Nestled in the mountains of the quiet California town of Ojai is Matilija Dam, which has become a poster child of the national dam removal movement. At 168ft high, the dam towers above Matilija Creek. Since the dam’s construction in 1947, an estimated 8 million cubic yards of sediment have clogged Matilija reservoir, rendering it […]
If Senate Bill 231 (Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys) becomes law, property owners would be saddled with thousands of dollars in additional, annual property taxes. What’s worse is that this bill would allow these tax increases to be implemented without a vote of the people. Political sleight of hand? Yes, and here’s how .SB231 redefines the word “sewer” […]
The measure, called the “Gaining Responsibility on Water Act” or GROW Act, has already passed the US House, largely along party lines. Supporters, including many Central Valley Republicans and farmers, say it would cut the red tape that prevents dams and water storage projects from being built. While that might normally sit well with powerful […]
This legislation might be hard to swallow: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would clear the way for California communities to put highly treated wastewater directly into the drinking water supply. “The media likes to start off with the catchy phrase toilet to tap,” said Jennifer West, managing director of Water Reuse, about the intensive […]
Leaders in one Northern California ity want to tighten rules for water use despite the end of the state’s drought. People who live in Sacramento have been limited to watering two days a week since the drought started. City leaders are now looking into a plan to make that permanent. The new rules could be […]
California’s drought appears over, at least above ground. As of April 2017, reservoirs were around 2 million acre feet above normal with record breaking snowpack . This is great news for the 75% of Californians that get their drinking water from large, urban surface water suppliers. Groundwater, however, takes longer to recharge and replenish. What does […]
One of the Largest Dam Removals in California History Inches Forward
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /News Deeply (New York)Nestled in the mountains of the quiet California town of Ojai is Matilija Dam, which has become a poster child of the national dam removal movement. At 168ft high, the dam towers above Matilija Creek. Since the dam’s construction in 1947, an estimated 8 million cubic yards of sediment have clogged Matilija reservoir, rendering it […]
OPINION: Storm Water Bill Would Evade Taxpayer Protections
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco ChronicleIf Senate Bill 231 (Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys) becomes law, property owners would be saddled with thousands of dollars in additional, annual property taxes. What’s worse is that this bill would allow these tax increases to be implemented without a vote of the people. Political sleight of hand? Yes, and here’s how .SB231 redefines the word “sewer” […]
California’s Largest Water Supplier Says Federal Water Bill Goes Too Far
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Public Radio News (Sacramento)The measure, called the “Gaining Responsibility on Water Act” or GROW Act, has already passed the US House, largely along party lines. Supporters, including many Central Valley Republicans and farmers, say it would cut the red tape that prevents dams and water storage projects from being built. While that might normally sit well with powerful […]
From Toilet Water to Drinking Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capitol Weekly (Sacramento)This legislation might be hard to swallow: Lawmakers are considering a bill that would clear the way for California communities to put highly treated wastewater directly into the drinking water supply. “The media likes to start off with the catchy phrase toilet to tap,” said Jennifer West, managing director of Water Reuse, about the intensive […]
Tightening Water Restrictions in Sacramento
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /NBC Bay AreaLeaders in one Northern California ity want to tighten rules for water use despite the end of the state’s drought. People who live in Sacramento have been limited to watering two days a week since the drought started. City leaders are now looking into a plan to make that permanent. The new rules could be […]
Small, Self-Sufficient Water Systems Continue to Battle a Hidden Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /California Water Blogby Amanda Fencl and Meghan KlasicCalifornia’s drought appears over, at least above ground. As of April 2017, reservoirs were around 2 million acre feet above normal with record breaking snowpack . This is great news for the 75% of Californians that get their drinking water from large, urban surface water suppliers. Groundwater, however, takes longer to recharge and replenish. What does […]