Study Examines Texas Response to Megadrought
Texas is known for being hot and it is known for droughts. As such, the state has undertaken water planning to sustain its water supplies, an example being Austin’s “Water Forward” water resource plan. However, these plans address conditions seen in the past, such as the worst drought recorded for the state which occurred in the 1950s and spanned six years. Due to climate change and rising temperatures, the risk of extreme droughts, or megadroughts, is expected to increase by the next century, rendering these plans inadequate. A megadrought an intense drought that lasts for decades or longer; Texas has experienced drought […]
Water Cutbacks for Arizona and Nevada Under New Deal
Under a set of agreements intended to help boost the water level of Lake Mead, which now stands at just 40% capacity, Arizona and Nevada will receive less water from the Colorado River starting next year. The Federal Bureau of Reclamation released projections on Friday showing that Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, will be at levels next year that continue to trigger moderate cutbacks in both states. Those reductions could eventually increase in the next few years if Lake Mead drops further. The estimates show the reservoir near Las Vegas will likely begin 2021 about 10 feet above a […]
Water Resources Development Act of 2020 Approved
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 (H.R. 7575)[1], authorizing at least $8.6 billion in federal funds for 38 new Army Corps of Engineers construction projects. WRDA 2020 provides policy direction to the Army Corps of Engineers for its civil works missions. This includes flood and storm protection, river and port navigation, environmental restoration improvements, and other water resources infrastructure according to Engineering News-Record (ENR). The total cost of the projects is estimated at more than $13 billion. The 2020 WRDA was passed by the House on Jul. 29, so WRDA will […]
Statewide Significant Drought Declared in Massachusetts
Following a month of unusually high temperatures in July and August paired with limited rainfall, Massachusetts state officials have declared a Level 2 drought for all regions, urging citizens to closely monitor and limit their water consumption. The Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary, Kathleen Theoharides, declared a “Level 2 – Significant Drought” in all of the state’s regions this past week, according to a joint statement from Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Drought Management Task Force, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. “The combination of three months of limited rainfall and well above normal temperatures through July and early August […]
Coronavirus’s Impact on Municipal Budgets
The impact of the coronavirus is devastating, with budgetary consequences that state and local governments will face for years to come. Much as the Great Recession did, the pandemic will overwhelm many sub-national budgets; many cities are still recovering from the recession more than a decade later. The pandemic has severely reduced tax revenues while forcing increased spending to deal with the health crisis. Cities often do not have many options to address budget shortfalls and must make difficult choices–either raise revenue or cut spending. Infrastructure is often on the “cut spending” list. According to the Congressional Budget Office, of […]