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BLOG: Climate solutions: From a Promise to a Plan on the West Coast

Earlier this month the eyes of the world turn to the Pacific Coast, where global energy ministers and business leaders met to begin transforming the Paris COP21 climate agreement from a promise to a plan — developing the specific policies and actions that will accelerate the transition to economies built on clean energy.

Meeting the ambitious carbon reduction goals laid out in Paris last December will require two things in abundance: innovation and collaboration.

California Lawmakers OK Water for Pot Growers

Republican lawmakers are objecting to a California budget provision that gives water to medical marijuana growers.

Republicans say a budget bill approved Thursday in the state Assembly gives pot farmers preferential treatment over the rest of the agriculture industry. The bill allows licensed marijuana growers to use water from natural rivers, streams or lakes without state approval or environmental assessment. It cleared the Assembly in a 46-26 vote. It now goes to the Senate.

First Step In California Groundwater Law Stirs Debate

Two years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice.

Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s going to be.

The region is known mostly for it’s more than 200 wineries. But amidst the rolling hills full of vineyards, it’s not unusual to see tanker trucks delivering water to rural homeowners whose wells have run dry.

California Delegation Set to Learn About Conservation Strategies in a Semi-Arid Land

Israel is regarded as perhaps the most climate-smart agricultural region in the world. It has to be, with annual rainfall of about 17 inches (source: World Bank). By comparison, portions of the Sierra Nevada, the source of much of California’s water, can receive more than four times that amount.

However, the drought and the prospect of climate change has us challenging our long-held assumptions. That’s why I am pleased to be leading a delegation to Israel (June 17-25) to learn more about the country’s climate smart strategies, especially irrigation technologies and extensive use of recycled water.

Drought Eased by Winter Rain, but Here is Why You Should Still Conserve Water

The best news for the state is that the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides roughly 30 percent of California’s water supply, was at its highest level in five years. The 2016 snowpack was at 114 percent of the historic average.

Higher snowpack means more runoff to fill the groundwater that supplies the state’s multi billion-dollar agribusinesses in the San Joaquin Valley. The percentage of wells in 2016 that decreased more than 10 feet is nearly half of what it was last year.

BLOG: How Is California Spending the Water Bond?

Almost two years ago, California voters passed Proposition 1—a $7.5 billion water bond intended to provide significant investments in the state’s drought-challenged water systems. Today, Californians concerned about the prospects of worsening drought may wonder how the state is spending these funds, and whether they are moving out the door fast enough.

Proposition 1 has seven funding categories, with a pot of money allocated to each. The bond language preauthorized spending in the largest area—$2.7 billion for water storage projects. For the other six areas, spending must be appropriated in the state budget.

California and National Drought Summary

Precipitation for the USDM period (June 7-14) was generally below normal for much of the country. Areas that received above normal rainfall were in Florida and along the coast Georgia and the Carolina’s. This was associated with Tropical Storm Colin which exited the coast late in the previous period. Precipitation fell in the Great Basin and central Arizona improving drought conditions in parts of this area. Other areas that received above-normal rainfall were the Northern High Plains and the Southern Plains.

First Step in California Groundwater Law Stirs Debate

Two years ago, California became one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. The political will to do so took decades. But the bigger battle may be putting the law into practice.

Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County may be a perfect example of how hard it’s going to be. The region is known mostly for it’s more than 200 wineries. But amidst the rolling hills full of vineyards, it’s not unusual to see tanker trucks delivering water to rural homeowners whose wells have run dry.

Groundwater levels still falling

What a difference a year doesn’t make. For anyone who doubts that we’re still in a drought, San Joaquin County’s groundwater “savings account” was even more depleted this spring than last, despite improved rainfall over the course of the winter. Routine surveys of hundreds of wells across the county revealed water levels had dropped about 2 feet on average — not as severe as the 3-foot drop seen the previous spring, but still a decline.Officials had hoped the results might be a little better.“But we weren’t expecting an instant turnaround,” said Fritz Buchman, deputy director of county Public Works.

Going, going, GONE — California’s snowpack has vanished

After El Niño failed to deliver salvation from California’s epic drought, it has now come to this:

Statewide, snowpack is down to just 6 percent of normal for this time of year.

For all intent and purposes, this vital source of water for tens of millions of Californians, and one of the world’s most productive agricultural economies, has vanished prematurely. The culprit: a sunny and warm spring.

And with La Niña probably on the way, things could get worse before they get better.