North Coast IRWMP: Content: North Coast Regional News

North Coast Regional News

May 2013

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

May 1, 10 am – 12:30 pm: EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program is hosting a Webcast: Attracting Funding for Adaptation. http://lists.icfwebservices.com/t/72971/1193322/5016/4/

May 1, 1 – 3 pm: SOD Treatment Workshop; Pre-registration is required. This class is free and will be held rain or shine. Meet at oak outside of Tolman Hall, UC Berkeley Campus. To register, or for questions, email kpalmieri@berkely.edu, and provide your name, phone number, affiliation and license number (if applicable), and the date for which you are registering. For more information, go to http://nature.berkeley.edu/garbelotto/english/sodtreatmenttraining.php.

May 1, 11 am – 12 pm: U.S. Department of Energy is hosting a Webcast titled Solar Finance for Residential and Commercial Customers and Potential Roles of State and Local Government. https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/553576822

May 1, 10 am – 12 pm: California Water Quality Monitoring Council Watershed Academy Webcast titled “Using Social Indicators in Watershed Management Projects” http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts

May 1, 11 am – 1 pm: Foundation for Active Management of Riparian Vegetation Webinar. Riparian Ecology and Functions in Forested Landscapes; Natural Disturbances Affecting Riparian Vegetation in Forested Landscapes and Potential Benefits of Site-Specific Riparian Management. There will be no charge for participation. For more information please contact Dr. Richard Harris at rrharris2464@sbcglobal.net or 707.685.5508. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10209

May 2, 9 am: The Russian River Watershed Association Board of Directors meeting will be held at the Windsor Town Council Chambers. http://www.rrwatershed.org

May 2: A Dairy Program item is on the agenda for the NCRWQCB meeting at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka beginning at 9 am. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/05_2013/

May 2: An Update on the status of the Upper Elk River Sediment TMDL is on the agenda for the NCRWQCB meeting at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka beginning at 9 am. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/05_2013/

May 2, 9 – 5: The California Water Plan Public Advisory Committee will meet to discuss the financial planning framework for the 2013 update and will also hear a presentation form the California Department of Conservation on hydraulic fracturing in the state. http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/materials/index.cfm?subject=may0213

May 3: Sonoma State University WATERS Collaborative: Copeland Creek Symposium. Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park. http://www.sonoma.edu/preserves/waters/news-events/index.html

May 4: Russian Riverkeeper, River’s Edge and Sonoma County Regional Parks Department are hosting the 2013 Great Russian River Race. http://www.greatrussianriverrace.com/

May 6 – 7: Water Reuse and Desalination Research Conference will be held at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. https://www.watereuse.org/foundation/research-conference-17

May 7 – 9: NOAA will host its Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries – 3 conference in Washington DC. http://www.managingfisheries.org/

May 7-10: ACWA 2013 Spring Conference, Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento. http://www.acwa.com

May 7, 9 am: State Water Resources Control Board Meeting. Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/calendar/index.shtml

May 8: Adapting to the New Economic Reality at Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa. http://www.neweconomy.brownpapertickets.com

May 8, 10 am – 12:30 pm: EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program is hosting a Webcast titled Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness 101: Risk Assessment Process. http://lists.icfwebservices.com/t/72971/1193322/5102/7/

May 8, 8:30 am – 12 pm: California Coastal Commission, Public Workshop: Agriculture in the Coastal Zone.

Board of Supervisors Chamber, Marin Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. http://www.coastal.ca.gov/mtgcurr.html

May 8, 11-1 pm: Approach to Selecting Sites for Active Riparian Management Webinar. Tools for Spatially Explicit Riparian Management; Site-Specific Riparian Management Using the Section V Guidance Document. Please register for the webinar at this link. There will be no charge for participation. For more information please contact Dr. Richard Harris at rrharris2464@sbcglobal.net or 707.685.5508. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10209

May 9, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: California Water Quality Monitoring Council Webinar, Causal Assessments in Streams and the CADDIS Approach. CADDIS provides a pragmatic guide for determining the causes of detrimental changes and undesirable biological conditions observed in aquatic systems. For more information see: http://www.epa.gov/caddis/si_home.html https://waterboards.webex.com/waterboards/j.php?ED=200404397&UID=484113162&PW=NMTkzYTY2M2Yx&RT=MiM0

May 11, 10-4 pm: Eco-Friendly Garden Tour. This self-guided garden tour, in its 3rd year, is a public outreach and education program that promotes sustainable gardening practices sensitive to local waterways by showcasing inspiring home gardens throughout the North Bay Area. Registration is required, however there is no charge to attend. For more information, please contact Ali Davidson at 707.547.1933 or ali@scwa.ca.gov

May 11: SOD Blitz meeting to inform Citizen-Scientists how to map the spread of Sudden Oak Death. CNPS Contact: Lori Hubbard - lorih@mcn.org

May 13 – 16: The 12th Annual Conference on Carbon Capture Utilization & Sequestration will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. http://www.carbonsq.com/

May 13 – 17: California Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands and riparian areas (CRAM) training session in Eureka. http://www.cramwetlands.org/training.html

May 14, 8:30 – 10:30 am: Russian River Watershed Association Technical Working Group meeting, Windsor Town Hall. www.rrwatershed.org

May 14, 3 – 4 pm EDT: A webinar with highlights of the guide the NRDC and American Rivers have put together to help states prepare for the water-related effects of climate change will be held. https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/848222014

May 15, 10 am – 4 pm: Department of Water Resources IRWM Strategic Plan Workshops. Red Bluff Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road, Red Bluff. http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/stratplan/

May 15, 12 – 1:30 pm: The Groundwater Resources Association of California will hold a Web Seminar entitled: Workflow for Salt and Nutrient Plans. http://grac.org/snmpcast2.asp

May 15, 11 am-1 pm: Active Riparian Management Case Studies Webinar. Effects of Active Riparian Management on Microclimate and Water Temperature and Large Woody Debris in Streams Wood Placement Techniques. There will be no charge for participation. For more information please contact Dr. Richard Harris at rrharris2464@sbcglobal.net or 707.685.5508. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10209

May 16, 10 am – 4 pm: Department of Water Resources IRWM Strategic Plan Workshops. Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District, Valley Oak Conference Room, 10060 Goethe Road, Sacramento. http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/stratplan/

May 16: IRWM Strategic Planning workshop in Sacramento. http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/stratplan/workshops.cfm

May 16, 6 – 8:30 pm: The Sonoma County Water Agency is holding a community meeting on the Russian River Estuary at the Monte Rio Community Center. http://www.sonomacountygazette.com/cms/pages/sonoma-county-news-article-1393.html

May 16-17: Water and Agriculture: Investment Summit. Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes, CA. For more information visit: http://www.agwaterinvest.com/

May 16 – 17: BioEngineering Associates, Inc. along with the Coquille Tribe and NOAA, invite you to participate in the first annual interdisciplinary conference to explore ecosystem management, legal and regulatory issues, and the fish science necessary for a natural state of recovery for the salmon on the West Coast. At the Mill Casino and Hotel, Coos Bay, OR. http://salmonsummit.org/

May 17, 1:30 – 4 pm: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District Presentations and Discussion, Economic Value of Conservation, Demonstrating the Economic Value of Natural Areas and Working Landscapes. RSVP Karen.Gaffney@sonoma-county.org

May 18, 9-12 pm: Russian River Water Supply System Tour. Sonoma County Water Agency. http://www.scwa.ca.gov/calendar.php?id=3314

May 22, 10 am – 12:30 pm: EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program is hosting a Webcast titled Preparing for Extreme Weather Events Workshop Planner for the Water Sector / Adaptation Strategies Guide. http://lists.icfwebservices.com/t/72971/1193322/5022/13/

May 22 – 23: The Groundwater Resources Association of California will hold its 1st Symposium in the Series On Groundwater Management: Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Urban Environment: Technical and Policy Challenges in Burlingame, CA. http://grac.org/aquiferrecharge.asp

May 22, 9 am: State Water Resources Control Board Meeting. Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/calendar/index.shtml

May 22, 11 am – 1 pm: Active Riparian Management Case Studies Webinar. Managing to Reduce Wildfire Hazards in Riparian Zones and Managing for Plant Species Composition and Improved Nutrient Loading. There will be no charge for participation. For more information please contact Dr. Richard Harris at rrharris2464@sbcglobal.net or 707.685.5508. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10209

May 28 – 30: The 2013 Headwaters to Ocean (H20) Conference is being held in San Diego. http://www.coastalconference.org/h20_2013/index.php

May 29, 11 am – 1 pm: Active Riparian Management Case Studies Webinar. Active Management to Reduce Sediment Production and Monitoring and Evaluation of Active Riparian Management. There will be no charge for participation. For more information please contact Dr. Richard Harris at rrharris2464@sbcglobal.net or 707.685.5508. http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10209

May 29, 10 am – 2 pm: Eel River Forum meeting: Potter Valley Project. Willits. Questions – Darren Mierau, Dmierau@caltrout.org

May 29, 10 am – 12:30 pm: EPA’s State and Local Climate and Energy Program is hosting a Webcast titled On-site Renewables: Lessons Learned from Idea to Implementation. http://lists.icfwebservices.com/t/72971/1193322/5103/31/

May 29, 9 – 10:30 am: U.S. Department of Energy is hosting a Webcast titled Tribal Renewable Energy Series Webinar: Regional Transmission Planning. http://lists.icfwebservices.com/t/72971/1193322/5109/39/

May 30: The North Bay Leadership Council is hosting its Economic Insight Conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Petaluma. http://www.northbayleadership.org/events/detail/2013_EIC?utm_source=Copy+of+2013+Economic+Insight+Conference&utm_campaign=EIC+2013&utm_medium=email

June 4, 9 am – 3 pm: San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Coastal Training Program, in partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy and the US Army Corps of Engineers, Tidal Marsh Restoration Field Trip Featuring: Hamilton and Sonoma Baylands. http://sfbaynerr.us6.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6d45b273fe2498463206406d6&id=b65c408114&e=a7f789bdf5

June 4, 9 am: State Water Resources Control Board Meeting and Board Hearing - Amendment to Aquatic Weed Permit. Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/calendar/index.shtml

June 5: The Stakeholder and Regulatory Advisory Groups for development of biological objectives for wadeable streams in California will meet at CalEPA in Sacramento. klarsen@waterboards.ca.gov

June 11-13: Sustaining Water Resources and Ecological Functions in Changing Environments, Universities Council on Water Resources, Lake Tahoe, CA. http://ucowr.org/conferences/2013-conference

June 13: North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Meeting. Regional Water Board, 5550 Skyland Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/

June 16, 10 am – 2 pm: Eel River Task Force meeting: Monitoring. Fortuna, TBD. Questions – Darren Mierau, Dmierau@caltrout.org

June 19: Groundwater Resources Association of California will hold its 7th Symposium entitled: High Resolution Tools and Techniques for Optimizing Groundwater Extraction for Water Supply at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Garden Grove. http://www.grac.org/hiresagenda.pdf

June 25: The California Extreme Precipitation Symposium will be held at UC Davis. It is intended to improve land use and flood management practices by sharing recent research in hydrology, meteorology and related sciences. http://cepsym.info/

June 25 – 27: 2013 International Conference on Engineering & Ecohydrology for Fish Passage will be held in Corvallis, OR. http://fishpassage.umass.edu/

June 25 – 27: State Water Resources Control Board course: Concept of Bioassessment and Program Implementation. Arcata. http://www.trainingforce.com/sites/californiawater/lp/gowater.aspx?ot=8&otid=445

July 10-11: Sacramento River Watershed Program, Watershed Management Workshops – Watershed Restoration. Redding Community Center. For more information contact Dennis Bowker, (707) 253-8295. http://sacriver.org/ourwork/conferences/watershed-management-workshop-principles-planning-and-implementation

July 19, 10 am – 2:30 pm: ACWA Region 1 Program: Take it From the Tap – Promoting Drink Local Campaigns. Santa Rosa, CA. http://www.acwa.com/sites/default/files/event/2013/04/r1-registration-flyer-2013_1.pdf

July 24: State Water Resources Control Board, Infrastructure Funding Fair. Alhambra, CA. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/

July 29 – August 2: National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration will be held in Schaumburg, Illinois. http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ncer2013/

August 7-8, 2013: Sacramento River Watershed Program, Watershed Management Workshops – Watershed Monitoring & Adaptive Management. California Conservation Corps Center, Fortuna. For more information contact Dennis Bowker, (707) 253-8295. http://sacriver.org/ourwork/conferences/watershed-management-workshop-principles-planning-and-implementation

August 9 – 11: Salmonid Restoration Federation and Trees Foundation. 16th Annual Coho Confab. Mattole River, Petrolia. http://www.calsalmon.org

August 14: ACWA Regulatory Summit – Groundwater. Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach, Oxnard, CA. http://www.acwa.com/events/acwa-2013-regulatory-summit

August 22: California Financing Coordinating Committee 2013 Funding Fair. Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 South School Street, Ukiah. http://www.cfcc.ca.gov/funding_fairs.htm

August 22: North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Meeting. Regional Water Board, 5550 Skyland Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/

September 14, 9-12 pm: Russian River Water Supply System Tour. The Sonoma County Water Agency invites the public to attend a free half-day tour of the Russian River water supply system. Tour participants will visit facilities that divert, pump and treat the water delivered by the Water Agency to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. These facilities will include the rubber dam, fish ladders, infiltration ponds and water collector #6 – one of the largest water collectors of its type in the world. To register for the tour please visit: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGxGQVBvYS1jMU5FYS05QwtEZ0tLT0E6MA

September 23 – 26: The US Water Alliance will hold its One Water Leadership Summit, Water Sustainability in a Changing Climate in Los Angeles. http://www.uswateralliance.org/2013/03/07/one-water-leadership-summit/?utm_source=2013.03+NewsWaves&utm_campaign=03%2F13+NewsWaves&utm_medium=email

September 30-October 3: Fall 2013 CA/NV American Water Works Association Conference, Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA. For more information: http://ca-nv-awwa.org/CANV/web/events/web/events/events.aspx?hkey=15dbd210-2d47-4699-b2b3-a23d03b2e892

October 2-4: North Coast Resource Partnership 2013 Conference, River Lodge Conference Center, Fortuna, CA. For more information contact Lisa Renton or Karen Gaffney at lisarentonconsulting@gmail.com or at 707.433.7377.

October 3: North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Meeting. Elk Valley Rancheria, 2332 Howland Hill Road, Crescent City. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/

October 8-9: 29th Biennial Groundwater Conference and GRA’s 22nd Annual Conference: California’s Groundwater Future in the Balance Integrating Quantity and Quality in a Changing Climate. Sacramento, CA. http://www.grac.org/am13.asp

October 15: California Financing Coordinating Committee 2013 Funding Fair. Cal/EPA Headquarters, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. http://www.cfcc.ca.gov/funding_fairs.htm

October 23 – 24, 2013: Sacramento River Watershed Program, Watershed Management Workshops – Watershed Monitoring & Adaptive Management. California Conservation Corps Center, Fortuna. For more information contact Dennis Bowker, (707) 253-8295. http://sacriver.org/ourwork/conferences/watershed-management-workshop-principles-planning-and-implementation

November 3-7: 22nd Biennial Conference of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation: Toward Resilient Coasts & Estuaries, Science for Sustainable Solutions. Hotel Mission Valley San Diego Town and Country Convention Center, San Diego, CA. http://www.erf.org/cerf2013

November 21: North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Meeting. Regional Water Board, 5550 Skyland Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/

December 3-6: ACWA’s 2013 Fall Conference, Los Angeles, CA. http://www.acwa.com/events/acwa-2013-fall-conference-exhibition

December 9 – 10: The WateReuse Association will hold its Industrial Reuse Specialty Conference in Long Beach. https://www.watereuse.org/conferences/industrial-reuse

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking project proposals on behalf of the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative (NPLCC) for landscape related science and information. Eligible Activities: Projects must clearly identify a management application, be located within the geographic range of the NPLCC, and must address one of the eligible activities included in the S-TEK Strategy’s Implementation Plan https://nplcc.s3.amazonaws.com/NPLCC+S-TEK+IP_final_3-29-13.pdf

Deadline: May 6, 5pm. http://www07.grants.gov/search/announce.do;jsessionid=kzvpRwNGYNbV82GCLxCRL8bRtTpXwDWGBFx8N56KNZQW0PhjJ92v!-982222471

Department of Conservation, Strategic Growth Council, California Infill Finance Options Analysis grant to focus on providing: 1) a quantitative assessment of modified, hybrid and new infill infrastructure funding and financing options, and 2) recommendations to the Strategic Growth Council for action to improve state, regional and local policies, programs and regulations to provide better access to infill infrastructure funding and financing tools. Deadline: May 7. http://www.bidsync.com/DPX?ac=view&auc=1939553

US FWS in support of the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative Funding Announcement #1. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region is requesting project proposals that clearly identify a management application and must address one of the following eligible activities:

Support assessment of climate-related impacts and adaptation planning for non-salmonid anadromous fish of cultural or subsistence significance (e.g. eulachon or lamprey).
Support assessment of climate-related impacts and adaptation planning for cultural and/or subsistence resources that are traditionally gathered or hunted (e.g., basketry materials, berry or nut trees and bushes, roots or bulbs, wildlife, or shellfish; but not fish).
Nontribal applicants must show substantive involvement from Tribal entities. Involvement will include subcontracting to Tribal entities or cost-sharing by Tribal entities and statements of support from partnering Tribes or Indigenous Communities. Deadline May 9, 5pm. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=229333

Rose Foundation California Wildlands Grassroots Fund. The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund supports conservationists advocating for the permanent protection of intact wildlands on both public and private lands in order to help preserve California’s wilderness and native biological diversity. CWGF defines “wildlands” as natural habitats, privately or publicly owned, that are (or have the potential to be) permanently preserved through legislation or deed restrictions. Eligible organizations must be California-based 501©(3), 501©(4) or fiscally sponsored organizations with budgets under $100,000. There is an open deadline for these grants. Deadlines are: August 15 for the fall review, November 15 for the winter review, February 15 for the spring review, May 15 for the summer review. http://www.rosefdn.org/section.php?id=158

Local Sustainability Matching Fund Round Three Proposals. The fund provides matching investments from national foundations on a competitive basis to build partnerships between sustainability directors and local place-based foundations to advance discrete sustainability initiatives that demonstrate broad-based community support and engagement. Deadline: May 22. http://www.fundersnetwork.org/participate/green-building/local-sustainability-matching-fund/

The State Water Resources Control Board, California Beaches Initiative Grant Program provides funding for projects that restore and protect the water quality and the environment of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, and near shore waters. Concept proposals for implementation projects are due May 28. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/beaches/cbi_projects/index.shtml

California Sea Grant, Collaborative Fisheries Research West Small Grants program. This program offers funding up to $25,000 for short, focused research projects or proof-of-concept projects. The results must be applicable to fisheries science or management. Project teams must submit their proposals by 5 pm on June 3, 2013. Interested parties must contact the Executive Director, Peter Nelson, to discuss their plans prior to submitting a proposal and are strongly encouraged to do so no later than May 17, 2013.

The US Economic Development Administration provides strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment to support development in economically distressed areas of the United States. Under this FFO, EDA solicits applications from both rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. Grants made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets to support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. The next funding cycle deadlines are: June 13, 2013 for funding cycle 4 of FY 2013; and September 13, 2013 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2014. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=208353

Beginning on May 20, farmers can sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program. The four-week window ends June 14. The latest sign-up was announced by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. http://farmprogress.com/story-usda-rolls-conservation-reserve-program-signup-8-94993-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=18+February+2013

EPA Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes: EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research to develop sustainable solutions to environmental problems that affect tribes. The objectives of the awards to be made under this solicitation are to improve understanding of: 1) the health impacts of climate change on tribal populations; and 2) the health impacts of indoor air pollution exposures that derive from or are directly affecting traditional tribal life-ways and cultural practices. In both cases, projects should focus on impacts to vulnerable sub-populations of the Tribal communities. Proposals should also consider sustainable, culturally appropriate and acceptable pollution prevention, and adaptation/mitigation strategies. Deadline: June 25, 2013. http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2013/2013_star_tribal.html

Proposals are being accepted for the Cleanup and Abatement Account via FAAST through July 1, 2013. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/caa/

Local Coastal Program: Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant. The Ocean Protection Council, California Coastal Commission and State Coastal Conservancy announce the availability of grants to encourage local governments and other entities responsible for planning under the California Coastal Act to develop and adopt updated plans that conserve and protect coastal resources from future impacts from sea-level rise and related climate change impacts such as extreme weather events. Applications are due July 15, 2013. http://www.opc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/docs/LCP2013/LCP_SLR_Program_Announcement_FINAL.pdf

2014 National Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program. The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council seeks innovative grant proposals for program development, study, and collaboration that will address strategies in the Ten Year Action Plan. Specifically the Council is considering proposals to address the following priority issues:• Making Urban Trees and Forests More Resilient to the Impacts of Natural Disasters and the long-term Impacts of Climate Change• Green Infrastructure Jobs Analysis• Utilizing Green Infrastructure to Manage and Mitigate Stormwater to Improve Water Quality. Potential Innovation grantees are should work collaboratively with other organizations and entities not traditionally involved in urban and community forestry. Applicants should consider multi-year projects and other sources of funds, which may include other Federal cooperative conservation sources. While other Federal dollars or technical support may contribute to the project, they may not be used to match these Federal grant program dollars. Deadline: July 15. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=230313

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Friday announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program. Renewable energy system and energy efficient improvement guaranteed loan only applications until July 15, 2013. http://farmprogress.com/story-usda-offers-grants-loans-renewable-energy-projects-8-96689-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=02+April+2013

North American Wetlands Conservation Act Bird Habitat Conservation Standard Grants. The Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats. In Mexico, projects may also include technical training, environmental education and outreach, organizational infrastructure development, and sustainable-use studies. Applications due March 1 and July 26. http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Standard/index.shtm

California Sea Grant, California's North Coast Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Baseline Program. Proposals are requested for projects that address the purposes of the Baseline Program, which are:

To provide a summary description, assessment, and understanding of ecological and socioeconomic conditions, or 'benchmark' in the North Coast region, inside and outside MPAs designated pursuant to the Marine Life Protection Act, against which future MPA performance can be measured; and
To document initial ecological changes and the short-term net socioeconomic benefits or costs following MPA implementation.
The deadline for submission of project proposals is August 14, 2013.
http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/FUNDING/APPLYING/NorthCoastMPA2014-15.html

US Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides technical and financial assistance to coastal communities and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. The Coastal Program is not a conventional grants program, in that it does not solicit projects through a request for proposals. Instead, projects are developed strategically, in coordination with partners, and with substantial involvement from Service field biologists. If you are interested in working with the Coastal Program, please visit our website to find the nearest Coastal Program office. http://www.fws.gov/coastal/contactUs.html. Closing date for opportunities: September 28, 2013.

NOAA Coastal Resilience Networks. The purpose of this grant is to implement activities that enhance resilience of coastal communities to natural hazard and climate risks through a regional or national network. Proposals must leverage, enhance, or create a system in which one or more coastal hazard issues can be addressed through partnerships to improve coordination and collaboration throughout the region. Applications due November 11. http://www.csc.noaa.gov/funding/_pdf/FY_2013_Resiliency_FFO_posted_on_Grants.gov_10.24.2012.pdf

Fund for Wild Nature Fund for Wild Nature Grants. Provides small grants for North American campaigns to save native species and wild ecosystems, with particular emphasis on actions designed to defend threatened wilderness and biological diversity. Submission deadlines on May 1 and December 1 each year. http://fundwildnature.org/proposal-dates-a-guidelines/dates-a-guidelines.html

The Climate Solutions University is soliciting applications for its 2014 Program. http://www.mfpp.org/csu/applyto2014/

The California Fisheries Fund offers three types of loans: fishing association loans, infrastructure loans, and business loans. http://www.californiafisheriesfund.org/loan.html

Planning and Local Technical Assistance Programs. Under the Planning and Local Technical Assistance programs grants, the Economic Development Administration assists recipients in creating regional economic development plans designed to stimulate and guide the economic development efforts of a community or region. As part of this program, EDA supports Partnership Planning investments to facilitate the development, implementation, revision or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies which articulate and prioritize the strategic economic goals of recipients’ respective regions. Applications are accepted on a continuing basis and processed as received. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=189193

The California Energy Commission has announced the availability of funds for low-interest loans for energy efficiency and energy generation projects. Low interest rates of 3 percent can help local jurisdictions invest in energy efficiency, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new jobs and industries for your community. http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/index.html

The California Wildlife Conservation Board continues to provide funding for wetland, riparian, oak woodland, and other fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects and land acquisition from Propositions 40, 50, and 117. The WCB’s Riparian, Inland Wetlands, and Oak Woodlands programs continue and are continuously open for proposal submission. http://www.sfbayjv.org/

The REAP/EA/REDA Grant Program will provide grants for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance. Applications accepted on a continuous basis. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapEaReda.html

The State Water Board executed a contract with California Rural Water Association (CRWA) to provide up to $500,000 in wastewater-related technical assistance to small, disadvantaged communities (SDACs) statewide. If you have questions regarding this contract, or if you are working with a SDAC that could benefit from this type of assistance, please contact either Ms. Meghan Brown at (916) 341-5729 or mgbrown@waterboards.ca.gov, or Ms. Diana Conkle at (916) 341-5660 or dconkle@waterboards.ca.gov

The SWRCB Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program is currently accepting applications. The CWSRF Loan Program provides low-interest loan funding for construction of publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities, local sewers, sewer interceptors, water recycling facilities, as well as, expanded use projects such as implementation of nonpoint source (NPS) projects or programs, development and implementation of estuary Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans, and storm water treatment. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/index.shtml

The SWRCB Agricultural Drainage Loan Program and Agricultural Drainage Management Loan Program are currently accepting applications. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/agdrain/agdrain_loan.shtml

The Strategic Growth Council has released the solicitation notice for the third round of funding for the Urban Greening Grant Program. To access the program guidelines and on-line Concept Proposal Forms for urban greening project and/or planning applications please visit: http://sgc.ca.gov/urban_greening_grants.html.

The USDA Rural Development Electric Program provides direct loans and loan guarantees to upgrade, expand, maintain, and replace America’s vast rural electric infrastructure including the construction of electric distribution, transmission and generation facilities, and on- and off-grid renewable energy systems. Applications accepted on a continuous basis. http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/index.htm

The USDA provides loans and grants to develop water and waste disposal systems in rural areas and towns with a population not in excess of 10,000. The funds are available to public bodies, non-profit corporations and Indian tribes. Applications are accepted at any time through the Rural Development State and Area Offices. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-dispdirectloansgrants.htm. To locate an office near you go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides cost-share funding and technical assistance to private land owners and their local partners. Assistance is given to restore streams, wetlands and other native habitat on private property. The program operates on a voluntary basis. We rely on landowners who want to restore their property. The landowners agree to maintain the restoration for at least ten years. Otherwise, they keep full control of their lands. Maximum funding request is $25,000 per project with a minimum 1:1 non-federal match (monetary and/or in-kind match). Partnerships with other funding agencies are encouraged. Contact Kate Symonds, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for SF Bay, (tel) 707-578-8515, (cell) 707-480-2675, or at kate_symonds@fws.gov . http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/CP/Partnerships/cp_partners-for-fws.htm

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday announced that applications are being accepted from qualified non-profit and public organizations to provide loans to support rural businesses and community development groups. http://farmprogress.com/story-usda-opens-applications-rural-business-relending-program-8-96962-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10+April+2013

LOCAL NEWS

Eel River Watershed Management Area

Water tanks show promise in replacing stream diversions. http://www.times-standard.com/ci_23023271/water-tanks-show-promise-fighting-stream-diversion-

Willits and Brooktrails water reservoirs are topped off and ready for the summer months. http://www.willitsnews.com/people/ci_23007494/brooktrails-and-willits-water-reservoirs-are-full-willits

Phytophthora ramorum nears the border of the Six Rivers National Forest – The UC Davis Rizzo Lab and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Humboldt began monitoring North Dobbyn Creek in February 2013. This was prompted by the identification of significant patches of tanoak mortality consistent with SOD along a tributary of N. Dobbyn Creek (called Hoover Creek) in the US Forest Service 2012 aerial surveys. http://www.suddenoakdeath.org/?bibliography=mapping-the-risk-of-establishment-and-spread-of-sudden-oak-death-in-california

Eel River monitoring leads to interesting discoveries. http://www.times-standard.com/lifestyle/ci_22889085/eel-river-monitoring-leads-interesting-discoveries

The annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels gathered along the Mendocino coast is now in effect. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/ci_23136614/annual-quarantine-mendocino-coast-mussels-place

Humboldt Bay Watershed Management Area

The Arcata City Council debated introduction of an ordinance to expand the city’s current smoking prohibitions. http://www.times-standard.com/ci_23042702/arcata-city-council-talks-expand-smoking-bans-increase?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com

While there were some glitches along the way, Humboldt emergency officials Monday agreed that last week's expansive tsunami warning system test was a success. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_22921313/humboldt-tsunami-test-success-despite-snags-officials-say

Humboldt County will hold a community meeting Tuesday evening at Winship Middle School in Cutten to gather public input on a plan to acquire a portion of the McKay Tract for a community forest. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_23125812/humboldt-county-seeks-input-mckay-tract-community-forest

Klamath Watershed Management Area

The Mid-Pacific Region of the Bureau of Reclamation intends to issue a Notice of Intent for a grant agreement to Klamath Watershed Partnership for the following program: Developing a Stewardship Management Framework for the Klamath Basin. The purpose of the requirement is to develop the infrastructure necessary for an adaptive management watershed stewardship framework to support agencies and organizations implementation of water quality program for the Klamath Basin. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=230602

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued its final revised recovery plan for Lost River and shortnose suckers in the Klamath Basin. http://www.capitalpress.com/orewash/TH-suckers-w-infobox-041713/

Siskiyou County Supervisors have often criticized government regulations and water studies for not taking into account the effects of upland forests on surface flows in local rivers. At their meeting on Tuesday, April 16, they unanimously chose to contribute $10,000 to a study that might provide some insight into those effects. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/article/20130417/NEWS/130419765

The four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River that block salmon migration and cause toxic algae blooms in stagnant lake water should be removed, concludes the most comprehensive environmental study ever done on the river system that flows from Oregon through California to the Pacific. http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Remove-4-dams-on-Klamath-study-urges-4411365.php

PacifiCorp’s original 50-year license to operate the Klamath Hydroelectric Project’s four dams expired March 2006. And since the 1956 license predated many contemporary environmental laws, the Department of Interior’s analysis points out that only two dams meet standards for fish passage. http://www.heraldandnews.com/article_082d76c0-a4ce-11e2-8edf-001a4bcf887a.html

Citing low water levels in Upper Klamath Lake, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has announced a delay in the start of the irrigation season for Klamath Basin farmers. http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/mariposa-daily-news-2013/145-april/8095-california-farm-bureau-federationnklamath-irrigators-to-face-delay-in-water-deliveries-and-removal-of-four-dams-now-awaits-congressional-action

The federal government recommended that all four aging hydroelectric dams be removed from the Klamath River in southern Oregon and Northern California to help struggling wild salmon runs, and nearly $1 billion should be spent on environmental restoration.

The Bureau of Reclamation today notified Klamath Project irrigation districts and water users, including the Klamath Water Users Association and Klamath Water and Power Agency, that due to low lake levels and low inflows into Upper Klamath Lake the start of the irrigation season will be delayed by about one to two weeks. The length of the delay for starting water deliveries depends on the quantity and timing of inflow into the lake. http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=42648

The U.S. Interior Department has rejected a complaint from one of its own Scientific Integrity Officers that it presented distorted summaries of studies on the effects of a still-pending decision to remove dams in the Klamath River. Interior's review confirmed the substance of the complaint but concluded that blatant inaccuracies and critical omissions did not constitute scientific misconduct, according to a response posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). http://yubanet.com/california/Interior-Denies-Spinning-Klamath-Science.php#.UXW99rXlaM1

Siskiyou County officials are considering how to turn yard waste into a renewable resource. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/article/20130325/NEWS/130329864/1001/NEWS

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has backed off a plan to outsource jobs and apologies to seven Klamath Basin biologists who claimed scientific misconduct. http://ht.ly/knNxA

A federal agency at the center of the bitter water battles in the Klamath Basin has formally apologized to seven of its scientists who were accused by a supervisor of producing biased work on the water needs of salmon. http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_23090628/klamath-scientists-get-apology-over-bias-claim

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan and Governor’s tunnel proposal could impact salmon and take Trinity River water from North Coast communities. http://www.times-standard.com/guest_opinion/ci_23103486/governors-tunnel-plan-could-take-humboldt-countys-trinity

North Coast Rivers Watershed Management Area

The State Coastal Conservancy approved $10 million to contribute toward the purchase of Preservation Ranch. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130418/ARTICLES/130419506/1033/news?Title=Coastal-Conservancy-OKs-Preservation-Ranch-buy

Seal pupping season is in full swing along the Sonoma County coast, and visitors to Goat Rock and similar beaches may find harbor seals spread comfortably on the shore nursing their newborn pups. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130417/ARTICLES/130419568/1350?Title=It-s-seal-pupping-season-along-coast

Ten companies and one nonprofit agency are competing for an initial contract to provide electricity to Sonoma County homes and businesses through the county's proposed public power agency. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130408/articles/130409540&tc=yahoo

Water tanks show promise in replacing stream diversions. http://www.times-standard.com/ci_23023271/water-tanks-show-promise-fighting-stream-diversion-

On a site that lies in the watershed of the North Fork of the Smith River, just north of the California-Oregon border and west of Highway 199, a mining company has proposed exploratory drilling for nickel. http://www.triplicate.com/News/Local-News/Smith-watershed-drilling-proposed

In October 2011, I reported on a multi-agency clean-up at Glenbrook Gulch in Big River where there was environmental damage due to an illegal marijuana grow. http://www.mendocinobeacon.com/ci_23003037/salmon-returning-restored-watershed

Sonoma County and a private operator are close to a deal to run the Sonoma County landfill. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130406/ARTICLES/130409637/0/search

Russian/Bodega Watershed Management Area

NOAA’s Earth Systems Research Lab teamed with the National Weather Service to develop a high-resolution, digital forecast to improve frost condition predictions for improved water level management in the Russian River watershed. http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/highlights/forecastingfrost.html

As of April 2 water storage in Lake Mendocino stood at 64,186 acre-feet, 26% below the available water storage level for this date. http://www.scwa.ca.gov/current-water-supply-levels/

NOAA, along with the state of California and other partners, is exploring reclaiming abandoned gravel pits as habitat for salmon in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. By removing levees, reshaping banks, and re-contouring the river bottom, we are looking to reconnect more than 350 acres of habitat. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/09/09_06_12gravel_pits.html

The Sonoma County Water Agency adopted new wholesale rates for municipal water systems Tuesday that include hikes of between 3.8 and 5 percent, depending on the locations of the water systems. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130416/ARTICLES/130419645/0/search

A first-of-its-kind program in California requiring Santa Rosa to offset pollution from its wastewater treatment plant by cleaning up other problem properties in the watershed is struggling to find enough suitable projects. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130409/ARTICLES/130409486

Sonoma County and a private operator are close to a deal to run the Sonoma County landfill. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130406/ARTICLES/130409637/0/search

A team of five PG&E environmental and government affairs specialists met with three council members at City Hall Thursday to answer questions and provide information about plans to address the polluted soil and ground water at the downtown site. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130408/NEWS/304081013/0/search

The Sonoma County Water Agency installed two downstream salmon migrant monitoring traps, also called rotary screw traps, in the Russian River near Forestville. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_22973407/traps-put-russian-river-monitor-salmon

Sonoma County's record winter dry spell was briefly broken with light rain showers Wednesday, but ranchers and farmers remain concerned. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130404/ARTICLES/130409756/1334/news?Title=Despite-rains-North-Coast-can-t-escape-water-fears

Members of the Santa Rosa City Council demanded more information about the status of a long-delayed cleanup project on the banks of Santa Rosa Creek downtown. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130402/ARTICLES/130409895/1033/news?Title=Santa-Rosa-council-demands-more-details-on-toxic-cleanup

The Sonoma County Water Agency on March 28 installed two downstream salmon migrant monitoring traps (otherwise known as rotary screw traps) in the Russian River near Forestville, CA. The traps are used to monitor endangered coho, and threatened Chinook and steelhead as they begin their migration from the Russian River to the Pacific Ocean. http://www.scwa.ca.gov/lower.php?url=press-releases&article=water-agency-installs-screw-traps-to-monitor-endangered-russian-river-salmon-2013-03-29

On March 27, 2013 a water supply pipeline that delivers drinking water through the Sonoma County Water Agency’s water transmission system to the cities of Santa Rosa and Sonoma, and the Valley of the Moon Water District, will be temporarily shut down for no more than 27 hours in order to install two 36 inch butterfly valves. http://www.scwa.ca.gov/lower.php?url=press-releases&article=seismic-upgrade-work-begins-on-sonoma-county-water-supply-pipeline-2013-03-26

Winegrape growers within the Russian River watershed came through the first night of freezing temperatures with flying colors, as their sprinkler diversions for frost protection of vulnerable spring vine growth resulted in very little drop in river flow levels. http://agalert.com/story/?id=5447

Sonoma County has approved a $4 million contract for the second phase of what could become a $50 million environmental restoration project along Dry Creek west of Healdsburg. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130422/ARTICLES/130429905/0/search

The owners of Milovina Vineyards in Hopland are facing a fine of more than $33,000 for allegedly illegally diverting water for agricultural uses. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_23112099/hopland-vineyard-facing-fine-water-diversion

Sonoma State University and the Sonoma County Water Agency team up to study ways to keep Copeland Creek healthy and manage its sediment accumulation in order to minimize its impact on flooding. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20130425/ARTICLES/130429724/1033/news?Title=SSU-county-team-up-to-study-Copeland-Creek

REGIONAL – STATE – NATIONAL NEWS

Agency & Institution Activities and Programs

The Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program has updated the Quality Control and Sample Handling guidelines for the program. The new tables replace Appendix A (Measurement Quality Objectives), Appendix B (Sample Handling) and Appendix D (Corrective Action) that previously appeared in the 2008 SWAMP Quality Assurance Program Plan. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/tools.shtml#qa

SPoT releases its second report for field years 2009-2010, “Initial Trends in Chemical Contamination, Toxicity and Land Use in California Watersheds: Stream Pollution Trends (SPoT) Monitoring Program. Second Technical Report”. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/reports.shtml#spot

Accusing the USDA of seeking to eliminate Rural Development programs, a letter released this week by the National Rural Housing Coalition says programs that help low-income rural families obtain affordable housing and potable water are falling short of funding needs. http://farmprogress.com/story-group-says-usda-has-forgotten-rural-development-8-97252-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=18+April+2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued an update on foodborne illnesses, finding that 2012 rates of infections from two germs spread through food have increased, while most others have not increased during the same period. http://farmprogress.com/story-cdc-report-shows-foodborne-illness-rates-rising-8-97417-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=22+April+2013

California today was declared to be out of compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act because it is sitting on $455 million that should be spent to improve local drinking water systems. http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/19/5356072/california-not-complying-with.html#storylink=cpy

The Obama administration released the National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Adaptation Strategy, a document that provides recommendations for the country to address the threats climate change poses to wildlife and natural resources. http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/03/31/1789481/administration-outlines-plan-to-help-wildlife-adapt-to-climate-change/?mobile=nc

A day after Gov. Jerry Brown said overhauling California’s environmental laws was unlikely this year, the leader of the state Senate said Wednesday the effort is very much alive in the Legislature and he thinks it can be accomplished by year's end. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/political/la-me-pc-environment-bill-20130417,0,2753775.story?track=rss

Federal budget cutters are merging the two West Coast administrative regions of the National Marine Fisheries Service, a move that could leave California at a disadvantage. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-budget-cuts-noaa-fisheries-20130409,0,5423155.story

The White House has released Principles and Requirements for Federal Investments in Water Resources. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/final_principles_and_requirements_march_2013.pdf

The ACWA Board of Directors on March 29 approved a set of policy principles designed to improve the management of California’s headwaters.

http://www.acwa.com/news/water-quality/acwa-approves-policy-principles-managing-california%E2%80%99s-headwaters

The Water Research Foundation has released Toolbox for Water Utility Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Management. http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4224

A federal judge rejected a joint proposal from the government and logging industry that would vacate critical habitat designation for the marbled murrelet in the Pacific Northwest. http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/04/03/56312.htm

In the latest Northern California river mining dispute, tribes and environmentalists have petitioned the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to tighten its moratorium on suction dredge mining. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_22898674/tribes-and-environmentalists-petition-close-dredge-mining-loophole

NOAA Fisheries' Northwest Region has teamed up with the Pacific Northwest College of Art to communicate science to a non-technical audience. An animated film, scheduled to be completed at the end of May, will demonstrate the importance of salmon-friendly shoreline habitat. http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/stories/2013/11_2013_4_xpnca_partnership.html

ACWA and two other state associations sent a letter April 19 to California Secretary of Health and Human Services Diana Dooley and California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) Secretary Matt Rodriquez outlining why the state should not move its drinking water program from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) as proposed under pending legislation. http://www.acwa.com/news/water-quality/coalition-outlines-concerns-proposed-move-state%E2%80%99s-drinking-water-program

DWR is reminding Californians that May is Water Awareness Month. http://www.acwa.com/news/conservation/dwr-reminds-californians-water-awareness-month

Recent NOAA and NOAA Fisheries budget briefings are now available online, along with the 2014 NOAA Blue Book.

NOAA FY 2014 Budget Presentation http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2013/20130410_budget_statement.html
NOAA Fisheries FY 2013/2014 Budget Presentation http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/mb/financial_services/docs/natl_stakeholder_call_fy13_14_budgets.pdf
NOAA’s FY 2014 Budget Blue Book http://www.corporateservices.noaa.gov/nbo/fy14_bluebook/FINALnoaaBlueBook_2014_Web_Full.pdf

The USDA renewed an agreement to help dairy farmers implement and explore options for waste-to-energy projects, energy conservation and efficiency improvements on their farms. http://farmprogress.com/story-usda-renews-support-dairy-waste-energy-programs-25-97545-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=25+April+2013

Agriculture

A UC Davis report, which studied only wine crops, concluded that those regions in parts of France, Chile, Australia and California that are esteemed for their wines today may eventually become unsuitable for growing quality grapes and that by the year 2050, currently uncultivated wild regions of Canada, China and Siberia could be prime wine zones. And other crops may be affected, too. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/climate-change-might-sour-californias/content?oid=9620472

Global warming will dramatically impact many of the world's most famous wine-producing regions, according to a new study. http://www.mercurynews.com/food-wine/ci_22979640/study-california-can-kiss-its-vineyards-goodbye

Despite long-standing concerns about pesticide exposure, a report issued Tuesday suggests California strawberry growers will have to keep using a contentious set of fumigants to keep the state's $2.3 billion strawberry industry competitive, even as the state ultimately seeks to restrict the chemicals' use. http://www.sacbee.com/2013/04/09/5328385/report-calif-growers-need-to-keep.html

Wine grape frost protection concerns grow with water scarcity. http://westernfarmpress.com/grapes/wine-grape-frost-protection-concerns-grow-water-scarcity

On a normal day, Kansas City, Mo., processes more than 70 million gallons of raw sewage. This sewage used to be a nuisance, but Kansas City, and a lot of municipalities around the country, are now turning it into a resource for city farmers hard up for fertilizer. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/10/176822392/cities-turn-sewage-into-black-gold-for-local-farms

Four U.S. Representatives Wednesday introduced legislation that would alter the Renewable Fuels Standard by eliminating corn-based ethanol requirements, capping the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10%, and requiring the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels. http://farmprogress.com/story-renewable-fuels-standard-debate-heats-again-8-97050-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11+April+2013

The Climate Corporation, San Francisco has announced that the free climate.com service is now live for the 2013 growing season. Using remote sensing technologies, physical and geospatial mapping, unique weather simulations and proprietary agronomic models, climate.com provides growers with field-level weather monitoring and forecasting decision support tools. http://farmprogress.com/story-free-planting-advisor-climatecom-9-96350-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27+March+2013

Vineyard managers and winemakers can work their magic each season, but ultimately the water content of the soil, the outside temperatures once the buds break, a hard freeze when the vines are no longer dormant, or prolonged heat beating down on the grapes – these are factors that are beyond the control of those in the wine business. http://www.laketahoenews.net/2013/04/weather-climate-factor-into-winemaking/

Climate Change

Despite ongoing discussion that drought is strong indicator of climate change, a federal study released this spring by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says last year's drought was not instigated by climate change, but by a reduction in moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico. http://farmprogress.com/story-drought-task-force-climate-change-blame-8-97296-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=18+April+2013

Climate change and extreme weather are fundamentally changing the United States, and American taxpayers are paying a huge – and growing – cost. http://www.forbes.com/sites/mindylubber/2013/04/15/flooding-fires-and-food-climate-change-is-costing-taxpayers-plenty/

In the last few decades, glaciers at the edge of the icy continent of Antarctica have been thinning, and research has shown the rate of thinning has accelerated and contributed significantly to sea level rise. http://phys.org/news/2013-04-climate-glacier-antarctica-upper-bound.html

Rainfall or snowfall dumped by the most intense storms could grow significantly heavier in most of the United States by the final decades of the century, according to a new climate change study. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-extreme-precipitation-20130404,0,125887.story

What we currently think of the Arctic — a desolate white wasteland of snow and ice will soon turn to green, laden with trees and shrubs. The changing land will also speed warming. http://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-will-turn-the-arctic-green-2013-4#ixzz2PKpTybFJ

A changing climate with more frequent extreme weather events requires today's businesses to plan for an unpredictable and inconsistent water supply via more sophisticated water management practices, according to a new report released by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). http://www.waterworld.com/articles/2013/04/watershed-approach-key-to-water-resource-management--report-says.html

Global warming is exacerbating political instability as tensions brought on by food insecurity rise. With research suggesting the issue can only get worse we examine the risks around the world. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/13/climate-change-threat-food-supplies

After another year in which many parts of the country were hit by scorching heat, devastating wildfires, crippling drought, severe storms and record flooding, a new Environment California Research & Policy Center report finds that weather-related disasters are already affecting hundreds of millions of Americans, and documents how global warming could lead to certain extreme weather events becoming even more common or more severe in the future. The report found that 2 out of 3 Californians live in counties hit by at least one weather-related disaster and Los Angeles County has been hit by 7 federally declared weather-related disasters since 2007. http://yubanet.com/california/2-out-of-3-Californians-Live-in-Areas-Hit-by-Recent-Weather-Disasters.php#.UXWkh7XlaM0

As the globe warms from rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, more moisture in a warmer atmosphere will make the most extreme precipitation events more intense, according to a newly-published NOAA-led study in Geophysical Research Letters. http://farmprogress.com/story-expect-more-rain-warmer-climate-8-96821-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05+April+2013

Some of the same chemicals that a number of scientists believe are influencing climate change may be having an equally important effect on people’s health, as they inhale those chemicals into their bodies. http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20130326-climate-studying-clouds-to-find-global-answers.ece
The NRDC and American Rivers have put together a guide to help states prepare for the water-related effects of climate change: Getting Climate Smart: A Water Preparedness Guide for State Action includes a top-10 list of strategies that are cost-effective and flexible. http://www.nrdc.org/water/climate-smart/files/getting-climate-smart.pdf

A team led by a nurseryman from northern Michigan and his sons has raced against time for two decades, snipping branches from some of the world's biggest and most durable trees with plans to produce clones that could restore ancient forests and help fight climate change. http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/04/22/36916/earth-day-calif-coastal-redwood-tree-plantings-in/

The Pacific Institute and its partners have released the Climate Change Survivor Workbook with Games. http://www.pacinst.org/reports/climate_change_survivor_workbook/

Energy

Water Energy Innovations, Inc. today announced the release of a new white paper, "The Role of Natural Gas in California’s Water-Energy Nexus." California has been considering the intriguing possibilities presented by its water-energy nexus since 2005. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10618515.htm

California needs to strengthen regulation of hydraulic fracturing, according to a UC Berkeley Law School report that identified a number of shortcomings in state oversight of the controversial practice. http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-hydraulic-fracturing-california-20130411,0,1434562.story

Fracking opponents in California have won what may be their first victory in court, with a federal magistrate's ruling that federal authorities broke the law when they leased land in Monterey and Fresno counties to oil drillers without studying the possible risks of hydraulic fracturing. http://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Fracking-foes-in-California-win-in-court-4419423.php
University of Texas researchers have designed synthetic trees for producing water and energy efficient algal biofuels. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/2013/04/04/university-of-texas-researchers-design-synthetic-trees-for-producing-water-and-energy-efficient-algal-biofuels/

California is the latest state to embark on a fierce debate over whether and how to regulate the oil- and gas-extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing — a controversy already roiling politics in rural Pennsylvania and inspiring an endless soap opera in New York State. http://current.com/technology/94104134_california-new-fracking-battleground.htm

Fisheries

The California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted ocean and inland salmon season regulations for 2013 at its meeting in Santa Rosa in mid-April. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp

The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted a set of ocean salmon seasons that provides both recreational and commercial opportunities coastwide. California and Oregon fishermen, in particular, will benefit from strong abundance forecasts for Sacramento and Klamath Riverfall Chinook this year. http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/April-2013-salmon-press-release-FINAL.pdf

The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted new fishery ecosystem plan. http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/April-2013-Ecosystem-press-release.pdf

In welcome news for commercial fishermen, a new federal study finds that the once-depleted fisheries off the California coast have made a startling recovery, with both a fast-growing fish population and an improving commercial catch. http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2013/03/30/dramatic-increase-seen-in-fish-populations-off-pacific-coast/

Recreational ocean salmon fishing seasons have been posted to the CDFW website at www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/oceansalmon.asp.

Sportfishing for ocean salmon opened Saturday with high spirits and the expectation of 1.5 million adult Chinook swimming off the California coast. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130410/A_SPORTS/304100322

After three years of consideration, West Coast federal fisheries managers unanimously adopted their first ecosystem approach to decisions on fishing seasons and catch quotas. http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_22988233/panel-oks-ecosystem-plan-west-coast-fisheries

Federal fisheries managers for the West Coast are poised for a major change in the way they make sure that plenty of fish remain in the sea. http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/04/08/3248812/west-coast-fisheries-to-see-ecosystem.html

NOAA has released its proposed List of Fisheries for 2013 as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The proposed rule is open for comment through 5/22/2013. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/04/22/2013-09391/list-of-fisheries-for-2013

There was good news for salmon fishermen and anyone concerned about California salmon runs when the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) adopted ocean and inland salmon season regulations for 2013 at its meeting last week in Santa Rosa. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/article/20130422/NEWS/130429969

Floods

DWR and the US Army Corps of Engineers have released the public review draft of California’s Flood Future: Recommendations for Managing the State’s Flood Risk. http://www.water.ca.gov/sfmp/resources/PRD_FFR_4-3-13MainRPT.pdf

Groundwater

In the water systems that have evolved in California, groundwater will be a larger part of the equation. http://www.chicoer.com/ci_23001573/groundwater-has-increasing-role-state-water-policy

Australian scientists have devised a way to model polluted groundwater with computer simulation – and better protect the Earth’s main fresh water supply. http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20131004-24249.html

Invasive Species

An army of citizen-scientists is being enlisted to help map outbreaks of the Sudden Oak Death fungus killing trees on the California coast and to perhaps control it. http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_23014049/oak-disease

The EPA issued a final vessel general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nation’s waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce invasive species in U.S. waters. http://westernfarmpress.com/government/epa-targets-invasive-species-vessel-permit

Researchers at Washington State University are preparing for a Northwest invasion of the zebra mussel - a small, distinctly striped and rather tenacious freshwater mollusk that can quickly encrust underwater surfaces. http://westernfarmpress.com/management/western-us-high-alert-zebra-mussels

Natural Disasters

A new USGS study finds that more than a quarter of a million Californians live in coastal areas which could be hit by devastating floods from a major tsunami in the quake-prone state. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j_yoJFJbsKQSI5b7dK17T2SHS0PA

The California Department of Conservation has released a website containing Tsunami Inundation Maps. http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/geologic_hazards/Tsunami/Inundation_Maps/Pages/Statewide_Maps.aspx

Ocean

The Obama Administration released its final plan for translating the National Ocean Policy into on-the-ground actions to benefit the American people. http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/Press_Releases/April_16_2013

California's landmark decision to establish the nation's largest network of marine reserves did not violate state law and will be allowed to stand, a state appeals court has ruled. http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_23040034/ocean-showdown-state-appeals-court-upholds-californias-landmark.html

New diseases and toxins are harming marine life. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/04/130412-diseases-health-animals-science-environment-oceans/

California recently completed an historic overhaul of how it manages its coastal waters by revising and expanding its system of marine protected areas (MPAs). This system of MPAs is the largest scientifically based network in the U.S. and second largest in the world. How California accomplished this consequential achievement is the subject of a March special issue of the journal Ocean and Coastal Management. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09645691/74

Water Quality

Storing water has always been critical in California. Today the strategies are changing to meet a new generation of challenges. As our state moves forward with long-term plans to modernize our aging water system, expanding our water-storage capabilities is a central part of the equation. http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_23020951/storing-water-is-an-old-concept-that-

Irrigation wastewater can help salvage damaged soils. http://phys.org/news/2013-04-irrigation-wastewater-salvage-soils.html

Approximately 55% of the nation's rivers and streams are in poor condition for aquatic life, an Environmental Protection Agency survey released Tuesday found, citing pressure from nitrogen or phosphorus runoff, rising bacteria levels or diminishing surrounding vegetation. http://farmprogress.com/story-streams-rivers-suffering-fertilizer-runoff-epa-says-8-96533-nl_5_nlr_5?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=27+March+2013

Water Supply

The Resource Renewal Institute today launched its online “California Water Rights Atlas,” which provides digital access to thousands of current California water rights claims.

In the water systems that have evolved in California, groundwater will be a larger part of the equation. http://www.chicoer.com/ci_23001573/groundwater-has-increasing-role-state-water-policy

This r eport is a retrospective assessment of dual water systems, which are two distribution systems operating jointly, one to supply potable and the other to supply non-potable water (most commonly with reclaimed water). http://waterrf.org/resources/NewsletterStories/dualSystemsReport.html

The Water Research Foundation has released Toolbox for Water Utility Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Management. http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4224

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released a report to Congress on the progress of the National Water Census, which is being developed at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to help the nation address its critical water needs. http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/interior-releases-progress-report-on-national-water-census.cfm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=usgs_releases

The US is facing an infrastructure problem that many predict will cost astronomical sums to fix. http://energy.aol.com/2013/04/24/aging-us-water-infrastructure-is-leaking-megawatts-and-dollars/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

Wetlands

Measuring microbes makes wetland health monitoring more affordable. http://phys.org/news/2013-04-microbes-wetland-health.html

MEDIA

The Layperson's Guide to Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) is an excellent source of information on the principles of IRWM, its funding history and how it differs from the traditional water management approach. http://www.watereducation.org/store/itemdetail.asp?id=672

Watermarks: The California Newsletter for Citizen Water Quality Monitoring. Winter/Spring 2013 www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/docs/cwt/newsletter/wm_ws_2013.pdf

In a joint effort with the California State Marine Debris Committee, California's Thank You Ocean campaign is excited to announce the launch of our new Japan Tsunami Marine Debris webpage. http://cts.vresp.com/c/?ThankYouOcean.org/7d28877dd7/ab9d86d71e/0292e64cc6

The Pacific Institute and its partners have released the Climate Change Survivor Workbook with Games. http://www.pacinst.org/reports/climate_change_survivor_workbook/

In March 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released the latest in its series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys for public comment; this draft report summarizes the biological condition of the nation’s rivers and streams. http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/monitoring/aquaticsurvey_index.cfm

The SWAMP Bioassessment Data Entry tools have been updated for 2013 sampling and are available on the SWAMP website: http://swamp.mpsl.mlml.calstate.edu/resources-and-downloads/database-management-systems/swamp-25-database/translators-and-transformers-25

EBM Tools Network new guide to Coastal Climate Planning Tools can now be downloaded at www.natureserve.org/climatetoolsguide.

The Federal Support Toolbox is a dynamic, evolving and comprehensive "one-stop-shop" water resources data portal with direct links to valuable databases, innovative programs and initiatives and state-of-the-art models and tools. This website also serves as a leading-edge resource for sharing ideas and water resources needs, best management practices, collaborations and partnerships and more for the water resources community in the U.S. and internationally. http://rsgisias.crrel.usace.army.mil/intro/f?p=689:1

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Change Indicators in the United States, 2012 report presents a set of 26 indicators tracking observed signs of climate change in the United States. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/

EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities initiative has just released its "Preparing for Extreme Weather Events: Workshop Planner for the Water Sector" to help utilities plan for extreme events. The planner provides all of the materials needed to plan, conduct, and facilitate an adaptation planning workshop on five extreme event scenarios: floods, drought, wildfire, sea level rise, and reduced snowpack. http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/index.cfm

The SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership (SolarOPs), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, has created a new website to help local governments adopt solar energy. The site includes a resource database, a calendar of events and trainings, a blog, and access to “Ask the Expert” services and technical assistance offerings. http://solaroutreach.org/

A website entitled Water Data Hub has been developed to connect people to data sources from around the world. It can be searched to find information and access original data sources or a spoke can be added to share data, encourage collaboration, and possibly improve water use. http://waterdatahub.org/

The National Academy of Sciences has created a website to explain the basics of climate modeling. The six-part primer starts by describing the differences between weather and climate, and then provides an overview of computer models, the process of constructing a climate model, the steps involved in validating climate models, examples of individuals and companies that use climate models, and links to key developers of climate models. http://nas-sites.org/climatemodeling/

EPA has released a new climate and energy strategy guide for local governments, titled Resource Conservation and Recovery: A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs. Resource conservation and recovery strategies involve avoiding, delaying, or decreasing the raw materials required for the production of new products through source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and energy recovery. These practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the life-cycle of materials, while also reducing air pollution, energy use, and landfilling costs. http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/documents/pdf/ResourceConservGuide.pdf

Achieving Hazard-Resilient Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth: Coastal and Waterfront Smart Growth and Hazard Mitigation Roundtable Report, coauthored by EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), presents ideas on research, tools, services, and approaches that communities can use to integrate smart growth and hazard mitigation strategies on the coast. This report is part of a joint effort by EPA and NOAA to help coastal communities become more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. http://coastalsmartgrowth.noaa.gov/resilience.html

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has launched the Infrastructure Voluntary Evaluation Sustainability Tool (INVEST), a voluntary, web-based self-evaluation tool enabling state, regional, and local transportation agencies to evaluate the sustainability of their transportation plans, projects, and programs. The tool includes three score cards: systems planning, project development, and operations and maintenance. https://www.sustainablehighways.org/

Water Environment Federation, WATER’S WORTH IT, a new campaign from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) that aims to raise awareness about the value and importance of water, water-related issues, and the water profession. We encourage you to learn more about this exciting new effort and how you can help WEF be a voice for water. http://www.waters-worth-it.org/

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA released a national standard for measuring and reporting the greenhouse gas emissions associated with communities. The U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions simplifies and standardizes the technical guidance necessary to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, allowing local governments to gain a clearer understanding of which sources and activities within their communities are most responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.icleiusa.org/tools/ghg-protocol/community-protocol/us-community-protocol-for-accounting-and-reporting-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions

The CA Water Boards' Office of Public of Public Affairs has produced two new videos aimed to help educate people on the topic of storm water pollution and our core regulatory mission to protect beneficial uses. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/videos/

The California Natural Resources Agency has finalized and posted the California Adaptation Planning Guide. It is a series of documents that provide communities with guidance in dealing with the effects of climate change. The information includes a nine-step process for developing an adaptation plan. http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/docs/1APG_Planning_for_Adaptive_Communities.pdf

MEAM and its sister newsletter MPA News have partnered to build a new website to help peers around the world share knowledge more easily. OpenChannels is designed to become your comprehensive source for news, guidance, and community discussion on sustainable practices in ocean planning and management -- from marine spatial planning to EBM to marine protected areas. www.openchannels.org

USGS has released a map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year. http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/new/?id=ww_current

The Partnership for Sustainable Communities in collaboration with the USDA has released Federal Resources for Sustainable Rural Communities, a guide to federal programs that highlights federal resources rural communities can use to promote economic competitiveness, protect healthy environments, and enhance quality of life. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/supportdocuments/RD_FedResourcesSustainableCommunities.pdf

The Pacific Institute has released a report entitled: Urban Water Demand in California to 2100: Incorporating Climate Change. http://www.pacinst.org/reports/urban_water_demand_2100/full_report.pdf

The Association of Watershed and Stormwater Professionals (AWSPs) is proud to announce the release of the Online Watershed Library (OWL). OWL is a searchable, on-line database of research and stormwater and watershed manuals and plans. www.awsps.org/publications/owl-intro.html

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) has recently launched WATERiD, an on-line living knowledge base, that permits utilities to easily share their experiences, information, and lessons learned in managing the nation’s water infrastructure. http://www.werf.org/c/PressReleases/2012/062222012_waterid_pr.aspx

State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Goals database has just been updated and is a searchable online database that contains an extensive compendium of numeric water quality thresholds from the literature for over 860 chemical constituents and water quality parameters. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/water_quality_goals/

The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have released an online portal that provides water quality data from across the country. It gives the public access to the information gathered for decades by both agencies. http://www.waterqualitydata.us/index.html

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