Environment

Chinook counts are less dire than last year, but fishery managers are still opting to heavily reduce or ban commercial and recreational fishing this year because “caution is warranted.” The salmon industry is devastated.

California, Arizona and Nevada would cut their allocations about 20% when reservoir levels drop. But other states have their own opposing plan. Now the federal government has to decide how to manage the drought-plagued river.

Large numbers of young Chinook salmon were found dead two days after being released from a state hatchery. Biologists say they were shocked by the die-off — but it was a predictable aftermath of human efforts to restore nature.

Researchers say if California could collect and treat more stormwater in cities, it could provide enough water to supply a quarter of the state’s urban population.

The state’s environmental tool skews which communities are designated as disadvantaged, researchers say. Some immigrant neighborhoods could be left out, while other groups are overrepresented.

The funds would help California ports expand to handle giant wind turbines and other equipment. California's first offshore wind farms are on a fast track off Humboldt County and Morro Bay.

The federal standard will likely throw new California counties out of compliance — and put even more pressure on the LA basin and San Joaquin Valley to clean the air.

State officials said a Humboldt County cannabis operation took water from streams and damaged wetlands for years without authorization. The owner called the fine extreme and unfair but agreed to pay and restore wetlands.

Some automakers are reducing production of electric cars and Tesla sales have dropped. Can California sustain its record pace and meet the state mandate?

Chinook and other salmon runs are collapsing. Conservation groups call it too little, too late. Plan includes dam removals and restoring river flows.