Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
August 24, 2007
5. Agencies, Programs, People
LEVEE ISSUES:
Madera Levees Failed State and Federal Inspections - ABC Channel 30 (Central Valley )
CAST FOR KIDS EVENT AT OROVILLE:
Column: CAST for Kids event scheduled at
OBITUARY:
Delta ag champion Bill Salmon dies - Stockton Record
LEVEE ISSUES:
Madera
ABC Channel 30 (
By Sara Sandrik
A break in the Berenda Slough last spring left entire orchards under water and showed just how vulnerable
This year the slough, along with the
Greg Farley, Madera County Engineer, says, "They've made the determination that this specific system is in an unacceptable state of repair."
County Engineer Greg Farley says local levees have not been well maintained. They've become a dumping site for abandoned cars and trash, and a breeding ground for a bamboo-like plant called Arundo. The giant reeds can block waterways and are also highly flammable.
If these waterways are not repaired, the county's flood zones could be expanded, which means more nearby residents would have to buy flood insurance.
Robert McGuffey has lived near the Berenda Slough for 30 years and hopes that never happens. He says, "If it was a thing that you have to purchase, I'd do it, but otherwise no."
The County could also lose funding for repair work if it doesn't make changes soon. That's why the board of supervisors adopted a new maintenance plan this month. Frank Bigelow,
The initial repairs are expected to cost about five million dollars and the entire project is estimated at 15 million. The County is now looking into state and federal funding to cover those expenses. It also formed a new advisory commission on Tuesday to work on the repair plan and other water concerns in the community. #
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=5593824
CAST FOR KIDS EVENT AT OROVILLE:
Column: CAST for Kids event scheduled at
By Steve Carson, outdoor columnist
The third annual "Catch a Special Thrill" (CAST) for Kids event will take place at
The Chico Bass Club will provide the guides, boats and a barbecue lunch for all participants, anglers and support staff. Logistics are being covered by Don Reighley of Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee, John Ford of Department of Water Resources, Anna Kastner of Department of Fish and Game, Tony Brownell of Cal Fire, Steve Feazel of Department of Parks and Recreation, Kaylee Hunter of Feather River Recreation and Parks District and various programs at Chico State.
The Oroville Kiwanis will provide a pancake breakfast to kick off the event. Additional financial sponsorship is undertaken by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart, Lake Oroville Marina, Inside/Out Designs, Noah's Arc, Gold Country Casino, Collins & Denny Market, First Responder EMS, Raley's, and WTC.
Similar events are organized by DWR at
http://www.chicoer.com//ci_6705755?IADID=Search-www.chicoer.com-www.chicoer.com
OBITUARY:
Delta ag champion Bill Salmon dies
By Reed Fujii, staff writer
While he stopped growing asparagus himself two years ago after receiving a heart transplant, Salmon remained interested and continued to speak on behalf of asparagus producers. He appeared last year on in-store posters for the Select San Joaquin program and this March joined the AgVenture 2007 program, helping show hundreds of area third-graders how asparagus is grown and discussing its nutritional benefits.
"Always an upbeat person who was a real advocate for the asparagus industry" is how Scott Hudson,
Salmon was an inaugural director of the group that has since become the California Asparagus Commission and was frequently quoted by reporters covering farm issues, said Marc Marchini, current commission chairman and owner of A.M. Farms.
"His influence on that whole commission expanded beyond just beyond being a board member or a commission executive," he said, "Over time, he became a spokesman for the entire asparagus industry."
Of Salmon's passing, Marchini said, "It's a blow to us; it's really a hard blow."
"One of the big things that
"Bill represented the grain and the row crops and the asparagus, and he did it so well,"
"I feel very, very lucky to have met the man and ... looked at him as a mentor of sorts to help understand the industry and get my feet on the ground."
Salmon was also a leader in supporting agricultural research in
Salmon opened his lands to dozens and dozens of test plots and trials over the years, both before and after Mullen came to
Mullen counted him among a core group of farmers "who are very interested in problem solving and not unwilling to share the results."
Such projects included tests of plant varieties, disease, pest and weed control, and they ranged from tomatoes and asparagus to melons, artichokes and onions.
"You couldn't have wanted a better guy to have as a friend and have as a research cooperator as he was," Mullen said.
Salmon also took a leadership role in area water and conservation programs, becoming well-versed in issues of supply, water quality and land subsidence. He was often called on to testify in court and before various regulatory boards.
"Besides being just a good spokesman, he knew the industry, knew the issues and knew the problems," said John Herrick, a
Salmon never served on the agency's board but was willing to testify on its behalf and would even let regulators test his lands and adjoining waterways just to prove a point.
"I could always count on Bill to do what was necessary for the good of the area, even if it was something of a risk for his own operations," Herrick said.
Salmon's son, Chip, who farmed with his father, described him as someone who had a tremendous zest for life, enjoying outdoor activities, sailing, piloting a plane, cooking and was always ready to take on new challenges. He was also a successful businessman as a farmer, former grain broker, managing a packinghouse and product sales, as well a natural at public relations.
"There's no way anybody on this earth could fill his shoes, not with knowledge, not with personality," the younger Salmon said.
A fifth-generation Californian, William W. Salmon was born Aug. 27, 1939, in
He attended
After leaving the military, he worked as a grain broker. In 1974, he became the farm manager/operator for Augusta-Bixler Farms on
Salmon was also president of Kellwill Inc., a family-owned, diversified farming operation.
He was inducted into the San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2002.
Salmon was a founding member of the Delta Protection Agency and was involved with the California Asparagus Commission,
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marcia; daughter and son-in-law, Kelley and Bill Nelson; son and daughter-in-law, Chip and Jean Salmon; four grandchildren, Cutler and Keller Salmon and Lily and Grace Nelson; two brothers, David and Richard; and niece, Kathleen Alves. #
DWR's California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff, for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader's services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost1.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news. DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of
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