210 replies to this topic

[camay2327]

So JC, being new you're already willing to let out city go to hell, just because?

You should change your ID, you are shaming the good name of JC with your pro-growth guesses, accusations and comments.

By any chance are you good buddies with Kerrie Howell?

I was wondering that too...,

[TruthSeeker]

I was wondering that too...,

Maybe that is Kerrie using that ID?

[supermom]

frapping rich... caliming people here are divisive.... holy schmuckity schmuck....

 

What .... exactly...in the idea of posts so far... on any thread... have you not been divisive?

[maestro]

Wouldn't it be a good idea if readers sent a copy of this city Public Information      to the media?  

 

Downstream water users would probably like to know about this municipal "action."

[caligirlz]

I came across this article in the Sac Bee, and found it interesting because there has been discussion in the past that Southern Ca isn't buying as much water from us as they used to...this article shows that is not the case.

 

With the drought stretching into its fourth year, a heavyweight water agency from Los Angeles has come calling on Sacramento Valley rice farmers, offering up to $71 million for some of their water.

 

 

The price being offered is so high, some farmers can make more from selling water than from growing their rice. Many are willing to deal: Nine irrigation districts, mainly serving rice growers along the Feather River basin, have made tentative deals to ship a portion of their water to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and several other water agencies later this summer.

 

Almost all of the buyers are located south of the Delta, where the water shortage is generally more critical than in the Sacramento Valley.

 

As many as 115,000 acre-feet of water could be sold, or more than 37 billion gallons, to Metropolitan and its fellow buyers. The result: a reduction in the amount of rice planted as farmers take fields out of production. As it is, California’s rice industry is struggling to recover from a difficult 2014, in which 140,000 acres were idled due to drought and one-fourth of the crop didn’t get planted.

 

The sale shows the growing influence of market forces on California’s water allocations. A generation ago, many in Northern California agriculture fought tooth-and-nail against Metropolitan, which they viewed as the big bully from Los Angeles that would use any means necessary to grab their water. Nowadays, farmers are more apt to cut deals with the water giant, which serves 19 million customers, figuring it makes more sense to negotiate than to wage war against an entity with enormous political clout.

 

The deal also shows how severe the drought has become. A year ago, some of the same Sacramento Valley water districts shipped some of their water south at what seemed like an exorbitant price: $500 an acre-foot.

 

This year’s transaction will make 2014 look like a steal. Metropolitan and the others are paying $700 an acre-foot. An acre-foot is 326,000 gallons, roughly a year’s supply for two Southern California households.

 

Growers along the Feather River are in a position of relative strength – water wise. Blessed with senior water rights, they received 100 percent of their State Water Project allocation last year. While this year’s allocation could be cut by as much as half, they’re better off than many growers in other parts of the state. Last month the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that farmers can expect nothing this year from the federal government’s Central Valley Project, a major water source for many.

As water becomes more precious, the notion of selling some torments many farmers.

 

“We have growers in the district – they’re never going to sell a drop of water,” said Thad Bettner, general manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District.

 

Glenn-Colusa, which draws from the Sacramento River, isn’t involved in the sale to the Metropolitan group. But it has sold water at times. Last year it made deals with a neighboring agency, the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority, and the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority, which serves a vast swath of the San Joaquin Valley.

 

Water sales also are occurring in Sacramento’s backyard. Conaway Ranch, a 17,000-acre Yolo County farm controlled by Sacramento land baron Angelo K. Tsakopoulos, has made deals with farmers who own vineyards and almond orchards – permanent crops that must be watered every year. Conaway’s rice and other field crops can be idled.

Conaway sold some of its water last year at $325 an acre-foot and is fielding offers this year on pricier terms, said general manager Bob Thomas.

 

“Water is getting much more expensive,” he said. “South of the Delta, the price is going to be much higher.”

 

Metropolitan isn’t thrilled about paying $700 an acre-foot for water. But the Los Angeles agency needs the additional supply, despite having spent billions of dollars on storage and conservation projects over the last few years. The State Water Project, which provides about one-third of Southern California’s water, expects to deliver only 20 percent of normal allocations this year. The Colorado River, Metropolitan’s other main source, is running at less than 50 percent of normal. This year marks the first time since 2010 that Metropolitan has gone into the market to buy water from the Sacramento Valley.

 

http://www.sacbee.co...le13908632.html

[4thgenFolsomite]

And imagine what happens next year if this continues as some predict...and the year after that. Food, fresh fruit and vegetables, would be much more expensive.

[nomad]

I read an article a few years back that said water could become a commodity like gold. Water may exceed the value here very soon.

[Howdy]

I read an article a few years back that said water could become a commodity like gold. Water may exceed the value here very soon.

 

Maybe in some parts of the country/world. Other parts of the US have an abundance of water/rain/snow. They couldn't give the stuff away fast enough.

[caligirlz]

Food, fresh fruit and vegetables, would be much more expensive.

That's what I was thinking. I'd much rather eat california/local produce then foods from Mexico or China. 

 

I would prefer the available water go for farms/produce than more development. 

 

I may be requesting your help to change my backyard grass into a garden. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

My garden this year is going to focus on drought-tolerant vegetables.  So tomatoes, basil, eggplant, cucumbers, and some peppers.  Instead of the usual water-loving pumpkin, squash and melon patch, I'm planting sunflowers, gallardia and some other drought-tolerant cutting flowers.  And no sprinkler attachments on the drip.  soaker hoses throughout.

[EAH]

My garden this year is going to focus on drought-tolerant vegetables.  So tomatoes, basil, eggplant, cucumbers, and some peppers.  Instead of the usual water-loving pumpkin, squash and melon patch, I'm planting sunflowers, gallardia and some other drought-tolerant cutting flowers.  And no sprinkler attachments on the drip.  soaker hoses throughout.

Mine too. ALL drought tolerant...tomatoes,cucumbers,peppers and herbs.

But I am watering my 4 year old blueberry and strawberry plants! Only have a few.

[JohhnyCash]

I can see that is it not possible to have a logical conversation with you folks....pointless anyway.

[camay2327]

I just heard on channel 10 that California may run out of water next year.

 

Do you think it is time to put a ban on building?

[camay2327]

MORE:

 

Drought-stricken California only has one year of water left, Nasa scientist warns

As backup supply dwindles, Jay Famiglietti says state has about one year of water left and calls for a more ‘forward-looking process’ to deal with crisis

 

As California experiences the fourth year of one of the most severe droughts in its history, a senior Nasa scientist has warned that the state has about one year of water left.

 

In an LA Times editorial published last week, Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory senior water cycle scientist Jay Famiglietti called for a more “forward-looking process” to deal with the state’s dwindling water supply.

 

Famiglietti, who is also a professor at University of California at Irvine, said the state had about one year of water in reservoir storage and the backup supply, groundwater, was low.

 

http://www.theguardi...ht-nasa-warning

[ducky]

I just heard on channel 10 that California may run out of water next year.

 

Do you think it is time to put a ban on building?

 

I think a moratorium, or restrictions at the very least, would be prudent until the drought is over.  Residents N50 on watering schedules that stress or kill landscaping while new landscaping is installed S50 doesn't seem right.

Will the new homes have lawns or limitations on what they can plant? Will water trucks be used for construction?