Russian River Water Update 5/22/23
Reservoir Storage & Operations:
Water supply information provided by Sonoma Water (more info here).
Russian River Water Forum Updates
The Russian River Water Forum Planning Group held its first meeting on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023. The slide presentation and recording will be made available on the website shortly. (https://russianriverwaterforum.org/)
Check out these articles on the meeting:
- Press Democrat - Russian-Eel river stakeholders launch new effort to find path forward without defunct power plant, 5/18/23 A gift link to this article is available on Maven's Notebook, May 14-19, 2023 site.
- KZYX - Lawsuit, decommissioning, and future of Potter Valley hydro and possible diversion come before diverse group of interests, 5/18/23
- Redheaded Blackbelt - PG&E Plans to Remove Both Pooter Valley Project Dams - Mendo, Humboldt, Lake, and Sonoma respond - 5/28/23
Governor Announces Actions and Proposals to Streamline Delivery of Critical Infrastructure Projects
Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed an Executive Order and announced plans to release a package of budget trailer bills aimed at streamlining the delivery of critical projects throughout the state, including water infrastructure projects. According to a news release from the Governor’s Office, his actions aim to speed up construction, expedite court review, streamline permitting, address cumbersome California Environmental Quality Act processes and maximize federal dollars. The Association of CA Water Agencies (ACWA) launched Quench California last year, a statewide campaign to educate Californians about the importance and positive benefits of water infrastructure. Visit the website, www.QuenchCA.com, to learn more.
Grant Opportunities for Agriculture
1-The Health Soils - Block Grant Pilot Program focuses on increasing conservation management practices through improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and reducing GHG emissions.
2-The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) - Block Grant Pilot Program invests in irrigation systems that save water and reduce GHG emissions through irrigation scheduling technologies, improvements to irrigation system efficiency, pump efficiency, and renewable energy.
The application period for both programs closes on June 19th at 5:00 pm. Additional information can be found in the recording of the May 3rd workshop.
Natural Resource Agency Speaker Series – Weather Whiplash
To watch a recording of the webinar, check out the Speaker Series webpage.
Californians are living through record-breaking extreme weather, from crippling drought to dangerous flooding. How is state government adjusting to these intensifying climate extremes? How can our state continue to thrive as the drier periods become drier, and the wetter periods become wetter? What investments, policies and programs are needed? What can everyday Californians do? Hear from scientific experts and state leaders in this recording as they unpack and discuss this critical topic.
In the press:
- Union of Concerned Scientists - Farmers Can Adapt to Alternating Droughts and Floods—Here’s How, 5/15/23
- Sonoma County - Board of Supervisors allocates $3.9 million for seven water projects, 5/16/23
- Lost Coast Outpost - Fishing and Conservation Groups Sue PG&E Alleging Harm to Salmon and Steelhead on the Eel River, 5/16/23
- Comstock Mag - Saving the Rain: Flooding our fields helps store water in belowground aquifers, 5/16/23
- DWR - DWR Delivers $143.7 Million to Local Communities to Address Regional Water Supply Challenges and Build Climate Resilience, 5/17/23
- NorCal Water Insight - Partnering To Restore River for Native Fish and Water Supply, 5/17/23
- Scientific American - Global Warming Is Likely to Breach the 1.5 Degrees C Milestone within 5 Year, 5/17/231.
- OPB - How will salmon adapt after Klamath dams removed? Scientists are trying to find out, 5/17/23
- Mercury News - Water whiplash: See how California’s drought disappeared in a few months, 5/18/23
- Phys.org- Even after a wet winter, California is preparing for the next drought, 5/18/23
- Mercury News - Water whiplash: See how California’s drought disappeared in a few months, 5/18/23