A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
January 26, 2009
2. Supply –
Cattle ranchers wary of IID equitable distribution
By MEGAN BAKKER, Staff Writer
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
“We need every gallon of water we use,” said Rod Foster, a cattleman from Brawley, during Tuesday’s IID meeting.
The equitable distribution plan, which goes into effect this year, places caps on water allotments for different sectors of the Valley such as businesses, cities and farms.
Ranchers and feedlots are limited to about 20,000 acre-feet for the year for about 400,000 head of cattle, a number that several feedlot operators object to as being too low. This also comes as the Environmental Protection Agency is considering a tax on cattle to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
“We can’t survive on one gallon less,” Foster said, explaining that cutting water hurts the health of the cattle. Water cutbacks could also make it difficult for ranchers to follow dust control and air quality regulations.
Mike King, the IID’s Water Department manager, said he had met with several feedlot operators to discuss the situation. He acknowledged that the dust control could be a problem.
“That’s one of the issues we have concerns with,” King said.
But King stressed that the program was not set in stone, and that parts of it are going to need to be adjusted.
“Yes, it’s a work in progress,” King said.
Scott Chapman, another cattleman, said he was worried the distribution plan would hurt ranchers’ ability to expand. Chapman said right now, the industry is in a rough spot and several feedlots have had to cut back operations. If the numbers are based on scaled-back operations, then when markets improve, Chapman said he wanted to have enough water to be able to expand again.
IID Director John Pierre Menvielle said that he understood feedlots are a big part of the
“We’re not gonna destroy that industry,” Menvielle said.
Menvielle and other board members reassured the ranchers that no matter what, the IID would work with them to ensure they had enough water.
However, several ranchers wanted the IID to put that guarantee in writing.
Foster said he was concerned if a severe drought happened, then ranchers would be stuck with what’s on paper now, not what could be adjusted in the future.
“Our industry is very much concerned that it could happen,” Foster said.#
http://www.ivpressonline.com/articles/2009/01/26/local_news/news02.txt
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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://listhost2.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
No comments:
Post a Comment