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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