It might not be what you expect to hear about California agriculture in the throes of drought: After four years of historic water shortages, farm earnings in the state increased 16 percent, and total employment increased 5 percent. Yet those are real numbers gathered by federal agencies that track economic data. Average wages for farm employees […]
A half century after building the largest water-delivery system in America, California officials say they now realize they put their giant straws to capture Sacramento River water in the wrong place. Last week, state and federal water project operators opened the case to win permission for a fix — construction of three diversion points near […]
In an unpublished opinion, a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association in their long battle with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and San Joaquin Valley agribusinesses that get irrigation water from […]
State and federal reservoir levels have been dropping at dramatically different rates for the last couple of months, for reasons that figure into last week’s discussions about the twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Lake Oroville has released more than 968,000 acre-feet of water into the Feather River since June 1, while just over […]
The ferocity of recent wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range has been alarming as drought, infestation and the effects of climate change conspire to threaten the survival of some of the West Coast’s most wild forestland. Sixty six million trees are already dead and it could be 100 million by the end of this […]
As state-mandated water restrictions were projected to be lifted on Aug. 1, local water districts have begun to take steps establishing new, self-certified conservation marks, but the state has yet to confirm the districts’ goals. Cal Water Marysville, which previously had a 24 percent reduction mandated by the state, set its new water conservation target […]
Despite Drought, California Farming Prospered
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserIt might not be what you expect to hear about California agriculture in the throes of drought: After four years of historic water shortages, farm earnings in the state increased 16 percent, and total employment increased 5 percent. Yet those are real numbers gathered by federal agencies that track economic data. Average wages for farm employees […]
Twin Tunnels Hearings Show Old Conflicts about Water Remain
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury-Registerby Denis CuffA half century after building the largest water-delivery system in America, California officials say they now realize they put their giant straws to capture Sacramento River water in the wrong place. Last week, state and federal water project operators opened the case to win permission for a fix — construction of three diversion points near […]
Court May Have Dug a Grave for Governor’s Delta Tunnels
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Central Valley Business Times (Stockton)In an unpublished opinion, a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and the San Francisco Crab Boat Owners Association in their long battle with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and San Joaquin Valley agribusinesses that get irrigation water from […]
Lake Oroville Dropping Much Faster Than Shasta Lake This Summer
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Oroville Mercury-Registerby Steve SchoonoverState and federal reservoir levels have been dropping at dramatically different rates for the last couple of months, for reasons that figure into last week’s discussions about the twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Lake Oroville has released more than 968,000 acre-feet of water into the Feather River since June 1, while just over […]
Wildfire, Drought, Pests Threaten Sierra Nevada’s Wild Forests
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Free Speech Radio News (Tampa, Fla.)The ferocity of recent wildfires in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range has been alarming as drought, infestation and the effects of climate change conspire to threaten the survival of some of the West Coast’s most wild forestland. Sixty six million trees are already dead and it could be 100 million by the end of this […]
Water Districts Awaiting Approval from State on Conservation Goals
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Appeal-Democrat (Marysville)by Jake AbbottAs state-mandated water restrictions were projected to be lifted on Aug. 1, local water districts have begun to take steps establishing new, self-certified conservation marks, but the state has yet to confirm the districts’ goals. Cal Water Marysville, which previously had a 24 percent reduction mandated by the state, set its new water conservation target […]