Lower Basin States Advance Plan to Stabilize Colorado River Through 2028
May 2, 2026 – Maven’s Notebook Lower Basin states advance plan to deliver up to 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028 to Protect Colorado River Arizona, California, and Nevada have put forward a plan to stabilize the Colorado River through 2028, responding to record-low inflows and declining reservoir levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The proposal builds on an earlier commitment of 1.25 million acre-feet in annual reductions by adding an expanded conservation program, bringing total projected water savings to up to 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028. The plan addresses coordinated operations across both basins and calls for federal partnership…
Keep readingRep. Ruiz Presses EPA Chief on New River Pollution Crisis
April 28, 2026 – Calexico Chronicle Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz Secures EPA Administrator’s Commitment to Address New River Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz pressed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at a congressional hearing on the FY2027 budget, securing commitments to visit the New River region and apply the same federal approach used for the Tijuana River crisis to the New River in Imperial Valley. The New River, considered the most polluted waterway in North America, carries raw sewage, industrial waste, pesticides, and heavy metals from Mexico across the border into Calexico, with fecal coliform levels reaching nearly 70,000 times the federal treaty…
Keep readingCalifornia Launches First New Conservancy in 15 Years to Restore the Salton Sea
April 10, 2026 – California Natural Resources Agency Governor Newsom, CNRA launch state’s first new conservancy in 15 years to help accelerate Salton Sea restoration Governor Newsom just signed the creation of California’s first new conservancy in over 15 years, dedicated entirely to restoring the Salton Sea. From a major habitat expansion already drawing thousands of fish and birds, to a planned 9,400-acre network of ponds and wildlife habitat, real progress is happening on the ground, and this new body is designed to make sure it lasts. Read the full announcement to find out what it means for the region,…
Keep readingUN Report Warns of Global “Water Bankruptcy” Crisis
January 21, 2026 – CBS News The world is entering an era of “water bankruptcy,” U.N. report warns A new United Nations report warns that the planet has entered an era of “water bankruptcy,” with human water use exceeding renewable water sources worldwide. The report from the UN University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health reveals that Earth’s water repositories—rivers, lakes, and aquifers—are being depleted faster than they can be restored. The American Southwest is identified as one of the regions already experiencing severe impacts. Key Findings: The UN research documents systemic failure in water management across multiple regions, with…
Keep readingWestern Mayors Urge Federal and State Action to Tackle Colorado River Water Scarcity
June 18, 2025 – LA Times The West’s ‘Climate Mayors’ call for federal help as Colorado River flows decline A coalition of Western city leaders, Climate Mayors, has released a new set of proposals urging stronger federal and state action on water scarcity, as climate change continues to reduce flows in the Colorado River and other critical water sources. Who are Climate Mayors?Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 U.S. mayors working to accelerate local climate solutions and advocate for supportive state and federal policies. In this case, mayors from across the Western U.S. developed recommendations focused specifically…
Keep readingWater Woes: Colorado River Deadlock Fuels Push to Import “New Water”
November 29, 2025 – Tortolita Alliance Water Woes XLII No Water~New Water A recent “Water Woes” post from the Tortolita Alliance looks at the widening gap between shrinking Colorado River supplies and Arizona’s push to secure “new water” through major augmentation projects. It notes that the Basin States missed a federal deadline (11/11/25) to agree on post-2026 Colorado River shortage rules, extending uncertainty around how future cuts will be shared. The article also summarizes Arizona WIFA’s New Water / Water Augmentation effort, whose stated goal is to import up to 500,000 acre-feet per year within the next 10–15 years. Overall,…
Keep readingDesert Sun Op-Ed: Coachella Valley’s ‘dust summit’ was a bust. Let’s do this instead
by Dr. Toper Taylor, Mayor Indian WellsDec. 2, 2025 – Desert Sun Op-Ed The Coachella Valley Dust Summit came with big credentials and grim health warnings, but left a frustrating gap between what residents and local doctors are seeing now and what official monitoring trends are saying. In this op-ed, Indian Wells City Council member Toper Taylor argues it’s time to stop hosting summits and start running real, measurable dust-reduction pilots that protect public health and the valley’s outdoor economy. Read the full Op-Ed below:
Keep readingA climate solution lies a mile underground. But who will reap its benefits?
July 7, 2025 – Yale Climate Connections A climate solution lies a mile underground. But who will reap its benefits? Beneath California’s Imperial Valley lies a vast reservoir of potential—both in clean energy and community opportunity. A new wave of interest is focused on extracting lithium from geothermal brine, a method that could revolutionize battery production while offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional mining. As “Lithium Valley” takes shape, local leaders and residents are working to ensure this green boom delivers economic justice along with climate solutions. The article includes an interview with Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the…
Keep readingAudubon California report reveals a 15% overall increase per year in shorebirds at the Salton Sea
July 2, 2025 – Imperial Valley Press Audubon California report reveals a 15% overall increase per year in shorebirds at the Salton Sea A new science brief from Audubon California reports a sharp rise in shorebird populations at the Salton Sea, driven by expanding wetland habitat. Between 2016 and 2023, waterbird numbers grew by an average of 15% per year, with a stunning 250,000 shorebirds recorded in a single day during an August 2023 survey. The report highlights how birds are responding to habitat changes and offers recommendations to support a healthier, more sustainable Salton Sea—an essential stopover for migratory…
Keep readingParks California Invites Community and Tribal Organizations to Apply for 2026 Route to Parks Grants
June 26, 2025 – California State Parks Parks California Invites Community and Tribal Organizations to Apply for 2026 Route to Parks Grants California State Parks and Parks California today announced the opening of the 2026 Route to Parks grant application period, inviting California-based community and tribal organizations to apply for funding that helps remove transportation and access barriers to California’s 280 state parks. This grant continues Parks California’s commitment to ensuring that all Californians — regardless of background or location — can experience the health, cultural and recreational benefits of time in nature. Applications for the 2026 Route to Parks…
Keep readingSomething went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Salton Sea Coalition 