page COVID-19 Mar 1, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak poses a tremendous challenge to California, the nation, and the global community. PPIC’s analyses examine the impacts of COVID-19 and how policy choices and other actions can help address them.
blog post Commentary: California Must Stop Relying on the Endangered Species Act to Manage the Environment By Jeffrey Mount Dec 5, 2019 California’s freshwater ecosystems are under pressure and aquatic biodiversity is in decline. The state needs a new approach to protect the many beneficial uses these ecosystems provide.
blog post Reducing Flood Risk in the Central Valley By Lori Pottinger Nov 19, 2019 The Central Valley has some of the highest risk of flooding in the state—and that risk is growing as the climate changes. We talked to Tim Ramirez of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board about what’s being done to manage this risk, now and into the future.
blog post Managing a Non-Native Delta Ecosystem By Lori Pottinger Sep 16, 2019 The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta has more non-native species than native ones, and its estuary is the most invaded in the world. We talked to scientist Jim Cloern about this challenge.
blog post The Yolo Bypass: It’s a Floodplain! It’s Farmland! It’s an Ecosystem! By Lori Pottinger Jul 29, 2019 The Sacramento River needs room to spread in wet years. The Yolo Bypass allows it to safely flood while also providing habitat. Scientist Ted Sommer explains this unique landscape.
Report California’s Water: Water for the Environment By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle ... Nov 12, 2018 River and wetland ecosystems in California—and the many birds, fish, and other species they support—are in serious decline. Major investments and novel approaches are needed to improve the health of our natural environment. This brief explains how water is used for environmental purposes and describes priority approaches that could improve its management.
blog post The Yuba Accord: A Model for Water Management By Ellen Hanak May 15, 2018 Three reasons why the Yuba Accord is a model for modern water management in California.
blog post Reforming Water Management for the Environment By Jeffrey Mount Nov 14, 2017 It’s time for California to rethink how it manages water for the environment. Three reforms could reduce conflict and improve freshwater ecosystems.
Report Managing California’s Freshwater Ecosystems: Lessons from the 2012-16 Drought By Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Caitrin Chappelle, Greg Gartrell ... Nov 12, 2017 The 2012–16 drought caused unprecedented stress to California’s ecosystems and pushed many native species to the brink of extinction. It also tested the laws, policies, and institutions charged with protecting the environment.
blog post A Pragmatic Reason to Protect Freshwater Fish By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount, Peter Moyle Dec 15, 2015 When species make the endangered species list, we’ve not only failed them, we’ve made it harder to manage water during drought.
