Tuesday’s top of the scroll: Where did winter go? Snow survey tomorrow; Dry weather to continue
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 8:32 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“State water officials say recent storms have not made up for this year’s dry winter, leaving California’s snowpack at below average levels.
The Sierra Nevada snowpack is a key source of California’s water supply. Officials said Monday that snowpack water content was just 38 percent of average, compared to the 19 percent they measured in early January. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
The Department of Water Resources will be doing their monthly snow survey tomorrow, and had this to say about conditions in the press release:
” … Electronic readings today indicate that water content in the statewide snowpack is just 38 percent of normal. That is 23 percent of the average April 1 reading, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before the spring melt. Still, this is an improvement over results of this winter’s January 3 survey, which recorded snowpack water content at 19 percent of normal for that date, and only 7 percent of the average April 1 reading. “Conditions so far this winter continue to be much drier than we would like,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “We are fortunate that most of the state continues to benefit from good reservoir storage carried over from last winter, and we remain optimistic for a return to a normal weather pattern between now and spring to sustain adequate water deliveries.”
Lake Oroville in Butte County, the State Water Project’s principal storage reservoir, is at 107 percent of average for the date (72 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity), Lake Shasta north of Redding, the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir with a capacity of 4.5 million acre-feet, is at 100 percent of its normal storage level for the date (68 percent of capacity). San Luis Reservoir in Merced County, an important storage reservoir south of the Delta, is at 121 percent of average for the date (96 percent of its capacity of 2,027,840 acre-feet). San Luis is a critically important source of water for both the State Water Project and Central Valley Project when pumping from the Delta is restricted or interrupted. … “
Read the full text of the press release from DWR by clicking here.
Expect the dry weather to continue, says the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog:
“Another prolonged period of tranquil weather is coming up that will bring little precipitation to the Northwest and no precipitation for the much of the far Southwest including California. This nauseating pattern for California Resort operators and ski enthusiast just continues on and on. Of course there is skiing to be had, it just not nearly what it normally is like this time of year.
While there are some small differences in the models on the particulars the screaming message is the same from Washington State to California and Arizona. Below to much below normal precipitation for at least the next 10-days. The main difference in the models today is how they handle a digging trough mid to late week in the eastern Rockies out into the Plains. The GFS solution, the farther west solution, is probably not the most favored. This will have an impact on how much snow may fall in Colorado and northern New Mexico. … “
More from the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
California citrus growers grapple with water issues
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 8:12 amFrom The Packer:
“California citrus growers are not dealing with the drought conditions that have hit South Texas, but they have been dealing ever-tightening restrictions on water use.
“It’s becoming more onerous, in terms of water availability,” said Andrew Brown, a grower and director with the Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual. “We’ve been more fortunate here on the east side of the valley, where most of the citrus belt is served by the Central Valley Project.”
Brown said a lot of regulatory involvement is unnecessary.
“There’s some groundwater regulations on the horizon that are going to be very onerous for all growers,” Brown said. … “
Continue reading from The Packer by clicking here.
When fish and frost protection collide: Water for frost protection under scrutiny due to endangered species in Russian River, extra layer of regulations for grape growers
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 8:09 amFrom WineBusiness.com:
“Many grape growers throughout the country must be prepared to battle the threat of frost: Killing freezes in early spring often coincide with bud break, and a few nights of sub-freezing temperatures, without the benefit of frost protection, can devastate a crop.
There are numerous techniques and types of equipment for growers to protect their vines and young buds from frost (see Frost Protection—Managing the Air, by Bill Pregler, WBM January 2010). A variety of considerations, including cost, site selection, drainage and passive or active protection, come into play. For grape growers in frost-prone regions, such as Northern California, the most common active frost protection techniques are overhead sprinklers or wind machines.
Grape growers in the Russian River watershed, however, find themselves in a unique predicament: Not only do they have to remain on the alert for frost, but they now have to cope with a complicated and expensive set of regulations governing their water use during frost events. Many growers use overhead sprinklers to protect their vines when temperatures dip below freezing.
In Oregon, Washington, Texas and New York, growers utilize water for frost protection to varying degrees; but in interviews with numerous growers, regulators and academics, there does not appear to be an analogous situation to the one growers face in the Russian River basin: The conflict between competing demands for water during frost events and the protection of species guaranteed by the Endangered Species Act. “This is the one and only to my knowledge,” said Rhonda Smith, the viticulture farm advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Sonoma County. “To my knowledge, there have not been any regulations in the state specific to endangered species and the use of water for frost protection and agriculture.” … “
Continue reading part 1 from WineBusiness.com by clicking here. Then, click here to read part 2.
A watered-down bond for water system improvements?
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 8:05 amFrom KQED’s Climate Watch:
““There are two subjects water people least want to talk about: politics and money,” said the former head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, David Nahai. He was speaking at the “Future of Water in Southern California” conference on a dry and windy Friday, here in the City of Angels. And those two were the uncomfortable topics State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) talked about in his lunch hour keynote. … “
Continue reading from KQED’s Climate Watch by clicking here.
Department of Water Resources seeks more green energy for State Water Project
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:56 am
From the Department of Water Resources:
“The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is continuing to increase the amount of green energy in the State Water Project (SWP) power portfolio. DWR has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to purchase up to 180,000 WHh of energy a year from qualified renewable energy sources.
This was announced by Veronica Hicks, Chief of the DWR’s State Water Project Power and Risk Office. This is anticipated to be the first in a series of requests to further supplement with renewable energy the SWP energy portfolio, half of which already, on average, consists of clean hydropower.
“The purchase of renewable energy will assist DWR in meeting its goal of reducing its greenhouse gas footprint to 50 percent below its 1990 emissions,” stated Mark Cowin, DWR Director. “This step also helps achieve the Governor’s goal of increasing the use of renewable energy in California.”
Continue reading “Department of Water Resources seeks more green energy for State Water Project” »
Commentary: Putting Water to Beneficial Use: A technical response to criticism of the Cadiz Project
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:53 amReceived via email, this commentary on the Cadiz project, written By Terry Foreman, PG, C.Hg., and Dennis Williams, Ph.D, PG., C.Hg., , two of the scientists that led the technical analysis of the Project:
The innovative Cadiz Valley Water Conservation, Recovery and Storage Project would enable water to be beneficially used in California by capturing groundwater that is currently being lost to evaporation in the Mojave Desert. The Project is currently undergoing a public review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As with any public process, opponents are entitled and encouraged to question CEQA documents and challenge a project’s design or assumptions. However, many of the most vocal critics of the Cadiz Project have never visited the project area or reviewed any studies and rely instead on misinformation and assumptions that are simply incorrect, untrue and wrong.
As the authors of the geologic and hydrologic studies and many of the technical reports included in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Cadiz Project, we strongly believe that the project is based on sound modern water management practices that will provide a reliable and sustainable water supply without harm to the environment. In a transparent and open public process, all supporting studies are available to the public and included as Appendices to the DEIR. These studies are available from the following link – http://www.smwd.com/operations/cadiz-project-draft-eir.html.
Prior to inclusion of the hydrological studies in the DEIR, they were reviewed and validated by an independent peer review panel, the Project’s Groundwater Stewardship Committee (GSC). The GSC is chaired by Dr. John Sharp a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Sharp is the leading expert in groundwater hydrology and carbonate aquifers, similar to one of the aquifers found beneath the Project area. Other members of the GSC include Dr. Charles Groat, former director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and international groundwater experts from the regulatory, institutional, and academic sectors. For the summary of findings of this panel, see the Groundwater Stewardship Committee report here – http://www.smwd.com/assets/downloads/GSCSum_10-20-11.pdf.
The following summarizes our responses to questions and clarifies the facts about the project:
Liberty Blog: X2 Ninth Circuit briefing completed (for now)
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:52 amFrom the Pacific Legal Foundation’s Liberty Blog:
“Last week, the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta, Kern County Water Agency, State Water Contractors, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, and Westlands Water District filed this reply to the Natural Resources Defense Council’s opposition to the water users’ motion to dismiss NRDC’s appeal of last fall’s delta smelt X2 injunction. If the Ninth Circuit declines to grant the water users’ motion to dismiss, then expect to see further briefing on NRDC’s X2 appeal later this year. [Links available on click-through] … “
Restore the Delta’s blog reports from the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan meeting
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:49 amFrom the Restore the Delta’s blog:
“The 3-hour January 25 Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) public meeting was devoted to presentations on eight chapters of the BDCP draft by consultants ICF International. Most of the time was spent on appendices to the chapter that analyze biological effects of the plan, and on public comments and questions related to those appendices. With an audience of 40-50 people, plus call-in participants, there were a lot of comments and questions.
Without getting into important technical issues raised by Delta supporters, here are some interesting points that emerged:
The South Delta turns out not to be a very good place for habitat for “covered” (endangered) species. Anticipated temperature changes will make the water too warm. However, that area will still be useful for fish passage and food production – for fish. When the consultant mentioned food production, she didn’t mean agriculture. … “
Continue reading from Restore the Delta’s blog by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: Where there’s a will, there’s a way to pay?, also from Restore the Delta’s blog
Commentary: Delta over-pumping 2000 to 2006 caused Delta to be “in crisis” today
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:44 amFrom Burt Wilson at the Public Water News Service (a blog, of sorts, but not really):
“What the water agencies do not want to let the people in on is that the Dept. of Water Resources (DWR) allowed the Delta to be over-pumped from 2000 to 2006 in order to allow the Metropolitan Water District to make up for its loss of much of its Colorado River allocation (See Graph). [Graph available on click-through.]
The graph, courtesy of the MWD, shows that from 1976 through 1998, the MWD received on average roughly 700,000 acre feet of Delta water per year. But in the year 2000 water deliveries doubled to over 1,400,000 acre feet. It dropped to 1,100,000 acre feet over the next year and then shot up to a high of 1,800,000 acre feet in 2004. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Public Water News Service by clicking here.
Klamath River dam removals should go forth, says the San Franciso Chronicle
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:35 amFrom the San Francisco Chronicle, this editorial:
“After an all-sides agreement and lengthy scientific study, the country’s biggest dam removal project should be on track to restore the Klamath River. But the momentum behind this promising project could stall if Washington lets political gridlock sour the deal.
The latest update in the years-long effort is hundreds of pages of studies that give a fuller picture of the impact of taking out four dams that date back nearly a century and straddle the California-Oregon border. The findings expand on earlier work by adding compelling evidence that a free-flowing river will restore salmon runs, revive the sickly river, and still allow for irrigation water for Oregon farmers. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
An exquisite Mexico beach, cursed by plastic
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:21 amFrom the Los Angeles Times:
“Just off a rutted dirt road, a beach as white as flour pops into view from behind a wall of sea grape and rustling palms. Pelicans slice over turquoise waters, and not a single person stirs the quiet.
The tableau, along a little-developed segment of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, is a beachgoer’s fantasy of unspoiled seaside splendor. Until you look down.
For as far as the eye can see, the sand glitters with bits of bright color: fragments of trash, thousands and thousands of them, strung like a vast, foul necklace. … “
Continue reading from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
Siskiyou County: County tackles coho recovery
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:18 amFrom the Siskiyou Daily News:
“On Tuesday, the Siskiyou County government, Siskiyou County Farm Bureau and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) issued a joint press release announcing their efforts to have supplementation included in state and federal efforts to recover coho salmon populations in local watersheds.
“The concept is to add more fish to streams to take advantage of valuable underutilized habitat that is available either naturally or because of improvements made by ranchers in recent years,” the release stated. … “
Continue reading from the Siskiyou Daily News by clicking here.
Fish and Game releases adult coho salmon into Sonoma County Creek
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:08 am
From the Lake County News:
“The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) recently released adult coho salmon in Salmon Creek, Sonoma County to reestablish a coho salmon population.
This is the fourth consecutive year adult salmon were released, the agency reported.
The Department of Fish and Game said 200 adults were released on two separate occasions in late December 2011 and early January 2012.
The released coho included 120 males and 80 females, predominantly hybrids derived from mating between coho salmon of Russian River and Olema Creek origin, with a small number of pure Russian River coho and Olema Creek coho, Fish and Game said. … “
Continue reading from the Lake County News by clicking here.
Mosquito fogging in jeopardy after new environmental regulations
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:05 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“As fears grow that an unseasonably warm winter could lead to a severe West Nile virus season in the Bay Area, statewide vector control agencies may lose their chief weapon in fighting the mosquito-borne illness.
Mosquitoes already have awakened from their hibernation, and a late rain could create the perfect breeding ground for West Nile, just as a federal court ruling imposes strict regulations on the use of mosquito-abatement pesticides.
The ruling, which took effect last fall, requires that pesticide use adhere to the Clean Water Act, meaning seasonal fogging may cease in parts of the Bay Area, increasing the chances humans will get infected by the potentially fatal virus, experts say. A bill that would free vector control agencies from the rules is stuck in Congress. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Monterey: Desal sales pitch lacking, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:03 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Ed Mitchell, North County activist:
“For nearly a year the media have reported about the regional desalination project’s corrupted assault on the pocketbooks of Peninsula ratepayers. Less discussed is how some public officials in county water agencies traded away the livelihood of coastal farmers in North County for the financial benefit of subdivision developers.
This charade included Supervisor Lou Calcagno, county water agency manager Curtis Weeks and the indicted Steve Collins. These officials jawboned with farmers in the supervisor’s office and at other meeting sites, often out of public view, to support the desalination project. The good-deal arguments included claiming coastal farmers would not be harmed by brackish water withdrawals since only 10,000 acre-feet a year of potable water would be shipped out of Salinas Valley’s Zone 2C. Even better, withdrawals would prevent saltwater intrusion! Plus, by having coastal farmers excluded from the regional desalination project they would avoid expensive zone-of-benefit fees. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Paso Robles water plan is just not working, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:01 amFrom CalCoastNews.com, this commentary by Karen Reed, a long time Paso resident:
“I was shocked when not much was said about the huge increases in water rates needed to fund the water system projects discussed at the Nov. 15 Paso Robles City Council meeting. After years of hard work to come to an agreement on rates to pay for Nacimiento water, it seems the City was way off on what new development would be paying.
The new plan for water department improvements shows projected water rates increasing every year for the next 15 years. Rates shown increase from $1.32 to $8.70 per unit, a 650 percent increase.
But don’t worry; these will be small increases, until, until we get to $8.70. You may not even notice.
But you will pay and pay. … “
Continue reading from CalCoastNews.com by clicking here.
Calaveras County Water District breaks ground on plant
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:00 amFrom the Union Democrat:
“Calaveras County Water District officials and political dignitaries formally broke ground Friday on a $4.42 million upgrade to the district’s Douglas Flat-Vallecito Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Funded by federal stimulus funds, the project will allow more residents of the area — now prohibited by a moratorium — to connect to the district’s sewer system. It will also allow in-fill type development in the area, previously hindered by the lack of sewer connections. … “
Continue reading from the Union Democrat by clicking here.
Santa Clarita: Well due to come back online this week
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 6:54 amFrom the Santa Clarita Signal:
“Water officials expect to have one of two perchlorate-removing wells back in service by the end of February as they make the last few repairs this week.
In October, officials with the Castaic Lake Water Agency were forced to take Saugus Well No. 2 out of service to repair mechanical problems, including a broken pump shaft.
Once they had a chance to look at the well, they found its liner, or casing, was deteriorating with extensive mineral deposits, corrosion and several holes in the casing. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Clarita Signal by clicking here.
Burbank Water & Power aims to practice what it preaches with ‘eco-campus’
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 6:26 amFrom Southern California Public Radio:
“The city of Burbank has unveiled what it’s calling an “eco-campus” at the headquarters for its public utility, Burbank Water and Power. The city says the old facility will now be a model of conservation and energy efficiency.
A new water capture and filtration system on Lake Street next to the Magnolia Power Plant sends water into BWP’s property. General manager Ron Davis says that means the utility can do more with recycled resources. … “
Continue reading from Southern California Public Radio by clicking here.
Las Vegas: Great Basin Water Network says conservation is the answer, not pipeline
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 6:25 amFrom the Las Vegas Sun:
“The Great Basin Water Network says Las Vegas should impose tighter conservation restrictions and raise water rates to discourage waste instead of building a $15 billion pipeline to shift water from rural Nevada to Clark County.
The network, a major opponent of the pipeline, said protesters feel “approval of the applications will sanction and enhance the willful waste of water allowed, if not encouraged by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, contrary to public policy.” … “
Continue reading from the Las Vegas Sun by clicking here.
Weekend wrap-up: Water bond, the Delta, Hetch Hetchy and more making news, plus a look at the calendar and more
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 8:00 amWelcome to Monday! Here’s the weekend wrap-up:
On Saturday, Reuters reported on the water bond, Metropolitan posted this report on the Bay-Delta, the Tehama Daily News reported on a much-calmer meeting on regional water management, and Dan Bacher has comments from the environmental community on Governor Brown and the peripheral canal. The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a preliminary report on Central Valley Project water conditions with the first official water allocation estimate due in mid-February.
Sunday started with the River News-Herald reporting on Senator Wolk’s efforts on behalf of the Delta, the Manteca Bulletin reported that the SSJID has joined signed on to a resolution in opposition to the Delta Stewardship Council, the Delta National Park blog responded to the Metropolitan report about that other, still equal goal, the Western Weather Blog reports on conditions at Lake Mead, and Senator Feinstein says draining Hetch Hetchy won’t work.
ON THE CALENDAR THIS WEEK: On Tuesday, DWR’s workshop on Climate Change, Extreme Weather and Southern California floods will be held in Alhambra; Tuesday is also the second day of Reclamation and USGS’s Central Valley Hydrologic Model workshop, and on Friday, Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard are hosting a webinar on hydraulic fracturing in California.
LAST WEEK’S TOP STORIES: Top spot goes to the Bilingual News Weekly’s coverage of the peripheral canal, followed by the Manteca Bulletin’s coverage of Assemblyman Bill Berryhill’s peripheral canal alternative and the Stockton Record’s initial coverage of the passing of Alex Hildebrand, long-time Delta advocate. A lot of you also clicked over to check out the Department of Water Resources new water conditions webpage . The most popular blog post goes to Kate Poole’s “How to deny that fish need water”.
ARE YOU ON TWITTER? So am I! (Follow me here.) And so are a lot more agencies, including DWR and the Delta Stewardship Council. Even Proposition 18 (the water bond) is on twitter! I’ve assembled a list of water tweeters you’ll be sure to want to follow as well. Click here for Aquafornia’s list of water tweeters.
AND LASTLY, JUST FOR FUN … Only in L.A. can a river bed be confused for a freeway!
Have a great week!
Water systems need fixes, badly; customers don’t want to fund them
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:51 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“From mountain hamlets to Sacramento City Hall, governments are asking taxpayers to dig deeper into their pockets to improve sewer and water systems.
And people are pushing back.
Local officials say they need the money to upgrade outdated water-treatment facilities, sewer lines and water mains. In some cases, improvements are required just to comply with the law.
No matter how justified they say the rate hikes are, however, some elected officials have found it hard to follow through in the face of public protests. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
No need to fast-track latest attempt at canal, says the San Francisco Chronicle
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:49 amFrom the San Francisco Chronicle, this editorial:
“While most of the political chatter following Gov. Jerry Brown’s State of the State address last week focused on high-speed rail and his proposed tax initiative, the big issue quietly lapping the Capitol halls is water.
The state faces two deadlines in the next few months: approval of a plan to achieve the “coequal” goals of restoring the ecosystem of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and ensuring a reliable supply of water for export, and passing a bond to finance the delta restoration work.
The governor is fast-tracking the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, a public relations moniker for the state and federal effort to restore the delta and provide more and better quality water to cities and farms. The plan, despite assurances that planners have made no decision yet, clearly will include a “conveyance” – either a canal or tunnel to move Sacramento River water around the ever-saltier delta to the water pumps south of Stockton. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Cal Watchdog blog: Water wars flood L.A. Central Basin
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:43 amFrom the Cal Watchdog blog:
“Remember “Chinatown,” the murky 1974 movie about the water wars in the Los Angeles Basin in the 1930s, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway?
A January 18 California appeals court water rights case is reminiscent of the multilayered plots and subplots in the flick.
The “Chinatown” movie plot involves fictional character Hollis Mulwray who is murdered due to his opposition to the proposed construction of a new dam. The fictional Mulwray is based on the real historical person of William Mulholland, the infamous head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, who allegedly stole water from Mono Lake in Northern California in the early 20th Century. … “
Continue reading from the Cal Watchdog blog by clicking here.
EarthTalk: Is most household water usage from the bathroom?
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the bathroom is where over half of our household water usage takes place? What are some ways to take a bite out of that?
- Shelby McIntyre, Chico, Calif.
Yes indeed, some 60 percent of our household indoor water usage happens in the bathroom. As such, updating old leaky fixtures and changing a few basic habits could go a long way to not only saving fresh water, an increasingly precious resource, but also money.
Undoubtedly, the toilet is the biggest water hog in the bathroom. Those made before 1993 use up to eight gallons of water per flush, five times what modern toilets use. “It’s a good idea to replace pre-1993 toilets if you can,” says Patty Kim of National Geographic’s Green Guide. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
New upcoming events posted to the calendar
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:34 amThe following events have been added to the calendar:
The Scott River Watershed Council (SRWC) will host the annual Scott River Watershed Information Forum (SWIF) from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Fort Jones Community Hall, 11960 East St. Click here for more information from the Sikiyou Daily News.
The California Water Policy 21 conference, From Water Woes to Water Wise, will be held March 8 & 9 at the Westin Hotel, Los Angeles Airport. Click here for more information.
The Northern California Water Association cordially invites all those who are interested to attend their 20th Annual Meeting on March 9th, “The Political Landscape Affecting Our Water Resources” featuring John Laird, California Natural Resources Secretary. For more information or to RSVP, email dherrera [at] norcalwater.org, or call 916-442-8333. RSVP requested by March 2nd.
You can view the calendar in the sidebar to the right, or click here for a full-page version.
Do you have an event to be posted on Aquafornia’s calendar? Email me!
Martin Slough enhancement project moves forward; Salmon on Eureka golf course spur restoration work
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:33 amFrom the Eureka Times-Standard:
“After more than a decade of work, the Martin Slough enhancement project — which aims to reduce flooding and improve salmon habitat near the Eureka Municipal Golf Course — will acquire the funding needed to complete its design.
Don Allan, director of the Natural Resources Service Division for the Redwood Community Action Agency, said the California Department of Fish and Game posted the approval of the project’s grant last week.
Allan said agencies first began discussing the a two-phase fish passage improvement, wetland enhancement and flood reduction project on the south side of Eureka in 2000 when the golf course’s manager noticed coho salmon living in the Martin Slough. … “
Continue reading from the Eureka Times-Standard by clicking here.
Humboldt County tells Bayside family to take down beloved treehouse; Structure deemed too close to stream on property
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:30 amFrom the Eureka Times-Standard:
“Nearly three years of work has gone into creating a Bayside family’s partially-built treehouse that Humboldt County building inspectors have now said needs to be dismantled by the end of February.
Rachel Robinson said construction of the treehouse has been a family affair that has taught her sons — Will, 12, and Tommy, 10 — how to build with their own two hands and work in conjunction with their parents and grandfathers. While progress has been slow, she said her family recently reached a milestone.
”We were excited because we’d gotten to building the third wall,” Robinson said.
That excitement soon faded when the family received a surprise visit from a county building inspector in early December. … “
Continue reading from the Eureka Times-Standard by clicking here.
Lake County: Public meetings begin on water management plan development; Clearlake meeting set for Feb. 6
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:23 amFrom the Lake County News:
“This month a group composed of Lake and several other Northern California counties will begin a series of public meetings that are part of the process to create a regional water management plan.
The Westside Sacramento Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan will detail water supply, flood management, stormwater runoff, and environmental concerns and opportunities for the Cache Creek and Putah Creek Watersheds.
A meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
County residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the planning process and how to help shape the plan. … “
Continue reading from the Lake County News by clicking here.
Tri-Valley water agency eliminates controversial bonus program
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:22 amFrom the Contra Costa Times:
“An incentive program that had awarded more than $2.5 million in bonuses over the past 13 years to workers of one Tri-Valley water agency has been eliminated due to public pressure.
The Dublin San Ramon Services District board of directors approved contracts over the past two months that did not include its Pay For Performance program, which had offered employees additional compensation based on individual, department and district evaluations.
“We probably received a hundred emails from rate payers and a lot of attention was generated through media attention and local blogs,” said Dan Scannell, a board member since 2000 and vocal opponent of the program. … “
Continue reading from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
Valley farmers may have cure for poisoned cropland; Cactus is helping eliminate selenium and other soil contaminants
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:20 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“The prickly pear cactus may not sound like a trendy cash crop, but it could become a phenomenon among farmers on the arid west side of the San Joaquin Valley.
The cactus can grow in the west-side’s salty soils, drink briny water and live just fine in very dry times. But the real attraction: As it grows, the cactus slowly absorbs and cleans up a chemical villain in the soil — selenium.
Selenium in irrigation drainage widely killed and maimed wildlife during the 1980s at Kesterson Reservoir on the Valley’s west side. Before that, selenium was known only as an essential natural element in animals and people — in small doses. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Congresswoman Napolitano calls for expanded research, funding for local groundwater cleanup at La Verne water conference
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:16 amFrom the office of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano:
“Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano addressed the University of La Verne’s annual Water Technology Conference, discussing local water issues and the importance of research and development for finding new sources of water.
“The topic of this conference – ‘Water Technology and Innovation’ – could not have come at a more appropriate time,” Napolitano said. “Our water supply faces increasing strains from climate change and a growing population. As we begin to explore new ways to provide clean water, like water recycling and desalination, the research done by our scientists and researchers will be more important than ever.”
Napolitano also addressed the need to fund the San Gabriel Restoration Fund, which prevents contamination from spreading into drinking water in the San Gabriel and Central Basins.
“Funding for the San Gabriel Restoration Fund, which prevents contamination from spreading into our underground aquifers, has been cut, even as groundwater contamination threatens the health and safety of our communities. On behalf of the 3 million people who get their drinking water from the San Gabriel and Central Basins, I urge the Republican leadership in Congress to help us find the necessary funding to protect this critical source of groundwater.”
Southern California: Winter shaping up to be a dry one; causing problems for area’s dryland farmers
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:15 amFrom the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
“The consequences of this winter’s lack of rain are plain to see on Dennis Blehm’s family-owned farm in Hemet, where the wheat crop has sprouted, turned brown and withered over the crusted soil.
“I’d say in 10 days, we’ll lose our seed. It’s sprouted, it’s grown, it’s going to die,” said Blehm, whose harvest is sold to mills for flour, bread, dog food and other products. “There’s only about 2 inches of moisture in the ground and we need 6 to 10 inches.”
Blehm is a dry-land farmer, relying strictly on rainfall instead of irrigation. This year has so far been a low spot in an up-and-down business, one of many that rely on the weather for their profit. … “
Continue reading from the Riverside Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
Southern California: Final plan emerges for steelhead’s return
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:13 amFrom the North County Times:
“A federal agency is trying to bring back an oceangoing fish that has all but disappeared from Southern California.
After years of study, workshops and hearings —- and delays —- the National Marine Fisheries Service has completed a plan for returning the steelhead to rivers in several counties, including San Diego, Riverside and Orange.
“It provides an overall road map to recovery,” said Mark Capelli, steelhead recovery coordinator for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Santa Barbara. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
Inkstain blog: Colorado River models: wrong but useful
Posted by: Maven on January 30, 2012 at 7:08 amFrom the Inkstain blog:
“Climate scientist Tamsin Edwards triggered a fascinating discussion when she chose the famous George Box quote – “all models are wrong, but some are useful” – as the name for her new blog. In a delightful exchange on Twitter (which I followed in real time and which Edwards quotes extensively in the blog post linked above), Peter Gleick chastised Edwards for choosing “All Models are Wrong” for the title of her blog, arguing that it “buys into ‘everything is uncertain’ meme.” Edwards pushed back, and I tend to agree with her argument – that acknowledging and thinking well about uncertainties is incredibly important for the climate discussion to move forward.
I’m reminded of the problem exemplified by the news coverage (mine included) of the US Bureau of Reclamation’s Colorado River Basin Study … “
Continue reading from the Inkstain Blog by clicking here.
Sunday’s top of the scroll: Senator Lois Wolk continues to fight for Delta rights
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:53 am
From the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal:
“Up for reelection in 2012, State Senator Lois Wolk continues to fight for Delta representation and equality within the legislature. The senator has a busy 2012 ahead, with several main goals and focuses to improve the fifth district she calls home.
Wolk’s main focuses includes working on legislation for the Delta, levees and flood protection. She plans to keep close track on the BDCP and the Delta Plan, and to tackle water bond issues.
“I think more and more people are becoming dissatisfied with the plan (BDCP), and I’m one of them,” said Wolk. “It was a plan that was put together years ago and the centerpiece of it is the canal. It’s a grandiose project that I think is a 19th century project. As the plan goes along, more ratepayers particularly in southern California are becoming very skeptical if this is the right answer. If it is, it’s going to take 25 years to get there. There is a lot that has to be done in the meantime.” … “
Continue reading from the River News-Herald and Isleton Journal by clicking here.
Photo of the Delta by the California Department of Water Resources.
Peripheral canal proposal, loss of home rule prompts SSJID to join battle against the Delta Stewardship Council
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:51 amFrom the Manteca Bulletin:
“A coalition of cities, counties and other organizations worried about the perceived far-reaching political power of the Delta Stewardship Council are banding together to fight for preservation of home rule.
And they now have the South San Joaquin Irrigation District on board.
The SSJID board unanimously approved a resolution this week to join the Delta Initiative of Cities and Agencies of San Joaquin County to fight for the overall protection of both land use and water rights.
General Manager Jeff Shields, though, wanted to make sure that the interests of the district were adequately addressed before the board gave their final approval. … “
Continue reading from the Manteca Bulletin by clicking here.
Senator Feinstein: Proposals to drain Hetch Hetchy won’t work
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:48 amFrom the Sacramento Bee, this commentary by Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park has been a vital source of clean water for San Francisco Bay communities for almost 100 years.
Through its energy-efficient gravity flow system, it pipes some of the cleanest water in California to 2.6 million people and thousands of high-tech companies that rely on its purity.
Nevertheless, every so often an effort emerges to remove the O’Shaughnessy Dam and drain the reservoir. … “
Continue reading this commentary by Senator Feinstein at the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Delta National Park blog: The other, still equal goal
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:46 amFrom the Delta National Park blog:
“We may from time to time forget that SB 7X 1 has teeth, and includes “protecting and restoring the health of the Delta estuary, and its native fisheries” language as a co-equal goal of the legislation. And the implications of those teeth are starting to come into focus.
Via Aquafornia, this thought from the Met’s “Review of Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report.”
Additionally, the draft EIR states that the “no project” alternative, which is meant to analyze what will happen if no plan moves forward – in other words, the status quo – will result in greater water deliveries to export areas than will result from some of the Delta Plan alternatives the EIR is analyzing. It is troubling that the Council is analyzing Delta Plan alternatives that would reduce deliveries to export areas compared to the status quo, particularly given proposed BDCP investments and that such an approach will not meet the statutory goal of a more reliable water supply for the state.
Consider that last sentence for a moment. The key phrases, “reduce deliveries to export areas” and “more reliable water supply for the state” are negatively linked, misleadingly suggesting that increasing water supply is consonant with increasing its reliability, therefore trumping that other and equal goal. … “
Continue reading from the Delta National Park blog by clicking here.
Commentary: Ensuring clean water for the future
Posted by: Maven on January 29, 2012 at 8:44 amFrom the Santa Clarita Signal, this commentary by Maria Gutzeit, president of the Newhall County Water District:
“How often do you think about your tap water? If you are like most of us in the Santa Clarita Valley, it’s not often. Recent polls suggest that since California’s drought ended, public interest in conservation and other water matters has dropped significantly.
To some, complacency or apathy about tap water suggests public utilities are doing a good job at delivering a clean, reliable and affordable resource to your homes and businesses. To others, such as me and others in the water sector, the value of tap water needs to be in the forefront of everyone’s minds. … “
Continue reading this commentary at the Santa Clarita Signal by clicking here.
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