Reclamation Releases Draft Environmental Documents for Proposed Long-Term Exchange Agreements to Divert SWP Water to Three CVP Contractors

“The Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed long-term exchange agreements with The California Department of Water Resources and Byron Bethany Irrigation District which provides service to the Musco Family Olive Company, the United States Department of Veteran’s Affairs San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, and Del Puerto Water District.  The... Read More

Curtailments of Water Right Diversions to be announced soon

The letter to water rights holders advises them to seek alternative supplies The State Water Resources Control Board sent a letter to all water rights holders notifying them that the decisions on curtailment of water right diversions are expected soon. “Since the January 23, 2015 Notice of Surface Water Shortage and Potential for Curtailment, it is clear that restrictions of surface water diversions will occur in key watersheds,” the letter states. ... Read More

Mother Lode elected reps urge easing of dam operation rules

Congressman Tom McClintock and Assemblyman Frank Bigelow sat shoulder to shoulder Saturday to urge worried Copperopolis residents to help push for reform of environmental regulations that the two legislators say threaten the viability of the town’s water supply. “Fish are being put above human needs. This needs to simply stop,” Bigelow said. The crisis is due, in part, to the drought that is now in its fourth year. New Melones Reservoir is storing... Read More

Fire Safety for Pasture Burning

Well-timed and carefully managed fire will keep pastures and meadows productive. Read More Here  Read More

Sierra Snowpack – Up close

Historically small Sierra snowpack, seen up close, another bad sign in California drought: “In a 9,700-foot-high meadow surrounded by wind-blasted Jeffrey pine trees, the helicopter finally landed on snow — a truly terrible thrill.  The haunting peaks, robust subalpine ecosystem and March chill are a heart-pounding experience. Unfortunately, so is this ghost of snowpack, which will rank as the smallest ever in the Sierra Nevada.  The water frozen... Read More

Brown says climate skeptics put nation’s future in danger

By David Siders dsiders@sacbee.com / March 23, 2015 Gov. Jerry Brown said opposition to steps President Barack Obama is taking on climate change “borders on the immoral,” as he tore into Republicans in an interview aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Brown’s remarks came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., urged states last week to ignore federal directives to reduce carbon emissions from power plants. Brown, a longtime... Read More

What if the drought is permanent?

DAN WALTERS dwalters@sacbee.com / March 22, 2015 California’s prolonged drought drew a bit of official attention last week. The state Water Resources Control Board tightened, ever so slightly, water conservation rules on local water agencies and users. Two days later, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders announced a $1.1 billion drought response plan, mostly old wine in new bottles with little immediate effect. Underlying these tepid responses... Read More

Caltrans sticking with present design for Highway 26 work

Dana Nichols Business owners say it will wipe out landscaping and part of La Contenta’s 10th fairway A California Department of Transportation spokesman last week held out little hope that a safety project on Highway 26 near St. Andrews Road could be redesigned to avoid slicing off a chunk of the 10th fairway of La Contenta Golf Course. In addition to the golf course, several other businesses would also lose strips of property that now buffer them... Read More

Deal would spare Lake Tulloch this summer

By Alex Breitler Record Staff Writer Posted Mar. 24, 2015 @ 12:01 am COPPEROPOLIS — Water districts announced a deal Monday that would prevent scenic Lake Tulloch from being drained — at least until after the end of the summer boating season. The deal involves temporarily relaxing fish flow standards farther downstream on the San Joaquin River at Vernalis, said Jeff Shields, general manager of the Manteca-based South San Joaquin Irrigation District. Loosening... Read More

OPEN ACCESS TO WELL WATER DATA

By the Editorial Board /Sac Bee/ March 25, 2015 In time of drought, when leaders tell us every drop of water counts, Californians ought to be able to count every drop. The concept seems so simple, but because the issue is water, it’s not. For the third year running, Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, is pushing legislation to provide public access to otherwise confidential reports about groundwater wells. Her Senate Bill 20, which cleared its first... Read More