A Rant on the War for Water — or perhaps just a restatement of the obvious

Commentary by Laurie Greene, Editor

The War for Water has become more complex, fractious, and dire.

 

The battles are marked by staggering amounts of purchased-but-undelivered water supplies; broken contract obligations;

 

local water districts scrambling to find any source of water at any price; water theft; water diversion; water re-diversion; fishery restoration;

 

rapidly escalating overdraft and land subsidence conditions; lack of river improvements; reservoirs drying and dying; an epidemic of well drilling;

 

aging water infrastructure; farmers resorting to water sales profits instead of crop profits; fallowed fields;

 

threatened species, pitting environmental conservationists against farmer environmentalists and humans versus fish;

 

fish trucking; climate change confusion and unpreparedness; deals for more water imports; decisions for no Delta exports; water supply runoff;

 

compromised and halted agricultural research; approvals, denials, exceptions. . .

Drought - No Water Logo

 

We are employing politicians, lawyers, government agencies, scientists, and institutions of education to discuss and solve our water crisis. . .

 

and money has been thrown at farmers, food banks, and emergency services;

 

but we are not investing in, creating, and aggressively launching new water storage, balanced and effective environmental solutions for threatened species;

 

improved sewage disposal; enforced urban water conservation; modern water conveyance and infrastructure; groundwater renewal; wide-use of desalination technology.

 

We face curtailed critical agricultural research; unemployment; increased crime–according to some; increased health costs; declining water quality; disappearing snowpack;

 

school and business shutdowns; mortgage forfeiture; homelessness;

 

community failures; permanent loss of farm laborers; food shortages; increased stress on food banks with dwindling food supplies;

 

increased food insecurity and exposure to imported food safety risks; raised food and water prices; possible loss of domestic and foreign markets; threatened economies—

 

‘not to mention sheer human stress, panic, and grief.

 

Yet, we are urging, pleading, debating, meeting, emailing, tweeting, phoning, rallying, regulating, appealing, suing, petitioning, curtailing, strategizing; lobbying . . .

 

What academic or worldly discipline – geography, sociology, biology, chemistry, economics, politics, psychology, medicine – or realm of life – will NOT be affected?

 

Who does not need food, water, air, and an income?

 

At what point will we hit bottom, having suffered so much that we are finally forced to compromise and reach a survivable compromised existence?

 

At that point, will it even be possible?

 

 

Sources and Inspiration:

Friant Waterline, “Today’s River And Salmon”, http://friantwaterline.org/todays-river-and-salmon/

Merced Sun-Star, “Merced Irrigation District Seals Deal with State for More Irrigation Water”, mercedsunstar.com/2014/04/23/3615393/mid-seals-deal-with-state-for.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1

Western Farm Press, “Drought Chokes Research Efforts in California”, http://westernfarmpress.com/irrigation/drought-chokes-ag-research-efforts-california?page=5

Maven’s Notebook, in general, http://mavensnotebook.com

Salt, “Fields And Farm Jobs Dry Up With California’s Worsening Drought”, http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/04/22/303726931/fields-and-farm-jobs-dry-up-with-californias-worsening-drought

State Water Resources Control Board; ACWA eNews; ACWA; Western United Dairymen

2016-05-31T19:38:01-07:00April 25th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT

AG CRIME ALERT:

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A 2005 Ford F150 was stolen in the South Sutter Basin near Ensley Road, sometime between Friday evening, April 4 and Saturday morning, April 5.
The truck is charcoal in color, with license plate number 8A25808.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 822-7307, or the California Highway Patrol at 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247).

2016-05-31T19:38:03-07:00April 10th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT

antiCrimeAG CRIME ALERT!Tisdale Irrigation has been hit by copper thieves twice in the last 30 days at two pumps along the Sacramento River south of Meridian.

Damage was also caused to the pump motors and it is believed the same party is responsible for both instances.

Growers in the area should check their pumps, be on the lookout for suspicious activity and report any information to the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 822-7307.

2016-05-31T19:38:03-07:00April 10th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT: STOLEN TRACTOR

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AG CRIME ALERT: 

Stolen Tractor – Case number 14-7233

Make: Massy Ferguson

Year: 2012

Model: HD2680

Color: Red

Vin #: 31024BX15024

Noticed Missing: 3/25/14 @ 1330 HRS

Stolen From: 1300 BLK S Airport way, Manteca

Last Seen: West bound on Mariposa Rd, from Austin Road, Stockton

Any info contact the rural crimes unit at (209) 468-4798 / 468-4400 or email lvictoria@sjgov.org 

2016-05-31T19:38:06-07:00March 27th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT!

AG CRIME ALERT:

Source: San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office

STOLEN TRACTOR CASE # 14 -6799

On March 20th at approximately 3:00 p.m., our office took a report of a stolen John Deere tractor model number 7330. It was last seen on March 19th at 5:00 p.m.

antiCrimeIt was taken from the area 8 Mile Road and lower Sacramento Road, Stockton Ca.

Any information please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (209) 468-4400.

MAKE: John Deere
YEAR: 2009
MODEL: 7330
COLOR: Green
VIN #: RW7330E005413
LAST SEEN: 3-19-14 @ 1700 HRS

NOTICED MISSING: 3-20-14 at 10:00 a.m.

STOLEN FROM: Eight Mile Rd. & Lower Sacramento Rd. Stockton

Any info contact the rural crimes unit at (209) 468-4798 / 468-4400 or at lvictoria@sjgov.org.

2016-05-31T19:38:06-07:00March 25th, 2014|

Avocado Theft Protection Critical Right Now

The Commission has received reports that avocado theft is on the rise in the southern region of California.

In one incident, nearly 5,000 pounds of avocados were stolen from Lilac Hills Ranch between February 22–24, 2014. Officials noted that it appears a fence was cut “a few days prior” to the theft and the stolen avocados were handpicked during a very short time frame.

If anyone has any information concerning the felony theft, please contact Detective Dave Brannan at 858.565.5200.

It is critical that California avocado growers take steps to prevent theft in their avocado groves. Here are a few tips:

  • Assess the security of your grove — examine fences and gates closely.
  • Post “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs to advise potential thieves you will prosecute trespassers.
  • Carefully screen job applicants and check their references.
  • Encourage farm workers to watch for unusual behavior by fellow employees and to report unescorted visitors to their employers.
  • Utilize surveillance equipment, motion detectors, audible alarms, dogs or geese to deter theft.

Post metal avocado theft signs on your property. Assessment paying California avocado growers may request these signs for their property. Simply fill out CAC’s online Avocado Theft Protection Sign Request form or download the form, and mail it to: CAC, 12 Mauchly, Suite L, Irvine, CA, 92618.

Theft-related information can be submitted to the hotline at AvoTheft@avocado.org, or by calling (949) 754-0733. It is important to provide the following information when reporting a theft:

  • your name
  • contact phone number
  • address or intersection where theft occurred
  • date of theft
  • time of theft
  • pounds of fruit stolen
  • other items taken or vandalized

The California Avocado Commission‘s Anti-Theft Reward Program provides a monetary reward, of up to $5,000, to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest/conviction of another for unlawful possession of California avocados, or for information leading to the return of stolen fruit, or for information leading to the prevention of an avocado theft in progress.

For more information regarding the Commission’s reward program, click here.

2016-05-31T19:38:09-07:00March 18th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT!

AG CRIME ALERT!

Kings County Bees-1The Kings County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Task Force is currently investigating a theft of over 500 bee hives taken from the area of Quail Avenue and Highway 41 in Kettlemen City.

The incident was reported to patrol on 03-08-14 (Saturday) during the evening after the owner returned to remove them from the orchard.

The boxes were last seen on Friday by the local farmer. It appears that two large trucks were used along with two forklifts based on tire impressions located at the scene.

Kings County Bees-2The boxes were single stacked with solid blue pallets on the bottom. The boxes are a mixture of white and gray in color with the numbers 35-25 stamped into them.

If you have any information or similar cases please contact the Sheriff’s Office, case number 14K005692.

OFFICE OF SHERIFF COUNTY OF KINGS CONTACT INFO:

PHONE (559) 584-1431 FAX: (559) 584-4738

Kings County Bees-3

2016-05-31T19:38:50-07:00March 12th, 2014|

AG CRIME ALERT!

Ag Crime Alert:

The Sutter County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a commercial burglary to Davis Machine Shop and Meridian Store Supply located in the City of Meridian on 03-06-14. The suspects cut into both buildings, gained access and removed equipment.

The alarm to one of the buildings was activated at approximately 0215 hours. Found along the outside of the north perimeter fence line were three blue Miller 350P welders. For an unknown reason, the suspects left those welders behind.

Taken in the burglary were two blue Miller 350P welders, valued at $5,300.00 each and two blue electric Miller 875 plasma cutters, valued at 3,600.00 each.

If you have any information, please contact the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 822-7300. 

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Davis Machine Shop, Inc., provides custom manufacturing and repair services for the agricultural and industrial industries, including: pumping plant system design and installation, fabrication, welding or crane services, a full stock of steel and a variety of pumps.

Meridian Store Supply provides: Agricultural Hardware, U Joints-Hoes-Shovels, Tillage Tools-Irrigation Supplies, Nuts & Bolts-Pipe Fittings and Hand Tools-Ellis Paint-Hyd Hoses Made.

2016-05-31T19:38:51-07:00March 7th, 2014|

Ag Crime: Stolen Trailer Recovered

 

Ag Crime Assistance Requested:  The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit is looking for any information on a recovered, stolen trailer. The only markings on it appear to be hand stamped.antiCrime

Description: PJ Trailer, 2 Axle, had a “Trailer Barn” sticker on it, was stolen at least 3 years ago.

If you have any information on who it might belong to, please contact Officer Mark Ernstrom at: (805) 431-5529.

2016-05-31T19:38:55-07:00February 27th, 2014|

CRIME ALERT: Alfalfa Theft in Sutter County

CRIME ALERT: HAY STOLEN IN SUTTER COUNTY

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The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office received a report on 2-15-2014  regarding theft of hay. The reporting party said 80 bales of alfalfa hay were taken from the area near Oswald Road and Township Road between the date of 2-12-14 and 2-15-14.

 

There are no suspects or leads at this time.

 

Please contact the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department with information at (530) 822-7300.

 

2016-05-31T19:38:55-07:00February 25th, 2014|
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