California is pushing back against federal actions by enforcing state rules and standards that it says have precedence.
The Trump administration is working to curtail environmental regulations, but California officials are taking steps to counter the rollbacks. "Armed with some of the strongest environmental laws in the nation, California has been a leader in the Trump resistance," writes Bettina Boxall.
For example, the state is arguing that a proposal to raise the Shasta Dam in Northern California would affect protected areas and violate state regulations, says Boxall:
California authorities say the Shasta plan is clearly subject to a section of the 1902 Reclamation Act that requires federal irrigation projects in the West to comply with state laws that relate "to the control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water used in irrigation." Exceptions can be made only if Congress directly exempts a project from that mandate.
The administration is also taking aim at wetlands protections through changes to the Clean Water Act. But the state water board is considering stricter regulations that would supersede federal rules.
Another target of the federal government is protection of endangered fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Easing these restrictions would allow more water from the delta to go to irrigation. However, notes Boxall, the state can uphold regulations related to salinity levels and water volume that would then protect fish habitats.
FULL STORY: How California is defying Trump’s environmental rollbacks
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
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.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
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.