California prepares for extreme weather swings as new water year approaches

The Department of Water Resources on Thursday previewed the new water year which starts on Oct. 1 by highlighting preparations for more extreme weather events this season following a record hot summer across much of California and a looming La Niña pattern.

Over the past decade, climate extremes have posed significant challenges to water managers, especially the extreme hot and dry conditions that frequently persist well past summer months and into the fall.

California is seeing that right now with above-average temperatures forecast into October and no rain in the current forecast.

At the same time, the water that California does receive will arrive from more powerful storms, and hotter temperatures will mean less winter precipitation falls as snow and more will arrive as rain, increasing flood risk.

“California has experienced the full range of climate challenges in recent years from extreme drought to severe flooding and we will be seeing more of that in the future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “To meet these dramatic challenges, California is starting this water year with more accurate forecasting and additional investments in flood protection and groundwater recharge.”

DWR and partner agencies are making California more climate resilient, taking actions to protect and boost California’s water supplies by taking an all-of-the-above approach to creating a resilient water supply in the face of a changing climate.

Investments in Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations and improved data collection on hydrological conditions across the state through DWR’s $7 million California Stream Gage Improvement Program, or CalSIP, will allow California to incorporate the best available science and data into its water management decisions.

California is also investing in protecting Californians from extreme weather events. Floodplain restoration and flood infrastructure projects such as the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project and the Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project will work with nature to improve wildlife habitat while reducing flood risk to hundreds of thousands of Californians.

California is also starting this water year with significant progress in bringing groundwater basins across the state closer to long-term sustainability, protecting drinking water supplies against the impacts of climate change.

Last winter, DWR launched the Flood Diversion and Recharge Enhancement Initiative, which supports local groundwater recharge efforts that increase the volume of flood flows diverted from local waterways to recharge areas and expand local capacity to divert and receive future flood flows.

DWR has invested over $100 million in groundwater recharge projects since the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was signed into law in 2014.

While Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently 101 percent of average for this date, the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center shows a 71 percent chance of La Niña conditions emerging this fall.

While seven of the 10 La Niña events this century resulted in dry years, research also suggests that even as the climate grows hotter and drier overall, the precipitation that California does receive will arrive in stronger storms, increasing the risk from flooding.

“California experienced record heat and dry conditions this summer, drying out the landscape and putting our hydrology behind before the water year even starts,” said State Climatologist Dr. Michael Anderson. “While there is still a lot of uncertainty around how La Niña could impact the state this year, we know we can count on it to include extreme conditions.”

The record dry conditions this summer broke multiple records across the state for consecutive days of triple digit temperatures. In the critically important Sierra Nevada watersheds, precipitation this fall will be vitally important to ensure the winter snowpack can translate into runoff that fills our reservoirs, which provides a third of the water used in California.

In addition to Thursday’s preview of the new Water Year, DWR will also release the 2024 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Summary Report on Monday, Sept. 30.

The summary report, which includes water shortage information at the supplier level, as well as regional and statewide analyses of water supply conditions, finds that all suppliers have assessed that they will have adequate supplies to meet demand in the coming year.

Governor signs laws to create stronger penalties for human traffickers and support victims

On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he signed four bills into law to protect victims of human trafficking and help ensure that the predators who exploit them are held accountable.

“Human trafficking is a disgusting and reprehensible crime that leaves lasting pain on victims and survivors. These new laws will help us further hold predators accountable and provide victims with the support and care they need,” Newsom said.

“No imperative is more essential than our responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. To that we will continue bipartisan efforts to keep children safe from the heinous crime of sex trafficking as well as strengthen our protections for victims and survivors. Crimes against children have no place in California,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

What these new laws do

Help victims get to safety: SB 963 by Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) requires hospitals that have an emergency department to adopt and implement policies that allow emergency room patients to confidentially self-identify themselves to hospital personnel as a victim of human trafficking or domestic violence, so they may receive assistance and resources.

Increase penalties for traffickers: SB 1414 by Senator Shannon Grove (R- Bakersfield) increases penalties for the crime of solicitation of a minor under the age of 16 or a minor under the age of 18 who is a victim of human trafficking. The bill provides more tools for prosecutors to charge a felony and increases the number of people convicted of this crime who must register as sex offenders.

Assist law enforcement support victims: AB 2020 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) requires law enforcement agencies and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, to create minimum guidelines for law enforcement personnel when interacting with survivors of human trafficking.

Create new tools to address labor trafficking: AB 1888 by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) establishes a new Labor Trafficking Unit (LTU) within the Department of Justice and requires coordination with various state departments and law enforcement agencies to refer complaints or reports of labor trafficking for investigation, prosecution, or other remedies. The unit will also develop a tracking system to collect labor trafficking reports and complaints.

“Providing a way for victims of human trafficking to safely report their abusers and get help is vital to our progress on this issue. Oftentimes, the first and only contact a victim will have outside of their trafficking situation is with an emergency medical professional. SB 963 provides a tool for emergency room personnel to identify victims of human trafficking and connect them with life-saving resources,” said Sen. Angelique Ashby.

“Today marks an incredible victory for California children. I am grateful to the governor, First Partner, and my co-authors for once again joining me in the fight against human trafficking,” Sen. Shannon Grove said Thursday. “With the signing of my bill, SB 1414, we are reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable among us — our children. Last year with my SB 14 we targeted the traffickers selling children, this year with SB 1414 we have gone after the buyers of trafficked children. Criminals have been far ahead of us when it comes to child sex trafficking, we must have a strong approach to eradicate this brutal crime and ensure no child is reduced to a commodity."

“Survivors of human trafficking need support, not systemic barriers, and I am proud to stand with the governor today to advance criminal justice policies that will support those our society has cast aside for too long,” Assemblymember Mia Bonta said Thursday. “AB 2020 will provide communities like those I represent with the opportunity to escape cycles of abuse, incarceration, and trafficking. This bill was born from the ongoing conversations I’ve had with organizations supporting survivors of sex trafficking and organizations representing law enforcement to combat human trafficking while centering the needs of survivors and advancing trauma-informed justice practices.”

“I want to thank Gov. Newsom for signing AB 1888 and Attorney General Bonta for supporting this important effort to protect all workers from heinous and inhumane treatment,” said Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula. “I also deeply appreciate that Assemblymember James C. Ramos was a joint author and that the California Native American Legislative Caucus this year made AB 1888 one of their priority bills. I’ve worked on this legislation for more than two years because labor trafficking preys on workers by making them vulnerable to threats regarding their immigration status, threats to their families’ safety, and threats involving their wages. This legislation — which includes establishing a new Labor Trafficking Unit within the Department of Justice — is a solid step forward in the effort to stop this horrible abuse and ensure that all workers in California are safe and respected.”

Fighting human trafficking

Since 2019, California has taken a comprehensive approach to combat human trafficking, with a total investment of $280.1 million to take down traffickers and support victims and survivors.

The state has provided substantial funding to expand support programs for human trafficking survivors and Family Justice Centers — creating a one-stop facility for victims and their families to access various services — and allocated $25 million for the prevention, intervention, and services for minor victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

California has funded Human Trafficking Task Forces at the California Department of Justice to address statewide human trafficking, resulting in numerous arrests and assistance to victims.

The California Highway Patrol’s interdiction efforts on task forces and operations have led to numerous arrests of traffickers.

Gov. Newsom also has signed multiple bills to strengthen legal protections for trafficking victims, including provisions for vacating convictions and considering trauma in sentencing.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to access help and services. If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

Lakeport Police Department to host National Night Out Against Crime Oct. 1

LAKEPORT, Calif. — An annual gathering to foster a safer community is coming up next week.

The Lakeport Police Department and its community partners are hosting the National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

It will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lakeport’s new Xabatin Community Park.

This event is a community building partnership meant to bring law enforcement, other agencies and the public together in public spaces under positive circumstances. The goal is to reduce crime and build a more resilient community.

There will be numerous games and other fun activities for the whole family at the event including face painting, raffle prizes, balloons, music and a kid’s bike parade.

Children who want to participate in the parade can bring their bicycles and enter the Lakeport Main Street Association bicycle decorating contest.

This free event is sponsored by many local citizens and businesses. Community partners will be present with booths providing important public information and resources.

Lakeport Kiwanis Club will again be serving hot dogs, donated by Lakeport Grocery Outlet, and popcorn, donated by Lakeport Cinema 5.

Lakeport Police, supported by local youth volunteers, will have snow cones, lemonade and water available.

Safety Pup, Chipper and McGruff the Crime Dog will be on-hand interacting with the community.

There will be many raffle prizes for both kids and adults. All in attendance will be given two general prize raffle tickets with opportunities to earn more by adults visiting all of the partner booths and completing a bingo card, and by kids participating in games. Gift Cards for free ice cream, at Lyndall's Sports Stop, or donuts, at Susie Q's Donuts & Espresso, will be given to those meeting and greeting a Lakeport Police officer.

Complete details including names of participating agencies and sponsors as well as prize details will be posted on the event Facebook page.