News

California is facing another costly invasion of a foreign species that is affecting farmers, urban and suburban residents, the state’s ecosystem resources and the environment. Unwanted arrivals like this have happened before, but this time, the effects are likely going to be much worse.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has announced increases of northern California water to be delivered to San Joaquin Valley agribusiness interests, but both the state of California and fishery conservation groups say the increase will reduce the amount of cold water needed to sustain migrating Sacramento River Chinook Salmon.

Over the last century, Southern California has grown and thrived thanks to giant aqueducts it built to bring water from hundreds of miles away — the Eastern Sierra, the Colorado River and Northern California.

A coalition of conservation groups wants Southern California to get 85% of its water locally, up from the 50% it gets now, by 2045, and says a new plan shows how.

It’s urging state leaders to scrap plans for a 45-mile tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and consider asking voters to approve a bond measure to fund local water solutions. The 34-page strategy was released as critical decisions loom for local officials, California’s next governor and legislators.

A California appeals court has thrown a new complication in the way of the state’s plan to build a 45-mile water tunnel in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The court rejected the state Department of Water Resources’ plan to issue bonds to pay for construction.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa died during surgery at a Chico hospital early Tuesday after a medical emergency at his home Monday night, Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release. The longtime north state Republican lawmaker and Butte County native was 65.

Seven California counties – in coalition with environmental groups, fishing associations and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe – won their second big victory against the Newsom Administration and California Department of Water Resources when it comes to financing the proposed $20 billion Delta Conveyance Project, also known as “the Delta Tunnel.”

A Trump administration plan to pump more water to Central Valley farmlands is facing vehement opposition from Democratic members of Congress who represent the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and the Bay Area.

On the last Sunday in July, as the Central Valley bakes in the middle of summer, a small community within the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta sees its population grow tenfold for one day as thousands gather in an open field next to an elementary school to celebrate a particular pomaceous fruit.

The California Department of Conservation’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program is an initiative aimed at addressing groundwater sustainability and supporting communities affected by reduced agricultural water use. The program provides funding to repurpose agricultural lands into uses that deliver multiple benefits, such as habitat restoration, groundwater recharge, and open space creation.

The California Water Impact Network has submitted written testimony and a detailed report to a State Water Board hearing excoriating Governor Newsom’s proposed Delta Water Conveyance Project (DCP).