Dairy
waste's impact on groundwater focus of court ruling [Fresno Bee]
A
Sacramento appeals court this week rejected part of the state's rules for
protecting underground water from tons of dairy cow waste suspected of fouling
some drinking water in the San Joaquin Valley. Activists who filed the lawsuit
years ago say the victory will help set up a better system to protect rural
residents from the waste of 1.6 million cows in the Valley -- the largest dairy
region in the nation.…The case has been sent back to a lower court, which is
expected to require more detailed monitoring of 1,600 dairies. The state agency
responsible for the monitoring is the Central Valley Regional Water Quality
Control Board. The Board on Thursday defended its rules as "a practical
suite of solutions to protect groundwater from manure and other wastes."
The requirements include strictly tracking dairy wastes and managing the waste
piles and ponds.…No immediate costs or impacts are expected for dairy owners
while the court process continues.
Local
growers battling labor shortage [Santa Maria Times]
Vineyard
managers, strawberry farmers and other row-crop growers in northern Santa
Barbara County are reporting a significant labor shortage this harvest season.
In fact, despite high unemployment figures nationally and locally, growers have
been struggling since the beginning of the year to get enough labor to plant
and harvest their crops….Bob Campbell of Campbell Ranch in Lompoc, who farms
broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce, has literally left crops in the field
because he cannot find enough workers for harvesting….In addition to leaving
crops in the fields, growers have had to increase labor pay rates….Growers
interviewed emphasize that they are not looking for undocumented workers; they
say all of their workers are documented and pay payroll and income taxes.
Campbell is hoping that, regardless of politics, the federal government will
recognize a need for a guest worker visa.
Water
agency challenges Yuba River dam ruling [Sacramento Bee]
The
Yuba County Water Agency is challenging new federal rules that require two dams
on the Yuba River to be modified for salmon passage. The agency on Wednesday
submitted a 60-day notice of intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries
Service, citing potential harm to water supplies, water quality and flood
control. The agency delivers Yuba River water to irrigate 85,000 acres of
farmland. The notice is required under the Endangered Species Act before filing
a lawsuit. Water agency officials said they hope the notice leads to a
compromise that avoids court action.
Balance
in Calif. Assembly hangs on 2 tight races [Associated Press]
With
the balance of power in the California Assembly at stake, both political
parties were watching just two tight legislative contests that will determine
if Democrats win uncontested power to raise taxes without Republican votes. The
state Assembly appeared poised to gain a two-thirds majority for Democrats,
which would give the state's majority party complete dominance from the
governor on down, including the ability to raise taxes unilaterally. Democrats
already won a Senate supermajority in Tuesday's election. However, Republicans
held out hope that Assemblyman Chris Norby might keep his seat in north-central
Orange County's 65th Assembly District.…The GOP says Republican Pedro Rios also
could prevail in the Central Valley's 32nd Assembly District.…Assembly Speaker
John Perez, D-Los Angeles, said he is confident Democrats will win both seats.
That would give them 54 seats, a bare two-thirds majority in the 80-member
Assembly.
Study
investigates consequences of cutting tax breaks [Half Moon Bay Review]
Not
only would California farmers’ pocketbooks hurt as a result of budget cuts that
affect the Williamson Act. Sensitive land could suffer as well….The Williamson
Act has been in effect since 1965, but waning state support in recent years has
left counties to their own devices to offer incentives to participating
landowners. San Mateo County, which has about 500 parcels of land under
Williamson Act contracts, got its last check from the state in 2006. That
$57,909 was issued to offset tax losses to the county resulting from the
act….San Mateo County officials have not applied for funds from the state since
then, as planners work to confirm which parcels are in fact compliant with
Williamson Act requirements. So far, the county has spent more than $140,000 on
the process. For their part, members of the farming and ranching community
think preserving the Williamson Act is worth the expense. “It’s critical to our
farming infrastructure and supporting our agricultural community,” said Fred
Crowder, San Mateo County agricultural commissioner.
Salinas
Valley organic fertilizer maker gets year in prison [Monterey County Herald]
A
former Salinas Valley fertilizer maker will spend nearly a year in federal
prison for selling bogus product to organic farmers. Peter Townsley, 50, a
Canadian resident, operated California Liquid Fertilizer in Gonzales between
2000 and 2006. At one time, the company was selling about one-third of the
organic fertilizer in the state. Government prosecutors charged that Townsley
adulterated his Biolizer XN fertilizer — which contained fish, fish
by-products, feathermeal and water — with ammonium chloride and ammonium
sulfate, ingredients banned in organic fertilizer.
Ag
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