Westlands Water District Lauds President Trump’s Commitment to Improving California Water

President Trump’s Executive Order regarding water resource in California ensures that the needs of the people of California, including family farmers and San Joaquin Valley communities, are duly and appropriately considered.

Westlands Water District thanks President Trump for his attention to California’s ongoing water crisis. The challenges that he highlights are real, and his leadership in addressing the barriers to water delivery are welcomed. It’s clear that what we’ve been doing for the past few decades has not been working; not for the people, for agriculture, or for the fish.

“We appreciate President Trump’s readiness to address these issues head-on and look forward to collaborating with federal and state partners to bring common sense back to the Food Basket of the United States,” remarked Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands.

2025-01-27T08:22:20-08:00January 27th, 2025|

Westlands Water District Elects Five Board Members

Westlands Water District (District) board certified the election for five members to the District’s Board of Directors. Directors William Bourdeau, Jeff Fortune, Frank Coelho, and Jim Anderson were reelected, and Ryan Ferguson rejoined the board as a newly-elected member. Each will serve a four-year term, alongside the current four members to complete the nine-member Board of Directors.

“The re-election of these highly qualified and experienced individuals reflects our grower’s commitment to continue the District’s legacy of leadership and innovation as we continue to navigate the important challenges and exciting opportunities ahead. The work before us is vital for the future of the hundreds of family farms and thousands of community members who rely on Westlands Water District. We are committed to rolling up our sleeves, collaborating closely, and making thoughtful, forward-looking decisions to ensure that the San Joaquin Valley can continue to feed the nation,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District.

The Westlands Water District Board of Directors is composed of nine members, each of whom is either a District landowner or designated legal representative of a landowner. The Board manages the District’s business and affairs.

Board Member Biographies

Willian Bourdeau: William Bourdeau is fourth-generation member of a family from the Westside of California’s San Joaquin Valley and the Founder and CEO of Bourdeau Farms based in Coalinga. Mr. Bourdeau also oversees operations across 25,000 acres in Coalinga, Sanger, and Lodi, helping to lead one of the Valley’s most agriculturally diverse companies in his role as Executive Vice President of Harris Farms.

Jeff Fortune: A UC Davis graduate, third-generation California farmer, and second-generation Westlands farmer, Jeff Fortune brings extensive hands-on farming experience to the District’s Board, where he has served as Board President since December 2022. A “boots on the ground” farmer, Mr. Fortune, along with his wife Mitzi, began farming in Westlands in 1978, currently cultivating tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios.

Frank Coelho: Alongside his family, Frank Coelho works as a third-generation farmer in the Five Points region of the District. Serving on the District’s Board since 1991, Mr. Coelho remains dedicated to supporting family farms like his own, where they cultivate a variety of crops including processing tomatoes, pistachios, wine grapes, almonds, cotton, garlic, and garbanzo beans.

Jim Anderson: A fifth-generation Westlands Water District farmer, Jim Anderson has proudly represented local farmers on the Board since 2013. Mr. Anderson and his wife Elizabeth grow a range of crops including garlic, wheat, almonds, and pistachios—adjusting as needed based on water availability.

Ryan Ferguson: Ryan Ferguson has farmed in Westlands Water District with his family for more than 20 years. Previously serving as Board President from April 2021 to December 2022, Mr. Ferguson helped lead the development and adoption of the District’s groundwater sustainability plan and the groundwater banking program. Mr. Ferguson and his father grow almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, onions and cotton on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in the District.

2024-12-02T09:15:06-08:00December 2nd, 2024|

Westlands Water District Secures $2M WaterSMART Grants for Conservation and Drought Resiliency

Westlands Water District (District) recently secured $2 million through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s WaterSMART Initiative (WSI). Awarded funds will be made available to District growers in the form of block grants, up to $450,000 per grower, to carry out water conservation and drought resiliency improvements, such as installing irrigation pipelines, micro-irrigation systems, reservoirs, and temporary diversion pumping plants.

“As the San Joaquin Valley continues to battle the impacts of an unreliable water supply, programs that provide access to grant funding, those like the WaterSMART Initiative, for the District’s family-owned farms are essential,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District is continually working to identify resources like the WaterSMART Initiative to assist our farmers. These resources allow our farmers to continue their hard work maximizing the beneficial use of every drop of water, through use of efficient and sustainable farming practices and substantial investment in modern irrigation technology.”

District farmers are encouraged to apply for WSI grants by contacting their local Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) office as soon as possible to determine eligibility and start an application. To be considered for a WSI block grant, willing and eligible growers must complete applications by the deadline: January 31, 2025.

Today’s announcement is in addition to the $1,808,326 in grant funding the District was awarded in August through the WaterSMART initiative to retrofit 1,603 manually read surface water meters with advanced automated metering devices. You can learn more about the WaterSMART Initiative by visiting the program website

2024-10-03T09:00:23-07:00October 3rd, 2024|

Westlands Water District Awarded $1,000,000 by the California Department of Water Resources

Courtesy of the Westlands Water District Public Affairs Department 

Grant will help implement projects to reduce flooding and facilitate groundwater recharge 

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) awarded Westlands Water District (District), a $1,000,000 grant as part of DWR’s Flood Diversion Recharge (FDRE) Initiative. This grant will assist the State’s efforts to reduce flooding by increasing flood flow diversion volumes to recharge areas and expand local capacity to divert future flood waters. These efforts in turn reduce downstream flood impacts and facilitate groundwater recharge.

“The District is committed to building a resilient water future for the San Joaquin Valley and our family farms,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District. “This grant will greatly assist us in clearing the way for flood diversion and support our ongoing groundwater recharge efforts as we navigate through climate-driven weather extremes and continued decline in reliable surface water supplies and work towards groundwater sustainability.”

The grant will support the removal of 450 acres of orchards from land recently acquired by the District. Located in an area of the District identified as subsidence-prone, adjacent to the San Luis Canal, the cleared land will reduce demand for groundwater near critical infrastructure, improve the availability of surface water and sustainable groundwater allocation(s), provide the District with increased recharge capabilities, and provide a site to temporarily retain diverted floodwater when needed. The subject land is part of 5,340 acres acquired since 2022, including the removal of 1,930 acres of orchards and vines, at a total investment of over $58,000,000.

Reducing groundwater demand, increasing surface water, and sustainable groundwater allocation(s) to other productive farmland, land repurposing, and groundwater recharge are all important measures identified in the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Diverting flood flows for groundwater recharge also protects downstream communities and infrastructure.

2024-08-14T09:10:02-07:00August 14th, 2024|

Westlands Water District Responds to Disappointing Central Valley Project Water Allocation Update

Courtesy of Westlands Water District 

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an update to water allocations for Central Valley Project (CVP) water users. The revised allocation for South of Delta agricultural contractors, including Westlands Water District (District), was updated with an increase of 5 percent from 35 to 40 percent of the total water contract –another incredibly disappointingly low allocation for District water users.  

 With the state’s reservoirs and snowpack at above-average levels and much of the state out of drought conditions, this meager increase in allocation continues to present unnecessary and unjustified hardships for the hard-working people of our District,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “Water from the Central Valley Project is the lifeblood of our farms and communities that rely on the crops they grow. If we can’t expect transparency in the process and a robust water allocation reflective of the hydrology during years when our reservoirs are full, then what can we expect for the future of our region?”  

 Since the initial allocation of 15 percent at the end of February, Westlands has noted several conditions that are incongruent with a water supply allocation lower than 50 percent. For instance, in comparison of conditions this year to 2018 where we had a 50 percent allocation, we are now seeing substantially more Delta outflow, better snowpack, and generally equivalent storage in upstream reservoirs. 

 To the best of our understanding, the allocation is being held below 50 percent for two reasons: uncertainty in hydrology and corresponding conservatism in water management; and anticipated operational constraints for the protection of fisheries in the Delta.  We look forward to working with Reclamation, consistent with requests made earlier this spring by congressional leaders, to appropriately balance risks to water supply. With regard to restrictions caused by fisheries concerns, Westlands continues to seek clarification and documentation for these decisions. At present, and based on available information, we believe the decisions will not result in a measurable effect on the populations of the species, despite their significant cost to water supply. We feel this is a missed opportunity to celebrate what appears to be a healthy population of fisheries and does not warrant the high cost or alarmist actions. 

 Perhaps most concerning to Westlands is that this current experience raises concerns for how the regulatory agencies will approach the promised improvements to transparency, science-based decisions, and adaptive management under the pending Biological Opinions and Voluntary Agreements. Westlands remains vigilant in the effort to improve collaborative water supply decision-making and the transparency and accountability for those decisions.  

 We remain hopeful that Reclamation will increase our water allocation so that the District can continue to meet California’s – and the nation’s – food supply and food security needs. 

2024-04-29T09:37:21-07:00April 29th, 2024|

Westlands Water District Achieves Ambitious Groundwater Recharge Goal

Courtesy of the Westlands Water District

Westlands Water District (District) has met its ambitious goal of recharging 200,000 acre feet of groundwater and is prepared to capture more.  With water still available for recharge, predictions of a wet “El Nino” for California, and strong enthusiasm from District farmers to prioritize groundwater recharge, Westlands has set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by the end of this water year on February 29, 2024.

“This outstanding achievement demonstrates the District’s dedication to ensuring a long-term water future in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s prime farmland,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “This year farmers and the District went from drought to abundance of water supply and quickly pivoted to capture as much water as possible. With over 434 projects approved and a handful more coming online in the next few weeks, the District is in a great position to take advantage or another wet year.”

With increased surface water supply from this past wet winter, Westlands set a goal of recharging 200,000 af of groundwater back into District aquifers. Due to the strong commitment from landowners to implement climate-resilient farming practices and build a sustainable water future, Westlands achieved this ambitious goal early and set a new target of recharging 275,000 af of groundwater by February 29, 2024. Westlands recognizes and appreciates the efforts of dozens of family farms that contributed to achieving our goal and the additional farms coming online soon.

“Farmers in Westlands cautiously recognize that the next drought is only a matter of time and the District’s robust recharge projects will provide a lifeline to hundreds of family-owned farms during periods of prolonged drought,” said Jeff Fortune, Board President. “Updating our target after hitting our goal demonstrates that our farmers’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond rhetoric. We are ‘all-in’ for building a more sustainable water future for the San Joaquin Valley.”

In addition to investing in District projects, since 2019 Westlands has been working with District landowners to establish and invest in on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of using abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers. To date, over 434 recharge projects have been processed and over 285 projects recharged thus far.

With predictions signaling the potential for another wet winter, the District will continue to prioritize groundwater recharge efforts but has also adjusted schedules for select infrastructure projects to ensure efficient water delivery to landowners. While mother nature is unpredictable, the District is doing what it can to be ready for another wet winter.

2023-11-21T15:07:36-08:00November 21st, 2023|

Westlands Water District Shows Groundwater Recharge Success

By Elizabeth Jonasson

Today, Westlands Water District (District) released new data on the District’s groundwater recharge efforts. Since 2019, the District has been working with District landowners to establish on-farm recharge projects, with the goal of taking advantage of abundant water supply (when available) to improve groundwater levels in the lower and upper aquifers.

 

Sustainability is at the core of the District’s comprehensive water delivery system and groundwater recharge is a key strategy to both store and preserve water for future dry years or droughts and improve groundwater conditions in the subbasin. The District is committed to ensuring a sustainable water future by investing in recharge projects and encouraging landowners to explore and implement creative approaches that maximize water use efficiency and storage while improving climate resilience.

 

“We recognize the next drought is not if but when and it is critical we use extra water to prepare for future years when water may be sparse,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District’s groundwater recharge efforts will help ensure we meet our Groundwater Sustainability Plan objectives while allowing our farmers the opportunity to save water and plan next year’s crop.”

 

The District is currently offering three groundwater recharge programs to help landowners refill and replenish the aquifers in the District. Project types include percolation basins, flood irrigation, sublateral recharge, and dry well injection. The District is seeing strong enthusiasm and interest from landowners as new applications continue to be submitted.

With increased surface water supply this year, the District has been able to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare for the future. In May 2023 alone, recharge efforts resulted in 24,000 acre-feet (af) being stored. Water year to date, (March 1st through June 20th) the District has recharged approximately 60,000 af. The District is aiming to get to over 200,000 af of total recharge by the end of this water year (February 29,2024).

Additional recharge projects will be online in the coming months as the District has processed 273 applications for 61 Aquifer Storage and Recovery, 131 flood Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) projects, 77 percolation basins and 4 sublateral projects.

District recharge projects and in-lieu recharge (also known as foregone pumping) have had a positive impact on groundwater levels. In May 2023, groundwater elevation levels in the Lower Aquifer registered at –54 mean sea level, which is an increase of 40 feet compared to average groundwater elevation in the fall of 2022. Though these results have been encouraging, there is more work that needs to be done for a water-secure California.

“Strengthening water security in California isn’t something that can be done by just one water district, one water agency, or even one region,” Febbo added. “This is a statewide problem where we need to prioritize collaboration and develop multifaceted solutions to address California’s water crisis. That’s why we are committed to exploring and implementing creative approaches to maximize water use efficiency and storage and improve climate resilience.”

To learn more about the District’s recharge efforts see our groundwater recharge factsheet.

2023-06-20T15:31:10-07:00June 20th, 2023|

Westlands Water District & Partners Awarded Grant from California Department of Conservation for Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program

By Elizabeth Jonasson

Today, the California Department of Conservation (Department of Conservation) announced that Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Westlands GSA) was awarded a grant through the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP). The Westlands GSA serves as a Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the Westside Subbasin (Subbasin), a critically over-drafted basin in Fresno and Kings Counties. As part of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s goals to mitigate and improve groundwater overdraft, the MLRP program aims to repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while ensuring the voices and needs of marginalized communities are included in the process.

 

Recognizing the importance of finding ways to repurpose agricultural land that maximizes community benefits and minimizes the impacts of a reduction in economic activity, Westlands GSA partnered with Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Linguistica Interpreting and Translation, CivicWell, the Leap Institute, and Vista Consulting. These organizations are well-versed and experienced in community empowerment, job training, outreach and education, habitat restoration, and project organization for this effort and will help to support the program’s goals of achieving equitable groundwater sustainability.

 

“Choosing to partner with local Community Benefit Organizations and agencies who have directly served the community throughout the years speaks volumes about the intent to prioritize meaningful community participation and input.” Reyna Rodriguez, Owner, Linguistica Interpreting and Translation 

 

Alongside these trusted community partners, over the next 3.5 years, Westlands GSA will bring together broad community voices to develop and commence implementation of a multi-benefit land repurposing plan while simultaneously mitigating the effects of agricultural job loss through job training.

 

“Investing in priority populations on the west side of the Valley is critical in the advancement of climate resiliency and equity. The opportunity to train and certify local farmworkers, under-employed and unemployed residents will create jobs, save homeowners money, reduce greenhouse gasses, sequester carbon, and empower the local economy,” said Mayor Rey Leon, City of Huron, and Chief Executive Officer, The Leap Institute.  

The program will assist the Westlands GSA to identify and put into practice long-term opportunities to repurpose agricultural lands, cut groundwater use, reduce subsidence, improve groundwater supply, avoid undesirable results as defined by the Westside Groundwater Sustainability Plan, and provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.

“Westlands has a long history of repurposing land through our solar developments to ambitious groundwater recharge programs and this grant gives us the opportunity to build upon those efforts and develop and implement a Subbasin-wide land repurposing program while helping improve the quality of life for those who live in the impacted communities,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “We look forward to rolling up our sleeves with our partners to develop a comprehensive resident-informed plan to improve communities, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits.”

2023-06-16T14:11:09-07:00June 16th, 2023|

Westlands Water District Encourages Growers to Apply for Phase 2 of LandFlex Grant Funding

By Elizabeth Jonasson

Today, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) grower application enrollment period for Phase 2 of the LandFlex Program (LandFlex) will officially reopen at 5 pm. Westlands Water District Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Westside Subbasin is one of 4 GSAs eligible for this second phase of funding. Growers will have access to approximately $10 million in grant funding and be incentivized to limit agricultural groundwater use near domestic wells.

“As the San Joaquin Valley continues to battle the impacts of the recent prolonged drought, we are grateful to provide farmers in Westlands access to grant funding through the LandFlex program,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “The District will continue to prioritize identifying resources like the LandFlex program so that our farmers can transition their land in the face of an uncertain water future.”

Block grant funding through LandFlex will be made available to growers with a 3-year average Adjusted Gross Income of $2.5 million or less, for each enrolled acre up to 40 acres or 25% of their total acreage, whichever is greater. LandFlex funding must be used for the following actions:

  • Provide immediate drought relief by fallowing land for a 12-month period (note: recharge activities are allowed on fallowed land in lieu of cover crops)
  • Permanently retire any current and future groundwater overdraft on enrolled acreage
  • Land use transition of enrolled acreage (e.g., orchard or row crop removal and planting of cover crops)

To be considered for block grant funding through LandFlex, willing and eligible growers must apply through the Grower Application Portal at landflex.org/apply by the deadline:  June 28, 2023 at 5 pm.

A priority for scoring applications will be based on land proximity to domestic wells that have gone dry or are in jeopardy of going dry, within the Subsidence Prone Area or approved recharge projects. Overall process for growers submitting applications in Phase 2 and receiving grant awards:

  1. LandFlex Grower Portal opens June 14, 2023 at 5pm
  2. All grower applications will be submitted through landflex.org/apply
  3. DWR, Technical Assistance Providers and the GSAs will score applications and determine distribution of awards.

You can learn more about LandFlex by visiting:  https://water.ca.gov/landflex or https://landflex.org.

2023-06-15T08:09:46-07:00June 15th, 2023|

Westlands Water District Celebrates 100% Water Allocation from the Central Valley Project

Today, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an increase in water allocations for the Central Valley Project (CVP). Last month, Reclamation increased the CVP allocation to 80% for contractors like Westlands Water District (Westlands) following an initial allocation of 35% of the water entitled to under contract. Today’s announcement brings the total up to 100% for the first time since 2017.  

  

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

 

“We are exceedingly grateful to Reclamation, and its dedicated and hard-working staff, for the increased water allocation. Following two years of 0% allocations, this announcement will provide much needed water to support the District’s communities, family-owned farms, and hard-working families in the San Joaquin Valley. This water supply will assist growers in Westlands with putting the land to work to grow the food that feeds the world.” 

 

Mr. Gutierrez noted further: 

 

“At the same time, we must recognize the need to continue preparing for the next drought and future dry years.  For that reason, Westlands  is investing in a sustainable water future for our farmers.  Westlands is exploring and implementing creative approaches to maximize water use efficiency, recharge and storage and improve climate resilience.”  

 

Seizing the opportunity that this year’s hydrology has presented, Westlands has supported its landowners’ efforts to use available water to recharge the Westside Subbasin.  To date, District landowners have the capability of recharging up to 3,300 acre feet of water per day. And, groundwater recharge is expected to increase over the coming weeks as both more projects become operational and water becomes available.  

 

This year demonstrates the need to continue the investment in California’s water infrastructure and to refine environmental regulations, so that California is able to capture, transport, and store as much water as possible during wet periods to avoid drastic cuts during dry periods.  As climate continues to change, we must remain steadfast in investing in a more predictable and reliable water supply system for our environment, residents, farms and communities. 

2023-04-24T09:58:15-07:00April 24th, 2023|
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