On the calendar today …
- VIRTUAL TOUR: Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) from 10am to 11am. Join us for a tour of Orange County’s Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest advanced water purification system for potable reuse. Featuring General Manager Mike Markus leading a video tour of the GWRS facility followed by a live Q & A session. Click here to register.
- WEBINAR: North State Drinking Water Solutions Network from 12pm to 2pm. This session of the North State Drinking Water Solutions Network will focus on the actions of local government and community organizations in partnership with the state and federal government to address the drinking water needs and economic impacts of the ongoing drought in the Sacramento Valley. Click here for more information and to join the webinar.
In California water news today …
No ‘coordinated scheme’ behind California’s hydroelectric project reviews
“States do not lose their right to impose conditions on federally licensed hydroelectric projects by allowing the applicants to withdraw incomplete proposals shortly before the state’s window to act on them expires, a federal appeals court held. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned three orders of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which had found California had waived its one-year right to impose conditions – known as a Section 401 certificate – by engaging in a “coordinated scheme” with applicants seeking to replace their expired licenses for hydroelectric power projects along the Yuba, Bear and Merced rivers. … ” Read more from Reuters News here: No ‘coordinated scheme’ behind California’s hydroelectric project reviews
Court victory for clean water and state regulators in California
“Today, a panel of judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overruled the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), re-establishing California’s right to protect water quality in the Yuba, Bear, and Merced River Watersheds for the next 40 years. One of FERC’s primary duties is licensing and inspecting private, municipal, and state hydroelectric projects. As part of this licensing process, Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act requires license applicants for hydroelectric projects to request that the state and Tribal Nations with certification responsibilities certify that new licenses will protect water quality as required by state law. The Clean Water Act gives states a year to act on certification. In the three cases, the applicants for certification withdrew their requests before one year expired. FERC had found that the California State Water Resources Control Board’s acceptance of the applicants’ withdrawals, including perfunctory emails and comments outlining options, showed that the state was complicit in circumventing the one-year rule. … ” Read more from YubaNet here: Court victory for clean water and state regulators in California
California family creates drinking water out of thin air. Should more households try this tech?
“The drinking water for a family near Keyes comes from an unusual source: It’s extracted from air. Such systems could help parts of the Central Valley with polluted wells, and parts of the world where water is always in short supply. The idea is being tested by the Valley Water Collaborative, which has delivered free bottled supplies since last year in parts of Stanislaus and Merced counties. The new system yields just 10 gallons a day, but that’s enough for the drinking and cooking needs of a typical household. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: California family creates drinking water out of thin air. Should more households try this tech?
American Cruise Lines to offer cruises through the Californian Delta
“American Cruise Lines have announced their first California cruise through the California Delta, exploring San Francisco, Napa Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. According to the news release, operating round trip, the cruise will take guests from San Francisco into Wine Country along the Napa River. It will also take guests through the San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and the San Joaquin River. The new cruise line will be eight days with stops in San Francisco, Napa, Valley, Stockton, and Sacramento. … ” Read more from Fox 40 here: American Cruise Lines to offer cruises through the Californian Delta
Solano reps in Congress voice continued opposition to tunnel project in Delta
“Congressional representatives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region voiced their continued opposition to the proposed tunnel project in response to the recent release of the Draft Environmental Impact Report by the State Department of Water Resources. Reps. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, joined forces with Josh Harder, D-Turlock, and Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, in urging Gov. Gavin Newsome to cancel the planned construction of a tunnel under the Delta. … ” Read more from the Daily Republic here: Solano reps in Congress voice continued opposition to tunnel project in Delta
ENSO and salmon
“When we discuss the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (“ENSO” for short) at the blog, we often take a rather human or physics-y view of the climate phenomenon. We’ve published loads of articles discussing the mechanics for how ENSO works in the atmosphere and the ocean, and how ENSO impacts humans from droughts and wildfires to floods. (Seriously, check out this index page covering all the ENSO blog posts to date.) But there is more to ENSO than physics and humans! … If ENSO can affect climate patterns thousands of miles away from the central/eastern equatorial Pacific… why can’t it also affect marine life within that distance? Specifically, might it affect one of the poster fish of the North Pacific, the salmon? Short answer: it does! And luckily for you, reader, the long answer involves this Q&A with ENSO expert Dr. Nate Mantua on all things ENSO + Salmon. ... ” Read the full post at the ENSO blog here: ENSO and salmon
Video: Californians and the environment
“Californians say their top environmental issue is water supply and drought, and most are unhappy with efforts by the state and their own communities to respond. While residents link drought and wildfires to climate change, they support only certain policies meant to address the problem. In a recent presentation, survey analyst Deja Thomas shared these and other findings from the latest PPIC survey on Californians and the environment and discussed insights from the report with survey analyst Rachel Lawler. “In the context of a continuing drought and record-low reservoirs, both of which have likely affected the day-to-day lives of Californians, most adults say that water supply is at least somewhat of a problem.” Thomas said. Majorities feel that the state and local government, and the people in their part of California, are not doing enough to address the drought. Yet many Californians say they’ve made some effort to reduce water use. … ” Read more and watch video from the PPIC here: Video: Californians and the environment
In commentary today …
Unsafe drinking water a huge problem in rural California. State regulators are to blame
The Fresno Bee editorial board writes, “California officials love to proclaim how the state would be the world’s fifth-largest economy if it was its own nation. But there is one particular problem dulling that sheen. Far too many people in this rich, tech-savvy state don’t have clean, safe drinking water coming out of their home taps. In fact, it is not a stretch to say the situation in certain locales is worse than what is found in some developing nations. The most acute problems involving polluted water or water-system failures occur in the San Joaquin Valley and the Inland Empire. ... ” Read more from the Fresno Bee here: Unsafe drinking water a huge problem in rural California. State regulators are to blame
Natural drought cycles: California water mirage is slip, sliding away
Dennis Wyatt, editor of the Manteca Bulletin, writes, “Manteca outlawing the use of Slip ‘n’ Slides? It’s un-American. What we need or more dams or — better yet — more hairbrained ideas to import water from British Columbia or the Mississippi River watershed into California. Forget the fact both regions are suffering from the same drought California is. Like winter storms like lined up over the Pacific during El Nino, California has been getting slammed by a series of droughts. Actually, that’s not exactly true. ... ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Natural drought cycles: California water mirage is slip, sliding away
How climate change is wrecking the spectacular landscape where California meets Oregon
Sacramento Bee Senior Associate Editor Jack Ohman writes, “The drive from Portland to Sacramento on Interstate 5 is about 10 hours or so. It’s mostly scenic and borders on spectacular. In Oregon, you’ll see the McKenzie River in Eugene, Mount Ashland and the Rogue River Valley before you come to California’s Mount Shasta, Castle Crags, the valley dropping down into in the Siskiyous, Lake Shasta and lots of beautiful vistas in between. Right now, you will also see the devastating effects of climate change. I make this drive routinely, and it never disappoints. Yet when I made it last week, it confronted me with rapidly encroaching catastrophe. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: How climate change is wrecking the spectacular landscape where California meets Oregon
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Nordic Aquafarms lays out next steps after planning commission gives the thumbs-up to their Samoa fish farm plans
“Yesterday, the Humboldt County Planning Commission voted to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a comprehensive initial step in the Nordic Aquafarms (NAF) permitting process. In addition to that certification, the commission also approved the coastal development permit for Terrestrial Development. “We would like to convey our appreciation for the many hours of collaborative work done by the Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, and the County of Humboldt on this Environmental Impact Report” said Brenda Chandler, Nordic’s Interim CEO and CFO. “We consider this certification to be the first of many steps forward to provide a fresh, high quality seafood product, using environmentally sound and state of the art RAS technology, close to consumers on the West Coast of the United States.” … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Nordic Aquafarms lays out next steps after planning commission gives the thumbs-up to their Samoa fish farm plans
Elk River estuary enhancement: Huffman tours project site to learn more about restoration strategies and local efforts to curb sea level rise
“For the better part of a decade, the City of Eureka has been dreaming up a plan to rehabilitate and restore wetland habitat along Elk River Estuary on Humboldt Bay. The ambitious Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project, which broke ground earlier this summer, will open up a network of waterways connected to Elk River to improve fish passage and provide new opportunities for aquatic recreation. Congressman Jared Huffman joined Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman, City Councilmembers Leslie Castellano and Natalie Arroyo, city staff, contractors and a couple of LoCO reporters on a walkabout of the project site during his Tour de Humboldt on Tuesday afternoon. … ” Read more from the Lost Coast Outpost here: Elk River estuary enhancement: Huffman tours project site to learn more about restoration strategies and local efforts to curb sea level rise
MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
Plumas County: Water issues continue to plague Little Grass Valley Reservoir rec sites
“Facilities at Little Grass Valley Reservoir recreation sites continue to be impacted by severely limited water supply. While the campgrounds remain open, services like flush toilets and the RV dump station and water are closed. Portable toilets have been brought in at each campground. Anyone recreating at the site for the remainder of the season should plan on bringing enough water for their trip. This includes RVs, which should bring water from home or another source. ... ” Read more from the Plumas County News here: Water issues continue to plague Little Grass Valley Reservoir rec sites
‘Torrential rainfall’ is pounding Reno. What’s in store for Tahoe?
“Anticipated bursts of intense rain soaking Reno this week prompted a flood watch from the National Weather Service. The phenomenon, known as a pulsing storm, is caused by a monsoonal flow that works its way up from the Gulf of California and even the Gulf of Mexico. When the monsoonal flow collides with high pressure, the result is “torrential rainfall,” said Heather Richards, meteorologist with NWS Reno. The effect was first felt Wednesday night when 1.22 inches of rain fell in just one hour at the Reno airport. This overwhelmed the drainage capabilities, flooded streams and washed out some downtown streets. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: ‘Torrential rainfall’ is pounding Reno. What’s in store for Tahoe?
Final judgement: Olympic Valley development shot down, but new plan may be submitted this year
“A California court last week issued its final judgment in the long-running fight against massive development in Olympic Valley, but the developer is working to iron out the issues and may submit an adjusted plan in the fall. The court ordered all approvals of the project be rescinded, closing out a victory for Sierra Watch and the grassroots movement to protect the alpine valley formerly known as Squaw Valley. “We did it,” said Tom Mooers, executive director of Sierra Watch. “It’s taken 11 years of commitment and dedication to prove how we can combine our passion for the Sierra into a successful movement to protect the mountains we love.” … ” Read more from the Tahoe Daily Tribune here: Final judgement: Olympic Valley development shot down, but new plan may be submitted this year
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Editorial: Being wise with our water
The Chico News & Review editorial board writes, “Fire season came early this year. As Howard Hardee details in this issue’s feature story (“The watcher”), North State smoke spotter Ken Jordan took his post in early May—month of the region’s biggest blaze so far, the 595-acre River Fire in Colusa County. Wildfires have popped up all over: Through July, Cal Fire already had counted 90 statewide burning over 50,000 acres. With fire, thoughts turn to water. California’s third year of drought has exacerbated tinderbox conditions. Reservoirs are conspicuously shallow. Levels in aquifers—invisible yet vital, especially to most every local resident, whether connected to a well or a utility—have dropped, too. Gov. Gavin Newsom has emergency orders in effect, primarily on water purveyors and industrial landowners. What does all this mean for us, here, at our homes in Butte County? … ” Read more from the Chico News & Review here: Editorial: Being wise with our water
NAPA/SONOMA
Sonoma County conducts emergency planning for drought
“In the North Bay, Sonoma County held a virtual town hall on Thursday sharing details about emergency planning underway to respond to the drought it is currently dealing with. “We’re in a significant drought,” Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore said. “Conserve water. Every drop counts.” It was the county’s fourth virtual town hall on the drought. Gore said rainfall has been well below the average for the last two years. ... ” Read more from KRON here: Sonoma County conducts emergency planning for drought
BAY AREA
EPA announces wetlands funding spike
“Opportunities to protect endangered watersheds and wetlands in San Mateo County are growing thanks to a recent spike in EPA federal grant funding available for the Bay Area, with around $29 million total up for grabs. The $29 million available is the largest allocation ever and is available through the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Improvement Fund, a competitive grant program that has provided $71 million through 59 grants. Around $24 million will come through a funding boost through Congress appropriations, with $1 million to $3 million for each project to restore watersheds and wetlands, like the impaired waters and wetland habitat enhancement. ... ” Read more from the Daily Journal here: EPA announces wetlands funding spike
Livermore sewer line extension project headed to Nov. 8 election
“The proposed measure to extend sewer service beyond the urban growth boundary to serve wine country uses is on its way to the Nov. 8 general election ballot. At its July 25 regular meeting, the Livermore City Council approved a resolution calling for the election and establishing the deadlines for arguments for and against the measure, as well as other administrative items that need to be conveyed to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters’ Office to place it on the ballot. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly here: Livermore sewer line extension project headed to Nov. 8 election
Uvas Creek work aims to help fish
“Crews have been stationed inside the currently dry Uvas Creek alongside Christmas Hill Park for the past few weeks, adding redwood logs and gravel along three sites, with the hope that when the water flows again, fish will have a safer habitat. Valley Water’s Uvas Creek Fish Habitat Improvement Project aims to increase the creek’s complexity and provide shelter for steelhead trout and other fish. The “engineered log jams,” as they are called, are designed to create shallower water throughout the creek, while also splitting it in areas and speeding up the flow of the water. … ” Read more from the Morgan Hill Times here: Uvas Creek work aims to help fish
CENTRAL COAST
Faced with drought, a wine region in central California looks to develop a spaceport
“California’s Central Coast is facing a future with much less water. Vineyards and the irrigation they need aren’t sustainable. So Paso Robles is courting a spaceport as the region’s new moneymaker. The drought in the West and climate change have smaller cities rethinking their economies, especially if their main business is agriculture. On California’s Central Coast, one town is trying to diversify beyond its main moneymaker – grapes and wine. From member station KCBX, Benjamin Purper reports that business leaders are looking from the ground to the sky. … ” Read more from Capital Public Radio here: Faced with drought, a wine region in central California looks to develop a spaceport
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
NASA: Evapotranspiration over Central Valley
“The Central Valley, CA is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the United States and the world. As California is in a continuing drought, it is important to monitor agricultural plant life to ensure maximized productivity. ECOSTRESS has the ability to monitor Evapotranspiration over agricultural fields. This Evapotranspiration image was captured by ECOSTRESS on May 22, 2022 at 06:04 PM PDT. Blue indicates high water use while brown indicates dry conditions. ECOSTRESS is a thermal instrument on the International Space Station that measures the temperature of the ground, which is hotter than the air temperature during the day. ... ” Read more from NASA here: NASA: Evapotranspiration over Central Valley
Alternatives sought for farm fallowing amid dust worries
“As local groundwater sustainability agencies bring groundwater basins into balance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, several hundred thousand acres of irrigated farmland in the San Joaquin Valley are anticipated to come out of production. Farmers, researchers, government officials and water managers are looking at ways to ease the transition to fallowed ground and mitigate concerns such as dust. “We’re now looking at options for managing this farmland transition in ways that can be most beneficial for the region’s communities, economy and environment,” said Ellen Hanak, director for the Public Policy Institute of California Water Policy Center, during a presentation last week on the nonprofit’s research. … ” Read more from the Valley Voice here: Alternatives sought for farm fallowing amid dust worries
Manteca’s water system loss less than ½ of average
“Manteca’s municipal water system incurs an annual water loss of 7 percent. While that might seem high, it is more than half of the national average of 16 percent for municipal water systems. The details on how efficient the city’s water delivery system is was part of a snapshot look at Manteca’s water issues presented to the City Council on Wednesday. Annual water audits and water loss control for public water systems is required by both the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the State of California. … ” Read more from the Manteca Bulletin here: Manteca’s water system loss less than ½ of average
Water shutoffs to resume for Tulare residents behind on payments
“Tulare residents could now have their water shut off if they haven’t paid their bill. Wednesday, the city resumed the shutoffs after the state ended its moratorium on water shutoffs due to financial impacts of the pandemic. … ” Read more from Channel 30 here: Water shutoffs to resume for Tulare residents behind on payments
South Valley in water crisis as systems fail
“Small Valley communities are drying up. The latest town to find itself waterless is Tooleville, east of Exeter on Highway 65. In the middle of July, with temperatures soaring and the intense Valley summer in full swing, residents of the town found the well they rely on was delivering just a dribble where it was working at all. With the aid of Self-Help Enterprises, the town is now dependent on a pair of water tanks and costly daily deliveries of trucked-in water. Tooleville is the second community in Tulare County to lose its water this summer. East Orosi was without water for 24 hours when a pump failed. The community lost a home that burned while the hydrants were dry. … ” Read more from the Valley Voice here: South Valley in water crisis as systems fail
EASTERN SIERRA
First District holds LA’s water allocations to agricultural lessees were authorized under existing leases and did not constitute or implement a separate “project” subject to CEQA review
‘The First District Court of Appeal filed on June 30, and later ordered published on July 26, 2022, its opinion in County of Mono v. City of Los Angeles (1st Dist. No. A162590) __ Cal.App.5th __. The case involves another round in the long-running controversies surrounding Los Angeles’s efforts to secure water for its populace. As the City now owns substantial acreage in the Sierra Nevada from which it takes much of its water, it serves both as landlord and water user in that region. The overlap of those two roles gave rise to the County of Mono case, in which the County sought to use CEQA litigation as leverage over the City’s water allocations to agricultural users who lease property from the City. The case holds that the City’s water allocations to the City’s agricultural lessees were authorized under its existing 2010 leases and thus did not constitute a new project subject to CEQA review before they could be lawfully implemented. The case provides guidance to practitioners on when and how CEQA applies to public contracts, and also regarding the appropriate contents of the administrative record in CEQA litigation challenging staff level actions implementing existing leases. Entitlement and litigation attorneys should accordingly both find it a useful case to review. … ” Read more from Miller Starr Regalia here: First District holds LA’s water allocations to agricultural lessees were authorized under existing leases and did not constitute or implement a separate “project” subject to CEQA review
Desert-based water agency eyes multi-million dollar deal to buy water out of Kings County
“A Kern County water agency is looking to purchase water from a state contractor located in Kings County. Earlier this week, the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority, located in eastern Kern County, signed a letter of intent to buy the lifetime rights to 750 acre-feet of Kings River water from Utica J.L.J. LLC. SJV Water first reported the deal. Utica J.L.J. is a State Water Project contractor located in Kings County that is developing a truck stop and industrial center south of Kettleman City on a 400-acre location at Utica Ave. and Interstate 5. … ” Read more from the San Joaquin Valley Sun here: Desert-based water agency eyes multi-million dollar deal to buy water out of Kings County
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LA residents continuing to reduce water use after restrictions
“Los Angeles residents have continued to reduce water usage at a steady pace to offset a historic drought, and those efforts appear to be working, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials said at a council committee meeting Thursday. Officials projected an 11% reduction in water use for the month of July compared to the previous two Julys. That topped a 9% reduction in the month of June, the lowest water use for any June in Los Angeles since 1970. The report updating water supply conditions and drought response actions was presented to the Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee on Thursday. “We certainly are going in the right direction when it comes to water conservation,” said Anselmo Collins, senior assistant general manager of the LADWP water system. … ” Read more from Spectrum 1 here: LA residents continuing to reduce water use after restrictions
Saltwater toilets, desperate wildlife: Water-starved Catalina Island battles against drought
“Island-dweller Lori Snell grimaced as she tallied her bill recently at the Avalon Laundry — nearly $50 for three large loads. “It’s always an adventure to live in Catalina,” said Snell, 64. “It’s a joy, it’s a paradise, it’s a challenge.” For Snell and Santa Catalina Island’s other 4,000 full-time residents, water is a bit of an obsession. When you live an hourlong ferry ride from Long Beach, a gallon of the stuff can cost six times more than it does “over town” — the islanders’ term for the mainland.That preoccupation with water has now become critical as severe drought grips California and its Channel Islands — a rugged, eight-isle archipelago that hosts several human outposts and a handful of species that exist nowhere else on Earth. … ” Read more from the LA Times here: Saltwater toilets, desperate wildlife: Water-starved Catalina Island battles against drought | Read via Yahoo News
California prosecutors back off punishing cartel marijuana farmers breaking environmental laws
“Los Angeles County narcotics investigators were unable to convince District Attorney George Gascon or California Attorney General Rob Bonta to file felony charges against international cartel members after busting the largest illegal marijuana operation in the area’s history. The monthslong operation culminated during 10 days in May when 287 search warrants were served by hundreds of law enforcement officials in a desert north of Los Angeles. They found harvested marijuana worth $1.4 billion along with 40 firearms, which included numerous rifles. Authorities arrested 105 people. Investigators sought to convince Gascon’s office that felony charges were warranted in this case because of the egregious nature of the farm sites. Hazardous pesticides were routinely used on 270,000 plants that have certainly infiltrated the groundwater, said Lt. Howard Fuchs with the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The answer was a resounding no. ... ” Read more from the Washington Examiner here: California prosecutors back off punishing cartel marijuana farmers breaking environmental laws
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Riverside County hires firm for North Shore revitalization project
“Riverside County hired an engineering company to prepare the engineering and final design of a Salton Sea revitalization project in the community of North Shore, the first major project for the Riverside County northern portion of the Salton Sea, according to a recent press release. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 5-0 to approve an agreement with Dudek for the engineering of the North Lake Pilot Demonstration Project. Dudek was selected following the county’s Request for Proposal (RFP) process, per the release. With this contract in place, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, in coordination with the Salton Sea Authority and the California Department of Water Resources, looks forward to scheduling the next public outreach meeting on the project for fall 2022. ... ” Read more from the Desert Review here: Riverside County hires firm for North Shore revitalization project
Desert Hot Springs will have representation on Desert Water Agency board for first time
“Likely for the first time in its 61-year history, Desert Water Agency will have Desert Hot Springs residents on its board this fall after a recent redistricting process carved out two districts entirely within the growing city’s boundaries. Desert Water Agency was founded as a groundwater management agency in the western Coachella Valley in 1961, and later began providing water service to customers in Palm Springs and Cathedral City in 1968. Desert Water Agency is also one of 29 state water contractors, giving the agency the ability to import water to recharge the groundwater basin. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Desert Hot Springs will have representation on Desert Water Agency board for first time
Water delivery agreement to benefit Salton Sea, Torres Martinez Tribe
“A natural resources investment company announced today it intends to allocate up to 5,000 acre-feet of water annually to the Salton Sea and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe as part of a public-private partnership intended to help reinvigorate the dying Salton Sea and ensure reliable potable water for communities on tribal land. Los Angeles-based Cadiz Inc. said that an agreement with the Salton Sea Authority, tribe and Coachella Valley Water District will be part of a wider water distribution enterprise known as the Cadiz Water Conservation & Storage Project, which originally focused on drawing water from the Colorado River and delivering it to Southern California metropolitan areas via a single pipeline. … ” Read more from Channel 3 here: Water delivery agreement to benefit Salton Sea, Torres Martinez Tribe
SEE ALSO: Cadiz Inc. announces an agreement to provide water to the Salton Sea Authority and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, press release at Cision
Land of extremes: Hydroelectricity – The power of water
“The Imperial Valley Desert Museum’s Education Specialists continue to outline and script the videos for the upcoming extension of our Virtual Classroom; the Green Energy Video Series, a five video series focusing on renewable energy projects found in Imperial Valley. One renewable energy source that serves Imperial Valley and parts of San Diego and Riverside counties, is hydroelectricity, also known as hydropower. … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press here: Land of extremes: Hydroelectricity – The power of water
SAN DIEGO
New sewage spill sends millions of gallons of wastewater per day into Tijuana River
“Photos from the U.S. International Boundary & Water Commission show the latest sewage situation happening at the U.S.-Mexico border and in the Tijuana River. “So, these two pipelines, which carry the wastewater from Mexican pump station PB1 to down south, was shut down. And this carries about 80 percent of the wastewater generated in Tijuana. So, it’s a lot of volume,” said Morgan Rogers, the Area Operations Manager for the USIBWC’s San Diego Field Office. … ” Read more from Channel 10 here: New sewage spill sends millions of gallons of wastewater per day into Tijuana River
SEE ALSO: Tijuana sewage spill shutters Imperial Beach and Coronado shorelines, yet again, from the San Diego Union-Tribune
Along the Colorado River …
Arizona and California farmers, targets for Colorado River cuts, draft their conservation strategy
“Knowing they are targets, farmers in southern Arizona and California who receive irrigation water from the Colorado River are discussing a plan that could go a long way toward meeting a federal conservation mandate in the drying basin. With key reservoirs Mead and Powell at record lows and despite the continued decline of the Salton Sea, federal officials are demanding historic cuts in water use next year, on the order of 2 million to 4 million acre-feet, or roughly one-third of the river’s recent annual flow. Irrigation districts in Arizona’s Yuma County and California’s Imperial and Riverside counties control more of the river’s water than any other entity in the basin. The Colorado River Indian Tribes, whose reservation abuts the river, also hold significant secure water rights. A plan is now circulating among those districts to forgo 1 acre-foot of water per irrigated acre next year. In the Yuma area that amounts to a 20 percent cut, according to Tom Davis, manager of the Yuma County Water Users’ Association. … ” Read more from the Circle of Blue here: Arizona and California farmers, targets for Colorado River cuts, draft their conservation strategy
California drought 2022: Two water districts eye hefty Colorado River cuts
“Two powerful Southern California water districts are actively negotiating an agreement for hefty voluntary cuts of Colorado River supply to farmers and reduced delivery of water to greater Los Angeles, as part of urgent efforts across seven states and Mexico to stave off the collapse of the drought-stricken river system that provides drinking water and irrigation for nearly 40 million people. Responding to a June mandate from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for all those who rely on the river to cut 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water usage within 60 days, Imperial Irrigation District and Metropolitan Water District officials are negotiating “around half a million, between 400,000 and 500,000 acre-feet” in combined reductions, IID general manager Enrique Martinez said on Monday. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: California drought 2022: Two water districts eye hefty Colorado River cuts
Building resilience in the face of a dwindling Colorado River
“The Colorado River stretches from Rocky Mountain headwaters in Wyoming and Colorado more than 2,400 kilometers to the Gulf of California in Mexico. On its way, the river supplies water to the residents of the Colorado River Basin and millions of hectares of irrigated farmland and serves to generate affordable power for municipal and rural customers. … In the past couple of decades, however, severe drought has plagued the Colorado River Basin, and the current period is the driest in the past 1,200 years. … In the past 20 years, various stakeholders have already been exploring pathways to resilience to dwindling water resources. Urban water authorities have increased water efficiency and are experimenting with changing city landscapes in Colorado, farmers are reducing their water use, and conservation groups are exploring how to keep fish habitat stable with reduced streamflow.“The goal is to try and persist through the short term, adapt through the long term, and transform or transition to where we need to be,” Kwon said. … ” Read more from EOS here: Building resilience in the face of a dwindling Colorado River
Commentary: How many farms can Arizona and California lose before we feel it at the grocery store?
Opinion columnist Joanna Allhands writes, “Western farmers are going to have to shrink their footprint. They’re going to have to find ways to use to less water, and they’re going to have to farm fewer acres. It’s unavoidable, given the water challenges we are now facing. Agriculture uses 72% of water in Arizona and roughly that along the Colorado River basin. We’ll never fill the gaping chasm between supply and demand if farmers and ranchers aren’t involved. But how much can we shrink the size of agriculture – particularly in Arizona and California, which produce nearly two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and vegetables – without wreaking havoc at the supermarket? That’s a harder question to answer. … ” Read more from the Arizona Republic here: Commentary: How many farms can Arizona and California lose before we feel it at the grocery store?
Tribal sovereigns complain of being left out of Colorado River negotiations
“In a July 22 letter, the leaders of 14 Colorado River Basin Tribal governments complained to the U.S. Department of Interior about being left out – again – of the current negotiations around short terms Colorado River cutbacks ... ” Read more at the Inkstain blog here: Tribal sovereigns complain of being left out of Colorado River negotiations
Las Vegas: Stricter valley water rules, higher fees proposed by water agency
“With the largest reduction ever in Lake Mead water use on the horizon, the agency that governs the Las Vegas’ water supply will likely consider stricter water use rules and possible higher charges for the valley’s biggest water users. It also will propose the first reductions in water use by golf courses in nearly 20 years. The Las Vegas Valley Water District is mailing a flyer to every user and posting it on social media about three proposals to prohibit outdoor man-made water features in the valley. Existing water features would not be affected. … ” Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal here: Stricter valley water rules, higher fees proposed by water agency
In national water news today …
Half the country is in drought, and no region has been spared
“More than 50% of the country was in some level of drought for the fourth week in a row, the US Drought Monitor reported Thursday, as the combination of extreme heat and low rainfall is drawing the moisture out of plants and soil. And no region of the country has been spared. The West and California remains engulfed in a multi-year megadrought. But even in the Northeast, a severe “flash drought” — one that comes on rapidly — has intensified and expanded from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts into New Hampshire and Maine. … ” Read more from CNN here: Half the country is in drought, and no region has been spared
Reclamation launches new prize competition looking for improved precipitation measurement devices
“The Bureau of Reclamation is launching a new prize competition seeking new and improved ground-based precipitation devices. These devices should be reliable, accurate, low maintenance, and able to operate in remote areas in extreme weather conditions. The Counting Every Drop Challenge is a two-phase prize competition totaling up to $300,000 in prizes. In phase 1, the top 8 selected solutions will be awarded $10,000 and invited to continue in the competition. The ideal solution will not require fluids, such as antifreeze, to operate. Phase 1 white papers describing proposed solutions are due on Oct. 24, 2022. “Accurately measuring rain and snow is critical for water managers to understand how much water is available and for predicting floods and droughts,” said Senior Advisor for Research and Development Levi Brekke. “The goal of this prize competition is to develop new devices that increase accuracy and reliability while reducing maintenance so they can operate cost-effectively in extremely remote areas.” … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Reclamation launches new prize competition looking for improved precipitation measurement devices
The impact of excessive protein consumption on human wastewater nitrogen loading of US waters
“In recent years, conversations about protein have moved beyond nutritionist’s offices and weightlifting gyms and onto fast food menus and grocery aisle labels. Everyone wants their protein. Unfortunately, people’s obsession with increasing their protein input has meant that most Americans are eating close to twice their recommended daily requirement. And, as Dr Maya Almaraz and Dr Caitie Kuempel explain here, that has worrying implications for our local waterways and the aquatic environment. That’s because the excess protein we take in literally gets flushed down the toilet and then causes a raft of problems. The good news is that by changing our diet we can make a big difference to the health of the environment without sacrificing our own health.” Read the article at the Global Water Forum here: The impact of excessive protein consumption on human wastewater nitrogen loading of US waters
Conservation helps farms survive—and thrive—in drought
“Healthy soil is a potent tool to combat the impacts of drought on farms and ranches. By using conservation practices that build healthy soil—like cover cropping, conservation tillage, and compost—growers increase the natural water storage potential of their land. Healthy soil captures more water when it rains and holds onto that water for future crop use, allowing farms with healthy soil to deliver stable yields, even in drought years. Longstanding, but underfunded, federal agricultural conservation programs like EQIP, CSP, RCPP, and ACEP help producers use practices that improve soil health and drought resilience—while also limiting their climate footprints and protecting people and natural resources. … ” Read more from the NRDC here: Conservation helps farms survive—and thrive—in drought
Senate takes action on environmental regulations
“Thursday the U.S. Senate voted to reverse the Council on Environmental Quality rulemaking related to the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions. U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, introduced S.J. Res. 55, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act(CRA), with all 49 of his Senate Republican colleagues to nullify the Biden administration’s NEPA regulations.The vote cleared in the Senate with all Republicans supporting the measure as well as Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas did not vote. The recently enacted Biden administration NEPA rules, authored by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, undermine important provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act intended to streamline key elements of our broken federal permitting process, which Sullivan played a leading role in writing. … ” Read more from the Western Farm Press here: Senate takes action on environmental regulations
National water and climate update …
The Natural Resources Conservation Service produces this weekly report using data and products from the National Water and Climate Center and other agencies. The report focuses on seasonal snowpack, precipitation, temperature, and drought conditions in the U.S.
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