A half century from now, the residents of Calaveras County may remember our time as one of drought, fire and dying forests. But if even a few of the visions discussed at a historic meeting on Thursday are realized, they will also remember that 2016 was a time of hope. The meeting in the Chesborough […]
/in California and the U.S./by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Phillip Reese and Ryan Sabalow Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
The Sacramento region’s largest water districts have given a resounding answer to the question of whether they could handle three more years of drought: We have plenty of water. The State Water Resources Control Board last month asked California’s urban water districts to evaluate how much water they would need in the next three years […]
Despite winter rains and the lifting of urban conservation rules this month, California is still desperate for water. Reservoirs in Southern California are low, and we’re sucking groundwater from the Central Valley. But what if there’s a vast pool of unidentified water? How much would we use immediately, how much would we save and how […]
In 1941, Los Angeles came for the scenic lake here. After diverting the inflows to Owens Lake — setting it on course for ruin — the city extended its aqueduct 100 miles north in the eastern Sierra Nevada and captured virtually all of Mono Lake’s tributaries. Like Owens Lake, Mono Lake’s water level began to drop […]
California’s big urban water districts should be ashamed of themselves. After asking for a good-faith policy change in the state’s water restrictions, they’ve decided that they’re not going to save any water at all.
California’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]
Resource Advocates Envision a Greener Future for the County
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Calaveras Enterpriseby Dana M. NicholsA half century from now, the residents of Calaveras County may remember our time as one of drought, fire and dying forests. But if even a few of the visions discussed at a historic meeting on Thursday are realized, they will also remember that 2016 was a time of hope. The meeting in the Chesborough […]
Sacramento Region to California: We’ve Got Plenty of Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Phillip Reese and Ryan Sabalow Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityThe Sacramento region’s largest water districts have given a resounding answer to the question of whether they could handle three more years of drought: We have plenty of water. The State Water Resources Control Board last month asked California’s urban water districts to evaluate how much water they would need in the next three years […]
OPINION: Groundwater Could Be a Godsend, If We Protect It
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Rob JacksonDespite winter rains and the lifting of urban conservation rules this month, California is still desperate for water. Reservoirs in Southern California are low, and we’re sucking groundwater from the Central Valley. But what if there’s a vast pool of unidentified water? How much would we use immediately, how much would we save and how […]
Drought Threatens ‘Genius’ Regs That Stopped L.A. Water Grab
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Environment & Energy Publishing (Washington, D.C.)by Jeremy P. JacobsIn 1941, Los Angeles came for the scenic lake here. After diverting the inflows to Owens Lake — setting it on course for ruin — the city extended its aqueduct 100 miles north in the eastern Sierra Nevada and captured virtually all of Mono Lake’s tributaries. Like Owens Lake, Mono Lake’s water level began to drop […]
OPINION: California’s Water Districts are Loath to Save Resources
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco ChronicleCalifornia’s big urban water districts should be ashamed of themselves. After asking for a good-faith policy change in the state’s water restrictions, they’ve decided that they’re not going to save any water at all.
BLOG: Perfect Storm Brewing for California Fire Season
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Tara LohanCalifornia’s climate has always been hospitable to fire – it comes with the territory. But add five years of drought, a bark beetle blight killing trees by the millions and rising temperatures, and it’s a recipe for disaster. “We are seeing the compounded effects of climate change that includes five consecutive years of drought and […]