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On the calendar today …

• MEETING: State Water Resources Control Board beginning at 9am.  Agenda items include current hydrologic conditions and response, and consideration of a resolution to amend and readopt an emergency regulation that establishes minimum instream flow requirements and provides curtailment authority and information order authority in the Scott River and Shasta River watersheds.  Click here for the agenda and remote access instructions.

In California water news today …

Last year, 96% of California was drought-free. A new map is far more grim.

“Despite recent rounds of winter rain and powerful waves that pummeled the coastline, most of California is continuing to bake under a deep drought, with over half of the state facing “abnormally dry” conditions at the start of the new year, the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest map shows.  Released on Wednesday, the map revealed 59.1% of the state is impacted by drought conditions from as far north as Lassen County, stretching down into the Bay Area and most of the Central Valley, and worsening in slivers of Southern California, where “moderate” to “extreme” drought conditions were recorded in San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial counties. Affected portions of the Bay Area include parts of Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties. … ”  Read more from SF Gate.

Fishing groups, Winnemem Wintu sue state and feds over take permit for State Water Project

“As imperiled Central Valley salmon and Delta fish populations move closer and closer to the abyss of extinction, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) has sued the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) over the “Incidental Take Permit” (ITP) for the operation of the State Water Project.  CSPA is joined in the lawsuit, filed on Nov. 26, 2024, by the North Coast Rivers Alliance, the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. The Law Offices of Stephan C. Volker filed the suit in the Sacramento Superior Court on behalf of CSPA and fellow plaintiffs.  The lawsuit alleges violations of the law under the California Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code section 21000; the Delta Reform Act, Water Code section 85000, the California Endangered Species Act , Fish and Game Code section 2050, and the Public Trust Doctrine. … ”  Read more from the Daily Kos.

Webb Tract Wetland Project update

“Webb Tract is about to be transformed by a Nature-Based Solutions grant from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. The current steward of the approximately 5,500-acre island, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, is leading the effort to stop or reverse subsidence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration, create a mosaic of habitats with eco-cultural benefits, and explore sustainable farming opportunities in the Delta. It’s a big challenge funded by the $20.9 million grant and contributions from Metropolitan.  The planning for the Webb Tract Wetland Project (funded by the Delta Conservancy’s Nature Based Solutions grant program) continues on pace. The design team is developing a plan that is flexible, implementable and forward thinking. … ”  Read more from Metropolitan Water District.

DELTA SCIENCE PLAN update: Crafting solutions for the Delta’s ‘Grand Challenges’

“The Delta Science Program is currently working on the third iteration of the Delta Science Plan. Recommended within the Delta Plan, the Delta Science Plan is developed collaboratively with the Delta science community. Its purpose is to provide a clear vision, guiding principles, and effective approaches for coordinating Delta science efforts, as well as communicating the outcomes of scientific activities and their management implications to decision-makers.  For the 2025 Delta Science Plan, DSP intends to take a more strategic and forward-looking approach by centering the Plan around specific “grand challenges.” These challenges represent major scientific problems that, through coordination and collaboration, can advance shared goals and accelerate scientific understanding and informed decision-making.  This focused direction aims to make the 2025 Delta Science Plan more proactive and impactful. By addressing key issues through collective effort, the updated Plan seeks to enhance Delta science coordination and catalyze scientific progress in the region. … ”  Read more from Maven’s Notebook.

Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan Series – Yuba River

“This is the second post in a series on California Salmon Recovery.  I have chosen this post on the Yuba River salmon for the second in the series as an example of posts to come that summarize plans for each major salmon stream. Posts will also include summaries of a recommended hatchery program, fisheries harvest management, water supply and water quality management, wild salmon sanctuaries, and monitoring.  The Yuba River is the largest tributary of the Feather River, which in turn is the largest tributary of the Sacramento River.  The Yuba River Watershed drains 1,339 square miles of the western slope of the Sierra Nevada and includes portions of Sierra, Placer, Yuba, and Nevada counties.  The three branches of the Yuba River are the North Yuba, Middle Yuba, and South Yuba rivers. … ”  Read more from the California Fisheries blog.

Early-season storms help West Coast snowpack

“Big storms around the holidays have left snowpack and reservoir levels in good shape throughout the West, as Oregon’s snow level was 166% of normal and California’s was above average as of Monday, Jan. 6.  La Nina atmospheric conditions, which favor colder northern systems, combined with a parade of atmospheric-river storms in November and December to leave a deep layer of snow throughout much of the region.  Snowpack levels are above their 30-year averages in Oregon (166%), Nevada (131%), Idaho (119% south of the Salmon River), Washington (115%) and California (110%), according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s National Water and Climate Center. … ”  Read more from the Western Farm Press.

From waves to wells: Seawater desalination and coastal groundwater basins

“Traditional sources of freshwater are dwindling as a result of increased demand, reduced natural replenishment, volatile weather patterns, and extended-duration droughts. Desalination, the industrial-scale removal of salt from saline water to create fresh product water, can be a valuable source of “new water.” “New water” is recognized in California as water that would not occur in a watershed or groundwater basin but for human intervention to cause the water to be captured or created. The California Water Plan Update 2023 identifies a goal of increasing desalinated product water by 28,000 acre-feet per year by 2030 and 84,000 by 2040. New desalination projects would benefit from clarifying the project’s legal rights to desalination source water and product water. … ”  Read more from Allen Matkins.

Biden will honor tribal requests by designating 2 new national monuments in California

“President Joe Biden is signing a proclamation to establish two new national monuments in California, in part to honor two tribes, a person familiar with the decision said Monday.  The proclamation will create the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California near Joshua Tree National Park and the Sáttítla National Monument in Northern California, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the plans that were to be announced Tuesday in California.  The declaration bars drilling and mining and other development on the 600,000-acre (2,400-square-kilometer) area in Southern California and roughly 200,000 acres (800 square kilometers) in Northern California. … ”  Read more from the Associated Press.

SEE ALSO:  FACT SHEET: PresidentBiden Establishes Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monuments inCalifornia, from the White House

Why the burgeoning plastics problem is more than a waste issue

“Plastics are a problem that knows no boundaries. These intractable incarnations of fossil fuels have found their way into the atmosphere, our kitchen produce, and even the deepest part of the ocean. They choke wildlife to death and sully the world’s natural landscapes. In microscopic form, plastics are arguably even more pernicious—micro- and nanoplastics have infiltrated into reproductive organs, lodged themselves in the brain, wreaked havoc on cardiovascular health, and contaminated mammary glands.  In early December, representatives from around the world gathered to devise the first-ever global treaty to slow the tide of plastics pollution. But they blew it. After two years of recurring talks, an agreement failed to materialize between members of the United Nations. Many of the representatives wanted to phase out or curtail the production of plastic, but they were stymied by a small group of leaders from oil-producing countries. “The outcome of those treaty talks is disappointing,” Melissa Valliant, the communications director of the advocacy network Beyond Plastics told Sierra. … ”  Read more from the Public News Service.

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In commentary today …

Tunneling through trouble: Missteps, mismanagement, and the costly pursuit of the Delta Conveyance Project

In rebuttal to the commentary, Delaying the Delta Conveyance Project puts California’s water security at risk, by Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors, Barbara Barrigan-Parilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta, and Eric Buescher, Managing Attorney at San Francisco Baykeeper write, “State Water Project (SWP) contractors who purchase water exported from the Delta are understandably frustrated that after nearly two decades and hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars, their dream of a so-called Delta solution (now called the Delta Conveyance Project or DCP) is no closer to reality today than in 2017, when the Department of Water Resources (DWR) approved the previous ill-fated twin tunnels project. Despite DWR’s relentless pro-tunnel propaganda, it still lacks most key approvals, including the water rights necessary to divert water at promised levels as well as any means to pay for the latest version of the twenty-plus billion dollar debacle.  DWR and SWP contractors have spent much of the last decade bumbling through various tunnel design and permitting processes, all while cynically accusing Delta public agencies, Tribes, and environmental, business, and taxpayer organizations of delay tactics. … ”  Continue reading this guest commentary.

Why does the U.S. still have lead pipes? Blame this trade group

Stephen Mihm, a professor of history at the University of Georgia, writes, “In October, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a ruling mandating the removal of all lead pipes supplying drinking water in the United States. Whether the rule will survive the incoming Donald Trump administration is an open question — one that could have serious, even life-threatening implications for the more than 9 million or so homes that get their water by “lead service lines.”  Given what we know about the dangers posed by lead-contaminated drinking water, it’s worth asking: What took so long? How is it possible that such large swaths of the United States still rely on poisonous pipes?  The answer lies with a now-defunct organization known as the Lead Industries Association, or LIA. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.

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In regional water news and commentary today …

NORTH COAST

Klamath dam removal workshop at SOU fosters collaboration

“Southern Oregon University recently hosted the Klamath Dam Removal Research Collaboration Workshop, a follow-up seminar for the numerous groups and agencies working together on the world’s largest-ever dam removal and river restoration project.  The November workshop brought together nearly 150 researchers, Tribal leaders and agency representatives to share information about ecological and social changes in the Klamath River basin that have resulted from the removal of its four dams.  Removal of the Iron Gate (45 minutes southeast of Ashland), J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 and Copco No. 2 dams was completed ahead of schedule on Aug. 28, but work will continue for several years to restore about 2,200 acres of land that had been submerged for decades. The dams were built between 1918 and 1962 to provide electricity, but had severe effects on salmon populations and Tribal communities. The river now flows freely from Lake Ewauna near Klamath Falls to the Pacific Ocean. … ”  Read more from Southern Oregon University.

Water Board reps revise “one size fits all” approach to vineyard wastewater order on 65,000 acres of North Coast vineyards

“Proposed vineyard wastewater regulations provoked a major hue and cry among Sonoma and Mendocino growers when government officials introduced them in 2022.  On Dec. 4, 2024, state water board officials announced a new plan they hoped would better address growers who farm 65,000 acres of planted vineyards–more than 10 percent of the 550,000 acres planted in the state.  But the proposed revisions were still found wanting, locals said. County leaders pointed out the water board itself still has not defined standards for Russian River sediment and said vineyards are not the ones to blame for water issues. The fault lies instead with rural roads and the federal and Sonoma County authorities who oversee Lake Mendocino, they said. … ”  Read more from Wine Business.

Redwood Valley’s water system transition: What’s Next?

“The Redwood Valley County Water District (RVCWD) transfer of water services to the Ukiah Valley Water Authority (UVWA) was completed on January 2, 2025 with the City of Ukiah assuming oversight. At the December 19, 2024, board meeting, General Manager Jared Walker outlined updates on billing changes, financial reporting, and recent repairs. The board also discussed the future of local water governance, including potential consolidation and the dissolution of the Upper Russian River Water Agency (URRWA), while addressing ongoing vandalism at the Lake Mendocino pumphouse.  The new UVWA billing system will keep Redwood Valley’s practice of sending separate bills for domestic and irrigation water, even if the account holder is the same person. On many properties the domestic and irrigation water are paid by different parties, so the bills will continue to be separate. … ”  Read more from MendoFever.

BAY AREA

San Francisco Bay sea level rise study included in Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA)

“Today, the State Coastal Conservancy, Save The Bay, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the Bay Area Council, the San Francisco Bay Joint Venture, the Bay Planning Coalition, the Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC), San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (also known as OneShoreline), and the California Natural Resources Agency announce that the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), signed January 4 by President Biden, now includes a section instructing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a study of measures to adapt to rising sea levels in the San Francisco Bay Area.  The study, which is anticipated to begin in 2026, assuming funding, builds on and expands USACE’s existing authority to address the impacts and adaptation to sea level rise and climate change in the 9-county Bay Area’s ocean and bay shorelines. … ”  Read more from the California Natural Resources Agency.

Highway 37 project updated with wetlands work

“A $500 million project along Highway 37 has been altered to include marsh restoration work.  The Sears Point to Mare Island Improvement Project will widen the Tolay Creek Bridge and add a carpool lane in each direction in an effort to reduce traffic congestion. New updates include restoring a 3.5-mile section of degraded tidal salt marsh, called Strip Marsh East, which will help protect against sea-level rise and flooding while creating habitat.  “Establishing a network of new channels connected to San Pablo Bay will support the creation of new wetlands, waters, and habitats for threatened and endangered species,” said Bart Ney, a Caltrans spokesperson. … ”  Read more from the Marin Independent Journal.

A unique floating lab in San Francisco Bay has been invaded — and researchers are learning from it

“On an overcast November morning, 15 apprehensive fourth-graders tumbled out of a faded yellow bus at Treasure Island. They came to experience the thrill of sailing on the San Francisco Bay — and to get a lesson on its ecology.  The scene has played out regularly for the past decade at the Treasure Island Sailing Center, a nonprofit that seeks to make sailing accessible to young people around the Bay Area. While the group suspended its operations in December to begin construction on a sizable expansion project, it spent several months last year highlighting a new attraction in Clipper Cove: a car-sized, floating marine biology lab.  Before moving to its new home, the Buoyant Ecologies Float Lab spent the past five years moored off the Port of Oakland, quietly collecting data from the Bay with audio, light and temperature sensors, a GoPro and an array of underwater racks. … ”  Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.

Valley Water advocates for federal funding during a visit to Washington, D.C.

“As climate change progresses, the need for sustainable water solutions and infrastructure in Santa Clara County has become more urgent. Rising construction costs driven by inflation are impacting projects related to water supply, flood protection and environmental stewardship. Valley Water is committed to partnering with stakeholders to ease the financial pressure on ratepayers. To help achieve this, Valley Water leaders visit Washington, D.C. twice a year to push for important water infrastructure projects and to request federal funding.  During our visit in November 2024, Valley Water representatives engaged with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Securing funding from these agencies would greatly enhance projects focused on disaster preparedness, water supply reliability and the restoration of habitats and watersheds. … ”  Read more from Valley Water News.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY

Don’t blink: There’s water in the Kern River but not for long

“Water is again running in the Kern River through Bakersfield, four months after it suddenly went dry at the end of August, 2024, leading to a massive fish die off.  But it will only last through January 20, according to Bakersfield Water Resources Director Kristina Budak.  “Water is being released from Isabella Dam as part of Power Flow operation requirements. It is anticipated to last through approximately January 20, 2025,” Budak wrote in an email. … ”  Read more from SJV Water.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SoCal braces for what could be the strongest wind event in over a decade

“Forecasters are warning residents about damaging winds and extreme fire weather for the Southland today.  The National Weather Service says a widespread windstorm is expected this afternoon through Wednesday morning across much of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The strongest wind gusts could reach up to 80 mph and even 100 mph in the mountains and foothills. Officials say the areas of greatest concern are for communities between the 118 to 210 freeways from Simi Valley to Claremont.  Forecasters say this could be the strongest north wind event since 2011. … ”  Read more from the LAist.

SEE ALSO: Powerful Santa Ana to threaten dangerous, fast-moving wildfires in Southern California, from AccuWeather

Drought threatens Southern California agriculture

“Southern California’s prolonged dry spell — nearly eight months with negligible rain — is straining agriculture and raising concerns about wildfire risks. With rainfall levels significantly below average and no major storms forecast for January, the region is slipping into moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The lack of rainfall is affecting soil moisture levels, leaving plants and crops vulnerable. Agricultural regions like the Central Valley, a critical hub for the state’s food production, remain in “abnormally dry” conditions. This threatens crop yields and increases reliance on irrigation from water reserves, which, while bolstered by two wet years, may not sustain prolonged dryness. … ”  Read more from Ag Web.

Over 60,000 water and energy efficiency kits delivered to LADWP and SoCal Gas customers to help adopt sustainable practices and save money

“Over 60,000 water and energy efficiency kits were distributed to income-qualified customers residing in disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles through a collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas). Each efficiency kit is equipped with simple household devices to help conserve water, natural gas and electricity, helping customers save money on their utility bills. Installing these devices can help save over 840 million gallons of water, reduce natural gas usage in Los Angeles by approximately 500,000 net therms, and save close to 1.8 million kWh in annual energy usage per year as a result of this program. The natural gas and electric savings are equivalent to the greenhouse emissions of over 700 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles or the energy use of over 800 homes for one year.  … ”  Read more from LADWP.

SAN DIEGO

San Diego county slips back into drought: What to expect this winter

“After a few wet winters, Southern California is officially back in drought conditions, with San Diego County among the regions affected.  The latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows much of Southern California slipping into moderate drought status. Julie Kalansky, Deputy Director at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, says San Diegans should be prepared for increasingly extreme conditions.  “We should always be prepared for drought and flood,” she said. Kalansky points to rainfall data collected since 1950, which shows this year falling into the bottom third of the driest years recorded. … ”  Read more from Channel 10.

Wetlands restoration coming for reserve on California’s Oceanside-Carlsbad border

“Plans are nearly complete for a wetlands reserve restoration that will replace trash and weeds with native plants and a public trail in a highly visible spot at the Carlsbad-Oceanside border.  The vacant land along South Coast Highway is opposite the Buena Vista Audubon Society’s Nature Center. The nonprofit purchased 3.5 acres of the roughly 6-acre site in 2016 for $1.55 million raised in donations, nearly a decade after a developer’s proposal to build a multi-story, 82-room hotel there failed.  Much of the site is covered by ice plant and invasive, non-native weeds. It’s also littered with trash, much of it left by people who sometimes camp hidden in the brush. … “This is a really complicated project,” said Julie Fontaine, an environmental consultant managing the project. “It’s only about six acres, but there are many jurisdictions and agencies involved.” … ”  Read more from PhysOrg.

New San Diego council president wants to end SeaWorld fireworks

“The most powerful person on San Diego City Council says SeaWorld’s nightly fireworks shows over Mission Bay “should be stopped.”  SeaWorld San Diego hosts nightly fireworks shows during the summer months as well as during major holidays. The marine theme park faced criticism over its shows in the past, but a spate of bird deaths in Mission Bay following consecutive days of pyrotechnics last Fourth of July reignited calls from bird activists to end the noise.  “Fireworks, night after night, is something that has to end,” LaCava told Voice of San Diego. “It’s one thing to do Fourth of July or start of the summer season shows, but 150 nights a year is just way beyond.”  LaCava added that laser or light shows via drone could be a viable substitute. … ”  Read more from the Voice of San Diego.

Courts, science, new leaders could shape Tijuana River sewage crisis in 2025 — here’s how

“The Tijuana River sewage crisis is a decades-old problem that’s only gotten worse.  Over the last few years, unprecedented flows of untreated wastewater have inundated the Tijuana River estuary, flowing into and around border communities before heading out into the Pacific Ocean.  The pollution has affected residents’ health and quality of life, though doctors and scientists say the full extent of the problem is unknown.  The problem has also attracted renewed attention. The San Diego Air Pollution Control District issued the first nuisance  citation for odors coming from the sewage overflows. Since then, multiple lawsuits have been filed and new scientific studies are underway while officials anticipate long-awaited funding for the federal wastewater treatment plant on the U.S. side of the border. … ”  Read more from the Times of San Diego.

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Along the Colorado River …

The water mystery unfolding in the western U.S.

“There’s a rural area in Arizona with massive groundwater basins underneath the earth. Water should be plentiful there, but wells are running dry. Today on The Indicator, what’s behind the water issues in rural Arizona?”  Listen to podcast or read transcript from Arizona Public Media.

How a lack of rainfall in Arizona is forcing some ranchers to adjust

“It’s been a dry start to the new year following a very dry 2024. Phoenix hasn’t seen measurable rain since Aug. 22; that’s 137 days.  Last year went down as the 23rd driest year on record for Phoenix. The lack of rainfall statewide is causing issues for businesses relying on the rain.  Even areas like Payson, Sedona and Prescott haven’t seen rain in more than 60 days. And it’s been close to 60 days for spots like Flagstaff and Winslow.  “We didn’t have more than four inches this year,” southeastern Arizona cattle rancher Ben Menges said. “We’re supposed to have an average of 12.” … ”  Read more from Arizona Family.

Tucson plans to build toilet-to-tap-water plant with US funds

“The plant, slated for the metro area’s northwest side, would provide only a small portion of the city’s total drinking water supply but it could lead to more and bigger such projects in the future if successful, utility officials say.  The Tucson City Council will vote Tuesday night on whether to accept the agreement negotiated by the water utility and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, under which the bureau would pay the city up to $86.7 million to build the treatment plant on the northwest side before 2032. In return, the city would agree to leave about 56,000 acre-feet of its Central Arizona Project water supply in Lake Mead over a decade. … ”  Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.

Colorado Commissioners may send a letter to President of the United States concerning zebra mussels

“Zebra mussels have spurred a lot of discussion on the Western Slope.  Mesa County drafted a letter of support for a federal grant opportunity and a letter to the President Joe Biden.  “Mesa County has drafted a letter of support for a […] federal grant opportunity. We’re also writing a letter to the President and making sure that he understands […] what this means to the Grand Valley and Colorado in general,” Bobbie Daniel, Mesa County Commissioner said.  Daniel says she doesn’t expect a response to the letter. But she hopes the letter will be read and taken seriously. … ”  Read more from KJCT.

Wyoming’s Colorado River water rights in jeopardy without improved info, official warns

“Wyoming’s water chief wants emergency funds for hydrologists to measure flows in the state’s portion of the troubled Colorado River Basin, documentation he said is vital to preserving irrigation and other uses.  State Engineer Brandon Gebhart asked for $167,210 in supplemental budget funds, a piddling amount in the world of western water finances, but a critical sum necessary to launch the work this spring. He called parts of the proposed allocation an “emergency,” a designation that would enable disbursements to begin this fiscal year.  Among other things, the money would employ three full-time hydrographers to measure flows in the Green and Little Snake river drainages. The total figure covers money specifically directed toward Colorado River issues as Wyoming girds to protect irrigators and other water users. … ”  Read more from the WyoFile.

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In national water news today …

These common medications could be releasing ‘forever chemicals’ into the environment

“The widespread use of pharmaceuticals in America is introducing even more toxic “forever chemicals” into the environment through wastewater, according to a study released Monday, and large municipal wastewater treatment plants are not capable of fully filtering them out.  The plants’ inability to remove compounds known as organofluorines from wastewater before it enters drinking water supplies becomes even more pronounced during droughts and could affect up to 23 million people, scientists wrote in an article published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Most of the compounds came from commonly prescribed medications including antidepressants and statins, the researchers found. … ”  Read more from the Washington Post.

‘Forever chemicals’ reach tap water via treated sewage, study finds

“As the world grapples with climate change, population growth and dwindling supplies of fresh water, more people are set to rely on treated wastewater to sustain their daily lives.  But wastewater, even after treatment, contains high levels of harmful “forever chemicals” that are already contaminating the drinking water of millions of Americans, researchers said in a study published on Monday that analyzed wastewater samples nationwide.  The study, led by researchers at Harvard and New York University, found elevated levels of six types of chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in the samples. … ”  Read more from the New York Times.

What a new study does — and doesn’t — say about fluoride and its link to IQ

“A new report linking fluoridated drinking water to lower IQ scores in children is sure to ratchet up the debate over a practice that’s considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.  The report published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics synthesizes the results of dozens of research studies that have been released since 1989. Its overall conclusion is that the more fluoride a child is exposed to, the lower he or she tends to score on intelligence tests.  The analysis was conducted for the U.S. National Toxicology Program, and it has attracted a good deal of criticism over the many years of its development. Among the biggest critiques is that it’s based on data from places where fluoride levels are far higher than the concentration recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. … ”  Read more from the LA Times.

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