Property taxes could pay for $25 billion Delta tunnels without public vote [San Jose Mercury News]
Major
water districts in California are quietly considering using property taxes --
and possibly raising them without a vote of the public -- to help fund Gov.
Jerry Brown's $25 billion plan to build two massive tunnels through the
Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Most property tax hikes require a
two-thirds vote, as required under California's landmark Proposition 13, which
voters passed in 1978. But the water agencies contend they are not bound by
that requirement. They say they were given the authority to raise property
taxes to pay for the State Water Project, a vast system of dams and canals, in
both a 1959 law and a year later in a statewide ballot measure. And those
predate Proposition 13….Until now, it had been assumed that water agencies
supporting the tunnels project would be raising water rates to pay for the
tunnels. As word has trickled out about the property tax strategy, anti-tax
activists, environmental groups and even other water agencies are raising
concerns.
State,
feds unveil Central Valley salmon restoration plans [Sacramento Bee]
State
and federal wildlife agencies Tuesday unveiled ambitious plans to restore
endangered salmon and steelhead fish in California’s Central Valley, including
returning them to some habitats where they were shut out decades ago by dams
and other development. Although the two plans differ somewhat, officials said
they both aim to prevent extinction of three species: endangered Sacramento
River winter-run Chinook salmon, threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook
salmon, and threatened Central Valley steelhead….The plan is required by the
Endangered Species Act, but it does not impose any new restrictions on property
owners, water users or businesses. The California Department of Fish and
Wildlife simultaneously released an ecosystem restoration program, which is
intended to guide Central Valley restoration activities for all species – not
just salmon and steelhead – over the next 15 years.
Groundwater
study sessions to continue for county supes [Visalia Times-Delta]
It
was the county’s water experts educating the Tulare County supervisors Tuesday
afternoon during a groundwater study session. From water commissioners to
farmers, those who work closest with one of the county’s most precious
resources, spoke to supervisors for about 90 minutes about how to best modify
Tulare County ordinances related to groundwater. “We know we’re going to get
substantial pressure to address groundwater issues in our county, quite frankly
we do not have the expertise sitting on this dais as is sitting in the audience,”
said Supervisor Allen Ishida…. Ishida said the county wants to avoid unintended
consequences that happens when ordinances or laws are passed without really
thinking them through. Items discussed were updates to the well ordinance to
ensure water quality is protected, developing a “groundwater exportation”
ordinance and proposing a plan to effectively manage groundwater supply and
quality.
Search
for citrus psyllids starts in Fresno [Visalia Times-Delta]
The
fight against the potential spread of a bacteria deadly to citrus trees has
taken to the streets of the South Valley. But even though Asian citrus psyllids
have been found in various parts of Tulare County, a team of seven California
Department of Food and Agriculture employees has begun its search for the
insects and infected trees in Fresno County — where no psyllids have been
found….Yet so far, the CDFA teams have focused on checking properties in urban
residential areas in Fresno County. On Tuesday, for example, they were knocking
on doors in neighborhoods south of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport to
east Church Avenue. When asked why the search is starting there, Steve Lyle, a
CDFA spokesman, said the 153 square miles of neighborhoods that the team has
focused on so far is considered a higher-risk area based on a risk-assessment
model created by a U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher.
Planning
Commission forwards North County solar project [Santa Maria Times]
The
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended a number of
amendments to area policies to accommodate the proposed Cuyama Solar
Project….The amendments would allow Cuyama Solar to develop up to 600 acres of
utility-scale solar production in the rural areas of the Cuyama Valley using
Agriculture II land, which is specified for agricultural use. To make room,
four parcels would be rezoned. The 327 acres being purchased from Bolthouse
Farms would also receive an overlay, allowing the proposed large-scale solar
energy production….The commission also supported canceling a Williamson Act
contract that currently reserves 1,529 acres in the Cuyama Valley specifically
for agricultural purposes in exchange for large property tax rebates….“Bolthouse
considers this project to be an agricultural support facility," said land
use attorney Susan Petrovich, speaking for Bolthouse.
Commentary: Count the votes at
Gerawan [Fresno Bee]
Silvia
Lopez is a farmworker who has been disenfranchised. She is being forced to join
— and pay tribute to — an organization against her will…. And what had the UFW
done for the workers to deserve their money? Nothing. So it's no surprise that Silvia
does not want the union. She and her co-workers have received
above-industry-average pay without the union's help.…The union doesn't care. It
wants Silvia's money. And the ALRB wants to help its union buddies. First the
board refused to allow a decertification election. Now an election has been
held. But the board refuses to count the votes.
Ag
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