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Let’s choose to pursue a just transition to a river basin with less water. The post Climate change is destabilizing the Colorado River Basin. Where do we go from here? first appeared on Growing Returns.

A new EDF report outlines common ground among diverse groundwater stakeholders in Texas. The post 5 principles for resilient groundwater management in Texas first appeared on Growing Returns.

Report documents the results of an EDF research project examining groundwater management challenges in Texas that included convening two stakeholder workshops to identify priority issues and gather diverse perspectives.  

AB 252, a bill to create a new program to help rural communities adapt to more sustainable groundwater use, advanced to the California Senate for a vote.

How Aaron Fukuda is taking action to keep groundwater sustainable in this region of California. The post As drought intensifies, this California water manager is testing new tools to help farmers, communities and wildlife first appeared on Growing Returns.

A new report can help policymakers identify policy priorities and develop project plans to build climate resilience in the Colorado River Basin and beyond. The post 10 ways policymakers can support climate resilience in the West first appeared on Growing Returns.

This project is the largest multisector Colorado River conservation effort to date. It is an example of the unprecedented collaboration that is needed moving forward to build resilience to climate change and water scarcity in the West. The post This landmark water conservation agreement is good news for Arizona. We need more like it. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Three steps that all Texans can take now to build momentum behind protecting our rivers, streams and groundwater. The post Texas leaders made a big mistake ignoring water this session. But not all hope is lost. first appeared on Growing Returns.

Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and other contributions secure funding to support water resilience, equity and combat drought within the Colorado River Basin

With extreme drought plaguing Colorado, here are three new funding streams to help build more resilient water systems for agriculture, wildlife and communities. The post As drought persists, Colorado water funding comes just in time first appeared on Growing Returns.

More development in Texas is leading to an increase in discharge permit applications, putting pristine rivers and streams at risk. Proposed legislation will protect them, if the Senate passes it. The post Pristine streams in Texas need protection. It’s up to the state Senate to act. first appeared on Growing Returns.

State water agencies, the California Water Data Consortium and EDF are working together to scale and expand the features of the groundwater accounting platform co-developed by EDF. Here are 3 reasons why this partnership is important. The post 3 ways this accounting platform will help California groundwater agencies transition to sustainable supplies first appeared on Growing Returns.

State water agencies, the California Water Data Consortium and EDF announced a new partnership to make an open-source groundwater accounting platform.

Statement from Ann Hayden on CA Gov. Gavin Newsom's emergency drought declarations and $5.1 billion to address drought and related water challenges.

Spring is in full swing across the U.S. – flowers are blooming, pollen is blowing – and this means that the 2021 heat wave, hurricane, and wildfire seasons are just around the corner. After the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced a record number of named storms and record-breaking wildfires ravaged the Western U.S., vulnerable communities …

As 75% of Texas faces drought, two bills in the state Legislature can advance more sustainable and equitable management of vital water resources. The post As Texas drought worsens, two bills can advance sustainable, equitable groundwater management first appeared on Growing Returns.

Statement by Ann Hayden of EDF on drought proclamation by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

It’s a daunting time to be working on water in California. The Sierra snowpack measurement came in today at 59% of average statewide, making this the second dry winter in a row. The drought conditions led state and federal officials to announce last week painful water cuts for farmers and for municipal water systems that …

Recharge basins are becoming increasingly popular in overdrafted regions in California, where water managers are seeking solutions to balance groundwater supply and demand to comply with the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

Story Map by Environmental Defense Fund

A pilot project advancing sustainable groundwater management.

Just as collaboration, innovation and leadership on groundwater were needed to ensure a resilient economic future for Arizona’s cities, EDF argues they are also needed today to ensure the survival and prosperity of rural Arizona.

EDF and partners convened a series of bilingual workshops known as the Leadership Academy in Visalia, California. For six months, rural water board leaders from 13 communities met once a month to develop and practice skills that will help them become better advocates for their communities.

EDF's Central Valley Resilience Initiative is working to transform California's Central Valley into a pioneering agricultural region that not only puts food on our nation’s plates but also supports thriving wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, soil health, groundwater recharge and flood control.

EDF guide for developing regional strategies to create multiple benefits