In late April 1996, Lake Powell sat at an elevation of 3,673 feet — just 27 feet below its maximum capacity. At that time of plenty, Arizona lawmakers worried that the state wasn’t using its full share of Colorado River water. Instead of potentially ceding those flows to California, the state opened a kind of […]
The State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday approved a groundbreaking agreement that allows “senior” water rights holders in the upper Russian River watershed to share their supply with junior rights holders whose claims might otherwise be suspended due to drought. The collaborative, community-first approach, negotiated over many months by agricultural, municipal, tribal and other stakeholders in […]
A proposal to use up to $1.5 billion to purchase farmer’s senior water rights has made its way into the budget negotiations between lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom, the Associated Press reports. It comes at a time when 98 percent of the state is experiencing a severe drought and is part of the larger $7.5 billion Water and Drought Package “to […]
In sweeping water curtailments stretching from Fresno to the Oregon state line, cities and growers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have been ordered to stop pumping from rivers and streams. The cutbacks, announced today by the State Water Resources Control Board, will affect 4,252 water rights in the Delta watershed, including 400 or more held by […]
Desalination projects have always been a contentious issue in Monterey County and a proposal that will be mulled by elected officials Tuesday afternoon is sure to raise the eyebrows of advocates for publicly owned desal projects. The idea that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors during its afternoon session beginning at 1:30 p.m. […]
Dangerous levels of toxic PFAS are contaminating water supplies in areas around at least 12 military bases, new Department of Defense testing has revealed, drawing concern from public health advocates that the DoD is not doing enough to protect the public. The data released this week by the military shows levels for five kinds of PFAS […]
Arizona Prepares to Break Open Its Water Bank
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /E&E Newsby Jennifer YachninIn late April 1996, Lake Powell sat at an elevation of 3,673 feet — just 27 feet below its maximum capacity. At that time of plenty, Arizona lawmakers worried that the state wasn’t using its full share of Colorado River water. Instead of potentially ceding those flows to California, the state opened a kind of […]
State Water Board Approves Historic Russian River Water Sharing Agreement
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /North Bay Business Journalby Mary CallahanThe State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday approved a groundbreaking agreement that allows “senior” water rights holders in the upper Russian River watershed to share their supply with junior rights holders whose claims might otherwise be suspended due to drought. The collaborative, community-first approach, negotiated over many months by agricultural, municipal, tribal and other stakeholders in […]
As Drought Lingers, CA Considers $1.5 Billion to Buy Farm Water Rights
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Magazineby Laurenz BuschA proposal to use up to $1.5 billion to purchase farmer’s senior water rights has made its way into the budget negotiations between lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom, the Associated Press reports. It comes at a time when 98 percent of the state is experiencing a severe drought and is part of the larger $7.5 billion Water and Drought Package “to […]
State Imposes Sweeping Ban on Pumping River Water in San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Rachel BeckerIn sweeping water curtailments stretching from Fresno to the Oregon state line, cities and growers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have been ordered to stop pumping from rivers and streams. The cutbacks, announced today by the State Water Resources Control Board, will affect 4,252 water rights in the Delta watershed, including 400 or more held by […]
Monterey County Elected Officials to Debate a Change in Desal Law
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Monterey Heraldby Dennis L. TaylorDesalination projects have always been a contentious issue in Monterey County and a proposal that will be mulled by elected officials Tuesday afternoon is sure to raise the eyebrows of advocates for publicly owned desal projects. The idea that will be presented to the Board of Supervisors during its afternoon session beginning at 1:30 p.m. […]
At Least 12 Military Bases Contaminating Water Supply With Toxic PFAS
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Guardianby Tom PerkinsDangerous levels of toxic PFAS are contaminating water supplies in areas around at least 12 military bases, new Department of Defense testing has revealed, drawing concern from public health advocates that the DoD is not doing enough to protect the public. The data released this week by the military shows levels for five kinds of PFAS […]