News articles and links from October 9, 2013

Water Supply  

Comedian Paul Rodriguez: Valley Water Crisis No Joke!

From: Erik Rosales, KMPH-TV 26

A bit of Hollywood came to the valley, comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez made a stop in Visalia.

However, Rodriguez was not there to tell jokes.

He spent the time talking about one of the valley's most precious resource, water!

Food, Farms and Water

From: Amy Quinton, Capital Public Radio

California is the nation's largest agricultural state. It would not be possible without water from the Delta. Farmers say the water is their lifeblood, but it's been cut back year after year.

California's farms and ranches generated nearly $45 billion in revenue last year. Without water exported from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to arid Central Valley land, much of the produce we get in restaurants and grocery stores wouldn't come from California.

Butte County signs off on agreement about Lake Oroville water

From: Staff, Chico Enterprise-Record  

After what seemed like a never-ending wrangling in court, Butte County can have about $2 million more funding available each year and is more secure in its water rights due to a court settlement with the Department of Water Resources.

One of the key points is a contractual acknowledgment that as the "area of origin" - the place the state water project gets its water - Butte County has special status.

Water Quality 

Study seeks cure for north Tulare County water woes

From: Valerie Gibbons, Visalia Times-Delta

Water from the Alta Irrigation District is being lauded as an inexpensive solution to one of the county's most vexing problems.

A $247,580 state-funded study may signal the beginning of a new era for water districts in East Orosi, Sultana, Monson, Seville and Yettem that have each gained national attention for their contaminated drinking water and dilapidated delivery systems.

Supes protesting new irrigation regulations

From: Susan Meeker, Glenn County Transcript

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors is protesting new regulatory requirements that may soon apply to local farmers with irrigated agriculture land.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, which was adopted in the San Joaquin area in December, is quickly heading for expansion to cover all agricultural water discharges to groundwater, officials said.

Growers will be expected to track their nitrogen use and efforts to protect both surface and ground water starting in 2014.

Groundwater

Supervisors extend moratorium on new pumping from Paso Robles basin

From: David Sneed, SLO Tribune

With newly sworn-in Supervisor Caren Ray on board, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday extended a controversial emergency ordinance banning new pumping from the Paso Robles groundwater basin to its maximum two-year limit.

Water Legislation

California governor signs bills to tackle state's water crisis

From: Sharon Bernstein, Chicago Tribune

California Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed more than a dozen bills aimed at improving access to water in the state, where drought is common and tension is high over the competing needs of residents, agriculture and the environment.

Governor Brown Signs Water Legislation

From: Staff, Imperial Valley News

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a package of bills to help expand access to clean drinking water in California.

Gov. Brown signs controversial water bills, including Maywood plan

From: Patrick McGreevy, LA Times

Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed a flood of bills aimed at improving water quality and reliability in California, including a controversial measure introduced in the middle of a dispute between water agencies in Los Angeles County.

News articles and links from October 8, 2013

Water Supply

Blog: Looming 2014 California water crisis strikes fear in farmers

From: Harry Cline, Western Farm Press

It does not take long for a conversation with a California farmer to reach the topic of water. It has always been that way.

However, the topic strikes real fear like it has never before. California has faced numerous water crises, but nothing like this one.

IID board to review water apportionment plan

From: Antoine Abou-Diwan, Imperial Valley Press

With a little less than three months remaining in 2013, the Imperial Irrigation District Board of Directors on Tuesday will consider making some changes to the district's 2013 water apportionment pilot program while staff revises the program for 2014.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

The Bay-Delta...why it matters to you

From: Eastern Municipal Water District, Western Municipal Water District, Riverside Public Utilities, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District

"This document was inserted in the Sunday edition of the Riverside Press-Telegram by the above districts."

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta east of San Francisco Bay is so far from Southern California that many of our residents may not know where it is or why it matters. Simply put, water that originates in the Sierra Nevada Mountains moves through the Delta providing drinking water for as many as 25 million California residents, including many in Southern California.

In addition to water supplies for millions, water that moves through the Delta supplies an agricultural industry that, in turn, feeds millions of people, producing much of the nation's produce.

Fisheries

Bass impact report settles little in endangered salmon debate

From: Alex Breitler, Stockton Record

Exotic fish such as striped bass undoubtedly eat imperiled baby salmon in the Delta, but a team of experts in a new report says there's not enough evidence to say whether the predators are harming salmon populations overall.

CDFW releases draft environmental impact report on planned salmon conservation hatchery

From: Press Release, Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has released a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for a conservation fish hatchery to assist with the restoration of salmon runs in the San Joaquin River.

The proposed site of the new Salmon Conservation and Research Facility (SCARF) is located in Friant in Fresno County and adjacent to the San Joaquin River approximately 1.1 miles downstream of Friant Dam.

Delta 

The Delta's Fragile Ecology

From: Amy Quinton, Capital Public Radio  

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta was once a vast tidal marshland and inland estuary. Now thousands of miles of fragile levees surround artificial islands below sea level. More than 90 percent of wetlands have disappeared, and native fish are dying.

Meetings 

Irrigation workshop scheduled Wednesday

From: Antoine Abou-Diwan, Imperial Valley Press 

The University of California Desert Research & Extension Center is hosting an Irrigation and water management workshop Wednesday for Imperial Valley growers and irrigators.

News articles and links from October 4, 2013

Water Supply

Blog: Industry Gathers In Alfalfa Field to Show Why We Need Water

From: Patrick Cavanaugh, California Ag Today

Showing the economics behind a single crop grown in the San Joaquin Valley was the vision of Steve Malanca, General Manager of Thomason Tractor Co, in Firebaugh. With the help of Gayle Holman, Public Affairs Representative with Westland Water District, more than 200 came together in an alfalfa field, west of Firebaugh, filled with the equipment and services necessary to grow the crop.

Opinion: Adapting to the water that's available

From: Joan Leon, Santa Maria Times 

Driving around the Santa Maria Valley, we are refreshed with scenes of vigorous agriculture fields. We seem to have enough water to support these agricultural operations. But are these water sources secure?

Driving home on Interstate 5 recently from vacation, we were dismayed to see entire orchards of dead trees, withered crops, fields lying fallow. How did this happen? Signs were posted wrongly blaming the state for lack of water.

Water Quality

Farmers protest new rules on water quality

From: Alex Breitler, Stockton Record

Farmers protested new water-quality regulations Thursday, saying the proposed rules would bury them in paperwork and chisel away at their profits without necessarily improving pollution.

"Ten years ago, I told my wife I wanted to move to Nebraska. I wish I'd done that," Stockton farmer Richard Rodriguez told the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Delta 

California's Delta: Inside and Out

From: Staff, California Public Radio

It's one of the largest sources of water for the world's 8th largest economy. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has been called the heart of California's water system. As lawmakers, conservationists, farmers, policy experts and others debate the future of the Delta, this five-part series tells the story of how the region both connects and divides Californians.

Environment Reporter Amy Quinton takes a comprehensive look at how the Delta is tied to the rest of the state and what it means to everyday Californians.

Districts

Governor signs bill aimed at Merced Irrigation District

From: Rob Parsons, Merced Sun-Star 

Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed legislation aimed directly at preventing a significant rate hike for Merced Irrigation District electric customers.

The new law, Senate Bill 591, was co-written by Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, and Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, and passed both houses of the state Legislature in August.

In a statement released late Thursday, MID General Manager John Sweigard praised both Merced County legislators and the governor's office.

Salton Sea

Letter: All is not well at the Salton Sea

From: Keven E. Kelley, Sacramento Bee  

Re "Finally, one California water deal gets done" (Dan Walters, Sept. 30): Despite the court's action upholding the 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement for Colorado River water, it did nothing to advance one of the deal's central objectives: prevent the accelerated decline of the Salton Sea.

Drought

A dry October for the heartland? Maybe

From: Angela Bowman, AG Professional

Drought continues its grip on the nation's midsection, and though some areas may see relief in October, the same can't be said for some of the nation's biggest crop-producing states.

click image to zoomDrought MonitorThe Drought Monitor map released on Oct. 3, 2013. In the latest "Drought Monitor" report, the so-called "flash drought" refuses to budge from much of the Midwest. However, some states in the West - primarily California, Nevada and Idaho - still have a long way to go before drought is eradicated.

News articles and links from October 3, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan 

Letters: Water issues and agribusiness

From: James Loewen, LA Times

The poll and the article on Californians' attitudes toward financing huge water projects ignore a very big piece of the picture.

We don't need these water projects, which will further strain fish habitats in Northern California rivers and saddle us with more debt. Instead, we need to fairly price the over-strained supplies already being shipped south. This will result in lowered flows that still leave adequate supplies for cities and for farmers who can pay a fair price.

Coalition response...Farmers use only 41 percent of the available water supply in California, according to the California Department of Water Resources. The rest goes to the environment (48 percent) and cities/businesses (11 percent). Water users throughout California, including farmers, homeowners and businesses, pay their share of costs to receive the water. Urban users pay for water quality treatment, pressurization in distribution systems and a reliability that assures water will be there when faucets are turned. Farmers do not pay these costs because they do not receive the same benefits. Attempts to characterize water rates that farmers pay as "very low" ignores how rates are set.

Those who benefit from the use of water on farms are consumers who have come to rely upon a safe and healthy food supply in grocery stores.

That supply of water to California farms has been reduced in recent years because of regulations to protect endangered fish, namely the Delta smelt. Instead of sending water to users who have a right to it, the water is kept in the Delta and allowed to flow to the ocean. Federal water officials have yet to provide demonstrable proof that their actions are achieving their intended results.

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan and its proposed tunnels will greatly reduce the impacts on endangered fish. The Plan will restore a reliable supply of water that is delivered to 3 million acres of farmland and 25 million Californians. At the same time, ecosystem restoration will take place in the Delta that will benefit habitat and wildlife. Without implementation of BDCP, water supplies will continue to be reduced and endangered fish will suffer.

Water Supply

Water policy issues critical to almond growers

From: Vince Ross, Almond Board of California 

It is a simple but vitally important fact: Water availability is of critical importance to California almond growers and handlers. Water remains the lifeblood of California's almond industry, which in 2012 produced 2 billion pounds of almonds valued at $4.3 billion. That said, California water policy is incredibly complex, driven by intense competition among very diverse interests.

Groundwater

Ag customer surge concerns Modesto Irrigation District

From: Garth Stapley, Modesto Bee 

What used to be an encouraging sign of more business for water agencies - people signing up to buy electricity - is starting to scare the Modesto Irrigation District.

That's because the MID also worries about water supply. And those recently asking for scads more power, district leaders fear, are using it to pump - and maybe deplete - groundwater.

Coachella Valley Water District Mid-Valley Pipeline project (video)

From: Author, Source  

The Mid-Valley Pipeline will be one of the most significant groundwater conservation projects in Coachella Valley history.

Water Quality 

Growers grapple with new groundwater rules

From: Seth Nidever, Hanford Sentinel

Kings County farmers had a chance this week to hear firsthand how best to adjust to sweeping new groundwater pollution rules.

The new regulations, adopted last month by the Central Valley Water Quality Control Board, require most commercial growing operations in Kings County to keep track of how much nitrogen fertilizer they apply, submit groundwater quality assessment reports and show evidence of erosion and sediment control plans.

California Water Plan 

DWR Releases Draft California Water Plan Update

From: Report, DWR

California's key water planning document - updated for public review - is being released in separate volumes today through October 23. California Water Plan Update 2013 - a four-year effort by DWR - presents a comprehensive picture of California's water supply, needs, evolving integrated water management and projections of future demands.

Delta 

Delta Protection Commission kicks off 2013 Delta Flood Preparedness Week

From: Press Release, Delta Protection Commission

In a region surrounded by waterways, preparing for devastating floods in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is critical. Delta waterways contribute to the bucolic setting of the region but increase the risk to Delta residents in a flood situation.

Meetings 

Water workshop set in Colusa

From: Staff, Red Bluff Daily News

There will be a set of new water quality regulations imposed on Sacramento Valley irrigated agriculture and managed wetland owners as soon as April 2014. This is due to adoption of a waste discharge requirements General Order for the Long- Term Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.

An upcoming public workshop, held by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board), will summarize the proposed new regulations and give opportunity to comment on issues of concerns to Regional Board Members.

Interested persons are being encouraged to attend and present oral comments on Oct. 30 in Colusa.

News articles and links from October 2, 2013

Water Supply

Blog: Like Westside, Eastside is Dire

From: Patrick Cavanaugh, California Ag Today

While severely reduced water allocations on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley are hurting many growers in federal water districts such as Westlands, San Luis and Panoche, if no water at all is delivered next year, growers could be completely forced out of business. And the Eastside of the Valley has huge problems as well.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Shutdown may mean costly delay for Delta tunnel plan

From: Alex Breitler, Stockton Record

The shutdown of the federal government could delay the governor's twin tunnels plan for the Delta, a state official said Tuesday.

The plan, said to be close to 25,000 pages in length, is supposed to be released for public comment Nov. 15.

But the plan must first be reviewed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, both of which were closed Tuesday.

Delta 

Letter: Earthquake on Hayward Fault would damage Delta

From: Kathryn A. Klar, Sacramento Bee

Re "Fix the Delta levees" (Letters, Sept. 26): The letter writer states that the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake was on the Hayward Fault. It was not. It was on a section of the San Andreas Fault down near Santa Cruz, far from the Delta.

Salton Sea

Editorial: Gov. Brown signs Salton Sea bill

From: Editorial Staff, Imperial Valley Press

It's been about two years in the making, but now stakeholders in the Imperial Valley will have more local control and a bigger say in what becomes of efforts to save the Salton Sea.

On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 71 into law, a piece of legislation authored by local representative Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez, D-Coachella, which directs state officials to coordinate with the Salton Sea Authority on finding fixes for the sea.

Transfers

Water Commission hears reports on summer groundwater transfer

From: Staff, Chico Enterprise-Record

A transfer of 5,000 acre-feet of groundwater from Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District to San Luis Mendota Water Authority took place this summer.

Today, the Butte County Water Commission will hear the evaluation of the groundwater monitoring that took place.

Courts

Cattlemen praise water rights decision

From: Staff, Capital Press

The state's largest ranchers' organization is praising a judge's preliminary ruling that fees charged to California water rights holders are invalid.

Dams

United against dam removal

From: Lee Juillerat, Herald and News 

Upset about not being included on the Klamath Basin Task Force, Siskiyou County supervisors and Klamath County commissioners Monday decided to create their own task force to study and make recommendations on Klamath Basin-wide water issues.

Water talks upset Klamath Basin county leaders

From: Associated Press, Redding Record Searchlight

From: Associated Press, San Diego Union-Tribune

From: Associated Press, KFMB-8 TV

Leaders in two Klamath Basin counties who oppose taking down dams as part of a regional settlement of water issues say they're planning an alternative to talks aimed at salvaging the agreements.

News articles and links from October 1, 2013

Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Editorial: Stop old California rivalries over water issues

From: Editorial Staff, LA Daily News 

From: Editorial Staff, Whittier Daily News 

From: Editorial Staff, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin 

From: Editorial Staff, Long Beach Press Telegram  

From: Editorial Staff, Torrance Daily Breeze 

From: Editorial Staff, Pasadena Star News

From: Editorial Staff, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

John Garamendi, in the main an excellent statewide leader as insurance commissioner and lieutenant governor, has so often represented all Californians well. He has served a Sacramento-area district in Congress since 2009.

But it seems the politician has now lost his statewide focus. In a letter last week to the Interior Department about the proposed Bay Delta water project, Garamendi, along with six other Northern California members of Congress cosigners, takes our state back to the perennial North-vs.-South rivalry over water and other matters.

Blog: Southern California business groups support the Bay Delta Conservation Plan

From: Maven, Maven's Notebook

Lest you think all the correspondence is negative, here are two letters of support for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.  The letters are from the Los Angeles Business Council and the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties Chambers of Commerce Alliance, and they begin by applauding Governor Brown for recognizing that it's time to abandon the status quo by advancing the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) which will restore and protect the Delta and provide water supply reliability.

Blog: Friends of the River says Bay Delta Conservation Plan alters critical habitat and is not permissible under the ESA

From: Maven, Maven's Notebook

Friends of the River has sent a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation and others saying that the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is "not a permissible project under the Endangered Species Act because it would adversely modify critical habitat for five endangered and threatened species."

Water Bond 

Poll: Voters wishy-washy on water proposal, lukewarm on Brown

From: Ashley Bailey and Shirley Jahad, KPCC-89.3 Radio

A new survey finds support for the state's ambitious water plan dries up when the talk turns to money and that only half of voters think Gov. Jerry Brown is doing a good job in office.

The USC/LA Times poll released Monday asked voters about two proposals to change the way California transports water. Voters supported both plans until they found out how much they cost, said Dan Schnur, who teaches politics at USC and directed the poll.

Column: Water conflicts building in California for 2014

From: Dan Walters, Fairfield Daily Republic 

(This article was previously printed in the Sacramento Bee.)

There is simply nothing more important to California's future than an adequate and dependable supply of clean water.

Accordingly, there is simply nothing more complex than its water politics, as we are beginning to see as Gov. Jerry Brown, legislators and water stakeholders attempt to write a 2014 bond issue.

Fisheries

Reclamation Releases Environmental Documents for Operations and Maintenance Funding for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program's Interim San Joaquin Salmon Conservation and Research Facility

From: Press Release, USBR

The Bureau of Reclamation today released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact to fund operations and maintenance of the Interim San Joaquin Salmon Conservation and Research Facility by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Interim Facility is a pilot-scale hatchery facility adjacent to the San Joaquin River Fish Hatchery, about one mile downstream of Friant Dam in the town of Friant in Fresno County. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is coordinating with the National Marine Fisheries Service for enhancement of species permits to begin establishing a spring-run Chinook salmon population to be reintroduced into the San Joaquin River.

Transfers

Oakdale Irrigation District to consider water sale to San Francisco

From: John Holland, Modesto Bee 

The Oakdale Irrigation District board could vote today on a possible one-year water sale to San Francisco.

Under the tentative deal, the city would pay $112,000 for the option to buy up to 2,240 acre-feet, about 1 percent of the OID supply from the Stanislaus River. The price for the actual amount of water delivered has not been set.

People

S.J. supervisor heads state agency

From: Zachary K. Johnson, Stockton Record

A San Joaquin County elected leader is now the chairman of the Delta Protection Commission, a state agency charged with protecting and restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Larry Ruhstaller, a member of the county board of supervisors, has been steeped in state and local water issues for years, including as a member of the Delta Protection Commission since 2007.

Meetings 

Irrigation, Water Management Workshop, Oct. 9, El Centro

From: Announcement, Western Farm Press

The University of California Cooperative will conduct an Irrigation and Water Management Workshop Oct. 9 at the University of California Desert Research & Extension Center in El Centro, Calif. For more information, contact Bali at (760) 352-9474 and kmbali@ucanr.edu.