WAC has been able to verify that construction of the Hemphill Dam fish passage is underway. This project is the culmination of a 20-year process involving citizen advocates and regulatory agencies, including litigation by Water Audit California.
Author Archives: Water Audit California
Lake Marie Flows to Provide Improved Fish Habitat
A settlement agreement ending litigation between the California Department of State Hospitals and Water Audit California that was announced today will improve conditions for fish in Cayetano Creek while allowing Skyline Park visitors to continue to enjoy Lake Marie as a hiking destination. This resolution is representative of two principles: we can manage what we measure, and we can always do better. This settlement is the next step in Water Audit’s Napa Valley remediation program that has so far included securing dam bypasses from Kimball, Rector, Bell Canyon dams, and the removal of obstructions to spawning in Garnet and York Creeks.
Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meeting #2
The video below was recorded at the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meeting #2, on Sep 29 2021, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM, for Water Audit California by Israel Valencia of Infinity Visuals.
Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meeting #1
The video below was recorded at the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meeting #1, on Sep 22 2021, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM, for Water Audit California by Israel Valencia of Infinity Visuals.
WAC published videos of the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meetings
If you missed one or both of the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Public Meetings on September 22nd and September 29, you can now watch them on the Water Audit California website.
Water Audit California victory for fishes at Hemphill Dam
Legal action by Water Audit California has prompted Nevada Irrigation District to adopt a fish passage improvement plan for Hemphill Dam in Auburn Ravine.
2021 Rector Creek Stream Fish Population Technical Memorandum
Through the Public Records Act, Water Audit has obtained the 2021 draft Rector Creek Stream Fish Population Technical Memorandum prepared for California Department of Veteran Affairs by Stillwater Sciences.
2021 Rector Creek Water Year Type and Watershed Model Technical Memorandum
Through the Public Records Act, Water Audit has obtained the 2021 draft Rector Creek Water Year Type and Watershed Model Technical Memorandum prepared for California Department of Veteran Affairs by Stillwater Sciences.
Water Audit Sues St. Helena Over Alleged Failure to Uphold Public Trust
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Water Audit California is again suing the City of St. Helena over their management of water resources. This comes on the heels of a similar suit filed June 1 against Napa County. Both cases aim to increase monitoring and oversight of groundwater and surface water resources.
[Court Record] Water Audit files suit against City of St. Helena
Water Audit California is again suing the City of St. Helena over their management of water resources. This comes on the heels of a similar suit filed June 1 against Napa County. Both cases aim to increase monitoring and oversight of groundwater and surface water resources. The full complaint below.
[Court Record] Water Audit files suit against Napa County
A week ago, we filed a lawsuit against the County of Napa for Negligent Breach of Trustee Duties and related issues. We’ve decided to publish the full text so you can read our reasons for yourselves.
City of Napa: County’s EIR draft “especially disconcerting in a time of extreme drought”
The City of Napa has panned the County of Napa’s Draft Environmental Impact Report for the KJS Investment & Sorrento, Inc. Vineyard Conversion, concluding that “The absence of any real water supply impacts analysis renders the DEIR deficient.” Full document attached.
Joint Statement Regarding the Protection of Public Trust Resources
Water Audit California is pleased to announce that we have reached a settlement of our controversy with the City of St. Helena. It represents a substantial evolution for the City that we both hope will result in a sustainable water future. Water Audit commends the City for its decision to adopt the principles of science …
Continue reading “Joint Statement Regarding the Protection of Public Trust Resources”
York Creek dam removed!
Water Audit California is pleased to announce that our inspectors have observed water flowing at the site of the recently-removed York Creek dam in Napa. Local authorities had stalled on the court-ordered removal of this dam for a decade until WAC began enforcement action in 2017. Removal activities began earlier this summer and WAC can confirm that the passage is now clear in time for winter rains.
Farmstead Lodge’s response to WAC re application for well permit
Responding to concerns filed by Water Audit California, Farmstead Lodge promised that approval of its well permits requests would decrease their demand on groundwater by approximately 50%.
WAC’s letter to Napa LAFCO requesting time to present Re wildfire control
“As a response to the recent devastating events in Napa County, Water Audit Californiahas expanded our remit to include fire as an essential component of the environment. We havesecured the advice of a leading scholar on the subject and are in the process of assemblinganother outstanding advisory subcommittee.”
WAC’s letter to Napa Planning re Bremer Winery’s application for exception to conservation regulations
“Water Audit has two concerns herein: (1) the preservation of the Napa County streamsetback provision, and (2) the application of proper policies and practices considering environmentalmatters. Water Audit believes that riparian ways should be seen as sacred ground, an essentialfoundation of the community’s environmental health.”
2020 Napa Water Forum update
A coalition of public interest organizations hosted the 2020 Napa Water Forum, with generous support from leading Napa wineries. The Forum introduced an innovative environmental management strategy. A panel of distinguished experts spoke on the history of Napa’s relationship with its watercourse, its unique opportunities in the future, the principles of environmental reconciliation, and the highly topical subject of groundwater management and its relationship to surface flows.
Introducing: The Refugia Project
The Refugia Project arose from the Forum’s first principle: In Data We Trust. An early-stage work-in-progress, The Refugia Project is organizing, making accessible and actionable the enormous amount of open source data already available about the Napa Valley ecosystems.
2020 Water Forum Panelists
Dr. Peter Moyle Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and associate director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, UC Davis. Dr. Moyle is author or co-author of more than 250 publications, including Inland Fishes of California (2002) and “Suisun Marsh: ecological history and possible futures” co-authored with Amber Manfree and Peggy …
Announcing the 2020 Napa Water Forum
“We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”~ Albert Einstein Growers and Vintners for Responsible Agriculture, Napa Vision 2050 and Water Audit California present WE MANAGE WHAT WE MEASURE:A NAPA WATER FORUM Friday, February 7, 2020 at NOON Concerned residents of Napa County seek to protect the natural environment from further degradation. Multi-layered federal, state and local …
WAC warns Napa County of litigation over winery permitting deregulation
“Water Audit cannot, however, remain silent about the proposed Ordinance, as that legislation that appears to pose a direct threat to interests of the public trust. Recent events and research have elevated our concerns to outright alarm. …We see no discussion in the Board of Supervisor’s record of the impact that these identified new demands …
Continue reading “WAC warns Napa County of litigation over winery permitting deregulation”
[Court Record] WATER AUDIT CALIFORNIA v. NEVADA IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Water Audit California has filed suit against the Nevada Irrigation District’s Hemphill Diversion Facility (Hemphill Dam) alleging it “is an unlawful stream obstruction and an unlawful manner of diversion”.