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Delta Voluntary Agreements Are a “Plan to Fail” in Droughts

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
Rather than planning for droughts and ensuring that minimum water quality objectives are achieved in critically dry years, the proposed voluntary agreement appears to be a “plan to fail” to protect the Delta in future droughts.

Bay-Delta VA: A Sweetheart Deal to Subsidize Agribusiness

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
It’s not surprising, given who was in the room negotiating this backroom deal, that the VAs are a sweetheart deal that would subsidize the mitigation obligations of the state’s largest irrigation districts and industrial agribusinesses, undermining the Public Trust.

Let’s Help More California Farms Become Organic

Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, along with the Office of the First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, recently released a roadmap for our state’s new and ambitious Farm to School Program.

Running on Empty: Is California Doing Enough on Drought?

Expert BlogCaliforniaTracy Quinn
Pacific Institute’s report, Untapped Potential, shows communities are using less water, even with an increase in population. The report also shows that we still have significant opportunities to continue to improve water efficiency and develop cost-effective supplies.

Honey, the VAs Shrunk the Delta Flows

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
Since the State Water Resources Control Board began its public process to update the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan in 2008, the amount of water proposed for the Bay-Delta environment has continuously shrunk.

Drought Shows that CA’s Water Rights System Is Bankrupt

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
The only way out of this cycle of destruction—other than praying for rain, which is not a strategy—is to reduce water deliveries and diversions in order to maintain adequate carryover storage in Shasta and upstream reservoirs this year.

New CA Program Can Deliver Organic School Lunches

Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook

By prioritizing procurement from organic farmers that avoid all or most pesticide use, our state’s farm-to-school program will also help reduce health risks faced by these especially vulnerable children. 

Students Intro Bill to Combat Food Waste in Virginia

Expert BlogVirginiaNina Sevilla

Students in Virginia wrote a bill that would extend liability protection to businesses, restaurants, and any food donation group who would like to donate food past the “best by” date. 

California Should Strengthen Commitment to Ropeless Fishing Systems

Expert BlogCaliforniaDr. Francine Kershaw
An updated draft Conservation Plan issued by the state represents a positive step towards reducing entanglements of whales and sea turtles, but the state should do more to advance ropeless (or "pop-up") fishing systems.

Get Ready for Climate Whiplash from DWR’s February Forecast

Expert BlogCaliforniaDoug Obegi
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation hasn’t and DWR need to reconsider the water supply allocations announced to date and limit water allocations to human health and safety until there is more certainty about how much water there will be this…

Proposed Newsom Budget Doubles Down on Climate, Food, and Ag

Expert BlogCaliforniaLena Brook, Arohi Sharma
Governor Newsom’s newly released proposal rightfully recognizes the profound impact of climate change on our state’s food and agriculture system and the need for significant investment.

Western Climate Initiative: OR & WA Add Caps to CA's AB32

Expert BlogCalifornia, Oregon, Washington, WestRalph Cavanagh
In 2021, fifteen years after California made climate history by becoming the first US state to adopt an economy-wide carbon emissions cap, Oregon and Washington completed a West Coast hat trick by becoming the second and third. Well, almost.

California Drought: Deja Vu All Over Again

Expert BlogCaliforniaKate Poole

It’s time for California's State Water Resources Control Board and other decisionmakers to take the reins of drought management away from Department of Water Resources.