Environment

With most of the state gripped by extreme dryness, some conditions are better, some worse, than the last record-breaking drought. Over-pumping of wells hasn’t stopped. But urban residents haven’t lapsed back into water-wasting lifestyles.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office warns California lawmakers to prepare to dispatch emergency drinking water to vulnerable communities, particularly in the Central Valley.

Pressured by growers and legislators, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in 39 counties as most of California experiences severe drought. The order, which affects more than half of the state, will expedite water sales among growers while allowing state officials to keep reservoirs full and river fish protected.

Ravaged by wildfire last summer, a state park — and all its redwood forests, creatures and trails — will undergo a transformation. Big Basin Redwoods will be back after a massive rebuilding project. But what will it look like?

The move comes after environmentalists lambasted Newsom for failing to tackle California’s oil and gas production. The oil industry called it an “illegal mandate” and vowed to fight it. Fracking accounts for only 17% of California's oil production.

The Russian River watershed is hard hit by lack of rainfall. The emergency order will allow state officials to relax some restrictions on reservoirs and assist endangered fish.

The USDA declared California a natural disaster due to its severe drought, triggering aid for growers and ranchers who supply much of the nation’s food. Why has the federal government stepped in to help with California’s water woes?

Like house guests overstaying their welcome, foreign crabs have been nearly impossible to boot out of California. A new strategy, born of failure, may help combat armies of invasive plants and animals that are preying on vulnerable native creatures.

Researchers calculated that California’s rules reduced diesel exhaust by 78% compared to 51% for federal rules, leading to fewer deaths from heart attacks and lung disease.

After 40 years of debate about whether offroaders, endangered species and nearby towns can coexist, California’s coastal board ordered an end to offroad vehicles at the state park within three years. The decision capped a 12-hour meeting with fiery comments from about 200 offroaders, conservationists and residents.