Monday Top of the Scroll: Gov. Newsom relaxed water restrictions in drenched California. Why didn’t he end the drought emergency?
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday relaxed drought rules in California amid a winter season filled with atmospheric river storms, flooding and a massive Sierra Nevada snowpack — and officials signaled that an end to the declared drought emergency in the Bay Area and many other regions is coming soon. At an appearance at a groundwater recharge project in Yolo County, Newsom announced the end of state regulations he put in place last March that required cities and water agencies to impose water restrictions such as limits on the number of days a week residents could water lawns and landscaping. … Due to brimming reservoirs and the big snowpack, the state Department of Water Resources also announced Friday that it will increase water deliveries through the State Water Project, which serves 27 million people, from 35% of requested amounts to 75%, a number that could still increase further in May and June.
Related articles:
- CA Department of Water Resources: Harnessing Series of Winter Storms, California Increases State Water Project Allocation
- Sacramento Bee: Gavin Newsom lifts California drought restrictions after record-breaking winter storms
- New York Times: Newsom Rolls Back Water Restrictions After Winter Deluge in California
- San Francisco Chronicle: California water allocations soar as Newsom rolls back drought measures
- Associated Press: California eases water restrictions, but drought isn’t over
- CalMatters: California lifts target for 15% water conservation as yet another storm approaches
- Courthouse News Service: State Water Project Allocation Increases, Drought Restrictions Rolled Back
- Press Democrat: California ends some water limits after storms ease drought
- Sacramento Bee: Gavin Newsom says end to California drought isn’t cut and dry. Why experts are still worried
- Los Angeles Times: Opinion - Why won’t Newsom say the California drought is over?