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‘So Much Water.’ Trump Moves to Slash Environmental Rules on Delta, Putting Farms Before Fish

/in , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler

The Trump administration Friday pledged to slash the thicket of federal environmental regulations that govern the Delta and much of California’s water supply, aiming to increase water deliveries to his political allies in the San Joaquin Valley. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum directing his underlings to review a broad swath of water regulations and “eliminate all unnecessary burdens,” the president said during an appearance in Arizona. Trump’s memo drew quick reaction from California officials, who have fought the Trump administration on multiple fronts and said water supply can co-exist with environmental goals.

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NOAA Predicts a Warmer, Wetter California Winter due to Weak El Niño

/in , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Vincent Moleski

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted Thursday a mild winter with warmer, wetter weather likely for much of the country from December through February due to a developing El Niño. California is likely to see hotter-than-average winter temperatures, while parts of Southern California could also get greater precipitation, according to NOAA. Drought conditions may worsen in much of Southern and Central California, although the north coast of California may see some relief, according to NOAA.

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Groundwater Remediation as Potential Tool to Combat Water Scarcity: Navigating Potential Conflicts Between CERCLA Remediation Considerations and Water Policy Issues

/in , /by /The National Law Review

New water supplies in the western United States are likely to come from a panoply of non-traditional sources, including storm water capture, waste water recycling, desalination, infrastructure efficiency improvements, and other conservation measures. One potential new water source for municipalities is contaminated groundwater requiring environmental remediation, that, but for its low quality, could be used as water supply. Exploring this option is especially appealing in water stressed regions, such as much of the western United States. For example, in southern California, the Metropolitan Water District supports “[r]ecovering degraded groundwater supplies for municipal use” as part of its Local Resources Program.

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Big Food Brands Commit to Conserve Water, Soil – and the Climate

/in , /by /Water Deeply (New York)by Eliza Roberts and Lindsay Bass

Not long ago, the United Nations warned that water scarcity could be experienced by 40 percent of the world’s population by 2030. Last week, top U.N. scientists reported that problems associated with a warming climate, including drought, water scarcity and pollution, are likely to be worse than previously thought unless we work to hold the average global temperature rise to no more than 3.6F(1.5C). These warnings may seem daunting, but some of the world’s most influential companies are making strides that could significantly help alleviate worsening global water challenges.

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Why California Law Requires a Clear Benefit for Groundwater Recharge

/in , /by /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt Weiser

Researchers at the University of California recently highlighted a flaw in state law that may prohibit diverting streamflow to recharge groundwater. The problem is that groundwater recharge by itself is not considered a “beneficial use” under state law, and meeting that definition is a requirement to obtain a permit to divert water. Officials at the State Water Resources Control Board, which oversees water rights, say the reality is not so clear-cut. In fact, existing rules allow most groundwater recharge projects to obtain a water right.

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State High Court Rejects Berkeley Group’s Suit to Drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Bob Egelko

The California Supreme Court rejected a conservation group’s lawsuit Wednesday seeking to drain Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a source of water for San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area communities. Restore Hetch Hetchy, a Berkeley group, argued in its suit that the location of the dam and reservoir, which flooded a valley in the park after construction in 1923, violates a provision of the California Constitution requiring reasonable water use. But a state appeals court in Fresno ruled in July that Congress had overridden state laws when it authorized construction of the dam and reservoir.

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300th Nutria Captured, Creature Now Breeding In Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

/in , /by /Fox26 (Houston)by Liz Gonzalez

An invasive, rat-like creature shows no sign of slowing down. Biologists with California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife say they’ve now captured the 300th Nutria. They made the discovery Friday in Merced County. “It’s no cause for celebration,” said Peter Tira, Public Information Officer for the California Department Fish and Wildlife. The discovery comes as biologists have now discovered a breeding population for the Nutria in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. At least 11 young females and males have been found in and around the community of Lathrop.

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Almond Farms Keep Growing, And Keep Moving On Water Conservation

/in , /by /Water Deeply (New York)by Daniel Beaulieu

Much was written during California’s recent five-year drought about the amount of water used by almonds. The nuts have become California’s most lucrative agricultural commodity, and a major export product. Long before concerns about water use by almond growers emerged, the industry initiated measures to conserve water by embracing microirrigation systems. It has also become a leader in efforts such as recharging groundwater by flooding almond orchards during winter storms.

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Why This Winter’s El Niño Will Not Bring More Rain To California

/in , /by /Pacific Standard (Santa Barbara)by Matt Weiser

An El Niño is forecast for the winter ahead, and we all know what that means. Or do we? El Niño—that cyclical warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean—has long been associated with wet winters across much of the West. Which is always welcome news across the chronically water-short region. But in reality, whether El Niño actually delivers greater-than-normal precipitation is strictly a toss-up, says Jan Null, owner of Golden Gate Weather Services, a consultancy based in Saratoga, California.

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OPINION: State Water Board’s Proposed Cutbacks Will Affect All Californians

/in , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Mike Wade

Our state is in a fight over water policy that could hit all Californians squarely in their grocery carts. If the State Water Board’s unimpaired flow policy is adopted, significant additional amounts of water will be diverted away from farms and others and left in our rivers under the assumption that it will help native fish. Not only does science show this approach doesn’t work, we also know it will cause a variety of new problems. California families should reject this approach.

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