In California water news this weekend …
In California drought, the latest victims are rice farms
“Rick Richter has spent the past 43 years flying biplanes over California’s Sacramento Valley, dropping rice seeds into vast, flooded fields that churn out grain for consumers across the globe.In a typical year, Mr. Richter’s company seeds 42,000 acres of rice, earning more than $3 million in revenue. This year, as a worsening drought prompts unprecedented cuts in water allocations to rice farms, he has seeded just 7,000 acres and expects sales of $550,000. … The American West has been caught in the worst drought in more than a millennium for most of the past two decades, spurring farmers in businesses from tomatoes to alfalfa to cut output and change the way they do business. But until this year, Northern California farmers who grow rice, one of the state’s most water-intensive crops, have largely been spared. In the system of water allocation run by the federal government, rice farmers hold some of the state’s most senior rights, meaning they have received much of their assigned water while other crops withered. … ” Read more from the Wall Street Journal via Yahoo News here: In California drought, the latest victims are rice farms
Northern California was once an agricultural powerhouse. Now, it’s ‘just a wasteland’
“Normally, by September, the drive north from Sacramento on Interstate 5 showcases vast stretches of flooded rice fields on both sides, farms bustling with tractors and workers preparing for fall harvest. Not this year, said Kurt Richter, a third-generation rice farmer in Colusa, the rice capital of California where the local economy relies heavily on agriculture. “It is now just a wasteland,” he said. As drought endures for a third year with record-breaking temperatures and diminishing water supplies, more than half of California’s rice fields are estimated to be left barren without harvest — about 300,000 out of the 550,000 or so in reported acres, provisional data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows. … The dramatic reduction in rice acreage will translate to lost revenue of an estimated $500 million, about 40% of which will be covered by federal crop insurance, according to UC Davis agricultural economist Aaron Smith. But one side of the valley is faring decidedly better than the other. ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: This part of California was once an agricultural powerhouse. Now, it’s ‘just a wasteland’
Tidal marsh or ‘fake habitat’? California environmental project draws criticism
“Southwest of Sacramento, the branching arms of waterways reach into a patchwork of farm fields and pastures. Canals and wetlands fringed with reeds meet a sunbaked expanse of dry meadows. These lands on the northwestern edge of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta have now been targeted for restoration following the widespread destruction of estuary marsh habitats that began over a century ago. But one habitat restoration project funded by a large agricultural water district is drawing criticism from environmental advocates. They say that while the project is based on claims of ecologically important marsh habitat, a large portion of the land is a high-and-dry former cattle pasture that does little to benefit endangered fish. The dispute over the roughly 2,100-acre property centers on questions about which lands should be counted as tidal marsh habitat in the delta, one of California’s primary water sources. ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Tidal marsh or ‘fake habitat’? California environmental project draws criticism | Read via AOL News
Yes, we can make it rain. But it won’t solve drought.
“Grappling with their worst heatwave on record, Chinese officials are scrambling to significantly expand the country’s “cloud-seeding” programs — a controversial method of stimulating clouds to make them rain. This is understandably a moment for desperate measures. … Yes, forcing clouds to form rain and snow has, in fact, been proven to increase precipitation up to 15% in certain regions, and the emerging private-sector cloud-seeding industry deserves more research and investment in a climate-stressed world. But cloud seeding is not a miracle solution to a drought crisis: The process of injecting tiny particles or chemical vapors into clouds to trigger rain is not a guaranteed, on-demand fix. At most, it should be considered a supportive measure in comprehensive, long-term water-management plans. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: Yes, we can make it rain. But it won’t solve drought.
Lingering California drought and record heat forces tough decisions for the state’s farmers
“Lingering drought and record heat in the number one agricultural state in the nation has continued to cut into fruit and vegetable production this season. It has forced many California farmers to make very tough decisions about how to allocate their scarce water resources. In the end, some have left some of the highest price land in the country idle while they wait for rain. Daniel Bays farms about 3000 acre near Westly, which is just 100 miles south of Sacramento. He raises a variety of row crops and higher value specialty crops like canning vegetables and fruits, plus walnuts and almonds. With continued record setting heat and drought in California and the lack of water for irrigation he only planted half of the 600 acres he would normally devote to tomato production. He says, “The price is up on tomatoes so it’d be a good crop to grow this year. We just didn’t have the water available for them.” … ” Read more from Ag Web here: Lingering California drought and record heat forces tough decisions for the state’s farmers
California legislators pass bill banning sale of agricultural land to foreign governments; increase ownership disclosure requirements
“On 31 August 2022, California legislators passed a bill that would ban the sale of agricultural land in the state to foreign governments. Introduced by state Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Fresno), the Food and Farm Security Act aims to protect the state’s agricultural industry from potentially adverse foreign interests, citing a concern over volatile commodity prices and global food security issues resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. The bill would, beginning 1 January 2023, prohibit a foreign government from purchasing, acquiring, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in agricultural land in the state. The bill defines a “foreign government” to include not just an actual foreign state, but also a state controlled-enterprise of a foreign government. … ” Read more from the National Law Review here: California legislators pass bill banning sale of agricultural land to foreign governments; increase ownership disclosure requirements
U.S. declares disaster for tribal salmon fisheries on the West Coast
“For generations upon generations, the Yurok tribe has relied on Chinook salmon from the Klamath River in Northern California for ceremonies, subsistence and commercial gain. But in 2019, less than 40 percent of the usual number of salmon returned to the river — resulting in what tribal Chairman Joseph L. James called an “utter failure” of that year’s stock. The Yurok tribe isn’t alone. Between 2014 and 2019, tribal salmon fisheries failed in Washington state rivers, too. On Sept. 1, the Commerce Department declared fishery disasters for several West Coast tribes and allocated $17.4 million in disaster assistance in response. The assistance will be used to shore up everything from habitat restoration to commercial and subsistence fishers. … ” Read more from the Washington Post here: U.S. declares disaster for tribal salmon fisheries on the West Coast
EPA awards nearly $2 million to UC Berkeley for research to advance water management and security
“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $2 million in research funding to the University of California, Berkeley to develop a cost-benefit tool to support enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) as a viable, safe, and cost-effective water management strategy. EAR is the practice of using excess surface water to intentionally replenish and supplement existing groundwater supplies for storage and potential reuse. “Given that changing climate is leading to intensified droughts, as evident this summer in communities throughout the U.S., we need to identify effective and economically feasible solutions to enhance the sustainability of our water supplies,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The research announced today will provide decision makers the knowledge needed to address groundwater depletion, support communities, and advance water availability.” … ” Read more from the EPA here: EPA awards nearly $2 million to UC Berkeley for research to advance water management and security
Governor signs Sen. Dodd’s climate resilience bill
“California Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed legislation from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will address the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and wildfire, through creation of local resilience districts to undertake and promote conservation efforts. “Today we take a significant step toward confronting the numerous challenges posed by our rapidly changing climate,” Sen. Dodd said. “This new law will make our state safer and more resilient because it helps communities take direct action on problems most relevant to their region. I thank the governor and all those who supported this bill for helping California address this existential threat.” Sen. Dodd’s legislation, Senate Bill 852, will allow cities, counties or special districts, either alone or in combination, establish climate resilience financing districts to undertake projects and programs to address climate change including wildfire, sea level rise, extreme heat and cold, drought, flooding, and related matters. The districts will be able to raise revenue through tax increment funding, voter-approved supplemental property taxes, property benefit assessments or fees. … ” Read more from Senator Dodd’s office here: Governor signs Sen. Dodd’s climate resilience bill
Drought and grid unreliability force three major changes in California energy policy
“Governor Gavin Newsom and Democrats have undertaken three major changes and reversals this summer to protect California’s grid and stave off drought. ONE – DIABLO CANYON: Most notable, of course, is Newsom’s proposal to extend the life of Diablo Canyon, the state’s last remaining nuclear power plant, through 2035. Newsom as lieutenant governor had backed an effort to shutter the facility, but now seeks a reprieve for it in acknowledgement of the perilous situation California is currently facing as it struggles to keep lights on and protect against future blackouts. Even some former opponents favor keeping Diablo online as the alternative to fossil fuels in the near-term. … ” Continue reading from the Washington Examiner here: Drought and grid unreliability force three major changes in California energy policy
Dan Walters: Can California really make power grid 100% green?
“As California baked under record-high temperatures last Tuesday and the state’s residents turned up their air conditioners to cope, electricity consumption hit an all-time peak. The record demand of more than 52,000 megawatts was experienced in the 80% of the state’s electric power system managed by the Independent System Operator and was a successful stress test for the grid. Californians heeded pleas to minimize consumption in the all-important late afternoon and evening hours, thus averting rolling blackouts that grid managers had feared would be needed to avoid systemic collapse. Luck also played a role – no major power plant shutdowns – as did having a healthy amount of reserve generation. … ” Read more from Cal Matters here: Dan Walters: Can California really make power grid 100% green?
It’s incredibly rare for a hurricane to reach California. How did Tropical Storm Kay do it?
” … Tropical Storm Kay, recategorized on Thursday from a hurricane, has been edging along the Baja California peninsula since Wednesday and creeping toward Southern California. While the storm isn’t expected to make landfall in California, it is causing intense rain that could lead to floods. Remnants of moisture could mean some precipitation in Northern California, with a slight chance the conditions could produce dry thunderstorms. Conditions along the coast typically protect us from hurricanes. But these defenses can falter and open the door to a tropical storm touching down in California. “I don’t think it’s ever going to be a common or likely outcome,” Swain said. “But it is out there in the distant range of possibilities.” ... ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: It’s incredibly rare for a hurricane to reach California. How did Tropical Storm Kay do it?
In commentary this weekend …
Don’t be so quick to ditch those lawns when drought hits
Greg Campbell, the CEO of VGrid Energy Systems in Camarillo, writes, “Ventura County’s Turf Replacement Rebate Program is one of many in California making the news as of late. Aimed at protecting California’s diminishing water supply, the program pays homeowners as much as $3,200 to remove their lawns. As well-intentioned as this program is, there are better strategies for reducing water usage that should be explored before outright removing lawns at the expense of taxpayers. As we look at long-term strategies, we need to start by reviewing the environmental impact of lawns. Removing so much greenery from our cities could have numerous environmental consequences. For one, lawns help counter the heat island effect, which occurs in major cities where large amounts of cement and infrastructure trap heat and cause these areas to experience exponentially higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas. But higher temperatures are not the worst of it. … ” Read more from the Pacific Coast Business Times here: Don’t be so quick to ditch those lawns when drought hits
Commentary: A life with salmon depends on dam removal
Amy Cordalis, attorney and a member of the Yurok Tribe, writes, “I don’t remember a time in my life without salmon. My family’s life revolved around the Klamath River salmon runs as they moved through the Yurok Reservation in Northern California. Every generation of my family since time immemorial fished at the same spots on the river – the salmon was in our DNA. Growing up, I remember my parents loaded the gear and all five of us kids into the truck, drove to the fishing hole, set up camp, and then fished. We fished all 12 hours a day when the tribal fishery was open, sitting on the boat holding the net or on the shore waiting for salmon to “hit.” When we were lucky, a school of fish would move through and the gill net would come alive, corks bouncing up and down in the water, signaling success. About six years ago, things started changing drastically, although I now know they had been worsening slowly, for decades. … ” Read more from the Spokesman-Review here: Commentary: A life with salmon depends on dam removal
In people news this weekend …
EDF welcomes Michael Myatt to help lead water work in California
“Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) welcomed Michael Myatt today as a Senior Director, Climate Resilient Water Systems, to help lead its California water work. Myatt brings extensive expertise in sustainable groundwater management, water data transparency and integration, healthy rivers and business outreach to the position. Before joining EDF, Myatt was a program officer at the Water Foundation for 10 years, creating and leading coalition-building efforts among various environmental organizations, including EDF, with an emphasis on multibenefit solutions and cross-sector collaboration. His broad experience also includes nearly three years serving as board chair of the California Water Consortium, six years working at the California Department of Water Resources and eight years as a policy and finance analyst with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program. “I am excited to work closely with Mike to advance California’s water and land resilience by expanding use of our water accounting and trading platform, supporting implementation of California’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, and advancing holistic governance and science programs in the Sacramento Valley.” said Ann Hayden, EDF’s Associate Vice President, Climate Resilient Water Systems. … ” Read more from the Environmental Defense Fund here: EDF welcomes Michael Myatt to help lead water work in California
Passings: Bill Attwater 1938-2022.
Written by Craig Wilson
Bill Attwater, long-serving Chief Counsel to the State Water Resources Control Board, died on August 5, 2022 at his home in Roseville, California. After serving in the military, Bill began a long and distinguished career as a water lawyer. When the State Water Board was created in 1967, Bill became its first staff counsel. He was elevated to Chief Counsel in 1974 and remained in that position until his retirement in 2000. One of only 4 Chief Counsel’s in the 55 year history of the Water Board, Bill was by far the longest tenured.
Bill’s accomplishments were many. He was one of the major authors of California’s Porter Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1969. That far-reaching, unprecedented legislation in turn became the model for the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. Too numerous to list all other actions Bill played a key role in , they include helping write the Order stopping the bird deaths at Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge and establishing the precedent that water rights could be conditioned to require the release of water to protect the environment.
“Bill was a wonderful mentor to his legal staff”, said Craig Wilson, who succeeded Bill as Chief Counsel and served as the State’s first Delta Watermaster. “He was way ahead of his time in hiring women and minorities. He had wonderful relationships with the Board members of the State and Regional Water Boards. His annual training sessions with the Regional Board members were legendary.”
In Bill’s passing, the State has lost one of its greatest water figures.
RIP, Bill.
Podcasts …
WATER STORIES PODCAST: The chinook salmon, Putah Creek, and Water Beyond Boundaries
In water management, we have to think about all those involved, communities, scientists, technology, and of course, the ecosystems that play an essential role on a small or large scale. During the second season’s first episode conversation, we discuss Water Beyond Boundaries broadly and the main goals of this initiative. One of the pillars of the Water Beyond Boundaries initiative is natural ecosystems. In this episode, we will talk with our guest Max Stevenson, Streamkeeper from The Solano County Water Agency in California, about protecting those parts of our natural ecosystems, like the Chinook Salmon and the Putah creek’s history, and its connection with Water Beyond Boundaries.
WE GROW CALIFORNIA: Ed Ring
Listen in as We Grow California welcomes co-founder, contributing editor and senior fellow with the California Policy Center, Ed Ring. Ed is a senior fellow with the Center for American Greatness, and a regular contributor to the California Globe. His work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Forbes, and other media outlets. Ring’s undergraduate degree is in Political Science from UC Davis, and he has an MBA in Finance from USC. He is the Chairman of the More Water Now initiative and author of 15-part series featured in the California Globe, on California water. His latest book, The Abundance Choice: Our Fight for More Water, is now available.
WATER IS A MANY SPLENDOR’ED THING PODCAST: City Slicker Farms
Steve Baker writes, “When I think of farming, I envision lines of leafy vegetables stretching out to the horizon, large irrigation structures diligently sending a downpouring of cold water onto the ground and a smiling farmer that is so happy that life is sprouting everywhere. Well, you know what? I found the same kind of happy farmer in downtown Oakland, California. Water is a Many Splendor’ed Thing brings you another water relationship that has a personally significant impact to your life.” Podcast produced by Steven Baker, Operation Unite® Bringing People Together to Solve Water Problems, water@operationunite.co; 530-205-6388
SCUUP PODCAST: Heavy equipment, wastewater, and collections: Victor ties it all together
Ruben talks ‘collections’- but we won’t be calling to collect! Victor Luna, a heavy equipment operator with the City of Riverside, sheds light on the wastewater collections industry and how his mentors helped him down his road to success.
WATER LOOP PODCAST: On a mission to help
Thousands of water utilities across the U.S. are smaller and under-resourced, often leaving them consumed by daily operations and unable to take on projects to increase efficiency and reduce costs. But external experts can help these utilities to triage pressing challenges and then turn to strategic improvements, as discussed in this episode with George Hawkins, CEO and Founder of Moonshot Missions. George talks about bringing his experience, including as the head of DC Water, and building a team to work with utilities and launch them on a path of progress. He also provides his take on infrastructure funding, consolidation, affordability, cybersecurity, and PFAS.
In regional water news this weekend …
NORTH COAST
Ruling invalidates Klamath irrigators’ injunction
“The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has thrown out a lawsuit in which Klamath Basin irrigators won an injunction against federally authorized releases of stored water from Upper Klamath Lake. The court ruled the lawsuit shouldn’t have been allowed to proceed because the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which is under court orders to protect tribal water rights and comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), wasn’t named as a defendant and can’t be compelled to participate in state court litigation. The complaint was filed against the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) for failing to protect the irrigators’ water rights. “The relief ordered by trial court is inconsistent with those requirements and brings OWRD into direct conflict with the Bureau, the ESA, tribal rights, and federal case law,” wrote Douglas Tookey, the presiding judge. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Ruling invalidates Klamath irrigators’ injunction
Police: Tractor, saddles, water stolen from elderly woman leads to marijuana raid
“A tractor and horse saddles allegedly stolen from an elderly neighbor and the unauthorized diversion of 1,600 gallons of water led to discovery of an illegal cannabis grow, according to police. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men in Gold Hill Friday morning. One owns the remote property south of Rogue River. The other is a tenant on the rural property, according to police. “The property owner, Joseph Allen Hope, 46, was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a vehicle (UUMV), unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item, and theft of services,” JCSO said in a release on the raid and arrests. … ” Read more from the Herald & News here: Police: Tractor, saddles, water stolen from elderly woman leads to marijuana raid
Humboldt County coastline sees fastest erosion rates in the state
“Several of Humboldt County’s coastal cliffs rank among some of the fastest eroding bluffs in California, according to a recent study. The cliffs on Centerville Beach and in the King Range ranked especially high on the list of California’s eroding coastal cliffs in the study, “Spatial and temporal trends in California coastal cliff retreat,” which found the Northern California coast is eroding at significantly higher speeds than the southern coastline. The study noted that direct, quantitative relationships between cliff erosion and controlling factors are difficult to establish because of the inherent difficulty in measuring change in the rocks, especially since coastal erosion happens in spurts via landslides. … ” Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard here: Humboldt County coastline sees fastest erosion rates in the state
Public urged to avoid the water at Hare Creek in Fort Bragg
“Unacceptable levels of bacteria were found this week in the water at a Fort Bragg beach, the Mendocino County Public Health Office reported. According to a Friday press release, “the Environmental Health Division of Mendocino County Public Health received bacteriological ocean water quality sampling results for the week of Sept. 6, 2022, that indicate that the ocean water quality at Hare Creek does not meet state standards. The enterococcus bacteria levels in the sample taken on 9-6-2022 has exceeded acceptable levels.” The release also explains that “signs have been posted at Hare Creek (located just south of the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 1 Fort Bragg) warning the public to avoid contact with ocean water due to an increased risk to human health. Contact with ocean water should be avoided for 50 yards on either side of the drainage entering the ocean.” … ” Read more from the Fort Bragg Advocate-News here: Public urged to avoid the water at Hare Creek in Fort Bragg
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Feather River Hatchery to open fish ladder
“Take a look, chinook salmon! Fish ladders at the Feather River Fish Hatchery are set to open Sept. 15 for the beginning of spawning season for chinook salmon. As chinook make their way up the Feather River this time of year, they will travel up the fish ladders into the hatchery spawning operation, and for the first time since COVID lockdowns began, the spawning operation will be viewable to the public. Hatchery Manager Penny Crawshaw said the fish ladder will be open until July 2023 all the way through steelhead trout spawning season which begins in December. “We just leave it open because then starting in May, the spring-run (chinook salmon) return,” Crawshaw said. … ” Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record here: Feather River Hatchery to open fish ladder
Protecting Sacramento Valley waterways from pyrethroid exceedances
David Haviland, Katherine Jarvis-Shean, Rachael Long, and Franz Niederholzer with the University of California Cooperative Extension write, “Protecting California’s waterways from pesticides is the joint responsibility of all Californians. These protections need to be implemented within urban as well as agricultural environments because typical watersheds are influenced by hundreds, if not thousands, of individual point sources that are associated with homes, other residential buildings, farms and right-of-ways. While it is true that one individual point source can lead to contamination of a waterway, it is often the cumulative effects of numerous point sources that leads to exceedances of pesticides. During the past two decades there has been a concerted effort to keep pesticides out of waterways in the Sacramento Valley. … ” Read more from the Northern California Water Association here: Protecting Sacramento Valley waterways from pyrethroid exceedances
Enhancing salmon and steelhead habitat — one truckload at a time
“Each weekday, big, yellow dump trucks loaded with tons of gravel lumber into the brisk, swift-moving waters at Sailor Bar on the Lower American River downstream from Nimbus Dam. The rocks are upended into river with a splash where a bulldozer then manicures them into the river channel. The aim is at once complex and amazingly simple: create spawning and rearing habitat for the Chinook salmon and steelhead to access as they return from their long sojourn in the Pacific Ocean. Supported by Reclamation funding, the Sailor Bar Project is an ambitious, concentrated endeavor taking place on a river that flows through suburban Sacramento County and which attracts multitudes of hikers, cyclists and rafters. The month-long project is implemented via the Water Forum, a consortium of public agencies, business groups and non-governmental organizations. … ” Read more from the Bureau of Reclamation here: Enhancing salmon and steelhead habitat — one truckload at a time
CENTRAL COAST
Lake levels drop as Californians make progress on water conservation
“Lake levels continue to drop on the Central Coast as the state reports good progress on water conservation. Water levels continue to drop at Lopez Lake– leaving behind cracked, dry ground as the reservoir approaches the lowest level ever recorded. “Even with pleasure boaters it’s not so much happening out here at this moment just because of how low the lake levels are,” said San Luis Obispo James Valdez, who was fishing at Lopez Lake Friday evening. The main boat launch is closed, meaning that only small boats can be hand-launched from shore. … ” Read more from KSBY here: Lake levels drop as Californians make progress on water conservation
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
Fresno officials “irritated” by gravity in wastewater saga, according to ag district
“The city of Fresno hadn’t bothered recently with a mound of groundwater that accumulates beneath its southwest wastewater treatment plant every year. For decades, it traded a chunk of the water to the Fresno Irrigation District (FID) for about half the amount back in Kings River water, but had let that deal lapse the past two years. Then the state’s groundwater law cast that percolated sewer water in a much more attractive light. So attractive, the city and FID are now concerned that another ag district is getting a little too handsy with it. … ” Read more from SJV Water here: Fresno officials “irritated” by gravity in wastewater saga, according to ag district
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Kay unleashes nearly year’s worth of rain, flash flooding in SoCal
“Tropical Storm Kay unleashed intense winds, flooding rains and even scorching temperatures to drought-stricken California on Friday after bringing deadly impacts to Mexico. As the storm was downgraded to a tropical rainstorm on Saturday, thousands were still without power in California and scenes of havoc were left behind following the storm’s record rainfall. … Tropical Storm Kay delivered nearly a year’s worth of rain across Southern California, shattering daily rainfall records. In San Diego, 0.61 of an inch of rain was measured on Friday, which crushed the previous record of 0.09 of an inch set back in 1976. … ” Read more from AccuWeather here: Kay unleashes nearly year’s worth of rain, flash flooding in SoCal
High tides and ocean water advisories: Southern California beaches impacted by Kay
“High tides and massive swells swashed along Los Angeles area beaches Saturday, and cities and residents alike took precautions to protect homes and businesses. Video from Sky5 showed high tides cut across the sand from Long Beach to Huntington Beach, coming dangerously close to hundreds of homes. In Long Beach, aerial footage showed crews working feverishly to shore up the sand berm that separated the rising ocean waters and multimillion-dollar oceanfront properties after the barrier partially collapsed Saturday night. … ” Read more from KTLA here: High tides and ocean water advisories: Southern California beaches impacted by Kay
Developers face proposed $1.9 million penalty for repeatedly violating construction stormwater permit
“Two Southern California developers and a corporate officer could be penalized $1.9 million by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board for reported violations of their construction stormwater general permit at a multi–use development in Rosemead, including the failure to retain a qualified stormwater manager to oversee inspections, maintenance, repairs and sampling. The Los Angeles Water Board today issued an administrative civil liability complaint against Garvey Garden Plaza LLC, Yang Ming Construction Inc., and Jimmy Duong for allegedly violating statewide stormwater requirements during construction of a housing and commercial complex on a 1.1–acre site. … ” Read more from the State Water Board here: Developers face proposed $1.9 million penalty for repeatedly violating construction stormwater permit
El Segundo moves to sue L.A. over massive Santa Monica Bay sewage spill, foul odors
“The El Segundo City Council on Thursday declared a local state of emergency and authorized a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles regarding ongoing issues stemming from a massive spill that dumped millions of gallons of sewage into Santa Monica Bay and left residents complaining of headaches and stomach and eye pain due to the noxious odors. The council’s unanimous actions Thursday come after more than a year of frustration with Los Angeles and lingering effects of the spill from the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, said El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles. “In July 2021, when we first got the call of what was going on, we were in disbelief, frustrated and angry,” Boyles told The Times. “Now, 14 months later, we all feel exactly the same.” … ” Read more from the LA Times here: El Segundo moves to sue L.A. over massive Santa Monica Bay sewage spill, foul odors
IMPERIAL/COACHELLA VALLEYS
Commentary: Blake Davis and Freight Farms collaborative effort
“The Salton Sea is the biggest clean body of water in California. It is also the most toxic from agricultural runoff from the Imperial Valley and sewage flowing from Mexico into the New River which is then deposited into the sea. This scenario has been occurring for the last century and will continue unless an infrastructural change is made. … The finding of white gold (lithium) hurts this scenario of faulty clean water infrastructure based on global demand and demand for progress within industries that utilize lithium. Plausibly rushing the mining process which could extend these problems way past their due date by complicating mining by not accurately and efficiently addressing these issues before mining starts. … This is where the solution I have been proposing on Twitter @Blake_S_Davis for the last 3 years comes into play. Hydroponics is the science of controlling every aspect of a plant’s environment … ” Read more from the Imperial Valley Press here: Commentary: Blake Davis and Freight Farms collaborative effort
SAN DIEGO
Modified seawater intakes approved for Carlsbad desalination plant
“A permit approved Thursday by the California Coastal Commission will allow the Carlsbad desalination plant to modify its seawater intakes and discharge structures to better protect marine life and create a “stand-alone” system. The desalination plant takes ocean water from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon through intakes formerly used for the cooling system at the now demolished Encina power plant, built by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. in the 1950s. The old power plant was replaced by a more efficient plant that does not use seawater for cooling. However, the desalination plant, which began production in 2015, still uses parts of the power plant’s intakes and now needs additional upgrades to conform to state environmental requirements, according to a Coastal Commission staff report. ... ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: Modified seawater intakes approved for Carlsbad desalination plant
What’s causing beach pollution near the San Diego River? Blame sewer leaks, study suggests
“A new study by San Diego State University scientists finds that the bacterial outbreaks in the San Diego River that force frequent local beach closures are caused primarily by leaks in aging sewer pipes, not by homeless encampments or failing septic tanks. Environmentalists are calling the study a wake-up call to local sewer agencies and political leaders, contending that swift and large financial investments are needed to upgrade many local sewer pipes that are well over 50 years old. The cost of replacing the pipes, which could run into the billions of dollars, would be passed on to sewer and water ratepayers by the sewer agencies that fund the upgrades. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: What’s causing beach pollution near the San Diego River? Blame sewer leaks, study suggests
Along the Colorado River …
Angry at other states, Arizona towns, tribes rethink planned water cuts
“Faced with deep cuts to the water supply, and angry that other states are not doing their share, tribes and local governments in Arizona are increasingly talking about backing off earlier offers to give up some water. The Gila River Indian Community said in August that it will begin storing water underground “rather than contributing them to system conservation programs for Lake Mead.” Officials in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Peoria and Glendale are considering following suit, asking to get their full allotment of water instead of financial compensation they might have received for reducing their take from the system. … ” Read more from Cronkite News here: Angry at other states, Arizona towns, tribes rethink planned water cuts
Federal funds for water projects a fraction of what Arizona says it needs
“Arizona will get $109.5 million from the federal infrastructure bill this year to improve water systems in the state – a fraction of the $1.4 billion list of needs state officials say they have. But even at that level, some critics say Arizona is getting more than its fair share of its portion of the funds – for lead-pipe replacement – over other states with thousands more pipes to replace. … ” Read more from Arizona Public Media here: Federal funds for water projects a fraction of what Arizona says it needs
