Almost two years ago California voters, in the midst of a historic drought, passed Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion bond measure intended to ease water shortages by funding new projects. At this point, many Californians are wondering where all that money went. Most of it hasn’t gone anywhere, yet. According to a recent report by the Public […]
As the western United States struggles with chronic water shortages and a changing climate, scientists are warning that if vast underground stores of fresh water that California and other states rely on are not carefully conserved, they too may soon run dry. Heeding this warning, California passed new laws in late 2014 that for the […]
Lake Powell has been called “Jewel of the Colorado” by the federal agency that built it, the Bureau of Reclamation. It’s been a vital force for the intermountain West because of its ability to store vast amounts of water and generate electricity for farmers, cities and towns in 13 states. But a new study warns […]
California’s iconic native salmon are struggling amid five years of drought. On a recent fishing trip by the Salty Lady charter boat just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, fishermen were hooking native Chinook salmon that had been born at state and federal hatcheries and then carried in trucks for release downstream. Golden Gate Salmon […]
/in California and the U.S./by Mike Lee /Imperial Valley Newsby Josue’ Medellin-Azuara, Duncan MacEwan, Richard E. Howitt, Daniel A. Sumner and Jay R. Lund
On August 15, a team from UC Davis, ERA Economics and the UC Agricultural Issues Center released an economic impact report related to the California drought of 2016. Several commentaries have indicated that land fallowing in the summer of 2016 exceeds the approximately 80 thousand acres in the 2016 drought report. Therefore, this short “supplement” […]
A recent study by UC Davis confirmed that the Central Valley continues to suffer the brunt of the drought, to the tune of $630 million this year and $5.5 billion over the past three years. Farmers have fallowed more than 1 million acres of land, and 42,000 people have lost their jobs. But we need to look beyond […]
Here’s What’s Happening to All That Water Bond Money
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserAlmost two years ago California voters, in the midst of a historic drought, passed Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion bond measure intended to ease water shortages by funding new projects. At this point, many Californians are wondering where all that money went. Most of it hasn’t gone anywhere, yet. According to a recent report by the Public […]
The Golden State’s water crisis: California and EPA poised to expand pollution of potential drinking water reserves
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Salon (Sacramento)by Abrahm LustgartenAs the western United States struggles with chronic water shortages and a changing climate, scientists are warning that if vast underground stores of fresh water that California and other states rely on are not carefully conserved, they too may soon run dry. Heeding this warning, California passed new laws in late 2014 that for the […]
Lake Powell could dry up in as little as six years, study says
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Arizona Daily Starby Tony DavisLake Powell has been called “Jewel of the Colorado” by the federal agency that built it, the Bureau of Reclamation. It’s been a vital force for the intermountain West because of its ability to store vast amounts of water and generate electricity for farmers, cities and towns in 13 states. But a new study warns […]
Drought Hurting California Salmon
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Associated Press (As Published by: U.S. News) by ELLEN KNICKMEYERCalifornia’s iconic native salmon are struggling amid five years of drought. On a recent fishing trip by the Salty Lady charter boat just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, fishermen were hooking native Chinook salmon that had been born at state and federal hatcheries and then carried in trucks for release downstream. Golden Gate Salmon […]
Clarifications on estimates of irrigated cropland idled due to 2016 California drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Imperial Valley Newsby Josue’ Medellin-Azuara, Duncan MacEwan, Richard E. Howitt, Daniel A. Sumner and Jay R. LundOn August 15, a team from UC Davis, ERA Economics and the UC Agricultural Issues Center released an economic impact report related to the California drought of 2016. Several commentaries have indicated that land fallowing in the summer of 2016 exceeds the approximately 80 thousand acres in the 2016 drought report. Therefore, this short “supplement” […]
OPINION: Water Relief Is on The Way – If Congress Works Together
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby Dianne FeinsteinA recent study by UC Davis confirmed that the Central Valley continues to suffer the brunt of the drought, to the tune of $630 million this year and $5.5 billion over the past three years. Farmers have fallowed more than 1 million acres of land, and 42,000 people have lost their jobs. But we need to look beyond […]