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2020 Snow Report

/in , , /by /Climate Central

A new Climate Central report analyzes snowfall trends over the past fifty years, finding that snowfall has been decreasing in the spring and fall seasons across much of the U.S. but with clear regional differences.

The impact of climate change on snow can be a tricky story to tell. While warming winters would suggest that more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow, a warming climate is also associated with increased precipitation which, in cold regions, can lead to an increase in snowfall. A new report from Climate Central aims to make sense of this challenging subject—analyzing snowfall data collected between 1970 and 2019 from 145 stations across the country.

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Sweetwater Authority Eyes Recycled Water That Otay Water District Doesn’t Use

/in , , /by /San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Hernandez

Sweetwater Authority’s governing board has its eyes on recycled water — specifically, an excess of recycled water that a neighboring water agency, the Otay Water District, buys from the city of San Diego.

The governing boards of the two water agencies, which combined serve southern and eastern San Diego County, recently created a joint committee to explore a potential arrangement that would allow
Sweetwater to purchase recycled water from Otay.

The board presidents of both water agencies said the idea could benefit customers on both ends.

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The Toxic Legacy of Old Oil Wells: California’s Multibillion-Dollar Problem

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Mark Olalde and Ryan Menezes

Across much of California, fossil fuel companies are leaving thousands of oil and gas wells unplugged and idle, potentially threatening the health of people living nearby and handing taxpayers a multibillion-dollar bill for the environmental cleanup.

From Kern County to Los Angeles, companies haven’t set aside anywhere near enough money to ensure these drilling sites are cleaned up and made safe for future generations, according to a months-long data analysis and investigation by the Los Angeles Times and the Center for Public Integrity.

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Opinion: Why Desalination Can Help Quench State’s Water Needs

/in , , /by /The Daily Transcript / CalMattersby Wendy Ridderbusch

If you’ve ever created a personal budget, you know that assigning your money to different investment strategies is a crucial component to meet your financial goals. When you stop dipping into your savings account each month, savings can begin to build.

Understanding why desalination is so critical to California’s water future is a lot like building a personal budget. With a changing climate, growing population and booming economy, we need to include desalination in the water supply equation to help make up an imported water deficit.

(Originally published in CalMatters: https://bit.ly/39pNkuD)

 

 

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New Treatment System to Bring Clean Drinking Water to Rural Community in California

/in /by /California Water News Daily

Hillview Water in Raymond, California will begin delivering clean drinking water with the installment of a Microvi MNE nitrate treatment system by Microvi Biotech. Hillview Water serves a rural community that has been plagued with high levels of nitrate contamination for years.

Nitrate is one of the most widespread contaminants in groundwater globally and can have significant human health impacts.

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Sediment Loading Key to Predicting Post-Wildfire Debris Flows

/in , /by /Phys.orgby Pennsylvania State University

The mudslides that follow wildfires in Southern California can be deadly and difficult to predict. New research can help officials identify areas prone to these mudslides and respond before disaster occurs, according to scientists.

Mudslides, or debris flows, can occur when rainfall washes away the buildup of sediment in mountain channels. Roughly equal parts water and sediment, debris flows are strong enough to carry large boulders downhill and threaten communities on or near the mountains.

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District Helps Make Desert Bloom

/in , , /by /Capital Pressby Julia Hollister

The Coachella Valley Water District faces hefty challenges each day: providing water for more than 1,200 ag customers on 65,000 acres in a desert environment.

The water district serves San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties and nine cities.

“I would say managing our water on a long-term basis, optimizing our Colorado River water and groundwater and using them as efficiently as possible are major priorities for us,” said Katie Evans, director of communications for the district.

The Coachella Valley’s farmland is one of the largest contributors to the local economy, known for its dates, citrus fruit, grapes and bell peppers. More than two-thirds of local farmland is irrigated in part with Colorado River water delivered via the Coachella Canal.

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Workshop Explains Grants Available to Ag Workers

/in , , /by /Ramona Sentinelby Julie Gallant

Farmers, ranchers and vineyard owners are invited to a free workshop that offers guidance on applying for up to $100,000 in state grant funding designed to promote healthy soils practices.

The Free Healthy Soils Program Financial Assistance Workshop is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, at Ramona Library, 1275 Main St.

Sydney Frazier-Flores, environmental educator for the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation in Encinitas will lead the workshop, with assistance from Solana Center’s Zero Waste Project Lead Hanna Schuler, who will provide Spanish translations.

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Trump’s Regional EPA Chief in California is Suddenly Removed From His Job

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Susanne Rust

The Environmental Protection Agency’s top official in California was abruptly removed from office Wednesday.

No reason has yet been given for Mike Stoker’s dismissal.

In an email sent to staff members of the environment agency’s Pacific Southwest regional office, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler wrote, “I would like to thank Mike Stoker for his service to the EPA.”

He then added, “I wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.”

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City Opens State-of-the-Art Ranger Station in Mission Trails Regional Park

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Jennewein

City Opens State-of-the-Art Ranger Station in Mission Trails Regional Park.

The state-of-the-art facility, at the East Fortuna Staging Area of the park, will give rangers improved resources and allow them to better protect the park and engage with visitors, according to Sherman’s office.

Sherman, chairman of the Mission Trails Regional Park Taskforce, said the park and making it accessible was important to him.

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