Researchers at the University of California recently highlighted a flaw in state law that may prohibit diverting streamflow to recharge groundwater. The problem is that groundwater recharge by itself is not considered a “beneficial use” under state law, and meeting that definition is a requirement to obtain a permit to divert water. Officials at the State Water Resources […]
The California Supreme Court rejected a conservation group’s lawsuit Wednesday seeking to drain Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a source of water for San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area communities. Restore Hetch Hetchy, a Berkeley group, argued in its suit that the location of the dam and reservoir, which flooded a valley in the park after […]
An invasive, rat-like creature shows no sign of slowing down. Biologists with California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife say they’ve now captured the 300th Nutria. They made the discovery Friday in Merced County. “It’s no cause for celebration,” said Peter Tira, Public Information Officer for the California Department Fish and Wildlife. The discovery comes as […]
Much was written during California’s recent five-year drought about the amount of water used by almonds. The nuts have become California’s most lucrative agricultural commodity, and a major export product. Long before concerns about water use by almond growers emerged, the industry initiated measures to conserve water by embracing microirrigation systems. It has also become […]
An El Niño is forecast for the winter ahead, and we all know what that means. Or do we? El Niño—that cyclical warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean—has long been associated with wet winters across much of the West. Which is always welcome news across the chronically water-short region. But in reality, whether El Niño […]
Our state is in a fight over water policy that could hit all Californians squarely in their grocery carts. If the State Water Board’s unimpaired flow policy is adopted, significant additional amounts of water will be diverted away from farms and others and left in our rivers under the assumption that it will help native […]
Why California Law Requires a Clear Benefit for Groundwater Recharge
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Andrea Mora /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserResearchers at the University of California recently highlighted a flaw in state law that may prohibit diverting streamflow to recharge groundwater. The problem is that groundwater recharge by itself is not considered a “beneficial use” under state law, and meeting that definition is a requirement to obtain a permit to divert water. Officials at the State Water Resources […]
State High Court Rejects Berkeley Group’s Suit to Drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Andrea Mora /San Francisco Chronicleby Bob EgelkoThe California Supreme Court rejected a conservation group’s lawsuit Wednesday seeking to drain Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a source of water for San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area communities. Restore Hetch Hetchy, a Berkeley group, argued in its suit that the location of the dam and reservoir, which flooded a valley in the park after […]
300th Nutria Captured, Creature Now Breeding In Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Fox26 (Houston)by Liz GonzalezAn invasive, rat-like creature shows no sign of slowing down. Biologists with California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife say they’ve now captured the 300th Nutria. They made the discovery Friday in Merced County. “It’s no cause for celebration,” said Peter Tira, Public Information Officer for the California Department Fish and Wildlife. The discovery comes as […]
Almond Farms Keep Growing, And Keep Moving On Water Conservation
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Daniel BeaulieuMuch was written during California’s recent five-year drought about the amount of water used by almonds. The nuts have become California’s most lucrative agricultural commodity, and a major export product. Long before concerns about water use by almond growers emerged, the industry initiated measures to conserve water by embracing microirrigation systems. It has also become […]
Why This Winter’s El Niño Will Not Bring More Rain To California
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Pacific Standard (Santa Barbara)by Matt WeiserAn El Niño is forecast for the winter ahead, and we all know what that means. Or do we? El Niño—that cyclical warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean—has long been associated with wet winters across much of the West. Which is always welcome news across the chronically water-short region. But in reality, whether El Niño […]
OPINION: State Water Board’s Proposed Cutbacks Will Affect All Californians
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Mike WadeOur state is in a fight over water policy that could hit all Californians squarely in their grocery carts. If the State Water Board’s unimpaired flow policy is adopted, significant additional amounts of water will be diverted away from farms and others and left in our rivers under the assumption that it will help native […]