Few things are as important to California’s 39.5 million residents as the quality and allocation of the state’s water. Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, wants to hand over more power in that arena to Big Ag by changing how water rights cases are enforced. Gov. Jerry Brown should veto Gray’s AB 313 and keep those issues […]
In February, a huge hole opened in the Lake Oroville main spillway. The cause of the hole is still undetermined. The ensuing closure of the main gates and use of the emergency spillway for the first time ever caused damage to the hillside, erosion toward the spillway structure and thousands of people to evacuate. The […]
Water management in the West can often seem to pit people against wildlife, but it doesn’t have to, according to a recent report by the National Audubon Society. The report highlights how drying saline lakes in the West and changing riparian habitat along the Colorado River are impacting migrating birds. But the two habitats also share a vulnerability […]
Current weather forecasting tools are less than adequate for managing California’s most vital natural resource, state water officials said Tuesday. People at the state Department of Water Resources are now working with researchers at NASA and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to develop new technology to better forecast moisture-laden atmospheric river storms, like the ones […]
Like every autumn, October is bringing cooler weather, changing leaves and pumpkins to fields across California. But unlike the past five years, when a historic drought gripped the state, there’s something new across the landscape: full reservoirs. From a water supply standpoint, California is heading into this winter’s rainy season in much better shape than […]
Marijuana is becoming big business around the West as more states legalize the plant’s cultivation for recreational purposes. California’s entry into the field, which becomes official on January 1, is certain to bring an explosion of cannabis-related commerce simply because of the size of its market. All this poses a vital question: How much will marijuana tax the […]
OPINION: Don’t Cave To Big Ag; Veto Wasteful Water Rights Bill
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)Few things are as important to California’s 39.5 million residents as the quality and allocation of the state’s water. Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, wants to hand over more power in that arena to Big Ag by changing how water rights cases are enforced. Gov. Jerry Brown should veto Gray’s AB 313 and keep those issues […]
Rebuilding The Lake Oroville Spillways
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio News (Sacramento)In February, a huge hole opened in the Lake Oroville main spillway. The cause of the hole is still undetermined. The ensuing closure of the main gates and use of the emergency spillway for the first time ever caused damage to the hillside, erosion toward the spillway structure and thousands of people to evacuate. The […]
Migrating Birds Are Running Out Of Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Ian EvansWater management in the West can often seem to pit people against wildlife, but it doesn’t have to, according to a recent report by the National Audubon Society. The report highlights how drying saline lakes in the West and changing riparian habitat along the Colorado River are impacting migrating birds. But the two habitats also share a vulnerability […]
OPINION: California Needs Better Weather Prediction Tools for Water Management
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Union Democrat (Sonora)Current weather forecasting tools are less than adequate for managing California’s most vital natural resource, state water officials said Tuesday. People at the state Department of Water Resources are now working with researchers at NASA and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to develop new technology to better forecast moisture-laden atmospheric river storms, like the ones […]
California’s Reservoirs Are Full, But Will This Winter Be Wet Or Dry?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)Like every autumn, October is bringing cooler weather, changing leaves and pumpkins to fields across California. But unlike the past five years, when a historic drought gripped the state, there’s something new across the landscape: full reservoirs. From a water supply standpoint, California is heading into this winter’s rainy season in much better shape than […]
As Marijuana Industry Explodes, Some Shift Focus To Water Conservation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserMarijuana is becoming big business around the West as more states legalize the plant’s cultivation for recreational purposes. California’s entry into the field, which becomes official on January 1, is certain to bring an explosion of cannabis-related commerce simply because of the size of its market. All this poses a vital question: How much will marijuana tax the […]