December 2008

 For information:Carolee Krieger, Executive Director and Board President, California Water Impact Network, (805) 969-0824,caroleeekrieger@cox.netBill Jennings, Chairman, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, (209) 464-5067, (209) 938-9053 (cell),deltakeep@aol.comMichael Jackson, Counsel, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, and Board Member, California WaterImpact Network, (530) 283-0712, mjatty@sbcglobal.netFor a copy of the complaint filed in Sacrame

 12-3-08Merced Sun-StarDeeper wells defy droughtAs state dries up, company goes extra 40 feet for water...JONAH OWEN LAMBhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/576019.htmlArmando Blas gripped a 3-foot-long mud-covered metal drill bit as a long drill shaft spun into place from above. The tall rig holding the shaft stood 42 feet above the ground from the back of a truck whose engine was running.

 12-5-08Merced Sun-StarFarm Bureau sues city of LivingstonSuit claims growth plan ignores impact report, state laws...JONAH OWEN LAMBhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/579897.htmlLIVINGSTON -- Call it the never-ending master plan.Livingston's controversial 2025 general plan update, which projects the city to grow to 100,000, is facing another hurdle.

 12-7-08Modesto BeeUC workers paid $682,431 to leave, then rehired...last updated: December 06, 2008 03:18:12 PMhttp://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/524406.htmlSACRAMENTO — More than half a dozen employees at the University of California each received thousands of dollars in severance payouts even though they landed new jobs within the system.The Sacramento Bee reported in its Saturday edition that 16 employees at the UC President's Office collected a total of $682,431 from

“In a government of law, the existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by example. Crime is contagious.

 12-10-08Merced Sun-StarLawsuit objects to Delta smelt protections...JOHN ELLIS, The Fresno Beehttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/587197.htmlTwo prominent local water agencies filed suit Tuesday to block a new state regulation aimed at protecting a tiny fish that inhabits the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.The Westlands Water District and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority say the California Department of Fish & Game's regulation to protect

 12-11-08Merced Sun-StarBuilder agrees to complete leg of bike pathBellevue Ranch neighborhood will be linked to existing trail...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/589219.htmlPlans to build a North Merced bike path may finally go from paper to pavement.A long-delayed creekside route through Bellevue Ranch may be built this spring and finished by October.

SJRRC Home   |   Mission   |    Wildlife in the San JoaquinFirst Aid For Wildlife   |   Henkle Barn Owl Box   |   Brochure   |   ContactThe variety and abundance of wildlife in the San Joaquin Valley is a well known fact.  The "Great" Valley is the winter home for waterfowl, northern raptors, migratory songbirds and numerous mammals.  These creatures mig

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for immediate release, December 2, 2008 for more information, contact:Robert Schwartz, Staff Attorney, Tri-Valley CAREs, (925) 443-7148Marylia Kelley, Executive Director, Tri-Valley CAREs, (925) 443-7148BAY AREA GROUP SUES TO COMPEL OPEN GOVERNMENT, ENFORCE PUBLIC RIGHT TO KNOW:LIGITIGATION CHARGES PATTERN OF ABUSE, HAS NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS LIVERMORE, CA - This morning, Tri-Valley CAREs filed a lawsuit in federal district court in San Francisco against the U.S.

San Francisco ChronicleGARDENS IN UNLIKELY PLACES MEAN HOPE, FREEDOM...Ron Sullivan,Joe Eaton...10-12-08http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/10/HOVP14GTN1.DTL&type=homeandga When we follow the operations of school and community gardens, we find ourselves speculating about the existence of a gardening instinct in our species.When we happen upon "guerrilla" gardens like Alemany Farms or the Tenderloin National Forest, a converted alley off Ellis Street, we're tem

 12-14-08Modesto BeeSwelling support for canal in deltaStatewide shortages reviving water wars' once-nuclear option...Matt Weiser, The Sacramento Beehttp://www.modbee.com/local/story/532916.htmlNote: See Sacramento Bee Article below...The Delta debate: Resurrecting the canal...Chapter One...Matt WeiserInteractive maps detailing all delta islands, videw and morehttp://www.sacbee.c

 12-15-08Merced Sun-StarOur View: Invest in universitiesCalifornia needs its youth to get four-year degrees if it wants to stay competitive.http://www.mercedsunstar.com/181/story/595039.htmlUniversity of California President Mark Yudof called it a "revolution" and one of the "smartest investments" in American history.He wants the United States to "do it again."Yudof was referring to President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Morrill Act in 1862 -- during warti

 12-17-08Merced Sun-StarBellevue Ranch: City of Merced insists on bike pathWoodside Homes' insurer will be tapped to pay for construction...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/598085.htmlWith Woodside Homes in bankruptcy court, Merced was forced to tap the developer's insurance policy to pay for $3 million in improvements to Bellevue Ranch.The builder promised to build two bike paths with landscaping.

The Merced Irrigation District has been in the news in recent days because there is evidently some conflict over its 2009 budget, set off by a staff proposal to sell $3 million worth of water during a severe drought. Proposals like that make farmers nervous.

 12-19-08Badlands JournalNeither staff or the Board of the Merced Irrigation District can run a legal public meeting...Badlands Journal editorial board...12-17-08http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2008-12-17/007006The Merced Irrigation District has been in the news in recent days because there is evidently some conflict over its 2009 budget, set off by a staff proposal to sell $3 million worth of water during a severe drought. Proposals like that make farmers nervous.

 12-21-08Modesto BeeTentative West Park ruling on right track...Editorialhttp://www.modbee.com/opinion/v-print/story/540548.htmlA Fresno County judge is headed in the right direction with his tentative ruling about West Park and when an environmental impact report is required under state law.First, there's no doubt about whether there needs to be a major environmental review.

 12-23-08Merced Sun-StarCalifornia officials cross fingers for federal rescueMerced Congressman Dennis Cardoza says Congress will insist on moderation...Rob Hotakainen and Michael Doyle / Bee Washington Bureauhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/v-print/story/605713.htmlWASHINGTON -- California is broke and cannot afford thousands of public-works projects -- but Uncle Sam could be riding to the rescue.Even before President-elect Barack Obama takes office J

 12-25-08Sacramento BeeThe Economy at a Glance...Interactive Maphttp://www.sacbee.com/1232/rich_media/1422637.htmlThis interactive map, created in partnership with the University of the Pacific's Business Forecasting Center, provides a detailed look at key economic trends and forecasts in the most heavily populated areas of the Central Valley.

 12-27-08Merced Sun-StarAndy Krotik: Outlook not good for early 2009Andy Krotik is sales manager of Coldwell Banker Gonella Realty in Atwater. Sources of information for this article were obtained by Gonella Realty research, CAR, NAR, DataQuick and Realty Server MLS. He writes every month.http://www.mercedsunstar.com/115/v-print/story/611749.htmlReal estate in its simplest form is supply and demand.

 12-29-08Sacramento BeeYolo County ranch's sale of water prompts lawsuit threat...Mary Lynne Vellingahttp://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1503272.htmlThe owners of the vast Conaway Ranch in Yolo County this year sold much of its annual allotment of water to an irrigation district in Central California – prompting the threat of a lawsuit by environmental groups.Yolo County leaders who two years ago were in court trying to seize control of Conaway through eminent domain are k

 12-30-08Badlands JournalCalifornia sues on ESA changes...Badlands Journal editorial boardhttp://www.badlandsjournal.com/2008-12-30/007021“The Bush Administration is seeking to gut the Endangered Species Act on its way out the door,” Attorney General Brown said.News Release December 30, 2008For Immediate ReleaseContact: Christine Gasparac 916-324-5500Attorney General Brown Sues to Overturn Bush Administration Rules Undermining Endangered Species Act