Assemblyman Adam Gray recently wrote a column in the Merced Sun-Star calling out the California State Water Board’s inability to act in good faith on voluntary agreements. In part, Gray writes, “When the State Water Resources Control Board voted in December to adopt the Bay-Delta Plan, its members ignored the direction of former Governor Brown ...
The Bureau of Reclamation announced yesterday that due to this year’s heavy precipitation, Central Valley Project South-of-Delta agricultural water allocations have been increased to 65% of their contract total, up from 55%. South-of-Delta allocations for municipal and industrial contractors are increased to 90%. While the allocation increase is welcome, logically farmers should be receiving…
With the Newsom Administration pledging to sue the U.S. Department of Interior over the latter’s proposed revisions to rules governing water operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Senator Dianne Feinstein today urged the Governor and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to “make every effort” to find agreement and avoid legal conflict. In a letter to Newsom ...
Dear WG Members, There is a flood of information – and misinformation – pouring in related to SARS CoV 2 (the virus) and COV 19 (the disease). Western Growers has a full team of staff experts sifting and sorting through this information to find what is useful for our grower and handler members, but this ...
The United Farm Workers’ legislation to change the way workers vote in union elections is portrayed as simply a “vote by mail” or “vote from home” reform of the current process in which union elections occur at the workers’ place of employment under the watchful eyes of independent state regulators. In fact, AB 2183 would ...
The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has declined to consider appeals that challenge water export restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The restrictions, implemented in accordance with the Endangered Species Act, were set forth in 2008 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). On Friday, the Court let stand two rulings by the 9th Circuit ...
Following a request submitted by the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved an increase in the “take levels” for Delta smelt in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. The unexpected decision implements a modified, interim version of the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative of the 2008 USFWS Biological Opinion (BO) for operation ...
Yesterday, the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) rejected a proposal by the California Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that would have allowed limited increases in export pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under certain conditions. The rejected plan had the support of the California Department of Fish and ...
A bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators has sent a letter to the California State Water Resources Control Board (Board) requesting that it reverse a recent decision by staff to block moderate pumping increases in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under certain conditions. The letter, sent to the Board’s Chair, Felicia Marcus, was signed by Majority Leader ...
Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif sent a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board (Board) on February 12, 2015, strongly objecting to a recent staff decision to deny limited increases in export pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under certain conditions and asked the Board to rapidly reconsider its decision on the ...
Yesterday, the Bureau of Reclamation — managers of California’s Central Valley Project (CVP) — announced an initial zero percent water allocation for farmers and cities in the San Joaquin Valley following California’s driest year in recorded history. The zero percent allocation could increase and will be reviewed monthly by as we move deeper into the ...
Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown announced the reappointment of Western Growers’ member Joe Del Bosque to the California Water Commission. Del Bosque, a member of Western Growers since 1996, has served on the commission since 2010. The position requires Senate confirmation. Western Growers strongly supports Del Bosque’s continued service on the commission. …
Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif released a statement today following Governor Jerry Brown’s announcement that he will expedite the use of $1 billion in funding to help local communities cope with the effects of the ongoing drought. The funding was made available from a legislatively-referred water bond (Proposition 1) passed by voters this ...
Today, California Governor Jerry Brown announced historic, statewide mandatory water restrictions aimed primarily at urban water users in response to California’s ongoing drought. Brown’s Executive Order mandates substantial water reductions for all Californians across the state. In his announcement, the governor acknowledged that agriculture has “borne much…
As reported in yesterday’s special edition of Spotlight, California Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order requiring new reductions in water use, especially in urban areas. In his statement, Brown said that farmers had “borne the brunt of the drought to date.” The Governor expanded on these thoughts yesterday in a segment that aired on ...
Today the California Farm Water Coalition issued the results of a survey indicating that in 2015 over 40% of the state’s irrigated farmland will lose 80% or more of its normal surface supply. Coalition Executive Director Mike Wade issued a statement on the report which highlights some of the quantifiable effects the ongoing drought is ...
Today, Governor Jerry Brown announced a revised plan to accelerate Delta habitat restoration and fix the state’s aging water infrastructure. The Governor’s office issued a release saying “the revised plan is the absolute best path forward” for fixing California’s aging water delivery system, in addition to protecting the economy and public safety. The plan is…
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture is hosting a Drought Forum on May 5, 2015, at the Fresno County Fairgrounds. The forum will allow farmers, farm workers and community stakeholders an opportunity to provide public comment. Prior to the public comment period, the board will receive an update from Director Mark Ghilarducci, Governor’s ...
Last Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Karla Nemeth has been reappointed as director of the California Department of Water Resources, which is a position she has served in since 2018. Western Growers, as well as many other ag and water organizations, strongly supported Nemeth’s reappointment. Nemeth has extensive experience in the water industry. Her ...
The California Legislature is back for a new two-year session with dozens of newly-elected members and new leaders in both the Assembly and Senate. Reporters and pundits are busy speculating about their agendas, what issues will dominate attention and the role Governor Jerry Brown will play in all of it. For all the speculation, however, ...