The California drought is now in its fifth year. But what if we told you it could take four more years to get out of it? That’s the alarming result of a study published June 21 in Geophysical Research Letters. The study analyzed California’s mountain snowpack to assess the severity of the current drought and […]
The sale of four Delta islands to Southern California’s largest water district was put back on hold Friday by an appeals court as Northern California opponents plan to take their case to the state Supreme Court. Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties, environmentalists, and Delta land owners have opposed the move as linked to the governor’s […]
Delta interests won another last-minute, temporary reprieve on Friday in their efforts to block Southern California’s controversial $175 million purchase of about 20,000 acres of land in the fragile estuary.The deal had been expected to close as soon as next week, after the 3rd District Court of Appeal on Thursday lifted an order that had […]
California-centric priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill will be discussed at a July 5 meeting of the State Board of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture – Main Auditorium, 1220 N Sacramento. “This meeting is the beginning […]
After weeks of uncertainty and pressure from members of Congress, federal officials this week announced a plan for managing water releases from California’s largest reservoir this summer in a manner that will not involve cutbacks in farm water deliveries — at least if all goes as hoped. For more than a month, federal agencies have […]
Minnesotans have 10,000 good reasons to care about their water resources. And they do, demonstrating it by voting themselves a tax increase in 2008 largely on the strength of an appeal for the value of our lakes, rivers and streams. Beyond that, “there’s an alignment of planets right now” when it comes to attention to water […]
Fighting Drought Will Be a Long-Term Battle, Says Study
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)The California drought is now in its fifth year. But what if we told you it could take four more years to get out of it? That’s the alarming result of a study published June 21 in Geophysical Research Letters. The study analyzed California’s mountain snowpack to assess the severity of the current drought and […]
Delta Islands Sale Blocked By Court Order Again
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Jose Mercury Newsby Denis CuffThe sale of four Delta islands to Southern California’s largest water district was put back on hold Friday by an appeals court as Northern California opponents plan to take their case to the state Supreme Court. Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties, environmentalists, and Delta land owners have opposed the move as linked to the governor’s […]
Delta Interests Get Another Delay on Islands Sale
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Stockton RecordDelta interests won another last-minute, temporary reprieve on Friday in their efforts to block Southern California’s controversial $175 million purchase of about 20,000 acres of land in the fragile estuary.The deal had been expected to close as soon as next week, after the 3rd District Court of Appeal on Thursday lifted an order that had […]
2018 Farm Bill tapped for talks in Sacramento
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Farm PressCalifornia-centric priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill will be discussed at a July 5 meeting of the State Board of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture – Main Auditorium, 1220 N Sacramento. “This meeting is the beginning […]
Farmers Win Over Fish in Shasta Water Release Agreement
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Redding Record Searchlightby Ryan SabalowAfter weeks of uncertainty and pressure from members of Congress, federal officials this week announced a plan for managing water releases from California’s largest reservoir this summer in a manner that will not involve cutbacks in farm water deliveries — at least if all goes as hoped. For more than a month, federal agencies have […]
OPINION: Paying Attention to our Water Supply
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.)Minnesotans have 10,000 good reasons to care about their water resources. And they do, demonstrating it by voting themselves a tax increase in 2008 largely on the strength of an appeal for the value of our lakes, rivers and streams. Beyond that, “there’s an alignment of planets right now” when it comes to attention to water […]