North Coast Regional News
NOVEMBER 2008
Conferences & Events
November 13: Russian River Instream Flow and Restoration, Reduction of summertime flows in the Russian River; 6:30-9:00 pm, Board of Supervisor’s Chambers, Ukiah
http://www.sonomacountywater.org/documents/UpdatedCommunityMeetingsonBiologicalOpinion.pdf
November 13: The next monthly conference call to update the Climate Initiative Dialogue Group on the activities of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is scheduled from 2 – 3 PM (PST). There will be a presentation accessible on the web at that time. The audio portion of the presentation and the question and answer session is available through call-in using 1.888.566.007, participant pass code: 8750371.
http://www.westernclimateinitiative.org/
November 13 - 14: Climate Change Summit, Managing Risk and Uncertainty, Hilton, Long Beach, California; The Climate Change Summit will address the challenges and opportunities facing California in the development of water policies in the face of climate change. It is sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources and the Water Education Foundation.
http://www.watereducation.org/doc.asp?id=852&parentID=849
November 18: Workshops on Forest Carbon Credits: Practical Options and Opportunities. UCCE Forestry, 1851 Hartnell Avenue, Redding.
Contact: Sherry Cooper, 530-224-4902
Online registration at http://ucanr.org/foreststewardship or http://groups.ucanr.org/Forest/
November 19: Russian River Instream Flow and Restoration
Meeting – Focus: Estuary adaptive management, 6:30-9:00 pm, Community Hall, Jenner
http://www.sonomacountywater.org/documents/UpdatedCommunityMeetingsonBiologicalOpinion.pdf
November 19: Proposition 84 (Implementation grants) and Proposition 1E (Stormwater Flood Management project grants) workshops will be held by DWR to open discussions with potential grant applicants on how DWR plans to award the funds. The workshop will be held at the California Environmental Protection Building, Coastal Hearing Room, Sacramento, CA. The workshop will also be web broadcast at: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast
http://www.grantsloans.water.ca.gov/grants/irwm/integregio_news.cfm
November 19 - 20: Series on Groundwater – Emerging Contaminants, Holiday Inn, San Jose, 916-446-3626 http://www.grac.org/contaminants.asp
November 19 – 20: The 2008 California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup meeting will be held on the UC Davis Campus.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/events/2008CABWflyer.pdf
November 19-22: Resource Conservation Districts Annual Conference, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, Riverside, CA.
http://www.carcd.org/tab_education_CARCD_Conference.php
November 21: 2009 Winter Outlook Workshop, San Diego
As part of efforts to address the state’s drought, the Department of Water Resources will hold it’s first ever Winter Outlook Workshop (WOW) which brings together nationally known scientists to provide state water managers with the most accurate prediction possible for water year 2009. The WOW workshop is a free event, but attendance is limited to 75. Please email anorris@water.ca.gov to RSVP. For those who can’t attend, the workshop will be webcast live. The link and more information will be available at www.water.ca.gov closer to the date.
November 29: Recreational Dungeness Crab Season Opens north of Sonoma County
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/dungeness.asp
December 1: The California Air Resources Board is holding a public workshop to discuss a draft Toolkit that will facilitate voluntary GHG emission reductions for small businesses. The Toolkit will include information on cost-saving actions to reduce GHG emissions, incentive programs, California case studies, a climate calculator, decision support tools, an award program, and an online peer-networking forum.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/localaction/meetings/meetings.htm
December 2 - 5: “Shaping a Sustainable Future”, 2008 Fall Conference, Association of California Water Agencies, Long Beach, CA.
http://www.acwa.com/events/FC08/INDEX.asp
December 3: The EPA Watershed Academy is sponsoring its 38th free Webcast Seminar: Using Rain Gardens to Reduce Runoff – Slow it down, spread it out, soak it in! Pacific: 10AM – 12PM, registration to open the third week of November.
http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts/
December 4: State Coastal Conservancy Board Meeting. SF Bay Area
http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/Meetings/meetings.htm
December 6: The 6th Annual Berkeley River Restoration Symposium will be held from 9 AM – 1 PM at Wurster Hall Auditorium, UC Berkeley.
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/227_08.html
December 9 – 10: The Pacific Fishery Management Council's ad hoc Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat Review Committee will hold a work session to develop terms of reference for proposals to change areas closed to bottom contact fishing gear and for modifications to groundfish Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern. The work session will take place December 9-10, 2008, at the Pacific Fishery Management Council Office in Portland, OR. For more information, contact Chuck Tracy at (503) 820-2280.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-25008.pdf
December 11: North Coast RWQCB Meeting. Regional Water Board Office
5550 Skylane Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/
December 11: Russian River Watershed Association Board Meeting, 9:00 am, Windsor Town Hall Chambers, Windsor. http://www.rrwatershed.org/
December 18 - 19: California Water Plan Advisory Committee Meeting
Double Tree Hotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA
For additional information contact Paul Dabbs, (916) 653-5666, pdabbs@water.ca.gov
January 17 - 21: CNPS 2009 Conservation Conference: Strategies and Solutions
Conference topics include: climate change, rare plant biology, plant restoration, mitigation, vegetation ecology, invasive species, conservation genetics, environmental policy, urbanization, land use planning, and habitat fragmentation.
http://www.cnps.org/cnps/conservation/conference/2009/
January 29: North Coast RWQCB Meeting. Regional Water Board Office
5550 Skylane Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/
February 10 – 11, 2009: Registration is now open for a "hands-on" workshop that focuses on improving the asset management assessment skills of water and wastewater utilities.
www.regonline.com/assetmanagement
March 4 – 7, 2009: 27th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference in Santa Cruz. http://www.calsalmon.org/
March 12: North Coast RWQCB Meeting. Regional Water Board Office
5550 Skylane Blvd, Suite A, Santa Rosa
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/
April 4 - 5, 2009: 2nd Annual Building Green Communities Conference in Arcata at the Community Center.
www.humboldtplanitgreen.com
April 23: North Coast RWQCB Meeting. Fortuna
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/northcoast/board_info/board_meetings/
May 13 – 16, 2009: Laguna de Santa Rosa will host the State of the Laguna Conference at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park.
http://www.lagunadesantarosa.org/news_state.shtml
Funding Opportunities
Proposition 84 Funds are available for River Parkways and Urban Streams Restoration, deadline is November 12. http://resources.ca.gov/bonds_docs/FINAL_PROP_84_GUIDELINES.pdf
The Center for Watershed Protection is accepting proposals to its Technical Capacity Mini-Grant program that will award direct assistance of between $5,000 - $15,000 to a wide range of small watershed organizations.
http://www.cwp.org/Calendar/CWPMinigrantsRFP.pdf
The NOAA Restoration Center announces funding opportunities through their Community-based Restoration Program. The NOAA Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) provides funding and technical expertise for community-driven, small dam and river barrier removals, primarily in coastal states. Projects are expected to provide an economic boost for communities, enhance public safety, and improve populations of NOAA trust resources. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement. More information is available in the full funding announcements at www.grants.gov or from the Community-based Restoration Program's Program Manager, Robin Bruckner, at 301-713-0174 x208.
The 2008 Water Use Efficiency Grant Program will begin a new cycle in 2008. The program PSP has undergone review, but a final PSP has not been released.
http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/finance/index.cfm
Federal conservation funds will be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the installation of conservation practices on agricultural lands.
http://www.trinityjournal.com/news/2008/0827/news/017.html
http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2008/eqip2008counties.html
Homeowners and business owners who can’t afford the high cost of installing solar panels may get help from their local governments under AB 811, which allows cities and counties to offer low-interest financing to those who want to make energy improvements.
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_0801-0850/ab_811_bill_20080721_chaptered.pdf
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/23/BAP411TF41.DTL
State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning and Technical Assistance (PTA) Allocation FY 2008/09. http://www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/cdbg/funds/pta/PTA_2008_NOFA_ANNOUNCEMENT_final.pdf
The State Department of Housing and Community Development (Department) will make $1,000,000 available under the General PTA allocation and $1,000,000 under the ED PTA allocation. The PTA allocations provide funding in the form of grants to small cities and rural counties for planning and feasibility studies related to CDBG eligible activities and project-specific activities such as housing, public improvements, public facilities, and economic development. The Department is currently accepting applications and will accept applications continuously until April 2, 2009 or until all funds are awarded to eligible applicants. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first come first served basis. Interested applicants may download the NOFA and application document from the CDBG web site at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/ca/cdbg.
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
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/agdrain/agdrain_mgmt.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 SWRCB Water Recycling Funding Program is currently accepting applications. The mission of the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) is to promote the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater (water recycling) in order to augment fresh water supplies in California by providing technical and financial assistance to agencies and other stakeholders in support of water recycling projects and research.
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/water_recycling/index.shtml
Clean Beaches Initiative (CBI) grant program Guidelines were adopted by the State Water Board on September 16, 2008. The Concept Proposal (CP) applications are now available on-line through the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST). There will be two CP applications, one for implementation projects, and one for research projects. An email will be sent out to all applicants and to the Beach Water Quality Grant email list subscribers, one week prior to closing the solicitation. The first round of solicitation is anticipated to close on January 23, 2009. The solicitation will be re-opened after the CPs are processed to start the next cycle, until the funds are exhausted. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/beaches/cbi_projects/index.shtml
Local News
Eel River Watershed Management Area
A forum in Willits detailed how marijuana growing is impacting water supply and quality throughout National Forests.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_10875444?IADID=Search-www.ukiahdailyjournal.com-www.ukiahdailyjournal.com
The Willits City Council will review in mid-November a response to a Department of Health Services finding that the city did not have an adequate and reliable water supply to meet current needs.
http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_10906956
Willits imposed Phase 4 water rationing in late October due to water reservoir levels dropping to record lows.
http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_10806489
Restoration of the Eel River in the Benbow State Recreation area is going ahead with discussion of reinstalling the Benbow dam.
http://www.redwoodtimes.com/local/ci_10609168
The Rio Dell City Council may apply for a Brownfield grant to pay for an assessment of the former Eel River Sawmills site, the first step in cleaning up the site and preparing it for redevelopment.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10774251
Humboldt Bay Watershed Management Area
Eureka City and Humboldt County environmental health officials are investigating the alleged disposal of ammonia and waste oil into a sewer by Eureka Ice and Cold Storage.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10904349
A huge eddy off Cape Mendocino has been spotted by Humboldt State University and UC Davis researchers using radar stations at Point Arena and Shelter Cove.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10834861
Arcata has begun enhancements on seasonal wetlands and resumed work on McDaniel Slough west of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10744056
http://eurekareporter.com/article/081018-arcata-baylands-project-in-progress
The Blue Lake City Council approved an amendment to allow the Blue Lake Rancheria to hook up its new hotel to the city’s sewage system.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10826713
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_10843848?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com
A combined effort between the National Park Service (NPS), California’s Department of Parks and Recreation and the Yurok Tribe’s watershed restoration is removing European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) from beaches in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.
http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=10609
Klamath Watershed Management Area
Counts of adult and 2-year old salmon at several weirs on the Klamath and Trinity rivers bode well for the Klamath salmon fishery next year.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10803408
Representatives from the California State Water Resources Control Board made a series of stops in Northern California to ask citizens how they are affected by PacifiCorps dams on the Klamath River.
http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=10518
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10774264
Concerned citizens held a rally in front of Mount Shasta City Hall last week about the PG&E plan to conduct a five-year "weather modification" program in southern Siskiyou
County.
http://www.mtshastanews.com/news/x1772935516/PG-E-weather-modification-plan-raises-concerns
Yreka City Council Moves Forward with Creek Projects.
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/homepage/x776438921
North Coast Watershed Management Area
The Crescent City Council has approved increases in sewer rates to fund the wastewater treatment plant project.
http://www.triplicate.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=10367
Coho fry have been identified in Pardaloe Creek, a remote tributary of the Garcia River. Coho, which have not been confirmed in many years, were sighted in several places in the watershed.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/01/MN5613NOAH.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/01/state/n165446D69.DTL&hw=endangered+salmon+creek&sn=001&sc=1000
Russian/Bodega Watershed Management Area
Sonoma County supervisors in late October rejected a request from environmentalists and the state’s key wildlife agency to require farmers to undertake environmental studies and public review when planting orchards and vineyards, instead opting to develop a new grading ordinance to provide stream and wetlands protection when work is done on orchards and vineyards.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081021/NEWS/810210245
The Sonoma County Water Agency cut through a sandbar on the beach at Jenner in early November opening the mouth of the Russian River to the ocean to decrease flooding potential along the estuary.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081104/NEWS/811040338
The first public hearing was held in early November on a far-reaching federal order that lowers flows in the Russian River and requires habitat restoration for coho salmon and steelhead.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081002/NEWS/810020396
The community of Occidental faces growth challenges due to its failure to demonstrate to public health officials that its system has adequate water to accommodate growth.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081018/NEWS/810180318
A Sonoma County Superior Court judge ruled that the Sonoma County Water Agency’s Urban Water Management Plan was not supported by “substantial evidence” and ordered the agency to start over.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081101/NEWS/811010317/1014/SPORTS04?Title=Judge_rejects_county_Water_Agency_plan
http://www.sonomanews.com/articles/2008/11/03/news/doc490facf783749592760280.txt
NMFS has ordered changes to the Russian River to restore endangered salmonid populations; the community will be able to learn next steps in meetings starting in early November in Healdsburg.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080930/NEWS/809300312
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081102/NEWS/811020387/1033/NEWS?Title=Future_of_Russian_River_salmon_under_study
http://www.scwa.ca.gov/projects/documents/UpdatedCommunityMeetingsonBiologicalOpinion.pdf
The Laguna Watershed Knowledgebase is now available online. The Laguna Watershed Knowledgebase is a project of the Laguna Foundation to catalog and make available a wide range of documents relating to the Laguna de Santa Rosa Watershed.
http://www.lagunadesantarosa.org/knowledgebase/
The Laguna Subregional Reclamation Facility in Santa Rosa was awarded second place in the National Pretreatment Program Awards Category of the US EPA 2008 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards.
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/2008-ncwa-winners.htm
Criminal charges have been filed for the alleged illegal drainage of a sensitive wetland area near Atascadero Creek north of Sebastopol.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081015/NEWS/810150297/1350/FRONTPAGE?Title=Criminal_charges_for_wetland_contractor
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081016/NEWS/810160329/1033/news?Title=Felony_charges_in_creek_clearing
The Windsor Town Council approved an environmental study as a precursor to building a wastewater pond southwest of the town.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081016/NEWS/810160415/1350?Title=Windsor_council_signs_off_on_wastewater_pond_study
Five of eleven water agencies in California ordered by the EPA to cut the level of arsenic in their water supplies are located in Sonoma County.
http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=4632
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/970960.html
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081030/NEWS/810300330/0/NEWS?Title=Mobile_home_parks__winery_told_to_reduce_arsenic_levels
Trinity Watershed Management Area
Of ten California public water systems that have received orders from
the EPA to monitor for E. coli in the source water of their drinking
water systems or to face penalties of up to $32,500 per day for each
violation, one is in Humboldt County and two are in Trinity County.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5d5c626f77d8daf3852574f900564c33?OpenDocument
Regional – State – National News
Agency & Institution Activities and Programs
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/01/18547869.php
The SWRCB considered distributing $2 million for beach monitoring to coastal counties over the next two fiscal years to continue the water quality monitoring program removed from the state budget by the governor.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cleanwater4-2008nov04,0,2375478.story
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20081031-9999-1m31test.html
A Legislative report about California’s water supply calls for changes that could potentially effect groundwater supply regulation and water rights law changes.
http://www.capitalpress.com/main.asp?SectionID=67&SubSectionID=616&ArticleID=45712&TM=66706.06
The EPA has announced that they don’t plan to try to rid drinking water supplies of perchlorate, a toxic rocket fueld ingredient that’s been found in 35 states. The agency will take public comment for 30 days prior to finalizing its decision not to regulate the chemical, which is widespread in California and Texas.
http://www.mercurynews.com/natbreakingnews/ci_10630810?nclick_check=1
Climate Change
Two new plans outline programs, projects and standards designed to enable Sonoma County and municipalities throughout the state to comply with AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, SB 375, and AB 3018. http://www.busjrnl.com/article/20081020/BUSINESSJOURNAL/810170245
The Department of Water Resources released a Climate Change White Paper: Managing an Uncertain Future: Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for California’s Water.
http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/articles.cfm
The Preliminary Draft Staff Proposal on Recommended Approaches for Setting Interim Significance Thresholds for Greenhouse Gases under CEQA and supporting documents are now available online for viewing and download.
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/localgov/ceqa/meetings/meetings.htm
Vintners are taking proactive measures to adapt to climate change.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10803408
My View: Carbon bank demands an honest accountant
http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/story/1377772.html
Climate change is causing animals to migrate to higher elevations.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/10/MNA113DMFK.DTL&hw=climate+change&sn=002&sc=947
The National Office of Water has released its Final Climate Change Strategy.
http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/
The US EPA warned of more intense storms and increased polluted stormwater runoff as among effects of climate change.
http://www.alternet.org/water/101825/new_information_shows_how_climate_change_will_affect_water/
Energy
Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing nuclear power as a serious option among alternative energy sources.
http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1365206.html
Innovations in online mapping are contributing to the rapid growth of solar energy in both residential and commercial applications.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10860107?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
The US Department of Energy will invest up to $43.1 million dollars over the next four years in 21 research, development, and demonstration projects involving enhanced geothermal systems, including The Geysers in Sonoma County.
http://www.csemag.com/article/CA6602942.html?desc=topstory
With the current economic and environmental concerns, many in the industry feel that the time is right to promote the geothermal industry.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700264642,00.html
A UC Berkeley study found that California has saved about $56 billion in electricity costs and created 1.5 million jobs over 35 years by using energy more efficiently than other states.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27280965/
The US Interior Department plans to make 190 million acres of federal land in a dozen Western states available for development of geothermal energy projects.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27339064/
Humboldt State University has established two solar energy initiatives as part of a joint program with California State University and the California Department of General Services to generate 8 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power by installing panels on some of its rooftops.
http://eurekareporter.com/article/081027-hsu-joins-statewide-solar-partnership
Fisheries
Changes in ocean conditions – cold water coming down from Alaska – promise future benefits to salmonid fisheries.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/cold_water_rejuvenates_oregon.html
http://salmoncenter.newsvine.com/_news/2008/09/09/1847317-ocean-conditions-create-feast-for-salmon
Dungeness crab sport fishing season opened statewide November 1st.
www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/dungeness.asp
Chinook Salmon’s Last Meal? A cooler ocean is feeding hungry salmon, but their ultimate survival remains uncertain.
http://scienceline.org/2008/11/07/environment-peeples-chinook-salmon-numbers/
NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule to implement Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) identifications and descriptions for Pacific salmon included in Amendment 14 to the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan. This final rule codifies the EFH identifications and descriptions for freshwater and marine habitats of Pacific salmon managed under the Salmon Fishery Management Plan, including Chinook, coho, and pink salmon. There were no substantive changes from the proposed rule, which published in April 2007. The designated habitat is located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24515.pdf
A new final rule announces inseason changes to management measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries including: trip limit adjustments; the reopening of the Pacific whiting primary seasons for the shore-based, catcher/processor, and mothership sectors; bycatch limit increases; and modifications to the trawl Rockfish Conservation Areas. These routine actions are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, and are intended to allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-24368.pdf
A federal judge upheld protections for wild steelhead trout in California rivers, rejecting an argument by forestry groups that success of hatchery-raised steelhead has made the population sufficiently robust.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/28/BAAE13PA21.DTL
Seven abalone divers have died so far this year off the coast of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-abalone18-2008oct18,0,6466343,full.story
The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted unanimously Nov. 7th to make a historic shift in strategy that encourages cooperation, rather than competition, among fishermen who drag nets to catch cod, whiting, rockfish, flounder and sole. The new approach, often called "individual fishing quotas," will give commercial fishermen from Morro Bay to Puget Sound the right to bring in their portion of the catch when the seas are safe and they can command higher prices.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fish10-2008nov10,0,4846065.story
Green Business
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are studying methods to use the heat absorbed by parking lots to generate electricity.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/thermal-power--of-asphalt-tapped-for-electricity.php
The California Public Utilities Commission denied a PGE application for a wave energy generation contract off the Humboldt County Coast in mid-October.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10782962
A Sonoma County winery has become a showcase for energy and water efficient winemaking.
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20081006/BUSINESSJOURNAL/810050255/0/NEWS?Title=Sonoma_Wine_Co__gets_big_water__energy_savings
An increasing number of homeowners are using gray water from laundry pipes to water gardens and landscapes.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/03/MN0E13LRUR.DTL
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//008926.html
Invasive Species
The New Zealand mud snail has been confirmed as present in Lake Earl, Tillas Slough off the Smith River, in the lower Klamath River and in the Russian River east of Hopland.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10913780
A nontoxic treatment for quagga mussel is being developed for commercial application by next year.
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_mussel22.1556fd3.html
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/10/02/Safe_bacterium_found_to_kill_zebra_mussels/UPI-32711222974442/
In mid-October, a state multi-agency taskforce unveiled a guidebook to help water managers and recreationalists take part in the fight against invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels. The “Invasive Mussel Guidebook” outlines how aquatic mollusks can devastate waterways and why local governments and water users should encourage all Californians not to move a mussel.
http://resources.ca.gov/quagga/
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news08/08107.html
Legislation
The Obama energy plan will bring changes to energy policy in the US.
http://www.cbs8.com/features/earth8/story.php?id=145444
The American Water Works Association issued a report detailing what Obama’s presidency might mean for the water community in coming months.
http://www.bcwaternews.com/CAWaterNews/articles/2008/1105awwa-election-special.pdf
A draft assessment released by the Interior Department found that the changes the Bush administration wants to make to Endangered Species Act Rules will have no significant environmental consequences. Environmentalists are concerned about the changes.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/28/MN9H13P00Q.DTL
In an effort to change ESA rules prior to a presidential administration change, Interior Department officials rushed to review 200,000 comments from the public in 32 hours.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/22/MN8C13LRU4.DTL
Ocean
Bush’s ocean plan is facing criticism from inside the administration due to economic concerns.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/03/AR2008110303042.html?hpid=moreheadlines
Conservationists working with Google have unveiled a tool that lets people view protected marine areas in an effort to raise awareness of endangered ocean habitats.
http://earth.google.com/
http://www.sacbee.com/702/story/1334510.html
Salmon
A tracking system used in the Northwest found that as many salmon or more survived going over eight dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers as others did going down an undammed river in British Columbia.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_10838356?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com
California’s wild and native fish had a mixed year legislatively in Sacramento.
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/10/california_trou_2.html
Salinity
Now available are complimentary copies of the Salinity Management Guide, a new tool showing how recycled water can be safely used for landscape irrigation and that salinity can be addressed through proper management strategies. To receive a complimentary copy of the Salinity Management Guide on CD-ROM, please contact Tammy Russo at trusso@nwri-usa.org.
www.salinitymanagement.org.
Water Quality
Of ten California public water systems that have received orders from the EPA to monitor for E. coli in the source water of their drinking water systems or to face penalties of up to $32,500 per day for each violation, one is in Humboldt County and two are in Trinity County.
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5d5c626f77d8daf3852574f900564c33?OpenDocument
In mid-October, the National Academy of Sciences reported that the Environmental Protection Agency is failing to stem the pollution washing into waterways from cities and suburbs.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ixaJrp5XLiIA-Z4Vl1sBsl7oOQUQD93R534O1
The State Water Board's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) has some updated water quality monitoring information on our statewide public website at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/
In an effort to keep surface and groundwater cleaner, interested parties are trying to find suitable replacements for flushing old medications down the drain.
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1290768.html
The US EPA is preparing to conduct a detailed study of the disposal methods used by hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices and veterinary hospitals that discard unused pharmaceuticals.
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/green/EPA_Expands_Study_of_Pharmaceuticals_in_Waterways.html
Researchers at UC Riverside have proposed a cost-effective alternative to capture stormwater runoff that could help communities suffering water shortages and reduce the amount of pollution flowing into ecologically sensitive bodies of water. http://newsroom.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/display.cgi?id=1967
Water Supply
A new device prevents a growing crime – water theft from outdoor faucets and hoses.
http://www.conservco.us/HoseBibLock.htm
American Standard launches two online tools that promote water conservation by personalizing the experience for users. The new Water Savings Calculator and Rebate Locator, found at, also help educate people about the benefits of water and energy conservation.
http://www.americanstandard-us.com/waterefficiency
The Madden-Julian Oscillation, an area of globally enhanced energy that travels out of the Indian or Pacific oceans may bring an increase in wet weather this winter.
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1337967.html
A UNESCO map reveals where in the world underground aquifers store large amounts of water. The organization has identified 273 trans-boundary aquifers; 68 of these are in the Americas.
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn15030-atlas-of-hidden-water-may-avert-future-conflict.html
The UN General Assembly is reviewing a new international treaty to safeguard enormous pools of underground water that cross country boundaries.
http://www.alternet.org/water/105067/new_treaty_aims_to_protect_shared_international_groundwater/
Media
PBS’ California’s Water series will air its Living with Nature and Water & Energy segments during the month of November at select PBS stations throughout the state.
http://www.acwa.com/television/air_date.asp
The Society for Ecological Restoration International has released a policy position statement advocating Ecological Restoration as a Tool for Reversing Ecosystem Fragmentation.
https://www.ser.org/pdf/SER_Policy_Position_Statement_October_2008.pdf
A new U.S. Geological Survey report examines the nation’s groundwater availability and outlines a program of study by the USGS Ground-Water Resources Program to improve our understanding of groundwater availability in major aquifers across the country. USGS officials say the approach will be useful for state and local agencies.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1323/pdf/Circular1323_book_508.pdf
The Natural Resource Projects Inventory (NRPI) Website has been improved.
http://www.ice.ucdavis.edu/nrpi/
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office released its report California’s Water: An LAO Primer. This report provides, through a “quick reference” document relying heavily on charts to present information, a snapshot of water in California, including: (1) An Overview of California’s Water Governance; (2) Water Supply, Source, and Delivery; (3) How Do We Finance Water Projects? (4) What Drives the Cost of Water?, and (5) Issues for Legislative Consideration.
http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=1889
The Biogeographic Data Branch (BDB) within the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) is pleased to announce the release of the CWHR Version 8.2 software application and associated GIS data representing species ranges. Version 8.2 has updated range data for 121 species -39 birds (updated to match ranges in the recently-published Bird Species of Special Concern report) and 82 mammals. It also contains models for the newly-recognized Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog (Rana sierrae) and California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii) and an updated species list.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/
The “SWAMP Quality Assurance Program Plan” has been approved and finalized. The document represents the work and input of hundreds of water monitoring professionals from a variety of technical specialties; including bioassessment, chemistry, toxicity testing, field sampling, data management, statistics, environmental law, human health impacts, and quality assurance. http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/qaprp.shtml
