West Coast Water Justice

Natalie Kilmer
  • 4.9 (16)
  • NATURE

A podcast about grassroots water justice in the Western United States. We interview experts about their local watersheds and how the health of our water impacts every facet of our lives and future generations.

  1. Empty Wells, Poisoned Aquifers and Radioactive Crops: Big Oil in CA

    10/24/2023

    Empty Wells, Poisoned Aquifers and Radioactive Crops: Big Oil in CA

    We interview Jesus Alonso and Ngodoo Atume from Clean Water Action in California. Ngodoo is a Senior Water Policy Analyst and Jesus serves as Clean Water Action’s Kern County Gas and Oil Organizer. We learn about California’s Central Valley communities that do not have safe drinking water, some that have to pay for contaminated water, and others whose wells have been poisoned or sucked dry. Jesus shares stories from his community, in Kern County, we hear about what it's like living and attending school next door to an oil pumpjack and the health risks associated. We learn about the fossil fuel industry’s chemical and radioactive-laced wastewater and how it is sold to farmers and used to grow food in five California water districts. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved Clean Water ActionCalifornia State Water Board's "White Paper" a paper about fossil fuels wastewater used to grow foodEpisode credits producer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Save California Salmon, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: Atomic Tide theme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

    49 min
  2. Big Oil and Fracking Part 2: Fox in The Hen House

    06/27/2023

    Big Oil and Fracking Part 2: Fox in The Hen House

    This is part 2 of a 2-part interview with Food and Water Watch (FWW) and the second in our Fossil Fuels Series.  In this episode, we interview (FWW) National Policy Director, Jim Walsh, and Tomás Morales Rebecchi, California's Central Coast Organizing Manager. They continue to discuss current issues with the oil and gas industry and its impacts on our clean water and environment. We learn more about the fossil fuel industry's practices that pollute our water, food, and communities and the industry's efforts to roll back environmental regulations throughout California.   Food and Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us, protecting people from corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved Food and Water Watch National Pipeline Awareness Episode credits producer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Kasil Willie, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: The Pleasure Kills theme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show Support the show

    47 min
  3. Big Oil, Fracking, and the Hydrogen Scam Part 1

    04/25/2023

    Big Oil, Fracking, and the Hydrogen Scam Part 1

    This is part 1 of a 2-part interview with Food and Water Watch (FWW) and the first in our Fossil Fuels Series.  In this episode, we interview (FWW) National Policy Director, Jim Walsh, and Tomás Morales Rebecchi, California's Central Coast Organizing Manager, they catch us up to speed on the oil and gas industry and its impact on our clean water and environment.  We also learn about the future of fossil fuels and the false hope of hydrogen and what's at stake.  Food and Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us, protecting people from corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved Food and Water Watch National Pipeline Awareness Episode credits producer: Natalie Kilmerproduction support: Kasil Willie, and Kendall Crakowepisode music: The Pleasure Kills and Strange Citiestheme music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

    44 min
  4. Clean Water for California

    02/28/2023

    Clean Water for California

    In this episode, we interview Laurel Firestone, a member of the State Water Resources Control Board. We learn about the organization and its work to ensure that every person in the state has a right to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water.  We discuss how far we still have to go to meet California's Human Right to Water. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laurel Firestone to the State Water Resources Control Board in February 2019. Prior to joining the Board, Laurel co-founded and co-directed, from 2006-2019, the Community Water Center, a statewide non-profit environmental justice organization based in California’s Central Valley and Central Coast. Her career has focused on building increased diversity, equity, and inclusivity into water decision-making. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved California State Water Resources Control Board Attend a Water Board MeetingSAFERReport air, water, toxic substances, pesticides, or solid waste at CalEPA reporting systemReport a suspected Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) at CalEPA HABs systemLearn more about Groundwater contaminants, including PFAs at GAMA GroundwaterLearn more about the location of oil and gas wells visit CalGEM at Geologic Energy Management DivisionLearn more about the CalEPA generally, gather data, or find information resources at CalEPA | California Environmental Protection AgencyFor a directory of California’s nine regional water quality control boards (and branch offices) visit the Regional Water Quality Board Directory | California State Water Resources Control BoardFor public documents related to the water board visit the Public Records Center | California State Water Resources Control BoardFor more information on the State Water Board Meetings, including the upcoming calendar and agenda items visit Board Calendar | California State Water Resources Control BoardState Water Resources Control Board Phone Contacts: Office of Public Affairs: (916) 341-5254Office of Legislative Affairs: (916) 341-5251Office of the Ombudsman: (916) 341-5925Drinking Water information: (916) 449-5577Water Quality information: (916) 341-5455Water Rights information: (916) 341-5300Financial Assistance information: (916) 341-5700Episode credits Producer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Kasil Willie, Kendall Crakow, and Regina ChichizolaPodcast Music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny Snyder Support the show

    1h 1m
  5. Native Youth Rising

    11/16/2022

    Native Youth Rising

    In this episode, we interview Danielle Frank, a Hoopa Valley Tribal Member, activist, and youth coordinator with Save California Salmon. Danielle shares her story of growing up in Hoopa Valley along the banks of the Trinity River near its confluence with the Klamath River. We hear how speaking up for her beliefs, community, and way of life helped her find her voice and become an empowered youth leader and public speaker. At nineteen years of age, some of her accomplishments include leading Native Youth programs, creating informed Native American curriculum for schools, assisting with California State legislation, being a featured Vogue climate activist, and a speaker at the United Nations Climate Change Summit COP 27. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  All music is the property of the artist/s and may not be reproduced or shared without their consent. Get involved School Curriculum: Advocacy and Water Protection in Native CaliforniaSave California Salmon DONATE- It is Native American Heritage Month and these funds go directly towards education events and travel funds for Northern California Native youth and Water Protectors, and Klamath Dam removal celebrations for our communities who have worked for 20 years to remove Klamath Dams.Protect ICWAStop the Delta Tunnel PetitionAdvocates for Indigenous California Language SurvivalVogue Article Episode credits Producer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Carrie Tully, Kasil Willie, Kendall Crakow, Regina ChichizolaPodcast Music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderMusical break Clip: Maymi Preston-Donahue Photograph of Danielle Frank by Carlos Jaramillo; Styled by Marcus Correa. Reprinted from VogueSupport the show

    54 min
  6. Protecting California's Water Before It Runs Out

    10/11/2022

    Protecting California's Water Before It Runs Out

    In this episode, we follow up with Clifford Lee, retired Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice. We dive deeper into water policy and hear about critical changes needed to protect our most valuable resource: water! We are faced with a 27-year delay in the adoption of new scientific recommendations and species protections for the SF Bay Delta, the lifeblood of our state.  While at the same time critical aquifers across the state are being over-pumped and going dry. We learn that California needs to catch up with other Western states on the regulation of groundwater extraction and quantifying river diversions. Clifford, a public servant of 40 years is sounding the alarm and urging us to educate ourselves about our water resources before they are gone. This episode is packed with the information we need now, so we can reform water policy in California for a sustainable future. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved Updating California Water Laws to Address Drought and Climate Change, PCL Recommendations"Federalism and Water" by Clifford LeeSave California SalmonCalifornia Water JusticeCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Episode credits Producer: Natalie KilmerProduction Support: Kasil Willie and Kendall CrakowMusic by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny SnyderSupport the show

    59 min
  7. Updating California Water Policy for Climate Change

    06/21/2022

    Updating California Water Policy for Climate Change

    Currently, California is on track to lose most if not all native fish species within this century if we don't adapt to climate change.   We talk with Clifford Lee;  retired deputy attorney general with the California Department of Justice who served the state for 40 years.  Clifford shares his expertise and recommendations for updating California's water policy to mitigate the effects of climate change. He explains some of the policies that got us here and the nuts and bolts of the agencies that regulate and move water throughout the state. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Save California Salmon or any entities mentioned.  Get involved Updating California Water Laws to Address Drought and Climate Change, PCL Recommendations"Federalism and Water" by Clifford LeeSave California SalmonCalifornia Water JusticeCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardTwitter  Instagram  Facebook Episode credits Music by Tony Bald, Adam Inguiez, and Danny Snyder Support the show

    43 min
  8. Klamath Dam Removal, a Confluence of Indigenous and Western Sciences

    04/09/2022

    Klamath Dam Removal, a Confluence of Indigenous and Western Sciences

    Keith Parker, Senior Fisheries Biologist for the Yurok Tribe explains some of the basics that make up a healthy fishery and river ecosystem.  We learn about the different salmon runs and basic salmon genetics. He shares his background in Indigenous ecological knowledge and Western science and how together they inform the Klamath Dam Removal process.  Keith makes it clear that the loss of these fish and traditional foods are as much a social justice issue as a biological issue. To lose species like salmon is more than just a loss of biodiversity, it is a loss of cultural heritage. Get Involved Yurok Tribe FisheriesSave California SalmonCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardPetition to Stop Salmon Fish Kills  Instagram  Facebook Support the show

    54 min
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4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

A podcast about grassroots water justice in the Western United States. We interview experts about their local watersheds and how the health of our water impacts every facet of our lives and future generations.

Information

  • Creator
    Natalie Kilmer
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2023
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 West Coast Water Justice
  • Show Website
    West Coast Water Justice