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
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
Big Basin Water Company Columns Fire Recovery Local News Water 

Big Basin Water Company Facing Challenges

By Jayme Ackemann “Water, water everywhere; nor a drop to drink.” The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, depicts the plight of an Irish sailor adrift at sea, surrounded by undrinkable saltwater. For Big Basin Water Company (BBWC) customers, this old idiom may seem especially prophetic as questions are raised about the utility’s fate. Until January… Read More
Wildwood Woodland Road Neighborhood Fire Recovery Local News 

Fire Recovery: The Wildwood Woodland Neighborhood

By Antonia Bradford There is a certain personality that is drawn to living in the mountains. People who have a great love and respect for nature. Independent, yet value community and connection. It’s what makes the San Lorenzo Valley such an amazing community to live. The people of the Wildwood Woodland neighborhood, just north of Boulder Creek, are no different.… Read More
Chris Clayton Realtor Local News Valley People 

Valley Neighbors: Chris Clayton Helps Fire Families

By Antonia Bradford Before the CZU fire the housing market in Santa Cruz County was already difficult with high demands and little inventory. After the fire it became nearly impossible. Fire victims, after losing everything, were thrust into a rental market that now was even tighter than before. Chris Clayton, a Realtor with Anderson Christie Real Estate in Felton, was… Read More