Water and water management are crucial to the continuing agricultural prosperity of the San Joaquin Valley. Consequently, the region is lucky to have not one BUT TWO symposia this month discussing water quantity, quality , and management in the Central Valley. Please consider attending if you can.
Merced County Farm Bureau Water Symposium
February 21st, 2019
This event, hosted by the Merced County Farm Bureau at the UC Cooperative Extension Center (2145 Wardrobe Avenue, Merced), is free for all attendees (Sponsored by Yosemite Farm Credit). Talks will focus on SGMA updates, WOTUS and well testing, water rights and more! Lunch and one hour of continuing education credits will be provided. Register in advance by calling Merced County Farm Bureau at 209-723-3001.
Agenda:
7:30 a.m. Registration, breakfast and welcome
8:00 a.m. Bay Delta Plan Update
Phil McMurray, General Counsel, Merced Irrigation District
Herb Smart. Regulatory Analyst, Turlock Irrigation District - Turlock Subbasin
8:30 a.m. Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
Jarrett Martin, Engineer, Central California Irrigation District - Delta-Mendota Subbasin
Hicham Eltal, Deputy General Manager, Merced Irrigation District - Merced Subbasin
Smantha Lopes, Risk Analyst, Farmland Management Services - Chowchilla subbasin
Herb Smart. Regulatory Analyst, Turlock Irrigation District - Turlock Subbasin
9:15 a.m. Waters of the United States (WOTUS), Clean Water Rule, and Domestic Well Testing
Kari Fisher, Senior Counsel. California Farm Bureau Federation
10:00 a.m. Land Appraisal: The Impact of Water on Land Values
Tony Toso, First Vice President/CFO/Broker. Edwards. Lien and Toso, Inc
Randy Edwards, President/CEO/Broker. Edwards. Lien and Toso, Inc
10:30 a.m. What are your Water Rights?
Art Godwin, Attorney, Robbins, Browning, Godwin, and Marchini LLP
11:00 a.m. Protecting surface water from Pesticide Contamination
Jennifer Teerlink, PhD, Senior Environmental Scientist, CDPR
Water and the Future of the San Joaquin Valley
February 22nd, 2019
The San Joaquin Valley is in a time of great change and growing water stress. New cooperative approaches are needed to bring groundwater basins into balance, provide safe drinking water, and manage water and land to benefit people and nature. Authors of a new Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) study and a diverse group of experts will discuss key issues and solutions to some of the valley's looming challenges. The event will be held at California State University Fresno in the Satellite Student Union. Please register in advance at: https://www.ppic.org/event/water-and-the-future-of-the-san-joaquin-valley/. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event will also be webcast live.
Agenda:
8:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. Welcome
Robert M. Harper, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Fresno State
Michael Frantz, co-owner, Frantz Wholesale Nurseries
9:10 a.m. Presentation: Water Stress and a Changing San Joaquin Valley
Ellen Hanak, center director, PPIC Water Policy Center
9:45 a.m. Panel 1: Balancing the Valley's Water Supplies and Demands
Moderator: Alvar Escriva-Bou, research fellow, PPIC Water Policy Center
Eric Averett, general manager, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District
Katarina Buelna Campbell, supervisor of resources, Westlands Water District
Thomas Esqueda, associate vice president for water and sustainability, Fresno State
Ric Ortega, general manager, Grassland Water District
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Panel 2: Managing for Water Supply and Water Quality
Moderator: Sarge Green, project director, Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State
David Cory, consulting attorney and farmer
Helen Dahlke, associate professor in integrated hydrologic sciences, UC Davis
Veronica Garibay, co-director, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability
Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive officer, Western United Dairymen
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Panel 3: Valley 2040: Planning For Water And Land Use Transitions
Moderator: Nathaniel Seavy, research director, Point Blue Conservation Science
Vito Chiesa, supervisor, Stanislaus County
Soapy Mulholland, executive director, Sequoia Riverlands Trust
Lorelei Oviatt, director, Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department
Jon Reiter, chief executive officer, Maricopa Orchards
1:25 p.m. Closing Remarks
Mas Masumoto, author and farmer