California’s five-year drought is changing our take on rainfall in cities, recasting it from a threat to a resource. “For so long, stormwater was simply a nuisance,” said Keith Lichten of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. “We needed to get it out of the way as quickly as possible to protect […]
In reading a recent editorial in the Los Angeles Times, we just about choked on our Cheerios. One of our nation’s truly great newspapers, with inspiring editorial writers, the Times noted that California is more than merely lines on a map. Invoking the “California condor, the giant sequoia, the golden trout,” the writer implied that […]
The state of California’s proposed Bay Delta water plan is being portrayed as a water fight between supposedly wealthy farmers and fish. When there is so much more at stake to us all, I have to ask why? I suspect this is a deliberate tactic by those involved in professional politics and government. It is […]
The first in a wave of storms brought moderate rain to the Modesto area Thursday, along with accidents on the slick streets.The Modesto Irrigation District reported 0.39 inches in its downtown gauge as of 5 p.m., bringing the total to 3.88 inches for the rainfall year that started July 1. The historical average to date […]
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The announcement includes new CRP practices to protect water quality and adds an additional 1.1 million acres targeted to benefit wildlife, pollinators and wetlands. “The Conservation Reserve Program […]
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi railed against a bipartisan provision tacked onto the Water Resources Development Act providing California drought relief funding Thursday, alleging Republicans “hijacked” the must-pass legislation. While the rider was negotiated between House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, critics, including outgoing California Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer, slammed […]
BLOG: The Race To Turn Stormwater From Gray To Green
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Robin MeadowsCalifornia’s five-year drought is changing our take on rainfall in cities, recasting it from a threat to a resource. “For so long, stormwater was simply a nuisance,” said Keith Lichten of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. “We needed to get it out of the way as quickly as possible to protect […]
OPINION: Would LA Times Like Some Delta Facts With Its Kool-Aid?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby Mike DunbarIn reading a recent editorial in the Los Angeles Times, we just about choked on our Cheerios. One of our nation’s truly great newspapers, with inspiring editorial writers, the Times noted that California is more than merely lines on a map. Invoking the “California condor, the giant sequoia, the golden trout,” the writer implied that […]
State’s Water Grab Hurts More Than Just Farmers
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Merced-Sun Starby Fernando AguileraThe state of California’s proposed Bay Delta water plan is being portrayed as a water fight between supposedly wealthy farmers and fish. When there is so much more at stake to us all, I have to ask why? I suspect this is a deliberate tactic by those involved in professional politics and government. It is […]
Modesto Rain Stays Ahead Of Average, But Sierra Snow Lags
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Modesto BeeThe first in a wave of storms brought moderate rain to the Modesto area Thursday, along with accidents on the slick streets.The Modesto Irrigation District reported 0.39 inches in its downtown gauge as of 5 p.m., bringing the total to 3.88 inches for the rainfall year that started July 1. The historical average to date […]
Conservation Opportunities to Improve Water Quality
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgNet WestAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will offer farmers and ranchers more opportunities to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The announcement includes new CRP practices to protect water quality and adds an additional 1.1 million acres targeted to benefit wildlife, pollinators and wetlands. “The Conservation Reserve Program […]
Pelosi Rails Against Bipartisan California Drought Bill, Calls Republicans Arrogant
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Daily Caller (Washington, DC)by Juliegrace BrufkeHouse Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi railed against a bipartisan provision tacked onto the Water Resources Development Act providing California drought relief funding Thursday, alleging Republicans “hijacked” the must-pass legislation. While the rider was negotiated between House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, critics, including outgoing California Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer, slammed […]