AQUAFORNIA KICKOFF-Colo. River Negotiators Running Short on Time; Newsom Calls on Feds for More Wildfire Aid
In today’s Aquafornia scroll:
- Colorado River negotiators running out of time to make long-term plan, The Denver Post
- ‘Where’s the federal government?’ Newsom calls on Trump administration to fund more wildfire prevention, San Francisco Chronicle
- Big L.A.-San Diego water settlement reached, Voice of San Diego
- Trump’s proposed budget would cut the Ecosystems Mission Area and much of its work, The New York Times
- Click here to read all of today’s water news from California and across the West
Water Word of the Week: The health of the planet is front and center as June 5 marks World Environment Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. According to the UN Environment Programme the day has “grown to be one of the largest global platforms for environmental outreach” with tens of millions of people participating via activities, events and actions worldwide. World Environment Day 2025 highlights the importance of ending plastic pollution, which has negatively affected oceans and rivers alike, impacting our drinking water supply. So we’re making microplastics our Water Word of the Week. You can learn more about this and other water-related topics in Aquapedia, our online water encyclopedia.
What’s on Tap: At its June 3 board meeting, the State Water Board will consider referring the Chowchilla Groundwater Subbasin back to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for continued state evaluation and assessment consistent with Chapter 10 of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). See details on these and other upcoming water meetings on our events calendar.
At the Foundation: The Water Education Foundation’s 2024 Annual Report is now available in a new interactive, digital format and recaps how we zeroed in on a big anniversary in California: The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) turning 10. We paired a one-day groundwater tour with our Water 101 Workshop, co-hosted an international groundwater conference in San Francisco with some 250 people from 20 different countries, and wrote an in-depth Western Water article focused on SGMA’s anniversary and ongoing implementation of the landmark law. Learn more about our accomplishments by checking out our 2024 Annual Report.
Water Resource of the Week: We turn to rivers — which have not been spared by plastic pollution — as a key source of drinking water. Our California Water Map shows the Golden State’s rivers and lakes. The map highlights the integral role water plays in the state. Check out California’s natural waterways and man-made reservoirs and aqueducts – including federally, state and locally funded projects – the wild and scenic rivers system and natural lakes. The map features photos of California’s natural environment, rivers, water projects, wildlife, and urban and agricultural uses.
Western Water, our flagship publication by Foundation journalists, is available online. Check out our latest article:
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Aquafornia is a news roundup compiled each weekday by the Water Education Foundation’s journalism team.
