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Valley Public Radio Staff

Kristina Herrick
Kristina Herrick
Classical Music Host
Juanita Stevenson
Juanita Stevenson
Valley Edition host
George Mason
George Mason
On-air host, Clearly Classical
Rebecca Plevin
Rebecca Plevin
Reporter
Jason Scott
Jason Scott
Host, Clearly Classical and All Things Considered
Vince DiCiccio
Vince DiCiccio
Host, The Oasis; The Intersection
Ezra Romero
Ezra Romero
Reporter and Producer
Marv Allen
Marv Allen
Host, Morning Edition

Environment

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Environment
4:05 pm
Thu March 14, 2013

First Portion of $14 Billion Bay Delta Conservation Plan Released

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Credit http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (file photo)
Credit Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio Network
Calif. Dept. of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin and other Brown administration officials discuss the Bay Delta Conservation Plan at a Capitol news conference Thursday.
Credit http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/
A diagram of planned water conveyance improvements as part of the BDCP
Credit http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/
A map shows the flow of water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
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State officials in Sacramento today released a portion of a new plan to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and improve water reliability for southern California residents and farmers. Known as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, the controversial project includes a $14 billion proposal to build two tunnels to carry water around the fragile ecosystem to users south of the delta. 

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Fracking
5:58 pm
Wed March 13, 2013

Brown Backs State's Fracking Regulators, Promises Deliberative Process

Credit Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio
California Governor Jerry Brown (file photo)
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By Ben Adler

California Governor Jerry Brown says he supports the people he’s put in charge of regulating the process of extracting oil and natural gas known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”  He says California’s fossil fuel deposits have “extraordinary” potential.

Some legislative Democrats and environmental groups have raised safety concerns about fracking.  Brown told reporters in San Francisco today that he’s confident his administration will handle all safety and regulatory questions as they come up.

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Environment
11:13 am
Tue March 12, 2013

Nature Preserve Near Fresno Delights Foothill Visitors

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Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Wildflowers cover the nearly flat surface of the table at McKenzie Preserve
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
The cliffs of Table Mountain were formed by an eruption from an ancient volcano
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Hikers begin the ascent up the mountain
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Part of the trail follows an early 20th century railroad line, the SJ&E, used to build the Big Creek project
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Hikers make the steep ascent up the mountain
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Wildflowers greet hikers near the summit
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Cindy Lorente and her friend Mike Stafford made their first trip to the preserve last Saturday.
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Mike Stafford had always wanted to climb the table top, 30 years later he got his chance.
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Cindy Lorente, who lives near the preserve, said age or fitness level shouldn't keep Valley residents from visiting the preserve.
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
The top of the hill is as flat as the Valley floor, biologists suspect say this is due to an ancient lava flow.
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Wildflowers graces the nearly flat volcanic plateau of McKenzie Preserve
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Rodney Olsen removes a trail camera atop the mountain, which he hopes will reveal photos of area wildlife
Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
The view from the top of Table Mountain at McKenzie Preserve
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On the edge of a region in California known for agriculture and dairy, lays a hidden gem.  A wildlife preserve with Table top foothills, that in spring are awash in color from budding wild flowers.

On Saturday, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, a local group that manages a number of foothill preserves in the region held a special open house at the group’s largest operation.   

The McKenzie Preserve – in-between Friant and Prather – was open to the public for exploring and a hike up a flat top lava formed table in the region.

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Environment
3:16 pm
Thu February 28, 2013

Sierra Snowpack Below Normal; Driest Year on Record

Credit Joe Moore / Valley Public Radio
Sierra snowpack this winter is below normal, according to a recent snow survey
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By Amy Quinton

January and February are the driest on record for the northern Sierra Nevada. As Amy Quinton reports, snowpack is well-below normal for this time of year.

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Environment
6:54 pm
Wed February 20, 2013

Report: Cleanup Nitrate Pollution With Fee on Fertilizer Sales

Credit CA Water Resources Control Board
A map showing the initial study areas for a recent UC Davis study of nitrate pollution.
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The State Water Resources Control Board is recommending that California fund efforts to mitigate nitrate pollution through a statewide fee on fertilizer.

In a report to the Legislature, the board said that groundwater nitrate pollution in the Tulare Lake Basin and Salinas Valley is likely to get worse in the future, and a dedicated funding stream is needed to address the problem.

Agricultural fertilizer and confined animal facilities are considered some of the top sources of nitrate pollution.

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