For decades, no matter the weather, the message has been preached to Californians: use water wisely, especially outdoors, which accounts for most urban water use. Enforcement of that message filters to the local level, where water agencies routinely target the notorious “gutter flooder” with gentle reminders and, if necessary, financial penalties.
Two new water bonds slated to be put before California voters in 2018 have received the endorsement of a key water policy group. The Association of California Water Agencies’ board has voted unanimously to support a $4 billion June ballot measure for water and parks projects and an anticipated $8.9 billion November initiative proposed by […]
As a cold front from the Gulf of Alaska blasted the Sierra Nevada overnight, temperatures dropped into the 20s in the Tahoe Basin and low 30s in the foothills, creating the perfect conditions for Mother Nature to make snow. Snow dropped as low as 3,000 feet, with the foothills receiving a light dusting that didn’t […]
Can California still successfully take on big projects or is that part of our history already over? As high-profile infrastructure projects ranging from high speed rail to the Delta Tunnels face an uncertain future, that’s a critical question that lies before our next Governor. We were once known for ambitious projects like the California State […]
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear an appeal by California water agencies in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ landmark lawsuit asserting rights to groundwater beneath the tribe’s reservation. The Desert Water Agency and the Coachella Valley Water Disitrict had appealed to challenge a decision by the Ninth Circuit […]
Federal regulators have asked the officials who operate Oroville Dam — and who are in charge of the $500 million-plus effort to rebuild and reinforce the facility’s compromised spillways — to explain small cracks that have appeared in recently rebuilt sections of the dam’s massive concrete flood-control chute. In a previously undisclosed October letter, the […]
BLOG: OPINION: The Drought May Be Over, But California Still Wants Residents to Act Like It’s On Forever
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Education FoundationFor decades, no matter the weather, the message has been preached to Californians: use water wisely, especially outdoors, which accounts for most urban water use. Enforcement of that message filters to the local level, where water agencies routinely target the notorious “gutter flooder” with gentle reminders and, if necessary, financial penalties.
New California Water Bond Measures Endorsed By Key Policy Group
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Press Ag Net WestTwo new water bonds slated to be put before California voters in 2018 have received the endorsement of a key water policy group. The Association of California Water Agencies’ board has voted unanimously to support a $4 billion June ballot measure for water and parks projects and an anticipated $8.9 billion November initiative proposed by […]
Snow Level Drops to 3,000 Feet in the Sierra Nevada
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SF GateAs a cold front from the Gulf of Alaska blasted the Sierra Nevada overnight, temperatures dropped into the 20s in the Tahoe Basin and low 30s in the foothills, creating the perfect conditions for Mother Nature to make snow. Snow dropped as low as 3,000 feet, with the foothills receiving a light dusting that didn’t […]
OPINION: Is Big Infrastructure Still Possible Today?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Daily DemocratCan California still successfully take on big projects or is that part of our history already over? As high-profile infrastructure projects ranging from high speed rail to the Delta Tunnels face an uncertain future, that’s a critical question that lies before our next Governor. We were once known for ambitious projects like the California State […]
Supreme Court Won’t Hear California Water Agencies’ Appeal in Tribe’s Groundwater Case
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear an appeal by California water agencies in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ landmark lawsuit asserting rights to groundwater beneath the tribe’s reservation. The Desert Water Agency and the Coachella Valley Water Disitrict had appealed to challenge a decision by the Ninth Circuit […]
Feds Ask State to Explain Cracks in New Oroville Spillway Concrete
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED News (San Francisco)Federal regulators have asked the officials who operate Oroville Dam — and who are in charge of the $500 million-plus effort to rebuild and reinforce the facility’s compromised spillways — to explain small cracks that have appeared in recently rebuilt sections of the dam’s massive concrete flood-control chute. In a previously undisclosed October letter, the […]