California today moved a big step closer to implementation of an historic law to protect groundwater basins from overdraft, as the California Water Commission approved regulations that will guide creation of sustainability plans by local groundwater agencies. Approval of the regulations advances the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted by Governor Edmund […]
The State Water Resources Control Board is reconsidering the state’s water supply and conservation regulations. Meanwhile, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 is being implemented and Valley cities are updating their pre-drought 2010 Urban Water Management Plans. This convergence of state, regional and local regulatory regimes provides an opportunity to address urban water reuse […]
Lake Mead’s surface Wednesday evening hit its lowest level since the man-made reservoir was created by the building of the Hoover Dam in 1935. The surface of the lake — a critical source of water for Nevada, California, Arizona and Mexico — is expected to drop lower in the coming weeks, but rebound before the […]
The risk of wildfires is nothing new to Californians and Auburn residents. Drought or no drought;the truth is California’s Mediterranean climate lends itself perfectly to wildfires. They are a natural part of our ecosystem. There is no doubt that the rain this winter has been great, but don’t let it fool you, the risk for […]
Before throngs of TV news cameras in April last year, Gov. Jerry Brown stood on a patch of bare Sierra dirt that should have been covered in snow and told Californians they had to be unified in conserving water. Noting that his call for voluntary conservation had not resulted in a significant change in habits […]
A judge says Southern California’s largest water supplier can move ahead with plans to buy sprawling farmland that could be used to help build twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. A superior court judge sided Thursday with Metropolitan Water District. It’s buying 20,000 acres in the delta islands east of San Francisco for $175 […]
California Water Commission Approves Regulations to Guide the Sustainable Groundwater Management Plans of California Communities
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /YubaNet (Nevada City)California today moved a big step closer to implementation of an historic law to protect groundwater basins from overdraft, as the California Water Commission approved regulations that will guide creation of sustainability plans by local groundwater agencies. Approval of the regulations advances the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), enacted by Governor Edmund […]
OPINION: Don’t Build Wastewater Plants Until They’re Needed
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Merced Sun-Starby By Richard L. HarrimanThe State Water Resources Control Board is reconsidering the state’s water supply and conservation regulations. Meanwhile, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 is being implemented and Valley cities are updating their pre-drought 2010 Urban Water Management Plans. This convergence of state, regional and local regulatory regimes provides an opportunity to address urban water reuse […]
‘Early warning signal’: Lake Mead hits historic low
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Las Vegas Sunby Daniel RothbergLake Mead’s surface Wednesday evening hit its lowest level since the man-made reservoir was created by the building of the Hoover Dam in 1935. The surface of the lake — a critical source of water for Nevada, California, Arizona and Mexico — is expected to drop lower in the coming weeks, but rebound before the […]
OPINION: Prepare Now for Wildfires
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Auburn Journalby By Daniel BerlantThe risk of wildfires is nothing new to Californians and Auburn residents. Drought or no drought;the truth is California’s Mediterranean climate lends itself perfectly to wildfires. They are a natural part of our ecosystem. There is no doubt that the rain this winter has been great, but don’t let it fool you, the risk for […]
Many California Cities Predict No Conservation Requirements Under New Water Rules
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Bee by By Ryan Sabalow and Phillip ReeseBefore throngs of TV news cameras in April last year, Gov. Jerry Brown stood on a patch of bare Sierra dirt that should have been covered in snow and told Californians they had to be unified in conserving water. Noting that his call for voluntary conservation had not resulted in a significant change in habits […]
Judge: California Delta Land Deal Can Move Forward
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /FOX40 (Sacramento)A judge says Southern California’s largest water supplier can move ahead with plans to buy sprawling farmland that could be used to help build twin tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. A superior court judge sided Thursday with Metropolitan Water District. It’s buying 20,000 acres in the delta islands east of San Francisco for $175 […]