In the wake of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, large sections of southeast Texas and southern Florida were underwater. The massive flooding has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, and AccuWeather predicts that the economic cost of the two storms will be almost $300 billion. Right now, California may be dealing with more fire than flood, but there […]
Bringing more certainty to an unruly and unpredictable Colorado River system was a common theme among water managers speaking at the Colorado River District’s annual seminar on Friday, Sept. 15. Although the drought that has gripped much of the Colorado River basin for the past 16 years has eased up a bit, population growth and […]
Opponents of the Delta tunnels proposal, facing a long-shot bid to kill the controversial project on environmental grounds, are now trying to undermine the plan’s financial structure. Six environmental groups filed court papers late Thursday attempting to derail the state Department of Water Resources’ plans to bankroll the tunnels with billions of dollars in bond […]
It takes Humberto Lugo several minutes to explain how the home he is standing in front of actually gets its water. It’s a small, stucco house dwarfed by an expanse of dusty farm fields that sit mostly fallow in September, awaiting the next planting of winter vegetables. An irrigation canal runs by the front of the […]
In the final hours of this year’s legislative session, which ended after 2 a.m. Saturday, key immigration and affordable-housing bills passed out of the Legislature, as did a $4 billion parks and water bond, which the governor has said he will sign. It will appear on a June 2018 ballot. A clean energy bill did not get a […]
This week the California Legislature is considering two critical water bills that will reduce water waste and improve drought planning. Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg/Skinner) and Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman) deserve the legislature’s full support.
What California and the West Can Learn From Recent Catastrophic Floods
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)In the wake of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, large sections of southeast Texas and southern Florida were underwater. The massive flooding has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, and AccuWeather predicts that the economic cost of the two storms will be almost $300 billion. Right now, California may be dealing with more fire than flood, but there […]
Water Managers are Seeking Certainty in Colorado Basin
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Vail DailyBringing more certainty to an unruly and unpredictable Colorado River system was a common theme among water managers speaking at the Colorado River District’s annual seminar on Friday, Sept. 15. Although the drought that has gripped much of the Colorado River basin for the past 16 years has eased up a bit, population growth and […]
Follow the Money – Delta Tunnel Foes Try New Strategy
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeOpponents of the Delta tunnels proposal, facing a long-shot bid to kill the controversial project on environmental grounds, are now trying to undermine the plan’s financial structure. Six environmental groups filed court papers late Thursday attempting to derail the state Department of Water Resources’ plans to bankroll the tunnels with billions of dollars in bond […]
Why It’s Legal To Pump Untreated Canal Water Into Californians’ Homes
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanIt takes Humberto Lugo several minutes to explain how the home he is standing in front of actually gets its water. It’s a small, stucco house dwarfed by an expanse of dusty farm fields that sit mostly fallow in September, awaiting the next planting of winter vegetables. An irrigation canal runs by the front of the […]
BLOG: California Legislature Passes Big Bills On Last Day Of Session
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Mercury News (San Jose)In the final hours of this year’s legislative session, which ended after 2 a.m. Saturday, key immigration and affordable-housing bills passed out of the Legislature, as did a $4 billion parks and water bond, which the governor has said he will sign. It will appear on a June 2018 ballot. A clean energy bill did not get a […]
OPINION: Affordable, Reliable Water for California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capitol Weekly (Sacramento) Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityThis week the California Legislature is considering two critical water bills that will reduce water waste and improve drought planning. Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg/Skinner) and Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman) deserve the legislature’s full support.