During Gov. Gavin Newsom's first State of the State address last week, he recognized the need to upgrade the state's infrastructure to improve conveyance in the Delta but expressed his administration's intent to reconfigure the proposed California WaterFix as a one-tunnel project. In his responding statement, Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger commented: "While a single tunnel project will not resolve all pumping problems in the Delta and is less flexible for dealing with climate change impacts, it is imperative that we move forward rapidly on a conveyance project." Read the full statement.

In anticipation of another "super bloom" this spring, Metropolitan is preparing to open to the public the wildflower trail at Diamond Valley Lake in early March. With the recent rain, the green hills surrounding the lake are expected to be covered in the region's native wildflowers. The wildflower trail—part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve—is a 1.3-mile loop extending from the Lakeview Trail. For the latest on the trail, visit dvlake.com.