Articles

  • Senate considers San Joaquin River
    May 17, 2008  - In 1942, the San Joaquin River transformed almost overnight from a free-flowing river into a trickling stream. When the Friant Dam began operations near Fresno, the livelihood of those that depended upon the waters of the second-longest river in California - primarily farmers and fishermen - found t... More
  • Farm Bill best ever for Valley growers
    May 17, 2008  - Members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate seemed to have the interests of California in mind when they were drafting this year's $300 billion Farm Bill. More than $2 billion, the most ever, will be directed towards specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries that... More
  • Film on Congress features Yosemite schoolDocumentary explores how a bill is passed
    Apr 10, 2008  - A tiny Yosemite-area school stars in a new documentary film that teaches big lessons about how Congress works. It's not always a pretty picture. The Wawona Elementary School and its nine students waited years for lawmakers to finish a bill providing additional money for the school. Compromise... More
  • Group reverses river deal stand
    Mar 14, 2008  - The Madera Irrigation District on Friday reversed its opposition to the agreement for restoring the San Joaquin River, voting with other east Valley farm districts to support it. Madera officials said discussions with other water leaders in the last 10 days have eased their biggest concern --... More
  • Water authority vote supports San Joaquin River restoration
    Mar 14, 2008  - A sweeping settlement to restore salmon to the San Joaquin River took a step forward Friday. The Friant Water Users Authority, a powerful band of Central Valley water districts that represents farmers, voted to support changes to the legislation needed to begin the restoration. Supporters sa... More
  • River bill taps nuclear money
    Nov 21, 2007  - The nuclear energy industry would be tapped to pay for restoring the San Joaquin River under an evolving proposal that's incited a fierce backstage fight. Publicly, Congress is adjourned. Privately, lawmakers, staff and lobbyists are still maneuvering over a San Joaquin River restoration bill ... More
  • River plan afloat, barely
    Sep 8, 2007  - The road to San Joaquin River restoration remains rocky a year after farmers and environmentalists seemingly settled their differences. Congress is still hung up on legislation returning water and salmon to the river. Some crucial questions remain unanswered. Recent court decisions also complic... More
  • House approves bill including river restoration
    May 18, 2007  - The House on Thursday approved a budget bill that sets aside money for an ambitious San Joaquin River restoration effort. It's a technical but crucial step forward -- and a sign the river plan has some friends in high places. Even so, river restoration proponents are scrambling for the dollars ... More
  • River plan flounders in D.C.
    May 4, 2007  - Some San Joaquin River restoration solutions remain as slippery as salmon. A bill to restore the river is caught in a budget snag. The final price tag is unclear. Farmer protections remain ambiguous. And on Thursday, even a key supporter of restoring the river conceded success cannot be guaran... More
  • River restoration goes to D.C
    Mar 1, 2007  - Long-feuding farmers and environmentalists today will urge Congress to approve an ambitious plan to restore the San Joaquin River. But the potential price tag keeps rising as farmers seek to recapture some of the water they could lose. Expensive new canals might be needed to get the water back,... More