Environmentally Ethical Policies Hollister, San Benito Agricultural Land Trust, Open Space & Land Mitigation Rate | BenitoLink, Hollister, San Juan Bautista, San Benito County, California

Landscape view from Hepsedam Peak looking east towards San Benito Mountain in southern San Benito County. Photo by Ryan O'Dell, courtesy of BLM.

Some areas remain closed; agency advises public to check webpage to determine status and condition before visiting.

Photo courtesy of Water Resources Association San Benito County.

Keeping an eye on the water supply

Published 05/14/2020
Community Contributor, Shawn Novack

Shawn Novack with the Water Resources Association writes that the biggest water user in the residential sector for this time of year is landscape irrigation.

Free bottled water for qualifying households

Published 05/12/2020
Community Contributor, Community Water Center

Community Water Center said qualifying households include residents of San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, people with contaminated drinking water wells, and low-income households.

Bureau of Land Management issues fire prevention order

Published 04/29/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Order serves as a reminder of basic precautions to reduce wildfires that apply to BLM-managed public lands, areas, roads, waterways and trails.

Wood going through the chipper. Photo provided by San Benito Fire Safe Council.

Get prepared for fire season

Published 04/28/2020
Community Contributor, San Benito Fire Safe Council

While sheltering in place, take time to prepare for wildfire season. San Benito Fire Safe Council shares the details on Cal Fire's Ready, Set, Go program.

Water Resources Association raises concerns about water levels

Published 04/22/2020
BenitoLink Staff

With precipitation at 55% of normal this rainy season, the community should prepare for this year to be dry.

Q & A: Shelby O’Neil talks environmental advocacy for Earth Day

Published 04/22/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Carmel de Bertaut

Former SBHS student founded the No Straw November movement.

Community choice energy providers acquire long-term renewable resources

Published 04/21/2020
BenitoLink Staff

Monterey Bay Community Power and Silicon Valley Clean Energy sign contracts for 210MW of geothermal and solar energy in California.

The mysteries of mushrooms

Published 04/16/2020
BenitoLink Reporter, Robert Eliason

Wild or commercially cultivated, the spores are everywhere.

Jose Rodriguez, AJ Castaneda, Jeri Cramer, Luis Vasquez, Adan Cervantes. Photo provided.

Hollister Water Reclamation Facility wins Best Small Plant of the Year award

Published 04/10/2020
BenitoLink Staff

The plant has won numerous awards over the last five years, including CWEA Safety Plant of the Year.

Novel Coronavirus. Photo courtesy of Centers for Disease Control.

March 24 coronavirus roundup for San Benito County

Published 03/24/2020
BenitoLink Staff

There are now seven total confirmed cases in the county, four of which are active; Small Business Association now accepting applications for loans for disaster and economic injury; library continues to issue cards to provide access to online resources.

Copper bullets are designed to mushroom, unlike lead bullets, which are designed to fragment into small pieces. Photo by Conservation Media and provided by Devii Rao.

Government / Politics

AB 711 and Prop 63 create new ammunition laws

Published 03/18/2020
Community Contributor, Devii Rao

AB 711 is a statewide bill that requires use of non-lead ammunition for hunting and depredation of wildlife, whereas Prop 63 requires background checks to buy ammunition of any kind in California.