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Environmentalists Win Key Battle Over Mission Bay Park Redevelopment, Get $1.25M for Marshland Study

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby David Garrick

Local environmentalists won a key victory this week when the regional water board approved a $1.25 million study focused on transforming much of Mission Bay’s northeast corner into marshland, which could help San Diego fight sea level rise. Environmental groups have been in a years-long battle with golfers, campers and recreation advocates over the fate of northeast Mission Bay, which became available for redevelopment five years ago when a mobile home park closed

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With Dry La Niña Conditions, Persistent Western Drought Looms Large in Winter Outlook

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Paul Duginski

The forecast looks warm and continued dry this winter in California and the Southwest, which raises the disturbing prospect of a perpetual fire season. More than 45% of the continental U.S. is experiencing drought right now, especially in the West.

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Opinion: We Need to Rethink Our San Diego Coast to Deal With Sea Level Rise Before it’s Too Late

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union Tribuneby Richard D. Norris

The recent wildfires and a coming dry winter from the developing La Niña amplify the perils of climate change for our fair city. These threats do not stop at the shore — holding back the ocean should also be on our radar.

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Distant Seas Might Predict Colorado River Droughts

/in , , /by /Science Magby Warren Cornwall

In 2011, heavy snows in the Rocky Mountains filled the Colorado River, lifting reservoirs—and spirits—in the drought-stricken U.S. Southwest. The following year, however, water levels dropped to nearly their lowest in a century, imperiling a supply vital to millions of people and dozens of ecosystems.

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A Bold Plan to Protect 30% of Colorado Lands and Waters by 2030

/in , , /by /The Colorado Sunby Jason Belvin

Conservationists in Colorado are dreaming big. In a time of political turmoil and legislative impotence, a consortium of Colorado conservation groups is floating an audacious plan to conserve 30% of the land in the state — roughly 20 million acres — by 2030. Since statehood, the state has protected only 6 million acres.

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Opinion: Desalination Plant in Orange County Will Help Ensure Clean Drinking Water

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Gloria Alvarado

Although these days no one seems to agree on anything, there is one thing we can all agree on: every Californian should have a right to clean drinking water. But even with that, California is facing an impending water shortage.

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FEMA Ends Policy Favoring Flood Walls Over Green Protections

/in , , /by /E&E Newsby Thomas Frank

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has taken a dramatic step to encourage communities to use environmentally friendly features such as wetlands for flood protection instead of building sea walls and levees. A new FEMA flood policy released late last month with no public announcement is drawing praise from environmentalists because it will promote mitigation projects that provide environmental benefits in addition to flood protection.

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Lessons from Camp Fire Could Help Prevent Water Contamination After North Complex

/in , /by /Enterprise Recordby Natalie Hanson

Fear of contaminating precious local water sources is one way devastating wildfires continue to be felt in communities in Butte County, where the debris of burnt homes from recent fires sits near a watershed used by many in Northern California.

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Dry Days Ahead For California This Year And Beyond, Experts Say

/in , , /by /Cap Radioby Ezra David Romero

Meteorologist Emily Heller says the weather lately reminds her of what Northern California saw in 2018 just before the Camp Fire set the town of Paradise ablaze. For weeks, there was no rain, excessive heat, and dry winds.

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Trump Makes Water Demand of Farms Priority for New Office

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Ellen Knickmeyer

President Donald Trump on Tuesday created what he called a “subcabinet” for federal water issues, with a mandate that includes water-use changes sought by corporate farm interests and oil and gas. An executive order from Trump put Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in charge of the interagency water body.

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