Congressman Nunes: Unnatural greenies: The two faces of radical environmentalism
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 13, 2010 at 8:02 amFrom the blog of Congressman Devin Nunes:
“The Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club and others tell us that the reason the San Joaquin Valley needs to be transformed into a desert is because the Delta pumps are destroying the salmon population and the water is desperately needed to save the Delta ecosystem.
To this end, environmental radicals, operating in the name of Gaia, Mother Earth, the wiccan religion and a host of other cult-like organizations, have litigated, legislated and extorted away the water needed for San Joaquin Valley communities.
Yet despite their ability to command the agenda of our government through powerful alliances in Congress, none of the endangered fish have shown signs of recovery. Actually, more species are in danger today than when the water diversions started, according to the EPA. … “
Continue reading this article from Congressman Nunes’ blog by clicking here.
Aqua Blog Maven on last day of tour
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 12, 2010 at 6:03 am
That’s the control panel at Metropolitan Water District’s Whitsett Pumping Plant, the start of the Colorado River Aqueduct. Yesterday was a busy, busy day, and I’ve seen a lot and heard from a lot of different people. I’ve taken a lot of great pictures, including some from the inside of the Yuma Desalting Plant that I’m looking forward to putting together into a slideshow.
Today, we’re visiting IID’s water control center, touring Imperial Valley and Coachella farms, and stopping at the Salton Sea.
I’ve had a great time on the tour and have had a chance to meet a variety of different people. It’s been great to chat water with other interested people, see facilities normally unavailable to the general public, and hear from those actively involved in water issues. If you don’t really care for conferences, then you might really want to consider one of the Water Education Foundation’s tours. This is only the first one in a series which will be held throughout the year.
Tonight, home! Everything will return to normal on Saturday. And I’ll try and get a slideshow put together and all the photos I’ve taken uploaded onto flickr by Monday.
Enjoy your weekend!
Regional water news for Friday, March 12
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 12, 2010 at 5:10 amHere’s the regional news roundup. This will be the last day of this shortened format.
OREGON (KLAMATH RIVER):
- Oregon Supreme Court punts on Klamath water claims, from the Silicon Valley Mercury News
- Oregon Supreme Court Answers Key Questions in Klamath Water Case, from the EarthJustice blog
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
- Sonoma warns of water contamination, from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
- Water forum offers Delta update, from the Chico Enterprise-Record
CENTRAL VALLEY:
- More water to pour from Friant Dam to river, from the Fresno Bee
- Upstream battle: Scarce water has local farmers squaring off, from the Sacramento Bee
LAKE TAHOE:
- Tahoe, Donner Summit snowpack improves — but is miracle March the key?, from the Sierra Sun
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
- Water Replenshment District hosts 3rd annual groundwater festival, ‘Treasure Beneath Our Feet’, from Forbes
- Orange County to expand Groundwater Replenishment System, from Environmental Protection
SAN DIEGO:
- San Vicente Dam Raise Project tour, pictures and video from the GrokSurf San Diego blog
COLORADO:
- Water shortages may hit northern Rockies, from USA Today
Thursday’s top of scroll: Bass’ choice for new Valley water agency scrutinized
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 11, 2010 at 6:02 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“The state’s implementation of sweeping new water legislation is off to a bumpy start, as a battle brews over who will serve on a powerful new agency overseeing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders late last year touted the newly passed package of water policy bills as a historic compromise that ends decades of gridlock the governor has referred to as a “holy war.” Yet four months later, the governor has yet to make his four appointees to the newly created Delta Stewardship Council, a seven-member board that will oversee the troubled estuary.
Meanwhile, an appointment made by former Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, is being questioned by key Assembly Democrats who say her pick might not be suited to serve. … “
Continue reading this article from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Regional news for Thursday, March 11
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 11, 2010 at 5:19 amWhile I am on the tour, the regional news stories will appear in this format. The regular format will return on Saturday.
DELTA:
SACRAMENTO:
- Sacramentans make a surprise cut in winter water demand, from the Sacramento Bee
BAY AREA:
- Recycling system flowing as planned, from the San Francisco Examiner
OWENS VALLEY & MONO BASIN:
- Dry Lake Clean-up Show-Down, from Sierra Wave
- Public Eye: Mono Lake’s unhealthy dust linked to L.A. water diversion, from the Sacramento Bee
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY:
- Good Snowpack Fuels Call for Additional Water, from the Valley Voice Newspaper
- Westside aims for good melon year, from the Western Farm Press
SANTA BARBARA:
SAN DIEGO:
- Reznik: The future of Indirect Potable Reuse, from the San Diego News Network
LAS VEGAS:
- Windfall needed to wipe out invasive species, from the Las Vegas Sun
- $41.5 million for Reclamation upgrades, from the Yuma Sun
Regional Water News for Wednesday, March 10
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 10, 2010 at 5:29 amFor the next few days, I’m traveling with the Water Education Foundation on the Lower Colorado River tour. As a time-saver for me while on the tour (and they do keep us busy!), regional news will appear in this format.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
- Kulongoski vows to help Klamath farmers, from the Capital Press
- River users urged to cooperate, from the Ukiah Daily Journal
- Frost water work goes on, from the Ukiah Daily Journal
- Lake Shasta now only 60 feet below high-water mark, from the Record Searchlight
GRASS VALLEY:
- Emgold: Time to Pull the Plug?, commentary by Don Pelton, publisher of Nevada County Mine Talk and Sierra Voices from YubaNet.com
MARIN/NOVATO:
- Marin Voice: Novato’s future water supply, commentary by Chris DeGabriele, general manager of the North Marin Water District, from the Marin Independent Journal
BAY AREA:
- Santa Clara Valley Water District could lose $70 million if well owners reject groundwater fee, from the Silicon Valley Mercury News
- Daly City OKs new water conservation rules, from the Silicon Valley Mercury News
SANTA BARBARA/GOLETA:
- Goleta Water District plays pivotal role in South Coast Delivery System, from Noozhawk
- Cachuma Board, Santa Ynez Water Agency Strike Deal, from Noozhawk
OWENS VALLEY:
- A new solar plan rises from the dust, from American Public Media’s Marketplace
LOS ANGELES:
- LA’s Drainage System Polluted Surfrider Beach, from the Courthouse News Service
SAN DIEGO:
- Siemens awarded $14M WWTP expansion for Orange County, from Water and Wastewater News
- Let’s use the water we have, commentary from the San Diego News Room
- San Diego City Council Not Talking Apartment Meters, from the Voice of San Diego
IMPERIAL VALLEY:
Quantification Settlement Agreement ruling temporarily suspended, from the Imperial Valley Press
Delta National Park blog: Mutually assured dysfunction 6: Paranoid-critical, Anti-government folks, meet California water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:09 am
From the Delta National Park blog:
“The DNP was very interested in reading the comments responding to the New visions for the Delta: A national park, perhaps? article in the Sacramento Bee.
As one might expect, a majority of commenters were opposed to the idea of a Delta national park. What is interesting, though, is the lazy dogma of many of the comments. It is an open question whether these folks have the capacity to express rational opinions or just opinions. The DNP could find only one rational (as opposed to ideological, interest-based) comment opposed to the idea of the park … “
California Congresswoman Grace Napolitano receives Ground Water Protector Award from National Ground Water Association
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:06 am
From the National Ground Water Association:
“Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA) has received the 2010 Ground Water Protector Award from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).
The Ground Water Protector Award honors people in government, industry, and the private sector for their public service efforts in conjunction with groundwater conservation, protection, and use.
Congresswoman Napolitano is being recognized for her leadership on the Congressional Water and Power Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources, as well as the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
“For many people in our nation, groundwater is a resource that is out of sight and, therefore, out of mind,” said NGWA Executive Director Kevin McCray. “However, by your ongoing willingness to promote groundwater issues and provide information about water resources and use, you have earned NGWA’s accolade as a protector of groundwater.”
About 44 percent of Americans regularly depend on groundwater for their drinking water supply. Californians use almost 11 billion gallons of groundwater daily—8.6 billion of which is used for irrigation. About 2.4 million residents rely on privately owned household wells.
NGWA, a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 13,000 U.S. and international ground water professionals—contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers—is dedicated to advancing the expertise of all ground water professionals and to furthering ground water awareness and protection through education and outreach. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading community of ground water professionals that promotes the responsible development, use, and management of ground water resources.”
The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water – MUSIC VIDEO
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:01 amFrom Surfrider San Diego:
“The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water is a short, animated film made by a collaboration of creative and dedicated volunteers at The Surfrider Foundation. Several local Surfrider Foundation chapters combined their talents and funds to create the film — and then actress Zuleikha Robinson of Lost, generously agreed to narrate it.
The premise of the film is that the water cycle we all learned about in the 4th grade has been dramatically altered over time, leaving us with a broken system that wastes water and energy, pollutes our natural waterways, harms critical marine life, and poorly deals with flooding and other water management problems. The film serves to take a holistic look at water management, highlight controversial problems, and suggest solutions that integrate multiple economic and environmental benefits. The intended audience includes entire communities: from homeowners and the general public, to public agencies and elected government officials. “
The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water – MUSIC VIDEO from Surfrider Foundation San Diego C on Vimeo.
Microvi focuses on zero waste with biological water treatment
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:00 amFrom the CleanTech Group:
“Union City, Calif.-based Microvi Biotech has recently completed a nine-month pilot project with an undisclosed California-based customer in the defense industry to tackle the environmentally harmful rocket fuel additive, perchlorate, in groundwater. The installation was successful in eliminating the pollutant, according to the company.
Founded in 2005, Microvi Biotech said it has developed proprietary biotechnologies and engineering designs that utilize natural organisms in the environment to destroy pollutants in water and wastewater without any residual materials or harmful byproducts (see Water innovation beyond desal: the new opportunities?). In the short term, the company is targeting industrial markets including oil and gas, food and beverage, mining, and groundwater pollution control with its technology. … “
Read more from CleanTech by clicking here.
Sausalito’s Bay Model still moving water, visitors
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 7, 2010 at 7:23 am
From the Sacramento Bee:
“It stands as a monument to the days before supercomputing when engineers wearing pocket protectors had to be able to do math – serious math – in their heads and on the fly.
Tucked into a sprawling World War II-era shipbuilding warehouse in a corner of this North Bay town is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Bay Model.
The hydrologically precise scaled working replica of the entire San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Delta takes a first-time visitor’s breath away – just as it has since it first opened in 1957.
Corps Ranger Linda Holm said the site was used as a research facility from 1958 through 2000 to measure and evaluate the freshwater and saltwater circulation characteristics of the bay, the Delta and its tributaries. While the hard science officially ended there in 2000, the corps decided to keep the site open. … “
Read more from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Photo of Bay Model by flickr photographer hairygrumpy (Creative Commons).
Report: 13% of Central Valley’s vernal pool habitat gone
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 6, 2010 at 5:24 amFrom the Sacramento Business Journal:
“About 13 percent, or 135,000 acres, of the Central Valley’s vernal pool habitat has been lost to agriculture and urbanization over the past three decades, studies released Thursday by the Placer Land Trust indicate.
Habitat losses have occurred in spite of environmental regulation, the studies found. And the conversion of land to agriculture was the biggest cause of vernal pool habitat loss, accounting for 81 percent of the loss, according to the studies.
Vernal pools are temporary pools of water that often support rare species that are protected by state and federal law. The pools form in shallow depressions in grasslands where there’s an impervious soil layer, filling with rain water in the wet season and drying out in late spring. … “
Read more from the Sacramento Business Journal by clicking here.
Rains expected to bring spectacular wildflowers to Diamond Valley Lake: Seasonal wildflower trail opens March 6
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 5, 2010 at 5:55 amFrom the Metropolitan Water District, this press release:
“The hills around Diamond Valley Lake will be alive with wildflowers, as the recent rains are expected to bring a carpet of color to the area. The seasonal wildflower trail that adjoins the lake’s East Marina will open to the public this Saturday, March 6, and remain open daily until the blooms fade in the spring.
“The rains haven’t ended the need for water conservation, but they are almost certainly going to bring us a wildflower show at Diamond Valley Lake,” said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which owns and operates the lake—the region’s largest reservoir.
The wildflower trail—part of the Southwestern Riverside County Multi-Species Reserve—is a 1.3-mile loop extending from the Lakeview Trail. Rated as an easy-to-moderate hike, with some rugged terrain, the trail will be open from sunrise to sunset.
Parking is $7 and there is a $2-per-person Lakeview Trail fee that includes a map of the wildflower trail and a wildflower guide. The lake’s East Marina is entered at Domenigoni and Searl parkways in Hemet.
“Visitors can expect to see extensive swaths of orange California poppies, the state flower, deep blue Arroyo Lupine, yellow brittlebrush, and crimson owl’s clover, among many others,” said
reserve naturalist Bill Wagner. “The blooms should last about a month or longer, and are most spectacular during midmorning, when they have fully opened to the day’s sun.”Two other Diamond Valley Lake trails are open to the public year-round and also afford good views of the blooming flowers: the 26.1-mile Lakeview hiking and bicycling trail that circles the 4,500-acre lake, and the 5.9-mile North Hills trail for equestrians and hikers.
Another viewing option is to rent one of the lake’s bass or pontoon boats, bring fishing poles and lunch, and enjoy the 360-degree views from the lake itself. Boat rental and fishing information is at dvlake.com.
In addition, Diamond Valley Lake features a Visitor Center and the Western Science Center, both on Searl Parkway near the Domenigoni parkway entrance. Information on California native plants and water-saving tips are at the Web site bewaterwise.com. For more information about the seasonal wildflower trail, call 1-800-590-LAKE or 961-926-7201.
Pets are not allowed on the trails or in the marina.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people
in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
Conservation group challenges PG&E, seeks more water for Eel River
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 4, 2010 at 6:47 amFrom the Eureka Times-Standard:
“A conservation group is looking to the state to significantly cut back on the diversion of Eel River water to the Russian River in what it says is a last-ditch effort to save crashing salmon and steelhead runs.
The damage to Eel River fisheries is hardly worth the tiny amount of electrical power produced by the Potter Valley Project owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co., according to Friends of the Eel River’s recent filing with the State Water Resources Control Board. The group wants the state to modify the utility’s water rights, because they allow an “unreasonable use of water.”
The Friends say that a 15-percent reduction in the diversion — ordered by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2002 as part of PG&E’s license requirements through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — has done nothing to stop the decline of protected coho and chinook salmon and steelhead populations. But NMFS has also concluded that flows in the much smaller Russian River, boosted by water from the Eel, are too high to support salmon and steelhead there.
”Given the (Potter Valley Project’s) toll on threatened and endangered fish in the Eel and Russian rivers,” the petition reads, “and the relatively small amount of electricity it produces, the water rights for the project must be modified in order to protect the public trust resources and prevent the unreasonable use of water.” … “
Continue reading this story from the Eureka Times-Standard by clicking here.
More response from agricultural groups on water allocation announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 28, 2010 at 7:51 amFrom The Grower:
“The federal and state water projects told water users in California today to expect only a fraction of their normal contracted amounts.
“For farmers and their employees, this is like a nightmare that you can’t wake up from,” Paul Wenger, a Modesto walnut grower and president of the California Farm Bureau, said in a news release. “What makes it worse is that, unlike previous years, these low allocations come at a time when snowpack levels stand near average and our reservoirs are refilling.”
The federal Central Valley Project warned agricutlural customers both north and south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta they could see allocations as low as 5 percent under the most conservative scenarios. The State Water Project raised its projected water deliveries to 15 percent. … “
Continue reading at The Grower by clicking here.
Tom Nassif of Western Growers says that the 5, 10 or maybe even 30% allocation only adds confusion to the despair:
” … “We all hope a ‘dry year’ scenario that would result in a five percent allocation does not come true. The federal government today pointed out the obvious – that California is experiencing an average water year to date – and said if this condition continues the allocation could be as high as 30 percent. This goes to the heart of the problem: Because of the ESA-based biological opinions restricting delivery of water to farms and cities south of the Delta, it no longer matters very much if the state receives ample rain and snow since that water cannot be delivered where it is needed. Despite the fact that the largest federal storage reservoir, Shasta, is at nearly 100 percent of average storage for this time of year, the federal government still can only ‘hope’ that completion of an average water year will result in perhaps a one-third water allocation. An average water year that fills Shasta and the other reservoirs should result in something much closer to a 100 percent allocation, not ‘maybe 30 percent.’ … ‘
Continue reading Tom Nassif’s statement at the California Ag Network website by clicking here.
Saturday’s top of scroll is this coverage wrap-up: California’s parched farms, cities to get more water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 10:02 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“More water will be allocated to California’s drought-stricken farms and cities this year, thanks to improved rain and snow levels, federal and state regulators said today.
Water officials said they were hopeful about the situation but cautioned that California was not yet past its water crisis and allotments will remain much lower than requested. “For the first time in three years we hope some relief is on the way for drought-stricken farmers in the delta,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said agriculture contractors south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would receive 30 percent of the water requested if rainfall continues as forecast — an improvement on the 10 percent they got in 2009. However, that allocation could fall significantly if the rest of the year is dry.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Water Resources said it will send 15 percent of the water sought — up from 5 percent last year. Customers could get as much as 45 percent in the spring if rainfall continues, the department said. … “
Continue reading this article from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
From the Sacramento Bee:
“The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates California’s water supply network, announced that all its customers will get 100 percent of normal allocations, with two exceptions. Municipal customers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will get 75 percent, and westside San Joaquin Valley farmers will get 30 percent.
The lower number for westside farmers is due to their longstanding lower position in the hierarchy of federal water contractors. But those farmers, led by Westlands Water District, have been pressing hard for additional help, and the Obama administration responded.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said an extra 100,000 to 150,000 acre-feet of water will be made available to Westlands, boosting its allocation to 38 to 40 percent. That’s a significant gain over last year’s 10 percent allocation.
This extra water would come from new transfers across the San Joaquin Valley, a 50,000 acre-foot transfer from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and more diversions from the Delta in summer, requiring a special permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“This allocation is based on the hope for a normal year,” Salazar said. “But it could stop raining tomorrow and the picture would change substantially.” … “
Read more from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
More on that additional water for the westside from the Hanford Sentinel:
” … The Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles, the state’s largest user, might provide 50,000 acre-feet, Salazar said. Another 10,000 to 15,000 acre-feet might come from San Joaquin River releases designed to restore salmon habitat. Banks Pumping Plant in the delta could increase its volume during certain times, said David Hayes, deputy interior secretary.
Other possible actions include shifting more water from senior Eastside water users to the Westside.
Salazar said the moves would be a “one-year, stop-gap measure to reduce the pain felt by farmers on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley.”
The additional water could pre-empt legislation recently proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein that would ease pumping restrictions to get farmers up to 40 percent of their historical contracts.
“I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary,” Feinstein said in a statement released Friday by her office.
The ambiguity still hanging in the air after Friday’s announcement left some farming groups asking for more clarification. Westlands Water District, operating in western Kings and Fresno counties, has requested that the Interior Department give a more definitive prediction next week after the March 1 snowpack survey. … “
Read more from the Hanford Sentinel by clicking here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
” … Regulators on Friday denied that the optimistic forecasts had anything to do with Feinstein’s threat to amend the law and increase pumping for farmers, but the rosy outlook nevertheless convinced her to scotch her controversial proposal.
“Much creative thinking and work has been done by many people to make this happen, for which I thank the many people involved,” Feinstein said in a statement. “I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.”
The water content of the California snowpack is currently above average for this time of year, especially in the northern Sierra, which is 121 percent of normal. That’s important because rain and snow runoff in the northern Sierra feeds the state’s largest reservoir, Shasta Lake, which, at its current 72 percent capacity, is at 98 percent of average for this date.
Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s primary source of drinking water, is only 38 percent full. That’s 54 percent of the average storage for this date. … “
Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Times notes:
” … Storms have been filling Northern California’s big federal reservoir, Shasta Lake, but have been steering clear of the region that drains into Lake Oroville, the main reservoir in the state system.
“Every rainstorm seems to sit over Shasta and bypass our reservoir,” said Jerry Johns, deputy director of the state Department of Water Resources.
“We’ve picked up some storage in February, which has been great. But runoff is everything, and we’re not getting a whole lot of inflow.” … “
Continue reading this story from the Los Angeles Times by clicking here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
” … “For the first time in three years, we’re hopeful there’s help on the way for drought-stricken farmers,” Salazar said.
The forecast is important because farmers use it to plan their production for the summer. Northern California farmers and some cities also will face cutbacks this year if the weather turns dry. Wildlife refuges will get full deliveries.
Environmentalists and fishing representatives applauded the forecast, but west-side farmers and San Joaquin Valley water officials found little comfort in it.
Todd Allen, a third-generation farmer in the Firebaugh area, said he distrusted the federal government and already planned for a zero allocation — the forecast federal officials made last year.
“I am really disgusted by all the politicians’ promises,” he said. “I am the one caught in the crossfire, and I feel like I am being punished when I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Officials at Westlands Water District, the largest federal water customer on the project, say they will ask immediately that Interior discard the 5% possibility and opt for a 30% allocation, so farmers can put more acreage back into production. … “
Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
From the Contra Costa Times:
“The Contra Costa Water District said it expected to get a full share of water from the Delta this year after a pair of highly anticipated announcements Friday about the state’s supply.
“We are not yet out of the woods, but the light at the end of the tunnel is getting very bright,” said district assistant general manager Kurt Ladensack, adding that the board of directors could consider scaling back its drought program in late March.
Other parts of the state are not so lucky.
The announcements did not affect major water districts based in Oakland and San Francisco, but the Santa Clara Valley Water District appears likely to get a slight increase in Delta water, depending on the weather. … “
Read more from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
From the Stockton Record:
“Stockton and east San Joaquin County farms should receive a full delivery of water from the often-unpredictable Stanislaus River for the first time since 2006, state and federal officials said Friday.
The announcement surprised local officials who were expecting once again to skimp by.
“It’s awesome news,” said Kevin Kauffman, general manager at Stockton East Water District.
The preliminary 2010 water supplies for many regions of California were announced Friday. Some areas are rebounding from drought, while others continue to struggle.
Still falling short are farms on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, where junior water rights holders depend heavily on water exported from the Delta. … “
Continue reading this story from the Stockton Record by clicking here.
From the Riverside Press-Enterprise:
” … Part of the problem is pumping restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the hub of the State Water Project. Pumping has been limited because of protections for delta smelt and salmon, which kicked in at the beginning of the year.
The water — enough to supply 2.4 million people for a year — is there, but it can’t be accessed, said Charles Wilson, chairman of the Southern California Water Committee in Rancho Cucamonga.
The supplies have been lost this year “in a narrowly focused and uncertain attempt to protect endangered fish species in the delta,” said Wilson, who called for a new conveyance system in the delta and passage of a water bond this November.
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of Metropolitan Water District, said the rains have helped make February one of the lowest water-demand months in a decade. Since 10 percent mandatory reductions were imposed July 1, the wholesaler has seen deliveries drop almost twice that amount, he said.
“That means we didn’t have to pull any water out of storage,” he said.
But a 15 percent allocation from the state would be terrible, Kightlinger said. … “
Read more from the Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
MORE COVERAGE:
- Obama administration plans package aimed at Valley water needs, from the Merced Sun-Star
- More water likely for farms and cities–with a catch, KQED Climate Watch
- State Water Project predicts 15% allocation, from the Hanford Sentinel
- Dept of Interior hopeful on California water outlook; Forecast expected to improve – additional water supplies to be made available, press release from the Department of the Interior
- Department of Water Resources: Water delivery projection remains low, press release from DWR
Barry Nelson: All the tools in the toolbox
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:24 amFrom Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“There’s a lot to be encouraged about in the Department of Interior’s announcement of initial water allocations for the CVP – as well as the reactions coming from many quarters. The focus of discussions today has been on solutions that can protect the Bay-Delta, salmon and fishing jobs while helping water users meet their supply needs. (That’s what we call co-equal goals.)
DOI’s announcement today confirms what all water users know, that water allocations are driven primarily by weather. Interior announced that, coming out of three dry years, if the rainfall this year remains on the current track, we will end up in a below normal year, with the most junior water users in the CVP system receiving 30 percent of their maximum allocation. Most other CVP farmers in the San Joaquin Valley will receive 100 percent of their total allocations. On balance, the Bureau projected that “should precipitation continue so that a median forecast is realized, Reclamation expects to deliver 5.7 million acre-feet, representing 96 percent of deliveries over the past 5 years.” That five year period extends back before the current dry period and before the issuance of the new Biological Opinions issued pursuant to the ESA.
The announcements today also show an encouraging broadening of horizons within the water community. The CVP and SWP are enormous water projects, but together, they still provide a minority of California’s water supply. Water users have many tools in their toolbox to meet their needs. Last year, the Westlands Water District used those tools to reach a supply equal to 80% of their maximum allocation of CVP water. This year, thanks to discussions over the past few weeks, they will have more tools at their disposal. … “
Continue reading this post from the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
ACWA: Allocations show need for solutions – short- and long-term; Water agencies brace for drought-like reductions despite normal rainfall
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:19 amFrom the Association of California Water Agencies:
“Sacramento – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today on the 2010 water supply allocations announced by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources. The Bureau announced that agricultural contractors on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley can anticipate a 30% supply if 2010 turns out to be an average water year, but at little as 5% if dry conditions return. DWR said urban and agricultural customers of the State Water Project stand to receive 15% of requested supplies, up from the 5% initial forecast announced in December. The allocations may be updated based on conditions in the coming weeks.
“Water agencies are facing drought-like allocations despite normal or even above-normal rain and snowfall so far this year. We need long-term solutions, but we also need a better way of managing our system in the immediate term.
“We are encouraged that the Department of Interior is working with California’s congressional delegation and water agencies to improve supplies for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and elsewhere this year, but there are no guarantees those efforts will yield enough to make a difference.
“ACWA members are working harder than ever to advance effective solutions through the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan and other efforts. We are also among a growing list of organizations supporting the $11.14 billion water bond measure targeted for the November 2010 ballot.
“But we are looking at a decade-plus before long-term solutions will be in place to begin reducing conflicts in the system. We must find ways to better manage the system in the near term, including more real-time operations so we can move water when there is less impact on fish and aggressively pursuing all stressors in the system.””
Gov. Schwarzenegger issues statement on Bureau of Reclamation’s initial 2010 Central Valley Project water supply forecast
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:10 am
From the Office of the Governor:
“Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the Bureau of Reclamation’s Initial 2010 Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Supply Forecast:
“This is an important step for California and San Joaquin Valley farmers. I raised this critical issue during my meeting with President Obama this week, and am very glad to see this action from his administration—our bipartisan efforts to get California what it deserves from the federal government are clearly paying off. Now we must direct our attention to the long-term improvement of our water infrastructure to avoid these year-to-year uncertainties.”
Click here for additional information on the CVP Water Supply Forecast.“
Senator Barbara Boxer’s statement on Interior Department water announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 9:07 am
From the website of Senator Barbara Boxer (a first appearance on Aquafornia, I might note):
“Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) released the following statement today in response to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement of the Initial 2010 Central Valley Project Water Supply Forecast and steps the Obama Administration is taking to increase water supplies for drought-stricken farmers in the San Joaquin Valley:
“While California’s water crisis is hardly over, the Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement today gives hope to our most drought-impacted farmers in the western San Joaquin Valley that they will be able to move forward this planting season. I appreciate the Administration’s commitment to working with us to identify further actions we can take to improve water supplies and alleviate the suffering on the west side of the Valley.””
Senator Feinstein welcomes news of more water for Central Valley farmers: “I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.”
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:58 am
From the website of Senator Dianne Feinstein:
““I am very pleased to learn that the Bureau of Reclamation today announced a 30 percent allocation for South of Delta Agricultural water users from the federal Central Valley Water Project. This is based on the 50 percent exceedance forecast.
Given all the recent precipitation, and the likelihood that it will continue, I believe this means that South of Delta Agricultural water users will receive at least 30 percent of their contractual federal water allocation. In addition, the Department has confirmed with me that it is working to achieve the equivalent of an additional 8-10 percent further allocation through various administrative actions which are all consistent with, and within, the Biological Opinions. This is very good news.
Many discussions and meetings have been held with members of Congress, state and federal officials at several Departments, Delta interests, and representatives of farmers, fishermen, environmental groups and water contractors.
It is my belief that this effort, when carried out by Interior, means that South of Delta agricultural water users can expect the equivalent of a 40 percent federal water allocation.
Much creative thinking and work has been done by many people to make this happen, for which I thank the many people involved.
In particular, I’d like to extend my thanks to David Hayes and Lester Snow, who represent the federal and state water projects, respectively, and also to Ron Milligan of the Central Valley Project and Mike Conner, commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources. I’d also like to thank a multitude of water users, including Tom Birmingham, representing Westlands Water District, Jeff Kightlinger, representing Metropolitan Water District, and Tom Berliner, representing the exchange contractors; former State Senator Mike Machado, on behalf of Delta interests; Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations; Gary Bobker, director of the Bay Institute’s Rivers and Delta Program; Hal Candee and Kate Poole on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Finally, I would like to thank my friend and colleague Senator Barbara Boxer for her support, and particularly credit Representatives Jim Costa and Dennis Cardoza for their constructive work and eternal advocacy on behalf of farmers in the Central Valley.
I will watch this situation carefully and I am placing my proposed amendment on hold; however, I reserve the right to bring it back should it become necessary.” [Note: emphasis added by Aquafornia]
Rep. Costa and Cardoza Respond to Salazar water announcement
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 27, 2010 at 8:55 am
From Congressmen Costa & Cardoza:
“Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) issued the following statement regarding the Interior Department’s announcement on agricultural water allocations from the federal Central Valley Project.
In announcing this year’s allocation, the Interior Department said it will obtain an additional 8 to 10 percent of water through various actions that have yet to be taken. The Interior Department stated that it was optimistic that the allocations would increase even further assuming normal weather conditions, providing up to a 40-percent allocation.
Said Congressman Costa: “I recognize the continuing efforts of Secretary Salazar and his team in addressing the ongoing drought. However, the fact remains that you can’t take a press release to the bank for a loan to start planting crops. This is the problem facing our farmers right now. If the weather cooperates, the possible 40 percent water supply allocation is good news. The big “if” is whether or not the Department of Interior will do everything in their power to provide it.”
“I too am hopeful that it will keep raining,” said Cardoza. “However, our farmers need to make planting decisions today, not in May or June. They cannot take 5 percent to the bank and expect to receive financing to plant their crops. The Department believes their hands are tied … as we have long said, that is what happens when biological opinions are not based on sound science and are instead based on laws that put fish above farmers and farm workers.”
Friday’s top of scroll: Federal water plan to be unveiled; Valley watching closely for agreement on irrigation deliveries
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 8:37 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“The Obama administration is expected today to unveil an ambitious-sounding package of irrigation deliveries, water transfers, farm-loan guarantees and other programs targeting the parched San Joaquin Valley.
Crafted amid intense political pressure, the package is supposed to alleviate farmers’ distress while still protecting fish. It comes as state water managers say this year’s Sierra snowpack is on track to reach normal levels after three years of drought.
Some key California lawmakers said late Thursday that they were pleased by the effort, though others still want more detail.
“I’m heartened by this,” Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Thursday night. “I think we’ve had good progress.”
The comprehensive package is expected to accompany what is normally a routine water allocation announcement, where the federal Bureau of Reclamation declares how much water farms and cities can expect. Last February, the bureau announced farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would receive nothing. That later increased to 10% of historic deliveries. … “
Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
NOTE: Central Valley Project & State Water Project officials will be making a joint announcement this morning on water allocations at 10 am. Results and press releases will be posted as soon as I receive them!
California’s water supply and demand
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 8:00 amFrom the Western Farm Press, this white paper from UC Davis
“California faces serious water supply issues, in which agricultural uses must compete with environmental uses and the demands of a growing population. Several options are open to policymakers regarding the state’s supply, demand and transport of water.
California’s primary source for water is California precipitation — rain and snowfall, not water imported from other regions or from desalinization. Much of the precipitation is stored as surface water in reservoirs or as groundwater.
In a normal precipitation year, the state will receive a total of about 200 million-acre-feet (maf) of water, including 5 million to 10 million maf of imports from Colorado, Oregon and Mexico. Of the total surface supply, about 60 percent is used directly by native vegetation or cropland, evaporates, or flows to salt sinks like the Pacific Ocean, saline aquifers and the Salton Sea. The remaining 40 percent, or about 80 maf, is referred to as “developed” or “dedicated” and is distributed among agricultural, urban and environmental uses or is stored in surface or groundwater reservoirs. … “
Continue reading at the Western Farm Press by clicking here.
The UC Davis Ag Issues Center has produced 15 white papers on various aspects of California agriculture. This paper is just one of the topics; other topics include soil salinization, water quality, invasive species and more. Click here to visit the Ag Issues Center at UC Davis.
Calitics blog: John McCain hates California because we took his water – so he wants to steal it from Colorado
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 6:53 amFrom the Calitics blog:
“Apparently one-upping State Sen. Pat Wiggins, John McCain today explained in the health care summit that “we Arizonans hate California because they stole our water.”
Aside from being a further example of how much McCain has descended into bitter old man territory, his remark is also massively inaccurate. In 1922 the Colorado River Compact was agreed to by the states that border the river. Notably absent was Mexico, which has seen the mouth of the Colorado almost totally dry up since the 1922 compact. The compact gave California 58.7% of the annual flow of the Colorado’s lower basin, Arizona got 37.3%, and Nevada (at the time populated by tumbleweeds) got 4%. Arizona didn’t call it “theft” at the time, and the Supreme Court upheld the compact in 1963.
Later, when Phoenix began to grow, Arizona wanted to revisit the deal, and did so in order to get the Central Arizona Project aqueduct built. The CAP helped fuel Arizona’s rapid growth, especially after 1980.
As anyone who’s spent any time in Arizona knows, a lot of that growth came from Californians moving to the Grand Canyon State in the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s in search of cheaper housing or new business opportunities. (I was nearly one of them, until my parents thankfully decided to stay in Orange County.) Apparently it’s OK for Arizona to steal Californians, but not OK for Californians to drink the water they’re entitled to under the 1922 compact. … “
Continue reading this post at the Calitics blog by clicking here.
Water bond needed to protect water, environment, economy, says commentary
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 25, 2010 at 8:09 amFrom Jim Earp at Capitol Weekly, this commentary:
“There is universal consensus among scientists, academics and water experts that California’s water system is at risk of catastrophic failure unless we take action now to reverse decades of neglect.
Designed 30 years ago to serve 16 million residents, our water system must now serve more than 38 million. The Delta – responsible for water deliveries to 25 million Californians and millions of acres of farmland – is on the brink of environmental and physical collapse, jeopardizing water for the majority of the state and the largest ecosystem for wildlife on the West Coast.
Drought over the last three years, inadequate infrastructure and our changing climate mean that the state will face continued water shortages even if rains return to average levels. And the physical infrastructure – Delta levees, pipes, under and above ground storage, aqueducts and water ways – that stores and delivers our water is aging and not capable of meeting the demands of today’s population, economy or environment. … “
Continue reading this commentary from Capitol Weekly by clicking here.
Judge Wanger says water problems won’t be solved in court
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 24, 2010 at 9:09 amFrom the California Farm Bureau Federation:
“His rulings play a crucial role in determining the operation of federal and state water projects in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. But Judge Oliver Wanger said last week that court rulings aren’t to blame for drastic reductions in water deliveries.
Wanger, a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of California, gave the keynote address during the annual Madera County Farm Bureau Water Conference.
He has been instrumental in several recent court cases relating to Central Valley Project and State Water Project water deliveries that have been severely restricted by the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws. Most of those cases revolve around protected species such as the threatened delta smelt, as well as threatened and endangered species of salmon, steelhead, sturgeon and even killer whales—”because they feed on salmon,” Wanger said.
Wanger let it be known at the beginning of his talk that he was speaking as “a private citizen and not on behalf of the United States District Court where I serve,” and that his views were not intended to be a comment on any pending cases.
“I am going to touch on subjects that relate to these cases, but I am going to try to not comment on the cases themselves, because we have issues which have been submitted for a decision or will be very soon,” he said. … “
Steven Maviglio: In defense of Senator Feinstein and League of Conservation Voters Scorecard: “one sentence on the League’s scorecard was taken out of context by Dan Bacher,” he says
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 24, 2010 at 8:57 amFrom Steven Maviglio at the California Majority Report, this commentary:
“On Monday, the League of Conservation Voters awarded a perfect score to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) for votes cast during the first session of the 111th Congress on environmental issues. The League, and its sister organization here in California, the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV), recognized her “consistent commitment to environmental protection and conservation” with a 100 percent rating.
I noted here yesterday I was mildly surprised by the score, as I have by some of Senator Feinstein’s actions in the last year (mainly opposing large-scale solar development in the desert and her fierce advocacy of dam construction). Yet, unfortunately, that one sentence on the League’s scorecard was taken out of context by Dan Bacher, a faux environmentalist/writer and opponent of proposals to protect California’s oceans.
In a column yesterday in his publication The Fish Sniffer http://fishsniffer.com/Dan_Bacher/?p=320, Bacher blasted the League for “greenwashing” her record. But it’s Mr. Bacher’s credentials that need examination, particularly his close alliance with foreign commercial fishing interests www.somethingsfishyaboutpso.com as he attacks environmental organizations for their work to set aside small parts of our coast as marine parks. … “
Continue reading this post from the California Majority Report by clicking here.
Sparse supply raises groundwater regulation issue
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 24, 2010 at 8:53 amFrom the Hanford Sentinel:
“Anybody want to regulate groundwater pumping? That was the sensitive topic brought up at Monday night’s Kings County Water Commission meeting — the commission’s second meeting in a row where the subject popped up for discussion.
The conversation ended up the same way — nobody wants to touch it right now.
The reason? Some Kings County farmers have responded to a multi-year drought by pumping a lot more water out of the ground, with the predictable result of seriously increasing the already major overdraft situation under San Joaquin Valley soil.
Recent satellite measurements indicate that in the last five years the Central Valley has lost the equivalent of Nevada’s Lake Mead in water storage, mainly due to groundwater overdraft. … “
Continue reading at the Hanford Sentinel by clicking here.
Weather update: Two storms for the west – the second is the strongest
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 24, 2010 at 8:47 am
From the Accu-Weather Western Weather blog:
“Two storms will effect the West from today through the weekend, the bigger of the two will be Friday and Saturday. This is especially true for the Southwest.
These two storms can be easily seen on the Pacific satellite picture. Note that the second storm in the middle of the Pacific is tapping a rich moisture source north of Hawaii.
Rain is already falling over the northern third of California on north and more occurs tonight while spreading slowly south. This is nothing more than the typical run of the mill rain and mountain snow producer. Not really a big deal. Very little rain gets into Southern California from this tomorrow afternoon and evening. Only a little light rain will occur, certainly not enough to cause problems in the burn areas, while the deserts of California and Arizona remain dry. … “
Read more from the Accu-Weather Western Weather blog by clicking here.
LA River goes on sexy date with Cheonggyecheon stream
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 19, 2010 at 5:59 amFrom Curbed LA:
“As part of an effort to publicize the LA River revitalization, back in 2008 City Councilman Tom LaBonge held a press event to pour water from the Isar River in Munich, Germany–a river that saw a successful revitalization–into the LA River. It was a sexy event, with LaBonge calling the “mingling” of waters an inspiration for LA’s own project.
Our gal has had another date. … “
Continue reading this post from Curbed LA by clicking here.
Fog has declined in past century along California’s redwood coast: Analysis of hourly airport cloud cover reports leads to surprising finding
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 16, 2010 at 6:52 amFrom YubaNet.com:
“California’s coastal fog has decreased significantly over the past 100 years, potentially endangering coast redwood trees dependent on cool, humid summers, according to a new study by University of California, Berkeley, scientists.
It is unclear whether this is part of a natural cycle of the result of human activity, but the change could affect not only the redwoods, but the entire redwood ecosystem, the scientists say.
“Since 1901, the average number of hours of fog along the coast in summer has dropped from 56 percent to 42 percent, which is a loss of about three hours per day,” said study leader James A. Johnstone, who recently received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley’s Department of Geography before becoming a postdoctoral scholar in the campus’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management (ESPM). “A cool coast and warm interior is one of the defining characteristics of California’s coastal climate, but the temperature difference between the coast and interior has declined substantially in the last century, in step with the decline in summer fog.” … “
Read more from YubaNet.com by clicking here.
Water ruling: Nevada lawmakers need to address issue in special session, says editorial
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 14, 2010 at 6:57 amFrom the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“Gov. Jim Gibbons and lawmakers are hyperfocused on the fiscal woes of state government. The governor has called a special session of the Legislature for Feb. 23 to address a projected $871 million budget deficit, and the deal-making on how to balance the 2009-11 spending plan is well under way.
But legislators and the governor have been presented with another state issue that demands their immediate attention: a complex water rights ruling from the Nevada Supreme Court that could quickly boil into a second economic crisis should elected officials choose to ignore it.
On Jan. 28, the court threw thousands of pumping claims into a void of uncertainty. It ruled that pending water rights applications filed before July 1, 2002, are not exempt from a rule that requires the state engineer to act on them within a year. A law enacted in 2003 was supposed to grant a retroactive exemption to those applications, but the court said it was not clear such an intent existed. … “
Read more from the Las Vegas Review-Journal by clicking here.
Saturday’s top of the scroll: Tehama-Colusa water agency sues feds over water rights
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 13, 2010 at 9:14 amFrom the Corning Observer:
“A major North State water supplier filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday seeking relief from the constant drain of Sacramento Valley water.
The Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority is asking the United States Distinct Court for an injunction that will prevent the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from taking water from the Central Valley Project out of its area of origin and sending it south to the San Joaquin Delta before the needs of the local agriculture community are met.
The Canal Authority claims the bureau’s operation of the Central Valley Projects has failed to comply with state law, which states those within the watershed will have all the water they need before any water is exported for other purposes. … “
Read more from the Corning Observer by clicking here.
From the Chico Enterprise-Record:
” … The state created the Central Valley Project in 1933 and enacted the area of origin water code, a law that states water would serve the area where it originates before being exported.
The project was later taken over by the federal government and operated through the bureau, at which time the federal government agreed to uphold the state law.
Other defendants named in the suit, besides the bureau and its Commissioner Michael L. Connor, include the U.S. Department of the Interior, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Donald Glaser, regional director of the bureau’s Mid-Pacific Region.
Mid-Pacific Region public affairs specialist Pete Lucero declined to comment on the pending litigation.
In 2007 and 2009 the canal authority made formal requests to the bureau to comply with the area of origin law, but the bureau did not. This left the canal authority with no other option but to sue, Sutton said. … “
Read more from the Chico Enterprise-Record by clicking here.
From KHSL TV12:
” … Sutton is sensitive to the drought in the San Joaquin Valley, but says his department has to purchase six million dollars worth of water each year from elsewhere to save family farms here, some of which are struggling because they can’t use the water that’s right in their own backyard. “I see a lot of fear particularly in these recent years of drought. They fear they’re going to lose investments that have been made over several generations.”
The lawsuit is supported by environmental interests which usually lock horns with agricultural interests. Environmental Activist Barbara Vlamis said “It’s going to protect salmon. It’ll protect our creeks. It’ll protect our agriculture. It’ll protect our communities in this area. And nobody has stepped up so far to do that.”
The war over water, a civil war between north and south, moves to a new battlefield in the courtroom.
The lawsuit will have no dollar amount attached to it. It seeks merely to force the Bureau of Reclamation to comply with existing laws that it’s allegedly breeching. “
Read more from KHSL TV 12 by clicking here.
Measuring E. coli in irrigation water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 13, 2010 at 7:55 am
From the Western Farm Press:
“University of California (UC) researchers are field testing a more accurate and potentially cost-saving water sampling protocol to measure for generic (indicator) E. coli in irrigation water in Imperial County, Calif.
The initial findings of the new testing protocol procedure are encouraging, according to Mark Trent, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) vegetable crops advisor, Imperial County, Holtville, Calif.
If the pilot test is successful, the new procedure could more accurately measure E. coli levels in irrigation water, possibly reduce the number of water tests required under the California leafy greens metrics, and even save growers’ money.
Collaborators on the project include: Trevor Suslow, Extension research specialist, and Adrian Sbodio, research specialist at UC Davis; Scott Lesch; Judy Li, Karen Xu and Daniel Jeske, Statistical Collaboratory at UC Riverside; and Hank Giclas and Sonya Salas of the Western Growers Association.
“Growers are currently required under the California leafy greens agreement to conduct extensive and laborious water testing to determine if irrigation water applied to winter vegetables in Imperial County has bacterial levels within an approved range,” Trent said. “Our research is designed to improve that process.”
Trent discussed the research at the 20th annual Fall Desert Crops Workshop held in Brawley, Calif., sponsored by Western Farm Press. … “
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Recent Posts
- Column: Deceptive arguments are being made in California’s water wars
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- Commentary: The human cost of the salmon crisis
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