The plan won’t help with the immediate drought crisis, but the
document is important in the long run because it states the
county’s case for a share of state bond money – not only what’s
left of voter-approved Proposition 84, but also whatever funds
are available should a new water bond pass in November.
From the H2outlook blog, in a post by Metropolitan Water District
of Southern California General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger:
The state/federal effort to improve the reliability of water
supplies from Northern California and restore the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta is now in its seventh year, a testament to the time
and hard work necessary to come up with a lasting solution. From
the outside, it may be difficult to gauge progress of the Bay
Delta Conservation Program at any given time.
From The Sacramento Bee, in a commentary by Dan Chu:
The wildlife, clean water and scenery offered by our national
forests are crucial to our way of life and our
multibillion-dollar outdoor recreation economy – especially in
California.
“The Madera County Board of Supervisors agreed Monday to tap
water from the city of Madera for the community of Parkwood since
the county’s one working well is failing.”
“Stockton could wind up as one of thousands of cities, irrigation
districts or landowners to be subjected to what are called
‘curtailments’ for the whole summer. Essentially, they are orders
to stop pumping water due to the drought.”
“Merced Irrigation District officials say growers in the district
will receive additional surface water, after action taken Tuesday
by MID’s board of directors.”
“Milpitas City Council voted unanimously May 20 to accept Santa
Clara Valley Water District’s plan to reduce the amount of
treated, potable water the city receives from its wholesaler by
20 percent due to the statewide drought.”
“California, supplier of nearly half of all US fruits, veggies,
and nuts, is on track to experience the driest year in the past
half millennium. Farms use about 80 percent of the state’s
‘developed water,’ or water that’s moved from its natural source
to other areas via pipes and aqueducts.”
“The Marin Municipal Water District is looking at the idea of
putting a $45 million pipeline on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
to keep Marin wet in dry years. If that sounds familiar, the
water district did just that in the 1970s.”
“North Coast wineries and growers remain optimistic following a
second consecutive year of record-setting harvests and strong
consumer demand for grape varietals that thrive in the region,
particularly pinot noir. … Growers increasingly are
concerned, however, about the impact of California’s drought.”
“More than 75 planning commissioners and officials from
throughout Stanislaus County spent Saturday morning learning
about the water issues facing their communities.”
From the Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Blog:
“Water is the lifeblood of the Sacramento Valley, and with
minimal precipitation and low reservoirs in the North State, we
are using every drop to support our farms, fish and birds.
“Hotter, drier conditions in the already drought-stricken
Southwest are expected to further stress the region’s water
supply, threatening specialty crops and making forests more
vulnerable to wildfires and tree-killing insects.”
“A 900,000-gallon water tank located at the end of Hamilton Field
near Novato’s southern city limits was drained because of
contamination concerns after locks protecting the tank were found
cut, officials said.”
“The rain that’s fallen in fulsome fits and spattering starts
this spring has punched enough of a dent in the drought that
state officials now say just three towns and rural areas are in
danger of running out of water — a sharp dip from the 17 that
were facing Dust Bowl disaster in January.”
From The Sacramento Bee, in a commentary by Tim Johnson:
“How can it be, I asked myself, that the drought is so bad and
planning so nonexistent that there are serious thoughts of
eliminating all surface water for agriculture in the state? I was
numb.”
“Californians finally agree on something. A Field Poll released
this week shows 88 percent of those surveyed believe the state is
facing a serious water shortage. Unfortunately, that’s about all
we agree on.”
