North Coast IRWMP: Content: North Coast Regional News

North Coast Regional News

February 2012

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

February 2: The next meeting of California Water Plan’s Public Advisory Committee will focus on three topics: the first meeting of the Disadvantaged Communities/Environmental Justice Caucus, graphics in the 2013 CWP Update, and the first meeting of the Integrated Flood Management Caucus.

February 2: World Wetlands Day. http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-activities-wwds-wwd2012e/main/ramsar/1-63-78%5E25350_4000_0__

February 4 and February 9: DWR will be hosting two sessions to provide information on a dedicated and coordinated approach for regional outreach and engagement on integrated water management and planning. The sessions will be available as a webinar or conference call. http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/regional/index.cfm

February 6 – 8: California King Tides Initiative. http://californiakingtides.org/

February 7, 9:00 am – 12 pm: State Water Board - Board Meeting, Coastal Hearing Room, Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2012/feb/020712_agenda_links.pdf

February 8 – 9: NCRWQCB staff will hold a public workshop to explore strategies for restoration of the Lower Elk River watershed at the UC Cooperative Extension Agricultural Services Building in Eureka. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/elk_river/

February 16, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm: UC Cooperative Extension Sonoma County & Sonoma County Farm Trails Workshop: Growing Agritourism. 4-H Foundation Center, 6445 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park. http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/?calitem=151992&g=10973

February 21, 10am – 12pm: California Conservation Corps office, 1500 Alamar Way, Fortuna. CDFG Contact: Christine Ramsey, 707-725-1027

February 21, 9AM – 5PM: DFG Climate Change Stakeholders meeting in the Natural Resources Building Auditorium. http://dfg.ca.gov/Climate_and_Energy/Climate_Change/

February 23: DWR Local Groundwater Assistance (LGA) Grant Program Guidelines and PSP public comment workshop. California EPA Building, 1001 “I” Street, Sacramento. Webcast: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/

February 26 – March 3: National Invasive Species Awareness Week. http://nisaw.org

February 27 – 29: California Water Environment Association 39th Annual P3S Training Conference and Exhibition: Sharing the Clean Water Message in Huntington Beach, California. http://www.cwea.org/conferences/2012/CWEA2012P3SBrochure.pdf

February 28, 9AM – 2:30 PM: CDFG will hold its Annual Salmon Informational meeting at the Sonoma County Water Agency in Santa Rosa. The public is invited to attend DFG’s annual meeting on the status of California salmon populations and the outlook for 2012 ocean salmon fisheries. For more information contact James Phillips at 707-576-2375 or jephillips@dfg.ca.gov

February 29: California Water Quality Monitoring Council Meeting. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/mywaterquality/monitoring_council/

March 1, 10 am – noon: California’s Forest and Range Assessment Steering Committee meeting. USDA Lyng Service Center, 430 G Street, Davis. http://www.frap.fire.ca.gov/FRASC.html. Webinar:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/833593890

March 8 – 9: California Water Policy Conference, Westin Los Angeles Airport. http://www.cawaterpolicy.org/

March 21, 9:00 am – 5 pm: Watershed Day at the Capitol. Cal EPA Building, 1001 I Street Sacramento. http://www.watershednetwork.org/

March 25 – 27: The 2012 WateReuse California Annual Conference will be held in Sacramento. http://www.watereuse.org/conferences/california/12

March 27-28: 29th Annual Executive Briefing, Water Education Foundation, Sacramento, CA. http://www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=850

April 4 – 7: 30th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference, Davis CA. http://www.calsalmon.org/

April 13: The North Bay Watershed Association will be holding its bi-annual conference at the Sheraton in Petaluma. The conference theme is: Climate Change: How Can We Be Ready?

April 17 – 20: 2012 Annual California Water Environment Association Conference in Sacramento. http://www.cwea.org/conferences/2012/AC12/CWEAAC12ConfBrochure.pdf

April 26 - 27: Green Technology Summit and Exposition will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center. http://www.green-technology.org/gcsummit/index.html

April 30 - May 4, 2012: National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s (NWQMC) 8th National Monitoring Conference – Water: One Resource – Shared Effort – Common Future. Portland, Oregon. http://acwi.gov/monitoring/conference/2012/index.html

May 8-11: ACWA’s 2012 Spring Conference and Exhibition, Monterey, CA. http://www.acwa.com

May 17: CFC Funding Fair will be held in Sacramento. The Fair provides opportunities to obtain information about currently available infrastructure grant, loan and bond financing programs and options. There is no cost to attend. http://cfcc.ca.gov/funding_fairs.htm

May 29 – 31: 10th Annual H2O Headwaters to Ocean Conference, San Diego. http://www.coastalconference.org/h20_2012/index.php

June 6 - 8, 2012: Sonoma Land Trust, North Coast Forest Conference: Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities, Healthy Economies. Shone Farm Pavilion near Santa Rosa. http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/ Contact information: amy@sonomalandtrust.org

June 19 – 21: The Fifth Sudden Oak Death Science Symposium will be held at the Sheraton in Petaluma. http://ucanr.org/sites/sod5/

September 9 – 13: Climate Ride California 2012 will be held. The cycle trek begins near Eureka and ends in San Francisco. http://www.climateride.org/rides/california/

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

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

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 Sea Grant College Program is now soliciting preliminary proposals for projects to begin February 1, 2013. Faculty and academic staff from universities and scientists from research institutions throughout California are invited to apply. Applications are due by 11:59 pm, March 15. www.csgc.ucsd.edu/FUNDING/APPLYING/PRELIMINARY/IndxPrelim.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 Department of Conservation, Strategic Growth Council Request for Proposals: Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentive Program to support development, adoption, and implementation of Sustainable Community planning elements throughout the State, including, but not limited to, Climate Action Plans and General Plan amendments. All applicants submitting proposals for funding through this grant must submit a complete electronic application using the FAAST system by February 15, 2012. http://sgc.ca.gov/planning_grants.html

DWR has posted the draft version of the Local Groundwater Assistance (LGA) Grant Program Guidelines and PSP for public review and comment. A workshop is scheduled on January February 23, 2012 in Sacramento to solicit comments. The public comment period closes on March 1, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. http://www.water.ca.gov/lgagrant/

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will release the 2012 Proposal Solicitation Notice (PSN) for the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program on Feb. 15, 2012. Applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. Feb. 15, 2012 through 3 p.m. March 30, 2012. The 2012 PSN will be posted at www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Administration/Grants/FRGP/Solicitation.asp on Feb. 15. Applications can also be submitted online at https://nrmsecure.dfg.ca.gov/frgpproposal/Default.aspx as of Feb. 15.

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 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.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/index.shtml

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

USDA announced that it would provide funding to stabilize and reduce energy costs for residents in remote rural areas where the current costs of producing electricity is high. The funds are being provided through USDA's High Energy Cost Grant program and much of the money will go to construct renewable energy projects. Grants are available to individuals, businesses, non-profit entities, states, local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/RD_Grants.html

USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to assist rural communities that have experienced a significant decline in quantity or quality of drinking water due to an emergency, or in which such decline is considered imminent, to obtain or maintain adequate quantities of water that meets the standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act. This emergency is considered an occurrence of an incident such as, but not limited to, a drought, earthquake, flood, tornado, hurricane, disease outbreak or chemical spill, leakage or seepage. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-ecwag.htm

USDA NRCS Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. o projects that maximize wildlife values. Application due February 10, 2012. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/?ss=16&navtype=SUBNAVIGATION&cid=nrcs143_008419&navid=100130130000000&pnavid=100000000000000&position=Welcome.Html&ttype=detail&pname=Wetlands%20Reserve%20Program%20|%20NRCS

USDI Bureau of Reclamation has released a funding announcement for Water SMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program Grants for FY 2012. The objective of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to invite States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, local governmental entities, local and special districts (e.g., irrigation and water districts, county soil conservation districts, etc.), local governmental entities, non-profit organizations, and, existing watershed groups, as defined in Section 6001 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (Subtitle A of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, P.L. 111-11) to submit proposals to establish or expand a watershed group. Funding under this FOA shall be used to develop a mission statement; develop project concepts; and to develop a restoration plan. Applications are due February 27, 2012. http://www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/cwmp/docs/draft-FOA-Oct-2011.pdf

The U.S. Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in the United States that further the goals of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act). These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats for the benefit of all wetlands-associated migratory birds. Application due March 2, 2012. http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/NAWCA/Standard/US/index.shtm

The U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory is seeking applications aimed at empowering consumers to better manage their electricity use by enabling access to electricity consumption data by customers and their authorized third parties, and providing or supporting the use of third-party tools and software products that use the available data to deliver a value-added service to the customer. Projects under this Funding Opportunity Announcement will be composed of two phases. Under Phase I, applicants will need to demonstrate the capability for electricity customers and or designated third parties to access their usage data and the functionality of their proposed tool or software product to provide this access. Phase II involves adoption of the tools and software products demonstrated in Phase I to an entire service territory, region, or community within the jurisdiction of the applicant or the utility partner of the applicant. Applications due 3/1/12. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=130273

The U.S. Forest Service requests proposals for wood energy projects that require engineering services. These projects will use woody biomass, such as material removed from forest restoration activities, wildfire hazardous fuel treatments, insect and disease mitigation, and/or forest management due to catastrophic weather events. The woody biomass shall be used in a bioenergy facility that uses commercially proven technologies to produce thermal, electrical, or liquid/gaseous bioenergy. The funds from grant program must be used to further the planning of such facilities by funding the engineering services necessary for final design and cost analysis. Applications due 3/1/12. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=1qFvTv4bWP0M1fxLtTbX2QLFvplv1sS7HwHRfp6dXSgvKpyVLxrr!-1890905838?oppId=130235&mode=VIEW

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) seeks proposals for research to generate the science and engineering to improve and/or evaluate promising innovative technologies and techniques to reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of operation, maintenance, management, and replacement of aging and failing wastewater and stormwater conveyance and treatment infrastructure. Proposals due by 4 PM EDT, March 6. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9133402.htm

USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. http://farmprogress.com/california-farmer/story.aspx?s=56625&c=8. USDA is accepting the following applications:

renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until March 30, 2012;
renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012;
renewable energy system feasibility study applications through March 30, 2012; and
energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications through February 21, 2012.

LOCAL NEWS

Eel Watershed Management Area

The City of Fortuna was one of 21 entities receiving Prop 1E Round 1 Stormwater Flood Management Grants. http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/docs/StormwaterFloodManagementGrants/Map%20SWFM_Awards_Final_12212011.pdf

The Fortuna City Council delayed terminating a contract with a Sacramento area company to build the Stewart Street reservoir project, but allowed the city manager to work toward taking the project back out to bid. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19679238

The City of Ferndale now operates one of the most advanced, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment systems in Northern California, and can also boast that it will not be raising rates to pay for the now completed project. http://www.humboldtbeacon.com/ci_19723845

Humboldt Bay Watershed Management Area

The McKinleyville Community Services District toured the Colusa and Willows wastewater treatment plants on January 18. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19726491

On February 8 and 9, 2012 from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, staff of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region (Regional Water Board), in coordination with Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) will hold a public workshop to explore strategies for restoration of the Lower Elk River watershed. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/tmdls/elk_river/

Humboldt's vibrant oyster farming industry and bioterrorism funds have allowed the county's public health laboratory to deploy a cutting-edge process to test for shellfish contamination. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19798478

Klamath Watershed Management Area

Siskiyou County submitted its comments for the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) for Klamath Facilities Removal. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x545134816/Klamath-dams-County-s-comments-in

A lone gray wolf crossed the border into California and was on the move south of Klamath Falls on Thursday, becoming the first wild wolf in the state in almost a century. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/29/MNGQ1MICRG.DTL&feed=rss.pageone

A state survey has shown imperiled coho salmon populations in the Scott River in far Northern California may be making a comeback. http://www.capitalpress.com/content/TH-scott-river-coho-w-photo-infobox-123011

Following weeks of tension between Trinity River fishing guides and the Trinity Management Council over scheduled restoration projects, the council has cautiously approved moving forward on a portion of the work. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19687277?source=rss

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to invite the Karuk tribal leadership to meet and discuss the tribe’s Scott Valley groundwater study. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x550246271/Supervisors-issue-invite-to-Karuk-leaders

A Siskiyou County supervisor warns of possible confrontations and "civil disobedience" if an environmental group follows through with plans to float the Scott River in Siskiyou County to protest what a spokesman says is an effort to keep members of the public off the stream. http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jan/05/scott-river-float-protest-planned/

Agencies planning the controversial removal of four dams from the Klamath River received nearly 2,700 unique comments about the project by the Dec. 30 deadline, officials said. http://www.capitalpress.com/california/TH-klamath-w-infobox-011312

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s (NCRWQCB) Irrigated Lands Discharge Program is getting underway with the formation of sub-regional advisory groups to inform the process, and the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors has voted to engage in the process by participating in the groups. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x2079018395/Water-quality-issues

The Hoopa Valley Tribe plans to create a permit program for fishermen using Trinity River access points on the reservation after posted signs and locked gates in the area caused a flurry of concern from members and nonmembers alike. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19751634

Richard Harris, Ph.D and Sandra Perez of the Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program (5C) told the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that, since 1998, there have been a lot of improvements in county policy and procedures regarding roads and their impacts on salmon. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x886300537/Supervisors-hear-salmonid-conservation-program-update

The U. S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Siskiyou County Department of Agriculture (SCDA) are proposing a project to treat leafy spurge along the Klamath and Scott rivers as well as Quartz Valley tributaries. http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x2018889764/River-clean-up

A draft report released by the U.S. Department of the Interior says a landmark agreement to remove dams in the Klamath Basin will restore salmon and sustain irrigation for farmers in Southern Oregon and Northern California. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19816586

The ambitious proposal to remove four Klamath River dams would add jobs and aid fish, a new federal report asserts, but the idea still leaves California lawmakers badly divided. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/25/4212672/klamath-dam-removal-costly-but.html#mi_rss=Environment

North Coast Rivers Watershed Management Area

The California Coastal Conservancy was awarded a $1 million grant to help fund the Ten Mile River Estuary Protection Project in Mendocino County. http://yubanet.com/california/Secretary-Salazar-Announces-1-Million-Grant-for-Ten-Mile-River-Estuary-Project-in-Northern-California.php#.TxdbCIHheJ6

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday again put off paying a $74,000 bill to the city of Fort Bragg for the city's treatment of water that drains from a closed landfill in Caspar. http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_19718003

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership has unveiled its first annual report. http://www.savingwaterpartnership.org/

The Sonoma County Water Agency's Board of Directors approved entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct a proof of concept demonstration to improve quantitative precipitation and frost information for Sonoma County. http://scwa2.computergrafixco.com/eNews/index.asp?issue=1/1/2012&campaign=Enews&article=2704

Russian/Bodega Watershed Management Area

DFG Releases Adult Coho Salmon into Sonoma County Salmon Creek. http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/dfg-releases-adult-coho-salmon-into-sonoma-county-creek/

December ended as Santa Rosa's second-driest month in 80 years of record-keeping with just .09 inches of rain falling downtown. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111231/ARTICLES/111239921

The Russian River Frost Protection Regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law on December 29, 2011.

The lack of rain and resulting low flow of the Russian River pose a threat to endangered coho salmon, which are having difficulty reaching their spawning grounds and could be caught and killed by fishermen. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120111/ARTICLES/120119893

The Russian River estuary was breached on January 11th. http://scwa2.computergrafixco.com/eNews/index.asp?issue=1/1/2012&campaign=Enews&article=2708

The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership has unveiled its first annual report. http://www.savingwaterpartnership.org/

Jackson Family Wines recently received a Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://climateprotection.org/boldness-and-vision-in-the-wine-industry

Local growers in the Russian River watershed in Mendocino and Sonoma counties, titled Russian River Water Users for the Environment, filed a lawsuit against the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on Oct. 20 in the Sacramento Superior Court for an unprecedented regulation targeting winegrape growers’ use of water for frost protection purposes. http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/47012/growers-gear-up-to-fight-new-frost-rules/?tc=ar

REGIONAL – STATE – NATIONAL NEWS

Agency & Institution Activities and Programs

With state bond funds nearly exhausted, regional water management groups face an uncertain future for planning and projects intended to address water needs in specific parts of the state. http://www.agalert.com/story/?id=3779#.TyBSyTa9hhk.email

The Strategic Growth Council adopted its 2012-2014 Strategic Plan. http://sgc.ca.gov/workplan.html.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Application Status Report has been updated and is now available for viewing. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/index.shtml

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) is providing an online registration form for covered entities to register for the cap-and-trade program as required by the California Cap on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Market-Based Compliance Regulation. http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/capandtrade/registration/registration.htm

A 2012 calendar from the SWRCB’s Clean Water Team is available for download; it includes notations of water-related events and special days of interest. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/docs/cwt/volunteer/calendar2012_urls.pdf

The California Water Quality Monitoring Council released the 2011 Annual Progress Report, which details progress made by the Monitoring Council and its workgroups during 2011 implementing A Comprehensive Monitoring Program Strategy for California. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/mywaterquality/monitoring_council/

California Department of Fish and Game has released an interactive map for accessing California statewide marine spatial planning data called MarineBIOS. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gis/viewer.asp

Governor Jerry Brown and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and have expanded their partnership to expedite renewable energy projects in California. http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1494528/Brown-Expedites-Renewable-Energy-Projects.html

The California Water Quality Monitoring Council has issued a progress report on its efforts to implement A Comprehensive Monitoring Program Strategy for California, which was released by the council in 2010. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/mywaterquality/monitoring_council/docs/progress_report_2011.pdf

Agriculture

Pesticide use in California rose in 2010 after declining for four consecutive years, according to state data released Wednesday. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/29/BABT1MHSD2.DTL

USDA has deregulated MON 87460, a first-generation drought-tolerant trait for corn developed by Monsanto and BASF. http://farmprogress.com/california-farmer-story-nl5_5nl-first-biotech-based-drought-tolerant-corn-cleared-8-55993

Dry weather has prompted Aguiar and other California farmers with trees and vines, as well as winter crops like wheat, to call on local irrigation districts for water deliveries. http://agalert.com/story/?id=3720

In an Oakland courtroom in mid-January, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch presided over a one-day trial about methyl iodide, a fumigant approved by state regulators in December 2010. http://californiawatch.org/dailyreport/judge-rule-lawsuit-challenging-pesticide-approval-14452

California’s ranchers could face a tougher economic future under climate change. The grasslands they depend on to feed their cattle could shrink by almost 40% by the end of the century, according to a study from Duke University and the Environmental Defense Fund. http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/2012/01/23/californias-rangeland-could-take-a-hit-from-climate-change/

There are a number of simple and inexpensive actions a landowner can take to protect and provide food and shelter for bees - the single most important pollinators - and now you can get technical and financial assistance from USDA to do it. http://farmprogress.com/california-farmer-story-nl5_5nl-how-help-pollinators-8-56786

Carbon Sequestration

Plastic trees could help pull carbon dioxide out of the air. http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/2012/01/11/cleaner-air-the-word-could-still-be-plastics/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FClimateWatchBlog+%28KQED%27s+Climate+Watch+Blog%29

Climate Change

EPA’s interactive GHG Map Tool provides comprehensive greenhouse gas (GHG) data reported by large facilities and suppliers across the country to the public. http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgdata/

Simple, inexpensive measures to cut emissions of two common pollutants will slow global warming, save millions of lives and boost crop production around the world, a large international team of scientists reported Thursday. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/13/MN8C1MONRU.DTL

A new online state and local resource from EPA is now available: Clean Energy Financing Decision Tool and Guide. http://epa.gov/statelocalclimate/state/activities/financing.html

The National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals recently released a primer that will help local governments evaluate the potential for developing renewable energy on brownfields and other contaminated sites. The resource, “Cultivating Green Energy on Brownfields: A Nuts and Bolts Primer for Local Governments,” serves as a starting point for local governments considering renewable energy as part of redevelopment strategies for brownfields. http://www.resourcesaver.com/ewebeditpro/items/O93F24962.pdf

In partnership with state, tribal, and federal agency partners, the Obama Administration has released the first draft national strategy to help decision makers and resource managers prepare for and help reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them. The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012, online at www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/environment/la-me-gs-national-climate-change-strategy-wildlife-20120120,0,36043.story

Long-awaited changes unveiled Wednesday in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's climate zone guide show northward warming trends, while also targeting a few colder areas in the mountains. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/story/2012-01-26/USDA-climate-zone-map/52787142/1

Energy

A new report by the Department of Energy says that waves off California's 1,100-mile coastline could generate more than 140 terawatt hours of electricity a year -- enough to power 14 million homes -- if tidal and wave energy was developed to its maximum potential. http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_19777304?source=rss

Scientists in a cluttered Berkeley laboratory are working a bit of biochemical wizardry to transform ordinary seaweed into biofuels that promise a new source of energy for this oil-dependent nation. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/20/BAGD1MR5AT.DTL

Fisheries

Conservationists concerned over coho recovery plan; fisheries service emphasizes that plan is not final. http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_19866624?source=rss

NOAA Fisheries releases for public review the draft Recovery Plan for the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU). NOAA Fisheries is soliciting review and comment from the public and all interested parties on the plan, and will consider all substantive comments received during the review period before submitting the plan for final approval. http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/05/2011-33850/endangered-and-threatened-species-recovery-plan-southern-oregonnorthern-california-coast-coho-salmon#p-3

Forestry

Activities promoting sustainable forests are highlighted in a report released by the U.S. Forest Service. http://www.fs.fed.us/research/sustain/

Green Business

A New York company is ready to sell a new portable hydrogen fuel cell charger that can put the juice back in your cell phone, iPod or GPS device just by adding a little water. http://blog.sfgate.com/techchron/2012/01/11/now-you-can-recharge-your-cell-phone-with-pee/

California will become the first state in the nation to require greater energy efficiency in the battery chargers that millions of consumers use to power their cellphones, laptops, power tools and other electrical devices. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/13/4184722/california-sets-new-efficiency.html#mi_rss=Top%20Stories

EPA and the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab have developed draft decision trees to screen brownfields, greyfields, rooftops, abandoned parcels, and landfills for solar and wind energy potential. The solar and wind screening decision trees are designed to encourage leadership from local governments and other stakeholders in the development of renewable energy resources at the community level.

Groundwater

For the first time, independent scientific investigations linked the drilling technique with water pollution, and a variety of federal and state agencies responded to the growing apprehension about water contamination with more studies and more regulation. http://www.propublica.org/article/fracking-cracks-the-public-consciousness-in-2011

Invasive Species

Four new non-native aquatic species have taken up residence in San Francisco Bay, according to a new report published by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). https://nrmsecure.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=40420

The Lake County Board of Supervisors discussed invasive mussels at a meeting in mid-January. http://www.record-bee.com/ci_19724321

Natural Resource Management

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has discovered what may be an effective tool for cleaning up soils and waterways. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120118.htm

Ocean

The federal government is also putting together a plan on priority actions for the oceans. A draft version of the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan spells out nine national objectives and ways to accomplish them. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ceq/national_ocean_policy_draft_implementation_plan_01-12-12.pdf

Several conservation groups and tribes are suing the National Marine Fisheries Service, contending the federal agency has unlawfully allowed harm to marine mammals by permitting the Navy to expand sonar use and carry out underwater practice drills. http://news.opb.org/article/environmentalists-file-lawsuit-against-naval-testing-along-northwest-coast/

Restoration

PLoS Biology, scientists write that restoration efforts often fall short of returning wetlands to their former biological complexity and functioning.

Water Quality

Scientists have known for a while about the water-purifying properties of seeds from Moringa olfeira, the so-called “miracle tree” that’s native to northwest India but can grow in many other parts of the world. New research from chemical engineers at Pennsylvania State University, though, has identified a simpler and more affordable way to harness Moringa’s purification powers. http://www.greenbang.com/clean-water-can-grow-on-trees_21241.html

Cal Poly and the city of San Luis Obispo on Monday unveiled a pilot project to test the viability of using algae to treat wastewater. http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/01/25/1922687/algae-wastewater-clean-sewage.html

A new report says the use of treated sewage water could safely increase the nation's drinking supplies. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/01/11/state/n114200S89.DTL
Water Supply

A recent study finds no difference in risk between highly treated sewage and current drinking water supplies, retreating from an earlier report that called usage 'an option of last resort.'

California Water Code section 1259.2 requires the Division of Water Rights to prepare an annual summary of the status of pending water right applications for the Counties of Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt. The 2011 summary is available on the SWRCB website. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/coastal_streams/

The California Department of Water Resources warned in a December report that 50% of the state’s aging levees are not up to standard and up to $17 billion is needed in repairs and infrastructure investment. http://ivn.us/news/2012/01/12/california-water-system-in-need-of-major-repair/

NWRI announced the publication of “Direct Potable Reuse: Benefits for Public Water Supplies, Agriculture, the Environment, and Energy Conservation,” a 20-page NWRI White Paper that focuses on the role that direct potable reuse (DPR) could have in the management of water resources in the future. http://www.nwri-usa.org/

Weather

Dry weather in January has raised concern over drought in Northern California. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/11/v-print/4178998/dry-january-raises-concern-over.html

California is gearing up for what officials say could be a catastrophic wildfire season following what so far has been one of the driest winters on record. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203436904577154943071699730.html

Despite low levels of rain and snow this winter, water officials remain unconcerned. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120103/ARTICLES/120109883

A pair of storms dumped more than four inches of rain on the North Coast in late January, following a near record-breaking dry 35 days. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120122/ARTICLES/120129842/1350?Title=North-Coast-gets-drenching-in-pair-of-storns-

MEDIA

The California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Resources Legacy Fund, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released The Climate Change Handbook for Regional Water Planning, which provides resources and tools to guide water resource managers and planners as they adapt and navigate the complexities of climate change. http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/CCHandbook.cfm

The materials and presentations from October’s plenary meeting for the California Water Plan Update 2013 have been posted online. http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/materials/index.cfm?subject=oct2611

Historical information on just about any California water issue is available at the Water Resources Collections and Archives (WRCA). http://library.ucr.edu/wrca/

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) announces the release of a report entitled, Plastic Debris in the California Marine Ecosystem: A Summary of Current Research, Solution Efforts and Data Gaps. http://www.opc.ca.gov/2011/10/new-report-on-plastic-debris-in-the-california-marine-ecosystem-released/

The ARB Research Seminar: Empowering Citizens to Adopt Low Carbon Lifestyles: Strategies and Tools for Behavior Change, Community Engagement and the Reinvention of our Cities is now available for online viewing. http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/seminars/seminars.htm

The National Science Foundation is funding a project to collect climate change, land use change and other environmental information from across the country. The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will be designed to forecast ecological change on a national level. The NEON website includes a video that explains how the data collection will be conducted. http://www.neoninc.org/

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute has published a report entitled: Options for Financing the Restoration of San Francisco Bay Wetlands. http://www.sfestuary.org/userfiles/FinancingBayWetlandsRestorationFullJuly2011.pdf

Restore America’s Estuaries has published a pamphlet entitled Jobs & Dollars, Big Returns from coastal habitat restoration. http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101973164694-409/Jobs+Brochure+81103-RAE+17+FINAL+web.pdf

The California Council on Science and Technology has released an online version of its annual report. http://ccst.us/annualreport/2010-11/2010-11AR.pdf

CDC has released two MMWR Surveillance Summaries: “Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks and Other Health Events Associated with Recreational Water—United States, 2007-2008” and “Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water—United States, 2007-2008.” http://ohsonline.com/articles/2011/09/26/cdc-releases-surveillance-data-on-waterborne-disease-outbreaks.aspx?admgarea=news

The 2011 H2O 2011 conference program and PowerPoint Presentations are available online. http://www.coastalconference.org/h20_2011/2011_presentations.php

A new web portal is available to help organize climate and land use planning information on the State’s climate change website. http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/action/cclu/

A website co-sponsored by the United Nations offers a wide variety of water-related news and information from around the world. Its video library includes the DWR documentary A Climate of Change. The site also offers webinars and a list of projects from around the world that are dealing with pollution, integrated water management and other water issues. http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/

A new guide is available to help the public participate in the decision making processes of state and regional water boards. The Citizen’s Guide to Working with the California Water Boards was put together by the Office of Public Participation. http://www.waterplan.water.ca.gov/docs/enews/2011/cwp_e-news081011.pdf

The California Council on Science and Technology has issued a report that includes recommended actions for California Water Plan Update 2013. Innovate 2 Innovation lays out a strategy that would apply technology to resolve California’s water issues, create a digitally driven learning environment for K-12 education and improve collaboration between industry and higher education. http://www.ccst.us/news/2011/20110817i2i.php

The Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF) has issued three key guidance documents that set the stage for the future of environmental cleanup. The documents comprise a comprehensive road map for sustainable remediation – a movement to encourage cleanup projects that remove potentially dangerous contaminants from the environment while limiting external impacts and minimizing the use of energy, water, and other natural resources. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trio-of-documents-provides-the-first-comprehensive-road-map-for-cleaner-cleanups-126745403.html

The SWAMP Data Management Team is pleased to announce full documentation (PDF file) is now available for the Bioassessment Field Data Entry tool. http://swamp.mpsl.mlml.calstate.edu/resources-and-downloads/database-management-systems/swamp-25-database/documentation-25

Climate Protection Campaign video by George Cilley, narrated by President Lawrence Jaffe and Executive Director Ann Hancock. http://climateprotectioncampaign.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=ab6e0363a120175ebb1acbf2c&id=1adbca683f&e=9c9d6df7d5

The USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework is a comprehensive approach for proactively implementing integrated restoration on priority watersheds on national forests and grasslands. http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/watershed/

The Water Education Foundation is providing a new way to stay up-to-date on California water news. It is offering the Aquafornia App, which is free to the public for download. The app provides access to news articles and background information about California water. The app is only compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aquafornia/id444043552?mt=8&ls=1

The California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply has released a proposed set of actions to increase water security for California agriculture. Agricultural Water Stewardship: Recommendations to Optimize Outcomes for Specialty Crop Growers and the Public in California presents a set of recommendations to help state agencies and water stakeholders develop long-term solutions. http://aginnovations.org/images/uploads/CRWFS_Water_Stewardship_Recs_electronic.pdf

The Berkeley Law Center for Law, Energy & the Environment released Drops of Energy Conserving Urban Water in California to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The document identifies short- and long-term actions that advocates, government leaders, public and private water suppliers, and other agencies should consider taking to advance statewide efforts to reduce water consumption, save energy, and ensure future water supplies. http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/Drops_of_Energy_May_2011_v1.pdf

The Natural Resources Agency and the California Energy Commission have released Cal-Adapt, a web-based climate adaptation planning tool to help local governments respond to climate change. http://cal-adapt.org/

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/

River Watershed Association (RRWA) News and Environmental Column, “Sanitary Sewer Overflows – Are you aware of their impact?, authored by Ryan Kirchner of the City of Healdsburg. http://www.rrwatershed.org/reports.html

A new report by WateReuse takes a look at the feasibility of using direct potable reuse (DPR), which is the introduction of purified water into a water system. Direct Potable Reuse: A Path Forward focuses on implementing DPR in California, but it also looks at how it may be applicable in the broader water reuse community. http://www.watereuse.org/sites/default/files/u8/Direct%20Potable%20Reuse.pdf

Sotoyome RCD has released Vineyard Frost Protection a Guide for Northern Coastal California. http://sotoyomercd.org/Vineyard-Frost-Protection.pdf

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