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Tribe’s leader: Climate change threatens water supplies

As chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Jeff Grubbe looks at the supply of water from the Colorado River and sees an uncertain future, in part due to climate change.

Grubbe, who was re-elected in March to a third consecutive two-year term, has taken a strong interest in water issues and has called for leaders in the Coachella Valley to develop better long-term plans to prepare for growing strains on water supplies.

Bill to protect state’s aquifers, groundwater moves forward

Legislation to protect California’s aquifers and groundwater resources from permanent damage due to over-pumping has been approved by the state Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on a 6-2 vote.

“This is a serious problem that affects everyone, and it’s getting worse,” says Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, the author of the legislation.

Groundwater extraction through new and deeper drilling has sharply increased across the Central Valley and much of the rest of the state during the drought, including in water basins critically overdrafted by established water demands.

Now is California’s Watershed Moment

It is now safe to say that El Niño will not solve California’s drought. Though this should have been obvious from the start, there is a silver lining – it has bought the state more time to put better policies in place to create a sustainable water supply for years to come for all Californians.

We are at a true “watershed moment.” If we take decisive and effective action, our state can thrive within the limits of its current and future water resources. But if we fail to act (or act as we have in the past), the challenges our growing state will face each year will grow.

OPINION: Fitzgerald: Big Bad Wolf has moved into the neighborhood

Southern California’s biggest, thirstiest and most powerful water district is buying a big chunk of the Delta, the very estuary that is dying because outfits like them take too much water.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is going to buy Bouldin, Bacon, Webb and Holland islands in the central Delta, and a chip off Chipps Island near Suisun Bay.

The Met’s boss has said this is mostly about repairing Delta habitat. That’s like the Big Bad Wolf buying the Three Little Pigs’ houses and saying he’s into home remodeling.

OPINION: Water Conservation Stalls

Let’s face it, there is an absolute limit to the amount of water that can be conserved. The continuous statistics about water conserved and the admonishments are unending.

When we follow the recommendations, the rewards are increased water rates and the loss of the gorgeous vegetation that makes California so uniquely beautiful. We, the unrepresented voters, watch helplessly as legislators ignore the obvious way to make California drought-free. They plan to construct impractical, costly miles of underground pipes that will only partially help a small part of the state.

Feds to Review if Funds Mishandled for California Tunnels

The federal government will investigate allegations that the state and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation improperly used federal funds for a $15.7 billion tunnel project that would bring water from Northern to Southern California.

The inspector general of the U.S. Interior Department will look into accusations that California took $60 million meant for fish habitat to spend on preliminary work for Gov. Jerry Brown’s project and otherwise mishandled federal funds.

House Republicans Reopen the Bidding on California Water Bill

House Republicans intent on storing more California water and redirecting it to farms have resurrected some familiar and controversial ideas, this time as part of a must-pass spending bill.

The provisions, including a freeze on an ambitious San Joaquin River restoration program and mandated pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, are now folded into a Fiscal 2017 energy and water appropriations bill. It’s a new tactical move, designed for leverage.

San Diego Facing Another Water Rate Hike

Southern California homeowners have seen their water rates go up almost 400 percent in 10 years. Now another increase voted on by the Metropolitan Water District will raise rates on its prices for 2017 and 2018.

Jason Foster with the San Diego Water Authority says those prices will get passed on to retail water agencies in the San Diego region and then come out of the wallet of local residents and businesses. “It’s undoubtedly going to be felt by customers throughout San Diego County,” said Foster.

OPINION: Big Bad Wolf Has Moved into the Neighborhood

Southern California’s biggest, thirstiest and most powerful water district is buying a big chunk of the Delta, the very estuary that is dying because outfits like them take too much water.The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is going to buy Bouldin, Bacon, Webb and Holland islands in the central Delta, and a chip off Chipps Island near Suisun Bay.The Met’s boss has said this is mostly about repairing Delta habitat. That’s like the Big Bad Wolf buying the Three Little Pigs’ houses and saying he’s into home remodeling.