For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Names
New General Manager  

Fresno, CA — Today, the Board of Directors of Westlands Water District (District) named Allison Febbo as the next General Manager. With nearly 25 years of experience in natural resources, hydrology, and water operations, Ms. Febbo will be the first woman to serve the District as General Manager.

“We are thrilled to welcome Allison Febbo to the Westlands Water District team,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Allison is a pragmatic, collaborative leader with a proven track record of bridging the gap between science, engineering, and policy related to California’s complex water resource systems. She brings technical expertise and civic mindset needed to ensure a sustainable water future for the environment and the hard-working families that continue to feed the world.”

As General Manager, Ms. Febbo will be responsible for directing, coordinating and reviewing the activities and operations of the District, and serves as the administrative head of the District in its relations with the public, legislative bodies, Federal and State governments, and local public agencies.

“I am honored the Board has entrusted me to serve as Westlands’ next General Manager. I am committed to ensuring a sustainable, diverse water supply and continuing the high-quality services provided by the District,” said Allison Febbo. “Westlands has long been recognized as a leader in California water policy, and I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, water users, and other agencies to explore and implement creative, comprehensive and climate-resilient approaches.

Ms. Febbo currently serves as the General Manager of Mojave Water Agency. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Operations Manager for the Central Valley Operations Office for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Ms. Febbo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters of Science in Hydrologic Science from the University of California, Davis.

Ms. Febbo will begin serving as Westlands’ General Manager on April 24, 2023. 

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Receives Recommendation for Approval to Advance Groundwater Storage and Sustainability Efforts  

Fresno, CA — Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the recommendation of approval for the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Westside GSP). Westlands Water District (District) is proud to have a plan for management of groundwater that provides a detailed blueprint for achieving long-term groundwater sustainability in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland while avoiding undesirable impacts to the Westside Subbasin and to infrastructure critical to California.

“We are grateful that DWR staff believe the District has taken sufficient actions to address the deficiencies DWR previously identified, and are now preparing to recommend approval,” said Jeff Fortune, president of Westlands’ Board of Directors. “This result reflects a great deal of time and dedication from Westlands’ staff and Board of Directors who worked diligently and collaboratively with DWR to build a groundwater sustainability plan that will achieve the Westside Subbasin’s sustainability goals.”

Jose Gutierrez, the District’s interim general manager, stated “The value of DWR’s support – both technical and financial – cannot be understated. We look forward to a continued partnership with DWR as we roll up our sleeves and implement the plan, with the goal of ensuring a sustainable water future for the District’s nearly 700 family-owned farms that feed the world and support the hard-working people who live in the San Joaquin Valley.”

Enacted in 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) establishes a framework to help protect California’s groundwater resources by requiring local groundwater sustainability agencies to develop and implement groundwater sustainability plans. DWR supports SGMA implementation by providing regulatory oversight through evaluation and assessment of groundwater sustainability plans and providing ongoing planning, technical and financial assistance to local water districts.

Pursuant to the Westside GSP, the District and its landowners have and will continue to use advanced monitoring, data, metering, and innovative groundwater recharge programs to avoid undesirable results from use of groundwater. As a living document, the Westside Subbasin GSP will be updated, at least every five years, based on data collected during its implementation.

“Farmers in the District rank among the most productive and water efficient in the world, and the District has long been recognized as a leader in agricultural water conservation,” added Gutierrez. “The District is pleased to reach the next phase in the process as we work to combat the impacts of climate change on our most precious resource.”

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Now Accepting Applications for the District’s 2023 High School Scholarships 

Fresno, CA – Westlands Water District is pleased to announce the seventeenth year of the District’s annual scholarship for high school seniors pursuing higher education. In unwaivering support of our community’s youth, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors has again expanded the program to award up to seventeen $1,000 scholarships in 2023 to graduating seniors from local area high schools. The scholarship awards can be used towards expenses at accredited post-secondary institutions. The District is proud to recognize and reward exceptional academic achievement and leadership.

“Our region is home to amazing youth who embody the vibrant communities living and working in the District, ” commented Jose Gutierrez, Westlands’ interim general manager. “Westlands is proud to support those seeking to continue their education, knowing the future of our Valley is in their hands.”

High school seniors graduating from the following westside school districts are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Lemoore Union High School District, Mendota Unified School District, Riverdale Joint Unified School District, and Golden Plains Unified School District.

Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses. The applicants will be judged based on their submitted application, essay, academic transcripts, and references as well as their leadership, contributions to the local community, career goals, and need.

The deadline to apply for the Westlands Water District 2023 High School Scholarship is April 23, 2023. All applications and supporting documents must be received by the District on or before the Application Deadline. Applications and all supporting documents may be submitted via email to pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov, by mail to Westlands Public Affairs, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703, or in person at 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno.

For more information or a copy of the application and list of instructions, please visit the District’s website or contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6233 or at pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233

Westlands Water District Responds to
Central Valley Project Initial Water Allocation 

Fresno, CA — (February 22, 2023) Today, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced the initial water allocation for Central Valley Project (CVP) water. Reclamation allocated Westlands Water District (Westlands) and similarly situation contractors 35% of the water the districts are entitled to under their contracts.

In response to the announcement, Jose Gutierrez, the District’s interim general manager, issued the following statement:

“We are grateful for a 35% allocation and thank the dedicated staff at Reclamation, who worked hard to allocate as much water as feasible to the water users who have survived on a 0% allocation for the past two years. The past two years of 0% resulted in over 223,000 acres, approximately 36% of the District’s farmland, being fallowed in Westlands. An adequate and reliable supply of surface water is critical to the viability of the communities and farms in the San Joaquin Valley and their ability to feed the world. We are hopeful that precipitation continues to fall and are appreciative of the initial allocation from Reclamation.”

This year’s initial allocation demonstrates the critical and urgent need to invest in water storage and conveyance infrastructure. California must do a better job capturing water during wet periods, like those we experienced at the end of December and beginning of January. Modernizing our decades old federal and state storage and conveyance systems and improving local and regional infrastructure are important steps. The District continues to pursue, support, and implement balanced solutions that protect and restore the water supplies needed by the families that live and work in and around the District. The District is committed to ensuring every drop of water available is put to good use, including for California’s precious ecosystems.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Shelley Cartwright
(559) 244-1533

Westlands Water District Names
Jose Gutierrez as Interim General Manager

Fresno, CA — (December 20, 2022) Today, the Westlands Water District (District) Board of Directors named Jose Gutierrez as the District’s Interim General Manager starting January 1, 2023. Mr. Gutierrez has been with the District since 2012 and currently serves as the District’s Chief Operating Officer.  Mr. Gutierrez is a registered civil engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and Masters degree in civil/environmental engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.  

“Gutierrez has the skillset and historical knowledge to help lead the District during this transition,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President, Westlands Water District.

“I’m honored the Board entrusted me to serve as Interim General Manager and will work diligently to ensure Westlands continues to deliver reliable water and high-quality service to our water users so they can continue to grow the crops that feed the nation and the world,” said Jose Gutierrez.

Mr. Gutierrez will share responsibility for managing the District activities with Jon Rubin, the District’s Assistant General Manager & General Counsel. Both Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Rubin will work closely with the Board.

As the Interim General Manager, Mr. Gutierrez will be responsible for the operations and administration of the District and will manage efforts intended to improve storage and conveyance of the District’s surface and groundwater supplies.

Mr. Rubin, in his capacity as the Assistant General Manager, will be responsible for the District’s policy efforts, external engagement, and strategic water initiatives for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta.  Mr. Rubin, in his capacity as General Counsel, will continue to be responsible for the District’s legal affairs. Shelley Cartwright, the District’s Deputy General Manager- External Affairs, will continue to engage in the District’s policy efforts and oversee the District’s Federal & State legislative affairs, public affairs, and outreach and education efforts.

The District will begin a formal search for a regular General Manager at the start of the new year.

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About Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.