Environment News > Wildfire, water supply, transit and coastlines deserve our attention.
Santa Cruz Local provides deep and forward-looking coverage of our county’s water management, plans for the rail corridor, wildfire resilience and the California Coastal Commission.
City of Santa Cruz must provide UCSC with water as university expands
Appeals court sides with campus
Westside Santa Cruz rail trail could open late December
Cost overruns, delays mount
New rail-trail map tracks work in Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Capitola, Aptos
Updates on design, construction, funding
5-year West Cliff plan takes shape with road shift at Lighthouse Field
Restacked boulders, consistent designs are among priorities
Rail stations proposed for Live Oak, Capitola, Aptos, Rio Del Mar
Elevated track possible near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
As Live Oak rail-trail plans sharpen, mobile-home owners dig in
Report to provide “more clarity” for homeowners
Pajaro flood survivors’ stories come to life in new exhibit
Online audio-visual experience highlights lessons, resilience
Controlled burn starts in San Mateo County, with more planned for Santa Cruz County
Plus: New alerts, resources to track fires
Santa Cruz County supervisors to weigh ban on filtered cigarette sales
Enforcement could start in 2027
City staff seeks input on short-term West Cliff plans in Santa Cruz
Fall meetings set for 5-Year Roadmap
Measure U would reduce San Lorenzo Valley Water bills, but could slow repairs
Some water district board members oppose voter initiative
Santa Cruz County gas leaf-blower ban could negate electric rebates
Ban could begin next month
Santa Cruz County voters asked to fund more forest management, environmental projects
Explainer: The Water and Wildfire Protection Act on the Nov. 5 ballot
Explainer: Santa Cruz County’s road problems
County tax hike for roads possible in 2025
Proposed rail-trail route could divert onto streets across Live Oak-Capitola border
Explainer: The rail-trail’s proposed path through Santa Cruz County
Rail-trail money threatened after Santa Cruz County supervisors vote
Supervisors delay $68 million for Live Oak, Capitola, Aptos segments
Compost toilet program to launch in San Lorenzo Valley
‘The goal is to get the law changed’
Proposed fishing bans spark debate in Santa Cruz County
Local kelp forests healthier than other areas
Rental e-bikes expected in Live Oak, Pleasure Point, Capitola in March
Watsonville BCycle rollout delayed to August
Passenger rail construction expected to start in 2032 in Santa Cruz County
Survey seeks input on transit problems, solutions
West Cliff survey favors fewer cars, more recreation
Priorities outlined for crumbling Santa Cruz asset