Newsom wades into decades-long bid to wring more water for California [Courthouse News Service]
…With a year’s experience under his belt, Newsom is making his next move with a recently released game plan his administration claims will protect the state’s most precious commodity from climate change. The water portfolio lists over 100 actions and while many are forward-thinking and do things like improve drinking water quality, boost efficiency in urban and agricultural water use and favor voluntary water agreements instead of state mandates, it also endorses billion-dollar projects that flopped under past governors. The first draft was well received by farmers, water districts and others in California’s water circle, but critics are worried the innovative and cheaper options are already taking a backseat to the megaprojects as Newsom begins his second year in office.
Folsom Dam is being raised. What that means for droughts, boating and your flood insurance [Sacramento Bee]
Folsom Dam has long quietly served as a backstop for Sacramento, offering critical flood protection to one of the most at-risk metropolitan areas in the country….Federal officials have launched work on a nearly $400 million project to raise the dam 3.5 feet….Folsom Dam is primarily a flood control facility, but it also serves as a reservoir for drinking water and agricultural irrigation. The dam raise will add 4 percent capacity to the reservoir, and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman said her agency has new federal authority to hold more water in the reservoir in winter and spring than was allowed in the past.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article239405973.html
Local legislators introduce bill to combat power shutoffs [Marysville Appeal-Democrat]
Two bills were introduced to the state Legislature on Tuesday by local Assemblyman James Gallagher and state Sen. Jim Nielsen meant to help prevent future wildfires and utility power shutoffs. If approved by their colleagues and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the bills – Assembly Bill 1941 and Assembly Bill 1942 – would direct additional funding into forest fuel reduction projects and utility infrastructure upgrades by investor owned utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric Co. – two of the primary factors of recent catastrophic wildfires and power shutoffs….AB 1941 would temporarily pause the state’s renewable power mandates until infrastructure and vegetation management conditions are improved….AB 1942 would appropriate $330 million from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for forest and fire prevention programs and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by uncontrolled wildfires.
Are wolves finally migrating to Fresno County from Northern California? Here’s what experts say [Fresno Bee]
Mike Lindgren is fairly certain there is a wolf, multiple wolves perhaps, wandering around Huntington Lake….“Big wolfe sighted at Huntington Lake last night. Laskeshore side,” he wrote in the post, which drew quick skepticism from commenters. The skepticism is shared by California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is tasked with investigating such sightings around the state….It’s not unreasonable to question whether there could be a wolf in the central regions of California. The animals are known to walk incredible distances in search of new packs and mates.
https://www.modbee.com/article239370033.html
Spanish olive growers claim first victory against U.S. duties [Reuters]
Spanish olive growers have claimed an important victory in a U.S. court, which could help lift some of the duties imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, Spain’s olive exporters’ association said on Tuesday. Spain is the world’s largest olive and olive oil producing country. Its industry was hit hard when the U.S. Commerce Department imposed duties of around 35% on Spanish black olives in 2018 after concluding they were being sold too cheaply and benefited from unfair subsidies….The United States Court of International Trade said in a ruling issued on Friday, and cited by the Spanish association Asemesa on Tuesday, that some of the Commerce Department’s interpretations of the U.S. Tariff Act were arbitrary.
What’s in a name? For Napa Valley’s wine industry, the promise of top dollar [Napa Valley Register]
…The median price of Napa Valley wine grapes has exploded over the last three decades, save a few dips caused by the Great Recession and oversupply. Data from this year’s Silicon Valley Bank state of the industry report shows the median price for a ton of grapes from Napa as having increased more than sixfold, from just under $1,000 per ton in the early 1990s to about $5,500 where it sat in 2018….So, what’s a name worth for Napa Valley? In 2018, an average of 302% percent more value for red varietals and 140% more value for white varietals as compared to other California wine grapes, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture.
