Disputes affecting San Joaquin River's future

The curated articles discuss various challenges and efforts affecting the San Joaquin River's future. They highlight conflicts and collaborations around water management, environmental protection, and community engagement.

One article details CEMEX's plan to open a 600-foot pit mine near Fresno, which faces community opposition and environmental review hurdles. Another article describes efforts to revitalize the riverfront with recreational developments like those in Sacramento's American River Parkway. An article addresses the introduction of invasive nutria rodents, threatening local ecosystems along the river. Finally, an article discusses PG&E's reluctance to implement safety measures for water releases in the San Joaquin River Gorge.

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On-farm recharge on Lodi vineyard.

NO. 1: A RESILIENT WATER FUTURE FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY IS WITHIN REACH. HERE’S HOW | OPINION

“While there is no silver bullet in the pursuit of California water security, groundwater recharge is one cost-effective tool.” | Published July 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ashley Boren

The footbridge that crosses the San Joaquin River at the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Management Area near Auberry is seen in this aerial image taken by drone on Friday, April 20, 2018.

NO. 2: PG&E SHOULDN’T BE PERMITTED TO ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY AT SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GORGE | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “In the span of 15 minutes, a relative trickle can become raging torrent.” | Published November 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

The CEMEX Rockfield Quarry site northeast of Fresno is shown in this June 2020 drone image from video looking southwest from above Friant Road toward the San Joaquin River. CEMEX is seeking a four-year extension of its sand- and gravel-mining operations through mid-2027. By Craig Kohlruss

NO. 3: CEMEX WANTS TO BLAST A 600-FOOT DEEP PIT ALONG SAN JOAQUIN RIVER. WE MUST STOP THEM | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “Fresno County residents have rallied for the environment in the not-too-distant past.” | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

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A nutria with its distinctive white whiskers found trapped by California Department of Fish & Wildlife Wednesday, June 13, 2018 near Los Banos. By Eric Paul Zamora

NO. 4: HELLO NUTRIA? CALIFORNIA’S LEAST-WELCOME INVASIVE SWAMP RODENTS ARRIVE IN FRESNO | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “Fresno County has become the new California hot spot for nutria.” | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

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A sign for the CEMEX Rockfield aggregate plant site in Friant is visible from Friant Road on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. The company applied to Fresno County to continue mining the quarry for 100 years, and use blasting and drilling to mine a 600-ft deep pit. By CRAIG KOHLRUSS

NO. 5: WILL BLAST MINE ON SAN JOAQUIN RIVER PROCEED? FRESNO LAWMAKER THROWS UP STOP SIGN | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula is once again a friend to the river parkway.” | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

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A photo composite rendering of CEMEX’s proposed blast mine near the San Joaquin River and its proximity to Fresno.

NO. 6: BILL TO PREVENT CEMEX BLAST MINE ON SAN JOAQUIN RIVER GETS SHORT SHRIFT | OPINION

Opinion by Marek Warszawski: “River advocates say their effort to stop the blast mine will continue.” | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Marek Warszawski

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Kids twirl on rope swings on the American River at Discovery Park in 2004. The swings are banned on the parkway and rangers will issue citations for their installation. By Anne Chadwick Williams

NO. 7: MUSIC FESTIVALS, LONG TRAILS, FOOD: HOW FRESNO COULD ENERGIZE ITS RIVERFRONT

Fresno leaders can look to Bakersfield and Sacramento for popular attractions as they consider future access to the San Joaquin River. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Erik Galicia

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.