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 […]
Well over half of California voters dubbed an enduring lack of water a major problem, with 62 percent of Field Poll respondents calling the state of affairs “extremely serious.” But that still marked a sharp decline from October of 2015, when 76 percent of Californian voters called the drought extremely serious. “Obviously the high point […]
The politics of California water is becoming three-dimensional chess in Congress as lawmakers balance competing anti-drought ideas with a proposed San Joaquin Valley irrigation drainage settlement that’s going to get bigger. In a fresh gambit, a key House subcommittee on Wednesday approved controversial California water provisions that would steer more water to farmers. Soon, some […]
In a multimillion-dollar deal, Southern California’s major water provider is acquiring five tracts of land in the heart of the Sacramento Delta, where the state is proposing to re-engineer water delivery systems. With the land purchase, the Metropolitan Water District is also raising suspicions among its new neighbors. Zurich American, a subsidiary of a Swiss […]
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 […]
California drought fears ease, don’t vanish, with rain
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Jeremy B. WhiteWell over half of California voters dubbed an enduring lack of water a major problem, with 62 percent of Field Poll respondents calling the state of affairs “extremely serious.” But that still marked a sharp decline from October of 2015, when 76 percent of Californian voters called the drought extremely serious. “Obviously the high point […]
California drought and drainage bills could collide on Capitol Hill
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Michael DoyleThe politics of California water is becoming three-dimensional chess in Congress as lawmakers balance competing anti-drought ideas with a proposed San Joaquin Valley irrigation drainage settlement that’s going to get bigger. In a fresh gambit, a key House subcommittee on Wednesday approved controversial California water provisions that would steer more water to farmers. Soon, some […]
Metropolitan Water District’s $175 Million Land Deal Raises Alarms in Delta
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /KQED (San Francisco)by Molly PetersonIn a multimillion-dollar deal, Southern California’s major water provider is acquiring five tracts of land in the heart of the Sacramento Delta, where the state is proposing to re-engineer water delivery systems. With the land purchase, the Metropolitan Water District is also raising suspicions among its new neighbors. Zurich American, a subsidiary of a Swiss […]