Daniel Salzler No. 1111
EnviroInsight.org Three Items August 20, 2021
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Enhance your viewing by downloading the attached pdf file to view photos, etc.
The attached is all about improving life in the watershed.
Read this newsletter at EnviroInsight.org
1. First CAP Shortage For Colorado River Declared; More Cuts May Be Coming Soon. As expected, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials on Monday declared the Colorado River’s first shortage in Central Arizona Project deliveries for 2022 — a shortage that will have the greatest impacts on Pinal County farmers and none on cities. [Lake Powell is 52 feet lower today than it was at this time last year.]
But additional cuts affecting more people may be coming more quickly than anticipated until now, officials said at a news conference called to make the formal announcement of the river’s first shortage declaration.
The shortage declaration by the bureau will reduce deliveries to the Central Arizona Project by roughly one-third, or 512,000 acre-feet. That cut amounts to about 18 percent of Arizona’s entire share of Colorado River water. The river water that CAP doesn’t get is taken by farmers, tribes and other users living along the Colorado.
Besides farmers, these cuts will also affect some Indian tribes, “excess water” deliveries to parties who normally buy water that other users don’t have contracts for and state-run recharge of CAP water into various underground storage basins.
The cuts for Arizona, Nevada and Mexico together will be about 613,000 acre-feet, although California will have no cuts in 2022. An acre-foot is enough water to cover a football field one-foot deep with water.
The cuts were all prescribed by the 2019 drought contingency plan, an agreement among the seven Colorado River Basin states including Arizona that sought to prop up Lakes Mead and Powell by gradually reducing the states’ take of that water at times when reservoirs declined to low enough elevations.
But Arizona’s water chief indicated at the news conference that to keep already ailing Lake Mead from falling too low, the three Lower Colorado River Basin states including Arizona will need to take additional water-saving actions beyond what’s already planned.
That additional action is legally required under the three-state drought contingency plan, because the latest bureau forecast says it’s possible that Mead could drop to close to critically low levels by June 2023.
“The tools we have to achieve the goal are conserving more water in Lake Mead and reducing water use,” Buschatzke said. “This is a serious turn of events, not a crisis.
The Zoom-based event was also attended by a deputy Interior Department secretary, numerous Bureau of Reclamation officials and representatives of at least three of the six other river basin states. The cuts announced represent only a fraction of the 12-plus million acre feet running down the Colorado each year. But they still represent a setback to a river that serves 40 million people, coming after climate change and drought have reduced the river’s flows by about 20 percent since 2000.
The drought contingency plan is only a plan to manage reservoir levels, not to truly adapt to long-term declines in river flows triggered by climate change and the accompanying warming weather, added Zachary Frankel, director of the Utah Rivers Council.
The bureau’s CAP cuts for 2022 will take away about 60 percent of the Pinal farmers’ current CAP supplies of about 250,000 acre feet a year, said Paul Orme, a Phoenix attorney representing four Central Arizona irrigation districts. In 2023, the Pinal farmers’ share of CAP will shrink to zero, as prescribed by the 2019 drought plan, he said.
While the farmers will be able to drill new wells providing 70,000 acre feet a year of groundwater by January 2023, thanks to state-approved subsidies, “what you would see by would be 70,000 replacing 250,000 acre feet of CAP water,” Orme said.
“It’s hard to really pinpoint how much land will actually go out of production” because of the CAP cuts, he said. “We’re anticipating around 30 percent.”
This CAP cutback was triggered by its latest monthly forecast for its reservoir operations that predicted that Lake Mead would end 2021 at a bit below 1,066 feet. That’s nearly 10 feet lower than the threshold the states and feds have established for a shortage call: below 1,075 feet at the end of a calendar year.
These low levels have been attributed by many scientists to continued climate change, led by hotter temperatures that aggravated already dry conditions.
At the end of 2021, Lake Mead will be about 34% full, and Lake Powell at the Arizona-Utah border will be about 27% full, bureau official Dan Bunk said.
The latest bureau forecast for the end of 2022 is more dire still. The most likely lake level then will be barely above 1,050 feet, the bureau’s monthly 24-month study said. If Mead drops below 1,050 feet at the end of any calendar year, additional cuts kick in, affecting some Phoenix-area cities, Indian tribes and some industrial users, although Tucson wouldn’t be affected.
Arizona, Nevada and Mexico would lose a total of 613,000 acre-feet under that scenario, although California would lose no Colorado River water unless the lake drops below 1,045 feet.
But the bureau’s latest forecast also predicts that under the worst case climate scenario, Lake Mead could hit 1,030 feet by June 2023. If a forecast predicts the lake will fall that low within the next two years, the drought contingency plan requires the basin states to start meeting and find additional water use cuts to keep Mead.
The purpose of such cuts would be to keep Mead from dropping to 1,020 feet or below. The 1,020 foot level is five feet below the lowest level now planned for in the drought contingency plan, a level that would for the first time require cuts to Tucson’s CAP supply of 144,000 acre-feet.
Tanya Trujillo, the Interior Department’s assistant secretary of water and science, said at the press conference that these cuts come as “we are seeing the effects of climate change in the Colorado River Basin through extended drought, extreme temperatures, extensive wildfires and in some places flooding and landslides.
“We’re in our 22nd year of drought. Earlier this summer our reservoirs hit their lowest levels since they were filled,” Trujillo said, and the basin’s reservoir system is at 40% of capacity.
“We’re seeing combined effects of lower than average snowpack, hotter temperatures and drier than average soil conditions,” she said.
But the shortage announcement also demonstrates that Reclamation is fully implementing plans approved by an agreement among basin states, Touton said.
The environmentalists and Hamby, however, said the reservoirs’ continued declines shows that it’s folly for Upper Basin states such as Utah and Wyoming to keep pushing to build more water diversion projects such as the Lake Powell pipeline. It would take 86,000 acre-feet a year of water — almost as much as Tucson Water customers use in a given year — from the lake to fast-growing St. George, Utah.
“They’re trying to put more development in the Upper Basin, when there’s not enough water even making it to the lower basin,” said Robin Silver of the Tuson-based Center for Biological Diversity. “Water is going to be going to growth in St. George and to growth in Phoenix, all of which is going to aggravate the predicament that we’re in.”Contact Tony Davis at 520-349-0350 or tdavis@tucson.com. On Twitter@tonydavis987.
2. Maricopa Home And Garden Show: Gardens Of The World
join us
OCTOBER 15-17, 2021
FRIDAY | 10AM-5PM
SATURDAY | 10AM-5PM
SUNDAY | 10AM-5PM
location
WESTWORLD OF SCOTTSDALE
16601 N PIMA RD
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260
prices
ADULT…………….….$5.00
CHILD 3 – 12………….$1.00
CHILD 2 & UNDER….$0
SENIOR MORNING……………….Friday 10a-12p $1 for Seniors 60+
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION…..$1 admission Friday 2p-5p and Sunday 2p-5p
MILITARY APPRECIATION……$2 with valid military identification
BIRTHDAY MONTH……………..October Birthday’s, visit the info booth for a complimentary present with valid photo ID
parking & general information
Cash only box office and parking. ATM’s on site for your convenience
Complimentary hand sanitizing stations available throughout the Show
Plenty of on-site parking is available. WestWorld charges $10 per vehicle
Large food court
No outside food or drink permitted
Guide, signal and service animals are permitted with attendees that need assistance. No pets or other animals are permitted
Click here for Interpreter Services offered through the Valley Center of the Deaf. Interpretive services may be requested for celebrity appearances only and must be requested at least 21 days in advance of the show opening date to be fulfilled
special guest
GARDENS OF THE WORLD COMPETITION
IMAGINE YOURSELF STROLLING THROUGH THE ROYAL GARDEN OF A FRENCH CHATEAU, THE TROPICAL GARDENS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, THE WINTER WONDERLAND OF NORWAY OR EVEN THE ELUSIVE DESERTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST. CAN YOU PICTURE IT? SEE IT IN PERSON EXCLUSIVELY AT THE HOME SHOW
GARDENS AROUND THE WORLD COMPETITION
Stroll through more than 4500sf of beautifully themed landscapes. Featuring these themes; Tropical Island paradise, Zen, Urban Sanctuary, Royal Garden, Winter -Escape & Arabian Nights.
FREE LANDSCAPE CONSULTATION & TAKE-HOME DESIGN
Bring your existing backyard pictures and measurements for a FREE walk-up landscape consultation and take-home design with the landscaping professionals at Horticultural Frontiers. A $350 value.
NEW: “BEFORE YOU SHOP” PRESENTATIONS
Shopping dozens of contractors and hundreds of home improvement products can be overwhelming. Where do I start? How do I know which product is right for me? I don’t want to be sold something I don’t need or want. Well, now’s your chance to learn about a product or service being offered at the Home Show without the feeling of being sold to. Sit in on one of our “Before You Shop” seminars for a chance to learn all about solar panels, water system and remodeling materials just to name a few. Take advantage of our experts and learn how to navigate when talking about your next project.
MASTER GARDENERS ARE BACK AFTER A 16 MONTH HIATUS
Receive expert advice & get the answers to all of your gardening questions from the UofA Master Gardeners. FREE seminars featuring summer rose care, desert gardening, seed saving for your garden & so many more seasonal tips. See the full schedule under the “Seminars” tab up top.
RESIDENTIAL WATER SYSTEMS 101
From our “Before You Shop” Series: Join Certified Water Specialist, Terry L. Denton for the inside scoop into different water filtration technologies on the market, how they work and how each effects your hair, skin, drinking water and plumbing. This seminar will help you choose which water system is best for you. Topics discussed: Salt Based Water Softeners, Salt Free Water Conditioners, Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems, Carbon Filter Technology, Counter-Top Systems, Alkaline Water (vs) Purified Water.
THE SMART SOLAR SHOPPER
From our “Before You Shop” Series: Utility rates are on the rise; see how you can save money with Ben Wollschlager from Harmon Solar. Learn what to look for & questions to ask when shopping & comparing solar to determine the best option for your home. Additionally, discover the different utility requirements, system sizes, pricing, savings, & so much more!
NEW MATERIALS FOR REMODELING- THE GOOD, THE BAD
From our “Before You Shop” Series: Sit in with trade professional Eric of DEA Remodeling to discover the latest trends in flooring, faux kitchen cabinet doors & water proofing showers. Learn the good and bad before choosing wood, luxury vinyl tile, porcelain or ceramic planks. Take home expert advice after this seminar before starting your next remodel!
ORGANIZING INTERESTING SPACES & COOL STORAGE ACCESSORIES
Tired of feeling like there is not a place for everything? Learn where you can create storage in interesting spaces such as lofts, attics & under stairs. PLUS, check out trendy storage accessories for ironing boards, pullout mirrors, jewelry, watches, sunglasses & much more with Master Storage Designer, Eric of DEA Remodeling.
FUN & FREE CRAFTING WORKSHOPS
Hands on, fun, engaging and free make-n-take Pinterest inspired crafting workshops. This year featuring glass etching, string art, aromatic bath bombs and more. See the full schedule under the “Seminars” tab up top. Classes fill so please arrive early.
HONEY SAMPLING & BEESWAX CANDLE MAKING
Buzz on over to “AZ Queen Bee” to sample local Arizona honey and roll your own beeswax candle! Discover buzz worthy bee facts with Jennifer Hinkel, 2021 American Honey Queen and take home your own adorable tote, honey sticks, tea towels, soap, and so much more!
3. Landscaping For Small(er) Spaces. Have limited space to grow some fresh vegetables? Kirti Mathura, garden author, has over 17 years of experience working t the Desert Botanical Garden and is currently the Program Coordinator for Smartscape at the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension. Join the virtual free class on Wednesday, September 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.. For more info, go online to Glendale.com/waterconservation or call 623-930-3535. Another gardening resource: online to EnviroInsight.org, menu/”Growing Your Own Food in the Sonoran Desert”
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