“The Salton Sea Authority is supporting two proposed pieces of legislation that could assist environmental restoration and economic development efforts at the Salton Sea.”
From the Sacramento Business Journal Morning Edition blog:
“Lawmakers in the state Senate will decide this week on a law that would halt fracking in California until state government officials deem it safe – a move that could prevent the creation of some 195,000 jobs, according to figures provided by the oil industry.”
“Wielding two decades of Senate experience and sheer force of will, Sen. Dianne Feinstein overcame environmentalists’ objections and Republicans’ skepticism in pushing through a drought-relief bill that could ship more water to farms and cities and weaken protections for fish.”
“With nary a word, the Senate on Thursday night passed a California drought-relief bill that sets up serious negotiations with the House over water storage, river protection, irrigation deliveries and more.”
“Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s newly finished California water bill that’s designed for quick Senate approval gratifies some farmers while alienating some fishermen, tribes and environmentalists.”
“In Congress, seniority still matters. Although lawmakers can no longer earmark funds for home-state projects, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has written into a massive water bill a measure that promises to bring more money to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”
“The House passed the closest thing so far this year to an infrastructure bill – a $12 billion-plus bipartisan measure authorizing 34 water projects, ranging from flood protection in California and North Dakota to deepening the Port of Savannah and widening a Texas-Louisiana waterway that services the oil industry.”
“After more than a year of delay, critical work to strengthen levees in Sacramento’s Natomas Basin is authorized to resume following a crucial vote Tuesday in Congress.”
“The House of Representatives, on a vote of 412-4, approved legislation to move an array of Sacramento-area flood control projects forward, concluding [Rep. Doris] Matsui’s nearly four-year quest for the bill.”
“Sen. Dianne Feinstein will try to fast-track farm-friendly drought legislation through the Senate over the objections of environmentalists, who the senator complains have done nothing to help her adapt California’s aging water system to deal with climate change and the addition of millions of thirsty residents.”
“Flood control projects in California’s Central Valley get a boost in a long-awaited water resources bill now flowing toward final congressional approval.”
“House and Senate negotiators on Thursday unveiled a compromise bill that authorizes billions of dollars for water projects over the next decade, from flood protections in California to deepening Georgia’s rapidly growing Port of Savannah.”
“A plan to figure out how to address the unhealthy water quality in the Salinas Valley has been earmarked as part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget revision.”
“California legislators have recycled a bill aimed at making the state the first in the nation to ban plastic grocery bags — and the new effort gained momentum Wednesday despite fierce industry opposition and passionate appeals from workers who say the measure threatens their livelihoods.”
