Liz Writes Life
Dec. 15, 2021
Siskiyou County has met an important deadline regarding
groundwater sustainability plans.
After the close of the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors’
meeting on Dec. 7, 2021, the supervisors reconvened as directors of the Siskiyou
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to hold public hearings on
three Groundwater Sustainability Plans.
The chairs of the Scott Valley, Shasta Valley and Tulelake
groundwater committees presented their final documents. Each committee
recommended the district board adopt their plans. After discussion, the
directors did approve all three plans with 5-0 votes.
Ray Haupt, chairman of the district, said it was a “relief to hit
the first milestone and submit the GSA plans on time.” The deadline is January
31, 2022. Ray explained that the State of California will now decide whether to
approve the plans; then there will be a public comment period and likely some
form of edition and revision before the state approves it.
“We recognize the plans are not perfect, but there will be ongoing
scientific study that will lead to a revision that is required in five years.
These plans are not cast in stone,” Ray explained.
When the Groundwater Sustainability Management Act was passed by
the California legislature in August 2014, and signed by the governor, each
county needed to decide if it would establish its own plan. Siskiyou County
jumped in immediately, because it wanted to tailor the plan according to local
conditions, geography, history and knowledge. A state plan likely would be a
one-size-fits-all approach without recognizing and implementing local
hydrology.
Scott Valley was one of the few places in the state that had
already developed a groundwater model. Back in 2006, a Scott River groundwater
committee was formed utilizing U.C. Davis University and Thomas Harter, PhD.,
to develop local modeling and hydrology studies. Tom Menne has served as
committee chair during the entire 15 years. Ray said Tom deserves much credit
for the huge amount of work he did, especially since it is a volunteer
position.
Dr. Harter was also utilized in developing the hydrology study and
modeling in the Shasta Valley plan. Tulelake contracted with an engineering
firm to produce its plan. Matt Parker is the county coordinator, who worked
with the three subbasin committees to write the plans.
I realize these groundwater sustainability plans seems like pretty
boring stuff, but we will certainly benefit from local management by those who
understand our hydrogeology the best.
Dahles
Last week, an indepth article was written by Shareen Strauss on
Assemblywoman Megan Dahle and State Senator Brian Dahle and their visit to the
McCloud Community Services District that is threatened by mudslides. This was
significant, because our elected officials can be a great help with local
problems and finding resources. Their understanding and support is tantamount.
But, the Dahles didn’t stop there. They continued their visit in
Siskiyou County stopping at Crystal Geyser water plant and then meeting with
leaders at Siskiyou Community College discussing its LVN and Registered Nurse
programs. The college has received a grant that will expand their dorm by 252
additional beds and improve its theatre. Wow, that is great!
Siskiyou Co. Supervisors, Ray Haupt and Michael Kobseff, also
participated in the tour with the Dahles.
On the second day, the group visited Scott Valley and met with two
groups of local irrigators, who spoke to the difficulties for their businesses
because of the loss of their legal water through the state irrigation
curtailment orders. The landowners are dealing with two droughts: One from
nature and one by the state government. That is my observation.
The Dahles also learned how the drought and state adjudicated
water curtailments were affecting Cal Forest Nurseries, near Etna, which is the
largest independent container reforestation nursery in the Pacific Northwest.
It produces over 20 million conifer trees that serve restoration and
reforestation projects. More than 90 percent of reforestation seedlings planted
in California are grown at Cal Forest Nurseries. Yep, they need water.
The family-owned Mountain Crest Gardens, in Fort Jones, was also
visited. It is a large succulent nursery, started in 1995, that now features
over 700 varieties of hard and soft succulents. These are impressive and quite
colorful. Check-out their website.
While in Fort Jones, the Dahles also stopped at Five Marys
Burgerhouse for lunch and met with Russ Elliott, CEO of Siskiyou Telephone, to
discuss the importance of broadband connectivity to the economic vitality of
rural counties.
They also met with leadership from the Karuk Tribe and discussed
the 2020 Slater Fire.
Assemblywoman Dahle said she was “grateful for the hospitality we
were met with in Siskiyou County and for each person who took the time to
connect with us on these important community issues.”
My goodness, that was quite the journey and impressive that the
Dahles listened to such a variety of issues.
Doug LaMalfa
Congressman Doug LaMalfa worked for and voted to pass the National
Defense Authorization Act, last week. The final version increased the budget
and benefits for service members.
LaMalfa said: I am glad to see that the House could negotiate a
bipartisan agreement with the Senate to help give our military personnel the
resources they need to keep our country safe. In the face of growing threats
from China and Russia, our nation needs to be focused on its national defense
and not the partisan wish-list items that were initially in this bill.
Republican improvements to the final bill include removing the draft
registration requirement for women.
“Although, I strongly oppose mandatory vaccines, at the very
least, allowing all servicemembers, who decline a mandatory vaccine to be given
an honorable rather than less-than-honorable discharge is in the bill. Also,
the removal of the red flag provision that allows military judges to issue
court gun confiscation orders without the servicemember even being present in
court to defend themselves was removed.”
So, here you have an update on local and national issues that
affects us right here in Siskiyou County.
May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it
makes you feel better!
Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in
newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County. Columns from the past
can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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