Patrick Cavanaugh, Author at California Agriculture News Today

CALIFORNIA WATER COMMISSION RE-ELECTS LEADERSHIP

Water Commission Re-Elects Current Chair Byrne and Vice Chair Del Bosque

The California Water Commission re-elected, unanimously, current Chair Joseph Byrne and Vice Chair Joe Del Bosque this week to second one-year terms as leaders of the commission.

Byrne, of Los Angeles, is an of counsel attorney in the law office of Best, Best & Krieger, LLP and is a member of the firm’s Environmental & Natural Resources Law, Special Districts, Municipal, and Business Services practice groups.

Del Bosque, of Los Baños, is president and chief executive officer of Empresas Del Bosque, Inc., a diversified farm in the San Joaquin Valley, where he grows cantaloupes, almonds, asparagus, cherries, and organic melons. He previously served as director of Pacheco Water Distrit and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Authority.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:13-07:00January 18th, 2014|

California Ag News BDCP Invites Comments

BDCP Conducts Open Houses in Central Valley

By Don A. Wright

Public Comments on BDCP Plan in Fresno

The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) handlers are on a road trip throughout California holding open house meetings. This week they stopped in downtown Fresno.

The event was different than most public meetings sponsored by the state. There were no speeches or verbal comments from lines of proponents and opponents cheered on by factional verve. The public was welcome to comment but encouraged to so in writing or to give a statement to a stenographer.

One retired government worker who came to see the proceedings told me it was nice to avoid the more unhinged public speakers but he thought the bureaucrats and therefore the elected officials they represent were getting off too easy by not having to make public statements. I found everyone I spoke with to be forthcoming and striving to make this huge government project as transparent as possible. Nancy Vogel and Paul Heliker, both in DWR management were very upfront, friendly and helpful.

There were stations displaying parts of the plan around the edge of the room with BDCP staff in attendance to discuss matters and answer questions. Many, if not most, were consultants with a smattering of DWR and USBR employees mixed in.

The consultans were all helpful, courteous and very knowledgeable about their specific sphere of information. For example there was a section dedicated to maps of the alternate routes and the man standing there was up on the geography.

Another station gave all the data collected so far on water quality in detail. There’s a modeled result for all the alternatives at more than a dozen points spread over the calendar year based on a range of hydrologic conditions; wet to dry.

I was told the state figured in climate change as a modeling variable. It’s sad to see pop science become the state religion but what’s to be done? The so called experts don’t agree and I have neither the expertise nor inclination to educate myself, wade through the data and form my own opinion. It doesn’t mean the world’s flat because it looks flat; it just means sea rise is inconclusive according to some highly respected authorities. But the threat of rising sea levels does come in handy when predicting disaster to a vulnerable location where you’re trying to invest $24 billion dollars.

There wasn’t a standing room only turnout but it was decent. A couple of farmers, a couple of enviros, a few retired government workers wanting to get the latest on a problem they spent a career wrestling with – even a family with three children showed up – to view the presentation and try to gather some facts. Noticeably missing from this bunch was the de rigueur middle-aged hippy wearing sweat pants with dress shoes handing out flyers.

While the information on display was there for the pickings what I think most people would like to know wasn’t available. What happens after the April 14^th comment deadline and the release of the final document? Is there a conspiracy that timed the comment deadline with tax day? If not, why not? Also and perhaps more importantly; what if the federal alternative passes NEPA but not CEQA and vice a versa?

When will the Record of Decision be ready? How much will it really cost? How will it be funded? Who will be accountable for problems? Who will be in charge of construction budgets and deadlines? Will ag be able to afford the water?

The series of open house meetings never promised to answer these questions, but they have to be answered for any logical decision to be reached.

Hopefully the BDCP doesn’t turn out to be another High Speed Rail fiasco – all sizzle and no steak.

Perhaps it will never be completed and serve as a pointer to yet another alternative like spending this great deal of time, money, brains and energy in increased surface storage and improved flexibility in water transfers. You know a workable, implementable solution without the sexy, feel-good, double-redundant, politically correct, co-equal goals fluff.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:13-07:00January 18th, 2014|

California Ag News on Drought Declaration

Comments from California Legislature Regarding Drought Declaration

State Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) issued the following statement following Governor Brown’s declaration of a drought state of emergency:

“As we face one of the driest years in California’s history, we must take immediate action. There is too much at stake. Lack of water means a loss of jobs, a shrinking food supply, and threatens the integrity of our drinking water. As a member of the bipartisan coalition of legislators calling upon Governor Brown to issue a drought declaration late last year, I applaud the Governor for recognizing the dire situation we all face and am committed to working with him and my colleagues in the Legislature to develop short- and long-term solutions to ensure we provide water to those that need it most.”

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare, issued the following statement after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency:

“Today’s drought declaration is better late than never. However, I believe the Governor’s action is the result of his spending time in the Valley this week and hearing the pleas from the hundreds of Californians who rallied at the Capitol yesterday.

“This long-awaited drought declaration is more than a piece of paper – it’s a sign of hope and relief for the Valley farmers and workers who depend on water to feed the world. While California still needs a long-term solution to ensure we have a safe, clean and reliable water supply, the drought declaration will definitely help in the short-term as the state enters a third consecutive dry year.”

Last month, Conway joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling upon Gov. Brown to take action on the state’s water crisis. She also attended a Latino Water Coalition rally at the Capitol yesterday. Click hereto view her remarks.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:13-07:00January 18th, 2014|

FEINSTEIN ON CALIFORNIA DROUGHT DECLARATION

Feinstein, Boxer, And Costa Urge Federal Disaster Declaration And Drought Task Force

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) TODAYreleased the following statement after California Governor Jerry Brown issued a state drought declaration:

“I applaud Governor Brown’s decision to issue a drought declaration. The declaration provides the state with greater flexibility to address drought conditions and lays the foundation for federal disaster assistance through a presidential declaration.

“This week Congressman Costa, Senator Boxer and I called on President Obama to approve a federal disaster declaration as soon as possible and to appoint a drought task force to work with the state to mitigate the drought’s effects on the state. Now that the governor has issued the state declaration, I hope the president will act quickly to approve the federal declaration.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:13-07:00January 17th, 2014|

JUST IN: GOVERNOR BROWN DECLARES DROUGHT STATE OF EMERGENCY

Breaking News:

DROUGHT STATE OF EMERGENCY

Governor Calls for Conservation Statewide, Directs State to Manage Water for Drought

TODAY, with California facing water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today proclaimed a State of Emergency and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for these drought conditions.

“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Governor Brown. “I’ve declared this emergency and I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”

In the State of Emergency declaration, Governor Brown directed state officials to assist farmers and communities that are economically impacted by dry conditions and to ensure the state can respond if Californians face drinking water shortages. The Governor also directed state agencies to use less water and hire more firefighters and initiated a greatly expanded water conservation public awareness campaign (details at saveourh2o.org).

In addition, the proclamation gives state water officials more flexibility to manage supply throughout California under drought conditions.

State water officials say that California’s river and reservoirsare below their record lows. Manual and electronic readings record the snowpack’s statewide water content at about 20 percent of normal average for this time of year.

The Governor’s Drought State of Emergency follows a series of actions the administration has taken to ensure that California is prepared for record dry conditions. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights. In December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations, California’s preparedness for water scarcity and whether conditions merit a drought declaration. Earlier this week, the Governor toured the Central Valley and spoke with growers and others impacted by California’s record dry conditions.

The full text of the emergency proclamation is below:

A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS the State of California is experiencing record dry conditions, with 2014 projected to become the driest year on record; and

WHEREAS the state’s water supplies have dipped to alarming levels, indicated by: snowpack in California’s mountains is approximately 20 percent of the normal average for this date; California’s largest water reservoirs have very low water levels for this time of year; California’s major river systems, including the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, have significantly reduced surface water flows; and groundwater levels throughout the state have dropped significantly; and

WHEREAS dry conditions and lack of precipitation present urgent problems: drinking water supplies are at risk in many California communities; fewer crops can be cultivated and farmers’ long-term investments are put at risk; low-income communities heavily dependent on agricultural employment will suffer heightened unemployment and economic hardship; animals and plants that rely on California’s rivers, including many species in danger of extinction, will be threatened; and the risk of wildfires across the state is greatly increased; and

WHEREAS extremely dry conditions have persisted since 2012 and may continue beyond this year and more regularly into the future, based on scientific projections regarding the impact of climate change on California’s snowpack; and

WHEREAS the magnitude of the severe drought conditions presents threats beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single local government and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat; and

WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8558(b) of the California Government Code, I find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist in California due to water shortage and drought conditions with which local authority is unable to cope.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, including the California Emergency Services Act, and in particular, section 8625 of the California Government Code HEREBY PROCLAIM A STATE OF EMERGENCY to exist in the State of California due to current drought conditions.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1.State agencies, led by the Department of Water Resources, will execute a statewide water conservation campaign to make all Californians aware of the drought and encourage personal actions to reduce water usage. This campaign will be built on the existing Save Our Water campaign (www.saveourh20.org) and will coordinate with local water agencies. This campaign will call on Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.

2.Local urban water suppliers and municipalities are called upon to implement their local water shortage contingency plans immediately in order to avoid or forestall outright restrictions that could become necessary later in the drought season. Local water agencies should also update their legally required urban and agricultural water management plans, which help plan for extended drought conditions. The Department of Water Resources will make the status of these updates publicly available.

3.State agencies, led by the Department of General Services, will immediately implement water use reduction plans for all state facilities. These plans will include immediate water conservation actions, and a moratorium will be placed on new, non-essential landscaping projects at state facilities and on state highways and roads.

4.The Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) will expedite the processing of water transfers, as called for in Executive Order B-21-13. Voluntary water transfers from one water right holder to another enables water to flow where it is needed most.

5.The Water Board will immediately consider petitions requesting consolidation of the places of use of the State Water Project and Federal Central Valley Project, which would streamline water transfers and exchanges between water users within the areas of these two major water projects.

6.The Department of Water Resources and the Water Board will accelerate funding for water supply enhancement projects that can break ground this year and will explore if any existing unspent funds can be repurposed to enable near-term water conservation projects.

7.The Water Board will put water right holders throughout the state on notice that they may be directed to cease or reduce water diversions based on water shortages.

8.The Water Board will consider modifying requirements for reservoir releases or diversion limitations, where existing requirements were established to implement a water quality control plan. These changes would enable water to be conserved upstream later in the year to protect cold water pools for salmon and steelhead, maintain water supply, and improve water quality.

9.The Department of Water Resources and the Water Board will take actions necessary to make water immediately available, and, for purposes of carrying out directives 5 and 8, Water Code section 13247 and Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) of the Public Resources Code and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division are suspended on the basis that strict compliance with them will prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the emergency. Department of Water Resources and the Water Board shall maintain on their websites a list of the activities or approvals for which these provisions are suspended.

10. The state’s Drinking Water Program will work with local agencies to identify communities that may run out of drinking water, and will provide technical and financial assistance to help these communities address drinking water shortages. It will also identify emergency interconnections that exist among the state’s public water systems that can help these threatened communities.

11.The Department of Water Resources will evaluate changing groundwater levels, land subsidence, and agricultural land fallowing as the drought persists and will provide a public update by April 30 that identifies groundwater basins with water shortages and details gaps in groundwater monitoring.

12.The Department of Water Resources will work with counties to help ensure that well drillers submit required groundwater well logs for newly constructed and deepened wells in a timely manner and the Office of Emergency Services will work with local authorities to enable early notice of areas experiencing problems with residential groundwater sources.

13.The California Department of Food and Agriculture will launch a one-stop website (www.cdfa.ca.gov/drought) that provides timely updates on the drought and connects farmers to state and federal programs that they can access during the drought.

14.The Department of Fish and Wildlife will evaluate and manage the changing impacts of drought on threatened and endangered species and species of special concern, and develop contingency plans for state Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves to manage reduced water resources in the public interest.

15. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will work with the Fish and Game Commission, using the best available science, to determine whether restricting fishing in certain areas will become necessary and prudent as drought conditions persist.

16.The Department of Water Resources will take necessary actions to protect water quality and water supply in the Delta, including installation of temporary barriers or temporary water supply connections as needed, and will coordinate with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to minimize impacts to affected aquatic species.

17.The Department of Water Resources will refine its seasonal climate forecasting and drought prediction by advancing new methodologies piloted in 2013.

18.The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will hire additional seasonal firefighters to suppress wildfires and take other needed actions to protect public safety during this time of elevated fire risk.

19.The state’s Drought Task Force will immediately develop a plan that can be executed as needed to provide emergency food supplies, financial assistance, and unemployment services in communities that suffer high levels of unemployment from the drought.

20.The Drought Task Force will monitor drought impacts on a daily basis and will advise me of subsequent actions that should be taken if drought conditions worsen.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Proclamation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 17th day of January, 2014.

EDMUND G. BROWN JR.,

Governor of California

DEBRA BOWEN,

Secretary of State

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:13-07:00January 17th, 2014|

California Ag News Drought Emergency to be Called

Breaking News!

TODAY California Gov. Jerry Brown is set to declare a drought emergency for California. This will trigger help from Feds.

It comes one day following a big water rally in Sacramento. Thanks to all who attended.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:14-07:00January 17th, 2014|

"WE NEED WATER!"

Water Rally In Sacramento

Had Big Voices of Reason

Nearly 2,000 farmers, farm workers, ag leaders and others with an interest in agriculture gathered TODAY on the west steps of the California Capitol Building in Sacramento to talk about the critical need of water.

Manuel Cunha Jr.

Manuel Cunha, Jr., President of the Nisei Farmers League, noted that Governor Brown must call a Drought Emergency. Other speakers from the California Senate and Assembly voiced the need that we present the Water Bond to be on the November Ballot — with water storage intact.

Mario Santoyo

Mario Santoyo, Executive Director of the California Latino Water Coalition, stated there is no water in the reservoirs and essentially no rainfall or snow in the state. “This means that a big part of the West Side will get a zero water allocation. And the East Side is going to get hurt too,” he said.

The big crowd chanted “We Need Water” and “No Water, No Food” and “No Water, No Jobs”.

If Gov. Brown called a Drought Emergency, it would trigger Federal help and possibly reduced regulatory restrictions.

The Nisei Farmers League and the California Latino Water Coalition spearheaded the rally.

Thousands of dollars came from the industry to pay for buses and lunch for all attendees.

Joe Del Bosque

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:14-07:00January 17th, 2014|

CAN CALIFORNIA AND ISRAEL AVOCADOS ENDURE RECLAIMED WATER?

Growing Avocados In Israel: What Can We Learn From The Israeli Experience?

International Guest Lecturer Miriam Silberstein, a researcher and extension advisor in Israel, is a pioneer in the avocado industry. She has conducted research with reclaimed water and studied the impact of saline water (200+ ppm chloride) on avocados. Silberstein has worked closely with Dr. Ben Ya’acov on rootstock selection for salt tolerance and other conditions affecting avocado tree growth.

Feb 04

On Tuesday, February 4^th, (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) at Huntington Library and Gardens, Ahmanson Classroom, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, Silberstein will share her experiences in Israel and provide updates concerning pest management, bio-control practices, and the current PSHB/Fusarium situation in Israel. A roundtable discussion will be held and there will be plenty of time to ask questions.

The event is sponsored by California Avocado Society, California Avocado Commission, Del Rey Avocado Co., Eco Farms, Hofshi Foundation, Index Fresh, WestPak, and University of California.

Advanced registration is required by Friday, January 31, 2014. Contact Diana Nix at dlnix@ucanr.eduor 559.646.6500 to RSVP.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:14-07:00January 17th, 2014|

RECAL EXPANSION for CALIF. MEAT PRODUCTS

California Firm Expands Recall of Meat Products Produced Without Full Inspection

Class I Recall — Health Risk: High

TODAY, Rancho Feeding Corporation, based in Petaluma, is expanding its recall to include an additional 420 pounds of product that was produced without the benefit of full federal inspection, making it unfit for human food deemed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

The products recalled today were produced Jan. 8, 2014, and shipped to distribution centers and retail establishments in California. This recall is an expansion of the approximately 41,683 pounds of various meat products that were recalled on Jan 13, 2014.

The entire recalls include:

Declared on Jan. 16, 2014

30-lb. boxes of “Book Tripe”

Declared on Jan. 13, 2014:

“Beef Carcasses”
50-lb. boxes of “Beef Feet”
20-lb. boxes of “Beef Oxtail”
50-lb. boxes of “Beef Hearts”
60 and 30-lb. boxes of “Beef Liver”
30-lb. boxes of “Beef Cheeks”
60-lb. boxes of “Beef Tripe”
30-lb. boxes of “Beef Tongue”

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that recalled product is no longer available to consumers.

USDA Recall Classifications Class I is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:14-07:00January 16th, 2014|

POST CAL-OSHA 300A BY FEB. 1

Ag Employers to Post 2013 Illnesses and Injuries on Cal-OSHA Form

Employers are required to post OSHA Form 300A, reporting any workplace illnesses and injuries occurring in 2013, by Feb. 1, 2014 through April 30, 2014. Employers of fewer than 11 employees are exempt from this notice.

For more information, go to Cal/OSHA Consultation’s website on posting 300A logs.

Sources: CA Department of Industrial Relations, CalOSHA, FELS

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:14-07:00January 16th, 2014|

About Patrick Cavanaugh

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California Ag News… At Your Fingertips!

California Ag News…
At Your Fingertips!