Snowpacks in Oregon, Idaho, Washington and California and are expected be much smaller by mid-century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, according to federal projections released Friday. The Fourth National Climate Assessment, completed once every four years, asserts that the mild winter of 2014-15 may have foreshadowed the future. “As a harbinger, the unusually […]
Reps. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, Monday introduced to a bill that would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct an additional environmental review of the Oroville Dam. The congressmen would like to see a review done before the commission approves the relicensing of the dam under state Department of Water […]
State Sen. Jim Nielsen, Assemblyman James Gallagher and Oroville Dam Coalition members are heading to Washington, D.C., this week to address what they say are outstanding issues following the spillway crisis. The group will attend meetings with commissioners and staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and attend briefings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency […]
It sounds like a nice, elegant compromise for a California water project swamped in uncertainty: If there isn’t enough money to build two Delta tunnels, why not build just one? Drastically downsizing Gov. Jerry Brown’s tunnels wouldn’t merely save money. It would also reduce the project’s footprint and make it more palatable to some of […]
The rains that swept into Northern California this weekend from the Gulf of Alaska didn’t turn out to be as extensive as forecasters had expected. But along with slick roads and soggy children’s soccer games, they brought some good news. There were no reports of mudslides or other major problems in Napa and Sonoma counties, […]
When a top Interior Department official acknowledged recently that the Trump administration wouldn’t try to block removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, he signaled a monumental victory for local Native American tribes, salmon fishermen and the national dam removal movement. Yet this development is less momentous than it would have been in 2015, when dam […]
U.S. Climate Report Forecasts Shrinking Snowpacks
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Press (Salem, Ore)by Don JenkinsSnowpacks in Oregon, Idaho, Washington and California and are expected be much smaller by mid-century if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, according to federal projections released Friday. The Fourth National Climate Assessment, completed once every four years, asserts that the mild winter of 2014-15 may have foreshadowed the future. “As a harbinger, the unusually […]
Oroville Dam: Reps. Garamendi And LaMalfa Want Additional Safety Review
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury Registerby Risa JohnsonReps. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, Monday introduced to a bill that would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct an additional environmental review of the Oroville Dam. The congressmen would like to see a review done before the commission approves the relicensing of the dam under state Department of Water […]
Oroville Dam Coalition, Local Politicians Head to Washington for Federal Assistance
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury RegisterState Sen. Jim Nielsen, Assemblyman James Gallagher and Oroville Dam Coalition members are heading to Washington, D.C., this week to address what they say are outstanding issues following the spillway crisis. The group will attend meetings with commissioners and staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and attend briefings with the Federal Emergency Management Agency […]
If Jerry Brown Can’t Sell California on Two Delta Tunnels, Would Just One Fly?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeIt sounds like a nice, elegant compromise for a California water project swamped in uncertainty: If there isn’t enough money to build two Delta tunnels, why not build just one? Drastically downsizing Gov. Jerry Brown’s tunnels wouldn’t merely save money. It would also reduce the project’s footprint and make it more palatable to some of […]
Weekend Weather: Rains Dampen Northern California, Reduce Fire Danger, Bring Snow to Sierra
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)The rains that swept into Northern California this weekend from the Gulf of Alaska didn’t turn out to be as extensive as forecasters had expected. But along with slick roads and soggy children’s soccer games, they brought some good news. There were no reports of mudslides or other major problems in Napa and Sonoma counties, […]
OPINION: Four Dams In The West Are Coming Down — A Victory Wrapped In A Defeat For Smart Water Policy
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Jacques LeslieWhen a top Interior Department official acknowledged recently that the Trump administration wouldn’t try to block removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, he signaled a monumental victory for local Native American tribes, salmon fishermen and the national dam removal movement. Yet this development is less momentous than it would have been in 2015, when dam […]