Big Basin Water Company Columns Local News Water 

Officials Urge Big Basin and SLV Water Districts Merger

By Jayme Ackemann As early as this summer, Big Basin Water Company customers could see water shortages or other impacts based on an alarming new order just issued by California’s State Water Resources Control Board. Since the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Big Basin has operated its system from a single well. Much of the company’s water treatment and storage infrastructure… Read More
The Goat Hill Girls Bluegrass Band Entertainment Music 

Henry! They’re All Girls! Pickin’ and Grinnin’ with The Goat Hill Girls Bluegrass Band

By Julie Horner The Goat Hill Girls are five longtime friends who have been making music together for over 40 years. They started out as Side Saddle, born in the Bay Area and breaking from the all-male bluegrass tradition. Back in the day some of their guys were in an outfit called The Bear Creek Boys. The girls said, “You… Read More
Local News Water 

McPherson, Stone, Laird urge Big Basin Water Co Merger with SLVWD

April 19, 2021 letter from Supervisor Bruce McPherson, Assemblymember Mark Stone, and Senator John Laird to Jim Moore, owner/manager of Big Basin Water Company strongly urging a merger of their company with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District stating, “as the county and state elected officials representing your company and its customers, we implore BBWD to immediately and earnestly engage… Read More
City of Santa Cruz Water Department Local News Water 

City of Santa Cruz Water Department Petitions to Modify its Use of San Lorenzo River Water

Summary and Commentary Prepared by Friends of San Lorenzo Valley Water April 2, 2021 Introduction The Santa Cruz City Water Department (SCWD) has submitted five separate petitions to the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) seeking changes to its permits and water rights associated with the San Lorenzo River.  The State Water Board oversees water rights throughout… Read More
PG&E unpermitted tree cutting in the CZU Burn zone Opinion 

Unpermitted Tree Cutting in the CZU Burn Zone: How Many Laws Might PG&E Have Broken?

By Chris Finnie Dennis Hall, Assistant Deputy Director of Forestry Practices with CAL FIRE, explains that, after fires, “The major utility companies in the state rapidly deploy large crews to restore power in areas affected by fire. Restoring power often requires the removal of trees to facilitate the operations and to remove safety concerns (e.g., from damaged trees falling on… Read More
San Lorenzo River photo by Mary Andersen Local News Water 

San Lorenzo Valley Groundwater Basin and Water Rights

By Mary Andersen During the recent community discussion on a potential consolidation between SLV and Scotts Valley water districts, there were statements made that “we all drink from the same source.” While we are all part of the greater watershed, a close look at specifics yields a different and more accurate picture. The Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin is a triangle… Read More
Checker Lily Wildflowers Santa Cruz Mountains Local News Outdoors Recreation 

An Insider’s Guide to Spring Wildflowers at Quail Hollow

By Pamela Morgan April and May always remind me of renewal, birth, and the blooming calla lilies, forget-me-nots, daffodils, and tulips. I become giddy with the first sightings of native wildflowers! I was introduced to coastal wildflowers while hiking with the Santa Cruz and Monterey chapters of the Sierra Club in the mid-80s, gravitating to hikers with an eye for… Read More