The Bee’s post-election editorial, “California was a bulwark against Trumpism,” said that Trump must find it within himself to be president of the entire nation and not ignore California. Rather than go on a California apology tour, as The Bee suggests, perhaps Trump and Congress will deliver on something real for California – water for […]
Some of the bigger promises made by president-elect Trump will require the cooperation of the Republican-controlled Congress. Promises like a border wall, mass deportations, and repealing Obamacare will take some time. But with a stroke of his presidential pen, Mr. Trump can bring sudden and consequential changes that could reverberate throughout the Central California. One […]
San Joaquin County has joined several local water districts and boards in opposing a state plan to increase pulse flows in the lower San Joaquin River. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously expressed its opposition to proposed changes in the Water Quality Control Plan presented by the state. Supervisors said the […]
Today, House committee legislators will be voting to approve or deny a California irrigation bill that would forgive $375 million worth of debt owed by one of the nation’s largest farm-focused irrigation districts, Westlands Water District. Approving the plan would, essentially, relieve the federal government of its obligation to provide drainage for each farm in […]
The Imperial Irrigation District has given California officials an ultimatum on the Salton Sea, demanding the state finalize a 10-year “roadmap” for the shrinking lake by the end of this year. The Imperial Valley water district made the appeal this week, urging state officials to uphold their responsibility to control dust and protect public health as […]
Next year, A new California law will revolutionize how the state manages its groundwater. By June 30, 2017, according to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), many groundwater users must form new agencies and begin drafting plans to “sustainably manage” their aquifers. Three years later, they must begin operating aquifers according to those new plans, which […]
OPINION: Trump Offers Hope For California Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby George RadanovichThe Bee’s post-election editorial, “California was a bulwark against Trumpism,” said that Trump must find it within himself to be president of the entire nation and not ignore California. Rather than go on a California apology tour, as The Bee suggests, perhaps Trump and Congress will deliver on something real for California – water for […]
Four Valley Issues Where President-Elect Donald Trump Could Act Quickly
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Valley Public RadioSome of the bigger promises made by president-elect Trump will require the cooperation of the Republican-controlled Congress. Promises like a border wall, mass deportations, and repealing Obamacare will take some time. But with a stroke of his presidential pen, Mr. Trump can bring sudden and consequential changes that could reverberate throughout the Central California. One […]
Supervisors Assail State Water Flow Plan
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton RecordSan Joaquin County has joined several local water districts and boards in opposing a state plan to increase pulse flows in the lower San Joaquin River. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously expressed its opposition to proposed changes in the Water Quality Control Plan presented by the state. Supervisors said the […]
California’s Westlands Water District Could Win Forgiveness for $375 Million Debt
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /And Now You Know (Sacramento)by Jessica DonnelToday, House committee legislators will be voting to approve or deny a California irrigation bill that would forgive $375 million worth of debt owed by one of the nation’s largest farm-focused irrigation districts, Westlands Water District. Approving the plan would, essentially, relieve the federal government of its obligation to provide drainage for each farm in […]
Salton Sea ultimatum: California water district demands state plan by Dec. 31
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Desert Sunby Ian JamesThe Imperial Irrigation District has given California officials an ultimatum on the Salton Sea, demanding the state finalize a 10-year “roadmap” for the shrinking lake by the end of this year. The Imperial Valley water district made the appeal this week, urging state officials to uphold their responsibility to control dust and protect public health as […]
BLOG: ‘Sustainable’ Groundwater? It’s Not a Universal Standard in California
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserNext year, A new California law will revolutionize how the state manages its groundwater. By June 30, 2017, according to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), many groundwater users must form new agencies and begin drafting plans to “sustainably manage” their aquifers. Three years later, they must begin operating aquifers according to those new plans, which […]