Gary Bobker Gary Bobker

With Friends Like These…

Given the results of the November election, California’s role as a safety net is once again critical. So, it was disappointing to see the state move forward with proposed long-term operations of the State Water Project that will continue to jeopardize the existence of numerous native fish species. That’s why Friends of the River and other organizations filed a lawsuit against the Department of Water Resources on November 27 over the highly flawed Final Environmental Impact Report for long-term SWP operations of the SWP for its failure to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

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The Friends of the River Team The Friends of the River Team

The Lower Kern River May Flow Again

Exciting things are happening on the Lower Kern River. After more than half a century of being dewatered in most years, there’s a serious chance of getting the lower river flowing again.

Almost two years ago, Bring Back the Kern, Water Audit California, Kern River Parkway Foundation, Kern Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and Center for Biological Diversity sued the City of Bakersfield in Kern County Superior Court...

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Ron Stork Ron Stork

Déjà vu on the Clean Water Act Beat

Didn’t we just win some significant victories defending the state and tribal role (and our influence) to ensure that federal projects, licenses, and permits meet state/tribal clean water standards?… Nevada Irrigation District is taking another swing at state Clean Water Act Authority…

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May 2023 Ron Stork May 2023 Ron Stork

We Fight the Clean Water Act Apocalypse

We’ve been talking about the importance of the Clean Water Act in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower dam licensing for years. The Clean Water Act gives states and certain tribes substantial influence related to operations of hydroelectric dams…

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