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Wednesday’s top of scroll: Water deliveries up for Valley farms; Farmers hail increased water allowance

Posted by: Maven on March 17, 2010 at 8:26 am

From the Fresno Bee:

“Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Tuesday announced a five-fold increase in west Valley irrigation supply for summer, but water officials wonder if the news has come in time to help farmers make last-minute crop plans.

Salazar raised the water forecast to 25% of the amount that west San Joaquin Valley growers are allowed each year from the Central Valley Project. Last month, he could only assure west siders of 5%.

Thanks to continuing March storms, the announcement was moved a week ahead of schedule to help farmers with planning.

Officials added that allotments might be increased further in the coming months.

Salazar has personally delivered each forecast to California this year after receiving political pressure from lawmakers and water officials, who point to the west side’s increasing unemployment and economic plight after three years of drought. Usually, water forecasts are made by lower-level federal officials in Sacramento. … “

Continue reading this article from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

” … “This is good news for the large majority of water users served by the Central Valley Project, but we realize that south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors face serious water supply challenges,” Salazar said during a joint news conference with Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor.

Three years of drought and federally mandated limits on pumping to protect endangered fish caused some farmers to abandon fields and others to trim jobs.

Tensions between farmers and conservationists reached a high point when Sen. Dianne Feinstein threatened to bypass environmental laws to get farmers more water.

The news of a 25 percent allocation was rushed out a week early at the urging of Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Reps. Jim Costa, D-Hanford (Kings County), and Dennis Cardoza, D-Atwater (Merced County).

“This updated allocation provides more certainty and should help farmers secure the loans they need,” Feinstein said in a statement. “I’m pleased that the Interior Department has recognized the urgency of the water crisis.” … “

Continue reading this article from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.

From the California Farm Bureau Federation:

” … “This is certainly a big improvement from the 5 percent supplies that the CVP promised last month,” Wenger said, “and we appreciate the Interior Department’s pledge to enhance the allocation further through actions that could add another 8 percent to 10 percent to CVP supplies. We will continue to press the department to make that additional water available as soon as possible.

“The additional water from the CVP will reduce the pressure on underground water supplies. It will also help farmers with permanent crops to provide critically needed water after the harvest to their trees and vines. We hope the additional water will also create momentum to meet needs for next year and beyond, allowing farmers more time to make their planting plans,” he said. … “

Continue reading this article from the California Farm Bureau Federation by clicking here.

Read the press release from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.

March 17, 2010 · Filed Under Central Valley Project

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