A proposed ballot measure aims to increase spending for California’s storage and supply of clean, safe drinking water. The proposed Water Infrastructure Funding Act of 2022 would allocate 2% of the state’s general fund every year to invest in California's sustainable water supply without increasing state taxes. California voters could...
Hurtado Pleads for More Water Investment as Drought Crisis Continues
Standing at the depleted San Luis Reservoir on Wednesday, State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) called for additional funds to help California residents and businesses withstand the drought. Hurtado's rallying cry came on the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to the reservoir 59 years ago. "I am frustrated that...
California’s Drought Is Back, but Nobody Wants To Hear It From Newsom
[aggregation-styles] Politico SAN FRANCISCO — California’s drought conditions might normally prompt calls for shorter showers and shutting off sprinklers. But Californians are in no mood to hear it after a year of pandemic deprivation. Especially from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is facing an almost certain recall election after imposing multiple...
Drought Worries Surface at Farm Bureau Capitol AG Day
[aggregation-styles] Ag Alert On a day when state and federal water projects announced reductions or delays in deliveries, speakers at the California Farm Bureau Capitol AG Day conference discussed drought and other challenges facing the state's farmers and ranchers. The conference, held virtually on National Agriculture Day, featured California Farm...
New Westlands Water District Board Member Appointed
It took only 15 minutes before the Westlands Water District Board of Directors voted to unanimously appoint Ceil W. Howe III to fill a vacancy, bringing bringing the governing body back to full strength. The board could have opted to proceed with a special election to fill the vacancy, but opted for...
Westlands Water District, Facing a Board Vacancy, Meets Tuesday to Discuss Options
The Westlands Water District Board of Directors is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday by Zoom to decide on filling a board vacancy. Item 8a of the Board's agenda states: "Consider Recommendation that the Board of Directors Appoints an Applicant to Fill Vacancy on the Board of Directors or,...
Why State Water Contractors Sued Over Restrictions on Water Deliveries
For more than a decade, the State Water Contractors have heavily invested in scientific research to learn more about the Bay-Delta ecosystem and the endangered species that call it home. Much of this investment worked to resolve lingering questions surrounding permits issued in 2008 and 2009 for the long-term operation...
State Says Urban Water Agencies Must Report on Usage and Conservation Efforts
SACRAMENTO — California’s largest water suppliers will have to report their monthly use and conservation efforts under a measure approved Tuesday by state regulators. More than 400 urban systems that supply 90% of the state’s population will have to make monthly reports to the State Water Resources Control Board under...
California Water Policies Inhibit Food Production by Valley Farmers: Opinion
Over the past several weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has created images Americans never expected to see in this country: Empty supermarket shelves and people lined up outside of markets waiting to enter to purchase food. While the food supply chain in this country is strong, and American farmers certainly have...
California Allows Some Freshwater Fishing Bans Over Virus
LOS ANGELES — California regulators on Wednesday voted to allow temporary limits on freshwater fishing in some rural communities where local officials are concerned out-of-towners could spread the coronavirus to residents. The unanimous vote by the Fish and Game Commission grants emergency authority to the director of the state Department...