The rusty brown water seen off West Cliff these past few days and in south Santa Cruz County last week is something many scientists refer to as a "red tide" -- a catchall phrase used to describe seawater when microscopic organisms cause it to change colors. It started accumulating about 10 days ago, brought on, perhaps, by the recent rain. Nobody knows exactly what’s causing it, "but it's not part of the oil spill in San Francisco," a water-quality specialist with Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services said. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
The state Department of Fish and Game announced Wednesday that a ban on fishing included only San Francisco Bay and three miles of coastal waters from San Pedro Point in San Mateo County to the Point Reyes Lighthouse in Marin County. Fishers scrambled to prepare for the opening of the Dungeness crab season because Gov. Schwarzenegger had temporarily suspended all fishing in waters affected by the 58,000-gallon spill in the San Francisco Bay. Some fishers said they were outraged that state officials decided to leave open most of the Central California crab fishery because of concern over possible contamination from the spilled oil. Contra Costa Times 11/15/07
A Democratic health care plan cleared an Assembly committee Wednesday on a party-line vote, but legislative leaders and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger remain divided over how to cover 6.7 million uninsured Californians. The Assembly Health Committee's 11-4 approval, entirely with Democratic support, sets up a Nov. 26 floor vote on a health care package that has dominated the Capitol's attention this year. The plan approved on Wednesday requires businesses to spend 2 percent to 6.5 percent of their payroll on health care or contribute to a state fund. It relies on voters to pass a $2-per-pack increase in the state's cigarette tax. Sacramento Bee 11/15/07
A 10-year contract between UC Berkley and BP, unveiled by UC Berkeley officials Wednesday, establishes an Energy Biosciences Institute to discover better biofuels and other alternative energy breakthroughs. But it configures a different governing board than was presented after the plan was first announced in February. The main oversight body, the governance board, will be have eight voting members with half coming from BP. The plan proposed by UC and presented to the public in the past called for five board members, with two from BP and three from the three academic partners. SF Chronicle 11/15/07
The outpouring of greenhouse gases from North America far outstrips the ability of the continent's fields, forests and wetlands to absorb all the carbon in the atmosphere, and the United States alone remains the world's largest emitter of climate-warming carbon dioxide, scientists reported Wednesday. SF Chronicle 5/15/07
Twentyfour bipartisan California members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting the government not weaken safeguards that prevent the shipment of canker-infested citrus from Florida. Most Florida growers produce for the processed (juice) market, which will accept infected fruit. California growers sell produce primarily for the fresh market. Thousand Oaks Acorn 11/15/07
With its fate uncertain, consideration of a $286 billion farm bill resumed Wednesday in the Senate. Democrats had hoped to pass the measure before Congress is scheduled to adjourn for a twoweek recess Friday. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said there were 270 possible amendments, covering everything from estate taxes to immigration to overhauling federal crop subsidies. The Bellingham Herald 11/15/07
Constellation Brands, the world's biggest winemaker, said Monday that it has agreed to buy several well-known premium labels, including the popular Clos du Bois brand, a major addition to its California operations. The company, based in upstate New York, will pay $885 million for the U.S. wine business of Fortune Brands, which also includes the Geyser Peak, Wild Horse, Buena Vista Carneros and Gary Farrell labels. As part of the deal, Constellation is acquiring about 1,500 acres of vineyards in Sonoma and Napa counties. SG Chronicle 11/15/07
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