Tag Archive for: Water and Politics

‘Dead on Arrival:’ State Sen. Cabaldon, Delta Caucus Draw ‘Red Line’ on Fast-Tracking Delta Tunnel Project

/in , /by /CapRadioby Sarit Laschinsky, Vicki Gonzalez

For decades, California officials have debated and discussed various projects to redirect more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta toward communities and farms in the southern portion of the state. The latest iteration of these plans is the Delta Conveyance Project, a single tunnel along the Sacramento River stretching just south of Clarksburg near the town of Hood, to a reservoir near Livermore.

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California’s Water Security Demands Action, Not More Delays

/in , /by /Capitol Weeklyby Jennifer Pierre

California’s water infrastructure is buckling under the weight of inaction. The State Water Project — the backbone of water delivery for 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland — is being pushed to the brink by climate change, extreme weather swings and seismic vulnerabilities. Without action, we’re facing a future of increased water shortages, higher costs and diminished reliability for communities and farms alike.

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Trump EPA Moves to Weaken Drinking Water Limits on Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’

/in , /by /Politicoby Annie Snider

The Trump administration said Wednesday it intends to roll back first-ever limits set by the Biden administration on four toxic “forever chemicals” contaminating water supplies across the country. Even low levels of the chemicals known as PFAS are linked with cancer, immune system problems, developmental effects and other health ailments. EPA-mandated testing has found them in nearly half of Americans’ drinking water.

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Newsom Seeks to Short-Cut Process to Build $20-Billion Delta Water Tunnel

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to accelerate his administration’s plan to build a $20-billion water tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta by short-cutting permitting for the project and limiting avenues for legal challenges. Newsom urged the Legislature on Wednesday to adopt his plan to “fast-track” the tunnel, called the Delta Conveyance Project, as part of his revised May budget proposal.

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Arizona, Utah, CA, WA Seek Federal Money for Water Infrastructure

/in , /by /The Center Squareby Chris Woodward

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, is part of a bipartisan bill to unlock federal funding for water infrastructure in the West. Working alongside U.S. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, Kelly has introduced the Restoring WIFIA Eligibility Act. It’s part of efforts by their states, Washington state and California to get federal dollars.

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Mexico Pays Some Water Owed to US

/in , /by /Fox 5by Sandra Sanchez

Mexico recently paid a small portion of the water it owes the United States under a 1944 international treaty. A total of 56,750 acre-feet of water was paid via “a transfer of ownership in Amistad Dam” on April 30, Frank Fisher, spokesman for U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission told Border Report on Wednesday.

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OPINION: Costly, Unnecessary Infrastructure Delays Put California’s Water Supplies at Risk

/in , /by /Maven's Notebookby Jennifer Pierre

California’s climate is changing faster than our infrastructure can keep up. In the past five years, we’ve seen atmospheric rivers cause catastrophic flooding, prolonged drought has devastated agricultural communities and perpetuated a lack of access to safe drinking water, and inconsistent snowpack makes it difficult for water managers to plan for the future. This is our new norm. Yet, much of California’s water infrastructure was built for a climate reality that no longer exists.

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Water Deliveries to Mexico Resume

/in , /by /Fox 5 San Diegoby Vinay Simlot

The United States resumed water deliveries to Mexico after initially denying the request for the emergency transfer from the Colorado River, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico is expected to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to South Texas every five years. This five-year period ends in October, and so far, Mexico has delivered 530,730 acre-feet.

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OPINION: California lawmaker wants to clean nitrates, arsenic out of rural towns’ water

/in , /by /The Fresno Beeby The Fresno Bee Editorial Board

Outside of major cities like Fresno and Clovis, drinking-water quality for San Joaquin Valley residents can be dicey.

The Valley is full of examples of rural water systems failing to either produce enough supply or deliver fresh water that is not tainted by contaminants, be they manufactured, like farming chemicals, or naturally occurring elements in local soils like arsenic.

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Environmentalists Warn: Changing ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Definition Could Damage Great Salt Lake

/in , /by /Utah News Dispatchby Alixel Cabrera

As the Trump administration spearheads federal rules revisions on water, considering the removal of Clean Water Act protections, Utah environmental advocates worry it could impact 79% of the water in the Great Salt Lake Basin.

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