Rachel Becker
CalMatters-
Siskiyou County ranchers who defied a state water order in 2022 were fined only about $50 each. Under new legislation headed to the governor, some daily fines for water scofflaws can increase 20-fold. -
The chemical, used for decades, can harm babies鈥� developing brains. Farmworkers and people living near fields are most at risk. The EPA issued a rare emergency order. -
The fire is moving into areas where salmon are waiting to spawn. Already in dire shape, experts worry that the Park Fire could be the deathblow to these fish. -
The measures are substantially weaker than a previous proposal after an onslaught of criticism. But they will still save enough water through 2050 to supply the state鈥檚 entire population for a year, at a cost of $4.7 billion. -
Failing water systems span the state 鈥� from tiny Del Norte County on the Oregon state line to San Diego and Imperial counties near the border with Mexico. -
Federal officials moved to cancel commercial and recreational salmon fishing off California as the fish still aren鈥檛 thriving. -
California farms could use 93% less water but less-thirsty crops, such as grains and hay, are much less lucrative than nuts and fruits. Fallowing a small fraction of the thirstiest crops would save 9%. -
The revised proposal grants water providers an extra five years for reducing outdoor irrigation. Cities and water agencies are relieved, while critics say Californians will keep wasting water. -
Chinook counts are less dire than last year, but fishery managers are still opting to heavily reduce or ban commercial and recreational fishing this year because 鈥渃aution is warranted.鈥� The salmon industry is devastated. -
Large numbers of young Chinook salmon were found dead two days after being released from a state hatchery. But biologists say river conditions were okay and they were shocked by the die-off. The suspected cause is pressure changes in a Klamath dam tunnel. -
State officials said a Humboldt County cannabis operation took water from streams and damaged wetlands for years without authorization. The owner called the fine extreme and unfair but agreed to pay and restore wetlands. -
Researchers found that the world鈥檚 most rapidly declining basins are in farm regions, especially drier areas like the San Joaquin Valley. Wells are drying out and land is sinking.
