Trump administration offers plan to thwart dam removal on California river A top Trump official said that a California buyer may have emerged for two dams on the Eel River. PG&E, the dams’ owner, wants to take them down, but the Trump administration wants them to...

New: The Trump administration has unveiled a plan to stop dam removal on California's Eel River. How serious it is remains unclear.

Ag Secretary Rollins says a Southern California water agency wants to buy the dams. The agency says it's still gathering info

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

California’s snowpack notches grim milestone of second-lowest on record A warm winter and little snowfall have resulted in one of California's lowest-ever snowpacks, raising concerns about water supplies and wildfires.

New: California's April 1 snowpack is just 18% of average, the second-lowest on record. This could pose problems for water supplies, wildfires and wildlife www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

‘One extreme, then another’: Historic floods put Hawaii’s future in view As more storms hit Hawaii, questions loom over how residents and tourists will confront increasing floods, fires and other climate disruption.

As more storms hit Hawaii, questions loom over how residents and tourists will confront increasing floods, fires and other climate disruption.

Update on the O’ahu flooding: “Hundreds” of homes confirmed damaged or destroyed, a toll that could grow to thousands, Hawaii officials say

As blue skies return to Oahu, many face the hard work of beginning again. Fortunately, the community is showing up to help after the floods

The floodwaters are pulling back on Oahu’s North Shore, but many rural roads are still swamped after the worst rainstorms in two decades.

Some folks in Mokuleia have to wade through muddy water to get back and forth from home

A major housing battle is taking place on the edge of Yosemite National Park An unusual battle over new housing is emerging on the western edge of Yosemite National Park, in an area zoned for forest.

I am always skeptical about people opposing new housing next to existing housing, but when it's happening along the edge of Yosemite National Park you have to scratch your head at least a little bit: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

good story

Northern California’s first condor egg in 100 years reported in redwood tree

Who COULDN’T use some good news? ‘ Scientists with the Yurok Tribe say that two of dozens of condors released to the wild in Humboldt County since 2022, to reestablish the endangered birds, have paired up, built a nest in a redwood tree and appear to be tending to an egg.”

#californiacondor

Yosemite National Park eliminates summer reservations National Parks officials say requiring reservations for entry to Yosemite was problematic. But conservation groups say dropping the policy will lead to congestion and environmental strain.

New: Yosemite is doing away with reservations for the summer season.

So are Glacier and Arches national parks www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

A little snow above Boulder Creek, in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Land trust buys scenic Bay Area ranch, halting controversial plan for a quarry One of the South Bay’s largest remaining private rural properties will be protected from new development — and plans for a quarry will be scrapped.

We are often given a false dilemma: Western lands must either become ranches or suburban sprawl.
Ranchers benefit from this myth. But there is a 3rd way: conservation. Protecting nature for everyone.

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com

FEMA cuts payouts to local fire departments responding to wildfires The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reducing the reimbursement city and rural fire departments get for responding to wildfires. Fire officials fear it will hamper fire response across the...

Another move by FEMA that could affect disaster response...

The agency is reducing the amount paid to local fire departments for helping fight wildfires in the West www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Newsom’s Delta tunnel plan hits snag as court rules state lacks authority to issue bonds The pipeline, planned for many years, would allow water shipments to bypass sensitive delta wetlands and reach drier areas in Central and Southern California.

New problem for Newsom's Delta Tunnel...

Court says California doesn't have the authority to issue bonds to pay for the $20 billion water project, throwing the financing into question: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

A dramatic stretch of desert is being proposed as California’s next national monument California’s proposed monument, encompassing a river in one of the hottest and driest corners of the country, would be larger than Yosemite.

The proposed Amargosa Basin National Monument sounds rad. It's beautiful desert, if you've never been there. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Yosemite National Park names new superintendent The new superintendent will face challenges such as crowding, the prospect of wildfires and the poor condition of some of the park’s restaurants and hotels.

New... Yosemite National Park has a new top official: Ray McPadden, the acting chief, named superintendent.

At one of the most popular parks, McPadden will be tested by overcrowding, staff cuts and declining conditions at restaurants and hotels www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Exclusive: Newsom talks climate plans, blasts Trump after Prop 50 win California Gov. Gavin Newsom, fresh off a redistricting win, is planning to travel to COP30 in Brazil next week to showcase America’s resolve for addressing the climate crisis.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, fresh off a redistricting win, is planning to travel to COP30 in Brazil next week to showcase America’s resolve for addressing the climate crisis.

Salmon have flourished since California dam removal. But some may be swimming too far After the largest dam-removal effort in U.S. history, salmon appear to be thriving in the Klamath River, though some are taking a detour.

A year after Klamath River dam removals, salmon are swimming farther than expected, even into irrigation canals near Klamath Falls. Scientists say it’s both a challenge and a sign of recovery.

📰 @kurtisalexander.bsky.social for @sfchronicle.com: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Salmon reach headwaters for first time in a century after California dam removal Klamath River salmon have crossed a major threshold after dams were removed along the California-Oregon border, with the fish reaching the river’s headwaters for the first time in more than a...

Salmon have finally reached the Klamath River headwaters in Oregon. Amazing. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a... via @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Image of California Highway 120 leading to snow capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Scrub brush and sand on both sides of the roadway with a double yellow center line. Single white lines mark the edge of the roadway. Some yellow fall colors can be seen below the snow line on the mountain to the left of center.

Fresh snow on the Eastern Sierras near Mono Lake

#Photography 📷 📸 #Leica #fotografía #foto
#Landscape #Sierras

#FridayReads New @sfchronicle.com: 1 in 5 new California homes are built in wildfire zones. That’s causing real issues for communities. 🔌💡

California is building homes deeper into wildfire country. Here’s why. A housing shortage crisis combined with an era of climate-fueled wildfires has made building homes a fraught undertaking across much of California.

California is running out of safe spots to put homes.

A look at 2024 state housing data shows that in many counties, every new home is being built in a wildfire hazard area
www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...

Even if you’re not into snakes, these little guys are charming

The S.F. zoo is raising a captive population of San Francisco garter snakes. Scientists plan to begin releasing the endangered snakes in the wild, including these newborns, to boost their numbers www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

Trump administration could roll back planned California dam removal U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suggested that the Trump administration may try to halt PG&E’s plans to remove two dams on a Northern California river, due to water supply concerns.

New: The Trump administration appears to be working to roll back plans for dam removal on California's Eel River.

"Stay tuned," says U.S. Ag Secretary @secrollins.govpeeps.com

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

‘Prepare to be blown away’: New national monument near Santa Cruz about to open The new national monument near Santa Cruz, established during President Obama’s term, will offer hiking, biking and sightseeing opportunities when it opens to the public this summer.

New: Cotoni-Coast Dairies national monument near Santa Cruz will open Aug. 15. (President Obama designated the monument in 2017, but it’s been closed since for preparations) www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

California’s massive dam removal hit a key milestone. Now, there’s a problem The return of salmon to their ancestral home was a fundamental goal of the dam removal and a measure of the Klamath River project’s success. However, a problem has emerged.

“Restoration is not a flip-of-the-switch and everything-is-fine endeavor. It took hundreds of years for the basin to get to the way it is now, and it’s going to take time to modify it to suit fish.” Via @sfchronicle.com & @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

Yosemite contractor slammed for failings, like rodents at Ahwahnee bar Yosemite National Park’s major contractor, Aramark, received unusually poor performance grades in a newly available report from the park service.

Having recently dined at Base Camp Eatery can't say I'm shocked - from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

It’s always nice to hear good conservation news.

Yosemite’s Tioga Pass scheduled to open on Memorial Day Visitors to Yosemite National park will be able to cross through the park on Highway 120 with Monday’s scheduled opening of Tioga Pass.

New: Tioga Pass at Yosemite National Park (Hwy 120) will open on Monday www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/art...

California’s extraordinary tree die-off may finally be easing Forest Service aerial surveys show that tree mortality in California hit its lowest level in years — good news for Sierra forests decimated by drought, beetles

The tree die-off that has withered California forests for a decade appears to be easing. New Forest Service data shows tree mortality at a 10-year low www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...