Monday, April 11, 2022

Big Springs Irrigation District gets a win

April 13, 2022

Liz Writes Life

Big Springs Irrigation District gets a win

Friday, April 1, 2022, may have been April Fool’s Day, but a court decision on water usage was a serious matter. The court room was packed with a riveted crowd as Siskiyou County Superior Court Judge John Lawrence presided over a case brought by Big Springs Irrigation District against the State Water Resources Control Board.

On March 15, 2022, the SWRCB issued a Curtailment Order demanding Big Springs ID not turn on their wells this irrigation season. The farmers needed this water for their thirsty fields, so the District board voted to seek a Temporary Restraining Order (injunction) against SWRCB.

Starting in the 1950s, the District recognized the need for flow in the Shasta River and therefore invested in three wells to pump ground water and ceased diverting surface water which has worked well for farmers and the environment.  The Curtailment Order was the first time SWRCB exerted jurisdiction over the ground water wells in Shasta Valley.

Big Springs ID does not believe their well water affects the flows in the Shasta River. SWRCB claims the irrigation district wells do affect the Shasta River. This is the crux of the situation. 

The Emergency Drought Declaration by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the resulting “temporary curtailment” of agricultural water use began Aug. 30, 2021. The curtailment order is set to last at least one year until Aug. 30, 2022.

Attorneys for SWRCB asked for a change in venue – to a different county. This was denied by Judge Lawrence, so the proceeding of a Temporary Restraining Order by the District continued last Friday. Big Springs ID attorneys Darrin Mercier and Martin Andreas arrived well prepared.

After discussion and back and forth by attorneys, Judge Lawrence ruled in favor of a Temporary Restraining Order for the next month. Both sides were told to return to court on May 5, 2022 with more information, when he will make a final decision.

“This is a big win,” Ray Haupt, Siskiyou County Supervisor, told me later. “They got the TRO, so they can irrigate – at least for now.”

Then, I chatted with Big Springs ID attorney Martin Andreas, who is also a landowner and irrigator in the district. He told me there has “never been a problem until the state decided we were taking water out of the river -- without any proof that our wells were taking water out of the river.”

He added that the irrigators in the district were “relieved” they can irrigate without threat of a fine during April. Andreas said the irrigation water will also help wildlife by irrigating habitat. As he said this over his cell phone, Andreas noted two bald eagles were flying overhead.

Boy, I am thrilled about this win for the irrigation district. The state seems to be over-stepping its boundaries time and again. And the one thing that is forgotten in all of this fighting over water is the fact that agriculture is a friend to wildlife. The birds and other animals need water too!

Armed Forces to be celebrated

In celebration of Armed Forces Day, a “Lincoln Dinner” is planned for Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Miner’s Inn Convention Center in Yreka. Special guest speaker will be Army Specialist Alek Skarlatos, one of the three Paris train heroes that stopped an armed terrorist on a train in France in August 2015.

Quite a group of elected officials will be attending and several will be speaking. They are: U.S. Congressman Doug LaMalfa CA Dist. 1; CA. State Senator Brian Dahle, who is a candidate for the CA. state office of governor; Assemblywoman Megan Dahle; CA. U.S. Senate candidate Mark Meuser; Siskiyou County District Attorney Krik Andrus and Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue.

Prime rib for the dinner will be grilled by Dave Tyler. There will be a “no host” bar and a silent auction for desserts. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. at the Convention Center at 122 E. Miner Street in Yreka.

Tickets are $50 each and can be found at Bergeron Insurance Agency in Yreka at 347 Main St. Call 530-842-4400. Tickets are also available at both Solanos stores in Weed and Mt. Shasta or call Dan 530-918-7993. The dinner is hosted by the Siskiyou County Republican Central Committee. 

Art contest for teens

Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced he is accepting submissions for the 40th annual Congressional High School Art Competition. This year’s theme is: Planes, Trains and Automobiles: America’s Open Roads and Open Skies.

For more information, call his Redding office at 530-223-5898. Deadline is April 22, 2022.

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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