Federal Judge Dale A. Drozd temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's efforts to send more water to Central Valley growers on Monday. Drozd issued a preliminary injunction in two lawsuits brought against the administration by California’s Natural Resources Agency and Environmental Protection Agency and a half-dozen environmental groups. Federal Pumping Can't...
Why State Water Contractors Sued Over Restrictions on Water Deliveries
For more than a decade, the State Water Contractors have heavily invested in scientific research to learn more about the Bay-Delta ecosystem and the endangered species that call it home. Much of this investment worked to resolve lingering questions surrounding permits issued in 2008 and 2009 for the long-term operation...
Westlands Says 15% Water Allocation Is 'Good News' in Dry Year
Despite President Donald Trump's highly publicized signing of a memo last week directing more water to San Joaquin Valley farmers, the Bureau of Reclamation's initial allocations announced Tuesday more closely reflected the below-normal Sierra snowpack and scant winter rain. Farmers in the Friant Division will receive 20% of their Central...
Sen. Feinstein Urges Newsom-Trump Teamwork on California Water
Sen. Dianne Feinstein waded into California's water wars as a peacemaker Thursday morning. Listen to this article: In a letter, the six-term Democrat urged Gov. Gavin Newsom and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to work together to develop consistent standards for water projects in California. Potential for Conflicting Rules "I urge...
California Will Sue Feds over State Water Project Rules
SACRAMENTO — California officials said Thursday they will sue the federal government over proposed rules managing the state’s scarce water, arguing its conclusions are not scientifically adequate and fall short of protecting species and the state’s interests. The state, which has historically relied on the federal government to set rules,...
State Thanks 'Robust' Storms for Higher Water Allocation
Citing the winter's "robust" storms and resulting above-average snowpack, California's Department of Water Resources announced Thursday it will slightly raise the allocation for the State Water Project. The increase from 70% to 75% is the final allocation level for the calendar year, and marks a dramatic increase since the water...
West-Side Water Ticks Up to 65% of Allocation. Is It Too Little, Too Late?
The heavy rains and snow falling on California this year are enabling the Bureau of Reclamation to boost water deliveries to growers on the west side of Fresno County. The Bureau of Reclamation announced Wednesday that it will supply South-of-Delta growers with 65% of their contracted water total. "This has...
Did Reclamation Do Right by Westlands With 55% Allocation?
There is good news from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for Westlands Water District growers. The Bureau has increased this year's water allocation to district farmers from the 35% announced last month to 55%. But, according to the district, the news should have been better considering California's snowpack and rainfall...
West Side Gets 35%, Friant 100%, Salmon 100% of Water Allocation
West-side farmers in Fresno County will receive a 35% water allocation from the Central Valley Project, the Bureau of Reclamation announced Wednesday. Other districts served by the federal water project, however, will receive allocations ranging from 70% to 100%. Friant Division farmers are among those receiving 100% allocations. In addition,...
Breaking News: Water Allocation for Friant Contractors Doubles to 60%
The recent storms have delivered good news for Valley growers. The Bureau of Reclamation today provided an initial allocation to some Central Valley Project contractors and increased the allocation to Friant Division contractors for the 2018 contract year. Friant Division Class 1 water allocation has been increased to 60% — up...