“The current scale of wine production, driven in part by global business interests, is impossible to support as the megadrought continues. It is time to accept this new reality, to get our land use and water policies in order, and to focus on learning from people who are pouring their time, money and energy into finding new and more sustainable ways to live with our changing environment.”
Tag Archives: City of St Helena
Scorched, Parched, and Now Uninsurable: Climate Change Hits Wine Country
“In Napa Valley, the lush heartland of America’s high-end wine industry, climate change is spelling calamity. Not outwardly: On the main road running through the small town of St. Helena, tourists still stream into wineries with exquisitely appointed tasting rooms. …But drive off the main road, and the vineyards that made this valley famous — …
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Indigenous people gather in St. Helena to honor Napa River
“Descendants of the Pomo, Mishewal Wappo and other native peoples gathered at Wappo Park on Sunday to pay tribute to the Napa River through speech, song and prayer. “Life is water and water is life,” said Sal Garcia-Pinola, a member of the Pomo. Sunday’s gathering took place amid a severe drought that has resulted in …
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So much for the Public Trust
“If there is going to be another lawsuit, I suspect it will involve commercial development vs. public trust if or when development of any kind in St. Helena can even be considered given our critical water crisis. I truly hope I am wrong about that, particularly considering the significant amount of general fund money and …
Water issues require decisive action
“As a director of Water Audit California, I was bemused to read the response of the city of St. Helena’s attorney to our litigation…”
Water Audit California sues St. Helena over water management
“Water Audit’s lawsuit claims the city failed to provide water data referenced in the joint statement, resulting in the new litigation.”
Water Audit Sues St. Helena Over Alleged Failure to Uphold Public Trust
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Water Audit California is again suing the City of St. Helena over their management of water resources. This comes on the heels of a similar suit filed June 1 against Napa County. Both cases aim to increase monitoring and oversight of groundwater and surface water resources.
[Court Record] Water Audit files suit against City of St. Helena
Water Audit California is again suing the City of St. Helena over their management of water resources. This comes on the heels of a similar suit filed June 1 against Napa County. Both cases aim to increase monitoring and oversight of groundwater and surface water resources. The full complaint below.
City of St. Helena reaches agreement with water watchdog group
“The City of St. Helena has agreed to monitor local groundwater levels and stream flows, averting a potential lawsuit from an environmental advocacy group. Following months of negotiations, the city and Water Audit California released a joint statement Friday announcing the city will collect monthly water levels and annual extraction totals for local wells and …
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Joint Statement Regarding the Protection of Public Trust Resources
Water Audit California is pleased to announce that we have reached a settlement of our controversy with the City of St. Helena. It represents a substantial evolution for the City that we both hope will result in a sustainable water future. Water Audit commends the City for its decision to adopt the principles of science …
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Environmental group threatens to sue St. Helena over groundwater extraction
“ST. HELENA — An environmental advocacy group is threatening to sue the City of St. Helena over its handling of groundwater. Grant Reynolds, a director of Water Audit California, delivered a letter to the city on Monday criticizing its use of the Stonebridge wells for municipal use and “a pattern of exercising no discretion” in …
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Farmstead Lodge’s response to WAC re application for well permit
Responding to concerns filed by Water Audit California, Farmstead Lodge promised that approval of its well permits requests would decrease their demand on groundwater by approximately 50%.
After environmental lawsuit, St. Helena agrees to bypass more water into creek
“ST. HELENA — The City Council has approved a short-term plan to bypass more water from Bell Canyon Reservoir into Bell Creek, in response to a lawsuit claiming that the city has degraded fish habitat in the creek by historically capturing too much water in the reservoir. The council also approved contracts to install equipment …
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City of St. Helena sued over water diversion
“An environmental advocate who filed a claim against the city of St. Helena in May has now sued the city for allegedly failing to bypass enough water into Bell Creek. According to a lawsuit filed Aug. 10 in Napa Superior Court by Water Audit California, the city has violated state regulatory limits on the diversion …
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