California orders thousands of Sacramento Valley water users to stop pumping from streams [Sacramento Bee]
California
has ordered more than 2,600 water agencies and users in the Sacramento Valley
to stop pumping water from streams, a drastic response to the ongoing drought
that hasn’t occurred since 1977. The curtailment notice was imposed by the
State Water Resources Control Board late Wednesday. It affects 2,648 water
agencies, farms, cities and other property owners with so-called “junior” water
rights, or those issued by the state after 1914, in the Sacramento River and
its tributaries….“There’s no question there are going to be some areas in the
Sacramento Valley that are going to suffer without water this year,” said David
Guy, president of the Northern California Water Association, which represents
many Sacramento Valley property owners and irrigation districts, including some
affected by the order.
State halts some
water diversions on upper Russian River [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
State
authorities Thursday began notifying hundreds of water rights holders on the
upper Russian River to stop diverting water from the drought-stricken watershed
because there isn't enough supply to go around. The unprecedented step affects
652 water rights issued after Feb. 19, 1954, held by dozens of growers and
local water agencies, some of which rely on the river for their main supply.
Many have other sources, however, that could help protect them through the dry
season.
California bill on
genetically modified food labels fails in Senate [Los Angeles Times]
A
bill that would have required labeling on food that contains genetically
modified organisms fell short of the votes needed to stay alive in the state
Senate on Thursday. "It’s just about information and consumer
choice," said Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), who introduced SB 1381.
However, the vote on the bill was 19-16, two votes short of the majority needed
for passage, after some Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the
measure….The failure of the bill disappointed consumer and environmental groups
that had backed the measure….But the Senate action was welcomed by Cynthia
Cory, director of environmental affairs for the California Farm Bureau
Federation. "We're pleased the Senate did not fall for the proponents'
scare tactics and that they rejected this unnecessary, misleading and costly
bill that would increase food costs for consumers," Cory said.
Government files
brief opposing Drakes Bay appeal to U.S. Supreme Court [Marin Independent
Journal]
U.S.
Department of the Interior attorneys have filed a brief opposing the Drakes Bay
Oyster Co. fight to stay open by appealing to the nation's high court. Kevin
Lunny, owner of Drakes Bay Oyster Co., is seeking to have a decision by the 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. His appeal
last month to the high court is the latest — and possibly last — legal maneuver
as the oyster farm attempts to remain open in the face of a federal government
order to shut down.
Monsanto confirms
security breach [Wall Street Journal]
Monsanto
Co. confirmed Thursday that a security breach in one of the seed company's
servers left exposed some customer credit-card information and Monsanto
employee data. The breach occurred in late March, affecting about 1,300 farmers
who are customers of Monsanto's Precision Planting division, which makes
specialized seed-planting equipment, according to a spokeswoman. One or more
external parties hacked into the server, she said, adding that a company
investigation suggests they weren't seeking to take customer data….The American
Farm Bureau Federation is hosting a series of discussions with seed companies
like Monsanto and DuPont Co. DD +0.29% , as well as equipment manufacturers, to
determine the best way to manage the flow of farmers' data.
Editorial: Dean must lead UC Davis ag school onto world climate
change stage [Sacramento Bee]
As
Helene Dillard wraps up the first four months as dean of UC Davis’ College of
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, she must realize how rare an
opportunity she has as head of the top agriculture school. With climate change
reshaping the world, ag sciences haven’t been at the apex of the public’s
interest since the Dust Bowl era. For the sake of the university, the students
and faculty, the region and state, Dillard must seize the moment to push UC
Davis, and its science-based solutions, onto the world stage to participate in
the public policy debate. Dillard, who visited The Sacramento Bee’s editorial
board with UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, outlined her goals for
expanding the agriculture school’s influence. She also talked about what’s
she’s been doing to reacquaint herself with California and its agricultural
landscape.
Ag
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