Trees are dying at a staggering rate in some parts of the west. Nearly 30 million trees are dead or dying in California, according to U.S. Forest Service officials. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the mortality rates sits at upwards of 40 thousand, according to a 2015 report. And that number is expected to rise […]
During a stopover in Fresno, Calif., Donald Trump remarked that the state has “no drought” and that the whole thing could be fixed if less water is allocated to save an endangered fish and a lot more water is instead, directed to the farmers. Put that way, he would be right — except that the […]
Despite hopes for a drenching from El Niño, California farmers are facing another drought year in 2016. Even after four years of the worst drought on record, California farm output was a record $54 billion in 2015, accounting for more than half of the nation’s fresh produce. Groundwater has helped compensate for California’s lack of […]
The easing of California’s drought has boosted the state’s early spring hydropower generation to its highest level since 2011, helping it to recover from a 15-year low reached last year. But hydroelectricity production is not expected to improve much overall this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The West’s four-year drought desiccated many […]
With months of contentious hearings ahead this summer, state and federal officials this week filed documents laying out their case that construction of two huge tunnels through the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would not harm north state water users. In late July, the State Water Resources Control Board will begin a series of […]
Another legal challenge has been filed seeking to block the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s $175 million purchase of five islands in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This time, San Joaquin County and a group of Delta farmers allege that the pending sale represents a breach of contract. Delta Wetlands Property, a […]
Drought, bark beetle killing trees at high rate in Lake Tahoe Basin
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KRNV My News 4 (Nevada)by Melissa MatheneyTrees are dying at a staggering rate in some parts of the west. Nearly 30 million trees are dead or dying in California, according to U.S. Forest Service officials. In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the mortality rates sits at upwards of 40 thousand, according to a 2015 report. And that number is expected to rise […]
OPINION: Why Trump Is Wrong On California’s Drought: It’s Much More Than Farmers Vs. Fish
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Forbesby Ken SilversteinDuring a stopover in Fresno, Calif., Donald Trump remarked that the state has “no drought” and that the whole thing could be fixed if less water is allocated to save an endangered fish and a lot more water is instead, directed to the farmers. Put that way, he would be right — except that the […]
California Farmers Count Every Drop with Efficient Irrigation Technologies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /AgNet West (Fresno)by Andrew McElroneDespite hopes for a drenching from El Niño, California farmers are facing another drought year in 2016. Even after four years of the worst drought on record, California farm output was a record $54 billion in 2015, accounting for more than half of the nation’s fresh produce. Groundwater has helped compensate for California’s lack of […]
Easing Drought Boosts California Hydropower, For Now
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Climate Central (New York)by Bobby MagillThe easing of California’s drought has boosted the state’s early spring hydropower generation to its highest level since 2011, helping it to recover from a 15-year low reached last year. But hydroelectricity production is not expected to improve much overall this year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The West’s four-year drought desiccated many […]
California officials say Delta tunnels won’t harm north state water users
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan SabalowWith months of contentious hearings ahead this summer, state and federal officials this week filed documents laying out their case that construction of two huge tunnels through the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would not harm north state water users. In late July, the State Water Resources Control Board will begin a series of […]
Another lawsuit filed to block water district’s Delta islands purchase
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan SabalowAnother legal challenge has been filed seeking to block the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s $175 million purchase of five islands in the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This time, San Joaquin County and a group of Delta farmers allege that the pending sale represents a breach of contract. Delta Wetlands Property, a […]