In California water news today, Dead fish and starving whales: What Trump’s hidden report on water means to California; Some call foul on ‘delay’ of Trump water-pumping promise; Environmental groups sue Trump administration for weakening Endangered Species Act; Salmon Fishermen Blast Trump Administration Suppression of Scientists, Call for Action by California; California king salmon make comeback after drought; Mexican marijuana traffickers are poisoning California forests with a banned pesticide, officials say; Kern spill renews oil production controversy; Drought-Resistant Terms Doubled in California, Arizona Real Estate Listing Descriptions; and more …
On the calendar today …
- The Delta Stewardship Council meets beginning at 9am. Agenda items include an informational item on the draft Delta Plan 5-year review report and a public hearing on proposed rulemaking for the Delta Levee Investment Strategy. Click here for the agenda.
- WEBINAR: One Water Delegations in Action, Part Two from 12pm to 1pm. Representatives from the Iowa, Tucson, and Austin regional delegations will share how the delegation model has enhanced their One Water work. The panelists will discuss how they developed their delegation goals and the progress that has been made on their delegation commitments to action. Presented by the US Water Alliance. Click here to register.
- WEBCAST: SGMA GSP Reporting System from 12:30 to 2pm: DWR staff will present information on the updated SGMA Portal, provide step-by-step instructions for GSP submittal, demonstrate the new tool, and answer questions sent via email. Click here to register.
In the news today …
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
- SCIENCE NEWS: Shasta dam releases can be managed to benefit both salmon and sturgeon, study finds; New maps show how little is left of West Coast estuaries; Understanding how fish deal with drought; Blue vs. green: The color of water policy; and more …
- BROWN BAG SEMINAR: Synthesis within the Interagency Ecological Program: Growing to Meet Increasing Needs
Dead fish and starving whales: What Trump’s hidden report on water means to California: “Federal scientists pulled no punches in their report: The Trump administration’s plan to send more water to San Joaquin Valley farmers would force critically endangered California salmon even closer to extinction, and starve a struggling population of West Coast killer whales. But the scientists’ findings weren’t adopted, nor were they released to the public. Instead, two days after scientists passed their findings on to the Trump administration on July 1, his officials responded by calling in a strike team to redo the 1,123-page report, documents and emails show. … ” Read more from the Sacramento Bee here: Dead fish and starving whales: What Trump’s hidden report on water means to California
Some call foul on ‘delay’ of Trump water-pumping promise: “For months, farmers across the Valley as well as people in many cities and unincorporated communities have anxiously awaited a federal report. Under orders from President Donald Trump, the researchers have been looking at data related to a more than decade-old federal court order that two water pumping stations along tributaries of the Sacramento River near Tracy cut back on pumping water from the north down south, where much of that water would go to supply farms and communities. … ” Continue reading at The Business Journal here: Some call foul on ‘delay’ of Trump water-pumping promise
Environmental groups sue Trump administration for weakening Endangered Species Act: “Several big-name environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday challenging the Trump administration’s recent rollback of the Endangered Species Act. The groups, which include the Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association and five others, allege that the administration’s move is at odds with the 45-year-old conservation law and threatens the survival of untold numbers of plants and animals. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Reconcile here: Environmental groups sue Trump administration for weakening Endangered Species Act
Salmon Fishermen Blast Trump Administration Suppression of Scientists, Call for Action by California: Dan Bacher writes, “The Trump administration continues to suppress scientists who disagree with the anti-science dogma promoted by Big Ag, Big Oil and other corporate interests. In the latest foray in the war on science, federal salmon biologists’ warnings about dangers to Chinook salmon and steelhead poised by planned increased water diversions by the Central Valley Water Project have been suppressed by the Trump administration, the Los Angeles Times reported today. The salmon warnings come as the federal government finalizes plans to export more northern California water to corporate agribusiness interests to irrigate the arid and drainage-impaired land on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. ... ” Read more at The Daily Kos here: Salmon Fishermen Blast Trump Administration Suppression of Scientists, Call for Action by California
Endangerment of the species: Delta conservation groups, state attorney general speak out: “The Center for Biological Diversity is preparing its biggest legal fight yet against the Trump administration—and it says nothing less than the survival of numerous species is at stake. Conservation and environmental groups were reeling last week when U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt oversaw a stark rewriting of the federal Endangered Species Act, allowing regulators to consider the profit goals of corporate stakeholders alongside the best scientific data when ruling on wildlife protections. … ” Read more from the Sacramento News and Review here: Endangerment of the species: Delta conservation groups, state attorney general speak out
California king salmon make comeback after drought: “Trolling off the California coast, Sarah Bates leans over the side of her boat and pulls out a long, silvery fish prized by anglers and seafood lovers: wild king salmon. Reeling in a fish “feels good every time,” but this year has been surprisingly good, said Bates, a commercial troller based in San Francisco. Bates and other California fishermen are reporting one of the best salmon fishing seasons in years, thanks to heavy rain and snow that ended the state’s historic drought. ... ” Read more from KIII TV here: California king salmon make comeback after drought
Mexican marijuana traffickers are poisoning California forests with a banned pesticide, officials say: “California law enforcement has learned that Mexican drug traffickers are using a dangerous pesticide banned in the United States to grow marijuana in remote areas of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and are going after their operations. The pesticide, carbofuran, is toxic to wildlife and humans and can cause permanent reproductive damage. Law enforcement took reporters on a tour of one of the illegal grow sites on Tuesday, where a bottle of carbofuran could be seen. “These are federal lands, and they are being systematically destroyed through clear-cutting, stream diversion, chemicals and pesticides,” said U.S. Atty. McGregor Scott at a news conference, where he was joined by federal, state and local officials who were part of the investigation. “It’s a vitally important issue.” ... ” Read more from the LA Times here: Mexican marijuana traffickers are poisoning California forests with a banned pesticide, officials say
Kern spill renews oil production controversy: “California has long been a top producer of oil. But that may change. Some hope that change will accelerate under Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has called for a decrease in the demand and supply of fossil fuels. A recent massive spill in Chevron’s Cymric oilfield in Kern County, about 35 miles west of Bakersfield, prompted a major regulatory shakeup and could bolster that view. The spill leaked intermittently off from May 10 to August 2, according to spokesman Eric Laughlin of the Unified Command, which is comprised of the state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, or DOGGR; the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Kern County Public Health Services Department, and Chevron USA, Inc. … ” Read more from Capitol Weekly here: Kern spill renews oil production controversy
Drought-Resistant Terms Doubled in California, Arizona Real Estate Listing Descriptions: “After the wettest 12 months in U.S. history, the threat of drought might seem like a mirage. But the frequency with which drought-resistant features are mentioned in home listings is still elevated in hard-hit western states, suggesting that these features remain desirable for home buyers even as drought pressures have eased. Around a quarter of water consumption among single-family residences goes to outdoor use, but in hotter, drier parts of the country, outdoor water usage can be twice that in wetter areas. In places that don’t get much rain, maintaining a lush green lawn can suck up tens of thousands of gallons of water per year – a heavy environmental burden. In fact, some researchers argue that lowering outdoor water use has the greatest potential for urban water savings. … ” Read more from Zillow here: Drought-Resistant Terms Doubled in California, Arizona Listing Descriptions
Many Of The West’s Estuaries Have Vanished: Here’s Why That Matters: “Most of the West Coast’s estuary habitat has vanished, according to a new study, the most thorough of its kind. The mapping project found that, today, less than 15% of historic estuaries remain along the Washington, Oregon and California coastlines. Estuaries form where fresh water from rivers and streams meets the salt water of the ocean. They take the form of salt marshes, tidal forests, beaches and steep river mouths. They are among the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth. … ” Read more from Oregon Public Broadcasting here: Many Of The West’s Estuaries Have Vanished: Here’s Why That Matters
Lessons Australia’s water reform offers in science, politics and sustainable watersheds: “Against the backdrop of a changing climate, governments in many of the world’s semi-arid regions face the difficult task of balancing the water needs of growing populations with those of the environment. This balancing act is especially challenging in Australia’s largest river basin, the Murray-Darling, which spans one million km2 and supplies 40 percent of the country’s agricultural production. The successes and failures of Australia’s recent reform of the Murray-Darling Basin hold valuable lessons for policy makers in California and elsewhere who are likely to grapple with the environmental repercussions of extreme drought in the future. ... ” Read more from Water in the West here: Lessons Australia’s water reform offers in science, politics and sustainable watersheds
UTA Developing Method To Test Seismic Vulnerability Of Water Pipeline Systems: “Financiers and investment planners work with risk and assess it each day. A researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington is taking those same principles of risk aversion and applying them to engineering and modeling methods. The goal: Determine which parts of urban water pipeline systems should be replaced to withstand earthquakes. … ” Read more from Water Online here: UTA Developing Method To Test Seismic Vulnerability Of Water Pipeline Systems
Congress pumps brakes on Interior push to relocate Bureau of Land Management: “The Interior Department says it is moving ahead with plans to relocate a Washington-based agency to Colorado after getting the green light from Congress, but lawmakers say no such approval has been granted. The Department of the Interior is preparing to move 27 top officials at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to new headquarters in Grand Junction, Colo., while scattering other D.C.-based employees to existing offices out West. … ” Read more from The Hill here: Congress pumps brakes on Interior push to relocate Bureau of Land Management
In regional news and commentary today …
Spawning a Solution for McKinleyville’s Wastewater: “Finding a way to deal with the wastewater produced by a town full of people is a challenge, one that’s forced the McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD) to find some creative solutions. Officials are touting the emerging solution as a win-win, a cutting-edge project that will serve the district’s needs at minimal cost to ratepayers while also helping the environment. In the winter, when the Mad River is running high, cleaned and treated wastewater can be discharged directly into the river. But in the summer, when the river is low, the MCSD must find another way of dealing with the effluent. … ” Read more from the North Coast Journal here: Spawning a Solution for McKinleyville’s Wastewater
Lake County throws hat in ring on Potter Valley Project: “The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an amended resolution Tuesday that will open the door for Lake County to join a group vying to take over responsibility for the Potter Valley Project. After Pacific Gas & Electric Co. this January gave notice that it planned to abandon its water diversion and electric power project, which contains two dams including Scott Dam (this forms Lake Pillsbury in Lake County’s northern reaches), groups of stakeholders have formed to discuss options for the project’s future. … ” Read more from the Lake County Record-Bee here: Lake County throws hat in ring on Potter Valley Project
State sets limits on septic system pollution in the Russian River: “Lower Russian River residents pleaded for money and mercy last week at a state water board hearing over proposed rules banning “the discharge of fecal waste” into the Russian River. “The cost of implementing this is huge,” west county’s 5th District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins told the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. The financial ramifications will burden river residents already struggling with the cost of living, said Hopkins. … ” Read more from Sonoma West here: State sets limits on septic system pollution in the Russian River
Streets to Creeks campaign seeks to prevent Russian River watershed pollution: “A coalition of cities, counties, towns and special districts that share the Russian River watershed have partnered to raise awareness about neighborhood storm drains and their connection to the vitality of our local creeks. Many community members are unaware of the fact that the storm drains in our streets, go directly into local creeks,and ultimately flow into the Russian River. The campaign focuses on raising regional awareness about impacts to our watershed and water quality by educating residents about one essential fact — only rain should ever go down the storm drain. … ” Read more from the Windsor Times here: Streets to Creeks campaign seeks to prevent Russian River watershed pollution
Elected officials oppose proposed housing development on Redwood City salt pond site: “A group of elected officials and community organizations from across the Bay Area released a joint statement Tuesday to oppose any housing development project on salt ponds in Redwood City. The group alleges that landowner Cargill Salt and its partner DMB Pacific Ventures, a luxury home development firm, “colluded” with President Donald Trump’s government to weaken federal Clean Water Act protections for San Francisco Bay. … ” Read more from KTVU here: Elected officials oppose proposed housing development on Redwood City salt pond site
The Owens Valley Groundwater Authority, according to Mono County: “The Mono County Board of Supervisors heard a tutorial on the Owens Valley Groundwater Authority delivered by Deputy County Counsel Jason Conger at Tuesday’s meeting. The presentation and comments indicate a distinct line has been drawn between Mono’s members on the OVGA and Inyo County. The bottom line: with the tentative low rating on the Owens Valley groundwater basin, Mono County’s Board doesn’t seem to see any advantage in keeping the OVGA intact. As Supervisor Bob Gardner said, “what’s broken that needs fixing? We need serious conversation to balance Mono County with Inyo’s Owens Lake issues.” … ” Read more from the Sierra Wave here: The Owens Valley Groundwater Authority, according to Mono County
Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority approves well registration ordinance: “All residents and organizations within the Indian Wells Valley will have to implement register their wells come Oct. 1 following the approval of an ordinance by the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board of directors. The board passed the ordinance unanimously at its Thursday board meeting as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to collect data for a required groundwater sustainability plan. According to IWV Water District attorney James Worth, who acts as lead legal counsel for the IWVGA in 2019, it is a critical component in developing that plan. … ” Read more from the Ridgecrest Independent here: Ridgecrest: Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority approves well registration ordinance
Antelope Valley: Recycled water plan moves forward: “Officials are proceeding with a project to bring recycled water further into Palmdale for irrigation use, but have had to change direction in terms of securing financing. The Palmdale Recycled Water Authority’s Recycled Water Line Phase 2 project will extend the lines carrying treated recycled water, known as “purple pipes,” about four-and-a-half miles from McAdam Park on 30th Street East, up East Avenue R, to Dominic Massari Park. ... ” Read more from the Antelope Valley Press here: Antelope Valley: Recycled water plan moves forward
RIVERSIDE: Councilman wants to refill Hole Lake: “A piece of Riverside history could be revived if Councilman Steve Adams can get the city to refill Hole Lake, an irrigation and recreation reservoir for 60 years that’s now full of trees and plants and, in some spots, trash and homeless camps. The lake is southwest of Van Buren Boulevard and Jurupa Avenue in La Sierra and still shows up as a patch of blue on Google maps, although it was emptied nearly four decades ago. ... ” Read more from the Riverside Press-Enterprise here: RIVERSIDE: Councilman wants to refill Hole Lake
Coachella Valley Commentary: Regional collaboration needed to keep the desert’s groundwater supply healthy, says Trish Rhay: She writes, “Recent validation by state regulators of the effective and sustainable management of Coachella Valley’s groundwater basins speaks volumes about the importance of collaboration by local water managers to protect our most important resource. For years, the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD), Desert Water Agency (DWA), Indio Water Authority (IWA) and other local public water agencies across the valley have worked together to protect underground basins — a shared resource that supplies the majority of our drinking water. These local sources are particularly important in times of drought, when imported water is subject to drastic reductions. … ” Read more from the Desert Sun here: Regional collaboration needed to keep the desert’s groundwater supply healthy
San Diego: Levin, Harris, Feinstein call for federal funds to stabilize beach bluffs: “Following the deaths of three people from a bluff collapse on an Encinitas Beach earlier this month, California’s two senators and Rep. Mike Levin on Wednesday asked for federal funds for a long-sought project that could prevent such tragedies in the future. “In light of these events, we urge you to approve the request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide funding for the Encinitas-Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project, also known as the San Diego County Shore Protection Project,” read the letter addressed to Office of Management Budget Acting Director Russell Vought and signed by Levin, a Democrat from San Juan Capistrano, and senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris. … ” Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune here: San Diego: Levin, Harris, Feinstein call for federal funds to stabilize beach bluffs
It was ‘do or die’: All of the time, money and energy Mike and Patricia McCoy invested in saving the Tijuana Estuary rested on this one meeting: “It was November 1980, when the phone rang at the Imperial Beach home of Mike and Patricia McCoy. Ralph Pisapia, manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services office in Laguna Niguel was on the line. He asked the McCoys to meet him at the end of Seacoast Drive the following morning at 10. The McCoys held their breath as they drove to meet Pisapia. All of their time, money and energy expended over the past 10 years to save the Tijuana Estuary rested on this meeting. … ” Read more from the US FWS here: It was ‘do or die’: All of the time, money and energy Mike and Patricia McCoy invested in saving the Tijuana Estuary rested on this one meeting
Also on Maven’s Notebook today …
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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.
