DWR has released a draft best management practices (BMPs) document for managing land subsidence in California. Best Management Practices on Managing Land Subsidence in California aims to help local water agencies address subsidence-related issues, caused primarily by excessive groundwater pumping, and protect critical water delivery infrastructure. DWR is accepting public comments on the draft BMPs document through Monday, September 22. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit comments and attend any of three upcoming in-person public meetings in September. See DWR’s Public Notice webpage and the DWR press release about this document for details about submitting comments and attending meetings.

Suisun Marsh operates quietly in the shadow of other Delta issues. But a new report from the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) and recent proposals for development along the borders of the marsh are bringing Suisun Marsh back into focus. A Marsh Transformed: Historical Ecology and Landscape Change in Suisun Marsh compares the present state of Suisan Marsh with mid-19th century conditions. The 143-page report adds a new level of detail in the form of precise numbers and fine-scale mapping. Most alarming is the anticipation of sea level rise. Modeling suggests that tidal marshes “are vulnerable to submergence by the end of this century and will see widespread shifts to low marsh or unvegetated mudflats.” SFEI has mapped 3,208 acres of marsh migration land of which three-quarters is privately owned and without protective easements. One-quarter of this land lies across the legislated boundary of Suisun Marsh and abuts 62,000 acres owned by a consortium of investors who recently announced plans for “California Forever,” a new 17,000-acre community. Read more about the future of Suisun Marsh as it faces possible submergence and development in the article featured on the Maven’s Notebook website.  

Since Governor Newsom launched California’s 30×30 initiative in 2020 to conserve 30% of state lands and coastal waters by 2030, the 2025 30×30 Progress Report shows that an additional 853,000 acres of land and 191,000 acres of coastal waters were counted as conserved during the past year — a size equivalent to Glacier National Park. And for the first time, major additions were made to marine conservation areas, following extensive tribal consultation, scientific guidance, and public input. Earlier this month, the state’s marine protected network became the first in the world to earn the International Union for Conservation Nature Green List status, giving California an international stamp of approval for world-leading conservation actions. Charting what's yet to come, State leaders and key partners will come together in San Diego on Thursday, August 14, for the 30x30 Partnership 2025 Summit, this year themed “Sustain, Strengthen, Succeed.” The event is open to the public. Registration is required and is open now; sponsorship opportunities are also available.

In June, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE’s) Forest Health Research Program awarded nearly $78 million in forest health and research grants. The agency awarded $72 million through 12 grants to local and regional partners carrying out projects on State, local, Tribal, federal, and private lands. The funded projects include forest management strategies, habitat conservation for endangered species, and recovery of fire-scarred and drought-affected forests; three-fourths of the awarded projects will benefit hard-hit frontline and low-income communities. An additional $5.9 million was awarded to support 15 scientific research studies that are expected to increase understanding of relatively understudied vegetation types, strengthen frameworks for evaluating costs and benefits of fuel-treatment strategies, and expand cutting-edge tools for forest monitoring and prescribed fire planning.

Urban retail water suppliers intending to request variances or temporary provisions for their urban water use objectives may use the new template released by the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board). The Excel-based Variance Request Template and accompanying FAQ document are available now on the Making Conservation a California Way of Life webpage. In addition, State Water Board staff will host two webinars covering the variance and temporary provision submission process and use of the Variance Request Template. The presentation will be the same for each webinar. Registration is required. Questions can be emailed to waterconservation@waterboards.ca.gov. Webinar dates and times:

Variance and Temporary Provision Webinar 1:
Monday, August 11, 2025, 2–3:30 p.m. Register online.

Variance and Temporary Provision Webinar 2:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 10–11:30 a.m. Register online.