California's water resources are under threat from climate change, and the state's water agency must take action to face the challenges.
"[California’s Department of Water Resources] could play a lead role in helping the state become more resilient in the face of climate change by ensuring that the State Water Project is managed to reduce diversions from the [San Francisco] Bay-Delta ecosystem and to promote water use efficiency, water reuse, and other measures that help water districts wean themselves off of unrealistic and unsustainable levels of water use," writes Bill Dodd.
Dodd says the history of water deliveries exceeding available resources has resulted in drained groundwater basins, dried-up estuaries and rivers, and impacts to wildlife. He urges DWR to make protection of the environment and endangered species priorities and to work with state and local agencies and the scientific community to develop policies and plans to better manage the state's water system.
"DWR needs a reality check and a renewed spirit for this new decade – one that heeds scientists’ warnings and forces contract holders to adapt to the challenges we’re now facing," adds Dodd.
FULL STORY: California’s water department must face the reality of climate change and diverse needs
Superfund Project to Deliver Massive Water Supply Boon to Los Angeles
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Climate Change Increasingly a Risk to the Country's Most Endangered Rivers
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America's 'Most Endangered River' in 2020: The Mighty Mississippi
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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
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Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
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Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
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Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
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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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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