Which Way, L.A.?
Can the Wild West of Water be Tamed?
While homeowners face fines for keeping their lawns green or flushing the toilet too often, Big Agriculture pumps all the groundwater it wants to. Is it being wasted? Is this time of drought finally the moment for new rules?
By Warren Olney • • 27m ListenWhile homeowners face fines for keeping their lawns green or flushing the toilet too often, Big Agriculture pumps all the groundwater it wants to. California is the only Western state with no regulations on that most precious resource. Is it being wasted? Is this time of drought finally the moment for new rules?
Also, Mayor Garcetti says LA can’t afford a cost of living raise for the LAPD. He and Chief Charlie Beck have promised to show up at roll calls so they can explain. Now the police union is threatening file suit. We’ll hear from Chief Beck and a union leader.
Banner Image: Aerial photo of the California Aqueduct at the Interstate 205 crossing; Credit: Ikluft
In this episode
2 storiesThe Push to Regulate California’s New Gold… Water
California is the only Western state with no regulations on groundwater. Big landowners can pump as much as they want. And, as the drought gets worse, that’s what they’re doing. The Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis compares that to overdrawing a savings account.
Read the story17 minDo LAPD Officers Deserve a Raise?
Mayor Garcetti says LA can’t afford to give cops a raise, and he wants to address them directly. The cops rejected a no-raise contract, even though it was recommended by leaders of their union, the Police Protective League. Now the League says it’ll sue to prevent the Mayor and the Chief of Police from going to roll call.
Read the story10 min
