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State Agencies Present Framework for Voluntary Agreements to Improve Habitat and Flow in the Delta

/in , , /by /California Water News Daily by California Water News Daily

The California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency released a framework for potential voluntary agreements to improve river flows and habitats in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta last week.

The framework, which expands on previous commitments, outlines a 15-year program that would provide substantial new flows for the environment to help recover fish populations, create 60,000 acres of new and restored habitat, and generate more than $5 billion in new funding for environmental improvements and science.

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Opinion: Hard to Swallow Newsom’s “Voluntary Agreements” Under the Threat of Doom

/in , , /by /The Sunby Wayne Western Jr.

First things first: you’d be wise to forget everything you’ve read or heard recently about “voluntary agreements,” which according to the usual suspects, will bring a just and peaceful end the seemingly never-ending battle over California water.

Not true. Not even close.

To be crystal clear: “voluntary agreements”, no matter who crafts and agrees to them, would result in more money and even more scarce surface water leaving the Valley.

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‘Framework’ Aims to Aid Water Agreements

/in , , /by /AgAlert (Sacramento, Calif.)by Christine Souza

In the coming weeks and months, the Newsom administration, water users and conservation groups will continue to refine a framework for potential voluntary agreements intended to benefit salmon and other fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Gov. Gavin Newsom released the framework last week, which acts as the alternative to a state-mandated, flows-only approach that has brought opposition and lawsuits from water agencies and water users.

The framework for voluntary agreements outlines a 15-year program that provides for up to 900,000 acre-feet of new flows to help recover fish populations, creates 60,000 acres of new and restored habitat, and generates $5.2 billion for environmental improvements and science. It would also establish a governance program to deploy flows and habitat, implement a science program and develop strategic plans and annual reports.

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Opinion: Water Must be Managed as a Scarce Resource

/in , , /by /AZ Big Media by Ron L. Fleming

“Water scarcity” is not a term Arizonans like to use; certainly not civic leaders, economic development professionals or water utilities.  Those two words can invoke confusion and concerns, sometimes irrational.  But, the good news is it shouldn’t.  

The basis of “water scarcity” is quite simple. When there is increasing demand for a finite resource that, in turn, has diminishing supply, then ultimately, we all have to deal with scarcity issues.  In the case of water, this does not mean your faucet will go dry. 

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SCV Water to Remove Wells From Service Following State PFAS Guideline Changes

/in , /by /Hometown Station (Santa Clarita, Calif.)by KHTS Newsroom

The State Water Resources Control Board – Division of Drinking Water decided to lower its response level guidelines for two chemicals found in low concentrations in drinking water across the state, according to SCV Water.

On Feb. 6, Division of Drinking Water lowered its response levels to 10 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanoic acid and 40 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, two chemicals in a family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance.

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Central Valley Clean Water Bill Gets Past Major Hurdle Despite Republican Opposition

/in , /by /Visalia Times Delta by James Ward

A bill that could help disadvantaged Central Valley towns including ones in Tulare County provide safe and affordable drinking passed its first legislative hurdle despite facing opposition by Republican critics, including GOP representatives from California.

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Flood-Prevention Pump Installed in Normal Heights Keeping Neighbors Awake

/in , /by /NBC 7 San Diego by Rory Devine

Heavy rains bring along a noise nuisance for residents living in a cul de sac on Pananma Place in Normal Heights.

Neighbors claim the city of San Diego installed a pump to suck water out of a drain whenever it rains because the underground pipe serving the drain has collapsed. While the pump prevents a serious problem, it also creates another one: the sound of the pump’s generator is so loud some residents say they can’t sleep at night.

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500,000 Acres of San Joaquin Cropland to go Fallow as Groundwater Management Goes Into Effect Over 20 Years

/in , /by /Sacramento Business Journalby Emily Hamann

Last month, many regions passed a major milestone in implementation of state legislation that has the potential to transform the way crops are farmed in the state.

At the end of January, big regions of the San Joaquin Valley had to turn in their plans for how residents and growers would comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

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‘Baking Skills’ Used for Repair at Lake Hodges Pumped Storage Facility

/in , , /by /Water News Networkby Ed Joyce Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

You might not think ‘baking skills’ would come in handy to fix a recent problem at the Lake Hodges Hydroelectric and Pump Station Facility. But those skills, along with initiative and ingenuity, were demonstrated by San Diego County Water Authority staff as part of the creative and complex repair.

The facility connects the City of San Diego’s Hodges Reservoir with the Water Authority’s Olivenhain Reservoir. The connection provides the ability to store up to 20,000 acre-feet of water at Hodges for emergency use.

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Jose Martinez Appointed General Manager of the Otay Water District

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

The Otay Water District Board of Directors February 6 voted unanimously to appoint Assistant Chief of Water Operations Jose Martinez as the new general manager of the District. The Board announced they will negotiate contract terms and vote on those terms at the March 11 Board meeting.

“Jose will be an asset to the District for many reasons,” said Board President Gary Croucher. “His experience as a nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy and managing water utility and operations at the District, combined with his leadership on legislative bill AB 1588, will contribute to guiding and leading the District on its already strong path of providing exceptional service to our customers; he will also bring new and innovative ideas to continue enhancing operational practices.”

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