A new voice for Scott Valley agriculture and Etna Rodeo is May 1, 2022

Liz Writes Life

April 27, 2022

A new grassroots group has formed to give voice on major water issues by local farmers and ranchers. The group explains the newest state water regulations that will dry-up their businesses are misrepresenting Scott Valley’s aquifer, fish and agricultural practices. The group is named “Scott Valley Agriculture Water Alliance.”

A website has been established providing instant understanding of the dire situation that began on August 30, 2021, when the State Water Resources Control Board stopped all agricultural irrigation in Scott Valley and erroneously based “new” flow requirements for the Scott River. Farmers and ranchers foresee a catastrophe in struggling to meet the state’s demands.

The website is named: Scott Valley Agriculture Water Alliance and ends with -- .org.

On April 19, 2022, this grassroots group published a press release written by Theodora Johnson. I wanted to get this information out. You can read the entire press release below. For more info, call Theo at 530-598-3081.

From Scott Valley AWA: Etna and Fort Jones, CA—Family farmers and ranchers in rural Scott Valley, far-northern California are banding together as they face the potential loss of 100 percent of their irrigation water this summer due to unprecedented new drought emergency regulations for the Scott River by the State Water Resource Control Board (Board)—regulations unlike any others in the state. This small mountain valley is home to a tight-knit agriculture community that saw a need to tell their story—before they lose everything. Their new communication group, Scott Valley Agriculture Water Alliance (AgWA), is reaching out to government officials, local tribes, and the public with information about Scott Valley’s agriculture, water and fish.

While other California farmers are also facing cutbacks on water deliveries from reservoirs, those farmers are still able to resort to groundwater pumping. But Scott Valley growers have no reservoirs and are being told to halt all groundwater pumping—even though their aquifer is not overdrafted. The neighboring valley, Shasta, is also being hit with precedent-setting groundwater curtailments, triggering a recent legal challenge by an irrigation district.

The regulations for Scott Valley halt all irrigating if the Scott River’s flows dip below new monthly minimum levels, levels that are purportedly designed to benefit coho salmon and save them from “extinction”.

“The river has not met the Board’s new flow requirements in 9 out of the past 11 summers,” says Sari Sommarstrom, Ph.D., a retired watershed consultant and local tree nursery owner. “Yet the data shows that coho returns have nonetheless increased over the past 20 years. We’re seeing population levels that haven’t been seen since the 1960s. Sadly, it’s evident that these curtailments are based on a false narrative.”

Sommarstrom, a founding member of AgWA, says flow levels in the Scott are certain to fall short in this year’s severe drought—possibly as early as May. To avoid the 100-percent shutoffs, she said the Board is accepting “agreements” from producers to reduce their groundwater use by 30 percent.

But many producers in Scott Valley have annual operating loans that can’t be repaid at 70-percent production, says Theodora Johnson, a sixth-generation Scott Valley cattle rancher and spokesman for AgWA.

Johnson points to AgWA’s new website, www.scottvalleyagwa.org, which offers science-based background information; a white-paper on the status of the coho in the Scott River; “Myths Debunked;” and testimonials and photos that showcase the valley’s multi-generational farms and ranches.

Lauren Sweezey, a Scott Valley hay grower and founding member of AgWA, sums up the group’s purpose:

“We hold our family ranches and farms in trust for our future generations. We have to act now to make sure that’s going to be possible,” she says. “The facts are in our favor. We just need to get them to the right people.”

Scott Valley Agriculture Water Alliance (AgWA) is a unified voice communicating on behalf of local farmers and ranchers, spreading accurate information about Scott Valley’s ag producers, the Scott River, and its fish.

I sure do hope Scott Valley AgWA is successful in turning this man-made drought around.

May 1st Rodeo in Etna

The 74^th Annual Scott Valley Pleasure Park Rodeo will be held this Sunday, May 1, 2022 at the rodeo grounds outside of Etna on Island Road. Admission is $10 per person. Children age 10 and under and contestants are free.

The rodeo begins at 1 p.m. with youth events of Mutton Bustin’, Kids’ Calf Riding and Jr. Steer Riding. The Grand of Entry of cowboys and cowgirls kicks-off the rodeo at 2 p.m. Events include: Ranch Bronc Riding, Saddle Cow Riding, Bull Riding, Mixed Team Roping, Girls’ Barrel Race and Girls’ Breakaway Roping.

High school rodeo weekend

It is a weekend for rodeo as the California High School Rodeo Association will hold its District 1 Finals on Friday and Saturday at the Etna rodeo arena. This is a two-day event and begins at 4 p.m. on April 29, 2022. It will continue on Saturday morning, April 30, 2022. An awards event will be held in the afternoon. Admission to the CHSRA is free to the public.

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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Scott Valley Snowpack at 16 Percent of Average

April 20, 2022

Liz Writes Life

Snowpack at 16 percent

So it is true! Our snowpack surrounding Scott Valley was measured at 16 percent of average on April 1, 2022. This is extremely daunting. The weather was relatively dry through March with unseasonably warm temperatures.

The local snowpack is measured by employees from the Klamath National Forest as part of the statewide California Cooperative Snow Survey program. This helps the State forecast the quantity of water available for agriculture, power generation, recreation and stream-flow releases for the year.

April 1^st is an important date, because early April is historically when the snowpack is at its maximum and provides the best data for the annual availability of water. Snow surveys are conducted early in each month of February, March, April and May. Sites have been measured for decades. The newest measuring site is on Scott Mt. and has been monitored for 35 years. The oldest site is at Middle Boulder, which has been monitored for over 70 years.

This year Middle Boulder #1 measured 1.5 inches. It is at 6,600 feet above sea level and has been monitored since 1946 and averages 62.4 inches on April 1st. Dynamite Meadow at 5,700 ft measured zero and averages 43 inches. Scott Mt. measured zero. It is at 5,900 ft and averages 47 inches. Etna Mt. did have 18.7 inches, but it typically averages 68 inches.

Yep, this is pretty sad. And this will certainly affect the stream flow in Scott River. Currently, Scott River is flowing at or more than 150 cubic feet per second at the USGS gage near Fort Jones. Farmers are irrigating their fields with their legal water allotments in Scott Valley.

Food supply shortage

Farmers and ranchers, along with their agricultural organizations, have been warning of a coming food supply shortage that could affect the entire world. The drought by both nature and government regulations in the U.S. West, along with worldwide supply chain problems on land and sea and then the Russia-Ukraine war is certainly creating a complicated mess.

To solidify the warning, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said recently that there will be “enormous” economic repercussions in the United States from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the near future. Yellen explained to the House Financial Services Committee that Russia’s invasion will also impact global trade and the flow of food and energy. That area normally grows a huge amount of the world’s wheat.

Yes, my opinion is that the U.S. must open its own pipelines and oil wells to become energy sufficient again. Be that as it may, I wanted to once again stress the need to have extra food on our shelves.

I am not encouraging hoarding, such as what happened with toilet paper at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, the media is reporting that people are purchasing less at grocery stores. My suggestion is to do the opposite. If you can find the extra cash, purchase an extra jar or two of peanut butter, cans of chili and baked beans, tuna, chicken, coffee, tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce. Buy bulk instant milk, oatmeal and dried beans. Oh, also noodles, macaroni, pancake mix, flour and sugar. Purchase extra meat, wrap it and put it in the freezer.

Purchase what you normally eat or are willing to eat as in cooking beans from scratch. I use dried beef broth, garlic and minced onion to add flavor to my pinto beans. It may be well worth having a cushion of an extra month or two of food and other cleaning, first aid and clothing supplies if the shelves go empty.

Teen Art Competition

Here is more information on the Congressional Art Competition. The submission date is this Friday, April 22, 2022. So, it isn’t too late! Contact our California Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s office, immediately, at 530-223-5898 for information on how to enter.

The competition is an opportunity for talented high school students to compete and showcase their abilities. Congressional districts throughout the nation offer this competition and the winners from each state are displayed for one year in the United States Capitol.

This year’s theme is: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. America’s Open Roads and Open Skies. A variety of mediums are allowed.

Last year, Ruby Churchill of Siskiyou County, won the Dist. 1 Congressional Art Competition with a composition of an old rusting pickup surrounded by brush and trees. It was titled: Left Behind.

This year’s winner will be contacted by May 3, 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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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 40^th 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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Republicans to meet and Sites Reservoir update

April 6, 2022

Liz Writes Life

Republicans to meet

Reservations can still be made for a Ham buffet lunch during the Siskiyou Conservative Republicans meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Grill Master Dave Tyler will be smoking the ham and the luscious desserts are by Jackie Twilliger. Lunch is $13. Call Annie at 530-842-2350 to reserve your seat.

Michael Kobseff, Siskiyou Co. Supervisor for District 3, is the featured speaker.  Meet and greet is at 11 a.m. with the meeting starting at 11:30 a.m. The meeting is held at the Montague United Methodist church at 150 S 12th Street in Montague.

Sites Reservoir receives funding

Last month, CA. Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa announced the proposed Sites Reservoir is now eligible for up to $2.2 billion in low interest loans. For years, LaMalfa has pushed to build the Sites Reservoir that will be built as an innovative off-stream reservoir on the west-side of the Sacramento Valley in Glenn and Colusa counties.

Sites was initially approved by California voters in 2014 with some initial funding from Proposition 1. But, the lack of funding has slowed the project.

On March 17, 2022, LaMalfa announced the federal Environmental Protection Agency formally invited the Sites Project Authority to apply for a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program loan. So, Sites will now be eligible for up to $2.2 billion in low-interest loans, which accounts for 49 percent of the project’s cost.

Back in July 2021, LaMalfa and Congressman John Garamendi (D) led a bipartisan letter with other members of the California delegation that asked the EPA to allow the Sites Project Authority to apply for a loan through the federal program. LaMalfa was pleased with the support from EPA.

“We need Sites more than ever; our state is facing another historic drought. I’ve been a strong supporter of this project for years. It will provide water for over 24 million Californians and 500,000 acres of farmland,” said LaMalfa.

The Congressman added that the low-interest loan will “drastically reduce costs for consumers and make it affordable for taxpayers to get the water they need, even in dry years.”

Then a week later, there was more good news for funding Sites Reservoir. On March 24, 2022, the California Water Commission announced increased funding for Proposition 1 bond recipients and will include $38 million for Sites Reservoir. This will bring the total amount to $875 million from the Proposition 1 funds to the project.

For sure, this is great news. Hopefully, the needed funding will be found soon so Sites can be built. It has been decades since California has built additional water storage facilities. This drought is causing havoc, but someday it will rain again and California needs to be ready with increased storage abilities through our dams and reservoirs.

National Ag Week

March 22nd marked the beginning of National Ag Week. In California, a variety of agricultural businesses and groups held an event at the State Capitol. Megan Dahle, Dist. 1 Assemblywoman, attended the activities that included the California FFA and California Cattlewomen. One of her favorite stops was talking with an 11-year-old girl, Sophie, who has written a book inspired by agriculture. Yes, Dahle bought a copy and made sure Sophie signed it.

In a press release, Assemblywoman Dahle, reiterated that California’s agriculture is a multi-billion dollar – yep, that is with a “B” – industry, employing hundreds of thousands of Californians.

“Our state is home to tens of thousands of farms and ranches and over a third of the country’s vegetables and two-thirds of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California,” she said.

What a great way to educate folks about the importance of agriculture. Now we need to be sure and have enough water to grow all that food!

Garden

Some perennials are starting to grow in the garden, but there is no sign of any asparagus. Guess it has been too dry and I have not irrigated it.

Two weeks ago, I felt sorry for the garlic and rhubarb and gave them a good soaking. It wasn’t too far to drag the hose over from the frost-free faucet. The rhubarb was just peeking up. I was surprised to see about 15 garlic plants are growing. It was three weeks ago that my grandson, Bryce, helped me put horse manure on the garlic and rhubarb. It should have been put on back in December, so was happy that I finally got around to doing it!

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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