California farmers are facing the third year of a drought and federal pumping restrictions that have left many farmlands unworkable. So, when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger went around the state to discuss the new legislative package intended to solve California water issues, the governor would appear alongside a struggling farmer to put a face on the crisis.However, as Samantha Young reports for the Associated Press, the farmers may have been just window dressing for the various water bills the governor has signed into law. “[A]gricultural relief from the bills signed into law by Schwarzenegger will not be immediate, meaning the state that grows half the nation’s fruit, vegetables and nuts will face a repeat of this year’s tough times unless the winter brings epic rain and snowfall.” Given all the weather problems this year that have hit the nation’s producers hard, wishing for better weather to help their plight might just be that for farmers—a wish.
The farmers will carry on though, as best they can. The bill's reforms likely won’t yield noticeable results for several years, “and the projects funded through an $11.1 billion water bond are far from getting started—and that’s assuming voters pass the spending measure in November 2010.” While November of next year seems a long way off, California is under immense budget stress that will likely still be an issue a year from now. So the question arises as to whether or not California voters will be willing to spend the money on the water projects? ‘“We’ll be all gone by the time it gets implemented. . . If we have another drought year, we’re toast. Forget it, we’re done, ”’ said Central Valley farmer Bill Koster.
As a result of the drought, 500,000 acres in California’s Central Valley went unplanted. Further complicating the situation are “federal orders to reduce pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as a way to protect native fish.”
“If passed by voters, the bond part of the legislative water package could lead to the construction of two dams, with some of the water in the new reservoirs destined for farms. It also would launch a major restoration project for the delta, the largest since rescue efforts for the Florida Everglades started in 2000.Policy changes included in other bills mandate statewide conservation for cities, require local water districts to monitor groundwater levels, and change how California manages the delta, the largest estuary on the West Coast and the conduit through which water for two-thirds of the state passes.”Those in favor of the legislation are hopeful it will update the old state water policies while creating a stable water supply to farmers. Though some farmers don’t understand why it took this long for the government to act, particularly since the jobless rate in the Central Valley, where so many workers are employed in agricultural production, is above 15 percent.
Not all farmers like the new legislation either. Farmers in Northern California oppose the provisions that '“will impose expenses for monitoring their groundwater.' Delta farmers complained that a new stewardship council has been equipped to approve a controversial canal that would siphon fresh water around the delta and send more of it to Southern California cities and Central Valley farms. Their main worry is that the water left in the delta will be too salty to irrigate their crops.”
The governor acknowledges many of the projects in the bond will take years to be operational, and in fact, very little of the bond money will be available in the early years. Meanwhile, the governor said his administration is working with Ken Salazar, US Interior Secretary, on ways to get some water going to the state’s struggling farms.
On the federal end, Reps. Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa, both representing the Central Valley, have been working with the Obama administration to express the need for the administration "to take action to address California's Central Valley water crisis [,]" according to a press release from Rep. Cardoza's office. The representatives have also shared with the administration a list of projects that could improve the water situation in the Central Valley.
Additionally, Reps. Cardoza and Costa, along with Rep. Radanovich (CA) have introduced bi-partisan legislation that calls, "for a review of the federal biological opinions that have significantly reduced the amount of water flowing to San Joaquin Valley farmers."
While the bond may ultimately reform California’s water system to prevent future problems, many farmers are wondering if they can hang on through another dry year since the bond won’t be voted on until next year, and again, there is no guarantee it will pass.
To read the Associated Press story on California’s water issues click here.
To read a copy of the bill introduced by the California representatives click here.
To read a press release from Rep. Cardoza on federal efforts to deal with the water situation click here.
Posted:11/13/09
