TOP STORIES
CalMatters, 9/28/22 - As California’s 2022 water year ends this week, the parched state is bracing for another dry year — its fourth in a row. So far, in California’s recorded history, six previous droughts have lasted four or more years, two of them in the past 35 years. Despite some rain in September, weather watchers expect a hot and dry fall, and warn that this winter could bring warm temperatures and below-average precipitation.
Inside Climate News, 9/28/22 - As climate change tightens its grip on the Colorado River basin, the states that use its water are struggling to agree on terms that will reduce their demand. Now, the federal government is stepping in with a plan to use billions of dollars to incentivize conservation.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Lake County News, 9/27/22 - The condition and stability of Upper Lake’s levee system, highlighted in a feasibility study released by the county of Lake last year, has raised concerns about danger to the Upper Lake community and has led to the scheduling of a special workshop this week.
NorCal Public Media, 9/26/22 - Concerns about grave health impacts from exposure to radio waves has prompted one Sonoma County city to back off, up to a point. The Sebastopol city council unanimously approved a measure last week allowing residential customers to keep their old water meters, if they insist.
WATER SUPPLY & QUALITY
KDRV, 9/28/22 - Three counties across state lines are proposing that their counties and other stakeholders in the Klamath Watershed form a new alliance to address the broad needs of its limited water supply. It also wants to coordinate watershed projects' funding that it calls a "piecemeal approach (that) does not require results or require any accountability."
The San Francisco Chronicle, 9/27/22 - Three East Bay households this month became the first in the Bay Area to face fines for using too much water during the drought, a group that will probably swell to hundreds as bills with a novel “excessive use” charge continue to go out. The penalties, which are as high as about $120 over a two-month period, come as the East Bay Municipal Utility District launches one of the most aggressive — and punitive — conservation policies in the region in an effort to protect its water supplies.
San Joaquin Valley Water, 9/27/22 - There will be a penalty for over pumping groundwater in Madera County, but it won’t be as painful as it could have been. That was the upshot from a nearly three-hour – sometimes fiery – meeting on Tuesday of the Madera County Board of Supervisors. Supervisors opted for a penalty of $100 per acre foot for growers who pump more than what they are allotted by the Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA).
CALIFORNIA WATERSHEDS
NBC Bay Area, 9/27/22 - Bay Area environmental watchdog San Francisco Baykeeper filed suit on Tuesday against the Santa Clara Valley Water District for allegedly violating the California Constitution and the Fish and Game Code through its water management practices.
KTLA, 9/26/22 - Mark Twain once described Lake Tahoe as “a noble sheet of blue water. It must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords.” The lake is blessed with beauty thanks to its iconic cobalt blue waters. How is this natural jewel in Sierra Nevada mountains so phenomenally blue?
The Colorado Sun, 9/27/22 - For decades, experts feared Colorado’s greenback cutthroat trout to be extinct, a casualty of mining pollution, anglers and more competitive species. So when biologists made the improbable discovery of a naturally reproducing population in a short stretch of Bear Creek west of Colorado Springs 10 years ago, they clung to the hope that the near-miracle could be replicated.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
The Los Angeles Times, 9/28/22 - Southern California is at the tail end of its mini-heat wave, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach triple digits on Wednesday before cooling off into the weekend.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
FOX11, 9/27/22 - The wildfire and drought crisis in California continues to worsen, with little to no end in sight. Wildfire season is almost year-round now, with fires burning faster and hotter than before. The FOX 11 documentary Hell/ No Water looks at the vicious cycle of drought and wildfires... who’s fault is it and what we can do now.
AGENCIES, PROGRAMS, PEOPLE
Mohave Valley Daily News, 9/27/22 - Twenty-six tribes in 12 states have been awarded $10.3 million through the U.S. Interior Department's Native American Affairs Technical Assistance to Tribes Program through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of drought.
Maven's Notebook, 9/27/22 - Climate change and drought are forcing California to reimagine its water supply future. One promising tool in the toolbox is water recycling, something California has been doing since the 1970s. Recycled water can be used for agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial and commercial uses, seawater intrusion barriers, and groundwater recharge. More importantly, putting recycled water to use can free up potable water for other uses and provides a local source for water supplies.
The San Francisco Chronicle, 9/27/22 - Last month, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot warned Bay Area residents to brace for a fourth dry year in a row. As the state’s drought continues to compromise the drinking water supply of millions of people across the state, for some Californians, scarcity isn’t the only reason they can’t access water.
For California’s low-income communities, the cost of potable water is increasingly out of reach.
EVENTS
The public is invited to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Delta Conveyance Project. The Delta Conveyance Project was released for public review and comment on July 27, 2022 and the comment period will end on October 27, 2022.
When: Sept. 28, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in collaboration with the State Water Board, is hosting two workshops to solicit participants input on two Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) draft templates, one for small water suppliers and one for schools with a water system, as part of a comprehensive effort to assist small water suppliers in meeting these new SB 552 requirements. Participants may wish to attend one or both of the informational sessions.
When: Sept. 30, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in collaboration with the State Water Board, is hosting two workshops to solicit participants input on two Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) draft templates, one for small water suppliers and one for schools with a water system, as part of a comprehensive effort to assist small water suppliers in meeting these new SB 552 requirements. Participants may wish to attend one or both of the informational sessions.
When: Sept. 30, 2022 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
By the Water Education Foundation - This 3-day, 2-night excursion across the Sacramento Valley travels north from Sacramento through Oroville to Redding and Shasta Lake. Experts will talk about the history of the Sacramento River as the tour winds through riparian woodland, rice fields, wildlife refuges and nut orchards across the region.
When: October 12 – 14, 2022
The California Department of Water Resources is hosting an event centered on the impacts of climate change extremes in California. The agenda features speaker presentations and insightful panel discussions about how to build climate change resiliency in water resources and flood management. Topics will include flood management equity, ARkStorms, and the innovations and funding necessary to prepare for—and respond to—inevitable weather extremes. Please register to attend.
When: Oct. 17, 2022 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: CNRA Auditorium - 715 P St., Sacramento, CA 95814 & Virtual option available
The California Water Plan team will provide an overview of content present in Update 2023. Please join us at a virtual public workshop.
When: October 27, 2022 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
By the Water Education Foundation - Features engaging conversations about critical issues impacting water statewide and across the West revolving around this year’s theme: Rethinking Water in the West.
When: October 27, 2022 | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Where: The Westin Sacramento
ACWA conferences are the premier destination for water industry professionals to learn and connect. Program offerings include statewide issue forums, roundtable talks, and region discussions along with sessions covering a wide range of topics including water management, innovation, public communication, affordable drinking water, energy, finance, federal forum, and more.
When: Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2022
Where: Renaissance Esmeralda and Hyatt Regency in Indian Wells, CA
|
