News of the Westside water crisis
"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama's new chief of staff, told a Wall Street Journal conference of top corporate chief executives this week. – Nov. 21, 2008, “In Crisis, Opportunity for Obama, Wall Street Journal
United States Senator Dianne Feinstein
California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Senators Feinstein and Boxer Introduce Measure to Allow New Water Transfers in California’s Drought-Stricken Central Valley
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressRe...
-Would authorize voluntary transfers of up to 250,000 to 300,000 acre-feet per year of water between sellers and buyers; streamline environmental reviews -
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) today introduced a measure that would help ease the effects of severe drought in the Central Valley by allowing new voluntary water transfers of up to 250,000 to 300,000 acre-feet of water, depending on rainfall that year, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
The legislation would grant new authority to the Bureau of Reclamation to approve water transfers between sellers and buyers in the San Joaquin Valley. The measure also would streamline environmental reviews for Central Valley water transfers by ensuring that they occur on a programmatic basis, instead of project-by-project basis as is current practice. The measure should reduce unnecessary delays in water transfers at a time when Central Valley farmers have been hard hit by a three-year drought.
A similar but narrower provision to temporarily authorize Central Valley water transfers between Central Valley Project divisions was included in the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy & Water appropriations bill. The conference report was adopted by the House last week and will likely be adopted by the Senate this week.
“Many communities in California’s Central Valley are in desperate need of more water as a result of a three-year drought, but there are some parts of the Valley that have surplus water to sell,” Senator Feinstein said. “This bill would grant the Bureau of Reclamation new authority to allow surplus water to be transferred to those who need it on an expedited basis. It is a reasonable and timely solution to the water crisis that would streamline the environmental review process and cut out unnecessary delays. It will allow struggling farmers to access roughly 250,000 to 300,000 more acre-feet of water while ensuring that these transfers comply with critical environmental regulations.”
Senator Boxer said, “We took a critical step toward addressing the water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley when the Senate passed our amendment enabling water transfers between the east and west sides of the valley. This new legislation will build on that effort by extending the ability to transfer water permanently and expanding the transfer program to include even more water users.”
Companion legislation will be introduced today in the House by Representatives Costa and Cardoza (both D-Calif.).
Specifically, the measure (S.1759) would:
Establish new parameters for San Joaquin Valley water transfers that can be authorized by the Bureau of Reclamation. Previously, the Bureau of Reclamation would not approve water transfers if it was determined that the seller with surplus water could have used the water (i.e., for irrigation or groundwater storage purposes), even if the transfer was proven to have no negative impact on the environment. The legislation introduced today would explicitly grant the Bureau the authority to approve these types of East-West transfers, as long as they qualify under environmental regulations.
The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that this section of the bill could yield up to 100,000 or 150,000 acre-feet of water transfers per year.
Direct the Interior Department to streamline the giant garter snake environmental review for water transfers from the Sacramento Valley to the San Joaquin Valley by ensuring that they occur on a programmatic basis rather than on a project-by-project basis, which is the current practice. This would allow the Bureau of Reclamation to approve North-South water transfers more promptly and ensure that the endangered giant garter snake is protected sufficiently.
The Bureau of Reclamation and Central Valley water users estimate that this section of the bill could yield up to 150,000 to 200,000 acre-feet of water transfers per year.
Direct the Bureau of Reclamation to analyze existing transfers and prepare recommendations on whether there are other ways to facilitate future Central Valley transfers more efficiently. This would include transfers from north to south and from east to west, as well as between California state and federal projects.
The bill is supported by a number of water users across the Central Valley, including:
Friant Water Users Authority
San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority
Delta-Mendota Canal Authority
Westlands Water District
Metropolitan Water District
Glen Colusa Irrigation District
Northern California Water Association
Banta-Carbona Irrigation District
Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority
Association of California Water Agencies
Placer County Water Agency
Conaway Preservation Group
Reclamation District 2035
San Luis Water District
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Congressmen Cardoza and Costa introduce bill to ease drought for Central Valley farmers
Legislation helps facilitate water transfers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2009 CONTACT: Mike Jensen
(202) 225-6131
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRWATERBILL.html
WASHINGTON – Representatives Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and Jim Costa (D-Fresno) introduced a bill today that would help ease the effects of severe drought in the Central Valley by facilitating the transfers of up to 300,000 acre-feet of irrigation water.
The Water Transfer Facilitation Act of 2009 eases restrictions on the Bureau of Reclamation and would streamline environmental reviews for the giant garter snake. The bill would reduce unnecessary delays in water transfers at a time when Central Valley farmers have been hard hit by a three-year drought.
Congressman Costa introduced the bill and Congressman Cardoza was the original cosponsor. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer were expected to introduce similar legislation in the U.S. Senate today.
A similar provision to temporarily authorize water transfers was included in the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2010 Energy & Water appropriations bill. The conference report was adopted by the House last week and will likely be adopted by the Senate this week. Today’s legislation would make the transfer facilitation permanent.
“I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for years to include common-sense reforms in the Endangered Species Act,” said Congressman Cardoza. “Working on a bipartisan basis, we have tried to get the pumps permanently ‘turned on’ and ensure our Valley farmers have the water they so desperately need to feed our nation. Because it has become abundantly clear this strategy is not working, common sense dictates we need to pursue other workable options like this legislation, which is a significant step forward in providing relief to our growers. As we continue to move ahead, I will pursue every possible, and practical, means of getting water to our growers.”
“Transferring water between and within counties for water districts is a critical tool to use during periods of drought,” Representative Costa said. “While the best solution would be to have the federal and state pumps fully operational, because we have been unable to modify the Endangered Species Act, this change in the law provides us some relief. This legislation makes permanent the ability to transfer water to our Valley’s farms when it is most needed, therefore, allowing our farmers a lifeline to continue to grow crops and help our local economy. More will need to be done to protect the Valley’s water, and I will continue that fight.”
Specifically, the measure would:
• Establish new parameters for San Joaquin Valley water transfers that can be authorized by the Bureau of Reclamation. Previously, the Bureau of Reclamation would not approve water transfers if it was determined that the seller with surplus water could have used the water (i.e., for irrigation or groundwater storage purposes), even if the transfer was proven to have no negative impact on the environment. The legislation introduced today would explicitly grant the Bureau the authority to approve these types of East-West transfers, as long as they meet other minimum environmental regulations.
The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that this provision could yield up to 100,000 acre-feet of water transfers per year.
• Direct the Interior Department to streamline the giant garter snake environmental review for water transfers from the Sacramento Valley to the San Joaquin Valley by ensuring that they occur on a programmatic basis rather than on a project-by-project basis. This would allow the Bureau of Reclamation to approve North-South water transfers more promptly and ensure that the endangered giant garter snake is sufficiently protected.
The Bureau of Reclamation estimates that this provision could yield up to 200,000 acre-feet of water transfers per year.
• Direct the Bureau of Reclamation to analyze existing transfers and prepare recommendations on whether there are other ways to facilitate future Central Valley transfers more efficiently. This would include transfers from California state and federal water projects.
The legislation is supported by the following water agencies and associations:
• Friant Water Users Authority
• Delta-Mendota Canal Authority
• Glen Colusa Irrigation District
• Banta-Carbona Irrigation District
• San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority
• San Luis Water District
• Association of California Water Agencies
• Northern California Water Association
• Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority
• Westlands Water District
• Metropolitan Water District
• Placer County Water Agency
• Conaway Preservation Group
• Reclamation District 2035
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Final amendments pave way for Valley agriculture water improvements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2009 CONTACT: Mike Jensen
(202) 225-6131
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRFINALH2OAMENDS.html
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the conference report for the FY 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The bill included two provisions authored by Congressman Dennis Cardoza and his colleague Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) aimed at increasing water flows to San Joaquin Valley farmers.
“As I have said before, we all would like to see the pumps permanently ‘turned on’ throughout the entire growing season and ensure that water is flowing from the San Joaquin Delta to our farmers. For many years I fought to make that happen. Because it has become abundantly clear this strategy is not working, common sense dictates we need to pursue other workable options. These practical amendments are a significant means to help us address our water needs in the Valley,” said Congressman Cardoza.
The first provision will make it easier for water to be transferred from one county to another. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation restricts such transfers, creating an impediment to efficient and practical water movement during times of need. The amendment also directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement a recovery plan for the giant garter snake, an endangered species. A recovery plan will help to remove the bureaucratic red tape that prevents water transfers from Northern California from moving forward.
The second provision provides $10 million in increased funding for the California Bay-Delta Restoration Program, which will help fund important water projects such as the Two Gates and the Intertie projects. These projects will help to convey and transfer water to the people and farms most impacted by the shortage.
The amendments were introduced by Congressmen Cardoza and Costa and passed the House as part of the House version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that passed in July. These amendments had provided a clarification in the law that would have allowed the water transfers on a permanent basis. However, in the conference report, language was inserted limiting the transfers to a two-year period. Congressmen Cardoza and Costa, and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will soon be introducing a separate bill to make the water transfers permanent.
News From…
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
USDA declares drought disaster in Valley
Paves the way for ag producers to receive aid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2009
CONTACT: Mike Jensen
(202) 225-6131
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRUSDAHELP.html
WASHINGTON, DC – As a result of the recent drought, the United States Department of Agriculture has declared Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties natural disaster areas, Congressman Cardoza announced today.
Producers within the three counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program. They were among 21 counties in California to have received the declaration.
Interested producers should contact their local Farm Service Agencies.
Merced County
USDA Service Center
2135 Wardrobe Ave, # C
Merced, CA 95341-6445
209-722-4119
Stanislaus County
USDA Service Center
3800 Cornucopia Way,
Suite E
Modesto, CA 95358
209-491-9320
San Joaquin County
USDA Service Center
3422 W Hammer Lane,
Suite C
Stockton, CA 95219
209-472-7127
Department of Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
July 30, 2009
Commissioner Connor Announces $40 Million in Economic Relief Projects for Drought-Stricken California
Filed under: Bureau of Reclamation —
Date: July 30, 2009
Contact: Kip White
(202) 513-0684
http://recovery.doi.gov/press/2009/07/commissioner-connor-announces-40-m...
FRESNO, CA - The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor announced today that $40 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has been released for drought-relief projects in California.
The commissioner is on a tour of California’s hard-hit San Joaquin Valley, meeting water and irrigation district representatives and getting a hands-on look at the needs of that community.
“In the third year of drought, with hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland idle and 40,000 people unemployed in the San Joaquin Valley, the water situation in California remains dire,” said Commissioner Connor. “These projects, which will benefit water and irrigation districts in the San Joaquin Valley, are focused on solutions that will extend supplies and help prepare for the possibility of continued drought next year.”
Projects include the installation of temporary pipelines and pumps, drilling and installation of new water wells, well-enhancement projects, and a groundwater monitoring effort. These investments will help preserve permanent crops and associated jobs in an area that is experiencing a prolonged drought, economic hardship and some of the highest unemployment rates in the United States.
With the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Native American projects were identified that will assist in meeting the water supply needs of tribal communities impacted by the drought. The funds for the Gray Lodge, Pixley and Volta Wildlife Refuges will not only assist in protecting the environment by providing more reliable water sources for the refuges but will make more water available for other uses.
The $40 million investment in these projects is part of President Barack Obama’s $1 billion investment of ARRA funding provided by the Department of the Interior for water projects across the West. In April, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced $260 million in ARRA funding to address California’s current drought conditions and meet the State’s long-term water supply infrastructure needs. The total funding for California water-related activities under the Interior portion of ARRA is $391 million to expand water supplies, repair aging water infrastructure and address drought mitigation.
In addition to ARRA funding for drought, Reclamation has approved 265,000 acre feet of water transfers this year to help get water where it is needed most. Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have created a Drought Water Bank, a measure that will make additional supplies of water obtainable now and in future times of drought or shortage. The Drought Water Bank acquisition team may purchase water from willing sellers upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and transfer the water to willing buyers using State Water Project or Central Valley Project facilities.
Reclamation also administers the Challenge Grant Program that funds proposals from irrigation and water districts that want to leverage their money and resources in partnership with Reclamation to make more efficient use of existing water supplies through water conservation and water marketing projects. Funding is also available to promote water use efficiency projects such as irrigation system upgrades and water conservation education programs, and address/improve Best Management Practices.
Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery. Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California
Congressman Cardoza announces $40 million for water projects, drought relief
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2009 CONTACT: Mike Jensen
(202) 225-6131
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ca18_cardoza/PRH2OHELP.html
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Cardoza announced $40 million in economic recovery funds today that will be used for a host of water projects, the bulk of which are in and near the drought-stricken 18th Congressional District and will aid Central Valley farmers.
“I am pleased to see significant federal relief coming to the Valley. This region is in desperate need of funding to help alleviate the impacts of the drought,” said Congressman Cardoza. “I am pleased to see this kind of response after Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s recent visit to the San Joaquin Valley.”
The funding will go toward such projects as the installation of temporary pipelines and pumps, drilling and installation of new water wells, well-enhancement projects, and a groundwater monitoring effort. The funding is also aimed at helping three wildlife refuges by providing more reliable water sources and reducing the overall water demand on the Federal Central Valley Project.
“Every bit of help we can get right now is appreciated,” said San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority Executive Director Dan Nelson. “This funding will provide additional tools for this region that will assist us with our water supply crisis. We are very appreciative of Congressman Cardoza’s continued advocacy for our Valley’s water needs.”
The following awards were among the funded projects announced today:
Central California Irrigation District, Los Banos: $19,000
Funding will be used for a well enhancement project within the water district. The project will clean, develop, and install a pump and motor on an existing well. The well will then be able to move water within the district as well as to pump water to neighboring districts. The well enhancement project will increase the efficiency and yield of the well to make more water available for irrigation.
Del Puerto Water District, Patterson: $4,260,000
Funding will be used for 35 projects within the water district. The projects include about 2.1 miles of temporary pipeline, temporary lifts pumps, well enhancement and rehabilitation projects, and the installation of 25 new wells. The pipelines and lift pumps will be used to move water within the district as well as to pump water into the Delta Mendota Canal. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation.
Firebaugh Canal Water District, Mendota: $475,000
Funding will be used for a water system improvement project within the water district. The project includes approximately 1 mile of temporary pipeline, temporary lift pumps, flow meters, and water valves. The pipeline and lift pumps will be used to move water within the district as well as to pump water into the Delta-Mendota Canal. The water system improvement project will address the immediate need of additional water within the district’s service area as well as the Delta-Mendota Canal service area and will increase the amount of water available for irrigation.
Grassland Water District, Los Banos: $2,098,500
Funding will be used for two projects within the water district. The projects include enhancement and rehabilitation of existing wells and the installation of new wells. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation and for wildlife habitat. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation and wildlife habitat
Pacheco Water District, Fresno: $755,500
Funding will be used for two projects within the water district. The projects include the enhancement and rehabilitation of seven existing wells. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation within the district’s service area. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation.
Panoche Water District, Firebaugh: $2,600,000
Funding will be used for six projects within the water district. The projects include about 2 miles of temporary pipeline, temporary booster pumps, well enhancement and rehabilitation projects, and the installation of five new wells. The pipelines and lift pumps will be used to move water within the district. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation. The additional wells will increase the groundwater availability of water for irrigation throughout the district’s service area.
San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, Los Banos: $2,264,000
Funding will be used for a groundwater monitoring project throughout the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority service area in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey. Groundwater wells will be used to document changes in aquifer levels and groundwater quality. Private contractors will be used to install 16 new wells that will be included in the monitoring program. Monitoring will also be conducted for possible land subsidence. The monitoring effort will protect the aquifer from overdraft and alert district member agencies of possible problems associated with groundwater extraction.
San Luis Water District, Los Banos: $1,450,000
Funding will be used for five projects within the water district. The projects include a well enhancement and rehabilitation project and the installation of four new wells. The well enhancement and rehabilitation project will increase the efficiency and yield of one existing well to make more water available for irrigation. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation.
West Stanislaus Irrigation District, Westley: $2,515,000
Funding will be used for 13 projects within the water district. The projects include about 1 mile of temporary pipeline, valves, flow meters, required fittings; well enhancement and rehabilitation on three projects, and the installation of nine new wells. The pipelines will be used to move water within the district as well as to pump water into the Delta-Mendota Canal. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation.
Westlands Water District, Fresno: $7,500,000
Funding will be used for two projects within the water district. The projects include enhancement and rehabilitation of five wells and the installation of 15 new wells. The well enhancement and rehabilitation projects will increase the efficiency and yield of the wells to make more water available for irrigation. The additional wells will increase the availability of water for irrigation.