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Four California Congressmen have sent Governor Gavin Newsom a letter expressing concerns over outdated water regulations that could result in the loss of 600,000 acre-feet of water. They argue that these regulations, combined with California’s variable hydrology, could have significant consequences for the state’s agricultural industry, communities, and fisheries.

The letter highlights three primary reasons for California’s water shortages: insufficient precipitation and snowpack, the need for improved water storage and conveyance, and “fixed and outdated regulations that lead to water being used in ways that do not maximize beneficial uses for humans and the environment.

In debates over water policy in California, a common argument is that if only we managed the systems we’ve already got, there would be plenty of water for everyone. Agricultural and urban use would not have to be rationed, taxpayers and ratepayers would not have to be unnecessarily burdened, and we wouldn’t have to wait years (ok, decades) for new water projects to navigate the gauntlet of bureaucracy and litigation.

This is a compelling argument, and perhaps we should just let the delta pumps run a bit more while engaging in ultra cost-effective projects, such as dredging the delta and constructing innovative new ways to safely withdraw millions of acre feet from the delta during winter storms. But if Californians want to achieve permanent water abundance, how we manage the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta should not be our only option, but instead be the centerpiece in a much broader vision.

Much of Southern California was hit with significant rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

The brunt of the precipitation was felt Tuesday night, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service, who also said steady rain would be felt Wednesday morning. The storm system, described by NWS as “potent,” exited the region earlier than anticipated, but there is still rainfall in the forecast.

A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable to wildfires and hurting winter tourism and recreation.

Scientists say snow cover and snow depth are both at the lowest levels they’ve seen in decades, while at least 67 Western weather stations have measured their warmest December through early February on record. Normal snow cover this time of year should be about 460,000 square miles — about the size of California, Utah, Idaho and Montana — but this year it’s only California-sized, about 155,000 square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California proposed biennial budget contemplates a 9.5% increase in its rates for the next two years that it charges its 26 agencies. This is an increase from 8.5% increase over the last two years.

MWD is also proposing to maintain its current property tax rate at 0.007% on the Assessed Value of the properties located in its 5,200 square mile service territory. For a $1 million residence, the tax is $70. This tax is designed to raise $404 million for the 2027 fiscal year. In the last budget cycle, this property tax was doubled.