Several days ago, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released draft regulations for public comment regarding key provisions of the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was passed in 2014. These regulations describe what should be included in the new groundwater sustainability plans that many local groundwater agencies are required to submit to […]
A Sacramento Valley Democrat revealed plans on Tuesday for a big new California water bill that likely will upset some of his colleagues and potentially affect water politics in the U.S. capital. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said his proposal would provide for new dams, spur water transfers and fund emergency drought aid.
At the depth of California’s four-year drought, water-use experts found plenty of stark images to illustrate the urgent need to conserve. They pointed to half-empty Folsom Lake or once-floating boat docks aground on caked clay. Fallow fields and dying orchards echoed the dire message: Save water or perish. Motivated by such examples, many residents got […]
More than 36 million Californians are still living in drought-affected areas — roughly 95 percent of the state’s population, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The fight to end the drought in California, is far from over. Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed a state of emergency for California in January of 2014 and urged residents […]
At first glance, a proposed initiative to reallocate bond funds from the controversial high-speed rail project to fund water storage projects seems tailor-made for Northern Californian water leaders who have been pushing for such projects, particularly Sites Reservoir, for decades. But the North State has staunchly opposed the proposal being circulated for signatures to qualify […]
Even in the midst of a strong El Niño, California’s sunny weather this February is not surprising, experts say: The longest dry spell this month — 14 days — is actually less than the average for a strong El Niño winter. But state water officials said Monday that unless the rainy weather returns with a […]
BLOG: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: New California Groundwater Regulations Missing Metrics to Define Sustainability
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Union of Concerned Scientists (Cambridge, Massachusetts)by Juliet Christian-SmithSeveral days ago, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released draft regulations for public comment regarding key provisions of the landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was passed in 2014. These regulations describe what should be included in the new groundwater sustainability plans that many local groundwater agencies are required to submit to […]
California Water Politics Could Get Choppier With New House Bill
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Michael DoyleA Sacramento Valley Democrat revealed plans on Tuesday for a big new California water bill that likely will upset some of his colleagues and potentially affect water politics in the U.S. capital. Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, said his proposal would provide for new dams, spur water transfers and fund emergency drought aid.
Hoping Drought Lessons Stick for Sacramento Water Users Despite Rain
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Debbie ArringtonAt the depth of California’s four-year drought, water-use experts found plenty of stark images to illustrate the urgent need to conserve. They pointed to half-empty Folsom Lake or once-floating boat docks aground on caked clay. Fallow fields and dying orchards echoed the dire message: Save water or perish. Motivated by such examples, many residents got […]
Drought Still Here Amid El Niño
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Sonoma State Starby Edgar SanchezMore than 36 million Californians are still living in drought-affected areas — roughly 95 percent of the state’s population, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. The fight to end the drought in California, is far from over. Gov. Jerry Brown proclaimed a state of emergency for California in January of 2014 and urged residents […]
‘Murky’ Rail Measure Could Hurt Sites
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Appeal-Democrat (Marysville)by Andrew CreaseyAt first glance, a proposed initiative to reallocate bond funds from the controversial high-speed rail project to fund water storage projects seems tailor-made for Northern Californian water leaders who have been pushing for such projects, particularly Sites Reservoir, for decades. But the North State has staunchly opposed the proposal being circulated for signatures to qualify […]
Winter Best in Five Years for Rain, Snow
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Lake County Record-Beeby Paul RogersEven in the midst of a strong El Niño, California’s sunny weather this February is not surprising, experts say: The longest dry spell this month — 14 days — is actually less than the average for a strong El Niño winter. But state water officials said Monday that unless the rainy weather returns with a […]