“To reduce the impacts of a third straight dry year in 2014, the
Department of Water Resources has mobilized a new drought
management effort that, among other things, will look into
voluntary water transfers to drought-stricken areas, such as the
western San Joaquin Valley.”
“As state and federal officials gather input on the
controversial Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Yolo County’s
leaders are answering loud and clear that they’re worried the
plan will harm Yolo’s agricultural sector.
“The plan is to install three water intakes on the Sacramento
River that feed an underground tunnel system carrying water to
pumps in the south Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“Lake County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an
ordinance that will ban outdoor marijuana growing in
residential neighborhoods. …
“The revisions include rules aimed at preventing fires at
indoor marijuana-growing operations and controlling
environmental damage from erosion and pesticides.”
“With no rain in sight, Willits officials are contemplating
imposing tough new restrictions on city water users. …
“’By our January meeting we’re going to have to do something’
if there’s no significant rainfall before then, said Sean
White, manager of the Mendocino County Russian River Flood
Control and Water Conservation Improvement District.”
“Fruit Growers Supply Company has its sights on building and
operating a small log mill in Yreka at the old Hi-Ridge Lumber
plant, but a long overdue cleanup of the site’s water
pollutants are hampering the process.
“Charles Brown, Fruit Growers senior vice president of northern
operations, said the cooperative is working with the current
owners and the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
to see what it is going to require to clean up the site.”
“Directors of the Calaveras County Water District approved
several actions at their meeting Wednesday, Dec. 11. However,
before voting on the actions, the directors first took time to
elect a new president and vice president for the board.
“By unanimous approval, acting vice president Scott Ratterman
was elected president, replacing outgoing board President
Dennis Dooley.
“Paperwork has been filed to ask voters for a ban on fracking in
Butte County. Citizen Action Network plans to ask the Board of
Supervisors to put the item on the November 2014 ballot.”
“One of the driest years on record has local farmers keeping an
anxious eye on the forecast as the fate of next year’s water
supply hangs on the whims of the weather.
“This year was the second consecutive dry year for the state,
taxing reservoirs that will be dangerously low if the lack of
precipitation persists.”
From The Sacramento Bee, in a commentary by Assembly Member Roger
Dickinson (D-Sacramento):
“Unlike the agreement we reached with the East Bay Municipal
Utility District that served the interests of all parties, the
Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the proposed enormous water
export tunnels supported by the water contractors would give
assured benefits to those who would take water out of the Delta
while leaving Northern California and Delta parties with only
uncertainty and risk.
“Kathy and Ken Lindner of Lindner Bison started raising bison
16 years ago — grass-fed cattle that roam pastures in Lassen
County in Northern California near the Nevada border. …
“In April the 34-year-old water well for the 225-acre ranch
failed.”
From the Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Blog, in a
post by Tib Belza, Chair, Bay-Delta Task Force:
“With the state and federal agencies releasing the Bay-Delta
Conservation Plan (BDCP) this week, the leaders in the North
State are unified in our commitment to statewide water solutions
that protect the economy, environment and quality of life in
Northern California. The North State Water Alliance this week
continues our call for the Governor to develop an innovative and
comprehensive statewide water plan.
“The state is trying to make good on some deadlines for the
California Water Plan Update, but county water leaders say the
section on the Sacramento Valley needs more work. …
“Commissioners urged county staff to send a strong letter to
the state Department of Water Resources that the report was
late and incomplete.”
“A recent federal inspection has concluded that Oroville Dam,
the tallest dam in the nation, needs a comprehensive earthquake
safety assessment.
The dam on the Feather River is the primary storage facility
for the State Water Project, the state-owned plumbing system
that provides drinking water to more than 23million people
across California.
From the Eureka Times-Standard, in a commentary by Uri
Driscoll:
“About 50 people attended a meeting on Nov. 12 in Eureka to
discuss sea level rise and its potential effects on Humboldt Bay.
Slides with graphs and numbers and wall size photos of extra high
king tides at various locations around the bay were presented.
“The need for more water storage and the assurance that water
from North California isn’t sent south were the main concerns
voiced at a town hall about water issues Tuesday night in Yuba
City.
“Almost 200 farmers, residents and water managers attended the
meeting, which was organized by Assemblyman Dan Logue.
“It doesn’t take much more than a drive through the valley to
note it’s been a very, very dry season. As the flat land begins
to roll into small hills, one wonders what those slow, grazing
cows are finding to eat. The Golden State has turned brown.
“Members of the county Drought Task Force got together around a
table Monday to talk over the bleak numbers.”
“We’re not suggesting everyone kiss and make up, but we are
hoping that all sides can move on past whatever bad feelings
boiled up over California Water Service rate increase
proposals.
“The last machination of the advisory boards dramatically
slashed Cal Water’s initial rate increase proposal and it
appears the private utility company is fine with that and ready
to get on with life.”
