NEWS & ISSUES

DWR Awards $187 Million to Improve Sustainable Groundwater Use and Storage Statewide

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded $187 million to 32 groundwater subbasins through the Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) Grant Program. The funding will support 103 individual projects that enhance groundwater monitoring, water use efficiency, groundwater recharge, recycled water and water quality.  “This water year has proved the importance of managing our groundwater to capture and store as much water as possible in our local communities to prepare for future weather extremes, while supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act,” said DWR Sustainable Groundwater Management Deputy Director Paul Gosselin. “We look forward to working with our local partners to make the necessary investments to better manage, capture and store groundwater for future generations.”  California is home to 515 groundwater basins, a critical component of the state’s water supply, and is heavily relied upon by communities, agriculture and the environment, especially during dry and drought years.  During the 2023 Water Year, DWR has determined an estimated 3.8 million acre-feet of water has been recharged; a clearer picture of the 2023 water year’s groundwater conditions will emerge after April 1, 2024, when annual reports are due from the local groundwater sustainability agencies to the State.  The grant awards are distributed throughout the State, but some regions that will benefit from this funding include:

  • In Merced County, the Merced Irrigation-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency will receive $3.4 million to execute two multi-benefit projects that fallow more than 1,300 acres of cropland, resulting in increased groundwater recharge, habitat enhancement and reduced flood risk for nearby underrepresented communities.
  • In San Benito County, San Benito County Water District will receive $11.5 million to expand and update the water treatment plant and construct five aquifer storage and recovery wells, as well as a conveyance pipeline for water. The project will help provide a resilient water supply for nearby underrepresented communities.
  • In Stanislaus County, Oakdale Irrigation District will receive $14.3 million to expand an existing recharge facility and increase storage by 600 percent. The project will benefit underrepresented communities in the area.
  • In Sutter County, Sutter County Development Services will receive $8.5 million for improved data collection and reporting while also financing a pilot program to support farmers with irrigation system upgrades and underrepresented communities.

These awards mark the second solicitation offered through the SGM Grant Program. In 2022, the program awarded $150 million during the first solicitation to 20 agencies responsible for managing critically over drafted groundwater basins throughout the state. Demand for groundwater project funding has been high with the SGM Grant Program receiving nearly $800 million in requests.

Association Presents on Indoor Heat Illness

In a special unprecedented presentation, Association President/CEO Roger Isom testified before the CalOSHA Standards Board on their proposed new standard “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment.” The presentation occurred last week during the CalOSHA Standards Board regular Board Meeting, but the presentation by the Association was the only item on the agenda and the Board allowed Isom 15 minutes to present the topic. As a reminder the proposed standard is triggered when indoor paces of employment hit 82 °F, and requires engineering controls to bring indoor temperatures to below 87 °F. This would apply to any cotton gin, nut huller or processor and any farm warehouse or shop building. The requirement to cool the buildings to below 87 °F is the primary issue and presents the biggest and most expensive challenge to meeting such a low target temperature.  Isom provided cost estimates from $1 million for a single building to $9.5 million for multiple buildings to install air conditioning, but also stated it would present operational issues with cotton gins and almond hullers as those operations require large volumes of air to either move products from point A to point B, or is used to pull hulls, shells, and dust from the conveyance of products. The proposed regulation states this is only required unless it is not feasible, but “feasible” is not defined.  The lack of a definition is what causes the most concern as it leaves it up to enforcement discretion and subjectivity. The Association emphasized the need to define “feasible” in the context of this regulation. No other presentation was provided and we will now have to wait and see what CalOSHA does with the proposed regulation in response.

Associations Join Forces to Tackle Sacramento

This past week the leadership of both the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) went to Sacramento for three days of regulatory and legislative issues.  The Associations’ Executive leadership and staff met with legislative and regulatory representatives on a multitude of critical issues including water rights legislation, FARMER funding, property and stock throughput insurance, the proposed indoor heat illness regulation, water quality fees, air quality legislation for the SJV, funding of water projects for medium and high priority area GSAs, port issues, and several other important topics.  The entourage met with legislators including Assemblyman David Alvarez (80th), Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (4th), Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (69th), Assemblyman Juan Carrillo (39th), Assemblyman Vince Fong (32nd), Assemblyman James Gallagher ( 3rd), Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (27th), Assemblyman Greg Wallis (47th), Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner (77th), and the staff of Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, and Senator Lena Gonzalez (33rd).  The group also met with Agency staff from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Director Katie Hagen, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and State Water Resources Control Board Member Dorene D’Adamo.  CCGGA was represented by Chairman Matt Toste, First Vice Chair Gary Martin, Second Vice Chair Adriane Carbonel and Secretary/Treasurer Jake Cauzza.  WAPA was represented by First Vice Chair Pat Andersen, Past Chairman Michael Kelley and Board Member John Rodriguez.  Association staff included President/CEO Roger Isom, Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez and Director of Technical Services Christopher McGlothlin. 

SCE Proposes Major Rate Increase in Next General Rate Case

Southern California Edison has proposed a 45% rate increase over already approved 2024 rates, which would generate another $3.9 billion in revenue for SCE.  This follows the proposed 46% increase in rates by PG&E by 2026.  With the state’s push to electrify everything how can businesses survive in this state?  The association will be working with the Ag Energy Consumers Association (AECA) on both of these important general rate cases (GRCs).  Association President/CEO Roger Isom is the President of the Board of AECA and Association Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez also sits on the AECA Board of Directors, so this will be a priority!

 

SCE 2025 GRC
  Revenue Requirement $ increase Total $ increase over 2024 rates % increase over 2024 rates
2024 $8.367B      
2025 $10.267B $1.9B  $1.9B 23% increase
2026 $10.985B $619M $2.5B 30% increase
2027 $11.549B $664M $3.2B 38% increase
2028 $12.253B $704M $3.9B 45% increase

Isom Named President of Ag One Foundation at CSU Fresno

This week, Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom was named President of the Ag One Foundation at California State University, Fresno.  In 1979, several faculty, alumni and friends of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State had a million-dollar idea — to start a foundation that would benefit, promote and support the college and its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 million in permanent funds. Today, the Ag One Foundation has raised more than $27 million in endowed funds which are invested with the Fresno State Foundation.  Over the years, donors, board members and volunteers have made it possible to award some 5,000 students with over $8.5 million in scholarships and program support. For the 2022-23 academic year, Ag One will provide more than $850,000 to deserving students and programs.  In response to the appointment Isom stated, “This is truly an honor and a privilege to be associated with such a dedicated board and team helping students in JCAST achieve their dreams and help agriculture remain viable for the next generations”.  This marks Isom’s 6th year on the Ag One Foundation’s Board of Directors.  Joining Isom as officers will be Vice President: Nick Biscay, Stanislaus Farm Supply; Treasurer: Fendley Ragland, PGIM Real Estate Agricultural Investments and Secretary: Jason Baldwin, Panoche Creek Packing.

Air Resources Board Approves Zero Emission Truck Replacement Rule

Over the last two days, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Board heard the final update to staff’s Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulation.  CARB Staff presented the final draft version of the rule, which is set to require businesses that dispatch or own 50 or more vehicles, or have $50 million or more in receipts, to begin replacing and upgrading their fleets with Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV’s) starting in 2025.  The Board heard from over 120 different commenters, and debated for more than two hours before motioning to approve the regulation.  It was approved unanimously by the Board, but with some additional emphasis being placed on impacts to industry. 

The Association’s Director of Technical Services, Chris McGlothlin, provided comments specifically identifying the current delays with utility interconnectivity.  Speaking on years long delays to connect well pumps, farm shops, even major processing facilities, McGlothlin emphasized that the utility companies are not ready for the manufactured demand for system upgrades that this rule creates.  Speaking after public comments were provided, several Board Members echoed those concerns in regard to interconnectivity, and directed staff to work with industry and various stakeholders to stay on top of direct needs on the infrastructure side.  Stay tuned for more updates!

Reclamation Bolsters Central Valley Project 2023 Water Supply Allocations

Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced it is increasing Central Valley Project 2023 water supply allocations for irrigation water service and repayment contractors. Both north- and south-of-Delta contractors are increased to 100% from 80%. All other CVP water supply allocations remain the same as noted in the March 28 announcement.  Current status of all CVP allocations are:

North-of-Delta Contractors

Sacramento River

  • Irrigation water service and repayment contractors north-of-Delta are allocated 100% of their contract supply.
  • Municipal and industrial water service and repayment contractors north-of-Delta are allocated 100% of their contract supply.
  • Sacramento River Settlement Contractors’ water supply is based upon settlement of claimed senior water rights. The 2023 water year is determined as non-critical, as defined in their Settlement Contracts, which allows for 100% of their contract supply.

American River

  • M&I water service and repayment contractors north-of-Delta who are serviced by Folsom Reservoir on the American River are allocated 100% of their contract supply.

In-Delta Contractors

  • M&I water service and repayment contractors who are serviced directly from the Delta are allocated 100% of their contract supply.

South-of-Delta Contractors

  • Irrigation water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta are allocated 100% of their contract total.
  • M&I water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta are allocated 100% of their contract supply
  • San Joaquin River Settlement Contractors and San Joaquin Exchange Contractors’ water supply is based upon settlement/exchange of claimed senior water rights. The 2023 water year is determined as non-critical, as defined in their contracts, which allows for 100% of their contract supply.

Eastside Water Contractors

  • Eastside water service contractors (Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District and Stockton East Water District) are allocated 100% of their contract total.

Wildlife Refuges

  • The 2023 water year is currently determined as non-critical, as defined in their contracts, which allows for 100% of contract supply for wildlife refuges (Level 2), both north- and south-of-Delta.

Friant Division Contractors

  • Friant Division contractors’ water supply is delivered from Millerton Reservoir on the upper San Joaquin River via the Madera and Friant-Kern canals. The first 800,000 acre-feet of available water supply is considered Class 1; Class 2 is considered the next amount of available water supply up to 1.4 million acre-feet. Given the current hydrologic conditions, the Friant Division water supply allocation is 100% of Class 1 and 70% of Class 2 (from the initial 20% allocation).

 

Cotton Growers – Spring UCCE Zoom Meeting Coming

A special cotton zoom meeting is coming on Friday, April 21st at 9:00 am.  This meeting will be conducted by UC Cooperative Extension and will feature topics on cotton management under the slow start, management of lygus, aphid and whitefly, as well as an update on the cotton seed bug.  We encourage all cotton growers to participate in this critical and informative meeting for the upcoming cotton season!  Here are the details:

 

Spring 2023 Cotton Zoom Meeting

Date/time: Friday, April 21st, 9:00-10:20 AM

Goal: present information and discuss current and likely issues with cotton management given conditions this year, as well as updates on arthropod pests and their management

Agenda

9:00-9:20. Cotton management and a slow start to the season. Bob Hutmacher, UC Davis, Dept. of Plant Sciences, retired.

9:20-9:40. Lygus management in California cotton. Ian Grettenberger, UC Davis, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology.

9:40-10:00. Aphid and whitefly management in cotton and update on coverage/efficacy research, Buddhi Achhami, UC Davis, Dept. of Entomology and Nematology.

10:00-10:15. Cotton seed bug update. Mark Hoddle, UC Riverside, Dept. of Entomology.

10:15-10:20. Final discussion and conclusion

 

Zoom information

Link: Join Zoom Meeting

https://ucdavis.zoom.us/j/93248697037?pwd=a2xCMlBrUnFjbGFZZDNBUllZUExXZz09

Meeting ID: 932 4869 7037

Passcode: 488512

 

Dial by your location**– WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE SLIDES/VISUALS (but possibly useful for audio issues)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 646 931 3860 US

Meeting ID: 932 4869 7037

Passcode: 488512

 

Dept. Of Interior Announces Nearly $585 Million to Repair Aging Water Infrastructure, Advance Drought Resilience

This week, the US Department of the Interior announced a nearly $585 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for infrastructure repairs on water delivery systems throughout the West. Funding will go to 83 projects in 11 states to improve water conveyance and storage, increase safety, improve hydro power generation and provide water treatment.  The projects selected for funding are found in all the major river basins and regions where Reclamation operates. Among the 83 projects selected for funding are efforts to increase canal capacity, provide water treatment for Tribes, replace equipment for hydropower production and provide necessary maintenance to aging project buildings. Projects will be funded in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington.  The projects identified for California’s Central Valley Project includes:

Central Valley Project –

  • $25 million for the Jones Pumping Plant Excitation Cabinet and Control Panel Refurbishment
  • $25 million for the Delta Mendota Canal Subsidence Correction Project
  • $22.2 million for the Friant Kern Canal Capacity Correction
  • $42.53 million for the San Luis Unit – Gianelli Pump-Generating Plan Unit 8 Motor Generator, Turbine and Butterfly Valve Replacement
  • $10 million for Nimbus Fish Hatchery Nursery Phase IV Modernization
  • $14.74 million for Shasta Dam Refurbishment Tube Valves
  • $10 million for Shasta Dam Temperature Control Device
  • $42.25 million for Trinity Division, Spring Creek Power Transformer Replacement
  • $65.9 million for Trinity River Fish Hatchery Building Modernization