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OPINION: Can California Tune up its Climate Strategy?

As Philadelphia baked and wildfires roared like the apocalypse in California, Gov. Jerry Brown last week called on the nation to remember the impact this presidential election could have on climate change.

“What America needs today are not deniers, but leaders. Not division, but common purpose. Not bombast, but bold action,” Brown told the Democratic National Convention, lambasting Donald Trump and lauding Hillary Clinton. “Trump says global warming is a hoax. I say Trump is a fraud.”

Delta Tunnels Plan Rekindles Water Disputes

A half century after building the largest water-delivery system in America, California officials say they now realize they put their giant straws to capture Delta water in the wrong place. Last week, state and federal water project operators opened the case to win permission for a fix — construction of three diversion points near Sacramento tied to twin underground tunnels to shunt Delta water for 25 million people throughout the state.

 

BLOG: Despite Drought, California Farming Prospered

It might not be what you expect to hear about California agriculture in the throes of drought: After four years of historic water shortages, farm earnings in the state increased 16 percent, and total employment increased 5 percent.

Yet those are real numbers gathered by federal agencies that track economic data. Average wages for farm employees also increased an impressive 13 percent since the drought began.

OPINION: When it Comes to Water, do not Keep on Trucking

The multi-year drought has become so bad in some parts of California that last year wells dried up and communities had to have their water hauled in by truck. Even with that emergency lifeline, residents of places like East Porterville in Tulare County had to carefully parcel out their supplies for cooking and cleaning. Toilets were “flushed” by dumping used dishwater into the bowl. Showers became a luxury.

 

Despite Drought, California Farming Prospered

It might not be what you expect to hear about California agriculture in the throes of drought: After four years of historic water shortages, farm earnings in the state increased 16 percent, and total employment increased 5 percent.

Yet those are real numbers gathered by federal agencies that track economic data. Average wages for farm employees also increased an impressive 13 percent since the drought began.

 

Twin Tunnels Hearings Show Old Conflicts about Water Remain

A half century after building the largest water-delivery system in America, California officials say they now realize they put their giant straws to capture Sacramento River water in the wrong place.

Last week, state and federal water project operators opened the case to win permission for a fix — construction of three diversion points near Sacramento tied to twin underground tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to shunt water to 25 million people throughout the state.

Court May Have Dug a Grave for Governor’s Delta Tunnels

In an unpublished opinion, a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association in their long battle with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and San Joaquin Valley agribusinesses that get irrigation water from the Central Valley Project.

 

Lake Oroville Dropping Much Faster Than Shasta Lake This Summer

State and federal reservoir levels have been dropping at dramatically different rates for the last couple of months, for reasons that figure into last week’s discussions about the twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Lake Oroville has released more than 968,000 acre-feet of water into the Feather River since June 1, while just over 616,000 acre-feet have flowed from Shasta Lake into the Sacramento River. Oroville has gone from 83 percent full to 66 percent full in that time, while Shasta dipped from 86 percent full to 78 percent full. Oroville’s water level has dropped 62 feet, Shasta, just 15 feet.

Wildfire, Drought, Pests Threaten Sierra Nevada’s Wild Forests

The ferocity of recent wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range has been alarming as drought, infestation and the effects of climate change conspire to threaten the survival of some of the West Coast’s most wild forestland. Sixty six million trees are already dead and it could be 100 million by the end of this year. And it’s not just the trees that will suffer. FSRN’s Vic Bedoian takes a closer look why.

 

Water Districts Awaiting Approval from State on Conservation Goals

As state-mandated water restrictions were projected to be lifted on Aug. 1, local water districts have begun to take steps establishing new, self-certified conservation marks, but the state has yet to confirm the districts’ goals.

Cal Water Marysville, which previously had a 24 percent reduction mandated by the state, set its new water conservation target at 10 percent. “It’s a target that is meant to reinforce conservation,” said Lee Seidel, district manager for Cal Water Marysville.