U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton testifies during a June 14 hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources focused on the drought affecting the Southwestern U.S. and specifically the Colorado River. Commissioner Touton testified that as much as 2-million to 4-million acre-feet of conservation would be needed in 2023 as a short-term action to support water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

With the Colorado River hydrology continuing to decline, stakeholders on the river find themselves in the challenging position of having to think about both the near-term actions needed to protect the key reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, and the long-term operations of the river. With an eye toward the long-term operations, the Bureau of Reclamation has begun seeking public input ahead of the upcoming National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process to develop the next set of guidelines that will

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Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, speaks virtually during the State Water Resources Control Board hearing on the status of the state’s restoration work at the Salton Sea held April 20. Crowfoot highlighted the progress of restoration projects but acknowledged there is more work that needs to be done.

As part of the 2017 Stipulated Order adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board), the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) must go before the Water Board annually to report on the progress of restoration work at the Salton Sea. CNRA is the agency charged with leading the state’s phased approach to restoration, known as the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP). On April 20, the CNRA provided its latest report to the Water Board as outlined in the 2022 SSMP Annual Report. During a five-hour hearing, the Water Board voiced its support

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In this file photo, Bruce Wilcox, at the time Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy under the California Natural Resources Agency, discusses the concept of water importation for long-term Salton Sea restoration planning during a workshop held Oct. 4, 2018, at the Imperial County Board of Supervisors’ chambers.

A man who dedicated much of his career to Salton Sea issues passed away in January. His name was Bruce Wilcox, the former (and first) Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy for the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)—among other hats he wore related to the Salton Sea during his career. As opposed to reviewing Bruce’s long career and years of work on the Salton Sea, this blog coveys my personal experience and appreciation for a man I had the opportunity to work with and learn from on issues related to the sea. The message I hope readers take away from

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