Monterey County Local Environment News Articles and Digest

Environment Health State of California

California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

04/17/2024
Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

From Los Angeles Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment

PG&E Hit With $225-Million Lawsuit for 2021 Dixie Fire Damages

04/14/2024
A coalition of timber businesses filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Co., alleging $225 million in damages caused by the 2021 Dixie Fire.

From King City Rustler...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Sustainability Resilience

Scheid Family Wines Enters 7th Year of 100% Wind-Powered Wines

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Scheid Family Wines Enters 7th Year of 100% Wind-Powered Wines

This Earth Month, Scheid Family Wines celebrates nearly seven years of being 100% powered by renewable wind energy.

From SF Gate...

Environment

California's Largest Reservoir Is Close to Full

04/11/2024
California's reservoirs are brimming with water, and even Shasta Lake could fill up.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Resilience

California Requires New Homes to Have Solar Panels. Should Wildfire Victims Get a Break?

04/11/2024
A California Republican’s bill would exempt low and middle income wildfire victims from solar panels requirements on rebuilt homes that didn’t have them when they burned down.

From Salinas Valley Tribune...

Environment Land Use & Development Sustainability

Salinas Valley Recycles Unveils Education Center and Garden Near Gonzales

04/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Salinas Valley Recycles Unveils Education Center and Garden Near Gonzales

Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, aka Salinas Valley Recycles (SVR), will celebrate the grand opening of its new Education Center and Garden near Gonzales this Saturday in conjunction with the Youth Council’s year-end community project — a Sustainability Fair.

From Los Angeles Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Animals

Salmon Populations Are Struggling, Bringing Economic Woes for California's Fishing Fleet

03/30/2024
Captains of fishing boats on the California coast are bracing for salmon fishing to be severely restricted — or possibly canceled for a second year.

From Los Angeles Times...

Environment Transportation

Part of Highway 1 Near Big Sur Crumbles as New Landslide Closes More of Historic Roadway

03/30/2024
Highway 1 is closed indefinitely from Palo Colorado Road to Rocky Creek Bridge, the California Department of Transportation said on social media after a new landslide eroded part of the roadway.

From Monterey Herald...

Business, Economy & Jobs Environment Animals

Dungeness Crab Season to End Early

03/28/2024
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials ordered an April 8 close to the commercial season to citing the risk of fishing gear entanglement by migrating humpback whales.

From King City Rustler...

Environment Animals

Condors Lay First Egg of Year at Pinnacles National Park

03/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Condors Lay First Egg of Year at Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park biologists have confirmed the first condor egg within the park for 2024.

From SF Gate...

Environment Animals

Feds Propose Killing Nearly 500,000 'Invasive' Owls to Save Calif. Native Owls

03/27/2024
The goal is to eliminate habitat competition between "invasive" owls and native owls.

From The Lutrinae...

Art, Culture & Media Environment Water Animals

Bay of Life Exhibit Opens at CSUMB

03/19/2024
Monterey Bay residents Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, renowned for their work documenting nature, have opened a new exhibit titled "Bay of Life: From Wind To Whales" at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) .

From Los Angeles Times...

Environment

Alan G. Sieroty, Former State Senator Who Helped Create the Coastal Commission, Dies at 93

03/17/2024
Sieroty, of Beverly Hills, served as a state Assembly member and senator, championing disability rights and efforts to protect California's coast.

From Los Angeles Times...

Environment Government

California Unlikely to Meet Landmark Goals for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

03/15/2024
California will miss its goals unless it can increase emission reductions threefold, according to a new study.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Public Safety Environment City of Seaside

Seaside City Council Votes to Put 'Safe and Sane' Fireworks on the Ballot.

03/08/2024
Image for display with article titled Seaside City Council Votes to Put 'Safe and Sane' Fireworks on the Ballot.

Fireworks have long been a polarizing issue in Seaside—some people love them, some people loathe them.

From Monterey Herald...

Environment Sustainability

Fishing Closures Considered to Protect Deep-sea Habitats

03/03/2024
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is considering closure of deep-sea coral restoration and research sites to fishing to protect habitats from bottom fishing gear in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

From CapPublicRadio...

Environment Sustainability

Wildfires Are Killing California’s Ancient Giants. Can Seedlings Save the Species?

02/26/2024
Ecologists estimate that up to 14,000 sequoias have been killed in recent wildfires. The National Park Service for the first time has begun replanting some severely burned areas.

From CalMatters...

Environment Sustainability Government

California’s Polluted Communities Could Miss Out on Billions Under Flawed System

02/22/2024
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.

From Los Angeles Times...

Environment Water

After Heavy Storms, Death Valley Is Now Open to Kayakers

02/20/2024
A temporary lake in Death Valley National Park doubled after recent rains and is now deep enough to launch a kayak. Prior to August, ghostly Lake Manly hadn’t appeared in 19 years.

From SF Gate...

Environment Animals Sustainability

Eager Crowds Are Threatening a Bay Area Beach Ecosystem, Scientists Warn

02/14/2024
Foragers at the beaches in Half Moon Bay might be damaging the area’s reef.

Monterey County Local News: Environment