Brown Administration Prepares for Potential Drought in 2014

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Brown Administration Prepares for Potential Drought in 2014

In preparation for the potential third dry year in a row, Governor Brown created an interagency drought task force on December 17, 2013.  Governor Brown gave a directive to the heads of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Water Resources (DWR), State Water Resources Control Board and Office of Emergency Services to meet weekly to review expected allocations, assess the state’s preparedness and determine whether conditions warrant the declaration of a statewide drought.

In his letter to department and agency heads, Governor Brown stated: "We must do everything we can to address the impacts of water shortages and move from where it is available to where it is needed.  These actions include establishing a clearinghouse of water shortage-related information; assessing the regions most affected by dry conditions and the local community socio–and– economic impacts within those regions; and, determining potential water transfers, infrastructure improvements, water trucking, and other actions that could alleviate the impacts of water shortages." Governor Brown indicated these measures would work in concert with the directive he gave earlier in the year to expedite voluntary transfers of water and water rights to alleviate critical impacts in the San Joaquin Valley.

Several Central Valley legislators, including Assembly Member Henry Perea, (D-Fresno), Assembly Member Adam Gray, (D-Merced), and Assembly Member Rudy Salas, (D- Bakersfield), submitted a letter to the Governor on December 10, 2013 urging him to declare a state of emergency to "provide relief and assistance to parts of the Central Valley impacted by the loss of agricultural production due to extreme environmental conditions.  As the largest contributor to the San Joaquin Valley’s economy, agriculture impacts farm workers, producers, processors, packing houses, and transporters.  This year, environmental conditions are threatening thousands of jobs and causing billions of dollars in losses of agricultural products that will result in increased food costs worldwide."

In addition to the Governor’s Drought Task Force, DWR announced on December 17, 2013 that it has mobilized a new drought management effort to prepare for and reduce potential impacts of another dry year. DWR Director Mark Cowin said the department is focusing its personnel and programs "to offset potentially devastating impacts to citizen health, well-being and our economy."

A principal concern cited by DWR is the plight of farmers who must operate with significantly less water than needed for crops. Farmers and farm communities dependent on agricultural jobs located on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley are especially vulnerable to dry conditions.

DWR conducted an agricultural drought-preparedness workshop for agriculture professionals at California State University, Fresno on December 17, 2013.  Topics included statewide water conditions and preparing for a dry 2014; State Water Project (SWP) supplies; groundwater conditions; water transfers for 2014; pumping efficiency preparedness for drought conditions, and getting by with less water in orchards and vineyards.

In addition, on January 7, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and DWR will be discussing additional actions by the state to address drought conditions and impacts at a meeting of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento.

Cowin said in a news release that DWR recognizes there will be regional impacts due to dry conditions next year.  "It’s still early in the water year," he said. "The January and February snow surveys will allow us to evaluate water conditions on a statewide basis. As we monitor water conditions, we will consider actions to be included in a potential Governor’s drought proclamation."

Article written by Trudi Hughes, CLFP Government Affairs Director

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