California wells will go dry this summer. ‘Alarm bells are sounding’ in the Valley [Fresno Bee]
Thousands of wells that bring water to San Joaquin Valley homes are at risk of drying up this summer, leaving families without running water for drinking, cleaning and bathing. … Homes, farms and entire communities that rely on shallow wells as their only source of water are vulnerable to declining groundwater levels from dry conditions and agricultural pumping. … Groundwater basins lost significant volumes of water from increased agricultural pumping last year and haven’t had a chance to replenish, data from local water agencies show. More pumping this summer will draw down levels more.
https://www.fresnobee.com/fresnoland/article250842574.html
California ‘burn bosses’ set controlled forest fires. Should they be safe from lawsuits? [Sacramento Bee]
… New legislation introduced by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, would buffer state-certified burn bosses — and private property owners on whose land the fires are set — against personal liability lawsuits if a fire escapes and hurts someone or damages property. They could still be sued, but only if the burn was “conducted in a grossly negligent manner.” There is near-universal agreement from scientists and fire officials that intentionally set “prescribed” fires are critical to restoring the health of California’s forests and easing the misery of the state’s increasingly long fire seasons. … The insurance industry, which is opposing Dodd’s bill, argues the proposed legislation would let someone off the hook even if their actions are careless.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article250853609.html
Bill bolstering wildfire protections for farmworkers advances [Good Times Santa Cruz]
… Assembly Bill 73, also known as the Farmworker Wildfire Smoke Protections Act, recently passed the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment with unanimous (7-0) bipartisan support, and has now been referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Authored by Assemblymember Robert Rivas, AB 73, would, among other things, require the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to create a stockpile of N95 masks that can be easily distributed to farmers during a wildfire. It would also mandate each Cal/OSHA regional office to dispatch specialized “strike teams” to ensure that farmers are keeping their employees safe during major unhealthy air quality events, including wildfires.
https://goodtimes.sc/santa-cruz-news/bill-bolstering-wildfire-protections-for-farmworkers-advances/
California Coastal Commission endorses Point Reyes ranch, elk plan [Marin Independent Journal]
After nearly 12 hours of debate on Thursday, California’s top coastal regulators conditionally approved a controversial federal plan to allow commercial cattle ranchers who rent land in Point Reyes National Seashore to obtain longer leases and a plan to kill some of the park’s tule elk to prevent conflicts with ranches. The California Coastal Commission voted 5-4 to endorse the National Park Service’s plan so long as it met several conditions. These include improving water quality tests near ranches; reporting on the progress of the water quality plan and climate adaptation strategies to the commission at a public hearing within 12 months; and returning in 2026 to update the commission on the progress to address water contamination near ranches.
Livermore ranchers, farmers sue county to halt solar project [Bay Area News Group]
Opponents of Alameda County’s largest approved, 350-acre solar panel project have filed a lawsuit against the county, asserting that the project is a violation of a voter-passed measure. Ranchers, farmers and environmentalists, including Save North Livermore Valley, Friends of Open Space and Vineyards and the Ohlone Audubon Society, maintain that the Aramis Renewable Energy Project, by Intersect Power, would tarnish the scenic character of rural North Livermore Valley and conflicts with Measure D, which county voters approved in 2000. … Opponents argue that industrial solar operations are not compatible with agriculture and Measure D mandates that any proposed changes to land use must be approved by voters.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/22/livermore-ranchers-farmers-sue-county-to-halt-solar-project/
IID’s Hamby plans measure to discourage solar projects on farmland [Imperial Valley Press]
One Imperial Irrigation District director Tuesday afternoon pushed back on two solar projects, contending they would only provide a spike in the short term while the land would be more beneficial in the long term if used for agricultural purposes. … Hamby said there is a finite amount of agricultural land, and it is important to have land for long-term benefits. He said he is working on creating a resolution or amendment that would require solar projects that take farmland out of production would have received water from IID to provide grants to farmers and other users.
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