Independent research and analysis of California's developed water systems
Last year, I read the book, “The Gift of Anger and other lessons from my grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi." It's by Mahatma Gandhi's fifth grandson, Arun Gandhi. Arun asked his grandfather why he didn’t get angry. Mahatma Ghandi answered, "it is not that I don't get angry. I have learned to use my anger for good. … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars: The Gift of Anger and other lessons from Gandhi
I went to graduate school at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the 1990s. Although there were many things I loved about the campus, they had also had serious issues with the campus' handling of violence against female students. There had been a major Title IX complaint, supported by female faculty members. After an … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars — on becoming a warrior
Our country was founded by idealists and dreamers, who fought for their ideals. And 246 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans continue to fight -- for justice, for the rights of the governed, for fairness, equity, and a livable future. I've reflecting today on the dedication of those I have I … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars — 4th of July reflections
Jonas Minton, the Senior Water Policy Advisor for Planning and Conservation League, passed away on June 22, 2022. He was 73. I had the privilege of serving on an expert panel with Jonas on April 2, 2018. We testified in the WaterFix Water Right Change Petition hearing for attorneys Bob Wright and Kyle Jones, representing … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars — Jonas Minton’s testimony on true collaboration
Bear Grylls is a British soldier who spent three years as a soldier in the British Special Forces. He broke his back in three places in a parachuting accident and spent many months in military rehabilitation He recovered and went on to become one of the youngest climbers ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Bear … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars — On Facing Fears
In 2011, I wrote the report, Mendota: Evidence that soil and groundwater salinization is the predominant cause of land fallowing. Eventually Westlands Water District officials admitted that there was over 100,000 acres of land in the District that had been retired from irrigated production. (Westlands’ 2017 Water Management Plan shows that 176,000 acres had been … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars — Westlands Accident
By Deirdre Des Jardins The State Water Resources Control Board's WaterFix Water Right Change Petition Hearing took place from July of 2016 to September of 2018. It was the largest water rights hearing in 50 years, involving over 110 parties and over 85 attorneys. I participated in the entire hearing. In addition to testifying on … Continue reading Tales from the Water Wars – The Passing Game