Another Sonny Star scoop
The Merced Sun-Star's big agricultural/environmental story today was a Modesto Bee story about a press conference called by Rep. Dennis Cardoza-Merced, about the plight of the honey bee. Perhaps Madame McClatchy is concerned about brand identification with a collapsing species. Cardoza seems concerned that research doesn't focus too much on pesticides.
6-1-07
Merced Sun-Star
Cardoza seeks help for beehive deaths...John Holland...Modesto Bee
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/local/story/13643077p-14237641c.html
Dan Avila's farm was the site of a news conference held Thursday by Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, and others concerned about the bees. Cardoza is seeking a boost in federal funding for research on the die-off, which started in the fall. Some beekeepers have had little or no damage, while others have lost most of their colonies. Experts say the causes of the die-off — dubbed colony collapse disorder — could include parasites, pesticides, drought or cold snaps. "They feel that it is most likely a combination of factors causing colony collapse disorder, and that makes it more difficult to do the research," Cardoza said. Cardoza said he could not estimate how much federal research money might be provided. He did say that lawmakers have discussed boosting farm research in general by several hundred million dollars. Congress could act by September on the funding, said Cardoza, chairman of the House subcommittee on horticulture and organic agriculture.
The SF Chronicle, attending the same event, got a remarkably different story.
San Francisco Chronicle
Many causes blamed for honeybee die-off...George Raine
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/01/BUGQ2Q5AAI22...
A team of entomologists and other scientists studying the alarming die-off of honeybees across the country is expected to report that there are multiple causes of the deaths, called colony collapse disorder. Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Atwater (Merced County), said he has seen portions of the report being prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be released later this month...said it lays out several possible causes, including parasites and a lack of genetic diversity. The challenge, Cardoza said, will be to tailor research efforts to return the most benefit. "Most likely it is a combination of factors,''..."When you look at multiple factors it really complicates the research,'' he said. Cardoza gathered reporters, beekeepers, farmers and a UC Davis Extension apiculturist for an update on colony collapse disorder... Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., introduced a bill in March that would give the USDA $50 million over five years to study colony collapse, but Cardoza, a fiscally conservative Democrat whose district includes Stockton, Merced and Modesto, said that is too costly and he prefers to narrow the research target. He said conversations are taking place about a possible emergency appropriation and also additional research money for colony collapse added to the farm bill that is expected to be considered in September.
Sonny Star filled its front page with a photo of meth-lab remains and a big story on the newest UC Merced chancellor's view that the Valley suffers from a college-degree deficit. Oh, and Smoky the press guy retired from the paper.
Meanwhile, out in the world ...
5-31-07
DELTA SMELT BRIEFING TODAY
From: Thomas, Ted (tthomas@water.ca.gov)
Sent: Thu 5/31/07 1:39 PM
To: tthomas@water.ca.gov
Security scan upon download
att5bea2.jpg (15.0 KB)
Advisory
May 31, 2007
Contacts
· Don Strickland, Information Officer (916) 653 9515
· Ted Thomas, Information Officer (916) 653-9712
MEDIA BRIEFING ON DELTA SMELT AT 2:30 P.M. TODAY
SACRAMENTO – Department of Water Resources Director Lester A. Snow and Department of Fish and Game Director Ryan Broddrick will conduct a telephone news media conference call at 2:30 p.m. today to discuss measures regarding the endangered Delta smelt population.
The conference call number is 1-877-536-5793 Code 344390.
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Delta Smelt Press Release
From: Thomas, Ted (tthomas@water.ca.gov)
Sent: Thu 5/31/07 2:12 PM
To: tthomas@water.ca.gov
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News for Immediate Release - DRAFT
May 31, 2007
Contacts:
Sue Sims, Assistant Director for Public Affairs, (916) 651-7242
Ted Thomas, Public Information Officer (916) 653-9712
DWR Stops Pumping to Protect Delta Smelt
Sacramento - The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced it will stop pumping at State Water Project (SWP) facilities in the Delta to provide maximum protection for Delta smelt. This action follows the observed entrainment of juvenile smelt between May 25 and May 31 at the Harvey O. Banks pumping plant facility.
“Drastic times call for drastic measures,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “While there are clearly many factors at play in the current decline of smelt in the Delta, we must act on the one that is within our control. That is why DWR will stop pumping in the Delta as a preventative measure to protect endangered fish that are currently located near our facilities.”
Snow also challenged other public agencies with jurisdiction over activities affecting Delta smelt to take aggressive actions to protect the species. Scientific studies indicate that pelagic fish are affected by many stressors. Water project operations can affect fish, however, invasive species, toxics, and diversion by many other water users in the south Delta have dramatic effects on these fish.
This year’s toxic events in the Sacramento River system in the Delta occurred at a time and location where adult Delta smelt were concentrated and spawning. The extremely low numbers of young smelt, identified earlier this month, are likely a direct result of these toxic events. Regardless of the cause of this drop in Delta smelt, all agencies need to be taking actions to protect those that are left.
DWR stopped pumping at the Harvey O. Banks pumping plant this morning. Some water deliveries will be made to South San Francisco Bay users from water supplies already in the aqueduct. DWR will collaborate with other agencies to evaluate water conditions in the Delta and health and safety needs for water users.
"Our actions to save the smelt will place a real hardship on some water users in the Bay Area, Central Valley and Southern California,” said Snow. “However, given the concerns about the Delta smelt, this is a prudent action at this time."
The State Water Project supplies water to 25 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland.
In early 2005, scientists working on the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) first identified the decline in pelagic fish species. Since then, the state has initiated extensive and expensive studies to determine the causes for the decline in pelagic fish productivity in the Bay/Delta Estuary. In addition to considering the impact of state and federal water project operations, scientists have identified many other causes of a changing ecosystem.
In response, DWR has initiated measures to protect the Delta ecosystem, and minimize the effects of exports on fish and their habitat.
This year, the SWP modified its operations by use of the adaptive Environmental Water Account. From January through mid-May, about 300,000 acre-feet of water were used to reduce exports to help protect Delta smelt. During this time period, no delta smelt were recorded in the SWP fish salvage operations at the Banks Pumping plant. In mid-May, exports were reduced again due to the distribution of Delta smelt into areas that made them more susceptible to pumping. On May 24, Delta smelt began to appear at Banks pumping plant in low numbers. These numbers have increased in recent days triggering DWR’s response today.
“This is another indication that the Delta is broken and needs to be fixed,” said Snow. Governor Schwarzenegger time and again has said that we need to invest in our water systems, including more storage, conservation and a long term strategy for the Delta.
Last year, the governor initiated a comprehensive Delta Vision process and appointed a Blue Ribbon Task Force to recommend future actions that will achieve a sustainable Delta. In addition, many state and federal agencies and environmental groups signed a formal Planning Agreement in September 2006 and are developing Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) for at-risk fish species under the provisions of the State Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCPA) and the federal Endangered Species Act under Section 10 that allows for Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP). These efforts will provide a framework for future action.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.
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6-1-07
Modesto Bee
Ten-day window for West Side water...Michael G. Mooney
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/13643115p-14237682c.html
West Side farmers and residents of Diablo Grande, a golf and resort community in the foothills west of Patterson, could be left high and dry should south San Joaquin Delta pumps remain shut down for more than 10 days. "I'm a little nervous about the situation," said Bill Harrison, who manages the Oak Flat Water and Del Puerto water districts in western Stanislaus County. "We need the water." Thursday morning, the California Department of Water Resources turned off its massive pumps near Tracy... DWR director Lester Snow said the pumps will remain off for seven to 10 days. He said that no farmer, business or resident would be forced to go without water during that time.
Fresno Bee
Exports of delta water stopped after fish deaths...Matt Weiser, Sacramento Bee
http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/51149.html
State Department of Water Resources officials said the action is expected to last seven to 10 days, until water conditions allow the fish to move to safer areas. Shortages are not expected for the 25 million Californians who get water from the delta, including some San Joaquin Valley farms... if the shutdown lasts longer, some water agencies, mainly in the Bay Area, may have to impose mandatory conservation or rationing measures. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation also has shut down all but one of the six pumps at its separate, federal delta water export facility, an unprecedented step. The delta is the hub of the state's water system, channeling abundant snowmelt in the north to dry regions in the south. But that function is increasingly threatened by crumbling levees, poor habitat and climate change. For now, the state water project pump stoppage will not keep water from being delivered to San Joaquin Valley users. Those south of the San Luis Reservoir, near Los Banos, will continue to receive water from that reservoir... In the Central Valley, the Kern County Water Agency is the largest state project water user, accounting for about 25% of the allocation...will continue to receive water from the San Luis Reservoir. The Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles gets about 50% of the water, and 27 other water agencies make up the remaining 25%, said Jim Beck, Kern County Water Agency general manager. It already has been a dry year, and as a result, state water project users are receiving 60% of their maximum annual allocation, Beck said. Politicians and biologists have struggled unsuccessfully for years to balance the competing needs of wildlife and water users, and it has become increasingly clear that a balance cannot be struck given how the delta is used today.
Sacramento Bee
Delta pumps halted...Matt Weiser
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/201715.html Graphics
http://www.sacbee.com/101/v-print/story/201715.html Print
Shortages are not expected for the 25 million Californians who get water from the Delta...if the shutdown lasts longer, some water agencies, mainly in the Bay Area, may have to impose mandatory conservation or rationing measures. Many have called on customers to adopt extra voluntary conservation steps amid what is already one of the driest years on record in the state. Environmental groups speculated the DWR's move to halt pumping was aimed to avoid rigid action by the courts. Jennings said his group planned next week to seek a restraining order against state pumping operations to protect the smelt. Water users south of San Luis Reservoir, near Los Banos, will continue receiving deliveries as expected during the shutdown from that source, which stores water pumped from the Delta. Those served by the South Bay Aqueduct, however, will not receive any Delta water during the shutdown and will have to rely on local sources.About 2 million people in the Bay Area depend on that water for part of their supply... The only farms affected if the shutdown lasts more than 10 days are those that use water from canals and pipes fed directly by the Delta pumps. These include about 2,200 acres of almonds, alfalfa and vegetables in the Oak Flat Water District near Patterson... Bill Harrison, general manager of the Oak Flat district, said his area has poor groundwater but should be able to irrigate for a week using water already pumped into the canal that runs from the Delta to San Luis Reservoir. After that, he said, "about 1,300 to 1,400 acres would be high and dry."
Water Wars: Be careful what you wish for...Hank Shaw's blog...5-31-07
http://blogs.recordnet.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=sr-hshaw&redirCnt=1
...giant water pumps near Tracy grinding to a halt... “Drastic times call for drastic measures,” said DWR Director Lester Snow. “While there are clearly many factors at play in the current decline of smelt in the Delta, we must act on the one that is within our control. That is why DWR will stop pumping in the Delta as a preventative measure to protect endangered fish that are currently located near our facilities.” Snow then threw down the gauntlet, daring the feds to stop their pumps, too, and urging the local farmers to limit pesticide use in the area. DWR's theory is that some unusual pesticide event in the Delta this year is the chief cause of the smelty meltdown, not operation of the pumps. Was there a fish kill no one heard about? If so, why on earth was no one told? ...DWR seems to be putting as much emphasis on pesticides that their opponents put on the pumps. It is a dry year, remember, so what better way to gin up support for resumed "normal" pumping than to cut off the tap and rattle the natives? Is this what Snow is up to? Of course it may just be a case where doing the right thing happens to give you a political advantage at the same time...or it may not be.