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Tuolumne River Partners Initiate Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project to Enhance Salmon Habitat

Tuolumne River Partners Initiate Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project to Enhance Salmon Habitat

The Tuolumne River Partners, including Modesto Irrigation District (MID), Turlock Irrigation District (TID), and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), have commenced construction on the Powerhouse Riffles Restoration Project. This $4.7 million, self-funded initiative aims to improve spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and other native aquatic species in the mainstem of the Lower Tuolumne River. The project will address habitat degradation caused by high river flow events in 1997, 2011, and 2017 by reconstructing riffles and gravel bars and enhancing in-channel habitat complexity. Riffles are crucial for salmon as they provide oxygenated water, attract aquatic insects for food, and offer clean gravel for egg-laying. Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of spawning gravel will be added, creating 4.8 acres of new gravel features and restoring about 2,400 feet of the river. Additionally, 50 large pieces of woody debris and 80 st...

New Jersey Forest Fire Service Manages State's Forests and Open Spaces

New Jersey Forest Fire Service Manages State's Forests and Open Spaces

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service, a division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is tasked with the comprehensive management and protection of the state's forests and open spaces. This includes critical responsibilities such as fire prevention and suppression efforts to safeguard natural resources and communities. Beyond fire management, the service also plays a significant role in broader land management initiatives, ecological restoration projects aimed at preserving biodiversity and ecosystem health, and the overall protection of New Jersey's natural resources. The department's website highlights its involvement in various environmental protection aspects, including fish and wildlife management, green acres and ecological restoration, and historic preservation, indicating a holistic approach to environmental stewardship within the state.

Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Drive Global Economy and Local Ecosystem

Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Drive Global Economy and Local Ecosystem

The Great Salt Lake in Utah is home to a massive population of brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana), which are crucial to both the global economy and the local ecosystem. The lake contributes 40% to 45% of the world market demand for brine shrimp cysts, making it the largest sole producer. These cysts are processed into millions of tons of protein-rich seafood, primarily used in the commercial aquaculture industry as feed for fry (baby fish), shrimp, prawns, lobster, and crab. The 2019-2020 brine shrimp season saw a record catch of 44 million pounds of raw cysts. Beyond their economic value, brine shrimp are vital to the Great Salt Lake's food web, fueling millions of migratory birds, including North America's eared grebes, which consume up to 30,000 brine shrimp daily.

California Coast Faces Rising Toxin Risk as Sick Sea Lions Signal Seafood Contamination

California Coast Faces Rising Toxin Risk as Sick Sea Lions Signal Seafood Contamination

California sea lions are experiencing an alarming surge in domoic acid poisoning, also known as toxicosis, along the state's coast. This naturally occurring neurotoxin accumulates in fish and shellfish, which marine mammals then consume. The Marine Mammal Center has already rescued over 100 sea lions this year, exceeding their typical annual average of 75 to 90 rescues. In a single week, teams responded to 30 rescues across coastal counties from Monterey to Sonoma. Experts from the Marine Mammal Center, like Giancarlo Rulli, note that this toxin's presence has become unpredictable, stretching across multiple seasons, whereas it was previously a seasonal disease seen primarily in the summer. This increase in sick marine mammals is serving as a direct warning to humans about potential ocean safety and seafood contamination risks.

EPA Awards $11.75 Million in Grants to U.S. Water Systems for Cybersecurity and Extreme Weather Resilience

EPA Awards $11.75 Million in Grants to U.S. Water Systems for Cybersecurity and Extreme Weather Resilience

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated $11.75 million in grants to 10 midsize and large drinking water systems across the United States. These grants, awarded through the EPA's Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program, are intended to bolster the resilience of these systems against cybersecurity threats and extreme weather events. The funding will support various projects, including facility upgrades, backup generators, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) improvements, and the replacement of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to address vulnerabilities to natural hazards and cyberattacks. Notable recipients include Bloomington, Indiana, and San Diego, California, each receiving $2.375 million for specific infrastructure enhancements. Other projects span hurricane resilience in Florida, a new well facility in Texas, dam upgrades in Denver, and smart water monitoring in California.

EPA Allocates $11.75M to Bolster Water Systems Against Cyber and Weather Risks

EPA Allocates $11.75M to Bolster Water Systems Against Cyber and Weather Risks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $11.75 million in grants to enhance the resilience of 10 midsize and large drinking water systems against cybersecurity threats and extreme weather events. The funding, part of the EPA's Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Grant Program, will support projects addressing hazards such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, flooding, and cyberattacks. Notable allocations include $2.375 million each to Bloomington, Indiana, for facility upgrades and SCADA improvements, and San Diego, California, for replacing programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to mitigate vulnerabilities. Other projects include hurricane resilience in Orange City, Florida, and dam upgrades in Denver, Colorado. The EPA has also identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities in 277 water systems in 2025 and continues to provide technical assistance and training to address these issues.

Nevada County Launches Compost Rebate Program for Farmers and Ranchers

Nevada County Launches Compost Rebate Program for Farmers and Ranchers

Nevada County has initiated the Compost Connector Program, offering rebates to local farmers and ranchers for purchasing compost. This program is a collaborative effort between the County’s Solid Waste Division and Zero Foodprint, a California non-profit dedicated to climate-friendly food production. Eligible agricultural producers can receive rebates of up to $14 per ton for compost acquired from an approved supplier list. The program requires a minimum purchase of five tons of compost, and rebates are disbursed after Zero Foodprint verifies the delivery and application of the compost. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on the agricultural community, particularly concerning the high hauling costs associated with compost, as most suppliers are located in the Sacramento Valley. The program is part of Nevada County's efforts to meet the requirements of SB1383, a state mandate for local jurisdictions to procure recovered organic waste products.

Green Diamond Resource Company Seeks Inventory Forester in Humboldt County, California

Green Diamond Resource Company Seeks Inventory Forester in Humboldt County, California

Green Diamond Resource Company Seeks Inventory Forester in Humboldt County, California

Digital Twin Technology to Enhance Pajaro River Flood Management

Digital Twin Technology to Enhance Pajaro River Flood Management

UC Berkeley researchers have developed a 'digital twin' model to study and improve flood risk management along the Pajaro River in California. This innovative tool allows researchers to simulate various scenarios, such as levee modifications and other flood-management strategies, to predict their impact on surrounding communities, agricultural lands, and ecosystems. The project is particularly relevant as the Pajaro River experienced a significant levee breach in March 2023, which caused widespread flooding, displaced 1,700 residents in Pajaro, and led to the evacuation of over 8,500 people in Monterey County. [Source time: Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT]

Palm Springs Desert Sun

Dozens of sick sea lions rescued amid Central Coast toxic algae outbreak

Dozens of sick sea lions rescued amid Central Coast toxic algae outbreak

Toxic algal blooms are sickening sea lions along California's coast, prompting hundreds of reports and dozens of rescue efforts.

5 invasive species scientists say are spreading to new parts of the U.S.

5 invasive species scientists say are spreading to new parts of the U.S.

From crop-killing insects to disease-carrying ticks, scientists are tracking several invasive species as they expand into new territories across the United States.

US to announce sharply lower vehicle fuel economy requirements

US to announce sharply lower vehicle fuel economy requirements

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Trump administration will soon announce sharply lower vehicle fuel-economy standards, reversing a push by the prior administration to force automakers to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday.