The California National Guard on Monday joined more than a
dozen other agencies to help the Yurok tribe combat rampant
marijuana grows that have threatened the reservation’s water
supply, harmed its salmon and interfered with cultural
ceremonies. …
The breakthrough came in April when governor’s office staff was
discussing the drought with tribal officials.
The plan won’t help with the immediate drought crisis, but the
document is important in the long run because it states the
county’s case for a share of state bond money – not only what’s
left of voter-approved Proposition 84, but also whatever funds
are available should a new water bond pass in November.
From the H2outlook blog, in a post by Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger:
The state/federal effort to improve the reliability of water
supplies from Northern California and restore the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta is now in its seventh year, a testament to the time
and hard work necessary to come up with a lasting solution. From
the outside, it may be difficult to gauge progress of the Bay
Delta Conservation Program at any given time.
From The Sacramento Bee, in a commentary by Dan Chu:
The wildlife, clean water and scenery offered by our national
forests are crucial to our way of life and our
multibillion-dollar outdoor recreation economy – especially in
California.
“The Madera County Board of Supervisors agreed Monday to tap
water from the city of Madera for the community of Parkwood since
the county’s one working well is failing.”
“Stockton could wind up as one of thousands of cities, irrigation
districts or landowners to be subjected to what are called
‘curtailments’ for the whole summer. Essentially, they are orders
to stop pumping water due to the drought.”
“Merced Irrigation District officials say growers in the district
will receive additional surface water, after action taken Tuesday
by MID’s board of directors.”
“Milpitas City Council voted unanimously May 20 to accept Santa
Clara Valley Water District’s plan to reduce the amount of
treated, potable water the city receives from its wholesaler by
20 percent due to the statewide drought.”
“California has ordered more than 2,600 water agencies and
users in the Sacramento Valley to stop pumping water from
streams, a drastic response to the ongoing drought that hasn’t
occurred since 1977.
“The curtailment notice was imposed by the State Water
Resources Control Board late Wednesday.”
“State authorities Thursday began notifying hundreds of water
rights holders on the upper Russian River to stop diverting water
from the drought-stricken watershed because there isn’t enough
supply to go around.”
“The State Water Resources Control Board is sending notices to
thousands of property owners to stop diverting water from the
Sacramento River watershed.”
“For the first time in nearly 40 years, drought-stricken
California has ordered more than 2,600 water agencies and users
in the Sacramento Valley to stop pumping water from streams.”
“California, supplier of nearly half of all US fruits, veggies,
and nuts, is on track to experience the driest year in the past
half millennium. Farms use about 80 percent of the state’s
‘developed water,’ or water that’s moved from its natural source
to other areas via pipes and aqueducts.”
“The Powerhouse Science Center, a proposed science and
environmental museum on the banks of the Sacramento River,
received a big financial boost Tuesday night from the
Sacramento City Council. …
“A gallery of exhibits will focus on the state’s water supply,
and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District is planning an
outdoor garden that will promote renewable energy.”
“The Marin Municipal Water District is looking at the idea of
putting a $45 million pipeline on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
to keep Marin wet in dry years. If that sounds familiar, the
water district did just that in the 1970s.”
“Forced by drought to take dramatic action, California officials
are poised to curtail rights to draw water from the Russian River
above Healdsburg for the first time anyone can recall.”
“Farmers, water district officials and city leaders expressed
frustration Thursday over the decision by federal managers to tap
water from Friant Dam to meet a long-standing obligation with
west-side landowners.”
“North Coast wineries and growers remain optimistic following a
second consecutive year of record-setting harvests and strong
consumer demand for grape varietals that thrive in the region,
particularly pinot noir. … Growers increasingly are
concerned, however, about the impact of California’s drought.”
