If you’ve noticed that your grocery and restaurant bills are higher today than they were a year or two ago, you’re not alone. Food prices are on the rise, and it’s putting a strain on Californians across the state. While COVID-19 and inflation both play a major role here, the scarcity of water across the West has also forced farmers to cut crop production. This will undoubtedly impact prices across the food and agriculture supply chain in the months to come, given that California’s $54 billion agriculture industry provides over 400 key commodities, including a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Last month, the Biden Administration announced key findings from the reviews called for under Executive Order 14017, designed to assess the vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chains and develop strategies to strengthen their resilience. As part of the announcement, the Biden Administration pledged more than $4 billion toward initiatives through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to rebuild the nation’s food system by strengthening and diversifying supply chains and established a new Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force that will focus on, among other topics, agriculture and food.

It’s a reminder that the food and fiber grown in Westlands play a critical role in not just our local economy, but in national and global supply chains, too. That makes mitigating the impacts of the current drought – and taking proactive steps to prepare for the next, inevitable drought through infrastructure and other investments – all the more important. Ensuring the stability of our food supply requires allowing our farmers to be as productive as they can, and that starts with an adequate and reliable water supply

The Impact of Science-Based Policymaking

One silver lining amid the devastation of the current drought is that between the amended 2018 Coordinated Operations Agreement and the recently updated science-based decision making incorporated into Central Valley Project (CVP) operations, more water can flow South-of-Delta without further harm to native fish species. In particular, the real-time monitoring strategy outlined in the 2019 Biological Assessment for the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project incorporates a number of robust protections for native fish species based on expert opinions from career bureaucrats and scientists, which were all reviewed by independent scientific peer reviewers. This means that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation now uses real-time monitoring strategies to ensure CVP operations are tailored to meet the biological needs of native fish species while moving water South-of-the-Delta.

As shown by the chart below, this represents a significant improvement from the previous, rigid calendar-based fish requirements included in the previous regulations. And, as validated by the 2019 Biological Opinions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, this approach effectively assesses and mitigates risks to fish in real time and allows that scientific analysis to guide pumping operations.

This is just one example of the benefits of thoughtful policymaking rooted in science. As California continues seeking both short- and long-term solutions to mitigate the current drought and improve climate resilience, collaboration around issues relating to water storage, Voluntary Agreements and comprehensive management of the watershed will be critical to ensure California can effectively maximize every drop of water.

Primary Sidebar

In the District

MEET OUR 2021 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Last month, Westlands announced the recipients of our 2021 Westside Scholarship: Aidan Apgar, Bryan Welch, Chloe Scialo, Carlos Emilio Meza, Jacquelin Garcia, Marcos Rivera Hernandez, Omar Almaraz, and Yasmin Dominguez. These graduating seniors from eight local high schools have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and leadership, and their accomplishments are points of great pride for our westside communities. Each winner received a $1,000 scholarship for community college and university expenses. We look forward to all they will contribute to their communities in their college years and beyond

Recommended Resources

WATCH: WESTLANDS JOINS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF SB 559

On June 28, Westlands General Manager Tom Birmingham joined a broad coalition at the State Capitol in support of The State Water Resiliency Act of 2021, Senator Melissa Hurtado’s bill to allocate $785 million to repairing vital water delivery systems that provide drinking water to communities throughout California and water that supports the state’s leading agricultural economy. You can watch the video of the event here and read the press release here.

READ: IT’S SOME OF AMERICA’S RICHEST FARMLAND. BUT WHAT IS IT WITHOUT WATER

Somini Sengupta of the New York Times talked with farmers from around California about the difficult choices they are being forced to make as a result of the lack of water. As it stands now, Westlands anticipates that an estimated 210,000 acres of land within Westlands will be fallowed this year. Click here to read the story.

Every year on March 22, the United Nations celebrates World Water Day to highlight the importance of safe, reliable water all over the world. This year’s theme is valuing water for all its uses – including agriculture, food security, employment, and economic growth – and valuing water infrastructure that helps move water where it’s needed. Water is the lifeblood of all we do as humans; however, there are new and old concerns when it comes to water availability that must be addressed.

Water scarcity continues to be of concern, and these concerns will only be exacerbated by climate change and population growth. The impacts of dry years will be felt by the families across the state and around the world who are relying on the food produced in Westlands.

No one can control how much water falls from the sky, but Westlands does its best to ensure that the water that reaches the District is not wasted. Westlands works closely with farmers and farming communities in the District to maximize the use every drop of water. This includes investing more than $14.2 million since 2017 in the District’s water infrastructure to support continual improvements by replacing pipeline and upgrading metering technology. Westlands also encourages farmers to deploy innovative water conservation practices, including investing in irrigation efficiency technology and adjusting planting and harvesting techniques to increase yield with less water and land.

Despite all these efforts, the impact of climate change and drought are still felt by farmers and communities served by Westlands.

Prioritizing Water Infrastructure 

Since the inauguration, the Biden Administration has begun tackling a wide range of issues, from COVID-19 response to immigration to racial equity. These are all incredibly important issues to the Central Valley, as is the Administration’s push to “invest in modern and sustainable American infrastructure.”

Unfortunately, the reality is that the ailing water infrastructure in California threatens access to water for the Central Valley, including water for many of the state’s most vulnerable communities. Parts of the Central Valley Project infrastructure, which carry water to Westlands, have lost up to 30% of their conveyance capacity over time due to subsidence; this subsidence results in higher operational and power costs, ultimately requiring millions of dollars in higher costs to convey less water through the system every year.

That’s the reason Westlands is among a broad coalition of water agencies pursuing legislation to address this issue. Infrastructure investment – unlike the weather – is something on which policymakers can have a meaningful impact. Westlands looks forward to continuing to work with state and federal officials to build back better.

Primary Sidebar

In the District

RESPONDING TO A 5% ALLOCATION

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement that the initial allocation for South-of-Delta Repayment and Water Service Contractors is only 5% is no surprise given current hydrologic conditions and regulations that restrict operations of the Central Valley Project. But it is devastating nonetheless for farmers and communities across the region that rely on water from the CVP and jobs created by irrigated agriculture. It’s also yet another reminder of the urgency behind our continued work with policymakers, regulators, and the farming community to maximize water use efficiency, improve climate resilience, and ensure greater water supply reliability now and in the future.

WATCH: LET’S TALK ABOUT WESTLANDS’ WATER SUPPLY

Check out our recent “Let’s Talk About It” video featuring Westlands Chief Operating Officer, Jose Gutierrez, discussing water year 2020, the allocation provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to South-of-Delta Agricultural Water Service Contractors, the allocation’s effects on District and farm operations, and how water year 2021 is shaping up.

Recommended Resources

SENATOR HURTADO INTRODUCES THE STATE WATER RESILIENCY ACT OF 2021

Last month, California State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) introduced Senate Bill 559, the “State Water Resiliency Act of 2021,” to improve California’s water resilience and restore critical infrastructure from the impacts of drought and climate change. The bill would fund repairs to the Friant-Kern Canal, Delta-Mendota Canal, San Luis Canal and California Aqueduct – the main water conveyance infrastructure South-of-the Delta. 

MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION RESTORES HABITAT CRITICAL TO NATIVE SPECIES

The Lower Yolo Ranch Tidal Restoration Project is a collaboration between multiple agencies including the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Westlands Water District (Westlands) which serves western Fresno and Kings counties, Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service. The agencies are working together to meet a portion of state and federal requirements to restore 8,000 acres of tidal wetland habitat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The project has been in the works for 13 years and restores a total of 1,682 acres of tidal marsh. Click the links to read the blog and watch the video.

Voluntary Agreements: A New Era of Collaboration

Voluntary Agreements (VAs) have been proposed as a collaborative, modern and holistic alternative to the State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) staff proposed update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan (WQCP). From August 2018 until early 2020, state and federal agencies, public water agencies, and non-governmental organizations were engaged in robust discussions to identify the best path forward regarding the WQCP update. Westlands and other public water agencies are eager to reengage in the process to finalize the VAs, as they offer the best path forward for California water.  

The VAs are aimed at protecting and restoring the Bay-Delta ecosystem while improving reliability for the 35 million people, nearly 8 million acres of farmland, and remaining California wetlands dependent on the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed and water supply.  

Westlands supports the VAs, an effort begun by Governor Jerry Brown and continued by Governor Gavin Newsom, as the best path forward for the SWRCB’s Bay-Delta WQCP update. This approach is supported by Governor Newsom’s 2020 Water Resilience Portfolio (Portfolio), which outlines more than 100 policy priorities in support of California’s water future. Of importance, the Portfolio emphasizes the completion of the VAs to manage water flows, restore habitats, and protect California’s largest rivers and the Delta. 

Westlands View: Portfolio Underscores the Importance of Completing the VAs 

Westlands Water District commends the work of Governor Newsom and his administration in developing the Portfolio. Among the actions included in the Portfolio, several highlight the importance of completing the VAs:

• Action 9.3: “Bring together regulators, tribes, water users, public water agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to develop innovative, voluntary solutions to water supply, water quality, and ecosystem protection.”
• Action 13.7: “Identify opportunities to meet legal standards in creative, collaborative ways, such as through Voluntary Agreements that enhance flows and habitat.”
• Action 18.2: “Complete the update to the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan for San Francisco Bay and the Delta, as required by law, and implement the Plan, potentially through Voluntary Agreements.” 

Westlands believes the VAs will ultimately provide the best path for fulfilling these actions. In fact, Westlands has long advocated for solutions that include alternatives to an unimpaired flows approach, which has not only failed to provide reliable water supplies for urban, agricultural, and environmental uses but has also failed to effectively protect native species.

The VAs include a combination functional flow and non-flow measures, including habitat restoration, and adaptive management.  The benefits of functional flows was recently supported by a new study from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), which recommends a “functional flows” approach to managing water for the environment. Rather than mandating unimpaired flows, functional flows focus on maintaining the components of a river’s flow (e.g., sediment movement, water quality) that ultimately protect the health of native species. 

The VAs will also implement a sound and innovative science program that will provide adaptive management of water supplies to best serve the needs of the ecosystem and will establish a governance program rooted in cooperation and collaboration to manage and deploy flows and habitat.  

The stakes are too high to let this moment pass as the state struggles after another dry year. 

Through a collaborative, science-based approach, the VAs will help improve the Bay-Delta watershed and its tributaries by creating a comprehensive program of habitat enhancement projects coupled with a robust adaptive management process that will meet the needs of native fish and wildlife species. Importantly, the VAs will provide long-term funding to ensure water is available, habitat is restored, scientific uncertainties are reduced, and collaborative, strategic decision making occurs.  All of which will improve our ability to restore the health of the watershed and improve the reliability of water that California’s people, farms and wildlife depend upon. 

Primary Sidebar

In the District

WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT 2020 GENERAL ELECTION

The terms of five members of the Board of Directors expire in December 2020, and an election to fill these positions will be held November 3, 2020. For more information visit the District’s Website. For questions about voting, how to properly provide authorization to vote, or how to properly appoint a proxy, Bobbie Ormonde, the District Secretary, can be reached at (559) 241-6203, by calling the main office at (559) 224-1523, or the District’s toll-free line at (800) 266-6574. For those that would prefer email communication, please email the District Secretary at  bormonde@wwd.ca.gov. 

OFFICE COMMUNICATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC – FRESNO OFFICE CLOSED

Westlands Water District’s Fresno office is closed to the public during regular business hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The District requests that water users conduct all District related business via phone or email, in lieu of visiting District offices. Water users can drop off payments and forms at the Fresno office through the drop box located on the front door; however, the front office door will remain locked, and the public is not permitted to enter the building at this time.  

District staff seeks to maintain the safety of its employees, water users, and the public and will monitor COVID-19 developments and guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control closely. The District will provide notices to landowners and water users should District operations be further impacted by Federal or State recommendations to slow the spread of the virus. If you have questions, please contact District staff at the main office by phone at (559) 224-1523 or email at info@wwd.ca.gov. 

Recommended Resources

ACWA DELIVERS ROADMAP TO ACHIEVING VAS TO STATE OFFICIALS

On October 15, ACWA submitted “A Roadmap To Achieving the Voluntary Agreements” to Gov. Gavin Newsom and top members of his Administration that calls on the State to take the necessary steps to re-engage on Voluntary Agreements (VAs) regarding the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta and its tributaries. 

NEW APPROACH NEEDED TO PROTECT HEALTH OF CALIFORNIA’S RIVERS

In a recent commentary piece in CalMatters, PPIC’s Ted Grantham and Jeffrey Mount propose that a “functional flows” approach – one that “focuses on preserving key functions that maintain ecosystem health and are broadly supportive of native fish and wildlife” together with physical habitat improvements – will yield a better result for the environment and for communities across California.

WATCH: LET’S TALK ABOUT THE 27R PIPELINE REPLACEMENT

Check out our new “Let’s Talk About It” video featuring Westlands’ Director of Operations and Maintenance, Bill Pierce, discussing how Westlands is proactively replacing pipe across the District to eliminate loss and ensure every drop of water is put to use.