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Can Trump Deliver More Water to California’s Farmers?

President-elect Donald Trump has stated his commitment to helping California’s farmers attain more water, as the Golden State prepares to enter its historic sixth year of a crippling drought, with a federal water policy in place that favors fish over agriculture. However, the authority of California’s state agencies over the allocation of its water supply — which includes the federal Central Valley Project — remains a staggering obstacle the nation’s 45th president must confront. Particularly, as the Sacramento Bee points out, when it comes to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which is where the endangered Delta smelt primarily reside.

 

California Drought Kills 102 Million Trees. Now What?

The total number of dead trees in California’s forests has climbed to 102 million.  Approximately 36 million of those deaths have come since the US Forestry Service last surveyed the forests in May. And the number of dead trees in the Golden State doubled over the past year. The tree deaths are changing the California landscape, particularly at lower elevations. They’re also raising questions about the best ways to protect people from falling trees or wildfires while preserving forests.

Drought, Water Insecurity Seen As A Personal Matter

As California and the entire Colorado River basin enter another record year of drought, we barely seem to be staying ahead of the game.  Despite our best efforts, demand for water in the river basin exceeds supply, with the gap increasing in each subsequent year of drought. With over 40 million people depending on Colorado River water, the importance of the river cannot be overstated. For Latinos in the basin, in particular, diminishing water supplies are both an economic and very personal matter.

Trump Promised California Farmers More Water. Can He Deliver?

More than a year ago, Fresno County farmer Wayne Western Jr. penned a letter to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pleading for help. Western said the federal government was mismanaging California’s water supply with unjustified environmental restrictions, and that San Joaquin Valley farms such as his might dry up and go out of business without assistance from Washington. Trump replied with a handwritten note of his own, a pledge: “Got it – crazy. If I win, it will be corrected quickly.”

 

 

Trump Promised California Farmers More Water. Can He Deliver?

More than a year ago, Fresno County farmer Wayne Western Jr. penned a letter to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pleading for help. Western said the federal government was mismanaging California’s water supply with unjustified environmental restrictions, and that San Joaquin Valley farms such as his might dry up and go out of business without assistance from Washington. Trump replied with a handwritten note of his own, a pledge: “Got it – crazy. If I win, it will be corrected quickly.”

 

Trump’s Pledge To ‘Open Up The Water’ For Valley Farms: Easier Said Than Done

President-elect Donald Trump might have trouble living up to one of his more sweeping campaign promises in California.On the stump in Fresno last May, he made headlines for declaring, “There is no drought” here.It’s a bit unclear from his remarks whether he was voicing an opinion or simply reporting what some farmers told him at a pre-rally gathering. Either way, he was badly mistaken.

Could California Drought Deal Actually Get Done?

California (Drought) Dreamin’: Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are hopeful that this could be the year Congress finally reaches a deal on California water. Time is running out, but the success or failure of drought talks could have big implications for the rest of Congress’ unfinished business, including a major water infrastructure package, an energy bill and a spending measure to keep the government open past Dec. 9.

BLOG: For Stockton, Tunnels About Quality And Quantity

One detail was omitted from last week’s write-up on the city of Stockton’s concerns about how the Delta tunnels might impact the city’s new water treatment plant. This is a bit wonky. Stick with me. The story is all about the city’s fear that water quality will deteriorate at the intake for its $220 million drinking water plant, forcing expensive treatment upgrades that could jack up rates, theoretically, by up to 200 percent. But it’s not just water quality that is of concern. It’s quantity, too. That may sound strange.

Water Insecurity Creates Climate Problems, Not Just Business Risks

Each year, businesses around the world are feeling growing financial impacts from water insecurity, said a new report released this week. “Thirsty Business: Why Water Is Vital to Climate Action,” is produced by the nonprofit CDP, which creates an annual report tracking how companies manage water resources and plan for the future. Ample supplies of freshwater resources are crucial for many businesses, but it’s also vital to efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Scientific studies have found that climate change will lead to higher risk of both droughts and floods.

County reports stable ground water levels under Napa Valley

Napa County is trying to make the case that it does a good job managing the underground reservoir beneath the Napa Valley that provides groundwater for rural homes, wineries and vineyards.

Groundwater levels beneath the main Napa Valley floor are five to 35 feet deep in the spring and the basin remains “full overall” despite the drought, according to a new, draft Napa Valley groundwater report.

“The conditions in the main Napa Valley subbasin have been stable for many decades,” said consultant Vicki Kretsinger Grabert, who worked on the report.