The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state cannot reshuffle existing water rights to prevent environmental damage, despite recognizing a legal principle that requires the government to preserve natural resources for future generations. Instead, the court ruled that principle, known as the public trust doctrine, is recognized in existing law. The Nevada court, in […]
The port city of Tianjin is in desperate need of water. The surface and groundwater supplies of this sprawling northeast Chinese metropolis have shrunk to dangerously low levels due to decades of reduced rainfall and overexploitation of the Hai River that flows through the city. According to the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau, the city’s per capita […]
As historic wildfires continue to burn across California, Oregon and other Western states, government climate experts say much of the U.S. is likely to see persistent drought conditions and fire risk alongside continued above-average temperatures through the fall. During a briefing Thursday, forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that while wetter conditions are expected to bring […]
Unaffordable water bills and the threat of disconnection causes significant psychological distress for Americans, according to a new study. A Guardian investigation into 12 American cities found the price of water and sewage increased by an average of 80% between 2010 and 2018, with more than two-fifths of residents in some cities living in neighborhoods with […]
Amid mounting controversy and concerns over environmental justice, California American Water on Wednesday withdrew its application for a desalination project in the small Monterey Bay town of Marina. The proposal had become one of the most fraught issues to come before the California Coastal Commission, which was set to vote Thursday. The decision would have been the […]
The CZU Lightning Complex Fire that stretches from San Mateo County to Santa Cruz County devastated neighborhoods, roads and crucial water supply pipes. Hundreds of families have been told not to drink the water, even if they boil it. There’s a lot of cleaning up to do, especially at the water district facilities, and some of that […]
Nevada Supreme Court says State Cannot Change Water Rights for ‘Public Trust,’ a Loss for Environmentalists, County
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Nevada Independentby Daniel RothbergThe Nevada Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state cannot reshuffle existing water rights to prevent environmental damage, despite recognizing a legal principle that requires the government to preserve natural resources for future generations. Instead, the court ruled that principle, known as the public trust doctrine, is recognized in existing law. The Nevada court, in […]
A Tale of Two Coastlines: Desalination in China and California
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /New Security Beat (Wilson Center)by William M. Reicher Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityThe port city of Tianjin is in desperate need of water. The surface and groundwater supplies of this sprawling northeast Chinese metropolis have shrunk to dangerously low levels due to decades of reduced rainfall and overexploitation of the Hai River that flows through the city. According to the Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau, the city’s per capita […]
Experts Say Drought, Wildfire Risk to Persist Across Much of US This Fall
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Serviceby Travis BubenikAs historic wildfires continue to burn across California, Oregon and other Western states, government climate experts say much of the U.S. is likely to see persistent drought conditions and fire risk alongside continued above-average temperatures through the fall. During a briefing Thursday, forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that while wetter conditions are expected to bring […]
Water Insecurity Causes Psychological Distress for Americans, Study Finds
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Guardianby Nina LakhaniUnaffordable water bills and the threat of disconnection causes significant psychological distress for Americans, according to a new study. A Guardian investigation into 12 American cities found the price of water and sewage increased by an average of 80% between 2010 and 2018, with more than two-fifths of residents in some cities living in neighborhoods with […]
Water Company Withdraws Desalination Proposal as Battle over Environmental Justice Heats Up
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Rosanna XiaAmid mounting controversy and concerns over environmental justice, California American Water on Wednesday withdrew its application for a desalination project in the small Monterey Bay town of Marina. The proposal had become one of the most fraught issues to come before the California Coastal Commission, which was set to vote Thursday. The decision would have been the […]
CZU Complex Fire Damages Crucial Water Supply Pipes
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /NBC Bay Areaby Robert HandaThe CZU Lightning Complex Fire that stretches from San Mateo County to Santa Cruz County devastated neighborhoods, roads and crucial water supply pipes. Hundreds of families have been told not to drink the water, even if they boil it. There’s a lot of cleaning up to do, especially at the water district facilities, and some of that […]