Farm Water News: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

News articles and links from May 31, 2012

Groundwater

Groundwater depletion must be addressed

Opinion

From Bakersfield Californian - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Coalition response... While the writer has good intentions, the solution proposed to resolve groundwater overdraft is incorrect. Many of California's over drafted groundwater basins are the result of unreliable surface water supplies. Environmental restrictions on water deliveries have squeezed more than 3 million acre-feet per year out of the system that serves farms, homes and businesses throughout the state. Without reliable surface supplies it has been impossible to meet the irrigation needs of farms and the food needs of California consumers without resorting to groundwater. In fact, the flood irrigation that is criticized in this article plays a big role in replenishing groundwater supplies for other farms and rural communities, something that doesn't happen with drip and micro-irrigation systems. Every irrigation system has an appropriate use and flood is no different.

WATER SUPPLY

Water and California's economy

Blog

From California Water Blog - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

No river water for North San Joaquin Water Conservation District

Story

From Lodi News-Sentinel - Thursday, May 31, 2012

Report says State water system needs work

Story

From Capital Public Radio - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

MENSINGER: A primer on proposed Hetch Hetchy restoration

Opinion

By John Mensinger

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

... Not until we have a Clean energy system

Opinion

By Tim Redmond

From Earth Island Journal - Summer 2012

Time to repair the damage of the past

Opinion

By Spreck Rosekrans

From Earth Island Journal - Summer 2012

DELTA

Next on tap: Delta water

Story

From Stockton Record - Thursday, May 31, 2012

Supervisors express frustration with delta plans

Story

From The Davis Enterprise - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Delta Stewardship Council: "DSC likely to become part of the Natural Resources Agency"

Report

From Aquafornia - Thursday, May 31, 2012

Robert Pyke's response to the State legislators letter in support of the BDCP

Letter

From Aquafornia - Thursday, May 31, 2012

GROUNDWATER

Southern Great Plains could run out of groundwater in 30 years, study finds

Story

From Christian Science Monitor - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

FISHERIES

Local water district receives award for fish screen

Story

From Patterson Irrigator - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

OTHER

Conservation program has restored one fourth of CA wetlands

Story

From Market Watch - Thursday, May 31, 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

News articles and links from May 30, 2012

Water quality

Selenium & salinity: The west side farming debacle, high stakes, high costs

Story

From Bilingual Weekly - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Coalition response...The author does a credible job with a very complex issue. As explained in the article, selenium and salt are naturally occurring minerals in the soil and irrigating the lands along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley has created water runoff that transports the selenium and salt to the San Joaquin River. Everyone involved with this issue have recognized that the amount of runoff water reaching the river has declined in recent years, even critics of farming in the region.

"Most of the contamination now comes from the Grassland Drainage Area (GDA)," according to the author. A project undertaken in the GDA by farmers, local water districts, State/federal agencies and some environmental organizations has achieved remarkable results in stemming the flow of water runoff. More than 57,500 acre-feet of runoff water was discharged through drainage channels in 1995 before the establishment of the Grasslands Bypass Project. That number dropped to 14,500 acre-feet, a 75% reduction, by 2010. In addition, the amount of selenium, salt and boron have also been reduced by 87%, 72% and 64%, respectively. These results should give hope to those concerned with the runoff levels, especially if most of the remaining runoff is within the GDA, as suggested by the author.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has closely monitored the results of the project and has continued its Use Permit to continue its efforts through 2019. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has labeled the projects efforts as a "success story." Read their declaration at http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/ca_san.cfm.

WATER SUPPLY

Water use efficiency in the Sacramento Valley

Blog

By Thad Bettner

From Calrice - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

On the Colorado, chance of surplus early, shortage down the road

Blog

By John Fleck

From Inkstain - Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Won't we need that water?

Letter

From Modesto Bee - Tuesday, May 29, 2012