The plans for one of California's most expensive, and controversial, projects are moving forward as the clock ticks on the Obama Administration's time in power.
"California officials Tuesday released a detailed environmental blueprint for Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial Delta tunnels project," reports Dale Kasler, "saying the $15.5 billion plan 'minimizes potential effects' on endangered fish species whose populations have dwindled following decades of water pumping."
The California Department of Water Resources released the revised "biological assessment" (after releasing a draft version last fall) as a necessary step in the lengthy planning process for the tunnels project. "Two federal agencies responsible for overseeing the Delta’s fish population, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, now have to take the document and decide whether the tunnels would violate the Endangered Species Act," adds Kasler. California officials are hoping to have federal approval for the project before President Obama leaves office.
The tunnels project, of incredible significance to the state of California for its potential effect on water supply infrastructure and the environment, "would divert a portion of the Sacramento River’s flow near Clarksburg, and send that water via twin tunnels 30 miles to the Delta pumping stations near Tracy."
FULL STORY: California unveils environmental blueprint for Delta tunnels
Feds Change Course, Approve $15.5 Billion California Water Project
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service gave a crucial green light for the intensely controversial and ambitious California WaterFix project, which would pump water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
A New Tool for More Flexible and Resilient Water Policies
A new book created by the Sonoran Institute explains how exploratory scenario planning can be useful to prepare for the uncertainty of water in the near- and long-term future.
Texans to Vote on Flood Control Funding, Property Tax Breaks in Disaster Areas
The fingerprint of Hurricane Harvey and recurring flooding events around the state are evident in the statewide election in Texas on November 5, 2019.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
