Top Story: Drought Operations Plan for Coming Dry Months Presented by Federal, State Water Managers Framework for Water Delivery Potential, Environmental Protections, and Conserving Water Through 2015 April 9, 2014 SACRAMENTO – Managing California’s scarce water resources in order to protect the state’s economy and environment during one of the worst droughts on record, the […]
Read MoreCategory: Water Conservation Issue
Drought and Politics
Politics cloud water debate Fixing California’s water crisis requires finding a way to reallocate supply among the state’s three major user groups ? and avoiding the political posturing and bickering that have surfaced. Michael There are two possible policy outcomes to a severe drought like the one California is experiencing now. One is that the […]
Read MoreSpeak up for California’s migratory birds
Please consider… Thanks, Paula Speak up for California’s migratory birds We need your help speaking up for the millions upon millions of migratory birds that rely upon Central Valley wetlands to survive. Lawmakers are moving to strip a proposed Water Bond measure of language providing water for these vital habitat areas. Water going to these […]
Read MoreNew Online Resources for Ag Water Stewardship
Good information for everyone…..Janus Subject: New Online Resources for Ag Water Stewardship The California Agricultural Water Stewardship Initiative (CAWSI) is pleased to announce the expansion of the online Agricultural Water Stewardship Resource Center, which now features 11 on-farm practices, 66 case studies, and a library of technical resources to assist farmers and ranchers, water suppliers, […]
Read MoreDrought, Resilience, & the North Coast Symposium, March 7, Fortuna
Drought, Resilience, & the North Coast River Lodge Conference Center 1800 Riverwalk Drive Fortuna, CA 95540 March 7, 2014, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm The 2014 Eel River Symposium; Drought, Resilience & the North Coast is focused on our current drought and how people can live with increasing climate extremes in ways that leave room […]
Read More32nd Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference, Mar.19-22
Dear Colleagues, The 32nd Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference is taking place in Santa Barbara from March 19-22, 2014. The conference is selling out quickly and we would like to encourage you to send in your registration today to ensure that your spot in this highly anticipated conference is reserved. Please see below for important details […]
Read MoreCalifornia Drought: Database shows big difference between water guzzlers and sippers
By Paul Rogers and Nicholas St. Fleur Posted: 02/07/2014 The historic drought is making average residents think twice every time they turn on the tap, despite the weekend rain. But there is nothing average about the way Californians consume water: A little-known state database that measures water use in every community shows huge — sometimes […]
Read MorePolitics Cloud Water Debate
Fixing California’s water crisis requires finding a way to reallocate supply among the state’s three major user groups and avoiding the political posturing and bickering that have surfaced. Michael Hiltzik February 9, 2014 There are two possible policy outcomes to a severe drought like the one California is experiencing now. One is that the drought […]
Read MoreVineyard Owners Worried about Potential Water Restrictions
By MATT BROWN THE PRESS DEMOCRAT January 22, 2014, 7:57 PM If the debilitating drought continues, farmers and ranchers with rights to California’s creeks, rivers and lakes may be ordered to stop drawing the water that is vital to agricultural operations. That is the message Gov. Jerry Brown sent last week in his emergency drought […]
Read MoreNunes/Valadao bill in House next week–Outrageous Water Bill
Oppose Rep. Valadao’s Radical Legislation to Preempt California Law and Eliminate Environmental Protections for the Bay-Delta Estuary Perhaps not unexpectedly, the San Joaquin Valley Republican delegation outrage against Mother Nature (the drought), the Endangered Species Act, the San Joaquin River Settlement, the National Environmental Policy Act, California law, and responsibilities to other legal users of […]
Read MoreWendy’s Conservation of Water Message
Drought seminar this week for Mendocino County ranchers
Ukiah Daily Journal A seminar on “Mitigating Drought: Optimizing Pasture, Supplemental Feed, and Managing Risk” is being offered Wednesday, at the Hopland Research & Extension Center. Aimed at ranchers and livestock producers, the program will feature presentations by UC Cooperative Extension livestock advisers, UC Davis animal science faculty, and others. The date is Wednesday January […]
Read MoreDrought and CEQA
To All: As I’m sure most if not all of you are aware, Governor Brown recently made his drought emergency declaration. While there are many positive aspects of the declaration – raising awareness of the drought, added pressure for reduced water usage, release of funds to address the drought, etc. – there are also some […]
Read MoreGroundwater Concept Paper Hearing, Jan. 22, Sacramento
NOTICE OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP: GROUNDWATER CONCEPT PAPER Wednesday, January 22, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.Joe Serna Jr. – Cal/EPA Headquarters Building Coastal Hearing Room 1001 I Street, Second Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold a public workshop to consider public input on […]
Read MoreAction to Protect Against Fracking in the North Coast
To All, Here are actions that can help stall or turn back attempts to frack in California. Larry What is the significance of access to the Eel River Basin offshore Natural Gas Hydrates? Methane (Natural Gas) Hydrates in offshore subduction zone sediments hold the world’s largest reserves of Natural Gas. More than all combined known […]
Read MoreDates and Locations for Public Input on Fracking
The California Department of Conservation invites public input on the scope and content of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for statewide well stimulation activities at five scoping meetings in December and January. The EIR is mandated by SB 4. Once in draft form, the EIR will be circulated for specific comments on its analysis and […]
Read MoreAction on Brown’s Draft Rules for Fracking in California
To All, Recently Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown’s oil and gas officials released draft rules for fracking in the state. Tragically, though, the rules cater to industry — instead of protecting Californians from fracking, they protect fracking from Californians. Hydraulic fracking involves pumping water laced with toxic chemicals at high pressure directly underground in an attempt […]
Read MoreOminous Department of Water Resources Report
Good morning, As the first significant rain of the season fell on Northern California the other day, the state Department of Water Resources issued an ominous water supply estimate that makes it clear that much more precipitation is needed this winter. The DWR projects that it will be able to fill only 5 percent of […]
Read MoreAction to Protect California Redwood Forests From Winery Development
To All, chris poehlmann has just read and signed the petition: Protect California Redwood Forests From Winery Development You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/541/276/481/take-a-stand-to-protect-californian-forests-against-ever-expanding-wineries/ chris poehlmann: Hi, I signed the petition “Protect California Redwood Forests From Winery Development”. I’m asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures. […]
Read MoreAction for to Protect and Enhance the Clean Water Act
To All, Here is the latest. Also, there is a new grassroots listserv you or anyone in your network interested in this issue can join. Info below – but simply email me if you want to join. Feel free to share this info widely. Dalal Aboulhosn <dalal.aboulhosn@sierraclub.org> WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TAKE ACTION! We […]
Read MoreAction for to Protect and Enhance the Clean Water Act
To All, Here is the latest. Also, there is a new grassroots listserv you or anyone in your network interested in this issue can join. Info below – but simply email me if you want to join. Feel free to share this info widely. Dalal Aboulhosn <dalal.aboulhosn@sierraclub.org> WE NEED YOUR HELP TO TAKE ACTION! We […]
Read MoreAction: Red Wine or Redwoods? Your choice…
Dear All, You know what California has plenty of? Wineries. You know what it’s rapidly losing, and what it can never replace? Its ancient redwood forests, some of which have trees that are more than 2,000 years old.<http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AhZwZ/zoLT/AJaEt> A Spanish winemaker wants to chop down 154 acres of coast redwoods and Douglas firs to make […]
Read MoreAction to Strengthen not Weaken the Clean Water Act
To All, Right now, 117 million Americans are at risk of drinking contaminated water. It sounds outrageous, I know. But a Bush administration loophole for polluters means that huge amounts of our nation’s streams, rivers, and wetlands are not currently covered by the Clean Water Act. Oil companies can dump crude into a stream, factory […]
Read MoreRiver Public Access Law Paper
To All, River Public Access Law Paper – attached Additionally – in California – the Coastal Act (applies to all rivers and streams that are navigable – can use craft or legs to navigate) – allows for public access to all such rivers and streams – confined to the high flow mark. Though access across […]
Read MoreCDFW Comments on Maintaining Instream Flows
To All, In case you have not seen. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Comments on Maintaining In-Stream Flows in Northern California Coastal streams. Comments are in response to the Supplemental Environmental document (SED), associated with AB 2121, drafted by the State Water Resources Control Board. See CDFW Comments here: CF&W Response Instream Flows […]
Read MoreThe Executive Order That Could Save US Water Supplies
The Executive Order That Could Save US Water Supplies By Environmental Working Group, EcoWatch 18 July 13 A detailed executive order making water a major national priority and moving the nation to a clean energy future is being submitted to the White House today for President Obama’s consideration. s composed by the Committee for an American Clean Energy […]
Read More“California Water Rights Atlas” Opens to Public
Empowers Citizens, Unlocks Information, Improves Water Management SACRAMENTO, CA – Former Brown Administration Resources Secretary Huey Johnson, president of the Resource Renewal Institute, today unveiled the first-ever public “California Water Rights Atlas.” This online tool enables citizens, policymakers, media and others to view thousands of current California water rights claims. RRI is a nonprofit, public […]
Read MoreThe 16th Annual Coho Confab
The 16th Annual Coho Confab will be held in the Mattole River Valley. Salmonid Restoration Federation and Trees Foundation are the permanent co-hosts of this educational event and are excited to be partnering this year with the Mattole River and Range Partnership that includes Sanctuary Forest, Mattole Restoration Council, and the Mattole Salmon Group. The […]
Read MoreAction against Artesa’s Large Forest Conversion Project
To All, FYI: I’m forwarding a little experiment direct emailing to Keith LaVine, the CEO of Artesa who was hired in 2011, and inherited the Artesa vineyard project in Annapolis. It’s aim is to precipitate a prelude to what we expect will be a wave of public relations aimed at Artesa coming this summer, in […]
Read MoreU.S. Groundwater Consumption Accelerating
May 27, 2013 Aquifers across the United States are being drawn down at an increasing pace, finds a new study released today by the U.S. Geological Survey. The report, “Groundwater Depletion in the United States (1900-2008),” evaluates long-term cumulative depletion volumes in 40 separate aquifers in the United States, bringing together information from previous studies […]
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