Archived Water News Headlines | Politics; Administrative and Political Issues

The following news stories were published during 2003 and 2004. Since a few years have passed since publication, you may find some link decay when clicking a headline.  Current political and election news can be found in the blog and news features.

CAP executive blasts Napolitano - Governor insists water issues not ignored (Arizona Republic, 4/2/04) - The general manager of Arizona's largest water provider accused Gov. Janet Napolitano on Thursday of ignoring critical Western water issues, including one that could help the state recover billions of gallons of water now going to Mexico.

Bush, Kerry, and green differences (Christian Science Monitor, 03/25/04) - In a tight race, the environment could swing undecideds.

Bill to refund past water fees (Journal Advocate, 3/25/04) - Colorado lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill not only to repeal the controversial water rights administration fee that the Legislature enacted last year but to refund the estimated $467,000 in fees that have been collected so far.

Chico man, 83, still keeping track of politics of water use (Chico Enterprise Record, 3/21/04) - Edwin Cooper began his decades-long ride with water in 1958 when he became a public information office for the California Department of Water Resources. At that time, he knew little about the topic, which would intrigue him for the rest of his life. Now at age 83, Cooper lives in Chico where he continues to update his writings about water, noting that the water landscape is constantly changing. Water supply is certain to tighten up in the future, he said, and as the price goes up people will naturally use less. He also predicted that more farmers will find it more profitable in the future to sell water than to grow crops.

Interior clears Rove against Kerry water claim (The Beaufort Gazette, 3/14/04) - The Interior Department's inspector general has found no basis for a claim by Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry that White House political advisers interfered in developing water policy in the Northwest. The inspector general said President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, was not involved in a 2002 decision to divert water from the Klamath River in Oregon to irrigate farms.

Democrats walk out of closed session on water (The Times News| AP - 1/15/04) Citing violation of the Idaho constitution, two Senate Democrats walked out of a briefing on the legal maneuvering in the Snake River Basin water rights adjudication.

Sen. Clinton to Block Bush EPA Nominee (Yahoo News | AP - 9/7/03) Hilary Clinton plans to place a hold on the nomination of Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, a procedural move that would prevent the full Senate from voting on his confirmation, though it does not stop committee hearings. She'll lift the hold at such time as the White House answers her concerns about an internal report saying the EPA misled New Yorkers about health risks after the World Trade Center attack.

The Fall of Our Governor's Discontent - It's not just Gray Davis. Though not currently facing recall, many of the nation's governors face no-win situations. Can they survive? (Time Online - 9/6/03)You know you’re in trouble as a governor when you have to pray for rain — but without the lightning — in order to ease your budget crunch.

Interior Department IG will look into Karl Rove's role on water issues in the Northwest (Oregon Live, 9/5/03) - The inspector general at the Interior Department will look into possible political interference by the White House in developing water policy in the Northwest, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry announced Friday. The inquiry follows the disclosure that President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, briefed dozens of political appointees at the Interior Department more than a year and a half ago about diverting water from the Klamath River in Oregon to irrigate farms.

CHOSEN TO BE EPA ADMINISTRATOR, WASHINGTON, DC, August 11, 2003 (ENS) - Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, a Republican who favors strengthening the power of states over environmental regulation, has been chosen by President George W. Bush to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If confirmed by the Senate, Leavitt will replace former EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman, a former governor of New Jersey who resigned in May.

Environmental groups reacted to the nomination with disappointment and warnings that the nominee must assure the nation he will not cater to developers. Business organizations were generally pleased with the President's choice.

Bush wants Corps of Engineers curbed (The Hill - 2/12/03) - Despite stiff opposition in Congress, the Bush administration is reining in Army Corps of Engineers construction projects.

Drought aid holds up bill on spending (Washington Post - 2/12/03) - One major hurdle remains to passing a nearly $400 billion spending bill that would wrap up last year's unfinished budget: a dispute about $3.1 billion in disaster aid to U.S. farmers.