Stakeholders should stay informed as state and federal officials advance plans and policies for water conservation, water quality, and climate resilience in California....more
In 2024, after years of deliberation, California water officials adopted landmark rules that will guide future water use and conservation in the state. The “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” framework went into...more
Like much of the western and southwestern U.S., California has experienced drought conditions on and off for decades. Fortunately, the regulatory landscape is starting to catch up with water treatment technology, paving the...more
On January 10, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his $297 billion budget proposal for 2023-2024, which includes a $22.5 billion budget deficit. Despite environmental/climate change programs facing $6 billion in cuts,...more
With the Trump administration in full gear, hopes are high the new president and Congress will enact legislation supporting and expanding investment in U.S. infrastructure. While the two political parties may disagree on the...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Some emergency drought rules might be eased - Los Angeles Times - May 9 - Governor Jerry Brown and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on Monday laid out a revised...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Coastal California residents using far less water: Associated Press - Nov 4: Residents in coastal communities use far less water than their inland counterparts, but still find ways to...more
July 1, 2016 Set as Deadline for Preparing New Plans - Under new amendments to California’s Urban Water Management Planning Act, urban water suppliers will be required to provide narrative descriptions of their water...more
Faced with record drought and depleted groundwater supplies statewide, the California Legislature has enacted, and Governor Brown on September 16 signed, new legislation designed to move statewide groundwater management...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: Federal agency to resume leasing for hydraulic fracturing in California: ABC News - Aug 28: The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will resume issuing oil and gas leases next year for...more
The Colorado River and its extensive system of reservoirs and aqueducts that range from Wyoming to the Mexican border are being depleted by more than a decade of severe drought. As a result, the water levels in the two...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Governor proposes $6 billion water bond for California: Bloomberg - Aug 6: California Governor Jerry Brown has called on lawmakers to put a $6 billion “no-frills” bond measure on the...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - California drought: plan would reverse aqueduct flow to send water back to farms: San Jose Mercury News - May 8: Water has flowed from Northern California's snow-capped peaks to the...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - DWR must acquire properties before testing tunnel for diversion of water to Southern California - CourtHouse News - Mar 17: A California appellate court ruled last week that, before...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - California lawmakers pass $687 billion drought plan -- San Francisco CBS Local - Feb 27: California lawmakers have passed a $687 million plan to provide immediate relief to...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Sens. Feinstein, Boxer propose emergency drought legislation: SFGate - Feb 13: Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer proposed emergency drought legislation Tuesday ahead of President...more