Ag community states its case for frost protection at Sacramento workshop

From the Ukiah Daily Journal:

“Area stakeholders made their case at a State Water Board workshop in Sacramento Wednesday for what they have done over a monthslong quest to improve the use of Russian River water used to protect crops from frost damage.

Those who have been involved say that it started with a letter from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in early 2009 that asked for emergency regulations of frost water. In the letter, NOAA cited a fish kill near Hopland during spring 2008 when wine grape growers frost protected heavily.

“We took a busload of 23 to 24 people, growers and ag industry representatives in the county,” to this week’s meeting in Sacramento, said Devon Jones, director of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau. “What we presented from the URSA (Upper Russian River Sustainability Alliance) group was well received,” said Janet Pauli, who attended the meeting. Pauli is the chairwoman of the Mendocino Inland Water and Power Commission.

Over the past months, the URSA has been meeting to implement mitigation for concerns about taking water for frost protection. Pauli said she is hopeful the work that has been done results in no regulations.

But it is not known for sure what decisions the State Water Board will make following this week’s workshop. .. “

Read more from the Ukiah Daily Journal by clicking here.

Photo of Russian River grapevines by flickr photographer Star5112.

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