on raising awareness about watersheds and why local, farsighted climate actions matter. “What we do locally today in our neighborhoods impacts the greater watershed,” she says, “an area that we all share, and upon which we all depend.” … ”  Continue reading at Tufts Now here: Watersheds: a precious resource for building climate resilience 

New Delta protections part of House water infrastructure bill

“Members of the House of Representatives last week voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA). Area Congressman Josh Harder successfully fought to include four critical Central Valley water programs in this bipartisan legislation, including $200 million for water infrastructure in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and new requirements for the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the Delta from harmful algal blooms.  “Since day one I’ve been fighting to make the Valley’s voice heard when it comes to water, and today I’m proud to say Washington has heard us loud and clear,” said Rep. Harder. ... ”  Read more from the Turlock Journal here: New Delta protections part of House water infrastructure bill

Yosemite logging unprecedented for a national park, says conservation group suing to stop it

“Yosemite National Park has a large logging project underway that a California conservation group is asking a federal judge to stop. The project summary states that trees up to 20 inches in diameter could be cut down in Yosemite across approximately 2,000 acres and 40 miles of park roads and trails. “In some places, the logging that they’re doing in Yosemite Valley is so intensive, it’s actually clear cutting,” said ecologist Chad Hanson, co-founder and director of the John Muir Project. “They’re actually clear cutting the forest – mature and old forests – in Yosemite Valley.”  The John Muir Project is part of the Berkeley-based nonprofit Earth Island Institute that filed the federal lawsuit on Monday in the Fresno division of U.S. District Court. It names Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon in her official capacity, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. … ”  Read more from the Fresno Bee here:  Yosemite logging unprecedented for a national park, says conservation group suing to stop it

Decolonizing California’s wildfire zone

“On a rainy December day in 2021, volunteers in Paradise, California, moved along a creek, planting c’ipa/willow and l’yli/redbud. Charred snags of tó:ni/gray pine and other dead trees stood above them on the slope. They were working in the Sierra Nevada foothills, an area devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed over 18,000 homes and other structures. Mechoopda Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) master teacher Ali Meders-Knight and native-plant expert Raphael DiGenova guided these volunteer efforts to replant the burned-over foothills of Paradise.  Much of the Camp Fire burn scar is in the Mechoopda Tribe’s ancestral homelands. The Mechoopda are a federally recognized tribe and a subdivision of the Northwestern or Konkow Maidu. Meders-Knight launched the Chico Traditional Ecological Stewardship Program in response to the Camp Fire and has run a number of TEK workshops for both Native and non-Native students since then.  One of the ways in which such efforts are distinct is that wildfire destruction is contextualized in history. … ”  Read more from Yes Magazine here: Decolonizing California’s wildfire zone

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In commentary today …

Three keys to finding drought solutions in the West

Maurice Hall, vice president of Climate Resilient Water Systems at the Environmental Defense Fund, writes, “There is no end in sight to the relentless drought drying up the Western United States. And virtually everyone and everything is being affected, from farmers facing massive water cuts, to young salmon swimming in dangerously warm water before they can reach the sea, to rural residents’ seeing their drinking water wells go dry.  I’m pleased to see that Congress is paying attention. Against this grim backdrop, I testified this week at a Senate committee hearing on drought solutions. … As many of us testified, we need an unprecedented level of collaboration to address this dire situation. Collaboration is one of at least three essential keys to finding the durable solutions required to sustain Western rural and urban communities, farmers and ranchers and aquatic ecosystems in a drier, more erratic future. … ”  Read more at The Hill here: Three keys to finding drought solutions in the West

Editorial: California should buy some water rights

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat editorial board writes, “If Californians want to ensure that there is water available for endangered salmon and other wildlife, then Californians ought to pay for that water. That’s exactly what some lawmakers want to do.  The yearslong drought is upending how Californians live and think about the environment around them. Water restrictions on residents can only go so far. Mandatory limits on watering lawns or suggested — and mostly ignored — cutbacks by the governor won’t save enough.  There are more than 9 million irrigated acres of farmland accounting for more than three-quarters of all water used by businesses and homes. To achieve real water savings, agriculture must be part of the plan. … ”  Continue reading at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat here: Editorial: California should buy some water rights

The abundance choice, part 15: Our fight for more water

Edward Ring, contributing editor and senior fellow with the California Policy Center, writes, “There are plenty of ways to ration water, and California’s state legislature is pursuing all of them: Restrict agricultural water allocations until millions of acres of California’s irrigated farmland is taken out of production. Ban outdoor watering entirely in urban areas.  Monitor residential indoor water use and lower it to 40 gallons per day per resident, with heavy fines to urban water agencies that cannot enforce those restrictions.  But this is a lose-lose proposition, wreaking economic havoc and diminishing the quality of life for all Californians.  The initiative we came up with and attempted to qualify for the November 2022 ballot acknowledged the importance of conservation, but focused on supply. Passage of this initiative would have eliminated water scarcity in California. … ”  Continue reading at the California Globe here: The abundance choice, part 15: Our fight for more water

Column: Drought and heat stress California’s infrastructure

Erin Zimmerman, a climate reality leader with the Climate Reality Project’s Silicon Valley chapter, writes, “The heat this past weekend was a reminder that California’s weather is changing—and we are in a hot-zone. Parts of California, including San Jose, are actually warming faster than the global average and some parts have already reached the 2 degrees Celsius cutoff cited by scientists as the point of no return.  If the summer of 2020 taught us anything, it’s that California’s power grid is unprepared to deal with the consequences of climate change. High winds and temperatures now necessitate public safety power shutoffs, precautionary blackouts to prevent forest fires due to downed power lines. These shutoffs can leave thousands without power for days at a time.  The energy infrastructure also struggles with high demand. Just this past weekend area residents were warned of potential power outages in case demand outstripped supply due to high temperatures.  Californians are used to hot weather, but there is regular summer heat and then there is climate change hot. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Spotlight here: Column: Drought and heat stress California’s infrastructure

Opinion: Tribal Nations must be at the table to find the West’s water solutions

Celene Hawkins, Colorado River Tribal Engagement Program director for The Nature Conservancy, and Lorelei Cloud, of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and Council Member for the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council, write, “In southwestern Colorado, multiple years of hot and dry conditions have drained many of our reservoirs. This year we expect that a section of the Pine River, which runs through the heart of the Southern Ute Reservation, will run completely dry due to dry conditions and irrigation diversions by Tribal and non-Tribal irrigators.  Unfortunately, what’s happening with the Pine River is becoming all too common across the Colorado River Basin and the West. Scientists have concluded that the ongoing severe drought conditions we’re facing are primarily due to climate change. … The future of hotter, drier conditions has arrived. We must immediately accelerate the pace and scale of collaborative solutions to secure sustainable water supplies for communities and wildlife across the Upper Basin. … ”  Continue reading at the Colorado Sun here: Opinion: Tribal Nations must be at the table to find the West’s water solutions

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In regional water news and commentary today …

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES

Beach-cleaning robot unveiled in South Lake Tahoe

“Beach clean-ups have become common place around Lake Tahoe in order to pick up trash left behind before it makes its way into the crystal blue water.  There is an innovative cleaning tool being added to efforts this summer – BEBOT, the all-electric, remote control beach-cleaning robot that is solar and battery-powered.  Two South Lake Tahoe men, JT Chevallier and JB Harris founded ECO-CLEAN Solutions after being frustrated with trash and searching for a way to clean beaches without doing more harm.  They found BEBOT in France in 2021 at a company called Seariel Cleaners. The French company specializes in innovative products including bubble barriers and fixed and mobile waster collectors. … ”  Read more from South Tahoe Now here: Beach-cleaning robot unveiled in South Lake Tahoe

Toxic algae alert issued for beach at Lake Tahoe

“The growth of toxic algae at one of Lake Tahoe’s beaches prompted the U.S. Forest Service to issue a warning Wednesday.  According to a Tweet by the Forest Service’s Lake Tahoe office, shallow pools and slow-moving water near Kiva Beach and Taylor Creek have promoted toxic algae growth that can lead to illness in pets and humans.  Toxic algal mats can be attached to the bottom of the beach, detached and floating in the water or washed up on shore, the U.S. Forest Service says. … ”  Read more from Channel 10 here: Toxic algae alert issued for beach at Lake Tahoe

SEE ALSO: Forest Service warns against toxic blue-green algae by Lake Tahoe. How can it be avoided?, from the Sacramento Bee

Untouched wildland to be preserved in Placer County

“Nearly 490 acres of untouched woodlands in western Placer County that contains 34 prehistoric Maidu and Miwok Native American sites is being preserved in a partnership with William Jessup University, the Placer Land Trust and Placer County.  The property sits in a valley east of Park Drive in Rocklin and west of Sierra College Boulevard in Loomis.  According to Jessup’s Institute for Biodiversity and the Environment (IBE) the area known as Clover Valley in Rocklin was previously planned for 558 high-end single-family homes with a roadway. ... ”  Read more from KTXL here: Untouched wildland to be preserved in Placer County

Former Tuolumne Utilities District boss dismisses ‘secret water rights’ as board cancels proposed rate hike

“A former Tuolumne Utilities District general manager on Tuesday dismissed talk of “secret” water rights that Tuolumne County acquired in a 1983 purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Co., and urged TUD’s elected board of directors to continue to pursue the “opportunity to get this water” out of the South Fork Stanislaus River.  Tom Scesa, who retired from TUD as its general manager in June 2015, told the district’s board in a public meeting that he was speaking based on his 17 years with the water and sewer agency. He said he didn’t want to talk about “theoretical water” or “sometimes available water.” ... ”  Read more from the Union Democrat here: Former Tuolumne Utilities District boss dismisses ‘secret water rights’ as board cancels proposed rate hike

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

Glenn Colusa Irrigation District water aids wildlife and habitat at federal refuges

“The Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District (GCID) Board of Directors approved the sale of surplus water to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for use at three federally managed refuges that provide critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.  The agreement, which was approved during the Board’s regular meeting on May 19, 2022, allows for the transfer of 11,289 acre-feet of water for the Sacramento, Delevan and Colusa national wildlife refuges. The water being sold is what remained after landowners and water users reserved their share of deliveries received by GCID from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project.  “We were approached by the Bureau of Reclamation for help and we are able to deliver the water needed to support habitats and the thousands of waterfowl that depend on them,” Board President Don Bransford said. “GCID is carefully monitoring the limited supplies we have and putting them to beneficial use.” ... ”  Read more from ACWA’s Water News here: Glenn Colusa Irrigation District water aids wildlife and habitat at federal refuges

Sacramento 1 of 5 cities to win 2022 water conservation challenge

“The city of Sacramento is one of five cities out of hundreds to win the 2022 water conservation challenge.  Mayors across the country challenged people to conserve water as part of the 2022 Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.  Sacramento residents pledged to save 38 million gallons of water, reduce single-use plastics, eliminate hazardous waste and landfill, reduce carbon footprints, and save electricity.  Those who live in Sacramento can now be entered into contests to win prizes, including a water bill rebate. ... ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Sacramento 1 of 5 cities to win 2022 water conservation challenge

NAPA/SONOMA

Russian River water use cutbacks on hold until at least July

“Water rights holders in the Russian River watershed can breathe easy for at least a few weeks longer.  Staff for the State Water Resources Control Board had predicted water diversion curtailments would likely be imposed beginning June 16, but they now say they won’t be needed until at least the beginning of July.  That means ranchers, grape growers, municipalities and community water districts can continue to draw water from the river and its tributaries for a couple more weeks before supplies in Lake Mendocino and potentially Lake Sonoma drop low enough for the state to declare there’s no longer enough water available for certain rights holders to take.  Lake Mendocino is currently below 58% of the water supply target for this time of year. The lake furnishes the water that keeps the upper Russian River flowing during the summer months, once natural runoff and seepage no longer feed the stream. … ”  Read more from the North Bay Business Journal here: Russian River water use cutbacks on hold until at least July

BAY AREA

“Smart” water meters coming to San Jose, other Bay Area cities in latest effort to boost conservation

“You’ve got a smart phone. Maybe a smart watch. Or even a smart doorbell.  In the coming months and years as California struggles with worsening droughts, millions of Bay Area residents will soon be getting a smart water meter.  Water meters — the clunky brass devices that sit in underground boxes near the sidewalks outside most homes and businesses, measuring water use — have been around since the 1820s. But in many areas, utilities only send out water bills every two months, or maybe once a month.  That means unless residents go out, lift the heavy concrete lid and dutifully write down the numbers on their analog water meters, most people don’t know until weeks have gone by that they have a major leak from irrigation systems, old pipes or toilets, wasting thousands of gallons of water and running up their bill. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: “Smart” water meters coming to San Jose, other Bay Area cities in latest effort to boost conservation

Marin agriculture products down five percent due to drought

“The value of agricultural production in Marin County shrunk by 5 percent in 2021, according to Scott Wise, the county’s agricultural commissioner.  What’s to blame for the decline? Mostly drought and farmers who have chosen to fallow more of their land, the county said. “Fallowing” is plowing and harrowing a parcel of land but not sowing seeds in it, so as to give it time to restore fertility. This is sometimes known as crop rotation.  Wise and Inspector Allison Klein presented their findings to the county’s Board of Supervisors on Tuesday in a study entitled, “2021 Marin County Crop & Livestock Report.” … ”  Read more from KRON here: Marin agriculture products down five percent due to drought

How many birds can be found in the Bay Area in one day?

“Birders sometimes have competitions to see who can find the most bird species in a set amount of time. If you want to participate in one of these, a few things to know first: It is frenetic. It is competitive. Forget the leisurely walks through the woods; if you’re serious there isn’t even time for a lunch break.  It is, however, a great time to watch birders watching birds, and to try to understand the appeal of a pursuit that delights and entrances people around the world. So when two teams decided on a 13-hour competition this spring to see which side of the Bay could find the most birds, the debut Golden Gate Audubon Society Bay Birding Challenge, the two of us tagged along. … ”  Read more from Bay Nature here: How many birds can be found in the Bay Area in one day?

San Jose Water receives CPUC approval for smart meter technology

“San Jose Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJW Group, announced this week that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved its request to deploy Advanced Metering Infrastructure. The company will be investing approximately $100 million over the next four years in this technology, which supports customer service and environmental goals.  “We appreciate the CPUC’s approval of our AMI request, which will enhance the customer experience by giving customers greater control over their water usage and water bills. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Spotlight here: San Jose Water receives CPUC approval for smart meter technology

CENTRAL COAST

Q&A: San Benito County water conservation manager discusses enforcement, fines

“On June 11 BenitoLink spoke with Shawn Novack, Water Conservation Program Manager with the Water Resources Association of San Benito County to discuss the latest on the county’s water emergency.  All local water agencies implemented Stage II of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan in May as a result of dry conditions. Landscape irrigation is limited to twice a week. In the urban Hollister area odd-number addresses are restricted to irrigating Tuesdays and Saturdays and even-number addresses to Wednesdays and Sundays. San Juan Bautista is restricting landscape irrigation to Monday and Thursday.  Novack said that Hollister Code Enforcement will begin patrolling for irrigation violators on June 16. First and second offenses come with a warning followed by fines of $200 to $500. … ”  Read more from Benito Link here:  Q&A: San Benito County water conservation manager discusses enforcement, fines

Santa Cruz deemed too efficient for further water cut-backs

“The City of Santa Cruz has announced that they will be exempt from new state-wide emergency water use restrictions.  “Despite a mostly dry winter and spring, storms in October and December significantly improved storage in Loch Lomond Reservoir. While many reservoirs across the state are well below 50% capacity – some as low as 25% – Santa Cruz’s reservoir sits at 90% full,” said Water Director Rosemary Menard. “That means even if we have another dry year, if we continue to be good stewards of our water resources and use our supply efficiently, we have enough to get us through next year.” … ”  Read more from KION here: Santa Cruz deemed too efficient for further water cut-backs

State Water Resources Control Board gives water use restriction exemption for City of Santa Cruz

“The California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced on Wednesday that they approved the City of Santa Cruz’s request to be exempt from the latest Stage 2 Water Shortage Contingency Plan due to their water efficiency plans and still having a nearly full reservoir.  On June 10th, due to a worsening water situation across the state, and the severe drought hitting California for the third year in a row, the SWRCB enacted the Stage 2 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. According to the plan, all urban water suppliers have to bring in new measures to help conserve water, including limiting outdoor waters to certain days and hours, and increased enforcement of water conservation efforts, as well as numerous local measures designed to save water depending on the district, including not washing cars and not allowing watering outside for a period of time following a rain event. … ”  Read more from the California Globe here: State Water Resources Control Board gives water use restriction exemption for City of Santa Cruz

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Column: In praise of atmospheric rivers: April storms boost mid-state storage – offer relief for Friant contractors

Columnist John Lindt writes, “Unlike much of the state, reservoirs in the middle of California around Sacramento are near 100% capacity this month, despite California’s extreme drought. Case in point is the million-acre Folsom Reservoir, that thanks to a few soaking storms went from 550,000AF in late March to 864,000AF by mid-May. That is 88% capacity. Last year at this time Folsom held just 364,000AF.  This spring’s boost was based on a couple of Atmospheric River (AR) storms that blew into the state targeting the Tahoe area in a limited band ranging from the Feather River north of Sacramento to the Stanislaus just north of Modesto. An AR is a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere – in our case coming off the Pacific. … ”  Read more from the Hanford Sentinel here: Column: In praise of atmospheric rivers: April storms boost mid-state storage – offer relief for Friant contractors

Huron officials enforcing strict ‘no watering’ restrictions

“Green grass will be a thing of the past for residents in the small town of Huron.  As the state continues to find itself still in a historic drought, Huron city leaders are now enforcing “no watering” restrictions.Public Works Director Nicholas Escandon has worked with the city for more than two decades.  “As long as I’ve been running the water treatment plant, I’ve never seen it so bad,” he said. ... ”  Read more from KFSN here: Huron officials enforcing strict ‘no watering’ restrictions

EASTERN SIERRA

Kirman Lake stocked with 3,500 brook trout as CDFW works to restore Mono County trophy trout fishery

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has stocked 3,500 large brook trout into Kirman Lake in Mono County as part of an ongoing commitment to restore one of the West’s best trophy brook trout fisheries.  Brook trout in the 1- to 2-pound class were stocked recently into Kirman Lake from CDFW’s American River Trout Hatchery near Sacramento as CDFW trout hatcheries throughout the state assist stocking waters in the eastern Sierra.  Located about 20 miles north of Bridgeport, Kirman Lake is a small, backcountry lake with an outsized reputation for growing brook trout that can quickly reach 4 to 6 pounds in size. … ”  Read more from the Department of Fish & Wildlife here: Kirman Lake stocked with 3,500 brook trout as CDFW works to restore Mono County trophy trout fishery

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

California district curbs water supply to over-users in drought

“As a historic drought grips southern California, one district is getting tough on water usage violators by reducing their supply directly from the source so that sprinklers and outdoor hoses no longer work.  The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in Calabasas, north of Los Angeles, places metal disks with a small hole into the main water supply lines to offending homes. Flow per minute drops from around 30 gallons to just one gallon – enough for cooking, washing dishes and showers, but not gardening. … ”  Read more from Reuters News here: California district curbs water supply to over-users in drought

Beverly Hills enacts new water conservation measures

“In light of historic drought conditions, the City Council unanimously voted to impose new water conservation measures. The city will now limit outdoor watering to two days a week and prohibit the use of drinkable water for outdoor irrigation between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  “As others have pointed out, we’re in the midst of a historic drought. Some would say it’s the most severe drought that the Southwest U.S. has had for 1,000 years,” said Councilmember Robert Wunderlich. “It really is a crisis.”  The city has divided the watering schedules between residences north and south of Santa Monica Boulevard. Homes to the north can water on Mondays and Fridays; residences to the south can water Tuesdays and Saturdays. … ”  Read more from the Beverly Hills Courier here: Beverly Hills enacts new water conservation measures

Pico Rivera declares drought emergency, requires cutback on watering

“Although it’s not required, Pico Rivera City Council on Tuesday, June 14, voted to declare a water-supply emergency that will limit residents’ watering of their lawns to two days a week.  The resolution approved on a 4-0 vote — Mayor Monica Sanchez was absent — limits watering to two days a week April through October and to one day a week the rest of the year. It goes into effect immediately.  “It’s a state recommendation,” City Manager Steve Carmona said. “It’s not mandated by the state. We just want to be sure we do our part.” … ”  Read more from the Whittier Daily News here: Pico Rivera declares drought emergency, requires cutback on watering

Catalina Island uses SoCal Edison desalination plant to avoid drought

“If you take a boat ride to Catalina Island, you’ll notice it’s surrounded by the ocean.  “We’re about 4,000 people on a year-round basis, but we get up to a million visitors a year, and so of course that impacts a lot of our infrastructure because we have these visitors and thank God we do because we’re an entirely tourist-based community,” said Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall.With hotels, shops and restaurants heavily relying on guests, the island needs drinking water.  Southern California Edison provides power, water and gas to the island. They have a desalination system that turns ocean water into drinking water. … ”  Read more from KABC here: Catalina Island uses SoCal Edison desalination plant to avoid drought

San Clemente: Researchers report artificial reef progressing toward success, marine life restoration

“An artificial reef just off the coast of San Clemente is doing its part to combat the effects of the decommissioned San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), members of the plant’s Community Engagement Panel (CEP) recently learned.  At the CEP’s May 19 meeting, researchers with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) presented their latest findings, showing that Wheeler North Reef has met certain expectations to address the adverse marine effects associated with the operation of SONGS. … ”  Read more from the Dana Point Times here: San Clemente: Researchers report artificial reef progressing toward success, marine life restoration

IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS

How the desert gets water, Imperial Irrigation and Coachella Valley Water Districts

“The Colorado River provides water to seven states in the western part of the country and serves about 40 million people, including Southern California.  But as of Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation is urging three major water districts, including the Imperial Irrigation and Coachella Valley Water Districts, to cut back by mid-August.  So, how does a desert even get its water in the first place?  It all starts at Lake Mead in Nevada where the water then flows through the Colorado River into the Imperial Dam, located north of Yuma. … ”  Read more from NBC Palm Springs here: How the desert gets water, Imperial Irrigation and Coachella Valley Water Districts

Imperial Valley looks to transform into Lithium Valley in a clean energy future

“California will need to rely on the sale of electric cars to meet its goal of banning gas-powered vehicles by 2035. To ensure there will be enough lithium — a key component in electric car batteries — Imperial County is transforming into Lithium Valley, an effort that could greatly increase the economic prospects of the region.  That’s the hope of Timothy Kelley, president and CEO of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation and a third-generation resident of the region. His grandfather moved to the Imperial Valley in 1919 to operate a cantaloupe farm. More than 100 years later, Kelley is envisioning the region as a leader in clean, renewable energy. … ”  Read more from California Forward here: Imperial Valley looks to transform into Lithium Valley in a clean energy future

Army Corps of Engineers to help with New River

“The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to bring in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create a preliminary engineering report to develop a project to improve water quality at the New River, which will allow the county to access additional funding for the improvements.  For decades, sewage, waste, industrial chemicals and other toxic pollutants coming out of Mexicali have contaminated the New River and the surrounding watershed, causing the New River to be considered one of the most polluted waterways in the United States. … ”  Continue reading at the Holtville Tribune here: Army Corps of Engineers to help with New River

SAN DIEGO

Commentary: Eastern will deliver a reliable supply of water to Fallbrook and Rainbow

Jack Bebee, general manager of the Fallbrook Public Utility District, and Tom Kennedy, general manager of the Rainbow Municipal Water District, write, “There’s been a lot of media coverage lately about water, especially here in California where Governor Newsom recently called on local water districts across the state to reduce their water use as we navigate through this latest drought.  As we work together to address this, the Fallbrook Public Utility District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District are also focused on reducing the rapidly rising water costs from the San Diego County Water Authority. Today, the cost of water in the San Diego area is among the highest in America, which you’ve surely noticed on your water bill.  To provide you with some relief, we’re currently seeking to switch water suppliers – from the SDCWA to the Eastern Municipal Water District – which is estimated to save our ratepayers about $7.6 million a year. … ”  Read more from Village News here: Commentary: Eastern will deliver a reliable supply of water to Fallbrook and Rainbow

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Along the Colorado River …

These five people could make or break the Colorado River

“Alex Cardenas. J.B. Hamby. Jim Hanks. Javier Gonzalez. Norma Sierra Galindo.  There’s a good chance you’ve never heard of them. But with the Colorado River in crisis, they’re arguably five of the most powerful people in the American West.  They’re the elected directors of the Imperial Irrigation District, or IID, which provides water to the desert farm fields of California’s Imperial Valley, in the state’s southeastern corner. They control 3.1 million acre-feet of Colorado River water — roughly one-fifth of all the Colorado River water rights in the United States.  And if you live in Southern California — or in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver or Salt Lake City — the future reliability of your water supply will depend at least in part on what IID does next. … ”  Continue reading at the LA Times here: These five people could make or break the Colorado River

Feds will cut states’ access to Colorado River water

“Top federal water officials are warning Western states that there will be cuts to their access to Colorado River water next year.  With most of the West in severe drought, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton told a U.S. Senate panel this week that cuts are going to be necessary for the water system that serves 40 million people. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, two massive reservoirs fed by the Colorado River, are at critically low levels.  “A warmer, drier West is what we are seeing today,” Touton testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This Friday, [the Bureau of] Reclamation will celebrate 120 years since we were created by Congress, and the challenges we are seeing today are unlike anything we have seen in our history.” … ”  Read more from the Pew Charitable Trust here: Feds will cut states’ access to Colorado River water

SEE ALSO:  Colorado River water use may have to be slashed by a quarter to avert crisis, federal official warns, from the Colorado Sun

Bruce Babbitt and Brian Richter: Saving The Colorado River

“The 40 million of us who depend upon the Colorado River are using more water than the river can provide. We are relentlessly plundering the water stored in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, to compensate for mounting water deficits. As these reservoirs – now nearly three-quarters depleted – continue falling toward dead pool, water bankruptcy awaits.  Water managers and political leaders are attempting to stave off bankruptcy by juggling water balances among the reservoirs, by holding back and delaying water releases and by looking to cloudless skies for relief that is not coming.  As the crisis deepens these short-term patches will no longer suffice. The only way to secure the future is to devise a long-term plan to balance our accounts, to withdraw and use only that amount of water that the river provides each year. ... ”  Continue reading at the Salt Lake Tribune here: Bruce Babbitt and Brian Richter: Saving The Colorado River

NASA’s ECOSTRESS sees Las Vegas streets turn up the heat

“On June 10, Las Vegas reached a record daily high temperature of 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), and temperatures of the ground surface itself were higher still. NASA’s Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) instrument recorded this image of surface temperatures at 5:23 p.m. that day.  Within the city, the hottest surfaces were the streets – the grid of dark red lines in the center of the image. Pavement temperatures exceeded 122 F (50 C), while the exteriors of downtown buildings were a few degrees cooler than paved surfaces. Suburban neighborhoods averaged about 14 F (8 C) cooler than pavement, and green spaces such as golf courses were 23 F (13 C) cooler. … ”  Read more from NASA here: NASA’s ECOSTRESS sees Las Vegas streets turn up the heat

Monsoon 2022 is officially here

“Southern Arizona usually gets about half of its annual rainfall over the next three months and with 2021 ranking in as the third wettest monsoon on record, local agencies in Pima County are getting ready for the flowing washes.  “Prior to monsoon season beginning, [city staff] place barricades at over 150 dip crossings, over 500 barricades throughout the city,” said Erica Frazelle with the City of Tucson’s Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM), “and they stage them off to the side of the roadway.”  When a storm comes, DTM said it can easily and quickly move the barricades to prevent drivers from going through them. … ”  Continue reading from Channel 4 here:  Monsoon 2022 is officially here

Tucson officials hope new EPA guidelines speed groundwater cleanup

“Tucson officials hope newly announced federal health guidelines for levels of PFAS contamination in drinking water will speed the flow of federal money to this area for what they say is a massive groundwater cleanup job that will cost well into the hundreds of millions of dollars. City officials were already planning to apply for federal money for some cleanup of PFAS-tainted wells on the northwest side and in the city’s reclaimed water system. Local officials also say they hope the tighter EPA standards will free up federal money from the Air Force and the Air National Guard to clean up longstanding pollution of groundwater in midtown, north of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and an Air National Guard base adjoining Tucson International Airport on the south side. ... ”  Read more from Tucson.com here: Tucson officials hope new EPA guidelines speed groundwater cleanup

Radio show: Water levels are falling on Lake Powell. That’s a concern for Page’s economy

“Decreasing water levels on the Colorado River and in Lakes Mead and Powell have obvious implications for water use and energy generation in the West. But for communities along those bodies of water — some of whose economies rely on tourists in boats — there are also economic impacts, as well.  Gregg Martinez is economic development coordinator for the city of Page, which is minutes from Lake Powell. The Show spoke with him about how lakes with lower water levels are impacting Page’s economy.”  Listen at KJZZ here (7:39): Radio show: Water levels are falling on Lake Powell. That’s a concern for Page’s economy

Photo gallery: As Lake Powell levels drop, see inside Glen Canyon Dam

“Glen Canyon Dam was built primarily to store excess Colorado River water during wet years, so it could be released during dry spells and used to generate power. Now, with aridification depriving the river of those excess flows, both functions are imperiled. In April, Lake Powell fell perilously close to the point at which dam operators would have to stop sending water through the turbines, depriving the grid of enough electricity to power about a quarter of a million homes annually. It would also drain between $100 million and $200 million annually from dam electricity sales, some of which helps fund endangered species recovery, salinity control and water studies on the Colorado River. Officials have released extra water from upstream dams and are currently letting less of it flow through Glen Canyon Dam, raising water levels just enough to keep the turbines spinning.”  Check out photo gallery from High Country News here: Photo gallery: As Lake Powell levels drop, see inside Glen Canyon Dam

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In national water news today …

EPA sets targets for slashing PFAS in drinking water

“EPA today announced new drinking water health advisories for the four most notorious “forever chemicals,” a move meant to curb exposure to the toxic substances that could have broad implications for the military and municipalities.  “People on the front-lines of PFAS contamination have suffered for far too long,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “That’s why EPA is taking aggressive action as part of a whole-of-government approach to prevent these chemicals from entering the environment and to help protect families from this pervasive challenge.”  EPA has never before addressed safe drinking water levels for the compounds PFBS and GenX. Both have been linked to health problems like liver and kidney issues, while GenX has raised concerns around certain types of cancer. Today, the agency said that drinking water is only safe to consume if it contains less than 2,000 parts per trillion of PFBS and 10 ppt of GenX. … ”  Read more from E&E News here: EPA sets targets for slashing PFAS in drinking water

Health advisories and funding for forever chemicals: PFAS updates from the EPA

“Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released four health advisories for the group of contaminants regularly referred to as “forever chemicals”—perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, the EPA released two interim updated drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS as well as two final health advisories for GenX and PFBS. Health advisories are designed to provide technical information on chemical and microbial contaminants that can cause human health effects and are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water.  The Safe Drinking Water Act provides authority for the EPA to establish health advisories for contaminants that are not subject to any national primary drinking water regulation. … ”  Read more from Brownstein Hyatt here: Health advisories and funding for forever chemicals: PFAS updates from the EPA

NRCS, USACE renew partnership

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announce the renewal of their partnership focused on infrastructure projects and natural resources planning.  The partnership renewal continues joint efforts to combat ongoing threats to natural resources and promotes inter-agency strategic planning.  NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says the partnership works extremely well for critical infrastructure projects that benefit local communities and by strengthening collaboration and communication between the two agencies, they will be better positioned to deliver quality and timely solutions to address major water resource concerns in watersheds across the landscape. He says the scope of the partnership allows both agencies to have a much broader reach and enable more projects to be completed with the best expertise in the Nation.  The NRCS and USACE have formed collaborative agreements since 1986, revising as needed to reflect the most pressing shared priorities. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: NRCS, USACE renew partnership

On this flood policy, Biden and Trump administrations agree

“The Biden administration’s plan to overhaul the federal government’s flood insurance program was proposed in almost identical fashion nearly five years ago by a top Trump official, according to a letter obtained yesterday by E&E News.  In October 2017, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney urged Congress to approve legislation barring the government from insuring newly built homes in flood zones and letting the government drop coverage for homeowners who received repeated claims payments.  Mulvaney also asked to establish a nationwide requirement for prospective homebuyers and renters to be told about a property’s risk of being flooded. And he wanted the government to stop writing new flood policies for any commercial building regardless of its location. ... ”  Read more from E&E News here: On this flood policy, Biden and Trump administrations agree

River trash traps chew at huge ocean plastics problem

“Floating fences in India. Whimsical water- and solar-driven conveyor belts with googly eyes in Baltimore. Rechargeable aquatic drones and a bubble barrier in The Netherlands. These are some of the sophisticated and at times low-tech inventions being deployed to capture plastic trash in rivers and streams before it can pollute the world’s oceans.   The devices are fledgling attempts to dent an estimated 8.8 million tons (8 metric tons) of plastic that gets into the ocean every year. Once there, it maims or kills marine plants and animals including whales,dolphins, and seabirds and accumulates in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other vast swirls of currents. Trash-gobbling traps on rivers and other waterways won’t eliminate ocean plastic but can help reduce it, say officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. … ”  Continue reading at the Washington Post here:  River trash traps chew at huge ocean plastics problem

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