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 […]
Two of Gov. Jerry Brown’s favorite projects — building a high-speed rail system and a pair of massive tunnels under the Delta — face a serious threat if California voters pass a measure heading for the November ballot. The “No Blank Checks Initiative,” bankrolled with $4.5 million from Stockton farmer and businessman Dean Cortopassi, would […]
Following the first year of near average rainfall compared to the past four years of extreme drought conditions, California has decided to retract all urban water conservation efforts for the foreseeable future. The state’s reservoirs are full and various urban water municipalities have been losing money as a result of the water conservation efforts enforced […]
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 […]
California Bullet Train, Delta Tunnels: Jerry Brown’s Pet Projects Face Threat From Ballot Measure
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Jose Mercury Newsby Paul RogersTwo of Gov. Jerry Brown’s favorite projects — building a high-speed rail system and a pair of massive tunnels under the Delta — face a serious threat if California voters pass a measure heading for the November ballot. The “No Blank Checks Initiative,” bankrolled with $4.5 million from Stockton farmer and businessman Dean Cortopassi, would […]
BLOG: Is California a ‘State in Denial’ Concerning its Drought?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Weather Undergroundby Christopher C. BurtFollowing the first year of near average rainfall compared to the past four years of extreme drought conditions, California has decided to retract all urban water conservation efforts for the foreseeable future. The state’s reservoirs are full and various urban water municipalities have been losing money as a result of the water conservation efforts enforced […]