DAILY DIGEST, 6/29: Preliminary data show water savings increase for May 2022; The West just experienced an aspect of the climate crisis that scientists have warned of for years; The value of investing in water capture, reuse, and urban watersheds to address climate emergencies; Newsom has a plan to keep the lights on in California — using fossil fuels; and more …

—

On the calendar today …

• PUBLIC MEETING: 30×30 Advisory Committee from 3pm to 5pm. Join the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the 30×30 Advisory Committee for a virtual meeting as they discuss innovative ideas and provide input on implementation strategies to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal waters by 2030 (30×30). In-language Spanish interpretation will be available and accommodations will be made available upon request.  Click here to register.
• WEBINAR: Refuge to the Rescue: Celebrating 50 Years of Conservation at Don Edwards NWR from 6pm to 8pm.  Join docent Larry Rosenblum for this presentation about the journey to create the Don Edwards SF Bay NWR, how fortunate we are to have it today, and how it will continue to benefit us in the future.  Join us on Wednesday, June 29th, from 6:00-8:00 pm via Zoom for this discussion of the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge’s past, present, and future.  Click here to register.

In California water news today …

Preliminary data show water savings increase for May 2022 compared to May 2020

Statement by Joaquin Esquivel, State Water Board Chair: “As we heard this morning during the State Water Board’s meeting, California continues to experience severe dry conditions and extreme weather as summer officially begins. Many reservoirs throughout the state sit at critically low levels, the Sierra snowpack is essentially gone, and runoff has peaked for the year.  Having foreseen this possibility last July, Governor Newsom called on all Californians to voluntarily cut back their water use by 15% in comparison with 2020, but there was a disappointing increase in water consumption in March and April of this year.  However, based on the latest preliminary data, I am hopeful that recent state actions, including regulations passed by the State Water Board to curb water waste and ban non-essential watering, will have an impact. Last month, the Governor directed water suppliers to report their water usage data more frequently to enable us to track water usage closer to real time. … ”  Read more from the State Water Board here: Preliminary data show water savings increase for May 2022 compared to May 2020

ACWA Drought News highlights water suppliers’ drought response actions

“ACWA’s special edition “ACWA Drought News” highlights a few of the ways ACWA members who are urban water suppliers are responding to address the current drought and achieve long-term climate resilience. Drought response actions include ramped up efforts and campaigns urging conservation, utilizing lessons learned from previous droughts, investing in new and existing infrastructure that supports water supply resilience, adopting innovative water management solutions and educating customers about using water wisely.”  Download the edition.

The West just experienced an aspect of the climate crisis that scientists have warned of for years

“The West saw an aspect of the climate crisis play out this month that scientists have warned of for years.  In the middle of a prolonged, water shortage-inducing megadrought, one area, Yellowstone, was overwhelmed in mid-June by drenching rainfall and rapid snowmelt that — instead of replenishing the ground over a matter of weeks or months — created a torrent of flash flooding that ripped out roads and bridges and caused severe damage to one of the country’s most cherished national parks.  In the meantime, drought conditions persisted in the Southwest, where water is desperately needed to replenish the country’s largest reservoirs, and provide relief to regions tormented by record-setting wildfires. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: The West just experienced an aspect of the climate crisis that scientists have warned of for years

ARLA’s Andy Lipkis: The value of investing in water capture, reuse, and urban watersheds to address climate emergencies

“On June 1, over 6 million residents in Southern California saw the imposition of the strictest-ever water restrictions from Metropolitan Water District. In examining ways for the Los Angeles region to be more resilient and smart about our water use, TPR interviewed the Founder and Project Executive of Accelerate Resilience LA (ARLA), Andy Lipkis, regarding his life long quest to induce governments and individuals to adopt and invest in stormwater capture and other sustainable practices. Here, Andy Lipkis, TreePeople’s founder, explains how public agency collaboration in this field can also help Los Angeles better address extreme heat, wildfire events, and also further the region’s economic development, particularly in underserved communities.  Q: Andy, let’s begin by sharing the arc of your life-long efforts to have Southern California maximize its local water supply in a resilient way.   Andy Lipkis: I’ve been doing this work for five decades: my focus has been on trying to make Los Angeles an equitable, safe, healthy and resilient place to live for everyone. … ”  Read more from The Planning Report here:  ARLA’s Andy Lipkis: The value of investing in water capture, reuse, and urban watersheds to address climate emergencies

BLM and CDFW collaborate on innovative conservation agreement to restore wildlife habitat on public lands

“The Bureau of Land Management and California Department of Fish and Wildlife have approved the first project under an innovative conservation agreement that restores wildlife habitat in the California Desert Conservation Area in Kern County.  This collaborative conservation effort aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, recognizing that federally managed public lands play an important role in conserving sensitive species and their habitats. … ”  Read more from the Bureau of Land Management here:  BLM and CDFW collaborate on innovative conservation agreement to restore wildlife habitat on public lands

DWR and CDFW release fish into the wild

“Oroville’s Feather River Fish Hatchery (FRFH) released over 11.3 million young Chinook salmon smolts into the waters of the Feather River, San Pablo Bay, and San Francisco Bay from March to June 2022 to support Northern California and Pacific Ocean fisheries. These fish include both spring and fall-run Chinook salmon.  As part of their statewide hatchery operations to support California’s salmon populations, staff with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) successfully hatched millions of Chinook salmon at the Department of Water Resources (DWR) facility, raising the fish at the hatchery until they were ready for planting. … ”  Read more from DWR News here: DWR and CDFW release fish into the wild

Video: Sharing Butte Creek

““Sharing Butte Creek” tells an incredible story of positive environmental change in Northern California. More than a hundred years of human development transformed the natural environment obliterating the natural wetlands that once were all around. But immense effort over the last thirty years driven by unbelievable partnerships has brought back robust bird populations and salmon runs. Butte Creek is today a potent model for conservation across California and the nation.”  Watch video at KPBS here: Video: Sharing Butte Creek

Meet the siblings making hydropower that actually protects rivers and fish

“Hydropower is the world’s biggest source of renewable energy, generating about 16% of the global electricity supply. And it will continue to play a key role as the world looks to meet net-zero targets, not least of all because, like a battery, it can store massive amounts of energy for later and quickly release it in moments of peak demand.  But despite being better for the climate, it’s becoming increasingly clear that renewable energy sources can have a negative impact on the environment. …  One in five fish, for example, that passes through a conventional turbine suffers fatal injuries, according to a team of researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Germany. This can have especially damaging effects on migratory species, like salmon, sturgeon, and eels, whose spawn may have to travel through these dangerous downstream routes to get to the sea.  Siblings Gia and Abe Schneider, however, are trying to change this. They founded the company Natel Energy in 2009 to make sure that hydropower is rolled out in the most sustainable way possible. … ”  Read the full story at Time Magazine here: Meet the siblings making hydropower that actually protects rivers and fish

Legislature approves audit of water management by DWR and SWRCB during 2021

“On Monday, June 27, the California Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved Assemblymember Adam Gray’s request for an audit of the management of surface water by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board in 2021. The State Auditor is also proposing to audit DWR’s plan to uphold its contractual obligation to maintain salinity standards in the Bay-Delta, as well as how frequently the Water Board has granted Temporary Urgency Change Petitions. The audit is expected to take about 6 to 7 months to complete.  This was the statement by State Auditor Michael Tilden on the scope of the proposed audit. … ”  Read more from the California Water Research blog here:  Legislature approves audit of water management by DWR and SWRCB during 2021

Newsom has a plan to keep the lights on in California — using fossil fuels

“A controversial plan from Gov. Gavin Newsom would reshape how business is done on the California power grid, potentially helping to extend the life of beachfront gas plants and the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant, making it easier for solar and wind farm developers to sidestep local government opposition, and limiting environmental reviews for all kinds of energy projects.  State lawmakers could vote as early as Wednesday night on the polarizing legislation, whose text was revealed late Sunday.  The bill would give the Department of Water Resources unprecedented authority to build or buy energy from any facility that can help keep the lights on during the next few summers — including polluting diesel generators and four gas-fired power plants along the Southern California coast that were originally supposed to close in 2020 but were rescued by state officials. ... ”  Read more from the LA Times here: Newsom has a plan to keep the lights on in California — using fossil fuels | Read via Yahoo News

New legislation clarifies that Government Code section 53069.45 does not cap fines that an irrigation district may impose under irrigation district law for water theft

“Last week Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2505 into law, clarifying that irrigation districts may impose increased penalties for water theft under Government Code section 53069.45, in addition to the fines or penalties currently available under the Irrigation District Law.  Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) authored AB 2505 in response to growing concern that Government Code section 53069.45 could cap the amount of fines irrigation districts may impose under the Irrigation District Law. Senate Bill 427, which the Governor signed into law last July, added Section 53069.45 to the Government Code. Section 53069.45 provides that any “local agency” providing water services may adopt an ordinance prohibiting water theft and subjecting a violator of such ordinance to an administrative fine or penalty. (Gov. Code, § 53069.45, subd. (a)(1).) … ”  Read more from Somach Simmons & Dunn here: New legislation clarifies that Government Code section 53069.45 does not cap fines that an irrigation district may impose under irrigation district law for water theft

Deal is close on recycling California’s plastic trash

“Deal or no deal? Most likely, deal.  The California environmentalists who back a November ballot measure to reduce single-use plastics appear headed to withdrawing it just ahead of the Thursday deadline, following fierce negotiations with lawmakers and others on a bill that aims to achieve many of the same goals and that is supported by some influential environmental organizations.  The ballot measure proponents are waiting for the bill to pass the Legislature before making a final decision. Some told CalMatters today they’re happy with the current proposal, though the Natural Resources Defense Council has continued concerns. … ”  Read more from Cal Matters here: Deal is close on recycling California’s plastic trash

Congressman Valadao introduces amendments to alleviate California drought

“Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) introduced three amendments to the FY23 Energy and Water Appropriations bill during the House Appropriations Committee markup of the legislation. Each of these amendments would help to alleviate the devastating drought in California.  “The lack of reliable, clean water in the Valley has become an issue of national security. Farmers across the Central Valley are being forced to tear up their crops to conserve water – crops that would have fed families across the United States and the world,” said Congressman Valadao. “The three amendments I offered today would improve water storage capacity, increase operational flexibility, and provide certainty for our farmers. It is extremely disappointing that the majority rejected all three of these amendments that would help my constituents who grow food for the nation. I will not stop fighting to bring more water to the Central Valley.” … ”  Read more from Congressman Valadao here: Congressman Valadao introduces amendments to alleviate California drought

Water Works: USC Dornsife scholars make a splash as they address challenges — from local to global — centered around water

“Water is the great primordial home; the incubator of all life on the planet. It has been and continues to be the single most important resource for all known living things.  So, it’s not surprising that water is the focal point of an array of efforts by USC Dornsife researchers, students and alumni to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From building resilience in farmed marine species to charting the ocean floor to ensuring homeless Angelenos get the water they need to survive, USC Dornsife scholars are finding innovative ways to quench the world’s thirst for solutions. … ”  Read more from USC Dornslife here: Water Works: USC Dornsife scholars make a splash as they address challenges — from local to global — centered around water

Chasing the fireline

“In a changing world, maps become outdated. Those depicting the Aral Sea as a vast blue ink stain in central Asia are years behind the curve, for much of the giant lake has been depleted by agricultural diversions and desertification. Many maps where lush equatorial green represents tropical rainforest fail to reflect deforestation.  In California, climate change has pushed another sort of map toward obsolescence. Prolonged droughts and increasingly severe heat waves have amplified the state’s wildfire season, rendering a collection of wildfire hazard zone maps, published 15 years ago by state fire officials and used to guide development and planning processes, out of date.  Jim McDougald, staff chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire)’s community wildfire preparedness and mitigation program, says that wind-driven wildfires in fall and winter have seen an uptick in the past five to ten years, especially in Napa and Sonoma counties. … ”  Read more from Knee Deep Times here: Chasing the fireline

And lastly … Don’t go chasing water bugs

“This summer, as you cool your bare feet in a stream somewhere in California — or almost anywhere in the world, really — you might feel a painful nip. The menacing culprit: a giant water bug.  Lurking just below the surface of that flowing creek or refreshing pond, these bugs resemble enormous aquatic ticks, with googly eyes and praying mantis arms. And although they won’t seek you out for an attack, they also won’t hesitate to take a defensive bite if you get too close, earning them the nickname “toe-biters.”  They puncture the skin with dagger-like mouth parts, and have a bite known as one of the most painful of any insect — sharp and stinging like a wasp’s. You may not even get a chance to spot the offending insect before it dashes off, but you’ll undoubtedly be left with an indelible impression. And a swollen, throbbing toe. … ”  Read more from KQED here:  Don’t go chasing water bugs

Return to top

In commentary today …

Wine industry must use less water

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 Anderson Valley Advertiser here: Wine industry must use less water

California’s climate-change fight should leverage blue carbon

Matthew Costa, a postdoctoral scholar at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, and Melissa Ward, a research scientist at the University of Oxford and San Diego State University, write, “Climate change is causing heat waves, drought, fires, and other impacts across California. We must address these life-threatening issues by decreasing emissions and increasing removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  While California can lead on technological solutions, we should also immediately adopt low-cost and environmentally beneficial nature-based solutions while other methods are brought on-line.  Adapting how California manages its forests, grasslands and farmlands can increase carbon sequestration. But no other ecosystem in the state can, on an acre-for-acre basis, soak up more carbon than coastal wetlands and seagrass beds (more than 10 times faster than terrestrial forests). … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News here: California’s climate-change fight should leverage blue carbon

How can California lead the U.S. in solving an ocean pollution crisis? One word: plastics

Anja Brandon, U.S. plastics policy analyst at the Ocean Conservancy and one of the architects of Senate Bill 54, writes, “When I reminisce about the time I spent at the beach as a kid, I remember peering into tide pools and splashing in the cool water of the Pacific. Something I don’t remember — but that now seems inescapable — is plastic pollution, everywhere. The difference is not my imagination. Global plastic production has nearly tripled in my lifetime. Plastics have reached every corner of the planet, from deep ocean trenches to mountaintops and even our lungs and bloodstreams. Single-use plastics are especially pervasive. More than half the litter found on our beaches and waterways by the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup over the past three decades was single-use plastic packaging and food ware. … ”  Read more from the Sacramento Bee here:  How can California lead the U.S. in solving an ocean pollution crisis? One word: plastics

Return to top

In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Yurok Tribe to receive grant from EPA

“The Yurok Tribe’s Wetland Program plan will receive $309,718 to advance preservation and restoration of headwater wetlands in response to climate change. The project will create a Wetlands Headwaters Restoration and Prioritization Plan to inform better stewardship practices through the worsening drought. The funding comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wetland Program Development Grants. The EPA has awarded a total of $2,765,854 to boost programs that restore habitat, protect tribal water quality and preserve wetlands across California.  “We are very pleased to support our partners in their efforts to improve water quality and restore California’s wetlands,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. … ”  Read more from the Del Norte Triplicate here: Yurok Tribe to receive grant from EPA

Humboldt County’s drought isn’t expected to be as bad this year

“Humboldt County, like counties across the state, is working on how to prepare for drought as the climate changes, though this year isn’t expected to be as bad as last year in some important ways.  Hank Seemann, the county’s deputy director of Environmental Services, told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that each watershed is different, but flows in rivers like the Eel River are around the levels they were in 2020, which was a dry year but not a critically dry year. Streamflow in the Eel was 432 cubic feet per second on Tuesday compared to 144 cubic feet per second a year prior, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. … ”  Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Humboldt County’s drought isn’t expected to be as bad this year

Mendocino County supervisors drop water from sales tax proposal

“After lengthy discussions, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors recently, and somewhat reluctantly, agreed to move forward with a potential sales tax measure that will no longer fund water projects and instead focus on raising more money for fire protection services.  “What I’m willing to propose is one-eighth of a cent sales tax dedicated to fire departments,” said 3rd District Mendocino County Supervisor John Haschak, with 4th District Supervisor Dan Gjerde seconding his motion.  Before the board voted, however, other supervisors argued to keep funding for water projects as part of the proposal. … ”  Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal here: Mendocino County supervisors drop water from sales tax proposal

Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project breaks ground; 114 acres of Eureka wetland to be restored

“The City of Eureka celebrated the groundbreaking for the Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project with a golden shovel gathering on June 28, 2022. City officials were joined by staff, project contractors, consultants and partner agencies to kick-off the construction phase.  The Project will restore and enhance estuary and inter-tidal wetland habitat across approximately 114 acres of City property, located west of Highway 101 between the Herrick and Humboldt Hill exit. The City of Eureka worked closely with the State Coastal Conservancy to align more than six million dollars in grant funding toward the project and related natural resources benefits such as habitat restoration, Spartina eradication, adaptability to climate change, and coastal access. … ”  Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project breaks ground; 114 acres of Eureka wetland to be restored

BAY AREA

Anchovies are reportedly raining from the sky across San Francisco

“Fish are falling from the sky in parts of San Francisco, and a boom in coastal anchovy populations is to blame. Reddit user sanfrannie posted earlier this month that about a dozen 8-inch silver fish “rained down from the sky” onto their friend’s roof and back deck in the Outer Richmond. Several other users commented with similar experiences — one person said they “heard a whoosh sound behind me and heard a massive splat” before seeing fish scattered on a nearby driveway. Another commented that they “almost got hit by a fish waiting for a bus” in the Castro, and a third person said they assumed “a band of roving kids were doing a Tik Tok sardine-throwing challenge on a roof somewhere” after seeing several fish fall onto an Outer Richmond sidewalk. … ”  Read more from SF Gate here: Anchovies are reportedly raining from the sky across San Francisco

Here’s the meteorological reason the Bay Area has escaped a major fire so far

“For a moment, the first week of summer looked like the prelude to a vicious fire season in the Bay Area, with blazes ripping through the hillsides south of Livermore and the ridges bordering Port Costa.  But firefighters managed to quash these fires quickly, aided by tame winds and a landscape still moist enough to keep the flames from spreading fast.  “It’s hot, but it’s not super windy,” Dwight Good, assistant chief of Cal Fire’s Santa Clara unit, told The Chronicle. “The humidities and the field moistures are still high enough to keep things manageable.” … ”  Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Here’s the meteorological reason the Bay Area has escaped a major fire so far

CENTRAL COAST

Cal Fire chief warns of ‘drastic increase’ in dry fuel due to drought

“Santa Cruz County is in for a grim fire season.  That was the assessment of Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Chief Nate Armstrong, who gave a presentation to the county Board of Supervisors on preparedness for peak fire season that detailed current forest conditions, new equipment, staffing and evacuation routes in the county.  Armstrong said the period between January and March was the driest it has been in the past 100 years, priming dangerous conditions on the ground. He said the long-term drought conditions have made things worse.  “We’re seeing a drastic increase in dry fuel,” Armstrong said. … ”  Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Cal Fire chief warns of ‘drastic increase’ in dry fuel due to drought

Santa Barbara County celebrates its first significant water recycling project at Waller Park

“Santa Barbara County officials on Tuesday celebrated the completion of a project that will prevent 84 million gallons of water from being pumped every year from the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin.  Officials gathered at Waller Park at 8:30 a.m. to cut a ribbon signifying the completion of the system that will use treated wastewater to irrigate the county-owned park at the southern edge of Santa Maria.  Each year, the county has pumped about 84 million gallons of water — about 300,000 gallons per day — from its on-site well to irrigate the 65 acres of turf at the park, said Scott McGolpin, director of the County Public Works Department. … ”  Read more from the Santa Ynez Valley News here: Santa Barbara County celebrates its first significant water recycling project at Waller Park

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Bakersfield: Water officials outline new watering restrictions as drought continues

“Water use is about to change in a big way for commercial and industrial property owners interested in keeping their lawns green. During a webinar on Tuesday hosted by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber, water officials with the city of Bakersfield and California Water Service said owners and managers of commercial, industrial and institutional properties are now barred from using potable water for irrigating non-functional turf. The tough, new rules are coming via the State Water Resources Control Board. “We want to make sure, and the city as a partner wants to make sure, that our businesses have the up-to-date information about what is and isn’t in the regulations, what is and isn’t legal, and also ways our members and commercial property owners have of ensuring that they are in compliance,” said Nick Ortiz, Chamber president and CEO. … ”  Read more from the Bakersfield Californian here: Water officials outline new watering restrictions as drought continues

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Future of recycled water in Southern California gets a new name: Pure Water Southern California

“A new, large-scale local water supply in development for the region is getting a new name – Pure Water Southern California. The water recycling project, being developed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (Sanitation Districts), has for years been known as the Regional Recycled Water Program.  “While the earlier name certainly described what we were doing, it didn’t reflect the high quality of water we are producing for Southern California. As this project gets closer to becoming a reality, it is time to give it a name that truly characterizes it and the critical role it will play for our people and communities,” Metropolitan General Manager Adel Hagekhalil said. … ”  Read more from the Metropolitan Water District here: Future of recycled water in Southern California gets a new name: Pure Water Southern California

Newly opened Menifee desalination facility will provide water for 15,000 residents

“A local water district has opened a new desalination plant that will provide locally sourced water to over 15,000 Inland Empire residents. Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) opened the “Perris II Desalter” facility last week, which has become the third such facility for the agency. “This is truly a critical facility for us to be able to continue to serve our customers in a reliable and resilient fashion, especially given that we are facing historic drought conditions,” said EMWD general manager Joe Mouawad. … ”  Read more from KCVR here: Newly opened Menifee desalination facility will provide water for 15,000 residents

Long Beach Water Department’s next budget has no rate increases

“Long Beach’s water commission has approved a fiscal year 2022-23 budget for the Water Department — that won’t raise either water or sewer rates.  This is the first time in nearly a decade that the department has not raised rates for one or both of the utilities. In May, the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners approved a 2.54% decrease in water rates in response to a court ruling, which the city lost, over money transfers from the Water Department to the general fund.  This year’s budget projects multimillion-dollar deficits in both the water and sewer funds, but the commission decided to use reserves to balance the budget rather than ask for a rate increase. At the same time, Commission President Bob Shannon said, the department has accounted for inflation in materials costs, as well as an unprecedented drought. … ”  Read more from the Long Beach Press Telegram here: Long Beach Water Department’s next budget has no rate increases

Return to top

Along the Colorado River …

‘Where there’s bodies, there’s treasure’: A hunt as Lake Mead shrinks

“They appeared to be just a couple of special-education teachers, freed up by Flag Day, out for a morning of bass fishing on Lake Mead.  Matt Blanchard and Shawn Rosen had settled into their 18-foot motorboat, put beers on ice and waited their turn at the last functioning boat launch on this rapidly disappearing body of water. It wasn’t until the old Bayliner was chugging away that Rosen mentioned an ulterior motive for their mid-June excursion. “We’re hoping today’s trip, besides finding fish, we come across some barrels,” Rosen said. “Everybody’s trying to find the barrels.” … ”  Read more from the Washington Post here: ‘Where there’s bodies, there’s treasure’: A hunt as Lake Mead shrinks

Column: No, Arizona did not set aside $1 billion for water. Consider this a down payment

Columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “Arizona set aside $1 billion for water. Sort of.  The details matter here.  The money was split over three years. But it will be up to the next Legislature to set aside the remaining two-thirds of that cash – something that may or may not happen, depending on its priorities and, more likely, whatever happens with the economy.  (My bet? A downturn is coming. Don’t count on the full billion.)  Lawmakers put $334 million this year into a fund meant primarily to fund additional water sources. But at least three-quarters of that money must go toward an as-yet determined project to import water from out of state. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Republic here: Column: No, Arizona did not set aside $1 billion for water. Consider this a down payment

Searching for solutions to drought

“Stretching over 200 miles, the Santa Cruz River is facing drought and high demand.  It’s a river that once provided both drinking water and agriculture support throughout Arizona.  Approximately 25% of the U.S. is facing exceptional drought conditions.  The flows of the Colorado River have not been at the average level for several years, which is causing problems at Lake Mead.   “It was just about full in the year 2000, and it’s about a third full now,” said Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center. “If it keeps going lower and lower because we’re drawing on it without depositing that back into savings, there is a chance the hydropower production will be jeopardized and the flows even downstream of the dam will be jeopardized.”  While the problem is dire in the Southwest, drought is not just an Arizona problem. … ”  Read more from KSBY here: Searching for solutions to drought

How Utah data centers can save money on water needs

“Mother Nature continues to turn up the heat and hold back the rain, resulting in a never-ending drought in the Beehive State. So naturally, cities should be carefully allocating water for essential things like farming, livestock, homes, and… data?  The typical data center uses 3 to 5 million gallons of water per day to cool its servers. That is roughly the same amount of water needed to provide for a city of 30,000 people, according to an NBC news article quoting Venkatesh Uddameri—director of the Water Resources Center at Texas Tech University. With foreboding drought conditions across much of the American West, many are taking a closer look at water-guzzling data centers and discovering alternative options. ... ”  Read more from KSL here: How Utah data centers can save money on water needs

Return to top

In national water news today …

Report: Lack of water access costs U.S. $8.6B each year

“At least 2 million Americans don’t have running water or a working toilet at home, a crisis that costs the U.S. economy $8.58 billion each year, according to a report released Tuesday by nonprofit DigDeep. These water access issues disproportionately impact Indigenous tribes, people of color, immigrants, low-income people and those living in rural areas — communities that have been largely excluded from past investments in water infrastructure, according to the report. “Closing the water access gap will help correct these inequities, and directly benefit underserved communities,” the report says. California-based DigDeep compiled the report, “Draining: The Economic Impact of America’s Hidden Water Crisis,” using U.S. Census and other data to estimate the price tag of life without a toilet or tap. … ”  Read more from the US News & World Report here: Report: of water access costs U.S. $8.6B each year

Will water pricing be the next carbon pricing?

“The price of water — essential for human life, nature, communities and businesses — is often subsidized, reflecting a commonly held belief that everyone should have abundant access to clean water. But in many locations, those prices don’t reflect the true cost of addressing issues such as water quality or scarcity. That makes it difficult for companies to fully evaluate and account for the business risk of supplies drying up as a result of climate change.  “Water pricing typically bears no relation to how scarce water is or the realities on the ground,” said Alexis Morgan, global water stewardship lead for the World Wildlife Fund. “Industry often pays a hugely subsidized cost for water.” … ”  Read more from Green Biz here: Will water pricing be the next carbon pricing?

Change is afoot: EPA revisiting Section 401 Program

“More changes are ahead for entities seeking federal authorization for projects that may impact waters of the United States. On June 9, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a proposed rule that would substantially change the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 401 regulations promulgated by the Trump administration in 2020 by giving states and authorized Tribes (Tribes eligible for Treatment in a Similar Manner as States, hereinafter “Tribes”) a more expansive scope of review in considering 401 certifications. CWA Section 401 vests states and Tribes with responsibility to certify that a discharge is consistent with water quality requirements before certain federal permits can be issued. Infrastructure, reservoir, pipeline and utility projects, among others, often require a Section 401 certification (or waiver) as a prerequisite to securing a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 dredge and fill permit, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license or Coast Guard Section 9 or 10 permit. … ”  Read more from Brownstein Hyatt here: Change is afoot: EPA revisiting Section 401 Program

Bill would ban US foes from owning farmland

“Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran would be banned from owning U.S. agricultural land under legislation just advanced by a House panel. It was the second try for House appropriators after they failed last year to get the Senate to agree to a ban on foreign ownership of U.S. ag land for the key U.S. foes in the annual USDA spending bill. But this year, Washington state Representative Dan Newhouse suggested war and aggression could make a difference. … ”  Read more from Ag Net West here: Bill would ban US foes from owning farmland

Microplastics in the food chain: How harmful are they?

“There’s a growing body of evidence about how widespread microplastics have become, across land, sea and air. In 2019, researchers found that we consume thousands of these plastic particles every year, while further research published in May 2022 found the presence of microplastics in human blood. But the problem isn’t new. The UN Environment Programme explains that plastics – for example, microbeads – have been used in cosmetics and toiletry products for more than half a century. … ”  Read more from the World Economic Forum here: Microplastics in the food chain: How harmful are they?

Return to top

Also on Maven’s Notebook today …

NOTICE: June 28 Weekly Update on Curtailment Status of Water Rights and Claims in the Delta Watershed

YOUR INPUT WANTED on State Water Board’s Racial Equity Action Plan

NOTICE: Proposed agenda for Delta Independent Science Board tour of Delta water facilities

Return to top