End of Session Dramas or Not?
This year is the end of the 118th Congress’s two-year-long existence, and they usually save the best (or worst) for last. The Congress is likely to finish up early to go campaigning, but a lame-duck session could also be in the works. Here’s a few things we are keeping an eye on...
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...
Disrespecting Republican Icons
Republican California Governor Ronald Reagan signed the legislation creating the California wild & scenic river system in 1972. In 1989, California Governor George Deukmejian (the Duke), also a Republican, signed legislation providing similar protection for the McCloud River under the state Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. Current House Republicans are working to dismantle these protections…
Continuing Efforts to Protect the Smith River
The Smith River is the largest entirely free-flowing river in California. Unfortunately, the Smith River National Recreation Area and wild & scenic river designations exclude the North Fork Smith River watershed in Oregon. Although relatively small in area, the northern headwaters of the Smith River supports a unique landscape, miles of pristine rivers and streams, and priceless recreation opportunities…
California Wild & Scenic River Bills Languish
As might be expected with Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, several Wild and Scenic bills have not moved forward. But each Congress meets for two years, so the deadline to pass these bills is still one year out…
The McCloud River Remains in Peril
In addition Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s desire for the federal and state taxpayers to rebuild, expand, and build more infrastructure to supply water to his Congressional District (he is achieving some success there), he wants to help the giant Westlands Water District expand Shasta Reservoir…
CA National Wild & Scenic River Bills Introduced Again
I am pleased to report that the Congressional sponsors of California-related wild & scenic river bills show no signs of growing weary. Three bills have been reintroduced in the House to grant federal protection for rivers in California and Oregon…
Congressional Mischief
From bad bills to bad rhetoric, there’s the “traditional bad stuff” happening in Congress right now…