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Newsom Blocks New California Fracking Pending Scientific Review

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Phil Willon

In a victory for critics of California’s oil drilling industry, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday stopped the approval of new hydraulic fracturing in the state until the permits for those projects can be reviewed by an independent panel of scientists.

Newsom also imposed a moratorium on new permits for steam-injected oil drilling, another extraction method opposed by environmentalists that was linked to a massive petroleum spill in Kern County over the summer.

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EPA Releases Review Protocol For PFAS

/in , /by /Water Onlineby Peter Chawaga

Contamination of drinking water from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be the nation’s most pressing drinking water quality issue. With many calling for the expedited banning and removal of PFAS in water sources, a new U.S. EPA procedure to better assess them may be a concrete step in that direction.

“The US EPA has published a systemic review protocol for the toxicity assessment of five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and is now seeking the public’s input on its approach during a 45-day comment period,” according to Chemical Watch.

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‘Round After Round’ of Rain Will Drench San Diego County Into Wednesday Night

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Gary Robbins

San Diego County will experience a second day of heavy rain Wednesday from a cold storm out of the north that tapped into tropical moisture from the south as it surged into Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.

The entire region will get soaked, and all areas are under a flash flood watch. But the rain will be heaviest in northern and central San Diego County, especially along Interstate 15, from roughly Escondido north to the county line, forecasters say.

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MarketInk: Canale, Mixte Southwest Shine at Annual PRSA Bernays Awards

/in , /by /Times of San Diegoby Rick Griffin Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Life sciences public relations firm Canale Communications received 14 awards, including a Best of Show distinction, at the recent 2019 Edward L. Bernays Mark of Excellence awards program presented by the Public Relations Society of America’s San Diego-Imperial Counties chapter.

A total of 73 awards were presented Nov. 7 at the Andaz San Diego Hyatt Hotel. Mixte Communications received 10 awards, including a Best of Show and Special Award for PR Team of the Year. Another top winner of the evening was public affairs firm Southwest Strategies with nine awards.

Four special awards were presented, including:

  • Deborah Baker PR Professional of the Year Award — Denise Vedder, San Diego County Water Authority
  • Eva Irving Community Service Award — Jean Walcher, J. Walcher Communications
  • 2019 Professional of the Year Award — Cambria Fuqua, Canale Communications
  • Otto Bos Hall of Fame Award — Marlee J. Ehrenfeld, MIG
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California Finally Gets Rain, But Fire Threat Far From Over as 350,000 Face Power Outages

/in , /by /USA Todayby John Bacon

Parts of Southern California were under a flash flood watch Wednesday as areas of the southwest saw the first significant rainfall of a delayed wet season that fueled wildfires and forced intermittent power cutoffs to millions of residents.

The storm system brought heavy rain to portions of Arizona, and Phoenix could get 2 inches of rain before the storm ends there on Thursday. Prior to this storm, Sky Harbor International Airport had recorded only 3.68 inches for the entire year.

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Water Reservoirs Below Average in Cascades

/in , /by /Capital Pressby Dan Wheat

Coming off a summer of moderate drought with some crop losses, the five Cascade Mountain reservoirs serving irrigators in the Yakima Basin have less water than normal and the winter snowpack outlook is uncertain.

“We are in an El Nino neutral which would mean normal conditions and we would be fairly optimistic. No one has been calling for a dry or mild winter so we have no cause to think it will be,” said Chris Lynch, hydrologist for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Yakima. However, he added, a warm water body off the Gulf of Alaska, reminiscent of one there prior to the drought of 2015, could result in more moderate temperatures and less snow.

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Full Funding of Land Water Conservation Fund Passes Key Senate Hurdle

/in , /by /The Hillby Miranda Green

A key Senate panel has voted to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a move that conservation groups see as a significant victory. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee voted Tuesday morning to permanently authorize and completely fund the program, which was established in 1964 to help with outdoor projects on public lands.

The bill passed with bipartisan support out of the committee and now faces a full floor vote. The LWCF, which was permanently reauthorized this spring, receives most of its revenue from on- and offshore oil and gas drilling.

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Otay Water District Kicks Off Pair Of Instagram Contests

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby Karen Pearlman

The Otay Water District, which serves South and East counties, has launched its first-ever holiday-themed Instagram contests.

Participants do not have to be constituents from the Otay Water District, which provides water, recycled water and sewer service to nearly 224,000 customers within about 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County. They do, however, need to be 18 years of age or over.

For the “Thankful for Water” contest, which has a Dec. 6 deadline, contestants must follow @otaywater on Instagram and post a thankful-for-water-themed photo to a public account with a caption, using the hashtag #Thx4OtayH2O

For the “Drink Tap December,” which has a Jan. 2 deadline, contestants must follow @otaywater on Instagram and post a tap water-themed photo to a public account with a caption, using the hashtag #DrinkTapDecember

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Acting Manager To Become Permanent At San Diego County Water Authority

/in , /by /The Bond Buyer by Keeley Webster

Sandy Kerl is expected to be selected as the next general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority when the board meets on Thursday.

The 36-member board announced Friday it is negotiating contract terms with Kerl to head the region’s wholesale water agency following a national search.

Kerl has served as acting general manager since March when Maureen Stapleton retired after 23 years at the helm of the water wholesaler.

“We are excited about what Sandy brings to the water authority – deep experience with water issues and her top-notch skills managing an agency that’s so critical to San Diego County,” said Board Chair Jim Madaffer.

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Freshwater Fishing Flourishes at San Diego Region’s Reservoirs and Lakes

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego County’s freshwater fishing in area reservoirs and lakes managed by the region’s water agencies attracts expert anglers and beginners alike.

Of San Diego County’s 24 reservoirs and lakes, 18 allow fishing. Bryan Norris, Reservoirs and Recreation Program Manager for the City of San Diego, oversees eight locations offering recreational opportunities, including fishing.

“We are the largest provider of recreation for the domestic water supply in California,” said Norris. “No other program provides recreation at eight different reservoirs. The City of San Diego is considered a pioneer in these offerings. It’s really something that gets overlooked.”

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