For the past 5 years, parched Californians suffered through the state’s worst drought. Wildfires, reduced crop production, environmental damage, cities running dry – all were part of the misery. But with the drought now broken by an unprecedented wet season and snow pack, it’s possible to look back and see the positives develop, especially when […]
Now that we’re all good and trained in responsible residential irrigation management, the Bakersfield Water Board is set to consider dropping drought-prompted watering restrictions today. We urge the board not to do so. You might ask, Why not? We’ve got a nice, broad flow in the lower Kern River, to cite but one highly visible […]
The president of the United States wants to “drain the swamp.” Of course he is using this saying as a metaphor for mismanagement and government waste. It seems to me that California, however, is hell bent to drain the Sierra Nevada – in the literal sense – as if this action was without consequence. While […]
In light of the crisis at Oroville Dam earlier this year, state regulators have begun ordering up-close inspections of aging dams throughout California. In a letter received by the San Luis Obispo County’s Public Works department on June 12, the chief of California’s Division of Safety of Dams ordered the county’s flood-control district to complete […]
Love it or hate it, the Delta tunnels project is reaching a decision point. The state’s most powerful water agencies have set a September goal to decide whether they’re going pay for the biggest and most controversial water project California has undertaken since the 1960s: overhauling the plumbing system that pumps billions of gallons of […]
A decade ago, Guy McCaskie would stand on the shore of the Salton Sea and marvel at the vast masses of birds that congregated on the water and flew overhead. Nowadays he looks out over the lake and is saddened by how few birds he sees. Most of the American white pelicans have disappeared. So […]
Some Anti-drought Programs Face Cuts
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capitol Weekly (Sacramento)by Jessica DuncanFor the past 5 years, parched Californians suffered through the state’s worst drought. Wildfires, reduced crop production, environmental damage, cities running dry – all were part of the misery. But with the drought now broken by an unprecedented wet season and snow pack, it’s possible to look back and see the positives develop, especially when […]
OPINION: No Good Reason to Lift Watering Restrictions
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Bakersfield CalifornianNow that we’re all good and trained in responsible residential irrigation management, the Bakersfield Water Board is set to consider dropping drought-prompted watering restrictions today. We urge the board not to do so. You might ask, Why not? We’ve got a nice, broad flow in the lower Kern River, to cite but one highly visible […]
OPINION: Drain the Swamp, Not the Sierra
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Union Democratby John KingsburyThe president of the United States wants to “drain the swamp.” Of course he is using this saying as a metaphor for mismanagement and government waste. It seems to me that California, however, is hell bent to drain the Sierra Nevada – in the literal sense – as if this action was without consequence. While […]
State Orders In-depth Assessments of More Than 50 California Dams Following Oroville Crisis
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Joseph SernaIn light of the crisis at Oroville Dam earlier this year, state regulators have begun ordering up-close inspections of aging dams throughout California. In a letter received by the San Luis Obispo County’s Public Works department on June 12, the chief of California’s Division of Safety of Dams ordered the county’s flood-control district to complete […]
Why Years of Waiting May Be Over on Delta Tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Dale KaslerLove it or hate it, the Delta tunnels project is reaching a decision point. The state’s most powerful water agencies have set a September goal to decide whether they’re going pay for the biggest and most controversial water project California has undertaken since the 1960s: overhauling the plumbing system that pumps billions of gallons of […]
As The Salton Sea Deteriorates, Bird Populations Are Crashing
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /USA Todayby Ian JamesA decade ago, Guy McCaskie would stand on the shore of the Salton Sea and marvel at the vast masses of birds that congregated on the water and flew overhead. Nowadays he looks out over the lake and is saddened by how few birds he sees. Most of the American white pelicans have disappeared. So […]