envjournal

By Gideon F. For-mukwai

Envjournal Writer

There are three areas in which water can be conserved in homes today. From the kitchen, to the bathroom and to the lawn, water usage can be reduced, depending on simple choices combined with new water-saving green devices.

Kitchen

According to Niagra Conservation, a turnkey conservation outfit based in New Jersey, there are many ways by which to reduce water wastage in homes. For instance, Niagara states that by taking shower instead of a bath, up to 40% of water can be saved. By increasing awareness, a lot of water and money be saved from multiple areas both indoor and outdoor.

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By Gideon F. For-mukwai
When I was browsing around looking for water-related blogs, little did I expect to find a water blog specializing on water issues. To my pleasant surprise, I found a fine blog by Schroeder’s Law Offices covering states like Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and international issues.
The blog covers amongst other topics legislation, water law and case law.
For more about Water blog, check out: water-law.com/wordpress/?cat=9

By Gideon F. Mukwai
Envjournal Writer

This is beautiful Squaw Valley at sunset.

For two consecutive years, the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition has rated the Squaw Valley Ski Corporation with an “A” grade for playing an active role in environmental restoration and enhancement within the Squaw Valley community.

According to Ed Heneveld, the founder of Friends of Squaw Creek, (FoSC), the Squaw Valley community has come a long way from a difficult past. In recent years, the Ski Corporation and the community have collaborated in reducing accelerated hill slope erosion and creek impairment which accounted for over 88% of sediment deposition.

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Gideon F. For-mukwai

Envjounal Writer

Stories in the local media over the last couple of weeks have ranged from water wars, penalties for water violations, and potential drought resulting from insufficient snow fall this year.

From the Reno-Gazette Journal, to the Reno News & Review to NBC Channel 4, the headlines have echoed a growing concern over a looming water crisis in the Truckee River Basin.

On March 23, the Reno Gazette Journal reported, “Snow makes it way out of the Reno area.” The staff report indicated that while the chance of snow lingers, the Tahoe Basin is barely 75 - 85 per cent of its annual average. On same day, Tammy Krikorian also reported that water officials doubt that the Reno-Tahoe area will overcome the present snow shortfalls. For more more on this story, read: RGJ snow story here.

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By Gideon F. For-mukwai

Envjournal Writer

A couple of weeks ago we reported on the Spring Mountain Development.

On March 12, 2009, the Governing Body of the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency approved Spring Mountain Development. The decision was reached unanimously after over three years of petitions by Voters for Sensible Growth and Sierra Club.

For more information: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903130445

By Gideon F. Mukwai

EnvJournal Writer

Truckee River

Susan Lynn of Great Basin Water Network has decried what she calls “public apathy on water issues”. Some people don’t even know where the water they drink comes from, she said chuckling.

Public indifference comes with a price tag, Lynn said. This is so because some elected officials and water management experts take advantage of public apathy to work without consultation. 

“They see themselves as water gods,” she said. 

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The Nature Conservancy

Check out this cool new feature at the Nature Conservancy related to protecting watersheds. Just click on the picture below.

Enjoy!

- Michelle