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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‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
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The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
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Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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Planning for Universal Design
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research