Trump takes steps to overhaul CA water delivery
President Donald Trump lost no time Jan. 20 in advancing his agenda for California’s water supply with a “presidential action” intended to send more Delta water south to millions of Southern Californians and San Joaquin Valley farms.
The memo calls on the Secretary of Commerce...
Conservationists buy 2,284 acres of Sargent Ranch property
The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased 2,284 acres of ranchland in southern Santa Clara County for $23 million, the organization announced Jan. 29. The acquisition brings POST’s total holdings at the former Sargent Ranch property to 6,114 acres and preserves sacred native land that...
Santa Clara County proposes major overhaul of rural, agricultural zoning rules
Santa Clara County is considering sweeping changes to its rural zoning ordinances that would impose new building limits and require mitigation when farmland is converted to non-agricultural uses.
If approved by county supervisors, the new rules could significantly affect wineries and other agricultural operations...
VTA approves design contract for Coyote Valley wildlife crossing
Now that a design contract has was approved this month for a new wildlife crossing in Coyote Valley, conservationists and transportation planners expect that construction on the project could begin by 2028.
The wildlife crossing is proposed to provide infrastructure for safe passage for animals...
Nursery crops, mushrooms top annual Santa Clara County ag report
Nursery crops retained their top spot in Santa Clara County in 2023, according to Santa Clara County’s latest Crop Report, with mushrooms clinging to the No. 2 spot despite a drop in crop value of almost 8% from 2022 due to the closure of...
Betabel developer updates project plans
New plans submitted to San Benito County show more details for the commercial development proposed near Highway 101 and Betabel Road—including an expanded variety of uses for the farm stand building that is currently under construction.
The McDowell Charity Trust—the owner and developer of the...
Pajaro watershed focus of regional climate talk
About 80 people gathered March 10 in the historic Aromas Community Grange after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) selected the Pajaro River Watershed as one of five watersheds to pilot the Watershed Resilience Program.
The initiative, which is supported by a $2 million...
Open Space Trust Buys 2500 Acres
The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased a nearly 2,500-acre portion of the Sargent Ranch in southern Santa Clara County, according to the organization’s president. The property is located near the site of a proposed sand and gravel mine.
POST President Gordon Clark spoke with this...
State weakens plan for mandatory water cuts
Facing criticism over their ambitious plan to curb urban water use, California’s regulators Tuesday weakened the proposed rules—giving water providers more years and flexibility to comply.
Cities and urban water districts welcome the changes to the state’s draft conservation rules, which they said would have...
Valley Water celebrates $727M in EPA loans for Anderson Dam, other projects
With a cold winter storm bearing down on Morgan Hill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrators joined local and regional representatives Feb. 23 at the top of Anderson Dam to announce the availability of $727 million in low-cost loans that will fund the rebuilding of...























