Just days after a powerful Southern California water agency announced it was spending $175 million to buy five islands in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a coalition of opponents has sued to demand environmental review of the purchase. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in San Joaquin Superior Court by San Joaquin and Contra […]
A panel of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a $37.4 billion bill to fund the Department of Energy and federal water programs for fiscal 2017. At a short meeting, lawmakers on the panel spoke briefly about the legislation, but reserved any amendment proposals for the committee consideration or for the House floor. Rep. […]
The San Joaquin River and its three main tributaries ranked second on a list of “endangered” streams released by a national group. Water demand from farms and cities has sapped the San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers, says the annual report from American Rivers, based in Washington, D.C. “Dams, levees and excessive water diversions […]
With that simple, four-word sentence, a new academic study emphasizes the important links between surface water and groundwater storage in the West, and the need for the two forms of storage to complement each other in tackling chronic water shortages. The study was published last month in the journal Environmental Research Letters and was led […]
In 1952, the newly formed country of Israel faced a number of critical issues: The country had no money and was accepting new immigrants at a rate that was doubling its size. The government — with main priorities of security, immigration and water — made the unlikely decision to spend what would end up being […]
El Niño has brought much-needed rain back to California, but this doesn’t mean we should stop talking about water policy as the state can quickly veer back into drier conditions. Dealing with the problem that lies at the heart of the water crisis now will help ensure the state is able to prosper through the […]
Groups Sue to Block South State Water District’s Purchase of Delta Islands
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeJust days after a powerful Southern California water agency announced it was spending $175 million to buy five islands in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a coalition of opponents has sued to demand environmental review of the purchase. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in San Joaquin Superior Court by San Joaquin and Contra […]
House panel passes $37.4 billion energy, water funding bill
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Hill (Washington, D.C.)by Timothy CamaA panel of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a $37.4 billion bill to fund the Department of Energy and federal water programs for fiscal 2017. At a short meeting, lawmakers on the panel spoke briefly about the legislation, but reserved any amendment proposals for the committee consideration or for the House floor. Rep. […]
San Joaquin River is No. 2 on national ‘endangered’ list
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Fresno Beeby John HollandThe San Joaquin River and its three main tributaries ranked second on a list of “endangered” streams released by a national group. Water demand from farms and cities has sapped the San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers, says the annual report from American Rivers, based in Washington, D.C. “Dams, levees and excessive water diversions […]
OPINION: Commentary: Surface water, groundwater storage work together
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgAlert (Sacramento)by Danny MerkleyWith that simple, four-word sentence, a new academic study emphasizes the important links between surface water and groundwater storage in the West, and the need for the two forms of storage to complement each other in tackling chronic water shortages. The study was published last month in the journal Environmental Research Letters and was led […]
Countries with water shortage problems can learn from Israel’s conservation policies, speaker says
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Advocateby Amy WoldIn 1952, the newly formed country of Israel faced a number of critical issues: The country had no money and was accepting new immigrants at a rate that was doubling its size. The government — with main priorities of security, immigration and water — made the unlikely decision to spend what would end up being […]
OPINION: Obsolete California water system lets farmers grow hay in drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chroniclesby Christopher ThornbergEl Niño has brought much-needed rain back to California, but this doesn’t mean we should stop talking about water policy as the state can quickly veer back into drier conditions. Dealing with the problem that lies at the heart of the water crisis now will help ensure the state is able to prosper through the […]