Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, teamed up Monday to slip a legislative rider into a giant end-of-year water infrastructure bill that would override endangered species protections for native California fish for the purpose of sending water to San Joaquin Valley farmers. Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., angrily denounced the […]
Based on data from the NWS Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across much of the northwest US, from Alaska all the way down to northern California and the Four Corner states will be below the normal mean values (reference period 1981-2010) during the first half of the month. The highest probability of below normal temperatures occurring […]
The report’s findings were unequivocal: Given the current pace of water diversions, the San Francisco Bay and the Delta network of rivers and marshes are ecological goners, with many of its native fish species now experiencing a “sixth extinction,” environmental science’s most-dire definition of ecosystem collapse. Once a vast, soaked marsh and channel fed by […]
California is finally embracing its rivers. It may be a choking embrace. We Californians have long celebrated our coastal splendor and beautiful mountains. But our rivers were seen as mere plumbing for our hydration convenience. Now California’s communities, seeking space for environmental restoration and recreation (and some desperately needed housing), are treating rivers and riverfronts […]
In this centennial year of the National Park System, it’s been encouraging to see management of the western components of this remarkable ecological patrimony shifting ever so slowly toward incorporating knowledge of natural cycles of fire in maintaining forest health. For forests in California’s Sierra Nevada, particularly, a dangerous and ecologically disruptive “fire deficit” has […]
Californians hear a lot about the lessons they can learn from other areas that have coped with water scarcity, like Israel’s development of desalination or how Australia handled its Millennial Drought, which lasted more than a decade. But not all water issues come down to scarcity. And that’s why looking north to Canada could also provide […]
Boxer Slams Water Bill Rider Backed By Feinstein
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /SFGate (San Francisco)by Carolyn LochheadSen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, teamed up Monday to slip a legislative rider into a giant end-of-year water infrastructure bill that would override endangered species protections for native California fish for the purpose of sending water to San Joaquin Valley farmers. Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., angrily denounced the […]
December: Wetter Overall With Colder Temperatures For West
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Weather Networkby Mario PicazoBased on data from the NWS Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across much of the northwest US, from Alaska all the way down to northern California and the Four Corner states will be below the normal mean values (reference period 1981-2010) during the first half of the month. The highest probability of below normal temperatures occurring […]
To Save SF Bay and Its Dying Delta, State Aims To Re-Plumb California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CALmatters (Sacramento)by Julie CartThe report’s findings were unequivocal: Given the current pace of water diversions, the San Francisco Bay and the Delta network of rivers and marshes are ecological goners, with many of its native fish species now experiencing a “sixth extinction,” environmental science’s most-dire definition of ecosystem collapse. Once a vast, soaked marsh and channel fed by […]
OPINION: River Dreams May Drown California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Ventura County Starby Joe MathewsCalifornia is finally embracing its rivers. It may be a choking embrace. We Californians have long celebrated our coastal splendor and beautiful mountains. But our rivers were seen as mere plumbing for our hydration convenience. Now California’s communities, seeking space for environmental restoration and recreation (and some desperately needed housing), are treating rivers and riverfronts […]
OPINION: Will California Ever Let Sierra Nevada Forests Burn?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Andrew C. RevkinIn this centennial year of the National Park System, it’s been encouraging to see management of the western components of this remarkable ecological patrimony shifting ever so slowly toward incorporating knowledge of natural cycles of fire in maintaining forest health. For forests in California’s Sierra Nevada, particularly, a dangerous and ecologically disruptive “fire deficit” has […]
BLOG: What California Can Learn From Canada About Water Technology
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanCalifornians hear a lot about the lessons they can learn from other areas that have coped with water scarcity, like Israel’s development of desalination or how Australia handled its Millennial Drought, which lasted more than a decade. But not all water issues come down to scarcity. And that’s why looking north to Canada could also provide […]