Exploring legal and policy decisions impacting water, including water rights, groundwater and conservation. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/law-policy/rss en Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 31 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage With shortages looming, Colorado interests are struggling to finalize a drought contingency plan. The state is split between East and West over whether water saved to boost Lake Powell storage should be required or voluntary. Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Cariad Hayes Thronson https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/30/massive-california-water-tunnel-project-forges-ahead-on-several-fronts https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/30/massive-california-water-tunnel-project-forges-ahead-on-several-fronts Gov. Jerry Brown terms out in two months, yet the giant twin tunnel project he has shepherded will still be plodding through several permitting steps. Critics say there are better ways to meet California’s long-term water needs. Economics Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 29 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Heather Cooley, Sonali Abraham, Sarah Diringer and Cora Kammeyer https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/29/untangling-the-complexities-of-californias-proposition-3-water-bond https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/29/untangling-the-complexities-of-californias-proposition-3-water-bond The $8.9 billion bond measure on the November 6 ballot covers a lot of ground on water issues. It also promises big money for a few projects that some experts and voters find unpalatable. American West Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Gary Pitzer https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/26/in-water-stressed-west-an-old-water-efficiency-metric-needs-a-reboot https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/26/in-water-stressed-west-an-old-water-efficiency-metric-needs-a-reboot The acre-foot yardstick has been a reliable standby for water agency officials to explain water use to the public. But it may be time to recalibrate our thinking on that as communities plan new development. Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Thu, 25 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Hollin Kretzmann https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/25/california-water-officials-must-stop-putting-oil-industry-over-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/25/california-water-officials-must-stop-putting-oil-industry-over-water State regulators have allowed the oil industry to dump waste fluid in unlined pits for decades. Even amid proof that this practice has polluted groundwater, officials continue to grant the industry a pass on cleanup requirements. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 24 Oct 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/24/oregon-already-struggling-with-drought-may-have-still-more-to-come https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/24/oregon-already-struggling-with-drought-may-have-still-more-to-come Record heat and low rainfall have prompted drought emergency declarations in nearly a third of Oregon’s counties. Predicted El Niño conditions may mean there’s no relief in store this winter. Agriculture American West Economics Energy Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Wyofile.com https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/23/wyoming-is-missing-out-on-a-wrinkle-in-water-law-worth-millions https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/23/wyoming-is-missing-out-on-a-wrinkle-in-water-law-worth-millions Agricultural interests are getting rich off temporary transfers of water to serve oil fracking wells. Even though water is considered a public resource in the state, Wyoming receives only tiny fees for each transfer. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 22 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Hannah Holm https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/22/colorado-river-crisis-demands-focus-on-farm-conservation-programs https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/22/colorado-river-crisis-demands-focus-on-farm-conservation-programs Small programs can go a long way to save water and help farmers survive the coming shortages on the Colorado River. These should be the next focus for policymakers now wrestling with drought contingency plans. Agriculture Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 19 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Eliza Roberts, Lindsay Bass https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/19/big-food-brands-commit-to-conserve-water-soil-and-the-climate https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/19/big-food-brands-commit-to-conserve-water-soil-and-the-climate Major food growers and retailers are looking hard at their growing and distribution practices to conserve soil nutrients and protect water quality. It’s an effort to reduce impacts throughout the entire food supply chain. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge Aquifer recharge by itself isn’t enough to win a water diversion permit in California, says Erik Ekdahl of the State Water Resources Control Board. A more specific benefit is required, and the board is working to ease the process. Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Alastair Bland https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/17/is-resistance-futile-cigarette-butts-still-dominate-coastal-litter Smokers burn through 6 trillion cigarettes every year, and most are tossed into the environment. Butts contain microplastics and harmful chemicals, and new research suggests they may be directly toxic to wildlife. Efforts to curb butt litter have been largely futile. Agriculture Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Mon, 15 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jerry Meral https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/15/in-california-prop-3-is-a-billion-dollar-fix-for-stubborn-water-woes https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/15/in-california-prop-3-is-a-billion-dollar-fix-for-stubborn-water-woes The $8.9 billion bond measure on the November ballot would solve groundwater contamination in disadvantaged communities, restore wetlands, protect the Salton Sea and much more, says the measure’s author, Jerry Meral. Climate & Weather Economics Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Douglas E. Beeman, Water Education Foundation https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/10/for-next-california-governor-theres-plenty-of-advice-on-water-issues https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/10/for-next-california-governor-theres-plenty-of-advice-on-water-issues Californians choose a new governor in just a few weeks. At a recent water conference in Sacramento, participants got a chance to offer the newbie some advice. There was plenty to be heard, as well as some wry humor. Climate & Weather Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 09 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Tom Philp https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/09/figuring-on-climate-change-model-outputs-vary-but-worries-are-real https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/09/figuring-on-climate-change-model-outputs-vary-but-worries-are-real Water available for California farms and cities could decline as much as 44 percent by midcentury due to climate change. Such numbers, while headache-inducing, could make today’s water woes seem trifling. American West Climate & Weather Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 08 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/08/in-colorado-water-bosses-begin-to-accept-climate-change-impacts https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/08/in-colorado-water-bosses-begin-to-accept-climate-change-impacts Old assumptions aren’t working to predict today’s water supplies in the Rocky Mountain state, much less the future. Many planning scenarios ‘are actually pretty scary,’ says one water official. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/04/is-groundwater-recharge-a-beneficial-use-california-law-says-no https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/04/is-groundwater-recharge-a-beneficial-use-california-law-says-no State law does not currently allow surface water to be used for groundwater recharge if the goal is managing pollution, reversing subsidence or controlling salinity. That could be a problem as local agencies begin trying to make their groundwater use more sustainable. Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Scott Greacen https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/03/will-a-landslide-on-the-eel-river-cause-californias-next-dam-disaster https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/03/will-a-landslide-on-the-eel-river-cause-californias-next-dam-disaster An historic landslide looms above Scott Dam, owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. The utility is trying to sell off the dam without acknowledging the danger posed by this geologic threat and a nearby earthquake fault. American West Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Stephanie Malin, Tara Opsal https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells Amid concern about groundwater contamination, a ballot measure would force new fracking wells to keep their distance from homes. Another, sponsored by the oil industry, would force local government to compensate property owners for any lost value that results. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril Efforts by the Trump administration to rewrite wetlands regulations could undermine natural functions that are crucial to clean drinking water, flood protection and wildlife habitat, says Jessica Kao. Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Ry Rivard, Voice of San Diego https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/27/battle-over-new-san-diego-stadium-throws-doubt-on-public-river-access https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/27/battle-over-new-san-diego-stadium-throws-doubt-on-public-river-access Plans to transform the former home of the San Diego Chargers from a concrete wasteland are running into controversy: Despite public pronouncements, two competing ballot measures for a new stadium make no guarantees about public access to the San Diego River. Agriculture Climate & Weather Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 26 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/26/californias-largest-new-reservoir-likely-to-face-water-access-limits https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/26/californias-largest-new-reservoir-likely-to-face-water-access-limits The $5 billion Sites Reservoir project recently won by far the largest award in a state funding competition. But separate state regulatory actions could limit how much water it can tap from the Sacramento River. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Laura Paskus https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future The state’s reservoirs have done their job to help water users survive record drought in 2018. Now they are almost totally dry, and tensions are building over the year ahead. ‘Climate change is really happening,’ one water official says. Economics Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 24 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jay Lund https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/24/long-road-still-ahead-to-fund-new-california-water-storage-projects https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/24/long-road-still-ahead-to-fund-new-california-water-storage-projects California recently promised billions of dollars in bond funds to new water storage projects. But it remains to be seen if these projects can obtain water rights and regulatory approval to actually start construction. American West Climate & Weather Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Fri, 21 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Anthony F. Arrigo https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical Los Angeles is proposing to build a 20-mile pipeline to transform Hoover Dam into a pumped storage hydropower project. It’s certainly feasible – except for the ongoing political and legal conflict over the Colorado River. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jay Ziegler https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection The Land and Water Conservation Fund is set to expire on September 30, and Congress has made no move to revive it. That’s a mistake, as the fund is important to protect landscapes that deliver essential water supplies. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common A new study has revealed that monsoons in the Southwest have already become less common but more extreme in nature, posing new challenges for water managers eager to capture crucial runoff. Climate & Weather Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:00:55 +0000 Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/18/to-manage-future-water-shortages-california-must-update-its-water-grid https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/18/to-manage-future-water-shortages-california-must-update-its-water-grid The state’s water supply system will be strained to cope with climate change. New investments – and new ways of investing – are needed to improve water management, especially to recharge groundwater. American West Economics Energy Innovation Law & Policy Solutions Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Laura Paskus https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/17/in-new-mexico-move-to-reuse-fracking-water-stirs-cry-for-transparency https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/17/in-new-mexico-move-to-reuse-fracking-water-stirs-cry-for-transparency The state formed a working group, with the blessing of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to find ways to reuse wastewater from natural gas fracking wells. But concerned citizens say the process needs more daylight. American West Climate & Weather Energy Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 14 Sep 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change It will be challenging to adapt to changing precipitation and snowmelt patterns in the vital Colorado River watershed. Jack Schmidt at Utah State University is launching a project that may provide some answers. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 13 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Ted Kowalski https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages New evidence tells us water shortages aren’t going away in the Colorado River Basin. They’ll likely just get worse. Survival requires new funding sources and a new commitment to conservation.