The plan to update the state’s water system has hit a major snag.
California Governor Jerry Brown wants to build a pair of tunnels to get water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Southern California. However, the project, called California WaterFix, will not get a certification it needs from the Delta Stewardship Council, meaning it will not have approval before Brown’s departure in January.
The California Department of Water Resources withdrew its petition to the council after feedback that the analysis was lacking, particularly related to climate change and its effect on water usage. Environmental and conservation groups consider the withdrawal a victory. They say the tunnels will remove too much water from the delta and adversely affect fish and wildlife.
The project was supposed to remedy the main problem with the water system: pumps near Tracy, California, that kill fish and cause delta water to flow backward. The result has been rationing of water in the Central Valley, Southern California, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
FULL STORY: Big setback for Gov. Brown’s twin tunnels delta water project
Desalination and Water Recycling Needed to Increase Bay Area Water Supply
In an ongoing drought exacerbated by climate change, the Bay Area needs to look toward two technologies to secure adequate drinking water supply: desalination and wastewater recycling, according to an analysis by the San Francisco Examiner.
Opinion: California State Water Department Needs to Step Up in the Fight on Climate Change
California's water resources are under threat from climate change, and the state's water agency must take action to face the challenges.
California Resists Federal Efforts to Roll Back Environmental Regulations
California is pushing back against federal actions by enforcing state rules and standards that it says have precedence.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service