Tulare Lake

Better late than never: a synthesis of strategic land retirement and restoration in California

Ecological Society of America (Wiley) | August 10th, 2018

Strategic retirement and restoration of agricultural lands is a critical conservation opportunity globally. The objective of this synthesis was to examine whether ecolog

Strategic retirement and restoration of agricultural lands is a critical conservation opportunity globally. The objective of this synthesis was to examine whether ecological habitat assessments, endangered species historical occurrence data, and restoration research can be used to develop evidence-based strategy for retiring and restoring agricultural lands. The San Joaquin Desert (SJD) of California is a prominent example because it experienced an extensive conversion to agriculture. Now, new groundwater regulations will lead to retirement on large areas of agricultural lands over the next 20 years. This presents an opportunity to not only restore some of these lands but also explore the challenges associated with balancing direct human needs with other ecosystem-level functions. California is thus an ideal case study for globally rethinking context-specific, single-case study solutions. We used a systematic review and synthesis to address the following three main questions for habitat recovery of endangered species in the SJD. (1) What are the habitat requirements for key endangered animal species in the region? (2) Is there historical evidence to support an assessment of suitable habitats for these species? (3) What restoration techniques apply to these species? Using the Web of Science and other resources, we reviewed over 1000 independent studies on this topic, refined the evidence, and selected a total of 266 relevant publications. Habitat requirements for each species were described, but there was a critical need to examine quantitative thresholds for these factors to better evaluate habitat suitability of retired lands. There was sufficient evidence of historical vegetation to model suitable habitats and design the physical restoration of retired lands. Direct interventions associated with restoration strategies have been infrequently tested. Sparse and diverse evidence associated with direct experimental manipulations is not uncommon in applied ecology, and synthesis is an excellent tool for highlighting these gaps for future research to examine. This review suggests that retired agricultural land is a viable asset for threatened and endangered species, but to effectively advance restoration research and management, direct tests of restoration techniques and an assessment of relative costs for interventions are needed for a given region.

Beyond the Haze: A UC Dust Report on the Causes, Impacts, and Future of Dust Storms in California

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) | December 5th, 2024

This report is intended to be a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge of dust storms in California, including where dust storms occur, the features cont

This report is intended to be a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge of dust storms in California, including where dust storms occur, the features contributing to their geographic distribution, factors driving historical and likely future changes in dust, the impact dust storms have on human health, the economy, and environment of the state, and an assessment of what is needed to mitigate or adapt to those impacts. The purpose of this report is to be a resource to the public, community-based organizations, state agencies, and policy makers on dust storms in California. The information here is intended to help guide future adaptation and mitigation efforts and identify critical gaps in understanding that impede those efforts.

Bring Back the Kern et al vs. the City of Bakersfield

Superior Court of California, County of Kern | February 5th, 2024

Bringing Water and Land Use Together

Local Government Commission | April 11th, 2019

In 2005, the California Legislature passed new laws that enable communities to join together to adopt Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) policies and practices.

In 2005, the California Legislature passed new laws that enable communities to join together to adopt Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) policies and practices. This comprehensive planning approach considers water resources in the context of an interconnected watershed with a network of regional governance, rather than as a combination of fragmented parts. Unfortunately, the IRWM program is dominated by the water sector and in most regions has not pursued alignment with land use. Similarly, the Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) mandated through SB 375 establish a framework for aligning land use practices (predominantly housing and transportation) across jurisdictions within a larger geographic region. Yet very few SCSs have taken water resources into account. While water management and land-use planning remain highly fragmented across the state, we are making progress toward a more integrated approach, especially when setting new state-level policies, regulations and guidance. The 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a leap forward in this direction. For the first time, local land use agencies have an opportunity to be full partners with water agencies in shaping groundwater governance. It is too soon to determine how well these two sectors are integrating under SGMA, but early results are promising.

Buena Vista Groundwater Sustainability Agency Amended Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Buena Vista Groundwater Sustainability Agency (BVGSA) | July 27th, 2022

The revised and resubmitted information presented in this amended GSP has been prepared in response to DWR’s Incomplete Determination of the 2020 Groundwater Sustainabi

The revised and resubmitted information presented in this amended GSP has been prepared in response to DWR’s Incomplete Determination of the 2020 Groundwater Sustainability Plans Submitted for the San Joaquin Valley - Kern County Subbasin. This GSP, including all modifications, has been adopted by the Board of the BVGSA and will be implemented accordingly. All changes included in this version of the amended GSP are redlined. This version is accompanied by a clean version of the GSP where all redlined edits and additions have been accepted. Due to size, this file has been divided. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Building water resilience in the face of cascading wildfire risks

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | September 15th, 2023

Bulletin 118 - California's Groundwater Update 2013

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | April 15th, 2015

California’s Groundwater Update 2013 compiles and analyzes readily available groundwater information to characterize California’s groundwater basins, aquifers, and we

California’s Groundwater Update 2013 compiles and analyzes readily available groundwater information to characterize California’s groundwater basins, aquifers, and well infrastructure. It also presents data and analysis related to groundwater monitoring efforts, aquifer conditions in response to extraction, groundwater management practices, and conjunctive management programs. It expands and enhances baseline groundwater information on a regional scale, identifies challenges associated with sustainable groundwater management, and helps guide implementation of diverse resource management strategies. The set of data, information, and analysis developed can help local and regional groundwater managers, as well as individual well owners, better understand California’s hidden and commonly misunderstood resource. This Bulletin has been uploaded in the following separate files reflecting hydrologic regions and appendices. Chapter One / Introduction  Chapter Two / State-wide Update  Chapter Three / North Coast Chapter Four / San Francisco Bay Chapter Five / Central Coast Chapter Six / South Coast  Chapter Seven / Sacramento River Chapter Eight / San Joaquin River Chapter Nine / Tulare Lake Chapter Ten / North Lahontan Chapter Eleven / South Lahontan Chapter Twelve / Colorado River Appendix A: Methods and Assumptions Appendix B: CASGEM Basin Prioritization Appendix C: Groundwater Use Data 2010-2015 Appendix D: Conjunctive Management Survey Appendix E: Change in Groundwater in Storage Appendix F: Subsidence

Bulletin 132-00 Management of the California State Water Project

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 3rd, 2001

Bulletin 132-01 Management of the California State Water Project

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | December 1st, 2002

Bulletin 132-02 Management of the California State Water Project

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | January 5th, 2004