Resolution of the Delta’s water supply, water quality, and fish problems may involve building various structures, possibly including gates, pumps, canals, levees, and dams, and undertaking landscaping rearrangements to improve habitat for several species of flora and fauna. Resolution also involves changing water flow regimes in ways that would make more or less water, but … Continue reading “Financing Delta Improvements and Environmental Mitigation”
The Little Hoover Commission on Thursday recommended overhauling how state and federal agencies are managing the massive, multibillion-dollar effort to restore the Bay-Delta estuary. The Commission’s review affirmed the importance of the CALFED Bay-Delta program and the need to fundamentally change how the multi-agency effort is governed. The Commission recommended dissolving the Bay-Delta Authority, which … Continue reading “CalFed: Still Imperiled, Still Important”
This is an urgent time of both challenge and opportunity. The primary finding of this paper is that a major portion of the solution is closer coordination between the water and energy sectors. A meaningful solution cannot be reached in the current regulatory environment where water utilities value only the cost of acquisition, conveyance, treatment, … Continue reading “California’s Water – Energy Relationship”
“Over the last 150 years, approximately 90% of the tidal marshes that fringed San Francisco Bay have been destroyed as a result of progressive diking and filling for agricultural, salt pond, and commercial development. Within the last three decades, however, there has been a dramatic change in public attitudes towards wetlands. They are now valued … Continue reading “Design Guidelines for Tidal Wetlands Restoration in San Francisco Bay”
Despite California?s heavy reliance on groundwater, basic information for many of the groundwater basins is lacking. Particular essential data necessary to provide for both the protection and optimal use of this resource is not available. To this end, the California Legislature mandated in the Budget Act of 1999 that DWR prepare: ” …the statewide update … Continue reading “Bulletin 118: California’s Groundwater (2003)”
Agricultural drainage problems in California’s San Joaquin Valley have been a threat to the environment and to agriculture for at least the last forty years. Though some improvements have been made, inaction – not progress – has been the most characteristic result of efforts to deal with the problem. A recent federal appeals court ruling … Continue reading “Drainage without a drain”
Did the State of California enact laws that prohibited California Indians from practicing their religion, speaking their languages or practicing traditional ceremonies and customs? Senator John L. Burton requested that the California Research Bureau research this question. The initial investigation and research contained in this report led to a focus on four examples of early … Continue reading “Early California Laws and Policies Relating to California Indians”