Senate confirms ex-lobbyist David Bernhardt to lead Interior [Associated Press]
The Senate on Thursday confirmed acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to lead the department on a permanent basis, despite complaints by Democrats that the former oil and gas lobbyist has used his federal position to benefit former industry clients. Senators voted 56-41 to approve Bernhardt’s nomination to oversee more than 500 million acres of public lands and other resources, including national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges. He succeeds Ryan Zinke, who resigned in January amid a series of ethics investigations. Bernhardt represented energy and agricultural interests until President Donald Trump picked him in April 2017 to be deputy secretary.
https://apnews.com/0628f0cc774048edba757f94782165d3
Groundwater board backs off plan to charge fees for well water [Santa Rosa Press Democrat]
Facing a wave of opposition over proposed fees for using well water, the directors of a little-known public agency backed away from a decision Thursday and agreed to consider an alternative plan that would exempt rural residents and cost other groundwater users far less overall. Irate residents blistered the Santa Rosa Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s board of directors with complaints over the inequity and underlying principle of the plan to make residents, ranchers, businesses, towns and cities pay — for the first time — for water pumped out of the ground….Fees for all other well water users — including cities, towns, mutual water companies, wineries, farms, businesses, schools and golf courses — would be reduced under the alternative plan, Hopkins said.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/9489643-181/groundwater-sustainability-board-backs-off
Assemblyman Gray criticizes water board, says Delta-Bay Plan hurts struggling communities [Merced Sun-Star]
After the state Water Resources Control Board said its Delta-Bay Plan would not have “significant” effect on the drinking water of disadvantaged communities Assemblymember Adam C. Gray, D-Merced, blasted the board members for what he said was their lack of concern for impoverished and minority communities. Gray recently introduced Assembly Bill 637, which requires the board to identify disadvantaged communities and mitigate impacts to the drinking water supplies serving those communities.
https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/community/article229136904.html
Census of Agriculture shows continued decline in number of US farms [CNBC]
The 2017 Census of Agriculture released Thursday shows the amount of total land devoted to agricultural use continues to decline in the U.S. and the number of farms is declining….The census shows the average size of farms in 2017 was 441 acres, slightly above 434 acres in the 2012 census. The report indicated 96% of farms and ranches in the nation are family-owned….Finally, the average age of agriculture producers was 57.5 in 2012, up 1.2 years from 2012. The latest census also indicated 36% of all producers are female.
Taylor Farms purchases organic brand Earthbound Farm from Danone [Salinas Californian]
Taylor Farms has purchased organic grower Earthbound Farm, the Danone produce company, the company announced Thursday. According to a Bloomberg article, Danone SA, a French company, had been exploring the sale of Earthbound Farm, a San Juan Bautista-based brand, since at least June last year….The acquisition of Earthbound Farm expands upon Taylor Farms’ existing organic offerings and brings additional products its customers. Per a press release, Earthbound Farm products will remain in the marketplace, and Taylor Farms organic products will be branded and sold under the Earthbound Farm name after a transition.
Mexico, U.S. to discuss NAFTA replacement, border delays [Reuters]
Mexican government and business leaders meet with their U.S. counterparts for a second straight day on Friday, seeking to hasten ratification of a trade deal, resolve border delays that are hurting exporters, and discuss metals tariffs….U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Marquez are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the so-called U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue in the Mexican city of Merida in the Yucatan peninsula. Their meeting will center on ratification of the deal agreed to replace NAFTA, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as well as a dispute over tomato trade and the steel and aluminum tariffs the Trump administration imposed on Mexico nearly a year ago under the “Section 232,” Marquez told Reuters.
