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Commentary: Russian River growers gear up to fight new frost rules

Posted by: Maven on January 16, 2012 at 6:48 am

From the North Bay Business Journal, this commentary by Aubrey A. Mauritson, Esq., an associate attorney at Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz, LLP in Santa Rosa, California:

“Local growers in the Russian River watershed in Mendocino and Sonoma ounties, titled Russian River Water Users for the Environment, filed a lawsuit against the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on Oct. 20 in the Sacramento Superior Court for an unprecedented regulation targeting winegrape growers’ use of water for frost protection purposes.

What is frost protection?

During the spring months, as vines emerge from dormancy, they begin to form tiny buds which later produce the bountiful crops seen in fall. If spring temperatures drop below freezing (31°F or below), the buds will freeze, killing the bud and subsequent grapes. A mere one to two degrees can result in the difference between a productive crop and a complete crop loss. In order to protect against such a freeze, misted water is placed over the buds, providing a reduced risk of damage, with excess returning and replenishing the groundwater table below. … “

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January 16, 2012 · Filed Under Northern California

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One Response to “Commentary: Russian River growers gear up to fight new frost rules”

  1. Commentary: Russian River growers gear up to fight new frost rules - California Water Alliance (CalWA) on January 16th, 2012 11:02 am

    [...] See original here: Commentary: Russian River growers gear up to fight new frost rules [...]

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