In California water news today, A fight with Trump that Gavin Newsom doesn’t want: Why he’s vetoing environmental bill; Want to Prevent California’s Katrina? Grow a Marsh; Why Water Now Flows in East Porterville — Community Outreach the Key; Newsom administration quietly stalls fracking permits; Pacific Ocean “blob” harming marine life made worse by climate change; These Are the U.S. States That Will Be Most Affected by Climate Change; and more …
On the calendar today …
- The State Water Resources Control Board meets beginning at 9:00am. (Note new start time). Agenda items include consideration of adoption of the Drinking Water System Administrator Policy Handbook, issues related to the Cachuma project, and consideration of a petition by Madera Irrigation District for a statutory adjudication of water rights in the Fresno River Watershed. Click here for the full agenda. Click here to watch on webcast.
- Small Farms & Groundwater Management Under SGMA in Fresno from 10am to 4pm. Please RSVP at: http://ucanr.edu/sgmasmallfarms.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- GUEST COMMENTARY: The Quiet Death and Imminent Rebirth of a Water Bond
- REACTIONS: Legislators, NGOs, farmers, and water interests react to passage and imminent veto of SB 1
- BLOG ROUND-UP: SB 1, The Munich Agreement on California Water, Delta outflow measurement; Providing flows for fish; Managing a non-native Delta ecosystem; Water myths of the San Joaquin Valley; and more …
A fight with Trump that Gavin Newsom doesn’t want: Why he’s vetoing environmental bill: “Gov. Gavin Newsom took considerable political heat over the weekend from a pair of unlikely sources — the environmental community and Democratic lawmakers. Both were angered over his pledge Saturday to veto Senate Bill 1, a proposal that they say would have protected California’s waterways and fish against the Trump administration. Newsom, who has sparred repeatedly with President Donald Trump and generally sided with environmental interests since taking office in January, said he’ll veto the legislation even though he supports its general principles of keeping California’s air, water and endangered species safe. The bill would have essentially negated every environmental rule proposed by Trump, turning the regulatory clock back to Jan. 19, 2017, the day before he took office. … “ Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: A fight with Trump that Gavin Newsom doesn’t want
Want to Prevent California’s Katrina? Grow a Marsh: “Something is amiss on Sherman Island, a whale-shaped swath of farm and grazing land at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. If you don’t know what ails the place, it might be hard to pinpoint the problem. The island, in the Sacramento Delta, is roughly 16 square miles. Its asphalt roads, cracked and sagging at the edges, look like cheese melted over a lumpy pizza. The telephone poles, many of them kept erect by taut guy-wires, stand conspicuously at non-right angles. The landscape feels Dr. Seussian—a wacky, slightly absurdist version of farmland, right down to the exaggerated industrial backdrop: a steady stream of cars driving past on State Highway 160, which traverses the island; steaming smokestacks from the power plant across the river; the Antioch Bridge arcing dramatically over the San Joaquin River; enormous wind turbines turning lazily on a hill to the northwest. What’s wrong? … “ Read more from Bay Nature here: Want to Prevent California’s Katrina? Grow a Marsh
Why Water Now Flows in East Porterville — Community Outreach the Key: “Prop. 1 funding has helped advance a long list of projects up and down the state to provide Californians safe drinking water. It was key in East Porterville, an unincorporated, low-income, mostly Latino community of about 7,500 that, Ryan Jensen, of Community Water Center in Visalia, told Ethnic Media Services was “ground zero” for drought impacts in 2014-2017. “Nearly a third of the community had no water service,” Jensen recalled. Between state, county and Porterville local officials, he said “nobody took responsibility.” Meeting the community’s needs was “going around like a hot potato for a while.” … ” Read more from the Tennessee Tribune here: Why Water Now Flows in East Porterville — Community Outreach the Key
Newsom administration quietly stalls fracking permits: “The administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a de-facto moratorium on hydraulic fracturing while it studies permitting procedures for the politically controversial oil well-completion technique better known as fracking. State records show not one frack job has been approved in California since June 28, about two weeks before Newsom ordered the state’s top oil regulator fired. The dismissal was carried out partly because of a spike in fracking permits during the first half of this year, when approvals were coming at an average of about 35 per month. … ” Read more from Bakersfield.com here: Newsom administration quietly stalls fracking permits
How sea anemones feel the pinch of climate change: “If you’ve visited the rocky California coast at low tide, you’ve probably seen, stepped on, and stuck fingers into carpets of aggregating sea anemones, or sea flowers. These elegant and colorful masses of tentacles, ever-present in the intertidal, close up during low tide to present as dark green blobs. But as the ocean warms due to the climate crisis, these sea creatures may be at risk. For many inhabitants, the ocean is an increasingly stressful place as the climate crisis tips countless ecological relationships toward instability. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Examiner here: How sea anemones feel the pinch of climate change
Pacific Ocean “blob” harming marine life made worse by climate change: “The world’s oceans are ground zero for climate change. They cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and contain 97% of the planet’s water. A weather phenomenon known as the “blob” is impacting the world’s largest ocean, the Pacific. The creatures at a San Diego rescue center are getting a second chance at life. SeaWorld’s Jody Westberg expects to release sea lions early next year and is dreading what could happen next. “The animals that are the most heart wrenching for us to rescue are the animals that the only reason we’re rescuing them is because of something caused by human impact,” Westberg said. … “ Read more from CBS News here: Pacific Ocean “blob” harming marine life made worse by climate change
Ocean Heat Wave Intensifies in Pacific, with Risks for Wildlife and Wildfires: “An intensifying marine heat wave in the northeastern Pacific Ocean has triggered government warnings about harm to salmon and other fisheries along the U.S. West Coast, and it’s raising concerns about hurricane risks to the Hawaiian islands and wildfire risks in California. The last time the region saw such a widespread and intense “warm blob,” in 2014-2015, the unusually warm ocean water boosted the growth of toxin-producing algae and suppressed the growth of small organisms at the base of the ocean food chain. The impacts rippled through ocean ecosystems, with mass die-offs of marine mammals and birds, the closure of crab and clam fisheries and warnings for sardine and anchovy fisheries because of poisoning concerns. ... ” Read more from Inside Climate News here: Ocean Heat Wave Intensifies in Pacific, with Risks for Wildlife and Wildfires
These Are the U.S. States That Will Be Most Affected by Climate Change: “Every American will be affected by climate change, experts have warned, although extreme events like scorching heatwaves, devastating floods and ferocious hurricanes will hit some harder than others. And yet too many Americans see climate change as either a threat only to people in other countries; a threat that will unfold in the distant future; as a problem that humans will simply innovate their way out; or part of a natural cycle, environmental scientists told Newsweek. In reality, the impact of global warming is being felt now. … ” Read more from Newsweek here: These Are the U.S. States That Will Be Most Affected by Climate Change
EPA Confirms The Agency Is Changing Water Policy: “The Trump administration announced significant rollbacks of Obama-era EPA regulations. How could the policy change affect the environmental landscape, and what could opponents do to fight it?” Listen to radio segment or read transcript from NPR here: EPA Confirms The Agency Is Changing Water Policy
In commentary today …
Newsom on wrong side of environmental bill, says the San Francisco Chronicle: They write, “Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled that he will veto the most significant environmental protection bill to emerge from the California Legislature this past session: Senate Bill 1, a measure tailored to safeguard the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta from water grabs if, as expected, the Trump administration weakens the Endangered Species Act. The governor who fancies himself as a leader of the resistance to Trump administration policies that undermine this state’s laws and violate its values needs to reconsider his position on SB1. … “ Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Newsom on wrong side of environmental bill
Keep your promise to our Valley, Governor Newsom, says the Modesto Bee: They write, “Governor Gavin Newsom must honor his promise to veto legislation whose unintended consequences would significantly harm our Central Valley economy. Democrats controlling the California Legislature thought they could give President Donald Trump a virtual body slam with Senate Bill 1, which would blunt the president’s attacks on labor and environmental protection rules. Much of the news coverage on SB1 has focused on that California-v.-Trump political angle. But SB1 also threatens to derail painstakingly delicate negotiations over our water supply. … ” Read more from the Modesto Bee here: Keep your promise to our Valley, Governor Newsom, says the Modesto Bee
Veto SB1 to embrace progress rather than chaining state to a dysfunctional past, says Mike Wade: He writes, “We applaud Gov. Newsom for his commitment to veto Senate Bill 1 and maintaining a clear-eyed focus on the Voluntary Agreements, which are a key piece of his Water Resiliency Plan for California. Senate Bill 1 was essentially a choice between adopting new science and collaborative ways of managing our water, or our outdated system that has overseen the decline of threatened and endangered species and diminished water supply reliability for the Southland, farmers, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The existing system has worked for no one – and yet SB 1 sought to lock it into law, essentially calling a halt to the Voluntary Agreements. … ” Read more from the Daily News here: Veto SB1 to embrace progress rather than chaining state to a dysfunctional past
The Words of Water: Why Environmentalists Are Losing the Water Wars: Gary Wockner writes, “In the 1870s the colonizing American government rounded up “Indians” and put them in boarding schools and forced them to learn English. The American government knew one thing: If you take away a person’s language, you take away their culture and their soul. It’s the first and most important step of colonization and a necessary type of violent oppression. If you want to subdue people and landscapes and cultures, you must first describe and define them in the words of the oppressor and colonizer and teach them to use those words. Environmentalists are losing the “water wars” because they have had their language stolen — they are taught to use the language of their oppressor, and they often repeat that story, and thereby oppression, constantly in their communications. ... ” Read more from The Revelator here: The Words of Water: Why Environmentalists Are Losing the Water Wars
In regional news and commentary today …
The Klamath River Basin is headed toward disaster. Here’s how we can save it: Joseph L. James writes, “The Klamath River Basin, which traverses the California-Oregon border, has been home to the Yurok Tribe since time immemorial. Our people have depended on this river’s bounty for both nutritional and spiritual sustenance for more generations than we can count. But the salmon and steelhead that were once abundant in this great watershed are now at risk of extinction, a preventable disaster that can be averted by moving forward with the planned removal of four aging hydroelectric dams. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: The Klamath River Basin is headed toward disaster. Here’s how we can save it
Editorial: E. coli in the river? Sacramento leaders must face reality and install restrooms, says the Sacramento Bee: “What do cop calls and E. coli have in common? They should both spur us to act on homelessness. Investigations by The Sacramento Bee have revealed some unsavory realities about life in a region struggling with a major crisis. First, we learned that Sacramento police received a high number of calls to the Railroad Drive homeless shelter during the 17 months it was open. We also learned human feces are contributing to unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria in the American River, because authorities won’t provide toilets for the people who live along its banks. ... ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Editorial: E. coli in the river? Sacramento leaders must face reality and install restrooms
Sacramento: Construction continues on water vault after McKinley Park residents file lawsuit: “Construction continues at Sacramento’s McKinley Park where a water-sewage vault is being built after nearby residents file a lawsuit. A judge decided in February not to halt the city’s plans to build the massive tank. The debate over the way to solve the East Sacramento neighborhood’s flooding problems has long been brewing, and residents filed a lawsuit in November 2018, saying that it ruins the historic look of McKinley Park. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Construction continues on water vault after McKinley Park residents file lawsuit
Bay Area: Race against time: “There’s a lot to like about the Bay Area’s efforts to prepare for sea level rise: the collaborative efforts, the detailed studies and, laudably, the voters who are willing to tax themselves with an eye to future needs. But if the long-term threat is as grim as scientific projections indicate, local experts say the region needs to respond with increased urgency — an urgency that is at odds with the Bay Area’s often cumbersome decision-making processes. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle here: Bay Area: Race against time
Some Bay Area Cities Bracing For Future Sea Level Rise: “With scientists predicting sea level rise of up to 10 feet in the next 80 years in the Bay Area, there are signs at least some of those dire forecasts are sinking in as cities and developers brace for the future. In projects from San Jose to Marin, planners are building levees, raising buildings, and at least thinking about how to mitigate traffic issues that will likely arise along with sea level flooding. But experts say others haven’t quite gotten the message yet. … ” Read more from NBC Bay Area here: Some Bay Area Cities Bracing For Future Sea Level Rise
Higher groundwater pumping fees are coming to Oxnard: “The conversation about increased pumping fees for groundwater in the Oxnard basin continues with seawater invasion and how it relates to the groundwater locally. The Fox Canyon, Groundwater Management Agency, held its fourth workshop, Aug. 21, and discussed the reasons why the area will reduce pumping in the future to meet its sustainability goals as it moves toward 2040. … ” Read more from the Tri County Sentry here: Higher groundwater pumping fees are coming to Oxnard
Goleta: Steelhead trout trapping underway to help the endangered species: “A Steelhead trout rescue effort is underway. Environmental scientists said the trout are indicators of watershed health.Trout trapping is taking place in an undisclosed portion of Gaviota Creek in Goleta where the water is drying up. … ” Read more from KSBY here: Steelhead trout trapping underway to help the endangered species
Southern California: 15 chosen by county to recommend best ways to capture stormwater: “Los Angeles County has a committee of 17 seats, and its members are expected to recommend projects to preserve and, hopefully, increase the water supply of the Santa Clara River watershed by capturing stormwater and urban runoff. The steering committee is expected to develop guidelines and select programs that would prioritize funding through Measure W, which was approved by voters last year. … ” Read more from The Signal here: 15 chosen by county to recommend best ways to capture stormwater
South Gate charts new course to rear native fish that thrived before L.A.’s explosive growth: “The city of South Gate plans to transform a weedy and rutted field overlooking an industrialized stretch of the Los Angeles River into a sylvan retreat boasting a nursery for rare native fish that thrived before the explosive growth of Southern California after World War II. The $20-million Urban Orchard Park project is slated to sprout on 7 acres of undeveloped city property sandwiched between the 710 Freeway and the river and surrounded by electrical power-line towers, truck yards, mobile homes, manufacturing plants and some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the state. … ” Read more from LA Times here: South Gate charts new course to rear native fish that thrived before L.A.’s explosive growth
East Coachella Valley residents, speak out for a healthier environment, say : They write, “The eastern Coachella Valley stands to benefit from a pair of Sacramento decisions. Now the state needs to hear from local residents. In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-10-10. It directs the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to recommend actions to help create climate-resilient water systems and healthy waterways as part of California’s Water Resilience Portfolio Initiative. This is a major step toward sustainable and equitable access to this precious resource during this climate crisis. … ” Read more from The Desert Sun here: East Coachella Valley residents, speak out for a healthier environment
San Diego: WateReuse Symposium Showcases City of San Diego’s Pure Water: “Locally-roasted coffee and home brewed beer made with purified recycled water from the City of San Diego’s Pure Water Demonstration Facility was showcased Sept. 10 in San Diego during two special events at the 34th annual WateReuse Symposium. Pure Water San Diego presented two events featuring beverages made with a key ingredient: purified recycled water. … “ Read more from the Water News Network here: WateReuse Symposium Showcases City of San Diego’s Pure Water
City of San Diego draws on local water supplies after deliveries reduced: “Due to an unexpected reduction in imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), the City of San Diego was obligated to dip into its local water supplies to continue service to customers. On Tuesday morning, algae clogged a filter screen on a major pipeline, causing an interruption in raw, untreated water from MWD to the San Diego County Water Authority. MWD cleared the pipeline that morning and full deliveries resumed by early afternoon. The City of San Diego purchases its imported water from the County Water Authority. … ” Read more from the San Diego Community News here: City of San Diego draws on local water supplies after deliveries reduced
San Diego’s Climate Crisis: The Risks And Costs Of Living In The Backcountry: “Pete Beauregard squints in the morning sun as he thinks back to October 22, 2007. “That wind hit us at about 120 mph, wind with fire,” he said. “It came head-on and it was like a blow torch, it just cut everything to the ground.” He’s talking about the Witch Creek Fire, which engulfed San Diego County that fall — scorching nearly 200,000 acres, forcing half a million evacuations and destroying more than 1,000 homes. Among them was the Ramona home shared by Beauregard and his wife Amy McQuillan. … “ Read more from KPBS here: San Diego’s Climate Crisis: The Risks And Costs Of Living In The Backcountry
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado: Developers seeking water for booming Front Range look to the San Luis Valley, where farmers already face well shut-offs: “Thousands of feet under irrigated green crop circles, Colorado’s low-income San Luis Valley holds vast water in a super-deep aquifer, and developers 180 miles away on the booming-yet-water-stressed Front Range want to tap it to supply suburban expansion. San Luis Valley leaders say no way, though the developers point out farmers privately have inquired about selling water rights. … “ Read more from the Denver Post here: Developers seeking water for booming Front Range look to the San Luis Valley, where farmers already face well shut-offs
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
GUEST COMMENTARY: The Quiet Death and Imminent Rebirth of a Water Bond
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About the Daily Digest: The Daily Digest is a collection of selected news articles, commentaries and editorials appearing in the mainstream press. Items are generally selected to follow the focus of the Notebook blog. The Daily Digest is published every weekday with a weekend edition posting on Sundays.
