The latest controversial proposal to weaken protections for the striped bass, a popular Delta sport fish, is scheduled to be heard on Thursday by the California Fish and Game Commission.Water users mostly south of the estuary asked the commission earlier this year to allow more of the fish to be caught, in order to reduce […]
Governments often take actions — or fail to act — in ways that would be treated as crimes if committed by an individual or a company. Take the scandalous U.S. Education Department’s Teach Grant program that defrauds idealistic young teachers. Or compare the way federal and California agencies treated Volkswagen’s use of emission cheaters with the way they treat […]
There’s good news and bad news for the drought-stricken Colorado River system, according to projections just released in a new federal report from the Bureau of Reclamation, manager of dams, powerplants and canals. The report predicts that Lake Mead — the river system’s largest reservoir, supplying water to millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico — […]
A measure to expand public disclosure of commercial, industrial and other institutional water uses in California fell far short of passage in the state Senate on Friday. Assembly Bill 1520, which would have removed exemptions to the Public Records Act for business customers of local water agencies, garnered only 15 votes on the floor, well […]
Santa Barbara County may be one of the wealthiest areas in California but when it comes to water, the residents are just like anyone else in the state — wondering if the day will come when nothing flows out of the tap. California is in its fifth year of an historic drought with mandated state […]
A bill to let drought-stricken homeowners seek state grants or low-interest loans for water and wastewater projects has passed the state Senate and is now in the Assembly. Assembly Bill 1588, authored by Assemblyman Devon Mathis, R-Visalia, passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday. “This is an important measure for the Central Valley and I greatly appreciate […]
Delta Fishermen Gear up for Another Fight
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton Recordby Alex BreitlerThe latest controversial proposal to weaken protections for the striped bass, a popular Delta sport fish, is scheduled to be heard on Thursday by the California Fish and Game Commission.Water users mostly south of the estuary asked the commission earlier this year to allow more of the fish to be caught, in order to reduce […]
California’s Salton Sea becoming a toxic witches’ brew, Boxer warns
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Consumer Affairs (Lake Tahoe, Nev.)by James R. HoodGovernments often take actions — or fail to act — in ways that would be treated as crimes if committed by an individual or a company. Take the scandalous U.S. Education Department’s Teach Grant program that defrauds idealistic young teachers. Or compare the way federal and California agencies treated Volkswagen’s use of emission cheaters with the way they treat […]
‘Climate change is water change’ — why the Colorado River system is headed for major trouble
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Washington Postby Chelsea HarveyThere’s good news and bad news for the drought-stricken Colorado River system, according to projections just released in a new federal report from the Bureau of Reclamation, manager of dams, powerplants and canals. The report predicts that Lake Mead — the river system’s largest reservoir, supplying water to millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, California and Mexico — […]
Water-use disclosure bill sinks in California Senate
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Alexei KoseffA measure to expand public disclosure of commercial, industrial and other institutional water uses in California fell far short of passage in the state Senate on Friday. Assembly Bill 1520, which would have removed exemptions to the Public Records Act for business customers of local water agencies, garnered only 15 votes on the floor, well […]
In California, Who Owns the Water?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /U.S. News & World Report (Washington, D.C.)Santa Barbara County may be one of the wealthiest areas in California but when it comes to water, the residents are just like anyone else in the state — wondering if the day will come when nothing flows out of the tap. California is in its fifth year of an historic drought with mandated state […]
California Homeowner Drought Relief Bill Passes Senate
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno BeeA bill to let drought-stricken homeowners seek state grants or low-interest loans for water and wastewater projects has passed the state Senate and is now in the Assembly. Assembly Bill 1588, authored by Assemblyman Devon Mathis, R-Visalia, passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday. “This is an important measure for the Central Valley and I greatly appreciate […]