A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
November 14, 2007
2. Supply
AG WATER SUPPLY ISSUES:
Ag, water leaders discuss how to keep taps flowing; Topics range from smelt to quakes to new storage - Modesto Bee
WATER RATIONING TECHNOLOGIES:
IID votes to spend $600,000 on water rationing software -
AG WATER SUPPLY ISSUES:
Ag, water leaders discuss how to keep taps flowing; Topics range from smelt to quakes to new storage
By John Holland, staff writer
The prospect of a dry 2008 is just one of the threats facing farmers in the
Another threat is legal -- a possible reduction in
"It seems like we move from crisis to crisis over there on the
The forum, held by the Almond Board of California, drew about 100 people to the State Theatre. It dealt not just with the water needs of almonds, the second-highest-grossing farm product in the
Winter and spring were relatively dry, leaving reservoirs with less carryover than in most recent years. Should 2008 be dry, too, that could mean cutbacks in the supply for farmers and other users.
The outlook is somewhat brighter on the region's east side. Its water suppliers, including the
How can growers respond to cuts?
Much of the valley and
Some growers could get by with wells or water purchased from elsewhere. Those who grow an-nual crops could leave some of their land fallow. Growers of almonds and other permanent crops could maintain the plantings with somewhat reduced water, but a severe cutback could mean dead orchards.
Earl Perez, who grows several crops in the Crows Landing area, said the state should be adding, rather than curtailing, water supplies.
"I think we need to develop some new surface storage, and it has to be some kind of long-term vision, which I don't think the Legislature has taken," he said.
Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition in
The delta, the linchpin of it all, could fail all at once if one of the two faults beneath it ruptures, said Brent Walthall, assistant general manager of the Kern County Water Agency.
"In one day, you would have a delta that was so salty that it was no longer suitable for urban or agricultural use," he said.
Despite the ominous mood, panelists said Gov. Schwarzenegger and other leaders seem to see the need for delta fixes and other water projects. #
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/120718.html
WATER RATIONING TECHNOLOGIES:
IID votes to spend $600,000 on water rationing software
By Brianna Rusk, staff writer
Amid questions of funding sources and shrouded alternatives, the Imperial Irrigation District board chose to purchase the quintessential backbone of the controversial equitable water distribution program Tuesday.
Although it appeared some board members weren’t clear where the funds were coming from, $600,000 was approved for the software program that will regulate the water rationing program.
TruePoint Software and Consulting Services, a Loomis-based company, was the only option given to the board.
The board voted 4-1 on the contract, with Director Mike Abatti dissenting.
“I think the software is great. I think it’s going to work,” Abatti said. “I voted against it because staff went around the funding question in where the money was coming from.”
At issue is the investment of this much money in the program that is expected to facilitate the water rationing program.
The equitable distribution program is going to be implemented next year as a way for the district to stay within its allocation of 3.1 million acre-feet of water per year.
That allocation is the result of the hotly contested 75-year water pact, the Quantification Settlement Agreement, that began in 2003.
How the water will be distributed among agricultural users has not been decided.
With a deadline for implementing the program just weeks away, the board streamlined the selection process by submitting a request for qualifications, said IID spokesman Kevin Kelley.
Kelley said a project team ultimately made the recommendation to the board on the program to be chosen.
Representatives from the Imperial County Farm Bureau questioned why a so-called “zero cost” software application submitted by a local group of farmers was not considered.
“We’re disappointed because we don’t feel there has been adequate attention being given (to the alternatives),” said Nicole Rothfleisch, farm bureau executive director.
Director John Pierre Menvielle said he believes TruePoint will fit the district’s needs.
“This is the best there is,” Menvielle said.
IID staff apparently disagreed over where the money was coming from to fund the program, as the meeting agenda detailed the funds coming from the Definite Plan budget.
Another agenda detail said it was “new Water Department costs.” Ultimately staff agreed the money was coming from the QSA budget, which is not projected to be in the red by the end of the year.
More than $400,000 of the money will be used on external costs including paying consultants from $150 to $250 an hour to integrate the services and customize the software.
The projected consulting services portion of the software purchase totals $130,000.
Abatti questioned how staff was able to save $100,000 in one week off the total cost of the TruePoint software and consulting services, when the initial request was for a $700,000 approval from the board.
He said last week staff said there would be no other associated costs.
“Now they’re saying there could be unforeseen costs. I’m not sure what we bought today,” Abatti said. “I don’t know if staff knows how much this is going to cost.” #
http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news04.txt
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