Brown seeks to reduce environmental protections for bullet train [Los Angeles Times]
With legal challenges to the California bullet train mounting, Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday began circulating proposed legislation designed to significantly diminish the possibility that opponents could stop the project with an environmental lawsuit….The legislation would most immediately affect suits brought by Central Valley agricultural interests, which have been among the project's leading critics because of potential effects on farms, dairies, processing plants and other holdings. Brown's proposal would modify the California Environmental Quality Act solely for the bullet train project. It would "prohibit a court" from issuing an injunction or other stop work orders unless those filing the lawsuit show their damages substantially outweigh the harm to the state and those employed by the $6-billion initial phase of the project.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0605-bullet-exemption-20120605,0,5671705.story
Farmers mull MID water rate hike as sale alternative [Modesto Bee]
You don't hear this often: Some farmers in the Modesto Irrigation District might accept increases in their water rates. But they see doing so as an alternative to the MID's proposal to sell water to San Francisco. The size of the increases has not been determined, but these farmers say they are willing to pay for at least some of the canal system upgrades that the proposed San Francisco sales are designed to fund.
http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/04/2228231/farmers-mull-mid-water-rate-hike.html
Grapevine quarantine partially lifted [Associated Press]
Two years of testing and trapping have shown that an invasive species that led to vineyard quarantines across Northern California and threatened the state's wine industry has been eradicated in four of the affected counties, federal officials say. The European grapevine moth managed to destroy an entire Napa County vineyard's crop at peak harvest time before anyone recognized the new invader in September 2009. Detection of the moth - one of the grape industry's most feared pests - triggered an aggressive state and federal eradication campaign to keep it from taking hold….Recent testing found that the bug was no longer present in Fresno, Mendocino, Merced and San Joaquin counties. That means that the quarantines in those areas can be lifted, although quarantines remain in effect in Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Nevada counties, the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to announce Tuesday.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/04/4538049/apnewsbreak-grapevine-quarantine.html#storylink=misearch
Federal wildlife officials collect spotted owl comments [Redding Record Searchlight]
Diane Richards was ready to chew out some public officials Monday. There were plenty on hand at the Redding Convention Center, where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held a public information session about a proposal to expand critical habitat for the northern spotted owl. The Hayfork resident thinks federal officials are going in the wrong direction in their effort to assist in the survival of the spotted owl, which is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. And she told them so. "Their policy now is to let it burn, and that is killing off many nesting pairs," Richards said, referring to just one forest management policy she says is not good for the survival of the owls.
http://www.redding.com/news/2012/jun/04/federal-forest-officials-collect-spotted-owl/
Imperial Valley agriculture couple dies in fire [Imperial Valley Press]
Those who spoke of John “Jack” and Pauline McConnell said the two were not only active in agriculture and the county fair, but they cared….Jack, 89, and Pauline, 87, died after a fire engulfed their house about 5:15 a.m. Monday on McConnell Road between El Centro and Holtville, said Imperial County Deputy Coroner Jesus Lara….Jack served on the Farm Bureau board for well over 50 years, and was a sitting director on the board when he died, said Farm Bureau Executive Director Linsey Dale….More than just farming, though, the couple worked to promote Imperial Valley agriculture, and both were very involved throughout their lives, she said. They played an important part in starting the Farm Bureau barbecue to raise scholarship funds, and they hosted farmers who came to the Imperial Valley from other countries to learn about agriculture here.
Commentary: Sharper laws needed to halt ag metal theft problem [Modesto Bee]
…Whether you're a farmer whose livelihood and property is directly threatened by metal thieves or a consumer paying higher prices for produce and other goods, this problem impacts us all. Seven bills addressing metal theft have been introduced during this legislative session, and we will have more hearings in the months ahead. We already know that we need to empower our local law enforcement to put these criminals away and stop the revolving door that puts them right back out on the street. At the same time, we also need to work with our farmers and the recycling industry to find new ways of preventing metal theft crimes. This will remain a priority for me and the Senate Agriculture Committee this year. I will continue to look at new legislative solutions that build upon current law. The risks of not doing so are too great.
http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/04/2228053/sharper-laws-needed-to-halt-ag.html
Ag Today is distributed to county Farm Bureaus, CFBF directors and CFBF staff, for information purposes, by the CFBF Communications/News Division, 916-561-5550; news@cfbf.com. Some story links may require site registration. To be removed from this mailing list, reply to this message and please provide your name and e-mail address.
No comments:
Post a Comment