A Butte County farmer Wednesday filed a $15 million claim with the state over the crisis at Oroville Dam, saying water rushing down the Feather River wiped out part of a walnut orchard. The claim was filed by JEM Farms and Chandon Ranch, which run a 2,000-acre walnut farm downstream of the dam. Farmers along the Feather […]
Republican-backed federal legislation with strong support from agricultural communities in California aims to eradicate salmon from much of the San Joaquin River. It will nullify numerous laws protecting wetlands and waterways in order to provide farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with more northern California water. Environmentalists and fishery advocates are characterizing the bill, H.R. 23, […]
On the assumption that one year of heavy rainfall hasn’t erased Californians’ memories of the severe drought that preceded it, state lawmakers and other proponents have drafted measures that could go before California voters in 2018, seeking investments in various projects dealing with water and the environment. Four new bond proposals pertaining to water and […]
One of the most monumental and potentially devastating decisions in California’s water history is currently being considered and the health and sustainability of the backbone of California’s water system and affordability of your water rates are at stake. Over the next month or two, a number of public water agencies will decide on whether to […]
California was one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act into law in 2014. The first major hurdle under the law was determining who would manage groundwater basins. The law required the formation of local governing agencies, known as […]
Statewide water savings slipped in June to 17.4 percent of that in the same month in 2013, the state Water Resources Control Board announced Tuesday. That’s the lowest monthly conservation rate since February 2016, which saw savings of 11.9 percent compared to the benchmark pre-drought year. Local districts did much better than the state average, […]
Farm Claims Oroville Dam Crisis Cost It $15 Million
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler and Ryan SabalowA Butte County farmer Wednesday filed a $15 million claim with the state over the crisis at Oroville Dam, saying water rushing down the Feather River wiped out part of a walnut orchard. The claim was filed by JEM Farms and Chandon Ranch, which run a 2,000-acre walnut farm downstream of the dam. Farmers along the Feather […]
House Bill Redirects River Flows From Fish to Farms
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /News Deeply (New York)by Alastair BlandRepublican-backed federal legislation with strong support from agricultural communities in California aims to eradicate salmon from much of the San Joaquin River. It will nullify numerous laws protecting wetlands and waterways in order to provide farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with more northern California water. Environmentalists and fishery advocates are characterizing the bill, H.R. 23, […]
New Water Bonds Could Go Before California Voters In 2018
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sierra Sun Times (Mariposa) by Christine SouzaOn the assumption that one year of heavy rainfall hasn’t erased Californians’ memories of the severe drought that preceded it, state lawmakers and other proponents have drafted measures that could go before California voters in 2018, seeking investments in various projects dealing with water and the environment. Four new bond proposals pertaining to water and […]
OPINION: Twin Tunnels Project Jeopardizes Stability of Your Water Rates
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /East Bay Times (San Jose)by Don Nottoli and Oscar VillegasOne of the most monumental and potentially devastating decisions in California’s water history is currently being considered and the health and sustainability of the backbone of California’s water system and affordability of your water rates are at stake. Over the next month or two, a number of public water agencies will decide on whether to […]
First Step In Implementing California Groundwater Law Successful
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio News (Sacramento) by Amy QuintonCalifornia was one of the last states in the West to pass a law to manage groundwater. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act into law in 2014. The first major hurdle under the law was determining who would manage groundwater basins. The law required the formation of local governing agencies, known as […]
State’s June Water Savings Down to 17.4 Percent
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Chico Enterprise-RecordStatewide water savings slipped in June to 17.4 percent of that in the same month in 2013, the state Water Resources Control Board announced Tuesday. That’s the lowest monthly conservation rate since February 2016, which saw savings of 11.9 percent compared to the benchmark pre-drought year. Local districts did much better than the state average, […]