Alastair Bland
Reporter | CalMattersAlastair Bland writes about water, climate, marine research, agriculture and the environment for CalMatters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics, and a JPR news partner.
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Growers and cities support the Newsom administration proposal, saying it strikes a balance for uses of Delta water. But environmentalists say the 鈥渉ealthy rivers鈥� rules would actually harm California鈥檚 iconic salmon. -
Most ships discharging ballast water into California waters are inspected, but state officials have tested the water of only 16 ships. Experts say invaders like mussels are inevitable under current rules and enforcement. -
A lot is at stake with the new Trump administration: California鈥檚 water projects, its unique authority to clean its air, federal support for offshore wind and disaster aid for wildfires. -
Low counts of spawning salmon could mean another year without fishing. Experts say the outlook still has time to turn around. -
Southern California growers agreed to use less water through 2026 and receive federal funds in return. But it鈥檚 not a long-term solution to the Colorado River鈥檚 water woes. -
The governor鈥檚 building plan would adjust an environmental law known for stalling housing, dams and other projects. One environmental group said, 鈥渨e have never been more disappointed in a California governor than we are with Gov. Newsom.鈥� -
After widespread, bipartisan criticism, the governor revised his budget proposal to bring back $40 million to restore San Joaquin Valley floodplains. -
The future of farming in California is changing as the planet warms, altering the rain and heat patterns that guide which crops are grown where. 鈥淲e鈥檙e adjusting for survival,鈥� one grower said. -
California ended its voluntary statewide target, triggering concerns from experts that many water supplies remain depleted. Other drought measures remain in place. -
State officials say the urgency to store more water has vanished as storms swell reservoirs. The reversal is a victory for environmentalists, but they say the damage to salmon and native fish is already done. -
Facing criticism that stormwater flowed out to sea, the governor asked the water board to waive rules designed to protect salmon and other endangered fish. Environmentalists call it 鈥渁 breakdown of law and order鈥� while growers laud it as a way to ensure more water is delivered this year. -
Communities still have dry wells. Restoring groundwater takes decades, with costly, long-term replenishment projects 鈥� and ultimately, much less pumping.
