News articles and links from July 31, 2014

Water Use

OPINION: Why almonds cover California From: Carolee Krieger, San Francisco Chronicle    California produces more than 80 percent of the world's almonds, accounting for an export gross of more than $2.5 billion. Almonds, in short, are a profitable crop. But there's a big problem with these new plantings in the San Joaquin Valley. Almonds are thirsty. California's almond orchards use almost 9 percent of the state's agricultural water supply, or about 3.5 million acre feet. That's enough water to supply the domestic needs of the Los Angeles Basin and metropolitan San Diego combined - about 75 percent of the state's population. Coalition response... Krieger seeks to portray farmers as a villain, but despite her efforts, the fact is California's farmers just don't fit the part. California's 80,000 farms are almost all (96%) family run businesses, & almond farmers are no different. Growing almonds in the San Joaquin Valley actually does make a lot of sense, & they have been grown there for more than 100 years. The San Joaquin Valley is one of the few places in the world where good soil & a favorable climate have come together to allow for incredibly efficient production of a crop the markets demand. Almond farmers have invested heavily in tailoring their farms to grow almonds. From the equipment they buy to the skills they practice, this focus on specialization ensures they are the best at what they do. Far from being a water-wasting crop, almonds are as efficient as the row crops once extensively criticized by environmentalists. The real villains for Krieger this time seem to be the countless professional scientists, engineers, hydrologists, policy professionals, & water managers who came together to find ways to mend what was truly a broken water system during our last major drought with the Monterey Agreement. The agreement is truly that, an understanding that brought diverse parties together. It increased flexibility in water storage, improved urban access to more secure water supplies, & reduced the red tape involved in transferring water where needed. In addition, it arranged for a trade. In exchange for precious water rights, the local, public agencies responsible for daily coordination of water deliveries took over control of the Kern Fan property owned by DWR. These local experts would later turn that property into what is now part of the successful Kern Water Bank.

Other News

Drought

How California Farmers Are Dealing With the Drought   From: Alan Bjerga, Bloomberg Television Bloomberg's Alan Bjerga reports on California's drought and how different areas of the state are dealing with it. He speaks with Mark Crumpton on "Bottom Line."

Running On Empty: Our Epic Drought From: Staff, CBS LA, KNX 1070 [Below are a series of food and agriculture related radio segments being run on KNX in Los Angeles.  Click the link above to browse the full list of segments. You can follow the conversation on twitter: #KNXDrought] Running On Empty: Ice Cream Running On Empty: Food Prices Running On Empty: California Grocers Association's Dave Heylen Running On Empty: Who's Watching The Water? Running On Empty: Two Farmers

West's drought leads to rising prices, shrinking lakes   From: Paul Vercammen, CNN With water sources drying up, farmers are looking for underground springs to support their livelihoods. Steve Arthur works in California's San Joaquin Valley, drilling for water wells on drought-ravaged farms and ranches. "It's just going crazy; people are starting to panic," said Arthur, the owner of Arthur & Orum Well Drilling Inc.

Groundwater

EDITORIAL: Stanislaus County officials finally responding to water crisis From: Staff, Modesto Bee This week, Stanislaus County's leaders and officials have shown more initiative, more compassion and more willingness to help residents than we've seen since the start of our drought and ensuing groundwater crisis.

Groundwater Depletion in Colorado River Basin Poses Big Risk to Water Security From: Sandra Postel, National Geographic Let's step back for a minute and consider the implications of the study released last week on the depletion of groundwater in the Colorado River Basin. For anyone concerned about the future of the American West, the findings of this study - which was published online in the journal Geophysical Research Letters and conducted by a team of scientists from NASA, the University of California-Irvine, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado-can make the heart pound.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Delta tunnel plan called a fish death sentence by key group   From: Carolyn Jones, San Francisco Chronicle The state's plan to build a pair of 35-mile tunnels under the delta would cause the extinction of winter-run chinook salmon, steep declines in dozens of other species and devastate water quality in San Francisco Bay, an environmental group said Wednesday.

Water Supply

California Bill May Jeopardize Water Supply From: Eric Thomas, KABC 7 A controversial bill that could impact where millions of people in the Bay Area get their water is moving its way through Sacramento. The changes are proposed along a stretch of the Mokelumne River in the Sierra foothills. That river provides millions of homes with drinking water from the mountains to the Central Valley and the East Bay. Some people are wondering if a move to save the river could leave others high and dry.

LETTER: Water picture is blurry   From: Rebecca Thompson, Fresno Bee It was with great interest I read the article and editorial on water usage in Fresno. The 20% drop in per capita water usage since the installation of water meters in Fresno is commendable. However, the current Fresno per capita water usage of 240 gallons exceeds the state average of 196 gallons and the United States Geological Survey national average of 100 gallons.

Fisheries

Salmon will only get more water if die-off starts   From: Jeff Barnard, Associated Press A federal agency said Wednesday it will release extra water into Northern California's Klamath and Trinity rivers once salmon start dying from drought-related disease, but not before. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Louis Moore said from Sacramento, California, that the decision came under terms of a 2012 emergency water plan, and after consulting with tribes, irrigators and other agencies.

News articles and links from March 20, 2014

Drought 

House panel meeting in Fresno hears emotional impact of Calif. drought From: Mark Grossi, Fresno Bee Larry Starrh's voice choked with emotion Wednesday as he told congressional members of his family's decision to dry up 1,000 acres of almonds this year and let the trees die due to water shortages. "Shortages that were created and controlled by regulations that have been imposed and brandished like weapons," the Kern County farmer said. "Sadly, in the real world, water is about power, water is a weapon, water is a hostage."

Few farmers immune to impact of epic California drought From: Dale Kasler, Sacramento Bee When spring arrives, the Central Valley farm fields owned by Harris Ranch normally come to life with tomatoes, lettuce and watermelons. This year, much of the land has been left dry and bare. California's epic drought is being felt all over rural California, from small family farms to agribusiness giants such as Harris. Growers are fallowing land, tapping expensive groundwater and rationing supplies to keep their orchards and vineyards alive. This downshift will cost the state billions of dollars in lost economic activity and translate into higher food prices for consumers.

Fallowed farmland acreage estimate jumps to 800,000 From: Staff, Western Farm Press The California Farm Water Coalition has upgraded its estimate of acres farmers will leave idle this year to 800,000, up from 500,000, because of a lack of water.  "Farmers are still waiting to the last minute to determine their planting schedules this year in hopes that the water situation will improve," said Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition.

Why California's Drought Impacts Every American Who Buys Food From: Terrell Johnson, The Weather Channel Prices for meat, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables and a wide range of other foods shot up last month, the federal government reported Tuesday, thanks largely to the searing drought that has gripped the western United States for months on end. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said food prices rose 0.4 percent between January and February in a report released Tuesday, which follows an earlier report by the Department of Agriculture that said food prices are expected to rise 2.5 to 3.5 percent this year over 2013 levels.

Representatives call for more Valley water, storage  From: Staff, The Business Journal A congressional committee met at a full Fresno City Hall on Wednesday, taking up California's drought crisis and calling for freeing up more water and the construction of large reservoirs and dams. The House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from Central Valley farmers, community leaders and state water officials. Many speakers at the hearing titled "California Water Crisis and its Impacts: The Need for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions," took sharp aim at the environmental community for becoming extreme and one-sided in its approach to water.

California hosts congressional drought hearing From: Scott Smith, AP Farmers holding signs protesting dramatic cuts to their irrigation supplies packed Fresno City Hall for a congressional hearing Wednesday, delving into the politics of California's drought crisis striking the state's agricultural heartland. Visalia farmer Michael Malmgren's sign had the words "Water is the heart of the matter," surrounding a big, pink heart.

BLOG: VIDEO: Jerry Brown talks drought at agriculture event From: Christopher Cadelago, Capitol Alert Blog Gov. Jerry Brown touched on California's worsening water shortage Wednesday in brief remarks to representatives from the state's agriculture community. "We're doing everything we can to respond to the drought," Brown said outside the state Capitol as the California Department of Food and Agriculture hosted its annual Ag Day. "We've got to emphasize water conservation, and water recycling and managing the water."  Water Storage  Citing California drought, Garamendi and LaMalfa push Sites Reservoir bill From: Jeremy White, Sacramento Bee In a rare moment of unity for two ideological antagonists, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, on Wednesday unveiled legislation to build a new large-scale reservoir in Northern California. "There's a world of hurt in these fields and in the orchards around us because we failed in the past to prepare for the inevitable drought," Garamendi said, gesturing to fields bordered by the slow-flowing Glenn-Colusa canal. Congressmen seek momentum to build new reservoir north of Sac From: Staff, KCRA 3 Two members of California's congressional delegation on Wednesday called for building a new reservoir north of Sacramento, displaying bipartisan agreement on one potential solution to California's long-term water problems. Democratic Rep. John Garamendi and Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa held a news conference near the location of the proposed reservoir to announce their bill. It calls for accelerating an existing federal feasibility study to authorize construction of the Sites Reservoir in a valley near Maxwell, about an hour's drive north of the state capital. They hope construction can start by 2015. 2 congressmen seek momentum to build new reservoir From: Fenit Nirappil, AP Two members of California's congressional delegation are displaying bipartisan agreement on one potential solution to California's water problems by promoting legislation to study the cost of building a reservoir north of Sacramento. Democratic Rep. John Garamendi and Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa held a news conference Wednesday near the location of the proposed reservoir to announce their bill. It calls for a federal study on the costs of building the Sites Reservoir in a valley near Maxwell, about an hour's drive north of the state capital. Transfers Water battle: Judge halts local water exports From: John Lindt, Visalia Times-Delta Tulare County Superior Court Judge H.N. Papadakis this week granted an injunction sought by Lower Tule River Irrigation District against Sandridge Partners to halt any appropriation of Lower Tule groundwater to property not in the district. Sandridge acquired farm property in the district west of Porterville in 2012 but grew no crops on it in 2013. Food News  Valley Asparagus Growers Struggle To Compete From: Rich Ibarra, Capital Public Radio Asparagus is coming up in the Delta, but cheaper imports make it too expensive to harvest. Prices at the supermarket have seldom been lower, even dropping to 99-cents a pound, this makes it harder and harder for Delta farmers to compete. How California's drought is changing organic milk and honey From: Hoda Emam, San Jose Mercury News The milk that you think is organic, isn't. Not really. Blame the California drought, which has dried up the grass that gives farmers the right to slap the label "organic" on their meat and milk. It's not hard to win that label from the US department of agriculture: farmers just have to make sure that their cows graze on local grass, at least four months out of the year.

News articles and links from March 13, 2014

Food News

California farmers: How the state feeds a nation

From: Russ Parsons, Los Angeles Times  

You know how the rest of the country likes to make fun of California, but how much would they miss us if we were gone? You can certainly bet the weeping and wailing would be off the charts at dinner time.

According to the latest statistics compiled by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the state produces almost half of all the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the country, as well as a whopping share of the livestock and dairy.

Coalition response...Russ Parsons does an excellent job explaining the importance of California food production. Both he and The Times should be commended for this more realistic look at the work farmers do to use water efficiently and grow the fresh stuff we all love to eat.

Drought

OPINION: Drought unites Californians with common concern

From: Joe Mathews, San Diego Union-Tribune

Yes, we're in a drought, but there's still good reason to break out the sand bags: to protect ourselves against a flood of conventional media wisdom about California water.

As legislators and voters debate proposals for water infrastructure and bonds, TV stations have already declared that we're in a "Water War." And you are probably reading, again and again that water, as much as anything, divides California.

That is entirely backward. Water, more than anything, unites California.

Coalition response... While encouraging efforts to develop local water supply and improve management is important, so too is planning for the future. Preparing for California's future may not be easy, or even conflict-free, but it's a process we must undertake, and soon. Our state-wide water system has done more than the engineers who designed it could have hoped for. Their foresight, coupled with our ongoing innovation has provided us with the ability for twice the population to call California home; to grow our industry; and to provide fresh, locally grown and raised produce, fruit, nuts, grains, and dairy that are the envy of the world - at a lower cost than in any other developed nation.  

The Governor's water action plan includes conservation, recycling, new storage, local projects, ecosystem restoration and improved methods for moving water from areas of abundance to areas of need. No single strategy will meet all of our future needs.

The generations ahead deserve a California prepared for tomorrow's challenges.  If that means conflict - some conflicts are worth having.

Water Storage

LETTER: Water storage is key to region's future

From: J. Paul Hendrix, Visalia Times-Delta 

Tulare Irrigation District has proposed a new reservoir at McKay Point, near Lemon Cove and Woodlake, to provide new water storage, flood control and more efficient distribution of water for agriculture.

The McKay Point project, proposed to be located north of the separation of the Kaweah and St. Johns rivers, is a joint venture of property owners Tulare Irrigation District, the Consolidated Peoples Ditch Company and the Visalia & Kaweah Water Company. The reservoir is expected to take about 120 acres of the jointly owned 500 acres.

Regulations

Water clock ticking for California growers on regulation deadlines

From: Dennis Pollock, Western Farm Press 

Water - or actually the lack thereof - came close to saturating the agenda at an educational tailgate meeting presented by the San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association in Madera.

The meeting opened with reminders that the clock is ticking for growers to join coalitions to comply with state regulations on surface and ground water. It quickly evolved into talk of how to manage vineyards and water delivery systems in a year when water is in short supply.

New water rules for farmers OK'd

From: Alex Breitler, Stockton Record

State water cops approved rules Wednesday that will result in higher costs for thousands of San Joaquin County farmers, with the goal of reducing polluted runoff draining into already degraded streams.

The unanimous vote by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board formalizes what have been described as the most significant new rules many farmers will have ever seen. The rules allow farmers to join coalitions instead of being individually regulated - an alternative that would likely have been more expensive.

Groundwater

Regional Meeting on Groundwater

From: Staff, California Farm Water Coalition

The California Farm Water Coalition is hosting a regional meeting on groundwater.  Presentations include:

Future of Groundwater Management in the Sacramento Valley - What changes are ahead for groundwater use in California?

David Guy, Executive Director, Northern California Water Association   

What to Expect from Coming Groundwater Regulations

Bob Reeb, Reeb Governmental Affairs

When: Thursday March 20, 2014 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM PDT

Where: Fresno Irrigation District

             2907 S. Maple Avenue

             Fresno, CA 93725

Register to attend by clicking here.

Meetings

EVENT: Paying for Water in California

From: Staff, PPIC

California's latest drought highlights the need to improve how we manage and pay for our precious water resources. At this half-day event, participants will discuss where California's water finance system is failing, how we might fill the gaps, and whether significant reforms are needed to enable our water resources to support a healthy economy, society, and environment. This event follows the release of a new PPIC report, Paying for Water in California.

[Download the New PPIC report: Paying for Water in California by clicking here.] 

Why did over 1,200 California farmers sign a letter to Congress?

California farmers recognize the dire situation this year’s drought brings. So much so that more than more than 1,200 of them signed a letter to the state’s Washington, D.C. delegation insisting that they set aside political differences and work together to address the water supply crisis. With State and federal water projects announcing an initial allocation of zero for the first time in history and statewide, on average, farm water users expecting only a third of their normal supplies, it is understandable that thousands have stepped forward to make their voices heard.

What used to be a vibrant almond orchard

In 2011 California’s water system was all but overflowing. At the start of 2013 water storage levels were above average but allocations were below average. That should have been a wake-up call to our Washington representatives but it wasn’t. Today, with environmental allocations driving down storage levels and hydrology as bad as it is we have reached a crisis in record time. And still, political paralysis is preventing actions that could provide relief.

“As we speak this very moment there’s 25,000 (cubic feet per second) flowing as outflow out to the ocean. At the same time, we’re pumping 4,400 cfs,” said Dan Nelson, head of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, at a drought meeting held at U.C. Merced yesterday, as reported by Stockton Record writer Alex Brietler.

San Luis Reservoir

“I ask you,” Nelson said, addressing State Water Resources Control Board Chair Felicia Marcus, “is this the balance that you anticipated? Is this the balance that you’re working for? I don’t think so. We knew this storm was going to happen last week. Why didn’t we prepare for it?”

Marcus responded that the state board is waiting for an emergency request from the state and federal water projects, which could alter how much water can be pumped south.

“My understanding is they’re talking about it,” she said. “We can’t do it on our own.”

But the spike in flows will probably last only another four or five days, Nelson countered. “While we set up forums to talk about it, water’s flowing to the ocean.”

In the ancient fable, Nero fiddled while Rome burned. In California, more than 1,200 farmers are demanding that that doesn’t happen again.  They are insisting that their elected representatives address the imbalance between water users and the environment and to move forward on storage projects that would lessen the impact of future droughts.

Their message to Washington politicians about working together to solve the water crisis is this: “Anything less will be your collective failure.”

News articles and links from February 26, 2014

Water Transfers 

MID approves intra-district open-market sales of irrigation water

From: Garth Stapley, Modesto Bee

The prospect of irrigation water hawked on Craigslist became a possibility Tuesday with a landmark vote allowing Modesto Irrigation District customers to buy and sell to other farmers within MID's boundary at any price they want.

The 3-2 decision overshadowed a competing proposal to establish a pool system managed by district staff in which growers would buy and sell water for $400 an acre-foot. That idea also passed, on a 4-1 vote, but supporters acknowledged it might not get traction because sellers are likely to fetch higher offers on the open market.

Water Supply 

Turlock Irrigation District votes to cut in half its water deliveries to farms

From: John Holland, Modesto Bee

The board of the Turlock Irrigation District voted 5-0 Tuesday to cut water deliveries to about half of what its farmers usually get.

Directors set a cap of 20 inches of water over the 2014 irrigation season in an effort to keep at least some carryover in Don Pedro Reservoir for 2015. Farmers could get up to 4 extra inches to complete their final round of watering, at a higher price that will be considered later.

Water Bond

BLOG: California water bond proposals now number seven

From: Mark Grossi, Fresno Bee

Assembly Member Henry T. Perea, D-Fresno, and state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, are the latest to propose a new bill tweaking the California water bond scheduled for November.

There are seven versions now, if you include the twice-delayed $11. 2 billion version on the ballot now. It's a crowded, confusing field at a time when President Barack Obama and Gov. Jerry Brown have drawn attention to an intense drought.

Farming

OPINION: Letters for the Week of February 26: Walking in a Farmer's Boots

From: Dan Errotabere, East Bay Express

Imagine riding in a bicycle race through the streets of San Francisco, and after completing half the course, you are told that the rules have changed and every third rider must abandon pedaling and instead carry his bicycle the rest of the way. You would not be very pleased if you were that third rider.

Well, that is what happened to farmers like me along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley after we planted almond trees years ago but were later told that part of that water needed by the trees was going to be taken away. Combine years of surviving under these new rules with a devastating drought that is now gripping our state and the result is farmers must make difficult decisions this year whether to keep their trees alive.

OPINION: Letters for the Week of February 26: Desert Farming Cash Cow

From: Julian Suhr, East Bay Express

Brilliant cover story. Mr. Palomino does a splendid job chronicling the history and evolution of this crazy desert farming cash cow we've stuck ourselves with in the western San Joaquin Valley. Seems to me that we need to start thinking about not just whether our foods are "local" or "organic," but whether the growing practices make sense on a basic level, and then vote with our dollars in the same way Michael Pollan asked us all to vote with our dollars about industrial food so many years ago.

Food News  

POST: National Pistachio Day!

From: Staff, farmwater.org

Today, February 26, is National Pistachio Day!  To help celebrate, we've brought together some fun facts, while some of California's food bloggers and Setton Farms have teamed up to bring us some very special recipes.

Californians eat healthy... and save money too!

When you live in California you have the benefit of buying fresh, locally grown produce at a nearby farmers market or in your favorite grocery store. Being so close to the fields where broccoli, romaine lettuce, spinach, cantaloupes and hundreds of other crops are grown makes all the difference in the quality and freshness in the food we provide our families. But there’s another big benefit to buying California produce right here in California and that’s price.

Romaine lettuce field in Imperial Valley, CA

On February 9 in Los Angeles the price of one bunch of broccoli was $1.24. In New York that same bunch was $2.33. Romaine lettuce is an even better deal. The Los Angeles price was $1.07 while in New York you would have to shell out the same $2.33 that the broccoli would have cost. Prices in Chicago and Atlanta, although not as high as those in the Empire State are still significantly more than they are in sunny SoCal. Prices for most other fresh fruits and vegetables reflect the same disparity between east and west coast.

Broccoli ready to be harvested in CA's San Joaquin Valley

So take heart, eat healthy and enjoy the fact that California produce is not only good for you, its good for your wallet, too!

News articles and links from February 25, 2014

Bay Delta Conservation Plan 

OPINION: Delta tunnels: Public needs to pay more attention to plan

From: Cathy Lazarus, San Jose Mercury News

California is a thirsty state. The 20th-century water delivery infrastructure is inadequate, deteriorating and unreliable.

We now recognize that historical water delivery and management strategies have caused serious harm to the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta ecosystem, the source of much of California's water supply, including Santa Clara County's.

Sacramento River

Bay Area water agency may start Sacramento River diversions

From: Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee

A Bay Area water agency may use its water contracts on the Sacramento River for the first time to help its customers survive the ongoing drought.

The East Bay Municipal Utility District anticipates it will need to divert water this year from the Freeport Regional Water Project on the Sacramento River, which it helped build in partnership with Sacramento County at a cost of nearly $1 billion. The district has not used the diversion since it was completed in 2010, but its board will vote in April whether to activate it.

Drought

Farmers predict another year without water could bring catastrophe to California

From: Staff, Western Farm Press

Parts of California could receive significant amounts of rainfall late this week. Most observers do not see the moisture ending the state's worst drought in decades, instead teasing them with what might have been if rainfall had been near normal for the winter.

Participants in the World Ag Expo 2014 Water Forum in Tulare, Calif., heard members of two panels discuss the current situation with the drought and the outlook for legislation and regulatory changes to the water delivery system to the nation's leading agricultural production area.

BLOG: California analyst suggests drought solutions

From: Staff, Sacramento Bee Blog

Saying Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal "includes little to address the effects of the current drought," a new report by the Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal analyst suggests anti-drought and conservation steps that lawmakers could take.

Friday's review of the resources portion of Brown's January spending plan came two days after Brown and legislative unveiled a $687.4 million package of drought relief measures, some of which seem to mirror parts of what the LAO suggests.

OPINION: Water wars a never-ending battle

From: Lon Allan, San Luis Obispo Tribune

I've always known that the availability of water was not absolute. My dad perpetually had a small "farm" while he worked other jobs, and I recall his admonition to me to make sure we didn't waste water when we irrigated our grapes.

In those days (1950s) we plowed three furrows between the vines and simply flooded them with water. You had to be vigilant to make sure the water didn't break out of the furrow and run - wasted - onto the nearby roads and elsewhere. At his direction you simply continued to walk the vineyard on the day you were running water.

Local vineyards cope with little rain

From: Kim Stemler, Salinas Californian

Local hills are greener, thanks to the recent rains, and we are still in a drought that has exceeded historic dry records. Monterey County vineyards are "dusty in the middle of January," said Andy Mitchell, director of vineyard operations at 400,000-case Hahn Family Wines. "Last year was bad, but this year is much worse."

This at the same time we are celebrating last year's record wine grape harvest in California - up 7 percent from the previous record high of 2012's crush, as reported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the Preliminary Grape Crush Report published earlier this month.

Food News 

BLOG: Real Food: Winter Salad Bowl

From: Jeanne Fratello, Jolly Tomato

Where do the country's families, grocery stores, restaurants, and food services get their leafy greens in the dead of winter? And where do those warm and dry regions get their water to be able to grow those crops? We got the answers to those questions and more last week while on a farm tour last week to California's "Low Desert" region (Imperial and Coachella Valleys) with the California Farm Water Coalition - along with blogger friends Priscilla from She's Cookin, Kim from Liv Life, and Barbara from Barbara Cooks.