Would Sites reservoir become a ‘biological wasteland’?

Foes say $5 billion project to severely degrade water quality
by Dave Waddell | Posted May 28, 2019

photo courtesy of Sites Project Authority
A conceptual rendering of the Sites reservoir west of Maxwell.

James Murphy’s ranchland, which he’s owned for 35 years, would be under water if the long-discussed Sites reservoir becomes a reality.

If the Sites Project Authority seeks to acquire Murphy’s property to build the reservoir, he’s going to make it as difficult for them as possible.

“I don’t want to sell my land; there’s no reason for me to sell,” said Murphy, a retired rancher who leases his 1,600 Sites-area acres for cattle grazing. “If they condemn it, they’ll have to tear it out of my hands.”

The proposed reservoir is being promoted as means of capturing water in big storms for use during California’s inevitable dry stretches. Sites’ timeline has the project being reviewed by the California Water Commission in 2021 and becoming operational in 2029. read more

Chico protesters demonstrate against harsh and punishing new laws

Southern states attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade
by Leslie Layton | Posted May 21, 2019

photo by Leslie Layton
Chico’s Christine Moore attended the rally because she said the passage of new anti-abortion laws “needs to be stopped.”

A lunchtime “Stop the Bans” reproductive justice rally took place in Chico Tuesday as pro-choice groups nationwide called for a “Day of Action.”

“Across the country, we are seeing a rash of extreme bans on abortion and cruel attempts at taking away reproductive freedom in an all-out assault on abortion access,” states a Facebook post promoting the Chico rally, which was organized by Women on Reproductive Defense (WORD), Women’s March Chico, Trans Empowerment Project of Northern California, and other groups.

Christine Moore, one of more than 70 people attending the rally at City Plaza, said she was 1 year old when the U.S. Supreme Court made its landmark 1973 decision in favor of the right to choose whether or not to undergo an abortion, at least during the first and second trimesters. “This fight should have been over long ago,” Moore said. read more