Sea-surface temperatures are very different today than they were a year ago. Scientists say that we have a weak cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event, La Nina, in the south-central Pacific Ocean. Over the past year, there has been a rapid cooling and warming of ocean waters. I’ve been studying sea-surface temperatures for over 30 […]
A decade ago, environmentalists and the federal government agreed to revive a 150-mile stretch of California’s second-longest river, an ambitious effort aimed at allowing salmon again to swim up to the Sierra Nevada foothills to spawn. A major milestone is expected by the end of the month, when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says the […]
Since the presidential election, several opinion pieces have appeared that offer a farmer view of the result. Not one has confined it to views that might be held only by farmers in California. Into that vast abyss tumbles today’s Ag at Large, sustained by several direct expressions from farmer friends before the election, comments from […]
Les Grober, deputy director of the State Water Resources Control Board, said his agency had done “more than was required” in studying the impacts of the state’s water grab on our rivers. But what became clear during a daylong public session in Modesto was that his agency hasn’t done as much as it should have.Rod […]
California’s trees are dying at an alarming rate. Late last week, the U.S. Forest Service said an aerial survey revealed that 36 million additional trees had died while in the grip of persistent drought, bringing the total since 2010 to more than 102 million. Those numbers have startled California officials and scientists while adding urgency […]
Even from 38,000 feet in a jet, Hoover Dam is a remarkable achievement. The giant plug in the Colorado River about 30 miles outside Las Vegas, the cause of the swathes of blue in the tan desert landscape, stands as a testament to 20th century American ingenuity, stubbornness, and political will. From the crest of […]
Weak La Nina Expected To Bring More Now Than Normal
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CDAPress.com (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho)by Randy MannSea-surface temperatures are very different today than they were a year ago. Scientists say that we have a weak cooler than normal sea-surface temperature event, La Nina, in the south-central Pacific Ocean. Over the past year, there has been a rapid cooling and warming of ocean waters. I’ve been studying sea-surface temperatures for over 30 […]
Major California River Adding Key Ingredient: Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Porterville RecorderA decade ago, environmentalists and the federal government agreed to revive a 150-mile stretch of California’s second-longest river, an ambitious effort aimed at allowing salmon again to swim up to the Sierra Nevada foothills to spawn. A major milestone is expected by the end of the month, when the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says the […]
Ag At Large: California Farmers Accept Political Change
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Western Farm Press (Fresno)Since the presidential election, several opinion pieces have appeared that offer a farmer view of the result. Not one has confined it to views that might be held only by farmers in California. Into that vast abyss tumbles today’s Ag at Large, sustained by several direct expressions from farmer friends before the election, comments from […]
Economics Of State’s Water Grab Don’t Add Up
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Modesto Beeby Mike DunbarLes Grober, deputy director of the State Water Resources Control Board, said his agency had done “more than was required” in studying the impacts of the state’s water grab on our rivers. But what became clear during a daylong public session in Modesto was that his agency hasn’t done as much as it should have.Rod […]
California Today: More Than 100 Million Trees Are Dead. What Now?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The New York Timesby Mike McPhateCalifornia’s trees are dying at an alarming rate. Late last week, the U.S. Forest Service said an aerial survey revealed that 36 million additional trees had died while in the grip of persistent drought, bringing the total since 2010 to more than 102 million. Those numbers have startled California officials and scientists while adding urgency […]
Existential Threats In The Colorado River Basin
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Mountain Town Newsby Allen BestEven from 38,000 feet in a jet, Hoover Dam is a remarkable achievement. The giant plug in the Colorado River about 30 miles outside Las Vegas, the cause of the swathes of blue in the tan desert landscape, stands as a testament to 20th century American ingenuity, stubbornness, and political will. From the crest of […]